Patent ID: 6734779
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A switch comprising:a casing defining an interior space, the casing having a bottom and a top opening in communication with the interior space; first and second conductive blades arranged in the interior space and mounted to the bottom, the first and second blades having tails extending beyond the bottom for external connection, the second blade having a top edge forming a notch; a conductive strip made of a material that bends when subject to a temperature rise, the strip having an end fixed to the first blade and an opposite, free end forming a cantilever; a seesaw plate having a bottom side on which a projection is formed and an opposite top side, the projection being received in the notch of the second blade to allow seesawing of the seesaw plate about the top edge of the second blade between an engaged position where a first end of the seesaw plate engages the free end of the conductive strip thereby forming an electrical connection between the first and second blades and a disengaged position where the first end of the seesaw plate disengages from the conductive strip thereby electrically disconnecting the second blade from the first blade; and a control button movably received in the top opening of the casing and having a driver assembly mounted thereto, the control button being mounted to the casing with the driver assembly engaging the top side of the seesaw plate, the control button being movable between a first position wherein the driver assembly drives the seesaw plate toward the engaged position and a second position where the driver assembly drives the seesaw plate toward the disengaged position; wherein with the seesaw plate engaging the conductive strip and forming the electrical connection between the first and second blades, when an excessive current flows through the conductive strip, causing a temperature rise in the conductive strip, the conductive strip bends and separates the free end thereof from the first end of the seesaw plate thereby breaking the electrical connection between the first and second blades.