Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02683349 2009-10-22
1
A biological protection device against the electromagnetic waves
emitted by a mobile telephone
This present invention concerns the field of individual biological
protection devices against emissions of electromagnetic pollution.
More particularly, this present invention concerns a biological
protection device against the electromagnetic waves emitted by a mobile
telephone.
In a wireless world, in which individuals are constantly connected,
mobile technologies of every kind proliferate and, as a consequence, so does
the generation of electromagnetic waves. Thus, most of the population in the
developed countries possess a whole range of radiating appliances, such as
mobile and wireless telephones (more than 2 billion subscribers currently,
and 3 billion predicted in 2010), computers (1 billion computers sold), WiFi
modems (1 billion Internet subscribers, eventually all to be WiFi), game
consoles, Bluetooth earpieces, and so on.
The increasing density of electromagnetic sources in our environment
raises practical questions concerning effects on health, and the case of the
mobile telephone is the most significant of these. In fact, this segment of
the
telecommunications market is undergoing phenomenal growth, and since its
appearance on the market, the mobile telephone has been raising the most
severe doubts concerning the exposure of individuals to its electromagnetic
radiation, which is powerful, continuous and close to the brain.
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Up to the present time, the question of harm has met with no concrete
and definitive response, and the polemic is at its height. Many international
studies conducted on the subject have oscillated in their conclusions
between a "health catastrophe" and "a slight risk", without ever concluding
that the risk is zero.
In France, following publication of the Decree dated October 8, 2003,
mobile telephones must have a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of less than
2 W/kg on 10 g of human tissue in the regions of the trunk and head, where
the SAR is a fundamental magnitude associated with the heating of the
tissues. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission
requires that all mobile telephones sold must have a SAR of not more than
1.6 W/kg on a mass of one gram of human tissue. The most recent mobile
telephones to appear on the market are still emitting electromagnetic
radiation with a Specific Absorption Rate of the order of 1 W/kg. In any
event,
the lack of perspective and the remaining uncertainties forcibly impose the
precautionary principle, a constitutional principle in the name of which it
appears necessary to develop individual biological protection devices for use
to limit exposure to electromagnetic pollution affecting the human body.
The prior art already deals with passive antenna systems that afford
biological protection against a large spectrum of frequencies of
electromagnetic waves, which come in the form of a range of patches which
need only to be applied onto the mobile technology equipment and between
the said equipment and the user, in order to protect the user from the
electromagnetic waves emitted by the equipment. These systems use the
physical principle of phase-shifting the electromagnetic waves by 180 .
However, due to the small size of the patch in relation to the size of
the mobile equipment, performance is necessarily limited. Moreover, these
techniques are ill-suited or not suited to the standard protocols for
measurement of the SAR.
The purpose of this present invention is to overcome one or more
drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a biological protection device against
the electromagnetic waves emitted by a mobile telephone.
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This objective is attained by a biological protection device against the
electromagnetic waves emitted by a mobile telephone which is characterised
in that it includes at least a frame and a screen, where the length and width
dimensions of the screen are sufficient to cover at least the internal
perimeter
of the frame, with the screen and the frame being connected, at one of their
corners, by a pivot link whose axle is perpendicular to the screen and to the
frame, in order to allow pivoting of the screen in relation to the frame, at
least
in one direction and between two positions, namely a position with the frame
covered by the screen and a position where the frame is not covered by the
screen,
the screen and the frame each being made at least in part from a
highly-conducting metallic material, with these parts being arranged either to
provide electrical continuity between them, or so that the space between the
metallic part of the frame and the metallic part of the screen is less than
5 mm, at least when the screen is covering the frame,
the mobile telephone being held in the depth of the protective element
with the screen located facing the ergonomic interface of the mobile
telephone and maintaining, at all points, an electrically insulating space
that
satisfies relative dimensioning criteria between the metallic part of the
protective element and the mobile telephone.
According to one particular feature, the electrically insulating space
between the metal part of the protective element and the ergonomic interface
of the mobile telephone has a thickness of at least 2 mm, and preferably
between 3 mm and 8 mm.
According to another particular feature, the part of the screen made
from a highly-conducting metallic material consists of a continuous or
discontinuous metallization of the outer surface of the screen, the part of
the
frame made from a highly-conducting metallic material consists of a
continuous or discontinuous metallization of the outer surface of the frame.
According to another particular feature, the relative dimensioning
criteria consist of a length of the protective element of not less than
1.15 times the length of the mobile telephone, a width of the protective
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element of not less than 1.2 times the width of the mobile telephone, and a
depth of the protective element of not less than 1.3 times the thickness of
the
mobile telephone.
According to another particular feature, the relative dimensioning
criteria also include a length of the protective element that is preferably
not
more than 1.3 times the length of the mobile telephone, a width of the
protective element that is preferably not more than 1.3 times the width of the
mobile telephone and a depth of the protective element that is preferably not
more than 1.6 times the thickness of the mobile telephone.
