Liquid Powered Watch Double Seal Architecture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid-powered devices, such as watches, are prone to electrical shorting due to water exposure, as they lack effective protection for both the electronic components and the water-based power source, making them unsafe for wear in wet environments.

Innovation Solution

A wrist-wearable liquid-powered device with a double-sealed housing assembly, featuring a liquid tank and electronic module assembly, both separately sealed to prevent water exposure, utilizing an electrolyte solution and metal elements to generate power while protecting internal components from liquid exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the watch uses a water-based power source, then it can be liquid-powered and environmentally friendly, but the electronic components are exposed to water and prone to electrical shorting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid-powered operationVSAvoidelectrical shorting from water exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate sealed compartments: the electronic module assembly is isolated from the liquid tank assembly through liquid-tight seals. This segmentation allows the power source to be water-based while protecting electronic components from direct contact with liquid, resolving the contradiction between liquid-powered operation and electrical reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Liquid-tight seals and membranes act as intermediary barriers between the liquid power source and electronic components. These intermediaries allow the system to maintain liquid-powered operation while preventing harmful water exposure to electronics, thus ensuring both energy source functionality and electrical reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the electronic components are exposed to the liquid power source, then the device structure is simpler, but the components are vulnerable to liquid exposure and malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparate sealing structuresVSAvoidliquid exposure to electronics

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing assembly is segmented into distinct sealed sections: the electronic module assembly and liquid tank assembly are separated by liquid-tight barriers. This segmentation increases structural complexity but effectively prevents liquid exposure to electronics, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and protection from harmful factors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Liquid-tight seals and membranes serve as thin film barriers that isolate electronic components from the liquid power source. These flexible yet impermeable barriers provide effective protection while maintaining a relatively compact device structure, balancing complexity with harm prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If the watch is designed for wet environment wearability, then it can be safely worn during handwashing and outdoor activities, but requires complex sealing mechanisms to protect internal components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewet environment wearabilityVSAvoiddouble seal protection system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs segmented sealing architecture with multiple liquid-tight barriers at different levels. This segmentation enables wet environment wearability by creating isolated protection zones, though it increases device complexity through the multi-layer sealing system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The double seal system provides preemptive protection against liquid intrusion before it can reach electronic components. This prior cushioning approach ensures wet environment adaptability but requires complex pre-configured sealing mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Enables safe wearability in wet conditions by effectively isolating electronic and power components from water, ensuring reliable operation and protection against environmental moisture and accidental liquid exposure.

Implementation Method 1

The power assembly and an electronic module assembly are separately liquid sealed. The power assembly is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet to provide filling of the power assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolyte solution electrochemical reaction: Electrolyte

Implementation Method 2

utilizing an electrolyte solution and metal elements to generate power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMetal element electrochemical reaction: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS20150261193A1Liquid powered watch

Publication Date: 2015.09.17 BEDOL MARK A

AI summary

A liquid powered device, including a housing assembly configured to be worn on the wrist of a user. The housing assembly includes a front portion and a back portion. The front portion includes an upper liquid seal member. A liquid tank assembly is secured within the housing assembly. The liquid tank assembly has a fluid inlet. A power assembly is secured within the liquid tank assembly. An electronic module assembly is secured within the upper liquid seal member. The power assembly is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet to provide filling of the power assembly. The power assembly and the electronic module assembly are each separately liquid sealed.