Abstract: In a key switch device, a guide member constructed of a first and a second links, which guides a vertical movement of a key top, is movably mounted on a support plate with a mounting member provided with a rotatable shaft formed at a lower end of the first link and a slidably supporting position which sidably supports a slidable shaft formed at a lower end of the second link. The mounting member 6 is fixed on the support plate with a first, second, and third adhesive layers.

Abstract: A switch assembly is described having one or more switches and a holder. The switches are preferably of a pushbutton type having an outwardly extending flange. The holder includes a cover and base with a pair of upright arms. The cover includes a three-sided opening. As assembled, the upright arms receive a switch and the combination is received in the three-sided opening of the cover. A switch subassembly is further described having a circuit board and quick-disconnect unit. Such improved switch and switch subassembly allow a technician to quickly change out a defunct alarm system switch.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to tactile switch assemblies having stepped printed circuit boards for use with snap-domes in surgical instruments. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure a tactile switch assembly for use with a surgical instrument includes a substrate, an inner terminal disposed on an upper surface of the substrate and having a first height, an outer terminal disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and substantially surrounding the inner terminal and having a second height which is greater than the height of the inner terminal and a snap-dome secured to the substrate and having a periphery engaged to and in electrical communication with the outer terminal. The snap-dome is depressible through a range wherein, upon inversion of the snap-dome, an apex of the snap dome electrically connect the inner and outer terminals.

Abstract: A first conductive member and a second conductive member are disposed on a first face of a circuit board. A click spring is disposed on the first conductive member and deformed so as to establish an electrical contact between the first conductive member and the second conductive member, when a depressing force is applied thereto. An insulating film is disposed above the click spring. A spacer is interposed between the insulating film and the circuit board such that a first face thereof opposes to a first face of the insulating film and a second face thereof opposes to the first face of the circuit board. An adhesive layer is interposed between the first face of the circuit board and the second face of the spacer. The first adhesive layer has a viscosity such an extent that the spacer and the circuit board are detached from each other without damage.

Abstract: A centrifugal operated switch particularly suitable for operating a circuit for starter windings of a motor. A spindle is connected to and rotated by the motor shaft. Swing arms connected to the spindle move upwardly and outwardly in response to rotational speed of the spindle. A plunger is movable in the spindle, and moves together with movement of the swing arms. The plunger is operationally connected to a contactor having one end electrically connected to a first terminal, and a second end alternatively connected to and disconnected from a second terminal. Movement of the plunger causes movement of the contactor.

Abstract: A single-pole circuit interrupter is provided that includes a sealed housing containing a pressurized gas, relatively movable contacts and an operating mechanism for operating the relatively movable contacts. The operating mechanism is responsive to a low-speed rotational charging input and includes energy storage means capable of being charged and storing operating energy and charging means responsive to the low-speed rotational charging input for charging the energy storage means. Thus, the only seal to the environment for the overall single-pole circuit interrupter is at the single low-speed charging input. The operating mechanism includes linear stored energy devices arranged so as to generally define one or more planes or arrays and a latch arrangement that is disposed intermediate the stored energy devices and operating in a direction substantially perpendicular to the one or more planes or arrays.

Abstract: A foot controller 10 for use in ophthalmic surgery includes an accelerator-type pedal 14 for activating and controlling various surgical instruments, and a door 18 covering a switch 24. The door functions as a heel-rest when in a closed position and as a switch-shroud when in an open position.

Abstract: A structure of an electronic switch is disclosed. The structure of the electronic switch comprises an adjustment groove in the neck portion of the button, a pressing element disposed in the adjustment groove, and an elastic plate area which is defined by a slit of the case of the switch. A plurality of pressing points in a form of grooves is disposed on the elastic plate area at a position where the adjustment groove is positioned, wherein the grooves correspond to every electrical signals generated by the switch, allowing to press and push the button to move the pressing element in right and left, or up and down directions through an external force, in doing so, the pressing element presses the corresponding pressing points generating the corresponding obvious synchronization contact stimulation.

Abstract: An operating arrangement is provided for a mechanism or the like, e.g. an operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter for electrical power transmission and distribution systems where the operating mechanism operates on stored energy and requires a recharging operation after the stored energy is utilized to operate the circuit interrupter. The operating arrangement includes an operating member and a cooperating arrangement carried by the operating mechanism for retaining the operating member during a multi-turn charging operation. Initial operation of the operating member for one or more turns causes the operating member to be retained before any charging operation takes place. Subsequent operation of the operating member results in the charging of the operating mechanism. The operating member is then returned to an initial engagement position whereupon the operating member is released for removal from the operating mechanism.

Abstract: A sensor element and a touch switch arrangement have a sensor surface, which engages on the underside of a control surface. The sensor surface is at least partly light-transmitting and is illuminated from below by a LED as the light source. A Funnel-shaped, closed light guide structure is provided, which guides or conducts the light from the LED to the sensor surface or shield against the environment. The light guide structure can additionally have further function(s) such as securing in position or electrical contacting of the sensor surface.

Abstract: A micromachine switch for use in a millimeter wave circuit and a microwave circuit is simpler in structure than conventional micromachine switches. The micromachine switch has first and second high-frequency signal lines (1b, 1a), cantilever (11) fixed to an end of the first high-frequency signal line (1b) and extending to a position above second high-frequency signal line (1a), first insulating means (15) disposed on second high-frequency signal line (1a), second insulating means (14) disposed in an area where cantilever (11) and second high-frequency signal line (1a) confront each other, and first control signal line (2) connected between an end of second high-frequency signal line (1a) and first insulating means (15), for applying a control signal.

