US2307595A - Switch - Google Patents

Description

H.v J. LINGAL Jan. 5, 1943.

SWITCH Filed July 27, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Em 2 w m N E v m Patented Jan. 5, 1943 SWITCH Harry J. Lingal, Forest Hills, Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application July 27, 1939, Serial No. 286,830

13 Claims.

My invention relates to electric switches, and more particularly to a multi-polar rotary switch which may be either manually or mechanically actuated.

For controlling the opening and closing movements of circuit breakers and for controlling electro-responsive devices often associated with circuit breakers there are provided auxiliary switches actuated in response to operation of the circuit breaker. Since such switches are associated with various types of circuit breakers requiring different sequence and/or timing of operations, and since it is often highly desirable to vary the sequence or timing of such operations of any given circuit breaker, it is essential that the auxiliary switches have relatively adjustable contacts. The same type of switch is also often employed as a metering switch to connect any desired type of meter to a plurality of different circuits. Here too, relatively adjustable switch contacts are highly desirable.

Switches of this type have been employed heretofore but have been limited to switches having contacts relatively adjustable only by fixed increments and having certain other undesirable structural features.

Hence, it is an object of my invention to provide a simplified multi-polar switch having contacts which are relatively adjustable by any desired increments.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a multi-polar switch having relatively adjustable contacts, the position of any one of which may be adjusted without afiecting the adjustment of any of the other contacts.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a multi-polar switch having relatively adjustable contacts, and which is of a rugged and economical construction, and wherein the adjustment of the contacts may be conveniently accomplished by a relatively simple operation without necessitating the use of any special tools.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a multi-polar switch having novel means for securing the movable contacts to their operating member.

These and other objects of my invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment 01 my invention showing the interior of a switch housing with the top wall shown in section,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the switch rotor shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an end view of the device shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional View taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional View taken on the line VV of Fig. 2,

Figs. 6 and 7 are side views of switch contacts for use with a device shown in Fig. 1, but disclosing modified forms of securing means for the contacts, and

Figs. 8 and 9 are side elevational views of insulating spacer members for use in a switch like that shown in Figs. 1 to 4, also showing modified forms of insulator securing means.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4, I have disclosed a switch housing which includes the end walls 2 and 4 having outwardly extending flanges 6 and 8, respectively, at their lower ends for supporting the housing on any desired support. The upper ends of the end walls 2 and 4 are bent inwardly to form the top supports l0 and I2, respectively, for supporting the housing top wall M which is secured in position, as for example, by the bolts I6. Corner supporting members I8 are provided at each corner of the housing intermediate the top and bottom thereof, and are suitably secured to the end walls 2 and 4 in any desired manner, such, for example, as by welding. These corner supports have inwardly extending flanges which serve to support a bottom wall 24, secured to the lower flanges as by machine screws 26, and have upper flanges supporting an intermediate insulating wall 20. Side walls 28 are formed integral with the top wall l4 and have their lower edges received in flanges 30 provided on the bottom wall 24.

The wall 20 and the outer housing walls are formed of any desired insulating material, pref erably some molded insulating material. Terminals 22 are supported on the intermediate wall 20 and are externally screw threaded to receive the nuts 34 between which a switch lead may be clamped. One of the end walls 2 is provided with an opening 32 through which leads may be extended into the housing to the switch terminals. The switch terminals include conducting portions extending through the intermediate insulating wall 20 and connected to movable contact arms 36 which terminate in contact portions 42. The contact arms are urged inwardly towards each other by springs 38 reacting between each arm and an adjacent rigid arm 40.

A switch rotor M, is provided with contact elements 54 to bridge the contact portions 42. As shown in Fig. 2, the switch rotor includes an operating shaft which is square in cross-section, as shown in Figs. 4: and 5. On the shaft 46 is mounted an insulating sleeve 33, likewise square in cross-section. At the right-hand end of the shaft, as viewed in Fig. 2, over the sleeve 48, there is provided a bearing sleeve 56, which is pinned to the shaft by pin 52 extending through the sleeves 59 and 3B, and shaft 46. The bearing sleeve 55! is provided with a flange portion 62. Rotatably mounted on the insulating sleeve 48 are the contact members 6 made of any desired conducting material, preferably copper or the like. Each contact includes a central annular portion 66 rotatable on the insulating sleeve 48, and opposite outwardly extending enlarged contact portions 68. Between the contact members, and between the contact members and th bearing sleeve 58, are mounted insulating spacer members 72 preferablyof a molded insulating material. These members have a central aperture which is square in cross-section to conform to the cross-section of the insulating sleeve 48 and shaft is, to key the insulating spacing-members for movement with the shaft 46. Each insulating member 72 includes a substantially cylindrical inner portion i l and a central outwardly extending flange portion 13.

