US2701475A - Snap acting device - Google Patents

Snap acting device Download PDF

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Publication number
US2701475A
US2701475A US156439A US15643950A US2701475A US 2701475 A US2701475 A US 2701475A US 156439 A US156439 A US 156439A US 15643950 A US15643950 A US 15643950A US 2701475 A US2701475 A US 2701475A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tension member
aperture
point
cantilever
tension
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US156439A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Robert M Readeker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Honeywell Inc
Original Assignee
Honeywell Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Honeywell Inc filed Critical Honeywell Inc
Priority to US156439A priority Critical patent/US2701475A/en
Priority to FR1031842D priority patent/FR1031842A/fr
Priority to GB3531/51A priority patent/GB686730A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2701475A publication Critical patent/US2701475A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/26—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
    • H01H13/36—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using flexing of blade springs
    • H01H13/40—Blade spring with at least one snap-acting leg and at least one separate contact-carrying or contact-actuating leg
    • H01H13/42—Blade spring with at least one snap-acting leg and at least one separate contact-carrying or contact-actuating leg having three legs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16H—GEARING
    • F16H35/00—Gearings or mechanisms with other special functional features
    • F16H35/14—Mechanisms with only two stable positions, e.g. acting at definite angular positions
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/18—Mechanical movements
    • Y10T74/18888—Reciprocating to or from oscillating
    • Y10T74/18896—Snap action
    • Y10T74/18904—Plate spring

