Momentary structure for mini toggle switch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10163586-B2
Application number	US-201615343654-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 4, 2016
Priority date	Nov 4, 2016
Publication date	Dec 25, 2018
Grant date	Dec 25, 2018

Abstract

Embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for providing a bias mechanism for a momentary toggle switch. A toggle switch may comprise a housing; a plurality of contacts disposed within the housing; an actuating lever coupled to a pivot pin, wherein the actuating lever extends into the housing; an actuator assembly coupled to the actuating lever, configured to actuate a movable contact of the plurality of contacts between a first position and a second position; and a biasing mechanism configured to bias the actuator assembly into the first position, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a torque spring.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A toggle switch comprising:
a housing;
a plurality of contacts disposed within the housing;
an actuating lever coupled to a pivot pin, wherein the actuating lever extends into the housing;
an actuator assembly coupled to the actuating lever, configured to actuate a movable contact of the plurality of contacts between a first position and a second position; and
a biasing mechanism configured to bias the actuator assembly into the first position, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a torque spring,
wherein a first coil of the torque spring is disposed on a right side of a vertical plane that bisects the actuating lever and a second coil of the torque spring is disposed on a left side of the vertical plane that bisects the actuating lever.

2. The toggle switch of claim 1 , wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a single torque spring affixed to the housing and configured to engage with the actuating lever.

3. The toggle switch of claim 1 , further comprising a cap coupled to the housing, wherein the actuating lever extends through the cap into the housing, and wherein the pivot pin is coupled to the cap.

4. The toggle switch of claim 1 , wherein the toggle switch comprises a momentary switch; wherein the torque spring comprises a ring that is configured to fit around a protrusion extending from the housing.

5. The toggle switch of claim 1 , wherein the movable contact comprises a curved element attached to an axis, and wherein the actuator assembly is configured to rotate the movable contact about the axis.

6. The toggle switch of claim 1 , wherein the movable contact is electrically coupled to a first contact, wherein the movable contact is in contact with a fixed contact when the movable contact is in the second position, and wherein an electrical connection is formed between the first contact, the movable contact, and the fixed contact in the second position.

7. The toggle switch of claim 6 , wherein the electrical connection between the movable contact and the fixed contact provides an electrical connection to an external device.

8. The toggle switch of claim 1 , wherein the torque spring comprises a fixed end configured to attach to a portion of the housing and a movable end configured to attach to the actuating lever, wherein the movable end moves with respect to the fixed end.

9. The toggle switch of claim 8 , wherein the torque spring comprises at least one coil located between the fixed end and the movable end.

10. The toggle switch of claim 8 , wherein the torque spring comprises two coils located between the fixed end and the movable end, and wherein, when the torque spring is compressed, the two coils are located on either side of the actuating lever.

11. The toggle switch of claim 8 , wherein the torque spring comprises at least one vertical coil located between the fixed end and the movable end, wherein the direction of the vertical coil is approximately perpendicular to the direction of movement of the actuating lever.

12. A method of operating a toggle switch, the method comprising:
providing an actuation force to an actuating lever while the actuating lever is in a first position;
moving an actuator assembly located at an end of the actuating lever from the first position toward a second position in response to the actuation force;
compressing a torque spring disposed about the actuating lever in response to the moving;
and actuating an electrical connection between a movable contact and a fixed contact in response to the moving,
wherein a first coil of the torque spring is disposed on a right side of a vertical plane that bisects the actuating lever and a second coil of the torque spring is disposed on a left side of the vertical plane that bisects the actuating lever.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
releasing the actuation force from the actuating lever;
moving the actuator assembly from the second position toward the first position in response to the bias from the compressed torque spring; and
de-actuating the electrical connection between the movable contact and the fixed contact.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein moving the actuator assembly from the first position toward the second position comprises moving the actuator assembly from one end of a movable contact toward another end of the movable contact.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the torque spring is directly affixed to the actuating lever.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the torque spring is directly affixed to a housing of the toggle switch.

17. A toggle switch comprising:
a housing;
a fixed contact disposed within the housing;
a movable contact disposed within the housing, wherein the movable contact is configured to move between a first position and a second position;
an actuating lever coupled to a pivot pin, wherein the actuating lever extends into the housing;
an actuator assembly coupled to the actuating lever, configured to actuate the movable contact between the first position and the second position; and
a biasing mechanism configured to bias the actuator assembly into the first position, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a torque spring configured to attach to the housing and the actuating lever,
wherein a first coil of the torque spring is disposed on a right side of a vertical plane that bisects the actuating lever and a second coil of the torque spring is disposed on a left side of the vertical plane that bisects the actuating lever.

18. The toggle switch of claim 17 , wherein the movable contact is configured to contact the fixed contact when the movable contact is in the second position.

19. The toggle switch of claim 17 , wherein the movable contact comprises a curved element attached to an axis, and wherein the actuator assembly is configured to rotate the movable contact about the axis.

20. The toggle switch of claim 17 , wherein the torque spring comprises: a fixed end configured to attach to a portion of the housing; a movable end configured to attach to the actuating lever, wherein the movable end moves with respect to the fixed end; and at least one vertical coil located between the fixed end and the movable end, wherein a direction of the vertical coil is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the actuating lever.

Assignees

• Honeywell Int Inc

Inventors

• Zhu Sean
• Zhu Jack
• Qin Wilson
• Deng Dongmei
• Chen Xusheng

Classifications

• H01H3/46

  using rod or lever linkage, e.g. toggle · CPC title

• H01H5/14 Primary

  by twisting of torsion members · CPC title

• H01H9/04

  Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings · CPC title

• H01H2223/002

  sealed · CPC title

• H01H23/26 Primary

  one of which positions is unstable · CPC title