Patent ID: 6325662
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A mechanism for pressing together mating electrical contacts which lie on one stationary and one moveable member; said mechanism being comprised of:a first arm that has one slidable joint; and a second arm that is coupled by a pivotal joint to said first arm;an actuator, coupled by said slidable joint to said first arm, which slides said first arm from an open position, where the angle between said arms is large, to a closed position where said angle is small but variable within a predetermined range;said arms being coupled to said moveable member such that said mating electrical contacts are pressed together, when said first arm is at said closed position, with a force Fy and a mechanical advantage of Fy/Fx that increases as said small angle decreases across said range; and,a spring, coupled to one of said arms, which urges said arms together with said force Fx such that said force Fx decreases as said small angle decreases across said range.