An underwater pneumatic balancing device

Abstract

The application provides an underwater air pressure balancing device, which comprises an electronic device and an air bag. The electronic device has a receiving space for receiving electronic components. The air bag is arranged outside the electronic device and is sealingly connected to the electronic device. The internal space of the air bag is communicated with the receiving space of the electronic device. When the underwater air pressure balancing device is submerged from the water surface to deep water, the external deep water pressure gradually increases and presses the air bag. When the air bag is compressed, the internal air is pressed into the receiving space, so that the air pressure in the receiving space is synchronously increased to be close to the external water pressure. The shell of the electronic device and the internal components only bear a small pressure load, which can avoid the deformation of the shell of the electronic device in deep water and improve the safety performance and the sealing and waterproof performance of the shell of the electronic device and the internal components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of underwater sealing technology, specifically to an underwater air pressure balancing device. Background Technology

[0002] In fields such as marine exploration, underwater operations, and diving equipment, the stable operation of underwater electronic equipment (such as sensors, control modules, and communication devices) depends on the effective protection of internal electronic components. Among these, sealing and waterproofing performance and water pressure resistance are core technical requirements. Due to significant pressure changes in the underwater environment, external water pressure increases linearly with diving depth (approximately one standard atmosphere per 10 meters of dive). Balancing the internal and external pressures of the equipment to prevent deformation of the outer shell, seal failure, and damage to internal components has always been a technical challenge in the industry.

[0003] In related technologies, pressure protection for underwater electronic equipment typically employs two approaches: First, a rigid, pressure-resistant shell design is used, employing high-strength materials (such as titanium alloys and special steels) and increasing the shell thickness to withstand external water pressure. While this approach can withstand water pressure within a certain depth range, it has significant drawbacks: On the one hand, to meet deep-water pressure requirements, the shell needs to be designed to be heavy, leading to increased overall equipment weight and cost, and making it difficult to adapt to multiple scenarios from shallow to deep water (the same equipment cannot meet the pressure requirements at different depths); on the other hand, the shell is prone to fatigue deformation under long-term exposure to large pressure differences, especially during frequent diving and surfacing pressure fluctuations. Sealing structures (such as sealing rings) are prone to aging and loosening due to continuous stress, resulting in decreased waterproofing performance and even water leakage. Second, waterproofing is achieved through basic sealing methods (such as rubber gaskets), completely disregarding air pressure balance. Such equipment is often only suitable for short-term use in shallow water environments. Once the diving depth is slightly greater, the excessive internal and external pressure difference can directly cause the shell to rupture or internal components to be damaged by pressure, making it unsuitable for applications in complex underwater environments.

[0004] In summary, the relevant technologies cannot achieve dynamic air pressure balance for underwater electronic equipment during depth changes, and cannot effectively avoid problems such as shell deformation, seal failure, and damage to internal components. This results in limited safety and waterproof performance of the equipment, making it difficult to meet the diverse and high-precision underwater operation requirements. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide an underwater air pressure balancing device to solve the technical problem that related technologies are unable to achieve dynamic air pressure balancing of underwater electronic equipment during depth changes, and cannot effectively avoid problems such as shell deformation, sealing failure and damage to internal components.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides an underwater pressure balancing device, comprising: An electronic device having a housing space for housing electronic components; An airbag is disposed outside the electronic device, the airbag is sealed to the electronic device, and the internal space of the airbag is connected to the containment space of the electronic device.

[0007] The underwater pressure balancing device provided in this application includes an electronic device with a housing space for housing electronic components. An airbag is located outside the electronic device and is sealed to the electronic device, with the internal space of the airbag connected to the housing space of the electronic device. When the underwater pressure balancing device descends from the surface to deep water, the external deep water pressure gradually increases and compresses the airbag. When the airbag is compressed, the internal air is forced into the housing space, causing the air pressure inside the housing space to rise synchronously to a level close to the external water pressure. The outer casing of the electronic device and its internal components bear only a very small pressure load, which can prevent the outer casing of the electronic device from deforming in deep water and improve the safety and waterproof performance of the outer casing and internal components of the electronic device.

[0008] The airbag includes a first opening that communicates with the containment space of the electronic device.

[0009] The airbag includes a first deformable portion and a first connecting portion connected together. The first connecting portion is arranged in a ring and surrounds the first opening. The electronic device includes a connector, and the connecting portion is connected to the connector and surrounds the outer periphery of the connector.

[0010] The airbag includes a first opening and a second opening, and there are two electronic devices. The first opening connects to the containment space of one electronic device, and the second opening connects to the containment space of the other electronic device.

