Housing, device, housing, battery charger housing or power adapter housing, battery charger or power adapter

Abstract

The utility model provides a housing, a device, a housing, a battery charger housing or a power adapter housing, and a battery charger or a power adapter, the housing accommodates at least one heat dissipation device, and the at least one heat dissipation device is configured to be held by a user or held in other ways. The housing includes a first housing wall portion having a plurality of first gripping features protruding from the first housing wall portion and a second housing wall portion having a plurality of second gripping features protruding from the second housing wall portion. The plurality of first grip features and the plurality of second grip features prevent a user from contacting the first housing wall portion and the second housing wall portion.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 500,238, filed on May 4, 2023. The entire contents of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 500,238 are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to housings or surfaces of housings and, in particular, to housings that house heat dissipating devices. Background Art

[0004] Improvements in electronic technology have allowed electronic devices to be reduced in size with increased or unchanged capabilities. These trends have created challenges in managing the heat generated by electronic devices. For example, advances in battery technology have allowed batteries to capture more power in less time, which has led to a need for chargers that deliver more power in a smaller volume. The desire to reduce the size of the housings of electronic devices such as battery chargers and power adapters has led to heat management challenges. In the past, heat sinks or other thermal conductors have been used as passive heat exchangers to remove heat from heat-generating devices. Utility Model Content

[0005] For context, this section provides an overview of aspects of the present disclosure and the advantages provided by the present disclosure. As described in further detail below, aspects of the present disclosure relate to an improved housing or surface for a housing that can accommodate or otherwise enclose a heat dissipation device or system and / or a heat generating circuit, and these terms can be used interchangeably throughout the disclosure. In one example, the heat dissipation device can be a power converter circuit and / or one or more switch mode power supply circuits that dissipate heat and are contained within the housing. The outer housing that houses the heat dissipation device can be touched by the user during use, so safety agencies and regulatory agencies typically set regulations or guidelines for the maximum acceptable housing temperature. These regulations or guidelines are intended to prevent harm to the user, for example, when the device is plugged in or unplugged. However, the maximum acceptable housing temperature set in the regulations or guidelines is usually high enough to cause discomfort or have a negative impact on the user experience or the user's perception of the device. Radiators or other thermal conductors have been used as passive heat exchangers to remove heat from heat dissipation devices. However, the heat sink conducts heat away from the heat source, and while this is effective for regulating the temperature of the electronic device, a user may experience discomfort when touching the product due to the increased temperature of the housing or outer surface of the product. Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a housing or housing surface that includes a gripping feature that generally reduces the surface area of ​​the housing that a user contacts during normal use (i.e., gripping or otherwise holding the housing). Reducing or minimizing the surface area of ​​the housing that a user contacts during use of the housing can reduce or otherwise reduce the user's perceived sensation of high surface temperatures and improve the user experience and / or the user's perception of the product.

[0006] In the test aspects described herein, it can be observed that the reduction in the surface area of ​​user contact significantly reduces the perceived temperature of the housing surface. This significant reduction in the user's perceived temperature may be due to one or a combination of the following reasons: thermal isolation caused by the space between the user's skin and the housing surface and a combination of physical and physiological phenomena. In terms of physical and physiological phenomena, typical human skin has neurons (temperature receptors), including hot temperature receptors and cold temperature receptors. Hot temperature receptors are most active at temperatures above about 45 degrees Celsius, while cold temperature receptors are most active at temperatures below about 15-18 degrees Celsius. For example, the density of hot temperature receptors on typical human fingertips is about 1.6 per square millimeter. Therefore, by reducing the point of contact with, for example, human fingertips, the number of activated temperature receptors is reduced, which may lead to a reduction in perceived temperature. Temperature receptors are different from pain receptors, which are activated when the temperature rises to a level that may cause harm to humans.

[0007] In various aspects described in detail with reference to the following figures, multiple housings with gripping features are shown and described. In most cases, the housings are shown as having certain shapes and sizes. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the housings and / or gripping features described herein may be applicable to any housing that accommodates a heat dissipation device having an outer shell. For example, aspects of the present disclosure may be added to or integrated into the housing of a mobile phone, a gaming system, or a controller thereof, the housing of a flashlight or lighting device, the housing of a camera, camcorder, or other imaging device, or the housing of a battery.

[0008] The detailed examples described below show a housing having gripping features integrated therewith. Alternatively, gripping features can be added to or otherwise connected to other relatively flat surfaces. For example, any gripping features that limit or reduce the contact surface area can be adhered to the surface as a decal, raised sticker, or other adhered feature. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the gripping features can be adhered to the surface using an adhesive pre-applied to the bottom surface of the gripping features and / or applied to the housing. The gripping features can also be overmolded or otherwise molded onto the housing surface. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the gripping features can be multi-layered and can be applied to the surface as multiple layers to establish the gripping features.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a housing for a heat dissipation device may be used with any of the examples described herein. The housing may also be referred to as a shell. The housing may be formed using non-metallic materials such as polycarbonate or similar thermoplastics. In some examples, the housing may be molded or formed as a single or integral component or structure, on which the gripping features described in the present disclosure are integrally formed. In another example, the housing may be formed of plastic or thermoplastic, with the gripping features described in the present disclosure machined therein. In another example, for example, the housing may be formed of a material such as aluminum, magnesium, or an alloy thereof, wherein gripping features formed of non-metallic materials such as plastic, thermoplastic, or rubber are added to the housing or otherwise permanently connected or bonded to the housing. Examples of features applicable to the features described in this section are described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] This overview and the following detailed description are presented for illustration and description. This overview is not intended to be exhaustive, nor is it intended to limit the present disclosure to the form described. In view of the teachings herein, numerous modifications are possible, including any combination of the different examples described herein. Some of these modifications have been discussed, and those skilled in the art will understand other modifications. Various aspects are selected and described to illustrate the principles of the present disclosure and various aspects suitable for the intended specific use. Of course, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the examples or aspects described herein, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may adopt the present disclosure with any number of applications and equivalent devices. On the contrary, it is intended that the scope of the present disclosure be limited by the appended claims.

[0011] The present application provides a shell, which is used to accommodate at least one heat dissipation device. The shell is configured to be grasped or held in other ways by a user, and the shell includes: a first shell wall portion, the first shell wall portion having a plurality of first grasping features protruding from the first shell wall portion; and a second shell wall portion, the second shell wall portion having a plurality of second grasping features protruding from the second shell wall portion, wherein the plurality of first grasping features and the plurality of second grasping features are sized and arranged to prevent the user from contacting the first shell wall portion and the second shell wall portion when grasping the shell.

[0012] Optionally, the plurality of first gripping features are protrusions, or the first shell wall comprises a plurality of recesses between the plurality of first gripping features; or the plurality of first gripping features are protrusions, and the first shell wall comprises a plurality of recesses between the plurality of first gripping features.

[0013] Optionally, the plurality of second gripping features are protrusions, or the second shell wall comprises a plurality of recesses between the plurality of second gripping features; or the plurality of second gripping features are protrusions, and the second shell wall comprises a plurality of recesses between the plurality of second gripping features.

[0014] Optionally, the first plurality of gripping features and the second plurality of gripping features are formed of a non-metallic material.

[0015] Optionally, the first housing wall portion and the second housing wall portion are formed of a non-metallic material.

[0016] Optionally, the first shell wall portion, the second shell wall portion, the plurality of first gripping features and the plurality of second gripping features are an integral structure.

[0017] Optionally, the housing further comprises a third housing wall and a fourth housing wall, wherein the first housing wall and the second housing wall are perpendicular to the third housing wall and the fourth housing wall, and wherein the first housing wall and the second housing wall are parallel.

[0018] Optionally, the third housing wall portion comprises a plurality of third gripping features protruding from the third housing wall portion, and the fourth housing wall portion comprises a plurality of fourth gripping features protruding from the fourth housing wall portion.

[0019] Optionally, the first housing wall, the second housing wall, the third housing wall and the fourth housing wall form a rectangular housing for accommodating at least one heat dissipation device.

[0020] Optionally, the plurality of first gripping features, the plurality of second gripping features, the plurality of third gripping features, and the plurality of fourth gripping features are the same.

[0021] Optionally, the at least one heat dissipation device is one or more components of the power converter housed within the housing.

[0022] Optionally, the first plurality of gripping features comprises 5 to 200 gripping features, and wherein the second plurality of gripping features comprises 5 to 200 gripping features.

[0023] Optionally, the plurality of first gripping features and the plurality of second gripping features form a repeating pattern on the first housing wall and the second housing wall.

[0024] Optionally, the plurality of first gripping features form a random pattern or a non-repeating pattern on the first housing wall.

[0025] Optionally, the plurality of second gripping features form a random pattern or a non-repeating pattern on the second housing wall.

[0026] Optionally, the housing is a battery charger housing or a power adapter housing; the heat dissipation device is a power converter circuit, an AC-DC converter circuit or a switch mode power supply circuit; the first housing wall and the second housing wall cover an area at least as large as the tip of a user's thumb; and a plurality of first gripping features and a plurality of second gripping features protrude outward from the first housing wall and the second housing wall.

[0027] The present application also provides a device, the device includes a heat dissipation circuit and a shell accommodating the heat dissipation circuit, the shell includes: a first shell wall portion, the first shell wall portion has a first wall inner surface and a first wall outer surface, the first wall outer surface includes a plurality of first gripping features extending from the first wall outer surface; and a second shell wall portion, the second shell wall portion has a second wall inner surface and a second wall outer surface, the second wall outer surface has a plurality of second gripping features extending from the second wall outer surface, wherein the plurality of first gripping features and the plurality of second gripping features are sized and arranged to prevent a user who grips the shell from contacting the first wall outer surface and the second wall outer surface.

[0028] Optionally, the shell also includes: a third shell wall portion, the third shell wall portion including a third wall inner surface and a third wall outer surface, wherein the third wall outer surface includes a plurality of third gripping features extending from the third wall outer surface; and a fourth shell wall portion, the fourth shell wall portion including a fourth wall inner surface and a fourth wall outer surface, wherein the fourth wall outer surface includes a plurality of fourth gripping features extending from the fourth wall outer surface, wherein the first wall inner surface and the second wall inner surface are perpendicular to the third wall inner surface and the fourth wall inner surface, and wherein the first wall inner surface and the second wall inner surface are parallel.

[0029] Optionally, the plurality of first gripping features, the plurality of second gripping features, the plurality of third gripping features and the plurality of fourth gripping features form a repeating pattern on the first wall outer surface, the second wall outer surface, the third wall outer surface and the fourth wall outer surface.

[0030] Optionally, the device also includes: a fifth shell wall portion, the fifth shell wall portion including a fifth wall inner surface and a fifth wall outer surface, wherein the fifth wall outer surface includes a plurality of fifth gripping features extending from the fifth wall outer surface; and a sixth shell wall portion, the sixth shell wall portion including a sixth wall inner surface and a sixth wall outer surface, wherein the sixth wall outer surface includes a plurality of sixth gripping features extending from the sixth wall outer surface, wherein the fifth wall inner surface and the sixth wall inner surface are perpendicular to the first wall inner surface, the second wall inner surface, the third wall inner surface and the fourth wall inner surface.

