Abstract: A zero-power plasmonic microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device is capable of specifically sensing electromagnetic radiation and performing signal processing operations. Such devices are highly sensitive relays that consume no more than 10 nW of power, utilizing the energy in detected electromagnetic radiation to detect and discriminate a target without the need of any additional power source. The devices can continuously monitor an environment and wake up an electronic circuit upon detection of a specific trigger signature of electromagnetic radiation, such as vehicular exhaust, gunfire, an explosion, a fire, a human or animal, and a variety of sources of radiation from the ultraviolet to visible light, to infrared, to terahertz radiation.

Abstract: A relay device includes an electronic block configured to selectively generate an electromagnetic force by means of a coil; two fixed contact point terminals at which fixed contact points are respectively installed; a movable contact point assembly having a movable contact point installed at a front end thereof, the movable contact point being fluctuated by the electromagnetic force to be contacted with or separated from the fixed contact points; and a base block configured to hold the electronic block, the fixed contact point terminals and the movable contact point assembly, which are accommodated in a cover. An entire space inside the cover is divided into two regions based on a contact surface between the fixed contact point and the fixed contact point terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for an interactive video game controller designed to be operated by an individual's left or right hand where the video game controller may be placed or positioned on a stable surface such as a table, the player's leg, or other level apparatus. The interactive video game controller may have a handle, shaft, and base whereby the handle may be moved relative to the base operating a directional input control. The interactive video game may also have a plurality of finger buttons on the top surface of the handle and thumb sticks on a semi-cylindrical portion of the handle so that the individual with only one hand may utilize all controls without the video game controller needed to be lifted or replaced during use or the individual needing to let go of any of the controls to interact with the other controls.

Abstract: A slim-type keyboard includes a first flexible layer, a pressed frame and a circuit board assembly. The first flexible layer includes plural pressed regions. The pressed frame includes plural cantilever strips. The circuit board assembly includes plural dome switches. The plural cantilever strips are covered by the first flexible layer. The pressed regions are aligned with the cantilever strips and the dome switches, respectively. When one of the pressed regions is pressed, the cantilever strip is pushed down to trigger the corresponding dome switch. Each cantilever strip includes a U-shaped groove and a suspension end. The U-shaped groove opens to the suspension end. Consequently, the tactile feel of pressing the cantilever strip is improved.

Abstract: An RFID reader system includes: a reader body; a reader module disposed in the reader body; and an antenna unit detachably installed onto the reader body. When the antenna unit is installed onto the reader body, the reader module is configured to interrogate and detect an external RFID tag through the antenna unit. A control method of the RFID reader system is also provided.

Abstract: A pressure controlled safety switch comprises an electrical switch disposed in a cavity of a mandrel. A bellows assembly is operably engaged with the electrical switch. The bellows assembly is in fluid communication with a fluid surrounding the mandrel such that a pressure in the fluid no less than a predetermined pressure causes the bellows to activate the electrical switch, and a pressure in the fluid less than the predetermined pressure causes the bellows to deactivate the electrical switch.

Abstract: A rear operation body is attached on a rear portion of a front case via a pair of front supporting plate springs. A front operation body is provided in the front case so as to abut on the front case, and the front operation body and the rear operation body are connected via a penetration portion. A rear case is provided in a rearward of the front case, and a rear supporting plate spring is provided in the rear case. A flexible print substrate is superimposed in a frontward of the rear supporting plate spring and a plurality of detection members are mounted on the flexible print substrate. When an operation surface of the front operation body has been pressed, the front supporting plate springs are deformed. Thereby, the rear operation body is moved such that any of the plurality of the detection member is operated.

Abstract: In an electrical switch, in particular an electrical microswitch, has at least one electrical contact designed as a hollow-shape section of a component of an electrically conducting material. In this electrical switch, the occurrence of vibrations with the introduction onto an opposing contact is prevented.

Abstract: A silver contact fixing structure for conductive blades aims at providing a retaining force on a silver contact so that the silver contact is more secure and does not break loose when subject to striking. The silver contact is built in a fastening section formed on a conductive blade. The fastening section has at least two fixing zones connecting to each other and a bucking end adjacent to the fixing zones to increase the retaining force between the silver contact and the conductive blade so that the silver contact does not break loose easily thereby increasing the service life thereof.