[0011] The airbag includes a first deformable part, a first connecting part, and a second connecting part connected together. The first connecting part surrounds to form the first opening, and the second connecting part surrounds to form the second opening. Both electronic devices include connectors. The first connecting part connects to the connector of one electronic device and surrounds the outer periphery of the connector. The second connecting part connects to the connector of the other electronic device and surrounds the outer periphery of the connector.

[0012] Wherein, when the gas pressure inside the airbag is one standard atmosphere, the volume of the airbag is V1, the volume of the airbag in the compressed state is V2, the ratio of V2 to V1 is α, and α satisfies: 0.1≤α≤1.

[0013] The wall thickness of the airbag is D, and D satisfies: 0.1mm≤D≤2mm.

[0014] The underwater air pressure balancing device further includes a sealing element, which is disposed between the inner wall of the airbag and the electronic device, and is used to seal the gap between the airbag and the electronic device.

[0015] The underwater air pressure balancing device further includes a support frame, which is disposed inside the airbag and extends along a first direction. The support frame can be used to abut against and support the airbag.

[0016] The airbag includes a first deformable portion and a first connecting portion connected together, and the electronic device includes a three-way connector. The first connecting portion of the airbag is connected to the outer periphery of at least one port of the three-way connector. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an underwater air pressure balancing device located on water, according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an underwater pressure balancing device provided in an embodiment of this application, located underwater. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an airbag provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a connector and an airbag provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an airbag provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an underwater air pressure balancing device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of an underwater air pressure balancing device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an underwater air pressure balancing device including a three-way connector provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0018] Label Explanation: Underwater pressure balancing device 100, electronic device 10, connector 11, connecting piece 111, electrical connection interface 112, airbag 20, first deformation part 21, first connecting part 22, second connecting part 23, support frame 30, tee connector 40, first direction D1. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0021] In this specification, for convenience, terms such as "middle," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer" are used to indicate orientation or positional relationships in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. This is solely for the purpose of facilitating the description and simplification, and does not imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation of this disclosure. The positional relationships of the constituent elements may be appropriately varied depending on the orientation of the constituent elements being described. Therefore, the use of terms not limited to those described in the specification may be appropriately replaced as needed.

[0022] In this specification, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they may refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate component, or a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the meaning of these terms in this disclosure as appropriate.

[0023] In fields such as marine exploration, underwater operations, and diving equipment, the stable operation of underwater electronic equipment (such as sensors, control modules, and communication devices) depends on the effective protection of internal electronic components. Among these, sealing and waterproofing performance and water pressure resistance are core technical requirements. Due to significant pressure changes in the underwater environment, external water pressure increases linearly with diving depth (approximately one standard atmosphere per 10 meters of dive). Balancing the internal and external pressures of the equipment to prevent deformation of the outer shell, seal failure, and damage to internal components has always been a technical challenge in the industry.

[0024] In related technologies, pressure protection for underwater electronic equipment typically employs two approaches: First, a rigid, pressure-resistant shell design is used, employing high-strength materials (such as titanium alloys and special steels) and increasing the shell thickness to withstand external water pressure. While this approach can withstand water pressure within a certain depth range, it has significant drawbacks: On the one hand, to meet deep-water pressure requirements, the shell needs to be designed to be heavy, leading to increased overall equipment weight and cost, and making it difficult to adapt to multiple scenarios from shallow to deep water (the same equipment cannot meet the pressure requirements at different depths); on the other hand, the shell is prone to fatigue deformation under long-term exposure to large pressure differences, especially during frequent diving and surfacing pressure fluctuations. Sealing structures (such as sealing rings) are prone to aging and loosening due to continuous stress, resulting in decreased waterproofing performance and even water leakage. Second, waterproofing is achieved through basic sealing methods (such as rubber gaskets), completely disregarding air pressure balance. Such equipment is often only suitable for short-term use in shallow water environments. Once the diving depth is slightly greater, the excessive internal and external pressure difference can directly cause the shell to rupture or internal components to be damaged by pressure, making it unsuitable for applications in complex underwater environments.

[0025] In summary, the relevant technologies cannot achieve dynamic air pressure balance for underwater electronic equipment during depth changes, and cannot effectively avoid problems such as shell deformation, seal failure, and damage to internal components. This results in limited safety and waterproof performance of the equipment, making it difficult to meet the diverse and high-precision underwater operation requirements.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 1 to 2 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an underwater pressure balancing device located on water, according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an underwater pressure balancing device provided in an embodiment of this application, located underwater.

[0027] This application provides an underwater air pressure balancing device 100 to solve the technical problem that related technologies are unable to achieve dynamic air pressure balance of underwater electronic devices during depth changes, and cannot effectively avoid problems such as shell deformation, sealing failure and damage to internal components.

