Rotary Switch Stacked Contact Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary switches lack flexibility in accommodating various functional operations due to limitations in the number and arrangement of fixed contact pieces, restricting the variety of switch combinations and angular positions that can be achieved.
Innovation Solution
A rotary switch design featuring a rotor with stacked metal contact pieces in annular zones on both surfaces, allowing for independent determination of contact regions across 360 degrees, and elastic contacts for enhanced flexibility in switch operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the common contact piece is always brought into conduction with only one fixed contact piece, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the variety of switch combinations and angular positions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-plane arrangement of contact pieces to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. Multiple metal contact pieces are arranged in different annular zones and stacked in the thickness direction, enabling simultaneous conduction with multiple fixed contact pieces at different angular positions and levels, thus achieving complex switch combinations without increasing planar complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The contact structure is segmented into multiple independent metal contact pieces, each with predetermined angular widths in different annular zones. This segmentation allows independent design of each contact piece's angular position and width, enabling flexible configuration of multiple switches with different opening/closing characteristics
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of fixed contact pieces is increased to achieve more switch combinations, then the adaptability improves, but the arrangement complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the thickness direction (z-axis) as an additional dimension for arranging contact pieces. Multiple metal contact pieces are stacked vertically in different annular zones, allowing numerous switch combinations to be achieved within a compact planar footprint by exploiting the third dimension
Solution Approach 2:
The contact structure employs a nested arrangement where multiple metal contact pieces are positioned within concentric annular zones. Inner annular zones contain contact pieces for certain switches while outer annular zones contain contact pieces for other switches, enabling dense packing of multiple switches without increasing overall device area
3Adaptability or versatility
If different angular widths are required for different switches, then the functional versatility improves, but the design complexity of contact piece shapes increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each metal contact piece is designed with local quality - predetermined angular widths specifically tailored to the requirements of individual switches. Contact pieces in different annular zones can have different angular widths, allowing each switch to have optimized opening/closing characteristics without requiring all contact pieces to follow a uniform shape pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The contact system is divided into multiple independent metal contact pieces, each segmentable with its own angular width parameters. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each contact piece's angular dimensions to match specific switch requirements, achieving functional versatility without global shape complexity
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 design provides increased flexibility in designing the opening/closing angular ranges and relative timings of multiple switches, enabling the rotary switch to accommodate complex functional operations required by modern mobile electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first metal contact piece having a predetermined number of contact regions each having a predetermined angular width in each of one or more first annular zones defined by a plurality of first concentric circles and a second metal contact piece having a predetermined number of contact regions each having a predetermined angular width in each of one or more second annular zones defined by a plurality of second concentric circles are stacked in the disk part
Implementation Method 2
a first holder having a plurality of first elastic contacts in elastic contact with the one surface of the disk part in the one or more first annular zones; a second holder having a plurality of second elastic contacts in elastic contact with the other surface of the disk part
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary switch includes a rotor that is insert molded so upper and lower contact pieces have a predetermined number of contact regions with a predetermined angular width in each of a plurality of annular zones defined by a plurality of concentric circles and are stacked in a disk part. The contact pieces are exposed in two surfaces of the disk part, an upper contactor holder and a lower contactor holder are placed to cover a lower half and an upper half of the disk part of the rotor. A plurality of elastic contacts are brought into elastic contact with lower and upper side surfaces of the disk part in a plurality of annular zones, and a rotating operation shaft is inserted through the rotor, the lower contactor holder, and the upper contactor holder, and can rotate the rotor.