Waterproof Button Structure With Elastic Housing Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof buttons in electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, tend to detach easily due to repeated pressing, leading to poor waterproof performance.
Innovation Solution
A button structure with an elastic body sleeved on a pillar portion, featuring engaging portions that secure it to the housing, enhancing stability and preventing moisture ingress through strategic design of through holes and engaging structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a waterproof button structure is used, then waterproof performance is improved, but the button structure detaches easily due to repeated pressing
Solution Approach 1:
The button structure is divided into multiple components: a button body, a separate elastic body, and engaging portions. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the button body provides the pressing interface, the elastic body provides restoring force and sealing, and the engaging portions provide secure attachment to the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic body is sleeved over the pillar portion of the button body, creating a nested structure. The engaging portions are integrated into the elastic body, which itself is integrated over the button body components. This nested arrangement ensures that the elastic body and engaging portions move together as a unified sealing and attachment system.
2Reliability
If the elastic body is sleeved on the pillar portion, then waterproof performance is improved, but the elastic body may detach from the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging portions are pre-formed on the elastic body during manufacturing, positioned to engage with corresponding features on the housing. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the button assembly is installed, the elastic body is immediately secured to the housing without requiring additional attachment steps, preventing detachment under repeated pressing.
3Length of moving object
If the pillar portion length is increased, then the button can reach the switching element, but the antenna element interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the antenna interference issue by positioning the switching element in a different spatial dimension - specifically, away from the antenna element in the lateral direction. The pillar portion extends vertically to reach the switching element, while the antenna element is positioned laterally offset, eliminating interference without requiring additional length.
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 structure improves waterproof performance by maintaining a stable connection with the housing, preventing moisture ingress and ensuring reliable operation even with extended use.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body (2), wherein the elastic body (2) is sleeved on the pillar portion (12)
Data Source
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AI summary
A button structure (M) and an electronic device (D) are provided. The electronic device (D) includes a housing (H) and a button structure (M) disposed at the housing (H). The button structure (M) includes a button body (1) and an elastic body (2). The button body (1) includes a keycap (11) and a pillar portion (12). The keycap (11) is connected to one end of the pillar portion (12). The elastic body (2) is sleeved on the pillar portion (12), and one end of the elastic body (2) includes a first engaging portion (21). The first engaging portion (21) is capable of being engaged with a part of the housing (H).