[0028] The underwater pressure balancing device 100 includes an electronic device 10 and an airbag 20. The electronic device 10 has a housing space for housing electronic components. The airbag 20 is disposed outside the electronic device 10, is sealed to the electronic device 10, and its internal space communicates with the housing space of the electronic device 10.

[0029] The electronic device 10 is the main functional component of the entire device. The electronic device 10 has the housing space, which is a protective area designed specifically for electronic components. The housing space can be used to house various environmentally sensitive electronic components, such as power supply components, sensor modules (pressure, temperature, water quality sensors, etc.), control chips, communication modules, etc.

[0030] Optionally, the housing of the electronic device 10 can be made of high-strength alloy (such as titanium alloy) or engineering plastic (such as polytetrafluoroethylene). The housing of the electronic device 10 can achieve the characteristics of seawater corrosion resistance and impact resistance. At the same time, through precision processing (such as one-piece molding and laser welding), gaps are reduced, providing basic structural support for internal components.

[0031] Optionally, the interior of the containment space may be partitioned according to the sensitivity of the components: precision chips that are more sensitive to pressure fluctuations may be placed in the area near the air chamber channel in order to respond to changes in air pressure more quickly; while relatively durable components such as power supplies can be placed at the edge to optimize space utilization.

[0032] The airbag 20 is sealed to the electronic device 10, and the internal space of the airbag 20 is connected to the containment space of the electronic device 10. The airbag 20 can be used to dynamically adjust the air pressure in the containment space of the electronic device 10. The airbag 20 is a key component for achieving dynamic air pressure balance. It is installed outside the electronic device 10, and the design of the airbag 20 directly determines the underwater pressure adaptability of the underwater air pressure balancing device 100.

[0033] The airbag 20 needs to have sufficient elasticity (it can stretch or contract with changes in air pressure) and be able to resist seawater corrosion, low temperature and high pressure. Optionally, the material of the airbag 20 may include, but is not limited to, silicone, composite elastic materials (such as a composite material of neoprene rubber and nylon fiber), so that the airbag 20 can simultaneously meet the two requirements of flexible stretching and resistance to extreme environments.

[0034] Furthermore, optionally, the airbag 20 may be shaped, including but not limited to, spherical, olive-shaped, cylindrical, etc., to reduce the water flow resistance when the underwater pressure balancing device 100 moves underwater. Also optionally, the outer surface of the airbag 20 may be treated with a scratch-resistant finish to prevent damage caused by collisions with underwater rocks or organisms.

[0035] It should be noted that the core challenge of the underwater environment is that water pressure increases linearly with depth (approximately one atmosphere increases for every 10 meters of descent). If the electronic device 10 adopts a completely rigid sealed design with a fixed internal air pressure (typically one atmosphere), the deeper the descent, the greater the pressure difference between the inside and outside. When the pressure difference exceeds the withstand limit of the outer shell of the electronic device 10, it can lead to shell deformation, seal failure, or even directly crushing the internal components. The underwater air pressure balancing device 100 of this application, through the design of the airbag 20 communicating with the air cavity of the containment space, constructs an adaptive internal and external pressure adjustment system. The specific process is as follows: Descent Phase (Increased Water Pressure): As the underwater pressure balancing device 100 descends from the surface to deeper water, the external deep-water pressure gradually increases, compressing the exposed airbag 20. Since the airbag 20 is connected to the containment space, when the airbag 20 is compressed, the air inside the airbag 20 is forced into the containment space, causing the air pressure within the containment space to rise synchronously. This process continues until the total internal air pressure of the containment space and the airbag 20 equals the external water pressure. At this point, the airbag 20 is no longer compressed, the pressure difference between the inside and outside approaches zero, and the outer casing and internal components of the electronic device 10 bear only a minimal pressure load.

[0036] Ascent Phase (Water Pressure Reduction): As the underwater pressure balancing device 100 rises from deep water, the external water pressure gradually decreases. At this time, the air pressure inside the containment space and the airbag 20 will be greater than the external water pressure. The airbag 20 will naturally expand due to the internal air pressure, and air from the containment space will flow into the airbag 20, causing the total internal air pressure to decrease synchronously. The airbag 20 will stop expanding until the internal air pressure is balanced with the water pressure at the current depth.

[0037] Stable phase (unchanged depth): If the underwater air pressure balancing device 100 remains at a certain depth and the external water pressure is stable, the airbag 20 will remain in a specific inflated state (neither contracting nor expanding), and the internal air pressure and the external water pressure will remain in balance for a long time, ensuring that the electronic device 10 works in a stable environment.

