Push-button Switch Derailleur Mechanism Reduces Actuation Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pushbutton switches for electrical installations require high actuation forces, leading to early wear and increased space requirements, making them difficult to actuate and inefficient in terms of space usage.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a derailleur mount with a pivot axis offset from the shifting arm's axis, redirecting actuation force through 90° to efficiently move the shift rocker, reducing the overall height and actuation force required, and includes a return spring for adjustable operating force and a holding mechanism to prevent misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional pushbutton switch design is used, then the switching function is achieved, but the actuation force required is relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a derailleur mechanism that redirects the actuating force through a 90-degree angle change. The derailleur mount pivots about a fourth pivot axis that is offset both behind and laterally to the second pivot axis of the switching arm, creating a dimensional change in force transmission direction. This redirection allows the actuating force to be applied more efficiently to the switching rocker, reducing the overall actuation force required while maintaining the switching function.
Solution Approach 2:
The derailleur mechanism acts as an intermediary between the switching arm and the switching rocker. The derailleur, mounted pivotably about a fifth pivot axis in the derailleur mount, transfers and redirects the force from the switching arm through the derailleur mount to the switching rocker. This intermediary mechanism optimizes force transmission and reduces the actuation force needed compared to direct connection.
2Reliability
If high actuation forces are transmitted, then the switching function is achieved, but the individual parts show signs of wear at an early stage
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the direction of force transmission through the offset pivot axes and derailleur mechanism, the patent distributes and redirects forces along optimized paths. The 90-degree redirection of actuating force through the derailleur mount reduces stress concentrations on individual components, thereby extending service life and reducing wear.
3Area of stationary object
If a conventional pushbutton switch design is used, then the switching function is achieved, but the space required in wall sockets is relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The offset arrangement of pivot axes, particularly the fourth pivot axis positioned both behind and laterally to the second pivot axis, enables a more compact spatial configuration. This dimensional optimization allows the switching mechanism to fit within a smaller overall envelope, reducing the height in the mounting direction and improving space efficiency in standardized wall sockets.
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 configuration lowers the actuation force needed, extends the switch's lifespan, and reduces the overall height, allowing for more compact and reliable operation while preventing misalignment and inaccurate control.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring is arranged in the base part, which presses the derailleur mount with a restoring force counter to the mounting direction of the pushbutton switch into the starting position of the derailleur mount and indirectly presses the switching arm into its rest position via the derailleur mount
Implementation Method 2
the derailleur mount and the derailleur together redirect the actuating force from the shifter arm through 90° to the shifter fork
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a push-button switch (1) comprising a contact rocker (9) pivotably mounted in a base part (2) about a first pivot axis (S1) and designed to be movable back and forth between a first contact position and a second contact position, and a switching arm (19) mounted on the base part (2) about a second pivot axis (S2), which is designed to be movable from a rest position to an actuating position by means of an actuating force acting on its actuating side, and a switching rocker (11) pivotably mounted in the base part (2) about a third pivot axis (S3).The switching rocker arm (11) is designed to be movable back and forth between a first switching position and a second switching position, whereby, by means of the movement of the switching arm (19) from the rest position to the actuating position, the contact rocker (9) can be moved indirectly via the switching rocker arm (11), depending on the previous position of the contact rocker (9), from the first contact position to the second contact position or vice versa. Through its movement from the rest position to the actuating position, the switching arm (19) pivots a derailleur mount (17) mounted about a fourth pivot axis (S4) in the base part (2) from a starting position to a functional position. The fourth pivot axis (S4) of the derailleur mount (17) is arranged behind the second pivot axis (S2) of the switching arm (19) in a mounting direction (M) of the push-button switch (1) and laterally offset from the second pivot axis (S2) of the switching arm (19) in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction (M).In the derailleur mount (17) a derailleur (15) is mounted pivotably about a fifth pivot axis (S5), and the derailleur (15) moves the shifting arm (11) to the other shifting position depending on the current shift position of the shifting arm (11) by moving the derailleur mount (17) from the starting position to the operating position.