US2114055A

US2114055A - Electric starter system

Info

Publication number: US2114055A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bennett M Leece
Original assignee: LEECE NEVILLE CO
Current assignee: LEECE NEVILLE CO
Priority date: 1935-11-18
Filing date: 1935-11-18
Publication date: 1938-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 1955-04-12

Description

Patented Apr. 12 1938 UNITED STATES ELECTRIC STARTER SYSTEM Bennett M. Leece, Shaker Heights, Ohio, assignor to The Leece-Neville Company, Cleveland, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application November is, 1935, Serial No. 50,294

6 Claims.

This invention relates to electric control apparatus, and more particularly to control apparatus which is useful in connection with the starting motors of internal combustion engines and in connection with various other motors and electrical equipment.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved electrical control apparatus embodying novel means for preventing sticking of switch contacts.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved electric control apparatus wherein a magnetically actuated member is arranged to cause opening of switch contacts to overcome l5 sticking thereof.

A further object'of this invention is to provide improved control apparatus wherein a magnet actuated member is arranged to cause opening movement of switch contacts to overcome stick- 20 ing thereof, and wherein the energizing circuit for the magnet is established through the sticking contacts.

Still another object of this invention is to provide electric control apparatus wherein a switch controlled magnet causes closing of a-pair of contacts when energized and permits opening of the contacts when deenergized, and wherein a magnet operated striker causes opening of the switch contacts to overcome sticking thereof, the circuit for the striker magnet being established through contacts of the switch and through the sticking contacts.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved electric starter system comprising a switch with a manually operable member normally held in an initial position but movable to a second position, a magnet which is energized to close a pair of load contacts when the manually operable switch member is in its second position, and a magnet actuated striker which acts to overcome sticking of the load contacts and which is energized whenever the switch member is in its initial position and the load contacts are closed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an electric control system embodying my invention; 50 and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing a similar but a somewhat simplified control system.

The electric control system of my invention may be applied to various uses but is especially useful in connection with electric starting motors of the kind commonly used for cranking internal combustion engines. While the control systems shown in the drawing will be hereinafter described in connection with electric starting apparatus, it should be understood, however, that 5 my invention is not necessarily limited to this particular field'of use.

In the control system illustrated in Fig. l of the drawing, I have shown an electric motor Iii, which may be the driving motor of an electric 1o starter device, and a source of energizing current for the motor, such as a storage battery H. A manually operable switch l2 establishes circuit connections which, as will be presently explained, cause the desired operation of the starting motor Ill. My control system also includes a magnetically operated switch or contactor l3 in the motor circuit and a magnetically actuated device H for overcoming sticking of the contacts of the latter switch.

The control switch l2 may be of any construction suitable for the service which it is to perform. For example, as shown in the drawing, this switch may comprise a suitable insulating base it provided'with a plurality of stationary contacts ll, l8, i9, 20, and 2!, and a movable contact 22 which may be actuated by any suitable manually operable control, such as the hand lever 23 extending from the switch base. The hand lever 23 is operably connected with a barrel or sleeve 24 5 which carries the contact 22 such that by manipulation of the hand lever the contact will be moved or swung into engagement with different sets or pairs of the stationary contacts. The switch base may be. provided with a pivot pin or shaft 25 on which the sleeve 24 and the hand lever 23 are suitably mounted.

The contact 22 may be in the form of a metal rim which is mounted upon a roller 26 formed of insulating material. This roller is rotatably carried by a block 21 which is slidabie in the sleeve 24 and is normally urged outwardly thereof by a coil spring 28. The stationary contacts of the switch l2 are preferably disposed in arcuate arrangement, as shown in the drawing, 'so that when the sleeve 24 is swung about the pivot 25 by means of the handlever 23, the contact 22 will roll over the stationary contacts.

The stationary contacts shown in this instance are sufiicient in number to provide three different 60 stations or positions for the movable contact 22. The first or initial position of the movable switch contact 22 is indicated by the line 30, and when the contact is moved to this position, it electrically connects the stationary contacts I1 and I8.

I The second position for the movable contact 22 tween the contacts I8 and'28 as it passes thereover.

As will appear more fully hereinafter, it is important in the operation of my controlsystem that the movable switch contact 22 be normally held in or returned to the position 38 so as to electrically connect the contacts l1 and i8. To'this end I provide suitable means, such as the coil spring 35, which is disposed around the pivot pin 25 with one end thereof engaging a projecting part 38 of the sleeve 24 and the other end thereof anchored on a projecting part 31 of the contact |1. reason of the spring arrangement shown and described, it will be seen that the contact 22 is normally held in engagement with the contacts l1 and i8 but is movable from this initial position to the positions 3| and 32. If desired, a suitable stop 38 may be provided adjacent the contact 2| to prevent movement of the contact 22 beyond a predetermined point.

