Waterproof Press Key With Rigid Support Component

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional waterproof press keys face high manufacturing costs, increased assembly time, and occupied space due to complex structures and additional components like rubber films for effective waterproofing.

Innovation Solution

A waterproof press key design featuring a key body made of resilient material with a rigid support component and a waterproofing ring, where the rigid support component overlaps part of the waterproofing ring's projection height, enhancing the waterproof effect while simplifying the structure and reducing assembly time and space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If double injection molding is used to connect the key body and housing, then waterproofing effect is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproofing effectVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the waterproofing function into separate components: the key body made of resilient material and the housing with a groove, rather than using integrated double injection molding. This segmentation allows for simpler, less expensive manufacturing processes while maintaining the waterproofing effect through the interaction between the key body and the groove structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the expensive double injection molding process with simpler, more cost-effective manufacturing methods for the key body and housing components. The resilient material key body can be manufactured using less expensive processes while achieving the same waterproofing function through its elastic deformation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If a rubber film and inner wall are added for waterproofing, then waterproofing effect is improved, but assembly time and occupied space increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproofing effectVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the waterproofing function directly into the structural design of the housing groove and key body interface, eliminating the need for separate rubber film components. The resilient material key body itself provides the sealing function through its elastic deformation, combining structural support and waterproofing into a single integrated solution that reduces assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the redundant rubber film and inner wall components from the waterproofing system. By using the resilient material key body that naturally deforms to seal against the housing groove, the design removes unnecessary intermediate components, thereby reducing assembly time and simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a rubber film and inner wall are added for waterproofing, then waterproofing effect is improved, but occupied space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproofing effectVSAvoidoccupied space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the waterproofing function with the existing structural components (key body and housing groove) rather than adding separate waterproofing layers. The resilient material key body provides sealing through its inherent elastic properties, merging the sealing function into the primary structural elements and eliminating the need for additional space-consuming components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the redundant rubber film and inner wall components that occupy additional space. The streamlined design uses only the essential resilient material key body and housing groove interface to achieve waterproofing, thereby minimizing the occupied space while maintaining the waterproofing effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 achieves a robust waterproof effect, meets IPX7 standards, and reduces manufacturing costs and assembly complexity by integrating the rigid support component directly with the key body, ensuring effective sealing without excessive space or time overhead.

Implementation Method 1

The key body is made of a resilient material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The waterproofing ring projects from an outer wall surface of the surrounding wall and abuts against the hole-defining wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS8138434B2Waterproof press key and assembly of an electronic device housing and the waterproof press key

Publication Date: 2012.03.20 WISTRON CORP

AI summary

A waterproof press key includes a key body, a rigid support component, and a waterproofing ring. The key body is made of a resilient material, and includes a top wall and a surrounding wall extending downwardly from the top wall. The rigid support component includes a supporting portion that is disposed at the surrounding wall. The waterproofing ring projects from the outer wall surface of the surrounding wall. The supporting portion overlaps with at least a part of a height section of the surrounding wall from which the waterproofing ring projects to thereby enhance the waterproofing effect of the waterproof press key.