Environmentally Sealed Button With Multi-Surface Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with push buttons are prone to debris entry, such as dust and liquids, which can cause malfunctions by collecting inside the device.

Innovation Solution

A button assembly featuring a button and a seal with multiple sealing surfaces, including a first, second, and third sealing surface, where the sealing surfaces join with chamfered edges and a flange structure, ensuring a secure fit within a housing to prevent debris entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a push button is provided in an electronic device, then the device is easier to operate, but debris such as dust and liquids can enter the interior of the device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebutton operationVSAvoiddebris entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A seal member is introduced as an intermediary component between the button and the housing. The seal member includes a first sealing surface that contacts the button's lateral surface and a second sealing surface that contacts the housing, creating a barrier that prevents debris from entering the device interior while allowing the button to function normally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal member functions as a flexible sealing element that can deform to accommodate the button's movement while maintaining the seal. The seal member's flexibility allows it to conform to the button's lateral surface and the housing interface, preventing debris entry without interfering with button operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a seal with multiple sealing surfaces is added to prevent debris entry, then debris prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris entry preventionVSAvoidbutton assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member integrates multiple sealing functions into a single component. The first sealing surface contacts the button's lateral surface while the second sealing surface contacts the housing, combining multiple sealing actions into one unified seal member that prevents debris entry without requiring multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal member performs multiple functions simultaneously: it seals against the button's lateral surface, seals against the housing, and allows the button to move freely. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components while maintaining effective debris prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9240292B1Environmentally sealed button

Publication Date: 2016.01.19 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a button assembly for a device, such as an electronic device. The button assembly may include a button and a seal. The button may fit within a space defined by the seal. A portion of each of three sealing surfaces may each seal and press against respective surfaces of the button.