Robust rocker switch mechanism
US6875940B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 25, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 5, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H9/12
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
There is disclosed a robust on-off rocker paddle switch operated by pushing on the lower portion of a rocker paddle to turn the switch “on” or “off”. The lower edge of the rocker paddle pivots in and out about its top or upper edge. Bias means urges the lower portion of the rocker paddle to always be in its out position whether the switch is in the “on” state or position or the “off” state or position. The rocker paddle of the switch is not located within a frame and the surface of the switch has, along its vertical axis, a contour of positive first differential and zero second differential, comprised of a combination of splines which extend between points of varying distances from a datum plane. The contour has zero second differential when the rate of height increase of individual splines is constant. An actuator coupled to the rocker paddle (the face) of the switch causes a cam to rotate in a clockwise direction and in a counter clockwise direction as the rocker paddle is alternately depressed. The rocker paddle pivots about its top edge and repeated pressing on the lower surface of the rocker paddle causes the actuator to alternately rotate the cam in a clockwise direction and …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.