EP0212427B1 - Operating mechanism for an electric switch with three positions - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Drive for an electric three-position switch, comprising : a switch shaft (1) a crank lever (2) combined with the switch shaft (1) a force-transmitting device a link pin (17, 18) connecting the crank lever (2) and the force-transmitting device a switch spring (4) in the form of a tension spring, and a further switch spring (5) a handle (6) an approximately hammer-shaped rocker arm (7) combined with the switch shaft (1), and a stop device consisting of a plurality of stop elements and two pawls (8, 9) which can each be rocked about a pin (12, 13) against a spring force, characterised by the features : a) the force-transmitting device consists of two four-bar chains symmetrically juxtaposed to one another, each of which comprises an outer link (14, 16; 15, 17) which is set at an angle before each switching action and consists of an outer component (14; 15), a centre component (16; 17) connected to the crank lever (2) by means of the link pin (3), and a further link pin which connects the outer component (14; 15) and the centre component (16; 17), as well as an outer pin (20; 21) which is fixedly mounted on a frame (22/23) common to the four-bar chains ; b) the centre components (16; 17) of the two four-bar chains are combined with one another by the link pin (3) ; c) the link pin (3) and the switch shaft (1) are points of articulation of the two four-bar chains ; d) the crank lever (2) is a common inner component of the two four-bar chains ; e) the further switch spring (5) is also a tension spring and is connected at one end, either directly or by means of an intermediate member (25), to the further link pin (19), while the other switch spring (4) is connected, symmetrically in relation thereto, to the other further link pin (18) ; f) the free ends of the switch springs (4; 5) each engage with a respective sliding support (30; 31) which is provided with a pawl stop (40; 41) and can be shifted in the frame (22, 23) for the purpose of tensioning the associated switch spring (4; 5) ; g) the handle (6) is divided, by a pivot pin (42) fixedly mounted in the frame (22/23), into a force arm (6a) and a load arm (6b) which is formed as a cross member at each end for shifting a sliding support (30; 31) ; h) the pawl stop (40; 41) of each sliding support (30; 31) is situated in the path of the rocking motion of the associated pawl until a predetermined tension of the associated switch spring (4; 5) is reached, but lies outside the path of the rocking motion of the associated pawl (8; 9) after the switch spring (4; 5) has reached the predetermined tension and an excess tension caused by an excess travel of the sliding support (30; 31) ; i) there is provided at one end of each pawl (8; 9) a driving pin (43; 44) which is flanked by two rod elements (45; 46; 47; 48) which are connected together by a draw spring (49; 50) and one of which extends from a stop element constructed as a circuit-opening halfshaft (51; 52), and the other from a stop element constructed as a circuit-closing half-shaft (53; 54) ; j) all the half-shafts (51 - 54) are disposed on an arc of a circle around the switch shaft (1), the two circuit-opening half-shafts (51, 52) being flanked by the circuit-closing half-shafts (53, 54) ; k) each circuit-closing half-shaft (53, 54) lies in the path of the rocking motion of the rocker arm (7) before and during a tensioning of the switch spring (4; 5) closer to it, but outside the path of the said motion at the beginning of a detensioning of the switch spring (4; 5) due to a moment of rotation (45; 48) exerted on its rod element by the driving pin (43; 44) of the associated pawl (8; 9) ; l) after detensioning of a switch spring (4; 5), its outer link (14, 16; 15, 17) occupies substantially an extended position and the switch shaft (1) occupies a circuit-closing position due to the moment of rotation exerted on the crank lever (2) by the respective centre component (16; 17) in the detensioning of the switch spring (4; 5), while the other outer link (14, 16; 15, 17) is set at an angle, the associated switch spring (4; 5) is tensioned and that circuit-opening half-shaft (51; 52) which lies closer to the detensioned switch spring (4; 5) is interlocked with the rocker arm (2) ; m) when the force arm (6a) of the handle (6) has been freed, a residual tension of the respective detensioned switch spring (4; 5) is available for cancelling the excess travel of the associated sliding support (30; 31) and available for a subsequent pawl-setting travel, at which that circuit-opening halfshaft (51; 52) which interlocks with the rocker arm (8) is rotated into a position in which it obstructs the return motion of the rocker arm (2) due to a moment of rotation imparted to it by the associated draw spring (49; 50) ; n) each pawl (8; 9) is provided with a return pin (55; 56) which is opposed to its driving pin (42; 43) and which forms a point of engagement for the spring force (10; 11), the said return pin being designed to rock the pawl (8; 9) out of its slip position by means of a lug (57; 58) on the load arm (6b) of the handle (6) ; o) each circuit-opening half-shaft (51; 52) can be actuated manually and/or by remote control.

