Toggle Switch Actuating Element Receptacle Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric toggle switches are limited in functionality and require complex and costly development to offer different operational modes, such as momentary and latching positions, which restricts their adaptability and versatility.
Innovation Solution
An electric toggle switch design where the actuating element, such as a rocker arm, can be easily fixed and exchanged on a contact piece with a receptacle, allowing for pivotable mounting and various design configurations, including one-piece or multi-part designs, to implement different functionalities without extensive development work.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing electric toggle switches are designed with fixed functionalities, then manufacturing and development are simplified, but adaptability and versatility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is divided into separate modular components: a base part that interfaces with the contact piece and a design part that provides the visible operating interface. This segmentation allows different design parts to be exchanged while retaining the same functional base, enabling multiple functionalities from a single switching device without requiring complex redesign of the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact piece is designed with a universal receptacle structure that can accommodate multiple types of actuating elements. By providing a standardized interface with the receptacle and geometric matching features, a single switching device can support various actuating element designs (rocker arms, push buttons, etc.), making the device universally adaptable to different functional requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If actuating elements are made exchangeable, then versatility is improved, but structural stability and dimensional precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle and actuating element interface employs asymmetric geometric matching features including specific profile shapes, positioning protrusions, and corresponding recesses. This asymmetric design ensures that only compatible actuating elements can be mounted, preventing incorrect assemblies while maintaining precise dimensional relationships. The geometric constraints provide inherent positioning accuracy without requiring complex fastening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of fixing the actuating element to the switching device through complex mounting structures, the invention inverts the approach by having the contact piece actively receive and constrain the actuating element through the receptacle structure. The receptacle provides the stable reference frame, and the actuating element is passively positioned within it, reversing traditional mounting conventions to achieve both exchangeability and precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a receptacle structure is added to the contact piece, then actuating element exchangeability is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle structure is merged with the contact piece as an integrated component rather than a separate attachment. The geometric matching features are formed directly on the contact piece itself, eliminating the need for additional mounting brackets, fasteners, or separate receptacle components. This merging approach enables actuating element exchangeability while avoiding the complexity increase that would result from adding separate structural elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric toggle switch is proposed with at least one actuating element designed as a toggle lever, which on the one hand interacts with movable electrical contact parts of a switching apparatus via a switching piece and on the other hand is led outwards with its free end area through an opening in a cover plate, wherein the switching apparatus is connected to a support ring, and has the electrical connection contact parts necessary for connection to an electrical installation system of a building.For the purpose of creating an electric toggle switch which can be converted into a toggle switch in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner simply by providing a receptacle on the switching element, starting from an already existing electrical switching apparatus, a receptacle for fixing the at least one actuating element designed as a toggle lever is provided on at least one switching element of the switching apparatus.