150results about "Contact-welding prevention/breaking" patented technology

The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring protection device including a housing assembly including at least one receptacle, the at least one receptacle being configured to receive plug contact blades inserted therein. The housing assembly includes a hot line terminal, a neutral line terminal, a hot load terminal, a neutral load terminal, a hot user-accessible receptacle contact, and a neutral user accessible receptacle contact. A fault detection circuit is coupled to the hot line terminal and the neutral line terminal. The fault detection circuit is configured to detect at least one fault condition and provide a fault detect signal in response thereto. An interrupting contact assembly is coupled to the fault detection circuit. A weld breaker mechanism is coupled to the interrupting contact assembly. The weld breaker mechanism is configured to strike the first pair of contacts and / or the second pair of contacts in response to the tripping stimulus.

A circuit interrupting device has a circuit interrupter with a stationary contact and a moveable contact. The movable contact is movable relative to the stationary contact between a closed position that allows current to pass through the circuit interrupter and an open position separating the contacts and preventing current from passing through the circuit interrupter. The movable contact is controlled by a solenoid assembly. The movable contact is connected to a plunger of the solenoid assembly by a turnbuckle and weld break assembly. The turnbuckle and weld break assembly permits adjusting the contact wipe distance and generates a hammer force to break any welds between the contacts of the vacuum interrupter.

The invention relates to a sub-miniature switch including a housing, an actuator and terminals. The actuator protrudes from the housing at a position offset from the center of the housing. The terminals are electrically conductively coupled with fixed contacts (positioned within the housing). A contact maker is moved via the actuator and held in a first or second switching position by means of a bistable spring arrangement. An additional component, a separator or auxiliary actuator, is in snap-fit engagement with or clamped or glued in the cover of the housing and is pushed through by the actuator as the switch is operated. According to the present invention, the contact point of the fixed contacts is on a side of the housing which is opposite the actuator. The separator or auxiliary actuator is moved in the direction of the contact position by the actuator. Thus a structurally simple forced-opening capability is provided for the sub-miniature switch.

An electrical wiring device including a plurality of independent switches and a circuit interrupter. In an aspect, two adjacent switches are provided. The user accessible portions of the switches operate in a direction parallel to the major longitudinal axis of the electrical wiring device. A protected receptacle may also be provided. The circuit protection component includes a line terminal connectable to a source of voltage, a load terminal connectable to a load, a circuit interrupter that is configured to connect or disconnect the line terminal from the load terminal, a fault detection circuit that is configured to detect at least one predetermined condition, and a trip mechanism in operable communication with the circuit interrupter to disconnect the line terminal from the load terminal upon detection of the predetermined condition. In an aspect, an electrical wiring device includes a common member having a plurality of fixed contacts and a common terminal configured to be user connectable to a hot line or a hot load source.

A method and device are disclosed for safely operating a switching device with at least one main contact, which can be switched on or off, and which has contact elements and a moving contact bridge, and with at least one control magnet, which has a moving armature. During switching on and off, the armature acts upon the contact bridge whereby closing and opening the corresponding main contact. At least one embodiment of the method includes the following: a) identifying whether the moving contact bridge of the at least one main contact has surpassed an opening point after the switching off; and b) interrupting the further operation of the switching device when the opening point has not been surpassed after a predetermined period of time.

The present invention is directed to a protective device that includes a plurality of line terminals, a plurality of load terminals, and a fault detection assembly coupled to the plurality of line terminals. The fault detection circuit is configured to provide a fault detection output in response to detecting a fault condition. A circuit interrupter is coupled between the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals. The circuit interrupter includes a first set of contacts, the first set of contacts being configured to close to establish at least one electrically continuous path between the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals in a reset state. The first set of contacts are also configured to open to disconnect the at least one electrically continuous path in response to the fault detection output to enter a tripped state. An auxiliary switch is coupled to the fault detection assembly. The auxiliary switch includes a second set of contacts configured to decouple at least a portion of the fault detection assembly from a source of electrical power in the tripped state. A latch assembly is coupled to the circuit interrupter. The latch assembly includes a first latch block mechanism configured to close the first set of contacts in the reset state and a second latch block mechanism configured to open the second set of contacts in the tripped state.

