Button Assembly Illuminated Symbol Liquid Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing button assemblies for electronic devices used in wet environments face challenges in providing a functional seal while maintaining aesthetics and tactile feedback, especially when incorporating illuminated symbols, leading to increased complexity and cost, which limits their use in smaller consumer products like shaving razors.
Innovation Solution
A button assembly featuring a locking ring and a solid light guide with a resilient sealing member that creates a liquid impervious seal, allowing for even light distribution and tactile feedback, while being easy to assemble and disassemble, using a combination of translucent materials and refracting surfaces to direct light effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal is added to the button assembly for wet environments, then liquid sealing capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function with the button housing structure itself. The housing includes an integrated seal groove and sealing bead that forms part of the button assembly's structural design, eliminating the need for separate sealing components while maintaining liquid tightness in wet environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The button housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, houses the LED light source, creates the optical path for light distribution, and incorporates the sealing mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while achieving reliable liquid sealing.
2Loss of information
If a transparent portion with lighting means is added to display function, then visual display capability is improved, but light uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a translucent diffuser material as an intermediary between the LED light source and the external environment. This diffuser evenly distributes the light from the LED across the button surface, eliminating hot spots and creating uniform illumination while maintaining visual display capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The button housing incorporates different translucency zones: a translucent portion for uniform light distribution and display, and an opaque portion for creating the icon or symbol. This local variation in optical properties allows simultaneous achievement of uniform illumination and visual symbolism.
3Loss of information
If both illuminated portions and non-illuminated portions are provided to create icon, then visual information display is improved, but light uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The button housing incorporates different translucency zones: a translucent portion for uniform light distribution and display, and an opaque portion for creating the icon or symbol. This local variation in optical properties allows simultaneous achievement of uniform illumination and visual symbolism.
4Reliability
If elastomeric push button is used for sealing, then liquid sealing is improved, but tactile feedback and secure feel deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function with the button housing structure itself. The housing includes an integrated seal groove and sealing bead that forms part of the button assembly's structural design, eliminating the need for separate sealing components while maintaining liquid tightness in wet environments.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing, and functionally reliable button assembly that maintains a liquid seal and ensures even illumination, enhancing user experience and product functionality in wet environments without increasing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving member having a refracting surface with a first lens member for receiving and directing light to the top surface of the light guide
Implementation Method 2
a resilient sealing member that interconnects the locking ring and the light guide. The resilient sealing member compresses the button assembly against the edge portion of the handle to create a liquid impervious seal
Data Source
AI summary
A button assembly for displaying an illuminated symbol with a locking ring having an outer surface. A solid light guide is positioned within and spaced apart from the locking ring. The light guide has a top surface for displaying an illuminated symbol and a bottom surface with a light receiving member having a refracting surface with a first lens member for receiving and directing light to the top surface of the light guide. A resilient sealing member is mounted on the locking ring and interconnects the locking ring and the light guide. The sealing member has an unsupported portion that facilitates movement of the light guide relative to the locking ring.