Electronically controlled switching device

An electrically-controlled, electromagnetic switching device for controlling the flow of electrical current between terminals, said switch comprising:

• a base;
• an input pin;
• a first output pin;
• a second output pin;
• said input, first output, and second output pins being fixed to, and mounted substantially perpendicular to said base;
• a movable reed, said movable reed electrically coupled to the input pin and being movable between a first position wherein the first output pin is electrically coupled to said input pin, and a second position wherein the second output pin is electrically coupled to said input pin;
• an actuator, said actuator includes a center body portion, a permanent magnet attached to said center body portion, an arm integrally molded with said center body portion and extending generally laterally outward from said center body portion, and a finger depending downwardly from said arm, said finger structurally coupled to said movable reed, said actuator movable between first and second positions and being structurally coupled to said movable reed such that the movable reed is in its first position when the actuator is in its first position and the movable reed is in its second position when the actuator is in its second position;
• a magnetic field generator having a hollow centrally located sleeve and a coil wound around the sleeve in a predetermined direction, wherein application of electrical current through said coil creates a magnetic field to move the actuator from its said first position to its said second position.

An electrically-controlled, electromagnetic switching device for controlling the flow of electrical current between a plurality of terminals, said switching device comprising:

• a base;
• an input terminal extending through the base;
• a first output terminal extending through the base;
• a second output terminal extending through the base;
• a contact element, said contact element movable between a first position which electrically couples the first output terminal and the input terminal, and a second position which electrically couples the second output terminal and the input terminal;
• an actuator fixedly coupled to said movable contact element to move said contact element between said first and second positions, said actuator including a ferromagnetic portion;
• a magnetic field generator, said magnetic field generator including a sleeve having an outer surface and upper and lower ends, an upper flange extending laterally outward from the sleeve at the upper end, a lower flange extending laterally outward from the sleeve at the lower end, and a coil having first and second ends, said coil wound around the outer surface of the sleeve between the upper and lower flanges in a predetermined direction;
• a first plug extending through the base;
• a second plug extending through said base;
• a first receptacle attached to said first end of said coil and frictionally receiving said first plug electrically connecting said first plug with said first end of the coil;
• and
• a second receptacle attached to said second end of said coil and frictionally receiving said second plug electrically connecting said second plug with said second end of the coil;
• wherein electrical current applied to said first plug travels to said second plug, via said coil, creating a magnetic field to move the actuator from its said first position to its said second position.

A switching device for controlling the flow of electrical current between a plurality of terminals, said switching device comprising:

• a base, said base including a lower side, an upper side, and a plurality of apertures therein;
• a plurality of electrically conductive shafts, said plurality of shafts including at least an input shaft, a first output shaft, and a second output shaft, each said shaft extending through a respective aperture, and attached and electrically insulated with respect to said base;
• a switching mechanism, said switching mechanism electrically coupling the first output shaft and the input shaft when under a first set of predetermined conditions and electrically coupling the second output shaft and the input shaft when under a second set of predetermined conditions;
• and
• a mounting adapter, said mounting adapter positioned at the lower side of said base and having a body including a plurality of apertures and mounting members extending from said body, each said aperture in said mounting adapter body superimposed below a respective aperture in said base, each said mounting member having a mounting portion permitting the surface mounting of the switching device, and a spacing portion vertically offsetting said mounting portion with respect to said body, each said shaft extending through a respective aperture in said mounting adapter body, affixed with respect to the mounting adapter body, and electrically coupled to a respective mounting member.

A switching device for controlling the flow of electrical current between a plurality of terminals, said switching device comprising:

• a base, said base including a plurality of apertures therein;
• a plurality of electrically conductive shafts, said plurality of shafts including at least an input shaft, a first output shaft, and a second output shaft, each shaft extending through an aperture in said base;
• a switching mechanism, said switching mechanism electrically coupling the first output shaft and the input shaft when under a first set of predetermined conditions and electrically coupling the second output shaft and the input shaft when under a second set of predetermined conditions;
• and
• dielectric compatible plastic material, said dielectric compatible plastic material located in said apertures structurally retaining the shafts therein, preventing undesired movement of the shafts with respect to the base, and electrically insulating said shafts with respect to said base.