To provide a power supply relay controller and an electric power steering apparatus capable of appropriately preventing contact failure of relays. When abnormal conduction between relay contacts occurs, a power supply relay circuit is opened and closed while a predetermined potential difference is applied between the relay contacts. At this time, an operation for turning on the relay contacts is performed while the charge of an electrolytic capacitor by a precharge circuit is limited. In this way, an ice layer between the relay contacts is removed by thermal energy of an arc that is generated between the contacts by a potential difference between the relay contacts.

There are provided a switching-device remaining lifetime diagnosis method and a switching-device remaining lifetime diagnosis apparatus, wherein as status amount history data, there are accumulated status amounts related to a deterioration status of a switching device, estimated based on measurement data obtained through measurement of performance characteristics of the switching device; based on the accumulated status amount history data, there are created a plurality of system data pieces in which the status amounts are arranged with the respective abscissas of an elapsed time during an operation period of the switching device, the number of operations of the switching device, an inoperative time of the switching device, and an accumulated operation time of the switching device; based on the created system data pieces, the remaining lifetime of the switching device is estimated.

An AC / DC switch for electric power tools avoids bouncing when turned on, but assures quick cutting-off of heavy current. Operation does not vary with age, as might be caused by wearing of projections of the switching mechanism and / or inconsistency in spring material. A reversal spring quickly switches the mechanism on and off so that the movable contacts are brought close to the stationary contacts before the turning-on, thereby permitting the turning-on subsequent to traverse of the reversal point without bouncing of the movable contacts from the stationary contacts, and preventing movement of the movable contacts before reversal spring has stored increased energy, thus allowing quick release of stored energy to make the movable contacts leave the stationary contacts at a speed sufficient to prevent electric arcs between the movable and stationary contacts, and hence prevent the wearing of the contacts.

The present invention relates to a micro-switch that comprises an outer casing, a switch compression bar that deviate the central arrangement of the casing and extends outwards from the casing, electric contacts that are arranged on the casing and on the side opposite to the switch compression bar, and a contact bridge that can be switched from a first switch position to a second switch position through the switch compression bar and a bistable spring; wherein, the switch compression bar has a cantilever that extends towards one side; the extending end is provided with a limiter that is used for forcing the contact bridge to be opened. In order to improve the micro-switch, further reduces the total size and simultaneously realize the reliable forced opening operation, the design concept of the present invention is to arrange a propping bulge on the side where the switch compression bar and the cantilever are arranged opposite to each other; the bulge acts on a flexible part of the spring that is arranged a certain distance from the switch compression bar, so as to exert a torque (M) on the cantilever of the switch compression bar in the opening direction of the contact bridge, when the switch compression bar is presses down.

A press switch includes a base, a contractible pulling rod, an upper casing, and an actuator, and when the actuator is pressed to compress a resilient spring between the upper casing and the actuator, such that the contractible pulling rod and its press terminal move downward until two movable contact points are in contact with two fixed contact points of input / output terminal on both sides of the base to electrically connect to power supply If the actuator is released, the extension of the resilient spring lifts the contractible pulling rod and its press terminal, and thus the two movable contact points are forced to be detached from the fixed contact points of the input / output terminals on both sides, so as to disconnect the power supply. The invention can assure the safety of the use of an electric appliance product such a tool machine.

A method and device are disclosed for safely operating a switching device with at least one main contact, which can be switched on or off, and which has contact elements and a moving contact bridge, and with at least one control magnet, which has a moving armature. During switching on and off, the armature acts upon the contact bridge whereby closing and opening the corresponding main contact. At least one embodiment of the method includes the following: a) identifying whether the moving contact bridge of the at least one main contact has surpassed an opening point after the switching off; and b) interrupting the further operation of the switching device when the opening point has not been surpassed after a predetermined period of time.

