Force switch
First Claim
1. A mechanical force switch to be disposed along a longitudinal device axis of a medical device, the switch comprising:
- an electrically conductive switching piston forming a first of two electrical contacts, said piston having;
a longitudinal piston axis to be disposed parallel to the longitudinal device axis; and
a bias-device contact;
a hollow body defining a body interior cavity in which said piston is movably disposed along said piston axis to define;
a switch-making piston position at a first longitudinal position with respect to said body; and
a switch-breaking piston position at a second longitudinal position with respect to said body different from said first longitudinal position;
an end stop defining a second interior cavity in which said piston is movably disposed, said end stop being at least partly disposed in said body interior cavity;
a bias device being disposed about at least a portion of said piston between said end stop and said bias-device contact and imparting a variable longitudinal bias thereagainst to retain said piston in one of two positions selected from said switch-making position and said switch-breaking position until an external force imparted to said piston along said longitudinal piston axis exceeds said longitudinal bias and, when the external force exceeds said longitudinal bias, said piston moves to the other of said two positions, a magnitude of said longitudinal bias being dependent upon a longitudinal position of said end stop within said body interior cavity; and
an electrically conductive second contact electrically insulated from said piston and forming a second of said two electrical contacts, said first and second electrical contacts being in said switch-making state when said piston is in said switch-making position and in said switch-breaking state when said piston is in said switch-breaking position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mechanical force switch to be disposed along a longitudinal device axis of a medical device includes an electrically conductive switching piston to form a first electrical contact of the switch, a hollow body, an end stop, a bias device, and an electrically conductive second contact of the switch electrically insulated from the piston. The piston is movably disposed in the body hollow along the axis to define different switch-making and -breaking positions. The piston is also movably disposed in a cavity of the stop and the stop is disposed in the body. The stop can be a smooth or threaded puck. The bias device surrounds the piston and imparts bias against it to retain it in one of the two positions until an external axis force overcomes the bias, at which time the switch indicates a state changeover. The switch can be normally open or closed.
1265 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A mechanical force switch to be disposed along a longitudinal device axis of a medical device, the switch comprising:
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an electrically conductive switching piston forming a first of two electrical contacts, said piston having; a longitudinal piston axis to be disposed parallel to the longitudinal device axis; and a bias-device contact; a hollow body defining a body interior cavity in which said piston is movably disposed along said piston axis to define; a switch-making piston position at a first longitudinal position with respect to said body; and a switch-breaking piston position at a second longitudinal position with respect to said body different from said first longitudinal position; an end stop defining a second interior cavity in which said piston is movably disposed, said end stop being at least partly disposed in said body interior cavity; a bias device being disposed about at least a portion of said piston between said end stop and said bias-device contact and imparting a variable longitudinal bias thereagainst to retain said piston in one of two positions selected from said switch-making position and said switch-breaking position until an external force imparted to said piston along said longitudinal piston axis exceeds said longitudinal bias and, when the external force exceeds said longitudinal bias, said piston moves to the other of said two positions, a magnitude of said longitudinal bias being dependent upon a longitudinal position of said end stop within said body interior cavity; and an electrically conductive second contact electrically insulated from said piston and forming a second of said two electrical contacts, said first and second electrical contacts being in said switch-making state when said piston is in said switch-making position and in said switch-breaking state when said piston is in said switch-breaking position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A mechanical force switch to be disposed along a longitudinal device axis of a medical device and electrically actuating a change of state when a predefined force along the longitudinal device axis is exceeded, the switch comprising:
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an electrically conductive switching piston forming a first of two electrical contacts of the switch, said piston having; a longitudinal piston axis to be disposed coincident with the longitudinal device axis; a piston portion having a first exterior; and a flange having a flange exterior; and a hollow body defining a first interior cavity having a first interior substantially equal to said flange exterior, said piston being movably disposed in said first interior cavity along said longitudinal piston axis to define; a switch-making piston position at a first longitudinal position with respect to said body; and a switch-breaking piston position at a second longitudinal position with respect to said body different from said first longitudinal position; an end stop defining a second interior cavity having a second interior substantially equal to said first exterior, said piston portion being movably disposed in said second interior cavity, said end stop being disposed in said first interior cavity and having; a bias-device contact surface; and a stop exterior substantially equal to said first interior; a bias device having a third exterior substantially equal to said first interior and being disposed about said piston portion between said bias-device contact surface and said flange, said bias device imparting a variable longitudinal bias against said flange to retain said piston in one of two positions selected from said switch-making position and said switch-breaking position until an external force imparted to said piston along said longitudinal piston axis exceeds said longitudinal bias and, when the external force exceeds said longitudinal bias, said piston moves to the other of said two positions, a magnitude of said longitudinal bias being dependent upon a longitudinal position of said end stop within said first interior cavity; and a switch assembly having; a housing longitudinally connected to said hollow body; a switch sub-assembly longitudinally connected to said piston and movably disposed in said housing, said sub-assembly having; a switch insulator; and an electrically conductive second contact electrically insulated from said piston, said first and second contacts being in said switch-making state when said piston is in said first longitudinal position and in said switch-breaking state when said piston is in said second longitudinal position. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A mechanical force switch to be disposed along a longitudinal device axis of a medical device and electrically actuating a change of state when a predefined force along a longitudinal axis of a device is exceeded, the switch comprising:
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a switching piston defining an internal cavity and having; a first portion having a first exterior; a second portion having; a second exterior; and an outer flange with a flange exterior; at least one electroconductive portion forming a first of two contacts of an electrical switch for signaling a switching state of said piston; and a longitudinal piston axis to be disposed coincident with the longitudinal device axis; a hollow body defining; a first interior cavity having a first interior; and a second interior cavity having a second interior substantially equal to said flange exterior, said piston being movably disposed in said first and second interior cavities along said longitudinal piston axis to define; a switch-making piston position at a first longitudinal position with respect to said body; and a switch-breaking piston position at a second longitudinal position with respect to said body different from said first longitudinal position; at least one adjustable end stop; having a stop exterior substantially equal to said first interior; and defining a stop interior cavity having a stop interior substantially equal to said first exterior; a bias device having a bias exterior substantially equal to said second interior and disposed about said first portion between said end stop and said outer flange, said bias device imparting a variable longitudinal bias against said outer flange to retain said piston in one of two positions selected from said switch-making position and said switch-breaking position until an external force imparted to said piston along said longitudinal piston axis exceeds said longitudinal bias and, when the external force exceeds said longitudinal bias, said piston moves to the other of said two positions, a magnitude of said longitudinal bias being dependent upon a longitudinal position of said end stop within said first interior cavity; and a switch assembly longitudinally connected to said body and having; a switch insulator; and an electrically conductive second contact electrically insulated from said piston, said first and second contacts being in said switch-making state when said piston is in said first longitudinal position and in said switch-breaking state when said piston is in said second longitudinal position. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification