Button Switch Elastic Member Rib Interaction for Click Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manufacturing process for keyswitches with clicky tactile feedback is time-consuming and strenuous due to the additional disposition of flexible acoustic members, which complicates the design and production.
Innovation Solution
A button switch design incorporating a base, cover, sleeve, elastic member, and arm, where the elastic member's flexible-rod portion interacts with ribs on the sleeve to provide tactile feedback and sound, simplifying the manufacturing process by integrating the flexible-rod portion with the upward-force-applying portion via an extending-rod portion, allowing for efficient deformation and sound generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional flexible acoustic member is disposed in the button switch to interfere with the rib of the sleeve for providing tactile feedback, then the tactile feedback (clicky feedback) is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes time-consuming and strenuous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flexible acoustic member with the elastic member (spring) into a single integrated component. The elastic member includes both the upward-force-applying portion that contacts the sleeve and the flexible-rod portion that interferes with the first rib of the sleeve. This integration eliminates the need for separate assembly of the flexible acoustic member, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining the clicky tactile feedback function.
2Reliability
If an additional flexible acoustic member is disposed in the button switch to interfere with the rib of the sleeve for providing tactile feedback, then the tactile feedback (clicky feedback) is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flexible acoustic member and the elastic member into a single integrated elastic member structure. The elastic member has an upward-force-applying portion that abuts the sleeve and base, and a flexible-rod portion that extends outward to interfere with the first rib of the sleeve. This merging reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall structure while preserving the clicky tactile feedback mechanism.
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
This design efficiently provides clicky tactile feedback with a click sound while reducing the complexity and time required for keyswitch manufacturing, offering a more streamlined production process.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic member has an upward-force-applying portion, an extending-rod portion, and a flexible-rod portion. The upward-force-applying portion jackets the pillar and abuts against the sleeve and the base to drive the sleeve to move away from the base.
Implementation Method 2
When the sleeve receives an external force to move downward along the Z-axis, the flexible-rod portion needs to cross the first rib and the arm moves to be misaligned with the second rib with downward movement of the sleeve. When the sleeve moves downward along the Z-axis and deformation of the flexible-rod portion caused by pressing of the first rib is not enough to make the flexible-rod portion cross the first rib, the flexible-rod portion deforms downward with the first rib. When deformation of the flexible-rod portion caused by pressing of the first rib is enough to make the flexible-rod portion cross the first rib, the flexible-rod portion is released and then moves upward to collide with the cover to make sound.
Data Source
AI summary
A button switch includes a base having a pillar, a cover disposed on the base, a sleeve, an arm adjacent to the pillar and an elastic member having upward-force-applying, extending-rod, and flexible-rod portions. The sleeve jackets the pillar, passes through the cover, and has first and second ribs. The upward-force-applying portion jackets the pillar and abuts against the sleeve and the base to drive the sleeve to move away from the base. The extending-rod portion extends from the upward-force-applying portion to be connected to the flexible-rod portion located under the first rib. When the sleeve is located at a high position, the second rib biases the arm to deform. When the sleeve is located at a low position, the second rib is misaligned with the arm. The flexible-rod portion crosses the first rib to be released and then collides with the cover to make sound as the sleeve is pressed.