Air tightness level detector and electronic device having the same

Abstract

The present application provides an air tightness level detector and an electronic device having the same. The air tightness level detector includes an air pump, a sound emitting device and an audio receiving and processing device. The air pump has an air inlet valve and an air outlet valve. The sound emitting device is disposed near the air outlet valve to emit corresponding audio according to the air flow blown from the air pump through the air outlet valve. The audio receiving and processing device is disposed near the sound emitting device and is adapted to receive the audio emitted by the sound emitting device and determine the air tightness level of the air tightness device according to the received audio.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of airtightness level detection, and more particularly to an airtightness level detector and an electronic device using the same. Background Technology

[0002] To minimize the impact of external environmental factors during use, many electronic products incorporate waterproofing features during manufacturing. During the manufacturing process, manufacturers test their products to ensure their airtightness provides sufficient waterproofing. However, to test the airtightness of different products, manufacturers must use specific airtightness detectors. These limitations in testing hardware undoubtedly lead manufacturers to incur significant costs in updating their airtightness detectors.

[0003] Furthermore, even if manufacturers can ensure that products have sufficient airtightness at the time of manufacture to achieve their claimed waterproof capabilities, the airtightness of the product may still deteriorate due to the gradual aging of materials or improper use by the user, thus reducing its waterproof capability. Once the product's waterproof capability decreases and the user continues to operate the product according to its original claimed waterproof capability, the product is prone to malfunction.

[0004] Therefore, how to enable users to know the airtightness or waterproof performance of a product in real time is a problem that urgently needs to be solved in the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an airtightness level detector having a simple structure suitable for installation in electronic devices.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device with an airtightness level detector, which can obtain information on the airtightness level obtained by the airtightness level detector detecting the internal environment of the electronic device at any time.

[0007] From one perspective, the present invention provides an airtightness level detector, suitable for installation in an airtight device, comprising an air pump, a sound-emitting device, and an audio receiving and processing device. The air pump has an inlet valve and an outlet valve; the sound-emitting device is located near the outlet valve to emit a corresponding audio signal based on the airflow from the air pump through the outlet valve; the audio receiving and processing device is located near the sound-emitting device and is adapted to receive the audio signal emitted by the sound-emitting device, and further determine the airtightness level of the airtight device based on this audio signal.

[0008] In one embodiment, the aforementioned airtightness detector further includes a detector housing, a first sealing compound, and a detector base plate. The detector housing forms a detector housing for housing an air pump, a sound-generating device, and an audio receiving and processing device. A first through hole and a second through hole are formed on the detector housing, respectively penetrating the inner and outer sides of the detector housing. The first through hole is exposed to the outside through the airtight compound, and the position of the second through hole corresponds to the air inlet valve of the air pump. The first sealing compound is disposed around the air inlet valve and acts as a barrier between the air inlet valve and the air outlet valve, preventing the airflow blown out from the air outlet valve from directly entering the air inlet valve. The detector base plate is joined to the detector housing to seal the detector housing, and the air pump and the audio receiving and processing device are respectively fixed to the detector base plate.

[0009] In one embodiment, the aforementioned airtightness level detector further includes a waterproof and breathable sheet disposed at one end of the first through hole to prevent moisture from entering the detector housing chamber from outside the airtight device through the first through hole.

[0010] In one embodiment, the aforementioned sound-generating device is a spring plate, one end of which is connected to the detector housing and the other end is located near the air outlet valve to generate vibrations according to the airflow blown out by the air pump through the air outlet valve to emit a corresponding audio signal.

[0011] In one embodiment, the aforementioned air pump is a miniature air pump that operates using the piezoelectric effect.

[0012] From another perspective, the present invention provides an electronic device with an airtightness level detector, comprising an electronic device housing, a main processing unit, and an airtightness level detector. The electronic device housing forms an electronic device housing, and the main processing unit and the airtightness level detector are disposed within the electronic device housing. The airtightness level detector includes an air pump, a sound-emitting device, and an audio receiving and processing device. The air pump has an inlet valve and an outlet valve; the sound-emitting device is disposed near the outlet valve so that it can emit a corresponding audio signal based on the airflow from the air pump through the outlet valve; the audio receiving and processing device is disposed near the sound-emitting device and adapted to receive the audio signal emitted by the sound-emitting device, further determine the airtightness level of the electronic device based on this audio signal, and transmit the determined airtightness level to the main processing unit.

