US3609266A

US3609266A - Snap mechanism for use with an electrical switch, valve or the like

Info

Publication number: US3609266A
Application number: US821547A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eli Raitport
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-04-18
Filing date: 1969-04-18
Publication date: 1971-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 1988-09-28

Abstract

1. Electrical snap switch with a spring in the form of a closed loop freely located within the body. 2. Snap mechanism electrical and fluid, with a memory; consisting of a body, terminals, pusher operator and a cup-shaped snapping member which has at least two relaxed positions substantially different from each other.

Description

United States Patent [111 3,609,266

[72] Inventor Ell Raitport 2,618,715 11/1952 Cataldo 1. ZOO/76 1807 Mower St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19152 2,755,352 7/1956 Birkemeier. 200/67 DB [21] Appl. No. 821,547 2,798,130 7/1957 Cox ZOO/83.2 [22] Filed Apr. 18, 1969 I 2,927,185 3/1960 Bonnaire 200/166 CT [45] Patented Sept. 28, 1971 3,133,170 5/1964 Nanninga 200/67 DB 3,242,282 3/1966 Suzuki 200/76 3,261,932 7/1966 Shlesinger 200/166 81-1 SNAP MECHANISM FOR USE WITH AN 3,488,460 1 1 970 Baumanis 200/159 ELECTRICAL SWITCH, VALVE OR THE LIKE 9 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs Prir nary EXdmlllfF-ROlJfilt S. Macon Assistant Examiner-William J. Smith (52] U.S. Cl 200/67, 200/153, 200/159 {51] Int. Cl H0lb 3/12 [50] Field of Search 200/67 DB, ABSTRACT; L E|ecmca| Snap switch with a Spring in the 7 159 153-9 BC, 83-2, form ofa closed loop freely located within the body.

2, Snap mechanism electrical and fluid, with a memory;

[ References Cied consisting of a body, terminals, pusher operator and a cup- UNITED STATES PATENTS shaped snapping member which has at least two relaxed posi- 2,573,453 10/1951 Knos 200/166 BH tions substantially different from each other.

l8 l 7 1% l4 "7 E .4,70. 5",. .5a 43 Q I; a f i it 3% i SNAP MECHANISM FOR USE WITH AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH, VALVE OR THE LIKE The purpose of this invention is to introduce construction of switch mechanism adaptable for fully automated assembly. The prime criteria for that is to have fewer parts in a switch, not more than five; also the parts would fit one into the other in such a way that all parts could be fed in one direction. Furthermore, each subsequent part should be self-retainable (i.e. without any fasteners) in the part in which it fits.

Another objective of this invention is that said construction with essentially same parts would be adaptable for multicircuit switches and double-throw switches as well, in order to assure flexibility for an automatic assembly machine.

A further objective of this invention is to provide a uniform design of a circuit maker-breaker readily adaptable to a large variety of sizes. This will considerably reduce the cost of training personnel for manufacturing and for maintenance as well.

Another objective of this invention is to eliminate requirement for a close fit between the parts of the switch. This facilitates considerably, automatic assembly and reduces the manufacturing cost of the parts as well.

Another objective of this invention is to reduce the cost of switch wiring, improve the quality and safety of contacts, i.e. reduce amount of electrical resistance by eliminating or reducing probability for foreign matters; reduce or eliminate probability for loosening contacts due to vibration; reduce magnetic field in the area of terminals.

Another objective of this invention is to facilitate future miniaturization of switches.

On the attached drawings, three versions of switches are represented. In all these switches the circuit is performed through axial depression, however, a toggle or rocking actuator could be adapted as well.

FIG. 2 represents a sectional view of a double-throw pole switch push-push button switch, each push will reverse the throw and retain the circuit until the next depression.

FIG. 1 represents section 11 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 represents section view of3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 represents top view of a safety circuit breaker utilizing herewith invented switch.

FIG. 5 is sectional view 55 of FIG. 4.

