Push Switch Protective Sheet Rib Design for Acoustic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push switches produce unwanted sounds due to their design, which can be annoying and affect user experience, particularly due to the natural frequency of the protective sheet causing unintended frequency sounds during operation.
Innovation Solution
The push switch design incorporates a protective sheet with ribs on its intermediate portion, which increases rigidity in specific areas, allowing adjustment of the natural frequency and reducing the production of unwanted sounds by modifying the position, size, and shape of these ribs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the protective sheet is made with a simple structure, then the manufacturing cost is low and ease of manufacture is improved, but the natural frequency causes unwanted sound production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the local quality principle by adding ribs only to specific regions of the protective sheet (the intermediate portion between the pressing portion and the peripheral edge). This localized structural modification increases rigidity where needed to alter natural frequency and reduce unwanted sound, while maintaining simplicity in other areas to preserve ease of manufacture. The ribs are strategically positioned to provide acoustic control without requiring complete redesign of the entire protective sheet structure.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If ribs are added to the protective sheet to adjust natural frequency, then unwanted sound production is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ribs are implemented as simple protrusions or ridges formed directly on the protective sheet material, requiring minimal additional manufacturing steps. The local quality principle is applied by confining these structural additions to only the intermediate portion of the protective sheet, rather than modifying the entire structure. This approach reduces device complexity by implementing acoustic control measures in a localized, straightforward manner that does not significantly complicate the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sheet is functionally segmented into distinct portions: the pressing portion, the intermediate portion with ribs, and the peripheral edge portion. This segmentation allows the ribs to be incorporated as a discrete structural feature within the intermediate portion, making the complexity manageable and localized rather than distributed throughout the entire protective sheet structure.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the protective sheet rigidity is increased overall, then unwanted sound is reduced, but the pressing force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by increasing rigidity only in the intermediate portion of the protective sheet through the addition of ribs, while keeping the pressing portion and other areas relatively flexible. This localized rigidity enhancement targets the specific region that influences natural frequency and sound production, without unnecessarily increasing the overall rigidity of the entire protective sheet. Consequently, the pressing force required to operate the switch is not significantly increased, as the pressing portion retains its flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sheet is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to flex during normal operation in the pressing portion, while the ribbed intermediate portion provides localized structural support. This dynamic design enables the sheet to adapt its rigidity based on the operational state: flexible during pressing to require minimal force, yet sufficiently rigid in the intermediate portion to control natural frequency and reduce unwanted sound production.
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 effectively reduces the production of unwanted sounds by altering the natural frequency of the protective sheet, providing a more satisfactory operation touch and reducing the likelihood of sound production, especially at frequencies that might be offensive to users.
Implementation Method 1
a rib 54 disposed on the protective sheet 5... increases rigidity in specific areas, allowing adjustment of the natural frequency and reducing the production of unwanted sounds
Implementation Method 2
As the pressing portion of the protective sheet is pressed along the first direction, the movable contact member deforms by force received from the protective sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A push switch includes: a case including a recess; a fixed contact member including a fixed contact disposed in the recess; a movable contact member including a movable contact disposed in the recess; a protective sheet disposed in a first direction from the recess and covering the recess; and a rib disposed on the protective sheet. The protective sheet includes: a pressing portion; a fixed portion fixed to the case; and an intermediate portion located between the pressing portion and the fixed portion as viewed in the first direction. As the pressing portion of the protective sheet is pressed along the first direction, the movable contact member deforms by force received from the protective sheet. The movable contact touches the fixed contact as a result of the deformation of the movable contact member.