US3270170A - Compact switch having a simple breaking contact and associated arc extinction means - Google Patents

Compact switch having a simple breaking contact and associated arc extinction means Download PDF

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Publication number
US3270170A
US3270170A US156690A US15669061A US3270170A US 3270170 A US3270170 A US 3270170A US 156690 A US156690 A US 156690A US 15669061 A US15669061 A US 15669061A US 3270170 A US3270170 A US 3270170A
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United States
Prior art keywords
contact
switch
chamber
arc
stationary contact
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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
US156690A
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English (en)
Inventor
Fehrenbach Alfred
Dorries Alexander
Fraatz Heinrich
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.)
Licentia Patent Verwaltungs GmbH
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Licentia Patent Verwaltungs GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DEL37692A external-priority patent/DE1194489B/de
Application filed by Licentia Patent Verwaltungs GmbH filed Critical Licentia Patent Verwaltungs GmbH
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3270170A publication Critical patent/US3270170A/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
    • 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
    • H01H73/02—Details
    • H01H73/18—Means for extinguishing or suppressing arc
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H2009/305—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts including means for screening for arc gases as protection of mechanism against hot arc gases or for keeping arc gases in the arc chamber

Definitions

  • switch of relatively great length is required in switching apparatus of the simple breaking contact type wherein the carrier of a swivelling bridge is arranged in the bottom portion of the switch and is oriented parallel to the bottom surface of the housing.
  • the electric arc in such a switch is directed in the longitudinal direction of the switch.
  • the great length of the switch which is required does not permit installation of the switch in certain types of apparatus, for example, in meter boards.
  • a further disadvantage of known switching apparatus is that a comparatively large cavity is provided at the bottom of the switch, and is open to the atmosphere, and houses voltage carrying connecting terminals or connection parts. This cavity occupies a large portion of the height of the switch without being advantageous in the actual switching performance. Furthermore, the cavity must be covered by a plate which has to be fastened thereto by special means.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a switching apparatus of the type described wherein the spacing and orientation of the various elements thereof provide a small switch which does not impair the switching performance.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a switch which includes very effective means for arc extinction.
  • a switch such as an automatic switch
  • the switching mechanism being housed in an upper portion of the switching apparatus and with the electric arc chamber formed in a bottom portion of the switch.
  • the bottom portion of the switch is of box design so that the rectangular bottom wall of the arc chamber also acts as the bottom wall of the switch and the breaking point of the contacts is provided near a narrow dimension or side of the arc chamber. This is done in such a manner that the contacts, with their current supply, form a U-shaped current supply loop which is oriented to be perpendicular with the bottom wall of the chamber.
  • the arc chamber is equipped with an arrangement of arc extinguishing baflies which are parallel to the bottom wall and which occupy the major portion of the space in the arc chamber.
  • the contact assembly is located in the remainder of this chamber space and comprises a stationary contact arranged at one narrow side of the chamber and fixed at right angles or obliquely to the bottom wall of the chamber.
  • a movable contact preferably a swivel or push type contact is also provided to cooperate with the stationary contact.
  • the swivel arm of the swivel contact, or the push rod of a push type contact is arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the stationary contact and is controlled by the mechanism arranged above the arc chamber.
  • FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through the apparatus of the present invention with the arc chamber and the contact assembly shown in detail, while the upper portion thereof is only shown in dashed lines.
  • FIGURE 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the plane defined by line 22 of FIGURE 1.
  • FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the contact assembly using a push type contact.
  • FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of one special type of stationary contact, and is taken substantially along the plane defined by line 4-4 of FIGURE 5.
  • Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane defined by line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.
  • FIG- URES 1 and 2 illustrate a switch having a rectangular box-like bottom housing 1, having lugs 2 and -3 at each narrow side thereof, respectively, which hold connecting terminals 4 and '5 in place.
  • the interior 6 of the bottom housing 1 defines an arc chamber in which are extinguishing baffles 7 are arranged which occupy by far the greater portion of this chamber space. They are spaced from each other throughout the entire height of the arc extinguishing chamber and are disposed parallel to the floor or bottom of the arc chamber.
  • extinguishing baflles are designed to be symmetrical with respect to their longitudinal axes and each abuts against one narrow wall of the arc chamber along a narrow edge thereof.
  • the corners of these narrow edges of the baflles have circular arc cutout portions which correspond to a reinforcement 1a of the bottom housing of the switch and which protrude into the arc chamber.
  • a corresponding further reinforcement 1b is provided in the bottom hous- 0 ing of the switch and is disposed diagonally opposite the reinforced portion 1a.
