US3313895A - Rapid advance and intermittent drive mechanism for a time sequence switch - Google Patents

Description

Aprll I1, 1967 s. A. DOTTO 3,313,895

RAPID ADVANCE AND INTERMITTENT DRIVE MECHANISM FOR A TIME SEQUENCE SWITCH Filed June 28, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG 2 INVENTOR G /ANN/ A. DOTTO A ORNEY Apnl 11, 1967 G. A. DOTTO 3,313,895

RAPID ADVANCE AND INTERMITTENT DRIVE MECHANISM FOR A TIME SEQUENCE SWITCH Filed June 28, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR G/ANNI A. DOTTO ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,313,895 RAPID ADVANCE AND INTERMITTENT DRIVE MECHANISM FOR A TIME SE- QUENCE SWITCH Gianni A. Dotto, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to P. R. Mallory & Co. Inc, Indianapolis, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 28, 1965, Ser. No. 467,473 4 Claims. (Cl. 200-38) The present invention relates to a time sequence switch and more particularly to the means and methods for providing a rapid advance to a particular cycle and for providing a novel escapement mechanism for stepping the time sequence switch through the programmed timing cycle. I

Industrial and domestic equipment have been used for years in which a series of controlled operations is made possible by actuation, in sequence, of mechanisms providing a series of cyclic movements or effects. The operations in these equipments, for the most part, are controlled by means of a timing arrangement comprising a series of cams rotatable about a common axis, each of said cams being shaped so that on the rotation about the axis, associated circuits might be activated in accordance with the setting of each cam. As these equipment have been made more modern and more attractive to the buying public, other features have been added to cooperate with the basic time sequence switch. One of these features is a means for a rapid advance to a particular cycle starting point. Rapid advance means have taken several configurations but usually comprise a driving means consisting of a drive motor and a gear train or some other means-for imparting fast and accurate rotational motion to the cam shaft of the basic time sequence switch. Another feature which has been required for modern time sequence switches is a positive and accurate mechanical escapement mechanism for imparting rotational impulses to the camshaft of the time sequence switch thereby advancing the time sequence switch through the programmed timing cycle. These advances of the time sequence switch camshaft must be fast in order to open and close the cam follower switches quickly to prevent burning out of the switch contacts. The present inventionaddresses itself to the problem of providing a rapid advance drive mechanism that is simple, accurate, has positive stopping features, has less friction, and can be made cheaper than contemporary driving mechanisms and a mechanical escapement mechanism that is accurate, positive and that can be made cheaper than contemporary mechanical escapements.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a simple rapid advance mechanism to advance a time sequence switch to a particular cycle starting point or to skip a cycle or cycles;

It is a further object of the present invention to pro vide a rapid advance mechanism that has high speed, high t0rque,'and positive stopping features for accurately positioning a time sequence switch at a particular cycle starting point.

It is a further object of the present invention to pro- 3,313,895 Patented Apr. 11, 1967 vide a mechanical escapement mechanism which imparts accurate rotational impulses to the camshaft of a time sequence switch.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical escapement mechanism which has a positive means for preventing backward motion of the time sequence switch camshaft.

The present invention, in another of its aspects, relates to novel features of the instrumentalities described herein for teaching the principal object of the invention and to the novel principles employed in the instrumentalities whether or not these features -and principles may be used in the said object and/ or in the said field.

Other objects of the invention and the nature thereof will become apparent from the following description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and wherein like reference numbers describe elements of similar function therein and wherein the scope of the invention is determined rather from the dependent claims.

For illustrative purposes, the invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective drawing of a time sequence switch showing the timer motor, mechanical escapement mechanism, cam assembly, and drive motor mounted to a metal mounting plate.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective drawing of the mechanical escapement mechanism showing the gear which is driven by the timer motor, the driving pinion gear, the escapement spring, the spring retaining washer,

a bushing, drive pins, and the ratchet which is driven by 0nd driving means for advancing the time sequence switch vide a rapid advance mechanism that can be made cheaper than the contemporary gear train type mechanisms.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a rapid advance mechanism with a small number of moving parts. It is believed that the reliability of any mechanism increases as the number of parts decreases.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a simple mechanical escapement mechanism for stepping a time sequence switch through the programmed timing cycle;

Still another object of the present invention is to prothe pins.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the time sequence switch represented by section line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 showing how the pins on the mechanical escapement mechanism engage and impart'rotation to the ratchet that drives the camshaft of the time sequence switch. Also shown in the figure is the spring pawl which prevents backwardrotation of the ratchet.

