Switch Device With Segmented Resin Holding Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing switch devices with built-in resistors for detecting open circuit or short circuit failures are costly due to the need for high heat-resistant synthetic resin materials, which increase production expenses, and manual soldering processes are time-consuming and inefficient for small-sized devices.

Innovation Solution

A switch device design where the holding wall portion is made of a heat-resistant synthetic resin material for soldering, while the bottom wall portion is made of a lower heat-resistant material, allowing for reliable resistor soldering and reducing costs, with the case and holding member integrated using laser welding for improved airtightness and productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high heat-resistant synthetic resin material is used for the holding member to enable soldering of resistors, then the reliability of resistor mounting is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of resistor mountingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The holding member is divided into two distinct parts: a first holding wall portion made of heat-resistant synthetic resin material for mounting resistors, and a second holding wall portion made of less expensive material. This segmentation allows each part to use materials optimized for its specific function, reducing overall cost while maintaining reliability where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different material qualities to different regions of the holding member. The first holding wall portion (where resistors are mounted) uses high heat-resistant material, while the second holding wall portion uses lower-cost material. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between reliability and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If manual soldering is used for mounting resistors, then the manufacturing cost of materials is reduced, but the productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial costVSAvoidproductivity of resistor mounting
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the holding member into heat-resistant and non-heat-resistant portions, the patent enables automated reflow soldering to be used for mounting resistors on the heat-resistant portion, while avoiding the need for expensive heat-resistant material throughout the entire holding member. This resolves the productivity-cost contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 reduces the overall cost of the switch device, enhances manufacturing productivity, and improves the waterproof performance by using different synthetic resin materials for various components, allowing for efficient assembly and integration without the need for expensive heat-resistant materials.

Implementation Method 1

the case and holding member integrated using laser welding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser welding: Laser Beam Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3273461B1Switch device and method for manufacturing switch device
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • EP3273461B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3273461B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3273461B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A switch device (100, 200) includes a housing (1) having a case (K1) and a holding member (H1), a moving member (2), a biasing member (3), a movable contact (4), a common fixed contact (G5), a first switching fixed contact (15, 35), a second switching fixed contact (25, 45), extending portions (6), at least two terminal members (T8), and resistors (R9, R9a, R9b, R9c, R9d) for obtaining the resistance value between two terminal members, and fixing portions (7A, 7B) to which the resistors are soldered. The holding member includes a bottom wall portion (11) that covers the bottom of the case, and a holding wall portion (51) holding the fixing portions. The holding wall portion is formed of a first synthetic resin material having heat resistance, and the bottom wall portion is made of a second synthetic resin material having a heat distortion temperature lower than that of the first synthetic resin material. A method for manufacturing a switch device includes a first molding step (P2), a resistor mounting step (P3), and a second molding step (P4).