[0038] The underwater air pressure balancing device 100 described in this application essentially utilizes the compressibility of gas to absorb and release air through the volume change of the airbag 20, thereby achieving real-time tracking of the internal air pressure against the external water pressure. Its adjustment speed can meet the needs of most underwater operation scenarios (such as the submersible's ascent and descent speed of a few meters per second).

[0039] Compared to traditional underwater electronic devices 10, which often use rigid pressure-resistant shells to resist water pressure, but suffer from problems such as heavy weight, high cost, and fixed depth of application, the underwater pressure balancing device 100 of this application maintains consistent internal and external air pressures within the electronic device 10 by adjusting the volume of the airbag 20. This eliminates the need for a heavy shell, reducing the weight and manufacturing cost of the electronic device 10. Furthermore, the underwater pressure balancing device 100 of this application can adapt to different depths, from diving to deep water, without requiring a custom-designed shell for a specific depth.

[0040] In the underwater pressure balancing device 100 provided in this application, the electronic device 10 has a receiving space for housing electronic components. An airbag 20 is disposed outside the electronic device 10 and is sealed to the electronic device 10, with its internal space communicating with the receiving space of the electronic device 10. When the underwater pressure balancing device 100 descends from the surface to deep water, the external deep water pressure gradually increases and compresses the airbag 20. When the airbag 20 is compressed, internal air is forced into the receiving space, causing the air pressure within the receiving space to rise synchronously to a level close to the external water pressure. The outer casing and internal components of the electronic device 10 bear only a minimal pressure load, preventing deformation of the outer casing of the electronic device 10 underwater and improving the safety and waterproof performance of the outer casing and internal components.

[0041] Please refer to Figures 1 to 2 In one embodiment, when the gas pressure inside the airbag 20 is one standard atmosphere, the volume of the airbag 20 is V1, the volume of the airbag 20 in the compressed state is V2, the ratio of V2 to V1 is α, and α satisfies: 0.1≤α≤1.

[0042] Where V1 is the baseline volume, referring to the volume of the airbag 20 when the internal gas pressure equals one standard atmosphere, at which point the airbag 20 is in a naturally inflated state. V2 is the compressed volume, referring to the actual volume of the airbag 20 under underwater pressure. When the underwater pressure balancing device 100 submerges, the external water pressure is greater than the initial internal air pressure (1 atm), and the water compresses the first deformation part 21 of the airbag 20, causing its volume to contract. At this time, the gas inside the airbag 20 is compressed, and the volume is V2. The size of V2 varies with the diving depth: the greater the depth and the higher the external water pressure, the smaller V2 becomes. α is the compression ratio, which is the ratio of V2 to V1 (α=V2 / V1), used to quantify the degree of compression of the airbag 20. The closer α is to 1, the smaller the compression of the airbag 20 (e.g., in shallow water environments, the water pressure is close to 1 atm, V2≈V1); the closer α is to 0.1, the larger the compression of the airbag 20 (e.g., in deeper water environments, the water pressure is significantly higher than 1 atm, and V2 is only 10% of the initial volume).

[0043] The lower limit of α is 0.1, where α = 0.1 corresponds to an external water pressure of 10 atm and a water depth of approximately 90 meters. In other words, the underwater pressure balancing device 100 provided in this application can be safely applied to scenarios ranging from the surface to a water depth of 90 meters, covering mainstream underwater scenarios such as shallow-sea operations (e.g., nearshore water quality monitoring, diving equipment) and mid-shallow-sea engineering (e.g., underwater pipeline inspection, small ROV operations). It not only meets the needs of most applications but also avoids design complexity caused by pursuing excessively deep water depths.

[0044] Please refer to Figures 1 to 2 In one embodiment, the wall thickness of the airbag 20 is D, and D satisfies: 0.1mm≤D≤2mm.

[0045] The wall thickness D of the airbag 20 refers to the thickness of the flexible material constituting the airbag 20, which is a core indicator determining the physical properties of the airbag 20. From a functional perspective, the wall thickness of the airbag 20 directly affects its deformation sensitivity (whether it can expand and contract rapidly with pressure changes) and its resistance to breakage (whether it can withstand underwater impacts, friction, and high pressure). From a material perspective, the wall thickness of the airbag 20 needs to match the strength and elastic modulus of the airbag 20 material (such as silicone, rubber, or composite elastic membrane).

[0046] The wall thickness D of the airbag 20 is ≥0.1mm, which is a safe threshold to ensure the basic structural strength of the airbag 20 and avoid structural failure caused by excessive thinness. The wall thickness D of the airbag 20 is ≤2mm to avoid functional failure caused by excessive thickness of the airbag 20, to ensure the flexible expansion and contraction capability of the airbag 20, and to avoid the air pressure regulation function being hindered by excessive wall thickness of the airbag 20.

