EP1034552A1 - Improvements relating to thermally-responsive actuators - Google Patents
Improvements relating to thermally-responsive actuatorsInfo
- Publication number
- EP1034552A1 EP1034552A1 EP98956996A EP98956996A EP1034552A1 EP 1034552 A1 EP1034552 A1 EP 1034552A1 EP 98956996 A EP98956996 A EP 98956996A EP 98956996 A EP98956996 A EP 98956996A EP 1034552 A1 EP1034552 A1 EP 1034552A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- spring
- contact
- switch
- thermally
- elements
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H5/00—Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
- H01H5/04—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members
- H01H5/18—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by flexing of blade springs
- H01H5/22—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by flexing of blade springs blade spring with at least one snap-acting leg and at least one separate contact-carrying or contact-actuating leg
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H5/00—Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
- H01H5/04—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members
- H01H5/18—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by flexing of blade springs
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H37/00—Thermally-actuated switches
- H01H37/02—Details
- H01H37/32—Thermally-sensitive members
- H01H37/52—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element
- H01H37/54—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element wherein the bimetallic element is inherently snap acting
- H01H2037/5472—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element wherein the bimetallic element is inherently snap acting having an omega form, e.g. the bimetallic snap element having a ring shape with a central tongue
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H37/00—Thermally-actuated switches
- H01H37/02—Details
- H01H37/04—Bases; Housings; Mountings
- H01H37/043—Mountings on controlled apparatus
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H37/00—Thermally-actuated switches
- H01H37/02—Details
- H01H37/32—Thermally-sensitive members
- H01H37/52—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element
- H01H37/54—Thermally-sensitive members actuated due to deflection of bimetallic element wherein the bimetallic element is inherently snap acting
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H37/00—Thermally-actuated switches
- H01H37/02—Details
- H01H37/60—Means for producing snap action
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H5/00—Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
- H01H5/04—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members
- H01H5/18—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by flexing of blade springs
- H01H5/22—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by flexing of blade springs blade spring with at least one snap-acting leg and at least one separate contact-carrying or contact-actuating leg
- H01H5/24—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by flexing of blade springs blade spring with at least one snap-acting leg and at least one separate contact-carrying or contact-actuating leg having three legs
Definitions
- This invention concerns improvements relating to thermally-responsive actuators, particularly though not exclusively actuators comprising bimetallic elements, and to control devices, electrical switches for example, incorporating the same. Whilst the invention will be particularly described in the following by reference to electrical switches incorporating thermally-responsive actuators and designed to switch off kettles and other water boiling appliances in
- a generally E-shaped spring is employed in which the central element of the E is formed as a C-spring.
- the C-spring element of the spring is assembled with the free end of a pivotally
- thermally-responsive actuator such as a bimetal or shape memory effect (SME) device for example so as to constitute a thermally-responsive switch.
- SME shape memory effect
- the E-shaped spring could itself be formed of bimetallic material, and/or a second thermally-responsive actuator might be provided, for the purpose of ensuring operability of the device in the event, however unlikely, of failure to operate of the primary thermally-responsive actuator, and such secondary operation might be arranged to be operable only after a time delay such as to accommodate normal operation without operation of the secondary
- Figures 2A and 2B are enlarged part-perspective and side elevation
- Figure 3 is a perspective view showing how the E-spring of Figure 1
- Figure 4 is a part-sectional side elevation of an exemplary steam sensor
- Figures 5 A, 5B and 5C are exploded perspective views of the steam sensor of Figure 4, Figure 5 A showing internal components of the sensor in
- Figure 5B showing the internal components of Figure 5A assembled together for insertion into an outer cover
- Figure 5C being an
- Figures 6 A, 6B, 6C and 6D show top plan, side elevation bottom plan
- FIGS. 7A and 7B are enlarged views similar to Figures 6G and 6H. Detailed Description of the Embodiments:
- a generally E-shaped spring 1 formed of beryllium copper for example and comprising an upright or rear cross-member portion 2 from which extend upper and lower elements 3 and 4
- contacts 6 and 7 formed of silver or a silver alloy for example are welded or
- E-spring 1 is assembled with a pivotally-mounted trip lever 8 between spaced apart abutments 9 and 10 so as to define an overcentre arrangement which is
- the abutments 9 and 10 are formed in a body part
- the E-spring 1 has a region 14 which rotates in the fulcrum defined by the abutment 9 as the trip lever 8 moves between its stable positions, the movement of this region 14 following the
- FIG. 3 shows an exemplary arrangement wherein the contacts 6 and 7
- the fixed contacts 15 and 16 has an additional effect in that it acts in a direction
- the moulding 11 has spaced apart abutments 9 and 10, the former of which serves to receive the rectangular notch 20 that is provided in the rear edge of
- E-spring 1 is received in a V-notch 23 formed in the front edge of the trip lever
- lever 8 have to be sprung into the abutments 9 and 10 and thereby form an
- Accommodating formations 24 are provided in the moulding 11 for receiving the terminals 17
- bimetallic blade 26 thereon, the blade 26 being adapted to be push fitted into an accommodating recess 27 on the back of the cover 25.
