Waterproof Switch Housing With Bottom Liquid Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing switch devices face challenges in enhancing waterproof functionality while effectively discharging infiltrated liquids, particularly in environments exposed to rainwater or dust.

Innovation Solution

The switch device incorporates a rubber sheet with a rubber dome over a printed circuit board, an operating mechanism, and a housing with a discharge hole located below the rubber sheet, ensuring that liquids are directed away from the connection part between the rubber sheet and the housing, thereby enhancing waterproof functionality and facilitating liquid discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rubber sheet is used to cover the printed circuit board for waterproofing, then waterproof function is improved, but liquid infiltration at the connection part between rubber sheet and housing may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof functionVSAvoidliquid infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a rubber sheet (flexible shell) to cover the printed circuit board, providing waterproof protection while maintaining flexibility for operational movement. The rubber sheet is specifically designed to cover the connection part between the operating mechanism and housing, preventing liquid infiltration at this critical interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge hole is positioned at the bottom surface of the housing, creating a vertical drainage path that directs infiltrated liquids away from the rubber sheet connection part. This dimensional arrangement ensures that even if liquids penetrate the rubber sheet, they are channeled downward and discharged externally, preventing accumulation at the connection interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the discharge hole is positioned near the rubber sheet connection part, then liquid discharge is facilitated, but the rubber sheet waterproof function is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid discharge efficiencyVSAvoidwaterproof function

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge hole is positioned at the bottom surface of the housing, spatially separated from the rubber sheet connection part at the front surface. This dimensional separation allows independent optimization: the rubber sheet maintains its waterproof seal at the connection part, while the discharge hole provides efficient liquid drainage at a different location, preventing liquid accumulation without compromising the seal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid discharge function is extracted from the rubber sheet connection part and implemented as a separate discharge hole in the housing bottom surface. This separation allows the rubber sheet to focus on its primary waterproofing function while the discharge hole handles liquid removal, eliminating the conflict between sealing and draining.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the operating mechanism is exposed for connection, then ease of connection is improved, but vulnerability to liquid infiltration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection easeVSAvoidliquid infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber sheet is designed to cover the connection part between the operating mechanism and housing, creating a waterproof barrier that protects exposed connection interfaces from liquid infiltration while allowing the operating mechanism to maintain its operational functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This configuration effectively prevents liquids from infiltrating the connection part between the rubber sheet and the housing, thereby enhancing the waterproof function of the rubber sheet and facilitating the discharge of infiltrated liquids, ensuring reliable operation in wet environments.

Implementation Method 1

a rubber sheet configured to cover the printed circuit board, the rubber sheet having a rubber dome at a position corresponding to the electrical contact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a bottom surface provided with a discharge hole for discharging liquid entering an inside of the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12266485B2Switch device

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 NIDEC MOBILITY CORP

AI summary

A switch device includes: a printed circuit board; a rubber sheet configured to cover the printed circuit board; an operating knob; an operating mechanism; an operating mechanism plate; and a housing having a side surface provided with an insertion hole, and a bottom surface provided with a discharge hole for discharging liquid entering an inside of the housing; and a back cover that is fitted from a back side of the housing and sandwiches an entire periphery of the rubber sheet with a stepped portion formed inside the housing. The printed circuit board is stored in a space between the back cover and the rubber sheet. The discharge hole is located in a lower portion of a space between an inner surface of the housing and the rubber sheet. A bottom portion exists between the discharge hole and the rubber sheet.