EP0088172A1 - Handbetätigter magnetelektrischer Schalter - Google Patents

Handbetätigter magnetelektrischer Schalter Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0088172A1
EP0088172A1 EP82301114A EP82301114A EP0088172A1 EP 0088172 A1 EP0088172 A1 EP 0088172A1 EP 82301114 A EP82301114 A EP 82301114A EP 82301114 A EP82301114 A EP 82301114A EP 0088172 A1 EP0088172 A1 EP 0088172A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contacts
actuator
pair
armature
electromagnet
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.)
Ceased
Application number
EP82301114A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Raymond Jacques Mathieu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hobart Corp
Original Assignee
Hobart Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hobart Corp filed Critical Hobart Corp
Priority to EP82301114A priority Critical patent/EP0088172A1/de
Publication of EP0088172A1 publication Critical patent/EP0088172A1/de
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/001—Means for preventing or breaking contact-welding
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
    • H01H50/16—Magnetic circuit arrangements
    • H01H50/18—Movable parts of magnetic circuits, e.g. armature
    • H01H50/32—Latching movable parts mechanically
    • H01H50/326—Latching movable parts mechanically with manual intervention, e.g. for testing, resetting or mode selection

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to switches for controlling electric circuits, and, more particularly, for controlling circuits in which high current is present. Moreover, the switch of the present invention is activated by pulling on an actuator, and deactivated by pushing the same.
  • One general type of switch used for controlling electric circuits includes an electromagnet. When energized, the electromagnet moves an armature that in turn closes or opens one or more electrical contacts. The energized electromagnet then holds the armature in such a position that the contacts remain closed or open. When the electromagnet is deenergized, the armature, and in turn the contacts, return to their initial positions.
  • This type of switch is particularly useful in circuits in which high current is present.
  • arcing results as the contact members approach or move away from each other. This arcing can lead to the contacts becoming welded together. It also causes erosion of the contact material and greatly shortens contact life.
  • the operator is apt to close or open them slowly. This results in a long period for arcing and high probability of contact erosion or of welding the contacts.
  • the contacts move quickly. The length of time during which arcing can occur is greatly reduced, and the contact erosion and the possibility of welding the contacts is therefore significantly lowered.
  • the standard relay is an example of the type of switch discussed above.
  • the electromagnet is energized and deenergized by an electrical control means remote from the relay. While useful in high-current circuits, in some applications a relay has several disadvantages.
  • the remote energizing control increases the bulk and complexity of the switching device. Additionally, in situations where it is necessary to keep the switch air and watertight, a remote energizing control and the associated wiring conduits and connection points significantly increase the opportunities for leakage. Moreover, in the event of "tacking," or sticking, of the contacts upon attempting to open them, the operator has no real means for freeing the contacts and controlling the circuit short of disassembling the switch.
  • U. S. Patent No. 3,622,925 discloses another example of a switch of this general type.
  • a switch is shown wherein a push-button type actuator is used to close a pair of normally-open contacts and thereby energize an electromagnet.
  • the electromagnet moves an armature that engages the same contacts, holding them closed.
  • the switch reduces the bulk and leakage potential of the relay, it is a starting switch only.
  • a circuit activated by the switch cannot be deactivated by the same switch.
  • the contacts held closed by the actuator are initially closed manually, such a switch will not reduce the possibility for welding of the contacts in high current applications.
  • the switch provides no means for separating the contacts in the event of "tacking."
  • U. S. Patent No. 3,848,205 discloses yet another example of the general type of switch.
  • a switch for controlling an electric motor is shown wherein an electromagnet is connected across a pair of normally-closed contacts.
  • An actuator and a projection are mounted to an armature.
  • the electromagnet is then energized and holds the armature causing the projection to hold the contacts open.
  • This switch also reduces the bulk and leakage potential of the relay, it cannot restart the stopped motor. Moreover, such a switch does not completely deactivate the circuit.
  • the switch of the present invention incorporates the advantage of the standard relay for high-current applications in that the possibility of welding the contacts together is quite low.
  • the switch of the present invention is compact and self-contained. Thus, assembly and installation are facilitated, and the switch is particularly well-suited for use in a hostile environment. Further, unlike the prior art, the switch provides means for separating the contacts in the event that "tacking" occurs.
