US3185793A - Pushbutton operated overload circuit breaker - Google Patents

Pushbutton operated overload circuit breaker Download PDF

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Publication number
US3185793A
US3185793A US209703A US20970362A US3185793A US 3185793 A US3185793 A US 3185793A US 209703 A US209703 A US 209703A US 20970362 A US20970362 A US 20970362A US 3185793 A US3185793 A US 3185793A
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United States
Prior art keywords
arm
circuit breaker
strip
aperture
contact bridge
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Expired - Lifetime
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US209703A
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English (en)
Inventor
Ellenberger Jakob Philipp
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Ellenberger and Poensgen GmbH
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Ellenberger and Poensgen GmbH
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H73/00—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches in which excess current opens the contacts by automatic release of mechanical energy stored by previous operation of a hand reset mechanism
    • H01H73/22—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches in which excess current opens the contacts by automatic release of mechanical energy stored by previous operation of a hand reset mechanism having electrothermal release and no other automatic release
    • H01H73/30—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches in which excess current opens the contacts by automatic release of mechanical energy stored by previous operation of a hand reset mechanism having electrothermal release and no other automatic release reset by push-button, pull-knob or slide
    • H01H73/306—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches in which excess current opens the contacts by automatic release of mechanical energy stored by previous operation of a hand reset mechanism having electrothermal release and no other automatic release reset by push-button, pull-knob or slide the push-button supporting pivotally a combined contact-latch lever

