CA1101095A - Material sensing switch - Google Patents
Material sensing switchInfo
- Publication number
- CA1101095A CA1101095A CA277,187A CA277187A CA1101095A CA 1101095 A CA1101095 A CA 1101095A CA 277187 A CA277187 A CA 277187A CA 1101095 A CA1101095 A CA 1101095A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- switch
- opening
- wall
- pressure plate
- backing plate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure A material switch comprising a body having an open first end and a second end closed by a wall member. A flange extends out-wardly from the body at the first end thereof for securing the body to a supporting structure. A backing plate removably closes the first end to define an interior body compartment between the backing plate and the inner surface of the wall member. A micro switch is positioned within the body compartment and has a plunger extending therefrom so that the outer end thereof is positioned outwardly of the outer surface of the wall member. A pressure plate is removably mounted on the second end of the body at the outer surface of the wall member and is adapted to engage the switch plunger to actuate the switch upon movement of the pressure plate relative to the plunger. A flexible member is removably secured to the body at the second end thereof and covers the pres-sure plate. A ring member secures the flexible member to the body. An adjustment spring is provided for yieldably resisting the movement of the pressure plate towards the switch plunger.
The backing plate, body, flexible member and ring are comprised of a non-corrosive material.
The backing plate, body, flexible member and ring are comprised of a non-corrosive material.
Description
This invention relates to a material sensing switch and more particularly to an improved material sensing switch which is ideally suited for use in dusty conditions such as bins, tanks, cement silos, etc, Many material sensing switches have been previously provided but none has met with considerable success d~e to the environment in which they are normally used to sense the presence or absence of material. Material sensing switches are commonly used in bins or ~he like to sense the presence or absence or material at a particular level within the bin. It is essential that a switch be provided which will function in dusty conditlons and which will not create dangerous and hazardous sparks. It is also essential that the switches be comprised of a material which will not be damaged by the corrosive nature of the materials being sensed.
A further disadvantage in the prior art switch d~vices`is that the switches are not convenient to mount nor are they easily serviced~
Therefore, it is a principle object of the invention to provide an improved material sensing switch.
A further object of the invention is to provide a material sensing switch which is durable in use.
A further object of the invention is to provide a material sensing switch which will not be damaged by the corrosive pro-perties of the material being sensed.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a material sensing switch including means fGr adjusting the pressure required to activate the switch.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a material sensing switch which is economical of manufacture.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
The present invention is intended to overcome the short-comings of the prior art and to achieve the foregoing objects and other advantages by providing a material sensing switch assembly comprising, a cylindical body means having first and second ends, and a backing plate means removably closing the 0~5 ~irst end to define an interior compartment between the backin~
plate means and the wall. Connecting means secure the said body means to a support means and the second end of the body means is closed by a wall means having inner and outer surfaces, the wall means having a first opening formed therein. Switch means are secured to the body means within the interior compartment adjacent to the inner surface of the wall means, said switch means having a switch actuator extending outwardly through the first opening o~ the wall means. A movable pressure plate means is positioned at the second end of the body means at the outer surface of the wall means for engagement with the switch actuator to activate the switch means when the pressure plate is moved towards the wall b~ pressure exerted thereon. A flexible member operatively and removably secured to the second end of the body and covering the press`ure plate has means securing the flexible member to the body means. The wall means has a second opening formed therein and has a post means on its inner surface which has a longitudinal base formed therein communicating with the second opening. ~n elongated spring means is positioned in the base and the second opening and has one end in engagement with the pressure plate to normally urge the pressure plate outward from the wall and the switch actuator. An adjustment screw is threadably mounted in the bore having one end in engagement with the other end of the spring means whereby the pressure exerted by the spring means on the pressure plate may be selectivQly varied by rotation of the screw relative to the post. The adjustment screw being accessible for adjustment upon removal of the backing plate.
The first opening may comprise a switch opening and the switch means may be positioned adjacent to the switch opening, and a sealing compound used in said interior body compartment to at least partially embrace said switch means to seal the switch opening and maintain the switch means in position.
This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, -2a-and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:
Fi~ure 1 is a perspective view of the switch of this inven-tion:
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the switch of this invention:
Figure 3 is a sectional view seen on lines 3-3 of Figure 1:
Figure 4 is a plan view of the assembly with the backing plate removed and with the poured epoxy being cut away to more fully illustrate the invention; and Figure 5 is a plan view of the assembly with the outer ring, flexible member and pressure plate removed.
