Switch device with AC inlet

Details Switch device with AC inlet Switch device with AC inlet

2000-07-21

2001-03-13

Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)

Electricity: circuit makers and breakers

Combined with or actuated by connector coupling

Multiple circuit control, selective

C200S051110, C439S740000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06201197

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a switch device having an AC inlet and an AC switch which are accommodated within a common bracket. Particularly, the invention is concerned with a connecting structure for connecting terminals electrically with each other.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In conventional switch devices in which an AC inlet and an AC switch are accommodated within a common bracket, there is generally known a switch device in which a common bracket formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin is provided with receptacle portions, and an AC inlet and an AC switch are fitted in those receptacle portions respectively, and a switch device in which a bracket is allowed to also serve as an insulating base of an AC inlet, and an AC switch is attached thereto.
As methods for connecting the AC inlet and the AC switch in such switch device equipped with AC inlet there is known a method in which lead wires or the like are soldered to the respective terminals and a method in which both are connected together using a printed circuit board with a connecting pattern printed thereon. In both methods, however, for ensuring the distance of an energized portion defined by the electric appliance and material control law and also by safety standards in various countries, an external size of the bracket increases in the thickness direction, thus making it difficult to follow the tendency to the reduction of thickness. Moreover, in case of using a printed circuit board, an increase of cost results.
As a method proposed recently for the connection of AC inlet and AC switch there is known a method in which a connecting strip serving as a conductive portion is formed using a thin metallic strip such as a thin steel or brass strip and terminals are connected together through the said connecting strip. According to this method using such a connecting strip, it becomes possible to thin the terminals to be connected and the assembly is easy, so that the reduction of cost can be attained.
In the above structure of the conventional switch device with AC inlet, however, in the case of connecting the terminal of the AC inlet and that of the AC switch with each other by using the connecting strip, since the connection with the connecting strip is a solid connection made by caulking or soldering, the connection is deficient in flexibility. Particularly, since an attachment plug for the supply of an alternating current from an external power supply is inserted and pulled out with respect to the terminal of the AC inlet, an external force is exerted on the terminal, giving rise to the problem that the connection between the terminal and the connecting strip is damaged or that an unstable contact results.
Further, the AC inlet terminal may come off the terminal held position due to damage of the connection between the terminal and the connecting strip or the terminal holding position of the bracket may undergo a thermal deformation, with consequent wobbling of the terminal and hence unstable holding for the connecting strip. Thus, a problem has been encountered in the assemblability and reliability of the connection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a connecting structure in a switch device with AC inlet wherein, when terminals of the switch device are connected together using a thin metallic connecting strip, there is no possibility of an external force being imposed on the terminals and causing damage to the connection between the terminals and the connecting strip, nor is there any possibility of unstable contact, and which can keep the terminal holding position of the bracket stable and is superior in assemblability and reliability of connection.
For solving the above-mentioned problems, in the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a switch device comprising an AC inlet having a connecting pin for AC input and an inlet terminal for connection, an AC switch having a connecting-side terminal and an output-side terminal, a metallic connecting strip for electrically connecting the inlet terminal of the AC inlet and the connecting-side terminal of the AC switch with each other, and a bracket with the AC inlet and AC switch attached thereto, wherein the inlet terminal connected with the connecting strip is provided with a connecting piece for connection with the connecting strip and an arm portion having the connecting piece at a free end thereof, the free end of the arm portion being flexible in a rotational direction centered on the axis of the connecting pin of the AC inlet.
In the second aspect of the present invention, the arm portion is formed integrally with the inlet terminal using the same metallic material.
In the third aspect of the present invention, the arm portion is extended at one end of the connecting pin in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the connecting pin and is brought into abutment against a lower surface of the bracket to prevent the connecting pin from coming off in its projecting direction.
In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the inlet terminal is inserted and mounted into a holding position established in the bracket, and the connecting piece for connection with the connecting strip is positioned offset relative to the holding position which is a mounting position of the inlet terminal for the bracket.
In the fifth aspect of the present invention, a slot is formed in the lower surface of the bracket and the arm portion is positioned in the slot so as to be movable within the range of the slot.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3723679 (1973-03-01), Carney
patent: 4054762 (1977-10-01), Knecht
patent: 4256935 (1981-03-01), Ito et al.
patent: 5659209 (1997-08-01), Huen
patent: 08007559 (1996-12-01), None

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