Water-Resistant Side Button With Embedded Restriction Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic device cases with side buttons face issues of imperfect adhesion, water ingress, and complex assembly due to the use of double-sided adhesive tape, which results in a side button that is not sufficiently water-resistant and firm in structure.
Innovation Solution
The design features a first and second shell with peripheral side plates that include restriction slots, allowing the side button's base to be embedded tightly within these slots, forming a passage that prevents water entry and ensures firm installation, making the assembly process easier and more secure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If double-sided adhesive tape is used to stick the side button on the shells, then the assembly process is simple, but the adhesion is imperfect and not durable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical adhesion method (double-sided adhesive tape) with a mechanical fastening system consisting of restriction slots and an elastic base. The side button's elastic base is embedded into restriction slots formed by the inner sheets of both shells, creating a mechanical interlock that provides reliable and durable attachment without relying on adhesive properties.
2Ease of operation
If the case has an opening for the side button, then the side button can be installed, but water can enter the case and damage circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the elastic base of the side button as a flexible sealing element. This elastic base is embedded into the restriction slots formed by the inner sheets of both shells, creating a water-resistant seal that prevents water from entering through the button opening while still allowing the button to function.
3Reliability
If the side button is embedded in recesses of both shells, then water resistance is improved, but the structure is not firm enough and assembly is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the water-resistant embedding structure by adding a third dimensional element - the elastic base with thickness extending beyond the restriction slots. This creates a protruding seal that not only embeds the button between shells but also provides an additional sealing dimension, making the structure both firmer and more water-resistant while maintaining assembly convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device case includes a first shell, a second shell, and a side button. The first and second shells are each provided with a peripheral side plate. A passage communicating the inside and outside of the case, a first restriction slot extending from the passage toward the first shell, and a second restriction slot extending from the passage toward the second shell are formed jointly by the peripheral side plates of the shells embedded with each other. The side button is provided with a base and a press portion protruding from the base. The thickness of the base is larger than or equal to the widths of the restriction slots. The side button is installed in the passage with the base embedded in the restriction slots. As a result, the case is sufficiently water resistant, firm in structure and easy to assemble.