Description

The invention relates to a drive for an electrical three-position switch according to the preamble of claim 1.

A drive for an electrical three-position switch of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 is already known. This drive consists of a spring drive assembly and a storage drive assembly. Because of the unequal functions, the two modules differ in the number of parts they use. The parts of one assembly are also designed and arranged differently than the parts of the other assembly. Although this in no way has an adverse effect on the functionality of the drive, it is an obstacle to efficient production and storage (DE-C-3 239 839).

Spring jumpers are also known for electrical switches which have a four-link chain in which a link is fixed as a frame (the knowledge of patentable inventions and their representation in the patent by Dr.-lng.Kurt Abraham, publisher of Robert Kiepert, Berlin-Charlottenburg , 1935).

The object of the invention is to design the drive for a three-position switch according to the preamble of claim 1 so that it can be produced particularly efficiently and its parts allow particularly favorable storage.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the training specified in the characterizing part of claim 1.

Appropriate training and development of the subject matter of the invention is specified in claim 2.

The object of the invention has parts that occur only once, but are common to both assemblies. Furthermore, the subject of the invention also has a large number of parts which occur twice, with one part of each double being arranged in one assembly and the other part of the double being arranged in the other assembly. Due to this design and arrangement of the parts of the subject matter of the invention, the jump drive assembly is the same as the storage drive assembly. The design according to the invention has the particular advantage that the switching sequences EIN-0-ERDE or ERDE-0-EIN can be carried out with the drive. This particular advantage results from the fact that the assemblies can be used either as a jump drive or as a storage drive due to their identical training.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing purely schematically in a perspective view.

The drive for an electrical three-position switch shown in the drawing includes a control shaft designated 1 and a crank lever 2 combined with the control shaft 1. The drive further contains a power transmission device, which is explained in more detail below, and a hinge pin 3, which also supports the crank lever 2 connects the power transmission device.

The drive also contains a switching spring 4 designed as a tension spring and a switching spring 5 also designed as a tension spring.

6 in the drawing is a handle.

On the shift lever 1 an approximately hammer-shaped link lever 7 is fixed, which cooperates with locking elements, which are also explained in more detail below.

Furthermore, two pawls 8 and 9 are provided, each of which can be pivoted about a pin 12 or 13 against a spring force 10 or 11.

The power transmission device already mentioned consists of two four-link chains arranged symmetrically next to one another.

Each four-link chain has an outer link which is bent out before each switching operation and which contains an outer link 14 or 15 and a central link 16 or 17 connected to the crank lever 2 via the link pin 3. Each outer joint further includes an outer member 14; 15 and the middle link 16; 17 connecting further hinge pin 18 or 19 and an outer pin 20 or 21 which is fixed on a frame 22/23 common to two four-link chains.

In the example shown, the frame 22/23 consists of two plates, which are penetrated by the control shaft 1 and the outer bolts 20, 21. All parts of the drive are arranged between the plates of the frame 22/23.

The middle links 16; 17 of the four four-link chains are united with one another by the link pin 3.

The crank lever 2 forms an inner link common to two four-link chains.

The two switching springs 4; 5 are suspended at one end on an intermediate link 24 or 25, which in turn is articulated on the further hinge pin 18 or 19. The switching springs 4; 5 can, however, also directly on the associated additional hinge pin 18; 19 attack (not shown).

The free ends of the switching springs 4; 5 each grip a slide 30; 31 at. In the example shown, the free ends of the switching springs 4; 5 but not directly on the respectively assigned slide 30; 31 attached, but to an intermediate piece 32 or 33, which in turn with the respective switching spring 4; 5 is connected.

Each sled 30; 31 is guided in the frame 22/23 in two opposite slots On the right side of the drawing is a pair of slots with 34; Designated 35. On the left Only one slot 36 is shown on the side of the drawing. The slot completing the slot pair has been omitted for the sake of clarity.

Each sled 30; 31 is with a pawl lock 40; 41 provided, the function of which will be discussed later.

The handle 6 is divided into a power arm 6a and a load arm 6b by a pivot axis 42 fixed in the frame 22/23. The load arm 6b is designed as a crossbar at each end for displacing a carriage 30; 31 trained. Both ends of the load arm 6b, which is designed as a crossbar, each have an axillary contour, which corresponds to the assigned slide 30; 31 engages.

When the power arm 6a of the handle 6 is pivoted out of the shown central position, the switching spring 4; 5 excited by the fact that the associated end of the load arm 6b the associated carriage 30; 31 takes away.

