US2561991A

US2561991A - Magnet operator structure

Info

Publication number: US2561991A
Application number: US40087A
Authority: US
Inventors: John C Ponstingl
Original assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
Current assignee: CBS Corp
Priority date: 1948-07-22
Filing date: 1948-07-22
Publication date: 1951-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 1968-07-24

Description

\ y 24, 1951 J. c. PONSTINGL 2,561,991

MAGNET OPERATOR STRUCTURE Filed July 22, 1948 M INVENTOR WITNESSES: W (10/212 6: Pogzsziny! Z20.

" at}? W 13/ ATTORNEY Patented July 24, 195i UNITED 1 PATENT OFF ICE 1 MAGNET OPERATOR STRUCTURE I 'John 0. lonstingl. -Pittsburgh,-Pa, 'assignor to Westinghouse filectricCorpol-ation, East Pittsburgh, 'Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania ApplicationJu ly .22, 1948, SerialN'o. 404187 My invention relates to electromagnetically operable switches and more particulariy to the supporting and operating elements for themo'vable armature of such switches.

' .A broad object ofmy invention isthe provision of'a simple, rugged'reliable, and inexpensive operator for an electromagnetically actuated device.

A still broader object of my invention is the provision of improved operator elements for an electromagnetic device as a switch. A more specific object of my invention is the provision of an extremely ruggedand simple operator frame consisting of two identically shaped elements suitably secured to each other.

"Other objects and advantages will become more apparent from a study of the specification and the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of one half of an operator 'for'an electromagnetic device; g 1 Fig. 2 is a view from the rear of "the subject matter shown in Fig. '1,

Fig; 3' is a top plan view of one'of the elements such-as shown in'F'ig. 1;

Fig; 4' is a view from "below of the same type element shown'in I; I Fig. 5 shows a side view of the elements, shown in Figs. '3 and '4, in assembled relation; Fig; 6 showsa viewlrom the rear of the sub jest matter shown in Fig. '5) Fig. '7 shmvs'the bottoinportion' of Fig.6 in vertical section; and

5- claims. (01. 74-479.)

"Fig; 8 shows the elements shown in Fig. '5 in assembled relation with the other elements of a complete electromagile-tie switch operator;

in Fig. 8 of the drawing; I designates the base or control panel to which my device, in use,'is secured. The E--shaped magnet 2 is provided with a pair of heavy 'lam inati ons 8 on its outer snnfaces. These laminations are provided with flanges 4 at the rear for mounting the magnet 2 to. the '1. The magnet structure is so mounted on the base I that the open part ofthe E faces downwardlyethat-is, the legs 6, I and 8 are directed down and with the stem "9 being disposed so as to project horizontally from the base;

The middle leg 1., or core, carries the energizi-ng coil 1.0 held in place by friction or some sim-- ple readily displaceable coil holding means. as

rectangular plate H... This plate 11 is provided with tabs, or tongues l2 and 13 that project beyond the upper smrface'of the :stem 9. andthe lower. surface of the armature It. These tabs are slightly under-cut at the junction of the tab with the main portion of the rectangular plate. Theamonnt of under-cut is such that the frames {5 and in can not be removed without compressthe springs H and 1'3 which are disposed'between the tab 12 and projection I3l and tab I3 and projection 13 l respectively.

The discussion of Fig. 8., and with reference to the elements from I to l8 inclusive, is merely first here given-to properly-show the environment of my invention, but does not disclose my invention indetail. invention in this app'li cation is confined to the operator frame that is aciniated by the "armature Hnpon' energization of 0011 it).

'The operator :frame 211, shown complete and separate .fromiits emdronment 'in use in Figs. 5'- snd 6, consists of two

pieces

22 and 122 spot Welded into a unitary rigid and simple frame by thesspot welds rat-=54, Stand 57. Each of the pieces .22 and 122. "is-stamped 'irot'nfiat mate rial by the use of a single die. The pieces, even after complete shaping, are thus identical shape. a

