US1596513A

US1596513A - Electric switch and interlocking mechanism therefor

Info

Publication number: US1596513A
Application number: US657440A
Authority: US
Inventors: Chester D Ainsworth
Original assignee: Condit Electrical Manufacturing Corp
Current assignee: Condit Electrical Manufacturing Corp
Priority date: 1923-08-14
Filing date: 1923-08-14
Publication date: 1926-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 1943-08-17

Description

Aug. 17 1926.

' 1,596,513 C. D. AINSWQRTH ELECTRIC swn'cu AND INTERLOCKING MECHANISM 'rnznar'on Filed August 1 4, 1923 u 2 Shoots-Shoot 1 Ira/621702- (LLA: 0W

Aug. 17 1926.

c. o. AINSWORTH ELECTRIC SWITCH AND INTERLOCKING MECHANISI THEREFOR Filed August) 14, 192:

2 Shoots-Shut 2 Patented Aug. 17, 1926.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CENTER D. vAILWSWOR'FH, OF WOLLASTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO CONDIT ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC SWITCH AND ,INTERLOOKTNG MECHANISM THEREFOR.

Application med August 14, 1323. Serial No. 057,440.

This invention relates to electric switches and. particularly to interlocking mechanism arranged to govern the order of operation of two or more switches in a predetermined manner.

For the starting of induction motors, for instance, it is common to provide two separate switch units, the operating handles of which may be placed side by side and one of the switch units serves as a starting switch and the other as a running switch. The switches are adapted to be operated in sequence and the starting switch 18 adapted to be closed'first to bring the motor upto 'speed and then opened and the running switch is adapted immediately thereafter to be closed.

If the running switch is closed before the starting switch, or vice versa, or if both switches are closed simultaneously, damage may be incurred.

An object of this invention is to provide interlocking mechanism connecting a plurality of switches and particularly startin'g and running switches, so arranged as to lock the running switch against operation until the starting switch has been closed and also so arranged that when the running switch is moved towards closed position the starting switch is opened prior to the completion of the movement of the running switch into switch-closed position.

A further object is the provision of means whereby the starting handles of the switches are disconnected from the switch mechanism and are free to move between open and closed positions without actuating the switches when the switches are locked in open position.

A yet further object isthe provision of means by which the running switch may be opened manually through the interlocking mechanism and means to prevent the manual disabling of the interlocking means.

A further object is generally to improve the construction and operation of electric switches.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of two switch mechanisms, as starting and running switch mechanisms, especially adapted for induction motor control, and with which my invention is incorporated.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation along line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 isa side elevation along line 3.-3 of'Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1, the operating mit: the running switch mechanism to be closed.

Fig; 7 is a, perspective view of some of the. elements associated with the interlocking mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a detail of the running switch mechanism illustrating :the relative. position of the parts to actuate the interlocking mechanism and strip the starting switch mechanism.

The invention is here shown applied to the switch operating mechanism disclosed in my co-opending application, Serial No. 606,67 8, filed December 13, 1922.

As here shown, the switch mechanism includes a face plate 10 for the starting switch and a second face plate 10 for the running switch. Said face plates are adapted to support the switch operating and controlling mechanism and are or may be attached side by side to. a suitable supporting structure. The face plates include the coil boxes 11 and 11 within which are or may be enclosed suitable overload coils, not shown, and which are or may be ar ranged to actuate the tripping mechanism to open the switchesupon overload. Said trippin'g'mechanism may include the trip ping plates 13 and 13 which are or may be arranged to engage and raise latches hereinafter to be described, whereby to permit the switches to move to open position.

The actuating mechanism for the switches may include the

levers

14 and 14 which are pivoted on

pins

15 and 15 supported in the front walls of the respective coil boxes 11 and 11" of the face plates. Switch actuating

rods

16 and 16 are pivotally connected to said

levers

14 and 14 at the upper ends thereof and extend rearwardly over the tops of the coil boxes and under the tripping plates 13 and 13 and through the rear of the face plates for connection with the. immediate circuit-controling elements, not shown, of the switches, in accordance with more or less common practice.

