A device includes a frame including a first end and a second end; a mechanism including a first side that faces the first end of the frame, and a second side that faces the second end of the frame; a first buckling member attached to the first side of the mechanism and the first end of the frame; a second buckling member attached to the second side of the mechanism and the second end of the frame; and at least one actuator that engages the mechanism, the first buckling member, and the second buckling member in a selective sequence causing the mechanism to articulate between the first end and the second end of the frame. Engagement of the first buckling member and the second buckling member by the at least one actuator causes the first buckling member and the second buckling member to buckle and unbuckle in the selective sequence.

A control element having a beam member divided into an actuation section and a valve section positioned on opposing sides of a pivot member, in which active control of the actuation section causes buckling of the valve section to bring the valve section from a closed state to an open state or causes relaxing of the valve section to bring the valve section from an open state to a closed state.

A magnetic switch assembly comprising a toggle bar and a switch actuator each rotatable between a first position and a second position, at least one set of magnets including a first magnet mounted on the proximal end portion of the toggle bar and a second magnet mounted on the proximal end portion of the switch actuator and a corresponding pair of electrical contacts including a first electrical contact coupled to a first electrical conductor and a second electrical contact coupled to a second electrical conductor wherein the toggle bar is normally bias in the first position when the switch actuator is in the first position with the first magnet disposed in spaced relationship relative to the second magnet when each is in the first position and having a gap therebetween such that the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact engage each other to complete an electrical circuit between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor and when the switch actuator is moved from the first position to the second position decreasing the gap between the first magnet and the second magnet as the magnetic attraction therebetween overcomes the toggle bar bias disengaging the second electrical contact from the first electrical contact to create an open electrical circuit.

A magnetic switch assembly comprising a toggle bar and a switch actuator each rotatable between a first position and a second position, at least one set of magnets including a first magnet mounted on the proximal end portion of the toggle bar and a second magnet mounted on the proximal end portion of the switch actuator and a corresponding pair of electrical contacts including a first electrical contact coupled to a first electrical conductor and a second electrical contact coupled to a second electrical conductor wherein the toggle bar is normally bias in the first position when the switch actuator is in the first position with the first magnet disposed in spaced relationship relative to the second magnet when each is in the first position and having a gap therebetween such that the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact engage each other to complete an electrical circuit between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor and when the switch actuator is moved from the first position to the second position decreasing the gap between the first magnet and the second magnet as the magnetic attraction therebetween overcomes the toggle bar bias disengaging the second electrical contact from the first electrical contact to create an open electrical circuit.

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.

When an initial position of an enabling switch is given as a first position (301), a position of the enabling switch in which a movable member is most pressed is given as a third position (303), and a rising start position of a maximum rise of a load is given as a second position (302), the rising start position being between the first position (301) and the third position (303), a minor peak (341) of the load appears between the first position (301) and the second position (302). An ON switching position (311) is between a falling start position (323) of the minor peak (341) and the second position (302). A maximum load during the minor peak (341) is greater than or equal to the load in the ON switching position (311) and less than or equal to the load in an OFF switching position (312).

When an initial position of an enabling switch is given as a first position (301), a position of the enabling switch in which a movable member is most pressed is given as a third position (303), and a rising start position of a maximum rise of a load is given as a second position (302), the rising start position being between the first position (301) and the third position (303), a minor peak (341) of the load appears between the first position (301) and the second position (302). An ON switching position (311) is between a falling start position (323) of the minor peak (341) and the second position (302). A maximum load during the minor peak (341) is greater than or equal to the load in the ON switching position (311) and less than or equal to the load in an OFF switching position (312).

A device includes a frame including a first end and a second end; a mechanism including a first side that faces the first end of the frame, and a second side that faces the second end of the frame; a first buckling member attached to the first side of the mechanism and the first end of the frame; a second buckling member attached to the second side of the mechanism and the second end of the frame; and at least one actuator that engages the mechanism, the first buckling member, and the second buckling member in a selective sequence causing the mechanism to articulate between the first end and the second end of the frame. Engagement of the first buckling member and the second buckling member by the at least one actuator causes the first buckling member and the second buckling member to buckle and unbuckle in the selective sequence.

Energy regulators which use a bi-metallic strip to open and close electrical contacts are commonly used in household appliances for temperature regulation. This approach however often results in a slow connection and disconnection of the electrical contacts. This can result in arcing which can reduce the life of the switching components and/or cause the contacts to bond together which poses a potential safety risk. Disclosed is a switching blade suitable for use in an energy regulator in which the electrical contacts are connected and disconnected rapidly. Also described is an improvement to the construction of the switching blade whereby the movement of the blade may provide an impact or jolt to separate contacts which may have bonded together.

Energy regulators which use a bi-metallic strip to open and close electrical contacts are commonly used in household appliances for temperature regulation. This approach however often results in a slow connection and disconnection of the electrical contacts. This can result in arcing which can reduce the life of the switching components and/or cause the contacts to bond together which poses a potential safety risk. Disclosed is a switching blade suitable for use in an energy regulator in which the electrical contacts are connected and disconnected rapidly. Also described is an improvement to the construction of the switching blade whereby the movement of the blade may provide an impact or jolt to separate contacts which may have bonded together.