The adjacent confronting sides of the'contact members and insulating spacing members 12 are formed with depressions. As shown in Fig. 4, the contact members are formed with opposed groooves it. Each insulator member, as shown in Fig. 5, is likewise formed with grooves 16. Any desired number of these grooves may be formed in the confrontin faces of the insulating members and contact members. As shown, the contact members are provided with two opposed grooves, and the insulating members are provided with four equally spaced radial grooves. Between the confronting faces of the contact members and insulating spacing members 12 are provided deformable washers 73 preferably or resilient material, such for example, as rubber, for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

On the left-hand end of the shaft 46, as viewed in Fig. 2, there is slidably mounted a bearing member 58, having a flange portion 53 adapted to be rotatably received in an end wall of the switch housing with the flange portion 55 engaging the inner side of the wall. The adjacent end of the shaft 55 is externally screw threaded at 58 and provided with a washer til engaging the bearing sleeve and a nut tit for clamping the parts on the shaft against the other end bearing sleeve 50.

It is obvious that as the nut 53 is drawn up on the shaft 36, the rubber washers 18 between the contact members Ed and insulating spacer members 72, will be compressed and deformed, so that portions of the rubber will, in effect, flow into the grooves it provided in the contact members, and grooves it provided in the insulating spacing members it; these portions will then form, in effect, a keyed connection between the insulating spacing members 12 and the contact members 64 to secure the contact members for movement with the shaft 46.

It should be noted that the contact members are secured to the insulating members by the rubber washers irrespective of the relative positions of the grooves on the contact members and the insulating spacing members. It will also be sition by merely tightenin nut 56.

apparent that any one contact member may be adjusted relative to the other contact member without disturbing the relative position of the other contact member by merely loosening nut 56 slightly, whereupon the rubber washers being resilient, the portions thereof which had been received in the grooves 16 and 16 return to their normal position, and the contact it is desired to adjust may be moved to any desired position relative to the shaft 45 and secured in that po- The other contact cannot be disturbed by movement of the contact adjusted, because it is engaged on opposite sides thereof with insulating members i2 which are immovable with respect to shaft 36.

The rotor shaft 45 is provided at the righthand end thereof, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, with an operating member 35 suitably secured to the end of the shaft, and the operating member is provided with a pintle portion 88 to pivotally receive an operatinglink, not shown, which may be actuated by circuit breaker mechanism or any other desired operating means. Obviously, if desired, the operating member may be removed and a manually operable handle substituted therefor, and secured to the rotor shaft 49 where manual operation is desired.

The adjacent confronting faces of contact member 6 3 and insulating members 12 may have depressions formed therein of any desired type. In Fig. 6, I have shown a contact member having a plurality of circular depressions 89 evenly spaced about the side of the contact member and spaced from the edges of said side. In Fig. 8, I have shown an insulating spacing member having similar circular depressions 8 2-. In Fig. '7, I have shown a contact member having a serrated side surface 82, and in Fig. 9, I have shown an insulating spacer member having a serrated side surface 81.

It is immaterial exactly what form the depressions in the confronting faces of the contact members and insulating spacer members take. In any event the rubber washers between the confronting faces will serve, when pressure is applied longitudinally of the rotor shaft E6 to enter such depressions to secure the contact members to the insulating spacer members and operating shaft it. The contact members may be secured in any desired position relative to the operating shaft 46 or relative to each other, there being no fixed increment of adjustment.

It is also obvious that any one contact may be adjusted relative to the other contact by any desired increment either infinitely small or infinite y large without effecting the adjusting of the other contact relative to the shaft. It is also apparent that a connection between the contact members and shaft 56 is formed by mere compression of the parts mounted on the shafts longitudinally thereof. The rubber washers "i8. which-form the connections between the contact members and insulating spacer members in reality form keyed connections therebetween in response to pressure applied longitudinally of the shaft to the contacts and spacers.

It is obvious that the contacts and spacers shown in Figs. 5 to 9 may be used interchangeably with those shown in Figs. '1 to 5 or with each other. In other words, the confronting faces of the contact members and insulating spacer members need not have the same type of depressions therein. It is essential only that they have some type of depression into which portions of the rubber washer members 78 may flow when the assembly is compressed. Similarly, only one of the confronting surfaces need be provided with depressions in the event that the washers are secured to the other confronting surface.

