Abstract: In an electric contact including a base material, high-melting-point substance particles, and an intermetallic compound, the intermetallic compound containing a MnX compound (X represents Te or Se) and a compound of a Mn—Cu solid-solution phase and X, is dispersed in the base material. If the Vickers hardness of the high-melting-point substance particles is higher than 0 Hv and lower than 200 Hv, the particle diameter of the high-melting-point substance particles is not smaller than 0.1 ?m and not larger than 100 ?m. If the Vickers hardness of the high-melting-point substance particles is 200 Hv or higher, the particle diameter is not smaller than 0.1 ?m and not larger than 10 ?m. The mass of X atoms is not lower than 1.5 mass % and not higher than 15 mass %. The atomic weight ratio Mn/(Mn+X) is not lower than 20 at % and not higher than 80 at %.

Abstract: Electrical contact system with a first and a second contact (1, 5), each having a contact surface (4, 8). The first electric contact (1) has a mesostructured electric contact portion (14) with a plurality of slots (15) and ridges (16) formed between neighboring slots (16) of the plurality of slots (16). These slots (15) and ridges (16) extend in a direction running transversely to said switching plane (X-Z) form a plurality of current paths (16). The current paths (16) are inclined to the first contact surface (4) at a first angle (17) measuring less than 60 degrees such that an interruption current (12) flowing through the mesostructured electric contact portion (14) and through an electric arc (11) extending in between the first contact surface (4) after lifting the first contact surface (4) off the second contact surface (8) pushes said electric arc (11) in the direction of the apex of said first angle (17) from a first position (18) to a second position (19).

Abstract: An electrical contact component and a method for the production thereof. The contact component has a sintered contact element and a contact carrier cast onto the contact element. The grains of the contact element are oriented in a preferential direction.

Abstract: A vacuum valve according to embodiments of the present disclosure, comprising: an electrode having a first surface which a hollow part is formed on, which electrode spiral electrode slits which slantingly cross an axial direction are formed on outer circumference of, a conductor fixed on a second surface of the electrode, which second surface is opposite side of the first surface, a contact point having a first concavity which opens to the conductor side, which contact point is fixed on the first surface of the electrode, and a connecting plate whose resistivity is lower than one of the contact point, which connecting plate is disposed inside the first concavity, and connecting plate slits which extend inward from circumference as a starting point are formed on, wherein central axes of the connecting plate slits incline in a rotatory direction of the spiral of the electrode slits.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit breaker comprising a first and a second contact assembly, wherein one of the contact assemblies comprises contact fingers arranged in a finger cage configuration and the other contact assembly comprises a tube or rod contact. The contact fingers comprise an impact point where the tube or rod impacts the contact fingers for the first time during electrical connection establishment, and a contact zone which contacts the tube or rod when the electrical connection is established. The contact zone comprises two contact points separated from one another and arranged on a line which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a first electrically conductive contact member and a second electrically conductive contact member. Both contact members have non-planar interface surfaces. The second interface surface is complimentary to the first interface surface. The first interface surface may include a plurality of elongated first ridges and a plurality of elongated first valleys, and the second interface surface may include a plurality of elongated second ridges and a plurality of elongated second valleys. A first ridge is received by a second valley and a second ridge is received by a first valley.

Abstract: A contact assembly for a vacuum switching apparatus includes a contact member and a reinforcing member adapted to structurally reinforce the contact member. The contact member includes first and second opposing sides, and a contact thickness. The reinforcing member has a reinforcement thickness, which is less than the contact thickness. The contact member is made from a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and the reinforcing member is made from a second different material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The first coefficient of thermal expansion is substantially the same as the second coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: An exemplary vacuum interrupter for a circuit breaker arrangement including a cylindrically shaped insulating part, within which a pair of electrical contact parts are coaxially arranged and surrounded concentrically by the insulating part. The electrical contact parts can be configured to initiate a disconnection arc only between corresponding inner contact elements after starting a disconnection process, and corresponding outer contact elements can be configured to commutate the arc from the inner contact elements to the outer contact elements until the disconnection process is completed, wherein each inner electrical contact element is designed as a TMF-like contact element for generating mainly a transverse magnetic field, and each outer electrical contact element is designed as an AMF-like contact element for generating mainly an axial magnetic field.

