Waterproof MEMS Button Structure With Integrated Fluid-Tight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waterproof input devices for portable electronic apparatuses face challenges with miniaturization, as existing sealing solutions are complex to manufacture and assemble, prone to wear, and consume high power, leading to reduced battery life and incomplete impermeability.
Innovation Solution
A microelectromechanical button structure with a support, cap, and piston element, featuring a ring with deformable portions and sensing elements, which detects deformation through a fluid-tight seal, eliminating the need for external sealing elements and optimizing size and power efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sealing elements like O-rings are used to ensure waterproofing, then impermeability is improved, but device dimensions increase and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function with the button cap structure itself. The cap is designed with an integrated sealing surface that directly contacts the support structure, eliminating the need for separate O-rings or gaskets. This integration achieves waterproofing while reducing overall device dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the button's mechanical interface, defines the cavity boundary, and creates the fluid-tight seal. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed for waterproofing.
2Reliability
If traditional sealing elements like O-rings are used to ensure waterproofing, then impermeability is improved, but manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the cap's structural design. The cap includes a sealing surface that is formed as an integral part of the cap body, requiring no separate sealing components. This reduces both manufacturing steps and assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap structure itself provides the sealing capability through its geometric design. The sealing surface is built-in, allowing the cap to create a fluid-tight seal without requiring additional sealing elements or complex assembly procedures.
3Ease of operation
If traditional flexible elements with strain sensors are used, then button functionality is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional flexible element with a rigid support structure and piston element assembly. Force application is detected through mechanical deformation of the support structure and piston element, eliminating the need for continuous power-consuming flexible elements and strain sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure and piston element serve dual purposes: they provide the mechanical button functionality and simultaneously act as the force sensing mechanism. The structural components themselves detect force application through deformation, eliminating separate sensing elements that would consume power.
4Reliability
If traditional sealing elements are used, then initial waterproofing is achieved, but sealing capability degrades over time due to wear and aging
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is integrated into the cap's structural design rather than using separate sealing elements. This integration ensures that the sealing capability is inherent to the button's mechanical structure and will not degrade independently through wear or aging of separate sealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap structure itself provides and maintains the sealing capability through its rigid geometric design. The sealing surface is built-in and maintains its sealing properties as long as the cap structure remains intact, eliminating the wear and aging issues associated with separate flexible sealing elements.
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 solution provides a compact, long-lasting, and power-efficient waterproof button that maintains sensitivity and accuracy in force detection, suitable for miniaturized electronic devices without the need for additional sealing elements, enhancing battery life and assembly simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
pressing a button on a smartphone allows a user to wake up the smartphones screen when in stand-by
Data Source
AI summary
A button device includes a fixed support structure; a movable structure, laterally surrounded by the support structure and configured to deform at least in part under the action of an external force; and a fluid-tight protection cap. The movable structure includes a piston element, deformable elements having piezoelectric transducers arranged thereon, and anchor elements that couple the piston element to the deformable elements. When an external force acts on the piston element, the anchor elements transfer this force to the deformable elements and to the piezoelectric transducers, so as to sense the extent of this force.