Abstract: An arcing chamber assembly is described having two side walls, a contact compression spring, a contact link, a slide which can be mounted one behind the other in the interior of the arcing chamber assembly, just by stacking them from one side. For this purpose, the arcing chamber assembly includes a passage, whose length is at least equal to the length of the contact link on the component supply side.

Abstract: An electrical switch (10) has a contact system in which first and second contact protrusions (22a, 22b; 22a′, 22b′; 22a″, 22b″) are offset from the center line of the long axis of a twistable movable contact arm. In a preferred embodiment the movable contact (22) is formed with a groove (22e, 22e′) formed through the contact running generally along the center line to form first and second generally wedge shaped contacts on either side of the center line. In one preferred embodiment, converging surfaces (22f, 22g) form a groove with an angle alpha of approximately 125° and approximately 158° in another preferred embodiment. In another preferred embodiment the protrusions (22a″, 22b″) are generally hemispherical.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a switch, preferably a steering column switch for an automobile, with which both control currents and load currents are to be controlled. The object of the present invention is to mostly prevent soil and scale from forming on the contact surfaces. The present invention achieves this object by transforming the grinding movement of the operating element into a movement of the contact points perpendicular to one another with the help of a mechanical control. Advantageous embodiments involve the design and positioning of the contact points as well as the design of the mechanical control and a method of assembling the switch according to the present invention.

Abstract: A switch includes a contact having at least two contact springs and at least one slide for moving the at least two contact springs in opposite directions between an open position and a closed position of the contact. Movement in opposite directions ensures a long service life of the contact elements at the contact springs and provides sufficient contact pressure.

Abstract: A switch device comprises an insulative housing and a pair of switch terminals each having an outside connection section and an inside section in the housing. The first switch terminal 5 has a plurality of flexible arms 8A, 8B with a free end. Each flexible arm has a movable contact point so that when the flexible arms receive pressure, they are flexed to bring the respective movable contact points into contact with the fixed contact 14 of the second switch terminal 6, thus providing a reliable switching mechanism.

Abstract: This invention concerns a sensitive key device with capacitive effect working through an electrically insulating plate, the key being supported by a printed circuit board. According to the invention, the bottom of a single part having a spring blade made of an electrically conducting material is fixed to the printed circuit board. The top (11) of this part forms a detection surface designed to be placed in contact with the transparent plate. The center of the part makes the part flexible such that the detection surface is in elastic contact with the plate, regardless of parallelism defects between this plate and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A three-way switch for individually connecting either a dummy load, a first antenna, or a second antenna to a radio transmitter power amplifier output. The switch includes a first member connected to a dummy load and a second flexible member fixed in position relative to the first member and biased against the first member so as to make an electrical connection between the first and second member. The second member is connected to the radio transmitter output and includes two contact areas for connecting to a first and a second antenna. When a first antenna is applied against the first contact area, the transmitter is disconnected from the dummy load and only the first antenna is connected to the transmitter output. When a second antenna is applied to the second contact area the flexible member of the switch disconnects from the first antenna and only the second antenna is connected to the transmitter output.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly actuatable by a rotatable member wherein the switch assembly includes a polysulfone housing having a hub with a peripheral camming surface and a hub aperture. The hub is rotatably disposed in the housing wherein the rotatable member is disposable through a housing aperture and into the hub aperture for engagement with the hub. A pair of substantially similar resilient electrical contact blades are disposed in the housing in spaced relation wherein each resilient electrical contact blade has at least one wire engagement portion accessible through a wire aperture in the housing. The hub is rotatable by the rotatable member so as to cause the peripheral camming surface of the hub with one of the resilient electrical contact blades and thereby flex the engaged resilient electrical contact blade into electrical contact with the other resilient electrical contact blade. The housing is a two part assembly having a fluid resistant interface.

