Common Bias Patents (Class 200/11E)
  • Patent number: 5061831
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed switch with multiple switching positions comprises an actuator welded or soldered to a metallic diaphragm. The diaphragm is in turn welded or soldered to the inner walls of the switch housing. The diaphragm is flexible and allows the actuator to pivot about the welded portion. The pivoting motion causes rotation at each end of the actuator. Therefore, if one end of the actuator is rotated, the other end will similarly rotate about while the weld between the actuator and the diaphragm remains intact. The sealed end of the actuator is inserted into a rotor. The rotor has a metal piece which rotates in a circular manner and couples individual contacts to a common electrical ground. Each contact represents a different switch setting. As the metal piece of the rotor couples the contact with the ground, current is allowed to flow between the two and the setting represented by the contact is selected. Electrical leads couple the contacts and the ground to the sealed host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip D. Stevens, Arthur W. Mittendorf