- the bimetal blade 26 is adapted to be push fitted into an accommodating recess 27 on the back of the cover 25.
- the blade 26 is shown as a circular disc-shaped blade having a central cut-out 28 which defines a tongue 29.
- the blade 26 is dished so as to be movable between oppositely curved configurations with a snap action and the cut-out 28 and tongue 29 provide for greater movement at the free end of the tongue than
- a push rod 30 passes through an opening 31 in the cover 25 and
- a small notch 33 is formed in the periphery of
- FIGS 6A through 6H are various elevation, perspective and sectional views of the aforedescribed steam sensor device which are included herein for the sake of completeness but will not be further described.
- Figures 7A and 7B are various elevation, perspective and sectional views of the aforedescribed steam sensor device which are included herein for the sake of completeness but will not be further described.
- Figures 7A and 7B are various elevation, perspective and sectional views of the aforedescribed steam sensor device which are included herein for the sake of completeness but will not be further described.
- Figures 7A and 7B are various elevation, perspective and sectional views of the aforedescribed steam sensor device which are included herein for the sake of completeness but will not be further described.
- Figures 7A and 7B are various elevation, perspective and sectional views of the aforedescribed steam sensor device which are included herein for the sake of completeness but will not be further described.
- Figures 7A and 7B are various elevation, perspective and sectional views of the
- Figures 6G and 6H are enlarged views similar to Figures 6G and 6H and these enlarged views clearly show the ON and OFF conditions of the device, Figure 7 A showing the contacts-closed ON condition of the device and Figure 7B showing the OFF condition of the device wherein the contacts are widely open.
- poles of the switch namely the two contact sets 6, 15 and 7, 16, are well separated from each other. This separation is enchanced in the described
- both limbs 3 and 4 of the E-spring 1 contribute to the large contact gap, it is only necessary for one of the limbs to carry out the current
- the limb which makes and breaks the current may be arranged to make last and break first, by adjusting the relative heights of the fixed contacts and/or by adjusting the shape of the spring.
- the narrow clearance of the hole ensures that the lower volumes of steam, present at other times, have only restricted access to the control interior.
- the lower side of the trip lever is arranged to enclose the push rod hole 32 when the
- One possible means comprises the formation of the E-spring 1 from
- An abutment might be provided close to one of the limbs 3,4 or to both of them such that as the limb deflects as its temperature rises, so
- a less preferred option is to provide a separate thermal actuator, such as a bimetal or SME (shape memory effect) actuator, and arrange for this actuator to act on the trip lever.
