Contactless switch
US6097272A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 17, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H13/58
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A contactless switch (20) for actuating a system between an open circuit position and a closed circuit position is disclosed. The switch includes a housing (22) and a linear actuator (34) disposed within the housing. The switch also includes a linear-to-rotary motion assembly (30) disposed within the housing. The linear-to-rotary motion assembly is coupled to the linear actuator for producing a rotary motion of the linear-to-rotary motion assembly in response to a linear displacement of the linear-to-rotary motion assembly by the linear actuator. The switch also includes a plurality of Hall effect sensors (106) and magnets (80). The sensors are disposed within the housing and the magnets are disposed on the linear-to-rotary motion assembly. To affect the state change of the switch, the magnets are rotated into and out of close proximity with the sensors by the linear-to-rotary motion assembly when the switch is actuated by applying a force to the linear actuator that causes the linear displacements of the linear-to-rotary motion assembly. A tactile response mechanism (170) is formed with the linear-to-rotary motion assembly to produce a tactile response when the contactless switch …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.