US2434954A

US2434954A - Switch structure

Info

Publication number: US2434954A
Application number: US514481A
Authority: US
Inventors: Penn Ralph
Original assignee: Penn Electric Switch Co
Current assignee: Penn Electric Switch Co
Priority date: 1943-12-16
Filing date: 1943-12-16
Publication date: 1948-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 1965-01-27

Description

R. PENN 2,434,954

SWITCH STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 16, 1945 Patented Jen. 27,1943

swrron sraoc'mnn f v Ralph Penn, Goshen, Ind., assigner to Penn Elec` t trio Switch Co.. Goshen, Ind., a corporation of Iowa Appueanen neeember 1s, 1943, serien Ne. '514,4s1 Q i n claim.. (ci. zoo-s) My present'invention relates to a switch structure which is in the form of a relatively small unit and which is so designed as to minimize the possibility of vibration causing the switch to operate at undesirable times. l

One object of the invention is to provide a switch structure of unit type vwhich is comparatively simple andl inexpensive from a, manufacturing standpoint, and can be interchangeably mounted adjacent an actuator.

Another object is to provide a switch structure capable of emcient manufacture in very small sizes with a maximum amount of accuracy in operation, wherein pigtail and pivot connections are eliminated, the switch arm being mounted for swinging movement on a leaf spring.

Another object is to provide an inexpensive asfsembly for mounting the leaf spring on a base, and a switch arm on the leaf spring with the switch arm being so designed as to substantially balance on opposite lsides of the leaf spring, thereby minimizing any tendency for the switch therein and adjacent this socket a'pair oi.''similar` terminal straps i2 are mounted' as'by screws extending upwardly vthrough thefQbaSej diff',I threaded into the straps. l 'Y The base is molded to form grooves I 4 which y lv snugly receive the terminal straps andthe ternrii-l nal straps are provided with 'downeturned lil,eliges i5 located in the socket I0. A leaf1springly l8,is1

supported by the 'flanges ls, oneiewerA jend 'ojztnejf to operate either one way or the other when jarred or subjected to vibration.

A further object is to provide a switch structure particularly adapted for operation on an airplane such as for a reversing motor of a cowl ap control of the kind shown in my copending appication, Serial No. 523,839, filed February 25. l 44.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction. arrange- -ment and combination of the various. parts oi my switch structure whereby the objects con` templated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illus-A trated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a switch structure embodying my invention, the cover thereof being removed. Y

Figure 2 is a similar view showing a section just below the switch arm and the leaf spring for mounting the switch arm shown in cross section. Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-2 of Figure 1 with the cover in place on the base and showing the switch in one position.

Figure 4 is a similar v"sectional view showing the switch in another position.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are sectional views on .the e 5-5, 8-6 and 1-1 respectively of Figure 3. On the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference character B to indicate a base and C the cover therefor. The elements B and C are preferably made ot insulating material, such as Bakelite or the like. The base B has a socket i0 Another'pair of terminal straps 2la`.re.receiyed f from, yauxiliary movablecontacts 35 and 3.6. :The

and spring secured together,'aslbyafpairogof rivets I1. I V, The leaf spring thereby extendsA pwardlyfrorn the base. lA switch armjA is mounte'don ,t e, y* upper end of the spring. kThe switch' y arm,Acomprises a pair of arm members i8` having upstaride ing flanges I9' adjacent each othe.,}'l hel`upper end of the leaf spring I6 is received b etweenthe anges I9 and the switch arm .and spring are .ref tained assembled relative to each other Aby a.,A ofrivets 20. 1 .i n y Mounted in diagonally opposite grooves 2l of the base B, are terminal straps 2'2A,setici-eti.s in position by other screws I3. Theterminal straps' l2 and 22 are split at their .endsjasfindicated at. 23, and support stationary contacts Manci 2o,

leaf spring being between them' andthe.ilangesf` in grooves 2l of the base Beas byscrews. i3, and. are likewise split at 23, the-splithendsv having stationary contacts 28 and 29 y`vvadju stahly threaded therein. The terminal straps I2, 22,-and 28 are all provided with U-shapedclipends lfin which the circuit controlling wiresfrnay,il be soldered. o A 11,