  • a contactor type electrical switch comprising at least one pair of normally open primary contacts, a pair of normally open control contacts, an electromagnet actuator having a coil and a movable armature influenced by an electromagnetic field created by current flowing through said coil, means on said armature engagable with one of each of said pairs of contacts to close said one contact against the other contact of the pair, circuit means connecting said control contacts to said coil and adapted to control supply of power to said coil, and a reciprocable manually operable actuator engagable with one control contact of said pair thereof to close and open said control contacts independently of said elec-- tromagnetic actuator and thereby to control said circuit means.
  • the present invention provides a switch for controlling an electric circuit, the switch having an electromagnet, a plurality of pairs of contacts, and an armature. One pair of contacts is connected in series-with the electromagnet so as to energize and deenergize the same.
  • a manually-operated actuator is provided, with a control projection mounted thereon and disposed between the first pair of contacts and the armature. Additional projections may be mounted to the actuator, one each being disposed adjacent one pair of contacts opposite the armature.
  • a housing may be provided enclosing the aforementioned parts such that the switch is therefore air and watertight.
  • the operator pulls a knob or handle attached to the actuator.
  • the pulling motion moves the actuator and the control projection, which pushes against and closes the first pair of contacts, energizing the electromagnet.
  • the electromagnet moves the armature, which in turn closes the remaining contacts, thereby holding all pairs of contacts closed.
  • the operator pushes on the knob or handle, moving the actuator and the control projection in the opposite direction.
  • the projection pushes against and moves a flexible portion of the armature. This releases the first pair of contacts, allowing them to open and deenergize the electromagnet.
  • the armature is then released, and the remaining contacts are allowed to open.
  • the first pair of contacts that are manually closed may carry a current to energize the electromagnet that is only a small fraction of the load current carried by the remaining contacts.
  • the arcing at the manually-actuated first contact pair is minimal, with the result that there is no real problem of erosion or of tacking together of this contact pair.
  • Arcing at the remaining load contacts is minimized by the consistent, rapid actuation of the load contacts by the electromagnet and its armature.
  • the present invention comprises a switch 10, having an air and watertight housing 12.
  • the housing 12 includes a lower housing portion 14 and a housing frame 16 attached thereto by screws 17.
  • a switch mechanism 18 is mounted to the lower side of the frame 16 such that the mechanism 18 is fitted within the lower housing portion 14.
  • An upper housing portion 19 is attached to the lower housing portion 14 by screws 24 such that the upper portion 19 covers and can be sealed to the upper side of the frame 16.
  • the lower housing portion 14 has two .horizontal grooves 26, one each defined on an inner surface of opposite lateral sides of the lower portion 14.
  • Contained within the lower housing portion 24 is a slidably mounted actuator 30, having a front wall 31 and two side walls 32 attached thereto.
  • the actuator 30 is installed within the lower housing portion 14 through an opening 33 defined in a front side thereof.
  • a lug 34 is attached to the outer surface of each actuator side wall 32 such that each lug 34 is fitted within one groove 26 when the actuator 30 is in place within the lower housing portion 14.
  • Four springs 35 are disposed two each within each groove 26, with one spring 35 being placed on each side of each lug 34.
  • Springs 35, lugs 34 and grooves 26 form a spring return means (Fig. 3) to return actuator 30 to its initial centered position whenever actuator 30 is moved toward or away from the opening 33 of the lower housing portion 14.
  • the lower housing portion 14 further incorporates an annular mounting ring 36 surrounding the opening 33.
  • Concentrically fitted within the mounting ring 36 is an inner retaining ring 37 having two projections 38 attached to a side thereof. Projections 38 are fitted one each within each groove 36, thereby holding springs 35 in place.
  • a flexible diaphragm 40 having a center hole 41 is placed over the mounting ring 36 and the opening 31, and is secured and sealed to the mounting ring 36 by an outer retaining ring 42.
  • the outer retaining ring 42 is attached to the mounting ring 36 by screws 44.
  • knob mounting screw 46 mounted to the outer surface of the actuator front wall 31 is a knob mounting screw 46, which passes through hole 41 defined at the center of diaphragm 40. Hole 41 is sealed by a washer 50 placed on the knob mounting screw 46. Washer 50 is secured and diaphragm 40 is attached to the front wall 31 of actuator 30 by a nut 52, attached to the knob mounting screw 46.
  • the flexible diaphragm 40 is mounted so as to be stationary at its edge with respect to the housing 12, whereas the center of diaphragm 40 moves inwardly or outwardly with actuator 30 whenever actuator 30 is moved. Opening 33 in the lower housing portion 14 is thereby sealed.
  • a knob 53 is attached to the knob mounting screw 46 and is adapted to be gripped for manually moving the actuator.
