Waterproof Push Operation Member with Stationary Holding Ring Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof structures in portable devices, such as wrist watches and cellular phones, face challenges with unstable sealing performance around push buttons due to movement of seal materials and potential entry of foreign matter, leading to reduced waterproofing and increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A portable device design featuring a soft operation member with a packing portion and a holding ring that compresses the packing portion between a bearing surface and a presser portion, maintaining a stable seal without moving during push-in operations, and allowing for easy assembly and adjustment of sealing performance.
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 seal material moves with push button operation causing unstable sealing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproofing function is segmented into two independent parts: the packer that seals against the shaft and the holding ring that remains stationary. This separation ensures that the sealing interface does not move during push button operation, maintaining stable waterproof performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding ring is pre-installed in a groove of the outer case before the push button assembly is completed. This preliminary positioning ensures that the holding ring remains fixed and does not move during subsequent assembly or operation, providing a stable reference for the packer to seal against.
2Reliability
If a cap with securing ring and screws is used to waterproof the push button, then waterproofing is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and assembly processes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The holding ring integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, positions the packer, and serves as the waterproof sealing interface. This eliminates the need for separate caps, securing rings, and multiple screws, significantly reducing component count and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding ring serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a mounting structure for the packer, a positioning element for the push button shaft, and a waterproof barrier. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the push button assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If screws are arranged 180 degrees apart to fix the securing ring, then assembly is simplified, but insufficient securing force is provided at 90 degree positions allowing water to climb over
Solution Approach 1:
The screws and securing ring structure are completely removed from the design. Instead of using a multi-screw securing mechanism, the holding ring is retained in a groove of the outer case, providing continuous circumferential support without requiring discrete fastening points.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the cap is pressed in water causing elastic deformation, then the push button can be operated underwater, but the pressing force moves the annular lip reducing waterproof performance
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing the cap to deform and move the sealing element, the design inverts the approach by making the holding ring stationary and allowing the packer to deform. The packer's deformation occurs away from the critical sealing interface, maintaining waterproof performance while enabling underwater operation.
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 enhances the waterproofing of push-in operation portions with a simple structure, maintaining consistent sealing performance and reducing the risk of foreign matter entry, while minimizing the number of components and assembly processes, thus improving reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a packing portion (42) to be seated on the bearing surface (35a)... in a state of being compressed in a thickness direction of the portion
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to provide a portable device, such as a wrist watch, which realizes, with a simple structure, improved waterproof property against water leak associated with a push-in operation. A wrist watch (portable device) includes an outer case (device outer housing), an operation member and a holding ring. The outer case includes a holding portion in which an annular bearing surface is formed. The operation member is made of a soft material having waterproof performance. The operation member includes an annular packing portion to be seated on the bearing surface and a push-in portion integrally connected to the bearing portion, to which the push-in operation is performed from the outside of the device outer housing.