Push Button Switch Cover Structure for Vibration Load Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
The vibration of a vehicle door causes displacement of the rubber cover, leading to excessive load and deterioration, and potential damage due to relative displacement between the push rod and the rubber cover in existing push button switches.
Innovation Solution
A switch design featuring a push rod made of synthetic resin, a slide contact member made of synthetic resin, and a cover made of elastomer, where the slide contact member slides relative to the push rod to reduce load on the cover, thereby minimizing damage and extending its life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber cover is used to cover the opening and contact the door end portion, then the switch can detect door opening and closing, but the rubber cover is easily deteriorated due to large load from vibration-induced displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the cover and the contact member into distinct components. The cover (made of resin) and the contact member (made of elastomer) are formed as separate parts, allowing the contact member to independently deform and absorb vibration loads without transmitting excessive stress to the cover, thereby extending the cover's service life while maintaining reliable switch operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite construction by combining a resin cover with an elastomer contact member. This composite approach allows each material to perform its optimal function: the resin cover provides structural stability while the elastomer contact member provides vibration absorption and contact functionality, resolving the contradiction between reliability and durability.
2Force
If the push rod portion is restrained with the rubber cover, then the push rod can transmit force to actuate the switch, but the relative displacement between push rod and rubber cover causes damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the force transmission function from the cover structure by introducing a separate contact member. The contact member (elastomer) handles the force transmission and deformation, while the cover (resin) maintains structural integrity. This segmentation prevents the cover from suffering damage due to relative displacement and force concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact member acts as an intermediary between the push rod and the cover. It mediates the force transmission while absorbing relative displacement through its elastic deformation, preventing direct damage to the cover from the interaction between the push rod and the cover structure.
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 design reduces damage to the cover and enhances its longevity by minimizing the application of large loads during vibrations, ensuring durability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing part that biases the push rod in a direction of proceeding into the cover from the opening
Implementation Method 2
The slide contact member slides with respect to the push rod when the cover is pressed by the contact object
Data Source
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AI summary
An object is to achieve an improved service life of a cover. A switch (100) includes a case (8) that includes an opening (80), a cover (91) that covers the opening (80), the cover being made of an elastomer and being formed to bulge outward of the case (8), a push rod (11) that projects from inside of the case (8) to proceed into the cover (91) from the opening (80), the push rod movably disposed to proceed into the cover (91) from the opening (80) and to retreat toward the opening (80) from inside of the cover (91), a biasing portion (2) that biases the push rod (11) in a direction of proceeding into the cover (91) from the opening (80), a fixing contact piece (5) disposed in the case (8), a movable contact piece (4) that moves with the push rod (11) to contact and separate from the fixing contact piece (5), and a slide contact member (6) disposed on an inner surface of the cover (8), the slide contact member contacting a tip end of the push rod (11).