Switch Guide Wall Cutouts for Liquid Flow and Smooth Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional remote controllers experience operational issues due to liquid spills, which cause the operating unit to become stuck and lose its smooth movement, leading to a poor operational feel and reliability when subjected to large forces or liquid exposure.

Innovation Solution

The remote controller design incorporates a guide wall with cutouts that prevent liquid from clotting in the gap between the operating unit and the case, allowing for easy liquid flow-out and maintaining smooth operation, combined with a waterproof structure using an elastic sheet and water-sealing walls to prevent liquid from reaching the internal components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If guide wall is provided with small gap from operating unit side surface, then operating unit is guided smoothly and prevented from slanting and wobbling, but liquid flows through hole and clots in the small gap causing operating unit to stick and lose smooth movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmooth operation of operating unitVSAvoidreliability when exposed to liquid

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide wall is divided into multiple sections with cutouts that segment the continuous gap into separate regions. This segmentation allows liquid to pass through specific sections rather than accumulating in a continuous gap, preventing clotting while maintaining the guiding function of the wall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cutouts are extracted from the guide wall structure to create openings that remove the problematic continuous gap. These cutouts enable liquid to flow through the guide wall rather than clotting in a enclosed space, while the remaining solid portions of the guide wall continue to provide guiding support for the operating unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If guide wall completely surrounds operating unit, then operating unit is prevented from sinking in case, but liquid can flow freely causing operating unit to stick

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of operating unit positionVSAvoidsmooth movement of operating unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide wall structure is segmented with cutouts that create open sections. This segmentation reduces the stabilizing effect by allowing liquid flow, but prevents the harmful clotting effect. The remaining solid portions of the guide wall maintain sufficient guidance to prevent slanting and wobbling during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the guide wall have different properties: solid portions provide guiding support to prevent slanting and wobbling, while cutout portions allow liquid flow-through to prevent clotting. This local differentiation of structure properties resolves the contradiction between stability and smooth operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If small gap is provided between guide wall and operating unit, then operating unit can move up and down smoothly, but liquid clots in the gap preventing movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmooth movement up and downVSAvoidliquid clotting in gap

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Cutouts are extracted from the guide wall to create openings that remove the enclosed gap where liquid would clot. The cutouts allow liquid to flow through the guide wall structure rather than being trapped, while the remaining solid portions maintain the small gap necessary for smooth up-and-down movement of the operating unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutouts convert the harmful effect of liquid exposure into a beneficial flow-through path. Instead of liquid clotting in a closed gap, the cutouts provide a designated path for liquid to flow through, transforming the potential harm into a functional feature that maintains operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 solution ensures reliable and smooth operation of the remote controller even when exposed to liquids, maintaining a good operational feel and preventing the operating unit from sticking or sinking, thus ensuring consistent functionality.

Implementation Method 1

Elastic sheet 6 made of elastic insulator, such as rubber, is provided on the upper surface of wiring board 3. When operating section 2A is depressed, depressing section 2B depresses movable contact 5 via thin portion 6A of elastic sheet 6. Movable contact 5 accordingly deforms elastically so as to turn inside out and contact fixed contact 4A

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7564001B2Switch and remote controller using the same

Publication Date: 2009.07.21 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

A switch includes a case having an upper surface with a hole provided therein, an operating unit inserted in the hole so as to be movable up and down, plural switch contacts arranged to be activated upon the operating unit moving up and down, and a guide wall protruding downward from an inner edge of the hole. The operating unit has a side surface facing the guide wall. The guide wall has a cutout provided therein. This switch operates reliably with a good operational feel.