An electrical switch and a switching blade therefor
AssigneeIntrol IP Limited
InventorAndrew Joseph PALMER
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Energy regulators which use a bi-metallic strip to open and close electrical contacts are commonly used in household appliances for temperature regulation. This approach however often results in a slow connection and disconnection of the electrical contacts. This can result in arcing which can reduce the life of the switching components and/or cause the contacts to bond together which poses a potential safety risk. Disclosed is a switching blade suitable for use in an energy regulator in which the electrical contacts are connected and disconnected rapidly. Also described is an improvement to the construction of the switching blade whereby the movement of the blade may provide an impact or jolt to separate contacts which may have bonded together.
Claims21
1-41. (canceled)
A switching blade for an electrical switch, the switching blade comprising:
- a surround;
- an attachment point;
- and
- a blade which includes a head, the head carrying an electrical contact,
- wherein the blade is configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the head of the blade is spaced apart from and able to move relative to the surround, and in the second position the blade abuts an interfering member such that the head of the blade and the surround are able to move in unison relative to the attachment point.
An electrical switch, comprising:
- a housing;
- and
- a switching blade, the switching blade including:
- a surround;
- an attachment point;
- and
- a blade which includes a head, the head carrying an electrical contact,
- wherein the blade is configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the head of the blade is spaced apart from and able to move relative to the surround, and in the second position the blade abuts an interfering member such that the head of the blade and the surround are able to move in unison relative to the attachment point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.