US2046401A - Electric switch - Google Patents

Description

July 7, 1935- A. l.. MOORE 2,046,401

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Aug. 25, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l JI I I l a q v51/mno l /Wsacir/a/y /Msuuvr/on/ q I4 /B INVENTOR /B (.5 CS JHM July 7, 1936. AfL, MOORE 2,046,401

ELECTRIC SWITCH 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 25, 1933 ze 35o.

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ELECTRIC SWITCH y/// lIl i [8b INVENTOR Patented July-7, 193e 2,046,401

UNITED STATESl 'PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SWITCH Austin L. Moore, Southmont Boro, Pa. l Application August 25, 193s, serial No. 686,745

8 Claims. (Cl. 200-87) This invention relates to an electrically operafixed contacts and the connection whereby the ble switch for controlling electric lighting circuits, frame supports of the switch are brought into the and other electrical circuits. electrical connections as a part thereof.

The object of the invention is to provide a Referring to Figures I to III, inclusive, of the switch for the control of electrical circuits, such drawings, reference numeral I designates the base 5 as electric lighting circuits, which operates by a plate of the switch, and reference numeral 2 a slight touch on a push button, or the like, to make solenoid bracket thereon. A solenoid 3 has thereor interrupt the circuit which is controlled. in a core plunger 4, and a spring 5 mounted to It is an object to provide a control switch, elecbear against the plunger. This assembly protrically operated, which is of such sensitivity, and vides motive power for operating the switch elewhich is also capable of such positive action, that ments proper.

it is well adapted for use in the remote control of The switch elements proper comprise a frame electrical circuits. 6, which is shown as mounted on the forward wall In further accord with the aims of my invenof solenoid bracket 2. The movable contact eletion, I provide a switch which need not be (but ment 'l comprises a horizontally lying plate piv- 15 may be) operated by current from the same oted to the frame 6 at the point 8, and having a source and at the same. potential as the current contact element, or plate 9, depending from an in the circuit controlled by the switch. insulating plate it carried on the under surface In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a of the forward region of movable contact element side elevation of my switch; Figure II is a horil. A longitudinally disposed coil spring il is at- 20 Zontal sectional view through the switch, taken tached to pin i2 on movable contact element 1 on the line II-II of Figure I; Figure III is a and to an upright member 6a on'frame t. wiring diagram of a circuit controlled by the In circuit-completing position, contact element, switch, and the control circuit of the switch, as or plate, 9 serves to complete a load circuit by the switch is shown in Figures I and II, illustratinterconnecting two fixed contact members I3 25 ing generally a wiring system in which the switch and it. maybe installed. Movable contact structure l is operated by a Figure IV of the drawings ls a plan view of a connecting link l5, which is pivoted at i6 to the modified form of my switch, with the cover plate solenoid plunger t. At its forward end, connect#- of the switch partially broken away to show ing link l5 carries two hooks l5@ and lh, adapt 30 underlying parts; Figure V is a side elevation of ed to engage the sides 'la and 'lb of the movable the switch shown invFlgure IV; Figure VI is a contact member I. The plunger t, under the indetail plan View of the stationary contact strucluence of spring 5, normally bears against a lug ture of this modied form of switch; Figure VII itc on the connecting link, forcing the link is aside elevation of the stationary contact strucagainst the upright 6a oi the frame 6. This 35 ture shown in Figure VI; Figure VIII is a detail maintains connecting link l5 in a uniformly cenplan View of the movable contact element of my tered position longitudinally of frame t, so that modiiied form of switch; Figure IX is a side eleit may act by means of its hooks i511 and [15b to vation of the movable contact element shown in shift the position of movable contact l.

