Operation Command Device Tilting Axis Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing operation command transmitting devices, the abutment position between the on-or-off switching member and the housing is apart from the central axis, leading to potential failure in switching contact closure due to excessive movement of the switch pressing portion during tilting, resulting in incomplete signal transmission.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a supporting axis within the housing that allows the on-or-off switching member to tilt around, coupled with a regulating portion that controls the tilting amount, ensuring the switch pressing portion remains aligned with the switch contact, even when the member is tilted from its neutral position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the abutment position is located apart from the central axis to enable tilting, then the on-or-off switching member can be tilted from the neutral condition, but the switch pressing portion is greatly moved in the tilting directions which may cause failure to press the switch contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetilting capabilityVSAvoidswitch contact closure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A guide portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the support portion and the on-or-off switching member. This guide portion receives the protrusion of the switching member and guides its movement, ensuring that even when tilted, the switch pressing portion remains properly positioned to press the switch contact. The guide portion mediates the tilting motion to prevent excessive displacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the support structure by providing a guide portion with specific dimensions and positioning. The guide portion is positioned at a specific location on the support portion, and its dimensions are designed to accommodate the protrusion while constraining the tilting motion within acceptable limits, thus maintaining reliable switch contact closure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the on-or-off switching member is tilted about an abutment position apart from the central axis, then tilting motion is enabled, but the switch pressing portion may not press the switch contact resulting in no signal transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetilting operationVSAvoidsignal transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The guide portion acts as a mediator that ensures the tilting operation does not compromise signal transmission. By receiving and guiding the protrusion, it maintains the proper alignment between the switch pressing portion and the switch contact, preventing loss of signal transmission even during tilted operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide portion provides a pre-established guiding path for the protrusion before tilting occurs. This beforehand arrangement ensures that during tilting, the movement is constrained within limits that prevent failure to press the switch contact, thus cushioning against potential signal transmission failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP2822016B1Operation command transmitting device
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • EP2822016B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2822016B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2822016B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An operation command transmitting device includes an axis defining portion defining a supporting axis parallel to a substrate of a transmitting unit and intersecting at right angles with a central axis of an on-or-off switching member in a bar portion, and a support portion supporting the on-or-off switching member so that the on-or-off switching member is allowed to be tilted around the supporting axis in tilting directions perpendicular to the central axis and perpendicular to the supporting axis from a neutral condition. The operation command transmitting device includes a coupling portion coupling the bar portion of the on-or-off switching member to the axis defining portion so that the on-or-off switching member is movable relative to the axis defining portion along the central axis.