US2932703A - Miniature switch mechanism - Google Patents

Miniature switch mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
US2932703A
US2932703A US680098A US68009857A US2932703A US 2932703 A US2932703 A US 2932703A US 680098 A US680098 A US 680098A US 68009857 A US68009857 A US 68009857A US 2932703 A US2932703 A US 2932703A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
contacts
arms
disposed
switch mechanism
base member
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
US680098A
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English (en)
Inventor
Ernest R Haberland
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.)
Raytheon Co
Original Assignee
Hughes Aircraft Co
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
Priority to BE570551D priority Critical patent/BE570551A/xx
Priority to NL230798D priority patent/NL230798A/xx
Application filed by Hughes Aircraft Co filed Critical Hughes Aircraft Co
Priority to US680098A priority patent/US2932703A/en
Priority to GB24927/58A priority patent/GB837938A/en
Priority to FR1209451D priority patent/FR1209451A/fr
Priority to CH358493D priority patent/CH358493A/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2932703A publication Critical patent/US2932703A/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
    • H01H36/00—Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding
    • H01H36/0073—Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding actuated by relative movement between two magnets
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H36/00—Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding
    • H01H36/0006—Permanent magnet actuating reed switches
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H51/00—Electromagnetic relays
    • H01H51/28—Relays having both armature and contacts within a sealed casing outside which the operating coil is located, e.g. contact carried by a magnetic leaf spring or reed
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H51/00—Electromagnetic relays
    • H01H51/28—Relays having both armature and contacts within a sealed casing outside which the operating coil is located, e.g. contact carried by a magnetic leaf spring or reed
    • H01H51/287—Details of the shape of the contact springs
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/50—Means for increasing contact pressure, preventing vibration of contacts, holding contacts together after engagement, or biasing contacts to the open position
    • H01H1/54—Means for increasing contact pressure, preventing vibration of contacts, holding contacts together after engagement, or biasing contacts to the open position by magnetic force
    • H01H2001/545—Means for increasing contact pressure, preventing vibration of contacts, holding contacts together after engagement, or biasing contacts to the open position by magnetic force having permanent magnets directly associated with the contacts