According to another particular feature, the outer surface of the screen
is slightly rounded so as to obtain a concave part of the protective element.
According to another particular feature, the screen and/or the frame
include one or more orifices of a size that is less than the wavelengths of
the
electromagnetic waves used in mobile telephony, with the orifice or orifices
being located either facing the microphone and/or loudspeaker and/or any
other device included in the mobile telephone and used to receive or emit
acoustic waves, so that these acoustic waves are not altered by the
protective element, or located facing the connectors of the mobile telephone.
According to another particular feature, the maintenance of the mobile
telephone in the depth of the protective element is achieved by means of an
attachment device in non-conducting, insulating material designed to be
attached to at least one part of the edge of the frame while also pressing
onto
the back of the telephone, and maintenance of the space of at least 2 mm
between the metallic part of the protective element and the ergonomic
interface of the mobile telephone is achieved by means of a non-conducting,
insulating material affixed onto at least one part of the inner edge of the
frame, the mobile telephone thus being held gripped between the attachment
device and the insulating material.
According to another particular feature, the attachment device is
composed of two closure bars mounted on the protective frame opposite to
the protective screen, with at least one of the two bars being articulated on
CA 02683349 2009-10-22
the periphery of the frame between at least a position of opening and a
position of closure.
According to another particular feature, a housing designed to
accommodate a magnet is created in the edge of the inner surface of the
5 screen, this magnet being arranged so as to attract a magnet held in a
housing created in the outer edge of the frame facing the housing created in
the edge of the inner surface of the screen, when the screen is at a position
with the frame covered, so as to maintain the screen at a position with the
frame covered.
According to another particular feature, the pivot link is arranged in a
projection forming the corner of the screen, by which the screen is connected
to the frame, and in a projection forming the corner of the frame, by which
the
frame is connected to the screen, with these projections from the screen and
the frame fitting together, the axle of the pivot link being attached to the
inner
surface of the screen and to the centre of the projection from the screen so
that it fits into a through hole created in the centre of the projection from
the
frame.
According to another particular feature, the axle of the pivot link is of a
length that is determined so as to pass through, and at one end to extend
beyond, the through hole created in the projection from the frame, with the
extended end of the axle brought up against an axle stop in order to prevent
the axle from exiting from the through hole, with the inner surface of the
screen rubbing as it pivots against a part of the outer surface of the frame.
According to another particular feature, the projection from the screen
includes a stud fixed alongside the axle of the pivot link and in an eccentric
manner in relation to the latter, so that the stud mates with a removal of
material created in the projection from the frame on the trajectory of
rotation
of the stud driven by the pivoting of the screen, with the mating of the stud
with the removal of material limiting the pivoting of the screen in relation
to
the frame at least between the position with the frame covered by the screen
and the position where the frame is not covered by the screen.
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According to another particular feature, the projection from the screen
includes a housing fixed alongside the axle of the pivot link and in an
eccentric manner in relation to the latter, the housing being designed to
accommodate a magnet, and the projection from the frame includes at least
one borehole designed to accommodate a magnet, with the housing and
each borehole being arranged so that the magnet housed in the screen
passes in front of the magnet housed in each borehole in the frame on the
pivoting trajectory of the screen in relation to the frame.
According to another particular feature, the magnet housed in the
projection from the screen is arranged so as to attract a first magnet housed
in a first borehole in the projection from the frame, maintaining the screen
in
position with the frame covered, and to attract a second magnet housed in a
second borehole in the projection from the frame, maintaining the screen in
the position where the frame is not covered.
According to another particular feature, a third magnet housed in a
third borehole in the projection from the frame located between the first and
second boreholes is arranged to push against the magnet housed in the
projection from the screen, with the screen being located in an intermediate
position between the covered position and the uncovered position, thus being
pushed into one or other of these positions.
Other particular features and advantages of this present invention will
appear more clearly on reading the description that follows, which makes
reference to the appended drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 schematically represents the test rig located in an anechoic
chamber and set up for the measurements,
- Figure 2 is a table of measurements presenting the results obtained
using the telephone with no protective element,
- Figure 3 is a table of measurements presenting the results obtained
using the telephone with the protective element,
- Figure 4 represents a front view of the mobile telephone held in the
frame with the screen in the uncovered position and the screen in the
covered position,
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- Figure 5 represents a view in profile and a rear view of the mobile
telephone in the protective element of the invention,
- Figure 6 represents a three-quarter view of the mobile telephone held
in the frame with the screen in the uncovered position and the screen in the
covered position,
- Figure 7 represents a view in perspective of the exploded elements
making up the protective device of the invention,
- Figure 8 represents a view in perspective of the outside and inside of
the frame forming a part of the protective element of the invention,
- Figure 9 represents a view in perspective of the inside and outside of
the holding device of the invention,
- Figure 10 represents a view in lateral cross-section from above of the
device of the invention,
- Figures 11 and 12 represent a view in perspective of the exploded
elements making up the protective device of the invention, from the side and
rear respectively,
- Figure 13 represents an enlargement of the mechanism for indexing
and limitating the pivoting of the screen in relation to the frame of the
invention,
- Figure 14 represents a view in longitudinal cross-section of the
device of the invention,
- Figures 15 to 23 represent an embodiment of the invention in which
the attachment device of the mobile telephone in the depth of the protective
element has two closure bars situated opposite to the protective screen with
respect to the protective frame, with Figures 15 to 17 illustrating more
particularly the manner according to which the mobile telephone is inserted
in, or removed from, the protective element.
