US3554176A

US3554176A - Electrical switching system

Info

Publication number: US3554176A
Application number: US837229A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert J Melloni
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-06-27
Filing date: 1969-06-27
Publication date: 1971-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 1988-01-12

Abstract

An electrical switching system is designed for use in conjunction with the ignition system of an engine having an ignition switch and an oil pump, such as the engine of a vehicle. An ignition switch is included, and supplies electrical energy to (1) one side of an oil pressure-sensitive switch, sensitive to the oil pressure of the engine, and to (2) one side of a solenoid-actuated switch. The starter switch, when closed, closes the solenoid-actuated switch to supply electrical energy therethrough to the ignition coil. After the engine is started, the oil pressure-sensitive switch closes, and electrical energy is supplied therethrough to the ignition coil. Means are included for keeping the solenoid-actuated switch closed until oil pressure in the engine has been built up sufficiently to close the oil pressure-sensitive switch.

Description

United States Patent 7 [72] Inventor Albert,].'.\r1elloni 140 Tiptoe Lane, Burlingame, Calif. 94010 [21] AppLNo. 837,229 [22 Filed June 27,1969 [45] Patented Jan. 12,1971

[54] ELECTRICAL SWITCHING SYSTEM 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl l23/l46.5, 123/179 [511' Int. Cl ..'.F02b 77/08, F02n11/06 [50] FieldofSearch ..l23/146.56, 179B1, 19802, 0.3, 0

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,903,876 4/1933 Pilla 123/1465 2,565,984 8/1951 Newmanetalm; 123/1465 2,828,382 3/1958 Davidson 123/1465 3,154,689 10/1964 Bubbenmoyer 123/1465 FOREIGN PATENTS 279,551 10/1927 Great Britain l23/146.5C 5,863 4/1956 Germany l23/ 146.5C

Primary Examiner-Wendell E. Burns Attorney-Mellin, Moore and Weissenberger' ABSTRACT: An electrical switching system is designed for use in conjunction with the ignition system of an engine having an ignition switch and an oil pump, such as the engine of a vehicle. An ignition switch is included, and supplies electrical energy to (1) one side of an oil pressure-sensitive switch, sensitive to the oil pressure of the engine, and to (2) one side of a solenoid-actuated switch. The starter switch, when closed, closes the solenoid-actuated switch to supply electrical energy therethrough to the ignition coil. After the engine is started, the oil pressure-sensitive switch closes, and electrical energy is supplied therethrough to the ignition coil. Means are included for keeping the solenoid-actuated switch closed until oil pressure in the engine has been built up sufficiently to close the oil pressure-sensitive switch.

PATENTED JAN 1 2 I97! INVENTOR.

FIG..1

ALBERT J. MELLONI BY v ATTORNEYS SHEET 1 [IF 2 FIG 2 ATENIED JAN 1 2 :sm

SHEET 2 0F 2 FIG. 3

FIG 4 INVENTOR. ALBERT J. MELLONI E A/ ATTORNEYS This invention relates to an electrical switching system, and, more particularly, to such a switching system for use in motor vehicles. 1 I j Occasionally, it happens that the ignitionswitch of a vehicle is accidentally left open for a long period of time after the vehicle has been used. Such an occurence, in a conventional ignition circuit, causes thebattery of the vehicle to discharge through ignition coil. Consequently, thebattery may not be able to supply sufficient electrical energy to actuate the starting motor of the vehicle, when it is to be used again.

US. Pat. No.'2,l.66,498(Lacey) generally attempts to solve the problem. But the device in that patent, it will be seen; is quite complicated, with the circuitry being-quite involved. Furthermore, Lacey dependson theexpansion and contraction of metals due to temperature change to achieve his switching, a nd the timing of such switching means is relatively inexact. Y

It is an object of this invention to provide an electrical switching system'which is adapted'to keep the battery from draining even if the ignition switchis inadvertently lefton.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an electrical switching system which, while fulfilling the above object, is ex tremely simple, and is extremely effective in use;

SUMMARY OFTHE INVENTION Broadly stated, the invention comprises an'electrical system" cooperating with the ignition coil of-the ignition system. of an engine, and comprises a source of electrical energy, and an engine oil, pressurersensitive electrical switch.- Such system further comprises a solenoid-actuated electrical switch,and an ignition switch which, when closed, connects the source of electrical energy with oneiside of the oil pressure-sensitive electrical switch andwith one; side of the solenoid-actuated electricalswitch. Further'included are an electrical starting switch which, whenclosed, connectsthe source of electrical energy with the electrical starting motor, and which,: when closed, closes the solenoid actuated electrical'switch sothat the source of electrical energy is applied to the ignition coil through the closed ignition switch, and which, when opened, opens the solenoid-actuated electrical switch to cutoff-electrical energy to the ignition coil. The oil pressure-sensitive electrical switch closes, so that electrical energy is applied through. the closed ignition switch to the ignition coil, when the oil pressure in the engine reaches a certain minimum level, and. opens to cutoff the electrical energy to the ignitioncoil when the oil pressure in the engine falls below that certain minimum level. Means are included for ensuring thatthe solenoid-acm ated electrical switch remains closed for a time after the starting motor switch is opened to allow'oil pressure in the engine to buildup to that certain minimum level."

