Button Switch Restoration Assembly with Interfering Spring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing button switch designs that provide tactile feedback through interference between a spring and a sleeve are costly and time-consuming to manufacture, and occupy significant internal space.
Innovation Solution
A button switch design featuring a restoration assembly with a first sleeve, a second sleeve, and a spring where the spring's middle section interferes with the first sleeve to produce tactile feedback and sound, reducing component and manufacturing costs while allowing for a thinner design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible acoustic member is added to provide tactile feedback, then tactile feedback is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the acoustic member and the restoring force generating member into a single integrated spring component. The spring's middle section with larger outer diameter provides both the tactile feedback function and the restoring force, eliminating the need for separate acoustic members and reducing overall component complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates restoring force to return the button to its original position, provides tactile feedback through interference between its middle section and the sleeve, and acts as a structural support element. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible acoustic member is added to provide tactile feedback, then tactile feedback is improved, but manufacturing time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the acoustic member and restoring force generating member into one spring component, the manufacturing process is simplified. Instead of manufacturing and assembling multiple separate parts, the single spring can be produced more efficiently and installed as one piece, reducing both manufacturing time and effort.
3Ease of operation
If a flexible acoustic member is added to provide tactile feedback, then tactile feedback is improved, but internal space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the acoustic member and restoring force generating member into a single spring reduces the total volume occupied. The spring's compact design, with its middle section interfering with the sleeve, provides tactile feedback without requiring additional space that would be needed for separate components.
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 efficiently reduces component and manufacturing costs while providing effective tactile feedback and sound, enhancing the button switch's structural efficiency and thinness.
Implementation Method 1
the middle section is squeezed to shrink and slide into the first sleeve through an end edge of the first sleeve, thereby producing a tactile feedback and/or a first sound
Implementation Method 2
When the key cap is located at a non-pressed position, the first end portion is disposed through the first sleeve, and the second end portion and the middle section are disposed through the second sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A restoration assembly of a button switch includes first and second sleeves, and a spring disposed between the two sleeves. A first outer diameter of the first sleeve is less than a second inner diameter of the second sleeve to make the second sleeve movably jacket outside the first sleeve. The jacketed first and second sleeves are disposed between a key cap and a base of the button switch. The spring has a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle section. A middle outer diameter of the middle section of the spring is larger than a first inner diameter of the first sleeve. During the spring being compressed along with the key cap being pressed downward, the middle section is squeezed to shrink and slide into the first sleeve through an end edge of the first sleeve, thereby producing a tactile feedback and/or a first sound.