Phillip Thomas Stevens

US Patent:

50618318, Oct 29, 1991

Filed:

Jul 3, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/548467

Inventors:

Phillip D. Stevens - Gilbert AZ
Arthur W. Mittendorf - Litchfield Park AZ

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H01H 904

US Classification:

200302001

Abstract:

A hermetically sealed switch with multiple switching positions comprises an actuator welded or soldered to a metallic diaphragm. The diaphragm is in turn welded or soldered to the inner walls of the switch housing. The diaphragm is flexible and allows the actuator to pivot about the welded portion. The pivoting motion causes rotation at each end of the actuator. Therefore, if one end of the actuator is rotated, the other end will similarly rotate about while the weld between the actuator and the diaphragm remains intact. The sealed end of the actuator is inserted into a rotor. The rotor has a metal piece which rotates in a circular manner and couples individual contacts to a common electrical ground. Each contact represents a different switch setting. As the metal piece of the rotor couples the contact with the ground, current is allowed to flow between the two and the setting represented by the contact is selected.