The switch arnrA 'carries at its.r outer ends movable contacts I2 and 3l and inwardly; there-ffH contacts 35 and are carried by leafsprings-fl.,

secured as by rivets, to tvhe-arxrnsections .18.' The springs 31 are `under tension,sothatjtheir outer ends Aare engaged with the arms as: shown in the leit-hand-.half of Figure 3.;. .The switchf arms are provided with enlarged. openings: 39 to clearthe contacts 3B and 36. f el The cover C is adaptedl to be heldv-iniplaceiby;f screws 40 which extend through boththe cover' and the base and then into a supporting structure* as shown in my co--pending applicationsy The4 base B is provided with a socketlizin whichaa f f y return spring 42 is mounted. The returnf'spring tends to rotate the switch arm Arin 1.a'.clockv'vise" directionin Figure 3. For actuating the switch arlniri'a:y counter' clockwise direction, an actuating''pin'flv isslid-f able in an opening oi' the base,`.an"d asa head Il for engaging the switch arm when the pin is pushed inwardly. A second head I preferably of insulating material is mounted on the pin for engagement, by an actuating device of any kind. For stopping counter-clockwise movement of the switch arm, I provide a stop bracket 41 secured as by a screw 4l in a groove I! of the base B.

, Practica! operation In the operation of my switch structure, the switch arm A normally assumes the position shown in Figure 3 due to the bias of the spring 42. When the actuating pin Il is pushed inwardly, it will engage the switch arm and then start it moving in a counter-clockwise direction as shown in Figure 4. First a circuit will be opened at contacts '2l and 34 as shown in this figure, and then a circuit will be opened across l! and Il. Next a circuit is closed at 2I--35 and nally at 2I-32. The' two ends of the switch arm thereby operate relay and holding circuits in the manner shown in lmy copending application.

Upon release of the pin I3, the spring l! will operate the switch arm in a return direction until it finally assumes the position of Figure 3, thus completing a cycle of operations.

My switch structure is particularly adapted for trouble-free operation where vibration is imparted to the switch, the switch arm A, however'` being unaffected by such vibrations. This is due to both ends of the switch arms being equal in weight, mass and shape, and thus balanced so that vibration tending to move the arm bodily in either direction will act equally on both ends and thereby eliminate the possibility of movement being imparted to the switch arm due to such vibration. This is particular-y desirable where cowl flap motors are controlled, and it is undesirable to alternately energize and de-energize them due to chattering contacts. Furthermore, direct current of low voltage and high amperage is usually used, and such chattering would quickly destroy the usefulness of the contacts, whereas a switch of the kind I disclose may pass through many operating cycles without appreciable harm being done to the contacts.

The switch structure is so designed that a minimum of materials and assembly labor are required to fabricate it and to propery adjust it after fabrication. After the adjustments are made, seals of wax or the like I1 may -be applied to the contacts 2l, 25. 28 and 2S as shown in Figure 3. The cover C may be readily removed at any time without disturbing the actuating pin Il which is carried by the base vB and thus the switch is a complete unit so that its operation can be checked when the cover is removed.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their` scope without sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a switch structure, a base, a leaf spring opstanding therefrom, a switch arm supported intermediate its ends on said leaf spring, extending substantially parallel to said base and having portions of substantial y equal mass and shape on opposite sides of the point of support, a pair of stationary contacts on said base on each side of said leaf spring, movable contacts 4 on the outer ends of said switch arm for coaction with the outer two of said stationary contacts, auxiliary movable contacts on said switch arms spaced inwardly from said first movable contacts g for coaction with the inner two of said stationary contacts, a return spring between said base and said switch arm on one side of said leaf spring, and an actuating pin slidably mounted on said base and engageable with said switch arm on the opposite side of said leaf spring from said return spring.

2. In a switch structure, a base. a leaf spring upstanding therefrom, a switch supported intermediate its ends on said leaf spring, extending substantially parallel to said base and having portions of substantialy equal mass and shape on opposite sides of the point of support, a stationary contact on said base on each side of said leaf spring, movable contacts on said switch arm for coaction with said stationary contacts, a return spring between said base and said switch arm on one side of said leaf spring, and an actuating pin slidably mounted in said base and engageable with said switch arm on the opposite side of said leaf spring from said return spring.

