US1127573A - Multiple-switch controller. - Google Patents

Description

P. H. ZIMMER.

MULTIPLE SWITCH CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.10,1913.

1,127,573. Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W a! Q "'HE NORRIS PETERS co PHOTO-LITHO WASHINGTON, D. c.

P. H. ZIMMER.

MULTIPLE SWITCH CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.10, 1918 1,127,573. Patented Feb. 9, 1915 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

HE NORRIS PETERS c0. PHOTC'LITHOH WASHING TON, D C.

P. H. ZIMMER.

MULTIPLE SWITCH CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1913.

1,127,573. Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

2M5. aw. 6.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL H. ZIMMER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR. TO THE CUTLER-HAMMER MFG. CO., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

MULTIPLE-SWITCH CONTROLLER.

Application filed March 10, 1913.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

lie it known that I PAUL H. ZIMMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Multiple-Switch Controllers, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and eXact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in multiple switch controllers. It is particularly applicable to controllers for electric motors but is not limited thereto.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a simple and eflicient multiple switch controller in which the switches are closed progressively by successive operations of a common actuating member through the same range of movement.

A further object of my invention is to provide a step-by-step operated multiple switch controller with means for temporarily arresting the progressive operation thereof while abnormal electrical conditions prevail.

Various other objects and advantages of my invention will hereinafter appear.

In order to fully and clearly disclose the nature and advantages of my invention I shall describe the embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the specific illustration of my invention found in the accompanying drawings is not to be considered as unnecessarily limiting the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevati on of the controller; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the operative connections between the several switches and their operating member and the means for holding the switches closed; Fig. '3 is a side elevation of the extreme left hand switch of Fig. 1 and its retaining magnet; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the next adjacent switch; F ig. 5 is a side elevation of the extreme right hand switch; Fig. 6 is a partial end elevation of the controller looking to the left; and Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing one form of circuit connections for the controller.

As best illustrated in Fig. 1 the controller embodies a plurality of switches 1, 2, 3 and 4 operated progressively in a manner hereinafter described by successive reciproca- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

Serial No. 753,312.

tions of the plunger of a solenoid 5. The solenoid 5 is provided with a control switch (3 operated by its plunger to intermittently energize and de'energize the same to produce successive reciprocations of its plunger. A second control switch 7, operated by the switch 4, is provided to disconnect the solenoid from circuit after all of the switches 1, 2, 3 and 4 have been closed. A retaining magnet 8, preferably of the low voltage type, is provided for retaining the switch 1 in closed position, while mechanical means, hereinafter described, are provided for retaining the remaining switches in closed position. The switches 2, 3 and 4 are released automatically upon release of the switch 1.

Where the device is employed for controlling electric motors, the same is preferably provided with a throttling switch 9 responsive to abnormal electrical conditions in the motor circuit to arrest the operation of the switches 1, 2, 3 and 4 preferably through control of the solenoid 5.

The several devices above described are shown as mounted upon an insulating panel 10 which also carries a double-pole knife switch 11 and protective fuses 12. The switch 11 is suitable for use as a line switch.

The switches 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all of the same general construction, and accordingly, a detailed description of one will sufiice for all. As best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 each switch comprises a contact finger 13 adapted to engage a cooperating stationary contact 14. The contact finger 13 is carried by a rocking supporting member 15, the contact finger having a trunnion bearing 16 at its lower end, and being held in place and biased against a stop 17 on the member 15 by a tension device 18. The arrangement is such that after the finger 13 engages its stationary contact the tension device 18 will yield to a further movement of the supporting member 15 at the same time increasing the pressure on the finger to insure good electrical contact. The several switches are biased to open position by helical springs 19 interposed between the base 10 and their respective supporting members 15.

Each of the switch members 15 is pro vided on one side with a segmental tail piece 20 having on its periphery a tooth or shoulder 21 to be engaged by the operating means. as hereinafter described. Also, as best illustrated in Fig. 2, the tail piece of each switch, except switch 1, carries a laterally extending pin 22, for a purpose hereinafter set forth. On its opposite side each of the members 15 of switches 1, 2 and 3 is provided with an outwardly projecting arm or lug Still further, each of the mem bers 1.5 is provided 011 one side with a laterally extending lug on its opposite side with a shoulder to cooperate with the lug 2% 011 another of said switches.

