Slidable Locking Button Assembly to Prevent Accidental Presses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accidental pressing of buttons on electronic devices can trigger unwanted or unexpected device actions, leading to battery drainage, memory usage, and other unintended functions during handling.
Innovation Solution
A slidable button assembly with a bistable mechanism that includes a button cap and a spring member, allowing the button to toggle between a locked and unlocked position, preventing accidental actuation in the locked state and enabling actuation in the unlocked state, with a detent system for tactile feedback and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a button is made easily actuatable, then ease of operation is improved, but accidental pressing increases leading to unwanted device actions
Solution Approach 1:
The button assembly transitions from a static pressed state to a dynamic slidable mechanism with two positions (locked and unlocked). The slider moves along the side surface, requiring intentional sliding motion rather than simple pressing, thereby reducing accidental activation while maintaining ease of intentional use
Solution Approach 2:
The slider acts as an intermediary between the user input and the button actuation mechanism. It mediates the transition between locked and unlocked states, requiring deliberate sliding motion to enable or disable button functionality, thus preventing accidental presses
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental pressing, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the button assembly itself rather than being a separate system. The slider integrates the locking/unlocking functionality directly into the button structure, using the same side surface housing, thereby adding reliability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
3Ease of operation
If a slidable mechanism is implemented, then ease of operation is improved for intentional activation, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The button assembly is segmented into distinct components: the slider, the button, and the housing. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled separately with standardized tolerances, reducing the cumulative precision requirements compared to a monolithic sliding mechanism
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
Prevents accidental button presses while allowing easy toggling to the functional position, providing tactile feedback and ensuring the button remains in a stable state, thus enhancing user control and reducing unintended device actions.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member coupled to the button cap and defining a protruding portion. The protruding portion may be configured to: engage with the first retention feature of the actuation member to releasably retain the slidable assembly in the first position and engage with the second retention feature of the actuation member to releasably retain the slidable assembly in the second position
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes an input button system that may be incorporated in an electronic device, such as a mobile phone. The input button system may include a button assembly that is slidable to a first position or to a second position. At the first position, the button assembly may be actuatable in response to an input force. At the second position, the button assembly is inhibited from actuating in response to the force. The button assembly may include a slidable assembly having a button cap and a spring member, and which is configured to slide and/or actuate (e.g., translate). The button assembly may also include an actuation member having at least one post and a cross member. The actuation member may be configured to actuate and may not slide. The spring member applies a retention force to the actuation member and may provide a haptic output in response to sliding.