Electrical Switch Fulcrum Mechanical Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical switches with pivoting switching members experience detachment from the supporting fulcrum during switching, leading to micro electric arcs, localized corrosion, overheating, and current interruptions, which are costly to address with existing solutions like elastically deformable conductive elements.
Innovation Solution
The electrical switch incorporates mechanical coupling means, such as hinges and bent arms, integrated with the supporting fulcrum to constrain and securely position the pivoting rocker arm, reducing the likelihood of detachment and using a simplified manufacturing method involving metal sheet cutting, bending, and machining to create these coupling elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elastically deformable conductive element is arranged between the supporting fulcrum and the pivoting switching member to preserve electrical continuity, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the elastically deformable conductive element from the structure, extracting the problematic component that caused complexity while maintaining electrical continuity through the direct mechanical coupling of the fulcrum to the switching member
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the supporting fulcrum and the pivoting switching member into a more integrated structure where the fulcrum directly supports the switching member, eliminating the need for separate elastic conductive elements and simplifying the overall device
2Reliability
If mechanical coupling means are integrated with the supporting fulcrum to constrain the pivoting switching member, then the reliability is improved by reducing bounce, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling means are merged into the supporting fulcrum structure itself, creating an integrated component that provides both support and constraint functions, thereby improving reliability without requiring separate manufacturing steps for coupling elements
Solution Approach 2:
The fulcrum structure is segmented into functional zones: a supporting portion for bearing the switching member and a coupling portion with bent arms for mechanical constraint, allowing each zone to be optimized independently while simplifying overall manufacturing
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the pivoting switching member is securely constrained to the supporting fulcrum, then the harmful factors are reduced by preventing detachment, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of detachment into a benefit by designing the fulcrum with bent arms that actively prevent detachment, transforming a problematic condition into an opportunity for improved structural design that eliminates arcs and corrosion
Solution Approach 2:
The fulcrum is segmented into a supporting portion and a coupling portion with bent arms, creating distinct functional zones that work together to prevent detachment while maintaining structural simplicity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention describes an electrical switch comprising: at least two connection terminals (T1, T2), - a fixed electrical contact (3) electrically connected to one (T2) of the two connection terminals (T1, T2), - a pivoting and electrically conductive switching member (2), comprising at least one mobile electrical contact (4), suitable for oscillating between two preset positions, in one of which the mobile electrical contact (4) is in abutment against the fixed electrical contact (3), - a supporting fulcrum (1) for the pivoting switching member (2), the supporting fulcrum (1) being electrically conductive and electrically connected to the other of the two connection terminals (T1). The supporting fulcrum (1) further includes mechanical coupling means (5) suitable for constraining the pivoting switching member (2) to the supporting fulcrum (1).