The members 15 of the several switches are loosely mounted upon a common shaft or spindle 26, as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The shaft or spindle 26 constitutes both the supporting and operating member of the switches. In addition to the switches, it carries four downwardly projecting arms 27, 28, 29 and 30, all of the same type as the arm 27 shown in Fig. 3. Each arm has a head 31 surrounding the spindle or shaft 26 and fixed thereto by suitable means, such as a pin 32. The arms 27, 28, 29 and 30 are arranged to the left of their respective switches adjacent to the segmental tail pieces thereof. Each arm carries a pivoted pawl 33, biased against the periphery of the tail piece of its corresponding switch by a spring 34. These pawls are provided to engage the teeth or shoulders 21 on the tail pieces of their respective switches and when in engagement therewith establish an operative crnnection between their respective switches and the shaft or spindle 26. In normal position of the switches, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the pawl 33 of the switch 1 is the only one which looks with the tail piece of its respective switch. The remaining pawls are all out of engagement with their respective switches and the shoulders or teeth on the tail pieces of their respective switches lie to the rear of the extremities of the pawls. The disengagement of the pawls of the switches 2, 3 and 4 is accomplished by providing said pawls with projections 35 adapted, when the parts are in normal position, to abut against plates 36 on the base 1 to rock said pawls against the action of their springs 34: clear of the switches, as best illustrated in Fig. 4.

With the parts as illustrated in Fig. 2 it will be obvious that if the shaft 26 is rotated in a clockwise direction it will move the switch 1 therewith through the medium of the arm 27, pawl 23 and tail piece 20 of said switch. The remaining switches, however, being disengaged from their respective pawls,-will receive no operation from the shaft 26. The switch 1 is accordingly closed by itself.

The function of the interlocking lugs 24 and shoulders 25 will now be apparent. Their function is to set each switch, upon operation of its preceding switch, in a position to be engaged by its respective pawl upon the next operation of the shaft 26, it

being understood that the shaft is restored to its initial rotary position after operation of each switch. For example, the switch 1 in closing causes its shoulder 25 to abut against the lug 24 of the switch 2, moving the latter switch a slight distance toward closed position, it being understood that the lugs and shoulders are normally so spaced as to insure against closure of one switch by another. The switch having now been advanced to the proper degree, it will be ohvious that as the shaft 26 is rotated backwardly the pawl of switch 2 will pass the tooth on the tail piece of said switch and thereby be free to engage said tooth and close said switch 2 upon the next clockwise operation of the shaft. The remaining switches are set to be engaged by their respective pawls on subsequent operations of the shaft in a manner similar to that ust described. This provides a very simple but eflicient means for procuring successive operation of the switches 1, 2, 3 and 4- upon successive oscillations of the shaft The retention of the switches in their closed position is provided for by the. following means: The switch 1, as heretofore set forth, is retained in closed position by the magnet 8. To this end it is preferably provided with an arm 37 carrying a laterally projecting pin 38 adapted to be engaged by a hooked armature 39 of the mag net 8. The remaining switches are mechanically locked in closed position by engagement of latching levers 40 with their pins 22. The latching levers 410 are preferably of the same type as the one clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 1. Each is fulcrumed to a bracket 41 suitably mounted on the base 10 and provided with a spring 42 for automatically moving the same to a position under its cooperating pin 22 upon closure of its corresponding switch. To insure against accidental disengagement of the latching levers with their respective pins, said levers are preferably provided with slight depressions 43 in their engaging face. Automatic locking of the switches is thus provided.

The switches are all released upon release of the switch 1. This is accomplished by the engagement of the arms 23 of the several switches with the latching levers of their next adjacent switches. For example, as will be apparent from Fig. 2, when the switch 1 opens the arm 23 thereof engages the end of the latching lever of switch 2, forcing said lever outwardly from beneath the pin 22. This releases switch 2, which thereupon operates the latching lever of switch 3 in a similar manner and so on. Thus the switches open in the same progressive order as that in which they closed.

The operation of the switches by the solenoid 5 is obtained by connecting the plunger of said solenoid to the shaft 26. This may be readily accomplished by fixing to the Shaft 26 an arm as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6, and connecting the free end of said arm to the solenoid plunger by means of a link 46. The connection is preferably so made that the shaft is operated in a direction to close the switches upon energization of the solenoid and moved in a reverse direction upon deenergization of said solenoid. if desired, a weight 47 may be attached to the solenoid plunger to assist in the reverse operation of the shaft 26.

