Magnetically Coupled Trigger Switch for Airtight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trigger switches in power tools face challenges in maintaining airtightness due to changes in the inner volume of the housing as the trigger moves, leading to potential water and dust ingress.
Innovation Solution
A switch design that utilizes magnetic forces to separate operational components from those driving the drive unit, with components like the operation follower and switch follower units being accommodated in a hermetically sealed chamber, allowing contactless detection of movement through capacitance changes or conductive state changes, thereby maintaining airtightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the trigger extends through the housing and moves in response to operation, then the switch can be operated to control the drive unit, but the inner volume of the housing changes causing airtightness to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The switch is divided into separate functional units: the operation-linked unit (trigger) and the operation follower unit (detector) are spatially separated and positioned in different regions of the housing. The trigger extends through the housing for operation, while the detection components are positioned separately to minimize impact on housing airtightness.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetic field is introduced as an intermediary between the operation-linked unit and the operation follower unit. The magnetic detector detects changes in the magnetic field caused by trigger movement without requiring direct mechanical connection or compromising the housing structure, thus maintaining airtightness while enabling operation detection.
2Measurement precision
If the operation follower unit is positioned close to the operation-linked unit for efficient detection, then detection sensitivity improves, but the housing airtightness deteriorates due to volume changes
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical detection system is replaced with a magnetic field-based detection system. The magnetic detector senses changes in the magnetic field generated by the operation-linked unit, eliminating the need for direct mechanical coupling between components. This substitution allows for spatial separation of components, maintaining both detection sensitivity and housing airtightness.
3Device complexity
If mechanical contact is used between the operation follower unit and operation-linked unit for detection, then the structure is simple, but airtightness is compromised by the need for contact paths through the housing
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic field serves as an intermediary between the operation-linked unit and the operation follower unit, enabling contactless detection. The magnetic detector detects changes in the magnetic field caused by trigger movement without requiring physical contact or creating pathways that would compromise housing airtightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical contact-based detection system is replaced with a magnetic field-based detection system. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical contact paths through the housing, thereby maintaining airtightness while achieving reliable movement detection.
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 effectively maintains airtightness, making the switch waterproof or dustproof, and ensures reliable operation by separating operational and driving components with magnetic forces, enhancing the switch's sealing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The operation follower unit is movable in response to movement of the operation-linked unit with a magnetic force between the operation follower unit and the operation-linked unit
Implementation Method 2
The drive unit is drivable based on a result of detecting the movement of the operation follower unit contactlessly as a change in a capacitance of a capacitor formed with the operation follower unit and the electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A switch according to one or more embodiments may include a movable unit movable in response to an operation. A drive unit is drivable in response to movement of the movable unit. The switch may include an operation-linked unit movable in response to the movement of the movable unit and an operation follower unit spaced from the operation-linked unit to move in response to movement of the operation-linked unit with a magnetic force between the operation follower unit and the operation-linked unit. At least one of the operation-linked unit or the operation follower unit is magnetic. The drive unit is drivable in response to movement of the operation follower unit. The operation follower unit accommodated in a chamber is spaced from the operation-linked unit.