Waterproof port for electronic devices
One embodiment of the present disclosure may take the form of an electronic device. The electronic device includes a housing defining a port and a cavity, a processing element contained within the cavity of the housing, an input/output device (such as, but not limited to, a sound wave transducer) in selective communication with the port, and a flow-blocking member movably connected to the housing. The flow-blocking member selectively prevents fluid-flow, such as the flow of air, through the port. The electronic device also includes a fluid repelling member connected to the housing and positioned in a flow path between the port and the input/output device.
1. An electronic device comprising:
a housing defining a port and a cavity;
a processing element contained within the cavity of the housing;
an input/output device in selective communication with the port;
a flow-blocking member movably connected to the housing;
an actuator connected to the flow blocking member;
a fluid repelling member connected to the housing and positioned in a flow path between the port and the input/output device; and
a selectable component operative to:
move the actuator to move the flow-blocking member from an open position to a closed position to block flow through the port into the cavity; and
allow the actuator to move back to return the flow-blocking member from the open position to the closed position.
2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the selectable component is movable.
3. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the selectable component is a compressible button or a slidable button.
4. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member operably connected to the flow-blocking member, wherein the biasing member exerts a return force on the flow-blocking member.
5. The electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the biasing member is a spring.
6. The electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the biasing member is a motor and exerts an open force to move the flow-blocking member to the open position and exerts the return force to move the flow-blocking member to the closed position.
7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the input/output device is a microphone or a speaker.
8. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising
a user input sensor in communication with the processing element; and
an actuator operably connected to the flow-blocking member and in communication with the processing element; wherein
the user input sensor detects a user input and in response to the user input the processing element directs the actuator to move the flow-blocking member.
9. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid repelling member is a fluid repelling mesh.
10. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a display in communication with the processing element.
11. A portable electronic device comprising:
a housing defining a cavity;
a port defined in the housing that is in fluid communication with the cavity;
a sound wave transducer; and
a waterproof port assembly, comprising:
a selectable component movably connected to the housing;
an actuator connected to the selectable component;
a biasing mechanism coupled to the actuator;
a flow-blocking member operably connected to the actuator and selectively positioned between the port and the sound wave transducer;
wherein movement of the selectable component moves the actuator to:
compress the biasing mechanism and move the flow-blocking member to an open position; or
uncompress the biasing mechanism and move the flow-blocking member to a closed position.
12. The portable electronic device of claim 11 , wherein the selectable component includes a base coupled to a main body having a smaller dimension than the base.
13. The portable electronic device of claim 12 , wherein the base is operable to seal an aperture in the housing.
14. The portable electronic device of claim 13 , further comprising an O-ring that seals against an inner surface of the housing.
15. The portable electronic device of claim 11 , wherein movement of the selectable component causes movement of the sound wave transducer.
16. An electronic device comprising:
a housing defining a port and a cavity;
a processing element contained within the cavity of the housing;
an input/output device;
a flow-blocking member movably connected to the housing;
a fluid repelling member connected to the housing and positioned in a flow path between the port and the input/output device; and
a biasing member operably connected to the flow-blocking member; and
an actuator coupled to the flow-blocking member operative to:
move the flow-blocking member to an open position; and
allow the biasing member to move the flow blocking member from the open position to a closed position.
17. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the biasing member is a spring.
18. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the biasing member is a motor that exerts an open force to move the flow-blocking member to the open position.
19. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the biasing member is a motor that exerts a return force to move the flow-blocking member to the closed position.
20. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein the biasing member exerts a return force on the flow-blocking member after a predetermined time period.