F IG. 6 represents FIG. 2 with throw reversed position;

FIG. 7 demonstrates enlarged top view of stationary contacts 5 and 50.

FIG. 8 represents a single throw, single pole, momentary contact switch in an elongated shape and biased position.

FIG. 9 represents same switch as FIG. 8 in actuated positron.

FIG. 10 an 11 represents a modified loop bridge for use in switches of FIG. 8.

This switch consists (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 6) of body 1 molded from plastic with tubular thin-walled

electroconductive inserts

2, 2a, 3, 3a, 4, 4a, and 42, 42a (not shown). These inserts represent the terminals. They are upset at the ends (in process of molding, as will be explained in another disclosure) to make

stationary contacts

6, 6a, 5, 5a, 41 and 41a (and 2 more are not shown).

Moveable contact l3, l4, I5, 16 are fastened perpendicularly to a stem 12 which is integrally molded with cup 18 from a suitable semirigid material. Said cup has a parabolical bottom 17; from its center stem 12 projects on one side, and stem 19 on the other. It is understood that several more contact could be mounted to the same stem.

The contacts may be fastened to the stem 12 by insertion into the mold while molding or pressed on after molding. In event of larger sized circuit breakers, it would be desireable to make cup 18 from metal. It could be done inexpensively by either process drawing or spinning. In such event stems I2 and 19 would be either riveted, screwed or pressed into 17.

Cover 10 could be either molded from a plastic or progressively formed from metal in event good heat transfer properties are preferred for this cover.

In said cover 10, two projections 11 and Ila are formed (molded). These projections fit into

cavities

7 and 7a respectively to bind all aforesaid parts into an integral mechanism.

Cavities

7 and 7a are longer than projection 11 and Ila, therefore, 10 is able to slide reciprocally in relation to body 1.

Operation of the mechanism is as follows; In FIG. 2, moveable contact 13 is bridging

stationary contacts

5 and 5a and moveable contact 14 is bridging two other contacts (not shown).

Contacts

6 and 41, 6a and 41a are open. Depressing 10 vertically, the latter will slide down relative to the body 1 and force down stem 19 which in turn will force parabolical shape 17 to pivot on its support points 8, simultaneously walls of cup 18 will rise toward 10. During such operation, 17 will be compressed and cause energy to store.

At the moment, junction line 20 will pass the level of 8, then 12, 17 and 19 will move down at increased speed, being forced by accumulated energy in 17.

So, the switch mechanism will take the position as shown in FIG. 6, in which contact 5 and 5a and two others (not shown) are open;

contacts

6 and 41, 6a and 41a are bridged by moveable contact 16.

In order to reverse the throw, 10 would be depressed in same manner as before, however, now top of 10 would be forcing down circumference 18 rather than stem 19. Seventeen will pivot again or reaction points 8, however, in the opposite direction so the throw would be reversed.

Contacts

5 and 5a are not flush with the inner walls of 1, but rather depressed forming cavities 9 and 9a (FIG. 6) in which two ends of contact 13 intrudes (FIG. 2). Thus the

stationary contacts

5 and 5a encircles the moveable contact from three sides, making a better conduction; simultaneously this creates additional snap action in the switch as follows; when the stem 12 is forced down, the ends of contact 13 are forced to deflect about its junction points with 12, being supported at points 43. In turn, uprights of contact 13 are biased to pivot at the point 43. Consequently, instantly as pressure is applied to cover 10, contact 13 changes its form from this. shown in FIG. 2 to the form shown in FIG. 6, thus separating from 5 and 5a and preventing arcing.

Other contacts are shown to be flush with the inner walls of body 1. In most cases this might be satisfactory since adequate snap action can be designed into parabolical member 17, also wiping action of the contacts make good conductors.

