Switch having a bimetal plate with two legs

• US 6,563,414 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2001
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tsung-Mou Yu
• Original Assignee: Tsung-Mou Yu
• Inventors: Yu, Tsung-Mou
• Primary Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US09/839,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20020153990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 337/66, 337/68, 337/91, 337/333, 337/334, 337/345, 337/379, 337/53, 337/59, 337/74-76, 337/79, 337/37, 337/39, 337/85, 337/112, 337/113, 337/140, 200/553-557
• US Class Current: 337/66
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 71/16 with bimetal element combined with detection of imbalance of two or more currents H01H83/223
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 73/303 with an insulating body insertable between the contacts when released by a bimetal element

Abstract

A switch device includes a switch case having a passage in a top thereof so as to receive a button therein. A non-conductive plate extends laterally from the button. A first terminal plate and a second terminal plate respectively extend from the casing. A first contact point extends from a side of the second terminal plate. A bimetal plate is connected to the first terminal plate and has two legs extending therefrom. A conductive member is connected between the two legs and connected to the second terminal plate when the button is pushed. The non-conductive plate is located between the conductive member and the second terminal plate when the button jumps up and the two legs are deformed away from the second terminal plate.

Claims

1. A switch device comprising:

a switch case having a passage defined through a top of said case and two slots respectively defined in an underside of said case, a button movably received in said passage and a non-conductive plate extending laterally train said button and located in said switch case, a first terminal plate and a second terminal plate respectively engaged with said two slots, said case being composed of a first part having a plurality of recesses defined in a surface of said first part, and a second part having a plurality of rods extending from said second part for engaging with said recesses; and

a bimetal plate having a body and two legs extending from said body, said body connected to said first terminal plate, a conductive member connected between said two legs and said non-conductive plate movably located between said conductive member and said second terminal plate;

wherein each of said first terminal plate and said second terminal plate has a connection hole, and two rivets respectively extend trough said connection holes and engage with two engaging holes defined in said first part.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a first contact point extending from a side of said second terminal plate and a second contact point extending from a side of said conductive member, said non-conductive plate movably located between said first contact point and said second contact point.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a spring biased between said button and an inner periphery of said passage.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a slit defined in said first part, and said first terminal plate having an end engaged with said slit.

5. A switch device comprising:

a switch case having a passage defined through a top of said case and two slots respectively defined in an underside of said case;

a button movably received in said passage and an L-shaped non-conductive plate extending laterally from said button and located in said switch case;

a first terminal plate and a second terminal plate respectively engaged with said two slots;

a U-shaped bimetal plate having a body and two legs extending from said body, said body connected to said first terminal plat; and

a conductive member having two end connection points connected to two ends of said two legs, said conductive member having a first contact point extending from a side of said conductive member at a point between said two end connection points;

wherein said L-shaped non-conductive plate has a lateral portion movably located between said conductive member and said second terminal plate.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a second contact point extending from a side of said second terminal plate, said non-conductive plate movably located between said first contact point and said second contact point.

7. The device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a spring biased between said button and an inner periphery of said passage.

8. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said case is composed of a first part having a plurality of recesses defined in a surface of said first part, and a second part having a plurality of rods extending from said second part for engaging with said recesses.

9. The device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a slit defined in said first part, and said first terminal plate having an end engaged with said slit.

10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein each said first terminal plate and said second terminal plate has a connection hole, and two rivets respectively extend through said connection holes and engage with two engaging holes defined in said first part.