Tilt Switch Mechanism Without Support Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switch mechanisms in portable electronic devices often require a pin for supporting the key top portion, leading to increased complexity and cost, as well as challenges in reducing device size and improving operability.
Innovation Solution
A switch mechanism with a key top portion that can be tilted using a simple mechanism, featuring a housing with a restriction member that includes a side support portion and a contact portion to facilitate tilting without a pin, along with a biasing member to return the key top portion to its original position, and a falling-off prevention mechanism to secure the key top portion in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pin is used to support the key top portion, then the key top portion can be tilted, but the number of parts increases and the mechanism becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the pin component from the support mechanism. Instead of using a separate pin to support the key top portion, the housing itself is designed with an integrated support structure that directly supports the key top portion, thereby reducing the number of parts and simplifying the mechanism while maintaining the tilting function
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the support function into the housing structure. The housing is designed to include both the support surface for the key top portion and the restriction member in a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate support pins and reducing overall mechanism complexity
2Reliability
If a pin is used to support the key top portion, then the key top portion can be tilted, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is merged into the housing structure, eliminating the need for separate support pins. This integration reduces the overall space required for the switch mechanism, allowing for more compact device design while maintaining the key top portion tilting function
Solution Approach 2:
The restriction member is designed to be positioned within the housing structure in a space-efficient manner, nesting the support and restriction functions within the existing housing volume rather than requiring additional external space
3Reliability
If a pin is used to support the key top portion, then the key top portion can be tilted, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pin component is extracted and eliminated from the design. By removing this separate component, the invention reduces part count, simplifies assembly procedures, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the essential tilting function through the integrated housing structure
Solution Approach 2:
The support and restriction functions are merged into the housing structure, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces overall production costs
Data Source
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AI summary
An exemplary embodiment provides a switch mechanism of which key top portion can be tilted with a simple mechanism. The switch mechanism includes a housing portion (2), a key top portion (3b) arranged such that a partial surface (S) thereof is exposed at a peripheral portion of the housing portion (2), and a switch portion (4) which is arranged in the inside of the housing portion (2) and can be pressed in response to pressing of the partial surface (S) of the key top portion (3b). The housing portion (2) includes a side support portion (2b) which tilts the key top portion (3b) by supporting the key top portion (3b) from a side when the partial surface (S) of the key top portion (3b) is pressed.