Underwater Button Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image capture devices face issues with inadvertent actuation due to external water pressure in underwater environments, leading to unusable devices, and existing solutions like external housings are cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A low-force button design for image capture devices featuring a movable plunger and upper and lower components that define an internal cavity, allowing water to enter and modify internal pressure to reduce the threshold pressure required for actuation, preventing inadvertent operation until a specific pressure is applied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external housings are used to insulate the image capture device from external pressure, then the device is protected from inadvertent actuation, but the device becomes cumbersome and complicated to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure compensation function from the button structure itself, rather than relying on an external housing. The button includes an internal cavity that allows water to enter and equalize pressure, separating the pressure protection function from the housing and integrating it into the button mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary substance that enters the internal cavity of the button to equalize pressure. This water mediator transfers pressure from the external environment to the internal button mechanism, eliminating the need for complex sealed housings while preventing inadvertent actuation.
2Reliability
If the button requires high threshold pressure to prevent inadvertent actuation, then protection from water pressure is improved, but the force required to actuate the button increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by allowing water to enter the internal cavity before the button is actuated. This pre-fills the cavity with water at ambient pressure, so when the user presses the button, they only need to overcome the pressure differential caused by their own pressing action, not the full external water pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of external water pressure into a beneficial force. By allowing water to enter the internal cavity, the external pressure becomes an internal pressure that supports the button structure and prevents inadvertent actuation, while simultaneously reducing the force needed for intentional actuation since the pressure is already equalized.
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 button design effectively prevents inadvertent actuation of image capture devices in underwater environments by requiring a threshold pressure greater than external water pressure, ensuring consistent operation and eliminating the need for cumbersome external housings.
Implementation Method 1
The upper component includes at least one opening that is configured to allow water to enter the internal cavity to modify an internal pressure within the internal cavity so as to reduce the threshold pressure required to actuate the image capture device in the underwater environment
Data Source
AI summary
A button for use with an image capture device in an underwater environment that includes a movable plunger configured to cause actuation of the image capture device and upper and lower components collectively defining an internal cavity that is configured to receive the plunger. The upper and lower components are configured and connected such that actuation of the image capture device is prevented until a threshold pressure is applied to the upper component that is greater than external water pressure applied in the underwater environment. The upper component includes at least one opening that is configured to allow water to enter the internal cavity to modify an internal pressure within the internal cavity so as to reduce the threshold pressure required to actuate the image capture device in the underwater environment.