Definitions

  • An object 'of this invention is the provisionof a snap acting spring system of the above character having a greatly increased life expectancy over comparable spring systems.
  • Another object of the invention is the provision of a snap acting spring system having novel means for distributing stresses in the tension member, during actuation of the spring system, so as to minimize fracturing of the tension member.
  • Another object :of the invention is the provision of a snap acting spring system of the. above character having a relatively long life that may be produced at a relatively low cost.
  • Fig. 2 is an enlarged top viewof the snap spring system showing the snap acting spring and an anchor plate for mounting the same, and
  • Fig. 3 is a graph showing the contour of a conventional spring system and the contour of the spring system embodying the present invention at difierent operating positions of the spring systems.
  • the invention is shown embodied in an electric switch.
  • the latter includes a snap acting spring system 11, mounted in a housing 13 of suitable insulating material, and a plunger 14 mounted on the housing to actuate the snap spring system 11.
  • the snap spring system 11 in this embodiment of the invention is formed by spaced compression members 16, atension member 17, means for mounting the tension and compression members to stress them respectively in tension and compression and opposed's'tops 18 and 19 for limiting movement of the tension member between opposed positions.
  • each compression member is pivotally supported in grooves 22 formed at the ends of legs 23 of a U-shap ed plate 24 which is mounted on a shoulder 26 formed at one end of the housing 13 opposite the stops 18 and 19 and secured by a screw 37 threaded into a sleeve 38 disposed in the housing 13.
  • the opposite ends of the compression members are interconnected with an end of the tension member to define a free'end39 spaced from F ce Patented Feb. 8, 1955 the mounted ends of the compression member and shaped to carry a movable contact 41 between the opposed stops 18 and 19.
  • the tension member 17 is disposed between the compression members 16 and is mounted in a cantilever manner as by attaching the mounted end of the tension member between a crosspiece 42 of the anchor plate 24 and the screw 37. .
  • the central portion of the crosspiece 42 is offset relative to the plane of the legs 23 to form a recess for the mounted end of the tension member.
  • a screw 43 threaded into the sleeve 38 secures a terminal 44 on the exterior of the housing 13.
  • the stops 18 and 19 in this embodiment of the invention are defined by fixed contacts which are formed by spaced metal elements secured to shoulders 46' and 47 respectively at one end of the housing as by screws 48 and 49.
  • the screws are threaded into conducting sleeves such as sleeve 51, molded in the housing 13 and electri: cally connected to a terminal 52 on the exterior of the housing.
  • the terminal 52 is secured to the sleeve as by a screw 53.
  • one of the contacts may be-omitted and an insulating member substituted there- I of the housing 13, and a head 57 having a projection 57a shaped to engage the tension member 17 at a point between the cantilever mounting of the tension member and the pivotal supports for the compression members 16.
  • One phase of the invention is concerned with distributing stresses in the tension member 17 so as to increase the life of the spring system and reduce the liklihood of fracturing the tension member as a result of flexing the latter member.
  • the tension member 17 is formed with a reduced cross sectional area at a point adjacent the cantilever mounted end to increase the flexibility or reduce the rigidity of a portion of the tension member so as to control the curvature of the tension member .and prevent the formation of highly stressed areas immediately adjacent the cantilever mounted end of the tension member.
  • the tension member 17 has a portion intermediate its edges removed to define a generally rounded aperture 58 and side portions 59 interconnecting the mounted end and the opposite end portions of the tension member.
  • The-aperture 58 is located between the point of overhang of the tension member 17 at its cantilever mounted end and the point of application of the plunger 14 and it is thought that the best results are obtained when the center of the aperture is at the point of inflection of the tension member, determined for the tension member in the absence of the aperture 58, thepoint of inflection of the tension member being the point wherein the curvature of the tension member changes from a convex curve to a concave curve during actuation of the spring system when viewed along a longitudinal section of the tension member (see Fig. 3).
  • Theconfiguration of the aperture may be circular, elliptical or other shape; In some instances a plurality of apertures may be utilized and the side edges ofthe tension member may have portions removed to reduce the cross sectional area of the tension member. For optimum results sharp corners in the configuration of any aperture or any relieved portion should be avoided. While the tension member 17 in the present embodiment of the invention is a single member, it is to be understood that where there are a plurality of spaced tension members, each of them may be formed with apertures or have portions of the sides removed to define portions having greater flexibility than the remainder of the members as described above.
  • the overhanging portion of the tension member 17 between the plunger 14 and the cantilever mounted end of the tension member assumes, as seen in viewing Fig. 3, what can best be described as a generally reversing curve or S-shaped curve, with the overhanging portion of the tension member immediately adjacent the cantilever mounted end having a convex configuration and the portion of the tension member adjacent the point of application of the plunger having a concave confi uration.
  • the tension member 17 with an aperture 58 requires a greater plunger movement to effect actuation of the spring system than is the case of the tension member without the aperture.
  • the spring system having a tension member 17 with an aperture 58 opcrates in a manner that is entirely contrary to normal expectations.
  • One explanation of the phenomenon is that in the tension member 17 with the aperture 58 the bending moments are changed so that the bending stresses are distributed rather uniformly over the area of the tension member between the cantilever mounted end and the aperture 58.
  • This is in contrast to a spring system having a tension member without an aperture wherein the portion of the tension member immediately adjacent the point of overhang appears to be an area of concentrated stresses during actuation of the spring system.
  • the configuration of the tension member 17 with the aperture 58 for different operating positions of the spring system substantiates the view that the bending stresses are redistributed.
  • a member having opposite end portions, means for mounting one of said end portions to provide a cantilever mountingfor said member, means for supporting the other end of said member, means for applying a force intermediate the ends of said member to flex the latter to conform to an S-shaped configuration adjacent the cantilever mounted end and means on said member for increasing the flexibility of said member in the area of the point which in the absence of said means on said member would be the point of inflection of said member, whereby to redistribute the stresses in said member to preclude fracturing thereof immediately adjacent said cantilever mounted end due to flexing said member.
