Multidirectional Switch Button Thickness Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multidirectional switch devices face challenges in reducing thickness due to structural limitations imposed by mold sliding mechanisms, which restrict the placement of axial holes and projections, making it difficult to minimize the overall thickness of the device.
Innovation Solution
The multidirectional switch device incorporates a light guide with a pivot axis that includes axial holes, allowing the pivot axis to be positioned within the thickness of the button, and uses engagement slots and hooks to couple the button to the light guide, enabling the mold to slide without increasing the thickness, while also providing a nighttime illumination function through LEDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the axial holes are located below the lower end of the overhang portion to allow mold sliding, then the mold can be manufactured, but the thickness of the button and switch device cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the pivot axis from a position requiring axial holes below the overhang portion to a position within the button thickness. This dimensional repositioning allows the mold sliding structure to be implemented without increasing the overall thickness of the button, as the pivot axis now occupies space within the existing thickness rather than extending beyond it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary component that integrates the pivot axis function. The light guide serves as a mediator between the button and the base, providing the pivot axis through its structure while also fulfilling its primary function of guiding light to the operation surface. This intermediary approach allows the pivot axis to be positioned within the button thickness without interfering with mold manufacturing.
2Length of moving object
If the pivot axis is positioned within the button thickness, then the thickness can be reduced, but the mold sliding structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light guide function with the pivot axis support function into a single integrated component. The light guide structure incorporates the pivot axis positioning features, eliminating the need for separate structural elements. This merging reduces overall device complexity while enabling the pivot axis to be positioned within the button thickness, thereby reducing the overall thickness of the switch device.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide serves multiple functions: it guides light to the operation surface for visibility, provides structural support for the pivot axis positioning, and enables the button to pivot within the reduced thickness. This multi-functionality approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate components, simplifying the overall structure while achieving the thickness reduction goal.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A multidirectional switch device (1) includes an assembled structure of a plurality of members (4, 22), which include a user-operable button (4), and a holder (13) that supports the assembled structure. The multidirectional switch device (1) also includes a set of axial recesses (23) and a set of axial projections (21) that define a pivot axis (21, 23) about which the button (4) pivots relative to the holder (13). The pivot axis (21, 23) is arranged to allow the holder (13) to cooperate with the assembled structure for operation of the button (4) in multiple directions. The holder (13) includes one of the set of axial recesses (23) and the set of axial projections (21). One of the members (4, 22) of the assembled structure other than the button (4) includes the other one of the set of axial recesses (23) and the set of axial projections (21).