Push-Button Control Module With Stop Member for Shock Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic device switches, particularly in portable devices like watches, are prone to irreversible damage from shocks due to excessive force, as existing solutions like increasing contact surface area or thickening flexible membranes are not feasible in constrained designs or effective against high forces like 5000G deceleration.
Innovation Solution
A control module with a push-button and a separate stop member that blocks excessive force progression, featuring a striker element with an axial protrusion and a damper to absorb forces beyond a threshold, protecting the switch from deformation and ensuring controlled force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the contact surface of the striker is increased to distribute forces, then the pressure on the resilient blade is reduced, but the device dimensions increase which is not feasible in microelectronic applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stop member as an intermediary element between the striker and the resilient blade. This stop member has a limited travel distance that prevents the striker from applying excessive force to the resilient blade, thereby mediating the force transmission and protecting the blade from plastic deformation without requiring an increased contact surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of striker travel distance by introducing a stop member with a predetermined limited travel. This parameter change ensures that the force applied to the resilient blade remains within elastic deformation limits even during shock events, without altering the contact surface area or requiring excessive thickness of the flexible film.
2Strength
If the flexible film thickness is increased to absorb shock forces, then the film can deform elastically under shock, but the film deforms excessively under high forces like 5000G deceleration and transmits forces to the resilient blade causing plastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The stop member acts as an intermediary that limits the deformation of the flexible film during shock events. By providing a physical stop at a predetermined travel distance, it prevents the film from deforming excessively even under high forces like 5000G deceleration, thereby blocking the transmission of excessive forces to the resilient blade and preventing plastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop member provides beforehand cushioning by being positioned to limit the travel of the striker and deformation of the flexible film before excessive forces can be transmitted to the resilient blade. This pre-positioned protective element ensures that even under extreme shock conditions, the resilient blade remains protected from plastic deformation.
3Reliability
If a stop member is introduced to block excessive force, then the switch is protected against shocks, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop member is designed to serve multiple functions: it limits the travel of the striker, prevents excessive deformation of the flexible film, and protects the resilient blade from plastic deformation. By consolidating these protective functions into a single component, the patent minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive shock protection.
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 control module effectively prevents switch deformation and damage from shocks by controlling maximum force intensity and absorbing excessive forces, ensuring reliable operation even under high shock conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a damper configured to absorb part of the forces at play by deforming when the striker element drives the switch into the connected state or into the rest state, at least when said forces are greater than a predetermined threshold
Data Source
AI summary
A control module (10) for an electronic device including a push-button (11) including a striker element (111), a switch (12) adapted to occupy a connected state and a rest state, said striker element (111) being configured to drive the switch (12) into one or the other of the connected and rest states, the control module further comprising a stop member (13) against which the striker element (111) comes to bear when it drives the switch (12) into the connected state or into the rest state.