EP0087372A1 - Radio frequency reversing relay with coaxial contacts - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a microwave reversing relay comprising three coaxial contacts, including a central contact, two rigid contact blades each capable of coming to bear alternately on the central contact and one of the two other coaxial contacts, the other blade coming while pressing against a ground plane, each of said contact blades being secured to an insulating plunger, and each of the plungers being pushed back in translation by a leaf spring under the effect of a magnetic pallet with two branches capable of tilting around a central axis, in particular under the action of an electromagnetic motor. This relay is characterized by the fact that the leaf spring (19) is fixed in its central part to a projection (21) arranged directly above the central coaxial contact (2), said leaf spring (19) comprising other of its central part of the means (21, 22) for fixing said pushers (23), and that the pallet (12, 13) comprises means (17, 18) for, during its tilting, exert a support on said leaf spring in the vicinity of the ends thereof.

Description

The present invention relates to a microwave reversing relay of the type comprising three fixed coaxial contacts including one central contact, two rigid contact blades each capable of coming to bear alternately on the central contact and one of the two other coaxial contacts, l other blade then coming to bear against a ground plane, each of said contact blades being integral with an insulating plunger and each of the plungers being pushed back in translation by a leaf spring under the effect of a magnetic pallet with two branches capable of tilting around a central axis, in particular under the action of an electromagnetic motor.

The electromagnetic motor, for example of the monostable type, advantageously comprises an induction coil, the magnetic core of which is arranged directly above the pivot axis of the pallet, and a column of magnetic material, one end of which is opposite. one of the branches of the pallet and the other end of which is connected by a magnetic plate to the core of the coil. Advantageously, the motor can comprise a permanent magnet secured to a polar mass placed opposite the other branch of the pallet, a magnetic connecting plate ensuring a passage of magnetic flux from the magnet into the core of the coil and in the column opposite the first branch of the pallet, the flux created by the magnet in the core of the coil being in the opposite direction to the flux created in the core by the electrical excitation of the induction coil.

To ensure proper operation of such change-over relays, it is necessary to obtain the best possible quality of transmission from the input to the switched channel and very high isolation of the input to the non-switched channel.

Return springs are usually provided for this purpose against the force of which the pushers are pushed back by the pallet and which serve to press the contact blades integral with the pushers against the ground plane.

Coaxial microwave reversing relays of the type mentioned have the drawback of requiring significant energy to ensure sufficient contact pressure of the contact blade associated with the switched channel with the central contact and the contact of the switched channel, in order to obtain good transmission and sufficient contact pressure of the contact blade associated with the non-switched track with the ground plane in order to ensure good insulation. This last pressing pressure in fact depends on the restoring force of the springs on which the pushers are supported, restoring force which, on the contrary, must be overcome by the pushbutton during its movement under the effect of the actuation of the relay motor. .

The present invention proposes to produce a microwave coaxial reversing relay of simple mechanical design, avoiding the use of return springs and requiring only low energy consumption to ensure the passage from a switching position to the other.

The relay according to the invention is characterized in that the leaf spring is fixed in its central part to a projection arranged directly above the central coaxial contact, said leaf spring comprising on either side of its central part , means for fixing said pushers, and that the pallet comprises means for, during its tilting, exert a support on said leaf spring in the vicinity of the ends thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the pallet has at its ends rod-shaped extensions each comprising a means of support on the leaf spring, for example a glass bead.

In a particular embodiment, each of the pushers comprises for its fixing to the leaf spring a retaining groove, said leaf spring comprising for the positioning and fixing of each of the pushers a hole of diameter corresponding to that of the pushbutton extended by a longitudinal slit. Advantageously, the groove in each pusher present in the longitudinal direction, in the position of retained on the leaf spring, a central part of narrowed section widening towards the ends, thus allowing a certain elastic movement of the leaf spring relative to the pushers, when the pallet is pressed on the leaf spring .

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the leaf spring has a central orifice for its engagement on a projection forming part of an insulating plate, preferably made of molded plastic material, arranged on the plane of mass and comprising orifices for the passage of the pushers, and means for supporting the pivot axis of the pallet. The plate also has the holes necessary for the passage of the relay assembly screws.

Advantageously, the plate further comprises on its face opposite to that supporting said projection, insulating pins, preferably molded in one piece, crossing the ground plane and serving for the vertical guidance of the rigid contact blades each advantageously fixed to the end of each plunger opposite to that by which it is fixed to the thrust leaf spring.

