A remotely controlled toggle switch

A single electromagnet and permanent magnet configuration with ferromagnetic strips in the toggle switch addresses cost and interference issues, offering a reliable and efficient remotely operated toggle switch.

WO2025172921A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-08-21SAVALIYA KISHAN RAMJIBHAI
View PDF 4 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/IB2025/051606
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-02-14
Filing Date
2025-02-14
Publication Date
2025-08-21

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing remotely operated toggle switches are costly, complex, and suffer from inefficient magnetic flux management, leading to interference with other devices.

Method used

A remotely operated toggle switch utilizing a single electromagnet interacting with at least one permanent magnet, configured at the button or housing, to toggle between positions, with ferromagnetic strips to manage magnetic flux and reduce leakage.

Benefits of technology

The solution provides a cost-effective, efficient, and interference-free toggle switch with fewer components, ensuring reliable remote actuation and reduced magnetic interference.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure IB2025051606_21082025_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure IB2025051606_21082025_PF_FP_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A switch 100 / 200 includes a button 102 / 202 that toggles between a first position and a second position about a pivot point 104 / 204. At least one magnet 110 / 210, 112 / 212 is fixed at the button 102 or a housing 260 of the switch.. An electromagnet 150 / 250 is located adjacent the button 102 / 202 between the two ends of the button 102 / 202 such that when the electromagnet 150 / 250 is energized in a first direction, magnetic interaction between flux from the at least one magnet and the the electromagnet 150 / 250 pulls the first first end of the button 102 / 202 to a first position, and when energized in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction, the electromagnet 150 / 250 pulls the second end of the button 102 / 202 to move the button to the second position.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

A REMOTELY CONTROLLED TOGGLE SWITCHTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to switches. In particular, it pertains to remotely controlled toggle switch.BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Toggle switches are well known in the art. They typically include a button that can be toggles between two different positions, generally associated with ON and OFF positions for a load connected to the switch. Thus the position of the button unambiguously indicates the status of the connected load.

[0004] However, in certain applications, the load may be parallelly activated or deactivated by other means, such as a remote operation or a parallelly connected switching system, in which case the position of the button of the switch fails to indicate the status of the connected load. In such applications, remotely operated switches are used which change their status, i.e., the position of the button, to indicate the status of the connected load. These switches typically include electromagnets that, on being remotely actuated, change the position of the button of the switch.

[0005] Patent document US10559433B2 discloses one such switch comprising a toggle element movable between ON and OFF positions, and embedded with a permanent magnet. A pair of electromagnets is provided to supply magnetic force to selectively attract / repel the permanent magnet to move the toggle element between the ON and OFF positions.

[0006] While the above cited patent document discloses a remotely operated switch, there is a possibility of providing a more cost-effective and efficient remotely operated switch.OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved remotely operated toggle switch.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved remotely operated toggle switch that is more cost effective then the known remotely operated toggle switch.

[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a remotely operated toggle switch that has fewer components.

[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a remotely operated toggle switch that uses a single electro magnet.

[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a remotely operated toggle switch that includes features for efficient management of magnetic flux for an effective actuation.

[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a remotely operated toggle switch that includes features for efficient management of magnetic flux to reduce the leakages of the magnetic flux which can have interference with other magnetic or electromagnetic or electronics devices if leaked.SUMMARY

[0013] The present disclosure relates to an improved, reliable, efficient, and safe remotely operated toggle switch that is more includes fewer components and thus more cost effective.

[0014] In an aspect, the proposed switch includes a button having a pivot point, a first button end and a second button end. The first button end and the second button end are located on opposite sides of the pivot point. The button is configured for toggling between a first position and a second position. The switch further includes at least one magnet configured to provide magnetic flux of same magnetic polarity near to the first button end and the second button end, The switch further includes an electromagnet having a first electromagnet end and a second electromagnet end. When the electromagnet is energized, the first electromagnet end and the second electromagnet end have opposite magnetic poles.

