AR-VR Button Switch Assembly for Sealed Stable Tactile Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing button-switch assemblies in AR-VR devices are vulnerable to water and dust ingress, which can harm the electronics, and lack stability and consistent tactile feedback.
Innovation Solution
A button-switch assembly with a preloaded force design, featuring a soft rubber layer and hard PET film shim layer for tactile feel, angled deflection web for consistent push force, double-sided adhesive seals, and a stair-stepped button-housing design to prevent wobble and protect against water and dust ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a button opening is provided in the device housing for user interaction, then ease of operation is improved, but water and dust can enter the housing and harm electronics
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible membrane is positioned over the button opening in the device housing, allowing user interaction through the membrane while preventing water and dust from entering the housing. The membrane acts as a barrier that maintains both accessibility and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane serves as an intermediary element between the external environment and the internal electronics. It transmits user input forces while blocking harmful substances, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and protection.
2Device complexity
If a simple button structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the button lacks stability and consistent tactile feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The button assembly incorporates multiple materials including a flexible membrane, adhesive layers, and a button element with specific mechanical properties. This composite structure provides stability and consistent tactile feedback while maintaining relatively simple overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
Adhesive layers are pre-applied to the button and membrane to ensure proper positioning and stable assembly before final construction. This preliminary action ensures consistent tactile feedback and button stability without requiring complex assembly mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If adhesive is applied to seal the button opening, then water and dust protection is improved, but the adhesive may interfere with button operation
Solution Approach 1:
Adhesive is applied selectively in specific locations such as peripheral regions or designated sealing areas away from the button's actuation path. This localized application maintains water and dust protection while ensuring the button's central area remains free for proper 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
Provides enhanced tactile feedback, stability, and effective water and dust protection for AR-VR device electronics, ensuring longevity and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
double sided adhesive seals
Implementation Method 2
soft rubber layer of a deflection web and a hard polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic film shim layer
Implementation Method 3
angled deflection web tension forces adapted to generate a consistent push force to the button-switch assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A button-switch assembly provides a preloaded force design with an enhanced tactile feel while also providing a non-wobbly (stabilized) configuration and water/dust protection functions. Features of the button-switch assembly include excellent tactile feel through a stack up of a soft rubber layer of a deflection web and a hard PET film shim layer, a consistent pre-loaded push force through use of an angled deflection web, a button flange that minimizes rotation of the button while providing a consistent tactile feel even when the edge of the button is depressed, double sided sealing adhesive layers that seal off the opening in the housing for accepting the button to prevent water/dust from entering the opening, and gluing the button to the rubber deflection web in variable thicknesses to provide a stable tension force to minimize wobble of the button when depressed.