Waterproof inspection apparatus having sealing means capable of coping with positional tolerance

Abstract

Proposed in a waterproof inspection apparatus, according to the present invention, is a sealing means which inserts and seals an insertion body into a hole to be sealed, rather than a manner of covering and sealing the outer circumferential surface of the hole to be sealed. The present invention relates to a waterproof inspection apparatus for testing waterproof performance of an inspection object by placing the inspection object in a sealed chamber space formed between a lower jig (1) and an upper jig (2), sealing a hole formed on a border edge surface of the inspection object by means of a sealing means (100), and measuring a pressure change inside the chamber space. Rather than a conventional covering seal block which covers (includes) a hole formed on a border (edge) side surface of an inspection object so as to cover a predetermined area of the edge side surface, the waterproof inspection apparatus is characterized by comprising: a sealing member (120) comprising a moving body (121) which has an insertion body (123) inserted into or removed from the hole, is guided by the lower jig (1), and is moved toward the chamber space or in the opposite direction thereof; and a driving member (150) which moves the moving body (121) toward the chamber space or in the opposite direction thereof.

Description

Waterproof inspection device equipped with a sealing means capable of responding to positional tolerances

[0001] The present invention relates to a waterproof inspection device, and more specifically, to a waterproof inspection device having a sealing means inserted inside to seal a side hole (slot) of an inspection target.

[0002] Portable devices such as smartphones are carried and used, so they can come into contact with water at any time, and because they contain electronic components that are vulnerable to water, waterproof performance is a major factor that determines the quality of portable devices, which are becoming increasingly expensive.

[0003] For this reason, the inventor of the present invention invented various techniques for testing the waterproof performance of portable terminals (Korean Patent No. 10-1598849, Korean Patent No. 10-1889353, Korean Patent No. 10-2022328, etc.).

[0004] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the waterproof testing device disclosed in Korean Patent Nos. 10-1598849 and 10-1889353 comprises a lower jig (1), an upper jig (2), and a sealed chamber space formed between the lower jig (1) and the upper jig (2). After placing the test object (i.e., portable terminal) (H) in the correct position in the sealed space, the lower jig (1) and the upper jig (2) are closed, and then the pressure change in the chamber space is measured, thereby enabling a waterproof test.

[0005] At this time, in order to seal the hole (charging socket, microphone hole, etc.) formed on the edge edge side of the portable terminal (inspection target), the waterproof inspection device is equipped with a seal block (10). In addition, a pushing member (14) is included in the waterproof inspection device for pressing the cover-type seal block (10) against or moving it away from the edge edge side of the portable terminal according to a signal for starting or ending the waterproof inspection.

[0006] The sealing member (10) illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is composed of a covering seal block (10) that covers the edge side, including holes (such as a charging socket, a microphone hole, and a speaker hole) formed on the edge edge side of a portable terminal (object to be inspected). When the sealing member (10) and the edge edge side of the portable terminal (object to be inspected) are brought into close contact with each other, a side pad (10a) made of a material with excellent sealing properties, such as rubber or silicone, is provided on the contact surface of the sealing member (10) to protect the surface of the object to be inspected and improve the sealing force. In addition, in order to form the chamber space, the sealing member (10) comprises upper and lower pads (3) that are provided between the lower jig (1) and the upper jig (2), and that form protrusions that seal the upper and lower holes of the object to be inspected (H) and partitions that divide and separate each part. The space between the upper and lower pads (3) is a mounting portion (11) on which the object to be inspected (H) is mounted.

[0007] When closing the upper jig (2) and lower jig (1), the pressurizing means (14) provided in the upper jig is fitted into an inclined groove formed in the cover-type sealing member (10) and pushes the cover-type sealing member (10) in a direction such that it is in close contact with the edge edge side of the portable terminal. Accordingly, the cover-type sealing member (10) seals the hole (charging socket, speaker hole, etc.) formed in the edge edge side of the portable terminal (inspection target).

[0008] However, as display device technology and battery technology develop, the thickness of portable terminals is becoming thinner and thinner, so a covering seal block that covers the edge side of the portable terminal (inspection target) including the holes (charging socket, microphone hole, etc.) formed on the edge side is inevitably limited in waterproof testing of various products.

[0009] For example, in the case of sealing a SIM card slot in a portable terminal having a thin thickness (T), the cover-type sealing member must have enough space to sufficiently cover the side of the frame of the portable terminal while including the thickness of the SIM card slot.