[0015] In an aspect, the electromagnet is configured relative to the button and the at least one magnet such that, when a coil of the electromagnet is energized in a first direction, interaction between magnetic flux of the electromagnet and the at least one magnet causes the button to experience a turning moment towards the first position, and when the coil of the the electromagnet is energized in a second direction, interaction between magnetic flux of the electromagnet and the at least one magnet causes the button to experience a turning moment towards the second position.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the at least one magnet may include a single magnet located on the button, and the switch may include a strip made of a ferromagnetic material fixed with the button extending from a pole of the single magnet to the first buttonend and the second button end to provide a magnetic flux path to direct magnetic flux from the single magnet to the first button end to the second button end such that the the first button end and the second button end receive magnetic flux from the same pole of the single magnet.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the at least one magnet may include a first magnet and a second magnet respectively fixed at the first button end and the second button end of the button such that respective sides of the first magnet and the second magnet that are closer to the pivot point have the same magnetic poles, and the switch may include a strip made of a ferromagnetic material fixed with the button extending between the first magnet and the second magnet to provide a magnetic flux path therebetween.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the at least one magnet may include a single magnet located in a housing of the switch, and the switch may include a strip made of a ferromagnetic material fixed with the housing extending from a first end of the housing that is close to the first button end, to a second end of the housing that is close to the second button end. The strip may be in contact with the sigle magnet to provide a magnetic flux path to direct magnetic flux from the single magnet to the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing such that the the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing receive magnetic flux from opposite pole of the single magnet.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the at least one magnet may include a first magnet located in a housing of the switch at a first end of the housing and a second magnet located in the housing at a second end of the housing such that respective sides of the first magnet and the second magnet that are closer to the respective button ends have opposite magnetic poles. The switch may further include a strip made of a ferromagnetic material to provide a magnetic flux path between the first magnet and the second magnet.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the button my include at least one strip made of a ferromagnetic material located in the housing in contact with one end of the electromagnet to channel magnetic flux from the electromagnet to the first button end and the second button end. When the coil of the electromagnet is energized in the first direction, interaction between magnetic flux of the electromagnet and the magnetic flux from the at least one magnet enhances the magnetic flux at the first housing end and reduces the magnetic flux at the second housing end to cause a metallic insert of the button to experience a higer magnetic attraction at the first end to cause the button to experience a turning moment towards the first position. On the other hand, when the coil of the electromagnet is energized in the second direction, interaction between magnetic flux of the electromagnet and themagnetic flux from the at least one magnet enhances the magnetic flex at the second end of the housing and reduces the magnetic flex at the first end of the housing to cause the metallic insert of the button at the second end to experience a higer magnetic attraction at the second button end to cause the button to experience a turning moment towards the second position.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, one of the first position and the second position of the button may correspond to an ON state of the switch and a load connected to the switch, and other of the first position and the second position of the button corresponds to an OFF state of the switch and the connected load.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the switch may include a toggle spring to biase the button towards the first position and the second position depending on position of the button, and wherein the button is manually operable for movement between the first position and the second position.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the switch may be a wall mounted switch of modular construction.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the electromagnet may include a core made of a metallic or non-metallic material. The coil of the electromagnet may be confiured in any of a straight, or an angular shape, or a customized shape.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the switch may include at least one sensor to provide feedback regarding the button being in the first position or the second position The sensor may be any of a IR sensor, a proximity sensor, magnetic sensor or similar or a pogo pins based sensor.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the switch may be configured to provide an audio feedback on the button being moved between the first position and the second position.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the audio feedback may be a click sound generated when the button is moved to the first or the second position due to the button hitting a resting surface provided on a housing of the switch. The sound level of the audio feedback can be adjused by reducing or increasing the current supplied to the electromagnet.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the audio feedback may be a musical sound generated based on a pulse modulated waveform (PMW) or similar like FMW or AMW, generated during movement of the button between the first position and the second position.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the disclosed switch may be configured to generate musical tones by configuring the electromagnet as coil of a speaker.

