CPC H01H 71/16 (2013.01) [H01H 73/06 (2013.01); H01H 73/20 (2013.01); H01H 73/24 (2013.01); H01H 2223/002 (2013.01); H01H 2223/044 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A switch including an integrated overcurrent protection device, the switch comprising:
a generally cup shaped housing having one open end;
a generally flat cover for the open end of the generally cup shaped housing;
a first terminal extending into the generally cup shaped housing and electrically connected to a first terminal contact;
a second terminal extending into the generally cup shaped housing and electrically connected to a second terminal contact;
a central shaft within the generally cup shaped housing, perpendicular to the generally flat cover, able to slide axially within an internal hole in the generally cup shaped housing and hosting an indent on an end facing the generally flat cover;
a compression spring concentric to the central shaft and opposing the sliding of the central shaft in a direction away from the generally flat cover;
a first lever external to the generally flat cover and rotatable parallel with respect to the generally flat cover from a first or “on” position to a second or “off” position;
a rotatable shaft perpendicular to the generally flat cover, passing through a hole in the generally flat cover and connected on one end of the rotatable shaft to one end of the first lever;
a second lever internal to the generally cup shaped housing, parallel to the first lever, connected on one end to the rotatable shaft;
an indent on the second lever on a side facing the generally flat cover and at an end of the second lever opposite the rotatable shaft;
a centrally located boss on a side of the generally flat cover internal to the generally cup shaped housing, mating with the indent on the second lever when the first lever is rotated into the first position;
a boss on the second lever on a side opposite the indent on the second lever and mating with the indent on the central shaft when the first lever is rotated into the first position thereby moving the central shaft away from the generally flat cover and compressing the compression spring;
a spring rotationally biasing said first lever, second lever and said rotatable shaft to the second position whereby the boss on the generally flat cover no longer mates with the indent on the second lever and the boss on the second lever no longer mates with the indent on the central shaft;
a conductive element within the generally cup shaped housing having a through hole centered on the central shaft and moving with the central shaft when the first lever is in the first position, electrically connecting the first terminal contact and the second terminal contact and in conjunction with the compression spring providing sufficient spring force to maintain the engagement of the boss on the second lever with the indent on the central shaft and the boss on the generally flat cover with the indent on the second shaft when the first lever is in said first position, and when the first lever is rotated into the second position moved toward the generally flat cover by the force of the compression spring so as to not electrically connect the first terminal contact and the second terminal contact.
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