US3626132A - Switch contacts - Google Patents

Switch contacts Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3626132A
US3626132A US2800A US3626132DA US3626132A US 3626132 A US3626132 A US 3626132A US 2800 A US2800 A US 2800A US 3626132D A US3626132D A US 3626132DA US 3626132 A US3626132 A US 3626132A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
yoke
contact
switch according
spring
movable contact
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
US2800A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Franz Jungels
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.)
HEDDERNHEIMER METALLWARENFAB
Heddernheimer Metallwarenfabrik Ag-Werk Fluorn
Original Assignee
HEDDERNHEIMER METALLWARENFAB
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 HEDDERNHEIMER METALLWARENFAB filed Critical HEDDERNHEIMER METALLWARENFAB
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3626132A publication Critical patent/US3626132A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting

Definitions

  • PATENTEDUEB 7197 36261 32 SHEET 1 [1F 2 Inventor: Farm 2 Jun/e ELS PATENTED DEC 7 ISTI SHEET 2 [1F 2 mvenmr FRm/z JUMGELS b 7 OZ K WW my SWITCH CONTACTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • the present invention relates to electrical switches and, in particular, to an improved contact for relay switches, pushbutton switches, microswitches and the like in which at least one movable contact member is provided.
  • the switch briefly comprises an operating element which is effective in moving one or more contact springs or blades between two or more positions in such a manner that a connection with a fixed contact is either made or broken.
  • a switch mechanism in which the movable contact spring and/or the fixed contact is provided with a pivotally mounted yoke forming at least one of the contact surfaces.
  • the yoke be arcuate having a U-shaped cross section and mounted on a bearing edge formed from the contact spring so that when the spring is deflected, the yoke acts in sliding, rolling and frictional engagement with the opposing contact face.
  • the yoke comprises a curved central back by which it is mounted to the spring contact and a pair of legs extending some distance along the length of the contact.
  • the yoke be mounted on the spring contact, it may also be mounted on the fixed contact or on both as desired.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a double-throw microswitch having a central contact spring provided with a yoke in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the contact spring and yoke of FIG. i;
  • FIG. 3 is a view of a device similar to that shown in FIG. ll showing a modified form of yoke
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a double-throw switch having a central contact and two normally open contacts;
  • FIG. 5 is a view of a double-throw switch having a modified yoke
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the action of the contact and yoke in accordance with the present invention.
  • switches normally come housed in cases, boxes or frames; they are normally provided with an operating element by which the contact spring or springs may be moved, such operating elements being manually actuated, electromechanically actuated or actuated by a prime or mechanical mover; and switches also are normally provided with mechanical detents, terminal means, holding springs, insulators, etc.
  • switches normally come housed in cases, boxes or frames; they are normally provided with an operating element by which the contact spring or springs may be moved, such operating elements being manually actuated, electromechanically actuated or actuated by a prime or mechanical mover; and switches also are normally provided with mechanical detents, terminal means, holding springs, insulators, etc.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein there is shown a contact assembly of microsize comprising a movable central contact spring 1 and a pair of fixed countercontact springs 2 and 3 secured within a blocklike base 4 which may be of molded insulating material.
  • the movable contact spring 1 is connected at its upper end 8 to one end of an arcuate spring member 6 which has its outer end connected to the free end 7 of an operating element 5 secured also within the face 4.
  • the operating element 5 and the arcu ate spring 6 are in well-known manner so shaped and arranged to provide snap movement of the central contact spring 1 between the counterspn'ngs 2 and 3.
  • the double-throw switch so far described is completed by furnishing each of the countersprings 2 and 3 with contact nodes Ill and 10 respectively.
  • the central or movable contact member 1 is provided with a yoke 9 comprising a central arcuate bearing back 9d from which extends a pair of depending legs 9b.
  • the yoke 9, as shown in this embodiment, is generally U-shaped or horseshoe in cross section. comprising a continuous elliptical are from one edge to the other edge 9c.
  • the yoke is elongated along an axis coincident with its back 9c, which in this embodiment is parallel to the width of the contact member and is freely positioned so that it bears on the upper edge lb of the contact spring 1.
