Leak detection in electronic devices
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsBrentley M. WILES, Jeanny WANG, David MACNEIL
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Aspects of the subject technology relate to a device including a pressure sensor to measure a pressure level in a port cavity. A port allows equalization of air pressure between the port cavity and an outside environment. A vent port within the port cavity allows equalization of air pressure between the port cavity and an internal volume of a housing of the device. A tool is used to activate a heat-generating component of the device while the port is obstructed for a predetermined time duration to enable detecting a sealing efficacy of the housing.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure level in a port cavity;
- a first port configured to allow equalization of air pressure between the port cavity and an outside environment;
- a second port within the port cavity and configured to allow equalization of air pressure between the port cavity and an internal volume of a housing of the system;
- and
- a tool configured to activate a heat-generating component of the system while the first port is obstructed for a predetermined time duration to enable detecting a seal efficacy of the housing.
A smart device comprising:
- one or more heat-generating components configured to be activated by a tool;
- a housing sealed from an outside environment by a sealing component that is configured to prevent moisture from entering the housing;
- and
- a pressure sensor disposed in a cavity and configured to measure a pressure inside the cavity, wherein the pressure inside the cavity is equalized with the outside environment via a first port and with a pressure of an internal volume of the housing via a second port,
- wherein the tool is configured to activate at least one of the one or more heat-generating components while the first port is obstructed for a predetermined period to enable detecting a sealing efficacy.
A method comprising:
- obstructing a first port of a device using one of a fingertip or an auxiliary component, the first port allowing equalization of air pressure between a port cavity and an outside environment;
- activating a heat-generating component of the device to enable heating of an internal volume of a housing, wherein the housing is coupled to the port cavity via a second port that allows equalization of air pressure between the port cavity and an internal volume of the housing;
- reading a pressure measured by a pressure sensor located within the port cavity after a predetermined time;
- and
- determining a sealing efficacy of the housing by a read pressure while the heating of the internal volume of the housing is underway.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.