Push Switch Rib-and-Groove Sealing for Waterproof Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional push switches experience a reduction in waterproofness when a push operation is performed, leading to the ingress of water into the recessed part of the case.
Innovation Solution
A push switch design featuring a rubber cap with a rib that protrudes toward the case, which fits into a grooved part on the case's lateral wall, ensuring adhesion and preventing movement of the rib, thereby maintaining waterproofness even during a push operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber cap is used to cover the recessed part, then waterproofness is improved, but the rib on the rubber cap moves during push operation causing water ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The grooved part acts as an intermediary structure between the rib and the case, providing a tracking path that guides the rib's movement and prevents lateral displacement, thereby maintaining waterproofness during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The grooved part changes the movement parameters of the rib by constraining it to move only along the groove's path, preventing unwanted lateral movement while allowing necessary operational movement
Data Source
AI summary
A push switch includes: a movable contact, a fixed contact that comes into contact with the movable contact, a case that includes a recessed part accommodating the movable contact and in which the fixed contact is embedded, and a rubber cap that covers the recessed part of the case. The rubber cap includes a rib that protrudes toward the case. The case further includes a lateral wall part that forms an inner surface of the recessed part. The lateral wall part has an upper surface in which a grooved part is formed. The rib is disposed in the grooved part of the lateral wall part.