  • Other cutout corners 6a are provided in the portions of the arc extinguishing baflles 7 adjacent cutouts 1a and together define a ventilating duct which communicates with the atmosphere in a manner which is not shown.
  • baffles can be fairly easily mounted because of their symmetry with respect to their longitudinal axes.
  • a pair of inwardly extending and oppositely directed lugs and 1d are provided in the bottom portion of the switch, and the baffles are provided with corresponding slots to accommodate these lugs.
  • the baffles are therefore easily placed into position and are guided by means of the lugs 1c and 1d and the reinforcement 1a, and are retained at a distance from each other by means of spacers (not shown).
  • baffles are provided with V-shaped apertures 7a along their narrow ends opposite the ends having the cutout portions 1a and 6a.
  • a stationary contact 8 is arranged on the narrow or shorter wall of the arc chamber opposite these apertures 7a, and occupies the entire height of the arc chamber. This contact 8 extends downwardly and has an angled portion 8a extending parallel to the bottom of the arc chamber and close to the lowermost of the arc extinguishing baflles.
  • the other end of the stationary contact 8 is provided with an upper-angled portion 812 which is connected or integral with connecting terminal 4.
  • the movable contact in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2 is a contact 9 which cooperates with the stationary contact 8.
  • This contact has a contact element 27 arranged on a swivel arm 10 which rotates about an axis 12 disposed above the arc chamber and in the chamber 11 containing the mechanism for the switch.
  • the contact element 27 is at substantially a right angle with respect to stationary contact '8.
  • This element is generally L-shaped and includes a short rounded leg 28 at the end of arm 10 and disposed generally parallel thereto.
  • the other leg 29 partially encloses the lower end of arm 10 and is shaped to provide an easy run-off path for the arc.
  • Leg 29 is disposed substantially parallel to batfles 7.
  • the V-shaped apertures 7a are provided to permit swivelling movement of, element 27, which would otherwise be prevented from a full range of movement by the adjacent ends of the baffles 7.
  • Swivel arm 10 projects through an aperture 13 of a cover plate 14 which seals the arc chamber from the mechanism chamber.
  • a movable plate 15 is disposed on top of cover plate 14, and is provided with an opening through which the swivel arm may pass so that this plate 15 moves back and forth with the movement of arm 10.
  • the mechanism chamber which houses the switching mechanism and the magnetic and, if desired, the thermal trigger elements, is enclosed by an upper housing cap 1 6 which is fastened to the bottom portion of the switch at the reinforced corners 1a and 1b, such as by means of holes 25 and 26, in a manner which is not shown.
  • the current in this switch is supplied from connecting terminal 4, passes along stationary contact 8 to the contact 9, through the arm 10, and then along conductor 17 via the trigger members to the connecting terminal 5-
  • the switch is particularly advantageous because of its contact arrangement due to the fact that the contact assembly including the stationary contact, the contact element, and the swivel arm, together form a U-shaped arc extinguishing loop '18, indicated in dashed lines, and which is oriented to be perpendicular to the bottom of the arc'chamber. Because of this arrangement very little space is required for the contact assembly particularly in the longitudinal direction, and a good are extinguishing effect is nevertheless achieved.
  • the upper baffle of the arrangement is conductively connected with terminal 5, so that flashing over the arc from the movable contact to this baffie is facilitated.
  • a further advantage is provided by this switch because of its design with the bottom portion being completely occupied by the arc chamber.
  • the bottom wall of the arc chamber is, at the same time, the bottom of the switch so that a size reduction is possible with respect to the height of the switch.
  • the connecting terminals and holes for fastening the switch may be arranged diagonally op posite one another on the lateral lugs of the bottom housing. All the terminal parts are arranged in or near the lateral lugs of the lower housing.
  • a push type contact may be' used as the movable contact.
  • the stationary contact S has its central portion arranged obliquely with respect to the bottom of the arc chamber.
  • a movable contact 19 is oriented substantially prependicularly with respect to the arc chamber and moves in its own plane. The displacement in the direction of arrow 20 will be downwardly in the closing position of the contact and will form a U-sha'ped current supply loop 18.
  • the end 8a of the stationary contact 8 which is disposed along the bottom of the arc chamber, may be provided with a ferromagnetic U-shaped guide 21, see FIGURES 4 and 5.
  • This guide is disposed at the bottom of the arc chamber with its web portion beneath the contact portion 8a. It flanks the latter with upwardly extending legs 22 which extend beyond this contact portion. At one end, this guide has an upwardly bent portion 24 extending parallel to a portion of the central section 80 of the stationary contact 8.
  • An intermediate layer 23 of insulating material is provided between the stationary contact and the guide.
  • the ferromagnetic guide provides a magnetic field between the leg ends 22 projecting beyond the contacting piece, due to the current in the contact 8, which supports the arc extinguishing eifect of the U-shaped current loop in the bottom portion of the arc chamber, where the loop effect is no longer fully effective. Faster movement of the base points of the arc along the extension of the stationary contact 8 is obtained, and the arc thus moves faster into the arc extinguishing baffle arrangement.
  • a switch comprising, in combination:
  • a contact assembly in said are extinguishing chamber including (1) a movable contact having a movable contact element thereon and mounted to open in the direction of the baflles, said movable contact being mounted for pivoting movement, and
  • ROBERT K. SCHAEFER Primary Examiner.
  • R. S. MACQN Assistant Examiner.