The latch lock 40; 41 of each slide 30; 31 is arranged so that it up to a predetermined voltage of the respective switching spring 4; 5 in the swivel path of the associated pawl 8; 9 lies. After the tensioned switching spring 4; 5 the predetermined voltage and one by crossing the assigned slide 30; 31 caused overvoltage, is the tensioned switching spring 4; 5 assigned latch lock 40; 41, however, outside the pivoting path of the assigned pawl 8; 9.

At one end of each pawl 8; 9 is a driving pin 43; 44 arranged by two rod elements 45, 46; 47, 48 is flanked. Each pair of rod elements 45, 46; 47, 48 is by an accessory spring 49; 50 connected together. One rod element each from a pair of rod elements 45, 46; 47, 48 is based on a switch-off half-wave 51; 52 trained, already mentioned locking element. In contrast, one rod element of a pair of rod elements 45, 46; 47, 48 from a switch-on half-shaft 53; 54 trained locking element.

All half-waves 51-54 are arranged on an arc around the control shaft 1 so that the two switch-off half-waves 51, 52 are flanked by the switch-on half-waves 53, 54. Each switch-on half-shaft 53, 54 lies before and during a tensioning process of the switching spring 4 closest to it; 5 locking in the swivel path of the link lever 7. At the start of relaxation of the respective switching spring 4; 5 lies each switch-on half-wave 53; 54, however, outside the pivoting path of the link lever 7, namely by a of the driving pin 43; 44 of the assigned pawl 8; 9 on the assigned rod element 45; 48 applied torque.

After relaxing a switch spring 4; 5 takes their outer joint 14, 16; 15, 17 about a stretched position in which the selector shaft 1 is in an on position. The switch-on position of the selector shaft 1 is achieved in that while the respective switch spring 4; 5 that this switching spring 4; 5 assigned middle link 16; 17 exerts a torque on the crank lever 2.

While the one outer joint 14, 16; 17, 19 when the associated switching spring 4 is released; 5 passes approximately into a stretched position, the other outer joint 14, 16 bends; 17, 19, the associated switching spring 4; 5 is excited. At the same time rotates with the control shaft 1 of the link lever 7 so that it from that switch-off half-shaft 51; 52 is locked behind, the relaxed switching spring 4; 5 is closest.

After the switching process, there is a residual voltage of the relaxed switching spring 4; 5 when the power arm 6a of the handle 6 is released, so that the relaxed switching spring 4; 5 assigned slide 30; 31 to cancel. Through the respective latch lock 40; 41 is that of the relaxed switching spring 4; 5 assigned jack 8; 9 finally placed in its locked position, after which the switching lever 7 engaging the switch-off shaft 51; 52, by one of the associated accessory spring 49; 50 granted torque, is locked in the return path of the link lever 7.

Each jack 8; 9 is with a return bolt 55; 56 provided, the driving bolt 43; 44 is opposite and a point of application for the spring force 10; 11 forms.

Each return bolt 55; 56 is also for pivoting back the associated pawl 8; 9 through a nose 57; 58 of the load arm 6b of the handle 6 is formed.

All half waves 51; 52 can be adjusted either by hand or by remote control so that they release the link lever 7.

• Es sei angenommen, daß sich die Handhabe 6 in der gezeichneten Stellung befindet, in der die Schaltwelle 1 eine Stellung 0 einnimmt und beide Außengelenke 14,16; 17, 19, wie dargestellt, ausgeknickt sind.
• Es sei ferner angenommen, daß die Schaltwelle 1 mit der Schaltfeder 5 und nicht, wie das ebenso möglich wäre, mit der Schaltfeder 4 sprunghaft in eine Stellung EIN gedreht werden soll. Zu diesem Zweck wird der Kraftarm 6a der Handhabe 6 nach links geschwenkt, wobei der Lastarm 6b der Handhabe 6 den Schlitten 31 mitnimmt und die Schaltfeder 5 gespannt wird.

Mode of action:

• It is assumed that the handle 6 is in the position shown, in which the selector shaft 1 assumes a position 0 and both outer joints 14, 16; 17, 19, as shown, are buckled.
• It is further assumed that the selector shaft 1 with the selector spring 5 and not, as would also be possible, with the selector spring 4 should be turned suddenly to an ON position. For this purpose, the force arm 6a of the handle 6 is pivoted to the left, the load arm 6b of the handle 6 taking the slide 31 with it and the switching spring 5 being tensioned.