Having described preferred embodiments of my invention in accordance with the patent statutes, I do not desire my invention to be limited thereto. On the other hand I desire that my invention be interpreted as broadly as possible, inasmuch as it will be obvious, particularly to persons skilled in the art, that many changes and modifications may be made in the particular embodiments disclosed without departing from the broad scope and spirit of my invention. For example, I do not wish to be limited to a two-pole switch, as illustrated, since it will be obvious that any desired number of poles may be added to the structure disclosed herein, merely by lengthening the rotor shaft and applying alternate duplicate contact members and insulating spacer members with intermediate rubber washers between the bearing sleeves 50 and 54. Therefore, I desire that the broadest possible construction be given to the appended claims, and that they be not limited except to what is expressly stated therein.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a switch, a movable contact support, a contact member movably mounted on the support, a driving part mounted on and movable with the support, said part and member including adjacent confronting surfaces having portions at different elevations, deformable means between said surfaces, and means to removably secure said part and member together under pressure to cause portions of said deformable means to enter said portions of lesser elevation to lock the contact member to the support.

2. In a switch, a movable contact support, a contact member movably mounted on the support, a driving part mounted on said support on each side of said contact member, said parts being mounted to move with said support, said member and parts including adjacent confronting surfaces having depressed portions, deformable means between each part and the member, and means to removably secure said parts together under pressure to cause portions of said deformable means to enter said depressed portions to lock the contact member to the support.

3. In a switch, a movable support, a contact member movably mounted on the support, a driving part mounted on and movable with the support, said part and member including adjacent facing grooved surfaces, deformable means between said surfaces, and means to removably secure said part and member together under pressure to cause portions of said deformable means to enter said grooves to lock the contact member to the support.

4. In a switch, a movable support, a contact member movably mounted on the support, a driving part mounted on and movable with the support, said part and member including adjacent opposed serrated surfaces, deformable means between said surfaces, and means to removably secure said part and member together under pressure to cause portions of said deformable means to enter the depressed portions of said serrated surfaces to lock the contact member to the support.

5. In a switch, a movable support, a contact member movably mounted on the support, a driving part mounted on and movable with the support, said part and member including adjacent opposed surfaces having a plurality of spaced depressions therein, deformable means between said surfaces, and means to removably secure said part and member together under pressure to cause portions of said deformable means to enter said depressed portions to lock the contact member to the support.

6. In a switch, a movable support, an insulating cover for said support, a plurality of contacts movably mounted thereon, a driving part of insulating material for each contact mounted on the support for movement therewith, each driving part and its associated contact member including adjacent surfaces having portions at different elevations, deformable means between each driving part and its associated contact member, means to releasably compress said contact and driving parts to cause portions of said deformable means to enter said portions of lesser elevation to lock the contact members to the support, and said driving parts effective to insulate said contacts from each other and said compressing means.

7. In a switch, a movable support, a plurality of contacts movably mounted thereon, driving parts of insulating material mounted on opposite sides of each contact on the support for movement therewith, said parts acting to space said contacts from each other, each driving part and its associated contact member including adjacent surfaces having depressed portions, deformable means between each driving part and its associated contact member, and means to releasably compress said contacts and driving parts to cause portions of said deformable means to enter said depressed portions to lock the contact members to the support.

8. In a switch, an elongated rotatable support, a contact member rotatably mounted thereon, a drive member mounted on said support for movement therewith, said members having adjacent roughened surfaces, and means positioned between said members responsive to pressure applied to move said members together, to form a driving key between said surfaces.

9. In a switch, an elongated rotatable support having an insulating covering, a plurality of contact members rotatably mounted thereon, a plurality of insulating spacer members slidably and non-rotatably mounted on said support with a spacer member on each side of each contact member, confronting faces of said members having roughened portions, and means between said faces responsive to pressure applied to the members longitudinally of the support to lock said faces together.

10. In a switch, a movable contact support, a contact member movably mounted on the support, a driving part mounted on and movable with the support, said part and member including adjacent surfaces having portions at different elevations flexible and resilient rubber washers between said surfaces, and means to removably secure said part and member together under pressure to cause portions of said washers to enter said portions of lesser elevation to lock the contact member to the support.

11. In a switch, an elongated rotatable support, a contact member rotatably mounted thereon, a drive member mounted on the shaft for movement therewith, said members having adjacent roughened surfaces, washers of resilient deformable material between said surfaces to form a driving connection between said surfaces in response to pressure applied to move said members together.

12. In a switch, an actuating shaft, a contact member rotatably mounted on said shaft, a driving member slidably but non-rotatably mounted on said shaft, said members having adjacent confronting plane surfaces at least one of which has depressed portions thereon, resilient deformable means positioned on said shaft between said members, and means on said shaft for securing said members together under pressure to deform said deformable means and cause portions thereof to 13. In a switch, an actuating shaft, a contact member rotatably mounted on said shaft, said member having a plane side surface with depressions therein, means for drivingly connecting said shaft and member including a resilient deformable member engageable with said surface, and means on said shaft for exerting sufficient pressure on said members to cause portions o said deformable means to flow into said depresenter said depressed portions to lock said de- 10 sions to releasably lock said members together.

formable means to at least said one member.

HARRY J. LINGAL.

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