[0047] Optionally, in this embodiment, the wall thickness D of the airbag 20 can be 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 0.9mm, 1mm, 1.1mm, 1.4mm, 1.5mm, 1.6mm, 1.8mm, or other dimensions within the range of 0.1mm-2mm.

[0048] It should be noted that, optionally, the connection between the airbag 20 and the electronic device 10 can be a tight fit connection or a sealed connection using a sealing element. For example, in one embodiment, the underwater pressure balancing device 100 further includes a sealing element disposed between the inner wall of the airbag 20 and the electronic device 10, the sealing element being used to seal the gap between the airbag 20 and the electronic device 10.

[0049] It should be noted that the airbag 20, as a flexible component, needs to be fixedly connected to the rigid shell (usually metal or hard plastic) of the electronic device 10 at its edges. The difference in physical properties between flexible and rigid materials (such as deformation capacity and coefficient of thermal expansion and contraction) will result in the presence of tiny gaps at the connection point. The core function of the sealing element is to fill and seal these gaps, forming a physical barrier.

[0050] The sealing element can adopt a ring design (such as an O-ring or lip seal ring), and its size is precisely matched with the gap of the connection part: the inner ring fits against the surface of the outer shell of the electronic device 10, and the outer ring is embedded in the preset groove of the inner wall of the airbag 20. The initial seal is achieved by the pre-compression force during assembly. At the same time, some of the sealing elements are designed as multi-lip structures or have raised textures added to the surface to further improve the tightness of the fit with the contact surface.

[0051] The sealing element is provided at the edge of the containment space to ensure that the connection between the electronic device 10 and the external airbag 20 is absolutely sealed, and to reserve a channel for air cavity communication to prevent liquids from the environment from seeping into the electronic device 10 through the connection point.

[0052] Specifically, in an underwater environment, deep water continuously applies pressure to the underwater pressure balancing device 100. If there are gaps at the connection points, water can seep into the airbag 20 or the containment space of the electronic device 10 through these gaps. The sealing element, through its own elastic deformation, can tightly fill all microscopic gaps, forming a zero-leakage physical barrier to ensure that external seawater cannot enter the air chamber (the airbag 20 or the containment space).

[0053] Furthermore, the pressure balance of the underwater pressure balancing device 100 relies on the closed air chamber formed by the airbag 20 and the containment space. Only when the total amount of air inside the air chamber is stable (no leakage, no intrusion of external media) can the expansion and contraction of the airbag 20 accurately regulate the internal air pressure to match the external water pressure. The sealing element prevents air leakage from the air chamber (as the air chamber pressure increases during diving, air may leak out from the gaps) and the intrusion of external liquids and gases, ensuring that the air chamber is always in a closed and pure state, providing a stable physical basis for dynamic pressure balance.

[0054] The material of the sealing element must meet three major requirements: elastic sealing, weather resistance, and deformation resistance. Optionally, the material of the sealing element can be an elastomer resistant to seawater corrosion (such as nitrile rubber, fluororubber, and silicone rubber): Nitrile rubber has a high cost-performance ratio and is suitable for shallow sea and normal water temperature environments; fluororubber is resistant to high pressure, low temperature (can adapt to deep sea water temperature), and chemical corrosion (resistance to seawater salinity and microbial secretions), making it suitable for deep-sea scenarios; silicone rubber has excellent elasticity and can adapt to the deformation and stretching during the frequent expansion and contraction of the airbag 20, reducing the risk of seal fatigue failure.

[0055] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an airbag provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0056] In one embodiment, the airbag 20 includes a first opening that communicates with the containment space of the electronic device 10.

[0057] Furthermore, the airbag 20 includes a first deformable portion 21 and a first connecting portion 22 connected together, the first connecting portion 22 being arranged in a ring and surrounding the first opening.

[0058] Specifically, the first opening is the channel interface connecting the airbag 20 and the containment space in the electronic device 10, and is the necessary path for air to flow between the two. The size of the first opening matches the connector 11 of the electronic device 10 to ensure smooth airflow (air from the airbag 20 enters the containment space through this opening during descent, and air from the containment space flows back to the airbag 20 through this opening during ascent). The first opening is the only communication channel between the internal space of the airbag 20 and the containment space of the electronic device 10, ensuring free airflow between the two, which is a prerequisite for air pressure balance. If the first opening is too small, it may cause excessive airflow resistance, affecting the air pressure regulation speed; if the first opening is not properly sealed, it may lead to gas leakage or seawater intrusion, directly disrupting the balance mechanism.

