Asymmetrical electrical switch actuator

摘要

An actutator for a multiple-position electrical switch includes an actuator member having a cam surface formed on its undersurface along each edge. Two pairs of cam followers formed at the end of respective resilient beams slide along the cam surface. The cam surface is formed with a series of ridges and indentations corresponding to the actuator switch positions. Thus, the actuator member can be moved between adjacent switch positions only by exerting sufficient force to lift each of the cam followers over a ridge from one indentation to the adjacent indentation. An additional cam follower is resiliently biased against an additional cam surface formed on the underside of the actuator member when the actuator member is moved to one switch position. As a result, the forces required to move the actuator member to one switch position is greater than the force required to move the actuator member between other switch positions.