US2326199A - Double action safety switch - Google Patents

Description

1943- .1. H. BRETTHAUER ETAL 2,326,199

DOUBLE ACTION SAFETY SWITCH Filed Dec. 6, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ei J Q lASl/ZAT/OA so 2915 13 10 JOHN HERMANBRETTHAUER WILLIAM CERMAK IN VEN TORS ATTORNE Y 1943- J. H. BRETTHAUER ETAL 2,326,199-

DOUBLE ACTION SAFETY SWITCH Filed Dec. 6, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOHN HERMAN BRETTHAUER 0 WILLIAM G ERMAK INVENTORS WWW ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 10, 1943 7 DOUBLE ACTION SAFETY SWITCH John Herman Bretthauer and William New York, N. Y.

Applicazion December 6, 1940, Serial No. 368,960

Claims.

This invention relates to safety switches used in circuits wherein a batten is charged by a generator.

"Themain obiect of this invention is to provide adouble-aictlon safety switch which will protect All the electriwl equipment in such circuits.

Another obiectrcf this invention is to provide a safety having an angularly shaped armature and to mount the said armature at one end thereof While the other end cmtects bhcks forming th termmations of contact carrying arms so as to cause an increase in the pressure between the contact points when the armature is being pulled down due to an excess voltage in the generator above normal.

' Another objeotof this invention is to provide a combined circuit-opening and circuit-closing induction type switch having two electromagnets, one of which is adapted to draw down the armature when there is an excess voltage produced in the generator due to a loose or (men 0011- nectionin the battery circuit, and the other electromagnet is adapted to draw down the armature when there is a short circuit in the circult, such as that used in automobiles.

Another object 01' this invention is to provide a combined switch having two independently acting electromegnets and two sets of successively breaking contact points, one set for the lighting circuit and the other set for the generator field circuit, and to so arrange the breaking of the contact points that the contact points for the lighting circuit will break before breaking the contacts for the generator field circuit.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention will be hereinafter more particularly described, and the combination and arrangement of parts will be shown in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims which form part of this specification.

Reference will now be had to the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view the invention. 7

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the switch shown in Figure 1, without the fuses and electric lamp shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section on line of 8-4, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a. diagrammatic representation of the elements of the invention and their electrical connection as applied .to circuits wherein of a switch embodying lights are shown in conjunction with a battery and generator.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of the switch, partly broken away, to show a control devic .for raising or lowering the armature.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the numeral 1D indicates a double-action safety induction type switch comprising an armature H which has been hinged at. llfto one end of an angularlyshapedloracket l3 fixed to the upper surface of an insulating base-plate M by screws 15.

'Ihebracket l3 has'fbeen positioned to provide an upright extension 13 forming a magnetic leg with which the armature tends to complete the magnetic circuit when elec'tromagne'ts are energ'hed. I

The armature H has an aperture ll permitting passage therefliroug'h of a. hook l8 which is integral with the extension Jli and acts asa stop and limits the upward movement of the armature II. An electromagnet I9 serving as a voltage control, has an iron core 20, the lower end of which has been fixed to the horizontal leg of the bracket l3. g

The iron core 21) has been wound with insulated copper wire having a number of turns to magnetize the core and be adapted to pull down the armature against the resistance of springs and blocks which normally maintain the armature in contact with the stop I8 and away from contact with the extension 16. Under operating conditions, when the armature H contacts the extension 16, there is a clearance between the lower surface of the armature and the top of the iron core 20. s p

A pull spring 2| has been secured to the baseplate [4 by a screw 28. A screw 22 has been threaded in insulating material 23'secured by screws M to the upper surface of the armature II. The screw 22 passes through an oval shaped clearance hole (not shown) in the pull spring 2! and serves as a means for azfiusting the tension of the spring 21 and causing a, constantly acting pull on the armature. The spring 2| pulls the armature away from the upper surface of the extension 16, and tends to bring the armature up to the upper stop l8.

As best shown in Figure 2, a contact 25 has been fixed to the pull spring 21. A contact 28 is carried by a spring arm 21, The spring 21 has been secured to the base-plate II by a screw 29. Normally the contactslfi and 26 are in separated relation and control an auxiliary circuit,

:control a primary circuit.

and the armature H is in spaced relation from the extension I 5.

A spring arm 23% carrying a contact 3.! has been fixed to the base-plate It by a screw A spring arm 34 carrying a contact 32 has been fixed to the base-plate M by a screw 35. Normally, thecontacts 3| and 32 are in'contacting relation, and control a primary circuit.

As shown in Figure 3, a spring arm it carry-.

ing a contact ll has been fixed to the base-plate Mby a screw 63.

by a screw 55. It is to be noted that the contacts ii and 3-2 are positioned rearwardly of the contacts iil and 32. Normally, the contacts ll and 32 are are also in contacting position by screws as and so in the spring arms 38 and Ail." Asbes t shown in Figure 2, the bottom'surfaces of the blocks 56, and M are in-sub stantially horizontal planes.

