Push Switch Contact Structure With Insulated Ground Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices, such as timepieces, face challenges in combining push switches with metallic components without causing short circuits due to vibrations or impacts, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a ground conductor plate, a push button, a fixed contact, an electrical insulator, and a movable contact, where the electrical insulator separates the fixed contact from the ground conductor plate, preventing short circuits and allowing for reliable operation of push switches within a metallic framework.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metallic plate is used inside the case to improve impact resistance and abrasion resistance, then the strength and durability of the device is improved, but the risk of short circuits increases due to vibrations or impacts
Solution Approach 1:
An electrical insulator is introduced as an intermediary component between the metallic ground conductor plate and the fixed contact. This insulator prevents direct electrical contact between the metal plate and circuit elements, eliminating the short circuit risk while preserving the mechanical strength and impact resistance provided by the metallic plate structure
2Device complexity
If a push switch with fixed contact directly on the ground conductor plate is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but electrical insulation cannot be ensured during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical insulator serves as a mediator that allows the fixed contact to be mounted on the ground conductor plate while maintaining electrical isolation. This enables a simple structural arrangement where the insulator is fastened to the metal plate and the fixed contact is attached to the insulator, achieving both structural simplicity and electrical insulation
3Ease of manufacture
If the fixed contact is fastened directly to the ground conductor plate, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but short circuits cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical insulator acts as a manufacturing-friendly intermediary that can be fastened to the ground conductor plate using conventional methods, and the fixed contact can then be attached to the insulator. This two-step process maintains ease of manufacture while the insulator itself provides the necessary short circuit prevention through its electrical insulation properties
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
This configuration reduces the risk of short circuits, allows for thinner and less costly circuit boards, and enhances the durability and robustness of the electronic device by maintaining electrical insulation while enabling the use of metallic components.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical insulator that is interposed between the ground conductor plate and the fixed contact and electrically insulates the fixed contact from the ground conductor plate
Implementation Method 2
When the user stops pushing the push button, the push button returns to the original position thereof due to an elastic force from a spring or the like
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device, including: a case; a ground conductor plate that is accommodated in the case; a push button that penetrates the case from an outer surface of the case through to an inner surface of the case, and is slidable in a direction of penetration; a fixed contact that is fastened to the ground conductor plate inside the case and is disposed in front of the push button; an electrical insulator that is interposed between the ground conductor plate and the fixed contact and electrically insulates the fixed contact from the ground conductor plate; and a movable contact that is electrically connected to the ground conductor plate, and is pushed against the fixed contact by the push button being pushed toward inside the case.