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  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
US156690A 1960-12-07 1961-12-04 Compact switch having a simple breaking contact and associated arc extinction means Expired - Lifetime US3270170A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE1219578T
DEL37692A DE1194489B (de) 1960-12-07 1960-12-07 Selbstschalter in Schmalbauform mit strom-abhaengigen Ausloesevorrichtungen und Mitteln zur Lichtbogenloeschung

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3270170A true US3270170A (en) 1966-08-30

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ID=25985380

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US156690A Expired - Lifetime US3270170A (en) 1960-12-07 1961-12-04 Compact switch having a simple breaking contact and associated arc extinction means

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3270170A (de)
CH (1) CH390361A (de)
LU (1) LU40852A1 (de)
NL (2) NL136065C (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4393287A (en) * 1979-09-14 1983-07-12 Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. Arc suppressing means for current limiting circuit breakers
US4484045A (en) * 1982-08-16 1984-11-20 General Electric Company Molded case circuit breaker having improved arc resistant properties
US4876424A (en) * 1988-09-19 1989-10-24 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Barrier with a venting scheme for a circuit breaker

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1952997A (en) * 1930-02-28 1934-03-27 Leyhausen Wilhelm Overload switch
US2027219A (en) * 1933-11-29 1936-01-07 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Circuit breaker
US2144475A (en) * 1936-09-12 1939-01-17 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Circuit breaker
DE697574C (de) * 1937-06-28 1940-10-17 Sachs Hugo Mehrpoliger Selbstschalter
US2337949A (en) * 1942-05-29 1943-12-28 Gen Electric Circuit breaker
US2538370A (en) * 1947-02-05 1951-01-16 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Means for controlling electric arcs
US2590543A (en) * 1947-07-05 1952-03-25 Westinghouse Electric Corp Spaced plate circuit interrupter
US2769066A (en) * 1953-02-02 1956-10-30 Westinghouse Electric Corp Circuit interrupters
US2830158A (en) * 1954-07-31 1958-04-08 Crabtree & Co Ltd J A Electric switches or circuit breakers
DE1051935B (de) * 1956-05-15 1959-03-05 Siemens Ag Elektrisches Schaltgeraet mit Lichtbogenkammer
DE1064610B (de) * 1957-10-31 1959-09-03 Wickmann Werke Ag Lichtbogenkammer fuer elektrische Selbstschalter, insbesondere Installations-Selbstschalter
US3126464A (en) * 1960-06-16 1964-03-24 Stettner

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1952997A (en) * 1930-02-28 1934-03-27 Leyhausen Wilhelm Overload switch
US2027219A (en) * 1933-11-29 1936-01-07 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Circuit breaker
US2144475A (en) * 1936-09-12 1939-01-17 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Circuit breaker
DE697574C (de) * 1937-06-28 1940-10-17 Sachs Hugo Mehrpoliger Selbstschalter
US2337949A (en) * 1942-05-29 1943-12-28 Gen Electric Circuit breaker
US2538370A (en) * 1947-02-05 1951-01-16 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Means for controlling electric arcs
US2590543A (en) * 1947-07-05 1952-03-25 Westinghouse Electric Corp Spaced plate circuit interrupter
US2769066A (en) * 1953-02-02 1956-10-30 Westinghouse Electric Corp Circuit interrupters
US2830158A (en) * 1954-07-31 1958-04-08 Crabtree & Co Ltd J A Electric switches or circuit breakers
DE1051935B (de) * 1956-05-15 1959-03-05 Siemens Ag Elektrisches Schaltgeraet mit Lichtbogenkammer
DE1064610B (de) * 1957-10-31 1959-09-03 Wickmann Werke Ag Lichtbogenkammer fuer elektrische Selbstschalter, insbesondere Installations-Selbstschalter
US3126464A (en) * 1960-06-16 1964-03-24 Stettner

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4393287A (en) * 1979-09-14 1983-07-12 Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. Arc suppressing means for current limiting circuit breakers
US4484045A (en) * 1982-08-16 1984-11-20 General Electric Company Molded case circuit breaker having improved arc resistant properties
US4876424A (en) * 1988-09-19 1989-10-24 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Barrier with a venting scheme for a circuit breaker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL136065C (de)
LU40852A1 (de) 1962-01-22
NL272243A (de)
CH390361A (de) 1965-04-15

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