'40 Figure VIII; Figure X' i.J a cross-sectional view Figure H of the drawings illustrate the in- 40 taken on the line X-X of Figure VH1. operative position oi? movable contact member I. Figure XI of the drawings is a wiring diagram In this position solenoid 3 is deenergized, and of the circuit controlled by the switch and the spring Ei forces plunger t, and connecting link H5 control circuit of the switch, the arrangement outwardly. As shown, the movable contact has being that adapted' t0 the Structure Shown in been shifted into position abutting upright stop 45 Figures XII and XIII of the drawings and showich, and hook lila on the connecting link is in ing connections involved'in the terminal board position to engage side la of the movable contact. illustrated in Figures XII and XIII; Figure XII is Coil spring i l, having been forced past center, a plan view of a terminal board adapted to use exerts a force tending to maintain movable conwith the switch structure shown in Figures I tactl against stop lith. 50 and II of the drawings, (or with structure shown If, with the parts in this position, solenoid 3 be in Figs. IV and V) and with connections in acenergized, plunger l is drawn inwardly, drawing cordance with the wiring diagram shown in Figure with it the connecting link l 5. As the movement m; Figure XIII is a detail plan view illustrating of connecting link l5 is in a straight line,'the ena diierent arrangement of brackets supporting gagement of connecting-link hook ld with side 55 center about its pivot point 3.

1a of the movable contact swings the contact past When the center line has been passed, spring il acts to continue rotation of the contact member to the limit imposed by abutment with upright stop ita. As the parts are arranged in the drawing, this is the position in which fixed contacts H3 and lll are interconnected by conducting plate 9, which is part of the movable contact structure.

In contact-completing position, movable contact 'l is held against stop ita by the oit-center position of spring M. Release of the plunger t to spring 5 by de-energization ofsolenoid 3, and forward movement of connecting link l5 to its forward limit of movement, does not change the position of the movable contact. Since the posi tion of movable contact l has been shifted, while connecting link i5 remains in central position,

, hook |51) of the link lies therefore in line to engage side 'lb of the movable contact.

With the parts in the position described, a second energization of solenoid 3 therefore acts to reverse the movement of contact structure ll, disconnecting contacts i3 and Illland restoring the parts to the position shown in Figure II of the drawings.

As illustrated in Figure III of the drawings, A, A' represents the line, and B, B' represents the load circuit. Switches C, such as pushbutton switches, serve to complete the control circuit D, D' to'solenoid 3.r Action of contact plate 9, under the influence of solenoid 3, serves in the manner explained-to make or break the load circuit at the contacts i3, i4, in the load wire B.

A terminal board, and the structural elements associated with it for connection of the switch, are shown in Figure m, XII, and XIII of the drawings. The terminal board as a whole is designated by referencel Vnumeral il, and like parts shown in Figures I and II are given like reference numerals, as such parts appear in these iigures. As shown, there are two line-binding posts |811 and |8b, and two load-binding posts |9a and |91), two posts 20a and 23h, for the control circuit, are also shown.

As shown, line post ib is connected by'strap 2| .with the upright stop ita, and load post |919 is connected by strap 22 with the upright stop |617. A multi-branch strap 23 interconnects line post |8a, load post i3d, and control circuit post 20h. From control circuit post 23a a wire G leads to the solenoid 3, and a wire E leads from line post |8b to the solenoid. At the base of the switch a strap ida connects contact i4 with upright stop 16a, and strap i3d connects contact I3 with upright stop lb. The stops `thus perform a conducting function in the assembly, and it is to be understood that lthey should be insulated from movable contact 'i by suitable means, such as insulating pads of rubber or the like, |6c.

The wiring diagram of Figure XI illustrates this more specific circuit connection of the switch, in which the stops 83a and 'lh serve as conductive elements associated with the fixed contacts of the switch. In this diagram, the line wires E and E are shown as comprising respectively the posts I8b and |805, and the load wires F and F as comprising the posts lh and |9a, respectively. 'I'he control circuit has therein switches, such as push-button switches I-I, for intercom necting control wires G and G', and thereby completing a circuit to solenoid 3.

A modication in my switch is shown in'Figures to shift contact member 3| back to the position accenni IV to X, inclusive, of the drawings. In this modification the general structure is similar to that disclosed in Figures I and II of the drawings,` there being a base 24, a solenoid 25 supported in bracket 26, and a plunger 2l acted upon by the 5 solenoid and a spring housed in the solenoid. In this form, however, the frame 28 is abbreviated, serving merely as a stop for connecting link 29, which is pivoted at 33 to plunger 21.

The movable contact structure 3| is pivotally 10 mounted on a pivot post 32 fixed in mounting block, or body, 33. This block, or body, 33 constitutes the fixed contact structure of the switch. Movable contact structure 3l and xed contact l structure 33 are yieldingly pressed together by 15 a coil spring 34, which surrounds pivot post 32 bearing against movable contact 3| and a stop 32a on the post.