Abstract: An electrical switch and a flashlight employing the switch may comprise a base having three electrical conductors thereon and an electrically conductive flexible dome adjacent the base. The flexible dome has plural longer legs extending from its dome and in electrical contact with a first conductor, has a shorter leg extending from its dome and overlying a second conductor, and has its dome overlying a third conductor. A spring may extend from the base of the switch. A pushbutton may be moved to apply sufficient force to cause the shorter leg to contact the second conductor and the dome to contact the third conductor. A spring may be between the pushbutton and the flexible dome to couple force to the flexible dome.

Abstract: In a vehicle push button switch, movement of a push button is guided by multiple guide portions and backlash of the push button during a push operation thereof is thereby prevented, and operations of the push button are not hindered even when water attached to an outer surface of a bar-shaped portion of the push button freezes. The case is provided with a plurality of guide portions spaced away from each other in a peripheral direction of the bar-shaped portion to guide a plurality of sections of the bar-shaped portion that are located in the peripheral direction, and an ice scraping rib protrudes from an outer surface of the bar-shaped portion. The ice scraping rib scraps away a frozen ice portion formed by freezing of water attached to the outer surface of the bar-shaped portion between the plurality of guide portions, in response to movement of the bar-shaped portion.

Abstract: An electric switching device includes first and second switch contact pieces. The first switch contact piece has a guide portion. The first switch contact piece is connected to an actuating unit or drive device by a kinematic chain. The guide portion of the first switch contact piece is guided on a guide path. The guide portion and the guide path each have a contact or bearing surface and at least one of the contact or bearing surfaces is convexly curved.

Abstract: A terminal includes a fastener; a conductor member having a plurality of protrusions on a surface thereof facing the fastener; and a collar member. The collar member includes first, second, third and fourth surfaces, a tapped opening on the first surface engaging the fastener, and a conduit between the second and third surfaces. The tapped opening intersects and coincides with the conduit and is normal thereto. The fourth surface is opposite the first surface and contains another opening that intersects and coincides with the conduit. The other opening receives the conductor member. The protrusions and the surface of the conductor member are structured to engage a stranded conductor having a plurality of individual solid conductors. The fastener is structured to engage the stranded conductor.

Abstract: A contact arm assembly (10) for a switchgear circuit breaker includes a contact arm (11) having a groove (42) in an outer periphery surface thereof. At least one contact finger (13) has a body (38) and a ball member (40) extending from the body. The ball member is received in the groove so that the contact finger makes contact with the contact arm. The contact arm includes a shaft (14) having a longitudinal axis, first and second ends (18, 28), and a constant outside diameter. A plurality of annular rings (16) extends from the outside diameter of the shaft. The rings are spaced along the longitudinal axis to define cooling fins. Diameters of the rings gradually decrease from the first end to generally the center of the shaft, and then gradually increase to the second end of the shaft.

Abstract: The touch panel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes: a transparent substrate having one surface on which a first groove portion is formed and the other surface on which a second groove portion is formed; a first electrode formed on one surface of the transparent substrate so as to cross the first groove portion; and a second electrode formed on the other surface of the transparent substrate so as to cross the second groove portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a touch panel including: a transparent substrate; an interface layer formed on one surface of the transparent substrate; and a metal mesh type electrode pattern formed on the interface layer, and a method of manufacturing the same. In the case in which the interface layer is formed on the transparent substrate, a mirror surface property of the interface is decreased, thereby making it possible to provide a black oxidation property in which reflectivity of a bonded interface and a color feeling unique to a metal are decreased. Therefore, visibility of the electrode pattern is decreased to suppress a phenomenon that the electrode pattern is viewed by user's eyes, such that visibility of the touch panel is improved, thereby making it possible to improve quality of the touch panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a keyboard. The keyboard includes a number of buttons set on a pedestal. The pedestal includes a number of resisting members and a number of returning members. Each of the resisting members is arranged between two of the buttons, the inclined sidewalls of each of the resisting members is capable of respectively engaging with the buttons adjacent to the resisting member, each of the returning members corresponding to one of the resisting members returns the corresponding resisting member to its original state after the movement. When a button is pressed, the depressed button drives the adjacent resisting members to the point under the adjacent buttons to stop the adjacent buttons being depressed.

