A contact structure, a switch and a switching circuit

Abstract

This application relates to a contact structure, a switch, and a switching circuit, belonging to the field of switch technology. The contact structure includes a stationary contact, a moving contact, a torsion spring, and a lever. The moving contact includes a supporting end and a movable end, and the moving contact can swing around the supporting end, causing the movable end to abut against the stationary contact. The lever is disposed on the side of the moving contact to push the moving contact to swing. The torsion spring is movably disposed between the moving contact and the lever, and its two ends are respectively connected to the lever and the moving contact. Specifically, when the lever moves from a first position to a second position, the torsion spring is first compressed and then released, causing the moving contact to swing and abut against the stationary contact. When the lever moves from the second position to the first position, the torsion spring is first compressed and then released, causing the moving contact to swing away from the stationary contact. The rotation angle of the lever during its movement from the first position to the second position is greater than or equal to 90°. The contact structure provided by this application can reduce the space occupied by the lever on the socket panel while avoiding affecting the fastening and assembly efficiency of the switch panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of switch technology, specifically to a contact structure, a switch, and a switch circuit. Background Technology

[0002] Switches are among the most common electronic components in daily life. From everyday power strips to various industrial equipment, switches are used for control. Common switches include push-button switches, rotary switches, and toggle switches. Compared to push-button and rotary switches, toggle switches offer clear indication of operating status and excellent tactile feedback, and are therefore widely used in some fields.

[0003] In existing technologies, toggle switches are typically located on one side of a control panel, and are switched by moving the toggle up and down. However, when this toggle contact structure is applied to a socket panel, the toggle occupies a significant amount of space when both the toggle and the socket are located on the same side of the socket panel, thus affecting the socket's layout space and resulting in low space utilization of the socket panel. Some improved solutions place the socket on the front of the socket panel and the toggle on the side, which avoids the toggle occupying space in the socket. However, this makes it impossible to directly fasten the socket panel casing from the front, leading to a decrease in production efficiency.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a toggle switch that can reduce the space occupied by the toggle on the socket panel while avoiding affecting the efficiency of the switch panel snap-fit ​​assembly. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a contact structure, switch, and switch circuit that can reduce the space occupied by the lever on the socket panel while avoiding affecting the efficiency of the switch panel snap-fit ​​assembly.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, in a first aspect, this application provides a contact structure comprising a stationary contact, a moving contact, a torsion spring, and a lever. The moving contact includes a supporting end and a movable end, and is capable of swinging around the supporting end, causing the movable end to abut against the stationary contact. The lever is disposed on the side of the moving contact to push the moving contact to swing. The torsion spring is movably disposed between the moving contact and the lever, and its two ends are respectively connected to the lever and the moving contact. Specifically, when the lever moves from a first position to a second position, the torsion spring is first compressed and then released, causing the moving contact to swing and abut against the stationary contact. When the lever moves from the second position to the first position, the torsion spring is first compressed and then released, causing the moving contact to swing away from the stationary contact. The rotation angle of the lever during its movement from the first position to the second position is greater than or equal to 90°.

[0007] Based on the embodiments described above, when the contact structure is used, during the closing process, the lever moves from the first position to the second position, and vice versa during the opening process. Furthermore, the angle between the first and second positions is greater than or equal to 90 degrees. Therefore, the lever can be positioned at the boundary between the front and side of the switch structure. For example, if the angle between the first and second positions is exactly 90°, and the lever's end points perpendicular to the front of the switch when in the first position, then the lever's end points perpendicular to the side of the switch when in the second position. At this time, the lever's active area is located at the boundary between the front and side of the switch, thus minimizing the space occupied by the lever on the front of the switch and improving space utilization.

[0008] Meanwhile, during the assembly of the contact structure, the lever can be moved to the first position, at which point the end of the lever faces the front of the switch. Therefore, the assembly of the switch structure housing and base can be completed directly by front-facing snap-fit, avoiding the impact of the lever setting on the assembly efficiency of the contact structure.

[0009] Specifically, when the aforementioned lever switch is used, moving the lever causes the moving contact to swing via a torsion spring, thus achieving the opening and closing process. During this process, when closing is required, the lever needs to be moved to compress the torsion spring and then release it, causing the moving contact to swing and achieve closing. During the compression of the torsion spring, as the compression increases, the reaction force exerted by the torsion spring on the lever also gradually increases. Therefore, the force required to move the lever also gradually increases until the torsion spring begins to release. Compared to the locking structure in the prior art, the gradually increasing force applied when moving the lever in this application allows for better adaptation to the magnitude of the force, avoiding damage to the lever due to excessive force and thus extending the service life of the contact structure. Similarly, during the opening process, the switch is also moved, and the torsion spring is compressed and then released. The required force also gradually increases with the compression of the torsion spring, allowing for better adaptation to the magnitude of the force required when moving the lever.

