Elastomer Web Slide Switch Assembly for Backlash and Rattle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide switches often suffer from slider backlash and rattle, which negatively impact user experience and increase manufacturing costs due to tight assembly tolerances.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an elastomer web in the motion path of the mechanical slider, which biases the slider to contact a switch nub, eliminating loose translational motion and allowing for larger assembly tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tight assembly tolerances are used to eliminate slider backlash and rattle, then user experience is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer web acts as an intermediary element between the slider and the switch nub. It provides a compliant interface that maintains consistent contact pressure, eliminating the need for tight tolerances between rigid parts. The elastomer web absorbs dimensional variations while maintaining the desired mechanical interaction, thereby improving user experience without increasing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter from rigid to elastomeric, allowing for larger tolerances. The elastomer web's material properties (elasticity, compliance) enable it to accommodate dimensional variations that would be problematic in rigid assemblies, thus improving manufacturing yield while maintaining operational quality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If tight assembly tolerances are used to eliminate slider backlash and rattle, then slider stability is improved, but manufacturing yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer web changes the mechanical parameter of compliance in the assembly. By introducing an elastomeric element with appropriate durometer and thickness, the system can tolerate larger dimensional variations in the rigid parts while maintaining stable slider operation. This parameter change directly improves manufacturing yield without sacrificing slider stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer web provides beforehand cushioning by pre-compression or inherent elasticity, compensating for potential dimensional variations before they affect slider stability. This proactive approach ensures consistent performance across a wider range of manufacturing tolerances, improving yield.
3Manufacturing precision
If tight assembly tolerances are used to eliminate slider backlash and rattle, then slider precision is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer web serves as a mediator that decouples the precision requirements between the slider and the switch nub. Instead of requiring precise alignment between rigid parts, the elastomer web accommodates misalignments and maintains functional contact, thereby reducing assembly complexity while preserving slider precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer web functions as a flexible element that can deform to accommodate dimensional variations. This flexibility eliminates the need for complex alignment features or precision machining, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining the required slider precision.
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 elastomer web significantly reduces the perception of backlash and rattle, enhancing user experience and enabling looser assembly tolerances, thereby improving manufacturing yield and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The elastomer web is disposed in a motion path of a mechanical slider and biases the slider to contact a switch nub
Data Source
AI summary
A slide switch with an elastomer web for eliminating slide backlash and rattle. The elastomer web is disposed in the motion path of a mechanical slider and biases the slider to contact a switch nub. The biased slider eliminates a loose translational motion of the mechanical slider and therefore a user's perception of loose motion or backlash when actuating the switch. The elastomer web improves the user's perception of the mechanical slider's quality. Additionally, the elastomer web allows for larger assembly tolerances between the mechanical slider and the switch nub. An increased assembly tolerance improves yield for mechanical parts and reduces the cost of manufacturing.