GB2256090A

GB2256090A - A switching arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2256090A
Application number: GB9209237A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Friedrich Wissmuller; Erwin Potthof
Original assignee: Diehl GmbH and Co
Current assignee: Diehl Verwaltungs Stiftung
Priority date: 1991-05-10
Filing date: 1992-04-29
Publication date: 1992-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 2012-04-29
Also published as: FR2676306B1; DE4115310A1; FR2676306A1; GB9209237D0; GB2256090B

Description

t_ j 6 jj') 0 1 A SWITCHING ARRANGEMENT This invention relates to a

switching arrangement. There is described herein a switching arrangement f or the all-pole switching of an electricity consuming device (for example a domestic appliance) by means of a manually actuable switching member, and in which in the switchedoff position of said member pairs of break contacts stand at a minimum required spacing, and are for power control of the consuming device by means of a relay.

Such a switching arrangement is provided in order to separate the electricity consuming device in an all-pole manner from the mains electricity. Where there is connection to the 380 V alternating voltage of the mains, a two-pole separation with two pairs of break contacts is provided. In the switched-off position the pairs of break contacts have to stand at a minimum required spacing. This must, in accordance with VDE regulations, be greater than 3 mm. The actual power control of the consuming device is effected by means of a relay which, in accordance with the prior art, is timed or controlled by a pair of relay contacts. The switching spacing of the relay contacts can, in the open position of the relay, be smaller than 3 mm.

In accordance with the prior art, a pair of relay contacts is connected subsequently to a pair of break contacts. This may lead structurally to considerable expenditure. The switching arrangement consists, in accordance with the prior art, of two separate components. One component has the two pairs of break contacts which are actuable by means of the switching member and the other component is a relay with the pair of relay contacts.

Theoretically, it would be possible to economise on the pair of break contacts if the relay were to have two 2 pairs of relay contacts which in the open position stand at the said minimum required spacing. However, such a relay tends to require high control power, since two contacts standing at the comparatively great minimum required spacing have to be closed. Moreover, considerable switching noise also arises.

An aim of the invention is to propose a switching arrangement, the construction of which is simplified or which is improved in at least some respect.

According to the present invention there is provided a switching arrangement for the all-pole switching of an electricity consuming device, for example a domestic appliance, by means of a manually actuable switching member, the arrangement being such that in the switchedoff position pairs of break contacts stand at a required spacing, and are for power control of the consuming device by means of a relay, characterised in that at least one of the pairs of break contacts forms the relay contacts, and in that the switching member in its switched-on position brings the break contacts which form the relay contacts at least into a spacing (e.g. b) which is small compared with said first-mentioned spacing (e.g. a), and in that the relay switches the break contacts which form the relay contacts from this position for power control.

The structural expenditure is simplified, because no separate relay contacts are necessary. The functions of mains separation and of power control are assumed by the same contacts. The switching arrangement can thus be constructed as a compact unit in a common housing.

Since, in the switched-on position of the switching member, the relay for the power control has to switch the pair of break contacts or respectively the pairs of break.contacts only by a distance which is small in comparison with the minimum spacing required in accordance with VDE j 3 regulations, the necessary power of the relay is small and also its switching noises are low.

Advantageous developments of the present invention will become apparent from the sub-claims and the following description of exemplified embodiments. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 shows a f irst embodiment of the switching arrangement in simplified manner, FIGURE 2 shows a further embodiment of the switching arrangement, FIGURE 3 shows a third embodiment of the switching arrangement in the switched-off position, FIGURE 4 shows a view along the arrows IV-IV in accordance with FIGURE 3; and FIGURE 5 shows the embodiment in accordance with FIGURE 3 in the switched-on position of the switching member.

Referring to the FIGURES of the drawings, provided on a housing 1 is a f irst pair 2 of break contacts, which pair has a fixed contact 3 and a contact 5 which is movable by means of a contact spring 4.

In the embodiment in accordance with FIGURES 1 and 2, a second pair 6 of break contacts has a contact 8 which is movable by means of a contact spring 7 and has, on a contact spring 9, a further contact 10.