Abstract: An electrical contact assembly of the present invention includes a body having a housing and a cover defining a space. A pair of spaced terminals are received in the space. One of the terminals has a contact formed at a free end thereof. The other contact has a spring arm secured to its free end. A contact is mounted on the spring arm in a position in which it can be moved into contact with the first contact. An extension is provided on the spring arm and a stop is provided in the body. When contact operation causes or attempts to cause tack welding of the two contacts, the stop extension operation maintains a spring force on the spring arm sufficiently strong to break the tack weld so that the contacts can be opened.

Abstract: A photolithographically patterned spring contact is formed on a substrate and electrically connects contact pads on two devices. The spring contact also compensates for thermal and mechanical variations and other environmental factors. An inherent stress gradient in the spring contact causes a free portion of the spring contact to bend up and away from the substrate. An anchor portion remains fixed to the substrate and is electrically connected to a first contact pad on the substrate. The spring contact is made of an elastic material and the free portion compliantly contacts a second contact pad, thereby electrically interconnecting the two contact pads.

Abstract: An external terminal end of an electrical element of a switch has a thick central portion providing enhanced elimination of heat generated by switching arcs to a connected female spade receptacle.

Abstract: A push button switch (3) encounters, during a stroke of a push rod (6) thereof, a pressure point (D), a switching (contact-making) movement, and a return tension. A one-piece spring element (16) is provided for achieving this with an uncomplicated structure, with a short stroke, and with a reliable contact once the pressure point has been overcome. The one-piece spring element has, between a contact arm (26) and a return arm (21), hairpin-shaped bent guide legs (17, 18). A sloping step (24) formed on at least one of the guide legs creates the pressure point.

Abstract: A switch comprises a housing having an upper member and a lower member, an actuator disposed in the housing and rockably supported on the upper member, switch means for connecting and disconnecting a movable contact with a stationary contact when the actuator rocks on the upper portion, and a connecting terminal for an external electric wire electrically connected to the switch means. The switch means includes a movable contact element having the movable contact and a support element which rockably supports the movable contact element. At least one of portions contacting each other between the support element and the movable contact element is provided with a clad layer of a high conductive noble metal which extends in the rocking direction at the width less than that of the contacting portions.

Abstract: A contact device includes a housing, a fixed contact, and a moving contact attached to a support frame, the support frame and moving contact movable within the housing perpendicular to the fixed contact. A stopping arm projects from the support frame to restrict movement of the support frame within the housing.

Abstract: An iron stand connector includes a body in which two movable elements are provided, upon which the connecting terminals of the iron impinge. Each movable element has a vertical middle section and two end sections which have right-angled bends and are positioned opposite each other. The lower end section is fitted with a silver connection. Both end sections are provided with holes, through which two respective rods pass, acting as guides for a vertical displacement of each movable element.

Abstract: A terminal board for a dynamoelectric machine has a body with a pair of opposite faces. At least one terminal secured to the body includes an electrical connector section extending beyond one of the opposite faces and a deformed end section generally opposite the electrical connector section arranged in spaced apart relation with the other of the opposite face. A switch element is conductively secured to the deformed end section of the at least one terminal and extends in overlaying spaced relation with the other opposite face for switching between a set of switching modes.

Abstract: A leaf spring switch device is composed of an L-shaped base member having a long portion and a short portion. A pair of leaf spring contactors extend through the short portion of the base member and have contacts at one end and terminals at opposite ends. An actuator is mounted on one contactor to move it with respect to the other. The contactors extend along the long portion. The lengths of the long and short portions of the base member are selected to be the same as long and short dimensions of a conventional microswitch with the width of the long portion being one half the length of the short portion. In this way, the leaf spring switch device of the present invention is interchangeable with a conventional microswitch.

Abstract: An appliance timer includes a motor driven cam carried in a housing. A switch blade carried in the housing is responsive to the cam to selectively activate one of a pair of switch circuits, each of which provide a different operating level for an appliance function, e.g. several different heat levels in an automatic dryer. Each switch circuit includes a contact, a contact support spring, and an electrical feed-through which connects to a terminal strap on the exterior of the housing. A resistor that is an integral part of one of the switch circuits provides the level differentiation between the circuits. In one embodiment a carbonaceous organic resistor chip replaces the circuit contact. In another embodiment an inorganic ceramic resistor slug replaces the circuit feed-through.