[0031] Optionally, the first gripping feature, the second gripping feature, the third gripping feature and the fourth gripping feature are formed of a non-metallic material.

[0032] Optionally, the plurality of first gripping features, the plurality of second gripping features, the plurality of third gripping features and the plurality of fourth gripping features are the same.

[0033] Optionally, each of the first gripping features includes a first gripping surface at its end, each of the second gripping features includes a second gripping surface at its end, each of the third gripping features includes a third gripping surface at its end, and each of the fourth gripping features includes a fourth gripping surface at its end, wherein the first gripping surface, the second gripping surface, the third gripping surface and the fourth gripping surface have a small size of 0.75 millimeters (mm) to 2.0 mm.

[0034] Optionally, the heat dissipation circuit is a power converter circuit.

[0035] The present application also provides a device, the device includes a heat dissipation circuit and a shell accommodating the heat dissipation circuit, the shell includes: a first shell wall portion, the first shell wall portion has a first wall inner surface and a first wall outer surface, the first wall outer surface includes a plurality of first gripping features extending from the first wall outer surface; and a second shell wall portion, the second shell wall portion has a second wall inner surface and a second wall outer surface, the second wall outer surface has a plurality of second gripping features extending from the second wall outer surface, wherein the plurality of first gripping features and the plurality of second gripping features are sized and arranged so that when the user grips the shell, the user's skin is at a distance from the first wall outer surface and the second wall outer surface.

[0036] Optionally, the shell further comprises an outer layer positioned above the plurality of first gripping features and the plurality of second gripping features, wherein the outer layer contacts first gripping feature surfaces of the first gripping features and second gripping feature surfaces of the second gripping features and is spaced apart from the first wall outer surface and the second wall outer surface.

[0037] The present application also provides a shell, which accommodates a diverging device, and the shell includes: a shell wall, the shell wall is located at the periphery of the shell, the shell wall has a minimum wall thickness and a maximum wall thickness, in at least one cross-section of the shell, the maximum wall thickness exists as a percentage of less than 33% of the periphery of the shell, wherein the difference between the minimum wall thickness and the maximum wall thickness is in the range of 0.75 millimeters (mm) to 4.0 mm, and wherein the minimum distance between points with maximum wall thickness is less than 35% of the difference between the minimum wall thickness and the maximum wall thickness.

[0038] Optionally, in at least one cross-section of the housing, the regions of maximum thickness and the regions of minimum thickness form a repeating pattern around the periphery of the housing.

[0039] Optionally, in at least one cross section of the housing, one or more of a maximum thickness percentage of the housing's periphery, a difference between minimum and maximum wall thicknesses, and a minimum distance between points having maximum wall thickness is variable around the housing's periphery.

[0040] Optionally, the region of maximum wall thickness forms a continuous ridge on the periphery of the housing, the ridges being separated by grooves, and wherein at least a portion of the grooves defines a minimum wall thickness.

[0041] Optionally, the dissipating device is a power converter circuit.

[0042] Optionally, the dissipating device is a switch mode power supply circuit.

[0043] The present application also provides a battery charger or a power adapter, which is accommodated in a shell, and the shell includes the shell recorded in any of the above schemes, wherein the opposite sides of the shell are formed by the shell wall.

[0044] The present application also provides a battery charger housing or a power adapter housing, the housing is used to accommodate a power converter circuit, an AC-DC converter or a switch mode power supply circuit, the housing is configured to be grasped or otherwise held by a user, the housing comprising: a first housing wall portion, the first housing wall portion spanning an area at least as large as the fingertips or thumbtips of the user; a plurality of first gripping features, the plurality of first gripping features covering the first housing wall portion and protruding outward from the first housing wall portion; a second housing wall portion, the second housing wall portion spanning an area at least as large as the fingertips or thumbtips of the user; and a plurality of second gripping features, the plurality of second gripping features covering the second housing wall portion and protruding outward from the second housing wall portion; wherein the plurality of first gripping features and the second plurality of gripping features are sized and positioned to prevent the user's skin from contacting the first housing wall portion and the second housing wall portion when the user's fingertips and thumbtips are used to grasp the housing.

[0045] The present application also provides a battery charger or a power adapter, which includes the battery charger housing or the power adapter housing described in the above solution. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

[0047] Figure 1A An isometric view of an example implementation of the present disclosure is shown in which a user contacts a surface of a housing in which a heat dissipation device is housed.

[0048] Figure 1B This disclosure Figure 1A An enlarged view of a user contacting a housing surface is shown in the example implementation.

[0049] Figure 1C This disclosure Figure 1A and Figure 1B Another enlarged view of a user contacting a housing surface of an example implementation shown in FIG.

[0050] Figure 2A is an isometric view of a housing according to one example implementation of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A An enlarged front view of a portion of the housing.

[0052] Figure 3A is an isometric view of a housing according to one example implementation of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 3Bis implemented according to an example of the present disclosure, Figure 3A An enlarged view of a portion of the housing.

[0054] Figure 3C is implemented according to an example of the present disclosure, Figure 3A and Figure 3B View of the shell in .

[0055] Figure 4A is an isometric view of a housing according to one example implementation of the present disclosure.

[0056] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A An enlarged top view of a portion of the shell in FIG.

[0057] Figure 5 is an isometric view of a housing housing a heat spreader and / or circuitry according to one example implementation of the present disclosure.

[0058] Fig. 6A is an isometric view of a housing according to one example implementation of the present disclosure.

[0059] Figure 6B is an isometric view of the housing with a portion of the housing removed to show features beneath the housing.

[0060] Figure 6C yes Fig. 6A and Figure 6B An enlarged rear view of a portion of the housing.

[0061] Figure 7 is an isometric view of a housing according to one example implementation of the present disclosure.

[0062] Figure 8 is an isometric view of a housing according to one example implementation of the present disclosure.

[0063] Fig. 9 is an isometric view of a housing according to one example implementation of the present disclosure.

[0064] Fig. 10A is an enlarged partial view of a portion of a housing according to one example implementation of the present disclosure.

[0065] Fig. 10B yes Fig. 10A A further enlarged partial view of the gripping features in FIG.

[0066] Fig.11A is an isometric view of a housing according to one example implementation of the present disclosure.

[0067] Fig. 11B yes Fig.11A An enlarged view of a portion of the housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] I. Terminology

[0069] Throughout the disclosure, the term "roughly" or "approximately" may be used as a modifier of the geometric relationship between elements, or a modifier of the shape of an element or component. Although the term "roughly" or "approximately" is not limited to a specific change, and may cover any of the following changes, which are changes that are understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to be acceptable levels, some examples are also provided below. In one example, the term "roughly" or "approximately" may include a change of less than 10% of the size of an object or component. In another example, the term "roughly" or "approximately" may include a change of less than 5% of an object or component. If the term "roughly" or "approximately" is used to define the angular relationship between one element and another element, a non-limiting example of the term "roughly" or "approximately" may include a change of 5 degrees or less. These examples are not intended to be limiting, and may be increased or decreased based on an understanding of the limitations acceptable to those skilled in the relevant art.

[0070] For the purpose of disclosure, when the aspects described herein are in a use orientation, directional terms are expressed with a standard reference system. In some examples, directional terms are generally expressed relative to a left-handed coordinate system. In other examples, directional terms can generally be expressed relative to a right-handed coordinate system. Terms such as "top", "bottom", "up", "down", "left", "right", "above", "below", "vertical", "horizontal" and the like are used for illustrative purposes. Terms such as "length", "width", "distance", "thickness" and the like that represent size and dimensions can be used. It is understood that the orientation and arrangement can be changed and will not functionally affect the embodiments of the present disclosure. For ease and clarity of explanation, the elements discussed herein will be referred to by the specific example orientations shown in the figures.

[0071] Terms such as "a", "an", and "the" are not intended to refer only to a singular entity, but are also intended to include general categories of which specific examples may be used for illustration. The terms "a", "an", and "the" may be used interchangeably with the term "at least one". The phrases "atleast one of" and "comprises at least one of" followed by a list refer to any one of the items in the list and any combination of two or more items in the list. Unless otherwise indicated, all numerical ranges include their endpoints and non-integer values ​​between the endpoints.

[0072] In the present disclosure, the terms "first", "second", "third", and "fourth", as well as other numerical values, may be used. Unless otherwise indicated, these terms are used only in their relative sense. Some components may be presented as interchangeable and / or identical multiples (e.g., a pair). For these components, the first, second, third, and / or fourth designations may be applied to these components only for convenience of description.

[0073] II. Detailed Examples

[0074] Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C An example implementation of the present disclosure is shown. The product 90 may, for example, have an outer housing 100. The product 90 may also include a heat dissipating device or circuit enclosed by the outer housing 100. A heat dissipating device may also be referred to as a heat dissipative device. In addition, the outer housing 100 may also be referred to as a shell or a housing. Some examples of heat dissipating devices may include, but are not limited to, any of the following or a combination thereof: a power converter circuit, an AC-DC converter, a switch mode power supply circuit, and / or any power supply circuit. Some examples of heat dissipating circuits or heat generating circuits or heat dissipating devices or heat generating devices are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 261,873, entitled “USB Charging with Data Communication,” filed on April 25, 2014, and / or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 682,986, entitled “Switch with Effective Voltage Reduction Using a Secondary Switch,” filed on April 9, 2015, and the entire contents of these two U.S. patent applications are incorporated herein by reference. Figure 1A As shown, the surface or face 190 may include, for example, two plugs that are configured to be input into the receptacles of a standard wall outlet. It should be noted that although a specific plug configuration is shown (i.e., a North American Type A non-grounded plug configuration), any known plug configuration may be substituted. For example, the product 90 may include a grounded plug (e.g., a Type B plug may be included). Some additional examples of plugs include, but are not limited to, Type C, Type D, Type E, Type F, Type G, Type H, Type I, Type J, Type K, Type L, Type M, Type N, or Type O plugs. As described above, the plug configuration is not limited to any particular configuration and may include any known power plug configuration. In one example, alternatively, the surface 190 may include an interface for interchangeably connecting multiple different plug modules, which may be useful for consumers traveling to areas that require different plug configurations.

[0075] The housing 100 may include a front 190 and a rear 194. In some examples, the rear may include a universal serial bus (USB) connector. The USB connector may be, for example, a USB Type A, USB Type C, USB Micro, and / or USB Mini connector, to name just a few examples. In the above examples, for example, a heat dissipation circuit within the product 90 may convert alternating current received from a wall outlet at the plug 120, etc., into direct current to be supplied to a powered device or a charged device via a cable inserted into a port in the rear 194. In some examples, the heat dissipation circuit may include a monitoring circuit and / or a regulating circuit to monitor and / or regulate any one or combination of the voltage, current, and / or temperature of the product 90, thereby optimizing the power delivery to the powered device or the charged device. As described above, although some examples are provided herein, the aspects described herein may be used with any type of housing to enclose a heat dissipation device or a heat dissipation circuit.

