Switch assembly incorporating contact wedge

• US 6,441,332 B1
• Filed: 02/15/2001
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Crawford, James F., Sears, Jeffrey L., Wilson, Harold T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Anh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Kyung S.
• Application Number:
  US09/783,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20020108844A1
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 200/520, 200/533, 200/534, 200/535, 200/341, 200/573
• US Class Current: 200/520
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/58 Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals for high tension switches H01H33/025; for electromagnetic relays H01H50/14; for circuit breakers H01H71/08
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 15/102 comprising cam devices

Abstract

A switch assembly includes both a separating wedge member, which functions to maintain two electrical contacts out of electrical communication, and a second, camming element, which can be used to squeeze the contacts together when the switch assembly is actuated. In a first embodiment, the second element is of a generally conical shape. In a second embodiment, the second element is actually constituted by two side members having ramped surfaces. The interaction of the specially shaped contacts and camming element ensures proper mating of the contact members when the switch is actuated. In one preferred form of the invention, an undulating channel is formed in a housing of the switch to pinch connecting wires and assure a positive, reliable connection with the contacts.

Claims

1. A switch assembly comprising:

a housing;

first and second electrical contacts extending within said housing and including first and second contact zones respectively; and

a push button including a wedge member and at least one camming surface, said push button being shiftable between a first position, wherein the wedge member projects between the first and second contacts to maintain a space between the first and second contact zones, and a second position, wherein the first and second contacts are forced into engagement at the first and second contact zones by the at least one camming surface abutting each of the first and second contacts.

2. The switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein said wedge member and said at least one camming surface move in unison.

3. The switch assembly according to claim 2, wherein said wedge member includes an angled tip extending between and directly engaging said first and second contacts.

4. The switch assembly according to claim 3, wherein said angled tip is vertically spaced from said camming surface.

5. The switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second contacts maintain a normally open position.

6. The switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein said push button includes a manually engageable upper projection extending from the housing.

7. The switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second contacts is L-shaped with first and second legs.

8. The switch assembly according to claim 7, wherein said housing includes first and second mating portions.

9. The switch assembly according to claim 8, wherein said first and second mating portions of the housing sandwich the first leg of each said contact.

10. The switch assembly according to claim 9, wherein said first and second mating portions define a wire guide channel.

11. The switch assembly according to claim 10, wherein said wire guide channel undulates within said housing.

12. The switch assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one spring positioned to bias said push button to said first position.

13. A switch assembly comprising:

first and second electrical contacts including respective first and second contact zones;

a push button including at least one camming surface, said push button being shiftable between a first position, wherein a space is maintained between said first and second contact zones, and a second position, wherein the first and second contacts are forced into engagement at the first and second contact zones by the at least one camming surface; and

a housing within which the push button and the first and second contacts extend, said housing including first and second portions which mate to define at least one undulating, wire guide channel therebetween.

14. The switch assembly according to claim 13, wherein said camming surface is defined by two side members, each including a ramped surface.

15. The switch assembly according to claim 13, wherein each of said first and second contacts includes a bent section wherein, when said push button is in said second position, said camming surface engages said contacts at said bent sections.

16. The switch assembly according to claim 13, wherein sections of the first and second contacts are sandwiched between portions of the housing.

17. The switch assembly according to claim 13, further comprising:

at least one spring positioned to bias said push button to said first position.

18. The switch assembly according to claim 13, wherein said push button includes a wedge member, wherein the wedge member projects between the first and second contacts to maintain a space between the first and second contact zones when the push button is in the first position.

19. The switch assembly according to claim 18, wherein said wedge member and said at least one camming surface move in unison.

20. The switch assembly according to claim 19, wherein said wedge member includes an angled tip extending between said first and second contacts when the push button is in said first position.