Slide Operation Apparatus Plate Spring Friction Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide operation apparatuses face challenges in preventing unintentional movement of movable units, complexity in assembly, and the risk of erroneous operation due to static electricity when attempting to implement a touch sense function without grounding the operating elements.
Innovation Solution
A slide operation apparatus featuring a plate spring with engaged portions that maintain a curved state, providing sliding contact with the box body to prevent unintentional movement and incorporating an insulation member for static discharge, while allowing for a touch sense function by ensuring a discharge path for static electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a U-shaped spring and screw are used to generate friction for preventing unintentional movement, then the sliding resistance can be adjusted, but the construction becomes complicated and assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the friction generation function from the complex U-shaped spring and screw mechanism, and implements it through a simple inclined plane structure formed by the movable unit itself. The inclined plane surface directly contacts the guide rail to generate friction, eliminating the need for separate friction generating components while maintaining the ability to prevent unintentional movement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding separate components (spring and screw) to generate friction, the patent inverts the approach by making the movable unit itself generate friction through its inclined plane surface. The friction is generated by the contact between the inclined plane and the guide rail, reversing the conventional approach of using separate friction generating mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operating elements are not grounded to enable touch sense function, then touch detection is possible, but static electricity can cause erroneous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary discharge path through the inclined plane surface and guide rail contact point. This intermediary structure provides a controlled path for static electricity to discharge to ground, mediating between the ungrounded operating element and the ground, thereby enabling touch sense function while preventing erroneous operation from static electricity.
3Ease of manufacture
If non-contact detection device is used for position detection, then brush-type detection is eliminated, but the movable unit becomes freely movable and may be unintentionally moved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the position detection function with the friction generation function. The inclined plane surface that generates friction to prevent unintentional movement also serves as the contact point for position detection. This merging eliminates the need for separate brush-type detection devices while maintaining movable unit stability through friction.
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 solution effectively prevents unintentional movement of the movable unit, simplifies assembly, and ensures safe operation by providing a discharge path for static electricity, enabling the realization of a touch sense function without grounding the operating elements.
Implementation Method 1
a plate spring 61 having opposite ends 61a, 61b formed with engaged portions 63 to correspond to the engaging portions 83a of the movable unit 70, wherein the plate spring 61 is adapted to be maintained in a curved state by having the engaged portions 63 engaged with the engaging portions 83a of the movable unit 70
Implementation Method 2
the plate spring 61 having a curved convex portion 61c adapted to be in substantial sliding contact with the slid portion of the box body during movement of the movable unit
Data Source
AI summary
A slide operation apparatus capable of preventing a movable unit from being unintentionally moved in a box body, while being easy to assemble and simple in construction. The movable unit includes a gondola to which an operating element is fixed. The gondola is adapted to be movable relative to upper and lower guide bars. A sliding contact assembly includes a plate spring to which an insulation sheet is assembled. The sliding contact assembly in a curved state is mounted to a fixture portion of the operating element by having pawls of the plate spring engaged with notches formed in the fixture portion. During the entire movement process of the movable unit, the curved convex portion of the sliding contact assembly is in sliding contact with the lower guide bar.