[0076] For example, the housing 100 may include a series of gripping features 104. It should be noted that throughout the disclosure, the terms "gripping features", "surface features" and / or "maximum thickness area" can be used interchangeably. The housing 100 may also include a housing wall 102. Throughout the disclosure, the terms "housing wall", "housing wall surface", "external wall surface" and / or "minimum thickness area" can be used interchangeably.

[0077] like Figure 1AAs shown in the example in, the gripping portion of the housing 100 is four-sided. It is understood that the housing 100 shown has six sides, and the six sides have four gripping sides or gripping sides, a front side and a rear side. The gripping side can include gripping features, as shown and discussed. For the example shown, the housing 100 includes a first housing wall 102a, a second housing wall 102b, a third housing wall 102c and a fourth housing wall 102d. For example, one of the four sides can include a first series of gripping features 104a (to prevent obstruction of sight, only two of the multiple gripping features are marked), and the first series of gripping features 104a protrude from the first housing wall 102a or otherwise extend from the first housing wall 102a. Similarly, for example, the second side of the four sides may include a second series of gripping features 104b (to prevent obstruction of vision, only one of the multiple gripping features is marked), and the second series of gripping features 104b protrude from the second shell wall 102b or otherwise extend from the second shell wall 102b. Similarly, the shell 100 may also include a third side and / or a fourth side, the third side having a third series of gripping features 104c, and the fourth side having a fourth series of gripping features 104d, the third series of gripping features 104c extending from the third shell wall 102c, and the fourth series of gripping features 104d extending from the fourth shell wall 102d.

[0078] The gripping features 104 may minimize or reduce the surface area of ​​the housing 100 that a user can easily contact, or may prevent or minimize contact between a user and the wall 102 of the housing 100. For example, Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C As shown, when a user grasps or otherwise contacts the housing 100 with his / her finger 50, the gripping feature 104 minimizes the surface area of ​​the housing 100 that the user contacts, and can keep the user's finger or skin at a distance or spaced apart from the housing wall 102, or can otherwise prevent the user's finger or skin from contacting the housing wall 102. A non-limiting example of such minimization or reduction of the contact surface area is as follows: Figure 1C The imaginary dashed line segment 140 is provided to illustrate that if a user were to grasp or otherwise contact a substantially flat wall or surface, the user would likely contact the wall along the entire length of the dashed line segment 140. However, if the user grasps via the gripping feature 104 Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1CIn the example housing 100 shown, the primary contact surface will be located at the top surface 105 of the gripping feature. In addition, the protrusion of the gripping feature spaces or distances the user's skin from the housing wall 102, and forms a space 130 between the user's skin and the housing wall 102, which can further provide thermal isolation to isolate the user from heat radiated from the outer surface of the housing wall 102, or to isolate the user from heat that is otherwise conducted through the wall of the housing 100 to the outer surface of the housing wall 102. It should be noted that in other embodiments, surface 190 and surface 194 may also include gripping features, so that these surfaces will also benefit from the teachings of the present disclosure. Throughout the disclosure, in the subsequent figures, for clarity of the figures, surfaces equivalent to 190 and 194 are shown as flat surfaces, but in each case, gripping features can be included on these surfaces so that the entire outer surface of the housing has gripping features.

[0079] The gripping features described in the present disclosure may be different from a heat sink because the gripping features are designed to reduce the user's perceived temperature of the housing and / or surface. A heat sink is typically a passive component that is designed to absorb or otherwise transfer heat from the housing and disperse the heat away from the housing. A heat sink is typically made of low thermal resistance materials such as metals and ceramics. Therefore, a heat sink helps remove heat, thereby significantly reducing the temperature of the housing to which the heat sink is attached. In contrast, the aspects of the present disclosure described herein may not significantly reduce the temperature of the gripping surface of the housing and / or may not provide an effective way to transfer heat away from the housing. Instead, the gripping features of the present disclosure change the characteristics of the gripping surface so that the perceived temperature of the housing is reduced. In an experiment, the housing with the gripping features had the same perceived temperature (i.e., it did not feel warmer or hotter for the user holding the housing) while emitting 40% to 50% more energy than the substantially same housing without the gripping features.

[0080] It is noted that throughout this disclosure, reference is made to reducing or minimizing user contact with housing surfaces. One example of such reduction or minimization of user contact can be quantified via the percentage of the total surface area (P) of a housing having gripping features 104 compared to a similarly sized housing having a flat or substantially flat surface (e.g., a housing having a wall at the periphery of gripping features 104, as indicated by Figure 1C For example, as shown by the dashed line segment 140 in FIG. 1 , a surface that may be touched by a user.

[0081] For a housing having gripping features 104 and a similarly sized housing having a flat or substantially flat surface, the ratio of the surface that may be contacted may be found by the following equation, expressed as a percentage, P:

[0082] Equation 1

[0083] Among them, A C is all contact surfaces of the gripping feature 104 (e.g., Figure 1C The total surface area of ​​the top surface 105) in the T is the total surface area of ​​the surface or plane at the periphery of the contact surface (e.g., along the imaginary dashed line segment 140). In some aspects, percentage P can be less than 33%. In another aspect, percentage P can be between 5% and 40%. In another aspect, percentage P can be between 10% and 35%. In yet another aspect, percentage P can be between 10% and 33%. As discussed in detail below, this reduction or minimization of user contact with housing 100 can be achieved in a variety of ways through various gripping features, see reference Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 3C , Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 5 , Fig. 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 6C , Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig. 10A , Fig. 10B , Fig.11A and Fig. 11B Non-limiting examples of gripping features are described.

[0084] For example, Figure 2A and Figure 2B A housing 200 is shown, which can be used with Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C The housing 100, Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The housing 300, Figure 4A and Figure 4B The housing 400, Figure 5 The housing 500, Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C The housing 600, Figure 7 The housing 700, Figure 8 The housing 800, Fig. 9 The housing 900, Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The housing 1200, and / or Fig.11A and Fig. 11BThe housing 200 may be similar or analogous to the housing 1100 in the foregoing disclosure. The housing 200 may include an inner surface or wall 209 and an outer surface or wall 208. The outer surface or wall 208 may include a series of gripping features 204 protruding from the housing wall 202 of the housing 200. The housing wall 202 and / or the gripping features 204 may form the outer surface, outer wall or surface 208 of the housing 200. It should be noted that the terms "housing wall" and "housing wall surface" may be used interchangeably throughout the disclosure. Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the example of FIG. 2 , the gripping feature 204 can be, for example, an elongated track or protrusion that protrudes from the housing wall 202. For the example shown, the gripping feature 204 is shown as a continuous protrusion from the front to the back of the housing 200.

[0085] like Figure 2AAs shown in the example in, the gripping portion of the housing 200 is four-sided. It is understood that the housing 200 shown has six sides, and the six sides have four gripping sides or gripping sides, a front side and a rear side. The gripping side can include gripping features, as shown and discussed. For the example shown, the housing 200 includes a first housing wall 202a, a second housing wall 202b, a third housing wall 202c and a fourth housing wall 202d. For example, one of the four sides can include a first series of gripping features 204a (to prevent obstruction of sight, only one of the multiple gripping features is marked), and the first series of gripping features 204a protrude from the first housing wall 202a or otherwise extend from the first housing wall 202a. Similarly, for example, the second side of the four sides may include a second series of gripping features 204b (to prevent obstruction of vision, only one of the multiple gripping features is marked), and the second series of gripping features 204b protrude from the second shell wall 202b or otherwise extend from the second shell wall 202b. In one example, the first shell wall 202a, the second shell wall 202b, the plurality of first gripping features 204a, and the plurality of second gripping features 204b can be formed as a single integral structure. Similarly, the shell 200 can also include a third side and / or a fourth side, the third side having a third series of gripping features 204c, and the fourth side having a fourth series of gripping features 204d, the third series of gripping features 204c extending from the third shell wall 202c, and the fourth series of gripping features 204d extending from the fourth shell wall 202d. The shell wall 202 and the corresponding gripping features 204 can form an integral structure for the shell 200. It is understood that the housing can have more or fewer sides than the housing 200 shown. In addition, the gripping features 204 can form channels or recesses between adjacent gripping features in one direction. In one example, the housing 200 can have one or more channels or recesses between each pair of adjacent gripping features 204. In one example, Figure 2A The gripping features 204 shown in the figure can be referred to as ridges. It can be understood that the gripping features 204 can be referred to as maximum thickness areas, while the channels or recesses between the gripping features 204 can be referred to as minimum thickness areas.

[0086] It should be noted that although the reference numerals associated with the first series of gripping features 204a, the second series of gripping features 204b, the third series of gripping features 204c, and the fourth series of gripping features 204d are each shown as being located on different sides of the housing 200, the location and / or associated side of each gripping feature or each series of gripping features is provided as an example only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, the first series of gripping features 204a and the second series of gripping features 204b may be located on the same wall or the same side of the housing 200, rather than being located on the same wall or the same side of the housing 200 as shown in FIG. Figure 2A Similarly, it should be noted that although the reference numerals associated with the first housing wall 202a, the second housing wall 202b, the third housing wall 202c, and the fourth housing wall 202d are each shown as being located on different sides of the housing 200, the location of each housing wall and / or the associated side is provided only as an example and is not intended to be limiting. For example, the first housing wall 202a and the second housing wall 202b may be located on the same wall or the same side of the housing 200, rather than being located on the same side as shown. Figure 2A Shown on opposite sides.

[0087] exist Figure 2B The minimum shell wall thickness, or the distance between the inner surface or inner wall 209 and the shell wall portion 202, shown by reference numeral A in FIG. 1 , can be 0.75 millimeters to 4.0 millimeters (mm). In one example, the minimum shell wall thickness can be the thickness required for mechanical integrity and can depend in part on the material selected for the shell. In another example, distance A can be 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, distance A can be approximately 1.5 mm.

[0088] exist Figure 2B In the embodiment, the distance between the first gripping feature and the second gripping feature in the gripping feature is marked as AA. In one example, the distance AA can be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the distance AA can be approximately 1.0 mm.

[0089] exist Figure 2B In the embodiment, the distance between the center points of the first gripping feature and the second gripping feature in the gripping feature 204 is marked as BB. In one example, the distance BB can be 0.75 mm to 4.0 mm. In one example, the distance BB can be approximately 2.0 mm.

[0090] also, Figure 2B The height of one or more of the gripping features 204 is shown as height CC. In one example, height CC can be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, height CC can be approximately 1.0 mm. It can be appreciated that as height CC increases, distance AA can also increase. In one example, distance AA is approximately equal to height CC.

[0091] exist Figure 2B In the present disclosure, the width of the topmost surface or contact surface 205 of one or more of the gripping features 204 is labeled DD. In one example, the width DD can be 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the width DD can be approximately 0.75 mm. Throughout the specification, the width of the topmost surface can be interchangeably referred to as the top surface minor dimension.

