CN105895431B

CN105895431B - Push button switch assembly and operation part

Info

Publication number: CN105895431B
Application number: CN201410795430.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 单福华; 马阵; 常浩
Original assignee: Schneider Electric Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Schneider Electric Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-12-22
Filing date: 2014-12-22
Publication date: 2020-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2034-12-22
Also published as: CN105895431A; HK1222947A1

Abstract

A push button switch assembly and an operating portion used in the push button switch assembly are disclosed. The push button switch assembly includes: a functional portion; and an operating part that is dialed by a user and controls the functional part via an interface between the operating part and the functional part, wherein the interface, in use, converts a linear force imparted by the operating part upon dialing by the user into a paddle force applied to the functional part; and wherein the operating portion is configured to apply a linear force to the interface when the operating portion is in any one of at least two different orientations relative to the interface.

Description

Push button switch assembly and operation part

Technical Field

The present invention relates to electrical switch assemblies, and more particularly, to panel switch assemblies.

Background

In the panel switch (including the socket with switch) industry, there are thousands of products with different shapes, such as a small-thumb switch, a large-panel switch, a square switch and a round switch. In addition, many types of switches, such as rocker switches, push-button switches, rotary switches and toggle switches, are available. Conventionally, there is no relationship between different types or profiles of switch assemblies. Once a switch assembly of a particular type and appearance is installed, if a user wants to change the type or appearance of the switch assembly, the user must replace the original switch assembly with an entirely new one. This makes it more costly and difficult for the user to customize the switch assembly to the user's various needs. The management and updating of the switch assembly product is also complicated because updating a certain component of the switch assembly means updating the entire switch assembly.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a push button switch assembly and an operating portion for the same.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a push button switch assembly, comprising: a functional portion; and an operating part that is dialed by a user and controls the functional part via an interface between the operating part and the functional part, wherein the interface, in use, converts a linear force imparted by the operating part upon dialing by the user into a paddle force applied to the functional part; and wherein the operating portion is configured to apply a linear force to the interface when the operating portion is in any one of at least two different orientations relative to the interface.

Preferably, in the push button switch assembly, the operating portion includes: the actuator includes a first actuator having a first orientation relative to the interface, a second actuator having a second orientation relative to the interface different from the first orientation of the first actuator, a first actuator spring extending substantially parallel to the first actuator, and a second actuator spring extending substantially parallel to the second actuator.

Preferably, in the push button switch assembly, the first driver applies linear motion to the interface when the operating portion is in a first orientation relative to the interface; and the second driver applies a linear force to the interface when the operating portion is in a second orientation relative to the interface.

Preferably, in the push button switch assembly, the operating portion further includes a button spring cooperating with the button so as to provide a resilient force to the button when a user dials, a carrier for holding the button, the button spring, the first driver, the second driver, the first driver spring and the second driver spring to the cover unit.

Preferably, in the push button switch assembly, the second orientation is substantially perpendicular to the first orientation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operating part applying a linear force to an interface of a functional part, the interface converting the linear force into a seesaw force to be applied to the functional part, the operating part comprising: a first driver having a first orientation; a second driver having a second orientation different from the first orientation of the first driver; a first driver spring arranged substantially parallel to an orientation of the first driver; and a second driver spring arranged substantially parallel to the orientation of the second driver.

Preferably, the operating portion further comprises a button spring cooperating with the button to provide a resilient force to the button when dialled by a user, a carrier to retain the button, the button spring, the first actuator, the second actuator, the first actuator spring and the second actuator spring to the cover unit when in use.

Preferably, in the operating portion, the second orientation is substantially perpendicular to the first orientation.

Thereby enabling the operating portion to be adapted to a functional portion of a first mounting direction or a second mounting direction different from the first mounting direction without changing the direction of the operating portion. So that the user does not need to change the direction of the operating portion in the case where the push switch assembly changes the installation direction. Therefore, the experience degree of the user is improved, and the installation and the operation are easier.

Drawings

Various embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1A illustrates an overall exploded view of two subassemblies of a switch assembly according to one aspect.

FIG. 1B shows a generally exploded view of the main assembly of the two subassemblies of the switch assembly of FIG. 1A.

Fig. 2A is a perspective front view of one embodiment of a switch system having an assembly (push button switch assembly) according to the first aspect.

