Abstract: An electronic switch comprises a substrate having a surface and an embedded electrode, a droplet of conductive liquid located over the embedded electrode, and a power source configured to create an electric circuit including the droplet of conductive liquid. The surface comprises a feature that determines a contact angle between the surface and the droplet.

Abstract: A button assembly of a control panel assembly, which includes buttons each enabling execution of a selected operation of a drum washing machine when pressed, is disclosed. The button assembly includes a control panel provided with a plurality of button holes, a printed circuit board fixedly mounted to a rear surface of the control panel, a vertical rib attached to the control panel, a plurality of vertically-arranged horizontal ribs each having one end connected to the vertical rib, a plurality of buttons each connected to the other end of an associated one of the horizontal ribs, and slidably fitted in an associated one of the button holes, and flow guides each adapted to guide water, penetrating an associated one of the button holes, downward along a predetermined flow path.

Abstract: A combination switch comprising a body 1 mounted in a bracket of a vehicle body side, the body 1 including lever switches on a right side and a left side of the body 1, a bottom cover 3 detachably mounted to the body 1, the bottom cover 3 supporting a flat cable for supplying power from the vehicle body side to a steering wheel side, as well as including a right and a left connector support section 11, 13 corresponding to the lever switches on the right and the left side and a connection cord 5, wherein both ends of connectors 15, 17 are supported to the connector support sections 11, 13 and the connectors 15, 17 are connected to the lever switches by the connection cord 5, is characterized in that a cord engagement section 27 is projected on an outer peripheral section of the bottom cover 1, and the connection cord 5 is engaged to the outer peripheral section of the cord engagement section 27 to be disposed along an outer peripheral side of the bottom cover 3 so as to bypass the bottom cover 3.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an information input system for a terminal and a multifunctional button assembly for use in the information input system and methods for operating the same. The multifunctional button assembly can include a lever control button, a rotary button and a switch that can be mounted on a substrate. The multifunctional button assembly of the invention can provide advantages in that since the number of functions provided by the multifunctional button assembly is relatively increased, more functions can be concurrently employed, and a terminal employing the multifunctional button assembly can be manufactured to be light, thin, short and compact.

Abstract: A pin anchoring structure for button switches has a wiring space in an insulation seat to hold a first pin and a second pin that are separated. Through a pressing action, the first pin and the second pin form an electric connection via a conductive connection member. The second pin has a pressed coupling section which is formed in a bulged curve. The seat has a bottom which also is formed in another bulged curve corresponding to the pressed coupling section. Thereby the second pin can be anchored securely on the bottom of the seat.

Abstract: A large actuation area switching device includes a housing for holding a switch, means for compression and at least three slotted hinges. The slotted hinges create axes of operation such that a force applied to any point on the surface of the housing actuates the switch.

Abstract: A push-on switch in which dome-like movable contacts are placed in an invertible manner in two or upper and lower stages in an accommodating portion of an insulative body having plural stationary contacts. In order to fix the lower movable contact without using a dedicated pressing member, and enhance cost reduction and production efficiency, a leg portion is elongated from an outer peripheral edge portion of the lower movable contact, and the leg portion has a pressed portion in which a tip end is upward bent to protrude toward an upper face of the upper movable contact. When the lower mov-able contact is positionally fixed to the body, the pressed portion is pressed from the upper side by fixing structure for the upper movable contact, and the lower movable contact is positionally fixed.

Abstract: Electrical switch designed for high voltage and/or current and surrounded by a housing (2) divided into a first part (2?) forming a first compartment for taking up at least one switching device (3) and an appurtenant actuator device (4), and a second part (2?) forming a second compartment for connecting of at least one phase. At least the first part (2?) of the housing (2) is pressure sealed encapsulated and filled with oil under pressure.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for actuating a switch that transmits motion from a first component, which moves along a first path, to a system that is attached to the mechanism. The mechanism includes a second component that moves transverse to the first path and a third component having a switch actuating portion, wherein movement of the first component causes the third component to actuate the switch using motion that is generally along the first path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slider which is less likely to cause a drastic change in a contact state such as instantaneous disconnection. The slider according to the present invention has teeth 13 of a comb shaped like a narrow sheet being rectangular in cross section and making a contact at a tip of the teeth with a surface to be slid on. The slider has a slider body extending to a proximal end side of the teeth 13 of a comb, and the teeth 13 of a comb has at the tip thereof a projection 13a, which is narrower than the width dimension of a proximal end portion of the teeth of a comb. A slider having such teeth 13 of a comb will prevent a drastic change in a contact state such as instantaneous disconnection between the tip of the teeth 13 of a comb of the slider and a surface to be slid on from occurring, so that generation of noise in signals (or electric current) flowing through the slider and deterioration in resistance properties of the slider are prevented.

