Sealed Biometric Button Assembly for Waterproof Side Inputs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices face challenges in integrating biometric input systems, such as fingerprint sensors, with waterproofing to prevent ingress of liquids and contaminants, especially when these systems are integrated with mechanical and electrical components that require movement.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a dual-sealed structure within the device, utilizing a flexible circuit element and potting material to create a waterproof seal around the biometric sensing component, combined with a sapphire cap and curable liquids of varying viscosities for enhanced sealing, allows for both mechanical and electrical sealing while enabling movement of the input device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a biometric sensing component is integrated with mechanical and electrical components that require movement, then the functionality and versatility of the device is improved, but the risk of liquid ingress and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested sealing structure where the O-ring seal is positioned within a groove in the housing, and the flexible circuit element is enclosed within a sealed channel. This nested arrangement allows multiple sealing mechanisms to protect different components simultaneously, enabling movement functionality while preventing liquid ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible circuit element that can bend and deform to accommodate mechanical movement while maintaining electrical connectivity. This flexible component allows the biometric sensing system to move without compromising the sealed enclosure, resolving the contradiction between movement capability and liquid protection.
2Reliability
If multiple sealing mechanisms are implemented to prevent liquid ingress, then the waterproofing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into an integrated button assembly structure. The O-ring seal, flexible circuit element, and sealed channels are merged into a single cohesive unit that provides comprehensive waterproofing without requiring separate complex sealing systems for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The button assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical input capability, houses the biometric sensing component, and implements waterproof sealing. This multi-functional design reduces overall device complexity by consolidating several systems into one integrated component.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device may include a housing member defining a side surface of the portable electronic device, a portion of the housing member defining a side wall of a hole extending through the housing member, a button member positioned along the side surface and defining a chassis portion and a hollow post extending into the hole defined through the housing member, and a first waterproof seal defined between the hollow post and the side wall of the hole. The portable electronic device may also include a biometric sensing component coupled to the chassis portion, a flexible circuit element extending through the hollow post and conductively coupling the biometric sensing component to a component within the housing, and a second waterproof seal defined within the hollow post.