Push-type Switch with OLED Display and Structural Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional push-type switches have weak structural strength due to breached housings and tend to deform, and they fail to effectively indicate switch states or functions, especially with printed patterns that fade over time.
Innovation Solution
A push-type switch design featuring a movable seat with interfering and positioning walls, a cap lid made of light-permeable material, a display module with an OLED for image display, and a holding board for structural reinforcement, along with a lighting element for indicating switch states, which enhances structural strength and visual feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the housing is breached to allow electrical terminals to extend out for electrical connection, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but structural strength is significantly reduced causing the housing to easily deform
Solution Approach 1:
The switch structure is divided into separate components: the housing remains intact and unre breached, while electrical connection is achieved through a separate conducting unit with flexible conducting elements that make contact with terminals inside the housing. This segmentation allows the housing to maintain its structural strength while still achieving electrical connectivity through the conducting elements that can extend and retract.
2Loss of information
If printed patterns or marks are used on the surface to represent functions, then functional indication is provided, but the patterns tend to fade away or peel due to repeated touch and push
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical printed patterns on the surface with an electronic display module that can dynamically show functional information. The display module uses electronic pixels or LED elements to indicate switch functions and states, eliminating the need for physical printed marks that are subject to fading or peeling from repeated contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional indication method changes from static printed patterns to dynamic electronic display with variable parameters. The display module can change colors, brightness, and displayed content based on switch state, providing more reliable and adaptable functional indication that doesn't degrade with use.
3Loss of information
If a light permeable material is used for the cap lid to allow light emission indication, then visual feedback of switch state is achieved, but the cap lid becomes more fragile and less durable
Solution Approach 1:
The cap lid is constructed using composite materials that combine the light permeability needed for visual feedback with enhanced structural durability. The composite structure may include reinforced frames, multiple layers with different properties, or specialized polymers that maintain both optical transparency and mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between light transmission and durability.
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 provides a reinforced structure and clear visual indication of switch states and functions, overcoming the weaknesses of traditional switches by combining structural reinforcement with dynamic or static image display and light emission, while reducing the overall size and improving durability.
Implementation Method 1
the display module comprises a base portion, at least an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flexible cable, and a connecting board
Implementation Method 2
a lighting element being fixedly disposed in the accommodating space of the movable seat and electrically connected to the printed circuit board, the lighting element being capable of emitting light which is permeable to the second display portion of the cap lid
Data Source
AI summary
A push-type switch includes a cap lid made of a light permeable material, a shielding board, a holding board, a movable seat, a display module disposed between the cap lid and the movable seat, a lighting element disposed in the movable seat, a conducting unit having a conducting element being flexible and a plurality of conducting terminals, and a housing. When the cap lid is being pushed downward, the movable seat moves concurrently to depress the conducting element, whereby the conducting element being deformed to electrically contact the conducting terminals so as to switch on and off the push-type switch, and the lighting element and the display module being capable of emitting light and displaying images respectively according to the state of switch and electrical signals transmitted from a printed circuit board to the lighting element and the display module.