Luminous Micro-Switch Holding Trough LED Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional luminous micro-switches are bulky due to the need to accommodate an LED, which interferes with the operation member and does not align with the trend of slim and light designs for improved portability in information appliances.
Innovation Solution
A luminous micro-switch design that incorporates a bridging member and a depressing member with a holding trough for a lighting element, allowing the lighting element to be integrated without increasing the switch's size, enabling its use on smaller electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the LED is located in the operation member, then the switch can generate light, but the operation member has to provide adequate space inside which increases the switch size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the LED from the operation member and relocates it to the insulation body. This separation allows the operation member to focus solely on its mechanical function while the LED is positioned in the available space of the insulation body, eliminating the need for additional space in the operation member and thereby reducing the overall switch size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the LED from a vertical arrangement (within the operation member) to a horizontal arrangement (in the insulation body beside the operation member). This dimensional change optimizes space utilization and allows for a more compact overall design.
2Illumination intensity
If the LED is embedded in the switch, then light can be generated, but the switch becomes bulky to accommodate the LED and operation member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the LED from the operation member structure and places it independently in the insulation body. This extraction simplifies the operation member's structure by removing the need for internal LED accommodation space, while the LED itself is positioned in the naturally available space in the insulation body, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the operation member provides space for the LED, then the LED can be positioned, but the switch size increases which contradicts the trend of slim and light designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the LED positioning requirement from the operation member and relocates it to the insulation body. This allows the operation member to maintain its compact, slim design while the LED is positioned in the available space of the insulation body, thereby achieving both ease of manufacture and compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation body serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the electrical terminals, and now also accommodates the LED. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate LED accommodation space in the operation member, contributing to a more compact overall design.
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 design allows for a smaller form factor while maintaining the functionality of generating light, making it suitable for a wide range of smaller electronic devices without compromising on size or functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The lighting element has two legs to receive electric power to generate light
Data Source
AI summary
A luminous micro-switch mainly includes a case which holds a depressing member and at least a first pin and a second pin inside that are spaced from each other. There is a bridging member interposed between the two pins and the depressing member to form electric connection with the first pin in regular conditions and output a signal when the bridging member is connected to the second pin due to depressing of the depressing member. The depressing member has a depressing end which has a holding trough to hold a lighting element which has two conductive terminals to receive electric power to generate light. By holding the lighting element in the holding trough the size of the micro-switch can be made smaller to be used on smaller electronic devices to overcome the bulky problem of conventional micro-switches caused by disposing the lighting element beneath the depressing member.