A movement of said levers 14 and 14- inwardly or toward a vertical position is arranged to effect the closing of the switches while a movement in the reverse direction or into a position as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 is arranged to effect the opening of the switches. The respective bars forming said levers 1% and 14: are or may be connected at their upper ends by

pins

17 and 17 and

latch rollers

18 and 18 may be rotatably disposed on said pins between said bars. Switch actuating members, as operating handles, are or may be provided; and said handles may comprise spaced bars 20 for the starting switch and similar bars 20 for the running switch. Said bars are disposed on opposite sides of the levers 14 and ll respectively and are or may be pivoted on said

pins

15 and 15 concentrically *ith said switch levers 1 1 and l t. Said handles are adapted to be connected with said levers 14c and 1 h only by means of latches which are under control of the tripping plates 13 and 13 and also of the interlocking mechanism as will hereinafter be described. For this purpose, said operating handles are or may be formed or provided with the rearwardly directed

extensions

21 and 21 and

latches

22 and 22 may be pivoted to said extensions and be movable with said handles. Said latches are or may be formed or provided with forwardly-directed notched

portions

23 and 23 which, when the handles are moved outwardly or into alignment with the levers 1a and 14 are adapted to engage with the

latch rollers

18 and 18, whereby to connect said handles and levers releasingly. The construction is or may be such that when said handles are moved inwardly or toward a vertical position the levers let and 14s are or may be moved into corresponding positions whereby to close the switch. The latches are adapted, also, to be so arranged that when the notched portions thereof are depressed to clear the latch rollers, the levers 1st and 1e are moved outwardly by the weight of the switch mechanisms, or by other means, to cause the switches to open independently of corresponding mot-*ements of the handles.

To effect the electrical tripping of the switches, the latches are or may be provided with reaim'ardly-extended portions 24 and Q-P which are adapted to be disposed over and in position to be engaged and raised by the tripping plates 13 and 13" whereby to effect the depression of the notched portions of the latches and the release of the levers 1t and 1st. Said rearwardly extended por tions of the latches may be provided with transversely-extended

pins

25 and 25 by which the latches may be engaged and raised manually, whereby to permit the switches to be opened manually. Said

pins

25 and 25" are also arranged to perform certain functions in connection with the interlocking means as is hereinafter set forth.

Said

handles

20 and 20" are adapted to be locked in vertical or switch-closed positions by suitable means as the latches QT and 27. Said latches are or may be pivoted to the face plates and are adapted to engage suitable projections as

pins

28 and 28 extended between and secured to the spaced arms of said handles. The forward ends of said latches are adapted to extend forwardly and in front of said handles whereby to perinit the extended ends thereof to be engaged manually thereby to release the handles and permit them to be moved outwardly. The above described arrangement forms means by which the switches may be opened independently of corresponding movements of the handles; and the handles are adapted to be independently moved to switch-open position to re-engage their respective mechamsms.

The interlocking mechanism is arranged, when both switches are open, to lock the mechanism of the running switch against closing and permit the starting switch to be free to close. The interlocking mechanism is also so arranged that when the starting switch is closed the running switch is free to be closed but, before the running switch can be moved into closed position, the inter locking mechanism is arranged to be actuated to trip open the starting switch so that both switches can not be closed at the same time, neither can the running switch be closed before the starting switch. The in terlocking mechanism is also arranged to prevent the closing of the starting switch when the running switch is closed:

