Mechanical Switch With Plug-In Actuator Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical switches lack the ability to easily integrate additional functions, such as remote actuation, without requiring additional wiring or replacing the switch, limiting their versatility and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical switch design that incorporates a switching contact arrangement with an operating mechanism and a receiving device for an electromechanical actuator unit, allowing for state changes to be made independently of external mechanical effects, using a plug-in connection system for voltage supply and decoupling the switching contact from the operating mechanism, enabling simple integration of additional functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical switch is replaced by a switch with additional electromechanical functions to enable remote actuation, then the functionality and versatility are improved, but the wiring effort and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The switch system is divided into two independent parts: a mechanical switch base and a separate electromechanical actuator unit. The actuator unit can be added independently to the mechanical switch without replacing the entire device or requiring additional wiring to the installation location. This segmentation allows the mechanical switch to retain its simple wiring while gaining remote actuation capability through the separately installable actuator unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the switching contact arrangement remains coupled to the operating mechanism, then the mechanical operation is reliable, but the integration of electromechanical actuation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between the operating mechanism and switching contact arrangement is made dynamic rather than fixed. A decoupling device allows the operating mechanism to be mechanically disconnected from the switching contact arrangement when an electromechanical actuator unit is installed. This dynamic coupling enables the system to operate in two modes: direct mechanical operation when the actuator is absent, and electromechanical operation when the actuator is present, without compromising the reliability of either mode.
3Ease of manufacture
If the mechanical switch is designed with fixed functionality, then the manufacturing is simple, but the adaptability to different applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical switch base is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different types of electromechanical actuator units through a standardized receiving device and connection interface. The base support includes a guide device and receiving device that can work with various actuator types (electromagnetic, electric motor-driven, etc.), allowing a single mechanical switch design to be adapted to multiple applications and functions without requiring custom manufacturing for each variant.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mechanical switch (10), in particular a light switch and/or a roller shutter switch and/or a thermostat switch. The mechanical switch (10) comprises a switching contact assembly (20), in particular a monostable, bistable or tristable switching contact assembly (20), and a base carrier (40), in which the switching contact assembly (20) is held. The base carrier (40) has a holding device (50) for holding an electromechanical actuator unit (100), which is designed in such a way that an an electromechanical actuator unit (100) held in the holding device (50) can be supplied with voltage in order to effect a state change of the switching contact assembly (20) by means of the electromechanical actuator unit (100) independently of external mechanical action on an operating mechanism (60).