Enhanced electronic article

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic article (1) comprising an external housing (3) enclosing a support (9) intended to form a portion (9A) of the external surface of the electronic article (1) and to receive at least one electronic element (5A), the support (9) having, between said at least one electronic element (5A) and the protective wall (11), at least one sealing lip (9C) in order to improve protection against dust and liquids of said at least one electronic element (5A). Figure for the abstract: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Improved electronic article Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electronic articles such as payment terminals and in particular such an electronic article combining sealing and repairability. Technical background

[0002] Electronic devices are now very common in everyday life. They are frequently equipped with a display such as a liquid crystal screen, which only allows for a flat surface. Therefore, it can become difficult to create an electronic device with a curved or rounded shape. Furthermore, there is an increasing demand for a high level of ingress protection for the casing, meaning, in particular, protection against dust and liquid water. For this protection, permanent fixing (soldering, bonding, etc.) is generally used, which makes the protection very effective.

[0003] However, this effective protection comes at the expense of the electronic article's repairability. Thus, if a component of the electronic article were to malfunction, the entire electronic article would have to be replaced, a practice increasingly criticized by consumers. Summary of the invention

[0004] The invention aims in particular to offer an electronic article which combines a priori contrary qualities, that is to say, allowing to present a high protection index of envelope with a freer aesthetics (not necessarily totally flat and without apparent fixing) while guaranteeing a high index of repairability.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to an electronic article comprising an external housing enclosing electronic elements, characterized in that the electronic article comprises a support mounted in the external housing and intended to form a part of the external surface of the electronic article and to receive at least one electronic element, and a protective wall attached to the support and intended to form another part of the external surface of the electronic article and to protect said at least one electronic element, and in that the support has, between said at least one electronic element and the protective wall, at least one sealing lip in order to improve the protection against dust and liquids of said at least one electronic element.

[0006] Advantageously, according to the invention, the support mechanically protects said at least one electronic element by serving as its seat. Furthermore, the support It also forms part of the external surface of the electronic device, allowing for greater aesthetic freedom, specifically permitting a portion of the external surface around at least one electronic component that is not flat. Finally, the support creates a sealing barrier between the support and the protective casing, shielding at least one electronic component from dust and liquids such as water.

[0007] Similar to the support, the protective wall also forms part of the external surface of the electronic article advantageously according to the invention, which allows for greater aesthetic freedom, namely, allowing a portion of the external surface around said at least one electronic element that is not flat. Furthermore, it is understood that the protective wall encloses said at least one electronic element within the support.

[0008] The invention includes, as an alternative, one or more of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination.

[0009] The support can be more flexible than the outer housing in order to improve the dust and liquid seal of the support against the outer housing. It is understood that at the interface between the support and the outer housing, the former is compressed against the latter, forming a protective seal against dust and liquids. For example, the support can be made of a polymer such as silicone (RTV, LSR, EVC) or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), in order to be more elastic than the outer housing, for example, which is made of a thermoplastic polymer such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polycarbonate (PC).

[0010] The support may include a shoulder against which the protective panel is attached in order to conceal any fasteners. The depth of the shoulder may, for example, be matched to the thickness of the protective panel so that its outer surface is flush with the outer surface of the external housing and / or the outer surface of the support. The electronic device can thus have a clean, uncluttered appearance, free of any visible fasteners.

[0011] The protective panel can be attached to the shoulder by adhesive so that the protective panel can be removed for repair of the electronic device. Advantageously, according to the invention, the attachment between the protective panel and the support is not permanently detachable, thus allowing for a high repairability index, for example, of the protective panel and / or of said at least one electronic component. The adhesive bonding can, for example, be achieved by means of double-sided adhesive tape mounted between the rear face of the protective panel and the upper face of the support, at least at the level of its shoulder.