[0013] In one embodiment, the aforementioned airtightness detector further includes a detector housing, a first sealing compound, and a detector base plate. The detector housing forms a detector housing for housing an air pump, a sound-generating device, and an audio receiving and processing device. A first through hole and a second through hole are formed on the detector housing, respectively penetrating the inner and outer sides of the detector housing. The first through hole is exposed to the outside through the airtight compound, and the position of the second through hole corresponds to the air inlet valve of the air pump. The first sealing compound is disposed around the air inlet valve and acts as a barrier between the air inlet valve and the air outlet valve, preventing the airflow blown out from the air outlet valve from directly entering the air inlet valve. The detector base plate is joined to the detector housing to seal the detector housing, and the air pump and the audio receiving and processing device are respectively fixed to the detector base plate.

[0014] In one embodiment, the aforementioned airtightness level detector further includes a waterproof and breathable sheet disposed at one end of the first through hole to prevent moisture from entering the detector housing chamber from outside the airtight device through the first through hole.

[0015] In one embodiment, the aforementioned sound-generating device is a spring plate, one end of which is connected to the detector housing and the other end is located near the air outlet valve to generate vibrations according to the airflow blown out by the air pump through the air outlet valve to emit a corresponding audio signal.

[0016] In one embodiment, the aforementioned air pump is a miniature air pump that operates using the piezoelectric effect.

[0017] In one embodiment, the electronic device further includes a second sealing gel sandwiched between the detector housing and the electronic device housing.

[0018] In one embodiment, the main processing device is electrically coupled to the audio receiving and processing device and drives a display device to display the airtightness level of the electronic device based on the electronic signals transmitted by the audio receiving and processing device.

[0019] Overall, the airtightness level detector proposed in this invention has a simple structure, so it can be placed in various electronic devices without much adjustment, thereby reducing the cost that manufacturers need to spend on hardware design. The electronic device with airtightness level detector proposed in this invention can detect the airtightness of the electronic device at any time because it has a built-in airtightness level detector, so that users can know the airtightness changes of the electronic device at any time, thereby reducing the damage caused by the deterioration of the airtightness of the electronic device during operation. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of an airtightness level detector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an air pump used according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of a gas tightness level detector according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the airtightness level detector.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device with an airtightness level detector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance of an electronic device with an airtightness level detector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0027] 10, 30: Air tightness level detector

[0028] 50: Electronic devices

[0029] 60: Products

[0030] 100, 200: Air pump

[0031] 102, 210: Intake valves

[0032] 104, 220: Gas outlet valve

[0033] 110: Sound-generating device

[0034] 120: Audio receiving and processing device

[0035] 230: Diaphragm

[0036] 240: Actuator

[0037] 250: Pump body

[0038] 300: Detector housing

[0039] 302, 304: Through-hole

[0040] 310: Sealant

[0041] 312: Passage Space

[0042] 320: Waterproof and breathable sheet

[0043] 330: Detector base plate

[0044] 400: concave part

[0045] 410: Detector housing

[0046] 500: Top cover

[0047] 510: Lower shell cover

[0048] 530: Main Processing Unit

[0049] 550, 560: Sealing colloid

[0050] 570: Electronic device motherboard

[0051] 600: Display device

[0052] 610: Megaphone Detailed Implementation

[0053] To ensure that the description is clearly understood by those skilled in the art, it should be noted that the term "electrically coupled" as used below means that electronic signals can be transmitted between two electrically coupled objects. Unless otherwise specified, the transmission of electronic signals can be wired or wireless, and the direction of transmission can be unidirectional or bidirectional.

