Electric Switch Clamping Piece Self-Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical switches face misalignment issues due to off-center or rotated installation of the support ring, leading to uneven gap widths between the switch rocker or button and the cover frame, which affects the visual appearance, especially in multiple switch combinations.
Innovation Solution
A clamping piece that is vertically displaceable and radially elastically deformable, aligned with the perpendicular bisector of the support ring opening, allows for self-alignment with the cover frame, maintaining a constant gap width and compensating for installation deviations, including lateral and rotational misalignments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the support ring is installed off-center or rotated in the mounting opening, then the switch can still be installed, but the gap width between the cover frame and the switch rocker or button becomes uneven, affecting visual appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping piece is designed with vertical mobility, allowing it to move up and down within the mounting opening. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the clamping piece to self-align with the cover frame even when the support ring is installed off-center or rotated, maintaining uniform gap width between the cover frame and switch rocker or button throughout the adjustment range
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping piece changes its vertical position parameter to compensate for installation deviations. By adjusting its vertical position, the clamping piece maintains the correct alignment relationship with the cover frame, ensuring that the gap width remains constant despite variations in support ring installation position
2Device complexity
If a fixed clamping piece is used, then the structure is simple, but installation deviations cause misalignment and uneven gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping piece transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamically adjustable one with vertical mobility. This allows the clamping piece to automatically compensate for installation deviations, maintaining alignment precision without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or precision manufacturing
3Reliability
If the clamping piece is made vertically displaceable, then alignment compensation is possible, but the clamping connection may become less stable
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping piece has different functional zones: the clamping surfaces maintain a stable, fixed relationship with the support ring to ensure connection stability, while the entire clamping piece can move vertically as a unit to provide alignment compensation. This local differentiation of fixed and movable characteristics resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability
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 ensures a consistent gap width between the switch rocker or button and the cover frame, maintaining the visual appeal and functionality of the switch, even with deviations in the support ring's installation, by allowing the clamping piece to adjust and align properly.
Implementation Method 1
clamping extensions which are radially and elastically deformable in relation to the perpendicular bisector running through the center point of the support ring opening
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrical switch comprising a switch base (1) for receiving electrical connection contacts and electrical switching elements, as well as mechanical switching elements (2) that actuate the electrical switching elements and transmit a switching movement, a cover frame (4), a switch rocker (5) or switch button (5) mounted within the cover frame (4), and a support ring (3) for fixing the switch base (1) in a mounting opening, in particular a flush-mounted box. The switch rocker or switch button is pivotably mounted on a frame-shaped clamping piece (6), wherein the clamping piece (6) is rotatable about a central perpendicular (M) relative to the support ring (3) onto an opening plane of a support ring opening (7) enclosed by the support ring (3) and/or laterally displaceable relative to the central perpendicular (M).