SWITCH MODULE

• US 20110109421A1
• Filed: 04/09/2010
• Published: 05/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Powertech Industrial Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Powertech Industrial Company Limited
• Inventors: LEE, YU-LUNG, HSU, JUNG-HUI
• Application Number:
  US12/757,387
• Publication Number:
  US 20110109421A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 337/112
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/20 having snap action
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0271 structurally combining a switch and an electronic component for relays H01H50/021

Abstract

A switch module having a surge absorber is disclosed. In one embodiment according, the switch module includes a casing having an input terminal, an output terminal and an auxiliary terminal, a switch unit installed in the casing for connecting or disconnecting the input terminal to the output terminal, and a surge absorber installed in the casing and between the output terminal and the auxiliary terminal. Therefore, the switch module is capable of absorbing a voltage spike from the input terminal and thus shielding the circuitry of the switch module from damage.

Claims

1. A switch module, comprising:

a casing having an input terminal, an output terminal and an auxiliary terminal, wherein the input terminal is coupled with a power source;

a switch unit installed in the casing and between the input terminal and the output terminal for connecting or disconnecting the input terminal to the output terminal; and

a surge absorber installed in the casing and between the output terminal and the auxiliary terminal for absorbing a voltage spike from the power source when the input terminal connects with the output terminal.

2. The switch module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surge absorber comprises a first surge absorption device coupled with the input terminal and the auxiliary terminal.

3. The switch module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the casing further includes a ground terminal.

4. The switch module as claimed in claim 3, wherein the surge absorber further comprises a second surge absorption device coupled with the auxiliary and the ground terminal.

5. The switch module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the surge absorber further comprises a third surge absorption device coupled with the output terminal and the ground terminal.

6. The switch module as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first thermal protection device coupled with the output terminal and the surge absorber.

7. The switch module as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a second thermal protection device which is coupled with the ground terminal and the surge absorber.

8. The switch module as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a lighting device coupled with the output terminal and the auxiliary terminal.

9. The switch module as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lighting device is a light emitting diode or a neon light.

10. The switch module as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a switch controller installed at one side of the casing and connected with the switch unit for controlling the switch unit to connect or disconnect the input terminal with the output terminal.

11. The switch module as claimed in claim 10, wherein the switch controller is a bimetal strip or a thermal sensing plate.