BRIEF oescmmoN or THEDRAWTNGS These and otherobjecm of the invention \t/ill-becomeap 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Shown generally in FIG. 1 is the inventive electrical system 10, in unactuated condition. Such system is used in con- V motorfor starting the engine, andan electrical starting motor junction with the ignition coil 12 of the ignition system of an engine. The system 10 includes a source of electrical energy, such as a battery 14. An ignition switch 16, when closed, connects the battery 14 with'one side 18A of an oil pressure-sensitive electrical switch 18, which is'sensitive through metal tube 19 to the oil pressure of the engine. and will close when that oil pressure reaches a certain minimum level, and open when thatoil pressure falls'below that minimum level. The other side 18B of the oil pressure sensitive electrical switch l8 is connected to the ignition coil 12 m supply electrical energy thereto when ignitionswitchlti and switch 18 are both closed.

mountedto the body'23, and the ignition switch 16, when closed, connects the battery. 14 with contact 26; v

The construction of the plunger 24 is shown in detail in FIG. 4. As shown therein, plunger 24 is actually made up of plunger body 30-, and shaft bolt 32 threaded into one end thereof.

Disposed .on the shaft bolt 32 is a contact ring 34, having insulating

washers

36, 38 on either side thereof. The contact ring 34 is slidable alongtheshaft bolt 32. A retaining washer 40 is mounted on the shaft bolt 32. A spring 42 is disposed between the solenoid coil 22-and the contact ring 34, hearing on I washer 36, and a spring 44 is disposed'between theretaining washer 40 and the contact ring 34, bearing on washer 38.

Spring 44 has a greater spring constant than spring 42, the importance of which will be discussed below.-

An electrical starting motor 46',is included for starting the engine. The closing of an electrical starting motor switch 48 connects the battery l4-with the-starting motor 46, and also supplies electrical energy to the coil 22 of the switch 20. This in turn draws plunger 24 inward of the coil 22," and causes contact ring 34 tocontact both contacts 26,; 28'simultaneously. This hasthe efi'ect of closing the solenoid switch 20. Contact 28 is connected to side 18B of switch 18 so that when contact ring 34 touches both contacts 26, 28-, and ignition switch is closed, electrical energy, is supplied to ignition coil 12- nects the battery l4 with side 18A of switch 18 and contacts parent from a study of the following specificationrar'id Q drawings,in which:

. FIG; I is :a elevational view of the inventive electrical mm and 2, with the FlG.4 is an exploded side elevation of a'portion of the sole I noid-actuated switch of the system. s

the

- 26 of switch 20. Starting motor switch 48 is closed, to start the engine. The closing of such switch also supplies electrical energy to coil 22, drawing plunger 24 inward of coil 22, with both springs42, 44 being compressed to a certain extent,

the contact ring 34 sliding to a'certain extent'alongltheshaft bolt 32 (FIG. 2). Shaft- 5] 'of damper '50 moves with sh'a'ft bolt 32."B'oth'

contacts

26,28 are touched by contact rin'g34 fand electrical energy is supplied to ignition coil 12. across switch '20. The engine the'nstarts'Oil pressure in the engine sta'rt's'to buildup.

gine starts, electrical energy is cut off frorn'coil '22, and t plunger 24 starts to move back outward of coil 22. Since the spring constant of spring 44 is greater than thatofsp'ring' 42, spring'44 expandsfirst, moving the plunger-24outward ofthe coil 22 (FlG. 3); Such movement is quite 'Slow,*beingcon-- trolled by thedamper 50. D'urin'g such'time,"contactring 34 is still in contact with the

contacts

26, 28, sothat electrical'energy' is supplied to the ignition coil through switch 20.-During thisintervalof time, the'oilpressureinthe' engine has builtup to the minimum level "ne'cc'ssar'ytoclose oil "pressure-sensitive switch 18, so that electrical energy is now supplied therethrough to ignition coil 12. After such time delay, during which spring 44 has expanded, spring 42 then slowly expands so that contact ring 34 touches neither of the

contacts

26, 28.

Switch 20 is now open, and electrical energy is now supplied to the ignition coil through oil pressure-sensitive switch 18.

