Radio Switch Spring Tongue Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio switches are prone to failure due to mechanical stress and interference, affecting their reliability and service life, and their design can be aesthetically unappealing, making them unsuitable for certain applications.

Innovation Solution

A radio switch with a compact design featuring a rotatable or translationally movable actuating element coupled to a spring tongue via a force transmission element, which applies a normal force perpendicular to the spring tongue, minimizing deformation-induced stress and interference, and using a spherical contact surface to prevent transverse forces, ensuring low friction and prolonged service life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the actuating element is moved to activate the spring tongue, then the radio switch can transmit signals, but the spring tongue is subjected to considerable mechanical stress causing malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidmechanical stress on spring tongue
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The force transmission element is designed with a spherical contact surface that contacts the spring tongue. This spherical geometry ensures that forces are applied radially toward the center of curvature, preventing transverse forces and moment loads that would cause bending or twisting of the spring tongue, thereby reducing mechanical stress and improving reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

A force transmission element is introduced as an intermediary between the actuating element and the spring tongue. This intermediary component translates the actuating force into a purely normal force on the spring tongue, eliminating harmful transverse forces and moment loads, thus protecting the spring tongue from mechanical stress while maintaining activation functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If common wireless switches are used, then they can monitor object movement, but they are prone to malfunction due to mechanical stress and interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical contact surface on the force transmission element eliminates transverse forces and moment loads on the spring tongue, preventing mechanical failure and extending service life while maintaining monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The force transmission element acts as a mediator that protects the spring tongue from harmful forces during actuation, thereby improving reliability and service life without compromising the monitoring function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the radio switch is made visible on objects, then it can be easily recognized, but it detracts from the object's aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverecognizabilityVSAvoidaesthetics
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The radio switch is designed to be integrated into or mounted on the surface of objects in a compact manner, allowing it to be less visually prominent while still accessible for operation and recognizable for its function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 results in a radio switch with enhanced durability, reduced sensitivity to interference, and a compact design suitable for discreet installation in objects like windows, doors, and furniture, maintaining reliability and aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

the spring-loaded tongue is progressively deformed. Upon reaching a predetermined degree of deformation, the spring-loaded tongue abruptly activates the voltage generator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The voltage generator is designed as an electrodynamic generator and comprises an induction coil, a soft iron rocker, and the elastically deformable spring tongue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

A permanent magnet penetrates the induction coil along its longitudinal axis. The soft iron rocker, together with the spring tongue, is pivotally movable relative to the induction coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux change: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 4

This causes a momentary change in the magnetic flux through the induction coil, which in turn induces a voltage pulse

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 5

The actuating element is coupled to the spring tongue via at least one force transmission element which is designed with a spherical contact surface in order to act upon the spring tongue with an activation force oriented perpendicular to the spring tongue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNormal force application: Force

Data Source

PatentEP2747111B2Radio switch
Publication Date: 2022.06.15 ELTAKO GMBH SCHALTGERATE
  • EP2747111B2 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2747111B2 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2747111B2 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The switch (10) has a housing (12) in which a voltage generator and a transmitter component are arranged, where the generator has an elastically deformable spring tongue. A pivoting lever (22) is moved relative to the tongue and coupled with the tongue to activate the generator. The lever is supported at the housing in a rotationally movable manner and coupled with the tongue over a force transmission element (60). The tongue is loaded with activation force by the transmission element during movement of the lever, where the force is aligned perpendicular to the tongue.