[0030] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferredembodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIGs. 1A and IB illustrate exemplary sectional views of the disclosed switch in accordance with a first embodiment, where at least one magnet is provided on a button of the switch, respectively showing the switch in the first position and the second position.

[0033] FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrate exemplary sectional views of the disclosed switch in accordance with a second embodiment, where at least one magnet is provided on a housing of the switch, respectively showing the switch in the first position and the second position.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0035] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.

[0036] Various terms are used herein. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

[0037] The present disclosure provides an improved remotely actuated toggle switch that uses a single electromagnet to provide the functionality of remote actuation. In an embodiment, the single electromagnet interacts with at least one permanent magnet that maybe configured at a button of the switch, or at a housing of the switch, to move the button of the switch between two different positions, referred to as a first position and a second position.

[0038] In different embodiments, there may be a single magnet located on the button or the housing, with a strip of ferromagnetic material to channel magnetic flux from the single magnet towards two ends of the button or two ends of the housing that are located towards the two ends of the button, as the case may be. Alternatively, there can be two magnets located on the two ends of the button or the two ends of the housing.

[0039] It is to be appreciated that while the exemplary illustrations of FIGs. 1A to2B show two magnets located at the two ends of the button (FIGs. 1A and IB), referred to as first embodiment of the switch, and the two ends of the housing (FIGs. 2A and 2B), referred to as second embodiment of the switch, the arrangement of a single magnet with a strip of ferromagnetic material to channel magnetic flux from the single magnet towards two ends of the button or two ends of the housing, as required, can be easily conceived by those skilled in that art, and such variations are well within the scope of the present disclosure without any limitations whatsoever.

[0040] In different embodiments, the electromagnet can be positioned either generally parallel to the button such that two ends of the electromagnets positioned close to the two ends of the button, as in the first embodiment of the disclosed switch, or can be positioned either generally perpendicular to the button with a strip made of ferromagnetic material to channel magnetic flux to the two the housing of the switch, as in the first embodiment of the disclosed switch, thereby enabling magnetic interaction between the two poles of the electromagnets and the magnetic flux from the at least one magnet.

[0041] Referring now to FIGs. 1A and IB, where exemplary sectional views of the proposed switch 100 in accordance with a first embodiment, in two different positions are shown, the proposed switch 100 can include a button 102 having a pivot point 104, a first button end 106 and a second button end 108. The first button end 106 and the second button end 108 can be located on opposite sides of the pivot point 104. The button 102 can toggling about the pivot point 104 between a first position, such as shown in FIG. 1A, and a second position, such as shown in FIG. IB. In implementation, one of the first position and the second position can correspond to ON position of the switch 100, and other of the first position and the second position can correspond to OFF position of the switch 100. In a preferred embodiment, the first position of the button 102 can correspond to OFF position ofthe switch 100 and the connected load, and the second position of the button 102 can correspond to ON position of the switch 100 and the connected load.

[0042] In an embodiment, the button 102 can be configured with the switch 100 such that it can be manually operated for toggling between the first position and the second position, thus enabling independent operation either remotely or manually, such as when remote operation is not possible for any reason. The manual operation can be done by pushing the button at the first end or the second end, as applicable.

[0043] The switch 100 can further include a first magnet 110 and a second magnet112, respectively fixed at the first button end 106 and the second button end 108 of the button 102. The first magnet 110 and the second magnet 112 can be permanent magnets and may be fixed to the respective ends 106 and 108 such that respective sides of the first magnet 110 and the second magnet 112 that are closer to the pivot point 104 have same magnetic poles. For example, if N pole of the first magnet 110 faces the pivot point 104, the second magnet 112 is fixed such that N pole of the second magnet 112 also faces the pivot point 104.