The present invention proposes a device that constitutes, at least in a
dedicated position, a protective element (1) for the user against the
electromagnetic waves emitted by a mobile telephone (2). A mobile
telephone is an appliance that we know very well in all of its forms, its
functions, and its uses. Its continuous and powerful emissions of
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electromagnetic waves attain their full power during a telephonic
communication. It is therefore during this particular use phase that the
telephone is potentially most harmful, since it is also during this phase of
use
that the telephone is located close to or even up against the head of the user
in the zone extending from the mouth to one of the ears. As a consequence,
it is during this communication phase that it is all the more important to
protect the user.
This simple observation, associated with the method of use of a
mobile telephone, allows us to illustrate why it is necessary that the
protective element (1) be arranged so as to be located between the mobile
telephone (2) and its user during a wireless communication.
For the user, the protective element (1) should constitute a screen
against the electromagnetic waves emitted by the mobile telephone (2). This
characteristic proofing to the electromagnetic waves can be provided only by
a highly-conducting material, such as copper. This is why the protective
element (1) must be made at least in part from such a material.
If moreover, the mobile telephone (2) is held within the depth of the
protective element, then the electromagnetic waves emitted by the mobile
telephone (2) are not only reflected by the protective element (1) toward the
mobile telephone, but also preferably along a direction away from the user.
Since the protective element (1) has a significant depth in relation to the
thickness of the mobile telephone, it is more effective than if it formed a
simple flat finished surface.
However, it should be noted that the protection objective of the device
according to this present invention can be attained in only certain conditions
of which at least two are vital.
Firstly, the protective element (1) must be sufficiently deep to prevent the
return of the electromagnetic waves to the user by edge effects along the
edge of the protective element (1).
Secondly, the protective element (1) is composed, at least in part, of a
highly-
conducting metallic material, as are the antennae emitting or receiving
electromagnetic waves, so it is necessary to ensure that the protective
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element (1) does not work for the user as an antenna but really as protection.
To this end, it is necessary that the protective element (1) does not capture
and amplify the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the mobile telephone
(2). This is why it is necessary to electrically insulate the mobile telephone
(2)
and the metallic part of the protective element (1). This electrical
insulation is
effected by maintaining an electrically insulating space of at least 2 mm, at
all
points, between the mobile telephone (2) and the metallic part of the
protective element (1). It should be noted that, for a space between the
ergonomic interface of the mobile telephone and the metallic part of the
protective element of 0.5 mm for example, the protective element conducts,
or even amplifies, the electromagnetic waves emitted and/or received by the
mobile telephone. It is also possible to specify an upper limit of the
possible
values for the electrically insulating space between the ergonomic interface
of the mobile telephone (2) and the metallic part of the protective element
(1).
This upper limit is set to 10 mm, this choice being dictated only by the
desire
to preserve an assembly, formed of the mobile telephone and its protective
element, that is mobile and of a suitable size and aesthetic appearance.
Preferably, the electrically insulating space between the ergonomic interface
of the mobile telephone (2) and the metallic part of the protective element
(1)
should have a value at all points of between 3 mm and 8 mm.
As a consequence, the length and width dimensions of the protective
element (1) must be greater than the length and width dimensions of the
mobile telephone (2). As a consequence also, the dimension in depth of the
protective element (1) must be greater than the thickness of the electrically
insulating space between the ergonomic interface of the mobile telephone
and the metallic part of the protective element located facing the said
ergonomic interface.
In the case of a metallization, which may be continuous or
discontinuous, on an electrically insulating substrate of a given thickness,
the
electrically insulating space between the ergonomic interface of the mobile
telephone and the metallic part of the protective element corresponds to the
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space between the ergonomic interface of the mobile telephone and the
substrate, plus the given thickness of the substrate.
The choice of a protective element that is more or less deep and the
choice of a particular value between 2 mm and 10 mm, preferably between
5 3 mm and 8 mm for the electrically insulating space between the mobile
telephone (2) and the protective element (1), are preferably dependent on
each other. In fact, many scientific tests of protection efficiency have been
performed on the protective element of the invention, from which it emerges
that the two aforementioned vital conditions are linked together in relation
to
10 the basic functional emission/reception capabilities of the mobile
telephone.
In particular, two important observations on this subject come out of these
tests.