Abstract: A contact arm assembly (10) for a switchgear circuit breaker includes a contact arm (11) having a groove (42) in an outer periphery surface thereof. At least one contact finger (13) has a body (38) and a ball member (40) extending from the body. The ball member is received in the groove so that the contact finger makes contact with the contact arm. The contact arm includes a shaft (14) having a longitudinal axis, first and second ends (18, 28), and a constant outside diameter. A plurality of annular rings (16) extends from the outside diameter of the shaft. The rings are spaced along the longitudinal axis to define cooling fins. Diameters of the rings gradually decrease from the first end to generally the center of the shaft, and then gradually increase to the second end of the shaft.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a vacuum switch which can achieve a reduction of an electric loss and an improvement of a heat transmission performance by preventing an air gap portion from being generated between an electrode and a conductor rod and preventing the electrode and the conductor rod from generating any positional displacement. An electrode for a switch in accordance with the invention is provided with the conductor rod, a contact point electrode inserted to the conductor rod, and a coupling plate fixing both the elements to an outer side in a diametrical direction of the conductor rod and the contact point electrode, thereby fixing both the elements.

Abstract: A contactor has two contact elements (1, 2) each having a contact member (3, 4) adapted to bear with the contact side (5, 6) thereof against a said contact side of the other contact member for enabling an electric current to flow between said to contact elements. The contact sides of both contact members are provided with serration's (11, 12) extending so that elongated ridge-like peaks (13) of serration's of one said contact side intersect such peaks of the other said contact side while forming a plurality of spots of mutual contact of these contact sides distributed over the area of said contact sides.

Abstract: A switch assembly provides a pressing plate on a pivot contact lever to minimize heat generation at the point between the pivot contact lever and the contact point by providing an additional parallel connection contact plate which is in parallel connection to the pivot contact lever. The switch assembly provides convex contact portions on the internal output ports of the forward/reverse switch mechanism. A supplementary elastic metal plate to the pivot contact lever is provided to solve the problem of loose contact at the pivot connection site where the pivot contact lever and the support unit meet, and provides a supplementary contact unit to the movable contact device at the forward/reverse switch mechanism.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a vacuum switch which can achieve a reduction of an electric loss and an improvement of a heat transmission performance by preventing an air gap portion from being generated between an electrode and a conductor rod and preventing the electrode and the conductor rod from generating any positional displacement. An electrode for a switch in accordance with the invention is provided with the conductor rod, a contact point electrode inserted to the conductor rod, and a coupling plate fixing both the elements to an outer side in a diametrical direction of the conductor rod and the contact point electrode, thereby fixing both the elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit breaker for electric supply lines, in particular energy lines or battery cables of motor vehicles. Said circuit breaker comprises a first connection element (2) and a second connection element (4), the current path running between the first connection element (2) and the second connection element (4), when the circuit breaker (6) is in a conductive state. The aim of the invention is to provide a cost-effective, fail-safe circuit breaker. To achieve this, the first connection element (2) comprises a cavity (8) and the second connection element (4) is configured from an electrically conductive flat part and the second connection element (4) has a projection (10) that corresponds to the shape of the cavity (8), in such a way that in the conductive state of the circuit breaker (1), the projection (10) rests in the cavity (8) in a non-positive fit.

Abstract: A contactor has two contact elements (1, 2) each having a contact member (3, 4) adapted to bear with the contact side (5, 6) thereof against a said contact side of the other contact member for enabling an electric current to flow between said to contact elements. The contact sides of both contact members are provided with serration's (11, 12) extending so that elongated ridge-like peaks (13) of serration's of one said contact side intersect such peaks of the other said contact side while forming a plurality of spots of mutual contact of these contact sides distributed over the area of said contact sides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit breaker for electric supply lines, in particular energy lines or battery cables of motor vehicles. Said circuit breaker comprises a first connection element (2) and a second connection element (4), the current path running between the first connection element (2) and the second connection element (4), when the circuit breaker (6) is in a conductive state. The aim of the invention is to provide a cost-effective, fail-safe circuit breaker. To achieve this, the first connection element (2) comprises a cavity (8) and the second connection element (4) is configured from an electrically conductive flat part and the second connection element (4) has a projection (10) that corresponds to the shape of the cavity (8), in such a way that in the conductive state of the circuit breaker (1), the projection (10) rests in the cavity (8) in a non-positive fit.

Abstract: A switch provided with a fixed contact and a movable contact coming into contact with each other and separating from each other. The surface of at least one of the fixed contact and the movable contact is provided with a plurality of recesses whose edges are overlapped with each other, and also provided with a plurality of projections. The projections formed on the contact surface have sharp-pointed tips which can break an oxide film or the like if it is formed on the contact surface, thereby achieving stable contact.

