Magnetic Push-Button Snap Action With Single-Spring Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push buttons with snap-action mechanisms require additional springs to return to their rest position, complicating production and design.
Innovation Solution
A push button design utilizing a single spring for both snap-action and return functions, combined with a bayonet locking mechanism, simplifies the architecture by eliminating the need for additional springs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional springs are provided to return the pushbutton to its rest position, then the pushbutton can return reliably, but the production becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the snap-action spring and the return-to-rest spring into a single spring component. This single spring performs dual functions: providing the snap-action effect when the pushbutton is pressed and returning the pushbutton to its rest position. The spring is positioned to engage with both the pushbutton assembly and the fixed body, eliminating the need for separate spring components and simplifying production while maintaining reliable return functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single spring is designed to serve multiple functions within the pushbutton mechanism. It acts as both the snap-action mechanism spring (providing abrupt force release at predetermined depth) and the return spring (pushing the pushbutton back to rest position). This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components and simplifies the overall device structure.
2Reliability
If additional springs are provided to return the permanent magnet to its position against the magnetic plate, then the magnet can return reliably, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of returning the permanent magnet to its position against the magnetic plate with the return-to-rest function of the pushbutton into a single spring mechanism. The same spring that returns the pushbutton to rest also returns the permanent magnet to its positioned state. This integration eliminates the need for a separate magnet-return spring, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable magnet positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The single spring performs multiple return functions simultaneously: it returns both the pushbutton assembly and the permanent magnet to their respective rest positions. This multi-functional approach simplifies the device by using one component to achieve what would traditionally require multiple separate springs.
3Device complexity
If a single spring is used for both snap-action and return functions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-configured with specific geometric features and positioning elements that ensure the snap-action occurs at the predetermined depth. The design incorporates preliminary positioning structures (such as engagement surfaces and geometric constraints) that guide the spring and pushbutton assembly to achieve the correct snap-action depth without requiring high-precision manufacturing tolerances during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The single spring design incorporates self-aligning and self-positioning features that automatically ensure the snap-action occurs at the correct depth. The geometric configuration of the spring and its interaction surfaces with the pushbutton and fixed body create inherent positioning mechanisms that reduce dependence on high manufacturing precision while maintaining reliable snap-action at the predetermined depth.
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 achieves precise control over the snap-action depth and simplifies assembly, while maintaining robustness and functionality, using a single spring for both functions and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic plate fixed, without any degree of freedom, to the fixed body, a permanent magnet which, in the rest position, is stuck to the magnetic plate
Implementation Method 2
a spring interposed between the pusher and the permanent magnet which releases the potential energy it has stored to quickly move the permanent magnet away from the magnetic plate as soon as the predetermined depth is crossed
Data Source
Figure 1~7
Figure 5
Figure 8~13
AI summary
The invention relates to a push-button comprising a snap-action mechanism comprising: - a magnetic strip (24) rigidly connected to an unmoving body (4) of the button, - a moving carrier (22) capable of sliding between: - a high position in which a magnetic part (20) and the strip are magnetically adhered to one another and an upper part (34) of the carrier is distant from the strip, and - a low position in which the magnetic part is distant and detached from the strip, - a spring (26) inserted between a push-piece (6) and the upper part of the carrier to accelerate the movement of the magnetic part away from the strip after this magnetic part has detached from the strip. The upper part (34) of the carrier (22) is shaped to rest on the strip (24) when the carrier is in the low position.