Insulating Structure for Electric Device Conductive Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductive members in electric devices, such as washable electric shavers, are prone to short circuits and electrolytic corrosion due to the infiltration of conductive materials like water, limiting design flexibility and requiring a single structure configuration to prevent corrosion.
Innovation Solution
An insulating structure with contact prevention members, typically annular in shape, is interposed between the housing and cover member to prevent water from reaching conductive members, thereby preventing short circuits and electrolytic corrosion, while allowing for a dual structure design that enhances aesthetics and design freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a dual structure with panel is used to enhance appearance quality, then design freedom and aesthetic quality are improved, but the risk of water infiltration causing short circuit and electrolytic corrosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the protective function into separate components: the housing, panel, and communication hole structures. Each component has specific waterproof features (sealing members at housing-pannel joints, protrusions at communication holes) that work together to prevent water infiltration while maintaining design freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary protective elements (sealing members, protrusions, and insulating structures) between the water environment and the conductive members. These intermediaries block water infiltration paths and prevent direct contact between water and terminals, resolving the contradiction between dual-structure design and short-circuit prevention.
2Reliability
If housing is exposed without panel to prevent corrosion, then terminal reliability is improved, but design freedom and aesthetic quality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary protective measures (sealing members, protrusions, insulating structures) before water infiltration can occur. These pre-installed protective features ensure that even when panels are present, water cannot reach the terminals, allowing design freedom to be exercised without compromising corrosion prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating structure and sealing members act as intermediaries that protect conductive members from water contact while allowing the panel to be present. This enables the use of decorative panels without sacrificing corrosion prevention, resolving the contradiction between reliability and design freedom.
3Reliability
If sealing structure is added to prevent water infiltration, then short circuit prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple protective functions into integrated structures. The protrusions at communication holes serve both as sealing surfaces and as structural features. The insulating structure combines sealing, insulation, and mechanical support functions, reducing the need for separate components and minimizing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing members and protrusions perform multiple functions simultaneously: they seal communication holes, provide insulating barriers, and maintain structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, achieving waterproof performance without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An insulating structure is employed between conductive members of an electric device. The electric device has a housing accommodating electric components therein and a cover member covering the housing, the conductive members being disposed through communication holes of the housing and the cover member. The insulating structure includes contact prevention members for preventing water infiltrated into a gap between the housing and the cover member from contacting water collected in the communication holes for the conductive members, wherein the contact prevention members are interposed between the housing and the cover member. Each contact prevention member has a substantially annular shape, surrounding one of the conductive members.