Rotary Switch Energy-Storage Status Sensing for Remote Cutoff

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Solution Overview

Problem

Energy storage assemblies in rotary switches may not complete energy storage during remote power cutoff, affecting the reliability of remote control operations.

Innovation Solution

A rotary switch with an energy storage status monitoring structure, including an operation mechanism, energy storage assembly, and release assembly, where a sensing portion on the energy storage tray corresponds with a sensing component to output a sensing signal when energy storage is complete, allowing remote control of the switch-off operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a rotary switch is used to select between multiple energy storage states, then the switching operation becomes complex and error-prone, but using multiple separate switches increases device complexity and space requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching operationVSAvoidswitch structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple independent switches into a single rotary switch assembly where one rotational operation simultaneously controls multiple switching states. The rotary switch integrates the functions of what would otherwise require multiple separate switches, allowing users to select between different energy storage states (single-camera, multi-camera, video, photo modes) through a single unified interface rather than manipulating multiple independent switches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of information

If energy storage state information is not clearly displayed, then users cannot determine current storage requirements, but adding display components increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage state informationVSAvoiddisplay structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the display function directly into the rotary switch assembly, combining the state selection mechanism with the information display function. The display unit is positioned to work in conjunction with the rotary switch, providing clear visual feedback about current energy storage states and requirements. This integration eliminates the need for separate display components while ensuring users can easily determine storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the display unit provides real-time information about energy storage states based on the rotary switch position and camera module configurations. This feedback loop allows users to immediately see the consequences of their selections and understand current storage requirements, preventing information loss without adding complex external display systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the rotary switch structure is overly complex to achieve precise switching, then switching precision improves, but manufacturing difficulty and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching precisionVSAvoidrotary switch manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the rotary switch assembly into distinct modular components including the rotary switch body, contact elements, and display unit. Each component can be manufactured separately with standard precision requirements, then assembled together. This segmentation allows for precise switching functionality to be achieved through the coordinated operation of simpler, more manufacturable parts rather than requiring a single complex precision-machined component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4174890B1Rotary switch
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECH CO LTD
  • EP4174890B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4174890B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4174890B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An energy storage status monitoring structure and a rotary switch (100) are provided and relate to the field of electrical technologies. The energy storage status monitoring structure includes an operation mechanism (110), an energy storage assembly (120), and a release assembly (130). The operation mechanism includes an upper cover (112), a rotating shaft (114) rotatably connected to the upper cover, and an energy storage tray (116) connected to the rotating shaft. The energy storage assembly is connected to the energy storage tray. A sensing portion (1162) is disposed on the energy storage tray. A sensing component (132) is disposed on the release assembly. When the energy storage tray rotates to enable the energy storage assembly to store energy, the sensing portion corresponds to the sensing component, so that the sensing component outputs a corresponding sensing signal. The rotary switch can monitor an energy storage status of an energy storage assembly, thereby improving reliability of remote control.