Firstly, for a mobile telephone (2) and a protective element (1) of fixed
shape
and dimensions, it can result from a small space between them, of less than
2 mm for example, a malfunction and/or a significant loss of performance of
the mobile telephone regarding these basic functional emission/reception
capabilities, this drawback being largely attenuated whenever the electrically
insulating space reaches a value of at least 3 mm.
Secondly, for a given electrically insulating space between the ergonomic
interface of the mobile telephone and the metallic part of the protective
element, the deeper the protective element in relation to the thickness of the
mobile telephone, the more significant the malfunction and the loss of
performance of the mobile telephone. Because the telephone delivers signals
of higher power in order to ensure the quality of the transmissions, any
overheating and/or premature discharge of its battery, or more generally any
reduction of its running time or life expectancy, can then be observed.
For its part, the quality of the protection against the electromagnetic waves
emitted by the mobile telephone is slightly affected by the variation of these
parameters and remains satisfactory within the limits specified in the present
application, as demonstrated by the performance results presented at the
end of this description.
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The choice of a protective element that is more or less deep and the
choice of a particular value of between 2 mm and 10 mm, preferably between
3 mm and 8 mm, of the electrically insulating space between the ergonomic
interface of the mobile telephone and the metallic part of the protective
element must therefore correspond to the search for a compromise between
the quality of the protection provided and the quality of the telephonic
communications. Moreover, the desire to preserve an assembly, namely the
mobile telephone and protective element, that is both mobile and
aesthetically pleasing, required the minimum dimensions. It is to this end
that
the specification is for an electrically insulating space of 10 mm maximum,
and preferably of 8 mm maximum.
By way of a non-limiting example, the biological protection device
against the electromagnetic waves emitted by a mobile telephone (2)
includes at least a frame (3) and a screen (4) whose length and width
dimensions are sufficient to cover at least the internal perimeter of the
frame.
The screen (4) and the frame (3) are connected, at one of their corners, by a
pivot link whose axle (41) is perpendicular to the screen and to the frame.
The pivot link must allow the pivoting of the screen (4) in relation to the
frame
(3), at least in one direction and between two positions. These two positions
consist of a position with the frame covered by the screen and a position
where the frame is not covered by the screen. For example, two pivoting
directions and three positions of the screen in relation to the frame can be
envisaged: a first position with the frame covered by the screen, a second
position where the frame is not covered by the screen by pivoting the screen
to the left of the frame, and a third position where the frame is not covered
by
the screen by pivoting the screen to the right of the frame.
In general, the idea is to enable the user to be protected from the
electromagnetic waves emitted by the mobile telephone (2) when so desired,
without losing the use of the ergonomic interface (21) of the mobile telephone
(2). It is thus preferable that the position where the frame is not covered
(3)
by the screen (4) should fully free access to the ergonomic interface (21).
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The screen (4) and the frame (3) are each made, at least in part, from
a highly-conducting metallic material. These parts are arranged so as to
provide electrical continuity between them and/or so that the space between
the metallic part of the frame and the metallic part of the screen is less
than
5 mm, at least when the screen (4) is covering the frame (3).
This condition of electrical continuity and/or of spacing of less than
5 mm between the metallic part of the frame and the metallic part of the
screen is necessary in order that the parts of the screen (4) and of the frame
(3) that are made from a highly-conducting metallic material form a protective
element (1) that is open and proof to the electromagnetic waves when the
screen (4) is covering the frame (3). The protective element appears in effect
like a rectangular parallelepiped that is open on one of its bases to form a
receptacle. Moreover, the corners and the edges of said rectangular
parallelepiped are preferably non-projecting, but rather rounded or bevelled.
This characteristic is introduced in order to provide a protection device that
is
aesthetically pleasing, but also in order to prevent phenomena of multiple
reflection of the electromagnetic waves within the depth of the protective
element and thus to increase the quality of the protection afforded.
Thus, the person skilled in the art will understand that it is of little
importance,
for example, that the non-metallised parts of the protective device should
have rounded or bevelled corners, but that it is important for the metallised
parts to do so. For example, in the case of a metallization of the protective
element on the outer surface of a substrate in insulating material in the
shape
of a rectangular parallelepiped, it is of little importance that the corners
and
the edges inside the parallelepiped should be rounded or bevelled, with these
being made of insulating material and thus presenting no proofing properties
against the electromagnetic waves. On the other hand, it is advantageous
that the outside corners and edges of the parallelepiped should be rounded
or bevelled, since these constitute or support the metallization or the screen
of the outer surface of the parallelepiped.
Due to its proofing to the electromagnetic waves, the protective
element (1) must not entirely cover the mobile telephone (2) since this would
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render impossible any communication protocol requiring the emission and/or
reception by the mobile telephone (2) of electromagnetic waves to and/or
from the outside respectively. This is why the protective element (1) must be
opened.
This characteristic of the protective element (1) renders its design
easier and its versatility broader. In fact, since it does not form a closed,
but
rather an open element, the dimensions of the protective element (1) are not
restricted by the dimensions or the shape of the back (22) of the mobile
telephone (2).