The pair 2 of break contacts lies between a consuming device 11 and a phase or terminal S of the electric mains.

The pair 6 of break contacts lies between the consuming device 11 and a phase or terminal R of the mains.

A manually actuable switching member 21 is provided.

The switched-off position thereof is shown in broken lines in FIGURES 1 and 2. In this switched-off position the contact springs 4, 7 stand or rest in the position shown 4 in broken lines. Between the contact 3 and the contact 5 on the one hand and the contact 8 and the contact 10 on the other hand there exists in this position in each case a required minimum spacing a which is greater than 3 mm.

If the switching member 12 is brought into its switched-on position, then it presses in such a way on the contact spring 4 that the contact 5 touches the contact 3. Moreover, the switching member 12 in the switchedon position also forces the contact spring 7 into the position shown by a solid line in FIGURES 1 and 2. In the embodiment in accordance with FIGURE 1 the contact 8 touches the contact 10. In the embodiment in accordance with FIGURE 2 the contact 8 in the switched-on position stands at a small spacing b from the contact 10, the spacing b being considerably smaller than the minimum spacing a.

A relay 13 with a coil 14 is associated with the contact spring 9. If the relay 13 pulls up, then in the embodiment in accordance with FIGURE 1 it swivels or pivots the contact spring 9 to the right, so that the contact 10 detaches itself from the contact 8. The spacing b which is small in comparison with the minimum spacing a is sufficient for this purpose. The consuming device 11 is timed or pulsed by the relay 13 in accordance with its power requirement.

If the consuming device is to be switched off, then the switching member 12 is turned back into the position shown in broken line, so that then both pairs 2, 6 of break contacts open.

In the embodiment in accordance with FIGURE 1 the relay 13 acts between the contact 10 and the clamping point on the housing 1, on the contact spring 9. In the exemplified embodiment in accordance with FIGURE 2 the contacts 8, 10 are separated in the switched- on position of the switching member 12. They stand in this respect at the small spacing b. The relay 13 has a hinged or angled armature 15 which acts at the level of the contact 10 an the contact spring 9. The contact 8 is seated not at that end of the contact spring 7 which is drivable by the switching member 12, but between this and the clamping of the contact spring on the housing 1.

If in the switched-on position of the switching member 12 the relay 13 pulls up, then the hinged armature 15 thereof swivels or bends the contact 10 onto the contact 8. Upon switching-off the relay 13 the contact 10 goes back. In this way, a desired timing of the consuming device is achieved.

In the embodiment in accordance with FIGURES 3 to 5 those parts which correspond to FIGURES 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numbers.

The hinged armature 15 is loaded with a restoring spring 16, which forces a tip 17 of an isolating or insulating piece 18 fastened to the armature 15 against the switching member 12 which is designed as a cam disc.

Provided on the insulating piece 18 is a switching arm 19 which stands both on the contact spring 4 of the f irst pair 2 of break contacts and on the contact spring 7 of the second pair 6 of break contacts. The two pairs 2, 6 of break contacts are here constructed in the same manner. In each case a f ixed contact 3 is provided. The contact springs 4, 7 are in each case welded onto lugs 20 of conductors 21.

-he In the switched-off position shown in FIGURE 3, t tip 17 engages into a depression or recess 22 of the switching member 12. The contacts 3, 5 on the one hand and the contacts 8, 10 on the other hand stand at the minimum spacing a.

6 If the switching member 12 is manually rotated at its shaf t 23, then the tip 17 travels out of the depression 22. In this way, the switching arm 19 presses the spring arms 4, 7 so that the contacts 5, 8 are spaced at only the small spacing b from the associated contacts 3, 5 or respectively 8, 10 (see FIGURE 5). The relay 13 can now, without great power requirement and without too great development of noise, switch the contacts f or timing or powering the consuming device 11.

