IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012

H01H - Definition fr

Definition statement

This subclass covers:

Electric switches, i.e. single points of mechanically operable electrical connection (or interruption). Types, details and manufacture thereof.

Relays, i.e. switching devices having contacts which are operated from electric inputs which supply, directly or indirectly, all the mechanical energy necessary to cause both the closure and the opening of the contacts. Types, details and manufacture thereof.

Selectors, i.e. arrays of electric switches which selectively connect some inputs out of a plurality of inputs to some outputs out of a plurality of outputs. Types, details, and manufacture thereof.

Protective devices like: circuit-breaking switches, protective switches, fuses, evaporation devices, details and manufacture thereof. This subclass also covers (in groups H01H 69/00-H01H 87/00) devices for the protection of electric lines or electric machines or apparatus in the event of undesired change from normal electric working conditions, the electrical condition serving directly as the input to the device.

Mechanical structural details of control members of switches or of keyboards such as keys, push-buttons, levers or other mechanisms for transferring the force to the activated elements are classified in this subclass, even when they are used for controlling electronic switches.

Relationship between large subject matter areas

Circuit arrangements for the automatic protection of electric lines or electric machines or apparatus in the event of an undesired change from normal working conditions are covered by subclass H02H.

References relevant to classification in this subclass

This subclass does not cover:

Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -braking

H03K 17/00

Contact cables

H01B 7/10

Electrolytic self-interrupters

H01G 9/18

Bases, casings, or covers accommodating two or more switching devices or for accommodating a switching device as well as another electric component, e.g. bus-bar, line connector

H02B 1/26

Mechanical details directly producing electronic effects

H03K 17/94
Examples of places where the subject matter of this class is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Switching arrangements for the supply or distribution of electric power

H02B

For telephone communication

H04M 1/26

Keyboards for special applications, see the relevant subclasses or groups, e.g.

B41J, G06F 3/023, H04L 15/00, H04L 17/00, H04M 1/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Overvoltage protection resistors, resistive arresters

H01C 7/12, H01C 8/04

Locking switch parts to prevent operation

H01H 9/28

Centrifugal mercury switches

H01H 29/26

Switching devices of the waveguide type

H01P

Devices for interrupted current collection.

H01R 39/00

Overvoltage arresters using spark gaps

H01T 4/00

Arrangements for locating electric faults; Testing of relays

G01R 31/00

Clocks with attached or built-in means operating any device at preselected times or after preselected time intervals

G04C 23/00

Special rules of classification

Details only described with reference to, or clearly only applicable to, switching devices of a single basic type, are classified in the group appropriate to switching devices of that basic type, e.g. H01H 19/02H01H 75/04

Details of an unspecified type of switching device, or disclosed as applicable to two or more kinds of switching devices designated by the terms or expressions "switches", "relays", "selectorswitches", and "emergency protective devices", are classified in groups H01H 1/00-H01H 9/00

Details of an unspecified type of switch, or disclosed as applicable to two or more types of switches as defined by groups H01H 13/00-H01H 43/00 and subgroups H01H 35/02H01H 35/06, H01H 35/14H01H 35/18, H01H 35/24, and H01H 35/42, all hereinafter called basic types, are classified in groups H01H 1/00-H01H 9/00

Details of an unspecified type of relay, or disclosed as applicable to two or more types of relays as defined by groups H01H 51/00-H01H 61/00, hereinafter called basic types, are classified in group H01H 45/00

Details of an unspecified protective switch or protective relay, or applicable to two or more types of protective devices as defined by groups H01H 73/00-H01H 83/00, hereinafter called basic types, are classified in group H01H 71/00.

Glossary of terms

In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Acting or action

means a self-induced, e.g. not manually caused, movement of parts at one stage of the switching. These connotations apply to all parts of the verbs "to operate"; "to actuate", and "to act", and to words derived therefrom, e.g. to "actuation" or "actuating"

Driving mechanism

refers to the means by which an operating force applied to the switch is transmitted to the moving contact or contacts

Key

same as push button

Operating

is used in a broader sense than "actuating"

Push button

means a knob or button that allows the manual operation of a switch in order to e.g. close an electric circuit

Relay

means a switching device having contacts which are operated from electric inputs which supply, directly or indirectly, all the mechanical energy necessary to cause both the closure and the opening of the contacts

Switch

means a single point of mechanically operable electrical connection (or interruption)

Contacts

means the necessary elementary components of a switch that ensure the electrical connection, each switch comprising at least two contacts, and possibly more than two

Selector

means an array of electric switches which selectively connect some inputs out of a plurality of inputs to some outputs out of a plurality of outputs

Switch site

means the physical location where the contacts can touch each other