Magnetic actuation of a switching device

摘要

A control device including a switch with a ferromagnetic armature moving between a first position and a second position. The armature actuates a plunger that causes the switch to snap from an open position to a closed position. An energy-storing member may be positioned adjacent the ferromagnetic armature, the energy-storing member moving a magnet between an attracting position and a non-attracting position based on a temperature of an environment surrounding the energy-storing member. When the energy-storing member positions the magnet in the attracting position, the magnet causes the armature to snap from the first position to the second position, thereby actuating the plunger and causing the switch to snap from the open position to the closed position. A ferromagnetic backstop may also be positioned adjacent the magnet and coupled to the energy-storing member to hold the magnet and the energy-storing member in the non-attracting position.