Snap-Action Switch Rocker Mechanism for Bounce-Free Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snap-action switching elements often provide a suboptimal haptic switching experience due to annoying bouncing of the switch contact, and achieving a reliable automatic return to the rest position is complex and requires additional elements.
Innovation Solution
A snap-action switching element design featuring a housing with fixed contact points, a movable contact arm, an actuating member, and a rocker switch with a tension spring, where the rocker switch is rotated to engage the contact arm, ensuring a compact and efficient mechanism that prevents bouncing through a carefully predetermined torque direction and a driver mechanism for forced disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional snap-action switching elements are used, then the switching mechanism is simple, but the haptic switching experience is suboptimal with annoying bouncing of the switch contact
Solution Approach 1:
The driver mechanism applies a preliminary forcing action to separate the contact arm from the contact point before the natural return occurs, preventing bouncing by ensuring clean disconnection. The driver actively pushes the contact arm away from the contact point, creating preliminary anti-action against the harmful bouncing effect.
2Reliability
If additional elements are added to achieve reliable automatic return to rest position, then the release reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driver mechanism is integrated into the existing rocker switch structure, combining the automatic return function with the existing components. The driver utilizes the rocker switch's pivoting motion and spring force, merging multiple functions into a unified mechanism rather than adding separate independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The tension spring provides self-service by automatically returning the rocker switch to its initial position after actuation. The spring's elastic energy stores and releases automatically, enabling the rocker switch and contact arm to return to rest position without external intervention or additional control mechanisms.
3Volume of moving object
If the rocker switch and actuating element are arranged compactly, then the housing space is reduced, but the mechanical engagement precision must be higher
Solution Approach 1:
The rocker bearing opening is oriented transversely to the actuating element's direction of movement, creating a dimensional arrangement where the rocker switch pivots perpendicular to the actuating element's linear motion. This orthogonal arrangement allows compact packaging while maintaining clear separation of motion paths and reducing precision requirements.
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 provides a reliable and efficient snap-action switching experience with reduced bouncing and automatic return to the rest position, ensuring consistent switching performance for both normally closed and normally open contacts.
Implementation Method 1
a tension spring being hooked onto a spring hook-in section at the other free end of the rocker switch
Data Source
AI summary
A snap-action switching element with normally closed contact comprises includes a contact arm movable between a rest position and a switching position, and an actuating member with which the contact arm can be moved between these positions. A rocker switch is arranged at one end so as to be rotatable and a tension spring is suspended at the other end of the rocker switch on a spring suspension section. The actuating member has a rocker bearing opening which is provided transversely to its direction of movement and into which engages a rocker bearing actuating section provided transversely to a main plane of the switching rocker. In the case of a normally open contact, the first contact point is then arranged at a distance.