FIGURE 4 is a bottom view of the timer switch showing the worm gear drive (for imparting rotational motion to the camshaft of the timer switch.

FIGURE 5 is a cross section view 5-5 of FIGURE 4 showing how the one-way clutch is mounted in the camshaft of the timer switch and atfixed, to the worm gear. 7

FIGURE 6 is a top view of the one-way clutch showing how the clutch imparts rotational motion to the camshaft of the timer switch.

Generally speaking, the present invention comprises a first driving means for advancing the time sequence switch through the programmed timing cycle and a secto a particular cycle at a rapid rate of speed. The first driving means includes a constant speed motor, hereinafter referred to as a timer motor, and a linkage for imparting time-driven rotation to the camshaft of the time sequence switch. The linkage mechanism discussed in the specification is an escapement mechanism or, more specifically, a pin escapement mechanism. The second driving means includes a drive motor and a coupling means for imparting rotation to the camshaft of the time sequence switch. The coupling means in this specification is referred to as a gear means, worm gear means, or a plurality of worm and worm gears, and a one-way clutch. The camshaft of the time sequence switch supports and rotates control cams which operate a plurality of control switches.

Referring now to the drawing and specifically to FIG- URE l, the component parts of the present invention can tion.

Mounting plate 10, of metallic construction, constitutes a main structural member of the time sequence switch assembly. To the first side of the mounting plate is attached a timcr motor 11, an escapement mechanism 12, and a control cam assembly 13. The timer motor 11 18 mounted to the mounting plate 10 by means of a standoff stud 14 and nut 15. The escapement mechanism 12 which is the linkage between the timer motor 11 and camshaft 44, is rotatably mounted on a bearing post 16 and affixed thereon by a hearing bushing 17. The control cam assembly 13 is affixed to mounting plate 10 by means of standoff studs 18 and machine screws 19 and contains a plurality of control cams and control switches.

Referring further to the control cam assembly 13 shown in FIGURE 1,' we see electrical contacts 20 sticking through an insulated board 21, said electrical contacts 20 being electrically connected to switch contacts 22 which are closed and opened by cam followers 23 which ride in the grooves 24 of the'cam 25. We also can see a partial View of the drive motor 26 which is also affixed to the mounting plate 10- by thestandoif studs 14 and nuts 27.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 we see an exploded perspective view of escapement mechanism 12 showing the pinion gear 28 on the shaft of timer motor 11 (not shown in FIG. 2) driving a gear 29 which is rotatably affixed to the escapement mechanism 12. A spring means, hereinafter referred to as the escapement spring 30, pin mounting Washer 31, and the bearing bushing 17 are mounted concentric with gear29. Means for engaging and driving a rotatable member, hereinafter referred to as the escapement pins 32, are affixed to the pin mounting washer 31 and extend through holes 33 in the escapement spring 30 and through elongated slots 34 in gear 29. The holes 33 in the escapement spring 30 are slightly larger than the escapement pins 32. Also shown in FIGURE 2 is the manner in which the escapement pins 32 engage the teeth on the rotatable member, hereinafter referred to as the ratchet 35.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, we see a view of the escapement mechanism 12 with the escapement pins 32 engaging the teeth on ratchet 35. Also shown is the 7 amount that the escapement pins 32 have to move to move one tooth of the ratchet 35, said movement being shown by relocated pins 36, and a spring action pawl 37 which prevents backing up of the ratchet 35.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, we see the drive motor 26 mounted to mounting plate 10 with a first worm 38 integrally formed'on the shaft of drive motor 26 which is 7 not shown for clarity, engaging a first worm gear 39, said first worm gear 39 being aflixed to one end of a shaft 40.

A second worm 41 is integrally formed on the other end of shaft 40' and engages a second worm gear 42 which is affixed to a one-way clutch 43 which is rotatably mounted on the camshaft 44 of the time sequence switch.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, we see a cross section view showing how the one-way clutch 43 is affixed to the second worm gear 42 and mounted on camshaft 44. This view is added for clarification purposes.

