Tracking Device Housings with Close-Fit Seals Against Moisture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless tracking devices are vulnerable to dirt, debris, and moisture, requiring additional hardware for mounting and lacking ruggedness against impacts.
Innovation Solution
Housings with a housing body and seal configuration that provide a close-fit relationship to secure tracking devices, using a seal with an outer dimension smaller than the internal volume to protect against environmental exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional hardware is used for mounting tracking devices, then the tracking device can be securely mounted to articles, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing combines the mounting function and protection function into a single integrated structure. The housing body itself serves as both the protective enclosure and the mounting interface, eliminating the need for separate mounting hardware while maintaining secure attachment to articles
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the tracking device from environmental factors, provides a secure mounting interface for attaching to various articles, and maintains a compact form factor. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional specialized hardware
2Reliability
If the housing provides a close-fit relationship, then the tracking device is securely retained, but the seal must be precisely sized to prevent gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed with non-uniform dimensions, being smaller than the internal volume in at least one dimension, creating a localized sealing approach. This allows the seal to engage specifically with the tracking device housing at critical sealing points without requiring precise matching to the entire internal volume, reducing manufacturing precision requirements
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the seal match the internal volume dimensions precisely, the invention inverts the approach by making the seal intentionally smaller than the internal volume. This creates a compression fit where the seal engages the tracking device housing rather than requiring precise dimensional matching to the housing body
3Reliability
If the seal outer dimension is smaller than internal volume, then the seal can compress to engage the tracking device, but the seal may not cover the entire internal volume
Solution Approach 1:
The seal acts as an intermediary element between the housing body and the tracking device. By positioning the seal within the internal volume and having it engage both surfaces, it creates an effective barrier against environmental factors at the critical interface without needing to cover the entire internal volume
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is designed as a flexible element that can compress and deform to engage with the tracking device housing. This flexibility allows the smaller-dimension seal to effectively seal the interface between the housing and device, compensating for its reduced size through elastic deformation rather than requiring full volume coverage
Data Source
AI summary
Housings (10) for tracking devices (12) comprise a housing body (16) and a seal (22). The housing body (16) has an internal volume (18) that is configured to selectively receive and retain the tracking device (12) in a close-fit relationship. The seal (22) is positioned within the internal volume (18) to engage both the housing body (16) and the tracking device (12). An outermost seal dimension (24) of the seal (22) is less than a width (20) of the internal volume (18) of the housing body (16).