Zn-Cu-Ti Switch Button for Photo-Degradation Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic buttons in electrical switches degrade aesthetically and structurally over time due to photo-degradation and require significant thickness for rigidity, leading to uneven surfaces and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A button made from a zinc-copper-titanium alloy, processed through rolling, which forms a protective layer that resists degradation and provides a durable, rigid, and aesthetically pleasing surface with enhanced mechanical strength, allowing for complex shapes and reduced material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic material is used for the button, then complex shapes can be realized with large production volumes at minimal costs, but the aesthetic result degrades over time due to unevenness and photo-degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The button is made from a zinc-copper-titanium alloy instead of plastic, combining the advantages of metal durability and aesthetic stability with the ability to be formed into complex shapes. The alloy provides resistance to photo-degradation and maintains surface uniformity over time while allowing for complex geometric designs through metal forming processes.
2Strength
If a considerable thickness of plastic is used to make the button rigid, then the button does not undergo significant deformations during normal use, but the button undergoes structural weakening over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from plastic to metal alloy, which fundamentally alters the strength-to-thickness ratio. The zinc-copper-titanium alloy achieves the required rigidity with significantly less material thickness compared to plastic, thereby reducing the bulk material that could undergo structural degradation over time while maintaining dimensional stability during use.
3Ease of manufacture
If polymer-based materials are used for the button, then the button can be manufactured with complex shapes, but the materials are subjected to photo-degradation resulting in progressive yellowing and structural weakening
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces polymer-based materials with a metal alloy composition (zinc-copper-titanium) that is inherently resistant to photo-degradation. The metal alloy does not yellow or degrade structurally when exposed to light, while still allowing for complex shape formation through metal forming processes such as stamping, casting, or machining.
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 Zn-Cu-Ti alloy button offers long-lasting durability, improved mechanical strength, and environmental sustainability while maintaining a glossy appearance, reducing waste and enabling simple, cost-effective production.
Implementation Method 1
the protective layer formed following contact of the Zn-Cu-Ti alloy with oxygen and water present in the atmosphere protects the surface of the button from localised degradation resulting from repeated actuation by the user
Data Source
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AI summary
A button (1) is removably connectable to an electrical module, the electrical module being wall installable. The button (1) comprises a covering device (2) intended to cover at least partially the electrical module, and hooking means (3) configured to removably connect the covering device (2) to the electrical module. The button (1) is characterized in that at least the covering device (2) is made by means of a rolled product of a zinc-copper-titanium alloy.