  • the actuator 30, shown in top view has four projections 54 attached to the front wall 31 at the bottom edge thereof and extending inwardly therefrom. As will be explained in detail, projections 54 are used to free any contact blades which may tack together.
  • a control projection 55 having an instrumental role in the operation of the switch 10, is attached to one side wall 32 at substantially the midpoint of the bottom edge thereof and extends inwardly therefrom.
  • the switch mechanism 18 of the asembled switch 10, shown in detail in Fig. 5, includes air electromagnetic coil 60 mounted to a supporting member 62 which is attached to the housing frame 16. Wires 64 connect the coil 60 with..terminal contacts 66, the latter being mounted in the frame 16.
  • the switch mechanism 18 also includes a pair 70 of normally-open spring contact blades 72 and 74 mounted to the frame 16 and extending downwardly therefrom. Wall portions 76 and 78, constructed of an insulating material, are also mounted to the frame 16 and extend downwardly therefrom so as to isolate the pair of contacts 70. Attached to blade 72 is contact pad 82 at substantially the lower end thereof. Blade 74 is disposed against wall portion 76 when the pair of contacts 70 is in an open state, and is of greater length than blade 72. Blade 74 further has a contact pad 84 attached at a point such that when the pair of contacts 70 is closed, pad 84 is in contact with pad 82.
  • Supporting member 62 is further attached to wall portion 76. Pivotally mounted to supporting member 62 between the electromagnetic coil 60 and the wall portion 76 is an armature 90.
  • the armature 90 as illustrated in Fig. 6, has a body portion 92, and an end member 94 attached thereto.
  • the end member 94 is constructed of an insulating material and further has three projections 95, all extending in the same direction substantially perpendicularly from the body portion 92.
  • a flexible blade member 96 is fixedly attached at one end thereof to the end of the body portion 92 opposite the end member 94. The blade member 96 further extends in parallel to and along the entire length of one side of the body portion 92.
  • Two notches 98 are defined within the body portion 92 on opposite sides thereof.
  • a rectangular slot 99 is defined laterally within the supporting member 62 between the electromagnetic coil 60 and wall portion 76, such that the armature 90 is fitted into the slot 99.
  • Notches 98 and slot 99 cooperate so as to form a pivotal .mounting for the armature 90 to the supporting member 62.
  • a pin 100 constructed of an insulating material, is slidably mounted through wall portion 76. One end of pin 100 contacts the rear side of blade 74 and the opposite end of pin 100 contacts the front side of blade 96.
  • the switch mechanism 18 also includes additional pairs 110 of normally-open spring contact blades 112 and 114 mounted to the frame 16 and extending downwardly therefrom.
  • the pairs of contacts 110 are disposed between wall portions 76 and 78, with blades 114 disposed against wall portion 76 when pairs of contacts 110 are in an open state.
  • Each of pairs of contacts 110 and 70 are isolated from each other by wall portions 120 constructed of an insulating material and extending between wall portions 76 and 78.
  • Attached to blades 112 are contact pads 122 at substantially the lower ends thereof.
  • Blades 114 are of greater length than blades 112, and further have contact pads 124 attached to each at a point such that when the pairs of contacts 110 are closed, pads 124 are in contact with pads 122.
  • projection 55 is disposed between blade 74 and blade 96.
  • the actuator 30 When the switch 10 is in a deactivated state, as shown in Fig. 8A, the actuator 30 is in its initial centered position. Pairs of contacts 70 and 110 are in an open position.
  • movement of armature 90 causes projections 95 to push against the rear sides of blades 114, moving blades 114 into contact with blades 112, closing pairs of contacts 110.
  • rotation of the armature 90 causes blade 96 to move and push against pin 100.
  • Pin 100 in turn pushes against the rear side of blade 74, holding the pair of contacts 70 closed, and maintaining the coil 60 in an energized state.
  • the switch 10 is thereby placed in an activated state.
  • the spring return means comprised of grooves 26, lugs 34 and springs 35 (Fig. 1) acts to return the actuator 30 to its initial centered position. Projection 55, as also shown in Fig. 8C, is thereby returned to its initial position.
  • the spring return means comprised of grooves 26, lugs 34 and springs 35 acts to return actuator 30 to its initial centered position. Projection 55, as also shown in Fig. 8E, is thereby returned to its initial position.
  • projections 54 are for use whenever any of the pairs of contacts 110 and 70 tack together.
  • the front wall 31 of the actuator 30 is thereby moved towards the switch mechanism 18.
  • projections 54 will engage the ends of the front sides of any of blades 114 or blade 74 which may have tacked to blades 112 or blade 72 respectively. Further movement of actuator 30 and thus projections 54 will cause the projections 54 to push blades 114 and 74 away from blades 112 and 72 respectively, detacking and allowing pairs of contacts 110 or 70 to open.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Tumbler Switches (AREA)
EP82301114A 1982-03-04 1982-03-04 Handbetätigter magnetelektrischer Schalter Ceased EP0088172A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP82301114A EP0088172A1 (de) 1982-03-04 1982-03-04 Handbetätigter magnetelektrischer Schalter

