Waterproof Button Actuation via Segmented Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image capture devices used in underwater environments experience inadvertent actuation due to hydrostatic pressure, leading to issues like a perpetually open shutter and reduced usability, as existing solutions require high peak forces that compromise sensitivity and usability.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a user interface with an actuation portion on the exterior and a protrusion extending from the interior surface, which prevents premature actuation by hydrostatic pressure, allowing for sensitive control of imaging features without requiring excessive force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If buttons requiring high peak activation force are used to prevent inadvertent actuation by external water pressure, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced sensitivity and usability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of inadvertent actuationVSAvoidsensitivity of imaging feature actuation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is segmented into two distinct components: an actuation portion on the exterior surface and a protrusion on the interior surface. This segmentation allows the exterior portion to be sensitive to user input while the interior protrusion remains protected from hydrostatic pressure, preventing inadvertent actuation while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the user interface and the imaging feature actuation mechanism. It transmits only intentional user-applied forces while blocking forces from hydrostatic pressure, thus mediating between the external water pressure environment and the internal actuation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device is made waterproof for underwater operation, then adaptability is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to hydrostatic pressure acting on internal switches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunderwater operation capabilityVSAvoidhydrostatic pressure effect on switches

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensitive switch actuation mechanism is effectively extracted or isolated from the exterior environment by placing it behind the protrusion structure. This allows the device to be waterproof and adaptable for underwater use while the extracted switch mechanism remains protected from the harmful hydrostatic pressure forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a cover is added to enclose the cavity and protect internal components, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from water ingressVSAvoidstructure of cover and support members

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover enclosing the cavity is merged with the user interface structure, integrating the protective function with the operational interface. The actuation portion and protrusion are combined into a single user interface component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability through waterproof protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11533426B2Waterproof shot and zoom button

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 GOPRO INC

AI summary

An image capture device including a housing that defines a cavity and a user interface that covers the cavity and has interior and exterior surfaces. The user interface includes an actuation portion that is positioned on the exterior surface and receives an input command from a user. The user interface includes a protrusion that extends from the interior surface and actuates an imaging feature of the image capture device when an input command is received at the actuation portion. The actuation portion and the protrusion in combination prevent premature activation of the input command from hydrostatic pressure.