The aircraft applicable current imbalance detection and circuit interrupter interrupts an electrical circuit when a current imbalance is sensed. The current imbalance detection and circuit interrupter includes a housing, power supplies, a sensor system for sensing a current imbalance at the line side of the electrical circuit, a logic controller and a power controller including a power relay having contacts capable of surviving carry-break and make-carry-break types of ground fault conditions at anticipated current levels. At power up, the device performs a test to confirm that none of the relay contacts have failed in a closed position, and to check whether a switching FET which controls the relay coil has shorted.

An electrical switch provides a center contact moving between two outer contacts, at least one of which is mounted on a lever. In the event of a contact weld forming between the center contact and the lever mounted contact, unison motion of the lever mounted contact following the center contact during switching causes a strong shear force tending to break the weld. In one embodiment, a fulcrum wall striking the lever of the lever mounted contact causes increased angulation between the contacts so that unison motion rotates and peels the contacts apart.

The present invention discloses a switching mechanism (1), which has a main arresting mechanism (2) including a drive shaft (3) and a transmission output device (4) that coupled on the drive shaft; the transmission output device (4) couples with a movable contact supporting (5) in a mechanical way, so as to make an electric contact closed or disconnected because of movement of the contact supporting (5) when operating the drive shaft (3). In order to improve operational reliability of the switching mechanism (1), according to the present invention, an auxiliary arresting mechanism (7) including an actuating unit (8) with a switching shaft unit (9) coupled with the actuating unit (8) is provided; a switch shaft device is coupled with a drive shaft (3) of a main arresting mechanism (2) overa combiner unit (10); a transmission device is provided with at least one tow retainer (11) that cooperates with towing elements (12a, 12b) of the units (8, 9) to transfer a movement of the actuatingunit; the combiner unit (10) is pre-stressed against the movement using a spring element (13) as a over-center spring, in order to press the unit (10) in initial or end position and to allow movementof the shaft unit, and the switching shaft unit (9) is capable of moving dependent with manual operation of the actuating unit (8).

An electrical contactor has a pair of first terminals and a pair of second terminals. Each first terminal has a fixed member with at least one fixed electrical contact facing the other fixed member. The second terminals having back-to-back electrically-conductive movable arms with an electrically-insulating partitioning element there between. Each second terminal is associated with a different one of the first terminals, and has a movable electrical contact on the associated movable arm which faces the corresponding fixed contact. When the contacts close, contra-flowing current through the back-to-back movable arms produces a repulsive force between the movable arms increasing a force between the fixed and movable contacts.

A circuit interrupting device has a circuit interrupter with a stationary contact and a moveable contact. The movable contact is movable relative to the stationary contact between a closed position that allows current to pass through the circuit interrupter and an open position separating the contacts and preventing current from passing through the circuit interrupter. The movable contact is controlled by a solenoid assembly. The movable contact is connected to a plunger of the solenoid assembly by a turnbuckle and weld break assembly. The turnbuckle and weld break assembly permits adjusting the contact wipe distance and generates a hammer force to break any welds between the contacts of the vacuum interrupter.

A forced return solenoid that includes an electrical winding configured to create an electromagnetic field when electrical current flows through the winding, an electrical terminal configured to be connected to a source of electrical energy, and a moveable contact plate configured to be moved into contact with the electrical terminal. Embodiment of the forced return solenoid include a plunger configured to move axially in response to the electromagnetic field generated by the electrical winding. Movement of the plunger in one direction causes the moveable contact plate to connect with the electrical terminal. Movement of the plunger in the opposite direction causes an impact intended to break the connection between the moveable contact plate and the electrical terminal. Embodiments of the forced return solenoid further include a return spring configured to move the plunger in the second direction, wherein the impact means comprises a removable snap ring affixed to the plunger.

