Switch Movable Member with Bent Portions for Click Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing switches used in electronic devices, such as those described in JP 2008-210654A, face a trade-off between quiet operation and click feeling, often compromising on one aspect to achieve the other, leading to a need for a solution that enhances the click feeling while maintaining quietness.

Innovation Solution

A switch design featuring a movable member with a bent portion that swings upon pressing, incorporating a biasing portion to resist the pressing force and generate a reaction force, and a buffering member to absorb shocks, which allows for improved tactile feedback and reduced noise through a combination of mechanical and optical contact mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a switch is designed to reduce collision sound and improve quietness, then noise level is reduced, but click feeling is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise levelVSAvoidclick feeling

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable member is divided into multiple functional segments: a first movable member for circuit switching and a second movable member for providing click feeling. This segmentation allows each member to be optimized independently - the first for quiet operation and the second for tactile feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A pressing member acts as an intermediary between the user's finger and the movable members. It transmits the pressing force to both movable members, enabling the first movable member to switch circuits quietly while the second movable member provides click feeling through its elastic deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a switch is designed to enhance click feeling, then tactile feedback is improved, but noise generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclick feelingVSAvoidnoise generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The switch separates the click feeling generation function from the circuit switching function by using distinct movable members. The second movable member is designed to provide elastic resistance for click feeling, while the first movable member performs the actual circuit switching with minimal collision noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing member serves as a mediator that distributes the pressing force to both movable members simultaneously. This allows the second movable member to deform elastically and provide click feeling, while the first movable member switches the circuit with reduced collision sound.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a movable member is made flexible to improve click feeling, then tactile feedback is enhanced, but structural stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile feedbackVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The switch structure is segmented into a first movable member with high structural stability for circuit switching and a second movable member with flexibility for click feeling. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the switch have different mechanical properties tailored to their functions. The first movable member has high rigidity and stability for reliable circuit switching, while the second movable member has elastic properties for providing tactile feedback. The pressing member also has localized flexibility where it contacts the movable members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 proposed switch design effectively enhances the click feeling experienced by users while reducing noise generation, achieving a balance between tactile feedback and quiet operation by utilizing a movable member with bent portions and a buffering mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a pressing member that presses a portion between a first end and a second end of the movable member by receiving a pressing force from an outside source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

the movable member is provided with a biasing portion that generates a reaction force that resists against pressing of the pressing member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11289282B2Switch and operation device having a flexible swinging member

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 OMRON CORP

AI summary

A switch used in an operation device such as a mouse has flexibility, and includes a movable member in which a first end side is fixed as a swing fulcrum and a second end side swings, and a pressing member that presses a portion between the first end and the second end of the movable member by receiving a pressing force from an outside source. Bent portions that are bent in a swinging direction are formed in side portions of the movable member. When the movable member warps by being pressed by the pressing member, the bent portions resist against the warping of the movable member, and therefore an operator can have click feeling.