Abstract: A hookswitch mechanism for use in a telephone instrument utilizing a compound form cantilever spring fastened to a printed wiring card with circuit connections made to the printed wiring card. A contact engaging portion on the cantilever spring wipes across a contact located on the printed wiring card before disengaging the contact to insure a clean contact surface regardless of surrounding atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated speed governor (26) moves an engine throttle member (10) for controlling the speed of a vehicle. The governor includes a pneumatically operated actuator having an output connected to the engine throttle member. A pivotally mounted valve member (44) is positioned intermediate a vacuum supply orifice (46) and an atmospheric air orifice (48) and supplies a pneumatic signal to the actuator. An internal speed sensor (82) responsive to vehicle speed has an output member (100) which reacts against an improved, self-wiping minimum speed switch (102) and a set-speed control member (52) which in turn reacts against the pivotally mounted valve member (44) for varying the position of the valve member as the vehicle speed tends to fall below or rise above a predetermined set speed.

Abstract: A switch assembly is provided for mounting in the two-part body of a joystick apparatus. The assembly includes a circuit board held between retainers on the two parts of the body. Four leaf spring switch modules are mounted on the board, each module comprising a switch body having two spaced-apart pockets therein for respectively receiving leaf spring switch blades, the contact portions of which project from the body and are respectively backed by fingers on the body, one of which is relatively flexible. The switch bodies are secured in place by pins which extend through openings in the board and are peened over on the opposite end thereof. Terminal legs on the switch blades extend through complementary slots in the circuit board. The pivotally mounted joystick actuator extends through an opening in the center of the circuit board for engagement with the flexible fingers of the switch bodies.

Abstract: A watch comprises a push button 3 with an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the watch. It is slidable in a tube 2 which is fixed with respect to the bottom 1 of the casing and which is disposed in the interior of the casing. The push button 3 comprises a stem member 4 which is slideable within the tube 2, and a cap member 5 around the tube 2. A return spring 7 co-operates with the cap member 5 by way of the end which is remote from that which is fixed to the stem member 4, whereby the return spring does not require additional thickness of the casing to accommodate it.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-motion push-button switch comprising first and second switch portions, each including a movable contact piece 4 formed of a thin elastic metal plate, which has a reversing portion 4b provided with a movable contact portion and arms 4a and 4a' formed to grip the reversing portion therebetween, an auxiliary spring 9 or 9' to be engaged with said arms and a fixed contact portion 2a or 3a formed at a position confronting the movable contact portion in a case 1 or 6, wherein the movable contact pieces are reversed by one slider 5 dismountably disposed in the case to drive said two switch portions and the reversing force by the movable contact piece and auxiliary spring constituting the first switch portion is different from the reversing force by the movable contact piece and auxiliary spring constituting the second switch portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezoelectric relay in which a bimorph is used as a flexible element. First, second and third relay contacts (14), (14') and (14") are disposed coplanar with the third relay contact sandwiched between the first and second relay contacts. First and second flexible members (11) and (11'), each of which is supported as a cantilever, are displaced in directions opposite to each other when an electric field is applied to one. The first flexible member (11) displaces the first and second relay contacts (14) and (14'), and the second flexible member (11') displaces the third relay contact (14"). Thus, the first and third relay contacts (14) and (14") and the second and the third relay contacts (14') and (14") are turned on or off in response to the different polarities of the applied electric field.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly of the type including a movable contact and at least one additional contact having a free end portion lying generally across the line of travel of the movable contact and having a further portion secured against movement within the switch assembly. The switch assembly is provided with a stop member projecting into the line of travel of the free end portion for limiting following movement of the free end portion as the movable contact is retracted, ensuring a complete break in an electrical connection formed between the movable contact and the additional contact.