  • an elongated resilient member having opposite ends, means for mounting one of said ends to provide a cantilever mounting for said member, means for supporting the other end of said member, a plunger for applying an actuating force intermediate the ends of said member to flex the latter to have the portion adjacent said cantilever mounting means conform to an S-shaped configuration.
  • said member having a reduced cross section at a portion of its extent spaced from its point of overhang at its cantilever mounted end and located between said point of overhang and the point of application of the plunger to increase the flexibility of the member therebetween to distribute the bending stresses in said member over a substantial portion thereof immediately adjacent its cantilever mounted end as said actuating force is applied to the member.
  • an elongated resilient member hav-' ing opposite'ends. means for mounting 'one of said ends to provide a cantilever mounting for'said member, means for supporting the other end *ofgis'aid. member, a plunger for applying an actuating force intermediate the ends of said member to flex the latter;. t o. have the portion adjacent said cantilever mounting' means conform to an S- shaped configuration, said elongated member having an aperture located to have its center coincide with the point which in the absence of said aperture would be the point of inflection of said member to increase the flexibility of said member and distribute the stresses over a substantial portion of the member during flexing thereof.
  • a snap action device the combination of a ten sion member having an end free to move between opposed positions with a snap action, a compression member interccnnected at one of its ends with said free end, means for supporting the opposite end of the tension member to provide a cantilever mounting therefor, means for mounting the compression member to define with said tension member a snap acting spring system having an axis of maximum stress, means for moving said tension member through an axis of maximum stress and means formed on said tension member in spaced relation from its point of overhang at its cantilever mounted end and located between said point of overhang and said last mentioned means adjacent the point which in the absence of said means formed on the tension member would be the point of inflection of said tension member for distributing the stresses throughout a substantial portion of the tension member adjacent the cantilever mounted end thereof and thereby minimize the concentration of stresses immediately adjacent the cantilever mounting means.
  • a tension member having an end free to move between opposed positions with a snap action, spaced compression members interconnected at one of their ends with said tension member, means for supporting the opposite end of the tension member to provide a cantilever mounting therefor, means for mounting the opposite end of each compression member to define with said tension member a snap acting spring system having an axis of maximum stress and a plunger for moving said tension member through said axis of maximum stress, said tension member having a portion of reduced cross sectional area at a position spaced from its point of overhang at its cantilever mounted end and located between said point of overhang and the point at which it is engaged by said plunger immediately adjacent the point which in the absence of said reduction in cross sectional area would be the point of inflection ofsaid tension member toincrease the flexibility of a portion of said tension member between the cantilever'mounted end and the point at which it is engaged by the plunger to control the curvature of the tension member adjacent the cantilever mounted end and thereby minimize the stresses in the
  • a snap acting device the combination of a ten sion member having an end free to move between opposed positions with a snap action, spaced compression members interconnected atone of their ends with said free end, means for mounting the opposite end of the compression members to define with said tension member a snap acting spring system'having an axis of maximum stress and a plunger for moving said tension member through said axis of maximum stress, said tension member having an aperture located to have its center coincide with the point which in the absence of said aperture would be the point of inflection of said tension member to increase the flexibility of the tension member intermerdiate the cantilever mounted end of the tension member and the plunger to'distribute the stresses throughout a substantial portion of the tension member and thereby minimize high stresses immediately adjacent the cantilever mounted end of the tension member when the latter is flexed to actuate the spring system.
  • a snap acting mechanism the combination of a tension member having an end free to move between opposed positions, means for mounting the opposite end of the tension member in cantilever fashion, a compression member interconneced at one end with said free end, means for supporting the opposite end of the compression member to define with said tension member a snap acting spring system having an axis of maximum stress, means for moving a portion of said tension member through the axis of maximum stress to move said free end with snap action between said opposed positions, and means on the tension member spaced from its point of overhang and positioned intermediate said moving means and said point of overhang of the tension member to damp out vibration.
  • an elongated resilient member having opposite ends, means for mounting one of said ends to provide a cantilever mounting for said member, means engaging said member in spaced relation from its cantilever mounted end stressing said member in tension, a. plunger for applying an actuating force intermediate the ends of said members to flex the latter to have the portion adjacent said cantilever mounting means conform to an S-shaped configuration, said member having a reduced cross-section at a portion of its extent spaced from its point of overhang at its cantilever mounted end and located between said point of overhang and the point of application of the plunger to increase the flexibility of the member therebetween to distribute the bending stresses in said member over a substantial portion thereof immediately adjacent its cantilever mounted end as said actuating force is applied to the member.
  • an elongated resilient member having opposite ends, means for mounting one of said ends to provide a cantilever mounting for said member, means engaging said member in spaced relation from its cantilever mounted end stressing said member in tension, 2. plunger for applying an actuating force intermediate the ends of said member to flex the latter to have the portion adjacent said cantilever mounting means conform to an S-shaped configuration, said elongated member having an aperture located to have its center coincide with the point which in the absence of said aperture would be the point of inflection of said member to increase the flexibility of said member and distributes the stresses over a substantial portion of the member during flexing thereof.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Switches Operated By Changes In Physical Conditions (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Force In General (AREA)
  • Control Of Throttle Valves Provided In The Intake System Or In The Exhaust System (AREA)
  • Springs (AREA)
US156439A 1950-04-17 1950-04-17 Snap acting device Expired - Lifetime US2701475A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US156439A US2701475A (en) 1950-04-17 1950-04-17 Snap acting device
FR1031842D FR1031842A (fr) 1950-04-17 1951-01-16 Dispositif à déclenchement brusque
GB3531/51A GB686730A (en) 1950-04-17 1951-02-13 Improvements in snap-action mechanisms

