Waterproof Ear Jack Socket With Segmented Body And Flexible Cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ear jack sockets in portable terminals are prone to water penetration due to gaps between contact terminals and the socket body, which can lead to contamination and damage when exposed to moisture, particularly in outdoor or aquatic environments.

Innovation Solution

A waterproof ear jack socket design featuring an upper and lower socket with slits and recesses for secure contact terminal attachment, combined with a waterproof cover formed by injection molding, which includes a convex portion for enhanced sealing, preventing external contamination and water ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional ear jack socket design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but water penetration occurs due to gaps between contact terminals and socket body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidsocket structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The socket body is divided into upper and lower sockets that are coupled together, creating a segmented structure. This segmentation allows for better sealing and reduces gaps where water could penetrate, while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity through modular assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A waterproof cover is introduced as a flexible sealing element that covers the socket body. This flexible shell component effectively seals gaps between contact terminals and the socket body, preventing water penetration without requiring complete structural redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If socket body is exposed for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but contamination and damage from external environment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesocket accessibilityVSAvoidenvironmental contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The waterproof cover acts as a protective flexible shell that shields the socket body from environmental contamination while allowing the socket to remain accessible. The cover can be positioned to protect against dust and water while not completely blocking access for normal earphone insertion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproof cover serves as an intermediary element between the external environment and the socket body. It mediates by providing protection against harmful factors while still allowing the socket to perform its function, balancing protection and accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design effectively prevents moisture from entering the portable terminal by reducing external hole sizes and using a resilient waterproof cover to seal the socket body, ensuring the socket remains functional even when submerged in water.

Implementation Method 1

the convex portion is configured to attach to an inner wall of a terminal by a resilient force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResilient force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a waterproof cover formed by insert injection molding around a socket body formed by bonding the upper socket and the lower socket

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInjection molding:

Data Source

PatentEP2779319B1Waterproof Ear Jack Socket and Method of Manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2779319B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2779319B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2779319B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A waterproof ear jack socket includes: an upper socket having at least one slit formed such that a first portion of a contact terminal passes through one surface of the upper socket to be exposed to the outside; a lower socket having a recess for engaging a second portion of the contact terminal on one surface thereof facing the upper socket, the lower socket being coupled to the upper socket to form a plug insertion hole into which an ear jack plug is inserted; and a waterproof cover attached to an outer circumference of a socket body formed by coupling the upper socket and the lower socket.