Elastic Push Button Switch for Gloved Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push button switches for vehicles, such as motorcycles, face challenges in miniaturization while maintaining operability, especially when operated with gloves, due to increased size and operation load, and require additional waterproofing components that complicate design and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A push button switch design featuring a push button with an elastic material construction, including a pushing portion, a projecting projection, and an annular wall, integrated with a guide member, which allows for increased stroke length and reduced operation load, eliminating the need for external waterproof sheets and button caps, and incorporating a small LED indicator for simplified structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a push button switch is miniaturized, then the size is reduced, but the operability deteriorates when operated with gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The push button is segmented into multiple functional parts: a pushing portion for finger contact, a pushing projection for actuating the switch, and an annular wall portion for structural support. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the pushing portion can be made large for easy gloved operation while the pushing projection remains small for compact switch design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional flat button design to a three-dimensional structure with vertical projection. The pushing projection extends downward from the pushing portion into the switch casing, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve both large operable surface area and compact overall size
2Length of moving object
If the pushing projection is made longer to increase stroke, then the operability is improved, but the operation load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the push button from rigid to elastic material. This allows the pushing projection to achieve increased stroke length through elastic deformation rather than rigid extension, reducing the operation load while maintaining the beneficial longer stroke for improved operability
3Device complexity
If conventional push button designs are used, then the structure is simple, but additional waterproofing components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic push button structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the actuating mechanism for the switch, provides waterproof sealing by conforming to the switch casing opening, and eliminates the need for separate waterproof sheets or button caps. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of parts while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material of the push button provides self-sealing properties by conforming to the switch casing opening and maintaining contact pressure. The material's inherent elasticity creates a waterproof seal without requiring additional sealing components, allowing the push button to serve its own waterproofing needs
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 design enhances operability by allowing larger projection and stroke while maintaining a compact size, reducing the number of parts, and ensuring waterproofing without external sheets, thus improving user experience and reducing operational load on the switching element.
Implementation Method 1
The pushing portion, the pushing projection, and the annular wall portion are integrally configured of elastic material
Data Source
AI summary
A push button switch includes a switch casing, and a printed circuit board with a switching element disposed thereupon. A push button is disposed in an opening of the switch casing. The push button includes a pushing portion, pushing projection, and an annular wall portion surrounding a periphery of the pushing projection. The pushing portion, the pushing projection, and the annular wall portion are configured of elastic material. The annular wall portion and the pushing projection are disposed in an interior of the switch casing such that the pushing portion projects outwardly from the opening portion of the switch casing. A distal end portion of the pushing projection is directed toward the switching element. The push button switch also includes a guide member configured to restrict movement of the pushing projection. The guide member is disposed inside the annular wall portion of the push button.