Actuating Interface With Nested Boss Member And Sealing Crown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control interfaces on personal devices like watches and phones are prone to damage and contamination from liquids or debris due to their external design, which can compromise their functionality over time.
Innovation Solution
A boss member and crown mechanism that extends from a shaft to actuate a device, featuring a screw thread arrangement, resilient spring, and sealing o-rings to prevent debris and liquids from entering, while allowing user manipulation to transmit digital pressure to an actuator within the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external buttons or switches are used for control, then user manipulation is enabled, but liquids or debris can enter the housing causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The boss member is nested within the crown structure, with the crown enclosing the boss member. This nested arrangement allows the boss member to extend and retract within the protected crown housing, enabling user manipulation while preventing direct exposure to liquids and debris that would otherwise enter through external buttons
Solution Approach 2:
The crown acts as an intermediary structure between the user and the internal shaft mechanism. Instead of direct contact with external buttons, the user manipulates the crown which then transmits force through the enclosed boss member to the shaft, mediating the interaction while maintaining sealing integrity
2Ease of operation
If buttons protrude from housing, then user access is improved, but buttons risk being damaged during service life
Solution Approach 1:
The boss member is nested within the crown structure rather than protruding externally. This nested configuration protects the boss member from external damage while maintaining user access through the crown interface, eliminating the vulnerability of protruding buttons to impact and environmental damage
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the control element protrude outward for access, the design inverts the arrangement by enclosing the boss member within the crown structure. The control interface is accessed through the crown's exterior surface while the sensitive boss member remains protected inside, reversing the traditional protruding button configuration
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealed interface is used, then protection from debris is improved, but user manipulation capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The boss member is designed to dynamically extend and retract within the sealed crown structure. During normal operation, the boss member extends to engage with the shaft for manipulation. This dynamic movement within the sealed environment maintains both protection from debris and full manipulation capability, as the sealing structure accommodates the motion rather than restricting it
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mechanism effectively communicates user inputs to internal actuators while preventing damage and contamination, ensuring reliable operation and longevity of the device by sealing out debris and liquids, and providing a durable interface for user interaction.
Implementation Method 1
the boss member is engaged to the shaft by a screw thread arrangement
Implementation Method 2
the resilient arrangement is a spring
Implementation Method 3
the sealing arrangement includes at least one o-ring
Data Source
AI summary
An interface for actuating a device is described. According to one aspect, an interface for actuating a device includes a boss member arranged to be extended from a shaft to receive a user's manipulation, wherein when the boss member receives the user's manipulation, the boss member is arranged to project the shaft to an actuating position arranged to actuate the device.