Patent · US Expired

Electric switch

US4868352A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
1References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 11, 1988
Grant dateSep 19, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 11, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H27/06
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An improved ignition switch for motor vehicles comprises a common fixed contact, several independent fixed contacts, and several movable bridging contacts. The bridging contacts are individually operated by tappets driven by cams on a rotatable operating member. Guide sleeves mounted in a guide plate restrict the tappet to displacements exclusively in parallel to the axis of rotation of the operating member, thereby preventing transmission of side forces to the bridging contacts. The tappets are unattached to the bridging contacts and guide plates are provided for the bridging contacts to further minimize sideways displacement of these contacts due to off center tappet application. Closing pressure is supplied to the rigid bridging contacts by a separate spring to provide consistent pressure regardless of contact temperature. Bridging contacts, tappets, and guide sleeves are located in parallel to facilitate alignment. The common fixed contact comprises at least two connection arms for attaching power supply cables. The common fixed contact has a flange to improve heat radiation; tappets are made of temperature resistant, heat insulating plastics to prevent damage from high tempera…

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