Multi-directional Switch Device with Differential Rubber Contact Click Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-directional switch devices with existing contact structures suffer from erroneous operations due to variations in rubber contact heights and timing differences, leading to poor operability and uncomfortable click feelings, especially when operation forces are weak or uneven.
Innovation Solution
A multi-directional switch device design featuring a pair of rubber contacts where one is designed to generate a clear click feeling and the other does not, with the non-click generating type turning on earlier and requiring a weaker operation force, ensuring both are turned on only when a clear click is felt, reducing erroneous operations and improving user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If both rubber contacts are designed to generate click feelings, then the switching operation is reliable, but the operation feeling becomes uncomfortable with intermittent click feelings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different structural configurations to different rubber contacts within the same switch device. Specifically, one rubber contact is designed with a first configuration that generates a click feeling, while another rubber contact is designed with a second configuration that does not generate a click feeling. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing one contact to provide reliable feedback while the other remains silent, eliminating the uncomfortable intermittent click feelings while maintaining switching reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the height positions of rubber contacts are not equal due to manufacturing variation, then one rubber contact buckles earlier than the other, but this causes erroneous operations and deterioration in operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the rubber contacts with different structural configurations from the outset, anticipating potential manufacturing variations. The first rubber contact is configured to buckle at a predetermined stroke, while the second rubber contact is configured to be turned on before the first one buckles. This preliminary design consideration ensures that even if manufacturing variations cause height differences, the sequential activation prevents erroneous operations, as the second contact provides advance confirmation of activation.
3Force
If the operation force is weak, then the operation force may be removed when the first rubber contact buckles, but this prevents the second rubber contact from turning on and causes switching failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent structures the rubber contacts so that the second rubber contact turns on before the first rubber contact buckles. This sequential arrangement ensures that when a user applies weak operation force, the second contact provides early activation confirmation, allowing the user to maintain pressure until both contacts are activated. This prevents switching failure by giving users feedback that the activation process has begun, encouraging them to complete the full pressing motion.
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 operability by ensuring accurate switching operations only when a clear click is felt, providing a satisfactory user experience by eliminating intermittent click feelings and ensuring reliable sequential activation of both types of rubber contacts.
Implementation Method 1
when a top portion 22b of the rubber contact 22 is pressed down by a predetermined stroke, a skirt portion 22c is buckled and deformed (reversed) to generate a click feeling
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-directional switch device includes: an operation member; an actuator which is applied with an operation force from the operation member; a plurality of rubber contacts which is pressed down by the actuator; and a plurality of fixed contacts to or from which the rubber contacts are respectively movable close or away, wherein the multi-directional switch device performs a switching operation in such a manner that a combination of a pair of two rubber contacts is selected from the plurality of rubber contacts in response to an operation direction, and both of the two rubber contacts are pressed down so as to respectively come into contact with the corresponding fixed contacts.