The interlocking mechanism includes a stud shaft journaled in a hub 36, which hub is extended toward the running switch and is or may be secured to or formed integrally with the supporting frame 37, which latter is or may be secured to the face plate 10 in a suitable manner. The running switch is also provided with a similar stud shaft 35 which is journalled in a hub 36 carried by the supporting frame 37, which frame is or may be secured in any suitable manner to the face plate 10 of the running switch. Said stud shafts and 35 are adapted to be directed toward each other and approximately in axial alignment. The ends of said shafts 35 and may be flattened to receive the yokes 3S and 38 which yokes may be pivotally connected by suitable means as the

pins

39 and 39 to the flattened portions of said shafts. Said yolzes are or may be formed with

slots

40 and 10 &

therein in which a connecting bar 41 may be received and saidbar may be. pivotally connected to said yolnes by suitable means as the

pins

42 and 42 aind'in such a manner that said bar is pivotal in said yoikes at ri t angles to the pivoted connection of said yo es with their respective shafts. The erran ementis adapted to be such that a flcxi'le connection is or may be formed between said shafts and 35 and a universal joint is provided between said bar 41 and the

shafts

35 and 35. An end of the running shaft 35 is or may be disposed within the supporting bracket 37 and may have an arm 43 fixed thereto and said arm may be formed or provided with a suitable lateral extension, as the pin'44, at the end thereof.

Said. arm 43 may also be provided with an extension 45 between which and a fixed part of the face plate, as said bracket 37, a retractile spring 45 is or may be connected. Said spring is adapted to bias the interlocking mechanism yieldingly into a position in which the runningswitch is normally locked against closing and the starting switch is free to be closed.

The lever 14 of the running switch is or may be formed or provided with a bracket 47 which extends laterally to clear one of the arms of the operating handle 20 and thence inwardly to provide the extension 48.- A cam link 49 is pivoted to said ex-' tension 48 and the inner end thereof is or may be formed with a slot 50 therein in which said pin 44 is adapted to be received, whereby to form a loose connection with said arm 43. Said link 49 is or may be formed with an upper cam face 51 which is adapted to engage the latch pin 25 under certain conditions.

When theinterlocking mechanism is so arranged that the arm 43 of theconnecting shaft is held and-maintained in the position illustrated in 3, the cam link 49 1 is adapted to be held in such a position as to maintain the latch 22 in raised position with its notched forward portion free from engagement with the latch roller 18 of the switch mechanism for the running switch. As thus arranged, the operating handle 20* for the running switch is disconnected from the switch mechanism. The handlemay move between the openand closed positions, the latch pin 25 during this movement traveling over the cam face 51 of the cam link, but this movement is without effect upon the switches the operating handle is disconnected from the switch mechanism. 7 When, howevensaid arm 43 of the interlocking sh'aftis moved to some depressed. position as that-illustrated in Fig. 6, and held in such position, the control link '49 is moved downward and away from engagement with the latch pin 25' of the latch 22. Consequently,.said latch is free ism is correspondingly moved and the runnziug switch may be closed. This closing movement of the switch however is permitted only after the starting switch has been operated. For this purpose, the operating stud shaft 35 of the starting switch 1s,or may be provided with an arm 55 secured'to that end thereof within the supporting frame 37 and said arm is or may be formed or provided with a lateral extension as the pin 56. In the normal disposition of the switch mechanism or with both switches open and with the running switch locked against closing, the relative angular position of said

arms

55 and 43 of the starting and running switches is or may be as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Said arm 55, and consequently the interlocking shaft, is adapted to be locked against rotation in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 by suitable means as a latch 57. be formed or provided with a notched portion 58 in which the pin 56 of said arm is adapted to be received and the construction of said notched portion is or may be such as to prevent angular movement of said arm 55 an consequently said shaft in either direction. A spring 59 is or may be arranged to engage said latch 57 and a fixed abutment, as the face plate 10, whereby to maintain said latch yieldingly in looking position. v

