Force switch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12009166-B2
Application number	US-202117452051-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 22, 2021
Priority date	May 19, 2006
Publication date	Jun 11, 2024
Grant date	Jun 11, 2024

Abstract

A method of adjusting a switch of a device, wherein the method comprises using a biasing force-adjusting element to adjust a magnitude of a biasing force that is imparted to a switching element of the switch by a biasing element that is disposed about the switching element. The biasing force places the switching element in one of a first position and a second position, wherein the first position corresponds to a first electrical state and the second position corresponds to a second electrical state.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of adjusting a switch of a device, comprising:
using a biasing force-adjusting element, adjusting a magnitude of a biasing force imparted to a switching element of the switch by a biasing element disposed about the switching element, wherein:
the biasing force places the switching element in one of a first position and a second position, the first position corresponding to a first electrical state and the second position corresponding to a second electrical state;
the biasing force-adjusting element comprises a stop element;
the switching element comprises a bias contact;
the biasing element:
is disposed about at least a portion of the switching element between the stop element and the bias contact; and
is a compression spring compressed between the bias contact and the stop element around the switching element to bias the switching element in a direction away from the stop element.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein an electrically-conductive contact is coupled to the switching element to define:
the first electrical state when the switching element is in the first position; and
the second electrical state when the switching element is in the second position.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the switching element moves to the other one of the first position and second position when a magnitude of an external force imparted to the switching element exceeds the magnitude of the biasing force.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the switching element is a piston.

5. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the electrically-conductive contact is movable along a switching axis in-between the first position and the second position.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the magnitude of the biasing force is dependent upon a longitudinal position of the stop element.

7. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the electrically-conductive contact is electrically insulated from the switching element.

8. The method according to claim 2 , wherein a circuit is electrically connected to the switching element and the electrically-conductive contact and comprises an indicator operable to transmit state-change information to signal that a state change of the switching element has occurred.

9. A method of operating a switch of a device, comprising:
using a biasing element that is disposed about a switching element of the switch, imparting a biasing force to the switching element to place the switching element in one of a first position and a second position, wherein:
a first electrical state of the switch occurs when the switching element is in the first position;
a second electrical state of the switch occurs when the switching element is in the second position;
the biasing force-adjusting element comprises a stop element;
the switching element comprises a bias contact;
the biasing element is:
disposed about at least a portion of the switching element between the stop element and the bias contact; and
a compression spring compressed between the bias contact and the stop element around the switching element to bias the switching element in a direction away from the stop element; and

changing electrical states by imparting an external force to the switching element at a magnitude exceeding the biasing force such that the switching element moves from the other one of the first position and second position.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the switching element is a piston.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein an electrically-conductive contact is coupled to the switching element and is movable along a switching axis in-between the first position and the second position.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the magnitude of the biasing force is dependent upon a longitudinal position of the stop element.

13. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the electrically-conductive contact is electrically insulated from the switching element.

14. A method of adjusting a switch of a device, comprising:
using a biasing force-adjusting element, adjusting a magnitude of a biasing force imparted to a switching element of the switch by a biasing element disposed about the switching element, wherein:
the biasing force-adjusting element is disposed in cooperative engagement with the biasing element;
the biasing force places the switching element in one of a first position and a second position, the first position corresponding to a first electrical state and the second position corresponding to a second electrical state;
the biasing force-adjusting element comprises a stop element;
the switching element comprises a bias contact;
the biasing element:
is disposed about at least a portion of the switching element between the stop element and the bias contact; and
is a compression spring compressed between the bias contact and the stop element around the switching element to bias the switching element in a direction away from the stop element.

Assignees

• Cilag Gmbh Int

Inventors

• Smith Kevin W

Classifications

• H01H2235/01

  Spiral spring · CPC title

• H01H2203/00

  Form of contacts · CPC title

• H01H13/18

  adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. door switch, limit switch, floor-levelling switch of a lift · CPC title

• A61B17/068

  Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) · CPC title

• H01H11/00

  Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches (processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88) · CPC title