It is to be noted that the bottom surface of the block All is above the bottom surface of the block 35. This arrangement of the blocks 55 and 41 is forthe purpose of releasing block tl relation, and V a A spring arm Q 3 carrying a a contact 42 has been fixed to the base-plate i ii and 2. As best shown in Figure 2, the electromagnets l9 and 59 are mounted on the bracket iii in spaced-apart relation.

Operation of invention As shown in Figure 4, the double action safety switch iii is in circuit with and serves to protect electric lights 65. A voltage'control and/ or a currentccntrol (not shown) may be in series With the generatorfield circuit to the ground 66. The generator 61 is grounded.

For the purpose of the invention there has been provided auxiliary or emergency lights E53 and an auxiliary battery 83. An indicator light E8 in circuit with the auxiliary'battery'ta serves to vis- I ually signal to the operator that there is a loose or broken connection in the circuit of the storage before releasing block 48 and in order to break the contacts M and iz befo're breaking the con.-

tacts 3i and 32.

Under operating conditions the contact points l-l and 2 are in series with the lighting circuit; while the'contact points 3i and 32 are in series with the generator field circult, 1 The prior breaking of the contact points 4] and 42 protectsthe electric lights from burning out, as is the case when'there isa loose'or broken connectionfin the battery'circuit'fl As shown in Figure 2,it will be seenothat' the a above the horizontal plane, that is, the upper leg of the armature makes an obtuse angle with the upright leg. This angular positionof the upper leg of the armature functions so' that'when the armature H is normally angularly positioned movementinc reases the pressure onthe contact points to take care of the overload onthe points s: and and ii and which would be due to 5.,

a'loose connection in the battery circuit. Itis 'to be noted that in case of an open circuit in the An electromagnet 59 serving a short circuit i control has an. iron core 6l3, the lower end of which has been'fixed to the horizontal leg of the bracket it. The ironcore (it has been "wound with insulated copper wireof heavier gauge than the'wire on' the electromagnet Hip-The winding on the core 69 servesto magnetize thesaid core so as to bealso adapted to pull down'thearmae ture against the resistance of the spring 2 and the blocks; {it and 41. It isto be noted that 7 during the time the electromagnet 59 pulls down the armature H there will be the same increase in pressure on the contact points 3| and 32, and

'batteryt l, or'that fuse l2 has been burnt out due to a short circuit in one of the primary circuits." r is T -An indicator light ii inparallel shunt with the short circuit electromagnet 59 serves to visually signal to' the operator that there is a short circuit. The indicator light ll lights only when fuse i3 burns'out. The fuse To is destroyed by excessive temperature caused by abnormal electrical conditions such as excessive current flow. I Cur-' rentffrom the battery is now automatically diverted' to "the electromagnet E9 Whichbecomes fu ly energized and'powerf-ul enoughto pull down the armature ll. The fuse 72 serves toprotect theelectric-lightste while fuse 73 serves to protect the'ammeter i i, and-thegenerator 61, and other circuits connected thereto'in the event of a short circuit or in the event that the generator cutout i9 fails tc'break the'c'ircuit. i

' The circuits shoWn may comprise an ignition fuse l5; it, a heater fuse Ti, and a horn fuse l8.

In the event that any onebfthese fuses it to 78 inclusiveburn out; the circuit of the switch it may'not be effected because these fuses have a smaller carryin capacity than the fuse numbered'lS. V i V I V Regardless-of which electrometgnet is ch -59 causes the armature to be drawn to theextension iii of the bracketlB, the contact-s ll and d2 break'prior to'the breaking'of the contacts 3! and 32. This arrangement serves to first break the light circuit'before breaking the field circuit.

It is to be noted that the friction pressure blocks it-and il provide a predetermined tension against downward movement of the armasure. down by one ofthe electromagnets, the block 5 holds the armature down so as to cause contacts 3i and 32, and ll and 42 to-stay open, andtc'keep contacts 25 and 267 closed.

The screw 22 maybe adjusted so as to increase or decrease the pull of the spring El on the armature from the extension-l6 so as to insure the maintenance of thefarr'nature against the upper stop it unde normal conditions: In the event of an increase of voltage in the generator above normal, the. pull from the electromagnet le'will overcome the tension of the spring 2i J and pull the armature down to trip the blocks 48 and 47.

a It isto be noted that the electromagnet I9 is connected in circuituwith thegenerator 5'8 and will operate only when the generator is in oper ation. When the armature trips the-blocksfi and' i'i, the upper surface of the armature comes 7. below the lower surface of' the block as; The block at then holds the armature down. Due

to the movement of the block 46 over the arma- When the armature has been drawn ments at the free end of the armature.

ture, the field circuit of tbe generator is broken and the electromagnet I9 is demagnetioed.

When both indicator lights "and H are bum ing, it indicates that fuse I3 is burnt out. If light I9 only bums it indicates a loose connection or open circuit or a burnt out fuse n.

