Switch Assembly Mechanism for Post-Integration Button Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switch assembly methods require significant effort and skill, and are not productive for retrofitting a press button to a housing with preassembled internal components.
Innovation Solution
A switch design featuring a housing with an operating hole, a vertically reciprocating slider biased upward by a spring, and engaging grooves that prevent the press button from returning to its original position, ensuring it remains securely inserted within the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the upper case is preassembled with the operating member and then assembled to the lower case, then the switch structure is stable, but the assembly work requires significant effort and skill, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The switch is divided into separate components: the housing with internal components, the press button with engaging projection, and the slider with engaging groove. These segments can be assembled independently and then connected through the engaging projection-groove mechanism, allowing parallel assembly processes and reducing overall assembly complexity and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The press button is inserted into the housing through the operating hole, and the slider is positioned within the housing. The engaging projection on the press button fits into the engaging groove on the slider, creating a nested arrangement where components are housed within each other in a compact configuration, simplifying the assembly process.
2Ease of manufacture
If the press button is inserted into the operating hole without engagement mechanism, then the assembly process is simple, but the press button can return to original position and come out of housing
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging projection is pre-formed on the press button and the engaging groove is pre-formed on the slider. When the press button is inserted into the housing, the engaging projection automatically aligns with and engages into the engaging groove, preventing the press button from returning to its original position without requiring additional locking actions or complex assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider acts as an intermediary component between the press button and the housing. The engaging groove on the slider receives the engaging projection from the press button, creating a mechanical interlock that secures the press button in place while allowing controlled movement during operation.
3Device complexity
If the slider is not biased upward, then the structure is simpler, but the slider experiences rattling and false operations
Solution Approach 1:
A spring member is introduced to provide an upward biasing force on the slider, counteracting downward forces and preventing the slider from settling in unintended positions. This eliminates rattling and false operations by maintaining the slider in a predetermined neutral position, ready for accurate actuation by the press button.
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
This configuration enhances productivity by securely retrofitting the press button to the housing, reducing rattling and false operations, and allowing for easy assembly without the need for complex skills.
Implementation Method 1
the slider may be biased upward by a spring member accommodated in the housing
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(B)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides a high-productivity switch wherein a press button can be mounted after incorporating internal components into a housing. For this purpose, a press button (90) is inserted into an operating hole (14) in a housing (10) such that an engaging projection (91) provided on the lower end edge portion of the press button (90) is engaged with a first engaging groove (17) provided on the inner periphery surface of the operating hole (14). Further, said engaging projection (91) which passed through said first engaging groove (17) pushes a slider (60) downward while rotating said press button (90). Then, the engaging projection (91) of said press button (90) is engaged with a second engaging groove (64) which is provided on the inner periphery surface of a recessed portion (63) of said slider (60), whereby said slider (60) moves upward and holds said press button (90) in place.