An electrical relay includes a magnetic system, a contact system and a slider. The magnetic system includes an armature. The contact system includes a moveable spring contact and a fixed spring contact. The moveable spring contact is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The moveable spring contact is in electrical contact with the fixed spring contact in the closed position. The slider connects the moveable spring contact to the armature. The slider transfers movement of the armature to the moveable spring contact. The slider has at least one contact opening element extending there from. The contact opening element strikes the moveable spring contact during movement of the moveable spring contact to the open position to break any existing weld between the moveable spring contact and the fixed spring contact.

A switch has a temperature-dependent switching mechanism with a stationary contact element; a movable contact element coacting with the stationary contact element; and a bimetallic element, having a predetermined functional service life, that as a function of its temperature lifts the movable contact element away from the stationary contact element, the two contact elements being, in one switch position, in contact with one another in order to carry a current that is to be guided through the switch, and in a second switch position, lifted away from one another so that the switch is open. The two contact elements are arranged and coordinated with one another in such a way that when the functional service life of the bimetallic element is reached, the switching mechanism is welded in the second switch position.

A switch includes a base, a support terminal assembled in the base, a movable contact piece made of a belt-like electroconductive material bent into a substantial J-shape in section, a plunger vertically movably accommodated in an internal space, and a coil spring turnably supported by the plunger. The movable contact piece includes a movable contact provided in one end portion thereof. An intermediate portion of the movable contact piece is turnably supported by a turning support portion of the support terminal. The internal space is formed by fitting a housing in the base. The plunger is slid while vertically moved press-contact one end portion of the coil spring against the other end edge portion of the movable contact piece such that the movable contact piece is reversed to bring the movable contact into contact with a fixed contact or to separate the movable contact from the fixed contact.

A diagnosis device diagnoses current cutoff devices connected in parallel and disposed on an energization path to an energy storage device mounted on a vehicle. The diagnosis device performs switch processing of switching one of the current cutoff devices to be diagnosed from an opened state to a closed state or from the closed state to the opened state and closing the other current cutoff device while an engine of the vehicle is stopped. The diagnosis device detects end-to-end voltage of the current cutoff device when current larger than a threshold flows through the current cutoff device after the switch processing, and diagnoses the current cutoff device based on the detected end-to-end voltage.

An electrical wiring device configured to be disposed in an electrical distribution system including a power source for providing power to a load, including a compact switch assembly. The compact switch assembly includes a rocker assembly, a fixed contact assembly and a moveable contact assembly. By design and interaction between surfaces of the rocker assembly and the moveable contact assembly, permanent switch contact closure due to contact arc welding is avoided. A pivot member including a (moveable) contact is opened to a first contact separation distance within a given time and then to a second contact separation distance via user supplied force to a user accessible surface. A combination device is also disclosed including a circuit interrupter configured to provide power to a portion of the electrical distribution system in the closed contact position and to interrupt power from a portion of the electrical distribution system in the open contact position in response to a predetermined fault condition in the electrical distribution system. A method for opening a set of closed switch contacts in a switch assembly of an electrical device configured to provide the rated current of an AC electrical distribution system to a load is further disclosed.

A forced return solenoid that includes an electrical winding configured to create an electromagnetic field when electrical current flows through the winding, an electrical terminal configured to be connected to a source of electrical energy, and a moveable contact plate configured to be moved into contact with the electrical terminal. Embodiment of the forced return solenoid include a plunger configured to move axially in response to the electromagnetic field generated by the electrical winding. Movement of the plunger in one direction causes the moveable contact plate to connect with the electrical terminal. Movement of the plunger in the opposite direction causes an impact intended to break the connection between the moveable contact plate and the electrical terminal. Embodiments of the forced return solenoid further include a return spring configured to move the plunger in the second direction, wherein the impact means comprises a removable snap ring affixed to the plunger.

