US2016472A - Switch - Google Patents

Description

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I G. Q. MLM@ 2,916,472

SWITCH original Filed Nov. 4. 1929 2 sheets-sheet l .Vfm @hw www G. Q. WHLMS SWITCH Original Filed Nov. 4, 1929 2 Sheets-Shee 2 @ieg/p @www Patented Oct. 8, 1935 SWITCH Gustav O. Wilma, Milwaukee, Wis., assigner to Allen-Bradley Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a

corporation oi' Wisconsin Continuation o! application Serial No. 404,'601, November 4, 1929. This application July 27,

1933,. Serial No. 682,476

9 Claims. (Cl. 175-375) This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in switches and refers more particularly to that type known in the art as shipperrod switches.

Shipper-rod switches are particularly useful for controlling the operation of textile machines where an operator must be able to immediately stop the machine from any place along its usually excessive length; Vor any other machine where the switch per se is located at a point remote from the operator's station or stations, and where a multiplicity of push button control stations is not feasible.

The operating member of such switches consists of an elongated rod extending throughout the length of the machine and mounted for sidewise movement, a connecting link imparting such movement to the switch which maybe mounted at any point along the length of the machine.

Inasmuch as but a single actuating member serves to eiiect both opening andl closing of the. control station switch, and as low voltage protection must be provided, an unusual problem presents'tself, especially in view of the fact that positive action is important. Low voltage protection in this case demands that the switch be so designed that in the event the voltage drops sufficiently to release the magnetically held switch, if closed, this switch will not automatically reclose upon reoccurrence of the proper voltage, but will require the operator to move the shipper rod, first to "off position and then to on position.

Control stationv switches heretofore proposed for this service have been objectionable in that their operation depends to some degree upon the manner in which the operating member or shipper-rod was actuated.

It is, therefore, one of the objects of this inven-l tion to provide a switch of the character described which is positive in operation and is so constructed as to be entirely independent of how the shipper-rod is actuated..

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a weighted member or pendulum which, during closing of the control station.l switch, is released to momentarily close the switch operating circuit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved combination of switches. and actuating means therefor together with an electrical device to be energized and a circuit for connecting the same, which combination is particularly adapted to applications involving a shipper-rod control. .l

And a further object of this invention resides in the provision of a switch of the character described having a yieldable connection between the switch per se and the shipper-rod to accommodate mlsalignment and prevent the imposition of undue mechanical strain upon the switch.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction, com'- bination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly dened by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment oi the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application oi' the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view of a switch embodying my invention with parts broken away and in section to illustrate structural details;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken through Figure 1 on the plane of the line 2 2;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 illustrating the position of theswitch elements during closing of the switch;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail View of one 0f 30 one of the contactors; and A Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical connection of the switch with a conventional motor switch.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 5 represents a housing having its open front closed by a cover 6 which is removably connected thereto in any suitable manner. The housing 5 has a panel or base 'i preferably formed of slate or other similar insulating material secured toits back 8 by screws 9 passed through the back and through. counterbored openings IB in the base to have nuts Il threaded thereon, the nuts being disposed within the counterbores.

Mounted on the base 'i are three terminals l2, I3, and I4 with which conductors l5, I6, and il', respectively, are connected. The conductors pass through a suitable conduit I8 to connect the 50 switch. with the motor starting switch as illustrated in Figure 5. From Figure 5, it is apparent that this switch is the equivalent oi.' a conventional two push button control station wherein the two switches are arranged in series so that 55 both must be closed to complete the circuit being controlled. p

The terminals I3 and i4 have stationary contacts i9 and 20, respectively, extended therefrom, which are the equivalent of the two sides o! the normally closed stop" switch of a two push button control station, and are adapted to be bridged by a contacter plate 2l, in a manner to be later described.

