Magnetic actuation of a switching device

A control device comprising:

• a control knob that rotates about a first axis;
• a ferromagnetic armature configured to move between a first position and a second position;
• a bimetal element coupled to the control knob and positioned relative to the ferromagnetic armature, the bimetal element being configured to move between an attracting position and a non-attracting position based on a temperature of an environment surrounding the bimetal element;
• a magnet coupled to the bimetal element;
• and
• a ferromagnetic holding member;
• wherein a rotational orientation of the control knob controls a rotational orientation of the bimetal element to thereby establish a temperature set point;
• wherein, when the bimetal element is in the non-attracting position, the magnet is positioned adjacent the ferromagnetic holding member and the ferromagnetic holding member holds the magnet and the bimetal element in the non-attracting position;
• wherein, when the temperature of the environment changes by an actuating amount, the bimetal element generates a force sufficient to move from the non-attracting position to the attracting position;
• and
• wherein, when the bimetal element moves from the non-attracting to the attracting position, the armature is caused to move from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the device to transition from a first operating state to a second operating state.

A method for switching a thermostat from a first state to a second state, the method comprising:

• providing a control member that rotates about a central axis of a housing of the thermostat, and a ferromagnetic armature configured to move between a first position and a second position;
• coupling the control member to a bimetal element that rotates about a second axis, the bimetal element including a magnet;
• positioning the magnet relative to the ferromagnetic armature;
• and
• rotating the control member about the central axis, which in turn rotates the bimetal element about a second axis to thereby establish a temperature set point;
• allowing the bimetal member and magnet to move towards and attract the ferromagnetic armature as a temperature of an environment surrounding the bimetal member changes, the magnet causing the ferromagnetic armature to move from the first position to the second position towards the magnet to thereby change the thermostat from the first state to the second state.

A control device comprising:

• a control knob that rotates about a first axis;
• a ferromagnetic armature configured to move between a first position and a second position;
• a bimetal element coupled to the control knob and positioned relative to the ferromagnetic armature, the bimetal element being configured to move about a second axis between an attracting position and a non-attracting position based on a temperature of an environment surrounding the bimetal element;
• a means for coupling the control knob to the bimetal element;
• a magnet coupled to the bimetal element;
• and
• a ferromagnetic holding member;
• wherein, upon rotation of the control knob about the first axis, the means for coupling the control knob to the bimetal element changes a rotational orientation of the bimetal element about the second axis to thereby establish a temperature set point;
• wherein, when the bimetal element is in the non-attracting position, the magnet is positioned adjacent the ferromagnetic holding member and the ferromagnetic holding member holds the magnet and the bimetal element in the non-attracting position;
• wherein, when the temperature of the environment changes by an actuating amount, the bimetal element generates a force sufficient to move from the non-attracting position to the attracting position;
• and
• wherein, when the bimetal element moves from the non-attracting to the attracting position, the armature is caused to move from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the device to transition from a first operating state to a second operating state.