Definitions

  • control bridge of a piece of sheet metal which is secured and preferably riveted to the free end of the control rod and is provided at the side facing the arm of the contact bridge which extends substantially parallel to the control rod with an integral tongue-like coupling projection when the pushbutton is being depressed, engages into an aperture in the mentioned arm of the contact ridge.
  • the control bridge is therefore made of a piece of sheet metal at practically no waste of material which facilitates its production considerably.
  • the contact bridge may likewise consist of sheet metal, namely, of copper, with fiat arms.
  • the contact bridge which is made of relative thin sheet copper in the form of an angular lever, its bend is provided with one or more reinforcing beads.
  • the aperture in the arm of the contact bridge which extends substantially parallel to the control rod may form an isosceles triangle, the base of which extends transverse to this arm and at the side or" the triangle facing the free end of the arm.
  • An aperture of this shape has the advantage that it will not weaken the arm too much.
  • the base of the triangle forms an edge on which the tonguelike projection of the control bridge engages when the pushbutton is depressed to its on position so that the contact bridge is likewise moved to its on position.
  • the arm of the contact bridge which extends substantially parallel to the control rod is made of a greater length than the other arm.
  • This longer arm forms a contact member which cooperates with another fixed contact.
  • the foot of the are which is then formed moves toward the free end of the longer arm of the contact bridge where the arc is drawn apart and extinguished.
  • This longer arm works like a horn-shaped lightning arrester. It decreases in width toward its free end.
  • the contact bridge may be made in a very simple manher by stamping, and it is stamped in the direction in which, when the circuit breaker is assembled, the push button is located so that the outer edge of the shorter horizontal arm facing the pushbuton will be sharp.
  • the contact bridge When-as already indicated the pushbutton is being depressed to move it to its on position, the contact bridge will be taken along by the coupling projection on the control bridge until the end of the shorter arm of the contact bridge snaps behind the holding projection on the bimetallic strip. If the bimetallic strip bends due to being heated by an overcurrent, its holding projection will release the contact bridge so that under the action of the release spring the contact bridge together with the control rod and the pushbutton will be moved to the oti position.
  • the invention further provides that this coil spring is made of a frustoconical shape and that its wider end engages with the contact bridge.
  • the manufacture of the overload circuit breaker according to the invention may be further simplified by providing the bimetallic strip near its free end with an aperture into which the necked-down portion of a small copper plate is inserted which serves as the holding projection of the bimetallic strip.
  • the shoulders which are formed on the copper plate by this necked-down portion then engage upon the portions of the bimetallic strip at both sides of the aperture, and the necked-down portion is then riveted at the other side of the bimetallic strip.
  • This copper plate may also be produced by stamping, whereas the holding projections on the bimetallic strips of the known kinds of overload circuit breakers had to be specially molded.
  • the copper plate may extend in the aperture at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the bimetallic strip so that a wide contact surface results which forms the actual holding projection and overlaps the free end of the shorter arm of the contact bridge when the bimetallic srtip is in its straight holding position.
  • the manufacture of the circuit breaker may be further simplified by providing-the necked-down part of the copper plate near the end which is to be riveted with a bore into which one end of the wire of the heating coil is inserted so that, when the copper plate is riveted to the bimetallic strip, the wire will also be securely clamped thereto.
  • the riveting of the copper plate therefore also insures a reliable electric connection of this wire and there is thus no need for the usual rather complicated and expensive soldering of this end of the wire of the heating coil.
  • the latter is provided at the side of the copper plate facing the free end of the bimetallic strip with a tongue which is stamped out of the $9 plane of the strip in the direction toward the contact bridge when the aperture is punched into the strip.
  • the mentioned tongue on the bimetallic strip is bent so as to have an inclined back forming a cam surface and so that the outer edge of the end of the tongue is in line with the corresponding edge of the copper plate. Therefore, when the pushbutton is being depressed, the end of the shorter arm of the contact bridge will slide easily along this inclined cam surface or" the tongue and over the edge of the copper plate until it snaps behind the latter.
  • This cam surface may be extended at the same or a similar inclination by also bending the upper end of the bimetallic strip directly adjacent to the beginning of the tongue.
  • a bushing is inserted into the two-part housing.
  • the cylindrical bore of this bushing serves for guiding the pushbutton, while the part of the bushing which projects from the housing is provided with an external screw thread for mounting the circuit breaker.
  • the entire circuit breaker may be ecured, for example, to a flat projection or in an aperture in a wall.
  • it may be provided with a squareshaped part which engages into corresponding recesses in the two housing parts.
  • This square-shaped part of the bushing is preferably provided on its inner end made rather thin. It operates like a flange and also prevents the bushing from shifting in the axial direction.
  • the bushing is made of metal, preferably of aluminum.
  • one or both parts of the housing of the circuit breaker may be provided with an aperture at an area adjacent to the bimetallic strip so that the heat which the heating coil develops within the housing may be dissipated to the outside and the bimetallic strip may cool more quickly after releasing the contact bridge.
  • These apertures in one or both parts of the housing may also serve for conducting the temperature surrounding the circuit breaker to the bimetallic strip so that the latter will then act as a thermostat. If the circuit breaker is to be used solely for this purpose, the heating coil on the bimetallic strip may be omitted.
