Button Vent Structure for Hidden Airflow and Moisture Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vent holes on electronic devices for air circulation degrade the aesthetic appearance and integrity of the device's design, and can lead to performance limitations and moisture ingress.
Innovation Solution
A button device with a button member, substrate member, waterproof member, and sealing part that covers the vent hole, allowing for efficient air circulation while maintaining the device's appearance and preventing moisture ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a vent hole is formed on the outer surface of the electronic device for air circulation, then air circulation efficiency is improved, but the aesthetic appearance and design integrity of the device is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
A button member is introduced as an intermediary component that covers the vent hole from the external view while allowing air to pass through. The button member includes a body part that visually covers the vent hole on the outer surface, and a through hole that connects to the vent hole to enable air circulation. This mediator structure allows the vent hole to be hidden while maintaining its air circulation function.
2Productivity
If a vent hole is formed on the outer surface of the electronic device for air circulation, then air circulation efficiency is improved, but moisture ingress and dewing phenomena occur
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof member is introduced as an intermediary structure that provides moisture protection while enabling air circulation. The waterproof member includes a base that covers the vent hole from the inner space side, and a sealing part that protrudes to surround the perimeter of the vent hole and make close contact with the outer wall, creating a moisture barrier while allowing air to pass through the button member's through hole.
3Shape
If the vent hole is covered to maintain aesthetic appearance, then design integrity is improved, but air circulation efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The button member is designed with different functional zones: the body part provides visual coverage for aesthetic purposes, while the through hole provides a localized air passage. This local quality differentiation allows different parts of the same component to serve different functions - the body part maintains design integrity by covering the vent hole, while the through hole maintains air circulation efficiency by providing a dedicated air passage.
4Ease of manufacture
If the vent hole is covered with a simple cover structure, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but waterproofing performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The button member and waterproof member are merged into a single integrated component structure. The button member includes both the body part for coverage and the through hole for air circulation, while the waterproof member includes the base and sealing part for moisture protection. This merging of functions into unified components achieves both aesthetic coverage and reliable waterproofing without requiring multiple separate parts, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving waterproofing performance.
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
Enhances air circulation efficiency, reduces performance throttling, and prevents dewing and joint phenomena due to temperature differences, while maintaining the device's aesthetic integrity and reducing material waste.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing part, formed to protrude from the base in the second direction so as to surround a perimeter of at least one of the key hole and the vent hole, which has at least a part in close contact with the outer wall of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a waterproof cover disposed on the conduit so as to block moisture from being introduced through the vent hole
Implementation Method 3
a conduit configured to connect an inner space of the electronic device to outside of the electronic device through the vent hole
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided that includes a housing including a key hole and a vent hole, a button member including a body part disposed to cover the key hole and the vent hole, and a button protrusion inserted into the key hole, a substrate member including a switch actuated based on the button protrusion, a base disposed between the housing and the substrate member to cover the substrate member, a waterproof member including a sealing part, formed to protrude from the base to surround a perimeter at least one of the key hole and the vent hole, which has at least a part in close contact with the outer wall, a conduit for connecting an internal space and outside of the electronic device through the vent hole, and a waterproof cover disposed on the conduit so as to block moisture flowing in through the vent hole.