Waterproof Structure for Electronic Device Using Segmented Seals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in maintaining a waterproof structure due to moisture infiltration through gaps between divided seal members and manufacturing tolerances, leading to performance degradation.

Innovation Solution

A waterproof filler is applied to the stepped regions between the display and housing components, and the seal members are divided into multiple pieces to fit the stepped structure, ensuring a stable waterproof function by forming a closed space with a closed-curve loop.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the seal member is divided into multiple pieces to fit the stepped structure, then the waterproof function is improved, but gaps between divided pieces may allow moisture infiltration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof functionVSAvoidmoisture infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member is divided into multiple pieces to fit the stepped structure between the display and housing, allowing the seal to conform to the complex geometry while maintaining waterproof integrity at each step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A waterproof filler is introduced as an intermediary material to fill the gaps between the divided seal member pieces, preventing moisture infiltration through the joints while allowing the seal pieces to maintain their segmented configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a waterproof filler is applied to the stepped region, then moisture infiltration is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases due to assembly tolerance variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture infiltrationVSAvoidassembly tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The waterproof filler material properties are optimized to ensure it can be effectively applied across varying assembly tolerances and reverse step conditions, maintaining waterproof performance despite manufacturing variations in the stepped region

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the seal member is disposed between the display panel and housing, then the waterproof function is achieved, but the Black Mask region expands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof functionVSAvoidBlack Mask region

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member is positioned in the stepped region between the display and housing, utilizing the vertical dimension and lateral space between components rather than expanding the horizontal Black Mask region, thus achieving waterproofing without increasing the visible bezel area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3392734B1Electronic device including waterproof structure

Publication Date: 2022.06.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

An electronic device (300) is disclosed. The electronic device includes a housing (310) comprising a first face (3101), a second face (3102) that faces opposite the first face, and a side face that encloses a space between the first face and the second face. The electronic device also includes a front plate (321) disposed on the first face of the housing, and a display (320) disposed between at least a partial region of the front plate and the first face, and comprises a first (3221) and a second layer (3222). The electronic device further includes at least one first seal member (331) disposed between an edge portion of the display and the first face, and at least one second seal member (333) disposed between an edge portion of the front plate and the first face. The electronic device also includes a waterproof filler (319) applied to fill a step region formed between the first seal member and the second seal member.