Wearable Device Waterproofing via Molded Body and Coating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable electronic devices for monitoring physiological parameters face challenges in maintaining a simple structure configuration and effective waterproofing, often resulting in manufacturing defects due to complex designs involving multiple components like two-part covers and o-rings, which can lead to non-waterproof seals and skin contact issues.
Innovation Solution
A wearable electronic device featuring a molded body part made of ceramic material with cavities for housing electronic components, where the inner surface is coated with a moldable filler material, eliminating the need for complex sealing mechanisms and ensuring a smooth skin contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a two-part cover with o-ring and screws is used for waterproofing, then waterproofing is achieved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the waterproofing function directly into the single-piece molded body part by forming raised portions that create sealing surfaces against the wearable article. This eliminates the need for separate o-rings and multi-part covers, combining multiple functions (structural support, waterproofing, and skin contact) into a unified component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components (o-rings, screws, multiple covers) from the waterproofing system. By taking out these separate sealing elements and integrating the sealing function directly into the molded body part's geometry, the design achieves waterproofing with fewer parts and reduced complexity.
2Reliability
If a two-part cover with screws is used for waterproofing, then waterproofing is achieved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to small tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the waterproof sealing function into the molded body part itself through integrated raised portions. This eliminates separate sealing components and their associated assembly steps, reducing the cumulative tolerance stack-up that occurs when multiple parts with small tolerances are assembled together.
3Reliability
If a two-part cover with grooves is used, then waterproofing is achieved, but skin contact quality deteriorates due to cavities and depressions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the waterproof sealing function with the skin-contact surface by designing raised portions on the inner surface of the molded body part. These raised portions create sealing grooves against the wearable article while maintaining a smooth outer surface that contacts the user's skin, eliminating the problem of cavities and depressions.
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable electronic device includes a body part made of a non-ceramic material, having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein at least one cavity having a depth is arranged on the inner surface of the body part, an electronic part arranged in the at least one cavity, which electronic part has a thickness that is less than the depth of the at least one cavity, and a coating made of a moldable filler material on the inner surface of the body part, covering the electronic part and the at least one cavity.