Domestic Switch Assembly With Removable Protective Cover

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional switching assemblies designed for domestic use often struggle to balance protection against interfering objects and ease of maintenance, particularly in terms of removing the cover element without tools.

Innovation Solution

A switching assembly comprising a design frame, a switch insert with a baseplate, and a functional element that attaches the design frame to the switch insert, allowing the cover element to be actuated by the user while preventing interfering objects and ensuring the assembly passes high-voltage tests.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the design frame surrounds the cover element to prevent tool-free removal, then protection against interfering objects is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against interfering objectsVSAvoidease of cover element removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The switching assembly is divided into separate functional components: a design frame, a switch insert, and a cover element. The functional element with attachment protrusions creates a modular connection system that allows the cover element to be easily separated from the design frame without tools, while maintaining protection when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The functional element acts as an intermediary component between the design frame and the cover element. It provides attachment protrusions that engage with the design frame to secure the assembly, while also providing attachment surfaces for the cover element, enabling easy tool-free removal while maintaining protection class.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the cover element is made easily graspable for hygiene purposes, then ease of operation is improved, but protection against water spray deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cover element removalVSAvoidprotection against water spray
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system transitions from a fixed, tool-secured connection to a dynamic, tool-free removable connection. The functional element's attachment protrusions allow the cover element to be easily grasped and removed by users for hygiene purposes, while maintaining the protection class when assembled through the engineered connection geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4510163A1Switchig assembly for domestic use
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4510163A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4510163A1 patent drawingFigure 1c
  • EP4510163A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A switching assembly for domestic use (200) is provided. The switching assembly comprises a design frame (24) and a switch insert (22). The switching assembly further comprises a functional element which is configured to attach the design frame to the switch insert. The switching assembly also comprises a cover element (20) which is configured to be to be attached to the functional element and to be actuated by a user. The functional element is configured to prevent interfering objects from entering the switching assembly and to actuate the switch insert upon a user actuating the cover element.