Definitions

  • This invention relates to switches and relates more particularly to miniature switches that are operable through disposition thereof in a magnetic field.
  • the reed type switches must necessarily be relatively long and, when several of these switches are mounted circumferentially about an actuating magnet and severalother banks thereof are placed in end to end relationship, the resulting multiple switch structure becomes extremely large and completely incompatible with the small space envelopes available in particular installational situations. Additionally, due to the fact that reed type switches have a generally elongated configuration, the disposition of the reeds in the most advantageous position in a magnetic field, i.e., intermediate the poles of a magnet, becomes extremely difficult and, in some cases, impossible.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a mag: netic switch mechanism employing contacts that are reliably operable with low contact pressure and no wiping action.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide a miniature switch mechanism wherein contacts thereof have a relatively long life expectancy.
  • a still further object of the invention is to provide a magnetic switch mechanism having counterbalanced contacts disposed on free ends of resilient arms, whereby to reduce contact bounce or rebound and provide for positive action thereof.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a miniature, magnetically operable switch mechanism having construction and assembly characteristics enabling efficient and economical manufacture thereof and reliable operating characteristics.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide miniature magnetically operable switch mechanism and an enclosure therefor. 7
  • Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view through a typical, partially schematically illustrated, multiple switch apparatus employing the switch mechanisms of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the present switch mechanism and showing the contacts in an open position
  • Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing the contacts in a closed position and diagrammatically showing the operating arrangement therefor;
  • Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the switch echanism as taken substantially as indicated by line 4 4, Fig.2;
  • Fig. 5 is a greatly enlarged, partially sectional view of one of the contact elements and counterbalance arrangement therefor, as taken substantially as indicated by line 5--5, Fig. 4;
  • Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of one of the resilient, contact carrying arms, as taken substantially as indicated by line 66, Fig. 2.
  • the miniature switc mechanism of this invention is shown as indicated generally at 10.
  • the present switch mechanism may be of any desired size; however, it has been found to be practical, and switches have been manufactured in a minute size in the order of in diameter and A in length.
  • the illustrations contained herein are all therefore greatly enlarged with one feature hereof residing in the particular construction enabling manufacture and use in miniaturized applications.
  • Fig. 1 it is often desirable to employ a number of switches in an electrical sequencing or switching structure.
  • the structure shown in Fig. 1 by way of example,
  • the switches 10 are arranged in two banks of circumferentially spaced units; however, it is to be understood that any number of such switches may be disposed in a circumferential or other pattern and arranged in as many banks as desired without departing from the spirit and scope hereof.
  • the shaft 12 has a pair of permanent magnets 14 carried thereby and spaced both circumferentially and longitudinally on the shaft, each of the magnets 14 cooperating with one of the circumferential banks of switches '10.
  • the poles of the magnets 14 serve to actuate contacts in the switches '10 as these poles are brought in coextensive alignment with. such contacts by rotation of the shaft 12.
  • several magnets may be employed with each bank of switches 10 and may be spaced and arranged relative to each other longitudinally or circumferentially on the shaft to meet particular sequencing or'switching requirements. Additionally, it is further to be understood that the switches 10 may be used individually rather than in groups to satisfy other operational requirements.
  • the switch mechanism hereof comprises an annular metalside of each of the arms 25.
  • portions 32 have a recess 36, with the counterbalance
  • an outer layer 4-2 having he base member 15 having a shank portion 16 and an annular outwardly extending flange 17.
  • the base member 15 may be made from any suitable material, is preferably nonmagnetic and has an integral annular V-shaped ridge 18 formed in an axial direction from the flange 17, for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described.
  • the base member 15 is adapted to support a pair of metallic electrical leads 20 generally within a central area of a bore 21 therethrough.
  • the leads 20 are rigidly retained within confines of the bore 21 by means of an insulating material 22 that may be glass or the like, the
  • the contacts 30 and arms 25, as well as inner ends 23 of the leads 20, are'enclosed within a case 43 that may be made from any suitable nonmagnetic material such as, for example, silver or the like.
  • the case 43 has an annular flange 44 adjacent an open end thereof, this flange being secured to the annular ridge 18 of the base member 15 as by projection welding, thusto create a construction being such as to provide a hermeticseal
  • An arm 25 is secured to each of the rectangular portions 23, at least one of these arms being of resilient material.
  • lower ends of each of the arms 25 are provided with outwardly extending, portions 26 that are bent or wrapped about the rectangular portions 23 of the leads 20 and secured thereto as by means of a spot weld 27,
  • the arms 25 are made from anonmagnetic material such as, for example, beryllium copper and are sufficiently resilient as normally to maintain. the arms in a substantially parallel relationship relative to each other and as shown in Fig. 2. a Y I V
  • the free ends of the arms 25 serve to support contact members indicated generally at 30.
  • the contacts 30 are made from a highly permeable magnetic material such as an iron-nickel alloy and each have a head portion 31 and a reduced diameter elongated shank portion 32.
  • the shank portions 32 are adapted for disposition in openings .33 in the free ends of each arm 25, and a counterbalance member 34, of magnetic material and in the form f of an annular ring, is disposed about each of the shank portions.
  • Each of the counterbalance members 34 has oneend surface 35 that is disposed in contact with.
  • hermetically sealed enclosure structure may also be. filled with an inert material such as, for example, nitrogen gas or the like.
  • the poles of the magnets 14 are disposed in substantially coextensive alignment with the contacts 3t).
  • the case 43 serves to establish and maintain a greater space between the. poles of the magnet 14 and one end of the contacts 30, than the normal space between the contacts 30.
  • the magnetic field induces opposite polarity in the counterbalance members 34 and heads 31 of the contacts 30 causing the heads to be moved toward and into contact with each other. Removal of the magnetic field serves to cause separation of the contacts by the resilient action of at least one of the arms 25.
  • the construction hereof is such as to dispose an elongatedrelati'vely large mass of magnetic material, forming the contacts 34), in line withthe magnetic field disposed thereabout.
  • This elongated structure serves to enable operation of the switch mechanism with a relatively low magnetic flux.