[0059] The airbag 20 includes a first deformable portion 21 and a first connecting portion 22 connected together. Specifically, the first deformable portion 21 is the body expansion and contraction zone of the airbag 20 and is a key part for the airbag 20 to achieve pressure regulation. The first deformable portion 21 can be sac-shaped or bag-shaped, located away from the connecting portion, and can freely expand or contract with the pressure difference between the inside and outside (for example, its volume is compressed by water pressure when diving and expands due to internal air pressure when surfacing). The shape of the first deformable portion 21 can be streamlined (such as olive-shaped or cylindrical), which reduces underwater resistance and evenly distributes pressure, avoiding damage caused by excessive local stretching or compression.

[0060] The first deformable part 21 functions as a pressure response zone, adjusting the total volume of the air chamber through its own expansion and contraction (volume change), thereby achieving a match between air pressure and water pressure. For example, when diving, the external water pressure increases, the first deformable part 21 is compressed, and internal air flows into the containment space through the first opening, increasing the total air pressure in the air chamber; when surfacing, the external water pressure decreases, the first deformable part 21 expands due to internal air pressure, and air in the containment space flows back through the first opening, decreasing the total air pressure in the air chamber.

[0061] The first connecting portion 22 is the connection and fixing area between the airbag 20 and the electronic device 10, and it serves the dual functions of mechanical fixing and sealing. The annular central area of ​​the first connecting portion 22 forms the aforementioned first opening. In other words, the first connecting portion 22 is similar to an annular flange, with the inner ring being the first opening (connecting the air passage).

[0062] It should be noted that, in one embodiment, the materials of the first deformable part 21 and the first connecting part 22 may be different. The material of the first connecting part 22 may be more resilient than that of the first deformable part 21 (such as adding fiber-reinforced elastic material) to ensure connection strength and avoid loosening of the connection due to the tension when the airbag 20 expands and contracts.

[0063] It should be noted that, optionally, the electronic device 10 may include, but is not limited to, mobile phones, tablets, watches, underwater robots, and other devices.

[0064] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a connector and an airbag provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an airbag provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0065] In one embodiment, the electronic device 10 includes a connector 11, and the connecting portion connects to the connector 11 and surrounds the outer periphery of the connector 11.

[0066] In one embodiment, the connector 11 may be a structure on the electronic device 10 specifically designed for connecting the airbag 20, typically a rigid protrusion (such as a tubular or cylindrical interface made of metal or engineering plastic), hollow inside, directly connected to the receiving space of the electronic device 10 (forming part of the air passage). The outer periphery of the connector 11 may be provided with a structure (such as an annular groove, thread, or flange face) that mates with the first connecting portion 22, so that the first connecting portion 22 can tightly surround and fix it to its outer periphery.

[0067] In one embodiment, the connector 11 includes an external connector 111 and an internal electrical connection interface 112. The connector 111 serves as the skeleton of the connector 11 and can be made of a high-strength, corrosion-resistant rigid material (such as titanium alloy or special engineering plastic), and has an overall columnar or tubular structure.

[0068] The electrical connection interface 112 is integrated into the internal cavity of the external connector 111 and is the core component for transmitting electrical signals between the electronic device 10 and external (or internal expansion components). Its shape is similar to the interface structure of a conventional electrical connector 11, and it may include conductive components such as metal pins, conductive terminals, and contact pieces, used to connect the circuit board within the housing space of the electronic device 10 to the wires of external devices (such as underwater cables, sensor probes, control modules, etc.).

[0069] To prevent water intrusion from affecting the reliability of electrical connections, the internal electrical connection interface 112 can adopt a multi-seal design: for example, the interface surface is covered with an insulating and waterproof coating, a rubber sealing plug is embedded between the pin and the housing, or the whole is potted (filled with insulating and waterproof glue) to ensure that while the air passage is ventilated, the electrical signal transmission is not affected by water vapor or water pressure.

[0070] The connecting part connects to the connector 11 and surrounds the outer periphery of the connector 11, thereby enhancing the connection reliability between the airbag 20 and the electronic device 10. The annular mating structure between the first connecting part 22 and the connector 11 ensures a uniform distribution of connection force and sealing pressure, reducing local stress concentration (such as preventing breakage at a certain point due to excessive tension). Even under alternating stress caused by repeated expansion and contraction of the airbag 20, a stable connection and seal can still be maintained, significantly reducing the risk of failure due to connection failure.

[0071] Please refer to Figures 1 to 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an underwater air pressure balancing device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0072] In one embodiment, the airbag 20 includes a first opening and a second opening, the number of electronic devices 10 is two, and the first opening connects to the containment space of one electronic device 10, and the second opening connects to the containment space of the other electronic device 10.

