Push Button Switch Anti-Jamming Protective Plug
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push button switches are prone to jamming due to the intrusion of dust or sand particles between the push button and the retaining and guiding frame, especially when tolerances are small, which inhibits the sliding movement and causes mechanical failure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a protective plug with a rigid portion for fixing to the support structure and a flexible, sealing elastic portion that surrounds the push button and key, preventing unwanted intrusions while allowing smooth sliding movement without increasing the switch's size or interfering with modular installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the push button and retaining frame form a directly assembled cinematic system with small tolerances, then the device complexity is reduced, but dust or sand particles can intrude into the sliding areas causing jamming
Solution Approach 1:
A protective plug is introduced as an intermediary component between the push button and the external environment. This plug seals the sliding areas between the push button and retaining frame, preventing dust and sand particles from intruding while maintaining the direct assembled cinematic system structure. The protective plug acts as a barrier that mediates between the need for simple structure and the need to prevent contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective plug utilizes a flexible sealing mechanism that conforms to the sliding areas between the push button and retaining frame. This flexible sealing approach allows the protective plug to effectively block dust and sand particles from entering the cinematic system while accommodating the small tolerances and movement of the directly assembled components.
2Reliability
If a protective plug is added to prevent dust intrusion, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective plug serves as a simple intermediary component that adds minimal structural complexity while significantly improving reliability. By placing this single sealing element at the interface between the push button and external environment, the solution prevents dust intrusion without requiring complex modifications to the existing directly assembled cinematic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective plug is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently installed and maintained. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be added without redesigning the entire push button assembly, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving the reliability improvement.
3Ease of operation
If the push button is subjected to manual pressing force at non-central positions, then the operational versatility is improved, but the push button may jam in the box-like structure
Solution Approach 1:
The protective plug acts as a mediator that prevents external contaminants from interfering with the sliding movement between the push button and retaining frame. This allows the push button to be operated at various positions on its surface without fear of dust or sand particles causing jamming, thereby maintaining both operational flexibility and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective plug provides beforehand protection by sealing the sliding areas before any dust or sand particles can intrude. This prior cushioning effect ensures that even when the push button is pressed at non-central positions, the sliding movement remains free from contamination-induced jamming, maintaining reliability while allowing operational flexibility.
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 protective plug effectively prevents dust and debris from entering the sliding areas, thereby preventing jamming and ensuring reliable operation of the push button switch without compromising its modular design or size.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible, sealing elastic portion (35) integral with said relatively rigid portion (34), said two portions being made of different materials with different flexibility characteristics
Data Source
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AI summary
A push button switch (21) is described, comprising : - a support structure (22) of generally box-like shape, defining an internal space, the support structure (22) being provided with at least an opening (23) communicating with the internal space and provided with an opening axis (Z-Z), said opening (23) being defined by an internal opening edge (23a); - an actuation mechanism (24) comprising a push button (25) and mechanical coupling means (26) for connecting said push button (25) to the support structure (22), the mechanical coupling means comprising guiding means (26) for allowing the push button (25) to traverse with respect to said support structure (22) in a direction generally parallel to said opening axis (Z-Z); - a key (31) which may be fixed to the push button (26) for manually actuating the push button; - an anti-jamming protection device comprising a protective plug (33) which is to be interposed between the key (31) and the push button (25) and which may be applied onto the support structure (22) for interacting with the internal edge (23a), in order to protect the guiding means (26) from undesired intrusion by dust particles and similar.