[0012] The support may include a recess receiving said at least one electronic element, and said at least one sealing lip surrounding the recess to allow the removal of said at least one electronic element for repair of the electronic article. Said at least one electronic element is thus advantageously secured between the bottom of the recess and said at least one lip. Advantageously, according to the invention, once the protective wall is removed, said at least one electronic element can be easily detached from the support by tilting said at least one lip, thereby allowing a high repairability index for said at least one electronic element.

[0013] The protective cover may include at least one touch sensor so that the user can control the electronic device. It is understood that the electronic device may thus include a touch interface allowing the user to control the various functions of the electronic device. Preferably, according to the invention, said at least one touch sensor faces the support in order to protect it with the protective cover.

[0014] Said at least one electronic element may include a display so that the user can communicate with the electronic article. It is understood that the electronic article may thus include a screen allowing the user to control the various functions of the electronic article.

[0015] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an electronic article, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - forming a support with at least one sealing lip; - mount at least one electronic component in the support below said at least one sealing lip; - attach a protective wall against the support by pressing said at least one sealing lip against said at least one electronic element in order to form an assembly in which the protection of said at least one electronic element against dust and liquids is improved; - mount the assembly in an external case of the electronic item so that the protective wall and the support form part of the external surface of the electronic item.

[0016] Advantageously, according to the invention, the reception of said at least one electronic element in the support allows for the mechanical protection of said at least one electronic element. Furthermore, the mounting of the support in the external housing of the electronic article forms part of the external surface of the electronic article, which allows for greater aesthetic freedom, that is to say, allowing in particular a portion of the external surface around said at least one electronic element that is not flat. Finally, the plating of the protective wall against said at least one lip of the support allows on the one hand to form a sealing barrier between the support and the protective wall capable of protecting said at least one electronic element from dust and liquids such as water and, on the other hand, to lock said at least one electronic element in the support with a compensation for variations in manufacturing dimensions which makes it possible to obtain a very robust electronic article, particularly resistant to shocks.

[0017] Similar to the support, mounting the protective panel on the support also forms part of the external surface of the electronic article advantageously according to the invention, thus allowing greater aesthetic freedom, i.e., allowing, in particular, a portion of the external surface around said at least one electronic element that is not flat. Furthermore, mounting the protective panel on the support allows said at least one electronic element to be enclosed within the support in order to improve the robustness of said at least one electronic element. Brief description of the figures

[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description given below, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] [Fig.1] is a perspective view of an example of an electronic article according to the invention;

[0020] [Fig.2] is a partial cross-sectional view along plane II-II of [Fig.1];

[0021] [Fig.3] is a partial cross-sectional view along plane II-II of [Fig.1] of a perspective of the example of an electronic article according to the invention;

[0022] [Fig.4] is an enlarged view of [Fig.2]. Detailed description

[0023] In the various figures, identical or similar elements bear the same reference numerals, possibly with an additional subscript. Therefore, the description of their structure and function is not systematically repeated.

[0024] In all that follows, the orientations are the orientations of the figures. In particular, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "above", "below", "forward" and "backward" are generally understood with respect to the direction in which the figures are represented.

[0025] Furthermore, the orientation terms are understood with respect to the orthogonal coordinate system shown in [Fig. 1] and in which we distinguish: - a transverse axis X, horizontal extending from right to left; and - a longitudinal axis Y, horizontal extending from bottom to top; - a vertical axis Z, extending from the back to the front.

[0026] The term "horizontal" is defined with respect to the XY plane, the terms "vertical plane" are defined with respect to a horizontal component projected along the vertical Z axis.

[0027] By "protection against dust and liquids" is meant an enclosure protection rating that conforms to the IP44 rating or higher.

[0028] The invention applies to any type of electronic article 1 such as a mobile phone terminal, a secure payment terminal, an e-reader, a tablet or a computer.

[0029] The invention aims in particular to propose an electronic article 1 which combines a priori contrary qualities, that is to say, allowing to present a high protection index of envelope with a freer aesthetics (not necessarily totally flat and without apparent fixing) while guaranteeing a high index of repairability.

