Illuminated Switch Rocker With Spring-Adjusted Light Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illuminated electrical installation devices face issues with inconsistent luminance and homogeneity due to varying thicknesses of wallpaper or plaster, leading to inadequate visibility of the electrical status and increased safety risks from complex electrical connections.

Innovation Solution

The lighting element is designed to be displaceably mounted on the base parallel to the mounting direction, with a spring mechanism adjusting its position to maintain a consistent distance from the light exit element, ensuring maximum luminance and homogeneity, and featuring a compact, easily installable and adaptable design with guide surfaces and a split housing for protection and accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the lighting element is fixed in position on the base, then the electrical connection path is shorter and simpler, but the luminance becomes inconsistent and inhomogeneous due to varying wallpaper or plaster thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminance homogeneityVSAvoidelectrical connection path complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting element is made displaceable relative to the base through a spring mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to compensate for varying wallpaper or plaster thickness. This dynamic adjustment ensures consistent luminance homogeneity while the spring mechanism manages the electrical connection path flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position parameter of the lighting element is changed through displacement along the mounting direction, enabling adaptation to different installation conditions (varying wallpaper/plaster thickness). This parameter change allows the lighting element to maintain optimal distance from the light exit element, ensuring consistent luminance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If the lighting element is made displaceable to compensate for wallpaper thickness variations, then luminance homogeneity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminance consistencyVSAvoidmounting mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting element incorporates a spring mechanism that enables automatic displacement along the mounting direction. This dynamic mounting mechanism compensates for wallpaper thickness variations without requiring complex external adjustment systems, maintaining luminance consistency while controlling device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring mechanism enables the lighting element to self-adjust its position automatically based on the installation conditions. The element displaces itself to achieve optimal positioning relative to the light exit element, eliminating the need for manual adjustment or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Volume of moving object

If long electrical connection paths are used to accommodate centralized light emitting elements, then the device can be more compact, but safety risks increase due to possible sparking or short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidelectrical safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The displaceable lighting element with spring mechanism allows the electrical connection points to move closer together, reducing the electrical connection path length. This dynamic positioning maintains device compactness while improving electrical safety by minimizing the risk of sparking or short circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 provides consistent and homogeneous luminance regardless of installation conditions, enhances electrical safety, and allows for easy installation and retrofitting, while reducing the risk of spark formation and short circuits.

Implementation Method 1

the lighting element is subjected to a displacement force by at least one spring means counter to the mounting direction in the direction of the maximum position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4174889B1Illuminated electrical installation device such as a switch or button
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 GIRA GIERSIEPEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4174889B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4174889B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4174889B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrical installation device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) such as a switch or push button, comprising a base (2a, 2b, 2c) with fastening means (3, 5) for mounting along a mounting direction (M) in a mounting opening of a mounting wall, and a design rocker (4) slidably mounted parallel to the mounting direction (M) over a wallpaper compensation area (T). A design frame resting on the mounting wall and surrounding the design rocker can be attached between the design rocker and the base. Furthermore, an electrical switching arrangement is arranged in the base (2a, 2b, 2c), which is mechanically connected to the design rocker (4) and electrically connectable to a lighting element (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d).The lighting element (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d) is mounted directly on the base (2a, 2b, 2c) parallel to the mounting direction (M) and is displaceably mounted over a range between a minimum position and a maximum position corresponding to at least the wallpaper compensation area (T) and is subjected to a displacement force by at least one spring means (26a, 26b) against the mounting direction (M) in the direction of the maximum position.