Electromagnetic Relay Pivot Shaft Nested Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electromagnetic relays face issues with smooth assembly due to the shaft portion of the card potentially dropping out of the bearing recess during assembly, degrading the assembly operation.

Innovation Solution

The electromagnetic relay design includes a pivot shaft with shaft portions and a large-diameter portion, where the shaft portions are press-fit into shaft bearing portions and the large-diameter portion is received by a large-diameter bearing portion, ensuring secure attachment and preventing detachment, with the opening width of the shaft bearing portions being smaller than the shaft portion diameter and larger internally than the shaft portion, and the large-diameter portion being adjacent to the shaft portions in the axial direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the shaft portion is inserted sideways to the shaft bearing recess of the base, then the card can be attached to the base, but the shaft portion may drop out of the bearing recess during assembly, degrading the smooth assembly operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly operationVSAvoidattachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot shaft is designed with a stepped structure comprising a shaft portion and a large-diameter portion nested axially. The shaft portion fits into the shaft bearing recess while the large-diameter portion fits into a corresponding large-diameter bearing recess, creating a nested configuration that prevents detachment during assembly and ensures reliable attachment of the card to the base

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The pivot shaft is segmented into functionally distinct portions: a shaft portion for rotational movement within the shaft bearing recess, and a large-diameter portion for positioning and preventing detachment within the large-diameter bearing recess. This segmentation allows each portion to fulfill its specific function, improving both assembly operation and attachment stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design enhances the assembly operation by preventing the shaft portions from dropping out and ensuring stable attachment, allowing for smooth and secure assembly and operation of the electromagnetic relay.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnet block mounted on a base; an armature reciprocated by excitation and non-excitation of the electromagnet block

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2528080B1Electromagnetic relay
Publication Date: 2014.12.17 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP2528080B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2528080B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2528080B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pivot shaft (51) by which a card (5) is swingably attached to a base (2) includes a shaft portion (51a) and a large-diameter portion (51b) adjacent to the shaft portion (51a) in the axial direction of the central axis (C). The base (2) includes a shaft bearing portion (22) which is opened to the surface side of the base (2) and is configured to receive the shaft portion (51a) and a large-diameter bearing portion (23) configured to receive the large-diameter portion (51b). The opening width of the shaft bearing portion (22) is made smaller than the diameter of the shaft portion (51a) at the insertion port (22a) side while at the inner side of the base (2), the opening width is made larger than the diameter of the shaft portion (51a) and smaller than the width of the large-diameter portion (51b).