Abstract: A groove is formed on a connecting section surface of an electrically conductive terminal, this groove is subjected to a bending deformation into a convex shape toward the surface side from the backside of a connecting section to form a bent convex section on the surface of the connecting terminal, and edge sections formed on both sides of this groove are positioned on the surface of the bent convex section. When joined to a counterpart connecting section, the groove edge sections are displaced to approach one another to provide a wiping effect on the surface of the counterpart connecting section.

Abstract: It is difficult to transmit large processing current on the surfaces of printed circuit boards (L) using clamp-type contact organs (6, 7). In order to solve said problem, contact elements (15, 16) having one or more contact surfaces (26) are disposed on the contact organs (6, 7). The shape of the contact surfaces (26) are configured in such a way that no damages occur in the areas of the conductive surfaces adjacent to the contact surfaces (26) when large currents are transmitted from the contact elements (15, 16) printed on the electrically conductive surface of printed board material (L) on the contact surfaces to the conductive surface.

Abstract: A friction welded joint structure includes friction welded dissimilar first and second metallic materials. The first metallic material has a rigidity greater than the second metallic material. The angle of the first metallic material to a free edge of the first metallic material, at an end portion of a joined surface between the first and second metallic materials, is greater than or equal to 120 degrees or in the range of from 55 degrees to 85 degrees. A reaction layer between the first and second metallic materials is more than zero and less than or equal to 20 &mgr;m. The first metallic material is copper. The second, which has the smaller rigidity, is aluminum.

Abstract: A rod (40) is pivotally provided in a lever (28). The rod (40) is divided into a small-diameter lower rod (37) and a large-diameter upper rod (38). When a knob (45) is pivotally moved, the lower rod (37) and the upper rod (38) are moved in an integrated fashion. A movable contact (31) is slid by means of movement of a pusher (57) of the lower rod (37). In this case, the rigidity of the upper rod (38) is improved, and hence the upper rod (38) becomes less susceptible to deflection induced by the load of the spring (53). Accordingly, inclination of the knob (45) toward the lever (28) is prevented, and hence a clearance between the lever (28) and the knob (45) can be maintained constant by means of a single set consisting of a spring (53) and a moderation ball (54).

Abstract: In a contact arrangement and a vacuum interrupter using the contact arrangement, the contact arrangement includes: a hollow cylindrical contact carrier on one end surface of which a contact plate is attached; a plurality of first slits formed on the contact carrier from the one end surface of the contact carrier; and a plurality of second slits formed on the contact carrier from each predetermined point of midway through an axial direction of the contact carrier, each of the first and second slits being tilted with respect to the axial direction of the contact carrier, a coil portion being formed on a portion of the hollow cylindrical contact carrier between each of the first and second slits and an adjacent one of the first and second slits and a longitudinal magnetic field being formed along the axial direction of the contact carrier by a current flowing on the coil portion.

Abstract: A sliding contact mechanism includes a sliding door contact, a spring having one end connected to the sliding door contact and another end connected to the sliding door of a mini-van, and a pillar contact attached to the stationary pillar of the mini-van. The pillar contact has a shape complementary to a shape of the sliding door contact. When the sliding door is in a closed position, the sliding door is adjacent the pillar and the sliding door contact engages and is in a closed electrical connection with the pillar contact. When the sliding door is in an open position, the sliding door is not adjacent the pillar and the sliding door contact is an open electrical connection with the sliding door contact.

Abstract: A wiper drive apparatus includes a drive gear rotated by a motor, a lead frame carried on a cover attachable to the motor or motor gear and including a circumferentially of discrete conductive traces, and a park switch bridge rotatably mounted on the cover and carrying a circumferentially of spaced contacts, each slidable over conductive traces to open and close a circuit to the drive motor as the park switch bridge is engaged by and rotated by the drive gear. Each contact is carried on a beam projecting from a circumferentially of radially extending arms forming the park switch bridge. A drive pin carried on the drive gear engages successive arms to rotate the park switch bridge 90° for each revolution of the drive gear to bring a different contact into electrical connection with the conductive traces without requiring additional tooling for the lead frame or the park switch bridge itself.

Abstract: A structure of a push-button switch is disclosed which can prevent the occurrence of a poor conduction caused by the influence of dust which has entered the switch and ensuring a stable contact reliability despite of adopting a contact structure which uses round wire rods.

