A pressure-activated membrane switch and methods of use are provided. The pressure-activated membrane switch includes a first electrically-conductive membrane, and a second electrically-conductive membrane. Contact between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane is configured to cause an electrical circuit, of which the switch is a part, to close. The pressure-activated membrane switch further includes a plurality of spacers dispersed between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane, and one or more columns positioned on an outer surface of the second electrically-conductive membrane. The plurality of spacers form one or more gaps between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane, and the one or more columns are configured to pass through the one or more gaps when a pressure is applied to the one or more columns, which will cause the second electrically-conductive membrane to deform to contact the first electrically-conductive membrane.

A pressure-activated membrane switch and methods of use are provided. The pressure-activated membrane switch includes a first electrically-conductive membrane, and a second electrically-conductive membrane. Contact between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane is configured to cause an electrical circuit, of which the switch is a part, to close. The pressure-activated membrane switch further includes a plurality of spacers dispersed between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane, and one or more columns positioned on an outer surface of the second electrically-conductive membrane. The plurality of spacers form one or more gaps between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane, and the one or more columns are configured to pass through the one or more gaps when a pressure is applied to the one or more columns, which will cause the second electrically-conductive membrane to deform to contact the first electrically-conductive membrane.

The invention relates to a device for connecting and disconnecting an electrical load circuit, operated at high voltage by a voltage source, in a transportation means that is electrically driven by a drive operated at low voltage. According to the invention, a contact stud (6) is connected to the push rod (11) of a linear drive (2) and the contact stud (6) can be moved into at least two positions in a switch housing (4), wherein the switch housing (4) has, on its internal wall, at least two contact rings (5), one of which is connected to the voltage source (7) and the other is connected to the consumer circuit (8).

The invention relates to a device for connecting and disconnecting an electrical load circuit, operated at high voltage by a voltage source, in a transportation means that is electrically driven by a drive operated at low voltage. According to the invention, a contact stud (6) is connected to the push rod (11) of a linear drive (2) and the contact stud (6) can be moved into at least two positions in a switch housing (4), wherein the switch housing (4) has, on its internal wall, at least two contact rings (5), one of which is connected to the voltage source (7) and the other is connected to the consumer circuit (8).

The invention relates to a switching device, in particular for a voltage limiting device, which has a first fixed switching contact 14 which is electrically connected to a first device terminal 8, a second fixed switching contact 15 which is electrically connected to a second device terminal 9, and a movable switching contact 16. The invention also relates to a voltage limiting device which has such a switching device 5. The first and second fixed switching contacts 14, 15 of the switching device are arranged next to one another in such a way that their contact surfaces 14A, 15A point in the same direction. The movable switching contact 16 can be moved between a closed position in which the first and second fixed switching contacts 14, 15 are electrically connected to one another, and an open position in which the first and second fixed switching contacts 14, 15 are separated from one another. The first and second fixed switching contacts 14, 15 and the movable switching contact 16 form an arrangement of electrical conductors which are arranged substantially parallel to one another. At least one of the fixed switching contacts 14, 15 has an elongated contact surface which extends in the direction A of current flow. Electrodynamic forces act on the fixed conductors 14, 15 and the movable conductor 16, which are directed in such a way that the conductors attract each other, i.e., the switching contacts tend to close.

The invention relates to a switching device, in particular for a voltage limiting device, which has a first fixed switching contact 14 which is electrically connected to a first device terminal 8, a second fixed switching contact 15 which is electrically connected to a second device terminal 9, and a movable switching contact 16. The invention also relates to a voltage limiting device which has such a switching device 5. The first and second fixed switching contacts 14, 15 of the switching device are arranged next to one another in such a way that their contact surfaces 14A, 15A point in the same direction. The movable switching contact 16 can be moved between a closed position in which the first and second fixed switching contacts 14, 15 are electrically connected to one another, and an open position in which the first and second fixed switching contacts 14, 15 are separated from one another. The first and second fixed switching contacts 14, 15 and the movable switching contact 16 form an arrangement of electrical conductors which are arranged substantially parallel to one another. At least one of the fixed switching contacts 14, 15 has an elongated contact surface which extends in the direction A of current flow. Electrodynamic forces act on the fixed conductors 14, 15 and the movable conductor 16, which are directed in such a way that the conductors attract each other, i.e., the switching contacts tend to close.

A control circuit for an input device including a micro-switch is provided. The control circuit includes an input circuit, a receiver circuit, a control unit, and a detecting unit. The input circuit includes a first contact and a second contact for electrically connecting to the micro-switch. The receiver circuit includes a third contact and a fourth contact for electrically connecting to the micro-switch. The control unit is electrically connected to the first contact and the third contact for providing an input signal via the first contact to the micro-switch and receiving a switching signal from the micro-switch via the third contact. The detecting unit detects a voltage of the second contact to generate a detecting signal. The control unit receives the detecting signal to determine a type of the micro-switch.

A control circuit for an input device including a micro-switch is provided. The control circuit includes an input circuit, a receiver circuit, a control unit, and a detecting unit. The input circuit includes a first contact and a second contact for electrically connecting to the micro-switch. The receiver circuit includes a third contact and a fourth contact for electrically connecting to the micro-switch. The control unit is electrically connected to the first contact and the third contact for providing an input signal via the first contact to the micro-switch and receiving a switching signal from the micro-switch via the third contact. The detecting unit detects a voltage of the second contact to generate a detecting signal. The control unit receives the detecting signal to determine a type of the micro-switch.

A switching device in accordance with the present invention includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the second electrode includes a body part and a cantilever connected to the body part. In addition, one end of a the cantilever comes into contact with the first electrode by an electrostatic force generated by a voltage applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, and the one end of the cantilever is separated from the first electrode due to heat generated by a voltage applied to both ends of the body part. In addition, the second electrode may include a 2-1 electrode, a 2-2 electrode, and an engineered beam connected in between. The engineered beam comes into contact with the first electrode on the basis of thermal expansion due to heat generated by a current flowing between the body part of the 2-1 electrode and the body part of the 2-2 electrode, or is separated from the first electrode on the basis of thermal expansion due to heat generated by a current flowing through both ends of the body parts of the 2-1 electrode and the 2-2 electrode. According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve high-speed operation while having ultralow power, high reliability through exploiting nano thermal actuation method capable of high-speed thermal expansion and actuation at low operation voltage.

A modular breaking unit with a holder-guiding assembly, wherein: the modular breaking unit includes a casing unit; a holder for holding a movable contact of the modular breaking unit is accommodated in the casing unit; the movable contact of the modular breaking unit is mounted on the movable contact holder; the holder-guiding assembly is installed in the casing unit and arranged to support and guide the movable contact holder to move between an open position and a closed position; the holder-guiding assembly is made of thermoplastic material; the movable contact holder is made of thermosetting plastic material. A contactor including at least one said modular breaking units.