US1896143A - Coil-switch unit - Google Patents

Description

Fab. 7, 1933. H. E. NORVEEL LSQfiJ fi-B COIL SWITCH UNIT Filed April 15, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l COIL SWITCH UNIT Filed April 15, 1932 1 1 l 1 I I 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Patented Feb. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY E. NOBVIEL, DECEASED, LATE O]? ANDERSON, INDIANA, BY ANDERSON BANK- ING COMPANY, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA, EXEOUTOR, ASSIGNOBS TO DELCO-BELIY CORPORATION, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE COIL-SWITCH UNIT Application filed April 13,

This invention relates to coil and switch units, and more particularly to lock coils for automotive vehicles.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a lock coil of economical construction which can be produced at low cost; and this object is accomplished by a novel combination of elements comprising, a

tubular, metallic case having parallel notches extending part-way in from one end, a nonconducting partition carrying stationary switch contacts located within the case and having lugs received by said notches and abutting the end surfaces thereof, a sleeve surrounding the notched end portion of the case and abutting said lugs, a plate fitting within the notched end portion of the case and having lugs received by said notches and abutting said sleeve, means for retaining the plate including portions of the case bent over against the outside of the plate, a switch actuator carried by the plate, a movable con tact within the case and operated by the operator, windings within the case connected to one side of the switch contacts, and terminals carried by the case for connecting the windings to a battery and ignition timer. Another object of the present invention is to provide a coil and switch unit including 80 low tension terminals for making connection respectively with a storage battery or other current source, an ignition timer or circuit interrupterand one or more other instruments which may be operated from the current source such as an electric gasoline gauge or an electric device for automatically causing the engine starter to grip the engine when the ignition switch is closed. In this connection it is an object of the invention to provide for grounding the ignition timer terminal of the coil switch unit when the ignition is turned ofl".

A still further object of the invention is to provide a coil switch unit in which the switch sha l have three positions. In one of these positions, preferablythe intermediate position, the ignition is turned ofi, that is, the battery terminal is disconnected from the coil within the unit and hence from the igni- I tion timer terminal to which the coil winding 1932. Serial No. 605,094.

is connected. When the ignition is turned 011', the coil winding is preferably grounded, thus grounding the ignition interrupter and making it impossible for the ignition to be rendered operative by connecting another coil in series with the storage battery and the ignition timer. In one of the extreme positions of the switch operating member the ignition is turned on, that is the battery terminal is connected with the winding in the switch unit and one of the instrument terminals carried by the unit is also connected with the battery. In another extreme position of the switch actuator the ignition is turned on as before, but a different instrument is connected with the current source. In this way there is provided two ON positions for the ignition. In one of the ON positions one of the instruments such as an electric gasoline gauge can be operated; and in the other extreme position .of the switch actuator the automatic starting device controller is rendered operative while the gasoline gauge remains inoperative.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a coil switch unit embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspecitve View of a disassembly of parts included in the coil switch unit.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the coil switch unit.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3. v

Fig. 5 is partly a wiring diagram and partly a face view of a stationary switch member looking in the direction of the arrow 5 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a side view of a movable switch member looking in the direction of the arrow 6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side view partly in longitudinal section of a modified form of coil switch unit.

Referring to Fig. 2, the coil switch unit I comprises a tubular metallic case having parallel notches 21 extending part-way in from one end. The case 20 receives a nonconducting contact support 22 which is primarily a disc-like body received within the tubular case as shown in Fig. 4 in order to provide an end wall for the coil housing. The support 22 has radially extending lugs 23 each of which is received within a notch 21 and each of which is provided with grooves 23a, 23b and 230 which receive those edge portions of the'case which define the notches 21 in the case 20. The support 22 carries stationary contacts 50, 51, 52,53 and 54 which are metal pieces inserted in the mold in which the insulating material of the support is molded. Before the support 22 is assembled with the case 20, insulated wires 71, 72, 73 and 74 having bared ends are passed through the partition and are attached to the contacts 51, 52, 53 and 54,- respectively. The ends of the wires 72 and 73 are twisted together as indicated at 75 and are soldered.

