Push Switch Vibration Damping via Elastic Leg Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push switches with metal dome contact members often generate unintentional operation sounds due to vibration and collision, and using a rubber-like elastic layer to reduce noise adds complexity, while simpler configurations are sought for noise reduction.
Innovation Solution
A push switch design featuring a metal dome-shaped movable contact member with elastically deformable leg portions acting as vibration damping members, which absorb vibrations when the contact member returns to its initial state, reducing noise without additional elastic layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a metal dome movable contact member is used, then the clicking feeling is maintained, but unintentional operation sound is generated due to vibration and collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vibration damping member as an intermediary component between the movable contact member and the fixed contact member. This mediator absorbs vibrations and prevents direct collision sounds while maintaining the functional contact, thus reducing operation sound without compromising the clicking feeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful vibration energy into beneficial elastic deformation energy of the vibration damping member. By designing the damping member with specific elastic properties, the vibration energy is absorbed and dissipated through controlled deformation, transforming the harmful sound-generating vibration into a useful energy absorption mechanism.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a rubber-like elastic layer is added to reduce noise, then operation sound is suppressed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration damping member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides vibration damping, maintains electrical contact, and supports the movable contact member. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate rubber-like elastic layers and other components, reducing device complexity while achieving noise suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the vibration damping function with the electrical contact function into a single integrated vibration damping member. This consolidation of functions into one component simplifies the overall device structure compared to using separate components for damping and contact.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the operation load is reduced to minimize collision sound, then noise is decreased, but the clicking feeling changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the vibration damping member, specifically its elastic modulus and geometric dimensions, to optimize the balance between operation load and clicking feeling. By carefully selecting these parameters, the damping member provides sufficient cushioning to reduce collision sound while maintaining adequate stiffness to preserve the tactile clicking feedback.
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 effectively suppresses operation sound generation by absorbing vibrations through elastic deformation of the leg portions, maintaining the clicking feeling while simplifying the configuration and reducing noise effectively.
Implementation Method 1
elastically deformable by an operating force lower than a load required for the inversion operation of the bulging portion
Implementation Method 2
the vibration damping member absorbs a vibration of the movable contact member when the bulging portion is returned to its initial state from an inverted state
Data Source
AI summary
A push switch 1 includes a movable contact member 20 with a bulging portion 20a. The push switch 1 has a fixed contact member 10 with a first fixed contact portion 10a and a second fixed contact portion 10b. The push switch 1 includes an electrically conductive vibration damping member 25 elastically deformable by an operating force lower than load for inversion operation of the bulging portion 20a. When the movable contact member 20 is operated from the initial state, the vibration damping member 25 is deflected due to elastic deformation while the operating force during the elastic deformation of the vibration damping member 25 increases monotonically. When the movable contact member 20 returns from the bulging portion 20a being in an inverted state to the initial state, the vibration damping member 25 absorbs the vibrations from the movable contact member 20.