Rocker switch and actuator therefor
US7105762B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 2005 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H23/20
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An actuator assembly is for a short-depth rocker switch including a housing having an opening, a cavity, a base, and a first depth between the opening and base. The actuator assembly includes an operating member having a first end disposed proximate the opening, and a second end extending into the cavity, and, an over-center mechanism disposed proximate the first end of the operating member, distal from the second end of the operating member. The over-center mechanism comprises a one or two-piece shaped element which defines a plurality of operating characteristics of the operating member, and which has a second depth which is less than about 25 percent of the first depth of the housing. This enables the overall depth of the rocker switch to be relatively short in comparison to known designs. A sensor for detecting the position of the second end of the operating member is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.