FIGS. 4 and 5 demonstrate a switch of similar construction as it is used for safety circuit breaker or thermostat switch. It consists of body 21 with two

stationary contacts

25 and 25a. formed at the ends of

tenninals

22 and 22a. Stem 32 carries moveable contacts 33 shaped into a cup, so it will bridge all stationary contacts located in the inner circumference of the body 1. The stems 32 and 39 are fastened to parabolical bottom 37 of cup 28. Cover projections 31 intrude into cavities 27 in order to retain the assembly. Note, 30 is not slidable in this case. The actuation is as follows; Stem 39 is made of a thermoexpanding material and construction, perhaps aluminum wire would in a coil. 39 is subjected to sense the temperature of the line, appliance, equipment or whatever it is. When 39 expands, it depresses 37 which pivots on rim 38 and forces contacts 33 out of engagement with 25 and 25a; identical to the procedure aforedescribed.

However, in this case, stem 32 moving downward will compress spring 24. The potential energy of the spring 24 will raise the stem 32 upwards; however, should the expanded length of 39 prevent 40 to pass line 38, then said 39 will force 32 downward by its potential energy; and so on again. consequently, contact 33 will oscillate below the contacts 25 and 250 until the temperature will drop. Then line 40 would be able to pass line 38 and that would snap the contacts into bridging.

The described invention is readily adaptable to a momentary contact switch. All that is required to block the travel of 17 beyond the line 8; because until this happens, I7 is biased to its original position.

The switch in FIG. 8 consists of body (or lower housing) 51 molded from a suitable plastic with

inserts

52, 53 and 54 which represents the terminals. The ends of these terminals molded into the body are exposed in

cavities

63, 64 and 68 of the body 51. These exposed portions of said terminals represent the stationary contacts 65, 65a, 66 (not shown), 66a.

A strip of spring material, perhaps plated with silver, is formed into loop 57. The actuator 56 is resting on loop 57, upper housing is fastened firmly to body 51 and so the switch is retained.

in relaxed position U-shaped tongue 59 of loop 57 is biased into cavity 68 and it bridges stationary contact 66 (not shown) and 66a.

when the actuator 56 is depressed, applied force is transferred to 62. Then one half of applied force is transferred to each upright 60 and 61, forcing

semiloops

58 and 58 a into cavities 63 and 64 respectively. Then semiloops 58 and 58a pull from the middle of the loop, namely tongue 59 over the

projections

67 and 67a in order to get enough material to form the shape of 58 and 58a. Consequently, the switch takes the position as shown in H6. 9 where the contact 66 (not shown) and 660 are open, and contacts 65 and 65a are bridged by the same loop 57. When pressure on the actuator 56 is released, the loop 57 is biased to take its original form and that means the throw is reversed back.

FIG. 10 illustrates top view of herewith innovated terminals without insulation, inserted in an insulation board; FIG. 11 is an elevation view of FIG. 10; FIG. 12 illustrates a cut away section of an insulated terminal.

Those new terminals are fabricated from continuous shapes, round or oval tube or channel extruded from soft metal. The bottom of the terminals are inserted into the bases by any suitable means.

in the event of terminal boards for switches, end of this tube (channels) 74 protruding on the other side of bases 71 and flattened to provide contact points.

In the event of terminal boards for panels, above said end would be joined together and squeezed to provide a circuit bridge.

The upper end of the terminal 73 remains open to accept wire. The wire is simple pronged into the terminal, then the terminal is crimped making contact with the wire over a relatively long area.

The protruding portion of the tube (channel) terminal 72 might be covered with a insulating material 75 in order to reduce magnetic field. This insulation can be readily molded onto the terminals simultaneously while manufacturing the concerned assembly as per invention entitled Process for Making Terminals....." or deposited on the tube (channel) terminal subsequent to the extrusion.

it is to be understood that subjected invention is not limited to above description. Many variations of mechanism could be produced utilizing the same basic invention. Above description is only an example of the almost unlimited applications for this invention.

l request a Letter of Patent to cover the following:

l. A double-acting sharp snap mechanism for use with an electrical switch, valve or the like, comprising a body, a telescoping cover slideably attached to the body with a cupshaped resilient spring floatably placed into said body and retained within said cover, said resilient spring reversing from concave to convex position and vice versa upon successive depressions of said telescoping cover toward said body said cup-shaped resilient concaveconvex member consisting of a diaphragm outwardly extended walls at least in a portion periphery of said diaphragm.

