US2370038A - Latched-in magnetic switch - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 20, 1945. F. c. IGLEHART LATCHED- IN MAGNETIC SWITCH Filed July 51, 1942 INVENTOR Ferdinand Gfg/e/mrzt WITNESSES:

BY M? E,

ATTORN EY Patented Feb. 20, 1945 LATCHED-IN MAGNETIC SWITCH Ferdinand C. Iglehart, Wilkinsburg, Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application July 31, 1942, Serial No. 453,063

Claims.

This invention relates to a latched-in ma netic switch and, more particularly, to an improved form of electromagnetic device for operating electric switches and like equipment having an operating part movable back and forth between operative and inoperative positions.

Equipment of the character referred to, such as electric switches and like devices, having an operating member movable back and forth between two positions is commonly provided with a resilient or gravitational bias for moving the operating member to one of its positions, usually the inoperative position, and an electromagnet for moving the operating member to the other of its positions, usually the operative position. In order to hold the operating member in its operative position against movement under its bias to its inoperative position without the necessity of maintaining the electromagnet energized, it is customary to provide a latch for holding the operating member in its operative position upon movement thereof to such position. However, such constructions have heretofore had the common disadvantage of requiring two electromagnets or at least two armatures, the second electromagnet. or armature being required to trip the latch for releasing the operating member for movement under its bias to its inoperative position.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide an improved electromagnetic device in which a single armature is effective to both move the operating member of an electric switch or like device to its operative position and to trip a latch for releasing such member for movement from such position.

A further object of this invention is to provide an electromagnetic device in which a first actuation thereof is effective to move an operating member to a latched-in position, and in which a second actuation of the armature is effective to unlatch and release such operating member for movement out of its operative position.

A further object is to provide an improved form of electromagnetic device in which the armature, operating member, latch, and latch tripping mechanism are all'contained within a small space positioned centrally of the energizing coil of the magnet.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of an electromagnet constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 11-11 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, a part thereof being omitted, taken substantially along the line III-III of Fig. 2.

Figs, 4, 5, and 6 are views similar to Fig. 3, respectively showing the relative positions of the operating parts during sequential operation of the electromagnet.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an operating member employed in the structure of the preceding figures.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the armature shown in the preceding figures; and

Fig. 9 is an end view of the armature shown in Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawing, the electromagnet is indicated as a whole by the numeral I and comprises a magnet frame 2 having a rectangular opening for the reception of a coil 3. An armature 4. serving as the driving member of the device, is positioned centrally of the coil 3 by guides 5 and 6 formed of non-magnetic material which operate to guide the movement of the armature 4 with respect to the coil 3 in a manner well known in the art. The construction and operation of the parts thus far referred to are well known in the art and per se form no part of this invention, this invention involving features to be hereinafter referred to.

The novel features of this invention lie in the construction of the armature 4 and the arrangement of an operating member I, a control or lifting member .8, and a latch 8 with respect to the armature 4.

As best shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the armature 4 is provided with a groove l0 extending longitudinally thereof and a groove H extending transversely thereof. The groove I0 is provided with a slot 10a at the bottom thereof adapted to receive the back edge H of the operating member I. The operating member 'I is formed of non-magnetic material and is movable independently of the armature. 4 in a manner to be described. The engagement of the slot 10a with the edge l2 serves to guide the movement of the operating member I with respect to the armature 4. A transverse groove II is provided in order that a pin l3 may be secured at its ends to the guides 5 and 8 without interfering with limited vertical movement of the armature 4. A similar pin Ha is provided for limting upward movement of the armature 4, the pin l3 limiting downward movement of the armature 4. Upward movement of the armature 4 is also limited by the top side of the magnet frame 2. The pin l3 pivotally supports the latch 9, and a spring l4 having one end connected to the latch S and its other end connected to the guide 5 is provided for biasing the latch 9 in a clockwise direction toward latching position.

The control orli'fting member 8 comprises angularly positioned portions 15 and I6 and is mounted on the base I! of the groove 10, as best shown in Fig. 9, by a pin I8 and spring 19. The spring l9 serves to maintain the part IS in engagement with the base 11 of the slot I with the portion l extending angularly outwardly from the base I].

The operating member I is provided with a coupling member formed of an L-shaped lug 20 which projects from member 1 for cooperation with the control or lifting member 8 and the latch 9 in a manner to be described. The mem-- her I is provided with a slot H in order that vertical movement thereof may be had without interference from the pin l3 extending transversely between the armature guides 5 and 6.

