Switch system

A piezoelectric active-mode incrementor switch system (100) includes two ratchet wheels (118, 124) that are rotationally mounted on a drive shaft (112) having a knob (102). The ratchet wheels (118, 128) form a slipping clutch with their respective drive wheels (116, 128) which are rigidly mounted to...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors MULLEN, III WILLIAM BOONE, YORIO RUDY, ROSS DANNY E, VIVIAN, JR. RAYMOND C, GUZIK ANDRZEJ T
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 23.10.2001
Edition7
Subjects
BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
ELECTRIC SWITCHES
ELECTRICITY
EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
RELAYS
SELECTORS
TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
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Summary:A piezoelectric active-mode incrementor switch system (100) includes two ratchet wheels (118, 124) that are rotationally mounted on a drive shaft (112) having a knob (102). The ratchet wheels (118, 128) form a slipping clutch with their respective drive wheels (116, 128) which are rigidly mounted to the drive shaft and mechanically loaded with spring (120). The ratchet wheels (118, 124) are mounted inversely to each other on the drive shaft (112) and make contact with their respective cantilever beams (114, 136) which each have a piezoelectric film. In operation, the switch (100) functions by mechanically stimulating the piezoelectric beams. When the knob (102) is rotated in one direction, only one of the beams (114, 136) is displaced causing a generation of an electrical charge that acts as a signal. The other beam (114 or 136) is prevented from moving and therefore its beam does not produce a signal. When the knob (102) is rotated in the opposite direction, the other beam that was previously prevented from moving is displaced causing an electrical signal to be generated by the switch.
Bibliography:Application Number: US20000548845