US2310334A

US2310334A - Relay

Info

Publication number: US2310334A
Application number: US376058A
Authority: US
Inventors: John M Wilson
Original assignee: Honeywell Inc
Current assignee: Honeywell Inc
Priority date: 1941-01-27
Filing date: 1941-01-27
Publication date: 1943-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 1960-02-09

Description

Feb. 9, 1943.

Filed Jan. 27, 1941 J. M. WILSON RELAY Ill!!! III/IIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIl/IIIIIIIIIIIII/IIIIIIIA INVENTOR John M.Wi.1$o1 L ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 9, 1943 *UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RELAY John M. Wilson, Minneapolis, Minn, assignor to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Delaware Application January 2'1, 1941, Serial No. 378,058 20 Claims. (Cl. 200-104) The present invention relates to relay devices, and particularly to electromagnetically operated relays.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved relay for controlling relatively heavy currents, which shall be more compact and inexpensive than those previously known.

Another object of this invention is to construct an electromagnetic relay having a clapper type armature, wherein the movable contacts travel toward the stationary contacts in a substantially straight line.

Another object of this invention is to provide an electromagnetic relay having a plurality of movable contacts, wherein unitary means are provided for supporting all said contacts, and. said unitary means is flexibly supported at three points.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic relay device wherein all the electrical contacts, both movable and stationary, may be readily removed for replacement.

Other objects of the present invention will be apparent from a consideration of the accompanying specification, claims and drawing of which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a relay device embodying the present invention,

Figure 2 shows an end elevation'of the device of Figure 1,

Figure 3 shows a cross-section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Figure 4 shows certain details of the relay device of Figure 1.

The drawing shows a frame member it of substantially U-shaped cross-section, having a plurality of leg members ll extending therefrom, which are drilled as at i2 to provide holes for mounting purposes. Mounted on the bottom of the U is an electromagnet 12 consisting of an electrical winding I3, and a magnetic circuit therefor consisting of an internal core i5 and an external magnetic member I4 of substatially U- shape, and an armature member 16. The core member l5 may be provided with a conventional shading ring such as that shown at H,

The armature i6 ishingedly attached as at l8 to one of the legs of the magnetic U-shaped member l4. A member 2i, preferably of bronze or other non-magnetic material is attached to the armature IS in any convenient manner and extends beyond the hinge i8 as shown in Figure 2. A tension spring 32 is attached at one end to the member 2| and at its other end to a lug 23 which is Joined in any suitable manner to the base of the electromagnet i2. The eflect of the spring 22 is to bias the armature it to an upward position. The upward movement of the armature i6 is limited by an angle bracket 24 attached to the leg of the Ushaped member i4 opposite to that on which the armature is hinged, and extending into the path of upward movement of the armature.

Mounted on the legs of the U-shaped frame member 10 in any suitable manner so as to span the space between the legs is an insulating plate member having a number of raised parallel ridges 3i running longitudinally of its upper surface. Each pair of ridges 3| provides a channel 32 between them. Along the bottom of each channel 32 is a groove 33, in which removable contact members 34 are mounted. The contact members 34 are held in place on the plate member 30 by suitable screws 35. A pair of shoulders 36 extend from each of the ridges 3i and partially overlie the contact member 34 lying in the grooves 33 in the bottom of the channel 32.

A large slot 31 is cut transversely through the plate 30 at its central portion. The ridges 3i span the slot 31. The contact members 34 are provided with wearing surfaces 38 which extend closely adjacent the slot 31.

The contact members 34 may be removed from the plate 30 by taking out the screws and then sliding the contact member 34 longitudinally of the plate until it is free of the shoulders 38. This removal is indicated in the case of one of the contactmembers 34 shown in the lower part of Figure' 1. The screws 33 also serve readily as means for fastening conductors to the contacts 34.

Loosely mounted in the slot 31 is another insulating member 40. The member 40 is partially supported by a flat spring member 4i which is attached to the insulating member 40 near its central portion and has a pair of extending legs 42 which engage the sides of the U-shaped frame member Hi. It is obvious that the member 4| may be formed by a simple process such as stamping, and because of its resilient character may be readily bent and inserted into place on the frame ill. The insulating member 40 is also partly supported by a bracket 43 attached to the underside of its central portion and having an arm extending downwardly into close proximity with the ar mature It. A lug 44 mounted in any suitable manner on the armature 16 extends upwardly therefrom and is connected by a pin and slot arrangement, or any other suitable construction, to the downwardly extending portion of the bracket 7 metal pieces.

43. It may be seen therefore that the insulating. member 49 is supported at three points, namely. the points at which the legs 42 of the flat spring member 4| engage the sides of the housing Ill, and the pin and slot connection between the bracket 43and the lug 44 on the armature 16.