I Referring now to FIGURE 6, we see a top view of th'e one-way clutch 43 mounted to the camshaft 44. The oneway clutch action is obtained by three springs 45 and pins 46 acting in response to rotation of the one-way clutch. If the one-way clutch 43 is rotated counterclockwise, the pins 46 will push against the springs 45 and roll on the shaft 44. If the one-way clutch 43 is rotated clockwise, the pins 46 will be forced by the contour 47 of the oneway clutch 43 to grip the camshaft 44 and pr'event rotation. The contour 47 is fixed to cause gripping of the shaft in less than one minute of arc of rotation of the camshaft 44, thereby providing a positive stopping and starting feature.

With the above description in mind, and by making reference to the figures, the following analysis of operation will serve to convey the details of the present invention. As stated earlier the present invention provides a novel rapid advance drive and a mechanical escapement mechanism to cooperate with contemporary time senism can be analyzed by referring to FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2. In FIGURE 1 we see the timer motor 11 which is driven at a constant speed by a 60 cycle power source. The output shaft of timer motor 11 has a pinion gear 28 mounted thereon. The pinion gear 28 drives a gear 29 which is the driven member of the escapement mechanism 12. As gear 29 rotates, the pin mounting Washer 31, the escapement pins 32, and the flat metallic escapement spring 30, which are mounted with the gear 29 on bearing post 16, 'are driven so that the escapement pins 32 engage the teeth of ratchet 35. As the escapement pins 32 engage the teeth of the ratchet 35 andthe escapement mechanism 12 continues to rotate, rotational energy is stored in the escapement spring 30. When the escapement mechanism 12 is driven to the point where the escapement pins 32 travel to the ends of elongated holes 34 in the gear 29, the rotation of the gear will impart rotational motion to the ratchet 35. As the ratchet 35 begins to rotate, the stored energy in escapement spring 30 will act to overcome the dynamic friction of ratchet 35 and will impart a snap action rotational impulse to the ratchet 35. This snap 'action is required in a timerswitch to prevent burning up of switch contacts which will result if the switches are opened and closed slowly. Since the timer motor is rotating at a constant speed, the gear 29 will rotate at a constant speed and thereby rotate the escapement spring 30 and escapement pins 32 at a constant speed. In the illustration shown, there are two escapement pins 32 which will engage teeth on ratchet 35 for every revolution of the escapement mechanism 12. Thus there are-two accurately timed rotational impulses imparted to the ratchet 35 for every revolution of the escapement mechanism 12. Specific details of the assembly of the escapement mechanism 12 which provide the.

escapement action can be seen in FIGURE 2. The gear 29, escapement spring 30, pin mounting washer 31, and the bearing bushing 17 are all rotatably mounted on bearing post 16. The pin mounting washer 31 can rotate independently of the gear 29- within the boundaries established by the movement of the escapement pins 32 Within the elongated slots 34. The escapement spring 32, rotate independently of the gear 29 within the boundaries established by the elongated slots 34 in gear 29, rotational energy is stored in the escapement spring 30 because it is afiixed to both the gear 29 and the pin mounting washer 31.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, we see a spring action pawl 37 which prevents backward movement of ratchet 35 and provides 'a degree of friction which will not be overcome until the escapement pins 32 hit the end of elongated slots 34 in gear 29. This action is facilitated by the shape of the teeth of ratchet 35.

The operation of the rapid advance mechanism can be analyzed by referring to FIGURE 4. The drive motor 26 has a first worm 38 on the rotor shaft of said drive cycle selection means, the firm worm 38 drives a first worm gear 39 on shaft 40. The speed reduction obtained '44 and rotates the time sequence switch control cam assembly 13. The control cam assembly 13 will continue to rotate until the cycle selection means de-energizes the drive motor 26.

