Interlocking Enclosure Edges for Water-Ingress Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing enclosures are prone to water ingress due to fragile joining portions and gasket failures, which compromise the moisture resistance of electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A multi-piece enclosure design featuring interlocking edges with projecting and indented features that prevent water intrusion by extending the water path and strengthening the joining location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional gaskets are used to seal enclosure edges, then moisture resistance is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to gasket failure from squeezing, cutting, or displacement during assembly cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gasket component entirely from the enclosure design. Instead of using separate gasket elements that can fail, the sealing function is integrated directly into the enclosure pieces themselves through interlocking edge features with overlapping relationships that create inherent seals without requiring additional sealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the structural joining function and the sealing function into a single integrated feature. The interlocking edges with overlapping relationships simultaneously provide mechanical connection and moisture barrier, eliminating the need for separate gaskets and reducing potential failure points.
2Ease of manufacture
If simple joining edges are used for enclosure assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but strength deteriorates due to fragile joining portions prone to damage from use and impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each enclosure edge into multiple discrete features including first, second, and third edges with distinct functions. This segmentation allows each feature to be optimized for its specific role while collectively providing both manufacturing ease and structural strength through the interlocking arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric interlocking features where enclosure pieces have complementary but non-identical edge geometries. The overlapping relationships create asymmetric joint configurations that enhance strength and resistance to impacts while maintaining straightforward assembly through the designed asymmetry.
3Device complexity
If direct joining edges are used for enclosure assembly, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to short water intrusion paths that allow quick water penetration to interior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the sealing mechanism from a simple linear joint into a three-dimensional overlapping configuration. By creating overlapping relationships between multiple edges and features in different spatial dimensions, the design lengthens and complicates the water intrusion path without adding excessive device complexity, as the overlapping is inherent to the interlocking structure.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
Aspects of sealing of an enclosure are described. In some examples, an enclosure includes a first enclosure piece with a first edge. The first edge includes a first set of edge features. A second enclosure piece with a second edge includes a second set of edge features configured to interlock with the first set of edge features. When the first set of edge features interlock with the second set of edge features, a first projecting feature in the first edge overlaps a gap between a second projecting feature and a third projecting in the second edge.