Switch Contact Chamber Seal with Positive-Locking Sealing Lip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical switch elements face challenges in sealing the switch chamber effectively, leading to complex production processes and high costs, as well as potential damage from electric arcs due to atmospheric pressure.
Innovation Solution
A positive-locking element constructed as a sealing lip with a peripheral bead is used, which complements a positive-locking counter-element, allowing for radial spacing and increased resilience, enabling the absorption of pressure shocks and relative movements, thus forming a stable unit and minimizing structural space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal-coated connection contours with solder connection are used to seal the cover, then sealing reliability is improved, but production complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the complex metal-coating and soldering process, implementing it instead through a simple elastomeric sealing lip that integrates with the cover's positive-locking element. This eliminates the need for additional metal-plating and soldering steps while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing lip is made from elastomeric material that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, rather than using permanent metal-coated connections. This approach reduces production costs and complexity while providing sufficient sealing reliability for the application.
2Reliability
If complete casting of housing and cover is used to seal the switch chamber, then sealing reliability is improved, but production complexity and material consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the complete casting process, allowing the housing and cover to be manufactured separately through simpler processes. The sealing is achieved through the elastomeric sealing lip that engages with the positive-locking element, eliminating the need for complex multi-part casting operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If positive-locking elements without radial spacing are used, then structural stability is improved, but ability to absorb pressure shocks decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The radial spacing between the positive-locking element and positive-locking counter-element creates a cushioning zone that can absorb pressure shocks from electric arcs before they reach the structural components. This preemptive design feature protects the housing and cover from damage while maintaining structural stability.
4Reliability
If sealing mechanisms with complex additional processes are used, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lip is manufactured from inexpensive elastomeric material using simple molding processes, replacing expensive metal-coating and soldering operations. The simplicity of the sealing mechanism significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged with the positive-locking element of the cover, eliminating the need for separate sealing components or additional sealing processes. This integration simplifies manufacturing and reduces costs while ensuring reliable sealing through the elastomeric material's inherent properties.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement for an electrical switch element (1), having a housing (2) which forms a switch chamber (3) for receiving electrical switch contacts (4) and an opening (5) to the switch chamber (3), which opening can be closed by means of a cover (20). In order to be able to seal the switch chamber in the most simple and reliable manner possible, there is provision according to the invention for the cover (20) to have at least one positive-locking element (23) and the housing (2) to have at least one positive-locking counter-element (23) which extend at least partially around the opening (5) and which are in engagement with each other in the plane of the opening (5).