Mobile Housing Structure With Isolated Spaces for Waterproof Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile electronic devices face high material and processing costs due to the use of extruded metal materials, and they struggle with waterproofing issues as water or dust can enter critical components through various paths, leading to short circuits.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates an inner structure of casting material for mechanical strength, an outer structure of extruded metal for appearance, and a support frame of injection material to isolate spaces, using waterproof tapes and injection material to seal gaps, preventing water and dust ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If an extruded metal material or rolled material is used to form the housing, then the appearance elegance is improved, but the material cost and processing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappearance eleganceVSAvoidmaterial cost and processing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into an inner structure made of casting material and an outer structure made of extruded metal material or rolled material. The inner structure serves as a cost-effective base form, while the outer structure provides the elegant appearance. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining aesthetic quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing combines different materials with complementary properties: casting material for the inner structure (inexpensive and easy to process) and extruded metal material or rolled material for the outer structure (elegant appearance). This composite approach leverages the advantages of each material while mitigating their individual disadvantages, achieving both cost reduction and aesthetic improvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the housing includes a second space communicated with the outside, then the adaptability or versatility is improved, but the waterproof performance deteriorates as water or dust can enter through various paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace functionalityVSAvoidwaterproof performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A waterproof tape is introduced as an intermediary sealing element between the inner structure and the outer structure at the interface with the second space. This waterproof tape acts as a mediator that prevents water and dust from penetrating through the interface, thereby maintaining the waterproof performance while allowing the second space to remain communicated with the outside for enhanced versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproof tape functions as a flexible sealing film that conforms to the interface between the inner and outer structures. This thin film effectively blocks water and dust ingress while allowing the housing design to maintain open passages for component access, thus preserving both waterproofing and functional versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If the first isolation part includes pores or cracks, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the waterproof performance deteriorates as water or dust can penetrate through

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidwaterproof performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The waterproof tape serves as a cost-effective sealing solution that compensates for the pores or cracks in the first isolation part. Rather than attempting to eliminate the pores through complex manufacturing processes, the patent uses the waterproof tape as a simple, inexpensive barrier that effectively prevents water and dust penetration, maintaining both ease of manufacture and waterproof performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproof tape acts as an intermediary sealing layer that fills and seals the pores and cracks in the first isolation part. This mediator prevents water and dust from penetrating through the otherwise compromised structure, allowing the first isolation part to maintain its manufacturing simplicity while achieving reliable waterproof performance through the tape's sealing action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4294137B1Portable electronic device and method for manufacturing same

Publication Date: 2025.11.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

A mobile electronic device is provided. The mobile electronic device includes a first component, a second component, a first space arranged to accommodate the first component, a second space arranged adjacent to the first space to accommodate the second component and communicate with outside of the mobile electronic device in a first direction, and having a side opened in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a housing comprising an isolation part for isolating the first space and the second space; and a sealing member arranged on the opened side of the second space. The isolation part includes a first isolation part formed of a metal material and a second isolation part coupled to the first isolation part and formed of an injection material.