The upper surface of the insulating member 49 is provided with a number of parallel channels 45'which accommodate the bottoms of the ridges 3i where they span the slot 31. Attached to the insulating member 40 between each pair of ridges Si, in any suitable manner, is a guide member 46. The guide members 46 may consist of flat stamped A contact member 49 is supported by the insulating member 40 between each pair of ridges 31. These members 49 are provided with slots fitting the guide members 41 and holding the contacts 49 in place. Each contact member 49 is held in engagement with the insulating member 40 by a spring 48 which is in turn held in position by a cap member 41.

The cap member 41 and the contact members 49 are received and held on the guidemember 46 through the use of a cross-shaped slot arrangement which is well known in the art. The cap member 41 and the contact 49 are each provided with two slots which intersect at right angles, one of the slots being shorter than the other. The guide members 46 are provided with successive portions of varying width, as shown in Fig. 4.

The portion 50, at the top of the guide 46, is

the widest portion, being slightly wider than the 4 length of the short slots on the cap 41 and the tact member are cut away, as shown in the cap 47 in Fig. 4, so that the cap and contact member are freely rotatable about the narrow portion 52, when they are held on the same level with that portion.

In assembling one of the contact members 49 on the insulating member 40, the contact member is first held so that its longer slot is in line with the guide 46. The contact member is passed over the portions 59 and 5! in that position. When the portion 52 is reached, the contact member is rotated through 90, so that its shorter slot is in line with the guide 46. The contact member is then slid down over the portion 53 which, coacts A with the shorter slot to'maintain the contact and 5| pass through the long slot in the cap 41.

After reaching this position, the cap 41 is rotated through 90, bringing its short slot into line with the guide 46. The cap is then released, and the spring 48, bein compressed, lifts the cap so that the portion 5i enters the short slot therein.

, 4 The wide portion 56 holds the cap on the guide 46,

. and threbyretains'the whole contact assembly in position.

The contact members 49, when in operating position, lie transversely to the insulating member 40 and parallel to the ribs 3| and the contact members 34. Their length is such that they bridge the slot 31. When the winding [3 of the electromagnet i2 is energized the armature I6 is pulled down against the core l5 against the action of the spring 22. This movement of the armature I6 through the pin and slot connection 44 pulls the bracket 43 and the insulating member 40 downwardly, so that the contacts 49 engage thecontacts 34 on either side of the slot 31.

The construction disclosed herein permits freedom of movement and ease of mounting of the movable contacts 49. The movable contacts are supported on the insulating member 40 which is in turn supported at only three points. The advantages of this type of support in preventing erratic movement of the supported body are well known. It will be seen that the applicants structure provides accurate movement of the moving contact without the necessity for machining or carefully fitting any of the-parts of his device. I have also provided means for readily removing any of the contacts so that they may be replaced in the event they are burned through the application of overload to the switching mechanism. It should be noted that the stationary contacts are removed horizontally, while the movable contacts are removed vertically. In this way, the

danger of accidental engagement of the contacts during removal is reduced.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention it should be understood that it is defined only by the appended claims. In particular, while I have disclosed an embodiment mounted in a particular orientation, the use of terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, vertical, in this specification and claims is only a convenient manner of showing the relative locations of the parts and is in no wise to be construed as a limitation of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a relay, a frame of substantially U-shaped cross-section, an electromagnet mounted on the bight of said U-shaped frame, a clapper-type armature mounted above said electromagnet for cooperation therewith and biased to move upwardly from said electromagnet, an insulating plate supported across the legs of said U-shaped frame and having a transverse slot above said armature and a plurality of longitudinal ridges in its upper surface, said ridges spanning said slot.

stationary contacts mounted on said plate between each two adjacent ridges on both sides of said slot, a movable contact carrying member, vmeans flexibly supporting said member in said slot, a connection between said member and said armature and adapted to allow relative lateral movement of said member and said armature, and contacts mounted on said member so as to lie between said ridges and overlie said stationary contacts.

2. In a relay, an insulating plate member having a transverse slot therein and a plurality of longitudinal ridges in its upper surface, said ridges spanning said slot, a first set of contacts mounted on said member between each two adjacent ridges on both sides of said slot, a movable contact carrying member supported in said slot, a second set of contacts mounted on said last-mentioned member so as to lie between and parallel to said ridges'and overlie said stationary contacts, and means for relatively moving said members to effect engagement between said sets of contacts.

amass;

3. In a relay, an insulating plate member hav-' ing a transverse slot therein and a plurality of longitudinal ridges in its upper surface, said ridges spanning said slot, a first set of contacts mounted on said member between each two adjacent ridges on both sides of said slot, means removably fastening said contacts on said member, said plate being constructed so as to guide said contacts for removal in a longitudinal direction, a movable contact carrying member flexibly supported in said slot, a second set of contacts removably mounted on said last-mentioned member, means removably fasteningsaid second set of contacts onsaid contact carrying member, said fastening means serving to guide said contacts for removal in a vertical direction, said second set of contacts when fastened overlying. said first set, and means for relatively moving said members to effect engagement of said sets of contacts.