The time sequence switch with the novel rapid advance mechanism and mechanical escapement of the present invention, as hereinbefore described in one of its embodiments, is merely illustrative and not exhaustive in scope. Since many widely different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interposed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In a time sequence switch for accomplishing a plurality of timing sequences, a first driving means for ad vancing said time sequence switch through a programmed timing cycle and a second driving means for advancing said time sequence switch to a particular cycle at a rapid rate of speed, said first driving means comprising a constant speed motor, said constant speed motor driving a gear, said gear imparting rotational motion to an escapement mechanism, a flat metallic spring having a plurality of ends extending from the main body of said spring, each of said ends being affixed to the periphery of said gear, said main body of said spring being rotatably affixed to a pin means for engaging teeth of a ratchet, said pin means consisting of a plurality of pins afiixed to a mounting plate, said plurality of pins extending through elongated slots in said gear, said elongated slots limiting the travel of said pins With respect to said gear, said escapement mechanism imparting rotational motion to said ratchet when said gear rotates said escapement mechanism, thereby deflecting said ends of said spring to store rotational energy in said spring, said spring releasing said rotational energy when said pins hit the end of said elongated slot, thereby imparting rotational motion to said ratchet, said ratchet imparting rotational motion to a camshaft of said time sequence switch, said camshaft supporting and rotating control cams of said time sequence switch, said control cams operating a plurality of control switches, said second driving means comprising a drive motor, a first worm integrally formed on the rotor shaft of said drive motor, said first worm engaging and driving a first worm gear, a second worm mounted on a common shaft with said first worm gear and rotatably affixed to said first worm gear, said second worm driving a second worm gear, a one-way clutch mounted on said camshaft of said time sequence switch, said second worm gear imparting rotational motion to said camshaft through said one-way clutch.

2. In a time sequence switch for accomplishing a plurality of timing sequences, a'first driving means for advancing said time sequence switch through a programmed timing cycle and a second driving means for advancing said time sequence switch to a particular cycle at a rapid rate of speed, said first driving means comprising a constant speed motor, said constant speed motor driving a gear, said gear imparting rotational motion to an escapement mechanism, a spring means resiliently connecting said gear to a pin means, said pin means engaging teeth of a ratchet, said pin means consisting of a plurality of pins affixed to a mounting plate said plurality of pins extending through elongated slots in said gear, said elongated slots limiting the travel of said pins with respect to said gear, said escapement mechanism imparting rotational motion to said ratchet when said gear rotates said escapement mechanism, thereby deflecting said ends of said spring to store rotational energy in said spring, said spring releasing said rotational energy when said pins hit the end of said elongated slot, thereby imparting rotational motion to said ratchet, said ratchet imparting rotational motion to a camshaft of said time sequence switch, said camshaft supporting and rotating control cams of said time sequence switch, said control cams operating a plurality of control switches, said second driving means comprising a drive motor; said drive motor driving a plurality, of worm and worm gears, said plurality of worm and worm gears imparting rotational motion to said camshaft through one-way clutch means.

3. In a time sequence switch for accomplishing a plurality of timing sequences, a first driving means for advancing said time sequence switch through a programmed timing cycle and a second driving means for advancing said time sequence switch to a particular cycle at a rapid rate of speed, said first driving means comprising a constant speed motor, said constant speed motor driving a gear, said gear imparting rotational motion to an escapement mechanism, a spring mean resiliently connecting said gear to a pin means, said pin means engaging teeth of a ratchet, said pin means consisting of a plurality of pins extending through elongated slots in said gear, said elongated slots limiting the travel of said pins with respect to said gear, said escapement mechanism imparting rotational motion to said ratchet when said gear rotates said escapement mechanism, thereby deflecting said ends of said spring to store rotational energy in said spring, said spring releasing said rotational energy when said pins hit the end of said elongated slots, thereby imparting rotational motion to said ratchet, said ratchet imparting rotational motion to a camshaft of said time sequence switch, said camshaft supporting and rotating control cams of said time sequence switch, said control cams operating a plurality of control switches, said second driving means comprising a drive motor, said drive motor driving a plurality of worm and worm gears, a one-way clutch coupling said plurality of worm and worm gears with said camshaft, said drive motor driving said plurality of worm and worm gears and said one-way clutch, thereby imparting rotational motion to said camshaft.

