Nidec Motor Corporation

Emerson Electric Company

Charles V Edwards

James Patrick Meagher

Thomas A Neese

Zhen Li

David E Zink

Harry Ivan Courter

Tracy J Talley

Stephen M Jones

Robert D O'Neil

Matthew R Baum

Rotary switches and associated methods. A rotary switch can include one or more arcuate passages which are prone to ingress of particulate or liquid contaminants. A gasket, a rib, and/or a lubricant reservoir can be provided in the arcuate passages for blocking ingress of contaminants to an interior of the switch.

Rotary switch

A manually operated switch assembly is disclosed. The switch assembly includes a housing, a switch mechanism, and an actuator assembly. The switch mechanism is housed within the housing and is configured to open or close a circuit upon actuation. The actuator assembly is shiftably supported by the housing and generally includes a depressible actuator and a stability element. The actuator presents an actuator length and serves to actuate the switch mechanism when depressed. The stability element is configured to ensure that the actuator moves substantially uniformly along the actuator length when the actuator is depressed such that actuation of the switch mechanism is facilitated regardless of where the actuator is depressed along the actuator length. The switch assembly may be waterproofed, and be formed, at least in part, by a curable liquid sealant supplied to the switch assembly from a single fluid source.

Waterproof switch having uniform tactile feel

An electric switch assembly comprises a circuit board; a light source mounted on the circuit board; a thumbwheel knob rotatably mounted on the circuit board; a transparent surface that moves with the thumbwheel knob and on which a symbol is applied or formed; and a light guide for directing light from the light source to the transparent surface to illuminate the symbol.

Illuminated thumbwheel switch assembly

An oven lock mechanism is disclosed having a latch mechanism driven by a motor between a latched position wherein the oven door is held in a closed position and an unlatched position wherein the oven door freely opens and closes. The motor is controlled by a switch that enables rotation of the motor when in a first state and prevents rotation of the motor when in a second state. A switch actuator mechanism places the switch in the first state when the door is closed and in the second state when the door is open. The switch is mounted at the rear of the oven away from the front opening of the oven compartment.

Oven lock with mechanical actuation of remotely located door switch

Growing community of inventors

Columbus, IN, United States of America

Charles V Edwards