Rocking Push-Button Switch Simplifies Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electrical switching devices with rocking push-button mechanisms for controlling various switching devices are complex to produce and assemble, as they require intricate mechanisms involving symmetrical fork-like heads and compression springs.

Innovation Solution

An electrical switching device with a box-like body and a movable rocking push-button made of non-conductive materials, featuring a toggle slider with multiple contact points and a helical compression spring, allowing for simplified assembly and operation with a decorative cover option, and multiple switching elements can be arranged in parallel or series.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a symmetrical fork-like head mechanism with compression spring is used, then reliable electrical contact switching is achieved, but production and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contact switching reliabilityVSAvoidproduction and assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the fork-like head and compression spring into an integrated rocking push-button assembly. The button itself incorporates the fork structure that directly engages the anchor, eliminating the need for separate fork and spring components. This merging reduces part count and simplifies assembly while maintaining the reliable contact switching function through the elastic deformation of the integrated button structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rocking push-button serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the actuating mechanism, the fork-like engagement structure, and the compression spring element. The button's elastic material properties provide the necessary mechanical compliance and force storage, making it a multi-functional component that replaces several separate parts in traditional designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If an intricate mechanism with multiple components is used, then electrical contact control is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contact controlVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional components into a single molded rocking push-button assembly. The fork structure, elastic element, and actuating button are formed as one integrated component through molding processes, significantly reducing the number of separate manufacturing steps and assembly operations required while ensuring reliable electrical contact control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the elastic properties of the button material as a key parameter, allowing the structure to provide compression and rebound forces without requiring a separate metal spring. This material parameter change enables the mechanism to be manufactured using plastic molding techniques rather than requiring precision metalworking and assembly of multiple mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 production and assembly of electrical switching devices while maintaining reliable electrical contact switching, offering a more straightforward and efficient design for various switching applications.

Implementation Method 1

Said swing motion of the switching element 11 is achieved by said rocking push-button 3, which via an elastic means 14 and a toggle slider 15 acts upon the switching element 11

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Said elastic means 14, which is selected in the present embodiment as a helical compression spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression spring: Spring

Implementation Method 3

one of said electrically non-conductive materials has a capability to damp the sound occurring at the time of activating the rocking push-button 3

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3404685B1Electrical switching device
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 TEM CATEZ D O O
  • EP3404685B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3404685B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3404685B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The present invention refers to an electrical switching device comprising a rocking push-button which influences an electrical control of various switching devices, such as of selector switches, rocker switches, multiple-way switches, single-pole and double-pole switches, and similar. An elastic means (14) is inserted into a tubular extension (16) of a rocking push-button (3), which projects through a cover (2) into a body (1) of the electrical switching device up to the immediate vicinity of a switching element (11), which can be actuated by means of the rocking push-button (3) with said elastic means (14) and a toggle slider (15). The free end of the tubular extension (16) is formed with a snap-on blocking means (18) configured to receive and to movably cooperate with a counter-blocking means (19) formed on said toggle slider (15).