Lever Detent Layout for Thin Magnetic Switch Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing lever switch design faces challenges in reducing thickness due to the arrangement of magnets and magnetic detection elements, which increases the device's thickness when positioned in a specific direction.
Innovation Solution
A lever operation device with a magnet attached to the lever's tip portion and a magnetic sensor within the housing to detect the magnet's movement, along with a detent portion that tilts to contact a detent surface, allowing the magnet to be positioned internally without increasing the device's thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pin moves in the direction of extension from the tip of the lever, then the detent means can function properly, but the magnets and magnetic detection elements cannot be arranged in this direction and must be arranged on the cover side, causing an increase in device thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The detent tip end portion is configured to move with a tilt in a direction of the first rotation operation from a direction of extension from the tip portion, allowing the detent function to operate in a different spatial dimension rather than extending linearly from the lever tip. This dimensional change enables the magnet to be positioned at the lever tip without increasing device thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnet is attached to the tip portion of the lever and positioned within the housing, nested inside the device structure rather than extending outward. This nesting arrangement allows the magnetic detection elements to detect the magnet's position without requiring additional thickness, as the magnet operates within the existing housing volume.
2Measurement precision
If the magnet is positioned at the tip portion of the lever, then detection accuracy is maintained, but the device thickness increases when arranged in the extension direction
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic detection elements are arranged within the housing to detect the magnet positioned at the lever tip, utilizing the internal three-dimensional space of the housing rather than extending the device thickness outward. This allows accurate detection while maintaining a compact profile.
3Length of stationary object
If the detent tip end portion moves with a tilt in the direction of the first rotation operation, then the detent can be generated without increasing thickness, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The detent tip end portion is integrated directly onto the lever portion, merging the detent function with the lever structure itself. This integration eliminates the need for separate detent components and simplifies the overall structure, allowing the tilted movement to generate the detent without increasing device complexity.
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 enables a reduction in the overall thickness of the lever operation device while maintaining detection accuracy, allowing for the use of larger, less expensive magnets and facilitating easier assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic sensor that is arranged in the housing so as to be located on extension from the tip portion and detects movement of the magnet due to the first rotation operation performed on the lever portion
Implementation Method 2
the elastic portion applying an elastic force to the detent tip end portion
Data Source
AI summary
A lever operation device includes a housing, a lever portion which is attached to the housing and on which a first rotation operation about a first shaft is performed, a magnet attached to a tip portion of the lever portion, a magnetic sensor that is arranged in the housing so as to be located on extension from the tip portion, and a detent portion provided on the lever portion and includes a detent tip end portion and an elastic portion, the detent tip end portion generating a detent by moving with a tilt in a direction of the first rotation operation from a direction of extension from the tip portion of the lever portion and coming into contact with a detent surface of a detent wall arranged on the housing, and the elastic portion applying an elastic force to the detent tip end portion.