The contact support 22 is held in the position shown in Fig. 4 by a sleeve or collar 25 which surrounds the notched portion of the .case. 20 and which abuts the lugs 23 of the support 22. The sleeve or collar 25 may be retained upon the case by spot-welding as indicated at 26. The sleeve or collar 25 provides apertured ears 27 through which bolts or screws may pass for securing the coil switch unit to any suitable support such as the back surface of the instrument board. The space 28 within the case 20 and collar 25 is occupied by a switch and is closed by a plate 30 fitting within the notched end portion of the case 20 and having lugs 31 which are received by the notches 21 and which abut the flange 29 of the collar 25. The means for retaining the plate 30 in position against the collar 25 includes the members 33 separated by notches 21 and extending within the collar 25 from the coil housing portion. of the case 20. The end portions of the members 33 are bent over against the outer face of the plate 30 thus providing interrupted flanges 32 which are tied to the coil housing the case 20 by the members 33.

The. plate 30 supports a bushing 34within which is a rotatable key barrel 35 which may portion of be rotated when the proper key 36 is inserted as shown in Fig. 7. The barrel 35 is retained within the bushing 34 by a ring 37, which is vertically slidable in a groove 38 provided by the barrel 35 and which may drop behind a shoulder 39 provided by the bushing 34.

The barrel 35 together with the key 36 constitutes a switch actuator which drives a non-conducting switch contact carrier 40 having a recess 41 (see Fig. 6) for receiving freely an eccentric projection 42 provided by the barrel 35. The'carrier 40 carries a stud 43 eccentric the axis of thebarrel 35 and adapted to slide freely into a hole 44 provided by the barrel 35. Thus the carrier 40 is mounted for rotation with the barrel 35 and is freely axially movable relative thereto. The carrier 40 is provided with notches 45, each receiving an ear 46 projecting laterally from a triangular metal plate 47 carrying substantially at each of its apexes a contact 48 engageable with one or more of the stationary contacts 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54 carried by the support 22. The plate 47 carries a' cup-shaped extension 55 which is received within a recess 55a provided by the partition and is somewhat loosely journalled upon the interrupted cylindrical walls 55?; defining the recess 55a. The extension 55receives a spring 56 bearing thereagainst and also against the carrier 40. The spring 56 urges the contacts 48 against the support 22 and its contacts and also urges the carrier 40 against the plate 30. The plate 30 provides an ear 57 received in the space between lugs 58 and 59 of the carrier 40 and thus providing a stop limiting movement of the carrier 4O beyond its two extremes-of a movement in either direction. The plate 30 provides a projection 60 receivable within either of three detent holes 61, thus yieldingly retaining the contact carrier 40 in either of its three positions, namely, -an intermediate position and two extreme positions. As the key 36 is turned, the carrier 40 is caused to move toward the right against the action of the spring 56 due tothe camming action of the detent 60 with the carrier 40. When the carrier 40 is so moved as to present another hole 61 in alignment with the detent 60, the spring 56 is released to cause the carrier 40 to move toward the left sothat another of its holes 61 will receive the detent 60 and thus yieldingly hold the carrier 40 in another of its positions. The contact 50 is grounded by a conducting strap of thin material which may project with the adjacent lug 23 through one of the notches and thence be soldered to the case 20 or to the collar 25. Since the collar 25 is generally attached toa metal part of the automobile, it is apparent that the contact 50 will be grounded on the automobile as represented 'by the symbol 70a as shown in the diagram in Fig. 5.

The ignition coil subassembly comprises a secondary winding mounted upon a nonconducting tube 81 and having an insulating wrapping 82 upon which is afterwards wound a primary winding 83 enclosed by a non-conducting wrapping 84. The coil assembly includes a bundle of magnctizable wires or, rods 85 inserted within the tube 81 and having their projecting ends encased in non-conducting tubes 86 and 87. Before placing this coil assembly. within the case 20, a tubular body of a plurality of turns of magnetizable material 88 is inserted to provide the outer magnetizable circuit of the coil. After assembling the partition 22 in the case 20 in the manner described and after placing the magnetizable material 88 within the case, the case is located with the partition 22 lowermost and a quantity of hydrolene or other as phaltic compound 90 is poured into the case suflicient to fill the case about one-third full. Then the coil assembly is inserted while the case remains in a vertical position, thus causing the material 90 to rise to a level above the upper end of the secondary windings 80. The outer end a of the secondary 80 and the inner end 83?) of the winding 83 are attached to the, wire 73. The outer lead 83a of the primary 83 is passed through a hole 91 in the coil end member 92 and is attached to a terminal 93 known as the ignition timer terminal. The wire 71 is threaded through a hole 94 in the cover 92 and is attached to a terminal 95 known as the battery terminal. In a similar .manner wires 74 and 7 2' are threaded through holes in the cover 92 and are attached to terminals 96 and 97 shown diagrammatically in Fig. 5. Then the cover 92 is attached to the housing 20 by spinning over its metallic flange 97 a against a flange 98 provided by the case 20.