When the hand lever 23 is operated to move the contact 22 from the position 38 to the position 3|, the contacts I8 and I9 are electrically connected to establish a low voltage energizing circuit for the motor i8. By means of the circuit thus established, current is supplied to the motor from the battery II at a low voltage, for example, six to eight volts. This energizing circuit may be traced as follows: From terminal 48 of the battery II through conductor 4| to motor l8, then through conductors 42 and 43 to switch contact I8 4 and through movable contact 22 to stationary contact l9. and then back to the terminal 44 of the battery through the conductor 45.

When the switch member 22 is moved to the position 32 by'further swinging of the hand lever 23, the contact 22 connects contacts 28 and 2| and causes energization of the magnetic switch or contactor |3 to close the load contacts 41 and 48. The closing of these load contacts establishes .another circuit for the starting motor |8 whereby current is supplied to the motor at a relatively higher voltage, for example, thirty-two volts. When this circuit has been maintained long enough for the starting motor I8 to perform its function, the hand lever 23 is released and the movable contact 22 is immediately returned to the position 38 by the action of the spring 35. This second energizing circuit for the motor may be traced as follows: From battery terminal 48 through conductor 4| to the motor In, and then through

conductors

42 and 49 to the stationary load contact 41, then through movable contact 48 and the frame or body of the magnetic switch l3, and then back to the terminal 58 of the battery through conductor 5|.

The magnetic switch or contactor may be of any suitable construction, and, as shown in the drawing, may have a frame 52 which carries the magnet 53 and the movable armature 54. The frame 52 may be provided with a pivot or hinge pin 55 upon which the armature 54 is mounted to swing toward and away from the magnet 53. The

load contact 48 may be carried by the armature 54 and mounted thereon by means of a projecting flexible metallic arm or spring 56. The armature 54 may be acted upon by a weight 51 or the equivalent thereof to cause the same to swing on the pivot 55 in a direction to normally hold the contacts 41 and 48 open when the magnet 58 is deenergized.

The coil of the magnet 53 of the contactor l3 has a lead 58 at one end thereof which is connected to the switch body or frame and the other end of this magnet coil is connected to the stationary contact 2| of the switch |2 by means of the conductor 58. By reason of these connections for the magnet coil 58, it will be seen that when the switch contact 22 is moved into engagement with the stationary contacts 28 and 2| the magnet 53 is energized to cause closing of the load contacts 41 and 48. The energizing circuit for the magnet 53 may be traced from the battery terminal 48 through conductor 4|, conductor 58' to stationary switch contact 28, then through movable switch contact 22 and stationary contact 2|, and through conductor 59 to the magnet coil 58 and thence through conductor 58, the body of the switch l3, and back to battery terminal 58 through conductor 5|. It will be noted from the circuits above traced that when the magnet 53 is energized by movement of the switch member 22 to its position 32, the high voltage energizing circuit for the starter motor I8 is then established through the load contacts 41 and 48 of the contactor and not through any of the contacts of the switch l2.

When the hand lever 23 is released, the movable contact 22 is returned to the position 38, as explained above, and the energizing circuit for the magnet 53 is broken. Normally, the deenergization of the magnet 53 allows the contact 48 to be moved away from the contact 41 by the action of the weight 51 and of the spring arm 56. However, in spite of the use of special alloys for the contacts 41 and 48, it is found that they irequently stick together and the energizing circuit for the motor I8 is not broken when it should be. To overcome this difllculty, I have provided the electromagnetic device I4 for causing positive opening of the load contacts 41 and 48. The device l4 may be of any suitable construction and may comprise a magnet coil or solenoid 88 with a movable core 6| arranged therein to cause a striker 62 to be projected through a guide member 83 whenever the solenoid or magnet coil is energized.

The core and striker may be retracted upon deenergization of the coil 68, as by means of a suitably arranged spring 64. When the striker 62 is suddenly projected by energization of the coil 68, it strikes the extension 65 of the spring arm 56 and thereby causes the movable contact 48 to be moved away from the contact 41 to open the motor circuit.

The energizing circuit for the magnet of the device I4 is so arranged that it will be closed when the contact 22 of the switch I2 is returned to its position 38, provided the load contacts 41 and 48 remain closed. If the load contacts 41 and 48 are opened upon deenergization of the magnet 53, as they normally should be, the magnet 88 will not be energized when the contact 22 returns to its position 38. However, if the contacts 41 and 48 stick, the magnet 88 will be energized to cause outward movement of the striker 82 as soon as the contacts I! and i8 are bridged by the contact 22. The energizing circuit for the magnet 88 may be traced as follows: From battery terminal 48 through conductors 4| and 66 to the magnet coil,

' and then through conductor 61 and contact strip 8 to the stationary contact [1 of the switch i2, then through movable contact 22, stationary contact i8, load conductors 48 and 49, load contacts 41 and 48, and through arm 56 and the body of switch l3, and then back to battery terminal 58 through conductor In Fig. 2 of the drawing I have shown my invention embodied in another control system which is of somewhat simpler form. This control system also includes a motor 18, which may be a motor for starting an internal combustion en-.

glue, and a storage battery ll for supplying energizing current to the motor. A pair of load contacts 12 and 18 control the motor circuit and when closed cause the motor to be driven by current supplied .from the battery. The opening of these contacts opens the motor circuit.

