The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Jul. 04, 2017

Filed:

Sep. 26, 2013
Applicant:

Auckland Uniservices Limited, Auckland, NZ;

Inventors:

Iain Alexander Anderson, Auckland, NZ;

Thomas Gregory McKay, Auckland, NZ;

Benjamin Marc O'Brien, Auckland, NZ;

Todd Alan Gibsy, North Shore City, NZ;

Assignee:
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01C 10/12 (2006.01); H01H 1/24 (2006.01); H03K 17/96 (2006.01); H03K 17/965 (2006.01); H01C 10/10 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H01H 1/242 (2013.01); H03K 17/965 (2013.01); H03K 17/9625 (2013.01); H01C 10/10 (2013.01); H03K 17/9645 (2013.01);
Abstract

The present invention provides a mechanically-actuated switch comprising a deformable conductive element providing a conductive path between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the effective geometry of the conductive element changes suddenly upon deformation to cause a disproportionately large change in a resistance between the first and second terminals. The switch can be made from lightweight and soft materials, and is particularly suited for integration with dielectric elastomer devices. Also disclosed are various circuits and a method for controlling circuits including the switch.


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