Electromagnetic Relay Slide Switch Foreign Matter Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electromagnetic relays fail to prevent foreign matter entry into the casing, leading to contact and actuation failures during verification processes.

Innovation Solution

An electromagnetic relay design incorporating a slide switch with a cover, slide lever, and elastic test button that blocks foreign matter entry through a planar slide lever and elastic locking mechanism, eliminating the need for additional elastic members and reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional electromagnetic relay uses an open operation hole for verification, then ease of operation is improved, but foreign matter entry increases leading to contact failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification of actuationVSAvoidforeign matter entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cover as an intermediary component that bridges the operation hole and the internal mechanism. The cover includes a slide lever that can be operated through the operation hole while simultaneously blocking foreign matter from entering the case. This mediator allows the verification function to continue while eliminating the harmful foreign matter entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover acts as a flexible barrier that can be manipulated through the operation hole. The slide lever within the cover can move back and forth to verify actuation while the cover itself remains in place to block foreign matters, similar to how flexible shells allow controlled access while maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a cover is added to block foreign matter, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact operation reliabilityVSAvoidcover and slide lever structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into the cover structure. The cover not only blocks foreign matter but also houses the slide lever that provides verification capability. The slide lever itself serves dual purposes: verifying actuation and maintaining the blocking function. This consolidation reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall structure despite the added protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides foreign matter protection, verification capability through the slide lever, and structural support. The slide lever itself is universal, serving both as a verification tool and as part of the blocking mechanism, thereby reducing the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If additional elastic members are added for pressing the slide lever, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslide lever pressing forceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic test button is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the pressing force for the slide lever, maintains the blocking position, and enables verification operation. The button's elastic nature allows it to automatically return to its original position after pressing, eliminating the need for separate springs or elastic members. This self-service approach reduces component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic test button merges the function of providing pressing force with the verification operation. Instead of having a separate elastic member dedicated solely to pressing the slide lever, the test button itself incorporates the elastic function, combining multiple roles into a single component that reduces overall complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design effectively prevents foreign matter entry, ensuring reliable contact operation and reducing the risk of failures by maintaining the slide lever at actuation and return positions with a secure locking mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic test button configured to press the slide lever to bring the slide lever into press contact with a ceiling surface of the cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2889886B1Electromagnetic relay

Publication Date: 2017.03.22 OMRON CORP

AI summary

An electromagnetic relay (1) includes a slide switch (2). The slide switch (2) includes a cover (70), and a slide lever (80) and an elastic test button (90) each housed in the cover (70). The cover (70) has an operation hole (71) formed in an opposite surface to one surface of a case (40). The operation hole (71) allows the sliding operation of the slide lever (80). The slide lever (80) is disposed to block the operation hole (71). The elastic test button (90) presses the slide lever (80) to bring the slide lever (80) into press contact with a ceiling surface (70b) of the cover (70). The slide switch (2) of the electromagnetic relay (1) inhibits the entry of foreign matters into the case (40), and prevents a contact failure or an actuation failure.