[0092] like Figure 2A As shown, in one example, the housing 200 can have thirty-eight (38) gripping features 204 (the gripping features 204 being approximately evenly spaced to form a repeating pattern). Although in the above example, thirty-eight gripping features are shown (i.e., approximately nine and a half gripping features on each of the first housing wall 202a, the second housing wall 202b, the third housing wall 202c, and the fourth housing wall 202d), any one or all of the first housing wall 202a, the second housing wall 202b, the third housing wall 202c, and the fourth housing wall 202d may include any number of gripping features from five to two hundred. It will be appreciated that the size of the gripping features 204 can be selected so that the gripping features 204 prevent a finger from contacting a surface at the base of the gripping feature 204 with a gripping force sufficient to perform the desired operation, while preventing the contacting surface from cutting or otherwise causing damage to the user's skin. The following references Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 3C , Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 5 , Fig. 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 6C , Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig. 10A , Fig. 10B , Fig.11A and Fig. 11B Some exemplary alternative gripping features are described. In addition, it should be noted that although Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 2A and Figure 2B A six-sided housing (with four gripping sides) is shown in FIG, but alternatively, for example Figure 7 As shown, housing 100 and / or housing 200 may have a curved, oval and / or circular cross section.

[0093] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C A housing 300 is shown, which can be used with Figure 1A-Figure 1C The housing 100, Figure 2A and Figure 2B The housing 200, Figure 4A and Figure 4B The housing 400, Figure 5 The housing 500, Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6CThe housing 600, Figure 7 The housing 700, Figure 8 The housing 800, Fig. 9 The housing 900, Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The housing 1200, and / or Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The housing 300 may include an inner surface or wall 309 and an outer surface or wall 308. The outer surface or wall 308 may include a series of gripping features 304 protruding from the housing wall 302 of the housing 300. The housing wall 302 and / or the gripping features may, for example, form the outer surface or wall 308 of the housing 300. The housing wall 302 and / or the gripping features 304 may form the outer surface, outer wall or surface 308 of the housing 300, and the terms "housing wall" and "housing wall surface" may be used interchangeably. The gripping features 304 may, for example, be segmented protrusions protruding from the housing wall 302. Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C In the example shown, the gripping feature 304 may be the gripping feature 104 ( Figure 1A-Figure 1C ) or grip feature 204 ( Figure 2A-2B ) of a track or a segment of an elongated protrusion. In addition, the gripping features 304 can form channels or recesses between adjacent gripping features in two directions. In one example, the housing 300 can have one or more channels or recesses between each pair of adjacent gripping features. For the example shown, the gripping features can be referred to as posts.

[0094] like Figure 3AAs shown in the example in, the gripping portion of the housing 300 is four-sided. It is understood that the housing 300 shown has six sides, and the six sides have four gripping sides or gripping sides, a front side and a rear side. The gripping side can include gripping features, as shown and discussed. For the example shown, the housing 300 includes a first housing wall 302a, a second housing wall 302b, a third housing wall 302c and a fourth housing wall 302d. One of the four sides can include a first series of gripping features 304a (to prevent obstruction of sight, only one of the multiple gripping features is marked), and the first series of gripping features 304a protrude from the first housing wall 302a or otherwise extend from the first housing wall 302a. Similarly, a second side of the four sides may include a second series of gripping features 304b (only one of the multiple gripping features is labeled to prevent obstruction of vision), the second series of gripping features 304b protruding from the second shell wall 302b or otherwise extending from the second shell wall 302b. Similarly, the shell 300 may also include a third side and / or a fourth side, the third side having a third series of gripping features 304c, and the fourth side having a fourth series of gripping features 304d, the third series of gripping features 304c extending from the third shell wall 302c, and the fourth series of gripping features 304d extending from the fourth shell wall 302d. The shell wall 302 and the corresponding gripping features 304 may form an integral structure for the shell 300. It is understood that the shell may have more or fewer sides than the shell 300 shown. It is understood that the gripping features 304 may be referred to as the maximum thickness area, and the recesses between the gripping features 304 may be referred to as the minimum thickness area.

[0095] Similar to the above, it is noted that although the reference numerals associated with the series of gripping features and wall portions are shown as being located on different sides of the housing 300, the locations of the series of gripping features or wall portions and / or the associated sides are provided as examples only and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the first series of gripping features 304a and the second series of gripping features 304b may be located on the same wall or the same side of the housing 300, rather than on the same side as shown. Figure 3A Similarly, the first housing wall portion 302a and the second housing wall portion 302b may be located on the same wall or the same side of the housing 300, rather than being located on opposite sides as shown. Figure 3A Shown on opposite sides.

[0096] exist Figure 3BThe minimum shell wall thickness, or the distance between the inner surface or inner wall 309 and the shell wall portion 302, shown by the reference numeral B in FIG. 3, can be 0.75 millimeters to 4.0 millimeters (mm). In another example, the thickness B can be 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the thickness B can be approximately 1.5 mm.

[0097] exist Figure 3B In the embodiment, the distance between the first gripping feature and the second gripping feature in the gripping feature 304 is marked as FF. In one example, the distance FF can be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the distance FF can be approximately 1.0 mm.

[0098] exist Figure 3B In the embodiment, the distance between the center points of the first gripping feature and the second gripping feature in the gripping feature 304 is marked as EE. In one example, the distance EE can be 0.75 mm to 4.0 mm. In one example, the distance EE can be approximately 2.0 mm.

[0099] also, Figure 3B The height of one or more of the gripping features 304 is shown as height GG. In one example, height GG can be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, height GG can be approximately 1.0 mm. As height GG increases, distance FF can also increase. In one example, distance FF is approximately equal to height GG.

[0100] exist Figure 3B In the embodiment of the present invention, the width of the topmost surface or contact surface 305 of one or more of the gripping features 304 is labeled as HH. In one example, the width HH can be 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the width HH can be approximately 0.75 mm. Throughout the specification, the width of the topmost surface can be interchangeably referred to as the top surface minor dimension.

[0101] Figure 3A and Figure 3C The distance SS from one gripping feature to another gripping feature and the length OO of the gripping feature 304 are shown. In one example, the distance SS can be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the distance SS can be approximately 1.0 mm. In one example, the length OO can be 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm. It is understood that if the length of OO spans the entire length of the housing 300, then Figure 3A The embodiment shown in Figure 2ALength OO may be less than the length of housing 300. The length of housing 300 may refer to the distance between the front side and the rear side of housing 300. The height of housing 300 may refer to the distance between the top and the bottom of housing 300, and the width may refer to the distance between the remaining sides.

[0102] like Figure 3A As shown, the housing 300 can have approximately six hundred (600) gripping features 304 (the gripping features 304 are generally evenly spaced to form a repeating pattern). Although in the above example, approximately six hundred gripping features are shown (i.e., approximately one hundred and fifty (150) gripping features on each of the first housing wall 302a, the second housing wall 302b, the third housing wall 302c, and the fourth housing wall 302d), any one or all of the first housing wall 302a, the second housing wall 302b, the third housing wall 302c, and the fourth housing wall 302d may include any number of gripping features from five (5) to two hundred (200). It should be noted that the above-mentioned gripping features may be interchanged or combined with any gripping features described in the present disclosure. In addition, alternatively, the gripping features may be arranged in a non-repeating or asymmetrical pattern or may be random. It will be appreciated that the dimensions of grip feature 304 may be selected such that grip feature 304 prevents a finger from contacting a surface at the base of grip feature 304 with sufficient grip force to perform a desired operation, while preventing contact with the surface from cutting or otherwise damaging the user's skin. Figure 3A The longest dimension of the gripping features 304 is shown to be approximately parallel to the longest dimension of the housing 300. However, it will be appreciated that the longest dimension of the gripping features may not be aligned with the longest dimension of the housing 300. For example, the longest dimension of the gripping features 304 may be approximately perpendicular to the longest dimension of the housing 300. In another example, the longest dimension of the gripping features 304 may be rotated at any angle relative to the longest dimension of the housing 300. Furthermore, the longest dimension of the gripping features 304 may be rotated to form a herringbone pattern or to form a random arrangement.

[0103] Figure 4A and Figure 4B A housing 400 is shown, which can be used with Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C The housing 100, Figure 2A and Figure 2B The housing 200, Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The housing 300, Figure 5 The housing 500, Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6CThe housing 600, Figure 7 The housing 700, Figure 8 The housing 800, Fig. 9 The housing 900, Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The housing 1200, and / or Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The housing 400 may be similar or similar to the housing 1100 in FIG. The housing 400 may include an inner surface or wall 409 and an outer surface or wall 408. The outer surface or wall 408 includes a series of gripping features 404 protruding from the housing wall 402 of the housing 400. The gripping features 404 may be circular or concentric circular protrusions protruding from the housing wall 402.

[0104] The housing 400 shown has six sides, and these six sides have four gripping sides or gripping sides, front side and rear side.The gripping sides can include gripping features, as shown and discussed.For the example shown, the housing 400 includes the first housing wall 402a, the second housing wall 402b, the third housing wall 402c and the fourth housing wall 402d.Each wall in these walls includes a series of gripping features, respectively shown as the first gripping feature 404a, the second gripping feature 404b, the third gripping feature 404c and the fourth gripping feature 404d, which are protruding from their corresponding wall or otherwise extending from their corresponding wall.The housing wall 402 and the corresponding gripping feature 404 can form an integral structure for the housing 400.In one example, the housing 400 can have one or more recesses between each pair of adjacent gripping features 404 and / or in the center of each gripping feature 404. Although a series of gripping features or associated walls are shown as being located on different sides of the housing 400 , these features or walls may be located on the same side of the housing 400 or a combination of the same side and different sides of the housing 400 .

[0105] although Figure 4A or Figure 4B 409 and the housing wall 402 (eg, Figure 3B In another example, the distance from the inner surface or wall 409 to the outer surface of the housing wall 402 can be 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the distance from the inner surface or wall 409 to the housing wall 402 can be approximately 1.5 mm.

[0106] exist Figure 4BIn FIG. 4 , the distance between the centers of the first gripping feature and the second gripping feature of the gripping feature 404 along the first direction is marked as JJ. In one example, the distance JJ may be 3.0 mm to 7.0 mm.

[0107] The distance between the centers of the first gripping feature and the second gripping feature of the gripping feature 404 along the second direction is marked as KK. In one example, the distance KK may be 3.0 mm to 7.0 mm.

[0108] exist Figure 4B In the embodiment of the present invention, the inner diameter of each gripping feature 404 is marked as LL. In one example, the diameter LL can be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm.

[0109] exist Figure 4B In the embodiment, the outer diameter of each gripping feature 404 is marked as MM. In one example, the diameter MM can be 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm longer than the inner diameter LL. In another example, the diameter MM can be 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm.

