IP Library Granted Patent US 7,920,225
Granted Patent B2
US 7,920,225 · App. 12/278,651 · Granted Apr 5, 2011

Electronic apparatus with protective panel

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,920,225
App. No.
12/278,651
Granted
Apr 5, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electronic apparatus with a protective panel, includes a display device 3 having a display section 3 A, an enclosure 2 having a display window 2 A which is open in one direction and mounts therein the display device 3 so as to expose the display section 5 A to the outside, a protective panel 4 disposed at the display window 2 A so as to cover the display section 3 A from the outside; and a pressure-sensitive conductive rubber 14 interposed between a movable portion M including at least the protective panel 4 of the protective panel 4 and the display device 3 and a frame-like support portion 2 b defined by a surface of the enclosure 2 within the display window 2 A, so as to prevent intrusion of foreign substance to the interior of the enclosure 2 through the display window 2 A, the rubber detecting a depressing operation on the movable portion M.

Claims (18)

1. An electronic apparatus with a protective panel, comprising:

a display device having a display section;

an enclosure having a display window which is open in one direction and mounts therein said display device so as to expose said display section to the outside;

a protective panel disposed at said display window so as to cover said display section from the outside; and

a pressure-sensitive conductive rubber interposed between a movable portion, including at least said protective panel, and a frame-like support portion defined by a surface of said enclosure within said display window, wherein the conductive rubber prevents intrusion of foreign substance to the interior of said enclosure through said display window, and said rubber detects a depressing operation on said movable portion.

2. The electronic apparatus with a protective panel according to claim 1 , wherein the movable portion includes both said protective panel and said display device.

3. The electronic apparatus with a protective panel according to claim 1 , wherein the distance between the movable portion and the support portion where the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is interposed, decreases in response to an increase in the magnitude of a depressing force by the depressing operation.

4. The electronic apparatus with a protective panel according to claim 1 , wherein the distance between the movable portion and the support portion where the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is interposed, increases in response to an increase in the magnitude of a depressing force by the depressing operation.

5. The electronic apparatus with a protective panel according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is configured such that a cross-sectional area thereof normal to an applying direction of the depressing force by the depressing operation varies continuously along the applying direction of the depressing force.

6. The electronic apparatus with a protective panel according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is configured such that a cross-sectional area thereof normal to an applying direction of the depressing force by the depressing operation varies stepwise along the applying direction of the depressing force.

7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein one of the movable portion or the support portion which comes into contact with the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is configured such that a cross-sectional area thereof normal to an applying direction of the depressing force by the depressing operation varies continuously along the applying direction of the depressing force.

8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein one of the movable portion or the support portion which comes into contact with the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is configured such that a cross-sectional area thereof normal to an applying direction of the depressing force by the depressing operation varies stepwise along the applying direction of the depressing force.

9. The electronic apparatus with a protective panel according to claim 1 , wherein at a portion of the protective panel to be subjected to a depressing force of a depressing operation, there is provided a reinforcing structure member for enhancing the rigidity of the protective panel.

10. The electronic apparatus with a protective panel according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is formed like a loop along the support portion.

11. The electronic apparatus with a protective panel according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber includes a connector extending from an inner wall of the rubber toward the interior of the enclosure.

12. The electronic apparatus with a protective panel according to claim 1 , wherein on one face of the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber, there is mounted a pair of combtooth-like electrodes, via which a depressing operation to the movable portion is detected.

13. The electronic apparatus with a protective panel according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the movable portion and the support portion defines a groove for receiving the pressure-sensitive conductive rubber therein.

14. The electronic apparatus with a protective panel according to claim 1 , wherein said protective panel is configured to provide functions as a touch panel.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 7, 2025
From: RINGCENTRAL, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 071964/0125 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2008
From: NISHIKAWA, KAZUHIRO; KAI, YOSHIHIRO; TAKAI, YUICHIRO
To: NISSHA PRINTING CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 021778/0292 →