Patent attributes
An overload relay is provided for electrical equipment, such as a motor. The overload relay includes a set of electrical contacts, a trip mechanism and a single-arm, a set of monolithic compliant mechanism actuators. The trip mechanism has a normal position and a tripped position. The normal position allows electrical connection between the electrical contacts, and the tripped position interrupts electrical connection between the electrical contacts in response to detection of a high current condition. The single-arm actuator is formed of an electrically conductive material, and includes a compliant hinge and a single bar connected to the hinge. The single bar is electrically coupled to the line contact or the load contact. Under the high current condition, one of first and second ends of the single bar deflects relative to the compliant hinge to cause the trip mechanism to move into the tripped position.