Abstract: A method for rendering a surface of a contact rough includes submerging the surface of the contact in an electroplating bath having a dissolved metal salt, and pulsing an electric current through the contact and the bath to form a rough metallic structure on the surface of the contact.

Abstract: A low energy switch contact design uses a flat spring moveable contact with contact portions made from the sides of the spring bent ninety degrees from the main spring body so as to make point contact with a stationary contact edge located either above or below the moveable contact. The spring is preferably bifurcated for redundancy of contact.

Abstract: A high-voltage variable resistor includes a structure which makes it possible to achieve stable and reliable contact conduction between a connection terminal 7 and a terminal electrode 2a. The connection terminal 7 comprises a spring portion 7b. At the end of the spring terminal 7b there is provided a flat contact section 7d which is wider than the other portions thereof. A plurality of protrusions 7e, 7f are formed on this contact section 7d. The outer edge portion of a lead line connecting section 7a of the connection terminal 7, which is accommodated in and fixed to a connection terminal accommodating section 6, is held in a terminal holding groove 6a of the connection terminal holding section 6, and the protrusions 7e, 7f are held in contact with the terminal electrode 2a of an insulating substrate 2 and pressed against the insulating substrate 2.

Abstract: Opening electrical contacts or electrical circuit interrupters. Particularly, a design for an electrical switch having opening electrical contacts which inhibit arcing. More particularly, a circuit breaker having a micro-contact interface comprising a contact with a plurality of contact points capable of handling high steady state currents conventionally handled by small to medium size molded case circuit breakers (i.e., 0.5 A.sub.rms to 400 A.sub.rms) at distribution voltage levels (120 V.sub.rms to 600 V.sub.rms).

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided a highly reliable electrode of high strength which undergoes little change even with the lapse of time, and a method for making the same, as well as a vacuum valve using such electrode and a vacuum circuit breaker using such vacuum valve. The vacuum circuit breaker has a fixed electrode and a movable electrode, each comprising an arc electrode, an arc electrode support member for supporting the arc electrode, and a coil electrode contiguous to the arc electrode support member, the arc electrode, the arc electrode support member and the coil electrode being formed as an integral structure by melting, not by bonding, particularly the arc electrode support member and the coil electrode being constituted by a Cu alloy containing 0.05-2.5% by weight of at least one of Cr, Ag, W, V and Zr.

Abstract: A structure for contact points of a shift switch used in a computer. The structure includes an elastic contact plate disposed under the shift switch and having projecting contact points to contact the corresponding conductive contact portions of the circuit board. A sloped slot is formed between adjacent contact portions to separate the contact portions from each other and to avoid detachment and scattering of the conductive material of the contact portions. The contact points are designed with an elongated shape so as to provide a smooth sliding motion of the contact points through the sloped slots.

Abstract: A high pressure switch (10) is shown having a housing member (12) with an orifice (22) extending from a first end (18) to a recess (24) formed in a surface (26) in a central portion (14) of the housing. A sidewall (28) extends from surface (26), leaving a shoulder around the recess, forming a cavity (32). An annular support plate (34) is received on the shoulder of surface (26) capturing a flexible membrane (36) which closes recess (24) to form a pressure chamber. An eyelet (40) is disposed contiguous to the support plate (34) and is locked in place by deforming the outer distal portion (30) of wall (28) radially inwardly over the outer periphery of eyelet (40). A terminal (44) is mounted on eyelet (40) but electrically isolated from the outer ring of eyelet (40) by electrically insulating material (46).

Abstract: An electrical contact comprises a body formed of a precious metal in which the precious metal defines a contact surface of the body. At least one projection of the precious metal is formed generally centrally of the contact surface so as to extend therebeyond by successive discrete extrusions of the precious metal into a preselected configuration comprising the projection. A free end portion on the projection is spaced from the contact surface and comprises a chordal section of a sphere.

Abstract: Micromachining methods for fabricating micromechanical structures which include plunger elements free to reciprocate within cavities are fabricated using processing steps in common with those employed in high density interconnect (HDI) technology for multi-chip module packaging. A polymer, such as a polyimide, is utilized as a micromachinable material. In one embodiment, cavities are formed in the polymer material by laser ablation, employing a sacrificial layer as a mask. Electroplated copper may be employed as a sacrificial release layer. One particular structure is a micromechanical electric switch including an array of individual switch contacts actuatable in common.

