Detachable Air Conditioner Switch Assembly for Easier Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioner switch assemblies are inefficient for maintenance due to non-detachable connections between switches and circuit boards, leading to unattractive designs and complex repair processes.
Innovation Solution
A detachable switch assembly with a conductive connector providing elastic force and a circuit board that can be easily coupled and decoupled, featuring a Light Emitting Diode (LED) for light emission through bores, allowing for enhanced maintenance and user feedback without compromising aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the switch is connected to the circuit board via solder, then the electrical connection is reliable, but the maintenance and repair become inefficient due to non-detachable coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The switch assembly is divided into separable components: the switch body and the circuit board are detached from each other through a removable connector structure, allowing independent replacement of the switch without replacing the entire circuit board assembly
Solution Approach 2:
A connector structure acts as an intermediary between the switch and circuit board, providing both electrical connection and mechanical detachability. The connector includes conductive elements that maintain reliable electrical contact while allowing the switch to be separated from the circuit board for maintenance purposes
2Ease of operation
If multiple switch assemblies are arranged at the rear of input elements, then user interaction is enabled, but the design becomes unattractive due to visible protruding switches
Solution Approach 1:
The switch is embedded within the input element structure, with the switch body positioned inside or behind the visible input element. The cylindrical body of the switch is concealed by the input element's outer appearance, creating a nested configuration where the functional component is hidden within the aesthetic housing
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the input element have different functions: the outer surface provides aesthetic appearance and user interface, while the inner recessed area houses the switch mechanism. The input element's structure transitions from a smooth external surface to an internal cavity containing the switch
3Loss of information
If the circuit board includes light emitting elements, then user feedback is enhanced through visible indicators, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitting function is integrated directly into the circuit board by mounting LED elements on the board's surface. The circuit board serves dual purposes: as the electrical connection substrate and as the mounting platform for light emitting indicators, combining multiple functions into a single component
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
Facilitates easy replacement of switches without replacing the entire circuit board, improving maintenance efficiency and user interaction through visible light indicators, while maintaining a sleek design.
Implementation Method 1
The connector may be placed in the seating recess and may be made of a flexible gasket material to achieve electrical conduction between the switch and the circuit board when the switch is pushed
Implementation Method 2
The light emitting element may include a Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Data Source
AI summary
A switch and a circuit board of the switch assembly are detachably coupled to each other, thus resulting in enhanced maintenance and workability. The switch assembly includes a switch to sense an electrical signal of a human body, a conductive connector to provide the switch with an elastic force, and a circuit board adapted to receive the electrical signal through the connector so as to perform a control operation. The circuit board is detachably coupled with the switch.