Key Switch Device with Integrated Light Guide and Side-Mounted Elastic Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional key switch devices require a guide post and a protruding light guide, resulting in increased height and occupied space in plan view.
Innovation Solution
A key switch device with a base featuring an opening for the light guide, an elastic body to bias the button away from the base, and contact pieces for electrical contact, allowing the light guide to be integrated within the base and reducing overall height and plan view area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a guide post is used to support the light guide, then the light guide can be properly positioned, but the occupied area in plan view becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the guide post component entirely and extracts its positioning function, integrating it into the light guide structure itself through the positioning protrusion and positioning groove mechanism. This eliminates the need for a separate guide post while maintaining positioning reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function previously provided by the separate guide post is merged with the light guide structure. The positioning protrusion on the light guide engages with the positioning groove on the button, combining structural support and positioning functions into a single integrated system.
2Reliability
If the light guide protrudes from the base to accommodate the elastic body, then the elastic body can support the button, but the height dimension becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the elastic body from a vertical arrangement (below the light guide) to a horizontal arrangement (within the opening of the base, alongside the light guide). This dimensional change allows the elastic body to maintain its support function while reducing the height dimension of the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic body is nested within the opening of the base structure, with the light guide positioned alongside it. This nested arrangement allows both components to coexist in the same spatial envelope without requiring additional height, achieving compact integration.
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 effectively reduces the height and occupied area of the key switch device while maintaining functionality, allowing for a more compact design without compromising performance.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body disposed between the elastic body receiving portion and a lower surface of the button, the elastic body biasing the button in a separating direction where the button is separated from the base
Data Source
AI summary
A key switch device includes a base including an opening in a central part thereof; a light guide including an elastic body receiving portion, the light guide being supported by the base to be disposed in the opening; a button attached capable of approaching and separating from the base to cover the light guide; an elastic body disposed between the elastic body receiving portion and a lower surface of the button, the elastic body biasing the button in a separating direction where the button is separated from the base; a fixed contact piece including a fixed contact, the fixed contact piece being attached to the base; and a movable contact piece, which is attached to the base, including a movable contact to be brought into contact with the fixed contact when the button is moved toward the base in an approaching direction where the button approaches the base.