Snap-Action Switch With Dynamic Elastic Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snap-action switches suffer from severe wear and noise due to the sliding contact mechanism between normally-closed, normally-open contacts and the moving contact, leading to reduced durability and increased sound production.
Innovation Solution
A switch design incorporating a housing with a stationary and moving contact terminal, a moving contact unit, an operating unit, a first elastic unit that deforms in the separating direction, and a second elastic unit that elastically connects the terminals, reducing impact and noise by switching the urging direction of the moving portion between closing and separating directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the normally-closed contact and normally-open contact mutually slide on the moving contact, then the switch is quiet, but the contacts suffer severe wear and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sliding contact function from the traditional snap-action mechanism. The moving contact unit is separated into an independent component that moves vertically without sliding on the stationary contacts. The stationary contacts are fixed to the housing and the moving contact unit moves parallel to them, eliminating the sliding action that causes both noise and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the moving contact sliding on stationary contacts, the patent inverts the relationship by having stationary contacts fixed to the housing and a separate moving contact unit that moves vertically. The moving portion moves toward and away from the fixed portion without sliding, reversing the traditional sliding contact approach.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the moving portion slides on the fixed portion, then the switch operates quietly, but the wear is severe and durability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding contact function is extracted and eliminated. The moving contact unit is separated into an independent component that moves vertically without sliding on the stationary contacts. The stationary contacts are fixed to the housing and the moving contact unit moves parallel to them, eliminating the sliding action that causes both noise and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary moving portion that transfers motion between the operating unit and the moving contact. This moving portion acts as a mediator that moves vertically without sliding on the fixed portion, reducing both noise and wear through controlled motion transfer.
3Speed
If the urging member continuously urges the moving portion in one direction, then the switch responds quickly, but the impact during contact is severe producing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the urging direction dynamic by allowing the urging member to switch between closing direction and separating direction. The urging direction switching position changes the direction of urging based on the position of the moving portion, enabling the system to adapt its force application dynamically to reduce impact noise while maintaining response speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by having the urging member switch to separating direction before the moving portion makes contact with the fixed portion. This preliminary action reduces the impact force during contact, preventing noise while maintaining quick response through controlled deceleration.
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 enhances durability and reduces noise by minimizing impacts during contact and separation, resulting in a quieter and more durable switch, with a sound reduction of at least 60% compared to traditional snap-action switches.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic unit which comes in contact with the moving contact unit and elastically deforms in the separating direction when the moving portion moves away from the fixed portion
Implementation Method 2
a second elastic unit which elastically deforms in the closing direction when the moving portion moves toward the fixed portion and comes in contact with the contact point
Data Source
AI summary
A highly durable, quiet switch includes a housing, a stationary contact terminal including a fixed portion, a moving contact terminal, a moving contact unit including a body, a moving portion, and an urging member and connected to the moving contact terminal, an operating unit, a first elastic unit that comes in contact with the moving contact unit and elastically deforms when the moving portion moves away from the fixed portion, and a second elastic unit including a contact point between the moving portion and the fixed portion facing the moving portion to come in contact with the moving portion. The second elastic unit elastically deforms and electrically connects the stationary and moving contact terminals when the moving portion moves toward the fixed portion and comes in contact with the contact point.