2. A snap mechanism ad defined in claim 1, further com prising a projection in a peripheral path extending from said body, said cup-shaped resilient spring member resting on said projection, said projection being located inwardly of the extreme periphery of said cup-shaped member wherein the bottom of said member pivots about said projection and wherein the outwardly projecting walls of said member slidably move when actuated by depression of said telescoping cover.

3. A snap mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising a stem protruding from the center of said cup-shaped member, said stem being firmly and resiliently attached to said member wherein said te escoping cover intermittently engages either the walls of said member or said stem upon actuation of said snap mechanism.

4. A snap mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising stationary contacts, a stem attached to said member, said stem carrying movable contacts for bridging a circuit, said stem sliding within said body of said mechanism and causing said movable contacts to wipe" said stationary contacts.

5. A snap mechanism as defined in claim I, further comprising a terminal with U-shaped contact portion, said portion being located within the body of said mechanism and representing a contact of a switch said portion embracing the mating contact from two or more sides.

6. An electrical switch with one biased position comprising a body with inserted stationary contacts, an actuator, and a spring member located within said body consisting of a metal wire formed into a closed loop of generally rectangular form.

7. An electrical switch as defined in claim 6 further comprising one or more generally U-shaped tongues projecting outwardly from said closed loop.

8. An electrical switch as defined in claim 6 further comprising two or more projects extending inwardly from said body and thrusting toward said loop, said projections causing said loop to undergo elastic deformation and therefore store energy and snap into a relatively relaxed position.

9. An electrical switch as defined in claim 6, further comprising a terminal with a U-shaped contact portion, said portion being located withing said body and representing a contact of said switch, said portion embracing the mating contact from two or more sides.

Claims

1. A double-acting snap mechanism for use with an electrical switch, valve or the like, comprising a body, a telescoping cover slideably attached to the body with a cup-shaped resilient spring floatably placed into said body and retained within said cover, said resilient spring reversing from concave to convex position and vice versa upon successive depressions of said telescoping cover toward said body, said cup-shaped resilient concave-convex member consisting of a diaphragm and outwardly extended walls at least in a portion of periphery of said diaphragm.

2. A snap mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising a projection in a peripheral path extending from said body, said cup-shaped resilient spring member resting on said projection, said projection being located inwardly of the extreme periphery of said cup-shaped member wherein the bottom of said member pivots about said projection and wherein the outwardly projecting walls of said member slidably move when actuated by depression of said telescoping cover.

3. A snap mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising a stem protruding from the center of said cup-shaped member, said stem being firmly and resiliently attached to said member wherein said telescoping cover intermittently engages either the walls of said member or said stem upon actuation of said snap mechanism.

4. A snap mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising stationary contacts, a stem attached to said member, said stem carrying movable contacts for bridging a circuit, said stem sliding within said body of said mechanism and causing said movable contacts to '''' wipe'''' said stationary contacts.

5. A snap mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising a terminal with U-shaped contact portion, said portion being located within the body of said mechanism and representing a contact of a switch, said portion embracing the mating contact from two or more sides.

8. An electrical switch as defined in claim 6 further comprising two or more projections extending inwardly from said body and thrusting toward said loop, said projections causing said loop to undergo elastic deformation and therefore store energy and snap into a relatively relaxed position.

9. An electrical switch as defined in claim 6, further comprising a terminal with a U-shaped contact portion, said portion being located within said body and representing a contact of said switch, said portion embracing the mating contact from two or more sides.