[0010] However, if the side thickness (d1, d2) remaining after deducting the slot thickness from the thickness (T) of the portable terminal is very thin, a covering seal block may not be able to seal the SIM card slot or maintain sufficient sealing performance. Therefore, a new method is required for sealing holes (such as charging sockets and microphone holes) formed on the side edges of the portable terminal (the inspection object).

[0011] [Prior Art Literature]

[0012] (Patent Document 1) KR 10-1442072 B1

[0013] (Patent Document 2) KR 10-1598849 B1

[0014] (Patent Document 3) KR 10-1889353 B1

[0015] (Patent Document 4) KR 10-2022328 B1

[0016] The present invention aims to propose a waterproof inspection device equipped with a new type of sealing means based on the above-mentioned problems.

[0017] In addition, since the holes (SIM card insertion slot, charging terminal socket, etc.) formed on the edge edge side of a portable terminal (inspection target) inevitably have some degree of positional tolerance, the purpose of the present invention is to propose a waterproof inspection device equipped with a sealing means that can flexibly respond to the hole positional tolerance of the portable terminal (inspection target).

[0018] In order to achieve the above purpose, the waterproof inspection device according to the present invention,

[0019] In a waterproof inspection device for testing the waterproof performance of an inspection object by placing an inspection object in a sealed chamber space formed between a lower jig (1) and an upper jig (2), sealing a hole formed on an edge surface of the inspection object with a sealing means (100), and measuring a pressure change inside the chamber space, the waterproof inspection device is characterized in that it comprises a sealing member (120) that is formed by a moving body (121) having an insert (123) that is inserted into or removed from the hole and moves toward or in the opposite direction of the chamber space while being guided by the lower jig (1), rather than a conventional cover-type sealing member (a covering seal block) that covers (includes) a hole formed on an edge (border) side of the inspection object and covers a certain area of ​​the edge side, and a driving member (150) that moves the moving body (121) toward or in the opposite direction of the chamber space.

[0020] And, in order to enable the moving body (121) of the sealing member (120) to be guided by the lower jig (1) when moving forward and backward, the lower jig (1) is provided with a guide groove (110), and further, a protrusion (124) fitted into the guide groove (110) is formed on both sides of the moving body (121).

[0021] In particular, an upper gap (Gu) and a lower gap (Gb) and a left gap (G1) and a right gap (G2) are formed between the protrusion (124) and the guide groove (110), so that when the position of the hole to be sealed is changed within the position tolerance range, the insert (123) is configured to be inserted into the hole by moving in the up-and-down direction and left-right direction.

[0022] Another problem to be solved by the present invention and a specific solution thereto will be described in more detail in the 'Specific contents for carrying out the invention' described below and in the attached drawings.

[0023] A waterproof inspection device having a sealing means according to the present invention,

[0024] Even when the side thickness (d1, d2) remaining after excluding the slot thickness from the thickness (T) of the portable terminal is very thin, it is very easy to seal the hole (charging socket, SIM card insertion slot, etc.) formed on the edge (frame) side of the portable terminal (inspection target).

[0025] Therefore, compared to the conventional work of performing a leak test while the SIM card tray is mounted on the portable terminal, the leak test can be performed before performing the SIM card tray insertion work, thereby improving the work efficiency of the product manufacturing process.

[0026] And, in reality where positional tolerance is inevitable, although it is only allowed within a minimum range, the insert of the waterproof inspection device according to the present invention has a structure that allows movement in the up-down and left-right directions, so it can flexibly respond to the hole position tolerance of the portable terminal (inspection target).

[0027] Another operational effect of the present invention will be described in more detail in the 'Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention' described below.

[0028] Figures 1 and 2 show a portable terminal waterproof inspection device according to the prior art with an open upper jig and a lower jig.

[0029] Figure 3 is a drawing showing the SIM card insertion port of a portable terminal.

[0030] Figure 4 is a waterproof inspection device equipped with an insert-type sealing member according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 is a side view of an insert-type sealing member assembled to a lower jig.

[0032] Figure 6 is an assembled state diagram showing the external appearance of the insertion type sealing means according to the present invention.

[0033] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of an insert-type sealing means according to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an insert-type sealing means according to the present invention.

[0035] Figure 9 is an explanatory drawing showing that the insert of the sealing means can move in the up-down and left-right directions.

