Single-Sided Actuated Switch for T-Shaped Mast Retrofitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical switches with a center tap require both sides of the housing for actuation, limiting their use to H-shaped masts due to the spacing of push rods, making them unsuitable for T-shaped masts, which are more cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A switch design with a center tap that can be actuated from one side using two push rods, featuring a transverse shaft and pivoting levers to rotate the switching shafts, allowing for parallel alignment and attachment to T-shaped masts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If switches are designed with switching shafts actuated from both sides of the housing, then reliable switching operation is achieved, but the required spacing of 1.2 to 1.5 m between push rods forces the use of expensive H-shaped masts instead of cost-effective T-shaped masts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the switch to be actuated from only one side of the housing. The first and second switching shafts (8a, 8b) are both actuated from the first side (6a) through a transverse shaft (20) mechanism, eliminating the need for symmetric dual-sided actuation. This asymmetric design reduces the required spacing between push rods, enabling installation on T-shaped masts with smaller cross-member dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The transverse shaft (20) acts as an intermediary element that transfers the actuating force from push rods on one side to both switching shafts (8a, 8b) inside the housing. This mediator mechanism allows indirect actuation of both switching elements from a single location, resolving the spatial conflict between reliable switching operation and compact installation requirements.
2Ease of operation
If push rods are spaced 1.2 to 1.5 m apart to accommodate dual-sided switching shafts, then proper switching element actuation is ensured, but the cost of mast installation increases significantly due to the need for H-shaped masts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuation of both switching shafts (8a, 8b) into a single location on one side of the housing. The transverse shaft (20) mechanism combines the functions of actuating both independent switching elements through a common actuation point, reducing the number of required push rod locations from two (spaced 1.2-1.5 m apart) to one, thereby reducing mast installation costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If switches are designed for single-sided actuation, then installation on cost-effective T-shaped masts becomes possible, but the mechanism for actuating multiple switching shafts from one side becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the actuation mechanism into modular components: push rods (18a, 18b) that can be positioned at convenient locations, a transverse shaft (20) that rotates to transfer motion, and lever arms (22a, 22b) that convert the rotational motion to actuate the switching shafts. This segmentation allows the complex function of single-sided actuation of multiple shafts to be achieved through simple, standardized mechanical elements.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical switch (2) for mounting on the boom (4a) or on the crossbeam (29) of a T-shaped mast (4), comprising a housing (6) in which first electrical switching elements (2a) are accommodated, which can be actuated via a first switching shaft (8a) extending from the housing (6) on a first side (6a), and with second electrical switching elements (2b) accommodated in the housing (6), which can be actuated via a second switching shaft (8b) extending from the housing (6) on a second side (6b) opposite the first side (6a), wherein the first switching shaft (8a) can be rotated from a first open switching position to a second closed switching position via a first pivot lever (10a) arranged on it, in which the first switching elements (2a) establish a conductive connection between a first input-side connection contact (12) and a second connection contact (14) for the center tap of the switch (2),and wherein a second pivot lever (10b) is arranged on the second switching shaft (8b), by means of which the second switching shaft (8b) can be rotated from a first open switching position to a second closed switching position, in which the second switching elements (2b) generate a connection between the second terminal contact for the center tap (14) and a third output-side terminal contact (16), and wherein the first pivot lever (10a) can be pivoted from the first to the second switching position via a first push rod (18a) pivotally coupled to it, is characterized in that a transverse shaft (20) rotatably mounted relative to the housing (6) is received on the housing (6), which extends across the width of the housing (6) from the first side (6a) to the second side (6b) of the housing (6), that a first lever arm (22a) is fixedly mounted on the transverse shaft (20) on the first side of the housing (6a), which is connected via a second,that the coupled push rod (18b) is pivotable via a pivot joint, and that a second lever arm (22b) is fixedly mounted on the transverse shaft (20) on the second side (6b) of the housing (6), which is pivotally connected to the second pivot lever (10b) via a mechanical connecting rod (24) in order to pivot the second pivot lever (10b) by a linear movement of the second push rod (18b) and thereby rotate the second switching shaft (2b) from the first switching position to the second switching position.