[0110] like Figure 4A As shown, in one example, the housing 400 can have approximately two hundred and seventy-two (272) gripping features 404, the gripping features being roughly evenly spaced to form a repeating pattern. Although in the above example, approximately two hundred and seventy-two gripping features 404 are shown (i.e., approximately sixty-eight (68) gripping features on each of the first housing wall 402a, the second housing wall 402b, the third housing wall 402c, and the fourth housing wall 402d), any one or all of the first housing wall 402a, the second housing wall 402b, the third housing wall 402c, and the fourth housing wall 402d can include any number of gripping features from five (5) to two hundred (200). It should be noted that the above gripping features can be interchanged or combined with any gripping features described in the present disclosure. In addition, alternatively, the gripping features can be arranged in a non-repeating or asymmetrical pattern.

[0111] Figure 5 A housing 500 is shown, which can be used with Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C The housing 100, Figure 2A and Figure 2B The housing 200, Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The housing 300, Figure 4A and Figure 4B The housing 400, Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C The housing 600, Figure 7 The housing 700, Figure 8 The housing 800, Fig. 9 The housing 900, Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The housing 1200, and / or Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The housing 500 may include an inner surface or inner wall (hidden from view - see Figure 4A and Figure 4B 409 in the figure) and an outer surface or outer wall 508. The outer surface or outer wall 508 includes a series of gripping features 504 protruding from the shell wall 502 of the shell 500. The gripping features 504 can be, for example, extended protrusions shaped as a design pattern or logo as shown. In some examples, the logo can be a company logo or other source identifier. The shell wall 502 and / or the gripping features 504 can form the outer surface, outer wall or surface 508 of the shell 500, and the terms "shell wall" and "shell wall surface" can be used interchangeably throughout the disclosure.

[0112] The housing 500 shown has six sides, and the six sides have four gripping sides or gripping sides, front side and rear side.The gripping side can include gripping features, as shown and discussed.For the example shown, the housing 500 can include the first housing wall 502a, the second housing wall 502b, the third housing wall 502c and the fourth housing wall 502.Each wall in these walls includes a series of gripping features, respectively shown as the first series of gripping features 504a, the second series of gripping features 504b, the third series of gripping features 504c and the fourth series of 504d gripping features, which are protruding from their corresponding wall portions or otherwise extending from their corresponding wall portions.The housing wall 502 and the corresponding gripping features 504 can form an integral structure for the housing 500.The housing 500 can have one or more recesses between each pair of adjacent gripping features 504 and / or in each gripping feature 504.

[0113] The series of gripping features 504 and the wall portion 502 are each shown as being located on different sides of the shell 500, however, the series of gripping features 504 or the wall portion 502 can be located on the same side of the shell 500, or a combination of the same side and different sides of the shell 500.

[0114] although Figure 5 Not specifically shown, but the minimum thickness of the housing wall, or the inner surface or inner wall 509 (hidden and not visible - see Figure 4A and Figure 4B The distance between the reference numeral 409 in the figure and the outer surface 502 of the housing wall (for example, Figure 3BIn another example, the distance from the inner surface or inner wall to the housing wall 502 may be 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the distance from the inner surface or inner wall to the housing wall 502 may be approximately 1.5 mm.

[0115] like Figure 5 As shown, in one example, the housing 500 can have approximately one hundred sixty-four (164) gripping features 504 (the gripping features 504 are generally evenly spaced to form a repeating pattern). Although in the above example, approximately one hundred sixty-four gripping features 504 are shown (i.e., approximately forty-one (41) gripping features on each of the first housing wall 502a, the second housing wall 502b, the third housing wall 502c, and the fourth housing wall 502d), any one or all of the first housing wall 502a, the second housing wall 502b, the third housing wall 502c, and the fourth housing wall 502d can include any number of gripping features from five (5) to two hundred (200). It should be noted that the above gripping features can be interchanged or combined with any gripping features described in the present disclosure.

[0116] Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C An example of a housing 600 is shown, which can be used with Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C The housing 100, Figure 2A and Figure 2B The housing 200, Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The housing 300, Figure 4A and Figure 4B The housing 400, Figure 5 The housing 500, Figure 7 The housing 700, Figure 8 The housing 800, Fig. 9 The housing 900, Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The housing 1200, and / or Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The housing 1100 in FIG. 1 has similarities or is similar thereto. Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C The example shown may have a cover covering one or more gripping features 604 ( Figure 6B and Figure 6C ) of the outer film, outer layer or outer cover 650. It should be noted that although Figure 6B and Figure 6CThe gripping feature 604 shown in FIG. 1 is similar in appearance to the Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C The gripping features 104 and Figure 2A and Figure 2B 204, but the aspects described herein can be used with any type of gripping features. For example, the outer film, outer layer or outer cover 650 described in further detail below can be added to the housing shown in other figures of the present disclosure or can be added to the housing having any combination of the described gripping features.

[0117] like Figure 6B and Figure 6C As shown, the housing may have an inner surface or wall 609 and an outer surface or wall 608. The outer surface or wall 608 (eg, Figure 6B 602 and gripping features 604, which may be covered or partially covered by an outer membrane, outer layer or outer cover 650. Throughout the disclosure, the terms "external membrane", "outer layer" or "outer cover" may be used interchangeably. The outer layer 650 may, for example, have an outer surface 651 and an inner surface 653. The thickness of the outer layer 650 (i.e., the measurement from the outer surface 651 to the inner surface 653) may, for example, be 0.5 mm to 4.0 mm. In one example, the thickness may be approximately 0.75 mm.

[0118] In some examples, the outer layer 650 can be, for example, a heat shrink film or heat shrink member that can be placed on the housing 600 and shrink or otherwise shrink on the gripping features 604 and / or outer wall of the housing 600. In another example, the outer layer 650 can be molded onto the housing 600 or wrapped and sealed around the housing 600. The outer layer 650 can be formed, for example, by any one or combination of the following substances: polyolefin, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl chloride, and / or polytetrafluoroethylene, or their equivalents. In some examples, the outer layer 650 can be formed as a separate component and slid on the housing 600 via the gripping features 604 or otherwise connected, bonded, melted and / or ultrasonically welded to the housing 600. In the above examples, the outer layer 650 can be formed by any known plastic, including but not limited to any one or combination of known acrylic, polyester, silicone and polyurethane. In some examples, the outer layer 650 can be transparent or translucent to allow the gripping feature 604 and / or the wall portion 602 to be seen through the outer layer 650, for example, when the gripping feature is in the form of a design or logo (e.g., see Figure 5In some aspects of the present disclosure, alternatively, the outer layer 650 can be opaque or translucent to hide or otherwise conceal the gripping features 604 and / or the wall 602 beneath it. In some examples, the outer layer 650 can be multi-layered and / or can be a composite material or substrate.

[0119] like Fig. 6A and Figure 6B As shown, the outer layer 650 can, for example, completely cover a series of gripping features 604 protruding from the housing wall 602 of the housing. Fig. 6A The outer layer is shown to completely cover the gripping feature 604 and the shell wall 602, but alternatively, the outer layer may only partially cover either or both of the shell wall 602 and / or the gripping feature 604, leaving portions of the shell wall 602 and / or the gripping feature 604 exposed.

[0120] The outer surface or outer wall 608 of the housing 600 may include a series of gripping features 604 protruding from the housing wall 602 of the housing 600. The housing wall 602 and / or the gripping features 604 may form the outer surface, outer wall or surface 608 of the housing 600, and throughout this disclosure, the terms "housing wall" and "housing wall surface" may be used interchangeably. The gripping features 604 may be, for example, elongated tracks or protrusions that protrude from the housing wall 602. In the example shown, the gripping features 604 are shown as continuous protrusions from the front to the back of the housing 600.

[0121] like Fig. 6A and Figure 6BAs shown in the example in, the shell 600 shown has six sides, and the six sides have four gripping sides or gripping sides, a front side and a rear side. The gripping side can include gripping features, as shown and discussed. In the example shown, the shell 600 includes a first shell wall portion 602a, a second shell wall portion (hidden and invisible), a third shell wall portion 602c and a fourth shell wall portion (hidden and invisible). For example, one of the four sides can include a first series of gripping features 604a (to prevent obstruction of sight, only one of the multiple gripping features is marked), and the first series of gripping features 604a protrude from the first shell wall portion 602a or otherwise extend from the first shell wall portion 602a. Similarly, for example, a second side of the four sides can include a second series of gripping features (hidden and invisible), and the second series of gripping features protrude from the second shell wall portion or otherwise extend from the second shell wall portion. Similarly, the housing 600 may also include a third side and / or a fourth side, the third side having a third series of gripping features 604c, the fourth side having a fourth series of gripping features (hidden and invisible), the third series of gripping features 604c extending from the third housing wall 602c, and the fourth series of gripping features extending from the fourth housing wall. The housing wall 602 and the corresponding gripping features 604 may form an integral structure for the housing 600. It is understood that the housing may have more or less sides than the housing 600 shown. In addition, the gripping features 604 may form a channel or recess between adjacent gripping features in one direction. In one example, the housing 600 may have one or more channels or recesses between each pair of adjacent gripping features 604.

[0122] Although the first series of gripping features 604a, the second series of gripping features, the third series of gripping features 604c, and the fourth series of gripping features are shown or may be suggested as being located on different sides of the shell 600, the locations of the gripping features and / or associated sides may be located on the same side or a combination of the same side and different sides.

[0123] As described above, the housing 600 may also include an outer layer 650 that partially or completely covers the gripping features 604 and / or the housing wall 602. For example, the outer layer 650 may be composed of a contact surface or top surface 605 ( Figure 6C ) support, or having a contact surface or top surface 605 ( Figure 6C ) contacts or is adjacent to the inner surface 653. Figure 6CAs shown, the outer layer 650 may contact only or substantially only the contact surface or top surface 605 of each gripping feature, thereby creating a space or opening 655 bounded or otherwise defined by one or more gripping features 604 and the wall portion 602 therebetween and the inner surface 653 of the outer layer 650. Thus, the outer layer 650 effectively spans the gripping features 604, and thus when the user grips the outer surface 651 of the outer layer 650, the user's skin is spaced or spaced a distance from the wall portion 602 thereunder. Thus, the combination of the gripping features 604 and the outer layer 650 effectively reduces the surface area of ​​the housing portion that is contacted by the user's skin or that is proximate to the user's skin, which, similar to the aspects described above, can prevent heat from being dissipated to the user's skin, thereby reducing the user's perception or feeling of heat dissipated from the housing 600. Additionally, the opening 655 may further provide a thermal break to isolate a user from heat radiated from the outer surface of the housing wall 602 or otherwise conducted to the outer surface of the housing wall 602 through the walls of the housing.

[0124] like Figure 6C As shown, in Figure 6C The minimum shell wall thickness, or the distance between the inner surface or inner wall 609 and the shell wall portion 602, shown by the reference numeral L in FIG. 6 , can be 0.75 millimeters to 4.0 millimeters (mm). In another example, the thickness L can be 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the thickness L can be approximately 1.5 mm.

[0125] exist Figure 6C In the embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the first gripping feature and the second gripping feature of the gripping feature is marked as NN. In one example, the distance NN can be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the distance NN can be approximately 1.0 mm.

