Double pole double throw switch

A double pole double throw (DPDT) tactile switch comprising:

• a housing defining an internal cavity;
• first and second input conductors extending through a first sidewall of the housing and terminating in respective first and second input contact terminals within the internal cavity;
• first and second open circuit output conductors extending through a second sidewall of the housing and terminating in respective first and second open circuit output contact terminals within the internal cavity;
• first and second closed circuit output conductors extending through the second sidewall and terminating in respective first and second closed circuit output contact terminals within the internal cavity;
• first and second movable input contacts connected to the first and second input contact terminals, respectively, extending through the internal cavity and terminating in respective first and second free ends disposed over the first and second closed circuit output contact terminals;
• first and second fixed open circuit output contacts connected to the first and second open circuit output contact terminals, respectively, and defining respective first and second pads that extend over the first and second free ends of the first and second movable input contacts, respectively;
• a bascule element pivotably mounted within the internal cavity and having a cantilevered portion extending over the first and second free ends of the first and second movable input contacts;
• a tactile dome disposed within the internal cavity and extending over the bascule element;
• and
• a flexible actuator disposed atop the housing and over the tactile dome, wherein the flexible actuator is formed of an elastic material and comprises an upwardly extending button adapted to be manually engaged by a user, and a plunger extending downwardly from an underside of the button, wherein a bottom surface of the plunger is disposed directly above the tactile dome, wherein the button is adapted to be depressed in response to application of a manual force and to automatically return to an undepressed position when the manual force is removed;
• wherein, when the button is not depressed and the DPDT tactile switch is in a non-actuated state, the first and second free ends of the first and second movable input contacts are in contact with the first and second pads of the first and second fixed open circuit output contacts, respectively, creating a path for electrical current to flow from the first and second input conductors to the first and second open circuit output conductors;
• and
• wherein, when the button is depressed and the DPDT tactile switch is in an actuated state, the plunger of the flexible actuator presses on the tactile dome, causing the tactile dome to deflect and press on the bascule element, causing the bascule element to press on the first and second free ends of the first and second movable input contacts, moving the first and second free ends out of contact with the first and second pads of the first and second fixed open circuit output contacts and into contact with the first and second closed circuit output contact terminals, respectively, creating a path for electrical current to flow from the first and second input conductors to the first and second closed circuit output conductors.

A double pole double throw (DPDT) snap switch comprising:

• a housing defining an internal cavity;
• first and second input conductors extending through a first sidewall of the housing and terminating in respective first and second input contact terminals within the internal cavity;
• first and second open circuit output conductors extending through a second sidewall of the housing and terminating in respective first and second open circuit output contact terminals within the internal cavity;
• first and second closed circuit output conductors extending through the second sidewall and terminating in respective first and second closed circuit output contact terminals within the internal cavity;
• first and second movable input contacts connected to the first and second input contact terminals, respectively, extending through the internal cavity and terminating in respective first and second free ends disposed over the first and second closed circuit output contact terminals;
• first and second fixed open circuit output contacts connected to the first and second open circuit output contact terminals, respectively, and defining respective first and second pads that extend over the first and second free ends of the first and second movable input contacts, respectively;
• a bascule element pivotably mounted within the internal cavity and having a cantilevered portion extending over the first and second free ends of the first and second movable input contacts;
• a tactile dome disposed within the internal cavity and extending over the bascule element;
• a spring-loaded actuator disposed atop the housing and over the tactile dome, the spring-loaded actuator comprising:
• a plunger located above the tactile dome;
• and
• a coil spring disposed atop the tactile dome and extending into a cavity formed in a bottom of the plunger;
• a housing cap disposed atop the housing and having an aperture through which the plunger extends;
• and
• a sealing boot disposed atop the housing cover, over the plunger, with a tip of the plunger extending through an aperture in a top of the sealing boot and defining a button adapted to be manually engaged by a user;
• wherein, when the button is not engaged and the DPDT snap switch is in a non-actuated state, the first and second free ends of the first and second movable input contacts are in contact with the first and second pads of the first and second fixed open circuit output contacts, respectively, creating a path for electrical current to flow from the first and second input conductors to the first and second open circuit output conductors;
• and
• wherein, when the button is engaged and the DPDT snap switch is in an actuated state, the coil spring of the spring-loaded actuator is compressed between the plunger and the tactile dome, causing the tactile dome to deflect and press on the bascule element, causing the bascule element to press on the first and second free ends of the first and second movable input contacts, moving the first and second free ends out of contact with the first and second pads of the first and second fixed open circuit output contacts and into contact with the first and second closed circuit output contact terminals, respectively, creating a path for electrical current to flow from the first and second input conductors to the first and second closed circuit output conductors.