Hinged Pressing Panel With Sliding Elastic Support for Low Press Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressing panels for concealed water tank drives require large pressing forces due to significant elastic deformation, making them uncomfortable to press.
Innovation Solution
A pressing panel design featuring buttons hinged to a panel with elongated elastic pieces that have an elastic supporting arm, where the supporting point is on the panel and the elastic piece slides to offset deformation, reducing rebound resistance and requiring less pressing force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional elastic pieces with fixing point on panel body and supporting point on button are used, then the button can be reset after pressing, but the larger pressing depth causes greater deformation and rebound resistance, requiring larger pressing force and being uncomfortable to press
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional connection structure by fixing the elastic piece to the button instead of the panel body, and making the elastic piece slide on the panel body. This inversion allows the elastic deformation to occur in a different location, reducing the rebound resistance against the button during pressing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sliding structure as an intermediary between the elastic piece and the panel body. The elastic piece slides on the panel body surface rather than being fixed to it, which mediates the interaction and reduces the direct transmission of elastic rebound force to the button.
2Ease of operation
If the elastic piece is fixed to the panel body with supporting point on button, then the resetting mechanism works, but the deformation increases with pressing depth causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional connection structure by fixing the elastic piece to the button instead of the panel body, and making the elastic piece slide on the panel body. This inversion simplifies the connecting structure while improving pressing ease.
3Volume of moving object
If larger pressing force is applied to overcome rebound resistance, then the button can be pressed deeper, but it becomes uncomfortable to press
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sliding structure as an intermediary between the elastic piece and the panel body. The elastic piece slides on the panel body surface rather than being fixed to it, which mediates the interaction and reduces the direct transmission of elastic rebound force to the button, allowing deeper pressing with less force.
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 makes pressing more comfortable and easier by minimizing elastic deformation and rebound resistance, allowing for a smaller pressing force.
Implementation Method 1
each elastic piece is provided with an elastic supporting arm extending backwards corresponding to a direction which a corresponding button moves when being pressed; each elastic supporting arm abuts the panel by elastic force
Data Source
AI summary
A pressing panel, including a panel, buttons and elastic pieces; the buttons are hinged to the panel, and each button is movable with respect to the panel through a pair of hinge shafts; each button is fixedly provided with an elastic piece; each elastic piece is provided with an elastic supporting arm extending backwards; each elastic supporting arm abuts the panel; when each button moves, a portion of a corresponding elastic supporting arm corresponding to an abutting position of the corresponding elastic supporting arm and the panel slides; when each button is in an initial state before being pressed, the abutting position between the corresponding elastic supporting arm and the panel, compared with a position of the corresponding pair of hinge shafts, is farther away from a fixing position between the button and the corresponding elastic piece; when pressing each button, the corresponding elastic piece moves along with the button.