Wireless Switch Mechanism With Low-Force Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless switches require a significant actuation force, making them difficult for children and others to operate, as they need to exert between 7 and 10N, whereas conventional wire-connected switches require only about 3N.
Innovation Solution
A wireless control device with a mechanism comprising a tilting and pivoting actuation button, an electronic control circuit, and an electromagnetic generator, where the actuation lever and transmission member are designed to reduce the activation force required by leveraging mechanical energy conversion, allowing the generator to receive a greater force than the user applies, through a translational movement from rotational motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless switches use energy converters (piezoelectric or electromagnetic) to eliminate batteries, then the switch becomes completely autonomous and battery-free, but the actuation force increases to 7-10N compared to 3N for conventional wire-connected switches
Solution Approach 1:
The button is designed to perform two sequential movements: first a tilting motion that pivots the button about an axis, then a pivoting motion that rotates the transmission member. This dynamic, multi-stage movement allows the system to accumulate mechanical energy progressively, converting a small initial force into sufficient energy for the electromagnetic generator without requiring high continuous force
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission member is configured to convert the tilting movement (rotation about one axis) into a pivoting movement (rotation about a different axis). This dimensional transformation of motion allows the system to redirect and amplify the applied force through geometric conversion, enabling the generator to receive greater force than the user directly applies
2Force
If the transmission member is designed with lever arms and articulation points, then the activation force is amplified through leverage effects, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both the element that receives the button's tilting force and the element that pivots to drive the generator. By combining the force transmission path and the motion conversion path into one articulated lever, the design reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the leverage amplification effect
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission member acts as an intermediary between the button and the electromagnetic generator, mediating the transformation of motion types and amplifying force through its lever arm geometry. This single intermediary component simplifies the overall structure compared to using multiple separate transmission elements
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
The solution reduces the required actuation force to approximately 2-3N, matching conventional switches, by utilizing leverage effects in the actuation kinematics, enabling efficient operation with less effort.
Implementation Method 1
an electric generator for powering the circuit, this generator being able to convert mechanical energy into electric energy
Implementation Method 2
converters of the piezoelectric type, using the properties of a material to generate a voltage when it undergoes mechanical stresses
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wireless control device (2), comprising an actuation button (4), an electronic control circuit (10) including a transmitter (16) capable of wirelessly transmitting a control signal to another control device connected to an electrical wire, an electrical generator (12) for powering the circuit (10), this generator being capable of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, and a transmission element (14) for transmitting mechanical energy applied to the actuation button (4) to the generator (12). The actuation button and the transmission element are specifically designed so that the activation force of the actuation button is less than the force transmitted to the generator by the transmission element.