An electrical switch unit for use with an electrical device to control operation of a DC motor of the electrical device, the electrical switch unit comprising: a housing which houses a pair of electrical switching contacts, and, an actuator operably connected with at least one of the pair of electrical switching contacts, the actuator being configured for movement relative to the pair of electrical switching contacts so as to arrange the pair of electrical switching contacts into at least one of a closed configuration wherein power is able to be supplied from the DC power source to the DC motor via the pair of electrical switching contacts, and, an opened configuration wherein power is not able to be supplied from the DC power source to the DC motor via the pair of electrical switching contacts; a signaling module associated with the electrical switch unit comprising signaling circuitry for sensing the movement of the actuator and outputting a signaling module signal indicative of the sensed movement or position of the actuator; a power module comprising at least one power switching device for controllably supplying power from the DC power source to the DC motor; a control module comprising control circuitry for receiving the signaling module signal, and responsive to the received signaling module signal, outputting a control module signal to control the at least one power switching transistor device of the power module wherein the at least one power switching device controllably supplies power from the DC power source to the DC motor to allow operation of the DC motor at a speed corresponding to the sensed movement or position of the actuator; and wherein, the signaling module is integrally connected to a first end of the control module that is located within the electrical switch unit housing to allow relatively direct electrical communication between the pair of electrical switching contacts and the control module, and, whereby the control module is configured to extend outwardly of the electrical switch housing so as to terminate at a distal second end.

A diagnostic system for monitoring a mechanical trip mechanism of a circuit interrupter provides advanced diagnostics. The trip mechanism comprises a D-shaft that is actuated by the trip unit, an operating mechanism that is actuated by the D-shaft, and a pole shaft that is actuated by the operating mechanism to physically separate the separable contacts. During every opening operation, the diagnostic system determines how much time elapses between the D-shaft beginning to move to its open position and the pole shaft reaching its open position, in order to detect degradation of the trip mechanism as early as possible. This ensures that suboptimal performance is detected even if the trip mechanism is meeting the minimum requirements for acceptable performance. A user is notified once the performance has degraded to a level that is considered concerning before the trip mechanism fails altogether, saving significant time and resources and preventing more widespread damage.

A diagnostic system for monitoring a mechanical trip mechanism of a circuit interrupter provides advanced diagnostics. The trip mechanism comprises a D-shaft that is actuated by the trip unit, an operating mechanism that is actuated by the D-shaft, and a pole shaft that is actuated by the operating mechanism to physically separate the separable contacts. During every opening operation, the diagnostic system determines how much time elapses between the D-shaft beginning to move to its open position and the pole shaft reaching its open position, in order to detect degradation of the trip mechanism as early as possible. This ensures that suboptimal performance is detected even if the trip mechanism is meeting the minimum requirements for acceptable performance. A user is notified once the performance has degraded to a level that is considered concerning before the trip mechanism fails altogether, saving significant time and resources and preventing more widespread damage.

A computer input device includes a button that is movable by an external force; an elastic unit that is positioned on a lower portion of the button, is deformed or compressed by the movement of the button, and provides an elastic force in response to the movement of the button; and a switch that is turned on or off by the movement of the button, wherein the button is movable in an on section, which is a section from an uppermost end position to a position where the switch is turned on, and an extra section, which is a section up to a position that is lower than the on section.

A computer input device includes a button that is movable by an external force; an elastic unit that is positioned on a lower portion of the button, is deformed or compressed by the movement of the button, and provides an elastic force in response to the movement of the button; and a switch that is turned on or off by the movement of the button, wherein the button is movable in an on section, which is a section from an uppermost end position to a position where the switch is turned on, and an extra section, which is a section up to a position that is lower than the on section.

A button assembly includes a touchpad having an upper surface extending in a generally flat plane and movable between a first position and a second position displaced from the first position in response to the application of a pressing force perpendicular to the upper surface. Additional, smaller pushbuttons may be located adjacent the touchpad. A sub-bezel includes a housing defining a cavity for holding a linear bearing for guiding the touchpad in a linear path perpendicular to the upper surface. The linear bearing includes a plurality of first ball bearings and second ball bearings separated by a first distance perpendicular to the upper surface. The ball bearings may be sandwiched between a bearing outer member and a bearing inner member which includes an inner-top member secured to an inner-bottom member with a screw. A bearing carrier holds the ball bearings within troughs in the bearing outer member.

A button assembly includes a touchpad having an upper surface extending in a generally flat plane and movable between a first position and a second position displaced from the first position in response to the application of a pressing force perpendicular to the upper surface. Additional, smaller pushbuttons may be located adjacent the touchpad. A sub-bezel includes a housing defining a cavity for holding a linear bearing for guiding the touchpad in a linear path perpendicular to the upper surface. The linear bearing includes a plurality of first ball bearings and second ball bearings separated by a first distance perpendicular to the upper surface. The ball bearings may be sandwiched between a bearing outer member and a bearing inner member which includes an inner-top member secured to an inner-bottom member with a screw. A bearing carrier holds the ball bearings within troughs in the bearing outer member.

A bypass switch provides a bypass path between a first terminal and a second terminal. The bypass switch includes: a first contact device; a second contact device; and a plunger being moveable from an initial state, via a first state, to a second state, wherein in the initial state the first terminal and second terminal are conductively separated; in the first state a movement of the plunger causes the first contact device to close a first conductive connection between the first terminal and the second terminal; and in the second state the plunger mechanically forces the second contact device to close a second conductive connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.

A bypass switch provides a bypass path between a first terminal and a second terminal. The bypass switch includes: a first contact device; a second contact device; and a plunger being moveable from an initial state, via a first state, to a second state, wherein in the initial state the first terminal and second terminal are conductively separated; in the first state a movement of the plunger causes the first contact device to close a first conductive connection between the first terminal and the second terminal; and in the second state the plunger mechanically forces the second contact device to close a second conductive connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.

A bypass switch provides a bypass path between a first terminal and a second terminal. The bypass switch includes: a first contact device; a second contact device; and a plunger being moveable from an initial state, via a first state, to a second state, wherein in the initial state the first terminal and second terminal are conductively separated; in the first state a movement of the plunger causes the first contact device to close a first conductive connection between the first terminal and the second terminal; and in the second state the plunger mechanically forces the second contact device to close a second conductive connection between the first terminal and the second terminal.