The electromagnet I is preferably mounted in a position as shown in Figs. 2 through 6-, and in such position, it will be noted that the force of gravity provides a bias for moving both the armature 4 and operating member I to their lower limits of travel as limited by the pin l3, and as shown in Fig. 3. The upper limit of travel of the operating member I is limited by engagement of the same pin l3 with the lower edge 22 of the slot 2| (Figs. 4'and 7).

The operating member I. is adapted to be secured to an operating part of an electric switch or other similar piece of equipment adapted to be moved back and forth between operative and inoperative positions. In this respect, it will be apparent that the resilient or gravitational bias of the contact member i an electric switch tending to move the contact member to its inoperative oropen position will add to the bias tending to move the operating member I to its lower position, as shown in Fig. 3.

The operation of the parts thus far described is as follows: With the electromagnet i in its inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 3, it will be noted that both the armature 4 and operating member I are in their lowermost position. Upon energization of the coil 3 to actuate and'move lug 20. As upward movement is continued, the

lifting member 8 will move clockwise, compressing the spring l9 until the end of the member I5 is seated within the angular portion of the lug 20. Thereafter, continued upward movement of the armature 4 will impart similar upward move ment to theoperating member 1 against its bias until the parts are moved to the position, as shown in Fig, 4;, and as limited by the pins l3 and 13a. As soon as upward movement of the armature 4 and operating member i is stopped by the pins l3 and 53a. the spring is will function to rotate the latch 9 clockwise to a position with the latching portion 23 thereof positioned underneath the lug 20.

Upon deenergization of the coil 3, the armature 4 will drop, but due to the engagement of the part 23 with the leg 26, the operating meanher i will be held i its upper position against movement under its bias. As the armature 4 falls to its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 5, the spring I9 will function to move the lifting member 8 counterclockwise until the end 15 thereof is positioned underneath the notch .24 on the latch 9, as shown in Fig. 5.

Upon subsequent energization of the coil 3, the end portion 15 of the lifting member 8 will engage in the notch 24 on the latch 9, and upward movement of the armature 4 will rotate the latch 9 counterclockwise to the position shown in Fig. 6. This action disengages the latch portion 23 from the lug 2n and releases the operating memher 1 for movement under its bias to its lowermost or inoperative position. In connection with movement of the member I to its lowermost position, it will be particularly noted that such motion takes place without the necessity of first deenergizing the coil 3, the member I as pointed out above being made of non-magnetic mate rial. Thereafter, upon deenergization of the coil 3, the lifting member 8 will move to a Position underneath the lug 20, as shown in Fig. 2, and the parts will be in position for another operating cycle.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that there is provided a novel form of electromagnet for operating an electric switch or similar equipment having a part movable back and forth between operative and inoperative positions. The operating member 1 may be readily connected to the operating parts of the switch or other type of equipment, and the provision of the lifting member 8 and lug 2G enables a first actuation of the armature 4 to move the member I upwardly to its operative position, in which position the latch 9 becomes effective for latching the member 1 in such position. The second actuation of the same armature 4 through the lifting memher 8 is effective to release the member I for movement under its bias to its inoperative position immediately and without the necessity of first deenergizing the magnetic circuit for the armature 4. By the provision of the operating member I, lifting member 8, and latch 9, it will be apparent that the electromagnet of this invention accomplishes that which has previously required two electromagnets or at least two armatures. It will further be noted that the particular arrangement of the parts I, 8, and 8 with respect to the armature 4 enables all of the essential operating parts to be mounted compactly in a small space positioned centrally of the energizing coil for the magnetic circuit.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction, and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitinz sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. An electromagnetic device comprising, in combination, a non-magnetic operating member reciprocable between two positions along a rectilinear path and biased towards one of said positions, latch means for holding said member in said other position, a magnetically operable armature reciprocable in parallel to said path and biased towards said one position, coupling means forming part of said memher to be entrained by said armature when ,the latter is operated against its bias, and

control means movably attached to said armature and biased towards engagement with said coupling means and latch means respectively depending upon whether said operating member is in said one and said other position respectively so as to release said latch means and coupling means upon subsequent operation ofsaid armature against its bias to permit said member to move under its bias independently of said armature.

2. An electromagnetic device comprising, in

combination, a non-magnetic operating member reciprocable between two positions and biased towards one of said positions, said member having a cam shaped projection, a latch having a stationary pivot and being arranged to engage said projection for holding said member in said other position, a, magnetically operable armature reciprocable along the path of said member and biased towards said one position, an element resiliently attached to-said armature for engaging said projection so as to entrain said member when said armature is operated against its bias and for engaging said latch so as to release said projection upon subsequent operation of said armature against its bias, whereby. said member upon release of said latch is permitted to move under its bias independently of said armature.

