A switchable contacting device with cooling functionality comprises a current-carrying component, a housing for encasing the current-carrying component, and a heat dissipating component. The heat dissipating component is arranged to dissipate heat from the current-carrying component outside the housing. The switchable contacting device allows to realize an internal passive cooling, an internal active cooling, an external passive cooling, and an external active cooling.

A pressure-sensitive sensor includes a hollow tubular member including an elastic insulating material, and n electrode wires (n being an integer of not less than 3) arranged away from one another and held inside the tubular member. When an external pressure is applied to the tubular member, the tubular member elastically deforms such that at least two of the n electrode wires contact with each other. The n electrode wires extend linearly and parallel to a central axis of the tubular member.

A pressure-sensitive sensor includes a hollow tubular member including an elastic insulating material, and n electrode wires (n being an integer of not less than 3) arranged away from one another and held inside the tubular member. When an external pressure is applied to the tubular member, the tubular member elastically deforms such that at least two of the n electrode wires contact with each other. The n electrode wires extend linearly and parallel to a central axis of the tubular member.

A removable switching element for switching an electric current for an electrical switching device includes a housing; first and second fixed electrical conductors; a mobile electrical conductor that can be moved between a first position, in which the mobile electrical conductor electrically connects the first and second fixed electrical conductors; and a second position, in which the mobile electrical conductor is electrically isolated from the first and second fixed electrical conductors. The housing includes two windows passing therethrough, one being located facing an area of contact between the mobile conductor and the first fixed electrical conductor and the other being located facing an area of contact between the mobile conductor and the second fixed electrical conductor.

A removable switching element for switching an electric current for an electrical switching device includes a housing; first and second fixed electrical conductors; a mobile electrical conductor that can be moved between a first position, in which the mobile electrical conductor electrically connects the first and second fixed electrical conductors; and a second position, in which the mobile electrical conductor is electrically isolated from the first and second fixed electrical conductors. The housing includes two windows passing therethrough, one being located facing an area of contact between the mobile conductor and the first fixed electrical conductor and the other being located facing an area of contact between the mobile conductor and the second fixed electrical conductor.

A switch includes: switch blades for multiple phases which perform three-position switching among ON, OFF, and ground, using a rotation shaft; and phase-to-phase connection mechanisms which support the switch blades for the phases so as to be insulated among the phases and against the ground, and which connect the switch blades for the phases and cause them to cooperate with each other. The phase-to-phase connection mechanisms include fitting couplings made of an insulating material and each composed of a large-diameter endless frame body and a small-diameter endless frame body which are fitted to each other. The fitting couplings are arranged on the same axial line.

A switch includes: switch blades for multiple phases which perform three-position switching among ON, OFF, and ground, using a rotation shaft; and phase-to-phase connection mechanisms which support the switch blades for the phases so as to be insulated among the phases and against the ground, and which connect the switch blades for the phases and cause them to cooperate with each other. The phase-to-phase connection mechanisms include fitting couplings made of an insulating material and each composed of a large-diameter endless frame body and a small-diameter endless frame body which are fitted to each other. The fitting couplings are arranged on the same axial line.

A contact element of a MEMS relay. The contact element includes a defined number greater than one of electrically conductive contact bodies, wherein the contact bodies are arranged at least partially within a layer that is plastically deformable in a defined manner, wherein a hardness of the plastically deformable layer is less than a hardness of the contact bodies, wherein, by exerting a compressive force on the contact bodies, the contact bodies can be pressed into the plastically deformable layer and brought to a substantially uniform height level, and wherein the plastically deformable layer is arranged at least partially within an insulation layer.

A contact element of a MEMS relay. The contact element includes a defined number greater than one of electrically conductive contact bodies, wherein the contact bodies are arranged at least partially within a layer that is plastically deformable in a defined manner, wherein a hardness of the plastically deformable layer is less than a hardness of the contact bodies, wherein, by exerting a compressive force on the contact bodies, the contact bodies can be pressed into the plastically deformable layer and brought to a substantially uniform height level, and wherein the plastically deformable layer is arranged at least partially within an insulation layer.

An electrical switch unit for use in an electrical device to control flow of electrical current therethrough from a power source to power the electrical device, the electrical switch unit comprising: a fixed electrical contact and a movable electrical contact, said movable electrical contact being configured for movement relative to the fixed electrical contact between an ON position in which the movable electrical contact is in contact with the fixed electrical contact wherein electrical current is able to flow from the power source therethrough to power the electrical device, and, an OFF position in which the movable electrical contact is out of contact with the fixed electrical contact wherein electrical current from the power source is not able to flow from the power source therethrough to power the electrical device; a contact mover movably coupled to a terminal member, the contact mover being configured for movement relative to the terminal member so as to move the movable electrical contact between the ON position and the OFF position; and a biasing member coupling the contact mover and the terminal member together such that said biasing member is configured to act upon the contact mover as the contact mover moves the movable electrical contact relative to the fixed electrical contact between the ON position and the OFF position; wherein when the movable electrical contact is arranged in the ON position, electrical current is able to flow along an electrical current path comprising the terminal member, the contact mover and the movable electrical contact in series, and, wherein an electrical insulation member is arranged in series with the biasing member between the contact mover and the terminal member whereby said electrical insulation member electrically insulates the biasing member from electrical current flow therethrough when the movable electrical contact is arranged in the ON position.