US 12,347,638 B2
Mechanical lockout for solid-state switch
Adam D. Ledgerwood, Syracuse, NY (US); Joseph M. Manahan, Manlius, NY (US); Andrew J. Butler, Baldwinsville, NY (US); and Graig E. DeCarr, Cicero, NY (US)
Assigned to EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED, Dublin (IE)
Filed by EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED, Dublin (IE)
Filed on Mar. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/120,156.
Application 18/120,156 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/724,620, filed on Dec. 23, 2019, granted, now 11,613,915.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/785,003, filed on Dec. 26, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0207231 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. H01H 9/28 (2006.01); H01H 23/04 (2006.01); H01H 23/14 (2006.01)
CPC H01H 9/282 (2013.01) [H01H 23/04 (2013.01); H01H 23/143 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electronic switch assembly comprising:
a housing having an aperture, wherein the aperture defines an insertion path extending from a first location external to the housing to a second location internal to the housing;
a solid-state switch disposed within the housing of the electronic switch assembly,
wherein the solid-state switch lacks moving parts, and
wherein the solid-state switch is configured to modulate the electronic switch assembly between an active state and an inactive state based on electronic action;
a light emitting diode disposed in the housing, wherein the light emitting diode is configured to emit a light signal along a signal path;
a photodiode disposed within the housing, wherein the photodiode is configured to convert the light signal into an electrical current that operates the solid-state switch; and
a mechanical lockout device having a body and a protrusion,
wherein the protrusion is configured to be inserted through the aperture along the insertion path to intersect the signal path and obstruct the light signal, and
wherein the body includes a locking mechanism configured to fix the position of the protrusion relative to the body when the protrusion is inserted through the aperture.