  • counterbalance members 34 serve to dispose the center of mass of each of the contacts 30 in line with the respective resilient arms 25,
  • This counterbalancing arrangement serves to reduce, and in most instances serves to eliminate any contact bounce that would otherwise cause undesirable electrical char- This is particularly true with the application of magneticv operating forces directly to and coextensive alignment with the contact members '30, rather than through any type of level system of the type usually employed in conventional heretofore known relays. Additionally, the spring force. of at least o ne of the resilient arms 25 need only be very light to accomplish the desired results.
  • a miniature switch mechanism comprising, in combination; 'a base member; an insulating material carried by said base member; a pair of leads disposed through and retained against movement in said insulating material; flexible metallic arms carried by inner'end of said leads, said arms being disposed in spaced substantially parallel relationship; metallic electrical contacts of permeable material carried by free ends of said arms and disposed in facing spaced relationship to each other, said contacts having reduced diameter shank portions disposed through openings in said arms; counterbalance members disposed about said shank portions, an outer end of said shank portions being deformed to retain said counterbalance members thereon and in contact with said arms; and a protective case positioned in spaced relationshipabout said arms and said contacts, said case being secured to said base member, said contacts being adapted for movement into engagement with each other upon disposition thereof in a magnetic field.
  • a miniature switch mechanism comprising, in cornbination: a base member; an insulating material carried by said base member; a pair of leads disposed through and retained against movement in said insulating material; flexible metallic arms carried by inner end of .said leads, said arms being disposed in spaced substantially parallel relationship; metallic electrical contacts of permeable material carried by free ends of said arms and disposed in facing spaced relationship to each other, said contacts having reduced diameter shank portions disposed through openings in said arms; counterbalance members disposed about said shank portions, an outer end of said shank portions being deformed to retain said counterbalance members thereon and in contact with said arms; and a protective case of nonmagnetic material positioned in spaced relationship about said arms and said contacts, said case being secured to said base member, said contacts being adapted for movement into engagement with each other upon' disposition thereof in a magnetic field, said spacing between said contacts being less than said spacing between said contacts and said ease.
  • a minature switch mechanism comprising, in com-- bination: an annular base member; an annular ridge on said base member; an insulating material carried by said base member; a pair of leads disposed through and retained against movement in said insulating material; flexible metallic arms of nonmagnetic.
  • said arms being disposed in spaced substantially parallel relationship; metallic electrical contacts of permeable material carried by free ends of said arms and disposed in facing spaced relation ship to each other, said contacts having reduced diameter shank portions disposed through openings in said arms; counterbalance members disposed about said shank portions, an outer end of said shank portions being deformed to retain said counterbalance members thereon and in contact with said arms; and a protective case of nonmagnetic material positioned'in spaced relationship about said arms and said contacts, said case being secured to said annular ridgeon said base member, said contacts being adapted for movement into engagement with each other upon disposition thereof in a magnetic field, said spacing between said contacts being less than said spacing between said contacts and said case.
  • a miniature switch mechanism comprising, in combination: a base member; an insulating material carried by said base member; a pair of leads disposed through and retained against movement in said insulating material, inner ends of said leads extending beyond said insulating material and having generally rectangular cross sections; flexible metallic arms carried by said inner end of said leads and welded thereto, said arms being disposed in spaced substantially parallel relationship; metallic electrical contacts of permeable material carried by free ends of said arms and disposed in facing spaced relationship to each other, said contacts having reduced diameter shank portions disposed through openings in said arms; counterbalance members disposed about said shank portions, an outer end of said shank portions being deformed to retain said counterbalance members thereon and in contact with said arms; and a protective case positioned in spaced relationship about said arms and said contacts, said case being secured to said base member, said contacts being adapted for movement into engagement with each other upon disposition thereof in a magnetic field.
  • a miniature switch mechanism comprising, in combination: an annular base member; an annular ridge on said base member; an insulating material carried by said base member; a pair of leads disposed through and retained against movement in said insulating material, inner ends of said leads extending beyond said insulating material and having generally rectangular cross sections; flexible metallic arms of nonmagnetic material carried by said inner end of said leads and welded thereto, said arms being disposed in spaced substantially parallel relationship; metallic electrical contacts of permeable material carried by free ends of said arms and disposed in facing spaced relationship to each other, said contacts having reduced diameter shank portions disposed through openings in said arms; counterbalance members disposed about said shank portions, an outer end of said shank portions being deformed to retain said counterbalance members thereon and in contact with said arms; and a protective case of nonmagnetic material positioned in spaced relationship about said arms and said contacts, said case being secured to said annular ridge on said base member, said contacts being adapted for movement into engagement with each other upon disposition thereof in a magnetic field
  • a miniature switch mechanism comprising, in combination: a base member; an insulating material carried by said base member; a pair of leads disposed through and retained against movement in said insulating ma terial; flexible metallic arms carried by inner end of said leads, said arms being disposed in spaced substantially parallel relationship; metallic electrical contacts of permeable material carried by free ends of said arms and disposed in facing spaced relationship to each other, said contacts having reduced diameter shank portions disposed through openings in said arms; multiple plated coatings of a nonmagnetic metallic material on said contacts; counterbalance members disposed about said shank portions, an outer end of said shank portions being deformed to retain said counterbalance members thereon and in contact with said arms; and a protective case positioned in spaced relationship about said arms and said contacts, said case being secured to said base member, said contacts being adapted for movement into engagement with each other upon disposition thereof in a magnetic field.
  • a miniature switch mechanism comprising, in combmatron: an annular base member; an annular ridge on said base member; an insulating material carried by said a e memb -3 Pai Q ead i pose M9148 319 tained against mpyement-jn said insulating material, inner ends of said leadsextendingbeyond said insulating material andhaving; generally rectangular cross sections;

