Key Button Recess Sealing for Rigid Electronic Housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rigidity of electronic devices is weakened by button accommodation recesses and engagement holes, which can lead to contamination and malfunction due to the introduction of foreign matter.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a button accommodation recess with a predetermined depth and through-holes connected to the inner surface, featuring engagement portions with inclined surfaces that securely engage with the key buttons, preventing separation and using a waterproof member to seal the periphery of the through-holes and dome keys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If engagement holes are formed in the button accommodation recess to prevent key button separation, then the key buttons are securely fixed, but the rigidity of the side frame is weakened and foreign matter can enter the button accommodation recess
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof member is introduced as an intermediary component between the button accommodation recess and the external environment. This waterproof member fills the engagement holes after key buttons are installed, preventing foreign matter entry while maintaining the structural integrity of the side frame. The waterproof member acts as a mediator that provides both sealing functionality and structural support without requiring additional engagement holes.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple engagement holes are formed in the button accommodation recess for key button assembly, then the key buttons can be securely attached, but the side frame rigidity is further weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement holes and sealing function are merged into a single integrated solution. Instead of having separate engagement holes for key button attachment and separate sealing structures, the waterproof member is designed to simultaneously provide both functions. The waterproof member is inserted through the same engagement holes, combining the fastening and sealing operations into one assembly process, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while preserving side frame rigidity.
3Ease of operation
If the button accommodation recess is open to allow key button installation, then key buttons can be easily assembled, but foreign matter can contaminate the key buttons and cause malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof member is pre-installed in the button accommodation recess before key buttons are attached. This preliminary action creates a sealed environment that prevents foreign matter contamination from the outset. The key buttons are then installed through the waterproof member's engagement holes, maintaining ease of assembly while the pre-existing waterproof member already provides protection against contamination.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing including an outer surface configured to at least partially form an external appearance of the electronic device, a button accommodation recess having a predetermined depth from the outer surface in a first direction oriented to the inner space of the electronic device, and at least one through-hole connected to the inner surface of the housing in the button accommodation recess, a key button disposed through the button accommodation recess, and including a key top inserted into the button accommodation recess and at least partially exposed to the outside, and a key base coupled to the key top, and including a protrusion facing a key flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) disposed in the inner space through the at least one through-hole. The protrusion may include an engagement portion formed at an end thereof to be larger than the protrusion.