  • the yoke 9 is provided with a central aperture 9a, midway of its back which is adapted to fit over a projecting tab 1a extending upwardly from the edge lb in the plane of the movable contact and along its central longitudinal axis.
  • the yoke 9 pivots about an axis (edge lb) transverse to the axis of the contact spring 1.
  • the pivoting motion of the yoke 9 is such that when the snap spring 6 initially forces the contact spring 1 against the fixed counterspring 2, the yoke 9 is pivoted to an extent that the edge 90 of its left leg engages the side of contact spring 1 and correspondingly, the arcuate side makes resilient engagement with face 11 of the contact spring 2, as seen in FIG. 2.
  • the operating element 5 is deflected toward the left by a suitably designed operating member, a point is ultimately reached in which the snap spring 6 instantaneously switches the movable center contact spring 1, pressing it against the opposite fixed contact spring 3.
  • the contact yoke 9 which is mounted for pivotal movement transverse to the longitudinal axis of the contact springs simultaneously pivots until its right leg edge 90 engages contact spring 1 and its corresponding face 9b engages the contact face 10 of the counterspring 3. It is readily appreciated that during these pivotal movements of the contact yoke 9, there is additional rolling relative movement between the legs 9b, the cooperating contacts l and 11 of the fixed contacts springs 2 and 3.
  • the legs 9b are made convexly arcuate having a high point 20 looking towards a corresponding high point 21 on the countercontacts l0 and 11.
  • the present invention makes it unnecessary to weld, rivet or otherwise fasten the yoke to the spring 1, and it is sufficient in most cases to merely cover the yoke 9 with a suitable contact material, its structural base being made of inexpensive material such as plastic.
  • the projecting tab In permits the contact yoke 9 to be held in place solely by the snap spring 6.
  • the recess 9a into which the tab la extends should be preferably big enough so that contactyoke 9 can perform the desired pivoting movement freely and without hindrance.
  • the legs 9b are normally arranged in such a manner that their edges 9c do not touch the spring in their rest position nor do their faces touch the contacts and 11.
  • the frontal edges lb of the movable contact spring 1 extending laterally from the projection la are formed as knifelike edges so that the yoke 9 can pivot easily.
  • the projecting tab la is introduced into the receiving aperture 8 at the end of the snap spring 6 in conventional manner and because of the resilient force of the snap spring 6, the yoke 9 is pressed against the knife edge lb and is thus held in its uniquely defined position.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the situation where the fixed countercontact springs 2 and 3 rather than the central spring I carry contact yokes.
  • the movable contact spring 1 is provided with conventional contact heads or rivets 30 or may just be covered with a layer of contact material.
  • the snap mechanism of the springs 6 and 5 corresponds to that of the switching contacts shown in FIG.. 1.
  • the yokes 12 and 13 are mounted directly on the upper edge of each counterspring 2 and 3 respectively.
  • the countersprings 2 and 3 are, of course, not furnished with the usual contact faces, but each spring is furnished with a bearing edge 14 and 15 respectively which may be the same as described in connection with FIG. 1, ie having a knifelike bearing edge lb and projecting tab la.
  • FIG. 4 the embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 and the movable contact spring 1 and the fixed countercontact springs 2 and 3 are also secured in a base block 4 so that the movable contact spring 1 and the contact yoke 9 are located midway between and normally not in contact with the countersprings 2 and 3.
  • the yoke 9 is loose and freely pivotally supported by its back on the bearing edge 16 of the spring I, which has its tab 160 extending vertically upward into a horizontal operating element 18.
  • the yoke 9 is dimensioned so that the free ends 9c of its legs do not engage fixed contacts 10 and 11 in the rest position between the countercontacts 2 and 3.
  • the tab 16a of movable contact spring 1 is positioned in a hole or aperture 17 of the operating element 18 and can be deflected in both directions so that in one case a connection is established between the movable contact spring 1 and the fixed counterspring 2, and in the other case connection is made between the movable contact spring 1 and the fixed contact spring 3.
  • the contact yoke 9 assumes the same pivotal action and terminal movement so that an adequate rolling frictional movement is achieved between it and the contact faces 10 and 11 as described in connection with the previous embodiments.
  • the spring 1 can be held by means of an additional resilient operating element in a desired starting position against one of the countersprings 2 and 3.
  • the arrangement shown in FIG. 3 has the advantage that the distance of the two fixed countersprings and 3 can be reduced and the flexing of the spring 1 minimized.
  • FIG. 5 shows a microswitch similar to that of FIG. 1 whose movable contact spring 1 carries a projection lb on one of its narrow vertical sides, the portions adjacent to which being formed with a knife edge bearing as previously described.