[0044] The switch 100 can further include an electromagnet 150 located in a housing of the switch, and having a first electromagnet end 152 and a second electromagnet end 154. The electromagnet 150 can have a ferro magnetic core 156 and a winding / coil 158 wound around the core 156. The electromagnet 150 can be energized by applying a current through the coil 158. As can be understood, when the electromagnet 150 is energized, the first electromagnet end 152 and the second electromagnet end 154 shall have opposite magnetic poles. The elctromagnet 150 can be an elongage member positioned adjacent the button 102 with the first electromagnet end 152 located adjacent the first button end 106, and the second electromagnet end 154 located adjacent the second button end 108 such that the first electromagnet end 152 can magnetically interact with the first magnet 110, and the second electromagnet end 154 can magnetically interact with the second magnet 112.

[0045] Further, the electromagnet 150 can be located relative to the button 102 such that when the button 102 is in the first position, the first magnet 110 is closer to the first electromagnet end 152 and the second magnet 112 is moved away from the second electomagnet end 154, as shown in FIG. 1A. And when the the button 102 is in the second position, the second magnet 112 is closer to the second electromagnet end 154 and the first magnet 110 is moved away from the first electomagnet end 152.

[0046] In an aspect, when the electromagnet 150 is energized in a first direction, on account of same magnetic poles of the two magnets facing the respective ends of the electromagnet 150, the first electromagnet end 152 pulls the first magnet 110 and the secondelectromagnet end 154 repells the second magnet 112 to move the button 102 to the first position. On the other hand, when the electromagnet 150 is energized in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction, the second electromagnet end 154 pulls the second magnet 112 and the first electromagnet end 152 repells the second magnet 110 to move the button 102 to the second position. Thus, selectively energizing the electromagnet 150 by applying a current through its coil 158 in a first direction or the opposite second direction enables remote actuation of the switch 100 between the ON position an the OFF position in tandem with actuation of the connected load by atemative means, such as a second switch or a remote control.

[0047] In an embodiment, the switch 100 can also include a strip 120 made of a ferromagnetic material, and fixed with the button 102 extending from the first button end 106 to the second button end 108. The strip 120 can provide an efficient magnetic flux path between the first magnet 110 and the second magnet 112 that are fixed at the first button end 106 and the second button end 108, respectively.

[0048] In an alternate arrangement of the magnet in the first embodiment of the switch 100, there can be a single magnet and magnetic flux from a single pole of the single magnet can be channeled to the first button end 106 and the second button end 108 by the strip 120.

[0049] FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrate exemplary sectional views of the disclosed switch200 in accordance with a second embodiment, where at least one magnet is provided on a housing 260 of the switch 200. As shown, the switch 200 can include a button 202 having a pivot point 204, a first button end 206 and a second button end 208. The first button end 206 and the second button end 208 can be located on opposite sides of the pivot point 204. The button 202 can include an insert 262 made of a magnetic material (referred to as metallic insert, herein). In alternate embodiment, the entire button 202 may be metallic. The button 202 can toggling about the pivot point 204 between a first position, such as shown in FIG. 2A, and a second position, such as shown in FIG. 2B. In implementation, one of the first position and the second position can correspond to ON position of the switch 200, and other of the first position and the second position can correspond to OFF position of the switch 200.

[0050] In an embodiment, the button 202 can be configured with the switch 200 such that it can be manually operated for toggling between the first position and the second position, thus enabling independent operation either remotely or manually, such as whenremote operation is not possible for any reason. The manual operation can be done by pushing the button at the first end or the second end, as applicable.

[0051] The switch 200 can include a first magnet 210 and a second magnet 212, respectively fixed at the first end of the housing 260 that is close to the first button end 206 and at a second end of the housing 260 that is close to the second button end 208. The first magnet 216 and the second magnet 212 can be permanent magnets and may be fixed to the respective ends of the housing 260 such that respective sides of the first magnet 210 and the second magnet 212 that face the button 202 have opposite magnetic poles.