Abstract: A switch responsive to changes in fluid pressure includes a conductive body member with a passage therethrough and flexible diaphragm sealingly mounted thereon. One surface of the diaphragm is in contact with the fluid and the other surface has a deformable protrusion which bears against a resilient contact member causing it to break contact with the body member when fluid attains a sufficient pressure. The contact member has a spade terminal which is mounted through a cap fixed to the end of the passage. Only five parts are utilized. An alternative normally open switch is disclosed.

Abstract: A keyswitch includes a tubular plunger with a body slidable vertically in an open-top housing that has a bottom wall supporting the lower end of a coil spring extending up around a pair of opposed upright spring contact strips, the lower ends of which extend through the bottom wall. The inside of the plunger is provided with a cross member that normally separates the upper ends of the contact strips, but permits them to engage each other when the plunger is pushed down. The contact strips are substantially identical. Each has at least two parallel slits extending downwardly from its upper end to form a plurality of narrow contact fingers beside a wider contact finger that is wide enough to be engaged by the narrow contact fingers of the opposing contact strip.

Abstract: A relay having a housing and a base has a number of flexible contact elements mounted in slots in the base, each having a fixed terminal extending out of the relay and a contact portion extending inside the relay movable by an electromagnetic actuator. Each contact element has a longitudinal slot therein for receiving a transverse rib carried on the relay base for rigidly retaining the contact element in place and minimizing transmittal of mechanical displacement forces from the terminal portion of the element to the contact portion thereof. Each contact element may also be provided with a retaining tooth which engages a cooperatively disposed slot in the relay base to add further stability to the contact element mounting. Each contact element may thus be provided with a greater flexible portion thereof having unimpaired movement without increasing the size of the relay housing.

Abstract: In an electrical switch including a housing and a button in which the button, by means of a manual depression thereof in a single direction is movable relative to the housing between two positions and during this movement causes a snap spring inserted in the button to slip from a first extreme position to a second one, the snap spring is set up or interlocked between two bearings or seats provided in opposite walls of the housing. The central part of the snap spring is arranged in a bridge member which carries resilient contact fingers. The bridge member is further arranged with a two-sided clearance in a recess provided in the button. The switch overcomes the problems of microphonic noise generated by any movement between the button and the housing and reduces considerably the contact resistances at the contact points due to a scrabing movement between the metal parts establishing the electrical connections.

Abstract: A high-quality pressure switch comprising a member moving according to pressure applied and a moving contact piece to act as a switch. The member has an end portion contained in a switch case to engage with said moving contact piece and remain in touch with a spring bearing and further a flanged portion contacting a stopper built in said switch case when a spring incorporated in said spring bearing is compressed by the end portion actuated by the travel of the member moving in a direction of a switch chamber when subjected to pressure. The moving contact is fitted with a moving contact on one end thereof and has the other end secured to a terminal elastically and in a freely movable condition to swing and move the moving contact piece pivoting on the end against the resilient force of spring according to the travel of said member, whereby said moving contact is separated from a fixed contact to switch off.

Abstract: A switch for shifting between neutral, a delta three phase connection and a star three phase connection that includes three pole chambers, each pole chamber having two separate contact mechanisms, each contact mechanism being activated by means of plate springs, said plate springs being in turn activated by connection to a lever through a cross bar, control plate and bearing arrangement.

Abstract: An electric switch comprising a plurality of electrically conductive resilient strips secured to an electrically insulating base member and a supporting member for supporting the strips in such a manner that these strips extend substantially in parallel with each other at a given distance and store resilient force in a direction opposite to that of an operational force. An electrical contact is made by displacing one of the resilient strips toward the other strip against the stored resilient force. In a preferred embodiment prior to securing the strips to the base member the strips have been bent in the direction opposite to the acting direction of the operational force.

Abstract: A condition responsive electrical switch construction having a frame carrying an electrical switch and a condition responsive device having a movable wall for causing movement of a lever that is pivotally carried by the frame and is operatively associated with the switch to operate the same as the lever is moved by the wall to a certain position in opposition to the force of a range spring also carried by the frame. A cradle-like member has a base operatively associated with the range spring so as to be held thereby against the wall to be moved in unison with the wall and has arms engaging the lever to cause the lever to move in relation to movement of the wall. The switch has a pair of movable contact members disposed on opposite sides of a fixed contact member and each is biased in a direction to tend to place the same in contact with the fixed contact member and each having an offset loop therein.

