Switch Device With Orthogonal Knob Axes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switch devices that allow both push and toggle operations with a single operating knob face issues of erroneous operation and complex component management, leading to increased complexity and potential errors due to the need for different switch specifications for push and toggle functions.
Innovation Solution
A switch device design featuring a single operating knob that can swing around two orthogonal axes, with specific engagement portions for push and toggle switches to prevent erroneous activation, and optional stopper devices to restrict operations, allowing for a unified switch specification and simplified structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operating knob is divided into peripheral knob and center knob, then push operation and toggle operation can be carried out separately, but the number of components increases and the structure becomes large and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the peripheral knob and center knob into a single integrated operating knob. The operating knob includes a knob body and a press portion that extends from the knob body, allowing both toggle operation (rotating the knob body) and push operation (pressing the press portion) to be performed with one component. This eliminates the need for separate peripheral and center knobs, reducing component count while maintaining operational reliability.
2Reliability
If different switch specifications are used for push switch and toggle switch, then erroneous operation can be prevented, but component management and assembly workability become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs both the push switch and toggle switch as urging devices that urge and retain the operating knob at a predetermined non-operated position. By giving both switches the same urging device function, the patent enables use of switches with identical specifications, simplifying component management and assembly while preventing erroneous operation through their shared retention function.
3Reliability
If the push switch operating resistance is set sufficiently larger than the toggle switch operating resistance, then erroneous operation can be prevented, but the switch specifications must be considerably changed making management complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns the same urging device function to both the push switch and toggle switch, enabling both to use switches with identical specifications. The urging device provides the same operating resistance for both switches, eliminating the need to differentiate switch specifications while maintaining reliable operation through the shared retention mechanism.
4Device complexity
If a single operating knob is used for both push and toggle operations, then the number of components is reduced, but erroneous operation may occur due to finger straddling both regions
Solution Approach 1:
The operating knob is segmented into functionally distinct regions: the knob body for toggle operation and the press portion extending from the knob body for push operation. This segmentation allows clear differentiation of operation regions, preventing finger straddling errors while maintaining a single integrated component structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The press portion acts as an intermediary element that provides a dedicated pressing surface for push operations. By extending from the knob body, it creates a distinct operational interface that guides finger placement and prevents accidental engagement of both toggle and push functions simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
In a switch device, an operating knob is capable of being pushed so as to swing around a first axis from a non-operated position to a predetermined push operation position with respect to a switch case and is capable of being toggled so as to swing around a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis from the non-operated position to a predetermined toggle operation position. A first engagement portion where the operating knob engages with a push switch is disposed on the second axis, and a second engagement portion where the operating knob engages with a toggle switch is disposed at a position closer to the first axis in a direction along the second axis than the first engagement portion where the operating knob engages with the push switch.