[0126] exist Figure 6C In the embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the center points of the first gripping feature and the second gripping feature of the gripping feature 604 is marked as PP. In one example, the distance PP can be 0.75 mm to 4.0 mm. In one example, the distance PP can be approximately 2.0 mm.

[0127] also, Figure 6C The height of one or more of the gripping features 604 is shown as height QQ. In one example, the height QQ can be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the height QQ can be approximately 1.0 mm.

[0128] exist Figure 6CIn the embodiment of the present invention, the width of the topmost surface or contact surface 605 (i.e., the surface in contact with the inner surface 653 of the outer layer 650) of one or more of the gripping features 604 is labeled RR. In one example, the width RR can be 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the width RR can be approximately 0.75 mm. Throughout the specification, the width of the topmost surface can be interchangeably referred to as the top surface minor dimension.

[0129] like Figure 6B As shown, in one example, the housing 600 can have thirty-eight (38) gripping features 604 (the gripping features 604 are generally evenly spaced to form a repeating pattern). Although in the above example, thirty-eight gripping features are shown (i.e., approximately nine and a half gripping features on each of the first housing wall portion, the second housing wall portion, the third housing wall portion, and the fourth housing wall portion), any one or all of the first housing wall portion, the second housing wall portion, the third housing wall portion, and the fourth housing wall portion may include any number of gripping features from five to two hundred. Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig. 10A , Fig. 10B , Fig.11A and Fig. 11B Some exemplary alternative gripping features are described. In addition, it should be noted that although Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C A six-sided housing (with four gripping sides) is shown in FIG, but alternatively, for example Figure 7 As shown, housing 600 may have a curved, oval, and / or circular cross-section.

[0130] Figure 7 An example of a housing 700 is shown, which can be used with Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C The housing 100, Figure 2A and Figure 2B The housing 200, Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The housing 300, Figure 4A and Figure 4B The housing 400, Figure 5 The housing 500, Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C The housing 600, Figure 8 The housing 800, Fig. 9 The housing 900, Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The housing 1200, and / or Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The housing 1100 in FIG. 1 has similarities or is similar thereto. Figure 7 In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the wall portion 702 with the gripping feature 704 may have a curved, rounded, or oval housing. Figure 7 The gripping feature 704 shown in FIG. 1 is similar in appearance to the Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C The gripping features 104 and Figure 2A and Figure 2B The gripping features 204 in FIG. 2 are similar to those in FIG. 2 , but the aspects described herein may be used with any type of gripping features. For example, the curved, rounded, or elliptical housing 700 described in detail below may, as an alternative to and / or in combination with the gripping features 704, include Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The gripping feature 304 shown in Figure 4A and Figure 4B The gripping feature 404 shown in FIG. 4 , and / or Figure 5 In addition, the gripping feature may have a film, layer or cover as described above (e.g., Figure 6A-6C 650 in the outer layer). It will be appreciated that the membrane, layer or cover used for the housing 700 will have a similar shape to the housing 700.

[0131] like Figure 7 As shown, the housing 700 can have an inner surface or inner wall 709 and an outer surface or outer wall 708. The outer surface or outer wall 708 can include multiple housing walls 702 and gripping features 704. For example, the housing wall 702 and / or gripping features 704 can form the outer surface, outer wall or surface 708 of the housing 700, and the terms "housing wall" and "housing wall surface" can be used interchangeably throughout the disclosure. For example, the gripping features 704 can be elongated tracks or protrusions that protrude from the housing wall 702. In the example shown, the gripping features 704 are shown as continuous protrusions from the front to the rear of the housing 700. Alternatively, the housing 700 can have a curved wall as shown in the figure, rather than the four-sided housing described in the above aspects. The curved housing includes multiple housing walls 702a, 702b, 702c and 702d. It will be appreciated that for purposes of illustration, a plurality of housing walls 702a, 702b, 702c, and 702d are shown, however there may be more or fewer walls.

[0132] The outer surface or outer wall 708 may include a plurality of gripping features 704a, 704b, 704c, and 704d, which protrude or otherwise extend from their respective plurality of housing walls 702a, 702b, 702c, and 702d, respectively. In one example, the number of gripping features 704 is selected to form a space between the user's fingers and the outer wall 708 of the housing 700. The plurality of housing walls 702a, 702b, 702c, and 702d and the corresponding gripping features 704 may form an integral structure for the housing 700. The gripping features 704 may form a channel or recess between adjacent gripping features in one direction. In one example, the housing 700 may have one or more channels or recesses between each pair of adjacent gripping features 704.

[0133] It should be noted that although the figure marks associated with the multiple gripping features 704a, 704b, 704c and 704d and the multiple wall portions 702a, 702b, 702c and 702d are each shown or may be implied as being located at a specific location on the housing 700, such location is provided only as an example and is not intended to be limiting.

[0134] The minimum shell wall thickness, or the distance between the inner surface or inner wall 709 and the shell wall portion 702 (e.g., Figure 6C In another example, the minimum wall thickness may be 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the minimum wall thickness may be approximately 1.5 mm.

[0135] The spacing between the first gripping feature and the second gripping feature of the gripping feature (e.g., Figure 6C The spacing may be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the spacing may be approximately 1.0 mm.

[0136] The spacing between the center points of the first gripping feature and the second gripping feature of the gripping feature 704 (e.g., Figure 6C The spacing may be 0.75 mm to 4.0 mm. In one example, the spacing may be approximately 2.0 mm.

[0137] The height of one or more of the gripping features 704 (e.g., Figure 6CThe height QQ in the embodiment can be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the height can be approximately 1.0 mm. It is understood that as the height QQ increases, the distance NN can also increase. In one example, the distance NN is approximately equal to the height QQ.

[0138] The width of the topmost surface or contact surface 705 (e.g., Figure 6C The width of the topmost surface may be 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the width may be approximately 0.75 mm. Throughout the specification, the width of the topmost surface may be interchangeably referred to as the top surface minor dimension.

[0139] like Figure 7 As shown, in one example, the housing 700 can have twenty-six (26) gripping features 704 (the gripping features 704 are generally evenly spaced to form a repeating pattern). Although in the above example, twenty-six gripping features are shown, the housing can include any number of gripping features from five to two hundred. In addition, the gripping features need not be evenly spaced. Figure 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig. 10A , Fig. 10B , Fig.11A and Fig. 11B Some exemplary alternative gripping features are described.

[0140] Figure 8 An example housing 800 is shown, which may be used with Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C The housing 100, Figure 2A and Figure 2B The housing 200, Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The housing 300, Figure 4A and Figure 4B The housing 400, Figure 5 The housing 500, Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C The housing 600, Figure 7 The housing 700, Fig. 9 The housing 900, Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The housing 1200, and / or Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The housing 1100 in FIG. 1 has similarities or is similar thereto.

[0141] like Figure 8As shown, the housing 800 may have an inner surface or wall 809 and an outer surface or wall 808. For example, the housing 800 may include four or more housing sides. Figure 8 ) may include multiple housing walls (e.g., 802a, 802b, 802c, and / or 802d) and gripping features (e.g., 804a, 804b, 804c, and / or 804d) in gripping regions 808a, 808b, 808c, and / or 808d. Gripping regions 808a, 808b, 808c, and 808d are shown as being elliptical in shape, however it is understood that other gripping regions may have other shapes. It should be noted that gripping regions 808b and 808d are shown as being elliptical in shape. Figure 8 Hidden and not visible, the grip area 808b and / or the grip area 808d can be Figure 8 One or both of the gripping areas 808a and 808c shown in FIG. 8 are similar or identical. In addition, the gripping area can be omitted from any of the sides of the housing 800. For example, the gripping areas 808c and 808d can be omitted, and the gripping areas 808a and 808b can be the only gripping areas on the housing 800.

[0142] In one example, each of the shell sides can have a first region 807a, a second region 807b, a third region 807c and / or a fourth region 807d that are smooth or otherwise have no gripping features other than a gripping region (e.g., gripping region 808a, gripping region 808b, gripping region 808c and / or gripping region 808d).

[0143] Each of the gripping regions 808a, 808b, 808c, and / or 808d can include a gripping feature 804 that protrudes from the housing wall 802 of the housing 800. The housing wall 802 and / or the gripping feature 804 can form an outer surface, outer wall, or surface 808 of the housing 800, and the terms "housing wall" and "housing wall surface" can be used interchangeably throughout the disclosure. For example, the gripping feature 804 can be an elongated track or protrusion that protrudes from the housing wall 802. In the illustrated example, the gripping feature 804 is shown as a continuous protrusion from the front to the back of each of the gripping regions 808a, 808b, 808c, and / or 808d of the housing 800.

[0144] like Figure 8As shown in the example of, the gripping portion of housing 800 is four-sided.It is understandable that the housing 800 shown has six sides, and these six sides have four gripping sides or gripping sides, front side and rear side.The gripping side can include gripping features, as shown and discussed.Any one or all of gripping area 808a, gripping area 808b, gripping area 808c and / or gripping area 808d can include first housing wall 802a, second housing wall 802b, third housing wall 802c and fourth housing wall 802d. It should be noted that although only one of the multiple gripping features is labeled to prevent obstruction of vision, any number of gripping features may be included in any one or combination of gripping regions 808a, gripping regions 808b, gripping regions 808c, and / or gripping regions 808d and may protrude or otherwise extend from the first shell wall 802a, the second shell wall 802b, the third shell wall 802c, and / or the fourth shell wall 802d. As described above, although two gripping regions 808a and gripping regions 808c are shown, the shell may also include gripping regions 808b and / or gripping regions 808d, which are located in the first shell wall 802a, the second shell wall 802b, the third shell wall 802c, and / or the fourth shell wall 802d. Figure 8 The gripping area 808b and / or the gripping area 808d may be the same or similar to the gripping area 808a and / or the gripping area 808c, and may also have similar or identical gripping features and / or housing wall portions as described with reference to the gripping area 808a and / or the gripping area 808c. In addition, the gripping features 804 may form channels or recesses between adjacent gripping features in one direction. In one example, the housing 800 may have one or more channels or recesses between each pair of adjacent gripping features 804.

[0145] The minimum shell wall thickness, or the distance between the inner surface or inner wall 809 and the shell wall portion 802 (e.g., Figure 6C In another example, the minimum wall thickness may be 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the minimum wall thickness may be approximately 1.5 mm.

[0146] The spacing between the first gripping feature and the second gripping feature of the gripping feature (e.g., Figure 6C The spacing may be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the spacing may be approximately 1.0 mm.

[0147] The distance between the center points of the first gripping feature and the second gripping feature of the gripping feature 804 (e.g., Figure 6CThe spacing may be 0.75 mm to 4.0 mm. In one example, the spacing may be approximately 2.0 mm.

[0148] The height of one or more of the gripping features 804 (e.g., Figure 6C The height QQ in the embodiment can be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the height can be approximately 1.0 mm. It is understood that as the height QQ increases, the distance NN can also increase. In one example, the distance NN is approximately equal to the height QQ.

[0149] The width of the topmost surface or contact surface 805 (e.g., Figure 6C The width of the topmost surface may be 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the width may be approximately 0.75 mm. Throughout the specification, the width of the topmost surface may be interchangeably referred to as the top surface minor dimension.