Abstract: A fail-safe multiple transfer contact assembly including a plurality of front, back and heel contact elements. The contact elements include elongated leaf spring members which are fixed to a molded insulative contact block. A silver contact button is rivoted to the free ends of the front and back leaf spring members while a silver impregnated carbon contact block is soldered to the free end of the heel leaf spring member so that neither the front and back contacts cannot become welded to the heel contact.

Abstract: A spring contact which is intended to be mounted on a circuit board comprises an elongated spring blade having a mounting end and an outer or free end. An integral mounting plate extends alongside the blade from the mounting end thereof to an intermediate location. A mounting pin is formed at the mounting end by two laterally extending leg portions, one on the spring blade and the other on the mounting plate, and a support pin extends from the mounting plate in spaced relationship to the mounting pin. The mounting plate has laterally extending support flanges which support the device on the printed circuit board when it is inserted into openings in the board. The spring contacts are manufactured as a continuous strip and can be inserted into circuit boards by automatic insertion machines.

Abstract: A small current switch comprises a pair of juxtaposed, resilient conductive wires each carrying a coiled reinforcement formed intermediate its ends. One end of each wire is secured to an insulating base. One of the wires has its other end extending in a straight form while the other end of the other wire is bent substantially at right angles so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the one wire, the free end of which is mounted on a switching member. The switching member may be moved to bring the connected wire into and out of electrical contact with the other wire.

Abstract: A relay assembly has a flexible contact blade mounted on a contact carrier through the use of non-conductive support blocks which permit flexing of the blade as it moves with the carrier, thereby causing a wiping action between the movable and stationary contacts within the relay.

Abstract: Arrangement in a selector, especially in a crossbar selector, comprising a number of contact spring sets arranged parallel to each other in a contact frame, wherein the contact spring sets, when operated, make contact with a contact multiple common to the sets. The contact springs are provided with elongated transverse contact surfaces and the contact multiple is made up of rod-shaped contact elements which are transversally attached to conductors. The conductors run across the contact frame parallel to the contact surfaces of the contact springs.

Abstract: A starting switch assembly is integrally formed with a terminal connection board and is adapted to be actuated by a conventional centrifugal actuator. The switch assembly is constructed so that the electrical contact points of the assembly abut one another under a predetermined pressure independent of the forces exerted on other structural components of the assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the terminal connection board is used to connect external power leads to the dynamoelectric machine. The switch assembly includes a terminal block integrally formed with the terminal connection board. Various windings of the dynamoelectric machine are connected to the power leads by switch assembly operation. The assembly includes a switch arm which is mounted for movement between at least first and second positions. The switch arm is designed to engage and disengage respective ones of a plurality of electrical contacts as the switch arm moves between positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical type contact switch assembly. The assembly includes an insulated contact carrier having a U-shaped portion with spaced apart walls. A slot for receiving a leaf spring extends transversely through the walls. Mutually facing depressions formed in the walls straddle the slot and have oppositely inclined surfaces. A leaf spring disposed in the slot has a resiliently hinged flap extending at an acute angle relative to the plane of the spring. The flap is in resilient biasing engagement with the inclined surfaces of the contact carrier. The flap is of trapezium shape and is an integral part of the spring.

Abstract: An integrally formed sensing switch for use with a seat belt retractor assembly and having a housing portion provided with an integrally hinged seat belt follower push arm plate adapted for pivotal movement in association therewith. The push arm plate has a fixed actuator pin extension on the lower surface thereof which selectively extends into the housing in response to movement of the push arm plate and depresses a spring leaf contact element provided in the housing portion so as to selectively open and close an electrical sensing circuit made thus responsive to spool condition as webbing is extended or webbing is retracted. The upper surface of the push arm plate engages the outer surface of seat belt webbing coiled on the retractor spool and is biased to move therewith as the seat belt pays into and out of the retractor assembly.