Thermally responsive electrical switches
US5796327A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 18, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2037/5472
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A thermally-responsive current-sensitive switch having a molded plastic body containing first and second terminals in the form of metal stampings and having an internal chamber wherein a leaf spring and a snap-acting bimetallic blade of the same shape are together spot-welded to one of the terminals with the leaf spring underlying the bimetal in registry therewith and at its other end carrying a sliver contact which cooperates in switching operations with the other switch terminal. In one embodiment, the spring bias of the leaf spring tends to open the switch and the force generated by the bimetal in its contacts-closing movement is sufficient to overcome the spring bias of the leaf spring, whereas in another embodiment the leaf spring develops either a neutral force or a contacts-opening force. The leaf spring electrically shunts the bimetal, whereby the current-carrying capability of the switch is increased and different switch specifications can use the same bimetal with different leaf springs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.