Rotary Switch Adjusting Wheel Magnetic Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary switches for multipurpose use, particularly in the industry and motor vehicle sectors, face challenges in achieving a compact and cost-effective design due to the need for multiple parts and expensive hollow magnetic members, which complicate production and precise control.

Innovation Solution

A rotary switch design featuring a body with a housed printed circuit board, a semicircular adjusting wheel supported by two lateral walls, and a magnetic member shaft embedded within the body, eliminating the need for a central shaft and using a flat magnetic member for reduced part count and enhanced precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a hollow cylindrical magnetic member is used to allow shaft connection, then the switch can be supported from a single body or shaft, but the production cost increases and manufacturing becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the shaft connection function from the magnetic member itself and relocates it to a separate shaft connection housing. The magnetic member becomes a simple flat disc without hollow cylindrical structure, while the shaft connection housing provides the through-hole for shaft passage. This separation eliminates the need for expensive hollow cylindrical magnetic members while maintaining the single-body support capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the magnetic member and shaft connection functions into separate components: a flat magnetic member and a shaft connection housing. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simpler, more cost-effective processes, while still achieving the integrated functionality of supporting the adjusting wheel from a single body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a hollow cylindrical magnetic member is used, then shaft connection is enabled, but magnetization becomes complicated and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidmagnetization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the shaft connection function from the magnetic member and places it in a separate shaft connection housing. The magnetic member is now a simple flat disc that can be magnetized uniformly in one direction without the complexity of hollow cylindrical structures, significantly simplifying the magnetization process and reducing production costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the adjusting wheel is supported by two lateral walls, then rotation sensitivity and control precision improve, but the number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation sensitivityVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the two lateral wall support structures into a single integrated shaft connection housing. The housing provides both lateral support surfaces that engage with the adjusting wheel, enabling sensitive rotation support without requiring separate components for each lateral wall. This integration maintains the dual-support functionality while reducing the total part count.

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

This design results in a more compact, cost-effective rotary switch with improved precision and reduced material usage, providing secure embedding of the adjusting wheel and complete sealing without additional sealing members, facilitating easier production and operation.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic member (16) which will interact with said printed circuit board (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3168854B1A switch with adjusting wheel
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 MAKERSAN MAKINA OTOMOTIV SANAYI TICARET ANONIM SIR
  • EP3168854B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3168854B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3168854B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a rotary switch (10) comprising a body (2) having a housing (5) and a printed circuit board (1) positioned therein; an adjusting wheel (12) having limited circular movement on the body (2), a magnetic member (16) suitable for magnetic interaction with the printed circuit board (1) and a magnetic member shaft (8) having the magnetic member (16). The magnetic member shaft (8) positioned inside the housing (5) comprises a shaft connection housing (9) and said adjusting wheel (12) is connected to the body (2) with the first lateral wall (29a) and to the shaft connection housing (9) with the second lateral wall (29b) for more sensitive rotation around a axis.