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Contacts (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Switches (AREA)
US680098A 1957-08-26 1957-08-26 Miniature switch mechanism Expired - Lifetime US2932703A (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE570551D BE570551A (US07176317-20070213-C00004.png) 1957-08-26
NL230798D NL230798A (US07176317-20070213-C00004.png) 1957-08-26
US680098A US2932703A (en) 1957-08-26 1957-08-26 Miniature switch mechanism
GB24927/58A GB837938A (en) 1957-08-26 1958-08-01 Miniature electric switching devices
FR1209451D FR1209451A (fr) 1957-08-26 1958-08-07 Mécanisme interrupteur miniaturc
CH358493D CH358493A (de) 1957-08-26 1958-08-22 Miniatur-Schaltmechanismus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US680098A US2932703A (en) 1957-08-26 1957-08-26 Miniature switch mechanism

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2932703A true US2932703A (en) 1960-04-12

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ID=24729667

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US680098A Expired - Lifetime US2932703A (en) 1957-08-26 1957-08-26 Miniature switch mechanism

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US2932703A (US07176317-20070213-C00004.png)
BE (1) BE570551A (US07176317-20070213-C00004.png)
CH (1) CH358493A (US07176317-20070213-C00004.png)
FR (1) FR1209451A (US07176317-20070213-C00004.png)
GB (1) GB837938A (US07176317-20070213-C00004.png)
NL (1) NL230798A (US07176317-20070213-C00004.png)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3051806A (en) * 1959-05-18 1962-08-28 Magnavox Co Switch assembly
US3060291A (en) * 1960-02-01 1962-10-23 Clare & Co C P Switching assembly
US3069907A (en) * 1960-07-22 1962-12-25 James E Eddy Magnetic type current meter
US3086095A (en) * 1960-02-08 1963-04-16 Magnavox Co Switch assembly
US3151226A (en) * 1962-01-11 1964-09-29 Phillips Petroleum Co Plural magnetic reed switch
US3158710A (en) * 1962-01-29 1964-11-24 Stewart Warner Corp Code mechanism having a permanent magnet slidably received in an aperture in a magnetic member
US3233060A (en) * 1962-07-12 1966-02-01 Wintriss George Magnetically operated electric circuit control apparatus
US3247343A (en) * 1963-10-22 1966-04-19 American Mach & Foundry Magnetically operated switches
US4049986A (en) * 1975-04-14 1977-09-20 Vdo Adolf Schindling Ag Rotational speed to impulse frequency converter
US4128823A (en) * 1975-12-25 1978-12-05 Fujitsu Limited Switch
US5164556A (en) * 1990-08-23 1992-11-17 Takata Corporation Acceleration sensor
CN102760610A (zh) * 2011-04-28 2012-10-31 通用设备和制造公司 封装的接近开关组件

