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 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 latching circuit replaces the electromagnetic holding coil, incorporating clock and reset control signals, multiple configurable states, and latch logic to maintain the pushbutton switch in a predetermined condition, fitting within the standard housing size and weight without increasing length, weight, or mounting depth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an electromagnetic holding coil is used for latching, then latching and release functionality is achieved, but power consumption increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electromagnetic holding coil (electromechanical system) with an electronic latching circuit that uses logic states and digital signals to maintain the latched condition. This substitution eliminates the continuous power consumption associated with electromagnetic coils while maintaining reliable latching functionality through electronic memory elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters from continuous electromagnetic field maintenance to discrete electronic state storage. The latching circuit uses binary logic states (0 or 1) to represent latched and unlatched conditions, requiring power only during state transitions rather than continuous power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If an electromagnetic holding coil is used for latching, then latching functionality is achieved, but the switch becomes substantially longer and heavier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching functionalityVSAvoidswitch weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the heavy electromagnetic holding coil with a compact electronic latching circuit consisting of logic gates, flip-flops, or microcontroller-based elements. This electronic substitution dramatically reduces the weight and volume of the latching mechanism while maintaining the same functional capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If an electromagnetic holding coil is used for latching, then latching functionality is achieved, but sensitivity to shock and physical jarring increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching functionalityVSAvoidsensitivity to shock

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanically vulnerable electromagnetic holding coil with a solid-state electronic latching circuit that has no moving parts. This electronic implementation is inherently more resistant to shock, vibration, and physical jarring, eliminating the sensitivity issues associated with electromagnetic mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If an electromagnetic holding coil is used for latching, then latching functionality is achieved, but heat generation increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching functionalityVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the heat-generating electromagnetic holding coil with an electronic latching circuit that operates at significantly lower temperatures. The electronic components generate minimal heat compared to the continuous electromagnetic field maintenance required by holding coils, thereby reducing thermal management requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20110248769A1Illuminated pushbutton switch with configurable electronic latching features

Publication Date: 2011.10.13 APPLIED AVIONICS LLC

AI summary

Within an illuminating pushbutton switch, an electronic latching circuit replaces an electromagnetic holding coil for latching or releasing a state of the illuminated pushbutton switch. The electronic latching circuit includes inputs receiving clock and reset control signals, one or more outputs delivering latch output states, which may include multiple configurable states, and latch logic controlled by the clock and reset control signals and delivering signals maintaining the illuminated pushbutton switch in a predetermined condition depending upon the latch state. The electronic logic circuit fits within the illuminated pushbutton switch housing in space sized to hold one snap action switching device without increase in the length, weight or mounting depth of the illuminated pushbutton switch.