Switch assembly for withstanding shock and vibration

摘要

A switch assembly and method of making same are provided. First and second seals are mounted in spaced apart relation about the elongate body of a delicate switch such as a reed switch. The resulting switch/seal assembly is inserted into a rigid housing that encases the switch and seals. The housing is in circumferential contact with each seal. The seals are spaced apart from one another to reside on either side of a port in the side of the housing so that an annular chamber is defined between the elongate body and the housing between the seals. A damping material is injected through the port to fill the annular chamber. The housing can extend past the elongate body at either end to define first and second open-ended chambers through which electrical leads extending from the elongate body pass through. The damping material can also be used to fill the first and second open-ended chambers once electrical connection to the leads is made.