Switch Device Impervious Wall Waterproofing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waterproof measures for switch devices are insufficient in preventing water from entering the connector along the side surfaces of the case, leading to corrosion and short circuits, especially when the device is inclined or attached at an angle.

Innovation Solution

A switch device design featuring an impervious wall extending downward from the case to oppose the side surfaces of the connector's housing, forming a gap that prevents water from reaching the connector, which can be integrated with the case or protruded from the lower case, ensuring effective waterproofing without increasing component count or assembly time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If waterproof measures are added to prevent water from entering the connector, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The impervious wall is integrated within the case structure itself, forming a nested configuration where the waterproof wall is part of the case's internal geometry. This eliminates the need for separate waterproof components while maintaining effective water blocking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The impervious wall functions as a thin film barrier within the case structure that effectively blocks water paths. This thin-walled approach provides waterproofing without adding significant bulk or complexity to the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If additional waterproof components are added, then waterproof performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The waterproofing function is merged with the existing case structure by forming the impervious wall as an integral part of the case. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate waterproof components, reducing part count, assembly steps, and manufacturing costs while maintaining effective waterproofing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the device is made compact, then productivity is improved, but waterproof performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidwaterproof performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The impervious wall extends in the vertical dimension from the lower case, creating a three-dimensional water barrier that effectively blocks water paths without increasing the device's horizontal footprint. This vertical extension provides robust waterproofing while maintaining a compact overall device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8629361B2Switch device

Publication Date: 2014.01.14 OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A switch device has a case, an operation knob disposed above the case, and a connector disposed under the case. The connector has connection terminals and a housing supporting the connection terminals, the housing being formed with an opening portion from which the connection terminals are led out. The case is provided with an impervious wall extending downward from the case so as to be opposed to both side surfaces of the housing parallel to a leading-out direction of the connection terminals. The impervious wall is arranged across a gap from each of the both side surfaces of the housing.