Switch Module Button Adapter Clearance for Wall Misalignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Uneven walls during installation of switch modules cause misalignment and misfitting of cover plates, especially when multiple modules are installed horizontally, leading to poorly finished switches.

Innovation Solution

A switch module design featuring button adapters and frame adapters with clearance spaces that allow for sideways movement, compensating for mounting tolerances and aligning switch buttons with cover plates, even on uneven walls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If switch modules are installed on uneven walls using conventional mounting systems, then the switch modules can be mounted on the wall, but misalignment between switch buttons and cover plate holes occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of mountingVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The button adapter is designed with movable connections to the mounting frame, allowing it to shift position dynamically. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the button adapter to compensate for wall unevenness and achieve proper alignment with the cover plate, resolving the contradiction between ease of mounting and alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clearance between the button adapter and mounting frame is designed to vary, allowing positional adjustment. This parameter change enables the button adapter to move within a range that accommodates wall irregularities, ensuring proper alignment without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple switch modules are installed horizontally next to each other, then more switching functions are available, but differences in center distance between modules cause severe misalignment with multi-switch cover plates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidcenter distance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Each button adapter is independently movable relative to its mounting frame, allowing individual adjustment of each module's horizontal position. This dynamic capability ensures that even if center distances between modules vary due to wall unevenness, each button can be independently aligned with its corresponding cover plate hole.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If tight fitting is used between button adapter and mounting frame, then structural stability is improved, but sensitivity to mounting tolerances increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidtolerance sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between button adapter and mounting frame uses localized clearance zones at specific positions, while maintaining structural stability in other areas. This local quality approach allows controlled movement in critical alignment directions while preserving overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4227970B1Switch module
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 NIKO NV
  • EP4227970B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP4227970B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4227970B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a switch module (1) comprising one or two switch buttons (2), and a mounting frame (3) for fixing the switch module (1) to a mounting box in a wall. The switch module (1) further comprises a button adapter (4) for each of the one or two switch buttons (2), the button adapter (4) with the switch button (2) fitting into a recess (5) in the mounting frame (3), and a frame adapter (6), fixedly connected to the mounting frame (3) and comprising pivot points (7) for removably connecting the button adapter (4) to the frame adapter (6). The button adapter (3) and the frame adapter (6) are adapted to provide clearance between the frame adapter (6) and the button adapter (4) on both sides of the button adapter (4), and between the button adapter (4) and inner sides of the recess (5) in the mounting frame (3).