Multidirectional Switch Spherical Contact Rockable Tilt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multidirectional operating switches for car electronics are prone to unintended operation due to poor accuracy in dimension and environmental variations, leading to unwanted electrical connections and switching errors when used in car audio devices and other equipment.
Innovation Solution
A multidirectional operating switch design featuring a rockable operating body with a spherically convex support and a holding base with a spherically concave retainer, along with triangular controllers and receptors, ensures precise tilt movements and prevents unintended central switch activation by aligning the rotational center with the contact point of the operation button and push element, thereby enhancing operational reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional multidirectional operating switches are used with standard dimensional tolerances, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but switching errors and unintended operation occur due to poor accuracy under environmental variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spherical contact surfaces (spherically convex support and spherically concave retainer) to enable smooth rotational movement of the operating body. This curvature design ensures that the operating body can tilt accurately in multiple directions without getting stuck, maintaining reliable switching operation even when dimensional variations occur due to manufacturing tolerances or environmental changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the contact surfaces from flat to spherical, and positions the rotational center to coincide with the contact point between the operation button and push element. This parameter optimization ensures that the operating body rotates around a fixed pivot point, preventing unintended displacement and ensuring accurate activation of only the intended switch regardless of dimensional variations.
2Ease of operation
If the operating body is made highly movable to enable multidirectional operation, then ease of operation is improved, but unintended activation of the central switch occurs due to excessive movement
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical contact surfaces between the support and retainer allow the operating body to rotate smoothly in multiple directions with minimal friction. This curved surface design provides the necessary mobility for easy multidirectional operation while maintaining a consistent rotational path that prevents excessive movement and unintended switch activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The push element acts as an intermediary between the operation button and the central switch. By positioning the rotational center at the contact point between the operation button and push element, the design ensures that rotation occurs around this pivot point, allowing the push element to remain relatively stable and prevent unintended activation of the central switch while still enabling easy operation.
Data Source
AI summary
In a multidirectional operating switch, an operating body has a support having a spherically convex surface on the lower end of a central cylinder, and a holding base has a retainer having a spherically concave surface disposed opposite to the support. Through the movement of the support sliding over the retainer, the holding base retains the operating body rockably in multiple directions. The rotational center of the rocking movement of the operating body coincides with the position at which the push element is in contact with the push section disposed at the lower end of the operation button.