US3499133A - Rotary switch with indexing mechanism - Google Patents

Rotary switch with indexing mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
US3499133A
US3499133A US720601A US3499133DA US3499133A US 3499133 A US3499133 A US 3499133A US 720601 A US720601 A US 720601A US 3499133D A US3499133D A US 3499133DA US 3499133 A US3499133 A US 3499133A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
housing
shaft
index plate
rotary switch
plate
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
US720601A
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English (en)
Inventor
Robert H Tillack
Allan J Sykora
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.)
Stackpole Carbon Co
Original Assignee
Stackpole Carbon 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
Application filed by Stackpole Carbon Co filed Critical Stackpole Carbon Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3499133A publication Critical patent/US3499133A/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
    • H01H19/00—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H19/02—Details
    • H01H19/10—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H19/11—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon with indexing means

Definitions

  • the front wall of a rotary switch housing is provided with a central opening in which a shaft is rotatably mounted.
  • a movable contact carried by the inner end of the shaft is engageable, when the shaft is turned, with fixed contacts mounted in the housing.
  • Rigidly mounted on the shaft between the movable contact and the front wall of the housing is an index plate that is provided with circumferentially spaced indexing recesses.
  • Slidably mounted on the shaft between the index plate and the front wall is a pressure plate spaced from the index plate and provided with at least one ear that projects laterally into a radial slot, with which the inside of the housing is provided.
  • the slots extend lengthwise of the housing and have open rear ends.
  • a ball is disposed in each slot between the ear therein and the index plate.
  • FIG. 1 is a front view of the switch
  • FIG. 2 is a side view thereof
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken on the line IIIIII of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken on the line IV1V of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a cross section taken on the line VV of FIG. 3;
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged cross sections taken on the lines VI-VI and VIIVII, respectively, of FIG. 2.
  • the switch may be any type of rotary switch in which a movable contact carried by a rotatable shaft is moved into and out of engagement with fixed contacts by turning the shaft.
  • the switch that is shown is similar to the one disclosed in Patent 3,258,547.
  • a switch housing 1 has front and rear end walls connected by a side wall.
  • the inside of the housing is a 3,499,133- Patented Mar. 3, 1970 ice cylindrical chamber 2.
  • the housing shown is made from four parts.
  • the front part of the housing is a cup-like member 3, while the back part of the housing is formed from two rings 4 and 5 of plastic and a separate end wall 6.
  • Molded in one of the plastic rings is a metal ring that projects into the housing chamber to form an annular collector 11 as shown in FIG. 6. Integral with this ring and projecting out of the housing from it is a terminal 12. Molded in the other plastic ring, as shown in FIG. 7, are the central portions of a plurality of circumferentially spaced metal strips that project into the housing chamber to form uniformly spaced fixed contacts 13. The strips also project radially from the ring to form electrical terminals 14. The fixed contacts can be spaced farther apart if desired, without interfering with smooth operation of the switch, if metal tabs 15 are molded into the ring between the contacts to partially span the space between them.
  • a bushing 18 Rigidly mounted in a central opening 17 in the front wall of the housing is a bushing 18 that extends in both directions from the opening.
  • the outer end portion of the bushing is threaded so that the switch can be mounted on a panel in the customary manner by inserting the bushing in an opening in the panel and then screwing a nut on the bushing.
  • Rotatably mounted in the bushing is a shaft 19 that extends through the housing to a point near its rear end wall 6.
  • the outer end of the shaft likewise projects from the bushing and is adapted to receive a knob for turning it. If movement of the shaft into the housing is not intended to be limited by the rear wall of the housing, it can be limited by a stop ring 20 mounted in a circumferential groove in the shaft and engaging the outer end of the bushing.
  • an insulating rotor disc 22 is mounted on the flattened inner end portion of the shaft for rotation by the shaft.
  • the rotor extends radially outward between the collector and the fixed contacts but it is spaced from both.
  • this rotor is provided with one or more openings 23 through it near its periphery, with at least the outer end portions of the openings located between the collector and the fixed contacts.
  • Dis-- posed in at least one of these openings is a movable contact 24 that bridges the space between the collector and the fixed contacts.
  • the movable contact preferably is a generally U-shaped tiny strip of spring metal, the spaced outer ends of which engage the collector and one of the fixed contacts.
  • the switch includes an indexing mechanism so that the movable contact can be held against any fixed contact desired without moving away from its until the shaft is turned manually.
  • an index plate 26 is rigidly mounted on the shaft at the rear end of the front member 3 of the housing a short distance away from the fixed contacts. The plate also is spaced from the inner end of the bushing. This plate is provided with aplurality of circumferentially spaced indexing recesses 27. There are as many recesses as there are fixed contacts.