The switch 6 for intermittently energizing and deenergizing the solenoid 5 may be of any preferred type. In practice, however, I prefer to construct the same as illustrated. This construction consists of a movable contact 49 having knife edge bearings on the under side of two posts 50 projecting from the base 10. The contact is held in its bearings by a spring connection 51 between said contact and a bracket 52 fixed to a lateral extension 53 on the arm This spring connection 51 also performs another function, namely, the biasing of said contact in opposite directions as the extremity of the bracket 52 is moved to opposite sides of the pivot of said contact by the operation of the arm 45. A latch 54 is provided for holding contact 19 in closed position until tripped by a lug 55 on the bracket 52. As is obvious the function of this latch is to hold the contact 49 in closed position until suflicient energy is stored in said spring connection to insure a snap movement to said contact member when released. This further provides for the retention of the switch 6 in closed position until the solenoid plunger reaches the extreme limit of its upward movement, thereby providing for full strokes of the solenoid plunger in operating the switches. The switch 7 may also be of any preferred type. As illustrated, it comprises an arm pivoted to a bracket 56 (Fig.

The switch 7 is biased to closed position by a spring 57 interposed between the base 10 and an extension 58 on the lower end of said arm. The extension 58 projects into the path of a shoulder on the switch 4 whereby said switch 4 in closing opens said switch 7.

The throttling device 9 may, in practice, assume various different forms. As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, it comprises a. contact lever 5!), having a trunnion bearing upon an upright support (30 carried by a bracket 61 suitably secured to the base 10. The contact arm is biased toward its supporting contact (32 by an adjustable tension device (33 connected between the outer end of said contact and the bracket 61. The bracket (31 also carries a magnet 64, preferably a series magnet. adapted upon energization to a predetermined degree to withdraw the contacts 59 from engagement with the contact 62.

Referring now to Fig. 7, the device above described is diagrammatically illustrated as controlling an electric motor 67 having an armature A and a shunt field winding F. The switches 1, 2, 3 and l are arranged to respectively complete the motor circuit and short-circuit starting resistances R, R and R The switch 9 is shown as controlling the operating solenoid 5 through the medium of a resistance R said switch upon response inserting said resistance in circuit with said solenoid. A control switch 68 is provided for controlling the operation of the device. Upon closure of the control switch 68 a circuit is established from the supply line L through said switch by conductor 69 through the switches 7 and 6 in series, by conductor 70 through the switch 9, by conductor 71 through the solenoid 5, by conductors 72 and 73 through knife switch 11 and one of the fuses 12 to line L. The solenoid is thereby energized and responds to rock the shaft 26 to actuate the switch arm 1 to complete the motor circuit. The motor circuit may be traced from line L through one of the fuses 12 and knife switch 11, by conductor 7 4 through switch arm 1, resistances R, R and R by conductor 75 through the winding of switch 9, by conductors 7 6 and 77 through the motor armature A to conduc tor 7 3 and thence to line L. The circuit of the motor field winding extends from switch 1 by conductors 78, 79 and 80 to line 73. Hence closure of switch 1 completes both the armature and field circuits of the motor, thereby starting the motor with all of the resistances R, R and R in circuit. After the closure of switch 1, the remaining switches 2, 3 and 4 are closed in progression by the solenoid 5 in the manner above described and when so operated successively short-circuit the resistance sections R, R and R When the switch 4 closes it opens the switch 7, thereby preventing further response of the solenoid 5. The winding of switch 9 being included in series with the motor armature will respond upon an abnormal surge of current through the motor armature to open said switch 9. \Vhen this occurs the resistance R is inserted in series with the winding of the operating solenoid 5, thereby checking further response of said solenoid and consequently arresting the progressive operation of the switches until normal current conditions are restored and the switch 9 returns to closed position. The switch in closing short-circuits the operating winding of relay switch 9 by completing a circuit directly from conductor 74 by conductor 81 through said switch, by conductor 92 to conductor 77. e r

The retaining magnet for the switch 1 is connected between conductors 9 and 70 through a suitable resistance R, and accordingly is adapted to release the switch 1 either upon an abnormal drop in voltage on the lines or by the opening of control switch 68.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.. In combination, a plurality of switch levers, individual operating members for said levers and a common supporting shaft for said levers and said members, said members being movable together to operate said switches progressively upon successive operation thereof through the same range of movement.

