Interchangeable Push Plate Switch Assembly for Button Versatility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical switches require the entire switch box to be replaced when changing actuation buttons, leading to increased production and user costs due to unique associated mechanisms for each button type.

Innovation Solution

A multipurpose electrical switch with a T-shaped actuation rocker arm and interchangeable push plates, allowing for aesthetic and functional modifications without replacing the entire switch box, using snap-fitted fixing means for standard and lever plates, and accommodating a third type of button with a coupling panel, reducing production costs and user expenses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different button types are used for aesthetic variation, then aesthetic versatility is improved, but device complexity increases because each button requires its own associated mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic versatilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single base box with a universal actuation mechanism that can accommodate multiple types of actuation buttons (push buttons, lever buttons, rotary buttons) through interchangeable actuation transmission units. This allows aesthetic versatility while maintaining a consistent underlying mechanism, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic variation and mechanism complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the switch into distinct functional modules: a base box containing the core mechanism, and interchangeable actuation transmission units that connect different button types to the base box. This segmentation allows independent design and replacement of button aesthetics without affecting the core mechanism, thereby improving aesthetic versatility while controlling device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the entire switch box is replaced to change button types, then adaptability is improved, but loss of substance increases due to waste of the original switch box

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton type interchangeabilityVSAvoidmaterial waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the switch system into a reusable base box and replaceable actuation transmission units. This allows users to change button types by replacing only the transmission unit rather than the entire switch box, thereby improving adaptability while minimizing material waste from discarded components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables recovery and reuse of the base box when changing button types. Instead of discarding the entire switch box, only the actuation transmission unit is replaced, allowing the base box to be recovered and reused with different transmission units, thus reducing material waste while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of manufacture

If different mechanisms are designed for each button type, then ease of manufacture is improved for each specific button, but productivity decreases due to increased production costs and inventory complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton-specific manufacturingVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a universal base box and standardized connection interfaces that work with multiple button types. This reduces production complexity by eliminating the need to manufacture entirely different mechanisms for each button type, thereby improving productivity while maintaining ease of manufacture for specific button variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the manufacturing process into standardized base box production and specialized actuation transmission unit production. This allows mass production of the common base box components (improving productivity) while still enabling customized button manufacturing (maintaining ease of manufacture for specific buttons).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4485491A1Multipurpose electrical switch
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC ESPANA SA
  • EP4485491A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4485491A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4485491A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a multipurpose electrical switch with a T-shaped actuation rocker arm (1) assembled in a base box (2) in a swiveling manner between positions for the connection and disconnection of the switch, said base box (2) being assembled on a frame (3) that can be fixed to the wall, and comprising a push plate (4, 5) that can be fixed to said actuation rocker arm (1), wherein the actuation rocker arm (1) comprises first fixing means for the detachable fixing of a first standard actuation push plate (4), and second fixing means for the detachable fixing of a second actuation push plate (5) for actuation by means of a lever.