The cover 92 which is made of non-conducting material like the contact support 22 is provided with a tubular extension 99 which faces toward a similar tubular extension 100 of the support 22. The extensions 99 and 100 receive and support the core 85. Before placing the cover 92 upon the case 20, a further quantity of hydrolene 90 is introduced so as to bring the level of hydrolene within a short distance of the top or open end of the case 20 surrounded by the flange 98. Before this additional quantity of hydrolene 90 hardens, the cover 92 is placed in the position shown in Fig. 4 and its tubular extension or skirt 99 serves to spread the hydrolene 90 and causes it to rise still further in the case '20 and to fill up the grooves and recesses of the cover 92. The cover 92 provides a nonconductingsocket 101 within which is located a metallic thimble 102 for receivin a metal clipon the end of a high tension ca le by which the coil unit is connected to an ignition distributor. Before attaching such cable connector to the thimble 102, a nail 103 is driven through reviousl formed, aligned holes in the thimb e 102 an cover 92 and between the wires of the center core to which the inner end lead 80?) of the secondary 80 is electrically connected. Thus the core 85 and thenail 103 provide an electric connection between the lead 805 and the thimble 102.

The coil is now ready to be inspected, tested and installed. In installation on an automotive vehicle the battery terminal 95 is connected to a storage battery 1 10 grounded at 1.11; the terminal 93 is connected to an ignition timer 112 grounded at 113; the terminal 96 is connected to an instrument 114 which may be an automatic device grounded at 114a for causing the engine starter to operate to crank the engine when the ignition is turned on; and the terminal 97 is connected with another instrument such as a gasoline gauge 116 grounded at 117.

When the key barrel 35 is turned into such' a position as to permit withdrawal of the, key, the ignition circuit will be interrupted, that is the ignition is turned off, the three switch contacts 48 being located as indicated by dot-and-dash circles in Fig. 5. In this position of the contacts 48, the stationary contact 51 to which the battery 110 is connected by terminal 95 and wire 71 is not connected with any other stationary contact, hence the ignition timer 112 is disconnected from the battery 110. It will be noted, however, that one of the contacts 48 engages the contact 50 and another of the contacts 48 engages contact 52; therefore the ignition timer terminal 93 will be grounded through the fol lowing circuit; terminal 93, primary 83, wire 73, wire 7 5, contact 52, movable contact 48, contact plate 47, another movable contact 48, stationary contact 50, strap 70, case 20 or collar 25 and thence to ground through metallic parts of the automobile. Thus the car cannot be started by connecting another ignition coil in series between the battery 110 and the terminal 93.

When the contact carrier 40 is rotated clockwise into its extreme position, none of the contacts 48 will engage the contact 50, hence the ground connection will'be interrupted. Two of the contacts 48 will engage respectively the contacts 51 and 53, therefore the battery terminal 95 will be connected with the ignition timer terminal 93 through the following circuit: terminal 95, wire 71, contact 51, contact 48, plate 47, another contact 48, contact 53, wire 73, primary 83, terminal 93, timer 112. Furthermore the gasoline gauge 116 will be connected with the battery through the following circuit: terminal 95, Wire (1, contact 51, a contact 48, plate 47,

another Contact 48, contact 53, wire 75, contact 52, wire 72, terminal 97, gauge 116.

When the carrier 40 is turned counterclockwise from the body shown in Fig. 6 to its extreme position ina counter-clockwise direction, none of the contacts 48 will engage the contact 50. One of the contacts-48 will engage the contact 51, another will engage the contact 53 and another the'contact 54; therefore the ignition timer 112 will be connected with the battery 110 as before and the instrument 114 for the automatic starting of the automobile engine will be connected to the battery through the following circuit: terminal 95, wire 71, contact 51, a contact 48, plate 47, another contact 48, contact 54, wire 74, terminal 96 and instrument 114.

The locking coil unit therefore provides the gasoline gauge non-operative and the automatic engine starting device operative, as desired. Also the driver may turn the switch in one direction to cause the gasoline gauge to operate before cranking .to determine whether there is sufficient gasoline in the tank, and then turn the switch in the opposite direction to render the ignition and the automatic engine starting device operative to crank the engine.

