Ball Switch Tapered Chamber Projection Prevents Light Path Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switches with ball members often experience erroneous operation due to the ball member interfering with light when rolling towards the second partition wall or adjacent areas, leading to inconsistent light reception and increased error rates.
Innovation Solution
A switch design featuring a housing with a receptacle containing a chamber with a tapered portion and a projection on the second wall to prevent the ball member from blocking the light path, ensuring accurate light transmission and minimizing erroneous operations by aligning the emitter head, light exit hole, and receiver head along a light path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ball member rolls freely within the chamber toward the second partition wall, then the switch can change state between ON and OFF, but the ball member may interfere with light and cause erroneous operation
Solution Approach 1:
A projection is introduced as an intermediary structure on the second partition wall that acts as a barrier to prevent the ball member from reaching positions where it would interfere with light. The projection serves as a mediator between the ball member's movement and the light path, blocking the ball's harmful trajectory without preventing legitimate switch operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection is positioned in advance to counteract the potential harmful action of the ball member rolling toward the light path. By placing the projection before the ball can reach the interfering position, the design preemptively prevents erroneous operation while maintaining switch functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the chamber is designed with a tapered portion to guide the ball member, then the ball can roll smoothly for state change, but the ball may still reach positions that block light
Solution Approach 1:
The projection acts as an intermediary barrier that works in conjunction with the tapered portion. The tapered portion guides the ball smoothly for state changes, while the projection intercepts the ball before it can reach light-blocking positions, resolving the conflict between smooth operation and light interference prevention.
3Measurement precision
If the ball member is allowed to roll freely to ensure high sensitivity, then the switch responds quickly to tilting, but the incidence of erroneous operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is positioned to preemptively block the ball's path before it can cause erroneous operation, while maintaining the ball's ability to roll freely for sensitive switch response. This preliminary barrier preserves high sensitivity by not restricting legitimate ball movement, while preventing harmful trajectories.
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 solution effectively reduces the rate of erroneous operations by ensuring the ball member does not block the light path, maintaining the switch in the correct 'ON' or 'OFF' state, enhancing sensitivity and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an emitter head to emit a light signal
Implementation Method 2
a receiver head to receive the light signal
Implementation Method 3
The ball member is rollable within the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A switch includes a housing, an emitter disposed in the housing and having an emitter head to emit a light signal, and a receiver disposed in the housing and having a receiver head to receive the light signal. A receptacle is disposed in the housing, and includes a first wall having a light exit hole aligned with the emitter head, a second wall proximate to the receiver, and a tubular wall cooperating with the first and second walls to define a chamber having a tapered portion that gradually converges from the tubular wall toward the light exit hole. The second wall has a projection projecting into the chamber. The emitter head, the light exit hole, the projection, and the receiver head are aligned with each other along a light path. A ball member is rollable within the chamber.