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US 5,047,628 AGranted
Hybrid switch with solid-state condition
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsRonald Schmidt, Roy Robertson, John C. Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hybrid switch includes a snap-action switching portion having a butterfly-type mechanism and a solid-state switching portion formed within a single, compact housing. The solid-state switching portion is formed of an electro-electronic device consisting of a light-emitting diode and a phototransistor. Alternatively, the solid-state switching portion is formed of a bipolar transistor.
Claims21
A compact solid-state/mechanical hybrid switch, comprising:
- housing means;
- actuating means disposed within said housing means for movement between a first position and a second position;
- return spring means disposed within said housing means and operatively connected to said actuating means for returning said actuating means from said second position to said first position when pressure is removed from said actuating means;
- first terminal means disposed within said housing means and including a first pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members electrically connected within a first electrical circuit, and a second pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members electrically connected within a second electrical circuit;
- solid-state switching means fixedly disposed within said housing means and disposed within said first electrical circuit for producing selective switching between low and high logic levels at second terminal means disposed within said housing means;
- and
- switch butterfly assembly means disposed within said housing means and including a pair of oppositely disposed movable switch contact blade members pivotably mounted upon said actuating means for movement between said first pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members and said second pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members, in response to said movement of said actuating means between said first position and said second position, for alternatively controlling said first electrical circuit, electrically connected to said first pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members, and within which said solid-state switching means is incorporated, and said second electrical circuit electrically connected to said second pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members.
4 more elements
A compact solid-state/mechanical hybrid switch, comprising:
- housing means;
- actuating means disposed within said housing means for movement between a first position and a second position;
- return spring means disposed within said housing means and operatively connected to said actuating means for returning said actuating means from said second position to said first position when pressure is removed from said actuating means;
- first terminal means disposed within said housing means and including a first pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members electrically connected within a first electrical circuit, and a second pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members electrically connected within a second electrical circuit;
- solid-state switching means fixedly disposed within said housing means and disposed within said first electrical circuit for producing selective electronic switching between low and high logic levels at second terminal means disposed within said housing means;
- and
- snap-action switching means disposed within said housing means and mounted upon said actuating means for movement between said first pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members and said second pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members, in response to said movement of said actuating means between said first position and said second position, for providing selective mechanical switching connections between said first pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members, and said first electrical circuit controlled thereby and within which said solid-state switching means is incorporated, and said second pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members and said second electrical circuit controlled thereby.
4 more elements
A compact solid-state/mechanical hybrid switch, comprising:
- housing means;
- first terminal means disposed within said housing means and including a first pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members electrically connected within a first electrical circuit, and a second pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members electrically connected within a second electrical circuit;
- solid-state switching means fixedly disposed within said housing means and disposed within said first electrical circuit for producing selective electronic switching between low and high logic levels at second terminal means disposed within said housing means;
- and
- snap-action switching means disposed within said housing means and mounted upon said actuating means for movement between said first pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members and said second pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members, in response to said movement of said actuating means between said first position and said second position, for providing selective mechanical switching connections between said first pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members, and said first electrical circuit controlled thereby and within which said solid-state switching means is incorporated, and said second pair of oppositely disposed fixed contact members and said second electrical circuit controlled thereby.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.