2. In combination, a plurality of switch levers, a common operating member therefor, connections between said levers and said member for effecting progressive operation of the former upon successive operation of the latter through the same range of movement and individual latching devices for said levers each to be tripped by another of said levers when released.

3. In combination, a plurality of switch levers, operating means therefor and individual latching devices for said levers, certain of said levers upon operation thereof adjusting an adjacent lever with respect to said operating means and upon release tripping the latching device of an adjacent lever.

4. In combination, a plurality of pivoted switches, a common operating member therefor normally disconnected from all but one of the same, a connection between each adjacent pair of switches whereby one upon full operation will set the other in an operative relation with respect to said operat ing member, and independent latching devices for said switches, the latching device of each switch being tripped by an adjacent switch in opening.

5. In combination, a plurality of switch members, a common supporting spindle therefor, said members being loosely mounted upon said spindle, and means for progressively connecting said members to said spindle upon successive oscillations of the latter.

6. In combination, a plurality of switch members, a common supporting spindle therefor, said members being loosely mounted upon said spindle, means for progressively connecting said members to said spindle upon successive oscillations of the latter, and retaining means for said switch members, said means upon the return movement of one of said switch members releasing all of the remaining switch members.

7. In combination, a plurality of switch members, oscillating operating means therefor including a plurality of pawls adapted to lock with said switch members but all but one of said pawls being normally out of locking relation with their respective switch members, and connections between said members whereby each upon full operation sets another member in a position to be engaged by its pawl upon a subsequent oscillation of said operating means.

8. In combination, a plurality of switch members, oscillating operating means therefor including a plurality of pawls adapted to lock with said switch members but all but one of said pawls being normally out of locking relation with their respective switch members, connections between said members whereby each upon full operation sets another member in a position to be engaged by its pawl upon a subsequent oscillation of said operating means, and separate latching devices for said switch members, each of said devices being tripped to release its respective member upon the release of another member.

9. In combination, a plurality of switch levers having engaging parts whereby each upon full movement imparts a partial movement to another and an oscillating member having a plurality of pawls to engage and operate said switch members progressively.

10. In combination, a plurality of pivoted switch members having engaging parts whereby each upon full movement imparts a partial movement to another, and a common operating member therefor adapted upon successive operations to engage and operate said members progressively, said operating member having a plurality of pawls, certain of the same being normally out of engagement with their respective switch members and being adapted to engage the same only after the setting of each by another switch member.

11. In combination, a plurality of switch levers, a common supporting shaft therefor, said levers being freely rotatable thereon, a plurality of releasable connections between said spindle and said levers and a plurality of separate latches for said switch levers, certain of said levers having cooperating parts whereby each upon full operation imparts a partial operation to another and upon release trips the latching device of another.

12. In combination, a spindle, a plurality of switch levers loosely mounted thereon, a plurality of devices fixed to said spindle to engage said levers, all but one of said devices being normally out of operative relation with their respective switch levers, lost motion connections between each lever and an adjacent lever whereby each upon full operation moves its adjacent lever into a position to be engaged by its corresponding operating device upon a subsequent oscillation of said spindle.

13. In combination, a spindle, a plurality of switch levers loosely mounted thereon, a plurality of devices fixed to said spindle to engage said levers, all but one of said devices being normally out of operative relation with their respective switch levers, lost motion connections between each lever and an adjacent lever whereby each upon full operation moves its adjacent lever into a position to be engaged by its corresponding operating device upon a subsequent oscillation of said spindle, said devices comprising arms fixed to said spindle and pawls on said arms to engage said levers, certain of said pawls upon return of said spindle to normal position being out of the path of their respective switch levers.

14. In combination, a spindle, a plurality of switch levers loosely mounted thereon, separate latching means for certain of said levers, each of said latches being tripped to release its respective lever upon release of another lever, connections between said le vers whereby each upon full operation moves an adjacent lever to a limited degree, and a plurality of devices fixed to said spindle each adapted to operatively connect one of said levers to said spindle but only after the former has been moved to said limited degree by another lever.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

PAUL H. ZIMMER.

Witnesses FRANK H. HUBBARD, LEONARD A. WATSON.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G.

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