Rod-Shaped Actuating Element Light Guide Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical switches used in building installation technology often require significant space due to the size of their actuating elements, which can be a challenge for integration, especially when incorporating light-guiding functions.
Innovation Solution
The design features a rod-shaped actuating element that serves as a light guide, with a locking pin for secure positioning and an anti-twist device, allowing for compact integration by interacting with a housing locking stop and a printed circuit board safety device, respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the actuating element is designed with light-guiding function, then the switch functionality is enhanced, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is merged with the light guide function by making the actuating element itself serve as the light guide. The light guide is formed as an integral part of the actuating element, combining the mechanical actuation function with the optical signal transmission function into a single component, thereby eliminating the need for separate light guide structures and reducing overall space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as both the mechanical actuator for switching and the light guide for optical signal transmission. This multi-functional design allows the same component to fulfill both mechanical and optical roles, reducing the total number of components and the space they occupy in the switch assembly.
2Area of stationary object
If the actuating element is made compact, then the installation space is reduced, but the securing and positioning reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is segmented into functional zones: a first end region for light coupling and switching interaction, a middle section for light guidance, and a second end region for manual actuation with light decoupling. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall compactness, with the locking pin and active surface providing secure positioning without requiring additional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin is formed laterally protruding from the actuating element in a direction perpendicular to the main longitudinal axis. This dimensional approach allows the locking mechanism to engage with the locking stop without requiring additional axial length, maintaining compactness while providing reliable securing through a three-dimensional locking geometry.
3Device complexity
If the actuating element is designed with multiple functions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin is pre-formed as an integral part of the actuating element during manufacturing, and the active surface is pre-defined on the printed circuit board. During assembly, these pre-formed features automatically engage with each other (locking pin with locking stop, active surface with safety device) to establish precise positioning and anti-twist constraints, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining precision through predetermined geometric relationships.
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 configuration minimizes installation space requirements while ensuring secure operation and functionality, including remote switching and optical display capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The actuating element (1) is rod-shaped and designed entirely as a light guide
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
An electrical switch is proposed, the actuating element 1 of which is adjustable against spring action in a housing 2, wherein the housing-side first end region 1a of the actuating element is assigned to at least one light source 3 for coupling light and also interacts with at least one switching device necessary for triggering the desired functions.For the purpose of creating an electrical switch whose actuating element, despite the integration of a light guide function, is particularly simple in design and requires very little installation space, the actuating element is rod-shaped and at least partially designed as a light guide, and the second end region 1b of the actuating element, which extends from the housing and is intended for manual actuation, has a light coupling structure, and a locking pin is formed on the housing-side first end region of the actuating element, which can be brought into operative contact with at least one correspondingly designed locking stop of the housing by rotating the actuating element, and the actuating element is provided with an effective surface which interacts with at least one locking device arranged in the housing.