For the purpcse'of raising the armature H to the normal operating shown in Figures 2 and 5 after the armature was pulleddown, we have provided a lever 80 made of flat spring metal fulcrumed at 81 and hem a cam-shaped member 82 which is normally out of contact with the blocks and with the armature l I.

When it is desired to raise thearmature after being pulled down, the operator moves the lever 80 towards the blocks 46 and 41, and the camshaped member 82 moves the blocks to the right and permits the spring 2| to raise the armature up to normal operating position.

When it i desired to close the circuit to the auxiliary lights, the operator can move the lever 80 to the left and cause the cam-shaped member 82 to press down the armature and releas the blocks to permit said blocks to move above the upper surface of the armature and to hold the armature down.v

It is to be noted that due to the manner of hinging the armature II at its lower end l2 that there are both horizontal and vertical move- These combined movements facilitate the downward motion of the armature to the electromagnets.

It is also to be noted that when there is a leak in a storage battery cell or the electrolyte becomes low, the resistance in the battery circuit would increase and allow the generator voltage to rise, thereby increasing the energy of the electroinagnet l9 and causing the armature H to be attracted toward the electromagnet and break the light and field circuits and close the auxiliary light circuit.

In the application of our invention to the protection of electrical equipment including auxiliary and main light circuits, We may provide a single two-circuit combination switch (not shown) to control both light circuits simultaneously.

It will thus be seen that this invention is adapted to protect all the electrical appliances that are generally used in circuits wherein a battery isbeing charged by a generator, and appliances in electrical circuits in general.

In accordance with the patent statutes we have described and illustrated the preferred embodiment of our invention, but it will be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided an electro-magnetic safety switch wherein a plurality of primary circuits having contacts 3l-32, and H 42, which are normally closed, are successively opened. Also, that a normally open auxiliary circuit having contacts 2'526 is' closed after one set cf primary circuit contacts are broken.

We claim:

1. A device of the character described comrig in combination a magnet coil, an L- aped armature lever having one end pivoted adjacent the base of said coil whereby its free end has a movement in response to said coil having both a horizontal and a vertical componcnt and being spring-pressed away from said coil, a pair of switches mounted adiacmt to said free end each having a movable member carrying a block, said member being toaward said armature end and in a direction to open said switch, each block having a horizon tal and a vertical face of such dimensions that when the vertical faces are engaged by said free end, bot/h swiwhes are held closed and when said free end comes beneath the horizontal faces both switches are released to open and said lever is new by one of said faces inmagnet operated one of said horizontal faces being higher than the other, whereby one switch is opened before the other.

2. A device of the character described com prising in combination a magnet coil, an L- shaped armature lever having one end pivoted adjacent the base of said coil whereby its free end has a movement in response to said coil having both a horizontal and a vertical component and being spring-pressed away from said coil, a pair of switches mounted adjacent to said free end each having a movable member carrying a block, said member being spring-pressed toward said armature and in a direction to open said switch, each block having a horizontal and a vertical face of such dimensions that when the vertical faces are engaged by said free end, both switches are held closed and when said free end comes beneath the horizontal faces both switches are released to open and said lever is held by one of said faces in magnet operated position, and a manual releasing member movable to engage said switch members to cause said blocks to disengage said horizontal faces from said armature lever and having a member for engaging said lever to depress the same on movement of said releasing member in the other direction, to release said switch members.

3. A device of the character described comprising in combination a magnet coil, an L- shaped armature lever having one end pivoted adjacent the base of said coil whereby its free end has a movement in response to said coil having both a horizontal and a vertical component and being spring-pressed away from said coil, a pair of switches mounted adjacent to said free end each having a movable member carrying a block, said member being spring-pressed toward said armature end in a direction to open said switch, each block having a horizontal and a vertical face of such dimensions that when the vertical faces are engaged by said free end, both switches are held closed and when said free end comes beneath the horizontal faces both switches are released to open and said lever is held by one of said faces in magnet operated position, the armature and switch members being so constructed and arranged that as said armature is moved toward its operated position, it increases the pressure on said vertical faces to increase the pressure of contact of said springs, until it passes beneath said horizonta1 faces.

4. A device of the character described comprising in combination, a magnet coil, an armature lever pivoted adjacent said coil and spring pressed away from said coil, a pair of switches mounted adjacent the free end of the armature each having a movable member carrying a block, said member being spring pressed toward said armature end and in a direction to open the switch, each block having a face inclined to the direction of movement of the end of the armature whereby the movement of the armature may closesaid switch and a horizontal face, the

dimensions of said block being suchthat when I the armature passes below the horizontalfaces it is held down, one of said horizontal faces being higher than the other whereby as saidarmature is actuated one of, said switches will open before the other. V

- 5. A device of the character described comprising in combination, a magnet coil, an armae ture lever pivoted adjacent said coil and spring pressed away from said coil, a pair of switches mounted adjacentthe free endof the armature each having a movable member carrying a block,

1 said member being spring pressed toward said "armatu'reqend and in a direction to open the t JOHN BRETTHAUER.

WILLIAM CERMAK. Q

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