Abstract: When elastic driver (13) tilts, elastic pressing portion (13B) thereof depresses the upper face of flexible insulated substrate (15), thereby bringing circular-ring-like upper resistor layer (16) on the bottom face of flexible insulated substrate (15) into partial contact with lower conductor layer (17) opposed to the upper resistor layer. In this state, a computing unit (not shown) recognizes the tilt direction and the tilt angle of elastic driver (13) according to information from leads of upper resistor layer (16) and lower conductor layer (17).

Abstract: The organic MEMS according to the present invention comprises a polymeric substrate comprising a substrate surface including a first region and a second region. A polymer coating is applied to the first region to provide a coating surface that is spaced apart from the substrate surface. A terminal is disposed on the second region. A metallic trace is affixed to the coating surface such that the metallic trace forms a flexible extension over the second region. The extension has a rest position where the extension is spaced apart from the terminal, and a flexed position where the extension is disposed towards the terminal. An actuator is used to provide an electric field to deflect the extension from the rest position to the flexed position. By changing the spacing between the extension and the terminal, it is possible to change the electrical condition provided by the MEMS.

Abstract: A device is provided which is adapted to electrostatically pull a cantilever away from a conductive pad. In particular, a microelectromechanical device is provided which includes a fulcrum contact structure interposed between two electrodes spaced under a cantilever and a conductive pad arranged laterally adjacent to one of the electrodes. The cantilever may be brought into contact with the conductive pad by residual forces within the cantilever and/or an application of a closing voltage to one of the electrodes. Such a device may be adapted bring the cantilever in contact with the fulcrum contact structure by applying an actuation voltage to the other of the electrodes. In addition, the actuation voltage may deflect the cantilever away from the conductive pad. In some cases, deflecting the cantilever from the conductive pad may include releasing the closing voltage and increasing the actuation voltage subsequent to the release of the closing voltage.

Abstract: A switch mechanism comprising a housing in which a switch is mounted, the switch being actuable to switch between first and second conditions. A cam is mounted within the housing to rotate about a predetermined cam axis, the cam defining a cam surface against which a cam follower bears such that rotation of the cam causes displacement of the cam follower to activate the switch. An actuator shaft which may be connected to a safety rope is mounted to be axially displaceable within the housing, the actuator shaft being mechanically coupled to the cam such that axial displacement of the shaft causes the cam to rotate about its axis. The actuator shaft is positionable in an intermediate axial position in which the cam is rotatable to a predetermined rotational position such that the cam follower causes the switch to assume the first condition.

Abstract: An improved remote actuator for use with a circuit breaker includes a handle assembly that can be disposed at the exterior of a cabinet and an actuation assembly that is operatively connected with the handle assembly and with the circuit breaker. The remote actuator includes a spring that is connected with a transfer link of the handle assembly and that biases a handle of the handle assembly to either an ON position or an OFF position. The remote actuator includes a fulcrum member on a bracket of the actuation assembly that at least partially overcomes the bias of the spring to facilitate assembly of the remote actuator.

Abstract: A foot controller 32 for use with ophthalmic surgical equipment 34 includes a foot controller 32 having a door 18. Door 18 covers a surgical switch 24 when door 18 is in a closed position, and door 18 is a shroud for a surgical switch 24 when door 18 is in an open position. A door-position sensor 48 disables activation of the surgical switch 24, except when the door is in an open position.

Abstract: A key input device for portable terminals and the like, having a reduced sized and improved key input operation. The device has a wiring substrate, multiple keys on the substrate, with each key having three-dimensional displacement surfaces that are displacable in a linked fashion relative to one another. The displacement surfaces have a preceding displacement surface and a succeeding displacement surface corresponding respectively to a preceding and a succeeding key displacement. A first switching operation occurs when a first key part of a first key and first substrate part of the wiring substrate are brought into mechanical contact with each other on the basis of displacement of the preceding displacement surface. A second switching operation results when a second key part of a second key and a second substrate part of the wiring surface are contacted on the basis of displacement of the succeeding displacement surface.

Abstract: An indicator reset tool is for a movable arc fault indicator of a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker further includes a housing enclosing separable contacts, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts, and an operating handle protruding through an opening in the housing. An actuator actuates the movable indicator arc fault indicator and actuates the operating mechanism to trip the separable contacts open. The indicator reset tool includes a reset member having a first end with an indicator engaging portion structured to depress and reset the movable arc fault indicator. The second end of the reset member includes a handle portion for gripping by a user.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical relay and a method of fabricating the same that combines electrostatic actuation with electromagnetic actuation. The relay has very low contact resistance when the relay is in its ON state and enhanced contact-to-contact isolation when the relay is in its OFF state. The relay includes a substrate having a trench formed therein, a first pair of contacts located in the trench and an actuator for controllably establishing electrical contact between the first pair of contacts. The actuator includes spaced apart supports on the substrate and a movable beam extending between the supports. A contact cross bar is located on the movable beam facing the first pair of contacts. A first electrode is located on the movable beam and a second electrode is located on the substrate. Electromagnetic force is used to deflect the movable beam towards the substrate and then electrostatic force is used to bring the contact cross bar in physical contact with the first pair of contacts.