Electrical switch has a variable rate spring that increases in stiffness and is used for contact opening with reduced energy needed

摘要

The electrical switch has a fixed contact [3] and a movable contact [6] that is moved by a carrier operated by a linkage [12] with a energy storage spring [9]. During contact closure a variable rate coil spring [8] is loaded to store energy for use when the contacts are opened. The spring rate increase as the spring is compressed.