Non-contact Reed Switches for Harsh Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional contact switches in material handling equipment face issues such as exposure to the atmosphere, wear, corrosion, and dirty conditions, leading to short service life and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

The use of non-contact reed switch devices, where switch actuation is based on magnetic induction between a magnet and a reed switch, encapsulated in a hermetically sealed glass tube or chamber, providing a compact, reliable, and corrosion-resistant solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional contact switches are used in material handling equipment, then the switch structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the service life is short due to wear, corrosion and exposure to dirty working conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice lifeVSAvoidswitch structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact switches with magnetic field-based reed switches. The reed switch uses magnetic attraction between a magnet and ferrous metal reeds to actuate contacts without physical contact, eliminating mechanical wear and corrosion issues while maintaining switching functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The reed switch contacts are hermetically sealed in a glass tube or chamber filled with inert gas or vacuum. This inert environment protects the contacts from atmospheric corrosion and contamination, significantly extending service life in harsh working conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Reliability

If traditional contact switches are used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but maintenance costs increase due to frequent wear and corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice lifeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical contact switching system is replaced with a magnetic field actuation system using reed switches. This eliminates the need for mechanical contact wear components, reducing maintenance requirements despite slightly increased manufacturing complexity of the sealed glass chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

By sealing reed switch contacts in an inert gas or vacuum environment within a glass chamber, the patent protects against corrosion and contamination that would otherwise require frequent maintenance, justifying the increased manufacturing complexity through reduced lifecycle costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If non-contact reed switch devices are used, then resistance to corrosive and explosive environments is improved, but the device complexity increases due to hermetic sealing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to corrosive atmosphereVSAvoidhermetic sealing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reed switch contacts are hermetically sealed in a glass tube or chamber filled with inert gas or vacuum. This creates a protective inert environment that completely isolates the contacts from corrosive atmospheres and flammable or explosive gases, ensuring safe operation in harsh conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The glass tube or chamber serves as a hermetic seal enclosing the reed switch contacts. This thin-walled glass enclosure provides complete protection against external corrosive environments while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for integration into material handling equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If non-contact reed switch devices are used, then reliability in harsh environments is improved, but the volume of the switch device increases due to sealed chamber

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice lifeVSAvoidswitch device volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reed switch contacts are nested within a compact glass tube or chamber that hermetically seals them from the external environment. This nested structure protects the contacts while maintaining a space-efficient design that can be integrated into existing equipment without significant volume increase.

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 non-contact switch devices offer longer service life, improved reliability, and resistance to corrosive and explosive environments, reducing maintenance costs and downtime.

Implementation Method 1

the non-contact switch device realizes switch on and off positions by the presence or absence of magnetic induction between a magnet and a reed switch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3343584B1Non-contact switch devices for use on material handling equipment

Publication Date: 2021.04.07 EP EQUIP

Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~3C

AI summary

The disclosure provides a non-contact switch device (1) for use on material handling equipment, including a reed switch (3) and a magnet (2), wherein the non-contact switch device (1) has on and off positions achieved by the presence or absence of magnetic induction between the magnet (2) and the reed switch (3). The non-contact switch devices are disclosed in the form of a main power switch, an interlock switch, a limit switch.