Extended from the terminal I2 is a substan tially U shaped member 22, the outer end of which is directed upwardly and has a stationary cmtact 23 secured thereto. The terminal i3 is electrically connected with a memberl 24, which like the member 22, extends outwardly and upwardly from the base and has a contact 25 fixed to its outer end. The contacts 23 and 25 are the equivalent of the stationary contacts o! the atart'l switch o! a two push button control station and are adapted to be bridged by a contactor plate 26.

Hence it will be seen that to function in the manner of the control station, as described, the contacts I3 and 20 are bridged prior to the bridging oi the contacts 23 and 25 and the circuit including the contacts 23 and 25 is preferably maintained closed only momentarily, the contactor 26 is carried by a weighted pendulum 21 to be engaged with the contacts 23 and 25 upon swinging thereof.

The pendulum 21 is pivoted at its upper end in a bracket 28 secured to the top oi. the housing and has a lug 29 extended from its inner side 'to which an arm 30 formed oi' insulating material is secured, the outer end oi which carries a stud 3| to mount the contactor plate 26. An expansive spring 32 coiled about the stud 3| and confined between the arm 36 and the contacter plate 26 yieldably maintains the contactor plate engaged with the head 33 of the stud 3| to extend the period of contact between the plate 26 and its contacts 23 and 25. The spring 32 also cushions the engagement of the contacter plate 26 with the contacts and improves the electrical connection therebetween. As best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the lug 29 and consequently the plate 2l, is so located that upon swinging of the pendulum the contactor plate will be brought into engagement with the contacts 23 and 25.

The contacter plate 2| which is arranged to bridge the contacts I3 and 26 is carried by an arm of insulating material 34 secured by screws 35 to a shaft 36 journaled in bearings 31 and 38 Y mounted in aligned apertures in the opposite side `walls of the housing. The manner of mounting the plate 2| from the outer end ot the insulating arm 34 is similar to that described in connection with the plate 26 and likewise includes a spring 39 which yieldably maintains the plate 2| outwardly against the head of the stud 4| mounting the plate from the arm 34.

A member 42 is also secured to the shaft 36 by one of the screws 35 and preferably overlies an extension 43 of the arm 34 to which it is secured by rivets 44.

The upper end of the member 42 has a finger 4l formed of spring steel or similar metal secured thereto which lies in the path of a similar nger 46 secured to the pendulum lug 23. The length of the fingers and 46 is such that upon rocking movement of the shaft 36 in a counterclockwise direction with respect to Figures 2 and 3, the finger 45 will engage the finger 46 and cause it to swing the pendulum about its pivotal mounting to the left with respect to Figure 2,

This movement of the shaft 36 also moves the A contacter plate 2l into engagement with the stationary contacts I9 and 20 to electrically bridge them.

Continued movement o! the shaft 36 in said counter-clockwise direction beyond the point illustrated in Figure 3 further compresses the spring 39 and moves the ringer 45 out of engagement with the finger 46, releasing the pendulum which then swings forwardly and causes the contactor plate 26 to momentarily engage and electrically bridge the contacts 23 and 25. This engagement of the contacter 26 with the contacts 23 and 25, as has been stated, is the equivalent of actuating the start push button of a control station, and inasmuch as the contacts I9 and 20 remain bridged by the contacter plete 2|, the result is the same. Both contactors having been closed, the solenoid S of the motor control switch, illustrated in Figure 5, becomes energized and closes the control switch, whereupon the circuit of the solenoid is maintained, after the pendulum carried contacter has moved to inoperative position, through switch A and contacter 2|.

The movements ci the shaft 36 are controlled by a sldewise moving shipper-rod 41 which is yieldably heldin either ci its positions by any suitable means (not shown) and is connected with a lever 48through a. pin 43. The lever 43 is free- 1y journaled on a projected end of the shaft 36 and is adapted to actuate the same through a yieldable connection therewith.

