Stackable Contact Block Guide Slot for Reduced Control Unit Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stackable electrical contact and signaling blocks face limitations due to their height, which restricts the ability to stack multiple blocks in control units, hindering miniaturization efforts.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a guiding device comprising a set of complementary tongue and slot pairs ensures precise guidance of the pusher, allowing for reduced block height without compromising functionality, enabling multiple blocks to be stacked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the pusher is made slender to ensure correct sliding in the guide cavity, then the block height can be reduced, but the pusher risks buckling which causes the contact block to fail
Solution Approach 1:
The guide slot is configured to pass through the actuating head of the pusher, providing guidance in a lateral dimension rather than relying solely on the pusher's longitudinal stiffness. This dimensional change in guidance approach allows the pusher to be shorter without buckling, as the slot provides lateral constraint throughout the pusher's length.
2Length of stationary object
If the block height is reduced to enable stacking of multiple blocks, then space is saved, but the pusher may buckle in the guide cavity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on the pusher's longitudinal dimension for stability, the guide slot provides guidance in the lateral dimension by passing through the actuating head. This allows the pusher to maintain stability even when its longitudinal length (block height) is reduced for stacking purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide slot acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the pusher and the housing, providing continuous lateral support throughout the pusher's length. This intermediary guidance structure prevents buckling without requiring the pusher to maintain excessive length for structural stability.
3Reliability
If the pusher has a pronounced height to prevent buckling, then reliability is maintained, but it becomes impossible to stack more than two contact blocks in the same control unit
Solution Approach 1:
The guide slot passing through the actuating head shifts the guidance function to a lateral dimension, freeing up the longitudinal dimension. This allows the block height to be reduced, thereby increasing the stacking capacity of control units while maintaining pusher reliability through the lateral guidance mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
Stackable electrical contact block (100) comprising a housing (102) which delimits its volume, the housing (102) having upper (112) and lower (114) faces for connecting the block (100) to another component, the housing (102) receiving a screw (106) for fixing the block to another component and a push button (130) capable of moving from a rest position to an actuation position to transmit a translational force to a component attached to the lower face (114) of the housing, the push button (130) comprising an actuation head (140) in the shape of a wedge capable of cooperating with a push button or a rotary button, the housing (102) comprising a guide cavity for the push button (130) between its rest and actuation positions in which the push button is received. A pusher guide device (130) in the guide cavity includes a guide tab (119) received in a complementary guide slot (150) passing through the actuating head (140).