Abstract: An electromagnetically-operated starter motor has a movable electrical contact constituted by a metal plate having, in one of its flat faces, a notch adapted to define an apical region which is subject to stresses within its plastic range. A vibration damper is thus created within the movable contact and eliminates problems resulting from resilient impacts between the contacts.

Abstract: An electric contact with a base metal used as a switch wherein the non-welded peripheral portion of the contact is prevented from bow-like bending and from peeling off. The electric contact with a base metal having a contact promoting shape is formed by die forging of a contact material joined to the base metal by resistance welding. The composite contact material is prepared by coating the core material of Ag-oxide contact material with non-oxide contact material. The side of the material in contact with the base metal is of non-oxide contact material. The contact material may be pressed to fill a groove preformed in the base metal, welded to protrusions preformed in the base metal, welded to the bottom of a cut preformed in the base metal, or welded to bottoms of recesses preformed in the base metal.

Abstract: A float switch construction for monitoring liquid levels, comprising a float housing having a float member which is movable therein between raised and lowered positions. In the housing there is a fixed contact member and an asymmetric, elongate movable contact member, the latter having a laterally offset portion constituting a gravity-responsive mass. The housing has an electrically conductive bearing which mounts the movable contact member for both turning and pivotal movement and for conducting current to or from it. The float member and movable contact member are freely turnable with respect to one another, and have cooperable engaging portions for causing the movable contact member to pivot in response to movement of the float member. The fixed contact member has contact portions disposed annularly for engagement by the movable contact member in response to its pivotal movement irrespective of the angular orientation of the float housing.

Abstract: A HF-switch includes a contact set which comprises a bifurcated contact piece cooperating with a contact blade. The contact piece includes a pair of contact springs supported at their one end and provided with opposing contact rivets at their other end between which the contact blade is movable within a predetermined tolerance range. The contact rivets are of circular cone shape and are defined by a height which corresponds at least to half the permissible tolerance range of the contact blade and by a base angle .alpha..ltoreq.45.degree..

Abstract: A very low inductance, high current, repetitive opening switch for railguns. A specific embodiment has a circular rotor positioned behind the rails with its rotational axis coaxial with the railgun projectile path defined by the rails. The face of the rotor facing the rails has at least one conducting and at least one insulating region, each symmetric about a diameter of the rotor. A pair of current collectors, or brushes, are positioned against the rotor face so that the rotor, when rotating, will alternately conduct and insulate current between the current collectors as conducting or insulating rotor regions sweep past the brushes, thereby communicating current between the switch and the rails. A specific embodiment of the invention has the conducting region the shape of a diametric strip, or shorting bar, and each current collector substantially the shape of an annular segment. The current collectors are made as a plurality of conductive fingers.

Abstract: In a relay tongue unit intended to be included in an electric relay the unit comprises at least one tongue unit in the form of a resilient sheet consisting of an attaching member, which comprises a main portion (1), a fuse portion (2) and a transition portion (3), and a tongue portion (4). This has at its free end a contact (5) and a resistance portion.

Abstract: A contactor, relay, or other switch has stationary contacts and a movable crossbar which carries a movable contact member provided with movable contacts. The contact member has lost motion relative to the crossbar and is resiliently biased by a spring so that the crossbar can continue to move after the contacts have met the stationary contacts. The crossbar has oblique guide grooves engaging the contact member so that, during the further movement of the crossbar, the contact member is caused to move longitudinally while the movable and stationary contacts touch, thus producing a contact wiping action due to sliding of the contacts. The contact member also has an asymmetical cross section comprising a projection where, when the contacts are open, it touches the crossbar so that, in this condition, the contact member is laterally tilted.

Abstract: A contactor, relay, or other switch has stationary contacts and a movable crossbar which carries a movable contact member provided with movable contacts. The contact member has lost motion relative to the crossbar and is resiliently biased by a spring so that the crossbar can continue to move after the contacts have met the stationary contacts. The crossbar has oblique guide grooves engaging the contact member so that, during the further movement of the crossbar, the contact member is caused to move longitudinally while the movable and stationary contacts touch, thus producing a contact wiping action due to sliding of the contacts. The contact member also has an asymmetical cross section comprising a projection where, when the contacts are open, it touches the crossbar so that, in this condition, the contact member is laterally tilted.