Patent ID: 8476543
Filing Date: 2013-07-02
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. An electromechanical switch comprising: a contact assembly located at least partially between a pushbutton, and a base; the contact assembly including a contact arm, first and second spacers, and a pivot post; the pushbutton operative to select from among a plurality of contact arm states; the first spacer pivotally engaging the pivot post and the contact arm; the second spacer pivotally engaging the pivot post and the contact arm; the second spacer including a spacer spring, a spacer spring insert, and a piston; the piston for moving in an elongated cavity of the spacer spring insert; the pushbutton operable to store energy in and to withdraw energy from the spacer spring while moving the contact arm between first and second equilibrium states; a linkage assembly including a link operable to transfer forces between a contact arm and an actuator lever; the linkage assembly further including a retainer operable to transfer forces between the actuator lever to the pushbutton; an actuator lever biasing spring tending to resist depression of the pushbutton; a cam adjacent to the link; a cam follower extending from the link; the cam follower operable to engage a curvilinear surface of the cam; interaction between the cam follower and the cam curvilinear surface creating a plurality of pushbutton equilibrium states; wherein operation of the pushbutton causes the link and cam to move, the link moving in a direction about perpendicular to the cam's direction of motion; wherein the spacer spring is a compression spring and the actuator lever biasing spring is a torsion spring; and, a retainer curved surface for engaging the actuator lever, rolling contact between the retainer curved surface and an actuator lever surface being caused by depression of the pushbutton.