The form of coil switch unit shown in Fig. 7 differs from that which has been described only with respect to the sleeve or collar memer 26a which differs from'the collar 25 since it omits the mounting flange 29 and apertured ears 27. -The collar 26a is simply a strip of material bent up into cylindrical form and provided with deep notches 26b for receiving the lugs 22. The collar 26a is attached to the case 20 by welding as indicated at 260. Each part 2603 located between notches 26b is welded to the case 20 in two places. In this way the collar 26a serves as a reinforcing member and is adapted toreceive a clamp-bracket or other suitable mounting device (not shown), adapted to embrace the collar. y

- Both illustrated forms of the coil and switch unit comprise a unitary sub-assembly including the case 20, contact support 22, sleeve 25, end cover 92 and coil within the case 20, a second unitary sub-assembly including the plate 30 and bushing 34 forming a bearing for the key plug 35', and a thlrd assembly including the movable contact carrier 40 driving the movable contact member 47. Preferably the carrier 40 and contact member 47 are placed upon the support 22 before the plate 30 is assembled with thecase 20. The extension 55 is placed within the.

recess 55a'of the support 22 and the carrier 40 is turned into a certain position relative to the coil case 20. Then the plate 30 is placed against the sleeve 25, certain tangs 31 of the plate 30 entering certain notches 21 of the case 20. Then the end edges of the parts 33 of the case. 20 are bent over the outer face of the plate 30.

' A coil and switch unit constructed of separable subassemblies as herein disclosed readily lends itself to servicing, repair or replacement of one or more of these subassemblies. For example, if the coil ceases to function, the coil subassembly may be detached from the plate 30 andbe replaced by acoil against subassembly of proven merit. Although the replacement of the coil subassembly is the preferred method of servicing a lock-switchcoil, when the coil is defective,- it is apparent that the coil subassembly may be repaired. The flange 97a of the cover 92 may be bent away from the flange 98 of the housing 20 to permit removal of the cover 92. The pitch filling may be softened by heating to facilitate removal of the windings after disconnecting them from the leads to the switch contacts.

' Some car manufacturers prefer to supply 7 and to assemble the key plug 35 in the bushing 34. In such cases, the manufacturer of the coil and switch unit will assemble the unit without the key plug and ship it to the car manufacturer. The movable contact is retained in angular position during shipment because the detent 60 of the plate 30 is yieldingly held within one of the recesses 61 of the carrier 40. However it is always possiblefor. the manufacturer of the coil and switch unit to supply the key plug 35 and to assemble it with the bushing 34 when required. Obviously the plug 35 can be assembled with the bushing 34 before or after assembling the plate 30 with the case 20.

lVhile the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a coil and switch unit, the combination of a tubular case providing a coil housing, a contact support within the case, a collar surrounding the case and attached .1 0 thereto, a plate adapted to bear against the collar, means provided by the case for securing the plate against the collar, the support, collar and plate providing a switch housing, a stationary contact insulatingly supported by the contact support, a contact movable within the switch housing, and a controller carried by the plate for operatingthe movable contact.

2. In a coil and switch unit, the combination of a tubular case providing a coil housing and having notches extending longitudinally and part way in from one end of the case, a contact support located within the case and having lugs received by said 1 notches and abutting the end surfaces thereof, a collar surrounding the notched end portion of the case and attached to the case and abutting the lugs of the support, a plate adapted to close the end of the case in .order to provide a switch housing within the collar, means provided by the case for securing the plate in position, a stationary contact insulatingly supported by the partition, a

contact movable within the switch housing, p

tion of a tubular case providing a coil housing, a contact support within the case, a

. collar surrounding the case and attached thereto, a plate adapted to bear against the collar, means provided by the case for securing the plate against the sleeve, the support, collar and plate providing a switch housing, a stationary contact insulatin ly carried by the support, a rotary movable contact adapted to engage the stationary contact and having a journal portion received within a bearing recess provided by the support, a movable contact carrier having a driving connection with the movable contact providing for relative axial movement between the carrier and movable contact, a compression spring located between the carrier and movable contact and tending to separate them, the securing of the plate in position causing the spring to be compressed beyond its initial state of compression. whereby the movable contact is urged against the stationary contact and the carrier toward the plate, and a rotary controller carried by the plate for operating the movable contact.