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US156439A US2701475A (en) 1950-04-17 1950-04-17 Snap acting device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2701475A true US2701475A (en) 1955-02-08

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ID=22559580

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US156439A Expired - Lifetime US2701475A (en) 1950-04-17 1950-04-17 Snap acting device

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US2701475A (fr)
FR (1) FR1031842A (fr)
GB (1) GB686730A (fr)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3018345A (en) * 1960-12-15 1962-01-23 Honeywell Regulator Co Switch apparatus
US3033953A (en) * 1960-06-13 1962-05-08 Gen Controls Co Miniature snap switch
US3056866A (en) * 1959-11-16 1962-10-02 Honeywell Regulator Co Switch apparatus
US3153125A (en) * 1961-04-06 1964-10-13 Ideal Corp Snap-action switches having booily shifting of the line of tension of the strand portion
US3444950A (en) * 1966-08-03 1969-05-20 Eaton Yale & Towne Vehicle speed governor
US4278855A (en) * 1979-03-13 1981-07-14 Ranco Incorporated Snap action switch
US4283609A (en) * 1977-08-11 1981-08-11 Itt Industries, Inc. Electrical snap-action switch
US4431884A (en) * 1982-08-09 1984-02-14 Gulf & Western Manufacturing Company Snap action switch
US4652706A (en) * 1986-01-29 1987-03-24 Tower Manufacturing Corporation Double pole switch construction
US4717795A (en) * 1985-10-24 1988-01-05 Kontakta Alkatreszgyar Precision snap-action switch with stiffening ribs between an actuating bulge and support for the actuating spring element
US4780583A (en) * 1985-10-04 1988-10-25 Paolo Spadini Rotatable circular switch
US5585774A (en) * 1994-09-01 1996-12-17 General Electric Company Condition-responsive electric switch mechanism
US6538553B2 (en) * 2001-07-13 2003-03-25 Tsung-Mou Yu Switching element for electric switch
US6552645B2 (en) * 2001-06-06 2003-04-22 Robert A. Kuczynski Bimetallic actuator for electronic components and other devices
US20050134424A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-06-23 Albert Huang Bimetallic strip for a circuit breaker
US20120126930A1 (en) * 2009-06-05 2012-05-24 Hofsaess Marcel P Bimetal part and temperature-dependent switch equipped therewith

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1960020A (en) * 1933-03-29 1934-05-22 Burgess Lab Inc C F Snap switch
USRE19300E (en) * 1934-09-04 Electric switch
US2181068A (en) * 1937-11-26 1939-11-21 Micro Switch Corp Electric snap switch construction
US2340615A (en) * 1942-03-20 1944-02-01 Radio Patents Corp Snap action device
US2349008A (en) * 1940-12-16 1944-05-16 Sauter Fritz Snap-action rocker device
US2361202A (en) * 1942-09-01 1944-10-24 Bryant Electric Co Circuit interrupter
US2469686A (en) * 1946-05-06 1949-05-10 First Ind Corp Gauging switch

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USRE19300E (en) * 1934-09-04 Electric switch
US1960020A (en) * 1933-03-29 1934-05-22 Burgess Lab Inc C F Snap switch
US2181068A (en) * 1937-11-26 1939-11-21 Micro Switch Corp Electric snap switch construction
US2349008A (en) * 1940-12-16 1944-05-16 Sauter Fritz Snap-action rocker device
US2340615A (en) * 1942-03-20 1944-02-01 Radio Patents Corp Snap action device
US2361202A (en) * 1942-09-01 1944-10-24 Bryant Electric Co Circuit interrupter
US2469686A (en) * 1946-05-06 1949-05-10 First Ind Corp Gauging switch

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3056866A (en) * 1959-11-16 1962-10-02 Honeywell Regulator Co Switch apparatus
US3033953A (en) * 1960-06-13 1962-05-08 Gen Controls Co Miniature snap switch
US3018345A (en) * 1960-12-15 1962-01-23 Honeywell Regulator Co Switch apparatus
US3153125A (en) * 1961-04-06 1964-10-13 Ideal Corp Snap-action switches having booily shifting of the line of tension of the strand portion
US3444950A (en) * 1966-08-03 1969-05-20 Eaton Yale & Towne Vehicle speed governor
US4283609A (en) * 1977-08-11 1981-08-11 Itt Industries, Inc. Electrical snap-action switch
US4278855A (en) * 1979-03-13 1981-07-14 Ranco Incorporated Snap action switch
US4431884A (en) * 1982-08-09 1984-02-14 Gulf & Western Manufacturing Company Snap action switch
US4780583A (en) * 1985-10-04 1988-10-25 Paolo Spadini Rotatable circular switch
US4717795A (en) * 1985-10-24 1988-01-05 Kontakta Alkatreszgyar Precision snap-action switch with stiffening ribs between an actuating bulge and support for the actuating spring element
US4652706A (en) * 1986-01-29 1987-03-24 Tower Manufacturing Corporation Double pole switch construction
US5585774A (en) * 1994-09-01 1996-12-17 General Electric Company Condition-responsive electric switch mechanism
US6552645B2 (en) * 2001-06-06 2003-04-22 Robert A. Kuczynski Bimetallic actuator for electronic components and other devices
US6538553B2 (en) * 2001-07-13 2003-03-25 Tsung-Mou Yu Switching element for electric switch
US20050134424A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-06-23 Albert Huang Bimetallic strip for a circuit breaker
US20120126930A1 (en) * 2009-06-05 2012-05-24 Hofsaess Marcel P Bimetal part and temperature-dependent switch equipped therewith
US9355801B2 (en) * 2009-06-05 2016-05-31 Marcel P. HOFSAESS Bimetal part and temperature-dependent switch equipped therewith

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB686730A (en) 1953-01-28
FR1031842A (fr) 1953-06-26

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