Contact structures for sliding switches
US6979786B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 27, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H15/04
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A contact structure for a sliding switch includes a conductive stationary contact disposed on a base and a conductive movable contact for electrically contacting the stationary contact. The movable contact is movable along a path between a non-contact position and a make-contact position with respect to the stationary contact, and at least one of the contacts has a protruding portion that provides an electrical interface for discharge of arcing as the movable contact breaks from the stationary contact. As a result, the invention prevents or substantially reduces degradation in switch performance which might otherwise be caused by debris accumulation associated with arcing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.