  • these recesses could take the form of small openings in the index plate, it is preferred to form them by bending the marginal portion of the plate toward the front wall of the housing at circumferentially spaced intervals to produce spaced projections 28 that form the sides of the recesses.
  • the bending operation is such that it gives the edge of the index plate a scalloped appearance as shown in FIG. 4 so that the recesses are concave and the ends of projections 28 are convex.
  • a pressure plate 30 that is slidably mounted on the shaft.
  • This plate has a central body parallel to the index plate and circumferentially spaced, laterally projecting cars 31.
  • Two diametrically opposite ears are sufficient as shown in FIG. 5.
  • the ears are integrally connected to the central body by portions 32 of the pressure plate that extend from the body toward the front end of the housing substantially parallel to the shaft. These connecting portions may be about the same width as the ears themselves.
  • the ears project into a pair of radial slots 33, with which the inside of the front member of the housing is provided. These slots extend lengthwise of the housing and have open rear ends.
  • the ears fit loosely enough in the slots to permit the ears to move freely lengthwise of the slots.
  • Disposed in each slot between the ear and the index plate is a metal ball 34 that engages the side walls of the slot. Connecting portions 32 of the pressure plate help to hold the balls in the slots, especially while the switch is being assembled.
  • a coil spring 36 encircles the shaft between the front wall of the housing and pressure plate 30.
  • the spring is under compression and therefore it urges the pressure plate toward the index plate, so ears 31 press the balls into two of the index plate recesses 27 to prevent the index plate and shaft from turning unless sufiicient torque is applied manually to the outer end of the shaft to turn it.
  • projections 28 on the index plate ride over the balls, pushing them toward the front ends of the housing slots, which is permitted because the coil spring will compress further.
  • the spring will force the balls back into the next pair of indexing recesses. In this way the movable contact can be indexed into any desired position to electrically connect the collector with any of the fixed contacts.
  • Another feature of this invention is that wear of the balls or the side walls of the slots containing them is automatically compensated for by tapering the slots radially outward in cross section as shown in FIG. and by having the ears 31 diverge toward the front end of the housing so that they are inclined to the axis of the shaft.
  • the inclined ears therefore urge the balls radially outward in the slots so that the balls always remain in engagement with both side walls of each slot even though the slots may become wider during use, or the balls become smaller.
  • the indexing mechanism disclosed herein has a long life compared to other rotary switch indexing mechanisms. Due to the use of a coil spring, a greater torque range can be provided than with conventional flat springs, and no appreciable change in torque is evident over the extended life of the indexing mechanism.
  • the use of two balls provides a balanced, positive, detent action.
  • the front member of the switch housing can be a metal die casting which permits it to be grounded if desired, or it can be molded from a plastic, which of course will insulate it from grounding.
  • a rotary switch comprising a housing having front and rear end walls, the front wall provided with a central opening therethrough, a shaft rotatably mounted in said opening, means limiting axial movement of the shaft rearwardly into the housing, a movable contact carried by the inner end of the shaft, fixed contacts mounted in the housing for engagement by said movable contact when the shaft is turned, an index plate rigidly mounted on the shaft between the movable contact and said front wall and provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced indexing recesses, a pressure plate slidably mounted on the shaft between the index plate and said front wall, the pressure plate spaced from the index plate and provided with a laterally projecting ear, the inside of the housing provided with a radial slot extending lengthwise of the housing for receiving said ear and having an open rear end, a ball disposed in said slot between the ear therein and the index plate, and a spring in the housing urging the pressure plate toward the index plate to cause said ear to press the ball into the adjoining index plate
  • a rotary switch according to claim 1 in which said index plate recesses are formed between circumferentially spaced peripheral portions of the index plate projecting toward said front wall of the housing.
  • a rotary switch according to claim 1 in which said ear isinclined toward said front wall, said slot tapers radially outward, and the ball engages the opposite side walls of the slot containing it.
  • a rotary switch according to claim 1 in which said pressure plate has a central body substantially parallel to the index plate, and said ear is integrally connected to said body by a portion of the pressure plate that extends from said body toward said front wall and is substantially parallel to the shaft.
  • a rotary switch according to claim 4 in which said ear is inclined toward said front wall, said slot tapers radially outward, and the ball engages the opposite side walls of the slot containing it.
  • a rotary switch according to claim 1 including a plurality of said ears circumferentially spaced around the pressure plate, a plurality of said slots receiving said ears, and a ball in each slot.