[0036] Figure 10 is an exploded vertical cross-sectional view of an insert-type sealing means according to a modified embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] *Explanation of symbols for major parts of the drawing*

[0038] 1: Lower jig 2: Upper jig

[0039] 10: Sealing member

[0040] 100: Sealing means

[0041] 110: Information Home

[0042] 120: Sealing member

[0043] 121: moving body, 123: insertion body

[0044] 124: protrusion, 125: screw hole

[0045] 130: Support block

[0046] 131: Fastener, 132: Spring support

[0047] 140: Support bar

[0048] 141: Body, 142: Screw fixing groove

[0049] 143: Fixed washer, 144: Hemispherical fixed member

[0050] 150: Drive member

[0051] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and may take various forms. Therefore, embodiments (or examples) are described in detail herein. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific disclosed form, and it should be understood that the present invention encompasses all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0052] In addition, in each drawing, the components are expressed in an exaggerated (or thick) or simplified (or thin) size or thickness for convenience of understanding, but the scope of protection of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by this.

[0053] The terminology used herein is merely used to describe specific implementations (modes, aspects) (or examples) and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0054] In this application, terms such as “comprises” or “consists of” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood as not excluding in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0055] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0056] In explaining the sealing means of the waterproof inspection device according to the present invention with the attached drawings, for convenience, a rough but not strict direction reference is specified with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0057] The upper direction in Fig. 5 is defined as 'upward' or 'upward direction', and the lower direction in Fig. 5 is defined as 'downward' or 'downward direction'. In addition, the left direction in Fig. 6 is defined as 'forward' or 'inward', and the right direction in Fig. 6 is defined as 'backward' or 'outward'. In addition, the left and right are defined based on the 'forward' in Fig. 6.

[0058] However, if there is a special mention regarding the direction standard in the detailed description and claims of the invention related to other drawings, that standard shall be followed.

[0059] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a waterproof inspection device equipped with a sealing means according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, which are illustrated centrally.

[0060] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a waterproof inspection device in which an insertion-type sealing member (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention is assembled to a lower jig (1). The lower jig (1) illustrated in Fig. 4 is an exemplary drawing in which a sealing member (10) according to the prior art and a sealing means (100) according to the present invention are simultaneously applied. Depending on the type of the inspection object and the shape of the hole, it is possible to seal the hole only with the sealing means (100) according to the present invention, or it is also possible to use the sealing member (10) according to the prior art and the sealing means (100) according to the present invention together.

[0061] The present invention proposes a sealing means that seals a hole by inserting an insert into the hole to be sealed, rather than sealing the hole by covering the outer surface of the hole to be sealed.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 6, the sealing means (100) according to the present invention,

[0063] It is composed of a sealing member (120) having an insert (123) that is inserted or removed from the hole at the tip and a moving member (121) that is guided by a lower jig (1) and moves toward or in the opposite direction of the chamber space, and a driving member (150) that moves the moving member (121) of the sealing member (120) toward or in the opposite direction of the chamber space.

[0064] The above insert (123) is a member inserted into a hole of an inspection object, and is preferably formed into a tapered shape in which the thickness in the vertical direction and the width in the left-right direction become narrower as it goes toward the tip so that it can be smoothly inserted into the hole even if the position of the hole slightly changes up-down or left-right, and is preferably formed of silicone, rubber, or a similar flexible material so that it closely adheres to the inner surface of the hole when inserted into the hole of the inspection object and improves the sealing performance.

[0065] Furthermore, the present invention proposes a sealing means that seals a hole by moving the sealing means in an up-down and left-right direction even if the position of the hole to be sealed changes within an allowable range.

[0066] To this end, the sealing means (100) according to the present invention is configured to form a space in which a moving body (121) is installed at one location of the lower jig (1), as illustrated in Fig. 5, and to form guide grooves (110) on the left and right of this space so that the moving body (121) can move forward and backward while being guided by the lower jig (1). Fig. 5 is a drawing showing the side surface of an insert-type sealing member assembled to a lower jig.

[0067] And, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the left and right sides of the moving body (121) are provided with protrusions (124) that fit into the guide groove (110). When the protrusions (124) of the moving body (121) are fitted into the guide groove (110) of the lower jig (1), the moving body (121) can be stably moved along the guide groove (110) by receiving power from the driving member (150). Fig. 6 is an assembled state diagram illustrating the external appearance of the insertion-type sealing means according to the present invention.

[0068] Here, between the protrusion (124) and the guide groove (110), as shown in FIG. 5, an upper gap (Gu) and a lower gap (Gb) and a left gap (G1) and a right gap (G2) are formed, so that the insert (123) can move up and down and left and right within the allowable tolerance range of the hole position to be sealed. It is preferable that the sizes of the upper gap (Gu) and the lower gap (Gb) are determined according to the allowable movement range in the up and down direction, and the sizes of the left gap (G1) and the right gap (G2) are determined according to the allowable movement (turning) range in the left and right direction.

