Patent ID: 6166345
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A see-saw switch comprising:a housing provided with a fixed contact;a lever provided with a movable contact at one longitudinal end thereof, said lever being pivotally supported to said housing for pivotal movement about a pivot axis between a closed position of engaging said movable contact with said fixed contact and an open position of disengaging said movable contact from said fixed contact;a plunger slidably supported to said housing for linear movement along an axial direction of said plunger;an actuator operative in conjunction with said plunger and held in slidable contact with said lever for translating said linear movement of said plunger into the pivotal movement of said lever so that, when said plunger moves in a forward direction, the actuator is movable in a forward direction along the lever and causes said lever to pivot about said pivot axis to said closed position; andrestrictor means for keeping said lever engaged with said plunger in order to restrict said lever from pivoting from said open position to said closed position until said actuator proceeds in said forward direction past a critical point which is offset from said pivot axis by a certain distance towards said movable contact along said lever, and for releasing said lever from said plunger immediately after said actuator proceeds past said critical point in said forward direction, permitting said lever to pivot into said closed position for contact closing with a substantial contact pressure between said movable and fixed contacts.