Illuminated Switch Device Light Leakage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illumination switch devices suffer from light leakage through locking holes and limited slider guide length due to structural constraints, which compromise design freedom and illumination effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

The locking hole is positioned on the lower side of the skirt portion, with a connection piece on the manipulation knob's rear surface, and a light shielding slider surrounds the connection piece to prevent light leakage, while allowing for sufficient slider elevation without being influenced by the connection piece's length.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the locking hole is formed in the skirt portion of the manipulation knob, then the locking structure can be simplified, but light leaks from the locking hole to the outside during illumination operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking structure complexityVSAvoidlight leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking hole is repositioned from the vertical skirt portion to the horizontal connection piece extending from the rear surface. This spatial relocation moves the locking hole to a dimension where it is surrounded by the slider's light-shielding hollow portion, preventing light leakage while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The slider's hollow portion acts as an intermediary light-shielding barrier between the illumination source and the locking hole. By positioning the locking hole within the enclosed space of the slider, the hollow portion mediates and blocks the light path that would otherwise leak to the exterior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of moving object

If the connection piece protrudes beyond the skirt portion to allow sufficient slider guide length, then the slider can achieve adequate travel distance, but the locking hole position becomes exposed and light can leak to the outside

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslider guide lengthVSAvoidlight leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection piece with the locking hole is nested within the hollow portion of the slider. This nesting arrangement allows the connection piece to extend sufficiently for slider guidance while being enclosed by the light-shielding walls of the slider's hollow structure, preventing light exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If the locking hole is positioned high on the manipulation knob, then the locking structure is simplified, but the slider guide length is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking structure complexityVSAvoidslider guide length
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The locking structure is relocated from the vertical dimension (skirt portion) to the horizontal dimension (connection piece). This allows the locking hole to be positioned at the end of the connection piece, maximizing the slider's guide length while maintaining the simplicity of the locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration reliably prevents light leakage and ensures an adequate guide length for the slider, enhancing design flexibility and illumination performance.

Implementation Method 1

a light shielding coating material 18 which is coated on the outer surface thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 16 which serves as a light source and is mounted on the print circuit board 14

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2154699B1Illuminated switch device
Publication Date: 2015.09.30 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • EP2154699B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2154699B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Provided is an illumination switch device including: a manipulation knob (2) in which a light shielding portion is provided in a front outer surface of a body formed of a light transmitting material except for an illumination portion; hollow sliders (3), each of which is incorporated into the manipulation knob (2) and is formed of a light shielding material; a casing (4) which elevatably guides the slider (3); a switch element (6) which is operated by the elevation movement of the slider (3) ; and a light source (7) which irradiates light to a rear surface of the manipulation knob (2) via an inner space of the slider (3), wherein a front end portion of the slider (3) is disposed so as to protrude forward from the casing (4) and the manipulation knob (2) is snap-connected to the front end portion of the slider (3) protruding from the casing (4), wherein the manipulation knob (2) includes: a skirt portion (2a) which protrudes backward from a peripheral edge portion of the body so as to surround the front end portion of the slider (3); connection pieces (2b), each of which protrudes backward from a rear surface of the body more than the skirt portion (2a) so as to be inserted into the slider (3) ; and locking holes (2c), each of which is provided in the connection piece (2b) so as to be located on the lower side of the skirt portion (2a), and wherein an inner wall surface of the slider (3) is provided with a locking claw which is snap-connected to the locking hole (2c).