Fig. 2B is a perspective rear view of the embodiment of fig. 2A.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of an operating portion in the switch assembly of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the operating portion of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a top perspective view of an interface included in the switch assembly.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a combination of the functional, interfacing and operational portions of the embodiment of FIG. 2A, taken along line A-A' in FIG. 2A, showing a top perspective view of the interface for reference.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the switch system including the base unit and the cover unit taken along line a-a' of fig. 2A.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of an operating portion including two drivers in a switch assembly according to a second aspect.

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the operative portion of fig. 8 including two actuators.

Fig. 10 is a rear view of the operating portion shown in fig. 8 including two drivers.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the push button switch assembly including the above-described operating portion in a first orientation relative to the interface.

Fig. 12 is a rear view of the operating portion in the first orientation in the first state.

Fig. 13 is a rear view of the operating portion in the first orientation in the second state.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing the push button switch assembly including the above-described operating portion in the second orientation.

Fig. 15 is a rear view of the operating portion in the second orientation in the first state.

Fig. 16 is a rear view of the operating portion in the second orientation in the second state.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a second driver of one of the two drivers.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings. Note that the relative arrangement of components and the shape of the device in the embodiments are described as examples only, and it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to these examples. Moreover, like reference numbers and letters designate similar items in the figures, and thus, whenever an item is defined in one figure, it is not necessary to discuss the item with respect to subsequent figures.

Fig. 1A and 1B illustrate an overall view of the components of an embodiment of a switch assembly 500 according to one aspect. Broadly, in this aspect, the switch assembly 500 comprises two sub-assemblies, namely, a base unit switch portion 510 and an operating portion 200. As shown in fig. 1A, the base unit switch section 510 includes the functional section 100 and the interface 300. The operation part 200 is dialed by a user and controls the function part 100 via the interface 300, and the interface 300 is used to interface the function part 100 and the operation part 200.

Note that the operation portion 200 is not fixed to the interface 300 or the functional portion, and can be freely removed from the interface 300 or the functional portion for a reason which will be described further below.

Fig. 1B shows a further exploded general view of the embodiment of the switch assembly 500 of fig. 1A, in which embodiment it can be seen that the operating portion 200 itself comprises two parts, namely the user interface 201 and the carrier 202. In some embodiments, the user interface 201 and the carrier 202 are fixed together, and in other embodiments, the user interface 201 and the carrier 202 are separable, as will be described in more detail below.

Fig. 2A is an exploded perspective front view of a switch system 1000, including a base unit 1100 and a cover unit or switch panel 1200. As shown, the switch assembly 500 (the push button switch assembly in this embodiment) is between a base unit 1100 and a cover unit or switch panel 1200, the base unit switch component 510 is provided in the base unit 1100, and the functional portion 200 (only the user interface 201 is visible in this view) is provided in the cover unit or switch panel 1200. Fig. 2B is an exploded perspective rear view of the switch system 1000. As shown in fig. 2A, the switch assembly 500 includes a function portion 100 (a switch mechanism in the present embodiment), an operation portion (a button in the present embodiment), and an interface 300.

As can be seen from fig. 2A and 2B, the operating portion 200 can be freely removed from the base unit switch component (specifically, the interface 300) and/or the functional portion 100 because there is no connection between the operating portion 200 and the interface 300/functional portion 100.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 2A and 2B, the operation section 200 includes a user interface 201 (in the present embodiment, a button) and a carrier 202. As shown in fig. 2B, the handling portion 200 is joined to the panel 1200 by a carrier 202 that can be fitted to the panel 1200. The button 201A is operated by the user to perform on/off operation. Fig. 2B illustrates one embodiment of the carrier 202 bonded to the panel 1200. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the engagement of the operating portion 200 with the panel 1200 may be any manner capable of connecting the operating portion 200 and the panel 1200 together.

When the cover unit or panel 1200 is connected to the base unit 1100, the functional part 100 and the interface 300 are behind the operation part 200 as viewed from the side of the cover unit 1200. The function section 100 is controlled by the toggle of the operation section 200 via the interface 300 to realize the on/off operation. The functional part 100 is connected to the base 1100. The connection may be by any means including adhesive, snap, friction fit, glue or by means of a sliding connector as in the previously introduced patent application entitled "connection system and method for electrical sockets".

The interface 300 is located between the operation part 200 and the function part 100, and is connected to the function part 100 described further below. The interface 300 is used to connect the function part 100 and the manipulation part 200 to transfer a user's toggle manipulation (e.g., pressing a button or toggling a rocker) of the manipulation part 200 to the function part 100.

