Push Button Linkage Structure Without High-Precision Bearings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push buttons require expensive high-precision bearings to function smoothly, limiting their size and increasing production costs, and there is a need for a design that allows for larger buttons without compromising functionality.
Innovation Solution
A push button mechanism that allows movement parallel to the surface while maintaining normal displacement, using a support structure that slides along two directions, reducing the need for high-precision bearings and enabling larger designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional push button with a dome-shaped membrane is used, then the button structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the button becomes inoperative when liquid penetrates between the membrane and the button cover
Solution Approach 1:
The button is divided into separate functional components: a rigid button cover, a flexible membrane with through-holes, and a actuation mechanism. This segmentation allows the membrane to be replaced or cleaned while keeping the button cover, maintaining reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible membrane with through-holes acts as an intermediary between the button cover and the actuation mechanism. This intermediary allows liquid to pass through while maintaining the button's structural integrity and operational reliability, preventing liquid entrapment that would cause failure.
2Reliability
If the push button assembly is sealed to prevent liquid penetration, then reliability improves, but the button becomes difficult or impossible to service or replace
Solution Approach 1:
The button assembly is segmented into serviceable components (button cover, membrane, actuator) that can be separately accessed and replaced. The membrane is designed to be replaceable while maintaining liquid protection, enabling serviceability without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is designed with dynamic flexibility, allowing it to be removed and replaced while maintaining a sealed connection when installed. This dynamic design enables serviceability while preserving the liquid-tight seal for reliability.
3Ease of repair
If a membrane with through-holes is used to allow liquid passage, then serviceability improves, but the membrane requires precise alignment with the button cover opening
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane and button cover features are designed with asymmetric alignment elements (protrusions fitting into recesses) that guide correct positioning. This asymmetric design ensures proper alignment during assembly without requiring high manufacturing precision, facilitating easy replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features are designed to self-align the membrane with the button cover during assembly. The protrusions and recesses automatically guide the membrane into the correct position, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment and reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
4Ease of repair
If the button components are designed as separate replaceable parts, then ease of repair improves, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The button cover serves multiple functions: it provides the button's external structure, contains the membrane, and provides electrical connections. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, maintaining ease of repair without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is integrated with the button cover through attachment features, merging two components into a unified assembly that can be serviced together or separately. This merging reduces the effective number of discrete components while maintaining replaceability, balancing repair ease with device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A push button comprising: a shell structure (9); a base (1); a support structure (2) that is movable with respect to the base (1) and along a first direction (T1) that is normal to a surface (2b) of the support structure and along a second direction (T2) that is parallel to said surface; a set of connection structures (3, 4, 5, 6) hingedly connected to the base (1) at respective first connection points (1 a) and to the support structure (2) at respective second connection points (2a) which are movable in parallel to each other and to the support structure; a pressable structure (10) that is movable along the first direction and slidably attached to the support structure, the support structure being between the pressable structure (10) and the base (1); the shell structure (9) is arranged to restrict the pressable structure (10) from moving along the second direction.