Illuminated Pushbutton Switch Electronic Latching Without Holding Coil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminated pushbutton switches with internal electromagnetic holding coils face issues such as excessive power consumption, heat generation, sensitivity to shock and physical jarring, electrical spikes, holding coil drop-out on low voltage, and low reliability, while also being larger and heavier than standard models.
Innovation Solution
An electronic circuit replaces the electromagnetic holding coil, providing latching and release functionality, along with blinking capabilities, and fits within the switch housing without increasing size or weight, using inputs and outputs coupled to external pins for remote control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an internal electromagnetic holding coil is used to provide latching and release functionality, then the pushbutton switch can maintain its state, but the switch becomes substantially longer and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic holding coil system with a purely electronic latching circuit implemented on an integrated circuit chip. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy electromagnetic components while maintaining the latching functionality through electronic logic circuits that can be programmed to provide set, reset, and toggle operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit provides multiple functions including latching, blinking, and remote control capabilities within a single compact component. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require separate electromagnetic coils, mechanical linkages, and additional control circuitry, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If an internal electromagnetic holding coil is used, then latching is achieved, but power consumption and heat generation become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic holding coil is replaced with an electronic latching circuit that uses minimal power to maintain state. The electronic circuit uses capacitive storage and logic gates to hold state information without continuous power consumption, dramatically reducing energy usage compared to electromagnetic systems that require continuous current to maintain magnetic fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements blinking functionality using periodic action through an oscillator circuit that generates timing signals. This allows the system to achieve visual indication functions without requiring continuous high-power operation, instead using brief periodic activation of LEDs or other indicators, thereby reducing average power consumption while maintaining effective communication of system state.
3Reliability
If an internal electromagnetic holding coil is used, then latching is achieved, but the switch becomes sensitive to shock and physical jarring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical and electromagnetic components that are susceptible to shock and physical jarring by implementing a fully electronic latching solution on an integrated circuit. Electronic circuits on rigid substrates are far more resistant to mechanical disturbances than electromagnetic coils and mechanical linkages, which can be disrupted by physical shock causing unintended state changes or failure.
Data Source
AI summary
Within an illuminating pushbutton switch, an electronic circuit replaces an electromagnetic holding coil for latching or releasing a state of the illuminated pushbutton switch, and further provides blinking functionality. The electronic circuit includes inputs receiving set, reset and toggle control signals, outputs delivering open, closed and blink control signals, latch logic controlled by the set and reset control signals and delivering signals maintaining the illuminated pushbutton switch in either an open or closed state, and a frequency divider and oscillator coupled together to deliver a blink control signal. The electronic circuit fits within the illuminated pushbutton switch housing in space sized to hold two snap action switching devices without increase in the length, weight or mounting depth of the illuminated pushbutton switch. The inputs and outputs are coupled to external pins from the illuminated pushbutton switch and may be remotely controlled.