  • the back 9d extends parallel to the axis of the spring I so that the legs 9b extends transversely thereto.
  • the yoke 9 performs a continued pivotal movement which enhances the relative frictional and rolling movement between the yoke 9 and the contacts 10 and 11. This movement is directed both parallel to and transversely of the longitudinal axis of the legs of the yoke 9 because of the combined pivoting of the yoke and the circular arcuate movement of the springs.
  • FIG. 6 shows a portion of the device shown in FIG. 1.
  • the snap spring 6 instantaneously causes the spring 1 to move in a circular are 19 generating a small component of movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the contact spring 1 which is simultaneously enlarged by the pivoting movement of the contact yoke 9 as it strikes the face 11.
  • the contact spring 1 snaps, the highest point 20 of the left leg of the yoke 9 abuts and engages the highest point 21 of the face 11 of the counterspring 2.
  • the yoke 9 pivots so that its point of contact 20 moves downwardly, as seen in dotted lines, so that the high point 20' slides beneath the high point 21 of the face 11.
  • the contact yoke 9 frictionally rolls from one point of contact to another along the face 11 and the added frictional movement for cleaning the contact is achieved even if the contacts are of minimum dimensions and of the simplest construction.
  • the invention may take various forms, as for example, if the yoke is mounted on the front side of the movable contact spring, the path of frictional engagement between the leg of the contact yoke and the fixed contact is increased because the free end of the movable contact spring itself moves in a circular path and furnishes a component of rotary movement.
  • the yoke itself may be mounted in two possible ways, in one of which the yoke is arranged with its back transverse to the longitudinal axis of the movable or fixed contact springs and legs extend in the direction of their longitudinal axis; while in the second way, the yoke is arranged with its back in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spring contact so that the legs of the yoke extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the spring contact.
  • the pivotal or rocking movement of the yoke insures frictional movement during opening and closing of the switch contacts from one position to another.
  • the invention is applicable to normally open, normally closed or double-throw switches. as well as multiple contact switches having a common operating element or separate operating element.
  • the switching contact may be controlled by an electromagnetically or mechanically operating element as in conventional relays.
  • a unique starting position can be achieved according to the invention by extending the yokes on the fixed countersprings on the side facing away from the movable contact springs and affixing it in base block as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the switching behavior of the new switch contacts with respect to sudden jolts is improved by the fact that the yoke itself may be made of springlike material.
  • the yoke can be produced from cheap electrically conductive material, or in specific cases, of a base of plastic material covered only on the side directed toward the cooperating contacts with conductive material.
  • This snap spring is also advantageously employed to position the contact yoke and to hold the yoke resiliently superimposed on the bearing edge of the movable contact spring.
  • the arrangement being preferred is where the movable contact spring carries a projecting tab which enters into a recess in the yoke back, serving both to guide the latter and engage an aperture in the snap spring in hooklike manner.
  • a further advantage is obtained by providing the bearing edge movable contact spring in the shape of a knife edge forming an elongated fulcrum for the back of the yoke.
  • the invention is also applicable to switches in which the superimposed yokes do not have a unique initial or starting position, but are normally arranged so as to be located spaced from the opposed contacts as seen in FIG. 4.
  • An electrical switch comprising a movable contact member, at least one opposed countercontact member, means for moving said movable contact member into engagement with a selected one of said countercontacts, and a yoke carried by at least one of said contact members said yoke providing a contact surface between said carrying contact and said opposed contacts, said yoke having a portion forming a first bearing surface, said carrying contact having a portion forming a second bearing surface, said bearing surfaces cooperating to support said yoke on said carrying contact for pivotal movement with respect thereto, whereby said yoke effects sliding engagement with the opposing contact.
  • the yoke comprises a U-shaped member having a central back portion forming the first bearing surface, and a pair of extending leg portions convexly arched about an edge of said carrying contact towards the opposed contacts.
  • the switch according to claim 1 including a snap spring activating said movable contact, said snap spring being adapted to engage and hold said yoke on said contact.