4. In a switch, an insulating plate having at least one pair of longitudinal ridges in its upper surface and a longitudinal channel between each spanning said slot, a first set of contacts mounted on said member between each two adjacent ridges on both sides of said slot, a frame for supporting pair of ridges, contact means, including a wearing surface, interfittingly disposed in each channel whereby the contact means is restrained against lateral movement in the channel, shoulder means on said plate overlying each said channel so as to restrain said contact means from vertical movement, and means for removably fastening said contact means on said plate, said contact means being removable by sliding the same longitudinally of said channel upon disengagement of said fastening means, said wearing surface passing between said shoulder means.

5. In a switch, an insulating plate member having a transverse slot therein, at least one pair of longitudinal ridges in its upper surface and a longitudinal channel between each pair of ridges. contact means disposed in each channel, shoulder means on said plate overlying each of said channels so as to restrain said contact means from vertical movement, and means for removably fastening said contact means on said plate, said contact means being slidable longitudinally of said slot upon disengagement of said fastening means, a movable contact carrying member supported in said slot, second contact means removably mounted on said member and extending transversely thereof above said first-mentioned contact means, and means for relatively moving said members to effect engagement of said two contact means.

6. In a relay, an insulating plate member having a transverse slot therein and a plurality of longitudinal rid es in its upper surface. said rid es spanning said slot, 2. first set of contacts mounted on said member between each two adjacent ridges on both sides of said slot, a frame for sup ortin said plate, a movable contact carrying member loosely mounted in said slot, spring means flexibly connecting said member and said frame. a second set of contacts mounted on said last-mentioned member so as to lie between and parallel to said ridges and overlie said stationary contacts, and means for relatively movin said members to effect enga ement between said sets of contacts.

7. In a relay, an insulating plate member having a transverse slot therein and a plurality of longitudinal rid es in its up er surface. said rid es spanning said slot, 9. first set of contacts mounted on said member between each two adjacent rid es on both sides of said slot. a frame for supportin said plate, a movable contact carrying member loosely mounted in said slot, a fiat spring connecting the central portion of said contact carrysaid-plate, an electromagnet mounted on said frame beneath said slot, an armature mounted above said electromagnet for cooperation there-v with and biased to move upwardly therefrom, a movable contact carrying member mounted in said slot, a connection between said contact-carrying member and said armature, a

flat spring connecting the central portion of said contact carrying member beneath said slot with a pair of points on said frame spaced from said member, said spring and said connection cooperating to provide three-point suspension of said member, a second set of contacts mounted on said last-mentioned member so as to lie between and parallel to said ridges and overlie said stationary contacts, said electromagnet being effective upon energization thereof to cause downward movement of said armature and engagement of said two sets of contacts.

9. In a relay, an insulating plate member having a transverse slot therein and a plurality of longitudinal ridges in its upper surface, said ridges spanning said slot, a first set of contacts mounted on said member between each two adjacent ridges on both sides of said slot, a frame for supporting said plate, an electromagnet mounted on said frame beneath said slot, a hinged armature mounted above said electromagnet for cooperation therewith and biased to move upwardly therefrom, a movable contact carrying member loosely mounted in said slot, a pin and slot connection between said contact-carrying member and said armature to permit straight line motion of said member upon motion of said armature about its hinge, a flat spring connecting the central portion of said contact carrying member beneath said slot with a pair of points on said frame spaced from said member, said spring and said connection cooperating to provide three-point suspension of said member, a second set of contacts mounted on said last-mentioned member so as to lie between and parallel to said ridges and overlie said stationary contacts, said electromagnet being effective upon energization thereof to cause downward movement of sa d armature and engagement of said two sets of contacts.

10. In a relay, an insulating plate member having a transverse slot therein and a plurality of longitudinal ridges in its upper surface, said ridges spanning said slot, at first set of contacts mounted onsaid member between each two adjacent ridges on both sides of said slot. a movable contact carrying member supported in said slot, a second set of contacts mounted on said last-mentioned member and spanning said slot so as to lie between and parallel to said ridges and overlie said stationary contacts on both sides of said slot, and means for relatively moving said members to effect engagement between said sets of contacts.

