Switch with a movable contact and an elastic assembly

A switch comprising:

• an electrically conductive moveable contact;
• a cam;
• an actuator connected to the electrically conductive moveable contact, the actuator comprising a cam region configured to interact with the cam, wherein the cam is configured to apply a force to the actuator along an axis, and the actuator is configured to move along the axis between a first stable position and a second stable position in response to the force;
• and
• an elastic assembly attached to the actuator at a connection point, the elastic assembly configured to hold the actuator in either the first stable position or the second stable position and to remain attached to the actuator at the connection point while the actuator moves between the first stable position and the second stable position, wherein, when the actuator is in the first stable position, the switch is closed and the electrically conductive moveable contact is connected to a first electrically conductive contact;
• and, when the actuator is in the second stable position, the switch is open and the electrically conductive moveable contact is separated from the first electrically conductive contact.

A switch for an electrical apparatus, the switch comprising:

• an electrically conductive moveable contact;
• an actuator comprising a first end and a second end, the second end of the actuator connected to the electrically conductive moveable contact, the actuator associated with a first stable position in which the electrically conductive moveable contact is electrically connected to a stationary contact and a second stable position in which the electrically conductive moveable contact is disconnected from the stationary contact;
• an elastic assembly coupled to a portion of the actuator between the first end and the second end, wherein the elastic assembly is configured to allow the actuator to move along a linear path between the first stable position and the second stable position and to hold the actuator in the first stable position or the second stable position;
• a support;
• and
• an electrically conductive stationary contact mounted to the support, wherein the elastic assembly is connected to the actuator and the support.

An electrical apparatus comprising:

• a first electrically conductive contact;
• a support;
• a switch comprising:
• an electrically conductive moveable contact;
• a cam;
• an actuator connected to the electrically conductive moveable contact, the actuator comprising a cam region configured to interact with the cam, wherein rotation of the cam moves the actuator between one of two stable positions, the two stable positions comprising a first position and a second position;
• and
• an elastic assembly coupled to the actuator and the support, the elastic assembly configured to hold the actuator in either of the two stable positions;
• and
• a tank that defines an interior region, wherein the switch and the first electrically conductive contact are in the interior region;
• the first electrically conductive contact is mounted to the support;
• when the actuator is in the first position, the switch is closed and the electrically conductive moveable contact is connected to the first electrically conductive contact;
• and, when the actuator is in the second position, the switch is open and the electrically conductive moveable contact is separated from the first electrically conductive contact.