Abstract: A switch for disconnecting or connecting an electrical circuit and a method of operating said switch. The switch comprises a first cam engageable by a user and axially rotatable around a first axis by an operating angle between an on position and an off position. The switch further comprises a second cam contacting the first cam, wherein rotation of the first cam causes rotation of the second cam around the first axis. The second cam comprises an axial cam portion and a transverse cam portion, the transverse cam portion comprising a protrusion extending along a direction perpendicular to the first axis and two detents arranged symmetrically either side of the protrusion, wherein the two detents are arranged at an oblique angle, ?, with respect to each other. The switch further comprises one or more biasing members configured to exert a force on the transverse cam portion of the second cam.

Abstract: A switch includes: an actuator; a conductor having a length extending between two ends and a width extending between two sides, the conductor having a connection contact at either end and at least one switching region disposed between the connection contacts, each switching region extending between two sides of the conductor and including: a hole through the conductor, at least one shearable portion bounded by the hole and a nearest of the two sides of the conductor, and an insert conductor inserted into the hole and in electrical contact with the conductor, via the hole, such that a current conduction path is defined along the length of the conductor via the insert conductor and the at least one shearable portion of each switching region; and a moveable member aligned with the at least one switching region and arranged to move in a first direction.

Abstract: A device comprising: a contact mechanism (or switch); an actuation knob; and a housing. The contact mechanism (or switch) comprises: an actuating mechanism; a first conductor; a second conductor; and a moveable contact moveable, by the actuating mechanism, between a first, closed, position in which a current conduc-tion path is defined through the first, second and moveable conductors of the contact mechanism and a second, open, position in which no current conduction path is defined. The actuation knob (or knob) comprises: a first side configured to drive the actuating mechanism upon rotation of the actuation knob, the first side comprising a cam portion which directly engages with the actuating mechanism; a second side opposite the first side; and an engagement portion protruding from the second side and configured for engagement by a user. The housing encloses both the contact mechanism and the first side of the knob.

Abstract: A switch includes: an ignition chamber; a pyrotechnic actuator for releasing gas into the ignition chamber upon ignition; a first conductor and a second conductor, the first and second conductors including connection contacts; a third conductor moveable in a direction from a first position towards a second position upon actuation by the pyrotechnic actuator; and a breakable retaining member for retaining the third conductor in the first position prior to actuation by the pyrotechnic actuator, the retaining member breaking upon actuation of the pyrotechnic actuator to allow movement of the third conductor. In the first position, the third conductor is arranged between, and in electrical and physical contact with, the first and second conductors to define a current conduction path. In the second position, the third conductor is electrically and physically separate from the first and second conductors.

Abstract: A switch includes: an actuator; a conductor having a length extending between two ends and a width extending between two sides, the conductor having a connection contact at either end and at least one switching region disposed between the connection contacts, each switching region extending between two sides of the conductor and including: a hole through the conductor, at least one shearable portion bounded by the hole and a nearest of the two sides of the conductor, and an insert conductor inserted into the hole and in electrical contact with the conductor, via the hole, such that a current conduction path is defined along the length of the conductor via the insert conductor and the at least one shearable portion of each switching region; and a moveable member aligned with the at least one switching region and arranged to move in a first direction.

Abstract: A disconnector includes: a switch having: a first, fixed contact terminal of a first conductor, a second, fixed contact terminal of a second conductor, and a moveable bridge contact moveable between a first position and a second position; and an actuating mechanism having: a cam follower coupled to the moveable bridge contact and including a following surface, a cam having a cam surface, the cam surface engaging with the following surface, the cam being rotatable around an axial direction relative to the cam follower. At least one of the following surface and the cam surface includes an angled portion, the angled portion angled with respect to the axial direction such that rotation of the cam urges the cam follower in the axial direction, the cam follower moving the moveable bridge contact in the axial direction from the first position to the second position in response to the urging.

Abstract: A switch includes: an ignition chamber; a pyrotechnic actuator for releasing gas into the ignition chamber upon ignition; a first conductor and a second conductor, the first and second conductors including connection contacts; a third conductor moveable in a direction from a first position towards a second position upon actuation by the pyrotechnic actuator; and a breakable retaining member for retaining the third conductor in the first position prior to actuation by the pyrotechnic actuator, the retaining member breaking upon actuation of the pyrotechnic actuator to allow movement of the third conductor. In the first position, the third conductor is arranged between, and in electrical and physical contact with, the first and second conductors to define a current conduction path. In the second position, the third conductor is electrically and physically separate from the first and second conductors.

Abstract: An electrical switchgear includes: a housing; at least one first contact mounted in the housing; at least one second contact translationally movable within the housing in a translational movement direction; a switchgear control mechanism having a first rotary element having a first rotation axis and a second rotary element having a second rotation axis; and a link element pivoted on one end thereof to the first rotary element and on an other end thereof to the at least one second contact. The first and the second rotation axes are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other. The second rotation axis is arranged essentially in parallel to the translational movement direction of the at least one second contact. The first and the second rotary elements engage such that a rotation of the second rotary element is transmitted to the first rotary element.

Abstract: An electrical switchgear (10) is disclosed, which comprises a housing (12, 14, 16), at least one first contact (18, 20) mounted in the housing (14), at least one second contact (22, 24) being translationally movable within the housing (12, 14), a switchgear control mechanism comprising a first rotary element (26) having a first rotation axis (28) and a second rotary element (30) having a second rotation axis (32), and a link element (34) pivoted on one end to the first rotary element (26) and on the other end to the at least one second contact (22, 24), wherein the first and the second rotation axes (28, 32) are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other, wherein the second rotation axis (32) is arranged essentially in parallel to the translational movement direction (36) of the at least one second contact (22, 24), wherein the first and the second rotary elements (26, 30) engage such that a rotation of the second rotary element (30) is transmitted to the first rotary element (26), and wherein the lin