Abstract: An operating mechanism is for a circuit breaker housed by an enclosure assembly including a panel movable between a closed position and an open position. The operating mechanism includes a linkage and an operating member. The operating mechanism is coupled to the handle of the circuit breaker to provide operation of the handle from the exterior of the enclosure when the panel is closed. The operating member includes a first end having an engaging portion coupled to the linkage of the operating mechanism, and a second end structured for gripping by a user. The operating member enables the handle of the circuit breaker to be operated, without requiring the use of separate hand tools, when the panel of the enclosure is open and the handle portion of the operating member is actuated.

Abstract: A switch device is provided that includes a first switch portion in which an upper electrode and lower electrodes face each other at a predetermined gap and a second switch portion having metal domes which are disposed at a lower side facing the first switch portion and expand to a predetermined height. A first spacer having a predetermined thickness A is disposed in the first switch portion to form a gap between the upper electrode and the lower electrodes, a second spacer having a thickness B equal to or greater than the expanded height of the metal domes is disposed in the second switch portion, and the thickness of the second spacer is greater than that of the first spacer.

Abstract: The game apparatus is provided with the cylindrical portion rotating with the axis on the side face of the base portion of the master control lever. Two projecting parts are sticking out from the columnar surface of the cylindrical portion. In addition, two leaf switches are provided corresponding to the master control lever. The leaf switch is turned on when the projecting part contacts with the contact member of the leaf switch while the master control lever is rotating. In this way, operation of the master control lever is detected by using the leaf switches rather than rotary switches.

Abstract: This portable device relates to an in-line illuminated switch. The switch has a soft glowing light which is visible in a darkened room. Elderly people remove their eyeglasses when resting, and the soft glowing light locates the switch when light is required at bedside.

Abstract: A keypad suitable for being disposed on a circuit board is provided. The keypad is in contact with the circuit board to generate an electrical signal. The keypad includes a flexible light guide plate, a key pattern, a passivation layer, a light source, and a reflector. Wherein, the key pattern and the passivation layer are both disposed on a first surface of the flexible light guide plate, and the passivation layer covers the key pattern. In addition, the light source and the reflector are both disposed at one side of the flexible light guide plate, and the reflector covers the light source. The keypad has better display brightness such that the user can easily recognize the patterns of the keys.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include an apparatus and system for keyboard arrangements where one or more of the keys are adjustable. In some embodiments, the arrangement includes one or more keys and a moving mechanism for controlling the position of the keys. The keys may be adjusted in terms of height. The adjustment in height may result from the operation of a lever or switch, or as a result of opening the case or shell of the system. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A lighted switch device, comprising a substrate, a switch provided on a first surface of the substrate, a light source provided on a second surface of the substrate, a key top to press the switch, and a light guide mechanism to guide light emitted from the light source to the key top or a periphery of the key top, the light guide mechanism including a first light guiding member to hold the key top and a second light guiding member disposed to surround the light source, the light emitted from the light source being guided through the second light guiding member to the first light guiding member holding the key top.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided to protect an electrical switch from the deleterious effects of ice formation that inhibits switch operation. In a preferred arrangement, an ice shield is provided that protects the current-carrying contact structures and other operative elements of the switch from ice buildups. In one specific arrangement, as the switch is moved from the open position to the closed position, the ice shield moves away from the contact structure of a moving contact of the switch to permit unfettered engagement with a stationary contact structure of the switch.

Abstract: A vehicle interior illumination lamp for mounting at an opening portion formed in a roof panel (interior member) of a vehicle includes a function part including a bulb (light source), and a switch unit for supplying and interrupting electric power relative to the bulb, and a design part including a housing for mounting at the opening portion in the roof panel, a retaining mechanism securely engaging the function part with the housing, and a switch knob engaged with the switch unit. The retaining mechanism includes a retaining member which cooperates with the switch knob to hold the switch unite therebetween.

Abstract: A rocking key includes a keycap and a pair of supporting arms. The keycap includes at least two posts, a rib portion positioned between the two posts for preventing the two posts from being simultaneously depressed downwardly. The supporting arms are arranged at two opposite sides of the keycap for resiliently supporting the keycap.