Key Button Sealing Member for Waterproof Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices face the challenge of preventing foreign matter, such as water and dust, from infiltrating through key button openings, which can compromise their functionality and user experience.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a housing with a sealing mechanism that includes a key button movably inserted into an opening, a sealing member in slidable contact with the key button, and a push switch, utilizing an elastic member and washer to block external matter from entering through the gap between the inner and outer faces of the opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a key button opening is provided in the housing for user input, then the ease of operation is improved, but foreign matter can infiltrate into the electronic device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey button operationVSAvoidforeign matter infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing member in the form of a flexible ring is disposed around the key button, making slidable contact with the outer surface of the key button. This flexible sealing member blocks the gap between the key button and the opening, preventing foreign matter infiltration while allowing the key button to move freely for operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a sealing member is added to block foreign matter, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof functionVSAvoidsealing mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A push switch is provided inside the housing that acts as an intermediary mechanism. The key button presses the push switch through the sealing member, allowing the pressing operation to be transmitted to the switch while the sealing member maintains the waterproof barrier. This intermediary structure enables both sealing and operation without requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the key button is tightly sealed, then the waterproof function is improved, but the operating feeling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidkey button pressing feel

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing member is designed to be in slidable contact with the key button, allowing it to move dynamically as the key button is pressed. This dynamic sealing maintains the waterproof barrier while accommodating the movement of the key button, ensuring both tight sealing and smooth operating feeling without friction or resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10424445B2Electronic device including key button

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, can comprise: a housing which has an opening part penetrating through the inside and the outside of the electronic device and forms the outside of the electronic device; a key button inserted into the opening part so as to be movable; a sealing member which is disposed such that the sealing member slidably contacts the outer surface of the key button, and prevents communication between the inside and the outside of the electronic device through the inner surface of the opening part and the outer surface of the key button; and a push switch accommodated in the housing and pressed by an inward movement of the key button. Various other embodiments are possible.