- a separate thermal actuator such as a bimetal or SME (shape memory effect) actuator
Landscapes
- Thermally Actuated Switches (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9725401.5A GB9725401D0 (en) | 1997-11-28 | 1997-11-28 | Improvements relating to thermally-responsive actuators |
GB9725401 | 1997-11-28 | ||
GB9811400 | 1998-05-27 | ||
GB9811400A GB2331848B (en) | 1997-11-28 | 1998-05-27 | Improvements relating to thermally responsive actuators |
PCT/GB1998/003571 WO1999028935A1 (en) | 1997-11-28 | 1998-11-30 | Improvements relating to thermally-responsive actuators |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1034552A1 true EP1034552A1 (en) | 2000-09-13 |
EP1034552B1 EP1034552B1 (en) | 2003-01-22 |
Family
ID=26312692
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP98956996A Expired - Lifetime EP1034552B1 (en) | 1997-11-28 | 1998-11-30 | Improvements relating to thermally-responsive actuators |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1034552B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1132206C (en) |
AU (1) | AU1342799A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69810963T2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2363908B (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999028935A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2431516A (en) * | 2005-10-19 | 2007-04-25 | Otter Controls Ltd | Improvements relating to thermal control units |
US20140263270A1 (en) * | 2011-08-10 | 2014-09-18 | Strix Limited | Controls |
CN104037016B (en) | 2014-06-27 | 2016-02-24 | 佛山市川东磁电股份有限公司 | A kind of novel magnetic proximity switch |
CN105244227B (en) * | 2015-11-24 | 2017-07-21 | 佛山市溢釜科技有限公司 | A kind of assistance type magnetic approach switch |
CN105405717B (en) * | 2015-11-24 | 2017-07-18 | 佛山市溢釜科技有限公司 | A kind of power-assisted replys magnetic approach switch |
CN105788961B (en) * | 2016-04-22 | 2018-07-10 | 佛山市富乐喜电子信息技术有限公司 | A kind of compact temperature controller |
IT201700050295A1 (en) * | 2017-05-10 | 2018-11-10 | Bitron Spa | Method of coupling a wire with an electrical terminal and an actuator made using this method. |
AU2018290188B2 (en) * | 2017-06-21 | 2022-12-22 | Maggma Group Ip Limited | An electrical switch and a switching blade therefor |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2685007A (en) * | 1950-10-02 | 1954-07-27 | Fischer Karl | Electric snap or quick break switch |
GB871499A (en) * | 1956-10-22 | 1961-06-28 | Cav Ltd | Electromagnetically operable electric switches |
IT1110797B (en) * | 1979-01-29 | 1986-01-06 | Eaton Spa | THERMOSTAT, PARTICULARLY BIMETAL, WITH SAFETY SWITCH |
US4376925A (en) * | 1980-01-16 | 1983-03-15 | Taylor John C | Switch units for electric immersion heaters |
DE3887734T2 (en) * | 1987-11-23 | 1994-05-19 | Otter Controls Ltd., Buxton, Derbyshire | Electrical switches sensitive to temperature. |
GB8800088D0 (en) * | 1988-01-05 | 1988-02-10 | Strix Ltd | Thermally responsive actuators & electrical controls incorporating such actuators |
GB8807563D0 (en) * | 1988-03-30 | 1988-05-05 | Strix Ltd | Electric immersion heaters |
GB8818646D0 (en) * | 1988-08-05 | 1988-09-07 | Strix Ltd | Thermally-responsive actuators & electrical controls incorporating such actuators |
GB9400543D0 (en) * | 1994-01-13 | 1994-03-09 | Strix Ltd | Water heating apparatus |
GB2308743B (en) * | 1994-06-09 | 1998-04-15 | Strix Ltd | Water heating vessels |
GB2329523B (en) * | 1997-09-17 | 2001-03-21 | Strix Ltd | Thermally Sensitive Controls |
-
1998
- 1998-05-27 GB GB0121868A patent/GB2363908B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-11-30 CN CN 98813182 patent/CN1132206C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-11-30 WO PCT/GB1998/003571 patent/WO1999028935A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1998-11-30 DE DE69810963T patent/DE69810963T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-11-30 EP EP98956996A patent/EP1034552B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-11-30 AU AU13427/99A patent/AU1342799A/en not_active Abandoned
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO9928935A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1132206C (en) | 2003-12-24 |
GB2363908A (en) | 2002-01-09 |
GB2363908B (en) | 2002-03-06 |
DE69810963D1 (en) | 2003-02-27 |
CN1286798A (en) | 2001-03-07 |
DE69810963T2 (en) | 2003-06-05 |
AU1342799A (en) | 1999-06-16 |
WO1999028935A1 (en) | 1999-06-10 |
EP1034552B1 (en) | 2003-01-22 |
GB0121868D0 (en) | 2001-10-31 |
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