Elastic Button Cap Structure to Prevent Sticking and Tilt

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic device buttons with large length differences between ends often result in one end being lifted while the other is stuck, leading to operational failures and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

An elastic cushion is connected between the button post and button cap, allowing the button cap to move relative to the button post through elastic deformation, preventing sticking and ensuring effective operation and prolonged service life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the button has a large length between two ends, then the button structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but one end of the button is prone to be lifted up and the other end is stuck when pressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton structure simplicityVSAvoidbutton operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The button is divided into two separate components: a button post and a button cap. The button post remains fixed while the button cap is movable, allowing the cap to be pressed without causing the entire button structure to tilt or stick. This segmentation resolves the reliability issue while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An elastic cushion is introduced as an intermediary component between the button post and button cap. This elastic element allows the button cap to move independently during pressing while maintaining connection to the fixed button post, preventing sticking and ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the button has a large length between two ends, then fewer components are needed, but automatic reset fails and operation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of button componentsVSAvoidbutton operation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the button into a fixed post and a movable cap, the design enables the cap to be pressed and reset independently. This segmentation improves operation performance by preventing the entire button from tilting, while the added complexity is minimal (only one additional component).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The button cap is designed to be dynamically movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be pressed down and automatically reset. This dynamic design improves ease of operation by ensuring reliable resetting, while the overall device complexity remains low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the button cap is fixed to the button post, then the structure is stable, but one end gets stuck when the other end is lifted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton structural stabilityVSAvoidbutton reset reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The button structure is segmented into a fixed button post and a movable button cap connected by an elastic cushion. This allows the cap to move independently for resetting while the post remains stable and fixed in position, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and reset reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between button post and button cap changes from rigid (fixed) to flexible (elastic). This parameter change in connection rigidity allows the button cap to move and reset properly while maintaining overall structural stability through the elastic cushion's restoring force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution prevents button failure, ensures effective operation, and extends the service life by allowing the button cap to move relative to the button post, maintaining coaxial alignment and proper function even when tilted.

Implementation Method 1

the button cap can move relative to the button post due to elastic deformation of the elastic cushion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3872827B1Electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3872827B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3872827B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3872827B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An electronic device (100) is provided. The electronic device (100) includes a frame (10), a signal trigger (20) fixed inside the frame (10), and a button (30) penetrating the frame (10). The button (30) includes a button post (31), an elastic cushion (32), and a button cap (33). The button post (31) penetrates the frame (10) to be adjacent to the signal trigger (20). The elastic cushion (32) is fixed to an end of the button post (31) away from the signal trigger (20). The button cap (33) is fixedly connected to a side of the elastic cushion (32) away from the button post (31). The elastic cushion (32) is connected between the button post (31) and the button cap (33), and the button cap (33) can move relative to the button post (31) due to elastic deformation of the elastic cushion (32).