In the conventional switch assembly, the operating portion 200, particularly the push button switch 201, is fixed to the functional portion 100 and cannot be removed or detached from the functional portion 100.

However, according to an aspect described herein, as shown in fig. 2A and 2B, the operation portion 200 is not fixed to the interface 300 or the functional portion 100, but may be detachable from the functional portion 100 or the interface 300. For example, the operation portion 200 may be in contact with or engaged with the functional portion 100 or the interface 300 only by connecting the panel 1200 to the base unit 1100. Similarly, the operation portion 200 can be removed from the functional portion 100 or the interface 300 by separating the panel 1200 from the base 1100. The relationship of these three parts and the principle of how the switch assembly 500 works will be explained in detail later with reference to fig. 3-7.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the operating portion 200 in the switch assembly of fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the operating portion 200 of fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a top perspective view of an interface 300 included in the switch assembly. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a combination of the functional part 100, the interface 300, and the operation part 200 in the embodiment of fig. 2A taken along line a-a' in fig. 2A, showing a top perspective view of the interface 300 as a reference. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the switch system 1000 including the base unit 1100 and the cover unit 1200 taken along line a-a' of fig. 2A.

As shown in fig. 3, the operation portion 200 includes a driver 203. As shown in the exploded view of fig. 4, the operation portion 200 includes a button 201A, an actuator spring 206, a lever 205, an actuator 203, a button spring 204, and a carrier 202. The button 201A is used to be operated by a user to turn on and off the switch. Each of both ends of the driver 203 on the side close to the button 201A has a protruding portion. The raised portion receives the driver spring 206 in the middle. There is a through hole in each of the two protruding portions, and the rod 205 is inserted into the two through holes. The actuator spring 206, the lever 205 and the actuator 203 work together to be actuated by the user to effect the transfer of the user's motion to the functional part. An annular button spring 204 surrounds the actuator spring 206, the rod 205 and the actuator 203 to work with the button 201A to achieve the recoil of the button 201A. The carrier 202 carries a button 201, an actuator spring 206, a lever 205, an actuator 203 and a button spring 204.

The interface and how the switch assembly according to the first embodiment works will now be described in detail with reference to fig. 5 to 7.

Fig. 5 is a perspective top view of an embodiment of an interface 300 comprised in a switch assembly 500 according to the first embodiment described above.

As shown in fig. 5, the interface 300 includes first and

second protrusions

301A and 301B, first and

second surfaces

302A and 302B, and first and second

top surfaces

303A and 303B. The

protrusions

301A and 301B are located on either side of the center 306 of the interface 300. In this embodiment, the interface 300 also includes a first surface 302A and a second surface 302B. In the present embodiment, the first surface 302A is outside the first protrusion 301A with respect to the center 306. The second surface 302B is outside the second protrusion 301B with respect to the center 306. The first top surface 303A is on top of the protrusion 301A. The second top surface 303B is on top of the protrusion 301B. As can be seen, the first surface 302A and the second surface 302B are planes a first distance from the center 306 of the interface 300, and the first top surface 303A and the second top surface 303B are above the first surface 302A and the second surface 302B and a second distance from the center 306 of the interface. In one embodiment, the first distance is greater than the second distance. In another embodiment (not shown), the first distance is less than the second distance.

Fig. 6 shows how the push button switch assembly of the first embodiment works. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a combination of the functional part 100, the interface 300, and the operating part 200 of the switch assembly 500 taken along line a-a' in fig. 2A, and shows a top perspective view of the interface 300 as a reference.

As shown in fig. 6, the button 201A included in the operation portion 200 is located above the interface 300. In one embodiment, the interface 300 is connected to a toggle 305. In other embodiments, the toggle 305 is part of the interface 300 or is integrated with the interface 300. The switching element 102 within the functional part 100 is below the toggle 305 and is used to make and break contact between the

end points

103, 104 and 105 which are connected, in use, to respective electrical conductors (not shown) carrying electrical current (e.g. mains or source current or current from other sources). The effect of the side-up to side switching element 102 is to create an electrical path between the

terminals

103 and 104 and to break an electrical path between the

terminals

104 and 105, thereby enabling an on/off function upon toggling of the toggle 305, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