11. In a switch, an insulating plate having at least one pair of longitudinal ridges in its upper surface and a longitudinal channel between each loosely pair of ridges, contact means, including a wearing surface, interflttingly disposed in each channel whereby the contact means is restrained against lateral movement in the channel, shoulder means on said plate overlying each said channel so as to restrain said contact means from vertical movement, and means for removably fastening said contact means on said plate, said contact means being removable by sliding the same longitudinally of said channel upon disengagement of said fastening means, said wearing surface passing between said shoulder means, said fasten:

ingmeans also serving to fasten conductor terminals to said contact means.

12. In a switch, in combination, stationary contact means, movable contact means including a flexible supporting member, means for support- I points.

13. In a switch, in combination, stationary contact means, movable contact means, means for supporting said movable contact means flexibly at two spaced points, and means for moving said movable contact means into engagement with said stationary contact means comprising an electromagnet, a hinged armature associated therewith, and a pin-and-slot connection between said armature and a third point on said movable contact means spaced from said two points, said connection causing motion of said third point in a substantially straight line upon movement of said armature about its hinge.

14; In a relay, an insulating plate member having a transverse slot therein and a plurality of longitudinal ridges in its upper surface, said ridges spanning said slot, a first set of contacts mounted on said member between each two adjacent ridges on both sides of said slot, 9. movable contact carrying member loosely supported in said slot and having a plurality of channels in its upper surface to accommodate the portions of said ridges which span said slot, a second set of contacts mounted on said last-mentioned member so as to lie between and parallel to said ridges and overlie said stationary contacts, and means for relatively moving said members to effect engagement between-said sets of contacts.

15. In a switch, in combination, stationary contact means, movable contact means including a flexible supporting memi, r, means for supporting said flexible member at two spaced points, means for moving said movable contact means into engagement with said stationary contact means comprisinga driving member connected to said flexible member at a third point spaced laterally from a line joining said two points, and said driving member comprising a second'means of support for said movable contactmeans whereby said movable contact means is normally held in disengaged relation with respect to said stationary contact means.

16. In a switch, in combination, a plurality of stationary contacts, a plurality of movable contacts for cooperation therewith, unitary means for mounting said movable contacts, flexible means for carrying said unitary means for free movement in a contact engaging direction, said carrying means being supported at two points spaced laterally of said unitary means, and said points being relatively widely spaced whereby said unitary means is restrained against erratic movement transversely of said contact engag direction.

17. In a switch, in combination, a plurality of stationary contacts, a plurality of movable con tacts for cooperation therewith, unitary means for mounting said movable contacts, flexible means for carrying said unitary means for free movement in a contact engaging direction, said carrying means being supported at two points spaced laterally of said unitary means whereby said unitary means is restrained against erratic movement transversely of said contact engag direction, means for moving said unitary me in a contact engaging direction, and connections between said moving means and said unitary means centrally thereof whereby said movable contacts engage said stationary contacts concurrently and with equal pressure.

18. In a switch, in combination, a plurality of stationary contacts and frame therefor, a plurality of movable contacts for cooperation with said stationary contacts, a unitary member for mounting said movable contacts, a flat substantially U-shaped spring member for flexibly carrying said unitary member for free movement in a contact engaging direction, the bight portion of said spring member being secured to said unitary member and the ends of said spring member being hingedly supported on said frame, said ends being yieldably movable toward each other whereby said hinged engagement may be effected, and said ends being relatively widely spaced whereby erratic movement of said unitary member transversely of said contact engaging direction is restrained.

19. In a switch, in combination, a plurality of stationary contacts and frame therefor, a plurality of movable contacts for cooperation with said stationary contacts, a unitary member for mountingsaid movable contacts, a flat substantially u -shaped spring member for flexibly carrying said unitary member for free movement in a contact engaging direction, the bi'ght portion of said spring member being secured to said unitary member and the ends of said spring member being supported on said frame whereby erratic movement of said unitary member transversely of said contact engaging direction is restrained, and means for moving said unitary member in a contact engaging direction, said moving means being connected to said unitary member centrally thereof and comprising a second support therefor whereby said contacts are normally held in disengaged relation.

20. In a multiple contact switch including stationary and movable contacts and unitary mounting means therefor, means for holding said contacts in spaced and. operable relation comprising a flexible member supported at three points in a common plane and comprising in effect a triangular support, two of said points being so disposed as to permit free movement of said movable contacts. in a contact engaging direction and restraining erratic movement of said contacts with respect to said stationary contacts, and said third point supporting said movable contacts normally in disengaged relation with respect to said stationary contacts.

JOHN M. WILSON.