Push Switch Contact Strip Spark Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing push-button switches for vehicle interior lights experience damage and reduced service life due to sparks occurring between the movable and fixed contact strips when high-voltage batteries are used, as the movable contact strip is isolated from the first fixed contact strip, leading to poor contact and damage.

Innovation Solution

A push-button switch design where the movable contact strip is isolated from both the first and second fixed contact strips at the same time, utilizing a nonconductive member embedded in the contact area of the second fixed contact strip and a long hole to distribute the spark occurrence, reducing damage to contact portions and increasing service life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a 24-volt battery is used in a vehicle, then wire harness weight is reduced, but sparks occur between contact strips causing damage and reduced service life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire harness weightVSAvoidcontact strip service life

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact area of the second fixed contact strip is divided into a conductive area and a nonconductive area. The nonconductive area is positioned to receive the movable contact strip when isolated from the first fixed contact strip, distributing the spark occurrence to two different points and reducing damage concentration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the movable contact strip is isolated from the first fixed contact strip, then the push-button switch is turned off, but a spark occurs causing contact portion damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch operationVSAvoidspark damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A nonconductive member is embedded in the contact area of the second fixed contact strip to act as an intermediary. When the movable contact strip is isolated from the first fixed contact strip, it contacts the nonconductive area instead of causing a harmful spark, thus protecting the contact portions from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the movable contact strip contacts only one fixed contact strip during isolation, then spark damage concentrates at one point, but the contact strip durability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact strip durabilityVSAvoidconcentrated spark damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The contact area is segmented into conductive and nonconductive regions. The nonconductive area is specifically positioned to engage the movable contact strip during isolation from the first fixed contact strip, distributing spark damage to two different points and improving overall contact strip durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 distributes spark damage to two different points, reducing the likelihood of contact strip damage and extending the service life of the switch by ensuring simultaneous isolation from both fixed contact strips.

Implementation Method 1

a control member (6) biased by a spring (7) from the fixed member (1)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a movable contact strip (8) configured, when attached to the control member (6) locked in the desired position, to be in contact with and to short-circuit the first fixed contact strip (3) and the second fixed contact strip (4)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

a spark occurs between a movable contact strip and a fixed contact strip at the moment when the movable contact strip is isolated from the fixed contact strip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical discharge: Electric Spark

Data Source

PatentUS7180025B2Push switch

Publication Date: 2007.02.20 T & T

AI summary

A push-button switch includes a fixed member having a first fixed contact strip disposed on the inner surface of the fixed member and a second fixed contact strip disposed on the inner surface of the fixed member and opposite the first fixed contact strip; a control member biased by a spring from the fixed member and locked in a desired position; and a movable contact strip configured, when attached to the control member locked in the desired position, to be in contact with and to short-circuit the first fixed contact strip and the second fixed contact strip. The movable contact strip is configured to be isolated from the first and second fixed contact strips at substantially the same time when the control member is controlled against a biasing force of the spring.