[0150] like Figure 8 As shown, in one example, each gripping region 808 can have nine (9) gripping features 804 that are evenly spaced to form a repeating pattern. However, it will be appreciated that the gripping features 804 may not be evenly spaced. Although nine gripping features are shown in each gripping region 808 in the above example, any one or more of the gripping regions may include any number of gripping features from three (3) to eighty (80). Fig. 9 , Fig. 10A , Fig. 10B , Fig.11A and Fig. 11B Several examples of alternative gripping features are described. In addition, it should be noted that although Figure 8 A six-sided housing (with four gripping sides) is shown in FIG, but alternatively, for example Figure 7 As shown, housing 800 may have a curved, oval, and / or circular cross-section.

[0151] Fig. 9 A housing 900 is shown, which can be used with Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C The housing 100, Figure 2A and Figure 2B The housing 200, Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The housing 300, Figure 4A and Figure 4B The housing 400, Figure 5 The housing 500, Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C The housing 600, Figure 7 The housing 700, Figure 8 The housing 800, Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The housing 1200, and / or Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The outer surface or outer wall 908 may include a series of gripping features 904 protruding from the housing wall 902 of the housing 900. The housing wall 902 and / or the gripping features 904 may form the outer surface, outer wall or surface 908 of the housing 900, and the terms "housing wall" and "housing wall surface" may be used interchangeably. The gripping features 904 may protrude from the housing wall 902.

[0152] Fig. 9 The gripping feature 904 in the housing 900 is formed as an elongated protrusion that bends as the elongated protrusion extends along the length of the protrusion. In some examples, the gripping feature 904 can be an elongated protrusion that forms a Gaussian curve or a sine curve. In some examples, the elongated protrusion can form a transverse Gaussian curve or a transverse sine curve or a transverse Gaussian or transverse sine wave. The gripping feature 904 can also form a channel or recess between adjacent gripping features in two directions. In one example, the housing 900 can have one or more channels or recesses located between each pair of adjacent gripping features. For the example shown, the gripping feature can be referred to as a curved channel.

[0153] like Fig. 9 As shown in the example of FIG. 1 , the housing 900 is shown to have six sides, with the six sides having four gripping sides or gripping sides, a front side, and a rear side. The gripping sides may include gripping features, as shown and discussed. Fig. 9In the illustrated example, the housing 900 includes a first housing wall 902a, a second housing wall 904b, a third housing wall 906c, and a fourth housing wall 908d. One of the four sides may include a first series of gripping features 904a (to prevent obstruction of sight, only one of the multiple gripping features is marked), and the first series of gripping features 904a protrude from the first housing wall 902a or otherwise extend from the first housing wall 902a. The other sides of the four sides may include a second series of gripping features 904b, a third series of gripping features 904c, and / or a fourth series of gripping features 904d extending from their respective second housing wall 902b, the third housing wall 902c, and / or the fourth housing wall 902d. The housing wall 902 and the corresponding gripping features 904 may form an integral structure for the housing 900. It is understood that the housing may have more or fewer sides than the housing 900 shown. It will be appreciated that the gripping features 904 may be referred to as regions of maximum thickness, while the recesses between the gripping features 904 may be referred to as regions of minimum thickness.

[0154] It should be noted that although the first series of gripping features 904a, the second series of gripping features 904b, the third series of gripping features 904c and the fourth series of gripping features 904d are each shown as being located on different sides of the shell 900, the positions of these gripping features can be located on the same side of the shell 900 or a combination of the same side and different sides of the shell 900.

[0155] Although not intended to be limiting, reference is made to the reference numerals A, Figure 3B Reference symbol B in the figure, and / or Figure 6C The reference number L in ref. 9 describes an example of the dimension of the minimum thickness of the housing wall, or an example of the dimension of the distance between the inner surface or inner wall 909 and the housing wall portion 902 .

[0156] In addition, it should be noted that although Fig. 9 The cross-section of each gripping feature in FIG. 1 is shown as an irregular trapezoid, but alternatively, the cross-section may be the same as that of FIG. Figure 2B , Figure 3B , Figure 6C and / or Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The cross sections described are identical or share features, including example size ranges.

[0157] like Fig. 9As shown, the housing 900 may have approximately thirty-eight (38) gripping features 904 (the gripping features 904 are evenly spaced to form a repeating pattern). Although in the above example, thirty-eight gripping features are shown, any one or all of the first housing wall 902a, the second housing wall 902b, the third housing wall 902c, and the fourth housing wall 902d may include gripping features in an amount ranging from five (5) to two hundred (200). It should be noted that the gripping features may be interchanged or combined with any gripping features described in the present disclosure. In addition, alternatively, the gripping features may be arranged in a non-repeating or asymmetric pattern. It will be appreciated that the size of the gripping features 904 may be selected so that the gripping features 904 prevent the fingers from contacting the surface at the base of the gripping features 904 with a gripping force sufficient to perform the desired operation, while preventing the contacting surface from cutting or otherwise damaging the user's skin.

[0158] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B A cross section of a portion of an example housing 1200 and a gripping feature 1204 is shown. Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The alternative gripping feature 1204 shown is applicable to and may be implemented as an alternative Figure 1A-Figure 1C The grasping features in 104, Figure 2A and Figure 2B The grasping feature 204, Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The grasping feature 304, Figure 4A and Figure 4B The grasping feature 404, Figure 5 The grasping feature 504, Figure 6B and Figure 6C The grasping feature 604, Figure 7 The grasping feature 704, Figure 8 The grasping feature 804 in Fig. 9 The gripping features 904 and / or Fig.11A and Fig. 11B Any one or all of the gripping features 1104 in the embodiment. The cross-section of the gripping features 1204 can form a sine curve or a sine wave.

[0159] The gripping features 1204 and the wall 1202 therebetween may also form channels or recesses between adjacent gripping features in two directions. In one example, the housing 1200 may have one or more channels or recesses between each pair of adjacent gripping features.

[0160] In addition, it is important to note that although the cross-section of each gripping feature is Fig. 10A and Fig. 10Bis shown as a curved surface or series of curves, but alternatively the cross section may be the same as that of the reference Figure 2B , Figure 3B , Figure 6C and / or Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The cross sections described are identical or share features, including example size ranges.

[0161] In one example implementation, the first gripping feature is aligned with the midline MMM of the first gripping feature ( Fig. 10B ) to the intersection of the adjacent second gripping feature and the midline of the adjacent second gripping feature can be 0.75mm to 2.0mm. In one example, the distance SS can be approximately 1.0mm.

[0162] In one example implementation, the distance TT from the vertex of a first gripping feature to the vertex of an adjacent second gripping feature may be 0.75 mm to 4.0 mm. In one example, the distance TT may be approximately 2.0 mm.

[0163] In one example implementation, the height or amplitude UU of any or each gripping feature 1204 may be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the height or amplitude UU may be approximately 1.0 mm. It will be appreciated that the greater the height or amplitude UU, the greater the distance SS. In one example, the distance SS is equal to the amplitude UU.

[0164] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B A housing 1100 is shown, which can be used with Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C The housing 100, Figure 2A and Figure 2B The housing 200, Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The housing 300, Figure 4A and Figure 4B The housing 400, Figure 5 The housing 500, Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C The housing 600, Figure 7 The housing 700, Figure 8 The housing 800 and / or Fig. 9The outer surface or outer wall 1108 may include a series of gripping features 1104 protruding from the housing wall 1102 of the housing 1100. The housing wall 1102 and / or the gripping features 1104 may form the outer surface, outer wall or surface 1108 of the housing 1100, and the terms "housing wall" and "housing wall surface" may be used interchangeably. The gripping features 1104 may protrude from the housing wall 1102. Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The gripping features 1104 in the housing 1100 are formed as elongated protrusions having a square or rectangular cross-section. In some examples, the gripping features 1104 can be elongated protrusions having a square or rectangular cross-section. In one example, the housing 1100 can have one or more channels or recesses between each pair of adjacent gripping features.

[0165] like Fig.11A As shown in the example of FIG. 1 , the housing 1100 shown has six sides, with the six sides having four gripping sides or gripping sides, a front side, and a rear side. The gripping sides may include gripping features, as shown and discussed. Fig.11A In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 1100 includes a first housing wall 1102a, a second housing wall 1102b, a third housing wall 1102c, and a fourth housing wall 1102d. One of the four sides may include a first series of gripping features 1104a (only one of the multiple gripping features is marked to prevent obstruction of vision), which protrude from the first housing wall 1102a or otherwise extend from the first housing wall 1102a. Similarly, the other sides may include a second series of gripping features 1104b, a third series of gripping features 1104c, and a fourth series of gripping features 1104d extending from their respective housing walls 1102b, 1102c, and 1102d. The housing wall 1102 and the corresponding gripping features 1104 may form an integral structure for the housing 1100. It is understood that the housing may have more or fewer sides than the housing 1100 shown. It will be appreciated that the gripping features 1104 may be referred to as regions of maximum thickness, while the recesses between the gripping features 1104 may be referred to as regions of minimum thickness.

[0166] It should be noted that although the first series of gripping features 1104a, the second series of gripping features 1104b, the third series of gripping features 1104c and the fourth series of gripping features 1104d and their corresponding shell walls are each shown as being located on different sides of the shell 1100, the gripping features or shell walls may be located on the same side of the shell 1100 or a combination of the same side and different sides of the shell 1100.

[0167] exist Fig. 11B The minimum shell wall thickness, or the distance between the inner surface or inner wall 1109 and the shell wall portion 1102, shown by reference numeral A in FIG. 1 , can be 0.75 millimeters to 4.0 millimeters (mm). In one example, the minimum shell wall thickness can be the thickness required for mechanical integrity and can depend in part on the material selected for the shell. In another example, distance A can be 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, distance A can be approximately 1.5 mm.

[0168] exist Fig. 11B In the embodiment, the spacing between the first gripping feature and the second gripping feature in the gripping feature is marked as AAA. In one example, the distance AAA can be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the distance AA can be approximately 1.5 mm.

[0169] exist Fig. 11B In the embodiment, the distance between the center points of the first gripping feature and the second gripping feature in the gripping feature 1104 is marked as BBB. In one example, the distance BBB can be 0.75 mm to 4.0 mm. In one example, the distance BBB can be approximately 2.0 mm.

[0170] also, Fig. 11B The height of one or more of the gripping features 1104 is shown as height CCC. In one example, the height CCC can be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the height CCC can be approximately 1.0 mm. It will be appreciated that if the height CCC increases, the distance AAA can also increase. In one example, the distance AAA is approximately equal to the height CCC.

[0171] exist Fig. 11B 104, the width of the topmost surface or contact surface 1105 of one or more of the gripping features 1104 is labeled DDD. In one example, the width DDD can be 0.75 mm to 2.0 mm. In one example, the width DDD can be approximately 1.0 mm. Throughout the specification, the width DDD of the topmost surface can be interchangeably referred to as the top surface minor dimension. The cross-section of the gripping feature 1104 is shown as being generally rectangular or square in shape.