[0069] Each component constituting the insert-type sealing means according to the present invention is illustrated in detail in FIG. 7, and a vertical cross-section of the insert-type sealing means according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0070] A support block (130) is provided between the sealing member (120) and the driving member (150) of the insertion-type sealing means (100) according to the present invention. The support block (130) supports the moving body (121) and moves together with the moving body (121) by the movement of the driving member (150). In addition, a fastening hole (131) is formed in the support block (130) that penetrates the support block (130) upwardly and downwardly. A support rod (140) is fitted through the fastening hole (131).

[0071] The upper part of the support bar (140) is connected to the lower part of the moving body (121), and the lower part of the support bar (140) is supported by the support block (130).

[0072] The above driving member (150) may be composed of an actuator (151) operated by pneumatic or electrical signals, a plunger (154) that extends forward and backward by the operation of the actuator, a housing (155) that covers the actuator (151), and a bracket (155a) for fixing the housing to the lower jig (1). A fixing groove is formed at the tip of the plunger (154), and is coupled to the support block (130) by a screw.

[0073] When the above driving member (150) operates, the sealing member (120) moves forward together with the support block (130). When the sealing means (100) moves forward, the insert (123) provided at the tip of the moving body (121) begins to enter the hole of the inspection object. As the insert (123) is inserted, the hole of the inspection object is completely sealed.

[0074] At this time, when the hole position of the inspection object changes within the allowable tolerance range, the insertion-type sealing means (100) according to the present invention is characterized in that it allows the sealing member (120) to move up and down and left and right in response to the hole position of the inspection object. Fig. 9 shows that it can move in the left and right directions. [A] of Fig. 9 is an explanatory drawing showing that the insert (123) of the sealing member (120) can move up and down, and [B] of Fig. 9 is an explanatory drawing showing that the insert (123) of the sealing member (120) can move left and right. Here, the right and left directions strictly speaking mean clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively.

[0075] To explain more specifically, the position of the hole of the inspection object is changed within the allowable tolerance range, and the insert (123) according to the present invention has a tapered shape in which the thickness in the vertical direction and the width in the left-right direction become narrower as it goes toward the tip, so even if the position of the hole is slightly changed up-down or left-right, when the sealing member (120) according to the present invention advances, the tip of the insert (123) will naturally be inserted into the corresponding hole.

[0076] However, if the position of the hole is slightly changed up and down or left and right, as the insert advances, the insert will be biased toward the upper and lower surfaces and / or left and right surfaces of the hole, resulting in strong adhesion on one side of the hole and insufficient adhesion on the opposite side.

[0077] At this time, another feature of the present invention is that the insert (123) and sealing member (120) can be rotated at a predetermined angle in the up-down direction and / or left-right direction in response to the hole position of the inspection object.

[0078] That is, in order to allow the sealing member (120) and the insert (123) to move up and down with respect to the horizontal plane, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the support block (130) is provided with a fastening hole (131) through which the support rod (140) passes, and a clearance gap (Gv) is formed between the inner surface of the fastening hole (131) and the outer surface of the body portion (141) of the support rod (140), so that the support rod (140) can rotate up and down at a predetermined angle with respect to the support block (130) within a range permitted by the clearance gap (Gv), and the movable body (121) integrated with the upper end of the support rod (140) with a coupling screw (126) can move up and down. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the clearance gap (Gv) and the allowable amount of vertical movement of the movable body (121). In Fig. 8, the drawing symbol 'a' indicates the angle at which the sealing member (120) and the insert (123) are rotated downward with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0079] The size of the above-mentioned free gap (Gv) is determined by considering the allowable range of vertical movement (turning angle a) of the moving body (121), but it is also naturally related to the sizes of the upper gap (Gu) and the lower gap (Gd). Therefore, when the protrusion (124) is in close contact with the upper surface of the guide groove (110) or the body portion (141) of the support rod (140) is in close contact with the inner surface of the fastening hole (131), the vertical movement of the moving body (121) is restricted.

[0080] In addition, in order to allow the above-mentioned moving body (121) to move left and right (i.e., to rotate) based on the central axis (vertical axis) of the above-mentioned support bar (140), it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the body portion (141) of the above-mentioned support bar (140) be configured as a 'polygon' shape such as a square or hexagon, and that the internal cross-sectional shape of the above-mentioned fastening hole (131) be also configured as a polygon corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the body portion (141) of the above-mentioned support bar (140).

