Asymmetrical Lever Switch Base for Cosmetic Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lever switches with symmetrical structures face challenges in miniaturization and accommodating specific design requirements, leading to difficulties in integration within cosmetic parts and limited operational flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A lever switch design featuring a base member with asymmetrical supporting surfaces, a D-shaped cross-sectional shape, and dual moderation mechanisms with elastic members and actuators, allowing for efficient component arrangement and two types of input operations, while minimizing slippage and enhancing visual recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If symmetrical components are used in the lever switch, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the lever switch cannot be received inside cosmetic parts depending on required designs and cannot be miniaturized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidadaptability to design requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the base member with a first supporting surface along the outer peripheral surface of a column and a second supporting surface as a curved surface with a larger diameter on one side of the column across the rotational axis. This asymmetric arrangement allows the lever switch to fit within cosmetic parts while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized component production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Device complexity

If symmetrical components are used in the lever switch, then the structure is simple, but the lever switch cannot be miniaturized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidsize of lever switch
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric configuration of supporting surfaces allows optimized space utilization, enabling miniaturization of the lever switch while maintaining structural simplicity through the standardized base member design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the asymmetric spatial arrangement of supporting surfaces to optimize component layout in three-dimensional space, achieving miniaturization by efficiently utilizing available space rather than increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If asymmetrical supporting surfaces are used, then miniaturization and design adaptation are enabled, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to design requirementsVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric supporting surfaces are integrated into a standardized base member structure, achieving design adaptability and miniaturization while controlling structural complexity through modular component design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 design enables effective miniaturization and adaptation to various designs, provides a satisfying operational feel, and allows for two types of input operations, ensuring easy operation and stable electrical connections.

Implementation Method 1

a first moderation mechanism including a first elastic member and a first actuator and applying a clicking sensation accompanying the rotational operation of the first switch knob member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2865568B1Lever switch
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • EP2865568B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2865568B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2865568B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A lever switch (100) has a base member (1), a first switch knob member (2), a first moderation mechanism (50), a substrate (5) having a first contact member (5a), and a first slider (6) that comes into contact with and separates from the first contact member (5a). The base member (1) has a first supporting surface (1a) formed along an outer peripheral surface of a column centered on a rotational axis of the first switch knob member (2) and a second supporting surface (1b) formed as a curved surface having a larger diameter than the first supporting surface (1a) on one side across the rotational axis, and supports the first moderation mechanism (50). The first switch knob member (2) includes a first supported surface and a second supported surface, and the second supported surface is provided with a first cam portion. The first supported surface is rotatably supported on the first supporting surface (1a), the second supported surface is rotatably supported on the second supporting surface (1b), and the first slider (6) is held on a side opposite to a side where the second supporting surface (1b) is provided across the rotational axis.