  • its houing may be made of such small dimensions that the width of the housing vertically to the bimetallic strip may be made smaller than twice the thickness or" the housing.
  • FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of an overload circuit breaker according to the invention
  • FIGURE 2 shows a perspective view of the same circuit breaker as in FIGURE 1, but in which the housing is provided with apertures in the parts adjacent to the bimetallic strips;
  • FIGURE 3 shows a rear view of the circuit breaker according to FIGURE 2;
  • FIGURE 4 shows a bottom view of the circuit breaker according to FIGURE 1 or FIGURE 2;
  • FIGURE 5 shows an enlarged front view of the opened circuit breaker according to FIGURE 1 in its oil position
  • P longer arm FZGURE 6 shows the circuit breaker according to FEGURE 5 in the on position
  • FEGURE 7 shows an enlarged perspective view of the switch mechanism of the circuit breaker according to FEGURES 1 to 6;
  • FIGURE 8 shows a perspective view of an overload circuit breaker similar to that as shown in FIGURE 1, but with a metal bushing inserted into the housing for guiding the pushbutton and for mounting the entire circuit breaker;
  • FIGURE 9 shows an enlarged front view similar to FZGURE 5 of the circuit breaker according to FIGURE 8, with the metal bushin' being shown in cross section;
  • FIGURE 10 shows the circuit breaker according to FlG-URE 9 in the on position
  • FZGURE 11 shows a detail view of the metal bushing; while FiGURE 12 shows a cross section taken along the line XiIXII of FEGURE 11.
  • the overload circuit breaker comprises a housing which consists of two shells and 2 or l and 2, respectively, which are designed so as to permit the individual parts of the circuit breaker to be inserted into the shell 1 or 1' and to be held in position therein by the shell 2 or 2'.
  • the two shells l or it and 2 or 2' which are made of a molded insulating material are connected to each other by tubular rivets 3.
  • the upper end of each shel It, I and 2, 2 is provided with a semi-circular flange d, 4' and 5, 5, respectively, from which the push button 6 projects which also consists of a molded material and is integral with a control rod 3' on which a release spring 8 is mounted.
  • This spring 8 acts at one end upon the base of an annular recess 9 in the pushbutton 6 and at the oth r end upon a washer 1d of insulating material which rests on the base of a cylindrical recess ill in the housing 1, 2 or 1, 2.
  • the control rod '7 is guided in a cylindrical recess E2 in the two housing parts ll, 2 or 1, 2 and its lower end carries a control bridge 13 which is riveted thereto.
  • this control bridge 13 consists of a piece of sheet metal, for example, brass, and has two vertical prongs 14 which are guided in grooves 14 in the two shells l, 2 or It, 2-, and a coupling projection 15 which is operatively associated with a triangular aperture 15 in the contact bridge 17 or support member.
  • This contact bridge 17 is stamped out of a relatively thin sheet of copper and is silver-plated. It is provided with a bore Elli through which the control rod 7 extends which is guided tl 416011 so as to be able to slide in the axial direction along rod 7 and also to pivot with its two lateral projections 19 about the upper edges of the prongs 14.
  • the control rod carries a coil spring Zil of a frusto-conical shape, the end of which with the largest diameter acts upon the contact bridge 17.
  • Contact bridge 17 comprises a longer arm 23 and, extending substantially at a right angle thereto, a shorter arm 24.
  • the bend between these two arms is reinforced by stiffening beads 22.
  • FIGURE 7 shows that the 23 decreases in width toward its lower end.
  • This arm 23 forms a contact surface which cooperates with a fixed contact 25' on a terminal strip 26 which, as shown particularly in FEGURES l to 3, projects from the housing 1, f, or 1'', Z.
  • the shorter arm 2- 5- of contact bridge It?
  • the bimetallic strip 27 is provided with an aperture 33 into which the necked-down part of a small stamped-out copper plate 34 is inserted which rests with its shoulders on the bimetal strip 27, while the projecting end of the necked-down part is riveted at 35 to the other side of the bimetallic strip 2'7.
  • the upper end 37 of the wire of the heating coil 38 which is mounted on but electrically insulated from the bimetallic strip 27, is inserted through a small transverse bore in the necked-down part of copper plate 34 so that, when the latter is riveted, the end of the wire is likewise securely clamped in its bore and electrically connected to the copper plate which serves as a holding projection for the contact bridge 17.
  • the bimetallic strip 2'7 has a tongue 3? which is stamped out of the strip whereby the aperture 33 is also formed.
  • the lower edge ll) of this tongue rests on the upper side of the copper plate 3 which, in turn, rests on the lower wall of the aperture 33.
  • the inclined surface 41 of tongue 39 serves as a cam'for guiding the contact bridge l7 when the pushbutton 6 is being depressed to close the circuit.
  • This inclined surface 41 is extended in length by an inclined surface 4-1 which is formed by bending the upper end of the bimetallic strip backwards at the point Where the tongue 39 projects from the vertical plane of the strip.
  • the other end of the wire of the heating coil 3E5 is riveted at 42 to a terminal strip 43.
  • housing It, 2' may be provided with apertures d4- and 44 through which the heat which is developed in the housing may be dissipated to the outside, while the outside temperature may also pass through these apertures to the bimetallic strip 27 and heat the same, so that the circuit breaker will also respond to the temperature surrounding it.
  • the heating coil 33 on the bimetallic strip may be omitted.
  • the bimetallic strip 27 is then electrically connected directly to the terrninal strip 43.
  • pushbutton d is depressed until the right end of arm 24 of the contact bridge 17 slides along the inclined surface 41', 41 and tongue 39 and over and behind the edge of the copper plate 34.
  • the contact bridge 17 will be pivoted slightly in the clockwise direction about the copper plate 34 by which it is held until arm 23 of the contact bridge 17 engages upon the contact 25 on the terminal strip 26, as shown in FIGURE 6.
  • the housing of the circuit breaker as above described may be made, for example, of a thickness of 11 mm., a width of 19 mm., and a length of 42 mm. (without the semicircular flanges 4, 4 and 4, 5).
