Compact magnetic switch for circuit boards
AssigneeMagnasphere Corporation
InventorJoseph C. Hedeen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Small, low-profile magnetic switch assemblies (26, 76, 126, 168) include a base (38, 78, 156) equipped with first and second laterally spaced apart switch electrodes, indentations (62, 102, 158) between the electrodes, and electrically conductive movable components (72, 110, 166), which are magnetically shiftable between a first switch position in simultaneous contact with the base electrodes, and a second switch position out of such simultaneous contact. The switch position of the component (72, 110, 166) is determined by the magnetic field conditions experienced by the component (72, 110, 166). The indentations (62, 102, 158) and associated shiftable components (72, 110, 166) permit the assemblies (26, 76, 126, 168) to be constructed as comparatively tiny units, which may be mounted on circuit boards.
Claims27
A magnetic switch assembly comprising:
- a base presenting a lower surface and an opposed upper surface, said base having first and second laterally spaced apart electrodes with an indentation between said electrodes and extending below the upper surface of the base;
- a cover secured to said base and extending upwardly therefrom, said base and cover cooperatively presenting a housing,
- said cover having a dielectric tubular section extending upwardly from said base, and an electrically conductive top plate surmounting said tubular section;
- and
- a magnetic operating assembly including an electrically conductive component within said housing and shiftable between a first switch position wherein said component is in simultaneous electrical contact with said first and second electrodes, and a second shift position where said component is out of said simultaneous contact,
- said operating assembly serving to create a magnetic field condition to shift said component to said first switch position when said switch is at one location, and to create a different magnetic field condition to shift said component to said second switch position when said switch is at another location.
A magnetic switch assembly comprising a base and a cover secured to said base, said cover having a dielectric tubular section extending upwardly from said base, and an electrically conductive top plate surmounting said tubular section, said base and cover cooperatively defining a housing, said base having a bottom surface and an opposed top surface, said base further including first and second spaced apart electrodes with an indentation between said electrodes and extending below the upper surface of the base, a component within said housing and shiftable between first and second switch positions depending upon the magnetic condition acting on said component, said first switch position being when said component is in simultaneous contact with said first and second electrodes, said second switch position being when the component is out of such simultaneous contact.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.