Rocker Switch Contact Alignment and Dust Groove Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switch devices fail to effectively address the issue of electric arcs and dust accumulation, leading to potential fires due to overheating and short circuits, as they do not adequately prevent displacement of contact pads and allow dust to accumulate close to electrodes, increasing the risk of combustion.
Innovation Solution
A switch device design featuring a housing with vertical boards forming a receiving space and grooves for dust collection, where contact pads are aligned linearly with the motion portion to ensure full contact and prevent displacement, and grooves are designed to maintain a safe distance from accumulated dust to prevent ignition by electric arcs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If contact pads are positioned close to the motion portion for compact design, then device size is reduced, but contact pads are prone to displacement and deviation causing electric arcs and sparks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guiding member as an intermediary component between the switch member and housing. This guiding member features a guiding groove that receives and guides the switch member, ensuring the contact pad remains properly aligned with the electrode during actuation. The guiding member mediates the interaction between moving and stationary components, preventing displacement while maintaining compact dimensions.
2Volume of moving object
If dust collection grooves are positioned close to electrodes for compact design, then device size is reduced, but accumulated dust is closer to contact pads increasing combustion risk from electric arcs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing structure into distinct functional zones. The dust collection groove is positioned in a separate segment from the contact area, creating spatial separation between dust accumulation zones and electrical contact zones. This segmentation allows the device to maintain compact overall size while ensuring that dust collected in the groove remains at a safe distance from the contact pad and electrode, preventing combustion even when dust accumulates.
3Ease of operation
If switch member is allowed to swing freely for operational flexibility, then ease of operation is improved, but switch member is prone to displacement and deviation causing leakage of electric arcs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric design in the guiding groove structure. The guiding groove has specific geometric constraints that allow the switch member to swing in the intended operational direction while preventing deviation in other directions. This asymmetric guidance ensures that the contact pad maintains proper alignment with the electrode during the swinging motion, containing electric arcs within the intended path and preventing leakage that would occur with completely free swinging.
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 significantly reduces electric arcs and sparks, preventing dust combustion and short circuits, and meets high standards such as UL Certification for reliability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body connected to the motion portion
Implementation Method 2
The so-called arc factor refers to the generation of an electric arc when a switch device is turned on
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a switch device including a housing, a plurality of components (including a conductive member, a conducting member, a switch member and an actuating member) accommodated in the housing, and a lid body disposed on the housing. Two vertical boards are disposed on a bottom portion of the housing, and a receiving space is formed in a middle part of the bottom portion. The conductive member has an electrode that is disposed on an upper side in the receiving space adjacent to the two vertical boards. A plurality of grooves are disposed on the bottom portion outside the two vertical boards. The switch member is disposed in the receiving space. A contact pad corresponding to the electrode is disposed between a bottom portion of the switch member and the actuating member at a top portion of the switch member, and is linearly aligned with the actuating member.