Patent ID: 8130064

Claim:
A switch assembly comprising: a housing through which stationary contacts extend; a motor assembly positioned within the housing; an armature driven by the motor assembly between a first position and a second position, the armature having a first end and an oppositely facing second end; a first actuator assembly and a second actuator assembly, the first actuator assembly extending from a first end of the armature, the second actuator assembly extending from the second end of the armature, the first actuator assembly and the second actuator assembly having moveable contacts, the first actuator assembly and the second actuator assembly moved by the armature such that the moveable contacts are in electrical engagement with the stationary contacts when the armature is in the first position, and the moveable contacts are spaced from the stationary contacts when the armature is in the second position, the stationary contacts and the moveable contacts are angled with respect to the direction of motion as the armature is moved between the first position and the second position, causing a contact force between the stationary contact and the moveable contacts to be enhanced and causing the moveable contacts to move across and frictionally engage the surface of the stationary contacts as the armature approaches the first position thereby providing a wiping action to remove contamination that may be present on the surfaces of the stationary contacts and moveable contacts; wherein the movement of the armature and the movement of the moveable contacts are in the same linear direction.