Push Switch Dual Sensing Mode Touch Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional push switches can only generate a single signal, limiting their functionality and failing to distinguish between user input and inadvertent touches, while touch switches with light-emitting elements face issues with light transmission due to metal sensing sheets.

Innovation Solution

A push switch with dual sensing mode incorporating a main socket, sliding base, keycap, sensing circuit board, and touch sensor, which produces both pressing and touch signals, utilizing a recovering elastic part and touch sensor to differentiate user input and prevent accidental activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional physical pressing switch is used, then the switch structure is simple, but it cannot distinguish between user input and inadvertent touches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to distinguish user inputVSAvoidswitch structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a physical pressing switch structure with a touch sensor system into a single integrated device. The switch body includes both a mechanical pressing component (with elastic element and contact) and a touch sensor (capacitive or resistive), allowing the device to detect both physical presses and finger proximity/touch on the surface, thereby distinguishing user input from inadvertent touches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The switch is designed to perform multiple functions: it can detect physical pressing actions through the mechanical contact and simultaneously detect finger touch or proximity through the touch sensor. This multi-functionality allows the same device to serve both traditional switching purposes and modern touch interface purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Illumination intensity

If a touch switch with light emitting element is used, then user confirmation is provided, but the metal sensing sheet shields the light and prevents whole light transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight transmissionVSAvoidsensing function

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transparent or translucent protective layer as an intermediary between the light emitting element and the touch sensor. This layer allows light to pass through to provide user confirmation while simultaneously serving as the sensing surface for capacitive or resistive touch detection, eliminating the shielding problem caused by metal sensing sheets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a thin transparent or translucent film as the touch sensing surface instead of a metal sensing sheet. This thin film allows light to transmit through while maintaining the touch sensing functionality, solving the conflict between light transmission and sensing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single signal switch is used, then the device complexity is low, but the functionality and application range are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidsignal output

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switch generates two independent signals: a first signal in response to physical pressing and a second signal in response to touch sensor detection. This allows the device to provide multiple functions (physical switching, touch control, gesture recognition) from a single integrated component, greatly enhancing adaptability without requiring multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables flexible operation with two independent signals, confirming user input and preventing accidental activation, enhancing functionality in limited spaces and improving user interaction.

Implementation Method 1

when a user places his finger on the upper end of the keycap, the touch sensor generates an inductance and causes the sensing circuit board to output a touch signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductance: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The receiving slot further has a recovering elastic part therein, and the recovering elastic part has a pressing surface. When the recovering elastic part is pressed form the upper end and making the pressing surface to contact the push signal conductor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10312032B1Push switch with dual sensing mode

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 CHU CHING HSIUNG

AI summary

A push switch with dual sensing mode including a main socket, a sliding base, a keycap, a sensing circuit board and a touch sensor is provided. The main socket has an opening and a base. The sliding base is slidably fixed in the main socket. The keycap is correspondingly fixed at the upper end of the sliding base. The sensing circuit board is correspondingly installed in the main socket. The touch sensor is disposed in a keycap chamber of the keycap. When a user places his finger on the upper end of the keycap, the touch sensor generates an inductance and causes the sensing circuit board to output a touch signal.