If the engine is stopped for any reason with the ignition switch 16 closed, the oil pressure of the engine drops to zero, and the oil pressure-sensitive switch opens, cutting off the electrical energy to the ignition coil 12. Switch 20 is, of course, open, since it only closes when starting motor switch 48 is closed. Thus, even though ignition switch 16 is closed, the battery 14 is not connected to the ignition coil 12, with the engine stopped. The battery 14 cannot discharge through the ignition coil 12.

The system also has the advantage that, if the oil pressure of the engine drops below the minimum level necessary to keep switch 18 closed (as, for example, due to extreme engine heat, which thins out the oil, or an oil leak) the switch 18 will open, cutting off electrical energy to the ignition coil 12 and stopping the engine.

lclaim:

1. An electrical system cooperating with the ignition coil of the ignition system of an engine comprising:

a. a source of electrical energy;

b. an engine oil pressure-sensitive electrical switch;

c. a solenoid actuated electrical switch;

d. an ignition switch which when closed connects the source of electrical energy with one side of the oil pressure-sensitive electrical switch and with one side of the solenoid-actuated electrical switch;

. an electrical starting motor for starting the engine;

. an electrical starting motor switch which, when closed, connects the source of electrical energy with the electrical starting motor, and which, when closed, closes the solenoid-actuated electrical switch so that the source of electrical energy is applied to the ignition coil through the closed ignition switch, and which, when opened, opens the solenoid-actuated electrical switch to cutofi electrical energy to the ignition coil;

g. the oil pressure-sensitive electrical switch closing so that electrical energy is applied through the closed ignition switch to the ignition coil when the oil pressure in the engine reaches a certain minimum level and opening to cut off the electrical energy to the ignition coil when the oil pressure in the engine falls below that certain minimum level; and

h. means for ensuring that the solenoid-actuated electrical switch remains closed for a time after the starting motor switch is opened to allow oil pressure in the engine to buildup to said certain minimum level.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the solenoid-actuated electrical switch comprises a coil and a plunger extending from the movable inward and outward of the coil, a pair of spaced contacts, and a contact ring associated with the plunger to contact both contacts simultaneously when the plunger is inward of the coil, and to contact neither of the contacts when the plunger is moved outward of the coil.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the contact ring is slidably mounted along the plunger, and wherein are further included:

i. a retainer fixed to the plunger adjacent the extended end thereof;

ii. a first spring disposed between the solenoid coil and the contact ring;

iii. a second spring disposed between the contact ring and the retainer and having a greater spring constant than the first spring so that, when electrical energy is not applied to the coil, the contact ring is spaced from the contacts, and when electrical energy is applied to the coil, the contact ring touches the contacts with both the first and secondsprings compressed, and further including; IV. damping means contacting the extended end of the plunger so that when electrical energy is cutoff from the coil, the plungermoves slowly outward of the coil initially so that for a certain amount of time only the second spring expands, and the contact ring continues to touch the contacts, and after a further amount of time, the first spring expands to move the contact ring into spaced relation with the contacts.

Claims

1. An electrical system cooperating with the ignition coil of the ignition system of an engine comprising: a. a source of electrical energy; b. an engine oil pressure-sensitive electrical switch; c. a solenoid actuated electrical switch; d. an ignition switch which when closed connects the source of electrical energy with one side of the oil pressure-sensitive electrical switch and with one side of the solenoid-actuated electrical switch; e. an electrical starting motor for starting the engine; f. an electrical starting motor switch which, when closed, connects the source of electrical energy with the electrical starting motor, and which, when closed, closes the solenoidactuated electrical switch so that the source of electrical energy is applied to the ignition coil through the closed ignition switch, and which, when opened, opens the solenoidactuated electrical switch to cutoff electrical energy to the ignition coil; g. the oil pressure-sensitive electrical switch closing so that electrical energy is applied through the closed ignition switch to the ignition coil when the oil pressure in the engine reaches a certain minimum level and opening to cut off the electrical energy to the ignition coil when the oil presSure in the engine falls below that certain minimum level; and h. means for ensuring that the solenoid-actuated electrical switch remains closed for a time after the starting motor switch is opened to allow oil pressure in the engine to buildup to said certain minimum level.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the contact ring is slidably mounted along the plunger, and wherein are further included: i. a retainer fixed to the plunger adjacent the extended end thereof; ii. a first spring disposed between the solenoid coil and the contact ring; iii. a second spring disposed between the contact ring and the retainer and having a greater spring constant than the first spring so that, when electrical energy is not applied to the coil, the contact ring is spaced from the contacts, and when electrical energy is applied to the coil, the contact ring touches the contacts with both the first and second springs compressed, and further including; iv. damping means contacting the extended end of the plunger so that when electrical energy is cutoff from the coil, the plunger moves slowly outward of the coil initially so that for a certain amount of time only the second spring expands, and the contact ring continues to touch the contacts, and after a further amount of time, the first spring expands to move the contact ring into spaced relation with the contacts.