Illuminated Push-Button Switch Structure Without Occupying Contacts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional switch devices face challenges in indicating operational movement and state without occupying a control contact, leading to reduced practical application efficiency and complex wiring due to the integration of a light source.

Innovation Solution

A switch structure with an internal switch assembly and a push button assembly that controls a light source independently, using a torsion spring to manage electrical connections without requiring an additional control contact, allowing simplified wiring and enhanced operational efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a conventional switch device uses a light holder with a light source to indicate operational state, then the operational state can be visually indicated, but a control contact must be occupied exclusively by the light source, reducing the quantity of contact blocks available for controlling external devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual indication capabilityVSAvoidquantity of contact blocks for external devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light source control function with the internal switch assembly by providing a shared control contact that simultaneously controls both the contact blocks and the light source. This integration eliminates the need for a separate light holder with dedicated electrical contacts, as the light source is electrically connected through the same control mechanism that operates the contact blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control contact is designed with multi-functionality, serving dual purposes: controlling the external devices through contact blocks and simultaneously controlling the light source for visual indication. This universal control mechanism allows a single contact block to perform multiple functions without requiring additional dedicated contacts for the light source.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If a light holder with simple fixing structure is used, then the light source can be mounted, but the wiring becomes more complicated and the internal structural design is influenced negatively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight source mountingVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the light source mounting structure with the switch assembly housing. Instead of using a separate light holder with its own fixing structure and electrical contacts, the light source is integrated directly into the switch assembly, with its electrical connections routed through the existing internal circuitry that controls the contact blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the light holder as a separate component with simple fixing structure, allowing the light source to be mounted independently. This extracted light holder design simplifies the overall structure by separating the light mounting function from the control circuitry, reducing wiring complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution enables the switch structure to operate accurately and simply while maintaining a simplified internal structure and efficient control of external devices, without occupying control contacts, thus improving overall usage effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

using a torsion spring to manage electrical connections without requiring an additional control contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorsion spring: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4579708A1Switch structure electrically linked with a light source
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 SWITCHLAB INC
  • EP4579708A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4579708A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4579708A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A switch structure electrically linked with a light source includes a main body (1, 1a), a push button assembly (2, 20), and at least one contact block (5, 50). The main body (1, 1a) includes a base (11) and an internal switch assembly (13, 13a). The base (11) is provided with a plurality of power terminals (121) for connecting to an external power source and the internal switch assembly (13, 13a) is serially connected to between the power terminals (121) and a light source (3, 3a). The contact block (5, 50) includes a plurality of control terminals (51, 501) for connecting to external devices to be controlled; and the push button assembly (2, 20) can drive the internal switch assembly (13, 13a) and the contact block (5, 50), so that the control terminals (51, 501) of the contact block (5, 50) are electrically connected to each other and the light source (3, 3a) is synchronously controlled by the internal switch assembly (13, 13a) to electrically connect to the external power source and emit light, which can indicate an operational state of the switch structure.