As mentioned previously, the mobile telephone (2) is held within the
depth of the protective element (1) with the screen (4) located facing the
ergonomic interface (21) of the mobile telephone (2) and maintaining, at all
points, an electrically insulating space with a thickness of at least 2 mm,
and
preferably 3 mm to 8 mm, between the metallic part of the protective element
(1) and the ergonomic interface of the mobile telephone (2).
The following relative dimensioning criteria are further given by way of
a non-limiting example. The length of the protective element is not less than
1.15 times the length of the mobile telephone, the width of the protective
element is not less than 1.2 times the width of the mobile telephone, and the
depth of the protective element is not less than 1.3 times the thickness of
the
mobile telephone. The length of the protective element is preferably not more
than 1.3 times the length of the mobile telephone, the width of the protective
element is preferably not more than 1.3 times the width of the mobile
telephone and the depth of the protective element is preferably not more than
1.6 times the thickness of the mobile telephone. The dimensions of the
protective element in relation to the dimensions of the mobile telephone will
need to be determined case by case, preferably within the range of values
mentioned, in order to optimise the protection afforded, while also minimising
the dimensions of the protective element.
For example, the outer surface of the screen (4) is metallised in a
continuous or discontinuous manner, and the screen (4) has length and width
dimensions which are more-or-less equal to the length and width dimensions
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of the mobile telephone (2). The frame (3) has outside dimensions that are
equal to the aforementioned length and width dimensions of the protective
element (1). The depth of the protective element (1) is approximately equal to
the depth of the frame (3) plus the thickness of the screen (4).
By way of a non-limiting example, the part of the screen made from a
highly-conducting metallic material (4) consists of a continuous or
discontinuous metallization of the outer surface of the screen, up to a part
of
the edge of the inner surface of the screen, for example. Discontinuities in
the metallization are acceptable if their characteristic size remains less
than
the various wavelengths of the different mobile telephone standards. Thus,
the metallization can consist of a mesh with a grill interval, regular or not,
that
is not more than 10 mm, made of highly-conducting material that constitute
conducting lines which can have a width of 0.5 mm and a thickness of
50 microns, with this metallic mesh being incorporated intoed or screen-
printed onto the outer surface of the screen for example. Likewise, the part
of
the frame made from a highly-conducting metallic material (3) consists of a
continuous or discontinuous metallization of the outer surface of the frame.
The electrical continuity between these two metallic parts of the frame and
the screen is provided by a conducting part of the pivot link, by an
electrical
contact track (42) for example, consisting of a metallization of the inner
surface of the screen around the axle (41) of the pivot link, and/or by
contact
between the frame and the screen, so that the metallic part of the frame and
the metallic part of the screen are spaced apart by less than 5 mm. As an
example, the electrical contact track (42) goes all around the axle (41) of
the
pivot link or only part of it. Because the metallization of the screen (4) is
covering up to a part of the edge of the inner surface of the screen for
example, it also contributes to the electrical continuity between the metallic
parts of the frame (3) and of the screen (4), in particular if the screen is
pressed against the frame.
It should be noted that electrical continuity at least at one point
between the protection frame and the protection screen is preferable to the
maintenance of a contact between the frame and the screen. However,
CA 02683349 2009-10-22
because the mobile telephones emit electromagnetic waves at a frequency of
approximately 1 GHz, corresponding to a wavelength of 30 cm
approximately, while also preserving the electrical continuity between the
frame and the screen, physical discontinuities that can range from a few
5 millimetres to a few centimetres can be envisaged without altering the
quality
of the protection afforded by the device of the invention. In a scientific
test
conducted on this present invention, a certain number of sheets of paper are
slipped between the protection screen and the protection frame in order to
progressively space the screen from the frame, and the electrical contact
10 between the screen and the frame is provided only by the electrical contact
track going partially around the axle of the pivot link. The test demonstrated
that within the limits of a separation of less than 2 mm between the frame
and the screen, the quality of the protection remains satisfactory.
For example, the electrical continuity between the frame (3) and the
15 screen (4) can indeed also be provided by an axle (41) of the pivot link
that is
at least partially made from a highly-conducting material, and/or a washer in
a highly-conducting material placed around the axle (41) of the pivot link and
clamped between the screen (4) and the frame (3).
For example, the outer surface of the screen (4) is slightly rounded so
as to create a concave part of the protective element (1), with the concave
shape of the protective element increasing the quality of the protection
afforded.
By way of a non-limiting example, the screen (4) and/or the frame (3)
include one or more orifices (43) of characteristic size that is less than the
wavelengths of the electromagnetic waves used in mobile telephony (2). This
characteristic is necessary in order that the electromagnetic waves should be
unable to pass through the orifices (43) to the user. Typically, orifices (43)
of
a characteristic size that is less th n 1 cm do not alter the quality of the
protection afforded. The orifice or orifices (43) are preferably located
either
facing the microphone and/or loudspeaker and/or any other device included
in the mobile telephone (2) and used to receive or emit acoustic waves, so
CA 02683349 2009-10-22
16
that these acoustic waves are not altered by the protective element (1), or
are located opposite to the connectors of the mobile telephone.