The material sensing switch of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10. Switch 10 includes a body 12 having ends 14 and 16. Body 12 is provided with a flange 16 extending outwardly there~rom at end 14 for mounting the switch to a supporting structure.
Body 12 is provided with a wall nlember 18 spaced inwardly of end 16 and which has a rectangular opening 20 formed therein.
Wall 18 is also provided with a circular opening 22 formed there-in for a purpose to be described in greater detail hereinafter.
Body 12 also includes a recessed portion extending inwardly into end 16 which defines an annular shoulder 26 positioned at the periphery of wall member 18. A plurality of threaded openings 28 are provided in annular shoulder 26.
A plurality of spaced-apart posts 30 extend from the inner surface of wall member 18 at opposite sides of the opening 20.
The numeral 32 referes to a conventional micro-switch which is positioned in opening 20 and which has a pair of spaced-apart openings 34 and 36 extending therethrough. Switch 32 is initially maintained in position by means of cotter keys 38 threadably se-cured to the posts by screws 33 and extending through the openings s 34 and 36. The numeral 35 refels to a hardened epoxy material or compound which is poured in the interior of ring 37. Epoxy 35 covers the screws 33 to maintain the micro-switch 32 in adjustment and in position. The epoxy also forms the function of sealing the plastic bod~ to the micro-switch 32 to form a barrier between the front of the body and the interior electri-cal courts.
Opening 22 communicates with a bore 40 formed in post 42 which extends from inner surface of wall 18. Spring 44 is received by opening 22 and bore 40. Adjustment screw 46 is threadabl~ mounted in bore 40 for selectively varying the posi-tion of the spring 44 within opening 22 and bore 40. Backing plate 48 selectiveIy closes end 14 by means of screw 50 extend-ing through backing plate 48 and into threaded openings 52 formed in flange 16. The numeral 54 refers to a pressure plate which is positioned adjacent the outer surface of wall 18 inwardly of the annular shoulder 26. Pressure plate 54 i5 adapted to engage the plunger or switch actuator 56 extending from switch 32. A
flexible member 56 preferably comprised of a rubberized-nylon material is positioned within end 16 of body 12 and covers the annular shoulder 26 and backing plate 54. Flexible member 56 is held in position by a base ring 58 by means of screws 60 extend ing through ringe 58, flexible member 56 and into the threaded openings 28.
In operation, the switch 10 could be mounted in a storage bin or the like by means of bolts extending through the openings 62 in flange 16 so that flexible member 56 would be engaged by the material within the bin. If switch 32 is normally open, pressure of the material against the flexible member 56 will cause pressure plate 54 to move plunger 56 inwardly into the switch 32 so that the switch 32 will be closed thereby activat-ing some form of signal device such as a light, buzzer, etc.
, :. :
connected to the switch which will indicate that the material in the bin or the like has reached the level of the switch 10. The adjustment screw 46 permits the seLective adjustment of the resistance of the spring 44 against the inside surfaces of the pressure plate 54. In other words, if adjustment screw 46 is threadably moved inwardly into the bore 40, the spring 44 will be compressed between the inner end of screw 46 and pressure plate 56 to increase the yieIdable resistance against the inward move-ment of the plate 56 so that greater pressure on pressure plate iO 54 to activate the switch 32.
Preferably, backing pla~e 48 and body 12 are comprised of a plastic material to prev~nt the corrosive material being sensed from damaging the assembly. The rubber-nylon construction of flexible member 56 and the nylon construction of the ring 58 pre-vents the corrosive material being sensed from damaging the com~
ponents. The base ring 58 and its relationshiP to the fle~ible member 56 as well as the pressure plate 5~ insures that dust will not enter the interior of the switch. The switch is easily mounted within the bin and is easily serviced due to the construction of the assembly. If flexible member 56 should become torn, the epoxy material 35 prevents dust, moisture, etc. from passin~
through opening 20 into the interior electrical compartment.
Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
A further disadvantage in the prior art switch d~vices`is that the switches are not convenient to mount nor are they easily serviced~
Therefore, it is a principle object of the invention to provide an improved material sensing switch.
A further object of the invention is to provide a material sensing switch which is durable in use.
