Relay Armature Spring Assembly With Embossed Snap-Fit Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of electromagnetic switching devices, such as relays, faces challenges in miniaturization and high reliability due to complex spring assembly structures and laborious assembly processes, leading to low manufacturing and assembly efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A spring assembly with a spring base featuring a latching hook and embossments for press-fitting and secure positioning within the switching device, eliminating the need for additional fixation means and simplifying the mounting process, while allowing for adjustable spring rates and compact designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional spring assembly structures are used, then the switching device achieves basic functionality, but the assembly process becomes laborious and manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring base integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, incorporates embossments for positioning, includes a latching hook for securing, and serves as the mounting platform for spring arms. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the assembly process, directly improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining device functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The spring base is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs positioning (via embossments), securing (via latching hook), and support functions. This universal design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate parts, reducing assembly complexity and improving productivity
2Reliability
If additional fixation means are used, then the mounting reliability improves, but the construction complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching hook is designed to automatically engage and secure the spring assembly to the support structure without requiring additional fixation components. The embossments self-align and position the assembly during installation. This self-service mechanism achieves reliable mounting while avoiding the need for extra screws, clips, or fasteners, thus maintaining low component count
Solution Approach 2:
The latching hook acts as an intermediary element between the spring base and the support structure, providing a reliable mechanical connection. Rather than using multiple direct fixation points, the latching hook mediates the connection, achieving secure mounting with a single integrated component
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 solution simplifies the construction and manufacturing of spring assemblies, enhances assembly efficiency, and ensures reliable mounting without additional components, facilitating miniaturization and improved reliability in electromagnetic switching devices.
Implementation Method 1
a spring assembly for biasing an armature (2) into an initial position... In a rest or initial position, no electric field is generated by the electromagnet, and the spring assembly biases the armature into either the closed or the open position of the switching device
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a spring assembly (1) for biasing an armature (2) of a switching device (3), such as a relay (4), and a switching device (3), such as a relay (4), comprising such spring assembly (1). In order to provide a spring assembly for biasing the armature of a switching device that has a simple construction and can easily, yet reliably, be mounted in the switching device, the spring assembly (1) comprising a spring base (7), and at least one spring arm (8) that protrudes from the spring base (7) for biasing the armature (2), wherein the spring base (7) comprises at least one embossment (9) for positioning the spring assembly (1) in the switching device (3).