Top mount button mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smart toilet top mount buttons lack a balance structure, leading to tilting and jamming issues, especially for longer buttons, which affects their functionality and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A button mechanism featuring a button body supported by U-shaped silica gel elastic pieces and a connecting rod with a hollow light-guiding column, where the elastic pieces extend to secure the button base plate and prevent jamming, and a light-emitting element for function differentiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing buttons are used without balance structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the button is prone to tilting and jamming, reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton operation reliabilityVSAvoidbutton structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The button structure is segmented into multiple functional components: button body, connecting rod, switch contact, and elastic pieces. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the elastic pieces providing balance support to prevent tilting and jamming, thus improving reliability without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic pieces act as counterbalance elements that offset the gravitational force and operational forces on the button body. By positioning elastic pieces on both sides of the connecting rod, the structure achieves force balance, preventing the button from tilting or jamming during operation, thereby improving reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Adaptability or versatility

If buttons with large lengths are used to achieve desired functionality, then the functional requirements are met, but the jamming phenomenon becomes more serious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton functional capabilityVSAvoidbutton anti-jamming performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic pieces provide continuous counterbalancing support along the length of the connecting rod, preventing long buttons from tilting or jamming during operation. This is particularly important for longer buttons that have greater leverage and are more prone to binding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic pieces provide dynamic support that adapts to the button's position during pressing and resetting. The elastic force automatically adjusts to maintain balance throughout the button's range of motion, ensuring smooth operation regardless of button length

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the button body is pressed down, then the switch contact is activated, but the button may tilt or jam during the pressing process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton pressing smoothnessVSAvoidbutton reset reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic pieces positioned on both sides of the connecting rod provide counterbalancing support during the button pressing and resetting process. This prevents the button body from tilting or binding, ensuring smooth operation and reliable resetting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic pieces are pre-positioned to provide cushioning support before the button is pressed. This beforehand support prevents tilting and jamming from occurring during the pressing motion, ensuring smooth operation from the start of the pressing action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 enhances button stability and prevents jamming, providing a resilient and functional design that improves user experience by ensuring smooth operation and preventing short circuits.

Implementation Method 1

both the first and the second elastic piece each comprise a U-like structure in a longitudinal vertical section... The first elastic piece and the second elastic piece are made of silica gel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3991620B1Top mount button mechanism
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP3991620B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3991620B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention discloses a top mount button mechanism, and relates to the field of smart top mounts for toilets. The top mount button mechanism includes a button body, a first elastic piece, a second elastic piece, a connecting rod and a switch contact, the connecting rod is connected with the switch contact, the button body is connected with the connecting rod, the first elastic piece and the second elastic piece are respectively located on the two sides of the connecting rod, and the first elastic piece and the second elastic piece support the two ends of the button body. The invention has the technical effects that a button feels good and is not prone to being jammed in use.