[0073] The airbag 20 includes a first deformable portion 21, a first connecting portion 22, and a second connecting portion 23 connected together. The first connecting portion 22 surrounds to form the first opening, and the second connecting portion 23 surrounds to form the second opening. Both electronic devices 10 include connectors 11. The first connecting portion 22 connects to the connector 11 of one electronic device 10 and surrounds the outer periphery of the connector 11. The second connecting portion 23 connects to the connector 11 of the other electronic device 10 and surrounds the outer periphery of the connector 11.

[0074] It should be noted that the first deformable part 21 is the elastic core for realizing air pressure regulation. The first deformable part 21 is made of the same material as the single-opening airbag 20. The first deformable part 21 has a tubular structure and is located between the first connecting part 22 and the second connecting part 23.

[0075] Specifically, the first connecting portion 22 has a ring-shaped structure, with the first opening formed in its central region, serving as an air passage interface for communication between the airbag 20 and the first electronic device 10. The structure of the second connecting portion 23 and the second opening is completely symmetrical to that of the first connecting portion 22, also ring-shaped, with the second opening formed in its center, for connecting to the receiving space of the second electronic device 10.

[0076] Both of the electronic devices 10 have the connector 11, which is connected to the first connection part 22 and the second connection part 23 of the airbag 20 respectively, so as to achieve coordinated air pressure balance between the two electronic devices 10.

[0077] Specifically, the synchronous pressurization of the two electronic devices 10 during submersion occurs as the underwater pressure balancing device 100 submerges. As the external water pressure gradually increases, the water compresses the first deformation portion 21 of the airbag 20, causing it to contract. At this time, air inside the airbag 20 flows into the housing spaces of the two electronic devices 10 simultaneously through the first and second openings. The air pressure in both housing spaces increases synchronously as the air inside the airbag 20 is compressed, eventually aligning with the external water pressure. This ensures that the outer casing and internal components of the two electronic devices 10 bear identical pressure loads, avoiding differential pressure stress caused by pressure discrepancies.

[0078] Furthermore, the synchronous depressurization of the two electronic devices 10 as they rise is achieved when the underwater pressure balancing device 100 rises and the external water pressure decreases. The first deformation part 21 expands due to the higher internal air pressure compared to the external water pressure, increasing its volume. At this time, the air within the housing spaces of the two electronic devices 10 flows back to the airbag 20 synchronously through their respective openings (the first opening and the second opening), causing the air pressure in both housing spaces to decrease synchronously as the airbag 20 expands, thus maintaining a balance with the external water pressure.

[0079] Furthermore, the pressure of the two electronic devices 10 is consistent when they are stationary. If the underwater air pressure balancing device 100 stays at a certain depth and the external water pressure is stable, the first deformation part 21 maintains a fixed shape, and the containment space of the two electronic devices 10 forms an isobaric environment through the airbag 20. The internal air pressure is completely consistent, ensuring that the sealing structure and components of both devices bear the same pressure, and avoiding unilateral overload.

[0080] One airbag 20 connects two electronic devices 10, resulting in stronger air pressure consistency. Because the two electronic devices 10 are connected by the same airbag 20, their containment spaces belong to the same air chamber system, naturally synchronizing their air pressure and avoiding pressure differences that might occur with individual airbags 20 due to aging or deformation efficiency variations. Furthermore, replacing two independent airbags 20 with one airbag 20 reduces the number of interfaces in the overall device, lowering the risk of seal failure. It also reduces material usage and assembly steps, contributing to device lightweighting and cost control. Moreover, one airbag 20 can be designed as a long strip or a forked structure with connected ends and a flared middle section, better adapting to the layout requirements of two electronic devices 10 and avoiding the tangled tubing or spatial interference of independent airbags 20. Furthermore, if the airbag 20 needs replacement, only one component needs maintenance to ensure air pressure balance for both electronic devices 10 simultaneously, eliminating the need to check the status of two independent airbags 20 separately, simplifying the maintenance process for underwater equipment.

[0081] Please refer to Figures 6 to 7 , Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of an underwater air pressure balancing device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0082] In one embodiment, the underwater pressure balancing device 100 further includes a support frame 30, which is disposed inside the airbag 20 and extends along a first direction D1. The support frame 30 can be used to abut against and support the airbag 20.

