Electrical switch

• Main Authors: LOWE; CARLA L, LOWE, SR.; ALVIN E
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 06.08.1991
• Subjects: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS INVEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OFTRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GASEXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS, IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; ELECTRIC SWITCHES; ELECTRICITY; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; RELAYS; SELECTORS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

A force-actuated electrical disconnect switch for connection between major electrical components of a vehicle and an ungrounded battery terminal of the vehicle. In an operative configuration, a pendulum in coaxial alignment with a contact shaft biases a conductor plate against a pair of power terminals which allows normal electrical power to flow to the electrical components. A severe jolt, such as a collision, with a sufficient horizontal component causes the pendulum to pivot out of alignment with the contact shaft, which is thrust downwardly such that the conductor plate breaks contact with the power terminals and immediately assumes an inoperative configuration wherein the conductor plate makes contact with a pair of grounding terminals, short-circuiting the electrical components to ground. While in the inoperative configuration, a flasher and emergency light circuit is activated. A reset mechanism is adapted to restore the apparatus to its normal, operative configuration. A modified embodiment has a shaft biased against a sphere which is shifted out of alignment with the shaft during a collision, whereby a conductor plate breaks contact with a pair of power contacts and immediately thereafter makes contact with a pair of grounding contacts, shorting the electrical components to ground. A relay is adapted to elevate the shaft such that the sphere can gravitationally return to a central position, restoring the modified apparatus to an operative configuration.