Airtight Sealing for Device Cases with Mismatched Shapes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing musical instrument cases fail to form an airtight seal when the top and bottom cases have different external shapes, preventing the formation of a sealed speaker box.
Innovation Solution
The use of a connector with a sealing portion and mounting portions that fit between the peripheral portions of the top and bottom cases, along with a fixing member to secure the connection, ensures an airtight seal even when the cases have different shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the top case and bottom case have different external shapes, then the device can accommodate varying shapes and large capacity, but the peripheral portions cannot fit together to form an airtight seal
Solution Approach 1:
A connector is introduced as an intermediary component between the top case and bottom case. The connector includes a first fitting portion that fits into the bottom case and a second fitting portion that fits into the top case, mediating the connection between cases with different shapes and enabling airtight sealing despite shape variations.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible sealing ring is used within the connector to accommodate shape variations. The sealing ring can deform elastically to maintain contact with both the bottom case and top case surfaces, ensuring continuous airtight sealing even when the cases have different external shapes.
2Reliability
If the peripheral portions of the top case and bottom case are made to fit together perfectly, then an airtight seal is formed, but the device cannot accommodate cases with different shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed as a universal component that can adapt to connect top cases and bottom cases with different shapes. The first fitting portion and second fitting portion are configured to interface with various case geometries, providing a universal solution that maintains airtight sealing across different shape configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring incorporates elastic deformation capability, allowing it to dynamically adjust its shape to match the interface between cases of different geometries. This dynamic adaptation enables the sealing ring to maintain continuous contact and airtight sealing regardless of the specific shape variations between cases.
3Reliability
If a connector is added to seal the gap between different-shaped cases, then airtight sealing is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector integrates multiple functions into a single component: the first fitting portion for connecting to the bottom case, the second fitting portion for connecting to the top case, and the sealing ring for airtight sealing. By merging these elements into one integrated component, the design achieves airtight sealing without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring is nested within the connector structure, with the first and second fitting portions providing the structural framework. This nested arrangement allows the sealing function to be incorporated within the existing connector geometry, minimizing additional complexity while achieving the required airtight sealing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A device case includes speaker boxes that are formed inside spaces created by placing upper cases that have a larger external shape than a lower case on upper of that lower case, as well as box connectors that are arranged fitting into the speaker boxes in the upper cases so as to contact the ends of peripheral portions of the lower case and fix together the lower case and the upper cases. This makes it possible for the box connectors to seal the spaces between the peripheral portions of the lower case and the peripheral portions of the upper cases. This, in turn, makes it possible to reliably and satisfactorily seal the speaker boxes in an airtight manner even when the external shapes of the lower case and the upper cases that are stacked together are different.