A further object of the invention is to provide a material sensing switch which will not be damaged by the corrosive pro-perties of the material being sensed.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a material sensing switch including means fGr adjusting the pressure required to activate the switch.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a material sensing switch which is economical of manufacture.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
The present invention is intended to overcome the short-comings of the prior art and to achieve the foregoing objects and other advantages by providing a material sensing switch assembly comprising, a cylindical body means having first and second ends, and a backing plate means removably closing the 0~5 ~irst end to define an interior compartment between the backin~
plate means and the wall. Connecting means secure the said body means to a support means and the second end of the body means is closed by a wall means having inner and outer surfaces, the wall means having a first opening formed therein. Switch means are secured to the body means within the interior compartment adjacent to the inner surface of the wall means, said switch means having a switch actuator extending outwardly through the first opening o~ the wall means. A movable pressure plate means is positioned at the second end of the body means at the outer surface of the wall means for engagement with the switch actuator to activate the switch means when the pressure plate is moved towards the wall b~ pressure exerted thereon. A flexible member operatively and removably secured to the second end of the body and covering the press`ure plate has means securing the flexible member to the body means. The wall means has a second opening formed therein and has a post means on its inner surface which has a longitudinal base formed therein communicating with the second opening. ~n elongated spring means is positioned in the base and the second opening and has one end in engagement with the pressure plate to normally urge the pressure plate outward from the wall and the switch actuator. An adjustment screw is threadably mounted in the bore having one end in engagement with the other end of the spring means whereby the pressure exerted by the spring means on the pressure plate may be selectivQly varied by rotation of the screw relative to the post. The adjustment screw being accessible for adjustment upon removal of the backing plate.
The first opening may comprise a switch opening and the switch means may be positioned adjacent to the switch opening, and a sealing compound used in said interior body compartment to at least partially embrace said switch means to seal the switch opening and maintain the switch means in position.
This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, -2a-and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:
Fi~ure 1 is a perspective view of the switch of this inven-tion:
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the switch of this invention:
Figure 3 is a sectional view seen on lines 3-3 of Figure 1:
Figure 4 is a plan view of the assembly with the backing plate removed and with the poured epoxy being cut away to more fully illustrate the invention; and Figure 5 is a plan view of the assembly with the outer ring, flexible member and pressure plate removed.
The material sensing switch of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10. Switch 10 includes a body 12 having ends 14 and 16. Body 12 is provided with a flange 16 extending outwardly there~rom at end 14 for mounting the switch to a supporting structure.
Body 12 is provided with a wall nlember 18 spaced inwardly of end 16 and which has a rectangular opening 20 formed therein.
Wall 18 is also provided with a circular opening 22 formed there-in for a purpose to be described in greater detail hereinafter.
Body 12 also includes a recessed portion extending inwardly into end 16 which defines an annular shoulder 26 positioned at the periphery of wall member 18. A plurality of threaded openings 28 are provided in annular shoulder 26.
A plurality of spaced-apart posts 30 extend from the inner surface of wall member 18 at opposite sides of the opening 20.
The numeral 32 referes to a conventional micro-switch which is positioned in opening 20 and which has a pair of spaced-apart openings 34 and 36 extending therethrough. Switch 32 is initially maintained in position by means of cotter keys 38 threadably se-cured to the posts by screws 33 and extending through the openings s 34 and 36. The numeral 35 refels to a hardened epoxy material or compound which is poured in the interior of ring 37. Epoxy 35 covers the screws 33 to maintain the micro-switch 32 in adjustment and in position. The epoxy also forms the function of sealing the plastic bod~ to the micro-switch 32 to form a barrier between the front of the body and the interior electri-cal courts.
Opening 22 communicates with a bore 40 formed in post 42 which extends from inner surface of wall 18. Spring 44 is received by opening 22 and bore 40. Adjustment screw 46 is threadabl~ mounted in bore 40 for selectively varying the posi-tion of the spring 44 within opening 22 and bore 40. Backing plate 48 selectiveIy closes end 14 by means of screw 50 extend-ing through backing plate 48 and into threaded openings 52 formed in flange 16. The numeral 54 refers to a pressure plate which is positioned adjacent the outer surface of wall 18 inwardly of the annular shoulder 26. Pressure plate 54 i5 adapted to engage the plunger or switch actuator 56 extending from switch 32. A
flexible member 56 preferably comprised of a rubberized-nylon material is positioned within end 16 of body 12 and covers the annular shoulder 26 and backing plate 54. Flexible member 56 is held in position by a base ring 58 by means of screws 60 extend ing through ringe 58, flexible member 56 and into the threaded openings 28.
In operation, the switch 10 could be mounted in a storage bin or the like by means of bolts extending through the openings 62 in flange 16 so that flexible member 56 would be engaged by the material within the bin. If switch 32 is normally open, pressure of the material against the flexible member 56 will cause pressure plate 54 to move plunger 56 inwardly into the switch 32 so that the switch 32 will be closed thereby activat-ing some form of signal device such as a light, buzzer, etc.