Landscapes

  • Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)
  • Tumbler Switches (AREA)
  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Contacts (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
US2800A 1969-01-16 1970-01-14 Switch contacts Expired - Lifetime US3626132A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19691901965 DE1901965B2 (de) 1969-01-16 1969-01-16 Schaltkontakt fuer relais, schalter, tsten oder dgl.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3626132A true US3626132A (en) 1971-12-07

Family

ID=5722521

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US2800A Expired - Lifetime US3626132A (en) 1969-01-16 1970-01-14 Switch contacts

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3626132A (xx)
JP (1) JPS4926379B1 (xx)
DE (1) DE1901965B2 (xx)
FR (1) FR2037043A1 (xx)
GB (1) GB1278922A (xx)
SE (1) SE369643B (xx)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3800252A (en) * 1972-04-19 1974-03-26 Siemens Ag Electrical switching device and contact arrangement therefor
US4104702A (en) * 1976-12-06 1978-08-01 Texas Instruments Incorporated Keyboard apparatus including elongated bar for aligning level from connectors to motherboard
US4447685A (en) * 1982-02-28 1984-05-08 Nihon Kaiheiki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Small-sized push-button switch
US11545325B2 (en) 2017-03-30 2023-01-03 Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. Electromagnetic relay

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2146843B (en) * 1983-08-06 1987-07-15 Ti Creda Mfg Temperature responsive control devices
GB2280063B (en) * 1993-07-15 1997-10-01 Gruner Kg Relais Fabrik Relay for the switching of high current strengths
DE10315243B3 (de) 2003-04-03 2004-08-26 Siemens Ag Elektromechanisches Schaltgerät
CN108074756A (zh) * 2018-01-17 2018-05-25 安徽中骄智能科技有限公司 一种基于推进式滑动调节的密封式电触头结构装置

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3176109A (en) * 1963-05-02 1965-03-30 Robertshaw Controls Co Circuit flutter preventing switch construction
US3493702A (en) * 1967-06-19 1970-02-03 Polycontact Ag Quick action switch with sharp edge contacts

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3176109A (en) * 1963-05-02 1965-03-30 Robertshaw Controls Co Circuit flutter preventing switch construction
US3493702A (en) * 1967-06-19 1970-02-03 Polycontact Ag Quick action switch with sharp edge contacts

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3800252A (en) * 1972-04-19 1974-03-26 Siemens Ag Electrical switching device and contact arrangement therefor
US4104702A (en) * 1976-12-06 1978-08-01 Texas Instruments Incorporated Keyboard apparatus including elongated bar for aligning level from connectors to motherboard
US4447685A (en) * 1982-02-28 1984-05-08 Nihon Kaiheiki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Small-sized push-button switch
US11545325B2 (en) 2017-03-30 2023-01-03 Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. Electromagnetic relay

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1901965B2 (de) 1972-05-18
SE369643B (xx) 1974-09-09
GB1278922A (en) 1972-06-21
DE1901965A1 (de) 1970-08-27
FR2037043A1 (xx) 1970-12-31
JPS4926379B1 (xx) 1974-07-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3403237A (en) Electrical switch having a one-piece actuator and spring arm structure
US3403236A (en) Electrical switch having a one-piece actuator and spring arm structure
US3471663A (en) String-operated switch construction
US3519775A (en) Rocker switch centered by circular loop spring members coiled in compression
US3852557A (en) Electric switch with pivoting and wiping movable contractor
US3522396A (en) Electrical snap switch
US2523786A (en) Electrical switch
US3681556A (en) Snap-on rocker cap for electric switch
US3178522A (en) Rocker-type switch with integral spring and c-shaped contact construction
US3350521A (en) Miniature switches of the rocking contact type
US5570778A (en) Electrical rocker switch
US3626132A (en) Switch contacts
US3196220A (en) Three position electric switch with aligned contact bearing surfaces
US3336449A (en) Snap action switch mechanism with improved movable contact assembly
US2758171A (en) Multiple pole double-throw simultaneous-action snap-action switches
US3342967A (en) Pushbutton switch
US2242167A (en) Multiposition electric switch
US4544811A (en) Electric switch
US3491218A (en) Pushbutton switch with pivotally mounted actuator
US3711663A (en) Center-off floating contact for electric switches
US2755353A (en) Overcenter snap switch
US4383149A (en) Push-button switch with improved rocking contactor switch mechanism
EP0118870A2 (en) Push-button switch
US3857003A (en) Microswitch
US2288283A (en) Electric switch