Patent · US Expired

Terminal seal for miniature sealed toggle switch

US4454398A · kind A · utility

18Cited by
11References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 16, 1981
Grant dateJun 12, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 16, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H23/065
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A miniature sealed toggle switch having a housing (2,4) that is sealed by a gasket (16) sealed to the toggle lever by a groove (12b) and RTV (18) and to the housing by a ridge (16d) and a tapered edge (2e) on the base, and by two grooves (6d, 6e, FIG. 3) on the terminals that prevent leaks under different expansion of the metal terminals (6) and the molded base (2a, 2b, FIG. 3). Contactor erosion is reduced by a drop (26d) on the contactor causing arc movement on opening. Grooves (2g, 2h) and arc shields (2f) in the base prevent formation of conductive paths. A stepped taper (12d) on the toggle lever and a tapered hole (28a) reduce wear. Nickel plating of the brass lever (12) and aluminum bushing (4a) insure ground of the lever. The contactor configuration (32c, 32d, FIG. 5), clearance between the toggle lever and actuator, and energy storage in conical spring (30) provide non-stall, non-tease operation. The radius of the actuator tips (28c) are maintained by the radius (32a, 32b, FIG. 5) in the contactor over a time period. Non-teasable momentary action with reduced bounce is provided by spring-biased plungers (36) with controlled clearance relative to the actuator slots, conical …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.