In the view of fig. 6, in the initial state, the button 201A (specifically, the corresponding surface of the driver 203) is in contact with the first top surface 303A located at the top of the first protrusion 301A. When the user presses the button 201A downward, the first protrusion 301A of the interface 300 is pressed, causing the toggle 305 to swing to the right as the interface 300 is connected to the functional portion 100 via the pivot point 307 at the center 306. As described above, the switching element 102 toggles accordingly to change the on/off state of the switch assembly 100. At the same time, the second protrusion 301B moves upward so that the second top surface 303B is in contact with the button 201. When the push button 201 is pressed again in a state of being in contact with the second top surface 303B of the second protrusion 301B, the second protrusion 301B is pressed down, causing the toggle 305 to swing toward the left side. The switching element 102 is toggled accordingly to change the on/off state of the switch assembly. At the same time, the first protrusion 301A moves upward so that the first top surface 303A comes into contact with the button 201A. When the user presses the button 201A again, the same process is repeated.

As can be seen from fig. 6, the button 201A moves up and down linearly, and the toggle assembly 102 performs a seesaw motion through the translation of the interface 300. That is, when the operating portion 200 is or includes the button 201A, the interface 300 is configured to convert a linear motion or force from the first operating portion 200 into a seesaw motion or force for the functional portion 100 when in use.

Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the switch system 1000 including a base unit 1100 and a cover unit or panel 1200 taken along line a-a' of fig. 2A. In this figure it can be seen how the operating portion 200 is connected to the base unit in a non-fixed but contacting engagement with the base unit switch portion 510 (in particular, in this embodiment, the interface 300) when the cover unit or panel 1200 is connected to the base unit 1100. The operation portion 200 is separated from the base unit switch portion 510 (in the present embodiment, specifically, from the interface 300) only by removing the cover unit or panel 1200 from the base unit 1100.

By separating the above-described function part and the operation part, the above-described push switch assembly can be changed to a rocker switch assembly by replacing only the operation part. Thus, the type of switch can be changed.

Due to the flexibility of the above system, it is also possible to transfer a cover unit with an associated operating part to a different base unit. In some cases it is desirable that the orientation of the base unit may be different from the orientation of the original base unit. For example, the original base unit may be mounted horizontally on a wall, while the new desired base unit may be mounted vertically on the wall. Thus, with the above arrangement, it may not be possible to use the cover unit 1200 on a new base unit of a different orientation, because the driver surfaces of the operating portion 200 may not be aligned any more to enable the switch to be implemented using the operating portion.

In one embodiment, the operating portion may be rotated to match the orientation of the interface in the new base unit 1200. Such an arrangement is described in the previously incorporated co-pending patent application entitled "switch assembly with rotatable operating portion". However, in another aspect, a switch assembly, a system and an operating portion are provided in which a user is not required to manually rotate the operating portion even in the case of changing the installation direction of the push button switch assembly. For example, when the cover unit is changed from horizontal mounting to vertical mounting, the normal operation of the push switch assembly can be achieved without the need for the user to manually rotate the operating portion.

A push button switch assembly according to the second aspect will be described below with reference to fig. 8 to 17. In the push button switch assembly of the second aspect, two drivers are included.

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the operative portion of fig. 8 including two drivers.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the operating portion 400 includes a carrier 407, a button spring 408, a first driver 401 arranged in a first orientation, a second driver spring 403 whose axis extends parallel to a second direction, a second driver 406 extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first orientation, a lever 402, a first driver spring 405 whose axis extends substantially parallel to the first orientation, and a button 404. In one embodiment, the first driver spring 405 is the same as the second driver spring 403. Although in the above described embodiments it is shown that the second driver extends substantially perpendicular to the direction (or orientation) in which the first driver extends, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the first and second drivers may be at any desired angle relative to each other, including between 1 ° and 5 °, between 4 ° and 10 °, between 9 ° and 25 °, between 24 ° and 45 °, between 44 ° and 90 °, between 89 ° and 180 °, and including 45 °, 90 ° and 135 °.

In comparison with the operating portion 200 shown in fig. 4, a second driver spring 403 and a second driver 406 are added to the operating portion 400. As shown in the figure, the second driver spring 403 and the second driver 406 are interposed between the first driver 401 and the rod 402. The second driver spring 403 is closer to the first driver 401 than the second driver 406. The first actuator 401 and the first actuator spring 405 work together to actuate the functional part, and the second actuator 406 and the second actuator spring 403 work together to actuate the functional part. Fig. 10 is a rear view of the operating portion 400 shown in fig. 8 including two drivers. In this embodiment, the first actuator 401 is placed below the second actuator 406 when the button 201A is at the top.

