Underwater Touch Control via Insulated Flexible Interlayer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch control systems for electronic devices fail to provide reliable and accurate operation in underwater environments due to water conductivity, leading to poor operability and short service life, especially in deeper water depths.
Innovation Solution
A touch control system featuring a sealing device with a sealed chamber interlayer filled with an insulated fluid material, which is pressed and rebounded to allow external force application, ensuring the touch screen remains isolated from water and maintaining pressure resistance and long service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a capacitive touch screen is used in underwater environment, then communication function is enabled, but water conductivity causes poor operability and touch failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulating intermediate layer between the water environment and the touch screen. This intermediate layer acts as a mediator that blocks the harmful conductive path from water to the capacitive touch screen, while still allowing touch forces to be transmitted through to operate the screen underneath.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible insulating film or shell structure that conforms to the touch screen surface. This flexible barrier maintains close contact with the screen while providing electrical insulation, enabling touch operation through the flexible material without water interference.
2Reliability
If a soft waterproof shell is used to protect the touch screen, then waterproofing is achieved, but pressure resistance is poor and service life is short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining rigid and flexible components. The rigid outer shell provides pressure resistance while the flexible insulating layer maintains waterproofing and touch functionality. This composite approach allows the device to withstand deep water pressures while preserving operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a rigid shell with integrated flexible insulating films rather than purely soft waterproofing. The rigid shell provides structural strength for deep water pressure resistance, while the flexible films maintain the waterproof seal and enable touch operation through their flexibility.
3Stress or pressure
If an inflatable soft waterproof shell is used, then deeper water depth capability is achieved, but touch operability becomes extremely poor due to swelling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a rigid shell structure with flexible insulating films instead of inflatable soft shells. This prevents the swelling issue that occurs with inflatable materials under pressure, while still providing the necessary protection for deep water operation and maintaining consistent touch operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical inflation system with a passive rigid-f flexible hybrid structure. Instead of using air pressure to provide buoyancy and pressure resistance, the rigid shell provides structural support while flexible films provide sealing and touch transmission, eliminating the swelling problem entirely.
4Ease of operation
If a waterproof bag is used, then basic operation is possible, but sealing reliability is poor and service life is short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a rigid shell with integrated flexible insulating films providing a permanent, reliable seal rather than a removable waterproof bag. The flexible films are permanently bonded to create a sealed assembly that maintains waterproofing and touch functionality without the sealing issues of bag-based solutions.
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 system enables high-accuracy underwater maneuverability of electronic product touch screens, providing strong applicability and market prospects for underwater use, with enhanced reliability and durability.
Implementation Method 1
A sealed chamber in the sealed chamber interlayer is filled with an insulated fluid material
Implementation Method 2
implements touch control to the touch screen by applying an external force to the sealed chamber interlayer
Implementation Method 3
the sealed chamber interlayer is capable of being pressed and rebounded
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a touch control system of an electronic product in underwater environment. The touch control system includes a sealing device which is configured to accommodate the electronic product. The sealing device includes a sealed chamber interlayer and a sealed shell. Herein the sealed chamber interlayer is opposite to the touch screen of the electronic product and is capable of being pressed and rebounded and is transparent, and the sealed shell is connected with the sealed chamber interlayer in a sealing manner. The sealed chamber interlayer covers a surface of the touch screen completely. The sealed shell covers other surfaces of the electronic product, and implements touch control to the touch screen by applying an external force to the sealed chamber interlayer. Underwater high-accuracy maneuverability of the touch screen of the electronic product may be implemented when an external force is applied to the sealed chamber interlayer by a finger.