FR2493590A1 - ECONOMIC SHORT ACTION SWITCH AND METHOD OF IMPLEMENTING - Google Patents

Abstract

SNAP-ACTING SWITCH FOR INDUSTRIAL USE INCLUDING A METAL BLADE SUBJECT TO A PERMANENT STRESS REQUIRING IT TO OCCUPY TWO SEPARATE POSITIONS AGAINST TWO CONNECTION TERMINALS 4, 5. THE BLADE 1 IS ARMORED ON A PARTIAL METAL PIECE 2, SUPPORTED ON THE COMMON TERMINAL 3 OF THE DEVICE. THIS ALLOWS TO REALIZE ECONOMIC SWITCHES WHILE KEEPING GOOD ELECTRICAL QUALITIES.

Description

1 2493590

  The present invention relates to snap action switches of the type comprising, in a small closed box, generally made of insulating material, means for ensuring, from a so-called "common" connection, electrical continuity alternately on two other separate connections depending on the position of an elastic metal blade, subjected to a

  constraint and actuated by a command button.

  This type of switch, as described in French patents No. 1,182. 508 (ELECTRO-SNAP SWITCH & MFG) and No 2.072.376 (CONTROLS COMPANY OF AMERICA), has evolved over time with the aim of simplifying its manufacture and lowering the cost price, while keeping it his power

cutoff.

  The electrical qualities are obtained by playing on

  various factors such as: contact pressure, cinema-

  tick of the blade so as to obtain the shearing of the events

  microwelding tiles, and, by improving the surface of the parts by depositing a noble metal, ensuring electrical continuity. It is for this reason that the common terminal of this type of switch is generally all silver or gold to improve the electrical conductivity between it and the

  elastic blade reinforced in two V-grooves provided for this purpose.

  The purpose of the device according to the invention is to make

  savings of money, or gold, on such switches.

  To do this, the common terminal is made in two separate parts but electrically and mechanically linked, for example by welding. Thus, the part comprising the V-grooves can be reduced to the strict minimum and will be silver only while the second, most important part, acting as a connection terminal will be made of metal, without

  special protection, such as bronze or brass.

  This assembly can advantageously be produced by the following process: From a profile, of suitable shapes, passed in a silver bath at the outlet of the die, small pieces are cut which are then electrically welded, by

  known means, on the terminal portion proper.

  Shearing the pieces from the pre-silvered section is a very economical method. Indeed, this avoids the loss of material (no chips) and the obtained piece is only silvered on the useful faces, and in particular on the V-shaped, to the exclusion of the two lateral faces without function

  electric in this type of switch.

  The accompanying drawing illustrates, by way of example, an embodiment of the switch according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the switch comprises in a known manner a box 7, molded from insulating material, in

  leauel is mounted the snap device, that is

  say two output lugs 4 and 5, a common terminal 3, on which a part 2 has been attached to serve as arming points for an elastic blade 1. A control button 6 and a

  return spring 8 complete the device.

  The characteristic of this switch, represented in FIG. 2, consists in that the piece 2 is attached by electrical welding to the terminal 3. Its free end 2a is of rounded shape in order to facilitate the assembly in automatic mode, by force forced insertion of the arms. and lb of the blade 1 in two V-shaped notches 2b. This blade-lug assembly is embedded in a slot 7d, provided for this purpose on the edge of the housing, and its position is defined by stops 7a, 7b 'and 7c also

provided in the case.

  The piece, FIG. 3, was previously cut by shearing in a silver profile which avoids the loss of material and is more economical in silvering because thus the lateral faces, coming from cutting, are not coated with precious metal. One or two reliefs 2c are intended to facilitate the

  electric welding of this piece on the terminal 3.

  The device and method which are the subject of the invention allow-

  are trying to achieve economical snap action switches

  and can easily be mounted automatically.

2493590O

Claims (2)

R E V E N D I C A T I O-N S   1 - Snap-action switch of the type comprising in a insulating housing a common terminal serving as support for a movable metal blade, subjected to a permanent stress giving it two possible positions of equilibrium against two output terminals (4 and 5) according to the position of a control button (6), characterized in that the common terminal is made of two welded parts, one of ordinary metal in the form of a terminal (3) and the other (2), coated with a noble metal,   serving as a reinforcement piece for the movable blade.   2 - Snap action switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the part (2) used to arm the flexible blade is obtained by shearing from a profile   silver whose profile is characterized in particular by two rai-   nures in V (2b) surmounted by a rounded shape (2a) and at   1.5 minus a longitudinal relief 2c to facilitate the electrical welding   stick of said part (2) on the terminal (3).