Push button switches having contact structures to avoid detent action and to enhance break-before-make action
US4412109A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 1982 |
| Grant date | Oct 25, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 23, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H1/36
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A switch is disclosed having improved contact structure to avoid any detent action between the movable and fixed contact elements, and to afford an enhanced break-before-make action. The switch includes a contactor having a cylindrically curved rider which is slidable across a gap between first and second coplanar contact plates. One plate has a projection or finger, extending across the gap for smoothly carrying the rider across the gap while avoiding any detent action. The other plate has a notch therein opposite the projection for maintaining spacing between the projection and the other plate. The projection and the notch are generally centered relative to the width of the rider. In another aspect, the contactor is movable alternatively into bridging relationship between a second contact plate and first and third contact plates, and the contactor has a pair of cylindrically rounded riders which are slidable along the plates. The second plate has a longitudinal rib projecting therefrom which tilts the contactor to enhance the break action, when the riders break contact with the first and third plates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.