A seesaw type operation unit having a new configuration is provided. A swinging member is capable of swinging in a predetermined direction with a rotation axis at a center. An urging member urges the swinging member to a neutral position. A detector includes a rotating portion which is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis and rotates integrally with the swinging member, and outputs a signal depending on a rotation amount of the rotating portion. An operating member receives an operation from an outside and causes the swinging member to rotate in the predetermined direction by the operation. A supporting member rotatably and coaxially supports the swinging member and the operating member. In a case where the operating member is rotated in the predetermined direction, the operating member pushes an end of the swinging member to rotate the operating member, the swinging member, and the rotating portion integrally with one another.

The invention relates to a circuit arrangement (100) for evaluating at least two switching states of an actuating element, having a moveable contact means (110) which is connectable to the actuating element, a first evaluation circuit (140a) with a first voltage divider, which has first node points (K1a, K2a, K3a, K4a, K5a) and a first tap (150a) for tapping off a first output signal (A1, A3, A5) of the first evaluation circuit (140a), at least one second evaluation circuit (140b) with a second voltage divider, which has second node points (K1b, K2b, K3b, K4b, K5b) and a second tap (150a) for tapping off a second output signal (A2, A4, A6) of the second evaluation circuit (140b), first contact surfaces (121a, 122a, 123a, 124a, 125a) which are each electrically connected to one of the first node points (K1a to K5a), and second contact surfaces (121b, 122b, 123b, 124b, 125b) which are each electrically connected to one of the second node points (K1b to k5b), wherein via the movable contact means (110), depending on the switching state of the actuating element at least one of the first contact surfaces (121a to 125a) and/or at least one of the second contact surfaces (121b and 125b) are electrically connectable to a predetermined reference potential (P). The invention also relates to a method for operating a circuit arrangement (100), and to a switching device having a circuit arrangement (100).

Within a direct current hybrid circuit breaker (DC HCB), a commutation unit (CU) is provided in a semiconductor switch path in series with a semiconductor switch to facilitate opening the DC HCB. The semiconductor switch path is connected in parallel with a mechanical switch path that includes a mechanical switch. The CU is a controlled voltage source which applies a reverse biased voltage on the semiconductor switch path. The CU causes the current through the mechanical switch to ramp down while the current through the semiconductor switch ramps up to a supply current. The CU maintains the current through the mechanical switch to remain at a zero vale by compensating for the voltage drop across the semiconductor switch and the self-inductance of the semiconductor switch path. The mechanical switch can open without current and against no recovery voltage.

Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of high current protection are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a power system comprising a solid-state circuit breaker including a solid-state switching device, an energy dissipation branch, an assistive branch, and a controller. The energy dissipation branch is coupled in parallel with the solid-state switching device and includes an energy dissipation device. The assistive branch is coupled in parallel with the solid-state switching device and includes a resistor, an inductor, and a galvanic isolation switching device coupled together in series. The controller is configured to determine the solid-state circuit breaker is conducting a high magnitude current, select a continuous current limiting mode or an intermittent current limiting mode, and operate the solid-state switching device based on the selected current limiting mode.

An snap-action type switch unit includes a switch housing; an actuator plunger configured for depressible movement via an aperture in the switch housing from a first position to a second position; a snap-action switch assembly which is operably-connected with the actuator plunger and responsive to the depressible movement of the actuator plunger so as to effect snap-action type movement of at least one movable contact between a normally opened position and a normally closed position with respect to at least one stationary contact to effect switching of electric power; and a signalling assembly which is operably-connected with the actuator plunger and responsive to the depressible movement of the actuator plunger so as to effect movement of at least one movable conductive element of the signalling assembly amongst a plurality of different electrical contact point configurations with respect to at least one stationary conductive element of the signalling assembly.

Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of high current protection are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a power system comprising a solid-state circuit breaker including a solid-state switching device, an energy dissipation branch, an assistive branch, and a controller. The energy dissipation branch is coupled in parallel with the solid-state switching device and includes an energy dissipation device. The assistive branch is coupled in parallel with the solid-state switching device and includes a resistor, an inductor, and a galvanic isolation switching device coupled together in series. The controller is configured to determine the solid-state circuit breaker is conducting a high magnitude current, select a continuous current limiting mode or an intermittent current limiting mode, and operate the solid-state switching device based on the selected current limiting mode.

An operating apparatus for operating at least one electrical appliance in a motor vehicle may include an operating element, a rocker that may actuate a switching element using a rocker movement initiated by an actuation of the operating element, at least one connector between the operating element and the rocker, the at least one connector being a vertical pin connector, and a circuit board which may include a first side and a second side. The first side may include a switching element that switches when the operating element is actuated. The circuit board may be arranged between the operating element and the switching element so that the first side faces away from the operating element and the second side, lying opposite the first side, faces the operating element.

A seesaw type operation unit having a new configuration is provided. A swinging member is capable of swinging in a predetermined direction with a rotation axis at a center. An urging member urges the swinging member to a neutral position. A detector includes a rotating portion which is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis and rotates integrally with the swinging member, and outputs a signal depending on a rotation amount of the rotating portion. An operating member receives an operation from an outside and causes the swinging member to rotate in the predetermined direction by the operation. A supporting member rotatably and coaxially supports the swinging member and the operating member. In a case where the operating member is rotated in the predetermined direction, the operating member pushes an end of the swinging member to rotate the operating member, the swinging member, and the rotating portion integrally with one another.

A multi-modal sensing transducer may include a force concentrator having an external sensing surface. The multi-modal sensing transducer may also include at least one electrode coupled to the force concentrator. Further, the multi-modal sensing transducer may include at least one force sensitive element disposed adjacent to the at least one electrode. Moreover, the multi-modal sensing transducer may include at least one air gap disposed between the at least one electrode and the at least one force sensitive element.

Various embodiments may include a voltage switch having two terminals linked by an operating current path comprising a mechanical switch, and having means of generating a counter voltage to the voltage in the operating path. In some embodiments, there are: two terminals linked by an operating current path comprising a mechanical switch; a transformer having a primary side connected in series with the mechanical switch in the operating current path; a voltage source connected to a secondary side of the transformer; and a switch connected in series with the voltage source.