[0010] In summary, the torsion spring and other structures in this application allow the lever to be in a first position and a second position respectively when the circuit is open or closed, with the angle between the first and second positions being greater than or equal to 90°. This allows the lever to be positioned at the boundary between the front and side of the switch structure. In this configuration, the contact structure occupies less space on the front of the switch, and it can be directly fixed from the front by a snap-fit ​​method during switch assembly, avoiding any impact on assembly efficiency due to the lever's placement. Furthermore, the torsion spring between the lever and the moving contact in this application uses its own elasticity to maintain the contact structure's locking. When opening or closing the circuit, the torsion spring must be compressed first. During compression, the reaction force on the lever increases uniformly, thus requiring a uniform increase in the actuation force. This allows the lever to better adapt to the increased actuation force, reducing the possibility of damage to the lever due to excessive actuation force and extending the service life of the contact structure.

[0011] In some embodiments, the contact structure further includes a housing and a current-carrying element. A receiving space is formed within the housing, and a stationary contact, a moving contact, a lever, and a torsion spring are all disposed within the receiving space. The current-carrying element is fixedly disposed on the inner wall of the housing, and a support groove is formed on the current-carrying element. The support end of the moving contact is disposed within the support groove and is capable of swinging along the support groove.

[0012] Based on the embodiments described above, a housing is provided to create a receiving space. This housing protects the moving and stationary contacts from the outside, improving the overall safety of the contact structure and reducing the possibility of electric shock or other safety accidents. The current-carrying element serves as a support structure for the moving contact, and the support groove prevents slippage during the moving contact's oscillation, ensuring the accuracy of the opening and closing process. Furthermore, conduction is achieved through direct contact between the current-carrying element and the moving contact.

[0013] In some embodiments, the lever includes a first segment and a second segment, which form a lever structure with their connection point as a fulcrum, and the end of the second segment away from the fulcrum is connected to a torsion spring. The length of the first segment is greater than that of the second segment.

[0014] Based on the embodiments described above, by specifically configuring the lever as a lever structure, the movement path of the lever can be shortened, making it easier to move while saving the overall volume of the contact structure and reducing costs. Furthermore, the lever structure can also achieve a force-saving effect, making the lever structure easier to move. By setting the length of the first segment to be greater than the length of the second segment, a force-saving effect can be achieved when moving the lever.

[0015] In some embodiments, a support ring is formed at the connection point of the first rod segment and the second rod segment. A rotating shaft is fitted inside the support ring, and the support ring is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft. A switch slot is formed on the housing, and the first rod segment passes through the switch slot and is partially located outside the receiving space. A shielding ring is fitted outside the support ring, and the shielding ring is rotatably connected to the support ring. The shielding ring is positioned at the opening of the switch slot to close the switch slot.

[0016] Based on the embodiments described above, the support ring and the rotating shaft cooperate to form a fulcrum structure between the first and second rod segments. The shielding ring can seal the switch slot without affecting the movement of the lever, thus improving the safety of the contact structure and preventing electric shock accidents. Furthermore, it prevents dust and impurities from entering the contact structure through the switch slot, thereby protecting the contact structure and extending its service life.

[0017] In some embodiments, the support groove is configured as a V-shaped structure, the moving contact support end is configured as a tapered structure, and the moving contact support end can be inserted into the support groove.

[0018] Based on the above embodiments of this application, the V-shaped support groove can be adapted to the conical structure of the moving contact support end, so as to better limit the moving contact without affecting the swing of the moving contact, and also better ensure the connection between the moving contact and the current-carrying element.

[0019] In some embodiments, the moving contact further includes a moving point and a positioning block. The moving contact is disposed on one side of the moving contact and at the movable end. The positioning block is disposed on the side of the moving contact opposite to the moving point and is located between the movable end and the support end. A torsion spring is connected to the positioning block.

[0020] Based on the embodiments described above, the moving contact configuration enhances the conductivity at the contact position during the opening and closing process of the moving and stationary contacts. Furthermore, the positioning block facilitates the connection between the moving contact and the torsion spring, forming a drive structure from the lever to the torsion spring and then to the moving contact, which drives the moving contact to open and close the circuit.

[0021] In some embodiments, the torsion spring includes a spring body and a starting portion and an ending portion located at the ends of the spring body. The spring body includes at least one coil of spring coil, and the starting portion and the ending portion extend tangentially along the coil. The starting portion extends with a first lever arm, the first lever arm extending in the same direction as the spring body axis, and the first lever arm is connected to a lever. The ending portion extends with a second lever arm, the second lever arm extending in the same direction as the spring body axis, and the second lever arm is fixedly connected to a positioning block.

