Elastomeric Seal and Snap Frame for Water-Resistant Device Case
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device cases that provide high durability and water resistance often complicate access to the device's screen and controls, particularly for small touch screen devices that require frequent cleaning and have limited display areas.
Innovation Solution
A water-resistant device case design featuring a rigid plastic front frame with a touch screen cover, elastomeric padding, and snap hooks, which allows easy access to the screen and controls while maintaining protection through a combination of main and secondary seals, including closed cell foam seals for audio inputs and removable elastomeric port covers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a durable and water resistant case is used, then protection and water resistance are improved, but access to the device screen and controls becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible touch screen cover made of elastomeric material that allows users to interact with the device screen through the case. This thin film enables tactile input and display visibility while maintaining the protective enclosure, resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric touch screen cover acts as an intermediary layer between the user's finger and the device screen. It transmits touch input while protecting the screen, and allows visual access to the display without requiring physical access to the screen itself, thus maintaining both protection and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If a protective case with seals and bumpers is used, then water resistance and shock absorption are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple protective functions into a single integrated case structure. The front and back assemblies are merged with elastomeric bumpers and seals integrated into the same structural framework, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining comprehensive protection against water and shock.
Solution Approach 2:
The case utilizes composite construction combining rigid plastic frames with elastomeric materials. This composite approach provides both structural integrity for protection and flexibility for sealing and shock absorption in a unified design, avoiding the need for multiple separate protective layers.
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 case provides a balance between protection and accessibility, ensuring easy operation of touch screens and controls while maintaining water resistance and shock absorption, suitable for small, sensitive devices.
Implementation Method 1
A main seal is formed around a perimeter of the front and back assembly by the elastomeric main seal on the front assembly being held against an inner surface of the rigid plastic back frame by the fastening members on the front and back assemblies
Implementation Method 2
The front assembly and back assembly include apertures corresponding to the audio inputs and outputs of the electronic device that are covered and sealed by a closed cell foam
Implementation Method 3
The removable elastomeric port cover includes an attachment protrusion that creates a compression fit between the elastomeric cover and an exterior of the device case that seals the port apertures
Implementation Method 4
An elastomeric inner bumper is attached to the rigid plastic front frame to provide padding for the enclosed device
Data Source
AI summary
A water resistant device case includes a front and back assembly that mate to enclose an electronic device. The front assembly includes a rigid front frame, a touch screen cover bonded to the front frame, an inner bumper attached to the rigid front frame and an elastomeric main seal attached around a periphery of the rigid front frame. The back assembly includes a rigid back frame, an elastomeric over mold formed on an exterior of the back frame and an inner bumper attached to the rigid back frame. A snap tab attached to the rigid back frame mates with a snap hook on the front assembly to hold the front and back assemblies together when the device is enclosed within the case. A main water resistant seal is formed around a perimeter of the front and back assemblies by the elastomeric main seal on the front assembly being held against an inner surface of the rigid back frame. A secondary water resistant seal is formed around a perimeter of the front and back assemblies by an elastomeric secondary sealing member attached around a periphery of the rigid front frame that mates with an exterior surface of the back assembly to form a secondary water resistant seal. A closed cell foam is used to seal apertures associated with the device's audio inputs and outputs.