Sealed Rotary-Push Dial Assembly for Wet Environment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-related systems, such as shower controllers, face issues with water ingress due to leak paths, leading to degradation and limited input functionality, particularly in wet environments.
Innovation Solution
An assembly comprising a dial that is movable and rotatable relative to a component, with a spring-back member, bearing, and sensor to detect position and rotation, allowing for user input while sealing the controller from water ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a through hole is used for mechanical input in a controller, then user input functionality is enabled, but water ingress risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic coupling system acts as an intermediary between the external dial and internal components. The dial assembly with magnets interacts with corresponding magnets on the PCBA through a non-magnetic barrier, enabling rotary input without physical penetration. This mediator approach transfers rotational motion and positional information while maintaining the seal integrity of the controller housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical through-hole connections with a magnetic field-based communication system. Instead of direct mechanical linkages that require openings, the system uses magnetic coupling to transmit rotational position and input signals across a sealed barrier, substituting mechanical contact with magnetic interaction to eliminate water ingress pathways.
2Reliability
If sealed enclosures are used to prevent water ingress, then controller protection is improved, but input functionality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The dial assembly serves multiple functions: it provides rotary input for temperature/flow control, push input for mode selection, and positional feedback for display purposes. The magnetic coupling system enables all these input modalities while maintaining the sealed enclosure, making the input interface universal and multi-functional without compromising water protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field serves as an intermediary that enables multiple input modalities (rotation, pushing, positioning) to be transmitted through the sealed housing. The non-magnetic barrier with magnetic coupling allows the enclosed dial to interact with external users while maintaining the seal, providing versatile input functionality without physical openings.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional mechanical assemblies are used in wet environments, then manufacturing is simpler, but degradation over time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical linkages and through-hole connections with a magnetic coupling system. This substitution eliminates the need for precision-machined shafts, gears, and seals that are prone to corrosion and wear in wet environments. The magnetic system uses non-magnetic, corrosion-resistant materials and requires no penetrating connections, significantly improving long-term reliability while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller housing acts as a flexible barrier that separates the wet external environment from the dry internal electronics. The non-magnetic barrier with magnetic coupling allows the housing to maintain its protective enclosure without rigid mechanical penetrations, enabling the thin-walled sealed structure to protect internal components from moisture and corrosion over time.
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
The assembly provides enhanced user input options and effective sealing, preventing water ingress and improving the longevity and functionality of the controller in wet environments.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-back member configured to move the dial parallel to the axis to return the dial to a predefined position along the axis
Implementation Method 2
a bearing positioned between the dial and the component
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for use in a wet environment, the assembly comprising: a component; a dial which is movable relative to the component in a linear direction along an axis and is rotatable relative to the component about the axis; a spring-back member configured to move the dial parallel to the axis to return the dial to a predefined position along the axis; a bearing positioned between the dial and the component; and a sensor configured to detect the position of the dial along the axis and/or the rotation of the dial.