[0030] The electronic article 1 mainly comprises an external housing 3 enclosing electronic components 5 and a subassembly 7 mounted within the external housing 3. As shown in the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], the external housing 3 forms the majority of the external surface of the electronic article 1, which is a secure payment terminal. The external housing 3 is designed to protect, in particular, the electronic components 5 and is made, for example, of a rigid polymer such as a thermoplastic polymer like acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polycarbonate (PC).

[0031] According to the application of Article 1 electronic, the electronic elements 5 may, for example, include a display 5A such as a liquid crystal display, a touch sensor 5B, a battery, a processor, a storage memory, a random access memory, a printed circuit board, an integrated circuit, a control unit, a power supply device, an electrical charging device, a smart card reader, a magnetic card reader, a control element such as a push button, a keypad or a capacitive switch, a wired or wireless secure communication device, etc.

[0032] According to the invention, the subassembly 7 mainly comprises a support 9, a protective wall 11, and at least one 5A, 5B of said electronic elements 5 of the electronic article 1. In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the support 9 is intended to form a portion 9A of the external surface of the electronic article 1. As can be seen more clearly in Figures 3 and 4, portion 9A forms a curved surface which provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the electronic article 1. More generally, it is understood that the support 9 allows for greater freedom in terms of aesthetics, that is to say, allowing in particular for at least one portion 9A of the external surface around said at least one electronic element 5A to be non-planar.

[0033] Preferably according to the invention, the support 9 is mounted in the external housing 3 and is more flexible than the external housing 3 in order to improve sealing against Dust and liquids from the mounting of the support 9 against the external housing 3, and therefore more generally from the subassembly 7 within the external housing 3, are present. It is understood that at the interface 10 between the support 9 and the external housing 3, the support 9 is compressed against the external housing 3, forming a protective seal against dust and liquids. For example, the support 9 can be made from a polymer such as silicone (RTV, LSR, EVC) or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), in order to be more elastic than the external housing 3.

[0034] Advantageously, according to the invention, the support 9 is also intended to receive at least one electronic element 5A, thereby mechanically protecting said at least one electronic element 5A by serving as its seat. More specifically, the support 9 comprises a body 9B which, in addition to the portion 9A of the external surface of the electronic element 1, includes at least one sealing lip 9C, a recess 9D, and a shoulder 9E. The recess 9D is intended to receive said at least one electronic element 5A and is surrounded (overhanging) by said at least one sealing lip 9C, as best seen in [Fig. 4]. Consequently, the support 9 forms a sealing barrier between the support 9 and the protective wall 11, capable of protecting said at least one electronic element 5A from dust and liquids such as water.

[0035] This configuration advantageously allows for the easy mounting and removal of said at least one electronic element 5A. Indeed, said at least one electronic element 5A is advantageously secured between the bottom of the recess 9D and said at least one sealing lip 9C. Advantageously, according to the invention, once the protective wall 11 is removed, said at least one electronic element 5A can be easily detached from the recess 9D of the support 9 by tilting said at least one sealing lip 9C, thus allowing for a high repairability index of said at least one electronic element 5A.

[0036] In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, said at least one electronic element 5A comprises at least one display so that the user can communicate with the electronic article 1. It is understood that the electronic article 1 may thus comprise a screen allowing the user to control the various functions of the electronic article 1 and visible through the transparent protective wall 11.

