Multi-directional Button Assembly with Isolated Trigger Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrally formed multi-directional button assemblies in portable electronic devices often lead to misoperation due to false triggering of switches, increasing the complexity and cost of production and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A multi-directional button assembly design featuring a first switch, second switches, a support piece, pressing slices, a center button body, and a directional button body, where the support piece and pressing slices are structured to prevent accidental triggering by isolating the first and second trigger points, allowing precise actuation without contacting the first switch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an integrally formed multi-directional button body is used, then the structure is simplified and production cost is reduced, but misoperation occurs due to false triggering of switches
Solution Approach 1:
The button assembly is segmented into functionally independent components: the center button body and directional button body are separated by the support piece, and the pressing slice is divided into multiple independent pressing regions. This segmentation prevents false triggering while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support piece acts as an intermediary element between the first switch and the button bodies. It provides an aperture for the extension post to pass through without contacting the first trigger point, while still supporting the center button body. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact and false triggering.
2Reliability
If separated directional button bodies are used for each direction, then misoperation is prevented, but the structure becomes complicated and assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple directional button functions are merged into a single directional button body that can be pressed in different directions. The pressing slice is designed with multiple pressing regions that correspond to different directions, allowing one button body to perform multiple directional functions without requiring separate button bodies for each direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The directional button body and pressing slice are designed as multi-functional components. The pressing slice can be pressed from multiple directions to trigger different second switches, making a single component serve multiple directional functions, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining operational accuracy.
3Reliability
If the center button body is pressed to drive the extension post, then the first switch is triggered correctly, but the pressing slice may be biased to trigger the second trigger point by mistake
Solution Approach 1:
The support piece extracts and isolates the first trigger point from the pressing action. By providing an aperture through which the extension post passes without contacting the support piece, the design separates the first switch triggering mechanism from the button pressing action, preventing unintended biasing of the pressing slice.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture in the support piece serves as an intermediary pathway that allows the extension post to reach the first trigger point without transmitting lateral forces to the pressing slice. This intermediary structure ensures that vertical pressing motion is transmitted only to the first switch while preventing lateral biasing of the pressing slice.
4Reliability
If the directional button body is pressed to bias the pressing slice, then the second switch is triggered correctly, but the first trigger point may be contacted by mistake
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing slice is segmented into functionally independent pressing regions that correspond to different directions. When the directional button body is pressed, only the specific pressing region in the direction of pressing is activated, while other regions remain unaffected. This segmentation prevents lateral forces from reaching the first trigger point.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pressing slice have different functional qualities: each region is designed to respond to pressing in a specific direction while being isolated from other directions. The support piece also provides localized support only where needed, allowing directional pressing to trigger the appropriate second switch without affecting the first trigger point.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-directional button assembly includes a first switch, a second switch, a support piece, a pressing slice, a center button body, and a directional button body. The first switch and the second switch respectively provide a first trigger point and a second trigger point to be pressed to generate a first trigger signal and a second trigger signal. The support piece is disposed above the first switch and includes an aperture corresponding to the first trigger point. The pressing slice extends from the support piece to a position above the second switch. The center button body includes an extension post and is pressed for driving the extension post to press the first trigger point via the aperture. The directional button body is disposed above the pressing slice and is pressed to bias the pressing slice to press the second trigger point without pressing the first trigger point.