[0083] The support frame 30 is used to abut and support the airbag 20, preventing the airbag 20 from being over-compressed and collapsing, and ensuring unobstructed airflow. For example, when the underwater pressure balancing device 100 dives to a deep water area (α approaches 0.1, and the volume of the airbag 20 is significantly compressed), the flexible first deformable part 21 may collapse and stack due to excessive pressure, that is, the inner walls of the airbag 20 stick together, blocking the airflow channel (such as the air passage between the first opening and the second opening being blocked by the stacked material), resulting in: During descent, the air inside the airbag 20 cannot flow smoothly into the containment space of the two electronic devices 10, causing a lag in internal air pressure regulation and generating an instantaneous pressure difference; When it rises, the air in the containment space cannot flow back to the airbag 20, which also causes pressure fluctuations.

[0084] The presence of the support frame 30 can support the inner wall of the airbag 20 during compression. Even if the volume is greatly reduced, the support frame 30 can still maintain the support shape along the first direction D1, avoid the inner wall from being completely fitted, ensure that there is always an air circulation channel between the first opening and the second opening, and ensure the continuity of air pressure regulation.

[0085] Optionally, the support frame 30 can be a rod-shaped support frame 30, consisting of one or more (e.g., 2-4 symmetrically distributed) slender rods, with both ends fixed to the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 23 of the airbag 20, respectively, and the middle section suspended and abutting against the inner wall of the first deformable portion 21 of the airbag 20. Optionally, the support frame 30 can also be a frame-type support frame 30, a lightweight frame (e.g., U-shaped or I-shaped) composed of multiple short rods, extending along the first direction D1, which retains support strength while reducing obstruction to the airflow inside the airbag 20 through a hollow design.

[0086] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 8 In one embodiment, the airbag 20 includes a first deformable portion 21 and a first connecting portion 22 connected together, and the electronic device 10 includes a three-way connector 40, wherein the first connecting portion 22 of the airbag 20 is connected to the outer periphery of at least one port of the three-way connector 40.

[0087] By utilizing the multi-port feature of the three-way connector 40, the core air pressure regulation capability of the airbag 20 is retained, while the system is given the flexibility to connect multiple components, adapt to complex layouts, and achieve redundancy backup, enabling the underwater air pressure balancing device 100 to better meet the needs of diverse underwater equipment.

[0088] In this application, the terms "embodiment" and "implementation" mean that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of these phrases in various locations throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are they independent or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand, explicitly and implicitly, that the embodiments described in this application can be combined with other embodiments. Furthermore, it should be understood that the features, structures, or characteristics described in the various embodiments of this application can be arbitrarily combined to form another embodiment that does not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of this application, provided there is no contradiction between them.

[0089] The above description represents some embodiments of this application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of this application, and these improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An underwater air pressure balancing device, characterized in that, include: An electronic device having a housing space for housing electronic components; An airbag is disposed outside the electronic device, the airbag is sealed to the electronic device, and the internal space of the airbag is connected to the containment space of the electronic device.

2. The underwater air pressure balancing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The airbag includes a first opening that communicates with the containment space of the electronic device.

3. The underwater air pressure balancing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The airbag includes a first deformable portion and a first connecting portion connected together. The first connecting portion is arranged in a ring and surrounds the first opening. The electronic device includes a connector, and the connecting portion is connected to the connector and surrounds the outer periphery of the connector.

4. The underwater air pressure balancing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The airbag includes a first opening and a second opening, and there are two electronic devices. The first opening connects to the containment space of one electronic device, and the second opening connects to the containment space of the other electronic device.

5. The underwater air pressure balancing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The airbag includes a first deformable portion, a first connecting portion, and a second connecting portion connected together. The first connecting portion surrounds to form the first opening, and the second connecting portion surrounds to form the second opening. Both electronic devices include connectors. The first connecting portion connects to the connector of one electronic device and surrounds the outer periphery of the connector. The second connecting portion connects to the connector of the other electronic device and surrounds the outer periphery of the connector.

6. The underwater air pressure balancing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the gas pressure inside the airbag is one standard atmosphere, the volume of the airbag is V1, the volume of the airbag in the compressed state is V2, the ratio of V2 to V1 is α, and α satisfies: 0.1≤α≤1.

7. The underwater air pressure balancing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wall thickness of the airbag is D, and D satisfies: 0.1mm≤D≤2mm.

8. The underwater air pressure balancing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The underwater air pressure balancing device also includes a sealing element, which is disposed between the inner wall of the airbag and the electronic device, and is used to seal the gap between the airbag and the electronic device.

9. The underwater air pressure balancing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The underwater air pressure balancing device also includes a support frame, which is disposed inside the airbag and extends along a first direction. The support frame can be used to abut against and support the airbag.

10. The underwater air pressure balancing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The airbag includes a first deformable portion and a first connecting portion connected together, and the electronic device includes a three-way connector, wherein the first connecting portion of the airbag is connected to the outer periphery of at least one port of the three-way connector.

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