Push Switch Support Inversion for Better Click Feel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push switches impair the comfortableness (click feeling) provided to operators due to deformation of the movable contact when a push operation is given to the elastic body.
Innovation Solution
A push switch design that includes a support connected to the pushing element, which performs an invert action to reduce the load applied to the pushing element and movable member, maintaining comfortableness by adjusting the load throughout the operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the movable member deforms to provide comfortableness, then the operator receives click feeling, but the load applied to the pushing element increases and impairs comfortableness
Solution Approach 1:
The support is divided into multiple regions (first region, second region, third region) with different curvature radii, allowing each region to contribute differently to the overall load characteristics. This segmentation enables the support to provide comfortableness while controlling the load applied to the pushing element.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the support have different local properties (curvature radii) optimized for their specific functions. The first region has a smaller curvature radius to provide initial resistance, the second region has a larger curvature radius to reduce load during inversion, and the third region provides final stability.
2Ease of operation
If the movable member has high click ratio to enhance comfortableness, then the click feeling is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support acts as an intermediary between the pushing element and the movable member, modifying the load characteristics before they reach the movable member. This allows the movable member to have a simpler design while still achieving the desired click feeling through the support's load-modifying function.
3Length of moving object
If the pushing element travels a long distance to activate the switch, then the operation range is increased, but the load applied during travel increases and impairs comfortableness
Solution Approach 1:
The support's curvature radius changes dynamically along the travel path of the pushing element. The curvature radius is smaller at the beginning and end of the travel distance (providing higher resistance) and larger in the middle region (reducing resistance), allowing long travel distance while maintaining comfortable load characteristics throughout the motion.
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 maintains operator comfortableness by reducing the load applied during the invert action of the movable member, enhancing the click feeling without requiring a high-click ratio movable member, and reducing rattle sounds.
Implementation Method 1
The support has such a property that until a travel distance of the pushing element reaches a first threshold, a load applied from the support to the pushing element increases, and after the travel distance of the pushing element reaches the first threshold, the load applied from the support to the pushing element decreases
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An object of the present disclosure is to provide comfortableness, without significantly impaired, to an operator when the operator gives a push operation to a push element. A push switch (1) includes: a case (2) including a fixed contact (7); a movable member (3), a pushing element (5), and a support (6). The movable member (3) includes a movable contact (8). The movable member (3) is disposed at a location to face the fixed contact (7) and is movable between an ON-position and an OFF-position. The pushing element (5) is disposed at a location to face the movable member (3) and is configured to receive external force to push the movable member (3). The support (6) has such a property that until a travel distance of the pushing element (5) reaches a first threshold, a load applied from the support (6) to the pushing element (5) increases, and when the travel distance of the pushing element (5) reaches the first threshold, the load applied from the support 6 to the pushing element (5) decreases.