Contact Element With Inclined Terminals for Low-Depth Switch Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contact elements have a significant installation depth, making them unsuitable for low-height switchboards and control panels, and their assembly can be complex.
Innovation Solution
A contact element with sloping mounting of connection terminals in the base body and a plunger carrying a contact bridge, allowing for a compact design with reduced overall depth, easy assembly, and the ability to function as either an opener or closer, with a plunger design that accommodates different buttons and spring mechanisms for simplified installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If connection terminals are mounted conventionally in the base body, then electrical connection is achieved, but the overall depth of the contact element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection terminals are mounted at an angle (inclined mounting) rather than perpendicular to the base body, changing the spatial dimension of terminal installation. This angular orientation allows the terminals to extend outward at an angle, reducing the axial depth requirement while maintaining electrical connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact element is divided into modular components: base body with inclined terminals, separate plunger with pre-mounted contact bridge, and distinct spring mechanisms. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and simplifies assembly procedures.
2Length of stationary object
If the contact element is designed for compact depth, then installation space is reduced, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger and contact bridge are combined into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps. The contact bridge is permanently mounted on the plunger, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall assembly structure while maintaining the compact depth design.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger is designed with a universal coupling interface that can accommodate different button types and actuation mechanisms. The standardized coupling design allows the same compact contact element structure to serve multiple functions and applications without increasing complexity.
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 achieves a contact element with an overall depth of less than 30 mm, significantly reducing the switching space and simplifying assembly, making it suitable for low-height panels and allowing for versatile functionality as both an opener and closer.
Implementation Method 1
a contact spring which exerts spring pressure on the contact bridge
Implementation Method 2
a return spring which pushes the plunger into the first or second contact position
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~10
AI summary
The invention relates to a contact element which, on account of its low installation depth, is primarily suitable for use in switch panels of low overall height and can be combined with various keys. One embodiment of the invention relates to a contact element (10) having a main body (12), two connection terminals (14, 16), which are obliquely mounted in the main body, for electrical conductors, two busbars (20, 22) which are in each case electrically connected to one of the connection terminals and run from the respective connection terminal to a bearing (18) which is arranged centrally in the main body, and having a tappet (24) which is spring-mounted in the central bearing and can be moved between a first and a second position and which is fitted with a contact bridge (26) which electrically short-circuits the two busbars in one of the two positions, wherein a portion (28) of the tappet, which portion projects out of the main body, is designed to be coupled to a key.