Switch Motor Drive Latching Device Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical switches with motor drives require complex and tool-dependent assembly and disassembly processes, leading to inefficiencies and potential for unintentional or unauthorized removal.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a latching device with a spring-loaded control element and blocking mechanism that allows for simple actuation from the outside, enabling quick assembly and disassembly without specialized tools, and includes a blocking device to prevent unauthorized removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a motor drive is mounted on the switch housing using conventional methods, then the motor drive can be securely attached, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes complex and requires special tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidcomplexity of assembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latching device is divided into separate functional elements: latching elements on the motor drive, corresponding latching elements on the switch housing, and a control element. This segmentation allows the motor drive to be easily attached and detached by simply actuating the control element, eliminating the need for complex assembly procedures and special tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the latching device can be easily actuated from the outside, then assembly and disassembly become simple and quick, but the risk of unintentional or unauthorized removal increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of motor drive removalVSAvoidprotection against unintentional removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control element is designed to be spring-loaded, automatically transitioning between a first control position (allowing latching/unlatching) and a second control position (blocking unlatching). This dynamic mechanism ensures that the motor drive can be easily removed when authorized (control element in first position) while preventing unintentional or unauthorized removal when the control element is in the second position, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a blocking device is added to prevent unauthorized removal, then security is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of unauthorized removalVSAvoidcomplexity of latching device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking function is merged into the existing control element of the latching device. The control element serves dual purposes: it controls the latching/unlatching operation and simultaneously provides the blocking function to prevent unauthorized removal. By combining these functions into a single integrated component rather than adding a separate blocking device, the patent improves security while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Facilitates easy and secure assembly and disassembly of the motor drive without the need for tools, ensuring quick installation and preventing unintentional or illegal removal.

Implementation Method 1

the control element is spring-loaded and can automatically move from the first control position to the second control position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring loading: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2600370B1Electric switch
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 SIEMENS AG
  • EP2600370B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2600370B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2600370B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The switch (10) comprises a motor drive (30) that is located in switch housing (20) through a latching device (40). The motor drive is disassembled by unlatching the latching device. The latching device is provided with user-side operable locking unit (70) which is held on the switch housing in a latched position of the motor drive and the locking unit is released in an unlatched position. An independent claim is included for a method for assembling and disassembling motor drive with respect to switch housing.