High power, single-use electrical switch
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorAndrew Carlberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A high power, single-use electrical switch includes a spring-biased plunger contact that mates with a corresponding socket contact, a spacer that provides a separation clearance between the contacts prior to activation of the switch, and a shear tab that supports the spacer and is removed from the switch to enable engagement between the contacts and activation of the switch. Using the shear tab for activation of the switch enables a compact and small form factor assembly that is suitable for use in smaller electronic assemblies.
Claims19
An electrical switch comprising:
- a housing;
- first and second electrical contacts supported by the housing;
- a shear tab removably attached to the housing;
- a spacer supported by the shear tab and configured to provide a separation clearance between the first and second electrical contacts prior to activation of the electrical switch when the first and second electrical contacts are disengaged, wherein the shear tab is detachable from the housing to remove the spacer from the electrical switch and enable engagement of the first and second electrical contacts during activation of the electrical switch;
- and
- at least one frangible fastener configured to secure the shear tab to the housing prior to activation of the electrical switch when the first and second electrical contacts are disengaged, wherein the electrical switch is a single-use switch in which the first and second electrical contacts are configured to only engage once after the electrical switch is activated.
A method of activating an electronic assembly, the method comprising:
- biasing first and second electrical contacts toward each other;
- maintaining a separation clearance between the first and second electrical contacts prior to activation of the electrical switch when the first and second electrical contacts are disengaged using a shear tab that supports a spacer;
- exerting a force against the shear tab to remove the spacer thereby enabling engagement of the first and second electrical contacts, wherein the electrical switch is a single-use switch in which the first and second electrical contacts are configured to only engage once after the electrical switch is activated;
- securing the shear tab to a housing that supports the first and second electrical contacts by at least one frangible fastener prior to activation of the electrical switch when the first and second electrical contacts are disengaged;
- and
- breaking the frangible fastener by exerting the force against the shear tab.
An electrical switch comprising:
- a housing;
- first and second electrical contacts supported by the housing;
- a shear tab removably attached to the housing;
- and
- a spacer supported by the shear tab and configured to provide a separation clearance between the first and second electrical contacts, wherein the shear tab is detachable from the housing to remove the spacer from the electrical switch and enable engagement of the first and second electrical contacts during activation of the electrical switch, wherein the spacer is a screw formed of an insulating material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.