[0052] The switch 200 can further include an electromagnet 250 located generally perpendicular to the button 202. The electromagnet 250 can have a first electromagnet end 252 and a second electromagnet end 254. The electromagnet 250 can have a ferro magnetic core 256 and a winding / coil 258 wound around the core 256. As can be understood, when the electromagnet 250 is energized, the first electromagnet end 252 and the second electromagnet end 254 shall have opposite magnetic poles.

[0053] The switch 200 can further include a strip 220 made of ferromagnetic material located in the housing 260 in contact with one end, such as the second end 254, of the electromagnet 250 to channel magnetic flux from the corresponding end (pole) of the electromagnet 250 to the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing, specifically, to the first magnet 210 and the second magnet 212 located at the respective ends of the housing 260. With this configuration, magnetic flux from the first electromagnet 250 can magnetically interact with the flux from the first magnet 210 and the magnetic flux from the second magnet 212.

[0054] In an aspect, the strip 120 / 220 as well as the insert 262, also minimizes leakage of magnetic flux from the magnets and the electromagnet, thereby reducing megnetic interference to nereby devices.

[0055] In an aspect, when the coil 258 of the electromagnet 250 is energized in the first direction, interaction between magnetic flux of the electromagnet 250 and the magnetic flux from the first magnet 210 can combine to enhance the magnetic flex at the first housing end. On the other hand, interaction between magnetic flux of the electromagnet 250 and the magnetic flux from the second magnet 212 can interact to reduce the magnetic flex at the second housing end. This interaction between the magnetic flux at two ends causes the insert 262 to experience a higer magnetic attraction at the firtst end to cause the button 202 to experience a turning moment towards the first position. Similarly, when the coil 258 of the electromagnet 250 is energized in the second direction, a higer magnetic attraction on theinsert 262 of the button 202 at the second end to cause the button 202 to experience a turning moment towards the second position.

[0056] In an embodiment, the strip 220 made of a ferromagnetic material can also provide an efficient magnetic flux path between the first magnet 210 and the second magnet 212.

[0057] In an alternate arrangement of the magnet in the second embodiment of the switch 200, there can be a single magnet and magnetic flux from the single magnet can be channeled to the first end of the housing 260 and the second end of the housing 260 through the strip 220 such that the two ends of the housing receive magnetic flux from opposite poles of the magnet.

[0058] In one or more embodiments, the switch 100 / 200 can be a wall mounted switch of modular construction.

[0059] In one or more embodiments, the electromagnet 150 / 250 can include a core156 / 256 made of a metallic or non-metallic material. The coil 158 / 258 of the electromagnet 150 / 250 can be configured in any of a straight, or an angular shape, or a customized shape, depending on the requirement to enhance the magnetic flux. Furthermore, the coil 158 / 258 can also be configured as coil of a speaker to generate musical sounds, when required.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, the switch 100 / 200 can include at least one sensor (not shown in the drawings) to provide feedback regarding the button 102 / 202 being in the first position or the second position. The sensor can be any of an IR sensor, or a proximity sensor, or pogo pins, or any other type of sensor known in the art.

[0061] In one or more embodiments, the switch 100 / 200 can be configured to provide an audio feedback on the button 102 / 202 being moved between the first position and the second position.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, the audio feedback may be a click sound generated when the button 102 / 202 is moved to the first or the second position due to the button hitting a resting surface, such as the surface 264-1 and 264-2 (collectively referred to as surface 264, herein) shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B, provided on the housing 260 of the switch 100 / 200. This audio feedback can also be muted by controling supply of current to the coils 158 / 258 of the electromagnet 150 / 250 such that the movement of the button 102 / 202 is slowled down to prevent the buttom 102 / 202 hitting the surface 264.