, :. :
connected to the switch which will indicate that the material in the bin or the like has reached the level of the switch 10. The adjustment screw 46 permits the seLective adjustment of the resistance of the spring 44 against the inside surfaces of the pressure plate 54. In other words, if adjustment screw 46 is threadably moved inwardly into the bore 40, the spring 44 will be compressed between the inner end of screw 46 and pressure plate 56 to increase the yieIdable resistance against the inward move-ment of the plate 56 so that greater pressure on pressure plate iO 54 to activate the switch 32.
Preferably, backing pla~e 48 and body 12 are comprised of a plastic material to prev~nt the corrosive material being sensed from damaging the assembly. The rubber-nylon construction of flexible member 56 and the nylon construction of the ring 58 pre-vents the corrosive material being sensed from damaging the com~
ponents. The base ring 58 and its relationshiP to the fle~ible member 56 as well as the pressure plate 5~ insures that dust will not enter the interior of the switch. The switch is easily mounted within the bin and is easily serviced due to the construction of the assembly. If flexible member 56 should become torn, the epoxy material 35 prevents dust, moisture, etc. from passin~
through opening 20 into the interior electrical compartment.
Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
Claims (2)
1. A material sensing switch assembly comprising, a cylindrical body means having first and second ends, a backing plate means removably closing said first end to define an interior compartment between said backing plate means and said wall means;
connection means for securing said body means to a support means;
said second end of said body means being closed by a wall means having inner and outer surfaces, said wall means having a first opening formed therein; a switch means secured to said body means within said interior compartment adjacent the inner surface of said wall means; said switch means having a switch actuator extending outwardly through said first opening in said wall means; a movable pressure plate means positioned at said second end of said body means at the outer surface of said wall means for engagement with said switch actuator to activate said switch means when said pres-sure plate means is moved towards said wall means by pressure exer-ted thereon; a flexible member operatively removably secured to said second end of said body means and covering said pressure plate means; means securing said flexible member to said body means; said wall means having a second opening formed therein; said wall means having a post means on its inner surface which has a longitudinal base formed therein communicating with said second opening; an elongated spring means positioned in said base and said second opening and having one end in engagement with said pressure plate means to normally urge said pressure plate means outwardly from said wall means and said switch actuator; and an adjustment screw means threadably mounted in said bore having one end in engagement with the other end of said spring means whereby the pressure exer-ted by said spring means on said pressure plate means may be selec-tively varied by threadable rotation of said screw means relative to said post means; said adjustment screw means being accessible for adjustment upon removal of said backing plate means.
connection means for securing said body means to a support means;
said second end of said body means being closed by a wall means having inner and outer surfaces, said wall means having a first opening formed therein; a switch means secured to said body means within said interior compartment adjacent the inner surface of said wall means; said switch means having a switch actuator extending outwardly through said first opening in said wall means; a movable pressure plate means positioned at said second end of said body means at the outer surface of said wall means for engagement with said switch actuator to activate said switch means when said pres-sure plate means is moved towards said wall means by pressure exer-ted thereon; a flexible member operatively removably secured to said second end of said body means and covering said pressure plate means; means securing said flexible member to said body means; said wall means having a second opening formed therein; said wall means having a post means on its inner surface which has a longitudinal base formed therein communicating with said second opening; an elongated spring means positioned in said base and said second opening and having one end in engagement with said pressure plate means to normally urge said pressure plate means outwardly from said wall means and said switch actuator; and an adjustment screw means threadably mounted in said bore having one end in engagement with the other end of said spring means whereby the pressure exer-ted by said spring means on said pressure plate means may be selec-tively varied by threadable rotation of said screw means relative to said post means; said adjustment screw means being accessible for adjustment upon removal of said backing plate means.
2. The switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first opening comprises a switch opening, said switch means being posi-tioned adjacent said switch opening, and a sealing compound in said interior body compartment at least partially embracing said switch means to seal switch opening and to maintain said switch means in position.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA277,187A CA1101095A (en) | 1977-04-27 | 1977-04-27 | Material sensing switch |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA277,187A CA1101095A (en) | 1977-04-27 | 1977-04-27 | Material sensing switch |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1101095A true CA1101095A (en) | 1981-05-12 |
Family
ID=4108528
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA277,187A Expired CA1101095A (en) | 1977-04-27 | 1977-04-27 | Material sensing switch |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1101095A (en) |
-
1977
- 1977-04-27 CA CA277,187A patent/CA1101095A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |