Configurable mechanism for actuating a switch

Abstract

A switching mechanism 100" comprises a first gear 102 rotatable about a first axis 114 and coupled to an actuating mechanism of a first switch, a second gear 104 rotatable about a second axis 116 and coupled to an actuating mechanism of a second switch, and a third gear 106 which engages with the first and second gears. Rotation of the third gear in a first direction 126 about a third axis 118 causes rotation of the second gear, whereas rotation of the third gear in a second direction 128 causes rotation of the first gear. The rotation axes may all be parallel to one another. The third gear may be arranged between the first and second gears, and all three gears may be arranged collinearly within a single plane. The third gear may engage directly with the first gear and engage with the second gear via a linear gear 112'. Alternatively, the third gear may engage with both the first and second gears via respective first and second linear gears (110,112, figure 4A). The mechanism allows for two switches to be actuated sequentially or simultaneously. Figures 5A and 5B