Switches with integral overcurrent protection components
AssigneeMP Hollywood
InventorsRobert D. Montgomery, James C. Allison
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Switches with integrated overcurrent protection elements are described. The overcurrent protection elements can include a bimetallic structure which is configured to move between a first shape and a second shape in response to heating. The overcurrent protection element can be rotationally coupled to a rotary knob in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the overcurrent protection element can be fixed, and the rotary knob can be connected to one or more rotatable conductive structures within the rotary switch.
Claims20
A rotary switch including an integrated overcurrent protection device, the switch comprising:
- a housing
- a first terminal extending into the housing and electrically connected to a first terminal contact point;
- a second terminal extending into the housing and electrically connected to a second terminal contact point;
- an overcurrent protection element located within the housing and configured to be placed in electrical communication with the first terminal contact point at a first stationary contact location supported by the first terminal contact point and in electrical communication with the second terminal contact point at a second stationary contact location supported by the second terminal contact point;
- a third terminal extending into the housing and electrically connected to a third terminal contact point;
- a knob rotatable with respect to the housing;
- and
- an arcuate bus bar located within the housing and rotationally coupled to the knob to rotate in response to rotation of the knob, the arcuate bus bar movable between a first angular orientation in which the arcuate bus bar is electrically connected to the first terminal contact point and the third terminal contact point, and a second angular orientation in which the arcuate bus bar is not in electrical communication with either of the first terminal contact point or the third terminal contact point.
A rotary switch including an integrated overcurrent protection device, the switch comprising:
- a housing;
- a first terminal extending into the housing and electrically connected to a first terminal contact point;
- a second terminal extending into the housing and electrically connected to a second terminal contact point;
- a third terminal extending into the housing and electrically connected to a third terminal contact point;
- an overcurrent protection element located within the housing;
- a knob rotatable with respect to the housing;
- and
- a rotatable conductive element located within the housing and rotationally coupled to the knob to rotate in response to rotation of the knob, the conductive element rotatable between a first angular orientation in which the conductive element is electrically connected to the first and second terminal contact points and a second angular orientation in which the rotatable conductive element is not electrically connected to at least one of the first and second terminal contact points.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.