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 in order to effect switching of electric power; and a signaling signaling 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 signaling assembly amongst a plurality of different electrical contact point configurations with respect to at least one stationary conductive element of the signaling assembly.

A transmission mechanism includes a link lever, a fan-shaped lever, a spring mechanism and a thrust shaft pin. An outer end of the link lever includes a pin hole and an inner end includes a chute. A cam shaft pin passes through the chute and moves in the chute to drive the link lever when a motor cam rotates. A roller is mounted between the pin hole and the chute. The fan-shaped lever is connected to a main shaft and includes a first chute. The top of the spring mechanism includes a hole. The thrust shaft pin passes through second chutes on two side plates, the first chute, the hole, and the pin hole and links the link lever, the fan-shaped lever and the spring mechanism. The thrust shaft pin compresses the spring mechanism to store energy and drives the fan-shaped lever to rotate and a contact to move.

A switching apparatus includes a switching contact member, a common contact member, a movable contact member configured to electrically connect the switching contact member and the common contact member to each other, and a holding member that holds the movable contact member. The movable contact member includes a switching-side sliding-contact portion configured to come into sliding-contact with the switching contact member and a common-side elastic contact portion that is in elastic-contact with the common contact member. The holding member is rotatable about a rotation axis extending along a direction crossing an extending direction of the movable contact member. Rotation of the holding member allows switching between a first connection state and a second connection state. The rotation axis of the holding member passes through the common contact member, thereby enhancing the stability of conductivity at the operating fulcrum of the movable contact member.

A switching apparatus includes a switching contact member, a common contact member, a movable contact member configured to electrically connect the switching contact member and the common contact member to each other, and a holding member that holds the movable contact member. The movable contact member includes a switching-side sliding-contact portion configured to come into sliding-contact with the switching contact member and a common-side elastic contact portion that is in elastic-contact with the common contact member. The holding member is rotatable about a rotation axis extending along a direction crossing an extending direction of the movable contact member. Rotation of the holding member allows switching between a first connection state and a second connection state. The rotation axis of the holding member passes through the common contact member, thereby enhancing the stability of conductivity at the operating fulcrum of the movable contact member.

A switching apparatus includes a switching contact member, a common contact member, a movable contact member, and a holding member. The movable contact member includes a main body, a pair of contact pieces juxtaposed so as to clamp the switching contact member, and a common contact portion that comes into contact with the common contact member. The holding member includes a housing portion configured to house a housed portion of the main body, and when the housed portion is snap-fitted into the housing portion, the holding member restricts, for the main body, at least one of displacement in a direction along the moving direction of the movable contact member and displacement in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction while allowing a predetermined displacement in a direction perpendicular to both of the directions.

A switching apparatus includes a switching contact member, a common contact member, a movable contact member, and a holding member. The movable contact member includes a main body, a pair of contact pieces juxtaposed so as to clamp the switching contact member, and a common contact portion that comes into contact with the common contact member. The holding member includes a housing portion configured to house a housed portion of the main body, and when the housed portion is snap-fitted into the housing portion, the holding member restricts, for the main body, at least one of displacement in a direction along the moving direction of the movable contact member and displacement in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction while allowing a predetermined displacement in a direction perpendicular to both of the directions.

Movable electrical contacts on a movable part of a snap switch can be in a first position relative to fixed electrical contacts on a housing when vertical forces applied by a first spring and a second spring and a reaction force applied by a third spring cause the movable part to be in an upper position within the housing. The movable electrical contacts can be in a second position relative to the fixed electrical contacts when the vertical forces applied by the first spring and the second spring and the reaction force applied by the third spring cause the movable part to be in a lower position within the housing. The first spring and the second spring can apply forces on the movable part in opposite directions, and the movable part can vertically move between the upper stop position and the lower stop position.

Movable electrical contacts on a movable part of a snap switch can be in a first position relative to fixed electrical contacts on a housing when vertical forces applied by a first spring and a second spring and a reaction force applied by a third spring cause the movable part to be in an upper position within the housing. The movable electrical contacts can be in a second position relative to the fixed electrical contacts when the vertical forces applied by the first spring and the second spring and the reaction force applied by the third spring cause the movable part to be in a lower position within the housing. The first spring and the second spring can apply forces on the movable part in opposite directions, and the movable part can vertically move between the upper stop position and the lower stop position.