[0063] In one or more embodiments, the audio feedback may be a musical sound generated based on a pulse modulated waveform (PMW), or other similar power control methods, generated during movement of the button 102 / 202 between the first position and thesecond position. PMW based audio feedback is advantageous as the sound generated can be reduced or muted depending on the requirement. For example, in applications requiring a silent operatuion, the PMW based audio feedback can be muted.

[0064] Thus, the present disclosure provides an improved toggle switch that uses a single electromagnet for remote actuation of the switch, thereby reducing number of parts with corresponding cost benefits.

[0065] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0066] The present invention provides an improved remotely operated toggle switch.

[0067] The present invention provides an improved remotely operated toggle switch that is more cost effective that the known remotely operated toggle switch.

[0068] The present invention provides a remotely operated toggle switch that has fewer components.

[0069] The present invention provides a remotely operated toggle switch that uses a single electro magnet.

[0070] The present invention provides a remotely operated toggle switch that includes features for efficient management of magnetic flux for an effective actuation.

[0071] The present invention provides a remotely operated toggle switch that includes features for efficient management of magnetic flux to reduce the leakages of the magnetic flux which can have interference with other magnetic or electromagnetic or electronics devices if leaked.

Claims

aim:

1. A switch comprising: a button having a pivot point, a first button end and a second button end, the first button end and the second button end being located on opposite sides of the pivot point, the button being configured for toggling between a first position and a second position; at least one magnet configured to provide magnetic flux of near to the first button end and the second button end; and an electromagnet having a first electromagnet end and a second electromagnet end, and when the electromagnet is energized, the first electromagnet end and the second electromagnet end have opposite magnetic poles; wherein the electromagnet is configured relative to the button and the at least one magnet such that, when a coil of the electromagnet is energized in a first direction, interaction between magnetic flux of the electromagnet and the at least one magnet causes the button to experience a turning moment towards the first position, and when the coil of the the electromagnet is energized in a second direction, interaction between magnetic flux of the electromagnet and the at least one magnet causes the button to experience a turning moment towards the second position.

2. The switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a single magnet located on the button, and wherein the switch comprises a strip made of a ferromagnetic material fixed with the button and extending from a pole of the single magnet to the first button end and the second button end to provide a magnetic flux path to direct magnetic flux from the single magnet to the first button end to the second button end such that the the first button end and the second button end receive magnetic flux from the same pole of the single magnet.

3. The switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a first magnet and a second magnet respectively fixed at the first button end and the second button end of the button such that respective sides of the first magnet and the second magnet that are closer to the pivot point have same magnetic poles.

4. The switch as claimed in claim 3, wherein the switch comprises a strip made of a ferromagnetic material fixed with the button and extending between the first magnet and the second magnet to provide a magnetic flux path therebetween.

5. The switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a single magnet located in a housing of the switch, and wherein the switch comprises a strip made of a ferromagnetic material fixed with the housing and extending from a first end of the housing that is close to the first button end to a second end of the housing that is close to the second button end; and wherein the strip is in contact with the sigle magnet to provide a magnetic flux path to direct magnetic flux from the single magnet to the first end of the housing an to the second end of the housing such that the the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing receive magnetic flux from opposite pole of the single magnet.

6. The switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a first magnet located in a housing of the switch at a first end of the housing and a second magnet located in the housing at a second end of the housing such that respective sides of the first magnet and the second magnet that are closer to the respectice button end have opposite magnetic poles, wherein the switch comprises a strip made of a ferromagnetic material to provide a magnetic flux path between the first magnet and the second magnet.

7. The switch as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein strip is in contact with one end of the electromagnet to channel magnetic flux from the electromagnet to the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing such that, when the coil of the electromagnet is energized in the first direction, interaction between magnetic flux of the electromagnet and the magnetic flux from the at least one magnet enhances the magnetic flex at the first housing end and reduces the magnetic flex at the second housing end to cause a metallic insert of the button to experience a higer magnetic attraction at the first end to cause the button to experience a turning moment towards the first position; and when the coil of the electromagnet is energized in the second direction, interaction between magnetic flux of the electromagnet and the magnetic flux from the at least one magnet enhances the magnetic flex at the second end of the housing and reduces the magnetic flex at the first housing end to cause the metallic insert to experience a higer magnetic attraction at the second end to cause the button to experience a turning moment towards the second position.