[0054] Please refer to Figure 1 This is an exploded view of an airtightness level detector according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the airtightness level detector 10 includes an air pump 100, a sound-generating device 110, and an audio receiving and processing device 120. As shown, the air pump 100 has an inlet valve 102 and an outlet valve 104. The inlet valve 102 allows gas to flow from the outside of the air pump 100 to the inside of the air pump 100, while the outlet valve 104 allows gas to flow from the inside of the air pump 100 to the outside of the air pump 100. In actual use, the air pump 100 can be any device that meets the aforementioned functional requirements. For example, the air pump 100 used in the airtightness level detector 10 can be as follows: Figure 2 The air pump 200 shown. Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, an inlet valve 210 is provided on one side above the air pump 200 as a channel for fluid (gas in this embodiment) to enter the interior of the air pump 200, and an outlet valve 220 is provided on the other side above the air pump 200 as a channel for gas to be blown out of the interior of the air pump 200. Furthermore, the interior of the air pump 200 is divided into upper and lower spaces by a diaphragm 230. An actuator 240 is located in the space below the diaphragm 230, which is not connected to the inlet valve 210 and the outlet valve 220. The space above the diaphragm 230, which is connected to the inlet valve 210 and the outlet valve 220, is the pump chamber 250, which connects the inlet valve 210 and the outlet valve 220. During the air pump 200's intake operation, the actuator 240 pulls the diaphragm 230 downwards, increasing the space of the pump chamber 250. As a result, gas located outside the air pump 200 will enter the pump body 250 through the inlet valve 210 due to the pressure drop inside the pump body 250. Conversely, during the exhaust operation of the air pump 200, the actuator 240 will cause the diaphragm 230 to return to its original horizontal position, making the space inside the pump body 250 smaller than during the intake operation. As a result, the pressure inside the pump body 250 will rise, causing the gas originally located inside the pump body 250 to be blown out of the air pump 200 through the outlet valve 220.

[0055] Please continue to refer to Figure 1The sound-emitting device 110 in the airtightness detector 10 is positioned near the exhaust valve 104 so that it can emit a corresponding audio signal based on the airflow from the exhaust valve 104. The audio signal emitted by the sound-emitting device 110 is received by the audio receiving and processing device 120, which determines the airtightness level of the location of the airtightness detector 10 based on the received audio signal, including but not limited to the frequency and duration of the audio signal. Specifically, when the environment in which the airtightness detector 10 is located is initially close to a vacuum, due to the extremely scarce gas, the airflow from the exhaust valve 104 is also very small, resulting in the audio signal emitted by the sound-emitting device 110 being extremely short in duration or having an extremely low frequency. Therefore, when the airtightness level of the environment where the airtightness level detector 10 is located is high, the increase in the amount of gas in the environment will be relatively small, so the duration or frequency of the audio emitted by the sound-emitting device 110 will not change much. Conversely, when the airtightness level of the environment where the airtightness level detector 10 is located is low, the increase in the amount of gas in the environment will be relatively large, so the duration or frequency of the audio emitted by the sound-emitting device 110 will change more significantly. Therefore, the audio receiving and processing device 120 can determine the airtightness level of the environment where the airtightness level detector 10 is located based on the content of the received audio.

[0056] It is worth noting that although a spring sheet is used as a specific embodiment of the sound-generating device 110 in this embodiment and the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that, according to the technical spirit of the present invention, any object or device capable of generating different audio frequencies based on different intensities of airflow blown out by the air outlet valve 104 can be used as a specific embodiment of the sound-generating device 110. In other words, the sound-generating device 110 of the present invention is not limited to a spring sheet.

[0057] Please refer to the following at the same time. Figure 3 and Figure 4 ,in, Figure 3 This is an exploded view of a gas tightness level detector according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the airtightness level detector.

[0058] As shown in the figure, the airtightness level detector 30 in this embodiment includes, in addition to Figure 1In addition to the air pump 100, sound-generating device 110, and audio receiving and processing device 120 shown, the device also includes a detector housing 300, a sealing compound 310 (hereinafter also referred to as the first sealing compound), and a detector base plate 330. In this embodiment, two through holes 302 and 304 are formed on the detector housing 300, and the detector housing 300 and the detector base plate 330 are joined to form a detector housing 410 for accommodating other components of the airtightness detector 30. The aforementioned through holes 302 (hereinafter also referred to as the first through hole) and 304 (hereinafter also referred to as the second through hole) respectively penetrate the inner and outer sides of the detector housing 300, and the position of the through hole 304 corresponds to the position of the air inlet valve 102 on the air pump 100. The sealing compound 310 is disposed around the air inlet valve 102 and acts as a barrier between the air inlet valve 102 and the air outlet valve 104, preventing the airflow blown out by the air outlet valve 104 from directly entering the air inlet valve 102. In this embodiment, the sealing colloid 310, together with the inner side of the detector housing 300 and the housing of the air pump 100, encloses a channel space 312 in the detector housing 410. The inlet valve 102 is located within the coverage area of ​​the channel space 312, and one end of the channel space 312 is connected to the through hole 304, making the channel space 312 the only gas flow channel between the through hole 304 and the inlet valve 102. In order to ensure that the total amount of gas entering the inlet valve 102 is not affected by the gas blown out by the outlet valve 104, the coverage area of ​​the channel space 312 excludes the outlet valve 104 so that the airflow blown out by the outlet valve 104 cannot directly enter the channel space 312.