  • the housing of the circuit breaker may also consist of a shell part into which all of the components are inserted, and of a cover which may consist, for example, of laminated paper or plastic and covers up these components and secures them in their respective position within the shell part. Both the shell part and the cover plate should then be provided with a groove 14 in which the prongs 14 on the control bridge 13 are guided durin the movement thereof.
  • the housing of the circuit breaker according to the modification of the invention as illustrated in FIGURES 8 to 12 likewise consists of two halves 1" and 2 which are connected to each other by tubular rivets 3. They also have at their upper ends semicircular flanges 46 and 47 and semicylindrical recesses 48 into which a cylindrical metallic bushing 49, for example, of aluminum is inserted which is provided at its lower end with a square flange portion 5G, as shown particularly in FIGURES 11 and 12, which engages into corresponding recesses 51 at the lower end of the semicylindrical recesses 48 so as to lock the bushing 49 against rotation and against a movement in the axial direction.
  • a cylindrical metallic bushing 49 for example, of aluminum
  • bushing 49 which projects from the housing 1", 2" is provided with a screw thread 52 upon which two nuts 53 are screwed.
  • the bore 54 of bushing 49 serves for guiding the pushbutton 6 and also contains the release spring 8 which acts at one end upon the pushbutton 6 and at the other end upon the washer 10.
  • a pushbutton-operated overload circuit breaker having a thermal release and a trip-free release, a housing having an inclined stop surface therein, a pushbutton slidable in the upper end of said housing and projecting therefrom, a control rod extending downwardly within said housing and secured at its upper end to said pushbutton, a control bridge made of sheet metal secured to the lower end of said control rod and having a pair of upright projections forming pivots, a fixed contact in said housing, a contact bridge forming an angular lever having two arms, the first of said arms extending downwardly and having a coupling aperture and adapted to engage with said fixed contact, the second arm extending at a substantially right angle to said first arm and having an aperture, said control rod extending through said last aperture and having a diameter smaller than said last aperture so as to permit said contact bridge to slide along said control rod and also to pivot relative thereto, a return spring tending to move said pushbutton, said control rod, said control bridge and said contact bridge in the upward direction to the off position
  • An overload circuit breaker as defined in claim 1 said necked-down part having a bore extending transversely therethrough, a heating coil mounted on and insulated from said bimetallic strip, one end of said heating coil being inserted through said bore, the free end of said necked-down part being riveted to the other side of said strip and said riveting also securing and electrically connecteing said end of said coil to said copper plate.
  • said bimetallic strip is provided near its free end with a tongue stamped out of said strip so as to project toward said second arm and thereby forming an aperture in said strip
  • said holding projection comprising a small flat copper plate extending transversely of said bimetallic strip and adapted to overlap and engage with the free end of said second arm of said contact bridge when said pushbutton is depressed and said bimetallic strip is not heated, said plate having a pair of shoulders engaging upon the side of said bimetallic strip facing said second arm and further having a necked-down part extending through said aperture in said strip and engaging with the lower edge of said aperture, the free end of said necked-down part being riveted to the other side of said strip, the free end of said tongue engaging with the upper side of said copper plate and the outer edge of said free end being flush with the outer edge of said plate so as to brace said plate, the outer side of said tongue facing said second arm forming a cam surface so that, when said pushbutton is being depressed, the free end
  • An overload circuit breaker as defined claim l in which said housing comprises two shells having a pinrality of recesses in at least one of said shells, all of said means within said housing being inserted into said recesses and being held in a fixed position by the other shell, and a metallic bushing inserted into the upper end of said shells for guiding said pushbutton and having a part with an external screw thread projecting from said housing for mounting said circuit breaker and a thin outwardly projecting square-shaped part at the inner end of said bushing engaging into corresponding recesses in said two shells for preventing said bushing from turning and from shifting in its axial direction, and means for securing said shells to each other.
  • An overload circuit breaker comprising a support member having a top portion provided with an opening therewithin, an arm connected to one side of said top portion provided with an aperture therewithin; a bimetal strip member in operative relationship with the opposite side of said top portion and spaced from said arm, a control rod member substantially parallel to said arm and disposed within said opening, a sheet metal member connected to the lower end of said control rod, said sheet metal member having a coupling projection disposed and supported within said aperture, and a coil spring member having a truncated-cone configuration disposed upon said control rod between the top portion of said support and said sheet metal member, the end of said coil spring having the smallest diameter being adjacent said sheet metal member.
  • An overload circuit breaker as defined in claim 9 wherein said support member is made of silver plated thin sheet copper and a reinforcing member disposed between said support member and said arm.
  • An overload circuit breaker comprising a support member having a top portion provided with a substantially circular opening therewithin, an arm connected to and substantially longer than said top portion and provided with an aperture therewithin in the form of an isosceles triangle having a base, a bi-metal strip member in operative relationship with the opposite side of said top portion and spaced from said arm, a cylindrical rod member substantially parallel to said arm and disposed within said opening, a sheet metal member connected to the lower end of said control rod, said sheet metal member having a coupling projection disposed and supported within said aperture and abuttable with the base thereof, and a coil spring member having a truncatedcone configuration disposed upon said control rod between the top portion of said support and said sheet UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/59 Ellenberger 200--1l6 OTHER REFERENCES German application 1,072,717, Jan. 7, 1960.

