Abstract: A device is described wherein an actuator (3, 4; 103, 104) drives a member, such as a rack (6) meshed with a pinion (5), between two stable positions. For this purpose, elements for stopping the movable member are provided, which cooperate with elements present on the outer housing (2, 21), in which the actuator and the movable member (5, 51) are arranged, for holding at least one of said stable conditions. The device of the invention ensures low energy consumption because the actuator (3) only operates for moving the movable member from one stable position to the other.

Abstract: An electronic implement adapted for use in a circuit, and including a shape memory element, such as a shape memory alloy wire, wherein the element, when activated and/or deactivated, is operable to open, close, or otherwise modify at least one characteristic of the circuit.

Abstract: An electronic implement adapted for use in a circuit, and including a shape memory element, such as a shape memory alloy wire, wherein the element, when activated and/or deactivated, is operable to open, close, or otherwise modify at least one characteristic of the circuit.

Abstract: A device to actuate a switch. The switch has a switch toggle movable between a first position and a second position. The device includes a switch yoke movable between the first position and the second position adapted to engage the switch toggle and move therewith. The device also includes a first linkage connected to the switch yoke. The first linkage applies a force in response to an input signal to move the switch yoke from the first position to the second position. The first linkage includes a shape memory alloy. The device is configured to permit manual actuation of the switch toggle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an overload protection device of a press type switch in which the switch main body has slide grooves within the bouncing range of the free end of the conductive strip. The shape of the slide grooves is formed by a plurality of slide rails. A push-pull element is pivotably connected to the inside of the press button. A cross bar is fitted to the bottom of the push-pull element while both ends of the cross bar are disposed in the slide grooves. Accordingly, the push-pull element is able to change path and locating position in the slide grooves. Moreover, the conductive strip can be controlled in on/off-state by means of the force in different directions. Beside, the free end of the conductive strip is kept in an independent state so that the conductive strip is transformed into the off-state in case of overload. Consequently, the safety of the user can be ensured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an overload protection device of a press type switch in which the switch main body has slide grooves within the bouncing range of the free end of the conductive strip. The shape of the slide grooves is formed by a plurality of slide rails. A push-pull element is pivotably connected to the inside of the press button. A cross bar is fitted to the bottom of the push-pull element while both ends of the cross bar are disposed in the slide grooves. Accordingly, the push-pull element is able to change path and locating positions in the slide grooves. Moreover, the conductive strip can be controlled in on/off-state by means of the force in different directions. Besides, the free end of the conductive strip is kept in an independent state so that the conductive strip is transformed into the off-state in case of overload. Consequently, the safety of the user can be ensured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bistable switch using a shape memory alloy, and a method for manufacturing the same. More specifically, the bistable switch includes a substrate having at least one power source; a flexible sheet having a first distal end attached to the substrate; a bridge contact formed at a second and opposite distal end of the flexible sheet; and at least one heat activated element connected to a first surface of the flexible sheet and between the second distal end and the power source. During operation, current from the power source passing through the heat activated element to indirectly bend the flexible sheet and short the signal contacts on the substrate with a sustainable force.

Abstract: An electrical switch with a thermostatic working element as the actuating element and with a switch element designed as a microswitch. In order to achieve optimal utilization of space and small structural size, the contact support of the working contact of the microswitch, looking at the microswitch in a top view, is mounted laterally-displaced and next to a contact tongue of the microswitch.

Abstract: A pressure operated water level control device having a movable selector for selecting different water level settings thereof. A heat motor unit is carried by the device and is operatively associated with the selector for moving the selector to a certain low water level setting thereof when the heat motor means is activated.

Abstract: A protector switch is added in the power supply to open on failure of the door interlock switch to open when the oven door is opened. The monitor switch that closes as the door opens, after the door switch should open, will if the latter does not occur create a power short-circuit ahead of the oven; in this circuit there is a heat responsive electrical resistance element that mechanically holds the protector switch closed against a switch opening bias. Such element will fail under the short circuit current and release the protector switch to shut off the power to the oven. The resistance element can be a wire of predetermined resistance, with current limiting capability, or an off-the-shelf control resistor.