As thus arranged, the starting switch is free to be opened and closed. As the starting switch is moved toward closed position means are provided to move said locking latch 57 away from locking engagement with the arm 55 and effect the actuation of the interlocking mechanism to remove the lock on the running switch. For this purpose said latch 57 is or may be disposed adjacent one of the links 16. Said latch may be provided with a sloping or cam-faced forward portion 60 and the pin 61 which connects said links 16 with the lever 14 may be arranged to engage said forward portion of said latch, as the starting switch is moved towards closed position, and depress said latch away from locking engagement with the arm Upon a further movement of the switch mechanism towards closed position, said pin 61 is or may be also arranged to engage said arm and move said arm and correspondingly rotate the interlocking shaft whereby to remove the arm 43 associated with the running switch into some position as that indicated in Fig. 6 and thereby remove the lock on the running switch. The relation between the pin 61 and the latch 57 and arm 55 is or may be such ;that the above described action does Said latch may not take place until the starting switch is substant-iall in closed position.

ll ith the interlocking mechanism as thus arranged the running switch is free to be moved into closed position. The interlocking meehanisn'i is arranged to be actuated during the part of the closing morement oi the rzu'ming switch to open the starting switch and before the running switch is moved into actual switch-closed position. This operation ma be effected in a number of ways. The proportions and arrangement oi the control link it) and the arm and pin ociated with the running switch be such that when the runnin moved in a closing dire; .c the cotto -.1 of the slot 50 in said link 49 is moved into engagement with the pin a and a further movement the runot' sait ning handle serves to move l arm and rotate the interlocking shatt to etliect the tripping ot' the starting switch as is hereinafter explained. For certain purposes, however, it may be desirable to so arrange the mechanism that the cam face ot' the bracket -l-T is arranged to engage the pin L-l o1" said arm a3 and effect the rotation of said arm as illustrated in 8, the length of the slot in said cam link 49 being such as to permit this movement. The rotation of said arm it-3 and interlocking shaft to effect the trip wing of the startin." .r L C switch is arranged to take place during the first part of the closing movement of the running switch and before the running switch has been moved to any substantial degree toward switch closing position.

The tripping ot' the starting switch by the movement of the interlocking shaft is or may be controlled by a lever 70 which is or may be pivoted at its inner end to the face plate 10 of the starting switch. Said lever '70 or ma be disposed beneath the pin 25 of the latch 2i and is or mav be formed with an upper cam face '71 which is adapted to engage said pin when the lever is moved upwardly and raise and eiiect the disengagement of said latch 2% with the cam roller 18 of the switch mechanism, whereby to cause said mechanism to move to open position. Eiaid lever 70 is or may be arranged to be controlled bv the interlocking shaft and the arm thereof. For this purpose said arm may be formed or provided with a lateral extension as the pin 73, which pin is or may be disposed beneath said lever in a position to engage a cam face T-tof said lever. Said cam face it is or may be so arranged, that when said arm is actuated bv the starting switch to release the lock on the running switch no substantial amount of movement is imparted by said pin 73 to said lever. Said cam taco however. is or may be provided *ith a contiguous face 75 of increased declination and so arranged that when said interlocking shaft and arm 55 are rotated by the running switch, the pin 73 of said arm is adapted to engage said cam face 75 and move the lever 70 upward. This movement of the latch serves to raise the latch Q-l and thereby disconnect the switch mechanism including the lever It from the operating handle 20 and consequently said switch mechanism is free to move into open position.

The shape and arrangement of the upper cam 'lac' 71 ot said lever 70 is or they be such that when the running switch is in open position the starting handle 20 may be moved between open and closed positFoas without eliciting the release of the latch "from the switch mechani t aid lever '50 is adapted to extend forwardly of the lace plate 10 and in position wherein may be readilv enga ed by the hand and rai ed ther by to trip out the starting h it desired.

the mechanism is thus arranged, it is apparent that when both switches are d the rm'ining switch is locked against and when the starting switch is closed the initial closing movement of the running switch serves to trip out the starting switch so that but one switch can be closed at a time and the order of operation or the .witches is predetermined.

The structure may be otherwise modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. The combination of two independentelectric switch mec ianisms each having an actuating member and means to lock the actuating member to the switch mechanism, and interlocking mechanism controlling said switch mechanisms, said interlocking mechanism including means to govern the locking means of said switch mechanisms.

