Sexual Stimulation Device Waterproofing and Switch Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sexual stimulation devices, such as electric condom rings, suffer from accidental activation during storage or transit, leading to battery drain and difficulty in turning off, and often fail waterproofness tests, resulting in potential short-circuiting and hygiene issues.
Innovation Solution
A sexual stimulation device with a push-button switch that turns on and off in the same direction, positioned to avoid accidental activation, and a housing design that includes a resilient sealing element and ultrasonic-welded half-shells for enhanced waterproofing, protecting the vibrator unit from fluids and ensuring easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a push rod switch is used in prior art devices, then the device can be turned on and off, but the push rod is accidentally pushed in during storage or transit and cannot be accidentally pulled outward to turn off the device
Solution Approach 1:
The switch mechanism is inverted from a push-to-activate design to a pull-to-activate design. The actuating means is positioned such that it must be pulled outward against a retaining force to turn the device on, and pushed inward to turn it off. This inversion makes accidental activation during storage or transit highly unlikely, as the natural tendency is for components to settle inward rather than outward against a retaining mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
A resilient retaining element applies a preliminary opposing force to prevent the actuating means from moving in the activation direction during storage or transit. The retaining element is pre-loaded to exert a force that counteracts any accidental movements, ensuring the switch remains in its current state unless deliberately actuated by the user.
2Volume of moving object
If the switch is made small for compact design, then the device size is reduced, but the switch becomes fiddly to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating means is designed with non-uniform dimensions, featuring a larger cross-sectional area at the actuation surface compared to the shaft portion. This local enlargement provides a comfortable grip area for finger operation while maintaining overall compactness of the switch mechanism. The actuation surface is specifically dimensioned to accommodate natural finger pressure distribution, making operation intuitive and comfortable despite the small overall size of the device.
3Device complexity
If the vibrator unit is exposed in prior art devices, then the structure is simple, but the vibrator unit is vulnerable to fluid ingress causing short-circuiting and hygiene issues
Solution Approach 1:
The vibrator unit is nested within a sealed housing that is integrated into the device casing. The housing comprises an outer shell and an inner seal structure that creates a protective cavity around the vibrator unit. This nested configuration allows the vibrator unit to be completely enclosed and protected from fluid ingress, while the housing itself remains relatively simple in design, avoiding the need for complex waterproofing mechanisms.
4Reliability
If a sealing element is added to provide waterproofing, then fluid protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient sealing element in the form of a flexible membrane or diaphragm is used to provide waterproof protection. The sealing element is made from elastomeric material that can deform elastically to accommodate minor dimensional variations and assembly tolerances. This flexible seal creates an effective fluid barrier between the internal vibrator unit and the external environment, while the thin-film nature of the sealing element minimizes the added structural complexity and maintains a compact overall design.
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 device is more likely to be accidentally turned off if activated inadvertently and passes rigorous waterproofness tests, preventing short-circuiting and bacterial growth, ensuring hygiene and effective operation.
Implementation Method 1
The button 3 is lozenge-shaped and comprises a resiliently compressible sealing element... The casing 2 defines a hole through which the button 3 protrudes... the casing, which abuts the periphery of the sealing element effectively to dig in to the sealing element and form a particularly effective seal therewith
Implementation Method 2
the half shells are sealed together using ultrasonic welding, which gives a particularly good sealing of the housing
Implementation Method 3
An eccentric mass is connected to the electric motor for producing vibrations when the motor rotates
Data Source
AI summary
A sexual stimulation device (1) comprises a casing (2) with a vibrator unit disposed therein, the vibrator unit including an electric motor with an eccentric mass mounted on its output shaft. A connection loop (5) is integrally attached to the casing for connecting the device to the penis. A resiliently depressible button (3) is provided for switching the device on and off. A switch of the vibrator unit is bi stable so that the device is turned on and off by pressing the button (3) in the same direction.