The aircraft applicable current imbalance detection and circuit interrupter interrupts an electrical circuit when a current imbalance is sensed. The current imbalance detection and circuit interrupter includes a housing, power supplies, a sensor system for sensing a current imbalance at the line side of the electrical circuit, a logic controller and a power controller including a power relay having contacts capable of surviving carry-break and make-carry-break types of ground fault conditions at anticipated current levels. At power up, the device performs a test to confirm that none of the relay contacts have failed in a closed position, and to check whether a switching FET which controls the relay coil has shorted.

The switch has an actuator (7) arranged relative to center of a housing base and cover. Terminal contacts (11, 13) are electrically connected with fixed contacts. A contactor (15) is held in one of switch positions by a bi-stable spring arrangement in dependence of the switch position of the actuator. A disconnector (21) is moved by the actuator (7) towards the contact position of the fixed contacts and the contactor.

A press switch includes a base, a contractible pulling rod, an upper casing, and an actuator, and when the actuator is pressed to compress a resilient spring between the upper casing and the actuator, such that the contractible pulling rod and its press terminal move downward until two movable contact points are in contact with two fixed contact points of input / output terminal on both sides of the base to electrically connect to power supply If the actuator is released, the extension of the resilient spring lifts the contractible pulling rod and its press terminal, and thus the two movable contact points are forced to be detached from the fixed contact points of the input / output terminals on both sides, so as to disconnect the power supply. The invention can assure the safety of the use of an electric appliance product such a tool machine.

In this contact mechanism part, driving protrusion parts (43, 44) disposed on one end of a card (40) that slides engage with the free edge part of a moveable contact piece (60), the moveable contact piece (60) is turned by sliding the card (40), and moveable contact points (56, 57) provided to the moveable contact piece (60) come into and out of contact with fixed contact points (52, 53). In particular, the present invention is provided with a pair of driving protrusion parts (43, 44) which protrudes in the opposite direction from corner parts adjacent to the one end of the card (40), and a pair of elastic returning tongue pieces (67b, 67c) which is cut out of the free edge part of the moveable contact piece (60) and which is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the driving protrusion parts (43, 44). When the moveable contact points (56, 57) and the fixed contact points (52, 53) come into contact with one another, the distance between one of the driving protrusion parts (43) and one of the elastic returning tongue pieces (67b) becomes shorter than the distance between the other driving protrusion part (44) and the other elastic returning tongue piece (67c).

The present invention relates to a contactor, a connector and a contactor component. According to the first aspect of the invention, a contactor relates to a switch mechanism, an iron core, an iron core position sensing circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit can measure the position of the iron core by measuring the variation in inductance by using the property that the coil can produce different inductances when the iron core is in different positions in the coil. According to the second aspect of the invention, a connector and contactor component are provided, wherein a control circuit is arranged on a connector, the control circuit comprises a PWM power-saving circuit. The PWM power-saving circuit is integrated on the connector, so that the average driving current of the contactor is reduced and meanwhile, the size of the contactor is reduced.

A see-saw switch capable of closing the contacts at a high initial contact pressure. The switch includes a housing provided with a fixed contact, and a lever provided with a movable contact at one longitudinal end thereof. The lever is pivotally supported to the housing for pivotal movement about a pivot axis between a contact closing position and a contact opening position. A plunger is slidably supported to the housing for linear movement along an axial direction of the plunger, and has an actuator which is held in slidable contact with said lever for translating the linear movement of the plunger into the pivotal movement of the lever so that, when the plunger moves in a forward direction, the actuator causes the lever to pivot about the pivot axis into the closed position. A restrictor is provided to keep the lever engaged with the plunger in order to restrict the lever from pivoting from the open position to the closed position until the actuator proceeds in the forward direction past a critical point which is offset from the pivot axis by a certain distance towards the movable contact along the lever. Thus, the lever operates to close the contacts only after the actuator past the critical point where it applies a sufficient force to the lever so as to impart the substantial initial contacting pressure between the contacts.