Waterproof Fixing Member Structure for Electronic Housing Openings

Solution Overview

Problem

The production of additional fixing structures for waterproofing electronic devices, such as smartphones, requires CNC machining, increasing costs and time, and can result in dimensional errors leading to reduced fixing power.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device design incorporating a protrusion portion with a waterproof member and a fixing member that includes a first and second surface, fitting the protrusion and electronic component to secure the waterproof member against the opening, enhancing fixing power without additional structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If additional fixing structures (screw structure or bottom groove structure) are added to fix the waterproof structure, then the fixing power is improved, but the production cost and production time are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing powerVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The waterproof structure integrates the fixing function directly into its own body by forming a bottom groove structure that combines both waterproofing and fixing functions in a single component, eliminating the need for separate fixing structures and reducing production steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproof structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides waterproofing through the waterproof member and fixing through the integrated bottom groove structure, making one component perform the roles of both waterproofing and fixing structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If additional fixing structures (screw structure or bottom groove structure) are added to fix the waterproof structure, then the fixing power is improved, but the production cost is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing powerVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The waterproof structure integrates the fixing function directly into its own body by forming a bottom groove structure that combines both waterproofing and fixing functions in a single component, eliminating the need for separate fixing structures and reducing production steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproof structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides waterproofing through the waterproof member and fixing through the integrated bottom groove structure, making one component perform the roles of both waterproofing and fixing structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If additional fixing structures are added through CNC machining processes, then the fixing power is improved, but dimensional errors occur leading to degraded fixing power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing powerVSAvoiddimensional error

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The waterproof structure integrates the fixing function directly into its own body by forming a bottom groove structure that combines both waterproofing and fixing functions in a single component, eliminating the need for separate fixing structures and reducing production steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproof structure itself provides the fixing function through its integrated bottom groove structure, eliminating the need for external fixing structures and the associated dimensional errors from separate CNC machining processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12547215B2Electronic device including fixing member

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device includes a housing including a protrusion protruding in one direction, and an opening portion communicating from the outside to the inside of the electronic device on one surface of the protrusion, an electronic component including a waterproof member to shield the opening portion, and a fixing member including a first surface disposed on an opposite surface to the one surface of the protrusion on which the opening portion is configured, and at least one second surface. The fixing member is disposed such that the waterproof member is forced against the opening portion by the first surface and the at least one second surface by fitting the protrusion and the electronic component between the first surface and the at least one second surface with the electronic component coupled to the protrusion portion such that the waterproof member shields the opening portion.