[0022] Based on the embodiments described above in this application, by restricting the specific structure of the torsion spring and setting a first lever arm and a second lever arm at each end of the torsion spring, the connection positions between the torsion spring and the lever and the moving contact can be extended respectively. Furthermore, by setting the first lever arm and the second lever arm to be aligned with the spring body axis, the force exerted by the lever on the torsion spring and the force applied by the torsion spring to the moving contact can be stably perpendicular to the torsion spring axis, reducing force loss and making the transmission path from the lever to the torsion spring and then to the moving contact more stable and reliable.

[0023] In some embodiments, a fixing hole is provided on the positioning block, and the second lever arm passes through the fixing hole and is connected to the positioning block; or, a positioning groove is provided on the positioning block, and the second lever arm is disposed in the positioning groove and connected to the positioning block, with the opening of the positioning groove facing the first lever arm.

[0024] Based on the embodiments described above, two connection methods between the positioning block and the torsion spring are disclosed. Connection via a fixing hole provides a more stable and reliable connection. Connection via a positioning groove simplifies the assembly process between the torsion spring and the moving contact. The specific connection method can be selected based on the specific application.

[0025] According to a second aspect of this application, a switch is provided, the switch including the contact structure described above, and a switch slot is disposed at the junction of the front and side surfaces of the housing.

[0026] Based on the above embodiments of this application, the switch provided by this application includes the aforementioned contact structure. Through this arrangement, the lever and corresponding switch slot are positioned at the junction of the front and side surfaces of the switch housing. In this case, the lever and switch slot occupy less space on the front surface of the switch, thus freeing up more space on the front surface for the arrangement of structures such as sockets, thereby improving the space utilization rate of the front surface of the switch. Furthermore, during switch assembly, the lever can be moved so that its end faces the front surface of the switch. This allows for direct assembly of the switch via a snap-fit ​​mechanism, avoiding any impact on assembly efficiency due to changes in the lever's position.

[0027] According to a third aspect of this application, a switching circuit is provided, the switching circuit including the switch described above.

[0028] Based on the above embodiments of this application, the switching circuit provided by this application includes the above-mentioned switch, and therefore also has the above-mentioned beneficial effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0029] Other features and advantages of this application will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present application and form part of the specification. They are used together with the following detailed description to explain the present application, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the switch provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the contact structure, including the lever, torsion spring, and moving contact, provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the contact structure provided in the embodiment of this application when it is in the closed state.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the contact structure provided in the embodiment of this application when it is in the open state.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the moving contact in the contact structure provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0035] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 1. Stationary contact; 11. Stationary contact point; 2. Moving contact; 21. Support end; 22. Movable end; 23. Moving contact point; 24. Positioning block; 25. Positioning groove; 3. Lever; 31. First segment; 32. Second segment; 33. Support ring; 34. Rotating shaft; 35. Shielding ring; 4. Torsion spring; 41. Spring body; 42. First lever arm; 43. Second lever arm; 5. Housing; 51. Switch slot; 6. Current-carrying component. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0038] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0039] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0040] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, the terms "inner," "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product is in use. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on this application. In addition, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0041] In the description of this application, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "setup" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0042] Switches are among the most common electronic components in daily life. From everyday power strips to various industrial equipment, switches are used for control. Common switches include push-button switches, rotary switches, and toggle switches. Compared to push-button and rotary switches, toggle switches offer clear indication of operating status and excellent tactile feedback, and are therefore widely used in some fields.

[0043] In existing technologies, toggle switches are typically located on one side of a control panel, and are switched by moving the toggle up and down. However, when this toggle contact structure is applied to a socket panel, the toggle occupies a significant amount of space when both the toggle and the socket are located on the same side of the socket panel, thus affecting the socket's layout space and resulting in low space utilization of the socket panel. Some improved solutions place the socket on the front of the socket panel and the toggle on the side, which avoids the toggle occupying space in the socket. However, this makes it impossible to directly fasten the socket panel casing from the front, leading to a decrease in production efficiency.

[0044] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a toggle switch that can reduce the space occupied by the toggle on the socket panel while avoiding affecting the efficiency of the switch panel snap-fit ​​assembly.

[0045] To address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, this application provides a contact structure, with reference to... Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the contact structure includes a stationary contact 1, a moving contact 2, a torsion spring 4, and a lever 3. The moving contact 2 includes a supporting end 21 and a movable end 22. The moving contact 2 can swing around the supporting end 21, causing the movable end 22 to abut against the stationary contact 1. One end of the torsion spring 4 is connected to the moving contact 2. The lever 3 is disposed on the side of the moving contact 2, and the other end of the lever 3 is connected to the torsion spring 4, so as to push the moving contact 2 to swing through the torsion spring 4. Specifically, when the lever 3 moves from the first position to the second position, it first compresses and then releases the torsion spring 4, causing the moving contact 2 to swing and abut against the stationary contact 1. When the lever 3 moves from the second position to the first position, it first compresses and then releases the torsion spring 4, causing the moving contact 2 to swing away from the stationary contact 1. The rotation angle of the lever 3 during the movement from the first position to the second position is greater than or equal to 90°.

