PRE-BENT SPRING DEFLECTION CURVE AND ITS OPTIMUM DESIGN FOR SWITCHING RELAYS.

Rigorous solutions are examined for the load-deflection characteristic of pre-bent springs in relays and switches to be operated at large deflections in miniaturized devices in order to obtain required contact force, precise alignment of contact points and optimal conditions for card actuation. Numerical solutions are given to clarify the effects of reduced stiffness due to nonlinear deflection and variations in deflection angle and spring length. The optimal design method is considered for such spring parameters as minimum sliding between contact spring and actuating card, zero deflection of the spring at actuating or contact points, spring structure to minimize spring-length fluctuations for contact-point alignment, and position of spring bends to minimize the space required for deflected configuration. Design data are thus obtained for miniaturization of the spring load system, high reliability and extended life for these springs.