Again by way of a non-limiting example, maintenance of the mobile
telephone (2) in the depth of the protective element (1) is achieved by means
of an attachment device (5) in non-conducting, insulating material designed
to be attached, by clipping (51) for example, to at least one part of the edge
of the frame (3), while also pressing onto the back of the telephone.
By way of a non-limiting example and as illustrated in figures 15 to 23,
maintenance of the mobile telephone (2) in the depth of the protective
element (1) is achieved by means of an attachment device (6) in a non-
conducting, insulating material, plastic or elastomeric, which is composed of
two closure bars (61, 62) mounted on the protection frame. The two closure
bars are located opposite to the protective screen with respect to the
protective frame. In other words, the two closure bars are located in the back
of the mobile telephone when the mobile telephone is placed within the depth
of the protective element, the ergonomic interface of the mobile telephone
being located opposite to the protective screen. For example, one (61) of the
two closure bars is mounted in the top of the protective frame and the other
(62) of the two closure bars is mounted in the bottom of the protective frame.
At least one of the two closure bars is articulated on the periphery of the
frame between a position of opening and a position of closure. For example
and as illustrated on figures 15 and 16, one (62) of the two bars (61, 62) is
mounted to be articulated on the protection frame. For example, the
articulation is an articulation of pivot type and the articulated closure bar
pivots around the axle of the pivot link in the manner of a door. For another
example, the articulation is an articulation enabling a sliding movement on
the side of the articulated closure bar in the manner of a sliding. For
example,
the end of the closure bar opposite to the end articulated on the frame is
well-
arranged to engage the frame in the position of closure of the articulated
closure bar. The engagement is ensured by a bolting/unbolting device, for
example of the type of a latch, well-constructed in part in the said end of
the
closure bar opposite to the end articulated on the frame and in part in the
CA 02683349 2009-10-22
17
intern periphery of the frame. Thus, the articulated closure bar can be
pivoted
or slid by the user from a position of closure towards a position of opening
in
order to facilitate for herself or himself the insertion of the mobile
telephone
into, or the removal of the mobile telephone from, the protective element
(See more particularly Figures 15 to 17).
By way of a non-limiting example, maintenance of the space of at least
2 mm between the metallic part of the protective element (1) and the
ergonomic interface of the mobile telephone (2) is achieved by means of an
insulating material. This insulating material can be a foam (not shown) in
non-conducting, insulating material for example, affixed onto at least one
part
of the inner edge of the frame (3). The mobile telephone (2) is then held
clamped between the attachment device (5) and the insulating material within
the depth of the protective element.
Firstly, although the function of the attachment device (5) is indeed to
fix the mobile telephone (2) within the depth of the protective element (1),
it
can also act as a safety feature. In fact, the attachment device (5), as
illustrated in the figures, covers a substantial part of the back (22) of the
mobile telephone (2) so that a user who has put the telephone in the
protective element (1) back-to-front will have no access to the ergonomic
interface (21).
Secondly, it should be noted that the insulating material, namely the
foam for example, can be supplied pre-installed or not with the protective
device of the invention, or supplied separately, so that the user will be
able,
for example, to replace the foam with a new foam part when changing the
mobile telephone (2) while still keeping the same protection device. In this
latter case, means are provided in order to allow replacement of the foam
and its maintenance.
By way of a non-limiting example, a housing (44) is created in the
edge of the inner surface of the screen (4). This housing is designed to
accommodate a magnet (441). This magnet (441) is arranged so as to attract
a magnet (311) held in a housing (31) created in the outer edge of the frame
(3) facing the housing (44) created in the edge of the inner surface of the
CA 02683349 2009-10-22
18
screen, when the screen (4) is at a position with the frame covered (3). In
this
way, the screen (4) is more-or-less held when it is at a position with the
frame
covered (3).
By way of a non-limiting example, the pivot link is arranged as a
projection (45) forming the corner of the screen (4), by which the screen is
connected to the frame (3), and as a projection (32) forming the corner of the
frame (3), by which the frame is connected to the screen. The axle (41) of the
pivot link is fixed onto the inner surface of the screen (4) and to the centre
of
the projection (45) from the screen, so that it fits into a through hole (33)
created in the centre of the projection (32) of the frame (3). Thus, the
projections (45, 32) from the screen (4) and the frame (3) mate with each
other.
By way of a non-limiting example, the axle (41) of the pivot link fixed to
the screen (4) is of a length that is determined so as to pass through, and at
one end to extend beyond, the through hole (33) created in the projection
(32) from the frame (3). Thus, the extended end of the axle (41) can be
brought up against an axle stop (6) in order to prevent the axle (41) of the
pivot link exiting from the through hole (33). The length of the pivot axle
(41)
is also such that the inner surface of the screen (4) rubs against a part of
the
outer surface of the frame (3) during the pivoting of the screen in relation
to
the frame.