3. An electromagnetic device comprising, in

combination, a non-magnetic operating member reciprocable between two positions along a rectilinear path and biased towards one of said positions, a, latch having a stationary pivot and being arranged to engage said member for holding it in said other position, a magnetically operable armature reciprocable in parallel to said path and biased towards said one position, an element resiliently attached to said armature tor entraining' said member when said armature is operated against its bias and for engaging said latch so as to release said member upon subsequent operation of said armature against its bias in order to permit the released member to move under its biasindependently of said armature.

4. An electromagnetic device comprising, in combination, an operating member and an electrically operable driving member reciprocable between two positions along substantially parallel paths and independently biased in the same direction, latch means for holding said operating member in the position opposite said direction, coupling means for causing said driving member to entrain said operating member when said driving member is operated against its bias,

and control means movably mounted on said driving member and biased towards engagementwith said coupling means and latch means respectively depending upon whether said operating member is in said one and said other position respectively so as to release said latch means and coupling -means upon subsequent operation of said driving member against its bias to permit said operating member to move in said direction independently of said driving member.

5. An electromagnetic device comprising, in combination, an operating member and an electrically operable driving member reciprocable in face-to-face relationship between two positions along parallel paths 'and independently biased in the same direction, a latch having a stationary pivot and being arranged for holding said operating member in the position opposite said didection, coupling means disposed on said operating member for causing said driving memher to entrain said operating member when operated against its bias, and control means movably disposed on said driving member and biased towards engagement with said coupling means and latch means respectively depending upon whether said operating member is in said one and said other position respectively so as to release said latch and coupling means upon subsequent operation of said driving member against its bias to permit said operating member to move in said direction independently of said driving member.

6. An electromagnetic device comprising, in combination, a flat-faced operating member and an electrically operated flat-iaced driving member reciprocable in face-to-face relationship between two positions along rectilinear and parallel paths and independently biased in the same direction, said operatingmember having a cam element, a latch having a stationary pivot and being arranged for engaging said element in order to hold said operating member in the position opposite said direction, a coupling element movably mounted on said driving member for engaging said cam element so as to entrain said operating member when said driving member is operated against its bias, said coupling element being arranged to release said latch upon subsequent operation of said driving member against its bias for permitting said operating member to move in said direction.

7. An electromagnetic device comprising, in combination, a magnetically operated armature and an operating member arranged in face-toface relation, reciprocable along each other between two position and biased towards one of said positions, said operating member having a cam element near its end facing said other position, a latch having a fixed pivot and being biased towards said cam element tor engaging it in order to hold said member in said other position, said cam element having a guiding surface inclined relatively to the path of motion of said member and forming a stop at the side of said surface away from said latch, and means mounted on said armatur for engaging said surface and biased towards said latch, whereby, when said armature is first operated against its bias, said means are guided by said surface to engage said stop for entraining said member into latched position and, when said armature is subsequently operated against its bias, said means engage said latch for releasing said member.

8. An electromagnetic device comprising, in combination, a solenoid having a vertical bore, a magnetic armature and a non-magnetic operating member reciprocable along each other in said bore and biased downwardly, said operating member having a cam element near its upper end, a latch in said bore having a fixed pivot and being biased towards said cam element for engaging it in order to hold said member in lifted position, said cam element having a cam surface inclined downwardly towards said latch and forming a stop at its upper end, a lifting member mounted on said armature for engaging said surface and being biased towards said latch, whereby said armature when first lifted by said solenoid causes said lii member to engage said stop for lifting said operating member into latched position and when subsequently liited by said solenoid to cause said lifting member to for releasing aid operating member.

9. An electromagnetic device comprising, in combination, a solenoid, a magnetic armature and a non-magnetic Operating member reciprocable within said solenoid in parallel to each other between two positions and biased towards one of said positions, latch means arranged in said solenoid for holding said member in said other. position, and control ,means movably mounted on said armature and biased towards engagement with said member and said latch respectively depending upon whether said member is in said one and said other position respectively for entraining said member when said armature is first moved by said solenoid against its bias and for releasing said latch means when said armature is subsequently moved by said solenoid.

10. An electromagnetic device comprising, in combination, a nonmagnetic operating member reciprocable between two positions along a 20 rectilinear path and biased towards one of said positions, releasable latch means for holding said member in said other position, a magnetically operable armature reciprocable in parallel to said path and biased towards said one position.

coupling means on said member, and control -is released upon subsequent operation of said armature against its bias to then permit said member to move under its bias independently of said armature.

FERDINAND C. IGLEHART.

Images