[0059] In addition to the components mentioned above, this embodiment also includes a waterproof and breathable sheet 320 to further prevent the components from malfunctioning due to moisture. As shown in the figure, the waterproof and breathable sheet 320 is disposed at one end of the through hole 302 to prevent moisture from entering the detector housing 410 from the outside of the airtightness detector 30 through the through hole 302.

[0060] To secure the components, in this embodiment, the air pump 100 and the audio receiving and processing device 120 are fixed to the detector base plate 330. Additionally, the sound-generating device (spring plate) 110 is bent into a specific shape such that one end is suspended above the air outlet valve 104, the middle section is secured in the recess 400 formed inside the detector housing 300, and the other end is fixed near the through hole 302. It should be noted that any suitable method of component fixing can be used in this invention as long as it enables each component to perform its required function; that is, the component fixing methods mentioned in the above embodiments are not necessary conditions limiting the implementation of this invention.

[0061] Please refer to the following. Figure 5This is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device with an airtightness level detector according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the outer casing of the electronic device 50 (hereinafter also referred to as the electronic device housing) includes an upper casing 500 and a lower casing 510, which together form a space (hereinafter also referred to as the electronic device housing) for housing various electronic components that may be used by the electronic device 50 during operation. As shown in the figure, the electronic device 50 includes at least a main processing unit 530, an electronic device motherboard 570, and the aforementioned airtightness level detector 30. The main processing unit 530 is mounted on the electronic device motherboard 570, and the airtightness level detector 30 is also positioned at a specific location within the electronic device 50 by inserting the fixing post of the detector housing 300 into a positioning hole on the electronic device motherboard 570.

[0062] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the through-hole 302 on the airtightness detector 30 is exposed through the electronic device housing. To ensure sufficient airtightness of the electronic device 50, in addition to adding a sealant 560 at the junction of the upper cover 500 and the lower cover 510, another set of sealant 550 can be sandwiched between the detector housing 300 and the electronic device housing. Figure 3 For example, since the outer shell of the through hole 302 is circular, the sealing colloid 550 can be a columnar body with an outer ring shaped according to the requirements of the electronic device shell and an inner ring that is circular.

[0063] With the above structure, during the operation of the airtightness detector 30, the air pump 100 can draw in gas from the electronic device 50 through the through hole 304 and the inlet valve 102, and the gas discharged from the outlet valve 104 can be discharged out of the electronic device 50 through the through hole 302. Since the electronic device 50 has a certain degree of airtightness, after the air pump 100 has been running for a period of time, the total amount of gas entering the electronic device's containment chamber through the gaps in the electronic device 50 will reach a balance with the total amount of gas discharged out of the electronic device 50 through the through hole 302. In other words, the audio frequency emitted by the sound-emitting device 110 will tend to stabilize. Therefore, the airtightness detector 30 can determine the airtightness level of the electronic device 50 based on the change in the audio frequency emitted by the sound-emitting device 110.

[0064] To allow users to easily determine the airtightness level of the electronic device 50 as identified by the airtightness level detector 30, in this embodiment, the main processing unit 530 is electrically coupled to the audio receiving and processing unit 120. The audio receiving and processing unit 120 then transmits its determined airtightness level to the main processing unit 530 as an electronic signal. Finally, the main processing unit 530 can then provide the user with the airtightness level of the electronic device 50 based on the received electronic signal. For example, the main processing unit 530 can be electrically coupled to a loudspeaker to control the loudspeaker and provide the user with the airtightness level of the electronic device 50 via voice; or, the main processing unit 530 can be electrically coupled to a display device to drive the display device to show the airtightness level of the electronic device 50.