For example, the axle stop (6) can be metallic or made from an elastic
plastic material. In this second case, it can exert an elastic return force on
the
screen (4), more particularly on the projection (45) from the screen, in the
position butted up against the frame (3), and more particularly against the
projection (32) from the frame.
It is interesting, in the case of a screen (4) mounted to pivot on the
frame (3), that the pivot link can be arranged so that the pivoting action is
limited and/or indexed and/or facilitated, between at least two covered or
uncovered positions of the frame by the screen for example.
By way of a first non-limiting example, the pivoting of the screen (4) in
relation to the frame (3) is limited by the following arrangement of the pivot
CA 02683349 2009-10-22
19
link. The projection (45) from the screen includes a stud (46) fixed alongside
the axle (41) of the pivot link and in an eccentric manner in relation to the
latter. The stud (46) mates with a removal of material (34), created in the
projection (32) from the frame (3) on the trajectory of rotation of the stud
(46)
driven by the pivoting of the screen (4). In this way, the pivoting of the
screen
(4) in relation to the frame (3), at least between the position with the frame
covered by the screen and the position where the frame is not covered by the
screen, is now limited by the mating of the stud (46) with the removal of
material (34).
In the previously given example according to which two pivoting
directions and three positions of the screen in relation to the frame are
envisaged, the stud (46) of the screen (4) butts up against a first of the
ends
of the removal of material (34) of the frame (3) so that the screen (4) is in
a
position where the frame is not covered on the left and forms an angle of
about 93 with the latter, or the stud (46) of the screen (4) butts up against
a
second of the ends of the removal of material (34) of the frame (3) so that
the
screen (4) is in a position where the frame is not covered on the right and
forms an angle of about 90 with the latter.
By way of a second non-limiting example, the pivoting of the screen
(4) in relation to the frame (3) is indexed by the following arrangement of
the
pivot link. The projection (45) from the screen includes a housing (47) fixed
alongside the axle (41) of the pivot link and in an eccentric manner in
relation
to the latter. This housing (47) is designed to accommodate a magnet (471).
Moreover, the projection (32) from the frame (3) includes at least one
borehole designed to accommodate a magnet, each borehole being arranged
so that the magnet (471) housed in the screen (4) passes in front of the
magnet housed in each borehole in the frame (3) on the pivoting trajectory of
the screen (4) in relation to the frame. For example, the magnet (471) housed
in the projection (45) from the screen is arranged so as to attract a first
magnet (351) housed in a first borehole (35) of the projection (32) from the
frame (3), and to maintain the screen (4) in position with the frame covered
(3). In this way, a first indexed position of the pivoting of the screen (4)
in
CA 02683349 2009-10-22
relation to the frame (3) corresponds to the position with the frame covered
by the screen. Moreover, the magnet (471) housed in the projection (45) from
the screen (4) can be arranged so as to attract a second magnet (361)
housed in a second borehole (36) of the projection (32) from the frame (3),
5 and to maintain the screen (4) in the position where the frame is not
covered
(3). In this way, a second indexed position of the pivoting of the screen (4)
in
relation to the frame (3) corresponds to the position where the frame is not
covered by the screen. For example, a third magnet (371) housed in a third
borehole (37) of the projection (32) from the frame (3) between the first and
10 second borehole (35, 36) is arranged to push against the magnet (471)
housed in the projection (45) of the screen (4). In this way, with the screen
(4) located in an intermediate position between the covered position and the
position where the frame is not covered (3), finds itself both pushed back by
the third magnet (371) and more-or-less attracted by either of the first and
15 second magnets (351, 361) and swings as a result to either of the covering
positions or where the frame is not covered (3).
By way of a third non-limiting example, the pivoting of the screen in
relation to the frame is facilitated by the following arrangement of the pivot
link. A mechanical ramp (38) is arranged on the edge of the through hole (33)
20 created in the projection (32) from the frame (3) to mate with a rib (48)
created on the screen (4) so that it is adjacent to and radial to the axle
(41) of
the pivot link. The mechanical ramp (38) includes a notch in which the rib
(48) is accommodated so as to maintain the screen (4) at a position with the
frame (3) covered. Moreover, the mechanical ramp (38) includes a downward
gradient from a top end of the notch, with the rib (48) sliding on this
gradient
so as to facilitate the pivoting of the screen (4) from a position of slight
lifting
of the screen at a top end of the notch up to the bottom of the gradient. The
person skilled in the art will note that the pivoting is not only facilitated
by the
fact that the gradient is downward, but also by the slight lifting of the
screen
which limits the rubbing of the screen (4) on the frame (3), or even
eliminates
it over part of the pivoting trajectory. Likewise, an axle stop (6) with
elastic
properties can facilitate the pivoting of the screen (4) from a position of
slight
CA 02683349 2009-10-22
21
lifting of the screen at a top end of the notch up to the bottom of the
gradient
of the mechanical ramp (38), tending to return the screen (4) to a position
butted up against the frame (3).
