Patent ID: 8173918

Claim:
A pressure switch ( 100 ) including a housing ( 101 ) and a connector ( 106 ) coupled to the housing ( 101 ) and including one or more electrical contact members ( 219 ), the pressure switch ( 100 ) being characterized by: the housing ( 101 ) comprising a first chamber ( 212 ) and a second chamber ( 213 ), the first and second chambers ( 212 , 213 ) separated by an integrated diaphragm ( 102 ); the integrated diaphragm ( 102 ) having a first side ( 210 ) facing the first chamber ( 212 ) and a second side ( 211 ) facing the second chamber ( 213 ), wherein the integrated diaphragm ( 102 ) flexes in response to a pre-determined pressure provided by a fluid in communication with the second side ( 211 ) of the integrated diaphragm ( 102 ); a first bushing ( 103 ) inserted into the first chamber ( 212 ) of the housing ( 101 ), the first bushing ( 103 ) comprising an upper portion ( 215 ) with a first inner diameter ( 216 ) and a lower portion ( 217 ) with a second inner diameter ( 218 ) smaller than the first inner diameter ( 218 ), wherein the lower portion ( 217 ) is coupled to the first side ( 210 ) of the integrated diaphragm ( 102 ) to reduce an area of the integrated diaphragm ( 102 ) that can flex in response to the pressure acting on the second side ( 211 ) of the integrated diaphragm ( 102 ); and wherein the connector ( 106 ) includes at least one switch ( 105 ), the at least one switch ( 105 ) being configured to be actuated by the first side ( 210 ) of the integrated diaphragm ( 102 ).