Self-Aligning Pinball Switch Housing for Assembly Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pinball machine switches often require manual adjustment due to misalignment of wires and brackets, leading to improper actuation and rubbing issues during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A versatile, self-aligning mechanical housing for pinball switches that can accommodate both left-hand and right-hand assemblies, featuring a base portion with extending portions to ensure straight alignment of the trigger and body of the switch, and can be made of transparent or translucent material for illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing switches with single or dedicated brackets are used, then the switch can be mounted to the playfield, but the wire and bracket alignment is imprecise requiring manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical housing incorporates self-aligning features including guide slots and positioning protrusions that automatically align the wire, trigger, and bracket during assembly. The housing structure itself performs the alignment function that previously required manual worker intervention, making the assembly process self-correcting and eliminating the need for manual adjustment of wire and bracket alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical housing acts as an intermediary component between the switch bracket and the playfield mounting structure. It includes integrated alignment features such as guide slots for the wire and positioning elements for the trigger, mediating the connection and ensuring precise alignment without requiring manual intervention. The housing translates the mounting requirements into automatic alignment through its structural design.
2Productivity
If existing switches are used, then the switch assembly can be mounted, but assembly time is increased due to manual adjustment of every wire on every switch
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical housing with its self-aligning features enables the assembly process to be self-correcting, automatically positioning wires and components correctly during assembly. This eliminates the time-consuming manual adjustment step for every switch on the assembly line, significantly reducing assembly time and increasing productivity without sacrificing alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical housing is pre-configured with alignment features such as guide slots, positioning protrusions, and integrated mounting structures during manufacturing. These preliminary alignment preparations are built into the housing itself, so that during assembly the components automatically align without requiring time-consuming manual adjustment, thereby increasing assembly speed and reducing time loss.
3Illumination intensity
If transparent or translucent material is used for the housing, then illumination visibility is improved, but the structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical housing can be constructed from composite materials that combine the optical properties of transparent or translucent materials with the structural strength of reinforced polymers or composite structures. This allows the housing to maintain both the illumination visibility benefit and adequate structural strength to perform its mechanical function of securing the switch and providing self-aligning features.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a mechanical housing configured to secure a switch to a pinball playfield.