[0046] Based on the embodiments described above, when the contact structure is used, during the closing process, the lever moves from the first position to the second position, and vice versa during the opening process. Furthermore, the angle between the first and second positions is greater than or equal to 90 degrees. Therefore, the lever can be positioned at the boundary between the front and side of the switch when the contact structure is configured. For example, if the angle between the first and second positions is exactly 90°, and the lever's end points perpendicular to the front of the switch when in the first position, then the lever's end points perpendicular to the side of the switch when in the second position. At this time, the lever's active area is located at the boundary between the front and side of the switch, thus minimizing the space occupied by the lever on the front of the switch and improving space utilization.

[0047] Meanwhile, during switch assembly, the lever can be moved to the first position, with the end of the lever facing the front of the switch. Therefore, the switch housing and base can be assembled directly by front-facing fastening, avoiding the impact of the lever setting on the switch assembly efficiency.

[0048] Specifically, when the aforementioned lever 3 is used, moving the lever 3 causes the moving contact 2 to swing via the torsion spring 4, thus achieving the opening and closing process. During this process, when closing is required, the lever 3 needs to be moved to first compress the torsion spring 4 and then release it, causing the moving contact 2 to swing and achieve the closing process. During the compression of the torsion spring 4, as the compression increases, the reaction force exerted by the torsion spring 4 on the lever 3 also gradually increases. Therefore, the force required to move the lever 3 gradually increases until the torsion spring 4 begins to release.

[0049] Compared to the locking structure in the prior art, the application of this application gradually increases the pulling force when the lever 3 is moved, which allows for better adaptation to the magnitude of the pulling force and avoids damage to the lever 3 due to excessive pulling force, thereby extending the service life of the contact structure. Similarly, during the opening process, the switch is moved and the torsion spring 4 is compressed and then released. The required pulling force also gradually increases as the compression of the torsion spring 4 increases, allowing for better adaptation to the magnitude of the pulling force.

[0050] In summary, the torsion spring and other structures in this application allow the lever to be in a first position and a second position respectively when the circuit is open or closed, with the angle between the first and second positions being greater than or equal to 90°. This allows the lever to be positioned at the boundary between the front and side of the switch. In this configuration, the contact structure occupies less space on the front of the switch, and it can be directly fixed from the front by a snap-fit ​​method during switch assembly, avoiding any impact on assembly efficiency due to the lever's placement. Furthermore, a torsion spring 4 is provided between the lever 3 and the moving contact 2, using its own elasticity to maintain the contact structure's locking. When opening or closing the circuit, the torsion spring 4 must be compressed first. During the compression of the torsion spring 4, the reaction force on the lever 3 increases uniformly, thus requiring a uniform increase in the actuation force. This allows the lever 3 to better adapt to the increased actuation force, reducing the possibility of damage to the lever 3 due to excessive actuation force, thereby extending the service life of the contact structure.

[0051] refer to Figures 1 to 4 As shown in some embodiments of this application, the contact structure further includes a housing 5 and a current-carrying member 6. A receiving space is formed inside the housing 5, and the stationary contact 1, the moving contact 2, the lever 3, and the torsion spring 4 are all disposed within the receiving space. The current-carrying member 6 is fixedly disposed on the inner wall of the housing 5, and a support groove is formed on the current-carrying member 6. The support end 21 of the moving contact 2 is disposed in the support groove and can swing along the support groove.

[0052] Based on the embodiments described above, by providing a housing 5 to form an accommodating space, the housing 5 can protect components such as the moving contact 2 and the stationary contact 1 from the outside, improving the overall safety of the contact structure and reducing the possibility of electric shock and other safety accidents. The current-carrying element 6 serves as a support structure for the moving contact 2, and the support groove also prevents the moving contact 2 from sliding while it swings, ensuring the accuracy of the opening and closing process.

[0053] Furthermore, the current-carrying element 6 can serve as a support to limit the support end 21 of the moving contact 2, and can also achieve conductivity through contact with the moving contact 2. At the same time, since the moving contact 2 and the current-carrying element 6 are connected through contact, the welding fixation in the prior art can be eliminated, which not only simplifies the assembly process, but also avoids quality problems such as incomplete welding caused by welding, and improves the overall stability of the contact structure.

