Detachable Pushbutton Structure for Dust-Sealed Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pushbutton structures face issues with dust and moisture accumulation affecting operation and maintenance, leading to operational hindrances and increased maintenance complexity due to the design's inability to easily detach for cleaning and component replacement.

Innovation Solution

A detachable pushbutton structure with a protective ring and cap assembly that allows for easy removal and cleaning, preventing dust and moisture ingress, and facilitates component replacement by securely connecting the pushbutton to the support seat using various connection mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pushbutton is securely connected to the support seat to prevent dust and moisture ingress, then protection against dust and moisture is improved, but cleaning and maintenance become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against dust and moistureVSAvoidcleaning and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The pushbutton assembly is divided into separable components: the pushbutton (9) can be detached from the support seat (7), allowing the protective ring (8) to be accessed and cleaned independently while maintaining protection during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between the pushbutton and support seat transitions from a static secure connection to a dynamic state where the pushbutton can be easily detached for cleaning and reattached, allowing the system to adapt between protection mode and maintenance mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the pushbutton is securely connected to the support seat to prevent dust and moisture ingress, then protection against dust and moisture is improved, but replacement of pushbuttons becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against dust and moistureVSAvoidreplacement of pushbuttons
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pushbutton (9) is designed as a separate, detachable component from the support seat (7), enabling easy replacement with different pushbuttons (e.g., different markings) while the protective ring (8) remains on the support seat to maintain protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support seat (7) with the protective ring (8) serves as a universal base that can accommodate different pushbutton (9) variants, allowing flexibility in replacing pushbuttons with different markings or functions while maintaining the same protective structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of repair

If the pushbutton is made detachable to facilitate cleaning and maintenance, then ease of cleaning and maintenance is improved, but protection against dust and moisture may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning and maintenanceVSAvoidprotection against dust and moisture
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective ring (8) is pre-installed on the support seat (7) before the pushbutton (9) is attached, ensuring protection is already in place. When the pushbutton is detached for cleaning, the protective ring remains positioned to prevent dust and moisture ingress

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective ring (8) acts as an intermediary element between the support seat (7) and the external environment, providing continuous protection even when the pushbutton (9) is detached, as it remains fixed on the support seat

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Strength

If conventional secure connection methods are used to connect the pushbutton to the support seat, then connection strength is improved, but ease of detachment for maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidease of detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection mechanism between the pushbutton (9) and support seat (7) is designed to be dynamically adjustable: during normal use, it provides strong connection strength, but during maintenance, it can be easily detached without requiring complex tools or procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Ensures effective protection against dust and moisture, simplifies cleaning and maintenance, and allows easy replacement of pushbuttons with different markings, enhancing operational reliability and reducing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The elastic member 632 applies an elastic force to the linking member 63 to make the linking member 63 restore to its home (not operated) position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The protective ring 8 is securely connected between an inner circumference of the receiving space and an outer circumference of the support seat. The protective ring serves to prevent external dust, moisture or other impurities from dropping into the receiving space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

the cap assembly cooperatively blocks the penetrating hole of the support seat, whereby a tool can extend into the space between the outer circumference of the pushbutton and the inner wall of the receiving space so as to clean up the accumulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4160639B1Detachable pushbutton structure
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SWITCHLAB INC
  • EP4160639B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4160639B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4160639B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A detachable pushbutton structure includes a case seat (1) which is formed with an internal receiving space (11) for receiving a base seat (12) and a linking member (13). The base seat (12) has multiple contact legs (121). The linking member (13) is drivable to control the respective contact legs (121) to form different conducting states. A support seat (2, 2a, 2b, 2c) connected with the linking member (13) and has an internal penetrating hole (21). A light-emitting member (16) is received in the penetrating hole (21) and connected with the base seat (12). A connected section (22, 22a, 22b, 22c) is disposed on an outer side of the support seat (2, 2a, 2b, 2c). A cap assembly (3) can be tightly capped on the penetrating hole (21) of the support seat (2, 2a, 2b, 2c). A pushbutton (4, 40, 4a, 4b, 4c) is capped on the cap assembly (3) and has a connection section (42, 42a, 42b, 42c) detachably connected with the connected section (22, 22a, 22b, 22c). A protective ring (5) securely connected between an inner circumference of the receiving space (11) and an outer circumference of the support seat (2, 2a, 2b, 2c).