[0037] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 4], said at least one sealing lip 9C is substantially horizontal in a tilted position elastically under the stress of the protective wall 11. In its rest position (not shown), said at least one sealing lip 9C has an oblique direction that deviates from the recess 9D, i.e., forms a slope whose free end is higher along the vertical axis Z than the end fixed between the recess 9D and the shoulder 9E. By way of non-limiting example, the angle of the slope of said at least one lip The angle of the sealing lip 9C in its resting position can be between 10° and 45° to better ensure contact against the back of the protective wall 11 when the latter is attached to the support 9. The angle of the slope of said at least one sealing lip 9C in its resting position can therefore, for example, be 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, and 45°. Of course, the angle could be smaller or larger without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0038] The shoulder 9E is preferably intended to receive the protective wall 11 for attachment to the support 9 in order to conceal any fasteners. Typically, the depth of the shoulder 9E can, for example, be matched to the thickness of the protective wall 11 so that the outer surface of the protective wall 11 is flush with the outer surface of the external housing 3 and / or with part 9A of the outer surface of the support 9, as shown in [Fig. 1]. The electronic component 1 can thus have a clean aesthetic, notably free of any visible fasteners.

[0039] The protective wall 11 is intended to form another part of the external surface of the electronic article 1 and to protect said at least one electronic element 5A. Consequently, the protective wall 11, like the support 9, allows for greater aesthetic freedom, that is to say, allowing in particular a portion of the external surface around said at least one electronic element 5A not to be necessarily flat. Furthermore, it is understood that the protective wall 11 is intended to enclose said at least one electronic element 5A within the support 9.

[0040] Preferably, according to the invention, the protective wall 11 is attached to the shoulder 9E as explained above. According to a preferred solution, the protective wall 11 is bonded to the support 9 so that the support 9 can be removed to repair the electronic component 1. Advantageously, according to the invention, the attachment between the protective wall 11 and the support 9 is not permanently detachable and thus allows for a high repairability index, for example, of the protective wall 11 and / or of said at least one electronic component 5A. The bonding can, for example, be achieved by a double-sided adhesive tape 12 mounted between the rear face of the protective wall 11 and the upper face of the support 9, at least at the level of its shoulder 9E.

[0041] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 4], the protective wall 11 may include at least one touch sensor 5B so that the user can control the electronic item 1. It is understood that the electronic item 1 may thus include a touch interface allowing the user to control the various functions of the electronic item 1. Preferably, according to the invention, said at least one touch sensor 5B faces the support, that is, is mounted on its rear face, so as to protect said at least one touch sensor 5B with the protective wall 11 once the latter is attached to the support 9.

[0042] and in that the support has, between said at least one electronic element and the protective wall, at least one sealing lip in order to improve the protection against dust and liquids of said at least one electronic element.

[0043] An example of a manufacturing method for electronic article 1 according to the invention is now explained. A first step is intended to form the support 9 with said at least one sealing lip 9C. It is understood that this step can be carried out by casting or injection into a polymer mold such as silicone (RTV, LSR, EVC) or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

[0044] The process continues with a second step for mounting said at least one electronic element 5A in the support 9 below said at least one sealing lip 9C. This step may include a phase for lifting said at least one sealing lip 9C to facilitate the insertion of said at least one electronic element 5A into the recess 9D of the support 9 and then releasing said at least one sealing lip 9C to return to its rest position. As shown in [Fig. 2], the lower part of the support 9 may have a through hole 9F for connecting (for example, by means of electrical wires) said at least one electronic element 5A to the rest of the electronic elements 5.

[0045] The process continues with a third step for attaching the protective wall 11 to the support 9 by pressing said at least one sealing lip 9C against said at least one electronic element 5A in order to form a subassembly 7 in which the protection of said at least one electronic element 5A against dust and liquids is improved. In the example illustrated in [Fig. 2], the protective wall 11 is attached by double-sided adhesive tape 12 to the shoulder 9E of the support 9 (more clearly visible in [Fig. 4]) and, optionally, to another shoulder provided in the external housing 3 ([Fig. 2]).

[0046] Finally, a fourth step is intended to mount the subassembly 7 in an external housing 3 of the electronic article 1 so that the protective wall 11 and the support 9 form part of the external surface of the electronic article 1.

