Rolling-Ball Switch Integrated Terminal Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional rolling-ball switch has complex and time-consuming assembly due to the need for equal heights of terminal rods, leading to unstable and imprecise ON/OFF operations when subjected to external forces.
Innovation Solution
A rolling-ball switch design featuring an insulative casing part, two metal plates with integrated contact points, and a conductive ball, allowing for automatic assembly and stable operation by bridging the edge portions of the metal plates, eliminating the need for individual terminal rod adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If terminal rods are assembled individually into through holes, then the switch can be constructed with separate components, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming due to the requirement of equal heights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple terminal rods into a single integrated terminal structure. The terminal structure includes multiple terminal ends extending from a common base, eliminating the need to assemble separate terminal rods individually. This integration automatically ensures equal heights of all terminal ends without requiring time-consuming adjustment during assembly.
2Reliability
If terminal rods are adjusted to equal heights, then the conductive ball can make stable contact, but the assembly process becomes more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple terminal rods into a single terminal structure with a common base, ensuring that all terminal ends are automatically at equal heights. This eliminates the need for complex adjustment procedures during assembly while maintaining stable contact with the conductive ball.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal structure is pre-formed with all terminal ends at equal heights before assembly. This preliminary preparation of equal heights eliminates the need for time-consuming adjustment during the assembly process, while ensuring reliable contact stability.
3Productivity
If terminal rods have unequal heights, then assembly is simpler, but the conductive ball movement becomes unstable and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple terminal rods into a single integrated terminal structure where all terminal ends are automatically at equal heights. This design achieves both fast assembly (like unequal height rods) and precise switching (like equal height rods) simultaneously.
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
Simplifies assembly and ensures stable and precise ON/OFF switching by automatically aligning metal plates and supporting the conductive ball, enhancing the reliability of the switch.
Implementation Method 1
the conductive ball can bridge the edge portions of the metal plates to place the rolling-ball switch in an ON state
Data Source
AI summary
A rolling-ball switch includes an insulative casing part having first and second connecting faces and an intermediate through hole, insulative first and second covering parts each having a recessed inner side that covers the respective connecting face, and two metal plates respectively disposed between the first covering part and the first connecting face and between the second covering part and the second connecting face. The first and second recessed inner sides and the intermediate through hole cooperatively define a chamber. Each metal plate includes an inner peripheral edge having an edge portion projecting into the chamber. A conductive ball is disposed movably in the chamber, and has a diameter larger than a distance between the edge portions of the metal plates so that the conductive ball can bridge the edge portions of the metal plates to place the rolling-ball switch in an ON state.