Light Guide Key Assembly for Convex Appliance Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
In convex panel household appliances, the varying distances between keys and switches require keys with different protrusion lengths, leading to increased production and assembly costs, as well as potential errors in key alignment affecting functionality.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance design featuring a single type of key with a biasing member on a light guide that stretches to contact the switch, eliminating the need for protrusions of different lengths and simplifying assembly by using a single mould production for the biasing member and light guide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If keys with protrusions of different lengths are used to accommodate varying distances to switches, then key functionality is maintained, but production costs and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the stretching movement to bridge varying distances between keys and switches, centers the key horizontally through the housing, and transmits the pressing force to actuate the switch. This universal component eliminates the need for keys with different protrusion lengths, allowing a single key type to be used across all panel positions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If keys with protrusions of different lengths are manufactured, then adaptation to different panel areas is achieved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member serves as a universal adaptation mechanism that compensates for varying distances between keys and switches regardless of panel area. Instead of manufacturing different key types for different regions, the single biasing member design allows one key type to be used universally across all panel areas while maintaining proper switch actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member acts as an intermediary component between the key and the switch. It mediates the distance variation by stretching to the required length, thereby eliminating the need to manufacture keys with different protrusion lengths for different panel areas.
3Reliability
If the protrusion is firmly seated in the housing, then horizontal movement transmission is improved, but displacement in perpendicular direction is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is designed with dynamic characteristics, being firmly seated in the horizontal direction to ensure reliable movement transmission while being compliant in the vertical direction through its stretching capability. This dynamic design allows the system to optimize both horizontal stability and vertical displacement as needed.
4Length of moving object
If the protrusion is loosely seated in the housing, then displacement in perpendicular direction is increased, but horizontal movement transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member provides dynamic support by being firmly seated horizontally for reliable movement transmission while allowing vertical displacement through its stretching mechanism. This resolves the contradiction by using the biasing member's elastic properties rather than the looseness of the protrusion housing fit.
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 solution reduces production and assembly costs while ensuring reliable key functionality with a single type of key, enhancing user experience by maintaining pressing feel and preventing key misalignment issues, and allowing for efficient movement transmission to the switch.
Implementation Method 1
the biasing member actuated by the protrusion stretches and contacts the switch
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) comprising a body (2); a panel (3) disposed on the body (2) and having at least one transparent window (4); a printed circuit board (5) disposed behind the panel (3) and comprising at least one switch (6) and at least one light source (7) actuated by the switch (6); at least one key (8) having at least one foot (9) providing fixing and at least one protrusion (10) enabling the movement to be transmitted to the switch (6); a light guide (11) that transmits the light of the light source (7) to the window (4), whereon the keys (8) are placed and that has at least one hole (12) wherein the foot (9) is seated.