Fixed to the shaft 36 between the lever 48 and the adjacent side wall of the housing is a second lever 5I) from the outer side of which a stud 6| projects which lies in the plane of a similar stud 52 extended from the adjacent side ci thelever 43. A yieldable driving connection between the levers 48 and 50 is obtained through a spring 53 having its medial portion 54 coiled about the shaft 36 and its ends disposed on opposite sides of the studs 5| and 52 so that movement of the lever 48 in either direction imparts a correspond ing movement to the lever 5D and consequently the shaft 36. Ihis resilient connection between the shipper-rod and the shaft 36 accommodates any misalignment which may exist between the rod 41 and the switch structure and also prevents the application of undue mechanical strain on the switch.

While the weight oi' the pendulum 21 is sufficient to effect the engagement of the contactor 26 with the contacts 23 and 25, a spring 54 is provided which assists the weight of the pendulum and checks its rebound. The spring 54 is preferably coiled about the stud 55 which pivotally mounts the pendulum and has one end received in an aperture 56 in the pendulum and its other end engaging the underside of the bracket 28.

The engagement of the contacter plaies, especlally the plate 26, with their respective contacts is such that a wiping contact is provided to at all times insure a perfect electrical connection and reduce the tendency toward arcing. Figure 4 illustrates this feature, which is brought about by the fact that the means for moving the contactor plates swings in an arc, so that when the plates are first engaged with their contacts. as illustrated in full lines in Figure 4, the point of Vengagement is at a point slightly beneath the center of the plate, and as the spring 32 is cornpressed and the arm 30 moves further, the plate is given a downward wiping movement.

Movement oi' the shaft 36 about its axis in a Clockwise direction to open the switch is limited l of the member 42, with a stop pin 58 extended inwardly from the rear wall of the housing.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which an invention of the character described appertains, that this invention provides a novel switch structure of the character described wherein the circuit closing movement is independent of how the operating member is moved, and wherein it is necessary to rst move the switch to its oir position and then to on to effectuate the closing of the circuit being controlled.

This application is a continuation of application SerialNo. 404,661, led November 4, 1929, and abandoned in favor of the tion.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. The combination with an electromagnetic switch having an electromagnet adapted to be energized and a maintaining switch electrically connected with the electromagnet and adapted tl be closed upon energization of the electromagnet, and a circuit for energizing the electromagnet, of means for closing the circuit comprising, a manually operable switch, a second normally open switch in series with the manually operable switch, and normally inactive means actuated by the closing movement of the manually operable switch to store up energy in said normally inactivey means, said energy being released by continued closing movement of the manually operable switch after the manually operable switch has been closed to momentarily close the second switch whereupon both switches are closed to complete the circuit which is maintained by the maintaining switch andthe manually operable switch.

2. The combination with an electric vdevice to be energized upon the completion of a circuit including the same, of means for closing said circuit, comprising a manually operable switch, a normally open second switch in series with the manually operable switch, normally inactive means for closing said second switch, said normally inactive means being adapted for actuation by the closing movement of the manually operable switch to momentarily close the second switch so that both switches are closed at the same time and the circuit is completed, and a third switch in parallel with the second switch and adapted to be closed upon the energization of the electric device to maintain the circuit after the second switch opens.

3. The combination with an electro-responsive device and a circuit for energizing it, of means for closing said circuit comprising, a manually oeprable switch, a second normally open switch in series with the manually operable switch, normally inactive means for closing said second switch, said normally inactive means being adapt-l ed for actuation by the closing movement of the manually operable switch to momentarily close the second switch, so that both switches are closed at the same time and the circuit is completed, and a third switch adapted to be closed upon energization of the electro-responsive device, said third switch being shunted around the second switch to maintain the circuit closed as long as the manually operable switch is closed and the voltage impressed on the electro-responsive device is above a predetermined minimum.

present applica- 4. The combination with an electrical device to be energized upon closing of a circuit including the same, of means for closing said circuit comprising, a rst switch, an actuator movable to close said rst switch, a' normally open second switch 5 in series with the rst switch, normally inactive means for closing said second switch, a releasable connection between said normally inactive means and the actuator whereby upon movement of the actuator to close the rst switch, energy is stored up in the normally inactive means which energy is released upon release of said connection to momentarily close the second switch, said connection releasing after closure of the flrst switch so that both switches are closed at the same time during the momentary closing of the second switch, and a third switch in parallel with the second switch and adapted to be closed upon the energization of the electric device to maintain the circuit after the second switch opens.

