US 11,335,518 B2Granted

Switching element guide

AssigneeRockwell Automation Switzerland GmbH

InventorsDariusz Poczontek, Rahel Von Arx, Marcin Morys, Beat Schreiber

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Abstract

An improved switching device includes a guide configured to reduce undesired movement of the switching element. The guide includes an upper portion configured to receive the switching element and a lower portion configured to receive a spring. The upper portion defines a seat to receive the switching element and includes at least one resilient tab to retain the switching element within the guide. The lower portion defines an opening in which the spring is positioned, where the spring is seated, in part, against the switching element and against the guide. The guide includes guide portions configured to engage a housing on the switching device to prevent rotation of the switching element within the switching device. The switching element further includes protrusions configured to engage each side of the guide and to prevent longitudinal movement of the switching element within the housing.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A guide for a switching element, comprising:

a front member configured to extend longitudinally along a front side of the switching element, the front member having:
a first seat configured to receive a lower surface of the switching element, and
a first tab configured to retain the switching element within the guide;
a rear member configured to extend longitudinally along a rear side of the switching element, the rear member having:
a second seat configured to receive the lower surface of the switching element, and
a second tab configured to retain the switching element within the guide;
a first side member having a front edge and a rear edge, the first side member extending between a first end of a lower portion of the front member and a first end of a lower portion of the rear member, the first side member having:
a first guide portion protruding outward from the front edge of the first side member, and
a second guide portion protruding outward from the rear edge of the first side member;
and
a second side member having a front edge and a rear edge, the second side member extending between a second end of the lower portion of the front member and a second end of the lower portion of the rear member, the second side member having:
a third guide portion protruding outward from the front edge of the second side member, and
a fourth guide portion protruding outward from the rear edge of the second side member, wherein
an opening is defined between the first side member and the second side member,
the opening is configured to receive a spring between the first and second side members, and
the spring engages the lower surface of the switching element, the lower portion of the front member, and the lower portion of the rear member when it is inserted into the opening.

13 more elements

A switching device, comprising:

a plunger configured to move reciprocally along an axis between a first position and a second position;
a spring configured to be selectively compressed as the plunger is moved reciprocally along the axis;
a switching element positioned between the plunger and the spring, wherein:
the switching element has an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces extending between the upper surface and the lower surface,
the spring is seated, at least in part, against the switching element, and
the switching element receives a force applied by the spring in a direction toward the plunger;
and
a guide for the switching element, the guide including:
an upper portion defining a seat configured for the lower surface of the switching element,
at least one tab located on the upper portion, the at least one tab extending along one of the side surfaces and over at least a portion of the upper surface of the switching element and configured to retain the switching element within the guide, and
a lower portion defining an opening through which an end of the spring is seated.

8 more elements

A guide for a switching element, wherein the switching element has an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces extending between the upper and the lower surface, the guide comprising:

an upper portion defining a seat for the lower surface of the switching element,
at least one tab located on the upper portion, the at least one tab extending along one of the side surfaces and over at least a portion of the upper surface of the switching element and configured to retain the switching element within the guide, and
a lower portion defining an opening in which an end of a spring is seated, the end of the spring being seated in part against the switching element and in part against the guide.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/014,784Filed 8 Sep 2020
Published: US 2022/0076900 A110 Mar 2022
Granted: 17 May 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

H01H 1/2008
Bridging contacts: facilitate mounting or replacing contact bridge and pressure spring on carrier
H01H 3/38
Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts: using spring or other flexible shaft coupling
H01H 1/2075
Bridging contacts: t-shaped bridge; bridging contact has lateral arm for mounting resiliently or on a pivot
H01H 1/2083
Bridging contacts: bridging contact surfaces directed at an oblique angle with respect to the movement of the bridge