Magnetic Snap-Action Push Button With Single-Spring Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push buttons with snap-action mechanisms require additional springs to return the pusher to its rest position, complicating production and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A push button design that uses a single spring to both return the pusher to its rest position and provide snap-action functionality, utilizing a magnetic component and a bar to simplify the mechanism and reduce the need for additional springs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional springs are provided to return the pusher to its rest position, then the pusher can be reliably returned, but the production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the snap-action spring and the pusher return spring into a single spring component. This spring serves dual functions: providing the snap-action effect when the pusher reaches a predetermined depression depth, and returning the pusher to its rest position. By merging these two functions into one spring, the patent eliminates the need for separate springs while maintaining reliable pusher return, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single spring is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the snap-action mechanism spring and the pusher return spring. This multi-functional design allows one component to replace what would traditionally require two separate components, reducing production complexity while ensuring the pusher reliably returns to its rest position through the same spring that provides the snap-action effect
2Reliability
If additional springs are provided for bringing the permanent magnet into position, then the magnet positioning is reliable, but the production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of positioning the permanent magnet with the pusher return function into the same spring mechanism. The single spring that returns the pusher also facilitates the permanent magnet's positioning through its mechanical connection and movement, eliminating the need for separate springs for magnet positioning and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining positioning reliability
3Ease of manufacture
If a single spring is used for both return and snap-action, then production is simplified, but the spring must perform multiple functions
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is specifically designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: snap-action effect generation and pusher return. By consolidating these functions into a single spring with optimized geometry and positioning, the patent simplifies production (fewer components to manufacture and assemble) while the spring's multi-functionality is managed through careful mechanical design that ensures both functions are achieved reliably
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 simplifies production and assembly by integrating the spring's functions for return and snap-action, while maintaining precise control over depression depth and detection, enhancing robustness and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic component arranged to generate a magnetic field, and a bar arranged to be attracted by the magnetic component
Implementation Method 2
a spring interposed between the pusher and the permanent magnet and that releases its stored potential energy to rapidly move the permanent magnet away from the magnetic plate
Data Source
AI summary
A push button includes a snap-action mechanism. The snap-action mechanism includes a magnetic bar and a mobile support. The magnetic bar is secured to a fixed body of the button. The mobile support is capable of sliding between a top position and a bottom position. In the top position, a magnetic component and the bar are magnetically affixed to one another, and an upper part of the support is moved away from the bar. In the bottom position, the magnetic component is moved away and detached from the bar. A spring is interposed between a pusher and the upper part of the support so as to accelerate movement of the magnetic component away from the bar after the magnetic component has been detached from the bar. The upper part of the support is configured to bear against the bar in the bottom position.