8. The switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the first position and the second position of the button corresponds to an ON state of the switch and a load connected to the switch, and other of the first position and the second position of the button corresponds to an OFF state of the switch and the connected load.

9. The switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a toggle spring to biase the button towards the first position and the second position depending on position of the button, and wherein the button is manually operable for movement between the first position and the second position.

10. The switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch is a wall mounted switch of modular construction.

11. The switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electromagnet comprises a core made of a metallic or non-metallic material.

12. The switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coil of the electromagnet is confiured in any of a straight, or an angular shape, or a customized shape.

13. The switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch comprises at least one sensor to provide feedback regarding the button being in the first position or the second position.

14. The switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch is configured to provide an audio feedback on the button being moved between the first position and the second position, and wherein the audio feedback is muted by controlling power supplied to the electromagnet.

15. The switch as claimed in claim 13, wherein the audio feedback is a click sound generated when the button is moved to the first or the second position due to the button hitting a resting surface provided on a housing of the switch.

16. The switch as claimed in claim 13, wherein the audio feedback is a musical sound generated based on a pulse modulated wave form generated during movement of the button between the first position and the second position.

17. A switch comprising: a button having a pivot point, a first button end and a second button end, the first button end and the second button end being located on opposite sides of the pivot point, the button being configured for toggling between a first position and a second position; at least one magnet fixed at the button such that the at least one magnet provides magnetic flux of same magnetic polarity near to the first button end and the second button end; and an electromagnet having a first electromagnet end and a second electromagnet end, and when the electromagnet is energized, the first electromagnet end and the second electromagnet end have opposite magnetic poles;wherein the electromagnet is configured relative to the button such that when a coil of the electromagnet is energized in a first direction, interaction between magnetic flux of the electromagnet and the at least one magnet causes the button to experience a turning moment towards the first position, and when the coil of the the electromagnet is energized in a second direction, interaction between magnetic flux of the electromagnet and the at least one magnet causes the button to experience a turning moment towards the second position.

18. A switch comprising: a button having a pivot point, a first button end and a second button end, the first button end and the second button end being located on opposite sides of the pivot point, the button being configured for toggling between a first position and a second position; at least one magnet fixed with a housing of the switch such that a first end of the housing and a second end of the housing receive magnetic flux from opposite poles of the at least one magnet; an electromagnet having a first electromagnet end and a second electromagnet end, and when the electromagnet is energized, the first electromagnet end and the second electromagnet end have opposite magnetic poles; a strip made of a ferromagnetic material located in the housing in contact with one end of the electromagnet to channel magnetic flux from the corresponding end of the electromagnet to the first end of the housing and the second end of the housing; wherein, when the coil of the electromagnet is energized in a first direction, interaction between magnetic flux from the electromagnet and the magnetic flux from the at least one magnet enhances the magnetic flex at the first housing end and reduces the magnetic flex at the second housing end to cause a metallic insert of the button to experience a higher magnetic attraction at the first end of the button to cause the button to experience a turning moment towards the first position; and when the coil of the electromagnet is energized in the second direction, interaction between magnetic flux of the electromagnet and the magnetic flux from the at least one magnet enhances the magnetic flux at the second housing end and reduces the magnetic flux at the first housing end to cause the metallic insert of the button to experience a higher magnetic attraction at the second end of the button to cause the button to experience a turning moment towards the second position.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Manual and electric control dual-purpose switch

    CN202339872U

  • Electromagnetic switch

    CN206460914U

  • electromagnetic relay

    DE29824474U1

  • Switching apparatus for synchronized toggle positioning and related sensory feedback

    US20170154744A1