Electrical switch having sealing member for electrical equipment

Abstract

An electrical switch having a sealing member for electrical equipment is disclosed. An electrical switch unit for controlling the operation of the electrical equipment comprises: an electrical switchunit housing for accommodating at least one pair of electrical switch contacts of the electrical switch unit and including a first housing member and a second housing member which are configured to beattached together at the peripheral region of the first housing member and the peripheral region of the second housing member to cooperatively form an enclosed space for receiving the pair of electrical switch contacts; an actuator member operatively connected to at least one of the pair of electrical switch contacts and configured to inwardly and outwardly move relative to an opening in the electrical switch unit housing to configure the pair of electrical switch contacts as at least one of an turn-on configuration in which power can be supplied from a power source to the motor or other electrically operable component of the electrical equipment via the pair of electrical switch contacts, and an turn-off configuration in which the power cannot be supplied from the power source to the motor or other electrically operable component of the electrical equipment via the pair of electrical switch contacts; and a sealing element including an elastically resilient polymeric material and configured to be disposed between the first and second housing members and extend around the outer peripheral regions of the attached first and second housing members to stop particles and water from entering the electrical switch unit housing.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical switch units, and in particular to electrical switches for electrical equipment, such as hand-held power tools, personal care equipment and household appliances. Background technique [0002] Hand-held electrical devices, such as power tools, personal care devices, and household appliances, may often include electrical switching units to help control the supply of power to motors or other electrically operable elements in the device. [0003] Due to environmental factors, it is critical that these electrical switches are protected from the intrusion of foreign particles such as dust and water. This is due to the long life of the switch when used in these devices and appliances, typically many cycles. Furthermore, and importantly, from an occupational health and safety risk point of view, it is also important to prevent the ingress of foreign objects and water into the switch, since the ingress o...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, it has been found that ultrasonic bonding tends to be imperfect, resulting in gaps along the joint between the two sections of the housing member, thereby exposing the electrical switching components to particulates and water that can pass therethrough

Additionally, ultrasonic bonding may result in damage to components of the electrical switch unit and, once bonded, does not allow disassembly of the electrical switch housing if a faulty component needs to be replaced

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