5. The combination with an electric device to be energized upon the completion of a circuit in-v cluding the same, and a maintaining switch adapted to be closed upon energization of said device, of means to close said circuit comprising two switches connected in series, normally inactive means for closing one of said switches, an actuator movable through a definite distance to close the other switchand a releasable connection between the normally inactive means and the actuator through which the movement of the actuator acts to store up energy in said normally inactive means, which energy is released to actuate the normally inactive means and momentarily close the first designated switch after the second designated switch is closed.

6. The combinationwith an electro-responsive device and a circuit for energizing it, of means for closing said circuit comprising, a first switch adapted to be held in open or closed position, a 40 second normally open switch, a manually operable actuator to close and open said rst switch, an intertia member to close the second switch, a releasable connection established between said intertia member and the actuator upon movement of the actuator to close the rst switch and whereby said inertia member is moved out of its normal position to store up potential energy therein, said energy being released upon release of the connection to momentarily close the second switch, .release of said connection taking place after the rst switch is closed by the actuator whereby both switches are closed upon momentary closure of the second switch to complete the circuit, and a third switch adapted to be closed upon energization of the electro-responsive device, said third switch being shunted around the second switch to maintain the circuit closed as long as the rst switch remains closed.

7. The combination with a circuit to be closed and an electromagnetic switch to close the circuit and to hold it closed, said electromagnetic switch having an electromagnet to be energized and including a holding switch adapted to be closed upon energization of the electromagnet, of means to control the energization of the electromagnet, comprising, a rst switch adapted to be held in either open or closed position, a second normally open switch is series with the first switch, a manually operable actuator movable through'a. 70 predetermined definite distance to open and close said first switch, an intertia member normally inactive and operable to momentarily close the second switch, and a releasable connection between the actuator and the inertia member through which the inertia member is carried to a position having potential energy sufficient upon its release to momentarily close the second switch, said connection releasing after the first switch is closed by the actuator, whereby the momentary closure ot the second switch by the intertia member takes place after the rst switch is closed so that during the momentary closure of the second switch both of said switches are simultaneously closed and the circuit completed.

8. The combination with an electromagnet and an electric circuit to energize the same upon completion of the circuit, of means to close said circuit comprising a. first switch adapted to be opened or closed, a second normally open switch in series with said lirst switch, said first and second switches being so connected with the circuit that simultaneous closure of both completes the circuit and energizes the electromagnet, a third switch adapted to be closed upon energization of the electromagnet, said third switch being connected in parallel with the second switch to maintain the circuit closed after opening of said second switch, an actuator movable in one direction to close the iirst switch and movable in the opposite direction to open said switch, normally inactive means to momentarily close the second switch, and a releasable connection between said normally inactive means and the actuator whereby movement of the actuator in the direction to close the first switch stores up energy in said normally inactive means, which energy is released after the first switch is closed by the release of said connection to enable the normally inactive means to momentarily close the second switch, opening or the nrst switch by movement of the actuator in said opposite direction opening the circuit.

9. The combination with an electrical device to be energized upon closing of a circuit including the same, of .means for closing said circuit ccmprising, a first switch, a shipper rod movable back and forth in a. dened path through a predetermined distance, means to connect the shipper rod with the rst switch, whereby movement of the shipper rod in one direction closes said first switch, a normally open second switch in series with the nrst switch, normally inactive means for momentarily closing said second switch, a releasable connection between said normally inactive means and the means connecting the shipper rod with the rst switch, whereby upon movement of'said means with the shipper rod to close ond switch and adapted to be closed upon the energization of the electrical device to maintain the circuit after the second switch opens.

GUSTAV O. WILMS

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