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  • Thermally Actuated Switches (AREA)
US209703A 1961-07-21 1962-07-13 Pushbutton operated overload circuit breaker Expired - Lifetime US3185793A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DEE21409A DE1134149B (de) 1961-07-21 1961-07-21 Druckknopfbetaetigter UEberstromschalter

Publications (1)

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US3185793A true US3185793A (en) 1965-05-25

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ID=7070543

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US209703A Expired - Lifetime US3185793A (en) 1961-07-21 1962-07-13 Pushbutton operated overload circuit breaker

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US (1) US3185793A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE1134149B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR1317674A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB955587A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3315054A (en) * 1965-06-28 1967-04-18 Fed Pacific Electric Co Overload relay with snap-acting condition responsive switch
US3377575A (en) * 1965-12-22 1968-04-09 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Low mass balanced latch mechanism having resilient manual operating lever
US3708776A (en) * 1970-10-26 1973-01-02 J Ellenberger Push-button actuated excess current switch
US4047140A (en) * 1975-12-23 1977-09-06 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Thermal overload relay

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1293314B (de) * 1964-03-24 1969-04-24 Elektroinstallation Annaberg V Thermischer UEberstromschalter ohne Freiausloesung in Kleinbauweise
DE3313465A1 (de) * 1983-04-14 1984-10-18 Ellenberger & Poensgen Gmbh, 8503 Altdorf Druckknopfbetaetigter ueberstromschalter
DE3424089A1 (de) * 1983-08-19 1985-03-07 Weber AG Fabrik elektrotechnischer Artikel und Apparate, Emmenbrücke Druckknopfbetaetigter ueberstromschalter
GB2158656A (en) * 1984-05-11 1985-11-13 Kun Shan Chen Thermally actuated contact breaker

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2895028A (en) * 1958-02-27 1959-07-14 Ellenberger Jakob Pushbutton-operated overload switch

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR72062E (fr) * 1957-06-14 1960-03-21 Labinal Ets Perfectionnements apportés aux appareils du genre des disjoncteurs

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2895028A (en) * 1958-02-27 1959-07-14 Ellenberger Jakob Pushbutton-operated overload switch
DE1072717B (de) * 1958-02-27 1960-01-07 Ellenberger iS. Poensgen G.m.b.H., Altdorf bei Nürnberg Druckknopfbetätigter Überstromschalter

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3315054A (en) * 1965-06-28 1967-04-18 Fed Pacific Electric Co Overload relay with snap-acting condition responsive switch
US3377575A (en) * 1965-12-22 1968-04-09 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Low mass balanced latch mechanism having resilient manual operating lever
US3708776A (en) * 1970-10-26 1973-01-02 J Ellenberger Push-button actuated excess current switch
US4047140A (en) * 1975-12-23 1977-09-06 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Thermal overload relay

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Publication number Publication date
DE1134149B (de) 1962-08-02
GB955587A (en) 1964-04-15
FR1317674A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1963-05-10

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