Universal Switch Intermediate Device for Modular Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switches are specialized for specific uses, leading to high unit costs due to dedicated components, making them costly and inefficient to manufacture in large volumes.
Innovation Solution
A modular switch design featuring a universal electrical functional block with a bistable contact bridge and a universal intermediate device that can be actuated by various types of maneuvering members, such as push-button, tilting lever, or rotary actuators, allowing for adaptable and cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If switches are dedicated to specific uses with specialized components, then the switch can be optimized for its specific function, but the unit cost price increases due to lack of economies of scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal intermediate device with a standardized interface that can accommodate multiple types of maneuvering members (push-button, tilting lever, rotary actuator). This allows a single electrical functional block to serve multiple switch types, achieving economies of scale in manufacturing while maintaining functional specialization through the interchangeable maneuvering members.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each switch type uses dedicated components and specific constructions, then the switch can be optimized for its actuation mode, but the manufacturing flexibility and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the switch into two independent segments: a universal electrical functional block and interchangeable maneuvering members. This segmentation allows the electrical component to be manufactured once and reused across different switch types, while only the maneuvering members need to be varied to meet different actuation requirements, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal intermediate device features a standardized interface that can accommodate multiple types of maneuvering members (push-button, tilting lever, rotary actuator). This allows a single electrical functional block to serve multiple switch types, achieving economies of scale in manufacturing while maintaining functional specialization through the interchangeable maneuvering members.
3Adaptability or versatility
If specialized components are used for each switch type, then the switch can be optimized for its specific market, but the production volume efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal intermediate device with a standardized interface that can accommodate multiple types of maneuvering members (push-button, tilting lever, rotary actuator). This allows a single electrical functional block to serve multiple switch types, achieving economies of scale in manufacturing while maintaining functional specialization through the interchangeable maneuvering members.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~13
AI summary
The switch has a universal intermediate device (5) actuated by an operating unit e.g. push button, of a universal electric functional block i.e. electric switching block. The intermediate device controls displacement of a bistable contact bridge corresponding to the functional block. The intermediate device has a molded support piece (33) locked on an upper face of the functional block, and a control unit (35) actuated by the operating unit. The intermediate device has a switching unit (36) that acts on the contact bridge.