In a contact member, a mesh-like contact including one or more layers of a metal other than a noble metal is embedded in such a manner as to be exposed from one of the surfaces of a rubbery elastic body. The contact member includes a highly conductive metal coat layer only in the regions of the mesh-like contact which are exposed from the rubbery elastic body, the coat layer having conductivity higher than that of the metal on the outermost surfaces of the mesh-like contact.

A silent key switch includes a base body, a static contact, a dynamic contact, a movable plate, a first balancing stand, a second balancing stand, and a keycap. The movable plate includes a silencer body arranged on the head of the movable plate, a U-shaped groove provided on the rear part of the movable plate, and a first slot provided adjacent to the silencer body; one end of the movable plate where the silencer body is located is abutted against the dynamic contact and the static contact; the first balancing stand and the second balancing stand intersect with each other and are pin jointed together in a superimposed way.

A silent key switch includes a base body, a static contact, a dynamic contact, a movable plate, a first balancing stand, a second balancing stand, and a keycap. The movable plate includes a silencer body arranged on the head of the movable plate, a U-shaped groove provided on the rear part of the movable plate, and a first slot provided adjacent to the silencer body; one end of the movable plate where the silencer body is located is abutted against the dynamic contact and the static contact; the first balancing stand and the second balancing stand intersect with each other and are pin jointed together in a superimposed way.

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 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 keyswitch structure includes a keycap, a base plate, a first support, and a second support. The first support and the second support are pivotally connected with each other and are connected to and between the keycap and the base plate. The first support includes a shaft socket, a shaft portion, and a protruding interference portion which are adjacently arranged. Correspondingly, the second support includes a shaft portion, a shaft socket, and a recess interference portion which are adjacently arranged. The recess interference portion has a relief space and a block beside the relief space. The first support and the second support are pivotally connected by engaging the shaft sockets with the corresponding shaft portions; therein, the protruding interference portion is located in the relief space, and the block obstructs the protruding interference portion moving out of the relief space.

A keyswitch structure includes a keycap, a base plate, a first support, and a second support. The first support and the second support are pivotally connected with each other and are connected to and between the keycap and the base plate. The first support includes a shaft socket, a shaft portion, and a protruding interference portion which are adjacently arranged. Correspondingly, the second support includes a shaft portion, a shaft socket, and a recess interference portion which are adjacently arranged. The recess interference portion has a relief space and a block beside the relief space. The first support and the second support are pivotally connected by engaging the shaft sockets with the corresponding shaft portions; therein, the protruding interference portion is located in the relief space, and the block obstructs the protruding interference portion moving out of the relief space.

A switch device includes an operation button to be push-operated, and a sealing portion for sealing a gap between the operation button and an opening through which the operation button is inserted. The sealing portion may include a ring-shaped first seal that is in contact with the operation button and exhibits sealing properties, and a second seal that is harder than the first seal and is located on the outer side of the first seal. The first seal and the second seal may be integrated so as to form a frame of the sealing portion.