Elastomeric Sealing System for Waterproof Mobile Device Case
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices are vulnerable to environmental factors such as water, dust, and impacts, which can affect their functionality and aesthetic quality, and existing protective cases often compromise input/output functionality or require tools for device access.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof protective case with a top and bottom section that form a sealing system, featuring a touchscreen membrane and elastomeric seals, allowing for easy device encasement and disencasement without tools, while maintaining uninterrupted input/output functionality and protecting against environmental hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a waterproof protective case is designed with sealing systems to protect against environmental factors, then protection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective case is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) with distinct functions. The first section provides structural housing, the second section contains the sealing mechanism with elastomeric material, and the third section houses the I/O interface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
An elastomeric sealing material is introduced as an intermediary component between the case sections to create the waterproof seal. This elastomeric material deforms to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations, providing reliable sealing without requiring complex sealing mechanisms or precision machining, thus improving reliability while keeping the design simple.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective case is designed with comprehensive sealing to protect against water and dust, then protection against harmful factors is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The case sections are designed with dynamic coupling through the elastomeric sealing material, allowing the case to be easily opened and closed by hand without tools. The elastomeric material provides sufficient sealing force when closed but allows easy separation when force is applied, enabling tool-free operation while maintaining strong protection during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is designed to be self-sealing through the elastomeric material's inherent properties. The material automatically deforms to fill gaps and create a seal when the case sections are brought together, without requiring additional sealing actions or mechanisms from the user. This self-service特性 simplifies operation while ensuring comprehensive protection.
3Reliability
If a protective case encloses the mobile device completely for maximum protection, then protection reliability is improved, but input/output functionality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The case is designed with differentiated local properties: the majority of the case structure provides comprehensive protection, while specific localized regions (I/O interface section) are designed with openings and seals that maintain protection while enabling functionality. The elastomeric sealing material is strategically placed around I/O openings to prevent water and dust ingress while allowing buttons, ports, and sensors to function normally.
Solution Approach 2:
The case is segmented into protected regions and I/O interface regions. The first and second sections provide full protection, while the third section is specifically designed to accommodate I/O components. This segmentation allows the case to provide maximum protection where needed while maintaining full input/output functionality where required, resolving the contradiction between protection and adaptability.
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 case provides comprehensive protection from water, dust, and impacts while allowing uninterrupted use of the mobile device's I/O features, including touchscreens and cameras, and can be easily opened for maintenance without damaging the device.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric seal disposed on the first housing and configured to contact the convex portion
Implementation Method 2
featuring a touchscreen membrane and elastomeric seals, allowing for easy device encasement and disencasement without tools, while maintaining uninterrupted input/output functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A protective case, sized and shaped to encase a mobile device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer, includes a top section and a bottom section. The top section and bottom section are capable of being engaged to one another in a closed relationship, in which the mobile device may be hermetically sealed or isolated from the outside environment. The top section and bottom section may be readily engaged to or disengaged from one another. Embodiments of the protective case may include membrane that includes a first membrane portion and a second membrane portion, the membrane portions having different qualities.