Pushbutton Switch Mounting with Detachable Cap and Elastic Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pushbutton switches lack production flexibility due to being designed with specific color specifications in mind, and attempts to make them detachable result in reduced connecting strength and increased risk of damage to the sealing rubber, leading to reduced reliability and productivity.

Innovation Solution

A pushbutton switch mounting structure where a hard cap member with a stopper portion is connected to an elastic sealing body, allowing for flexible color specification handling by fixing the pushbutton through a switch exposure aperture, reducing the need for high connecting strength and minimizing risk of damage to the sealing body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the pushbutton is preliminarily incorporated in the switch case, then the connecting strength is high, but the production flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnecting strengthVSAvoidproduction flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pushbutton assembly is segmented into two independent parts: the cap member (pushbutton) and the elastic sealing body. This allows them to be manufactured separately and assembled later, enabling color specification changes without remanufacturing the entire switch case while maintaining connection strength through the stopper portion mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection mechanism transitions from a fixed preliminary incorporation to a dynamic assembly process where the cap member can be attached to the elastic sealing body at the time of switch assembly. The stopper portion provides a mechanical constraint that ensures reliable connection while allowing flexibility in the assembly timing and color selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the pushbutton is connected detachably to the rubber member, then the production flexibility is improved, but the connecting strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction flexibilityVSAvoidconnecting strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic sealing body acts as an intermediary component between the cap member and the switch case. The cap member connects to the elastic sealing body through the stopper portion, which provides sufficient connecting strength while allowing detachable assembly. This intermediary structure enables production flexibility without sacrificing connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the engaging margin is set to be large, then the connecting strength is increased, but the workability of mounting is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnecting strengthVSAvoidworkability of mounting

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper portion provides localized mechanical constraint at a specific location on the cap member, concentrating the connecting strength where needed rather than requiring a large engaging margin throughout the entire interface. This localized quality approach maintains strong connection while preserving mounting workability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If the engaging margin is set to be large, then the connecting strength is increased, but the productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnecting strengthVSAvoidproductivity of pushbutton switch

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the pushbutton assembly into the cap member and elastic sealing body that can be assembled separately, the invention eliminates the need for large engaging margins during final assembly. The stopper portion provides sufficient connection strength with minimal engagement, significantly improving productivity while maintaining connecting strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables easy mounting and detachment of the pushbutton, improving production flexibility and maintaining seal reliability by allowing for various color specifications without compromising the sealing integrity.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic sealing body 5 that seals an accommodating region in which the switch body 4 is accommodated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2051268B1Pushbutton switch mounting structure

Publication Date: 2010.10.06 ALPHA

Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A pushbutton switch (100) is provided with: a switch case (8) ; a switch body (4) fixed to the switch case (4) ; an elastic sealing body (5) that is formed of an elastic material and covers and seals the switch body (4); a cap member (6) that is formed of a hard material and is detachably mounted at a top portion of the elastic sealing body (5) ; a pushbutton portion (3) provided on the cap member (6) and exposing from a switch exposure aperture (1) on a switch mounting apparatus (2); and astopperportion (7) providedonthecapmember (6) and configured to interfere with a rear surface of the switch mounting apparatus (2) at a peripheral area of the switch exposure aperture (1) and to restrain the cap member (6) from being detached from the switch mounting apparatus (2), in a state in which the switch case (8) is fixed to the switch mounting apparatus (2).