One side of the housing 1 forms a printed circuit board 24. to which the mains voltage is applied by way of the conductors 21. Moreover, the coil 14 is connected to the printed circuit board 24. The printed circuit board 24 bears an arrangement, not shown in more detail, for controlling the coil 14.

Formed on the switching member 12 is an integrallyformed part or base 25 which is fastened to a sliding contact spring 26. This sweeps a coding or encoded plate 27, which is connected to the printed circuit board 24. The position of the sliding contact spring 26 corresponds to the position of the shaft 23 and serves for the choice of the desired heating power of the consuming device 11.

Arranged on a switching plate or disc 28 of the shaft 23 is a further sliding contact spring 29. This cooperates with a switching plate 30. Signal contacts which are not shown in more detail are switchable by way of the switching plate 30.

It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced by any equivalent or generic term where sensible. Further it is to be understood that individual features, method or functions related to the switching arrangement might be individually patentably inventive. In 7 particular, any disclosure in this specification of a range for a variable or parameter shall be taken to include a disclosure of any selectable or derivable subrange within that range and shall be taken to include a

Claims

disclosure of any value for the variable or parameter lying within or at

an end of the range. The singular may include the plural and vice versa. The present invention may be that defined in the characterising clause of Claim 1. It is to be understood that any word or phrase derived from the German language of the priority document may be replaced or supplemented by a different English meaning where appropriate.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a switching arrangement for the all-pole or multi-pole switching of an electricity consuming device, for example a domestic appliance, by means of a manually actuable switching member, the switching arrangement having sets of contacts provided for power control of the consuming device, by means of a relay, and the arrangement being such that in the switched-off position the contacts of each set are spaced f rom one another by at least a required minimum spacing and characterised in that at least one of the sets of contacts f orms contacts for the relay and preferably in which the switching member, in a switched-on position, has the said at least one set of contacts forming relay contacts closed or at a spacing which is less than said reduced minimum spacing, said relay acting to open the relay contacts where closed or to close the relay contacts where at said spacing less than said reduced minimum spacing.

8 CLAIMS 1. A switching arrangement for the all-pole switching of an electricity consuming device, for example a domestic appliance, by means of a manually actuable switching member, the arrangement being such that in the switchedoff position pairs of break contacts stand at a required (minimum) spacing, and are for power control of the consuming device by means of a relay, characterised in that at least one of the pairs of break contacts forms the relay contacts, and in that a switching member in its switched-on position brings the break contacts which form the relay contacts at least into a spacing (e.g. b) which is small compared with said first-mentioned spacing (e.g. a), and in that the relay switches the break contacts which form the relay contacts from this position for power control.
2. A switching arrangement according to Claim 1, in which in the switched-on position of the switching member the pairs of break contacts are closed and said at least one pair of break contacts forming the relay contacts can be opened by the relay.
3- A switching arrangement according to Claim 1, in which in the switchedon position of the switching member one pair of break contacts is closed and another pair of break contacts at the small spacing (e.g. b) is open and closable by the relay.
4. A switching arrangement according to Claim 1, in which in the switchedon position of the switching member two pairs of break contacts are open at the small spacing and close upon pulling-up of the relay.
5. A switching arrangement according to Claim 4, in which the switching member is a cam disc, against which a hinged armature of the relay butts, and in which by means 9 of the switching member the pairs of break contacts can be brought into the small spacing and the armature can be moved towards the coil of the relay.
6. A switching arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 1 or 2 or 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.
7. A switching arrangement for the all-pole or multi10 pole switching of an electricity consuming device, for example a domestic appliance, by means of a manually actuable switching member, the switching arrangement having sets of contacts provided for power control of the consuming device, by means of a relay, and the arrangement being such that in the switched-off position the contacts of each set are spaced from one another by at least a required minimum spacing and characterised in that at least one of the sets of contacts forms contacts for the relay and preferably in which the switching member, in a switched-on position, has the said at least one set of contacts forming relay contacts closed or at a spacing which is less than said reduced minimum spacing, said relay acting to open the relay contacts where closed or to close the relay contacts where at said spacing less than said reduced minimum spacing.