The function of the push button switch assembly in a first orientation relative to the interface 300 is described below with reference to fig. 11-13. This case reflects the first mounting direction of the cover unit 1200 with respect to the base unit 1100, or the orientation of the operating portion 200 with respect to the interface 300. In one example, the base unit and the cover unit are mounted in a horizontal direction or orientation.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a push button switch assembly including the above operating portion 400, the operating portion 400 being in a first orientation (or mounting direction) with respect to the interface 300.

As shown in fig. 11, in a first orientation or mounting direction, a first actuator 401 (which orientation coincides with the orientation of the interface 300, i.e. the first actuator 401 extends in a direction substantially coinciding with the line connecting the two protrusions 310A and 301B to enable interaction with them when the user dials the button 404) works together with a corresponding first actuator spring 405. Specifically, a first driver 401 is above the interface 300. In the initial state, the first driver 401 is in contact with the first top surface 303A located at the top of the first protrusion 301A. When the user presses the button 404 downward, the first driver 401 moves downward. The first protrusion 301A of the interface 300 is pressed, causing the toggle 305 to swing to the right (see fig. 7) as the interface 300 is connected to the functional part 100 via the pivot point 307 at the center 306. As described above, the switching element 102 toggles accordingly to change the on/off state of the switch assembly 100. At the same time, the second protrusion 301B moves upward so that the second top surface 303B is in contact with the button 201. When the button 404 is pressed again, the first driver 401 is pressed again in a state of being in contact with the second protrusion 301B. The second projection 301B is pressed, and the toggle member 305 swings to the left. The switching element 102 is toggled accordingly to change the on/off state of the switch assembly. At the same time, the first protrusion 301A moves upward so that the first top surface 303A comes into contact with the button 404. When the user presses the button 404 again, the same process is repeated.

Fig. 12 is a rear view of the operation portion 400 in the above-described operation in the first state. Fig. 13 is a rear view of the operating portion 400 in the above-described arrangement in a second state. As shown in fig. 12 and 13, the first actuator 401 moves when the push button switch assembly is in the first installation orientation.

The movement of the first actuator 401 is achieved by the interaction of the inclined surfaces 401A and 401B of the first actuator 401 with the respective outwardly facing first and second

inclined surfaces

304A and 304B of the first and

second protrusions

301A and 301B. Before the user presses the button 404, the first actuator 401 is centered over the interface 300 with the inclined surface 401A of the first actuator 401 in contact with the first inclined surface 304A of the first protrusion 301A. As the user starts to press the button 404, causing the first driver 401 to move downward, the inclined surface 401A of the first driver 401 slides on the first inclined surface 304A of the first protrusion 301A, which causes the first driver 401 to slide leftward against the resilient force of the first driver spring 405. This action also causes the first projection 301A to move downward, causing the interface 300 to swing about its pivot as described above, toggling the switch. In this position, the first actuator is in the first state shown in fig. 12. When the user releases the button 404, the button 404 is lifted up by the force of the button spring 408, causing the inclined surface 401A of the first driver 401 to disengage from the first inclined surface 304A of the interface 300, so that the resilient force of the first driver spring 405 returns the first driver 401 to its neutral position shown in fig. 10. In this position, the interface 300 is tilted by the previous action, so that the inclined surface 401B is now in contact with the top of the second inclined surface 305B of the second protrusion 301B. When the user presses the button 404, the above cycle is repeated with respect to the second side, so that the first actuator 401 enters the second state as shown in fig. 13, and then the first actuator 401 continues to maintain its neutral position as shown in fig. 10.

When a user wishes to transfer the cover unit 1200 and associated operating portion 400 from the base unit 1100 described above (e.g. horizontally mounted) to another base unit of a different orientation (e.g. vertically mounted), but the orientation of the interface 300 remains the same, the operating portion can still operate according to this second aspect. The positional relationship of the interface 300 and the operation portion 400 is shown in fig. 14.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing the push button switch assembly including the above-described operating portion 400 in a second orientation or mounting direction.

