Slide Switch Housing Assembly With Insertion Path and Detachable Lid

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Solution Overview

Problem

The rotary control device in existing technologies has a large number of components due to separate formation of a casing, shaft, and movable actuation portion, making it difficult to integrate and assemble without interference between the movable actuation portion and the handle.

Innovation Solution

A slide switch mechanism with a separable housing comprising a first and second housing part, an inner cover portion, and a slide member that rotates about a rotation axis, allowing easy assembly by passing the operation portion through an insertion path and joining to the housing with a detachable lid, while minimizing component count.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the casing and handle are integrated to reduce the number of components, then the device complexity is reduced, but the movable actuation portion cannot be easily joined due to interference between the operation portion and the handle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into a handle portion and a casing portion that can be separated during assembly. The operation portion is designed to pass through the handle portion and be received by the casing portion, allowing the slide member to be assembled in a segmented manner without interference between components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The operation portion serves as an intermediary element that connects the slide member to the handle. By designing the operation portion to protrude from the slide member and pass through the handle, it facilitates the assembly process while maintaining the integrated appearance of the final product

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the slide member includes an operation portion that projects outward, then the operability is improved, but the assembly becomes difficult due to contact with the handle during rotation and insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveoperabilityVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operation portion is designed to extend in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the slide member. This dimensional arrangement allows the operation portion to protrude outward for easy gripping while passing through the handle portion during assembly without interfering with the rotation mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the housing is formed as a single integrated piece, then the device complexity is reduced, but the slide member cannot be easily inserted and joined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into a handle portion and a casing portion that can be assembled separately. The handle portion has a through-hole for inserting the operation portion, while the casing portion receives the slide member. This segmentation allows easy assembly of the slide member while maintaining an integrated appearance in the final product

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle portion is designed with a through-hole and the casing portion with a receiving space beforehand, allowing the slide member to be pre-assembled by passing the operation portion through the handle and into the casing portion before final assembly, simplifying the overall assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4679222A1Slide switch mechanism, slide switch, and operating lever device provided therewith
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK
  • EP4679222A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4679222A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4679222A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This slide switch mechanism includes: a housing including: a housing body, an opening portion, and an inner cover portion; and a slide member including a slide body and an operation portion. The housing body is configured to be separable in a predetermined direction into a first housing part and a second housing part. The first housing part includes: a body portion in which the opening portion and the inner cover portion are formed and an insertion path is formed extending on one side in a circumferential direction from the opening portion; and a lid portion that is attached to the body portion to close the insertion path. The second housing part is joined to the first housing part from the other side in the predetermined direction. The slide member causes the operation portion to pass through the insertion path from the one side in the circumferential direction and is joined to the first housing part with the lid portion detached from the body portion.