3. In a switch structure, a base, a leaf spring upstanding therefrom, a switch arm supported intermediate its ends on said leaf spring, said arm having two portions whose centers of gravity are substantially equally spaced from said point of support, said portions being of substantially the same weight, a stationary contact on said base on each side of said leaf spring, movable contacts on said switch arm for coaction with said stationary contacts, a return spring for said switch arm, and an actuating pin engageable with said switch arm to move it in opposition to said return spring.

4. In a switch structure, a base, a leafvspring upstanding therefrom, a switch arm supported intermediate its ends on said leaf spring and extending substantiaily parallel to said base, a pair of stationary contacts on said base on opposite .sides of said leaf spring, contacts on said switch arm for alternate coaction with said stationary contacts, a return spring for said switch arm, and an actuating element engageable with said switch arm in opposition to said return spring for actuating the switch.

5. In a switch structure, a base, a leaf spring upstanding therefrom, a switch arm supported intermediate its ends on said leaf spring, a stationary contact on said base, a movable contact on said switch arm for coaction with said stationary contact, a return spring for said switch arm on one side of said leaf spring, and an actuating element engageable with said switch arm in opposition tosaid return spring.

6. A switch structure comprising a base, a pair a0 of brackets secured to said base and having downturned adjacent portions countersunk in said base, a leaf spring between said down-turned portions, means for securing said portions together with said leaf spring between them, whereby the leaf spring extends upwardly from said base, a switch arm comprising a pair of arm portions having adjacent flanges at their ends, means for securing said flanges together with said leaf spring between them whereby the switch arm is mounted for rocking movement relative to said base, stationary contacts on said base, movable contacts on said switch arm, means urging said switch arm to swing in one direction about its connection to said leaf spring as a pivot. and an 7l actuating pin slidably mounted in said base and engageable with said switch arm to swing it in kthe opposite direction.

7. A switch structure comprising a base, a pair of brackets secured to said base and having ad- A jacent portions, a leaf spring secured between said portions, said leaf spring extending away from said base, a switch arm comprising two parts having'adjacent portions intermediate the ends of the switch arm, said leaf spring being secured between said last portions for swinging movement of the switch arm with the bending of the spring, a stationary contact on said base, a movable contact on said switch arm, and means to swing said switch arm.

8. A switch structure comprising a base. a pair of brackets secured to said base and havingdownarm portions having adjacent flanges at their 30 ends extending away from said base, said anges being riveted together with said leaf spring between them whereby the switch arm is mounted for rocking movement in close proximity to said base, a stationary contact on said base, a movable contact on said switch arm, and actuating means engageable with said switch arm to eiect such rocking movement.

10. A switch structure comprising a base, a pair oi' brackets secured to said base and having downturned adjacent portions countersunk in said base, a leaf spring between said down-turned portions, means for securing said portions together with said leaf spring between them, whereby the leaf spring extends upwardly from said base, a switch arm comprising a pair of arm portions having adjacent flanges at their ends, means for securing said ilanges together with said leaf spring between them, whereby the switch arm is mounted for rocking movement relative to said base, terminal straps on said base, stationary consnugly receive said terminal straps, screws upwardly through said base for retaining said straps in assembled position in said grooves, said stationary contacts being threaded in said straps, the straps being slotted to permit frictional engagement of the straps with the screws.

i1. In a switch structure, a base, a leaf sprinl extending upwardly from said base, a switch arm mounted thereon for rocking movement relative to said base, terminal straps on said base, stationary contacts mounted therein, said base being grooved to snugly receive said terminal straps, screws upwardly through said base for retaining said straps inlassembled position in said grooves, said stationary contacts being threaded in said straps. the straps being slotted to permit' frictional engagement of the straps with the screws. and movable contacts for coaction with said stationary contacts.

RALPH PENN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are oi' record in the ille of this patent:

5 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,477,834 Leddick Dec. 18, 1923 0 FOREIGN PATENTS v Number Country Date 345,595 Germany Dec. 15, 1921 tacts mounted therein, said base being grooved to l