. Movable contact structure 3| has projecting upwardly therefrom pins 34a and 34h adapted 20 tobe engaged by hooks 29a and 29h onconnecting link 29. On the under side of movable contact structure 3|y are two pointed projections 35a and 35h of conducting material, which are formed on a conducting plate, or bridge, 36. Each of the projections 35a and 35h of conducting plate 3B are downwardly pointed, and are triangular in cross-section.

In the upper region of fixed contact block 33 are two pairs of triangular sockets 31a and 31h, and 38a and 33h. Of these, the sockets 31a and 38a are live sockets, having contact members 39a and 39h, respectively, at their bases, and sockets 31h and 38b are dead sockets.

Figure IV of the drawings shows movable contact 3| in disconnecting position, with contact pieces 35a and 35h lying in the'dead sockets 31h and 38h. In this position, hook 29a of the connecting link 29 is in position to engage pin 34a on movable contact 3|. If, in this position of the parts, solenoid 25 be energized, connecting link 29 being drawn rearwardly rotatesmovable contact 3| about pivot post 32. Spring 34 yields to permit contact pieces 35a and 35h to ride out of sockets 3`|b and 38h, and to engage in live sockets 31a and 38a.

In this circuit-completing position, contact pieces 35a and 35h are held in the live sockets by coil spring 34, and remain in this position when the solenoid is deenergize'd. Due to the shifting of movable contact 3|, hook 29h of the connecting link lies in position to engage pin r3417 on the movable contact structure. A further energization of solenoid 25, therefore, serves shown yin Figure IV.

It shuld be understood that with both forms Aof the switch shown the connecting link is pushed or pulled straight forwardly or rearwardly. There is, however, in both forms sufficient freedom of movement in the connecting link about its pivotal connection to the solenoid plunger to permit it to accommodate itself to the angular movement of the movable contact structure. In the structure of Figures IV to X of the drawings, as in the structure of Figs. I and II, the plunger 21 normally bears against a lug 29e on the connecting link l29, forcing the link against the upright 28a of frame 28, thus maintaining connecting link 29 in a uniformly centered position.

In Figures IV and V of the drawings, the terminal board i1 is shown as mounted on the yframe Astructure of the switch. As so mounted, the posts 39a and 39h of the modified switch structure. These members lBa and |612 thus serve both to support the terminal board in physical association with the other elements of the switch, and also perform an electrical function in the assembly.

In association with the modified structure of Figures IV to X, inclusive, posts Ilia and ib do not necessarily perform the function of stops limiting the movement of the movable contact element, since the sockets in which the movable contact element rests may be made eectively to limit its movement in either direction. `When, however, the terminal board lll is applied to the switch structure, as shown in Figures I and H of the drawings, the posts ita and ith perform the limiting function above described, and as above described should be insulated from the movable contact when used as conductive elements interconnecting terminal posts of the terminal board with the fixed contacts of the switch.

It should be understood that both modiiications of the switch are insertable in a circuit arrangement, such as that shown in Figure III of the drawings, and that the diagram of Figure XI, illustrating the terminal board connections as introduced into the more general diagram of Figure III, is appropriate to both modications of the switch, as equipped with the terminal board il'. l

It should be understood that the dead sockets Sill) and lilla in the fixed contact block may, it desired, be made the live sockets oi an additional and independent circuit. Similarly, in the form of the switch shown in Figures I and Ill. an additional pair of contacts controlling an independent circuit may be completed in what is shown as the oii" position of the switch. It is to be understood that these changes involve merely the addition ot contacts and the connection of Van additional circuit, since they need not enter into the general wiring of the switch for solenoid control. If such additional contacts be added, the function of the switch is then to alternate selectively between two load circuits, both controlled by the,-

switch.

It will be perceived that it is not necessary that the operating current for the switch be from the same source or of the same voltage as the controlled circuit. As shown in Figs. I, II the terminals i3, I4 may be connected in one leg of the controlled circuit, and the terminals of the solenoid wires may be connected to an independent source of current through the control push-buttons or switch.

