IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,733,150
Granted Patent B2
US 9,733,150 · App. 14/591,589 · Granted Aug 15, 2017

Water resistance inspection system and inspection method

Inventors: Shen-Chun Fan (Taoyuan, TW); Chien-Chuan Ko (Taoyuan, TW)
Assignee: HTC CORPORATION
G01M3/34G01M3/3272
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,733,150
App. No.
14/591,589
Granted
Aug 15, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An inspection method for inspecting the water resistance of an electronic device is provided, including providing a vacuum generator, using the vacuum generator to pump air out of the electronic device, stopping the pumping of air out of the electronic device when the air pressure in the electronic device is less than a predetermined pressure value, measuring the air pressure in the electronic device as a first pressure value after the pumping of air out of the electronic device has been stopped for a predetermined time, calculating the pressure difference D by subtracting a second pressure value from the predetermined pressure value, calculating the pressure difference d by subtracting the second pressure value from the first pressure value, and determining whether the electronic device is waterproof or not according to the pressure differences D and d.

Claims (32)

1. An inspection method for water resistance inspection of an electronic device, comprising:

providing a vacuum generator;

pumping air out of the electronic device by the vacuum generator;

providing a measuring device to measure an air pressure in the electronic device, wherein the step of measuring the air pressure in the electronic device comprises providing a connecting tube and connecting the measuring device to the connecting tube, wherein the connecting tube has a first end and a second end, the first end is connected to the vacuum generator, and the second end is tightly connected to a test hole of the electronic device

disposing a solenoid valve between the electronic device and the vacuum generator;

transmitting an electronic signal to the solenoid valve by the measuring device when the air pressure in the electronic device is less than the predetermined pressure value, wherein the solenoid valve closes to block air transfer between the electronic device and the vacuum generator according to the electronic signal, and the pumping of air out of the electronic device is stopped;

measuring the air pressure in the electronic device by the measuring device after stopping the pumping of air out of the electronic device for a predetermined time as a first pressure value;

calculating a pressure difference D by subtracting a second pressure value from the predetermined pressure value;

calculating a pressure difference d by subtracting the second pressure value from the first pressure value; and

determining whether the electronic device is waterproof or not according to the pressure differences D and d.

2. The inspection method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the vacuum generator comprises an inlet port, an outlet port, and a suction port that communicate with each other, and the step of pumping air out of the electronic device by the vacuum generator comprises:

introducing external air into the vacuum generator through the inlet port, and discharging the external air from the vacuum generator through the outlet port, such that the air in the electronic device flows through the suction port to enter the vacuum generator due to a negative pressure formed in the vacuum generator.

3. The inspection method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the vacuum generator further comprises a check valve disposed in the suction port.

4. The inspection method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the inspection method further comprises:

providing an air pressure control unit, connected to the inlet port to control the pressure of the external air entering the vacuum generator.

5. The inspection method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the second pressure value is 1 atm.

6. The inspection method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inspection method further comprises:

providing a flow control unit, disposed between the electronic device and the vacuum generator to control the flow rate of air from the electronic device to the vacuum generator.

7. The inspection method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pressure difference D ranges from −10 kPa to −100 kPa, wherein the −10 kPa simulates a pressure at 1 meter under a water surface, and the −100 kPa simulates a pressure at 10 meters below the water surface.

8. The inspection method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of determining whether the electronic device is waterproof or not according to the pressure differences D and d comprises:

determining that the electronic device is waterproof if the pressure difference d is less than 90% of the pressure difference D; and

determining that the electronic device is not waterproof if the pressure difference d exceeds 90% of the pressure difference D.

9. An inspection system for a water resistance inspection of an electronic device, comprising:

a vacuum generator, comprising an inlet port, an outlet port, and a suction port that communicate with each other, wherein the suction port connects to the electronic device;

a measuring device for measuring an air pressure in the electronic device; and

a solenoid valve, disposed between the electronic device and the vacuum generator, wherein external air is introduced into the vacuum generator through the inlet port and discharged from the vacuum generator through the outlet port, such that air in the electronic device flows through the suction port into the vacuum generator due to a negative pressure generated by the vacuum generator, wherein when the air pressure in the electronic device is less than a predetermined pressure value, the measuring device transmits an electronic signal to the solenoid valve, and the solenoid valve closes to block air transfer between the electronic device and the vacuum generator.

10. The inspection system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the inspection system further comprises a connecting tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end connects to the suction port, the second end detachably connects to the electronic device, and the measuring device and the connecting tube connect to each other.

11. The inspection system as claimed in claim 10 , wherein a suction disc structure is formed on the second end.

12. The inspection system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the vacuum generator further comprises a check valve disposed in the suction port.

13. The inspection system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the predetermined pressure value minus 1 atm leaves a pressure difference D, the pressure difference D ranges from −10 kPa to −100 kPa, wherein the −10 kPa simulates the pressure at 1 meter below the water surface, and the −100 kPa simulates the pressure at 10 meters below the water surface.

14. The inspection system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the inspection system further comprises an air pressure control unit, connected to the inlet port to control the pressure of the external air entering the vacuum generator.

15. The inspection system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the inspection system further comprises a flow control unit, disposed in the connecting tube to control the flow rate of air from the electronic device to the vacuum generator.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2015
From: FAN, SHEN-CHUN; KO, CHIEN-CHUAN
To: HTC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 035332/0459 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62016102 · Jun 24, 2014
Related Publication 20150369690A1 · Dec 24, 2015