Landscapes

  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
US720601A 1968-04-11 1968-04-11 Rotary switch with indexing mechanism Expired - Lifetime US3499133A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US72060168A 1968-04-11 1968-04-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3499133A true US3499133A (en) 1970-03-03

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US720601A Expired - Lifetime US3499133A (en) 1968-04-11 1968-04-11 Rotary switch with indexing mechanism

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3499133A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS497714B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE1914930B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1198043A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3770926A (en) * 1972-07-27 1973-11-06 Allen Bradley Co Selector switch actuator with part of detent means integral with actuator cam
US3857985A (en) * 1973-07-23 1974-12-31 Hunt Wesson Foods Inc Pourable liquid shortening
US4054860A (en) * 1975-12-01 1977-10-18 Oak Industries Inc. Hall effect rotary switch
US4071720A (en) * 1976-06-17 1978-01-31 Motorola, Inc. Binary coded cam selector switch having split housing and dent structure
DE2826886A1 (de) * 1978-06-19 1979-12-20 Ebe Elektro Bau Elemente Gmbh Mehrfach-stufendrehschalter
US4481386A (en) * 1981-10-28 1984-11-06 International Standard Electric Corporation Multistage rotary switch
US20070284233A1 (en) * 2006-06-09 2007-12-13 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Switch device
US20080289439A1 (en) * 2007-05-25 2008-11-27 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Rotary clicking electronic component

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS52112616U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1976-02-25 1977-08-26
JPS52112617U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1976-02-25 1977-08-26
JPS5933921U (ja) * 1982-08-27 1984-03-02 朝日工業株式会社 異形鉄筋接続用継手
JPS5933919U (ja) * 1982-08-27 1984-03-02 朝日工業株式会社 異形鉄筋接続用継手
GB2261303B (en) * 1989-03-31 1993-09-15 Asahi Optical Co Ltd Zooming adjustment of a zoom lens
CN101454856A (zh) * 2006-05-23 2009-06-10 阿尔卑斯电气株式会社 旋转型电气部件

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2845501A (en) * 1956-03-06 1958-07-29 Mallory & Co Inc P R Electric switch
US3189695A (en) * 1962-10-12 1965-06-15 United Gas Corp Device for regulating multiple concurrent electrical pulses
US3258547A (en) * 1964-06-30 1966-06-28 Stackpole Carbon Co Rotary electrical switches with movable contact means between ganged stator contact sections
US3336816A (en) * 1965-07-01 1967-08-22 Shallcross Mfg Company Indexing mechanism
US3363068A (en) * 1966-10-27 1968-01-09 Mc Graw Edison Co Rotary selector switch with improved rotary brush contact assembly

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2845501A (en) * 1956-03-06 1958-07-29 Mallory & Co Inc P R Electric switch
US3189695A (en) * 1962-10-12 1965-06-15 United Gas Corp Device for regulating multiple concurrent electrical pulses
US3258547A (en) * 1964-06-30 1966-06-28 Stackpole Carbon Co Rotary electrical switches with movable contact means between ganged stator contact sections
US3336816A (en) * 1965-07-01 1967-08-22 Shallcross Mfg Company Indexing mechanism
US3363068A (en) * 1966-10-27 1968-01-09 Mc Graw Edison Co Rotary selector switch with improved rotary brush contact assembly

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3770926A (en) * 1972-07-27 1973-11-06 Allen Bradley Co Selector switch actuator with part of detent means integral with actuator cam
US3857985A (en) * 1973-07-23 1974-12-31 Hunt Wesson Foods Inc Pourable liquid shortening
US4054860A (en) * 1975-12-01 1977-10-18 Oak Industries Inc. Hall effect rotary switch
US4071720A (en) * 1976-06-17 1978-01-31 Motorola, Inc. Binary coded cam selector switch having split housing and dent structure
DE2826886A1 (de) * 1978-06-19 1979-12-20 Ebe Elektro Bau Elemente Gmbh Mehrfach-stufendrehschalter
US4481386A (en) * 1981-10-28 1984-11-06 International Standard Electric Corporation Multistage rotary switch
US20070284233A1 (en) * 2006-06-09 2007-12-13 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Switch device
US7714242B2 (en) * 2006-06-09 2010-05-11 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Switch device
US20080289439A1 (en) * 2007-05-25 2008-11-27 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Rotary clicking electronic component
US7476822B2 (en) * 2007-05-25 2009-01-13 Panasonic Corporation Rotary clicking electronic component

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1198043A (en) 1970-07-08
DE1914930A1 (de) 1969-11-06
JPS497714B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-02-21
DE1914930B2 (de) 1972-12-14

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