Switch Temperature-Dependent Mechanism Damping Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Temperature-dependent switches with loosely inserted bimetallic snap-action discs experience vibration issues in alternating magnetic fields, leading to mechanical loading, reduced lifespan, and undesirable noise, which existing solutions often address with complex and costly designs.

Innovation Solution

A damping part, such as a film, is placed between the bimetallic snap-action disc and the spring part to dampen impacts and noise, allowing the disc to remain freely inserted while reducing mechanical and magnetic loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the bimetallic snap-action disc is freely inserted without mechanical constraints, then the switching temperature stability is improved and mechanical loading is reduced, but vibration and noise occur in alternating magnetic fields

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching temperature stabilityVSAvoidvibration and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A damping part is introduced as an intermediary element between the bimetallic snap-action disc and the spring part. This damping part absorbs mechanical vibrations and impacts generated by the freely moving disc in alternating magnetic fields, converting mechanical energy into heat through internal friction. The damping part allows the disc to remain freely inserted while eliminating vibration and noise, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the bimetallic snap-action disc is freely inserted without mechanical constraints, then the response temperature remains stable over time, but the disc experiences mechanical loading and reduced lifespan due to vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse temperature stabilityVSAvoiddisc lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The damping part is positioned in advance between the bimetallic snap-action disc and the spring part to provide cushioning before mechanical impacts occur. This prior cushioning arrangement protects the freely moving disc from mechanical loading and vibration-induced damage throughout its operational life, extending the disc's lifespan while maintaining the stability benefits of free insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If existing solutions are used to suppress vibration, then noise and mechanical loading are reduced, but the design becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise and mechanical loadingVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping part is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and integrated into the switch. Rather than using complex vibration suppression mechanisms, this disposable-like damping element provides effective noise and mechanical loading reduction through its material properties alone, significantly reducing design complexity and cost while achieving the desired vibration suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively reduces noise and mechanical loading on the bimetallic snap-action disc, maintaining its unrestricted placement and extending the lifespan and stability of the switching temperature without the need for complex designs or additional costs.

Implementation Method 1

a bimetallic snap-action disc (34), which bimetallic snap-action disc is unrestricted below its response temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBimetallic effect: Bi-Metallic Strip

Implementation Method 2

A damping part, such as a film, is placed between the bimetallic snap-action disc and the spring part to dampen impacts and noise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2048683B1Switch having a temperature-dependent switching mechanism
Publication Date: 2010.09.15 HOFSAESS MARCEL P
  • EP2048683B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2048683B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A switch (10) has a housing (11) which houses a temperature-dependent switching mechanism (12) and on which a first and a second counter-contact (16, 19) for the switching mechanism (12) are arranged, with the switching mechanism (12) comprising an electrically conductive spring part (31) which carries a movable contact part (32) and a bimetallic snap-action disc (34), which bimetallic snap-action disc (34) is unrestricted below its response temperature, with the spring part (31) making an electrically conductive connection via the contact part (32) between the two countercontacts (16, 19) when the switching mechanism (12) is below the response temperature, with a damping part (35, 37) being arranged between the bimetallic snap-action disc (34) and the spring part (31). (