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB536695A (en) * 1939-12-04 1941-05-23 Siemens Electric Lamps & Suppl Improvements relating to electromagnetic relays
US2265297A (en) * 1940-05-08 1941-12-09 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Contact device
US2285352A (en) * 1939-06-10 1942-06-02 Western Electric Co Electrical contact
US2542668A (en) * 1946-08-14 1951-02-20 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Mercury type relay
US2570315A (en) * 1948-07-07 1951-10-09 Ford Motor Co Magnetic operated switch

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2285352A (en) * 1939-06-10 1942-06-02 Western Electric Co Electrical contact
GB536695A (en) * 1939-12-04 1941-05-23 Siemens Electric Lamps & Suppl Improvements relating to electromagnetic relays
US2265297A (en) * 1940-05-08 1941-12-09 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Contact device
US2542668A (en) * 1946-08-14 1951-02-20 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Mercury type relay
US2570315A (en) * 1948-07-07 1951-10-09 Ford Motor Co Magnetic operated switch

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3051806A (en) * 1959-05-18 1962-08-28 Magnavox Co Switch assembly
US3060291A (en) * 1960-02-01 1962-10-23 Clare & Co C P Switching assembly
US3086095A (en) * 1960-02-08 1963-04-16 Magnavox Co Switch assembly
US3069907A (en) * 1960-07-22 1962-12-25 James E Eddy Magnetic type current meter
US3151226A (en) * 1962-01-11 1964-09-29 Phillips Petroleum Co Plural magnetic reed switch
US3158710A (en) * 1962-01-29 1964-11-24 Stewart Warner Corp Code mechanism having a permanent magnet slidably received in an aperture in a magnetic member
US3233060A (en) * 1962-07-12 1966-02-01 Wintriss George Magnetically operated electric circuit control apparatus
US3247343A (en) * 1963-10-22 1966-04-19 American Mach & Foundry Magnetically operated switches
US4049986A (en) * 1975-04-14 1977-09-20 Vdo Adolf Schindling Ag Rotational speed to impulse frequency converter
US4128823A (en) * 1975-12-25 1978-12-05 Fujitsu Limited Switch
US5164556A (en) * 1990-08-23 1992-11-17 Takata Corporation Acceleration sensor
CN102760610A (zh) * 2011-04-28 2012-10-31 通用设备和制造公司 封装的接近开关组件
WO2012148970A1 (en) * 2011-04-28 2012-11-01 General Equipment And Manufacturing Company, Inc., D/B/A Topworx, Inc. Enclosed proximity switch assembly
US8593241B2 (en) 2011-04-28 2013-11-26 General Equipment And Manufacturing Company, Inc. Enclosed proximity switch assembly
KR20140018952A (ko) * 2011-04-28 2014-02-13 제네럴 이큅먼트 앤드 매뉴팩처링 컴패니, 아이엔씨., 디/비/에이 탑웍스, 아이엔씨. 밀폐형 근접 스위치 조립체
CN102760610B (zh) * 2011-04-28 2016-08-31 通用设备和制造公司 封装的接近开关组件

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE570551A (US07176317-20070213-C00004.png)
CH358493A (de) 1961-11-30
NL230798A (US07176317-20070213-C00004.png)
GB837938A (en) 1960-06-15
FR1209451A (fr) 1960-03-02

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