Waterproof Communication Device Keypad and Speaker Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication devices face challenges in achieving high waterproof performance and efficient assembly while maintaining good sound quality, as the need for larger voice spreading holes compromises waterproofing and assembly efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design separates the keypad PCB from the speaker by using a flexible circuit board and a waterproof layer with adhesive film and mesh fabric, incorporating a water guiding groove to drain water and voice transmission holes to prevent echo, enhancing waterproofing to IP67 level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a large voice spreading hole is arranged on the keypad assembly to improve sound quality, then sound effect is improved, but waterproof performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the housing into multiple segments: front housing, rear housing, keypad assembly, and speaker assembly. Each segment can be independently designed and assembled, allowing the voice spreading hole to be positioned in the front housing away from the keypad assembly's waterproof seal areas, thus maintaining both sound quality and waterproof performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a waterproof membrane as an intermediary element that covers the voice spreading hole and other openings in the keypad assembly. This membrane allows sound to pass through while preventing water ingress, resolving the conflict between needing large openings for sound and requiring sealed openings for waterproofing
2Volume of stationary object
If the speaker is arranged directly below the keypad assembly to save space, then device volume is reduced, but assembly complexity and waterproof difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the speaker assembly from the keypad assembly into distinct modules. The speaker is positioned in the front housing while the keypad assembly is positioned in the rear housing, connected via a flexible circuit board. This modular segmentation simplifies assembly procedures and waterproofing compared to direct integration
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging components only in the vertical dimension (directly below each other), the patent utilizes the horizontal dimension by positioning the speaker in the front housing and keypad in the rear housing, connected through the depth of the device. This spatial rearrangement reduces assembly complexity while maintaining compact form factor
3Reliability
If mesh fabric is used for basic waterproof treatment of the keypad assembly, then waterproof level reaches IPX4, but assembly efficiency remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies waterproof coating to the flexible circuit board and other components before final assembly. The waterproof membrane is pre-positioned to cover all openings including voice spreading holes. This preliminary waterproof treatment allows for faster final assembly while achieving higher waterproof standards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite waterproofing solutions combining waterproof membranes, waterproof coatings, and sealed structures. This multi-layer composite approach provides superior waterproof performance (beyond basic IPX4) while maintaining assembly efficiency through integrated design
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
This design improves assembly efficiency and waterproof performance while maintaining sound quality, allowing for a more convenient and quick assembly process and effective prevention of water and dust ingress.
Implementation Method 1
adhesive is provided between the keypad, the keypad PCB and the waterproof layer to seal
Implementation Method 2
The water guiding groove has the leading end connected to the front cavity of the speaker, and the trailing end connected to the joint between the upper housing and the lower housing, which is used to guide out the water permeating into the front cavity of the speaker under gravity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A communication device is disclosed by the present invention. The device includes an upper housing and a bottom housing connected to each other, a master Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for realizing a communication function, a speaker and a keypad assembly. The master PCB board is arranged on the bottom housing, wherein the upper housing includes a front housing and a front cover, the keypad assembly is arranged between the front housing and the front cover; the speaker is arranged under the front housing, the keypad assembly is connected to the master PCB board by a flexible circuit board which passes through the front housing; voice spreading holes connecting to the front cavity of the speaker are correspondingly arranged on the front cover, the keypad assembly and the front housing; the joints among the front housing, the keypad assembly, the front cover and the speaker are waterproof. Application of the front housing by the present invention, the keypad PCB board is separated from the speaker, and it is convenient for the waterproof process. The design of timely drain on the front housing can prevent the water in the front cavity of the speaker from a longtime accumulation, which influences the voice effect. At the same time, application of the waterproofing manner such as traditional mesh fabric waterproofing can pre-performance of the whole device, and reaching the waterproofing level of IP67 level after verified.