The

load contacts

12 and 13 are closed by ener gization of the magnet ll of the contactor or eiectromagnet switch I5. Contact I3 is carried on a spring arm I6 which is in turn carried by the armature ll of the electromagnetic switch. The armature Il may be hinged to the frame 18 of the electromagnetic switch by means of the hinge or pivot pin 19. The spring arm 16 has a part 88 projecting beyond the contact 13, and this projecting part is adapted to be engaged by a striker II in the event the contacts 12 and 18 remain closed after deenergization oi the magnet 14. The striker 8| may be carried by a movable core 82 disposed within a magnet coil or solenoid 83 which is arranged to be energized whenever thecontacts l2 and 13 remain closed as the result of sticking.

A manually operable starting switch 84 controls the energization of the magnets 14 and". This switch may have a pair of stationary contacts 85 and 86 representing first and second positions for a. manually movable switch contact or arm 81. The contact 81 is normally held in, or returned to, its first or initial position in engagement with the contact 85 by means of a tension spring 88.

When the internal combustion engine is to be cranked, the switch member 81 is moved into engagement with the contact 86 and, by reason of the control circuit therebyestablished, the magnet I4 is energized and causes closing of the load contacts I! and 13. The closing of these contacts causes the motor 18 to be operated by current supplied from the battery 1i. When the switch member 81 isreleased, it is returned to its initial position in engagement with the contact 85 and the deenergization of the magnet 14 by the opening of the circuit thereof at the contact 86 permits the

contacts

12 and 13 to be opened by the swinging of the armature 11. However, if the

contacts

12 and 13 remain closedJor example as the result of sticking, the magnet '83 is energized to cause the striker 8i to suddenly engage the arm part 80 and open the load contacts. The energizing circuit for the magnet 88 is' established through the contacts 85 and 81 of the switch 84 and through the contacts I! and 13 when the latter remain closed. v I

It will be noted that in both of the control systems disclosed in the drawing the magnetically operated striker engages a part of the armature of the magnetic switch at a point relatively remoteirom the armature pivot or hinge. With this arrangement, the lever arm is such that only a light suddenly acting force need be applied to the armature to cause opening of the contacts in overcoming sticking thereof. I find that opening of the load contacts can be accomplished by use of a relatively small magnet for actuating the striker and that the use of such a magnetically operated striker permits the magnetic switch for operating the load contacts to be of much simpler and lighter construction than would otherwise be the case. It will be observed, furthermore, that the operation of the striker is dependent upon a circuit established through contacts of the starter switch and also through the sticking load contacts, and that this arrangement provides for the energization of the striker magnet automatically and onlv in'the event that the load contacts stick.

While I have described my improved control apparatus in a somewhat detailed manner, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited to the precise arrangements described and illustrated in the drawing, but regard my invention as including such changes and modifications as do not involve a departure from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a circuit, a pair of contacts in said circuit, a magnet adapted to close said contacts when energized and to permit opening of said contacts when deenergized, a circuit for said magnet, a switch having contacts controlling the magnet circuit, and magnetically operable means for opening said contacts in the event of sticking including a circuit established through contacts of said switch and through the sticking contacts.

2. In electricstarting apparatus, the combination of a motor, a load circuit therefor, a pair of load contacts in said circuit, a magnet adapted to cause closing of said load contacts when energized and to permit opening thereof when deenergized, a circuit for said magnet, a switch having contacts controlling said magnet circuit, a member movable to cause opening of said load contacts, a magnet for actuating said member, and a circuit for the last mentioned magnet adapted to be established through contacts of said switch and through said load contacts.

3. In electric control apparatus, the combination of a load circuit, a pair of contacts in said circuit, a magnet adapted to cause closing of said contacts, a second magnet adapted to cause opening of said contacts, circuit connections for said magnets, and a switch having one position for energizing the first mentioned magnet andanthereof, a. magnet for actuating said member, a

switch having a member normally held in one position but movable to a second position, circuit connections for energizing the first mentioned magnet when the switch member is in said second position, and circuit connections for energizing the second mentioned magnet when the switch member is in said one position and said load contacts are closed.

b. In electric starting apparatus, the combination of a motor, a motor circuit, load contacts in the mot r circuit, a magnet having a movable armature carrying one of said load contacts and adapted to cause closing of said contacts when energized, a striker adapted to engage said armation of a motor, a battery having terminals affording different voltages, a starting switch having a member normally held in an initial posi-.

tion but movable to second and third positions. connections providing a low voltage load circuit for the motor when the switch member is in said second position, connections providing a high voltage load circuit for the motor, a pair of contacts in the high voltage load circuit, a magnet adapted to close said contacts when energized, connections for energizing said magnet when said switch member is in said third position, a magnet adapted to open said contacts when energized, and connections for energizing the last mentioned magnet when the switch member is in said initial position and said contacts of the high voltage load circuit are closed.

BENNETT M. LEECE.