IP Library Granted Patent US 7,579,568
Granted Patent B2
US 7,579,568 · App. 11/869,982 · Granted Aug 25, 2009

Switch for vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,579,568
App. No.
11/869,982
Granted
Aug 25, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

In the switch, a terminal section and a contact section of a fixed contact are separately formed and the two sections are connected via a coil made of a conductive metal wire. After electrical connection is established between a movable contact and fixed contacts, a weak current with no arc discharge flows between the movable and the fixed contacts. This prevents build-up of oxide or carbide on the contact surface, allowing the switch to have stable contact operation and accordingly reliable electrical connection.

Claims (9)

1. A switch for a vehicle comprising:

a case with a top-open box shape;

a plurality of fixed contacts disposed in the case;

an actuating unit disposed in the case so as to be movable in a vertical direction; and

a movable contact that makes contact with the fixed contacts or goes away from the fixed contacts according to vertical movement of the actuating unit,

wherein, a terminal section and a contact section of the fixed contacts are separately formed and the terminal section and the contact section are connected via a coil made of a conductive metal wire.

2. The switch of claim 1 , wherein a rectifying diode is disposed in parallel with the coil between the terminal section and the contact section.

3. The switch of claim 2 , wherein an insulating resin-made holder secures the terminal section and the contact section as an integrated structure.

4. The switch of claim 1 , wherein an insulating resin-made holder secures the terminal section and the contact section as an integrated structure.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 24, 2008
From: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021897/0689 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 11, 2008
From: NAKADE, YOSHIYUKI
To: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 020488/0947 →