As viewed from the side it will be noted that the piece 22 is generally in'the shape of a -square c or a u disposed on "its side. The upper leg '24 is provided with :a .foot 25 disposed in the same plane as the leg, Zebu-t disposed at right angles to the leg 24.. The foot 215 is provided withatoe 2e bent at. right angles to the foot 25 Further the toe isprovided an apertured forwardly directed projrectionlfi. 'I h-e par-ts to be actuated by the operator are secured to the proiecti'odll The lower leg 28 is provided with a footie-dis posed the same plane as leg 28 but disposed at right angles to the-leg 28. The foot 29is pro-- video. with a toad!) bent at right angles to foot 29. The toe is provided with a dove -tailed projection :31 protecting at right angles to both the legZB and toe 3 0; I v

From some of the figures in the drawing; it will "be apparent that the piece 122 is also gen erally in the shaneot asquare 0,01 a U disposed onitsside. The lower-leg 124 is provided with a foot {25 disposed in the same plane as the leglzltl but disposed at right angles to the leg-1'24. The foot I25 .isprovi'ded with 'a toe F26 bent at right angles to the foot I251; Further, the toe'iZli is provided with an apertured forwardly directed? projection I21. Parts to be actuated'the op erator 2| may be secured to this projection.

The upper leg 1 2B is'provided with a foot 1'29 disposed in the same plane as the leg 1% but 'd-is posed at right angles to the leg I28. The foot I29 is provided with a toe I bent at right angles to the foot I29. The toe I36 is provided with a projection I3I, in the shape of a dove-tail, projecting at right angles to both the leg I28 and the toe I30.

In building my operator I take the pieces just described, retain'one. in the'position shown in Fig. 2 and 'turn the second piece, while in the position shown in Fig. 2, through an angle of 180 in a clockwise direction and then interfit the parts as shown in Fig. 6. During stamping the toe 30 is provided with the two spaced pips 32 and 33 and the toe 26 is provided with the.

holes 34 and 35. The toe I36 is similarly provided with pips I32 and I33 and the toe I26 is similarly provided with the holes I34 and I35. In assembling the two pieces 22'and I22, the pip 32 of piece 22 is made to fit into the opening, or hole, I of the piece I22jand the pip 33 of piece 22 is made to fit into the hole I34 of piece I22. Similarly, the pips I32 and I33 on the piece I22 are made to interfit with the holes 34 and 35, respectively, on piece 22. These pips and holes thus provide guiding means to insure correct positioning or alignment of the two pieces 22 and I22 on each other. Assembly is thus facilitated by spot welding at the pips, as indicated at 54, 55, 56 and 51, the rigid unitary structure shown in Fig. 6 is provided.

The operator 2| is then provided with the bearing sleeves 40 and M. These bearing sleeves provide the bearings for the armature I4.

A study of Figs. 6 and 8 will show that the assembled operator 2I provides the right-hand side or portion of a parallelogram construction with the plate I I forming the left-hand side. The frames I5 and I6 and the springs I1 and I8 thus form the end portions of the parallelogram construction.

The tabs I2 and I3 have a construction, or shape, similar to the projections 3I and I3 I. The frames I5 and I6 are generally in the shape of a picture frame but with the end portions beveled inwardly. The frames are thus latched in position when the springs I1 and I8 are in expanded position as shown in Fig. 8.

To better understand the utility and function of the operator, reference may be had to the structure and function of the parts associated with the compression springs I1 and I8.

Since the compression spring I! is at its ends held in place by the buttons I2 on the tab I2 and the projection I3I, respectively, it is apparent that the spring holds the frame I5 under. tension.

The compression spring I8, coacting similarly with the buttons I3 on the tab I3 and the projection 3I, respectively, holds the frame I8 under tension. since the tabs I2 and I3 are on the ends of the plate I I and the bight portions of the pieces 22 and I22 are guided by the plate II, the operator is free to move vertically upon actuation of the armature I4 by the energization of the coil I0. Suitable electric contacts, or switch members may thus be actuated by the operator frame 2 I.

My invention is broader in scope than the single showing made. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the single showing made but wish to be limited only by the scope of the claims hereto appended.