[0081] Since there is a clearance (Gv) between the inner surface of the fastening hole (131) and the outer surface of the body portion (141) of the support rod (140), the support rod (140) can rotate at a predetermined angle in the left and right directions with respect to the support block (130). At this time, if the fastening hole (131) and the support rod (140) have a polygonal cross-section, the support rod (140) rotates only until the vertex of the cross-section of the body portion (141) touches the inner surface of the fastening hole (131), and further rotation is restricted, so that the rotation (rotation) range of the support rod (140) can be limited.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 7, it is preferable that an elastic member (145) be provided between the moving body (121) and the support block (130).

[0083] When the movable body (121) and the support bar (140) are integrally connected by tightening the coupling screw (126) into the screw fixing groove (142) formed in the upper part of the support bar (140) through the screw hole (125) of the movable body (121), the spring (145) has a role of pushing the movable body (121) upward with respect to the support block (130), thereby returning the movable body (121) to its original position in the up-down and left-right directions.

[0084] In order to maintain the horizontal state of the above-mentioned moving body (121), it is preferable that both ends of the above-mentioned spring (145) be configured as flat ends (ground ends) (145e), as shown in Fig. 10. In addition, when the upper end of the above-mentioned spring (145) is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the above-mentioned moving body (121), and the lower end of the above-mentioned spring (145) is fixedly connected to the spring support portion (132) of the above-mentioned support block (130) or the upper surface of the above-mentioned support block (130), when the above-mentioned moving body (121) moves left and right, it can be returned to the original position by the torsional restoring force of the above-mentioned spring (145).

[0085] Fig. 10 is an exploded vertical cross-sectional view of an insert-type sealing means according to a modified embodiment of the present invention, showing that the joint structure between the support rod (140) and the support block (130) can be modified in various ways.

[0086] That is, in order to fix the lower end of the support bar (140), the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 shows that a fixing washer (143) can be applied, and FIG. 10 explains that a hemispherical fixing member (144) that can fix the lower end of the support bar (140) while facilitating the up-and-down and left-right rotation of the support bar (140) can be applied. In this embodiment, it is natural that a hemispherical concave portion (134) corresponding to the hemispherical fixing member (144) should be formed at the lower end of the support block (130).

[0087] In describing the present invention above, preferred embodiments have been mainly described with reference to the attached drawings, but the present invention can be modified, changed, and substituted in various ways by those skilled in the art, and such modifications, changes, and substitutions should be interpreted as falling within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. Lower jig (1) and upper jig (2), A sealed chamber space formed between the lower jig (1) and the upper jig (2), Including one or more sealing means (100) for sealing a hole formed on the edge surface of the inspection object, In a waterproof testing device that tests the waterproof performance of an inspection object by measuring the pressure change inside the chamber space while the lower jig (1) and upper jig (2) are closed and the hole is sealed by the sealing means; The above sealing means (100) is A sealing member (120) having an insert (123) that is inserted or removed from the above hole and is formed of a moving body (121) that is guided by a lower jig (1) and moves toward or in the opposite direction of the chamber space, A waterproof inspection device characterized by including a driving member (150) that moves the above-mentioned moving body (121) toward or in the opposite direction of the chamber space.

2. In paragraph 1, The above lower jig (1) is provided with a guide groove (110) for guiding the movement of the moving body (121), and a protrusion (124) fitted into the guide groove (110) is formed on both sides of the moving body (121), so that the moving body (121) can move stably along the guide groove (110). Between the above protrusion (124) and the above guide groove (110), an upper gap (Gu) and a lower gap (Gb) and a left gap (G1) and a right gap (G2) are formed, A waterproof inspection device characterized in that the insert (123) allows movement in the up-down and left-right directions within the allowable tolerance range of the hole position to be sealed.

3. In paragraph 1 or 2, The above sealing means (100) is A driving member (150) that moves the above-mentioned moving body (121) toward or in the opposite direction of the chamber space, A support block (130) that supports the above-mentioned moving body (121) and moves together with the moving body (121) by the movement of the driving member (150), The upper part is connected to the lower part of the above-mentioned moving body (121), and the lower part includes a support bar (140) supported by the above-mentioned support block (130). An elastic member (145) is provided between the above moving body (121) and the above supporting block (130). A waterproof inspection device characterized in that the above moving body (121) and the above support bar (140) are formed as a support structure that can rotate at a predetermined angle in the up-down and left-right directions with respect to the above support block (130).

4. In paragraph 3, The above support block (130) has a fastening hole (131) through which the support rod (140) can pass, and a gap is formed between the inner surface of the fastening hole (131) and the outer surface of the support rod (140). The internal cross-sectional shape of the above fastening hole (131) is formed as a polygon corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the above support bar (140), A waterproof inspection device characterized in that the support bar (140) can rotate at a predetermined angle in the up-down and left-right directions with respect to the support block (130) within the range permitted by the above-mentioned clearance.

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