2. The combination of two independent electric switch mechanisms each having an actuating member and means to lock the actuating member to the switch mechanism. and interlocking mechanism controlling said switch mechanisms, said interlocking mechanism including means to govern the locking means of said switch mechanisms and constructed and arranged normally to hold one of said locking means tree from locking position.

The combination of two independent electric switch mechanisms each having an actuating member and means to lock the actuating member to the switch mechanism, and interlocking mechanism controlling said switch mechanisms, said interlocking mechanism including means to govern the locking means ot said switch mechanisms and constructed and arranged alternately to hold the locking means of one switch mechanism switch mechanism is in closed position.

t. The combination of a starting switch anda running switch, each having switch mechanism and an actuating member therefor, means to connect said actuating members relcaslngly with their respective switch mechanisms, and interlocking mechanism governing said switches arranged to actuate the disconnecting means of one switch and permit the respectiveactuating member to be moved between open and closed positions free from its switch mechanism.

5. The combination of a starting switch and a running switch, each having switch mechanism and an actuating member ther for, means to connect said actuating mem bers releasingly with their respective switch mechanisms, and interlocking mechanism arranged to govern said switch mechanisms independently of said actuating members, whereby to permit said actuating members to he moved between switch open and closed positions free from said switch mechanisms.

6. The combination of a starting switch and a running switch each having switch mechanism and actuating members, means to connect said actuating members releasingly with their respective switch mechanisms, and interlocking mechanism arranged to governsaid connecting means and permit said actuating members to be moved between switch open and closed positions free from said switch mechanisms.

The combination of two switch mechanisms each having an actuating member and a latch governing the connection be tween the switch mechanism and actuating member, and interlocking mechanism governing said latches arranged normally to hold one latch in a release position, whereby to free an actuating member from connection with its switch mechanism.

8. The combination of two switch mechani-sms each having an actuating member and a latch governing the connection between the switch mechanism and actuating member, and interlocking mechanism governing said latches arranged normally to hold one latch in a release position, whereby to free an actuating member from connection with its switch mechanism, and means to actuate said interlocking mechanism byone switch mechanism in its movement toward switch closed position to release the latch of the other switch mechanism and effect the operative connection between said switch mechanism and its actuating member.

9. The combination of two switch mechanisms each having an actuating member and a latch governing the connection between the switch mechanism and actuating member, and interlocking mechanism governing said latch arranged normally to hold one latch in an unlocked position, whereby to free an actuating member from connection vith its switch 1 echanism, means to actuate said interlocking mechanism by one switch mechanism in its movement toward switclrclosed position to release the latch of the other switch mechanism and cilect the operative connection between said other switch mechanism and its actuating member, and means actuated by said other switch mechanism to actuate said interlocking mechanism and trip the latch of said first switch mechanisms, whereby to open said first mechanism.

The combination of starting and running switch mechanisms each having an actu-ating member and a latch connecting the actuating member with its switch mechanism and interlocking mechanism arranged to govern the operation of said switch mechanisms, said interlocking mechanism in cluding a movable member disposed to engage and raise said latches into an actuating member release position, and means to govern the order of operation of said movable members.

11. The combination of starting and. running switch mechanisms each having an actuating member and a latch connecting the actuating member with its switch mechanism, and interlocking mechanism arranged to govern the operation of said switch mechanisms, said interlocking mechanism including movable members disposed to engage and raise said latches into actuating-member release-positions, and means to govern the order of operation of said movable members including a mechanical connection between said movable members.

12. The combination of starting and running switch mechanisms each having an actuating member and a latch connecting the actuating member with its switch mechanism, and interlocking mechanism arranged to govern the operation of said switch mechanisms, said interlocking mechanism including movable members disposed to engage and raise said latches into actuating-member release-positions, and means to govern the order of operation of said movable members including a shaft connecting said movable members arranged for actuation by said starting switch mechanism, and means governed by said starting switch mechanism to lock said shaft against operation.