I claim as my invention:

l. In an electrically operable electrical switch the combination oi a frame structure, a solenoid having a plunger resiliently urged in opposition to solenoid action, a pair of fixed contacts for completion of an exterior circuit, a movable contact structure mounted for angular movement into two alternate positions and in one of the said alternate positions electrically to interconnect the pair of iixed contacts, means for producing angular movement of the movable contact in and out of position to interconnect the said xed contacts comprising a connecting link carried by the solenoid plunger and normally free of the movable contact and engaging means on said connecting link arranged to engage the movable contact under plunger movement caused by solenoid energization to shift the movable contact into and out of position to interconnect the xed contacts, means for maintaining the movable contact in its assumed position during intervals of solenoid deenergization; together with a terminal Vboard mounted on the frame structure of the switch for controlling operation oi the switch, carrying two pairs of terminal posts at which current is brought to and carried from the switch with a4 conductor electrically connecting a contact of one pair with a contact of another pair, a pair ci terminal posts for making electrical connection to the solenoid of the switch one of which has electrical connection both with a terminal post tor incoming current and with a i. rr post for outgoing current; and a pairY of conducting posts included as structural elements of the switch trame in electrical contact respectively with theI iixed contacts of the switch'and in electrical con- -tact respectively with that terminal post for in- .posts are disposed in the path ci? movement of the movable contact element of the switch and are insulated therefrom to serve as stops limiting angular movement of the said movable contact.

-3. In an electrically operable electrical switch' the combination of a iframe structure, a solenoid having a plunger resiliently urged in opposition to solenoid action, a pair of xed contacts for completion of an exterior circuit, a movable contact structure mounted for angular movement into two alternatepositions and in one of the said alternate positions electrically to interconnect the pair of fixed contacts, means ior producing angular movement of the movable contact in and out of position to interconnect the said xed contacts comprising a connecting link carried by the solenoidplunger and noally tree of the movable contact and engaging mmns on said connecting link arranged to engage the movable contact under plunger movement caused by solenoid energization to shiiitthe mble corntact into and out oi position to interconnect the fixed contacts, means for maintaining the movable contact in its assumed position during intervals of solenoid deenergization; together with a terminal board mounted on the www. structure of the switch for controlling operation od the switch, said terminal board providing terminal connection for current passing to and trom the switch and for energizationof the switch solenoid, and conducting' posts included as structural elements of the switch frame in electrical contact respectively'with the iixed contacts oi the switch and in contact respectively with a connection of the terminal board for Aincoming current and with a connection of the terminal board for outgoing current.

4. A switch and terminal board assembly in accordance with claim 3 in which the conducting posts are disposed in the path of movement of the movable contact element of the switch and are insulated therefrom to serve as stops limiting angular movement of the said movable contact.

5. An electrically operable'swltch for controlling. a. circuit comprising in combination, a

`solenoid having a plunger spring-urged in oppomembers arranged to interconnect the contact recesses in one position and to lie in the detent recesses in another position, means for yieldingly engaging the movable contact structure with the fixed contact structure, togetherwith means for producing angular movement ofthe movable contact into and out of position to complete the circuit controlled by the switch comprising a connecting link carried by the solenoid plunger and normally,

in either ,of its positions causes it to be engaged by the engaging means of the connecting link in movement .of the connecting linli caused by solenoid energization.

7. An electrically operable switch for controlling a circuit comprising in combination, a solenoid having a plunger spring urged in opposition to solenoid action, a iixed contact structure having a face provided with a plurality oi detent regions, at least two of said regions having electrical connection thereto whereby when interconnected a circuit is completed by way of said regions, an angularly movable contact structure arranged to interconnect the live regions on the xed contact in one position and to be detained 5 out of contact with said live regions in the other position, means for yieldingly engaging the fixed contact structure with the movable contact structure, together with means for producing angular movement of the movable contact into and out 10 of position to complete the circuit controlled by the switch comprising a connecting link carried by the solenoid plunger and normally free of the movable contact, and engaging means on said connecting link arranged to engage the movable 15 contact under plunger movement caused by solenoid energization to shift the movable contact into and out of position to interconnect the nxed contacts, thereby making and breaking the controllen circuit. v 2

8. The combination of claim 7 comprising additionally astructure serving to yalign the connecting link with the solenoid plunger whereby the angularity of the movable contact structure 2b in 'either of its positions causes it to be engaged by the engaging means oi the connecting link in movement of the connecting link caused by solenoid energizati'on.,

AUS'IIN L. MOORE. 80

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