US3590198A - Contact breaker for electric circuits - Google Patents

Abstract

A contact breaker for electric circuits which comprises first and second current conductive elements with the latter element slidably engaging the first element and forming an electric circuit therewith. An interruptor member is slidably fixed on the first element and is located in the path of the second element and has a surface electrically insulated from the first element so that upon engagement of the second element with this surface the electric circuit is broken. Means are provided on the surface of the interruptor member which are adapted to remove impurities collected on the second element during sliding thereof along the first element.

Description

United States Patent Germany P 17 65 656.3

CONTACT BREAKER FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS 7 Claims, 1 Drawing Fig.

US. Cl 200/166 G H0lh 1/06 Field of Search 200/166 G [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,250 884 5/1966 Larkin 200/166 (0) Primary ExaminerH. 0. Jones A!l0rneyMichael S. Striker ABSTRACT: A contact breaker for electric circuits which comprises first and second current conductive elements with the latter element slidably engaging the first element and forming an electric circuit therewith. An interruptor member is slidably fixed on the first element and is located in the path of the second element and has a surface electrically insulated from the first element so that upon engagement of the second element with this surface the electric circuit is broken. Means are provided on the surface of the interrupter member which are adapted to remove impurities collected on the second element during sliding thereof along the first element.

PAIENIEMuuzsmn 3590.198

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' 2mm FISH/ER CONTACT BREAKER FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a contact breaker for interrupting electric currents and, more particularly, relates to an electric current interruptor disposed on a rail and adapted to disconnect the path of current between the rail and a sliding contact engaging the rail.

Such type of interruptors are known and in common use. They usually are connected to those parts of the rail where, for various reasons, the electric current has to be interrupted. This is accomplished by an electrically insulated disconnecting surface of the interruptor and which is positioned directly in the path of the sliding contact so that upon engagement with this contact the latter is moved onto this surface whereby the electric current is immediately interrupted. Such surfaces usually are made ofa nonconductive, synthetic material.

However, this electrically insulating material used for disconnecting purposes has the well-known characteristic that it accepts an electrostatic change in response to friction. As a result of such a charge dust is attracted and is accumulated on the disconnecting surface of the interruptor. In addition, for the duration that the sliding contact slides over this surface, also the sliding contact is electrostatically charged as a result of which dust is also collected and accumulated on the sliding contact.

Experiences have shown that these dust particles may accumulate between the sliding contact and the rail, whereby the electric current between the rail and the sliding contact is opposed by a high ohmic resistance. This, eventually, may even lead to a complete and unwanted interruption of the electric current.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a simple but effective interruptor device which, at all times, facilitates a proper functioning of the disconnecting surface and the sliding contact.

A further object of the invention is to provide an interruptor device for electric current which provides novel means through which dust collected on this disconnecting surface is easily and effectively disposed of.

The interruptor device for electric current according to the invention comprises a first and a second current-conductive member, with the last mentioned member operatively engaging the first-mentioned member and forming an electric circuit therewith for the passage of electric current, an interruptor member disposed on the first conductive member and having a surface electrically insulated from the first conductive member is located in the path of the second conductive member so that upon engagement of the second conductive member with this surface the electric circuit is interrupted, and means in the region of this surface adapted to remove impurities collected on the second conductive member during sliding thereof along the first conductive member.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The single figure illustrates a plan view of the electric current interruptor device according to the invention. DESCRIP- TION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown, the rail I comprises an undercut groove 2 which extends longitudinally in the rail. Disposed on the surface 3 of the rail is an electric current interruptor device 4 which is provided with a downward projection 4a disposed in groove 2 and via which the interruptor 4 can be slidably fixed to the rail at any desired location thereof. The rail itself may be endless or may follow a more or less straight line. integrally formed with and forming part of the interruptor 4 is a disconnecting surface 5 provided with a corrugated upper surface. A sliding contact 7 which normally slidably engages the surface 3 of the rail 1, together with the rail form an electric circuit for the passage of electric current therethrough. It will be appreciated that both the rail and the sliding contact are made of electrically conducting materials. The sliding contact follows the longitudinal pattern of the rail and as shown, the disconnecting surface 5, made of an electrically insulating material, lies directly in the path of travel of sliding contact 7 so that upon engagement of the sliding contact with the disconnecting surface, the contact slides over the corrugations formed in the surface. For the duration that the sliding contact slides over the disconnecting surface, the electric current between the rail and the sliding contact is interrupted. Furthermore, the dust or other impurities, collected and accumulated on the sliding contact during its sliding engagement with the rail, are, so to speak, scraped off from the contact surface of the sliding contact and so that the dust is automatically collected in the corrugated surface 5. The corrugations 6 in the surface 5, as shown, extend transversely relative to the path of travel of the sliding contact so as to facilitate an efficient scraping and cleaning effect. The dust, collected in the corrugations 6, can thereafter be easily removed from the disconnecting surface.

It will be appreciated that with the arrangement as described above, a very efficient way is provided to automatically remove dust from the sliding contact.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims,

What I claim as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

1. Device for interrupting an electric current comprising a first current conductive member having an elongated face; a groove provided in and extending longitudinally of said face; a second current conductive member slidably engaging said first conductive member and forming an electric circuit therewith for the passage of electric current, at least one of said conductive members being displaceable with reference to the other; an interruptor member disposed on said first conductive member and having at least one projection received in said groove and positioning said interruptor member relative to said first conductive member, said interruptor member further having a surface electrically insulated from said first conductive member and located in the path of said second conductive member so that upon engagement of the latter with said surface said electric circuit is interrupted; and means in the region of said surface of said interruptor member adapted to remove impurities collected on said second conductive member during relative displacement of said conductive members.

2. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said means are corrugations provided in said surface ofsaid interruptor member.

3. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said means are projections and depressions in said surface of said interruptor member.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said projections are ridges with sloping surfaces located intermediate said ridges.

5. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said corrugations extend transversely to the path of said second conductive member.

6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said face of said first conductive member extends in a straight line.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said groove is undercut and wherein said projection is slidably received in said groove.

Claims (7)

1. Device for interrupting an electric current comprising a first current conductive member having an elongated face; a groove provided in and extending longitudinally of said face; a second current conductive member slidably engaging said first conductive member and forming an electric circuit therewith for the passage of electric current, at least one of said conductive members being displaceable with reference to the other; an interruptor member disposed on said first conductive member and having at least one projection received in said groove and positioning said interruptor member relative to said first conductive member, said interruptor member further having a surface electrically insulated from said first conductive member and located in the path of saiD second conductive member so that upon engagement of the latter with said surface said electric circuit is interrupted; and means in the region of said surface of said interruptor member adapted to remove impurities collected on said second conductive member during relative displacement of said conductive members.

2. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said means are corrugations provided in said surface of said interruptor member.

3. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said means are projections and depressions in said surface of said interruptor member.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said projections are ridges with sloping surfaces located intermediate said ridges.

5. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said corrugations extend transversely to the path of said second conductive member.

6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said face of said first conductive member extends in a straight line.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said groove is undercut and wherein said projection is slidably received in said groove.

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