[0047] Advantageously, according to the invention, receiving said at least one electronic element 5A in the support 9 provides mechanical protection for said at least one electronic element 5A. Furthermore, mounting the support 9 in the external housing 3 of the electronic article forms part of the external surface of the electronic article 1, which allows for greater aesthetic freedom, i.e., allowing, in particular, a portion of the external surface around said at least one electronic element that is not flat. Finally, the plating of the protective wall 11 against said at least one sealing lip 9C of the support 9 makes it possible, on the one hand, to form a sealing barrier between the support 9 and the protective wall 11 capable of protecting said at least one electronic element 5A from dust and liquids such as that the water and, on the other hand, to block said at least one electronic element 5A in the support 9 allowing compensation of manufacturing dimension variations of the parts of sub-assembly 7 which makes it possible to obtain a very robust electronic article 1 particularly against shocks.

[0048] Similar to the support 9, mounting the protective wall 11 on the support 9 also forms part of the external surface of the electronic component 1 advantageously according to the invention, thus allowing greater aesthetic freedom, i.e., allowing, in particular, a portion of the external surface around said at least one electronic component 5A that is not flat. Furthermore, mounting the protective wall 11 on the support 9 allows said at least one electronic component 5A to be enclosed within the support 9 in order to improve the robustness of said at least one electronic component 5A.

[0049] The invention is not limited to the embodiments and variants presented, and other embodiments and variants will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Thus, the embodiments and variants can be combined with each other without departing from the scope of the invention. Without limiting the invention, it is possible for the manufacturing process steps to be different without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, after the first step, it may be possible to mount the support 9 in the external housing 3 (fourth step) before carrying out the second and third steps, while maintaining the technical effects and advantages mentioned above. List of references

[0050] 1 - electronic article 3 - external casing 5 - Electronic components 5A - Display 5B - touch sensor 7 - assembled sub-assembly 9 - support 9A - part of the external surface of the electronic article 9B - body 9C - lip 9D - recess 9E - shoulder 9F - hole 10 - Interface between the support and the external housing 11 - protective wall 12 - adhesive tape

Claims

Demands

1. Electronic article (1) comprising an external housing (3) enclosing electronic elements (5), characterized in that the electronic article (1) comprises a support (9) mounted in the external housing (3) and intended to form a part (9A) of the external surface of the electronic article (1) and to receive at least one electronic element (5A), and a protective wall (11) attached to the support (9) and intended to form another part of the external surface of the electronic article (1) and to protect said at least one electronic element (5A), and in that the support (9) has, between said at least one electronic element (5A) and the protective wall (11), at least one sealing lip (9C) in order to improve the protection against dust and liquids of said at least one electronic element (5A).

2. Electronic article (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the support (9) is more flexible than the outer housing (3) in order to improve the dust and liquid sealing of the mounting of the support (9) against the outer housing (3).

3. Electronic article (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the support (9) is formed from a polymer such as silicone.

4. Electronic article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (9) has a shoulder (9E) against which the protective wall (11) is attached in order to conceal any fastening element.

5. Electronic article (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the protective wall (11) is attached against the shoulder (9E) by gluing so that the protective wall (11) can be removed to repair the electronic article (1).

6. Electronic article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (9) has a recess (9D) receiving said at least one electronic element (5A), said at least one sealing lip (9C) surrounding the recess (9D) so as to be able to remove said at least one electronic element (5A) for repairing the electronic article (1).

7. Electronic article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective wall (11) comprises at less a touch sensor (5B) so that a user can control the electronic article (1).

8. Electronic article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one electronic article (5A) includes a display so that a user can communicate with the electronic article (1).

9. Electronic article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, forming a secure payment terminal.

10. A method for manufacturing an electronic article (1), characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - forming a support (9) with at least one sealing lip (9C); - mounting at least one electronic element (5A) in the support (9) below said at least one sealing lip (9C); - attaching a protective wall (11) to the support (9) by pressing said at least one sealing lip (9C) against said at least one electronic element (5A) in order to improve the protection of said at least one electronic element (5A) against dust and liquids; - mounting the assembly (7) in an external housing (3) of the electronic article (1).

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