I claim as my invention:

. 1. An operator frame for an electromagnetically actuated switch, in combination, a first side 4 member in the shape of a square 0, a first foot at the upper leg of the G, a second foot at the lower leg of the C, a first toe element projecting from the first foot, a second toe element projecting from the second foot, and a flat member projecting at right angles from the second toe element, and a second side member like the first ,tur ned end fornd disposed ,the. first side 'member so that the fiat member'of the'first side member hooks over the second toe element on the second side member and the flat member of the second side member hooks over the first toe element on the first side member, one of said toe elements being provided with spaced projections and the toe element disposed in contiguous relation having holes spaced to receive the projections whereby assembly of the side members is facilitated.

2. An operator frame for actuation by an armature of an electromagnetic device, in combination, a flat one-piece first side member generally in the shape of a square 0 thus having two legs, a foot at the end of each leg, a first toe element disposed at right angles to one foot, a second toe element disposed at right angles to the other foot, a projection disposed at right angles to the second toe element, and a second side member like, the first side member disposed on the first side member so that the first toe element of the second side member rests at the inside corner formed bythe projection and second toe element on the first side member, and the first toe element on the first side member rests at the inside corner formed by the projection and second toe element on the second side member.

3. An operator frame for the elements to be operated by the movement of an armature of an electromagnetic device, in combination, a first side member stamped from fiat sheet metal so as to be generally in the shape of a square 0 to thus have an upper leg and a lower leg, 9. foot at the upper leg in the plane of the upper leg projecting upwardly from the upper leg, 9. foot at the lower leg in the plane of the lower leg projecting downwardly from the lower leg, a first toe element on the upper foot projecting at right angles from the plane of the foot, a second toe element on the lower foot projecting at right angles from the plane of the foot, a projection on the second toe element projecting at right angles from the toe element at the edge nearer the bight of the o, and a-second side member like the first in every detail turned end for end on an axis falling in the plane of the side member disposed on the first side member so that the outside surface of the first toe element of the first member is in contiguous relation to the inside surface of the second toe element of the second member, and the inside surface of the second toe element of the first member is in contiguous relation to the outside surface of the first toe element of the second member, and means for securing the toe elements to each other, whereby the second side member is se cured to the first side member.

4. An operator frame for the elements to be operated by the movement of an armature of an electromagnetic device, in combination, a first side member stamped from fiat sheet metal so as .to be generally in the shape of a square'c to thus have an upper leg and a lower leg, a foot at the upper leg in the plane of the upper leg projecting upwardly from the upper leg, a foot 5 at the lower leg in the plane of the lower leg projecting downwardly from the lower leg, a first toe element on the upper foot projecting at right angles from the plane of the foot, a second toe element on the lower foot projecting at right angles from the plane of the foot, a projection on the second toe element projecting at right angles from the toe element at the edge nearer the bight of the 0, said toe element on the lower foot being provided with a pair of upwardly directed spaced projections, said toe element on the upper foot being provided with a pair of openings aligned and sized to match the projections, and a second side member like the first in every detail turned end for end so that the bight of the C of the second side member is beside the bight of the 0 of the first side memher and the two side members fit onto each other so that the projections on one fit into the-openings of the other.

5. An operator frame for the elements to be operated by the movement of an armature of an electromagnetic device, in combination, a first side member stamped from fiat sheet metal so as to be generally in the shape of a square 0 to thus have an upper leg and a lower leg, a foot angles from the plane of the foot, a second side member, similar in structure to the first side member, disposed on the first side member so that the top surface of the upper toe element of the first side member is in contiguous relation to the bottom surfaceof the top toe element of the second side member and the top surface of the bottom toe element of the first side member is in contiguous relation to the bottom surface of the bottom toe element of the second side memher, and means for rigidly securing the side mem here to each other at the contiguous surfaces of the toe elements.

' JOI-W C. PONSTINGL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 397,767 Wells Feb. 12, 1889 1,380,659 Layman June 7, 1921 1,675,219 Kent June 26, 1928 1,977,450 Mitchell Oct. 16, 1934 2,162,356 Peek June 13, 1939 2,239,031 Bierenfeld Apr. 22, 1941 2,310,056 Bendz Feb. 2, 1943 2,328,945 Bierenfeld -r Sept. 7, 1943 2,347,934 Christensen May 2, 1944 2,352,765 Bierenfeld July 4, 1944 2,360,744 r Valkenburg Oct. 1'7, 1944