Concentric Land Electrode Layout for Displacement-Tolerant Switching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conductive patterns for switch devices cannot electrically connect land electrodes using dome-shaped conductive members, as they lack land electrodes at the center.

Innovation Solution

A conductive pattern with three concentric circles, where the first land electrode is in the innermost circle, the second land electrode surrounds the outermost circle, and both electrodes are also arranged on a middle circle with a larger radius than the inner circle but smaller than the outer circle, allowing for electrical connection with both conductive rubber and dome-shaped members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the conductive member is displaced from the reference position, then the contact area with the first land electrode decreases, but electrical connection may still be maintained through the third circle arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The land electrodes are preliminarily arranged on the third concentric circle at positions that anticipate possible displacement of the conductive member. This preliminary positioning ensures that even when displacement occurs, the conductive member's outer edge will still contact at least one land electrode on the third circle, maintaining electrical connection without requiring high positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the second land electrode is arranged on the second circle only, then the structure is simple, but displacement outward of the first circle causes loss of electrical connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductive pattern structureVSAvoidelectrical connection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The land electrode arrangement is extended from a single-circle configuration to a multi-circle configuration. By arranging land electrodes on the third concentric circle (with radius between the first and second circles), the patent adds a dimensional aspect to the electrode layout, creating overlapping contact zones that maintain electrical connection even when the conductive member displaces outward.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3792945B1Conductive pattern
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP3792945B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3792945B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3792945B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A first conductive pattern according to the present disclosure includes a first land electrode and a second land electrode, in which at least a portion of the first land electrode is arranged in an inner portion of a first circle defined by a center point and a first radius, the second land electrode is arranged on a second circle defined by the center point and a second radius that is larger than the first radius to surround the first land electrode, the second land electrode is not arranged in the inner portion of the first circle, the first land electrode is not arranged on the second circle, and the first land electrode and the second land electrode are arranged on a third circle defined by the center point and a third radius that is larger than the first radius and is smaller than the second radius.