As long as the pawl lock 41 of the slide 31 bears against the pawl 9, the pivoting path of the link lever 7 is blocked by the switch-on half shaft 54. At the same time, any movement of the two outer joints 14, 16 and 17; 18 locked. so that the end of the switching spring 5 suspended on the intermediate member 25 is held.

However, if the pawl lock 41 leaves the pawl 9 after a slight overstroke, the Pawl 9 is pivoted by the spring force 11 acting on the return bolt 56 around the pin 13 into the return path of the pawl lock 41, so that the slide 31 is locked against pushing back.

Due to the pivoting movement of the pawl 9, a torque is exerted on the switch-on half-shaft 54 by means of its driver bolt 44 via the rod element 48, under which the switch-on half-shaft 54 comes out of the pivoting path of the link lever 7.

With the release of the link lever 7, the force of the switching spring 5 is released, which now suddenly buckles the outer joint 15, 17 located above it into an approximate, but not shown, extended position.

The middle member 17 exerts a torque on the crank lever 2 via the hinge pin 3, which is pivoted to the left and the switching shaft 1 turns to the ON position.

The crank lever 2 pivoting to the left when the selector shaft 1 is rotated bends the left outer joint 14, 16, the selector spring 4 being tensioned, the slide 30 of which in the meantime rests against the upper end of the slot 36.

With the shift shaft 1 suddenly turning to the left, the link lever 7 pivots to the right. The switch-off half-shaft 52 is locked against rotation as long as the link lever 7 slides over it. Nevertheless, the switch-off half-shaft 62 is in the meantime under a torque which is exerted on the rod element 47 by the auxiliary spring 50. The voltage required for the torque of the auxiliary spring 50 was previously generated by the pawl lock 41 applying the remaining tension of the switching spring 5 to the pawl 9 lying in its return path and causing it to cover the setting path already mentioned.

In the position in which the link lever 7 engages behind the switch-off pawl 52, it is pivoted into the return path of the link lever 7 under the torque described above, as a result of which the tension of the switching spring 4 is locked. This voltage is lower than the previous voltage of the switching spring 5, but sufficient for the following switching operation.

If the selector shaft 1 is now to be turned back to the 0 position, the pivoting-back path of the link lever 7 must be released by the switch-off half-shaft 52. The torque to be exerted for this can be applied by resetting the handle 6. Here, the nose 58 pivots the pawl 9 about the pin 13 against the spring force 11 via the return bolt 56.

The rod element 47 can also be acted upon by the armature of an electromagnet (not shown) for rotating the switch-off half-shaft 52, preferably for remote triggering.

With the accompanying pivoting of the rod element 47 when the switch-off half-shaft 52 is rotated, the auxiliary spring 50 is tensioned, while the link lever 7 blocks rotation of the switch-on half-shaft 54. However, as soon as the link lever 7 releases the switch-on half-shaft 54 on its pivoting path, the auxiliary spring 50 pulls the rod element 48 in the direction of the rod element 47, as a result of which the switch-on half-shaft 54 is rotated into the position shown.

Switching from 0 to EARTH takes place by swiveling the handle to the right, the switching spring 4 being tensioned wildly in the same way as the switching spring 5.

Reference symbol list

• 1 = selector shaft
• 2 = crank lever
• 3 = hinge pin
• 4 = switching spring
• 5 = switching spring
• 6 = handle
• - 6a = low power
• - 6b = load arm
• 7 = link lever
• 8 = jack
• 9 = jack
• 10 = spring force
• 11 = spring force
• 12 = pin
• 13 = pin
• 14 = outer link
• 15 = outer link
• 16 = middle link
• 17 = middle link
• 18 = additional hinge pin
• 19 = additional hinge pin
• 20 = outer bolt
• 21 = outer bolt
• 22/23 = frame
• 24 = intermediate link
• 25 = pontic
• 30 = sledge
• 31 = sledge
• 32 = intermediate piece
• 33 = intermediate piece
• 34 = slot
• 35 = slot
• 36 = slot
• 40 = ratchet lock
• 41 = ratchet lock
• 42 = swivel axis
• 43 = drive pin
• 44 = drive pin
• 45 = bar element
• 46 = bar element
• 47 = bar element
• 48 = bar element
• 49 = accessory spring
• 50 = accessory spring
• 51 = switch-off half-wave
• 52 = switch-off half-wave
• 53 = switch-on half-wave
• 54 = switch-on half-wave
• 55 = return bolt
• 56 = return bolt
• 57 = nose
• 58 = nose

Claims (2)