[0172] like Fig.11AAs shown, in one example, the housing 1100 can have fifty-eight (58) gripping features 1104 (the gripping features 1104 are generally evenly spaced to form a repeating pattern). Although in the above example, fifty-eight gripping features are shown, any one or all of the first housing wall 1102a, the second housing wall 1102b, the third housing wall 1102c, and the fourth housing wall 1102d can include any number of gripping features from five to two hundred. It will be appreciated that the size of the gripping features 1104 can be selected so that the gripping features 1104 can prevent a finger from contacting a surface at the base of the gripping features 1104 with a gripping force sufficient to perform a desired operation, while preventing the contacting surface from cutting or otherwise causing damage to the user's skin.

[0173] The specific embodiments described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings are intended to describe various configurations and are not intended to represent the only configuration of the concepts described herein. The specific embodiments include specific details for providing a comprehensive understanding of the various concepts. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, well-known components are hidden from view to avoid confusing these concepts.

[0174] References throughout the specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example," or "an example" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," "an example," or "an example" throughout the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments or examples, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combination and / or sub-combination. Furthermore, it will be understood that the drawings provided herewith are for explanation to persons of ordinary skill in the art, and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0175] This written description uses examples to disclose aspects of the present utility model, including preferred embodiments, and also enables any technician in the field to practice aspects of the present utility model, including making and using any device or system and performing any combined method. The authorized scope of these aspects is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. If these other examples have structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the claims, or if these other examples include equivalent structural elements that are not essentially different from the literal language of the claims, then these other examples are within the scope of the claims. A person of ordinary skill in the art can mix and match aspects from the various embodiments described and other known equivalents of each such aspect to construct additional embodiments and techniques in accordance with the principles of the present application.

Claims

1. A housing for accommodating at least one heat dissipation device, the housing being configured to be grasped or otherwise held by a user, characterized in that: The housing comprises: a first housing wall having a plurality of first gripping features protruding from the first housing wall; and A second shell wall portion, wherein the second shell wall portion has a plurality of second gripping features protruding from the second shell wall portion, wherein the plurality of first gripping features and the plurality of second gripping features are sized and arranged to prevent the user from contacting the first shell wall portion and the second shell wall portion when gripping the shell.

2. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that The plurality of first gripping features are protrusions, or the first shell wall includes a plurality of recesses between the plurality of first gripping features; or the plurality of first gripping features are protrusions, and the first shell wall includes a plurality of recesses between the plurality of first gripping features.

3. The housing according to claim 2, characterized in that: The plurality of second gripping features are protrusions, or the second shell wall includes a plurality of recesses between the plurality of second gripping features; or the plurality of second gripping features are protrusions, and the second shell wall includes a plurality of recesses between the plurality of second gripping features.

4. The housing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first plurality of gripping features and the second plurality of gripping features are formed of a non-metallic material.

5. The housing according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first housing wall portion and the second housing wall portion are formed of a non-metallic material.

6. The housing according to claim 5, characterized in that The first shell wall portion, the second shell wall portion, the plurality of first gripping features, and the plurality of second gripping features are an integral structure.

7. The housing according to claim 6, characterized in that The housing further comprises a third housing wall and a fourth housing wall, wherein the first housing wall and the second housing wall are perpendicular to the third housing wall and the fourth housing wall, and wherein the first housing wall and the second housing wall are parallel.

8. The housing according to claim 7, characterized in that The third housing wall includes a plurality of third gripping features protruding from the third housing wall, and the fourth housing wall includes a plurality of fourth gripping features protruding from the fourth housing wall.

9. The housing according to claim 8, characterized in that The first housing wall, the second housing wall, the third housing wall and the fourth housing wall form a rectangular housing for accommodating the at least one heat dissipation device.

10. The housing according to claim 9, characterized in that The plurality of first gripping features, the plurality of second gripping features, the plurality of third gripping features, and the plurality of fourth gripping features are identical.

11. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one heat dissipation device is one or more components of the power converter housed within the housing.

12. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that The first plurality of gripping features includes 5 to 200 gripping features, and wherein the second plurality of gripping features includes 5 to 200 gripping features.

13. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that The plurality of first gripping features and the plurality of second gripping features form a repeating pattern on the first housing wall and the second housing wall.

14. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that The plurality of first gripping features form a random or non-repeating pattern on the first housing wall.

15. The housing according to claim 14, characterized in that The plurality of second gripping features form a random or non-repeating pattern on the second housing wall portion.

16. The housing according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that: The housing is a battery charger housing or a power adapter housing; The heat dissipation device is a power converter circuit, an AC-DC converter circuit or a switch mode power supply circuit: The first housing wall portion and the second housing wall portion cover an area at least as large as the tip of a user's thumb; and The first plurality of gripping features and the second plurality of gripping features protrude outwardly from the first housing wall and the second housing wall.

17. A device comprising a heat dissipation circuit and a housing for accommodating the heat dissipation circuit, characterized in that: The housing comprises: a first housing wall portion having a first wall inner surface and a first wall outer surface, the first wall outer surface including a plurality of first gripping features extending from the first wall outer surface; and A second shell wall portion, the second shell wall portion having a second wall inner surface and a second wall outer surface, the second wall outer surface having a plurality of second gripping features extending from the second wall outer surface, wherein the plurality of first gripping features and the plurality of second gripping features are sized and arranged to prevent a user who grips the shell from contacting the first wall outer surface and the second wall outer surface.

18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that The housing further comprises: a third housing wall portion, the third housing wall portion comprising a third wall inner surface and a third wall outer surface, wherein the third wall outer surface comprises a plurality of third gripping features extending from the third wall outer surface; and A fourth shell wall portion, the fourth shell wall portion comprising a fourth wall inner surface and a fourth wall outer surface, wherein the fourth wall outer surface comprises a plurality of fourth gripping features extending from the fourth wall outer surface, wherein the first wall inner surface and the second wall inner surface are perpendicular to the third wall inner surface and the fourth wall inner surface, and wherein the first wall inner surface and the second wall inner surface are parallel.

19. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that The plurality of first gripping features, the plurality of second gripping features, the plurality of third gripping features, and the plurality of fourth gripping features form a repeating pattern on the first wall outer surface, the second wall outer surface, the third wall outer surface, and the fourth wall outer surface.

20. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that The device also includes: a fifth housing wall portion, the fifth housing wall portion comprising a fifth wall inner surface and a fifth wall outer surface, wherein the fifth wall outer surface comprises a plurality of fifth gripping features extending from the fifth wall outer surface; and A sixth shell wall portion, the sixth shell wall portion comprising a sixth wall inner surface and a sixth wall outer surface, wherein the sixth wall outer surface comprises a plurality of sixth gripping features extending from the sixth wall outer surface, wherein the fifth wall inner surface and the sixth wall inner surface are perpendicular to the first wall inner surface, the second wall inner surface, the third wall inner surface and the fourth wall inner surface.

21. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that The first gripping feature, the second gripping feature, the third gripping feature, and the fourth gripping feature are formed of a non-metallic material.

22. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that The plurality of first gripping features, the plurality of second gripping features, the plurality of third gripping features and the plurality of fourth gripping features are the same.

23. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that Each of the first gripping features includes a first gripping surface at an end thereof, each of the second gripping features includes a second gripping surface at an end thereof, each of the third gripping features includes a third gripping surface at an end thereof, and each of the fourth gripping features includes a fourth gripping surface at an end thereof, wherein the first gripping surface, the second gripping surface, the third gripping surface and the fourth gripping surface have a small size of 0.75 millimeters (mm) to 2.0 mm.

24. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that The heat dissipation circuit is a power converter circuit.

25. A device comprising a heat dissipation circuit and a housing for accommodating the heat dissipation circuit, characterized in that: The housing comprises: a first housing wall portion having a first wall inner surface and a first wall outer surface, the first wall outer surface including a plurality of first gripping features extending from the first wall outer surface; and A second shell wall portion, the second shell wall portion having a second wall inner surface and a second wall outer surface, the second wall outer surface having a plurality of second gripping features extending from the second wall outer surface, wherein the plurality of first gripping features and the plurality of second gripping features are sized and arranged so that the user's skin is at a distance from the first wall outer surface and the second wall outer surface when the user grips the shell.

26. The device according to claim 25, characterized in that The shell also includes an outer layer located above the plurality of first gripping features and the plurality of second gripping features, wherein the outer layer contacts first gripping feature surfaces of the first gripping features and second gripping feature surfaces of the second gripping features and is spaced apart from the first wall outer surface and the second wall outer surface.

27. A housing containing a diverging device, characterized in that: The housing comprises: A shell wall, the shell wall being located at the periphery of the shell, the shell wall having a minimum wall thickness and a maximum wall thickness, wherein in at least one cross-section of the shell, the maximum wall thickness exists as a percentage of less than 33% of the periphery of the shell, wherein the difference between the minimum wall thickness and the maximum wall thickness is in the range of 0.75 millimeters (mm) to 4.0 mm, and wherein the minimum distance between points with maximum wall thickness is less than 35% of the difference between the minimum wall thickness and the maximum wall thickness.

28. The housing according to claim 27, characterized in that In at least one cross-section of the housing, regions of maximum thickness and regions of minimum thickness form a repeating pattern around the periphery of the housing.

29. The housing according to claim 27, characterized in that In at least one cross-section of the shell, one or more of a maximum thickness percentage of the periphery of the shell, the difference between the minimum wall thickness and the maximum wall thickness, and the minimum distance between points with maximum wall thickness are variable around the periphery of the shell.

30. The housing according to claim 27, wherein: The region of maximum wall thickness forms a continuous ridge on the periphery of the housing, the ridges being separated by grooves, and wherein at least a portion of the grooves define the minimum wall thickness.

31. The housing according to claim 27, characterized in that The dissipating device is a power converter circuit.

32. The housing according to claim 27, characterized in that The radiating device is a switch mode power supply circuit.

33. A battery charger or power adapter, the battery charger or power adapter being contained in a housing, characterized in that: The housing comprises a casing according to any one of claims 27 to 32, wherein opposite sides of the housing are formed by the casing walls.

34. A battery charger housing or power adapter housing for housing a power converter circuit, an AC-DC converter, or a switch mode power supply circuit, the housing being configured to be grasped or otherwise held by a user, characterized in that: The housing comprises: a first housing wall portion, the first housing wall portion spanning an area at least as large as the tip of the user's finger or thumb; a plurality of first gripping features covering the first housing wall and protruding outwardly from the first housing wall; a second housing wall portion that spans an area at least as large as the tip of the user's finger or thumb; and a plurality of second gripping features covering the second housing wall and protruding outwardly from the second housing wall; Wherein, the first plurality of gripping features and the second plurality of gripping features are sized and positioned to prevent the user's skin from contacting the first shell wall and the second shell wall when the user's fingertips and thumbtips are used to grip the shell.

35. A battery charger or power adapter, characterized in that: The battery charger or power adapter comprises a battery charger housing or power adapter housing according to claim 34.

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