Waterproof Housing Assembly With Floating Screw Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof products suffer from poor waterproof performance due to screw locking causing deviated assembly and deformation, leading to gaps that allow moisture penetration.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof device design featuring first and second housings with non-contacting screwing holes and locking elements that allow for deformation accommodation, maintaining a tight seal through non-contact locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screw locking is used to fix the upper cover and lower cover, then the assembly is securely fastened, but the torsion force causes deviated assembly and deformation leading to water seepage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fastening function into two independent parts: positioning (achieved through screw holes alignment) and fastening (achieved through locking elements). The locking elements are segmented from the screw shaft, allowing the screw head to provide positioning force while the locking elements provide fastening force without causing torsion-induced deviation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the locking function from the screw shaft by using separate locking elements that engage with threaded holes in the lower cover. This separation allows the screw to only perform positioning and fastening without applying torsion that would cause assembly deviation, while the locking elements independently provide the securing function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If screws are used to forcibly fix the housings, then the assembly is securely held, but thermal expansion deformation causes gaps that allow moisture penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different mechanical properties to different parts of the assembly. The upper cover and lower cover are made with different hardness values (upper cover harder, lower cover softer), allowing the softer lower cover to deform and accommodate thermal expansion while maintaining the seal, preventing gaps during temperature changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to the assembly by allowing the softer lower cover to deform in response to thermal expansion forces. This dynamic response enables the assembly to maintain waterproof sealing under varying temperature conditions without creating gaps, as the material properties allow for controlled deformation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the aperture of second screwing holes is made greater than first screwing holes, then the locking element and second housing can be non-contacting to accommodate deformation, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric aperture design where the second screwing holes in the lower cover have larger apertures than the first screwing holes in the upper cover. This asymmetric configuration allows the locking elements to pass through without contacting the second housing, creating clearance space that accommodates thermal expansion deformation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A waterproof device includes a first housing, a second housing, a seal, and at least one locking element. The first housing has an opening and at least one first screwing hole. The at least one first screwing hole is disposed at a periphery of the opening. The second housing covers the opening. The second housing has at least one second screwing hole. An aperture of the at least one second screwing hole is greater than an aperture of the at least one first screwing hole. The seal is disposed along an edge of the opening. When the second housing covers the opening, the second housing presses against the seal to sandwich the seal between the first housing and the second housing. The at least one locking element passes through the at least one second screwing hole and is locked at the at least one first screwing hole.