4. In a time sequence switch for accomplishing a plurality of timing sequences, a first driving means for ad vancing said time sequence switch through a programmed timing cycle and a second driving means for advancing said time sequence switch to a particular cycle at a rapid rate of speed, said first driving means comprising a constant speed motor, said constant speed motor driving a gear, said gear imparting rotational motion to said escapement mechanism, a flat metallic spring having a plurality of ends extending from the main body of said spring, each of said ends being aflixed to the periphery of said gear, said main body of said spring being rotatably afiixed to a pin mounting plate, said pin mounting plate and said gear being rotatably mounted on a common shaft and resiliently connected by said spring, a plurality of pins affixed to said pin mounting plate and extending through elongated slots in said gear, said elongated slots limiting the travel of said pins and said pin mounting plate with respect to said gear, said pins engaging teeth of a ratchet being driven by said escapement mechanism, said escapement mechanism imparting rotational motion to said ratchet when said gear rotates said escapement mechanism, thereby deflecting said ends of said spring to store rotational energy in said spring, said springreleasing said rotational energy when said pins hit the end of said elongated slot, thereby, imparting rotational motion to said ratchet, said ratchet imparting rotational motion to a camshaft of said time sequence switch, said camshaft supporting and rotating control cams of said time sequence switch, said second driving means comprising a drive motor, a first Worm integrally formed on the rotor shaft of said drive motor, said first worm engaging and driving a first worm gear, a second worm mounted on a common shaft 5 with said first Worm gear and rotatabiy afiixed to said first worm gear, said second worm driving a second Worm gear, a one-way clutch mounted on said camshaft of said time sequence switch, said second worm gear imparting rotational motion to said camshaft through said one-way 1 clutch.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Bennett 20()38 X Sisson 20038 Thornbery 307--141.4 Hauser 200-38 Dotto 20038 X Bowman 307141.4

O BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

G. MAIER, H. E. SPRINGBORN, Assistant Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. 2. IN A TIME SEQUENCE SWITCH FOR ACCOMPLISHING A PLURALITY OF TIMING SEQUENCES, A FIRST DRIVING MEANS FOR ADVANCING SAID TIME SEQUENCE SWITCH THROUGH A PROGRAMMED TIMING CYCLE AND A SECOND DRIVING MEANS FOR ADVANCING SAID TIME SEQUENCE SWITCH TO A PARTICULAR CYCLE AT A RAPID RATE OF SPEED, SAID FIRST DRIVING MEANS COMPRISING A CONSTANT SPEED MOTOR, SAID CONSTANT SPEED MOTOR DRIVING A GEAR, SAID GEAR IMPARTING ROTATIONAL MOTION TO AN ESCAPEMENT MECHANISM, A SPRING MEANS RESILIENTLY CONNECTING SAID GEAR TO A PIN MEANS, SAID PIN MEANS ENGAGING TEETH OF A RATCHET, SAID PIN MEANS CONSISTING OF A PLURALITY OF PINS AFFIXED TO A MOUNTING PLATE SAID PLURALITY OF PINS EXTENDING THROUGH ELONGATED SLOTS IN SAID GEAR, SAID ELONGATED SLOTS LIMITING THE TRAVEL OF SAID PINS WITH RESPECT TO SAID GEAR, SAID ESCAPEMENT MECHANISM IMPARTING ROTATIONAL MOTION TO SAID RATCHET WHEN SAID GEAR ROTATES SAID ESCAPEMENT MECHANISM, THEREBY DEFLECTING SAID ENDS OF SAID SPRING TO STORE ROTATIONAL ENERGY IN SAID SPRING, SAID SPRING RELEASING SAID ROTATIONAL ENERGY WHEN SAID PINS HIT THE END OF SAID ELONGATED SLOT, THEREBY IMPARTING ROTATIONAL MOTION TO SAID RATCHET, SAID RATCHET IMPARTING ROTATIONAL MOTION TO A CAMSHAFT OF SAID TIME SEQUENCE SWITCH, SAID CAMSHAFT SUPPORTING AND ROTATING CONTROL CAMS OF SAID TIME SEQUENCE SWITCH, SAID CONTROL CAMS OPERATING A PLURALITY OF CONTROL SWITCHES, SAID SECOND DRIVING MEANS COMPRISING A DRIVE MOTOR; SAID DRIVE MOTOR DRIVING A PLURALITY OF WORM AND WORM GEARS, SAID PLURALITY OF WORM AND WORM GEARS IMPARTING ROTATIONAL MOTION TO SAID CAMSHAFT THROUGH ONE-WAY CLUTCH MEANS.

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