Waterproof Packing Member for Electronic Device Side Button
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with side-mounted operation buttons and waterproof structures face challenges in reducing the number of components and assembling steps, as they require additional components and complex assembly processes to maintain waterproofing.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a switch unit with a contact and an operation button held between cover panels, featuring a pusher that passes through a through hole with a bag-like waterproof packing member, which is recessed to house the pusher and fix the switch unit, eliminating the need for adhesive tape and simplifying assembly by using an O-ring for waterproofing between body chassis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a through hole is formed on the side part of the main body to allow the pusher to pass through, then the operation button can be disposed on the side part, but water may enter the inside of the main body through the through hole
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible waterproof packing member (silicone rubber sheet) is used to seal the through hole while allowing the pusher to pass through. The flexible material conformally seals around the pusher, preventing water intrusion while maintaining operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof packing member acts as an intermediary between the through hole and the internal components, providing a sealing interface that allows mechanical interaction (pusher movement) while blocking water penetration.
2Reliability
If the switch unit is fixed inside the housing recess with an adhesive tape, then the switch unit can be securely held, but the number of components and assembling steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof packing member is merged with the switch unit fixation function. The same packing member that seals the through hole also serves to fixedly hold the switch unit inside the housing recess, eliminating the need for separate adhesive tape.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof packing member performs multiple functions: sealing the through hole against water intrusion and simultaneously fixing the switch unit in position. This multi-functional design reduces component count and assembly complexity.
3Device complexity
If a bag-like waterproof packing member is used to house the pusher and fix the switch unit, then the number of components is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof packing member is designed with specific dimensional parameters (thickness, curvature radius, extending length) that allow it to self-position and seal effectively. The curvature radius is set to be larger than the pusher diameter, and the extending length is optimized to reach the inner surface of the front cover panel, ensuring proper positioning without excessive precision requirements.
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 configuration reduces the number of components and assembly steps while maintaining waterproof integrity, facilitating easier assembly and ensuring reliable operation by using a silicone rubber packing member to securely hold the switch unit and maintain waterproofing.
Implementation Method 1
a bag-like waterproof packing member attached to the through hole, the waterproof packing member being recessed toward the switch unit to house the pusher of the operation button
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device according to the present invention comprises a main body including a pair of body chassis, a pair of cover panels disposed to cover the front face and the back face of the main body, a switch unit disposed on the side part of the main body, an operation button which is held between the pair of cover panels and has a pusher projecting therefrom, a housing recess which is formed on at least one of the body chassis and recessed on a joint surface with the other body chassis to form a housing chamber for the switch unit, a through hole penetrating the one body chassis from the side face toward the housing recess, and a bag-like waterproof packing member which is attached to the through hole and recessed toward the switch unit to house the pusher of the operation button. The pusher of the operation button passes through the through hole toward the switch unit, and the end of the waterproof packing member is pressed against the switch unit to fixedly hold the switch unit inside the housing recess.