4. In a coil and switch unit the combination of a tubular case providing a coil housing and having notches extending longitudinally and part way in from one end of the case, a contact support located within the case and having lugs received by said notches and abutting the end surfaces there of, a collar surrounding the notched end portion of the case and attached to the case and abutting the lugs of the support, a plate adapted to close the end of the case in order to provide a switch housing within the collar, and having lugs extending into the notches of the case and bearing against the collar, means provided by the case for securing the plate to the collar, a stationary con tact insulatingly carried by the support, a

rotary movable contact adapted to engage the stationary contact and having a journal portion received within a bearing recess provided by the support, a movable contact carrier having a driving connection with the movable contact providing for relative axial movement between the carrier and movable contact, a compression spring located between the carrier and movable contact and tending to separate them, the securing of the plate in position causing the spring to be compressed beyond its initial state of compression, whereby the movable contact is urged against the stationary contact and the carrier toward the plate, and a rotary controller carried by the plate for operating the movable contact.

5. In a coil and switch unit the cofnbination of a tubular metallic case providing a coil housing and having parallel notches extending part-way in from one end, a nonconducting contact support carrying stationary switch contacts located within the case and having lugs receivedby said notches and abutting the end surfaces thereof, a collar surrounding the notched end portion of the case and abutting said lugs, a plate fitting within the notched end portion of the case and having lugs received by said notches and abutting said collar, means for retaining the plate including portions of the case bent over against the outside of the plate, a switch actuator carried by the plate and a movable contact within the case and operated by the actuator.

63. A coil and switch unit as defined in claim 5 and in which the lugs of the partition are grooved to receive those edge portions of the case which define the notches in the case.

7. In a coil and switch unit, the combination of a tubular case providing a coil housing, a contact support within the case, a collar surrounding the case and attached thereto, a plate adapted to bear against the collar, means independent of the collar and extending from the coil housing for securing'the plate against the collar, a stationary contact insulatingly carried by the contact support, a contact movable into engagement with the stationary contact and a controller carried by the plate for operating the movable contact.

8. In a coil and switch unit, the combination of a tubular caseproviding a coil housing, a contact support within the case, a collar surrounding the case and attached thereto, a plate adapted to bear against the collar, means extending from the coil housing and within the collar for securing the plate against the collar, a stationary contact insulatingly carried by the contact support, a contact movable into engagement with the stationary contact, and a controller carried by the plate for operating the movable contact.

9. In a coil and switch unit, the combination of a tubular case providing a coil housing, a contact support within the case, a collar of relatively thick material surrounding the case and attached thereto, said collar having an edge terminating in spaced relation to the contact support, a plate adapted to bear against the collar, members of relatively thin material extending from the coil housing and adapted to bebent against the plate in order to secure the plate against the collar, a stationary contact insulatingly carried by the contact support, a contact movable into engagement with the stationary contact, and a controller carried by the plate for operating the movable contact.

10. In a coil and switch unit, the combina tion of a tubular case providing a coil housing, a contact support within the case, a collar surrounding the case and attached thereto, a plate adapted to bear against the collar, members integral with the case and extending from the coil housing for securing the plate to the collar, a stationary contact insulatingly'carried by the contact support, a contact movable into engagement with the Stationary contact, and a controller carried bythe plate for operating the movable contact. g 1-1. A subassembly unit adapted to be united with parts of a switch to provide a coil and switch assembly, said unit comprising, in combination, a tubular case providing a coil housing for enclosing a winding, a switch contact support within the case, a stationary contact connected with said winding and insulatingly carried by said support and adapted to cooperate with a movable contact,

a collar surrounding the case, and means independent of the collar and extending from 15 the coil housing and adapted to secure against the collar a plate which carries a controller for operating the movable contact.

12. A subassembly unit adapted to be united with parts of a switch to provide a coil and switch assembly, said unit comprising, in

combination, a tubular case providing a coil housing for enclosing a winding, a switch contact support within the case, a stationary contact connected with said winding and insulatingly carried by said support and adapted to cooperate with a movable contact, a collar surrounding the case, and means independent of the collar and extending from the coil housing and within the collar and adapted to secure against the collar a plate which carries a controller for operating the movable contact.

signature of 13. A subassembly unit adapted to be united with parts of a switch to provide a coil and switch assembly, said unit comprising, in combination, a tubular case providing a coil housing for enclosing a .winding, a switch contact support within the case, a stationary contact connected with said winding and insulatingly carried by said support and adapted to cooperate with a movable contact, a collar surrounding the case,; and means integral with the case and extending therefrom adapted to secure against the collar,a member which carries a controller for operating the movable contact. V a In testlmony whereof is hereto affixed the ANDERSON BANKING COMPANY, Executor of the Estate of Harr /E. Norm'el, De-

ceased,

a, mmw mas,

President.

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