[0054] Furthermore, it should be noted that the contact structure in this application is not limited to the above-mentioned components. For example, the moving contact 2 and the stationary contact 1 can also be connected to terminals or other structures. Alternatively, when the contact structure is applied to a high-voltage circuit, an arc-extinguishing chamber or other structures can be provided inside the housing 5. The specific configuration can be determined according to actual usage requirements, and this application does not impose any specific limitations on this.

[0055] In this application, the lever 3 can be configured with any suitable structure. (See reference) Figures 2 to 4 As shown in the exemplary embodiment provided in this application, the lever 3 may include a first segment 31 and a second segment 32. The first segment 31 and the second segment 32 form a lever structure with their connection point as the fulcrum, and the end of the second segment 32 away from the fulcrum is connected to the torsion spring 4.

[0056] Based on the embodiments described above, by specifically configuring the lever 3 as a lever structure, on the one hand, the movement path of the lever 3 can be shortened, making it easier to move while saving the overall volume of the contact structure and reducing costs. On the other hand, the lever structure can also be used to achieve a force-saving effect, making the lever 3 structure easier to move.

[0057] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, a support ring 33 is formed at the connection position of the first rod segment 31 and the second rod segment 32, and a rotating shaft 34 is coaxially arranged inside the support ring 33. A switch slot 51 is provided on the housing 5, and the first rod segment 31 passes through the switch slot 51 and is partially located outside the receiving space. A shielding ring 35 is sleeved on the outside of the support ring 33, and the shielding ring 35 is disposed at the opening position of the switch slot 51 to close the switch slot 51.

[0058] Based on the embodiments described above, the support ring 33 and the rotating shaft 34 cooperate to form a fulcrum structure between the first rod segment 31 and the second rod segment 32. The shielding ring 35 can seal the switch slot 51 without affecting the movement of the lever 3, thereby improving the safety of the contact structure and preventing electric shock accidents. Furthermore, it can prevent dust and impurities from entering the contact structure through the switch slot 51, thus protecting the contact structure and extending its service life.

[0059] As can be seen from the above description of this application, the process of lever 3 moving from the first position to the second position is the process of closing the circuit between the moving contact 2 and the stationary contact 1, and the process of lever 3 moving from the second position to the first position is the process of opening the circuit between the moving contact 2 and the stationary contact 1. Accordingly, when lever 3 is in the first position, the moving contact 2 and the stationary contact 1 are in an open state, and when lever 3 is in the second position, the moving contact 2 and the stationary contact 1 are in a closed state.

[0060] Further reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, when the contact structure is in the open state, the first segment 31 of the lever 3 faces the front of the housing 5, while when the contact structure is in the closed state, the first segment 31 of the lever 3 is located on the side of the housing 5. Accordingly, the switch slot 51 on the housing 5 can be opened at the junction of the front and side of the housing 5, thereby reducing the area occupied by the switch, increasing the usable space on the front of the switch, and thus increasing the layout space of the socket and other structures.

[0061] Meanwhile, compared to push-button switches or rotary switches, push-button switches and rotary switches generally cannot be directly installed at the junction of the front and side of the housing 5. If they were directly installed on the side of the housing 5, it would cause inconvenience when pressing or rotating the knob, and might also lead to safety issues such as electric shock. From an assembly perspective, because the buttons or knobs have a certain protrusion, the housing cannot be assembled by directly snapping them together from the front. In this case, it is usually necessary to split the housing along the position of the button or knob, dividing the housing into two halves. This not only reduces production assembly efficiency, but also affects the integrity of the housing, impacting its performance in terms of sealing and insulation protection. With the above-mentioned arrangement of this application, in use, only the lever 3 needs to be moved. The location at the junction of the front and side of the housing 5 not only does not affect the use of the contact structure, but also makes it easier to move the lever 3. During assembly, the lever can be moved to the closed position, at which point the end of the lever points to the front of the housing, and the housing can be assembled directly by snapping it together, without splitting the housing while ensuring assembly efficiency.

[0062] In some embodiments of this application, the length of the first segment 31 is greater than that of the second segment 32.

[0063] Based on the above embodiments of this application, when the lever 3 is turned, the first segment 31 needs to be turned and the second segment 32 is driven to move through the lever structure. Therefore, when the reaction force of the torsion spring 4 is constant, by utilizing the characteristics of the lever structure itself and setting the length of the first segment 31 to be greater than the length of the second segment 32, it is possible to achieve the effect of saving effort when turning.

[0064] Specifically, since the first segment 31 and the second segment 32 form a lever structure, according to the lever principle, setting the length of the first segment 31 to be greater than that of the second segment 32 makes it easier to turn the lever. However, if the first segment 31 is too long, it will affect its own strength, making the lever 3 prone to breakage and affecting its service life. Furthermore, based on the lever principle, when the second segment 32 rotates by a certain angle, the first segment 31 will also rotate by the same angle. With a fixed rotation angle, the longer the first segment 31 is, the greater the end stroke, which will affect the ease of turning the lever 3. Therefore, in practice, the above factors should be considered comprehensively to avoid the first segment 31 being too long.