Thanks to the invention, the ground plane, distinct from the insulating plate, can be easily produced by cutting out a thin metal plate.

• - la figure 1 représente en coupe un relais inverseur coaxial hyperfréquence selon l'invention utilisant un moteur électromagnétique monostable,
• - la figure 2 représente la lame-ressort de poussée utilisée dans le relais de la figure 1,
• - la figure 3 est une vue en élévation d'un poussoir du relais selon l'invention,
• - la figure 4 est une vue en élévation partiellement en coupe du poussoir de la figure 3, selon la flèche IV de la figure 3,
• - la figure 5 est une vue en coupe selon V-V de la figure 3,
• - la figure 6 est une vue en coupe selon VI-VI de la figure 1,
• - la figure 7 est une vue en coupe selon VII-VII de la figure 1,
• - la figure 8 est une vue en coupe de la platine utilisée dans le relais de la figure 1 selon VIII-VIII de la figure 9,
• - la figure 9 est une vue en plan de cette platine,
• - la figure 10 est une vue en plan d'une lame rigide de contact utilisée dans le relais de la figure 1.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment given without any limitation being given with reference to the appended drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 represents in section a microwave coaxial reversing relay according to the invention using a monostable electromagnetic motor,
• FIG. 2 represents the thrust leaf spring used in the relay of FIG. 1,
• - Figure 3 is an elevational view of a relay switch according to the invention,
• FIG. 4 is an elevation view partially in section of the pusher of FIG. 3, along arrow IV of FIG. 3,
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view along VV of FIG. 3,
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view along VI-VI of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 7 is a sectional view along VII-VII of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the plate used in the relay of FIG. 1 according to VIII-VIII of FIG. 9,
• FIG. 9 is a plan view of this plate,
• - Figure 10 is a plan view of a rigid contact blade used in the relay of Figure 1.

The coaxial relay according to the invention conventionally comprises a basic block 1, on which are mounted three coaxial contacts, namely a common central contact, 2, and two lateral contacts 3 and 4.

Inside an enclosure 5 is mounted an electromagnetic motor comprising a core 6 made of magnetic material, preferably of pure iron, on which is mounted an induction coil 7 connected to a source of electric current and creating, when 'it is excited, a magnetic flux in the nucleus.

The relay motor further comprises a column, made of magnetic material, preferably of pure iron, 8, and a polar mass, also of pure iron, 9, supporting a permanent magnet 10, the circuit of the relay motor being completed by a magnetic plate, also made of pure iron, 11, providing a magnetic flux link between the magnet 10, the core 6 of the coil and the magnetic column 8.

The flux generated by the permanent magnet 10 in the core of the coil is oriented in the opposite direction to the magnetic flux created in the core when the induction coil is excited.

The structure and operation of such a relay motor are conventional and will not be described in more detail here.

The relay according to the present invention comprises a movable assembly under the action of the electromagnetic motor, this movable assembly comprising a pallet of magnetic material, preferably of pure iron, comprising two branches 12 and 13, the pallet comprising a median axis 14 to l plumb with the core 6 of the coil.

The axis 14 is journalled on end bearings 15, formed in a plastic plate molded in one piece, generally designated by 16, which is best seen in Figures 8 and 9 and which will be described in more detail below.

At the ends of the branches 12 and 13 of the pallet are fixed rod-shaped extensions 17 at the end of each of which is fixed a glass bead or the like 18.

The relay according to the invention further comprises a single leaf spring 19, the structure of which can best be seen in FIG. 2, this leaf spring comprising a central orifice 20 through which it is mounted on a projection of corresponding shape 21 'of the plate 16.

The leaf spring 19 has on either side of the central orifice 20, circular section orifices 21 each extended by a longitudinal slot 22, these orifices extended by slots serving as fixing means, on the leaf spring 19, insulating pushers 23 whose structure is best seen in FIGS. 3 to 5.

For its mounting on the leaf spring, each pusher 23 has at its upper part a retaining groove 24.

For the introduction of a pusher on the leaf spring, the pusher is introduced through the circular orifice 21 and then it is oriented so as to make it slide in the longitudinal slot 22.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the groove 24 of the pusher 23 comprises a central narrowing 25 widening at 26 in the direction of the periphery of the pusher so as to allow a certain angular movement of the leaf spring 19 in the grooves 24 , as can be seen on examining Figure 1.

At its lower part, each pusher 23 has a groove 27 for engaging and retaining a rigid blade 28 (FIG. 10), comprising for this purpose two central lateral notches 28a, each of the blades 28 being capable of ensuring contact with the central coaxial contact 2 and one of the lateral coaxial contacts 3 and 4 respectively.