As shown in fig. 14, when the operating portion 400 is in the second orientation, a second actuator 406 (which orientation coincides with the orientation of the interface 300, i.e. the second actuator 406 extends in a direction substantially coinciding with the line connecting the two protrusions 310A and 301B to enable interaction with them when the user dials the button 404) works together with a corresponding second actuator spring 403. Specifically, the second driver 406 is above the interface 300. In the initial state, the second driver 406 is in contact with the first top surface 303A located at the top of the first protrusion 301A. When the user presses the button 404 downward, the second actuator 406 moves downward. The first protrusion 301A of the interface 300 is pressed, causing the toggle 305 to swing to the right (see fig. 7) as the interface 300 is connected to the functional part 100 via the pivot point 307 at the center 306. As described above, the switching element 102 toggles accordingly to change the on/off state of the switch assembly 100. At the same time, the second protrusion 301B moves upward so that the second top surface 303B is in contact with the button 201A. When the button 404 is pressed again, the second driver 406 is pressed again at a position in contact with the second top surface 303B of the second protrusion 301B. The second projection 301B is pressed, and the toggle member 305 swings to the left. The switching element 102 is toggled accordingly to change the on/off state of the switch assembly 100. At the same time, the first protrusion 301A moves upward so that the first top surface 303A comes into contact with the button 404. When the user presses the button 404 again, the same process is repeated.

The movement of the second actuator 406 is effected by the interaction of the inclined surfaces 406A and 406B (see fig. 15 and 16) of the second actuator 406 with the respective outwardly facing first and second

inclined surfaces

304A and 304B of the first and

second projections

301A and 301B in the same manner as described for the first actuator 401.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the second driver 406. As shown in fig. 17, the second driver 406 may be a plastic piece with two protruding portions on either side of the plastic piece to facilitate cooperation with the interface 300.

The above-described aspect provides the operating portion and the switch system for the push button switch assembly, which enables the cover unit to be easily switched from the base unit mounted in one direction to the base unit mounted in the other direction. Thus, in the case where the push switch assembly changes the installation direction, the user does not need to change the direction of the operation portion, which improves the user experience and makes the installation and operation easier. It is even less necessary for the manufacturer to manufacture different cover units with an operating part to meet all possible mounting orientations.

While some specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown in detail by way of example, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing examples are intended to be illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above-described embodiments may be modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

In the specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the terms "comprise" and "comprise" are to be construed as embracing the stated elements or groups of elements but not excluding any other elements or groups of elements.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

It should be understood that the following claims are only provisional claims and are examples of possible claims and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims to any future patent application based on the present application. Elements may be added or deleted in the exemplary claims at a later date to further define or redefine the invention.

Claims

1. A push button switch assembly comprising:

a functional portion; and

an operating part that is dialed by a user and controls the functional part via an interface between the operating part and the functional part, wherein the interface, in use, converts a linear force imparted by the operating part upon dialing by the user into a rocker force applied to the functional part; and wherein the one or more of the one,

the operative portion is configured to apply a linear force to the interface when the operative portion is in any one of at least two different orientations relative to the interface.

2. The push button switch assembly according to claim 1,

the operation section includes: the actuator includes a first actuator having a first orientation relative to the interface, a second actuator having a second orientation relative to the interface different from the first orientation of the first actuator, a first actuator spring extending substantially parallel to the first actuator, and a second actuator spring extending substantially parallel to the second actuator.

3. The push button switch assembly according to claim 2,

the first driver applies linear motion to the interface when the operating portion is in a first orientation relative to the interface; and is

The second driver applies a linear force to the interface when the operating portion is in a second orientation relative to the interface.

4. The push button switch assembly according to any one of claims 2 or 3,

the operating portion further includes a button spring cooperating with the button to provide a resilient force to the button when dialed by a user, a carrier for holding the button, the button spring, the first driver, the second driver, the first driver spring, and the second driver spring to the cover unit, and a button.

5. The push button switch assembly according to any one of claims 2 or 3,

the second orientation is substantially perpendicular to the first orientation.

6. An operation part applying a linear force to an interface of a function part, the interface converting the linear force into a seesaw force to be applied to the function part, the operation part comprising:

a first driver having a first orientation;

a second driver having a second orientation different from the first orientation of the first driver;

a first driver spring arranged substantially parallel to an orientation of the first driver; and

a second driver spring arranged substantially parallel to an orientation of the second driver.

7. The operating section of claim 6 further comprising a button spring cooperating with the button to provide a resilient force to the button when dialed by a user, a carrier holding the button, button spring, first driver, second driver, first driver spring and second driver spring to the cover unit when in use.

8. The operating portion according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the second orientation is substantially perpendicular to the first orientation.