1. Drive for an electric three-position switch, comprising:

a switch shaft (1)

a crank lever (2) combined with the switch shaft (1)

a force-transmitting device

a link pin (17, 18) connecting the crank lever (2) and the force-transmitting device

a switch spring (4) in the form of a tension spring, and a further switch spring (5)

a handle (6)

an approximately hammer-shaped rocker arm (7) combined with the switch shaft (1), and a stop device consisting of a plurality of stop elements and two pawls (8, 9) which can each be rocked about a pin (12, 13) against a spring force,
characterised by the features:

a) the force-transmitting device consists of two four-bar chains symmetrically juxtaposed to one another, each of which comprises an outer link (14, 16; 15, 17) which is set at an angle before each switching action and consists of an outer component (14; 15), a centre component (16; 17) connected to the crank lever (2) by means of the link pin (3), and a further link pin which connects the outer component (14; 15) and the centre component (16; 17), as well as an outer pin (20; 21) which is fixedly mounted on a frame (22/23) common to the four-bar chains;

b) the centre components (16; 17) of the two four-bar chains are combined with one another by the link pin (3);

c) the link pin (3) and the switch shaft (1) are points of articulation of the two four-bar chains;

d) the crank lever (2) is a common inner component of the two four-bar chains;

e) the further switch spring (5) is also a tension spring and is connected at one end, either directly or by means of an intermediate member (25), to the further link pin (19), while the other switch spring (4) is connected, symmetrically in relation thereto, to the other further link pin (18);

f) the free ends of the switch springs (4; 5) each engage with a respective sliding support (30; 31) which is provided with a pawl stop (40; 41) and can be shifted in the frame (22, 23) for the purpose of tensioning the associated switch spring (4; 5);

g) the handle (6) is divided, by a pivot pin (42) fixedly mounted in the frame (22/23), into a force arm (6a) and a load arm (6b) which is formed as a cross member at each end for shifting a sliding support (30; 31);

h) the pawl stop (40; 41) of each sliding support (30; 31) is situated in the path of the rocking motion of the associated pawl until a predetermined tension of the associated switch spring (4; 5) is reached, but lies outside the path of the rocking motion of the associated pawl (8; 9) after the switch spring (4; 5) has reached the predetermined tension and an excess tension caused by an excess travel of the sliding support (30; 31);

i) there is provided at one end of each pawl (8; 9) a driving pin (43; 44) which is flanked by two rod elements (45; 46; 47; 48) which are connected together by a draw spring (49; 50) and one of which extends from a stop element constructed as a circuit-opening halfshaft (51; 52), and the other from a stop element constructed as a circuit-closing half-shaft (53; 54);

j) all the half-shafts (51 - 54) are disposed on an arc of a circle around the switch shaft (1), the two circuit-opening half-shafts (51, 52) being flanked by the circuit-closing half-shafts (53, 54);

k) each circuit-closing half-shaft (53, 54) lies in the path of the rocking motion of the rocker arm (7) before and during a tensioning of the switch spring (4; 5) closer to it, but outside the path of the said motion at the beginning of a detensioning of the switch spring (4; 5) due to a moment of rotation (45; 48) exerted on its rod element by the driving pin (43; 44) of the associated pawl (8; 9);

1) after detensioning of a switch spring (4; 5), its outer link (14, 16; 15, 17) occupies substantially an extended position and the switch shaft (1) occupies a circuit-closing position due to the moment of rotation exerted on the crank lever (2) by the respective centre component (16; 17) in the detensioning of the switch spring (4; 5), while the other outer link (14, 16; 15, 17) is set at an angle, the associated switch spring (4; 5) is tensioned and that circuit-opening half-shaft (51; 52) which lies closer to the detensioned switch spring (4; 5) is interlocked with the rocker arm (2);

m) when the force arm (6a) of the handle (6) has been freed, a residual tension of the respective detensioned switch spring (4; 5) is available for cancelling the excess travel of the associated sliding support (30; 31) and available for a subsequent pawl-setting travel, at which that circuit-opening halfshaft (51; 52) which interlocks with the rocker arm (8) is rotated into a position in which it obstructs the return motion of the rocker arm (2) due to a moment of rotation imparted to it by the associated draw spring (49; 50);

n) each pawl (8; 9) is provided with a return pin (55; 56) which is opposed to its driving pin (42; 43) and which forms a point of engagement for the spring force (10; 11), the said return pin being designed to rock the pawl (8; 9) out of its slip position by means of a lug (57; 58) on the load arm (6b) of the handle (6);

o) each circuit-opening half-shaft (51; 52) can be actuated manually and/or by remote control

2. Drive according to claim 1, characterised in that the frame (22/23) consists of two plates, between which all the parts of the drive are located.

Images