Push Switch Peripheral Wall Pressing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional push switches face challenges in providing a favorable clicking sensation as the size of the movable contact needs to be reduced with the size of the rubber spring, making it difficult to maintain an effective operation sensation.
Innovation Solution
A push switch design featuring a pressing member with an elastically deformable peripheral wall portion that presses an interposed member, which in turn presses a dome-shaped movable contact, allowing for a larger contact size and adjustable operation load to enhance the clicking sensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the size of the rubber spring is reduced to miniaturize the input apparatus, then the overall device size decreases, but the size of the movable contact must also be reduced which deteriorates the clicking sensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pressing member into two functional parts: the rubber spring (pressing portion) and the peripheral wall portion (interposed member). This segmentation allows the movable contact to be positioned outside the rubber spring's internal space, enabling the contact to maintain a larger size even when the rubber spring is miniaturized, thus preserving the clicking sensation while reducing overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the movable contact from being contained within the rubber spring's vertical space to being positioned laterally adjacent to it. The peripheral wall portion extends outward to provide the pressing interface, effectively utilizing lateral space rather than vertical space. This dimensional reorganization allows the movable contact to be larger without increasing the overall footprint of the input apparatus.
2Ease of operation
If the movable contact is made larger to improve clicking sensation, then the operation sensation improves, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the rubber spring within the housing structure while positioning the movable contact in the lateral space created by the outwardly extending peripheral wall portion. This nested arrangement allows the larger movable contact to coexist with the compact rubber spring, maintaining both the improved clicking sensation and compact device dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If the peripheral wall portion is made highly elastic to improve pressing sensation, then the operation load decreases, but the structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the pressing member: the rubber spring portion is made highly elastic to provide a soft pressing sensation, while the peripheral wall portion is made of a harder material to provide structural stability and precise positioning. This local differentiation of material qualities allows both soft pressing sensation and structural stability to coexist without compromise.
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 design enables a compact push switch that provides a favorable operation sensation with both a soft and sharp clicking sensation, independent of the rubber spring size, by allowing the metal contact to be larger than the spring space and adjusting the load characteristics for a satisfying user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the peripheral wall portion is subjected to elastic deformation in response to the pressing portion being pressed
Data Source
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AI summary
A push switch including a pressing member, a movable contact, an interposed member, a first fixed contact, and a second fixed contact is provided. The pressing member includes a pressing portion configured to be pressed, and includes an elastically deformable peripheral wall portion having a lower end portion and extending downward and outward from the outer periphery of the pressing portion. The movable contact has a dome shape and is disposed below the pressing member. The interposed member is disposed between the pressing member and the movable contact, and is configured to press the movable contact by receiving and being pressed by the lower end portion of the peripheral wall portion of the pressing member. The first fixed contact is provided in contact with the movable contact. The second fixed contact is configured to be contacted with and separated from the movable contact. The lower end portion of the peripheral wall portion of the pressing member presses the interposed member while the peripheral wall portion is subjected to elastic deformation in response to the pressing portion being pressed.