It is not only conceivable, but also advantageous and preferred, that
these three examples above concerning the arrangement of the pivot link, or
at least two of them, should be combined so that the pivoting of the screen
(4) in relation to the frame (3) is limited and indexed and facilitated, and
so as
to more effectively maintain the screen at a position with the frame covered,
in which the screen (4) and the frame (3) form the protective element (1). By
way of a non-limiting example, the housing (47) of the screen (4), fixed
alongside the axle (41) of the pivot link in an eccentric manner in relation
to
the latter and designed to accommodate a magnet (471), can simultaneously
act as a stud (46), also fixed alongside the axle (41) of the pivot link in an
eccentric manner in relation to the latter and mating with the removal of
material (34) created in the projection (32) from the frame (3) on the
trajectory of rotation of the stud (46) driven by the pivoting of the screen
(4).
Moreover, thus arranged, the pivot link means that the user does not have to
assist the pivoting of the screen over all of its trajectory, and the latter
merely
has to trigger this pivoting action so that the screen places itself in a
covering
or non-covering position of the frame.
As an example in the case in which two pivoting directions and three
positions of the screen in relation to the frame are envisaged, it is easy for
someone skilled in the art to achieve the three arrangements given in the
following example according to a symmetry (illustrated in the figures) that
allows a first position with the frame covered (3) by the screen (4), a second
position where the frame is not covered by the screen by pivoting the screen
to the left of the frame, and a third position where the frame is not covered
by
the screen by pivoting the screen to the right of the frame, with the pivoting
being limited and indexed and facilitated as described previously.
The protective device according to this present invention has been the
subject of a scientific study conducted by Professor Joseph Saillard of the
IREENA laboratory at the University of Nantes.
CA 02683349 2009-10-22
22
One should note firstly the results of a test that consists of measuring
the quality of the protection afforded by the device of the invention in the
presence, and then in the absence, of the magnets in the indexing system of
the pivot link. This test revealed that the presence of the magnets does not
affect the quality of the protection.
Figure 1 schematically illustrates the test rig located in an anechoic
chamber and set up for the measurements. This test rig includes a mobile
telephone (2), whose dimensions in mm are 106x50x15, emitting continuous
electromagnetic waves with a central frequency of 913 MHz. The test rig also
includes a protective element (1) according to the invention, whose
dimensions in mm are 122x67x26, a rotating mast, and a reception horn
connected to a measuring resource or spectrum analyser located outside the
anechoic chamber.
The power emitted by the mobile telephone (2) is read at the moment
when the telephone establishes a link with a relay antenna during the
reception of a call. This is a preferred moment for the measurements since
the telephone is emitting a maximum of power at this instant.
The experiments are conducted leaving the door of the chamber ajar
in order to guarantee a telephone/relay link and to minimise the arrival of
multiple signal paths at the reception horn.
The results presented below are given for 2 angular positions:
- 0 : Front of the telephone to the reception horn, which corresponds
to the position at which we seek to protect the user,
- 180 : Rear of the telephone to the reception horn, which corresponds
to the position at which we seek to favour emission from the telephone.
Several tests were conducted for each of these measurement
configurations in order to ensure consistency of the results. Since the value
of the powers involve were able to change by a few dB between two
measurements, only the most unfavourable value (the highest for 0 and the
lowest for 180 ) was retained. Thus, the resulting effectiveness is the
minimum measured.
CA 02683349 2009-10-22
23
The table of Figure 2 presents the results obtained using the
telephone with no protective element (1).
In addition, measurements were also conducted with a thin sheet of
paper, and then with a 1 mm thick cardboard sheet, slipped between the
screen (4) and the frame (3) of the protective element (1).
The results are presented in the table of Figure 3. The results obtained
using the telephone with the protective element (1) are excellent, and show
an attenuation of 30 dB, which is attenuation with an effectiveness of greater
than 99% in relation to the power of the electromagnetic waves emitted, in
the direction of the user, using the protective device according to this
present
invention.
In the present description, many specific details are provided for
illustration and in no way limiting, so as to describe the invention in
precise
detail. The person skilled in the art will understand however that the
invention
can be implemented in the absence of one or more of these specific details
or with the inclusion of variants. On other occasions, certain aspects are not
described in detail so as to avoid over-complicating the present description,
and the person skilled in the art will understand that many and varied other
means can be employed, and that the invention is not limited only to the
examples described.
It should be obvious to the person skilled in the art that the present
invention allows implementation in many other specific forms while still not
moving outside of the field of application of the invention as claimed. As a
consequence, the present methods of implementation must be considered as
illustrations only, which can be modified within the range defined by the
scope of the attached claims, and that the invention must not be limited to
the
details given above.
