Two-Stage Button Structure Using Silver Paste PCB and Metal Dome
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing two-stage button structures for cameras are costly due to their complex assembly and require a larger design space because of the thickness of the PCB and switch combination, which increases manufacturing costs and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage button structure is developed using a silver paste PCB, a metal dome, a flexible rubber body, and a button body, where the silver paste PCB has sequentially formed conductive areas, and the metal dome is insulated from the third conductive area, allowing for a thinner design and reduced manufacturing costs by replacing the thick PCB with these components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional PCB and switch combination is used, then the button structure is reliable, but the assembly cost increases and the thickness becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the PCB and switch into an integrated assembly where the metal dome switch is mounted directly on the PCB with its contacts electrically connected to conductive areas on the PCB. This merging reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps while maintaining the reliability of both the PCB and switch functions.
2Reliability
If a traditional PCB and switch combination is used, then the button structure is reliable, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the switch mounting structure directly onto the PCB reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This merging of functions into a single assembly reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while preserving the reliable operation of the button structure.
3Reliability
If a traditional PCB and switch combination is used, then the button structure is reliable, but the design space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the switch mounting structure directly onto the PCB surface and using conductive areas traced on the PCB, the overall thickness of the button assembly is reduced. The metal dome switch sits flush on the PCB surface with its contacts making electrical connection through the PCB thickness, eliminating the need for separate thick switch housings and reducing the overall design space requirement.
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
This solution reduces manufacturing costs and design space by utilizing a thinner combination of silver paste PCB and metal dome, enabling a two-stage pressing function while maintaining signal output functionality, thus providing a cost-effective and space-efficient button structure.
Implementation Method 1
the metal dome is electrically disposed on the second conductive area... When the button body is pressed to the second stage, the metal dome is pressed via the contact pin to touch the third conductive area and the pair of conductive blocks respectively electrically contact the first and the second conductive areas at the same time so that the second and the third conductive areas electrically connect each other
Implementation Method 2
The flexible contact body has an opening, and a pair of conductive blocks projected downwardly therefrom... When the button body is pressed to the first stage, the pair of conductive blocks of the flexible contact body respectively pass through the pair of through holes of the film to respectively electrically contact the first and the second conductive areas
Data Source
AI summary
A two-stage button structure includes: a silver paste PCB, a metal dome, a film, a flexible contact body, and a button body. When the button body is pressed to a first stage, the pair of conductive blocks of the flexible contact body respectively passes through the pair of through holes of the film to respectively electrically contact the first and the second conductive areas in order to generate a first stage signal. When the button body is pressed to a second stage, the metal dome is pressed via the contact pin to touch the third conductive area and the pair of conductive blocks respectively electrically contact the first and the second conductive areas at the same time so that the second and the third conductive areas electrically connect with each other to generate a second stage signal.