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP82301114A EP0088172A1 (de) 1982-03-04 1982-03-04 Handbetätigter magnetelektrischer Schalter

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0088172A1 true EP0088172A1 (de) 1983-09-14

Family

ID=8189590

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP82301114A Ceased EP0088172A1 (de) 1982-03-04 1982-03-04 Handbetätigter magnetelektrischer Schalter

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0088172A1 (de)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DD18331U (de) *
US3622925A (en) * 1970-09-25 1971-11-23 Us Controls Corp Push-to-start switch
US4264886A (en) * 1979-10-31 1981-04-28 General Electric Company On/off switch
EP0030651A1 (de) * 1979-12-05 1981-06-24 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Elektromagnetisches Schaltgerät

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DD18331U (de) *
US3622925A (en) * 1970-09-25 1971-11-23 Us Controls Corp Push-to-start switch
US4264886A (en) * 1979-10-31 1981-04-28 General Electric Company On/off switch
EP0030651A1 (de) * 1979-12-05 1981-06-24 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Elektromagnetisches Schaltgerät

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4598263A (en) Magnetically operated circuit breaker
US4855698A (en) Protective switching apparatus with remotely controlled opening and closing of the contacts
EP0164690B1 (de) Thermisch wirkendes Uberstromrelais
US5072328A (en) Power control relay for electrical outlets which maintains position in absence of solenoid energization
US5534833A (en) Circuit breaker remote closing operator
US3842375A (en) Electrically held three position cutout switch
JPH0765688A (ja) 接触器／保護継電器型保護開閉器
US3815063A (en) Interlock system for electrical contactors
US4338583A (en) Manual/magnetic motor contactor
EP0030651B1 (de) Elektromagnetisches Schaltgerät
US3953697A (en) Dual fulcrum switch
GB1486937A (en) Battery operated vehicles
EP0088172A1 (de) Handbetätigter magnetelektrischer Schalter
JPH0724176B2 (ja) 機械電気的組み合わせ連動機構
US4288767A (en) Automatic magnetic switch
US4309683A (en) Electric control device
US3201545A (en) Electric control device
US3340375A (en) Electric circuit breaker with auxiliary switch means
CA1330355C (en) Manually actuated on-off switch with electromagnetic release
US5576677A (en) Dual action armature
US3315190A (en) Manual contactor with low voltage release
US3311716A (en) Snap-action sequential multi-circuit switch
US2320382A (en) Circuit breaker
US2959649A (en) Motor operated circuit breaker
US2018340A (en) Relay

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19840313

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: HOBART CORPORATION (A CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: HOBART CORPORATION (A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE)

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN REFUSED

18R Application refused

Effective date: 19860902

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: MATHIEU, RAYMOND JACQUES