[0065] In this application, the support groove can be configured with any suitable structure. (See reference) Figure 5 As shown in the exemplary embodiment provided in this application, the support groove can be configured as a V-shaped structure, the support end 21 of the moving contact 2 can be configured as a tapered structure, and the support end 21 of the moving contact 2 can be inserted into the support groove.

[0066] Based on the above embodiments of this application, the V-shaped support groove can be adapted to the tapered structure of the support end 21 of the moving contact 2. Without affecting the swing of the moving contact 2, it can better limit the movement of the moving contact 2 and better ensure the connection between the moving contact 2 and the current-carrying member 6.

[0067] In some embodiments, the moving contact 2 further includes a moving contact 23 and a positioning block 24. The moving contact 2 is disposed on one side of the moving contact 2 and on the movable end 22. The positioning block 24 is disposed on the side of the moving contact 2 opposite to the moving contact 23, and is disposed between the movable end 22 and the support end 21. A torsion spring 4 is connected to the positioning block 24.

[0068] Based on the embodiments described above, the moving contact 23 enhances the conductivity of the contact position during the opening and closing process of the moving contact 2 and the stationary contact 1. The positioning block 24 facilitates the connection between the moving contact 2 and the torsion spring 4, forming a drive structure from the lever 3 to the torsion spring 4 and then to the moving contact 2, which drives the moving contact 2 to open and close the circuit.

[0069] In actual use, a stationary contact 1 can also be provided at the corresponding position of the moving contact 2 on the stationary contact 1. The moving contact 2 and the stationary contact 11 can be made of materials with strong conductivity, resistance to arc erosion and excellent mechanical properties, such as copper-based or silver-based alloy materials. The specific selection can be made according to the actual situation, and this application does not impose specific restrictions on this.

[0070] Similarly, the specific structure of the torsion spring 4 in this application can be selected according to the actual situation. (Reference) Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown in some embodiments of this application, the torsion spring 4 may include a spring body 41 and a starting portion and an ending portion located at the ends of the spring body 41, respectively. The spring body 41 includes at least one spirally formed spring coil, and the starting portion and the ending portion extend tangentially along the spring coil. A first lever arm 42 is provided extending from the starting portion, and the extension direction of the first lever arm 42 is consistent with the axial direction of the spring body 41. The first lever arm 42 is connected to the lever 3. A second lever arm 43 is provided extending from the ending portion, and the extension direction of the second lever arm 43 is consistent with the axial direction of the spring body 41. The second lever arm 43 is fixedly connected to the positioning block 24.

[0071] Based on the above embodiments of this application, by restricting the specific structure of the torsion spring 4 and providing a first lever arm 42 and a second lever arm 43 at both ends of the torsion spring 4, the connection positions between the torsion spring 4 and the lever 3 and the moving contact 2 can be extended respectively. Furthermore, by aligning the first lever arm 42 and the second lever arm 43 with the axial direction of the spring body 41, the force exerted by the lever 3 on the torsion spring 4 and the force applied by the torsion spring 4 to the moving contact 2 can be stably perpendicular to the axial direction of the torsion spring 4, reducing force loss and making the transmission path from the lever 3 to the torsion spring 4 and then to the moving contact 2 more stable and reliable.

[0072] In practical use, the number of coils, stiffness, and torque of the torsion spring 4 can be set according to the actual usage. Since this application does not involve any improvement to the specific performance of the torsion spring 4, no specific restrictions are imposed on it.

[0073] In this application, the positioning block 24 can be connected to the second lever arm 43 in any suitable manner.

[0074] In one exemplary embodiment provided in this application, a fixing hole may be provided on the positioning block 24, and the second lever arm 43 passes through the fixing hole and connects to the positioning block 24. Alternatively, refer to... Figure 5 As shown in the figure, in another exemplary embodiment provided in this application, the positioning block 24 may also be provided with a positioning groove 25, the second lever arm 43 is disposed in the positioning groove 25 and connected to the positioning block 24, and the opening direction of the positioning groove 25 is towards the first lever arm 42.

[0075] Based on the embodiments described above, two connection methods between the positioning block 24 and the torsion spring 4 are disclosed. The connection via the fixing hole is more stable and reliable. The connection via the positioning groove 25 makes the assembly and connection process between the torsion spring 4 and the moving contact 2 more convenient. The specific connection method can be selected according to the specific application.