13. The combination of starting and run ning switch mechanisms each having an actuating member and a latch releasingly connecting the actuating members with their respective switch mechanisms, and interlocking mechanisms arranged to govern the operation of said switch mechanisms, said interlocking mechanism including a shaft extended between said switch mechanisms, arms fixed to said shaft disposed to govern the operation of said latches, the arm aslal'll sociated with said starting switch mechanism disposed to be engaged by said meclr anism in its closing movement, whereby to raise the latch of the running switch mechanism, and means to lock said arm and said shaft against movement, said locking means arranged and disposed to be operated by said starting switch mechanism to release the lock on said shaft.

1*}; The combination of starting and running switch mechanisms each having an actuating member and a latch re casingly connecting the actuating: members with their respective switch mechanisms, and interlocking mechanism arranged to govern the operation of said switch mechanisms, said interlocking mechanisms including a shaft extended between said switch mechanisms, arms fixed to said shaft disposed to govern the operation of said latches, the arm associated with said starting switch mechanism disposed to be engaged by said mechanism in its closing movement, whereby to raise the latch of the running switch mechanism, means to lock said arm and said shaft against movement. said locking means arranged and disposed to be operated by said starting switch mechanism to release the lock on said shaft, and means actuated by said running switch mechanisms to operate said released shaft and raise the latch of said starting switch mechanism.

15. The combination of starting and run ning switch mechanisms each having an actuating member and latch connecting the actuating member with its switch mechanism, and interlocking mechanism arranged to govern the operation of said switch mechanisms. said interlocking mechanism including a shaft extended between said switch mechanisms arranged to be actuated by said switch mechanisms. an arm fixed to said shaft and associated with the running switch mechanism, and a link pivotally connected with said running switch mechanism and having a loose connection with said arm, said link disposed to engage and control the operation of the latch of said running switch mechanism.

16. The combination of starting and run ning switch mechanisms each having an actuating member and a latch connecting the actuating member with its switch mecha nism, and interlocking mechanism arranged to govern the operation of said switch mechanisms, said interlocking mechanism including a shaft extended between said switch mechanisms arranged to be actuated by said switch mechanisms, an arm fixed to said shaft and associated with the running switch mechanism, and a cam-link pivotally connected with said running switch mecha nism and having a loose connection with said arm, said link having a cam face arranged to engage the latch of said running switch mechanism and raise it from locking connection between said mechanism and its actuating member.

17. The combination of starting and running switch mechanism each having a pivoted lever and actuating member and a latch pivotally carried by the actuating member arranged releasingly to connect the lever and actuating member for conjoint movement, and interlocking mechanism arranged to govern the operation of said switch mechanisms including a shaft extended between said mechanisms and biased toward position to lock the running switch mechanism against closing, an arm fixed to said shaft and associated with said running switch mechanism, a cam-link pivoted to the lever of said running switch and having loose connection with said arm, said lin having a cam face engageable with the latch of said mechanism to raise and hold it out of operative position, an arm fixed to said shaft and associated with said starting switch mechanism and arranged to govern the latch thereof, said arm disposed in the path of movement of the starting switch mechanism to be actuated thereby and rotate said shaft against the bias thereof and condition the running switch mechanism for closing, means to lock said arm and shaft against operation by said running switch mechanism in the open position of said starting switch mechanism. said locking means arranged and disposed to be operated by said starting switch mechanism to release said arms and shaft prior to the actuation of said arm and shaft by the starting switch mechanism, and said running switch mechanism subsequently arranged in the closing movement thereof to actuate said shaft and trip the latch of the starting switch mechanism prior to the complete closing of the running switch mechanism.

18. The combination of two switch mechanisms each having means to lock its mechanism in switch-closed position, and means operated by the closing movement of one switch mechanism, and prior to the comple tion of such closing movement, to release the lock on the other mechanism, whereby to effect the opening movementof said other mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

CHESTER D. AINSVORTH.