Switching Device Sealing via Flexible Rubber Seal and Lid Cutout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dual type switching devices used in vehicle electric equipment suffer from insufficient sealing, allowing dust, dirt, and moisture to enter contact storage spaces, which degrades the reliability of contact switching due to gaps between components and the design of the cover member and partition walls.

Innovation Solution

A switching device with a case having two storage chambers and an operation space between inner walls, where each chamber has a recess and is covered by a lid body with clamping pieces that overlap with the inner wall, minimizing the penetrating portion required for operation and enhancing sealing by forming a cutout portion in the clamping piece to prevent dust and moisture entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a large gap is formed between the recess and the driver to allow pivotal movement, then the driver can be pivotally moved, but dust and moisture can enter the contact storage space through the gap

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivotal movement of driverVSAvoidsealing of contact storage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A rubber seal member is introduced to fill the gap between the driver and the recess. The rubber material provides flexibility to accommodate pivotal movement while maintaining sealing effectiveness to prevent dust and moisture entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The rubber seal member acts as an intermediary element between the driver and the recess. It mediates between the conflicting requirements of movement freedom and sealing integrity by providing a compliant interface that deforms during pivotal movement while blocking contaminant pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a large gap is formed between the window hole and the pressed portion to allow pivotal movement, then the driver can be pivotally moved, but dust can enter the slit through the window hole

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivotal movement of driverVSAvoiddust entry through window hole

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A rubber seal member is positioned to fill the gap between the pressed portion and the window hole. The flexible rubber material allows the pressed portion to move during pivotal operation while maintaining a seal that prevents dust from entering through the window hole opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If cutout portions are formed on the partition wall to pass the leaf spring member, then the leaf spring can be installed, but sealing in the contact storage space becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation of leaf springVSAvoidsealing of contact storage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Rubber seal members are positioned at the partition wall openings where the leaf spring passes through. These flexible seals fill the gaps created by the cutout portions, allowing the leaf spring to be installed while preventing dust and moisture from entering the contact storage space through the partition wall openings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS9373466B2Switching device

Publication Date: 2016.06.21 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD

AI summary

An inner wall for partitioning a storage chamber is disposed in a case. A switching member operating a movable contact inside the storage chamber is positioned inside a penetrating portion formed between an inner recess formed on an inner wall and a first cutout portion formed in an inner clamping piece of a lid body. The switching member is formed integrally with a flange portion, and the flange portion closes the penetrating portion. As a result, dust, dirt and moistures are unlikely to enter the storage chamber through the penetrating portion.