Magnetic Actuating Device for Contactless Push-Turn Input Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices for electric motor-operated kitchen machines lack convenience in transmitting push-turn user inputs, as they require mechanical breakthroughs through device housings, making cleaning difficult and prone to dust and liquid ingress.
Innovation Solution
The actuating device employs a magnetically operated mechanism with rotating magnets that allow for both push and turn inputs without physical contact, using multiple pairs of magnets for secure positioning and detection, and spring elements for automatic return, ensuring easy cleaning and robust user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical breakthroughs are used to transmit user inputs through device housing, then user input transmission is achieved, but cleaning becomes difficult and dust/liquid ingress occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical breakthroughs through the device housing with a magnetic field-based transmission system. Magnets in the attack element interact with magnets in the executing element through magnetic attraction forces, allowing rotational input transmission without physical penetration of the housing. This eliminates the harmful effects of dust and liquid ingress while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the attack element (user interface) and executing element (internal mechanism). The magnetic field acts as a mediator that transmits rotational movement across the housing barrier without requiring mechanical contact or breakthroughs, thus preventing contaminant ingress while enabling user input transmission.
2Reliability
If multiple pairs of magnets are used for secure positioning, then magnetic fixation strength increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the magnetic coupling system into multiple discrete magnet pairs arranged circumferentially around the rotation axis. Each magnet pair contributes to the overall magnetic fixation strength, and the segmented arrangement allows for modular design and assembly while distributing the magnetic forces evenly to maintain reliability without excessive 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
This solution enhances user input convenience by allowing push-turn operations without mechanical contact, providing secure magnetic fixation, easy cleaning, and effective detection of user inputs, while maintaining the device's integrity and usability.
Implementation Method 1
the executing element has an executing pressing magnet which can be moved without contact by the action of the magnetic field of the attacking pressing magnet
Implementation Method 2
the engaging element has an attacking element rotation area which is rotatable about a rotation axis and has the attack rotating magnet, and the executing element has a rotation axis oriented orthogonally to the intermediate plane and an execution element rotation area which is rotatable about the rotation axis and has the execution rotating magnet, wherein the attack element and the executing element are connected to one another via the attack rotating magnet and the executing rotating magnet
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an actuating device (1) for transmitting a user input to a control device, wherein the actuating device (1) comprises an attack element (2) forming a first housing part of the actuating device (1) and an execution element (3) forming a second housing part of the actuating device (1), wherein the attack element (2) comprises a magnet whose magnetic field projects into the execution element (3), wherein the execution element (3) comprises a magnet which can be displaced without contact by the action of the magnetic field, and wherein the attack element (2) comprises an attack pressure magnet (5) which can be displaced in the direction of the execution element (3) by pressing the actuating device (1), and which is configured to exert a magnetic force on a corresponding execution pressure magnet (6) of the execution element (3) which can be displaced in the same or opposite direction.In order to enable a push actuation of the actuating device (1), it is proposed that the attack element (2) and the execution element (3) each have at least one magnet (12,13) that can be displaced parallel to an intermediate plane (4) running between them, wherein an attack rotating magnet (12) of the attack element (2) is arranged to exert a magnetic force on a corresponding execution rotating magnet (13) of the execution element (3).