Switch Actuator With Elastic Deformation For Click Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switches for electronic devices, such as mobile phones and digital cameras, face challenges in reducing thickness and component count while maintaining a clicking feeling, often requiring multiple components and increased thickness due to the design of movable contact arms and spring mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A compact switch design featuring an electrically conductive actuator with movable contact portions and an elastic frame, where the actuator moves between positions to engage convex and concave portions, providing a clicking feeling without the need for separate spring members, and is integrated with the base to reduce thickness and component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the arms of movable contacts are extended obliquely downward from the bottom surface of the slider, then the click feeling is provided, but the thickness of the contact structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable contacts are repositioned from the bottom surface to the side surface of the slider, changing the spatial dimension of contact arm extension. This allows the click mechanism to function without increasing the thickness of the contact structure, as the arms now extend horizontally rather than vertically downward.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending contact arms downward from the bottom surface, the invention inverts the approach by extending them from the side surface. This inversion repositions the entire contact mechanism to a different location, eliminating the thickness increase while preserving the clicking function.
2Ease of operation
If separate spring members and housing components are used to provide click feeling, then the clicking function is achieved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and spring member are merged into a single integrated component. The housing includes recesses that directly form the spring mechanism, eliminating the need for separate spring members. This consolidation reduces the total component count while maintaining the clicking function through the elastic deformation of the integrated housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, guides slider movement, and incorporates the spring mechanism for click feedback. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate components, reducing overall device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If multiple components such as housing, movable holder, slider, and spring members are used, then the clicking feeling is provided, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple components are merged into fewer integrated parts. The housing combines structural and spring functions, while the slider integrates the operating portion and movable contacts. This reduction in component count directly lowers manufacturing costs and simplifies assembly processes.
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 achieves a thinner switch with fewer components, reducing manufacturing costs and space requirements, while maintaining the clicking sensation, thus facilitating the thinning of electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic portion of the electrically conductive actuator being elastically deformed to break an engagement between the engagement convex and concave portions when the actuator moves between a first position and a second position
Data Source
AI summary
A switch has a base having a recess, and a plurality of fixed contacts mounted in an inner side face of the recess, an electrically conductive actuator disposed within the recess of the base, the electrically conductive actuator having a pair of movable contact portions and an elastically deformable elastic portion, the movable contact portions having movable contacts capable of being connected to respective fixed contacts, at least one engagement convex portion disposed on one of the base and the electrically conductive actuator, and at least one engagement concave portion disposed on the other of the base and the electrically conductive actuator and engageable with the at least one engagement convex portion. The elastic portion of the electrically conductive actuator is elastically deformed to break an engagement between the engagement convex and concave portions when the actuator moves between a first position and a second position.