Silent Electric Switch Braking Accessory Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical switches generate noise due to the bouncing of movable contact elements, which affects user comfort, and previous solutions like adding an unbalance to increase inertia either require complex mounting on a small conductive material or slow down the switching speed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a braking accessory with a support part fixed to the control button and a damping part that forms an elastically deformable support for the movable contact element, allowing energy recovery and reduced speed upon contact, thus minimizing noise and maintaining switching speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If an unbalance is mounted on the movable contact element to increase its inertia, then the rebounds of the movable contact element on the lateral contact elements are reduced, but the switching speed of the switch mechanism is substantially reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the braking function into two separate damping parts, each responsible for damping during opposite directions of movement. This segmentation allows the movable contact element to maintain high speed during the main switching action while still providing noise reduction through targeted damping at specific phases of the movement cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping parts are designed to act periodically during the oscillation cycle of the movable contact element. By positioning them to engage only during the rebound phase rather than continuously, the system maintains switching speed while reducing noise through periodic energy dissipation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If an unbalance is mounted on the movable contact element to increase its inertia, then the rebounds are reduced, but the implementation becomes difficult since the movable contact element is small and made of expensive conductive material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the damping function from the movable contact element itself and places it in separate damping parts that are mounted on the housing. This extraction allows the expensive, small movable contact element to remain simple while the damping function is implemented in separate, easier-to-manufacture components.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping parts act as intermediary elements between the movable contact element and the housing. Rather than modifying the movable contact element directly, these intermediary components provide the necessary damping function through elastic deformation, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the movable contact element is slowed down over its entire travel, then the rebounds are reduced, but the switching speed is substantially reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies damping locally at specific positions where the movable contact element passes through the damping parts, rather than applying continuous braking throughout the entire travel. This localized approach reduces noise at critical moments while preserving overall switching speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping action is applied partially during the oscillation cycle rather than continuously. The damping parts engage only during the rebound phase when noise occurs, allowing the movable contact element to maintain high speed during the main switching action while still providing noise reduction where needed.
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 prevents electric arcs by slowing down the movable contact element, allowing it to abut fixed contacts with reduced speed and avoiding rebounds, while maintaining the overall switching speed of the electrical switch.
Implementation Method 1
a damping part of which forms an elastically deformable support for said movable contact element making it possible to slow down its tilting towards its second stable position
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~8
AI summary
The invention relates to an electric switch comprising: - two fixed contact elements (10, 11), - a moving contact element (30), which is adapted to toggle between a first stable position in which it opens the electrical contact between the two fixed contact elements and a second stable position in which it establishes electrical contact between the two fixed contact elements, - a control key (40) for controlling the displacement of the moving contact element, and - means for braking the toggling of the moving contact element. According to the invention, said braking means comprise a braking accessory (50), a support part of which is fixed to the control key and a damping part of which is adapted to brake the toggling of said moving contact element.