[0065] In electronic device 50, as follows Figure 6 When a product 60, such as a smartphone, is shown that simultaneously has a display device 600 and a speaker 610, the main processing device 530 can directly utilize the display or sound functions provided by the product 60 itself to allow the user to easily know the airtightness status of the electronic device 50.

[0066] As described above, the airtightness detector proposed in this invention has a simple structure and can be placed in various electronic devices without significant adjustments, reducing the hardware design costs for manufacturers. Furthermore, the electronic device with the airtightness detector built into this invention can continuously monitor its airtightness, allowing users to be aware of changes in airtightness at any time. This reduces the possibility of damage to the electronic device due to airtightness degradation caused by operation in unsuitable environments.

Claims

1. A gas tightness level detector, suitable for installation in an electronic device, characterized in that... include: A detector housing; An air pump, which is a miniature air pump and has an inlet valve and an outlet valve; A sound-generating device, comprising a spring plate, one end of which is connected to the detector housing and the other end positioned near the air outlet valve to vibrate in response to airflow from the air pump through the air outlet valve, thereby emitting an audio signal; and An audio receiving and processing device is located near the sound-emitting device and is adapted to receive the audio. The audio receiving and processing device determines the airtightness level of the electronic device based on the audio.

2. The airtightness level detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detector housing forms a detector housing chamber for housing the air pump, the sound-generating device, and the audio receiving and processing device; a first through hole and a second through hole are formed on the detector housing, the first through hole and the second through hole respectively penetrate the inner and outer sides of the detector housing, and the first through hole is exposed to the outside through the electronic device; the position of the second through hole corresponds to the air inlet valve of the air pump; the airtightness level detector further includes: A first sealing compound is disposed around the intake valve and acts as a barrier between the intake valve and the outlet valve, preventing the airflow from the outlet valve from directly entering the intake valve; and A detector base plate, which engages with the detector housing to seal the detector housing chamber. The air pump and the audio receiving and processing device are respectively fixed to the detector base plate.

3. The airtightness level detector as described in claim 2, further comprising: A waterproof and breathable sheet is provided at one end of the first through hole to prevent moisture from entering the detector housing chamber from outside the electronic device through the first through hole.

4. The airtightness level detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air pump is a miniature air pump that operates using the piezoelectric effect.

5. An electronic device with an airtightness level detector, characterized in that... include: An electronic device housing forms an electronic device receiving chamber; A main processing unit is located within the electronic device housing. as well as An airtightness level detector, installed in the electronic device housing, includes: A detector housing; An air pump, which is a miniature air pump and has an inlet valve and an outlet valve; A sound-generating device, comprising a spring plate, one end of which is connected to the detector housing and the other end positioned near the air outlet valve to vibrate in response to airflow from the air pump through the air outlet valve, thereby emitting an audio signal; and An audio receiving and processing device is located near the sound-emitting device and is adapted to receive the audio. The audio receiving and processing device determines the airtightness level of the electronic device based on the audio and transmits the determined airtightness level of the electronic device to the main processing device.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the detector housing forms a detector housing for housing the air pump, the sound-generating device, and the audio receiving and processing device; a first through hole and a second through hole are formed on the detector housing, the first through hole and the second through hole respectively penetrate the inner and outer sides of the detector housing, and the first through hole is exposed to the outside through the detector housing; the position of the second through hole corresponds to the air inlet valve of the air pump; the airtightness level detector further includes: A first sealing compound is disposed around the intake valve and acts as a barrier between the intake valve and the outlet valve, preventing the airflow from the outlet valve from directly entering the intake valve; and A detector base plate, which engages with the detector housing to seal the detector housing chamber. The air pump and the audio receiving and processing device are respectively fixed to the detector base plate.

7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 6, wherein, The airtightness level detector also includes: A waterproof and breathable sheet is provided at one end of the first through hole to prevent moisture from entering the detector housing chamber from outside the electronic device through the first through hole.

8. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the air pump is a miniature air pump that operates using the piezoelectric effect.

9. The electronic device of claim 5 further includes a second sealing adhesive sandwiched between the detector housing and the electronic device housing.

10. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the main processing device is electrically coupled to the audio receiving and processing device and drives a display device to display the airtightness level of the electronic device based on the electronic signals transmitted by the audio receiving and processing device.

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