Waterproof Push-Button Extensible Member Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproofing technologies for push-button operation portions in portable devices, such as watches and phones, face instability when exposed to water due to movement of sealing materials, leading to reduced waterproof performance.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof device incorporating an extensible member with a cylindrical portion that can be extended and retracted, a holding member with a presser portion to secure the flange, and an operation shaft, which maintains waterproofing by sandwiching the flange between the seating portion and presser portion, preventing water entry through the flange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal material is used to waterproof the push button shaft portion, then waterproofing is achieved, but the sealing performance becomes unstable when the push button is moved in water
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproofing function is divided into two independent parts: the extensible member (bellows) that moves with the push button, and the seal member that remains stationary in the through hole. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function without compromising the other - the bellows provides flexibility while the stationary seal maintains stable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The extensible member acts as an intermediary between the moving push button and the stationary seal member. It transmits the pushing force from the button to the switch while maintaining waterproof separation, allowing the seal to remain fixed while still enabling button operation.
2Ease of operation
If the container part extends toward the switch when the push button is pushed, then the switch can be actuated, but the rib slides along the inner wall of the through hole causing unstable seal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The functions are separated: the extensible member handles the extension and switch actuation, while the seal member remains stationary to maintain sealing. This eliminates the problem of the seal sliding during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted from the moving container part and placed in a separate, stationary seal member. This allows the container to move freely for switch actuation while the seal remains fixed for stable waterproofing.
3Ease of operation
If the seal material is moved with the push button, then the push button can be operated, but the portion sealed by the seal material moves causing reduced waterproof performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a moving component (extensible member with push button) and a stationary component (seal member). This allows push button operation while maintaining stable sealing at the fixed interface between the extensible member and seal member.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the seal with the button (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by keeping the seal stationary and using an extensible member to bridge the gap between the moving button and the fixed seal.
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 enhances the waterproofing around the push-in operation portion by maintaining the sealing integrity even when the extensible member extends or retracts, ensuring stable performance in wet conditions without compromising the device's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the extensible member is made of an elastic material... in a state where the extensible member is elastically deformed so as to allow further elastic deformation
Implementation Method 2
allowing the seal material to be closely contacted with an inner surface of the pipe in a state where the seal material is compressed in a radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
Provision of a waterproof device capable of improving waterproof property in a push-in operation portion formed by including an extensible member, a holding member and an operation shaft. A wrist watch (portable device) 11 includes an outer case (device outer housing) 12, an extensible member 32 with waterproof property, a holding member 41 attached to the case 12 and an operation shaft 51. The case 12 includes a seating portion 29 and a hole 30. The extensible member 32 includes a cylindrical portion 33 which can be extended/retracted in an axial direction, closing one end as well as opening the other end, and inserted into the hole 30, and a flange 35 projecting integrally from an outer periphery of the other end portion of the cylindrical portion and seated on the seating portion 29. The holding member 41 includes a presser portion 42 sandwiching the flange 35 with the seating portion 29 to thereby secure the waterproofing around the flange, and a through hole 44 connecting to the opening of the cylindrical portion 33. The operation shaft 51 includes a shaft end portion 52 protruding to the outside of the holding member 41 through the through hole 44. The operation shaft 51 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 33 and arranged in a state of being able to be pushed from the outside of the case 12 so as to allow the cylindrical portion 33 to extend.