Compact Release Switch Using Conductive Coil Springs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging apparatus release switches are bulky, complex, and hinder compact configuration due to the need for sufficient plate thickness and length for electric armatures and space requirements for flexible substrates, leading to increased assembly workload and vibration during shutter operation.
Innovation Solution
A compact release switch design using conductive coil springs and a flexible substrate with signal patterns, allowing for easy assembly and reduced size, where the conductive coil springs provide biasing force and facilitate two-stage pressing operations without generating unnecessary vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electric armatures with sufficient plate thickness and length are used to obtain predetermined biasing force and elasticity, then the switch can reliably detect two-stage pressing operations, but the switch size increases and compact configuration is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional rigid electric armatures with flexible printed circuit board (FPC) based elastic members. These FPC elastic members achieve the required biasing force and elasticity through their flexible substrate structure and conductive pattern design, allowing sufficient mechanical performance while maintaining a compact, thin profile that enables miniaturized switch configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the elastic members by using FPC materials with specific thickness, flexibility, and conductive trace configurations. By changing from rigid metal plates to flexible circuit boards with optimized conductor patterns, the switch achieves reliable biasing force in a much smaller volume suitable for compact imaging apparatus.
2Ease of operation
If space is allocated for opposite signal pattern portion and swelling flexible substrate in pressing direction, then two-stage pressing operations can be detected, but the switch height increases and compact configuration is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a height-direction compression mechanism to a lateral bending mechanism. The FPC elastic members are arranged to bend laterally in response to pressing forces, with signal patterns positioned on opposite sides of the FPC. This lateral deformation approach enables two-stage detection while maintaining a compact height profile, as the detection mechanism operates in the width plane rather than requiring height expansion.
3Ease of operation
If complex configurations with multiple armatures or flexible substrate mechanisms are used, then two-stage pressing operations can be detected, but assembly complexity increases and workload reduction is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the FPC elastic members: the FPC substrate provides both the elastic biasing force and the signal transmission pathway. The conductive traces are integrated directly into the FPC layers, eliminating the need for separate armatures, flexible substrates, and signal patterns as distinct components. This integration dramatically simplifies assembly while maintaining two-stage pressing detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The FPC elastic members serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide the mechanical biasing force, enable lateral bending for detection, transmit electrical signals, and define the switching geometry through their conductive pattern layout. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps required, achieving both operational reliability and assembly simplicity.
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 enables a compact, easy-to-assemble, and vibration-free shutter operation, improving the user experience by allowing further pressing of the release button after the second-stage operation without transmitting force to the imaging apparatus, thus ensuring smooth shutter operation.
Implementation Method 1
a second elastic member that is conductive, disposed between the press member and the substrate, and configured to contact the second signal pattern, and a third elastic member that is conductive, disposed between the press member and the substrate, and configured to contact the third signal pattern. The second elastic member elastically deformable in the pressing direction
Data Source
AI summary
A switch includes a first elastic member that is conductive and configured to contact the first signal pattern, a second elastic member that is conductive and configured to contact the second signal pattern, and a third elastic member that is conductive and configured to contact the third signal pattern. When a first pressing operation is performed for the press member so as to move the press member from an initial position in the pressing direction the first and second signal patterns are electrically connectable via the first and second elastic members. After the first pressing operation, when a second pressing operation is performed for the press member so as to move the press member in a direction opposite to the pressing direction by the first and second elastic members, the first to third signal patterns are electrically connectable via the first to third elastic members.