[0076] Compared to a fixed hole, when the positioning block 24 and the second lever arm 43 are connected by a positioning groove 25, there may be a risk that the second lever arm 43 may slide out of the positioning groove 25. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the opening angle of the positioning groove 25 to reduce the possibility of the second lever arm 43 sliding out.

[0077] refer to Figure 5 As shown, since the torsion spring 4 is located to the upper left of the moving contact 2, the opening direction of the positioning groove 25 is generally upward to the left. Simultaneously, the sidewall of the positioning groove 25 is also angled upward to prevent the second lever arm 43 from slipping out. Furthermore, considering that the moving contact 2 will swing to both sides, it is necessary to ensure that the sidewall of the positioning groove 25 maintains an upward angle when the moving contact 2 swings to its leftmost position. The specific angle can be set according to actual conditions, and this application does not impose specific limitations on it.

[0078] Furthermore, to ensure uniform force distribution at all positions of the moving contact 2 along the extension direction of the second lever arm 43, in some embodiments of this application, multiple positioning blocks 24 can be provided on the moving contact 2. For example, two positioning blocks 24 can be provided on the moving contact 2 along the extension direction of the second lever arm 43, and each positioning block 24 can be provided with a fixing hole or positioning groove 25. The second lever arm 43 passes through the fixing hole or positioning groove 25 on the two positioning blocks 24 in sequence. Alternatively, three positioning blocks 24 can be provided at equal intervals on the moving contact 2 along the extension direction of the second lever arm 43, and the second lever arm 43 passes through the three positioning blocks 24 in sequence, thereby making the force distribution on the moving contact 2 more uniform and stable, and making the opening and closing process more stable and reliable.

[0079] refer to Figures 2 to 4 As shown in the diagram, the specific closing process of the contact structure in this application is as follows: In the initial state, the moving contact 2 and the stationary contact 1 are in the open state, and the lever 3 is in the first position. At this time, the first segment 31 of the lever 3 is in an approximately vertical state, while the second segment 32 is connected to the first lever arm 42 of the torsion spring 4. Subsequently, the first segment 31 of the lever 3 is moved counterclockwise, and the lever 3 itself drives the second segment 32 to rotate counterclockwise using its own lever structure. During this process, the second segment 32 applies force to the torsion spring 4 through its connection with the first lever arm 42. The direction of the force is tangential to the swing direction of the second segment 32, i.e. Figure 3 The torsion spring 4 begins to compress as it tilts diagonally upwards and to the right. Correspondingly, a force parallel to but opposite in direction to the force on the first arm 42 begins to appear on the second lever arm 43 of the torsion spring 4. Figure 3 The force applied by the second lever arm 43 to the moving contact 2 is inclined to the left and downward. Since the moving end 22 of the moving contact 2 is tilted to the left at this time, the force applied to the moving contact 2 by the second lever arm 43 will not cause the moving contact 2 to swing to the right and approach the stationary contact 1. Instead, it will only cause the torsion spring 4 to be further compressed, thereby gradually increasing the turning force required to turn the lever 3.

[0080] Simultaneously, as lever 3 rotates counterclockwise, the second segment 32 of lever 3 also drives the torsion spring 4 to move to the right. At this time, the torsion spring 4 also pushes the moving contact 2 to swing to the right. When the moving contact 2 swings to a vertical position, it reaches the critical position, the compression of the torsion spring 4 reaches its maximum, and the reaction force of the torsion spring 4 on lever 3 reaches its maximum. At this time, the pulling force required to move lever 3 reaches its maximum. Subsequently, as it continues to swing, the torsion spring 4 begins to release, and part of the force of the second lever arm 43 of the torsion spring 4 acting on the moving contact 2 will push the moving contact 2 to swing rapidly to the right until the moving contact 2 contacts the stationary contact 1 to complete the closing.

[0081] In summary, during the closing process, before the moving contact 2 swings to the critical position, the moving contact 2 swings slowly along with the torsion spring 4. After passing the critical position, the torsion spring 4 releases and pushes the moving contact 2 to swing rapidly to complete the closing. At the same time, before the moving contact 2 swings to the critical position, the compression of the torsion spring 4 gradually increases, and the force required to actuate the lever 3 also gradually increases. When the moving contact 2 reaches the critical position, the required force reaches its maximum value, and then the required force returns to zero. The moving contact 2 continues to swing until the closing is completed by the release of the torsion spring 4.

[0082] During the tripping process, initially, lever 3 is in the second position. Then, by moving lever 3 clockwise, the force applied by lever 3 to the first arm 42 of torsion spring 4 is directed downwards and to the left. Correspondingly, the force applied by the second arm 43 of torsion spring 4 to the moving contact 2 is directed upwards and to the right, causing torsion spring 4 to compress. Simultaneously, torsion spring 4 moves to the left along with the second segment 32, causing the moving contact 2 to swing to the left until it reaches the critical position. Then, torsion spring 4 releases, pushing the moving contact 2 to continue swinging to the left.

