Waterproof Button Structure With Dual Seals and Low Pressing Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof button structures in intelligent wearable devices face challenges in achieving effective waterproofing while maintaining ease of mounting and reducing friction and poor pressing handfeel.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof button structure that includes a button main body, a shell, and a shaft sleeve, with a button mounting slot, a vertical column with a through hole, and multiple sealing rings and grooves for enhanced waterproofing and mounting convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two sealing rings are assembled in an interference manner to achieve effective waterproofing, then waterproofing performance is improved, but friction increases and pressing handfeel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproofing function is segmented into two independent sealing systems: the first sealing ring seals between the button main body and the through hole, while the second sealing ring seals between the shaft sleeve and the shell. This segmentation allows each sealing ring to work independently with optimized interference fits, reducing the cumulative friction effect while maintaining effective waterproofing at each interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as an intermediary element that provides elastic pre-tightening force to both sealing rings. By using the spring's elastic deformation, the system achieves reliable sealing without requiring excessive interference fit, thereby reducing friction and improving pressing handfeel while maintaining waterproofing performance.
2Strength
If an E-shaped circlip is used to fix the button main body, then fixation strength is improved, but mounting complexity increases due to requiring special tools
Solution Approach 1:
The E-shaped circlip is extracted and replaced with a spring-based elastic fixing mechanism. The spring provides the necessary fixation strength through its elastic properties and geometric design, eliminating the need for special mounting tools while maintaining reliable fixation of the button main body to the shaft sleeve.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring structure is designed to be self-installing through elastic deformation during assembly. The button main body can be directly pressed onto the shaft sleeve, and the spring automatically provides the fixing force without requiring external tools or complex mounting procedures, making the assembly process simple and tool-free.
3Reliability
If large interference fit is used for sealing rings to ensure waterproofing, then sealing reliability is improved, but friction increases causing poor pressing handfeel
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is divided into two separate interfaces with individual sealing rings. Each sealing ring uses a moderate interference fit optimized for its specific sealing location, rather than one large interference fit. This segmentation distributes the sealing requirement across two interfaces, reducing the friction force at each interface while maintaining overall sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring serves as an intermediary that provides controlled elastic pre-tightening force to the sealing rings. This elastic force ensures reliable sealing contact without requiring excessive interference fit, thereby reducing friction force and improving pressing handfeel while maintaining sealing reliability.
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 structure achieves improved waterproofing through interference fits and sealing ring configurations, while simplifying the mounting process without requiring special tools, thus enhancing user experience and device reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the first sealing ring resists against an inner wall of the through hole; Primary waterproofing is achieved by means of the interference fit with the through hole in the vertical column of the first sealing ring
Implementation Method 2
a spring is arranged between the pressing portion and the button mounting slot; and two ends of the spring respectively resists against the first annular groove and the second annular groove
Implementation Method 3
The annular bulge on the second sealing ring is closely sealed with the third annular groove at the bottom of the shell under the action of the spring
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of trenches are uniformly arranged on the shaft portion; a plurality of bulges matched with the trenches are arranged on an inner wall of the shaft sleeve; and the plurality of bulges are embedded into and in interference fit with the plurality of trenches
Data Source
AI summary
A waterproof button structure includes a button main body, a shell and a shaft sleeve, wherein a button mounting slot is reserved on the shell; a vertical column is arranged in the button mounting slot; the vertical column is provided with a through hole longitudinally penetrating through the vertical column; the button main body includes a pressing portion and a shaft portion; a bottom surface of the pressing portion is provided with a first annular groove; a second annular groove is formed between the vertical column and an inner wall of the button mounting slot.