Push Switch Segmented Cap and Button for Seal Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing push switches in vehicles face issues with seal degradation and durability due to the connection between the rubber base and decorative member, leading to water ingress and damage from repeated push operations.

Innovation Solution

A push switch design featuring a soft button with guide grooves and a hard cap that is separably connected, where the cap's legs fit into these grooves, regulating the push stroke and preventing the soft button from being trapped, thus enhancing durability and seal reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the decorative member is fitted into the rubber base to allow flexible decoration, then design freedom is improved, but seal characteristics are degraded and water penetration risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign freedomVSAvoidseal characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The button assembly is segmented into a rubber base and a decorative member that can be separately assembled and disassembled. The decorative member with its projection fits into the recess of the rubber base, allowing independent replacement and maintenance of each component while preserving seal integrity through the structured connection interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the decorative member is fitted into the rubber base to allow flexible decoration, then design freedom is improved, but the base is susceptible to damage from large pushing forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign freedomVSAvoidbase durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The button assembly combines a rubber base material with a decorative member material to create a composite structure. The rubber base provides elasticity and sealing, while the decorative member provides durability and aesthetic properties, allowing each material to contribute its optimal characteristics to the overall performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If the pushbutton part is made from hard material with easy detachment, then color specifications are flexible, but the pushbutton part may detach during mounting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor specifications flexibilityVSAvoidmounting stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure includes a stopper part on the cap member that is positioned in advance to engage with the circumferential edge of the switch exposure opening. This preliminary positioning action prevents the cap member from detaching during the mounting process, ensuring stable installation while maintaining the easy detachment feature for color specification changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If the soft button is covered by a hard cap for protection, then the inner button is protected from damage, but the soft button may be trapped and damaged by repeated push operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebutton protectionVSAvoidseal durability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the cap member and button is designed to be dynamically separable rather than permanently fixed. The cap member can be easily detached and reattached, allowing the button to be replaced when degraded by repeated push operations, while the hard cap continues to provide protection during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 prevents seal loss and durability issues by allowing flexible color support and ensuring the soft button is not subjected to excessive loads, maintaining reliable operation over time.

Implementation Method 1

the switch main body, which is covered and sealed by an elastic seal material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

when the switch is turned on by pushing the button and elastically deforming the inner button

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9972457B2Push switch

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 TOKYO PARTS IND CO LTD

AI summary

Guide grooves are formed in a peripheral sidewall of a soft button, and a hard cap is separably connected to the button by fitting legs on the cap into these guide grooves. Furthermore, when a push-operation member on the cap is pushed, the legs are guided in the guide grooves, while the press stroke of the push-operation member is regulated by the bottom ends of the legs coming into contact with the top face of an inner flange on the case.