Fluid-Tight Pushbutton Switch Sealing for Medical Handpieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pushbutton switch assemblies for medical handpieces face challenges in achieving a reliable, fluid-tight seal, particularly during cleaning processes, often requiring complex structures and additional fastening components that can be difficult to clean and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A ring-like carrier with a plate-like button element, sealed by an O-ring-like sealing arrangement on its outer peripheral side, forms a fluid-tight unit, eliminating the need for internal flat sealing elements and ensuring a simple, reliable connection to the handpiece without additional fastening screws, using vulcanization for a secure mechanical and fluid-tight attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plate-like flexible button element with multiple fastening screws is used to create a fluid-tight seal, then the sealing capability is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of cleaning increase due to small structures and crevices
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex fastening screw structure from the sealing system. Instead of using multiple screws to secure a plate-like button element, the patent employs a simple O-ring sealing element that can be easily installed and removed without additional fastening components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes an O-ring sealing element, which is a flexible toroidal component that deforms under compression to create a fluid-tight seal between the button assembly and the handpiece housing. This flexible sealing approach replaces the rigid multi-screw plate structure, simplifying the overall design while ensuring reliable sealing
2Reliability
If additional fastening screws and plate-like sealing elements are used, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture and cleaning deteriorates due to more components and small structures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the unnecessary fastening screws and complex plate-like sealing elements from the design, retaining only the essential O-ring sealing element. This extraction of redundant components simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces the number of assembly steps required while maintaining sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sealing function into a single integrated O-ring component that works in conjunction with the button element. This consolidation of the sealing mechanism into a simple, unified structure eliminates the need for separate fastening screws and complex plate assemblies, thereby improving ease of manufacture and assembly
3Reliability
If a complex sealing structure with multiple components is used, then the fluid-tight seal capability is improved, but the ease of operation and maintenance worsens due to difficulty in cleaning small structures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates small, hard-to-clean structures such as fastening screws and complex sealing plates from the design. The simplified O-ring sealing system has no crevices or small gaps where fluid and debris can accumulate, making the device easy to clean and maintain while preserving fluid-tight sealing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The O-ring sealing element provides a smooth, continuous sealing surface that can be easily wiped clean and does not trap fluid or debris. The flexible nature of the O-ring allows it to conform to slight variations in the sealing surfaces without creating gaps or crevices, thereby facilitating easy cleaning and maintenance
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 provides a robust, easy-to-clean fluid-tight seal that withstands mechanical loads and simplifies the assembly process, ensuring reliable operation and maintenance by avoiding small structures that can compromise sealing, particularly in surgical environments.
Implementation Method 1
on an outer peripheral side of the ring-like carrier a sealing arrangement surrounding the ring-like carrier
Implementation Method 2
The button element is fixed to the carrier in a fluid-tight manner sealing off the carrier interior
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A push-button switch assembly for a handpiece for performing medical procedures comprises a ring-shaped carrier (28) surrounding a carrier interior (56), a push-button element (42) on the carrier (28) for performing switching operations, wherein the push-button element (42) is fluid-tightly closed on the carrier (28) and a sealing arrangement (36, 38) surrounding the ring-shaped carrier (28) on an outer circumferential side (34).