In FIG. 1, the contact blade 28 on the right is seen, ensuring the connection between the coaxial contacts 2 and 4, the blade 28 on the left then being in abutment against a ground plane 29 produced for example from a plate cut out, and arranged between the base of the plate 16 and the base block 1.

The plate 16 which is best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9 comprises, in addition to the elements mentioned above, insulating pins projecting downwards, 30, intended for the vertical guidance of the contact blades 28 as seen. best in FIGS. 6 and 7. The pins 30 are preferably molded in one piece with the plate 16.

The plate 16 further comprises orifices 31 for the passage of the pushers, 23, as well as orifices 32 for the passage of assembly screws 33.

Likewise, the plate 29 constituting the ground plane has the orifices necessary for the passage of the assembly screws, pushers and guide pins.

When it is desired to create the switching connection between the coaxial contacts 2 and 4, the pallet is pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 1, until its branch 12 comes into abutment against the polar mass 9.

In the example shown, this pivoting movement is provided by the electromagnetic motor. Other means can also be provided.

From the start of the movement, the pearl 18 located in the extension of the branch 13 of the pallet exerts pressure in the vicinity of the corresponding end of the leaf spring 19 which, in its pivoting movement, drives the insulating pushers 23 in translation. the rigid contact blades 28.

When the right blade in FIG. 1 comes to rest against the contacts 2 and 4, the opposite blade is driven upwards until it comes into contact with the ground plane 29.

The additional stroke of the pallet before coming into abutment by its branch 12 against the pole mass 9 has the effect of arching the leaf spring 19 creating the necessary contact pressures of the rigid blades 28 against the coaxial contacts and respectively the plane of mass.

The adjustment of the contact pressures and the compensation of the mechanical mounting tolerances can be obtained by bending the rods 17 supporting the glass beads 18.

The mechanical dimensions are determined so that from the input of the relay to the non-switched channel, in the example shown the coaxial contact 3, a working waveguide is produced, for the frequency of use of the reversing relay, below its cutoff frequency.

Although the invention has been described in connection with a particular embodiment, it is obvious that it is in no way limited thereto. and that many variations and modifications can be made to it without going beyond its framework or its spirit.

Claims (8)

1. Microwave inverter relay comprising three coaxial contacts, including a central contact, two rigid contact blades capable of coming to bear each alternately on the central contact and one of the other two coaxial contacts, the other blade then coming to bear against a ground plane, each of said contact blades being secured to an insulating plunger, and each of the plungers being pushed back in translation by a leaf spring under the effect of a magnetic pallet with two branches capable of tilting around a central axis, in particular under the action of an electromagnetic motor, characterized in that the leaf spring (19) is fixed in its central part to a projection (21) arranged directly above the central coaxial contact (2 ), said leaf spring (19) comprising on either side of its central part means (21,22) for fixing said pushers (23), and that the pallet (12,13) comprises means (17 , 18) to, during its tilting, exercise an ap then on said leaf spring in the vicinity of the ends thereof. 2. Relay according to claim 1, characterized in that the pallet has at its ends extensions (17) in the form of rods each comprising a bearing means (18) on the leaf spring (19). 3. Relay according to claim 2, characterized in that said support means is a glass bead (18). 4. Relay according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the pushers (23) comprises for its attachment to the leaf spring a retaining groove, (24) said leaf spring comprising for the establishment and fixing each of the pushers an orifice (21) of diameter corresponding to that of the pushbutton extended by a longitudinal slot (22). 5. Relay according to claim 4, characterized in that the groove (24) of each pusher has, in the longitudinal direction, in the retaining position on the leaf spring, a central part (25) of narrowed section widening towards the ends (26). 6. Relay according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leaf spring has a central orifice (20) for its engagement on a projection (21 ') forming part of an insulating plate (16), preferably made of molded plastic in one piece, disposed on the ground plane (29), said plate comprising orifices (31) for the passage of pushers (23) and support means (15) of the axis of pivoting of the pallet. 7. Relay according to claim 6, characterized in that said plate further comprises on its face opposite to that supporting said projection, insulating pins (30), preferably molded in one piece, crossing the ground plane and for vertical guidance of rigid contact blades. 8. Relay according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the rigid contact blades (28) is fixed to the insulating plunger (23) corresponding to the vicinity of the end thereof opposite to that by which it is mounted on said leaf spring.

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