Aspherical Dome Spring Buckling for Miniaturized Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dome-shaped contact switches struggle to achieve a clicking action while being miniaturized, as reducing the height from the substrate prevents buckling and thus the clicking action when an operation load is applied.
Innovation Solution
A dome-shaped spring with an aspherical neutral face design, where buckling occurs, allowing for a smaller switch size and clear clicking action, represented by an aspherical equation that satisfies specific conditions for inflection points and angles, ensuring the dome-shaped spring conducts electricity when buckling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the height of the dome shaped contact spring from the substrate is reduced to miniaturize the switch, then the switch size is reduced, but the buckling action cannot occur and the clicking action is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the dome shaped contact spring by introducing an aspherical neutral face with specific curvature radius relationships (R1 and R2). This parameter modification allows the spring to achieve buckling at reduced heights while maintaining the clicking action, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies curvature principles by designing the neutral face as an aspherical surface rather than a flat or simple spherical shape. The specific curvature radii (R1 for the movable portion and R2 for the base portion) create the necessary stress distribution to enable buckling at smaller dimensions, allowing the switch to maintain clicking action while being miniaturized.
2Device complexity
If the dome shaped contact spring is designed with a spherical surface, then the structure is simple, but the clicking action is not clear and the buckling is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different curvature characteristics in different regions of the dome shaped contact spring. The movable portion has curvature radius R1 and the base portion has curvature radius R2, where these local variations in geometric properties create the necessary stress concentration and distribution to produce clear buckling and clicking action, while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the neutral face is made flat or spherical, then the manufacturing is easier, but the buckling cannot occur at reduced height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the neutral face from flat or simple spherical to aspherical with specific curvature radii (R1 and R2). This parameter change enables the dome shaped contact spring to achieve buckling at reduced heights. The aspherical shape can be manufactured using standard molding or machining techniques, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving the desired functional outcome at smaller dimensions.
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
The aspherical design enables the dome-shaped spring to buckle and provide a clear clicking action, allowing for a smaller switch size while maintaining the functionality of the clicking action, ensuring effective electrical conductivity during buckling.
Implementation Method 1
a dome shaped spring section in which buckling occurs by pushing
Implementation Method 2
the dome shaped spring section is a conductor; and the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact are in an electrically conductive state through the dome shaped spring section when buckling occurs by pushing
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a dome shaped spring including: a dome shaped spring section in which buckling occurs by pushing, wherein at least a portion of a neutral face of a movable portion when buckling of the dome shaped spring section occurs is an aspherical shape.