[0083] Based on the above technical solution, this application also provides a switch, which includes the above contact structure, and the switch slot is disposed at the junction of the front and side of the housing.

[0084] Based on the above embodiments of this application, the switch provided by this application includes the aforementioned contact structure. Through this arrangement, the lever and corresponding switch slot are positioned at the junction of the front and side surfaces of the switch housing. In this case, the lever and switch slot occupy less space on the front surface of the switch, thus freeing up more space on the front surface for the arrangement of structures such as sockets, thereby improving the space utilization rate of the front surface of the switch. Furthermore, during switch assembly, the lever can be moved so that its end faces the front surface of the switch. This allows for direct assembly of the switch via a snap-fit ​​mechanism, avoiding any impact on assembly efficiency due to changes in the lever's position.

[0085] Based on the above technical solutions, this application also provides a switching circuit, which includes the switch described above.

[0086] Based on the above embodiments of this application, the switching circuit provided by this application includes the above-mentioned switch, and therefore also has the above-mentioned beneficial effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0087] The preferred embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of this application, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of this application, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0088] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, this application will not describe the various possible combinations separately.

[0089] Furthermore, various different implementations of this application can be combined in any way, as long as they do not violate the spirit of this application, they should also be regarded as the content disclosed in this application.

Claims

1. A contact structure, characterized in that, The contact structure includes: Static contact head; A moving contact includes a supporting end and a movable end, wherein the moving contact is capable of swinging about the supporting end and causing the movable end to abut against the stationary contact; A lever is provided on the side of the moving contact to push the moving contact to swing. A torsion spring is movably disposed between the moving contact and the lever, and both ends of the torsion spring are respectively connected to the lever and the moving contact; When the lever moves from the first position to the second position, the torsion spring is first compressed and then released, causing the moving contact to swing and abut against the stationary contact. When the lever moves from the second position to the first position, the torsion spring is first compressed and then released, causing the moving contact to swing away from the stationary contact. During the process of the lever moving from the first position to the second position, the rotation angle is greater than or equal to 90°.

2. The contact structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact structure also includes a housing and a current-carrying component. An accommodating space is formed inside the housing, and the stationary contact, the moving contact, the lever, and the torsion spring are all disposed within the accommodating space. The current-carrying component is fixedly disposed on the inner wall of the housing, and a support groove is provided on the current-carrying component. The moving contact support end is disposed in the support groove and can swing along the support groove.

3. The contact structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lever includes a first segment and a second segment, which form a lever structure with their connection point as the fulcrum, and the end of the second segment away from the fulcrum is connected to the torsion spring; The length of the first segment is greater than that of the second segment.

4. The contact structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, A support ring is formed at the connection position between the first rod segment and the second rod segment, and a rotating shaft is sleeved inside the support ring. The support ring and the rotating shaft are rotatably connected. The housing has a switch slot, and the first rod segment passes through the switch slot and is partially located outside the receiving space; A shielding ring is fitted around the outside of the support ring. The shielding ring is rotatably connected to the support ring and is positioned at the opening of the switch slot to close the switch slot.

5. The contact structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support groove is configured with a V-shaped structure, the moving contact support end is configured with a tapered structure, and the moving contact support end can be inserted into the support groove.

6. The contact structure according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The moving contact further includes a moving contact point and a positioning block. The moving contact is disposed on one side of the moving contact and on the movable end. The positioning block is disposed on the side of the moving contact opposite to the moving contact point and is disposed between the movable end and the support end. The torsion spring is connected to the positioning block.

7. The contact structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The torsion spring includes a spring body and a starting portion and an ending portion located at the ends of the spring body, the spring body including at least one coil formed by a helix, and the starting portion and the ending portion extending tangentially along the coil, respectively; The starting part is provided with a first lever arm, the extension direction of the first lever arm is consistent with the axial direction of the spring body, and the first lever arm is connected to the lever. The end portion extends to provide a second lever arm, the extension direction of which is consistent with the axial direction of the spring body, and the second lever arm is fixedly connected to the positioning block.

8. The contact structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The positioning block has a fixing hole, and the second lever arm passes through the fixing hole and connects to the positioning block; or... The positioning block is provided with a positioning groove, the second lever arm is disposed in the positioning groove and connected to the positioning block, and the opening of the positioning groove faces the first lever arm.

9. A switch, characterized in that, The switch includes a contact structure as described in any one of claims 1-8, and the switch slot is disposed at the junction of the front and side surfaces of the housing.

10. A switching circuit, characterized in that, The switching circuit includes the switch as described in claim 9.

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