Charging Base Drainage System for PCB Water Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional charging bases are prone to water damage and corrosion of the printed circuit board (PCB) due to water entering through terminal holes, leading to functional failures.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a drainage system with drainage holes in the bottom case and strategically designed apertures and flow chambers in the charging terminals and positioning block to direct water away from the PCB, ensuring it drains out of the bottom case.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional charging base design is used with terminal holes for battery contact, then charging function is achieved, but water enters through terminal holes and causes PCB damage and corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePCB protection from water damageVSAvoidwater damage to PCB

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of water entering through terminal holes into a beneficial drainage function. By designing through-holes in the positioning block and drainage holes in the bottom case, the system allows water to flow through controlled paths and drain out, transforming the harmful water intrusion into a useful water evacuation mechanism that protects the PCB from damage and corrosion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the water flow path into multiple controlled sections: water enters through terminal holes, flows through apertures in charging terminals, continues through through-holes in the positioning block, and finally drains through drainage holes in the bottom case. This segmentation creates controlled drainage channels that guide water away from the PCB, preventing water accumulation and damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If terminal holes are provided for battery recharging, then charging functionality is enabled, but water can enter and flow on the PCB causing corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery recharging functionVSAvoidPCB durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary structures (positioning block with through-holes and drainage system) between the terminal holes and the PCB. These intermediaries serve as water evacuation channels, allowing water that enters through terminal holes during normal charging operations to be directed away from the PCB through controlled drainage paths, thus protecting the PCB while maintaining charging functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If water enters the charging base, then charging operation can proceed, but water accumulates and causes functional failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging operation continuityVSAvoidcharging base functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts water from the charging base interior through a dedicated drainage system. By providing drainage holes in the bottom case and through-holes in the positioning block, the system actively removes water that enters through terminal holes during charging operations, preventing water accumulation that would otherwise cause functional failure and maintaining charging base reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Effectively protects the PCB from water damage, prolonging its lifespan by preventing water from accumulating and causing corrosion.

Implementation Method 1

When water accidentally enters the charging base via the terminal holes, the water will sequentially flow through the apertures of the charging terminals, the through holes of the positioning block and the mounting hole of the PCB and subsequently drain out of the drainage hole of the bottom case

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS8773067B2Charging base with drainage features

Publication Date: 2014.07.08 LEADER ELECTRONICS

AI summary

A charging base has a bottom case, a printed circuit board (PCB) and a top case. The bottom case includes at least one drainage hole. The PCB is mounted in the bottom case and includes a mounting hole, a positioning block and charging terminals. The positioning block is attached to the PCB and has through holes. The charging terminals are secured to the positioning block and have apertures. The top case covers the bottom case and includes terminal holes and a top enclosed wall. The top enclosed wall is secured around the positioning block. Therefore, when water accidentally enters the charging base via the terminal holes, the water will sequentially flow through the apertures of the charging terminals, the through holes of the positioning block and the mounting hole of the PCB and subsequently drain out of the drainage hole of the bottom case.