Rockwell Automation Switzerland Gmbh

Rahel Von Arx

Thomas Strebel Marzano

David Urech

Fabian Ballat

Markus Bachmann

Sadashiv Pimple

Dariusz Poczontek

Beat Schreiber

Pascal Stoll

Marcin Morys

Markus Gloor

An industrial switching device prevents a false indication of an open electrical circuit when contacts within the switching device are welded shut. Under normal operation, an actuator is selectively moved between a first position and a second position to reciprocally move a plunger to open and close the contacts. The actuator includes an indicator of whether the switching device is in the 'ON' or “OFF” state. When the contacts are welded shut, a plunger engagement section interlocks with an actuator engagement section to prevent the actuator from moving from the “ON” position to the “OFF” position. A crossbar on the plunger engagement section embeds in the actuator engagement section to prevent the actuator from sliding over the plunger. A side member on the plunger engagement section prevents the actuator from sliding around the plunger.

System and method of detecting a welded contact

A switching device for industrial equipment having at least one pair of contacts includes a transfer member rotatably mounted in the switching device. The transfer member is configured to receive a first force applied to the switching device in a first direction and to receive a second force applied to the switching device in a second direction. A rocker arm, rotatably mounted in the switching device, engages the transfer member to receive the first force over a first angle of rotation and to receive the second force over a second angle of rotation. The second angle of rotation is less than the first angle of rotation. A lever arm is pivotally mounted within the switching device. The lever arm engages the rocker arm to move between an Off position and an On position, and a plunger is actuated by the lever arm to selectively open and close the contacts.

System and method for reduced torque switching

A split calibration knob can include a lower knob with a lower-knob attachment interface and an upper knob with an upper-knob attachment interface configured to be engaged with the lower-knob attachment interface. One of the lower-knob attachment interface and the upper-knob attachment interface can include a tube with a first press-fit feature and a first positioning feature positioned on the tube. The other of the lower-knob attachment interface and the upper-knob attachment interface can include a hub having an outward facing surface, a second press-fit feature configured to be engaged with the first press-fit feature to secure the upper knob to the lower knob, and a second positioning feature configured to be engaged with the first positioning feature to fix an orientation of the upper knob relative to the lower knob, thereby linking rotation of the lower knob to the rotation of the upper knob.

Systems and methods for a calibration knob

An improved switching device includes a guide configured to reduce undesired movement of the switching element. The guide includes an upper portion configured to receive the switching element and a lower portion configured to receive a spring. The upper portion defines a seat to receive the switching element and includes at least one resilient tab to retain the switching element within the guide. The lower portion defines an opening in which the spring is positioned, where the spring is seated, in part, against the switching element and against the guide. The guide includes guide portions configured to engage a housing on the switching device to prevent rotation of the switching element within the switching device. The switching element further includes protrusions configured to engage each side of the guide and to prevent longitudinal movement of the switching element within the housing.

Switching element guide

Calibration knob

Growing community of inventors

Villnachern, Switzerland

Rahel Von Arx