Rotary Switch Resistor Network Eliminates Common Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary switches require dedicated common contacts, which occupy space on printed circuit boards without providing additional functionality, leading to increased material costs and reduced reliability due to the number of components required.
Innovation Solution
The rotary switch employs a resistor network with a commutator that connects pairs of adjacent electrical contacts, modifying the output voltage based on position, eliminating the need for central common contacts and reducing the number of components, thereby minimizing material costs and increasing space for other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated common contacts are used in conventional rotary switches, then the switch can provide stable electrical connection, but the number of components increases leading to increased material costs and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of dedicated common contacts with the resistor network by using the resistor network to provide both resistance values and common electrical connections. The resistor network serves dual purposes: establishing electrical resistance for voltage division and providing common contact pathways, thereby eliminating the need for separate common contacts and reducing overall component count while maintaining reliable electrical connections
Solution Approach 2:
The resistor network is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the necessary resistance values for voltage division across different switch positions and also serves as the common electrical connection pathway. This multi-functional design eliminates redundant components while ensuring stable electrical connectivity throughout the rotary switch mechanism
2Reliability
If dedicated common contacts are used in conventional rotary switches, then electrical connection is maintained, but space on printed circuit boards is occupied without additional functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical connection function previously performed by dedicated common contacts into the resistor network structure. The resistor network traces and nodes serve as both resistance elements and common electrical pathways, eliminating the need for separate common contact pads and interconnections on the printed circuit board, thereby freeing up board space while maintaining electrical connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the common contact functionality from the traditional rotary switch architecture and integrates it into the resistor network. By removing dedicated common contacts and their associated trace routing from the printed circuit board design, the invention reduces the area occupied by non-functional elements while preserving the essential electrical connection capability through the resistor network's inherent conductivity pathways
3Adaptability or versatility
If more components are used in rotary switches, then functionality is maintained, but material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional elements into the resistor network, which simultaneously provides resistance values for voltage division and serves as the common electrical connection system. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate common contacts, reducing the total component count and associated material costs while preserving the full functionality of the rotary switch across all positions
Solution Approach 2:
The resistor network is designed to perform multiple functions that were previously handled by separate components: it provides the necessary resistance values for different switch positions and also serves as the common electrical connection pathway. This multi-functional approach reduces the overall component count and material requirements while maintaining complete operational functionality
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
This configuration reduces material costs, increases space on printed circuit boards, and enhances the reliability of the rotary switch by minimizing the number of components required, while maintaining functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The commutator may be configured to electrically connect a pair of adjacent electrical contacts so as to modify an output voltage of the rotary switch corresponding to a position of the rotary switch
Implementation Method 2
The resistor network may include a plurality of resistors in electrical communication with the plurality of electrical contacts. In some embodiments, each resistor of the resistor network may be positioned so as to electrically connect a respective pair of adjacent electrical contacts. In such an embodiment, each resistor in the resistor network may define a resistance value that is different from resistance values of other resistors in the resistor network
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods of manufacturing are described that provide a rotary switch. An example rotary switch includes a substrate and a plurality of electrical contacts supported by the substrate. The rotary switch includes a resistor network of a plurality of resistors in electrical communication with the plurality of electrical contacts and a commutator that moves relative to the substrate along the plurality of electrical contacts. The commutator electrically connects a pair of adjacent electrical contacts so as to modify an output voltage of the rotary switch corresponding to a position of the rotary switch. Each resistor of the resistor network is positioned so as to electrically connect a respective pair of adjacent electrical contacts. Each resistor in the resistor network comprises a resistance value that is different from resistance values of other resistors in the resistor network.