US3651294A - Contact assembly with an unchangeable switching state at the instant of welding - Google Patents

Contact assembly with an unchangeable switching state at the instant of welding Download PDF

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Publication number
US3651294A
US3651294A US14524A US3651294DA US3651294A US 3651294 A US3651294 A US 3651294A US 14524 A US14524 A US 14524A US 3651294D A US3651294D A US 3651294DA US 3651294 A US3651294 A US 3651294A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
contact spring
movable contact
springs
stationary
spring
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
US14524A
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English (en)
Inventor
Heinz Dames
Gerhard Furtwaengler
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.)
Siemens AG
Siemens Corp
Original Assignee
Siemens Corp
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 Siemens Corp filed Critical Siemens Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3651294A publication Critical patent/US3651294A/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
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/001—Means for preventing or breaking contact-welding
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
    • H01H50/54—Contact arrangements
    • H01H50/56—Contact spring sets
    • 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
    • H01H1/24—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with resilient mounting
    • H01H1/26—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with resilient mounting with spring blade support
    • H01H2001/265—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with resilient mounting with spring blade support having special features for supporting, locating or pre-stressing the contact blade springs
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S200/00—Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
    • Y10S200/42—Contact welding considerations

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A contact arrangement such as a relay having at least a pair of substantially stationary contact springs and a movable contact spring which are mounted with the movable contact spring disposed between the pair of stationary springs characterized in that the substantially stationary contact springs have a portion extending at an angle of at least 10 to the movable contact spring so that a welding of the movable contact spring to either one of the stationary contact springs caused by arcing therebetween provides a rigid triangular structure to prevent movement of the movable contact spring into engagement with the other stationary contact spring and a short circuiting between the two stationary contact springs.
  • the movable contact spring is moved by an actuating means having an operating member forming a connection with the movable contact spring which is either a conical slot or a ball shaped slot receiving an end of the movable contact member to guide the movable contact spring without play.
  • an actuating means having an operating member forming a connection with the movable contact spring which is either a conical slot or a ball shaped slot receiving an end of the movable contact member to guide the movable contact spring without play.
  • a support plate is provided for each of the stationary contact springs.
  • the present invention is directed to a contact assembly in particular a contact assembly used as a relay assembly.
  • Prior Art Contact assemblies of the conventional construction have a movable contact spring disposed between a pair of substantially stationary contact springs with each of the contact springs being approximately parallel to one another.
  • the as sembly is provided with actuating means such as an armature which shifts the movable contact from one switching step or position of engagement with one of the stationary contact springs to another switching stage with engagement with the other of the pair of stationary contacts.
  • actuating means such as an armature which shifts the movable contact from one switching step or position of engagement with one of the stationary contact springs to another switching stage with engagement with the other of the pair of stationary contacts.
  • the distance between the two stationary contact springs is at a minimum and each of the stationary contact springs is flexible to allow a slight movement upon engagement by the movable contact spring to prevent chattering of the contact or relay assembly.
  • Conventional contact arrangements such as relays are also provided with an operating member attached to the actuating means and connected by a slot arrangement with the movable contact spring. Due to the size of the slot, a lost motion connection is formed which provides play between the member of the actuating means and the movable contact which is undesirable.
  • the present invention is directed to a contact assembly in which the stationary contact springs are provided with a portion extending at an angle of at least to the movable contact spring so that upon welding of the movable contact spring to the stationary spring a triangular arrangement or bracing is formed to prevent movement towards the other stationary contact spring and to prevent an inadvertent formation of a circuit between the two stationary contact springs.
  • support plates or brackets are provided to increase the rigidity of each of the stationary contact springs and to increase the rigidity of the triangular configuration.
  • the present invention also contemplates providing connecting means between an operating member of the actuating means and the movable contact to guide the movable contact spring without play.
  • the connecting means is the provision of a conical or tapered slot receiving an end of the contact spring or a ball-shaped slot both of which provide contact engagement with the contact spring while enabling relative pivotal movement therebetween.
  • FIG. 1 is a contact assembly of the conventional construction for the purpose of explaining the problems in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is the contact assembly of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2a is an enlarged partial view of a'connection between the operating member and movable contact spring of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 2b is an enlarged partial view of an embodiment of the connection.
  • FIG. 20 is an enlarged partial view of another embodiment of the connection.
  • FIG. 2d is a partial view of an embodiment of the contact assembly of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 a conventional electromagnetic relay is illustrated in FIG. 1, and includes an actuating means illus trated as an electromagnetic system of an iron core 1 disposed in an exciter coil 2 with the core and coil mounted on a yoke 3.
  • a contact assembly 4 is mounted on a portion of the yoke by appropriate means such as the attachment screw 4a.
  • the actuating means also includes an armature 7 having the armature arm 8 supporting an operating member 9. The armature 7 is supported for pivotal motion on the yoke 3 to move between the rest position illustrated and a position where the armature 7 in contact with the core 1 when an electrical current is passed to the exciter coil 2.
  • the contact assembly 4 has a plurality of contact springs 40 and 4d supported in a substantially parallel arrangement in a stack by a mounting means 10 which is illustrated as comprising a plurality of blocks or members of an insulation type material held together by the screw 4a.
  • contact spring 4d is a movable contact spring which is disposed between a pair of spaced substantially stationary contact springs 40.
  • Each of the contact springs 4c and 4d are flexible to prevent chattering of the relay during a switching change as the moveable contact spring 4d moves into engagement with either one of the stationary contact springs 40.
  • support brackets or plates 4b are provided for each of the stationary contact springs and are supported in the mounting means 10.
  • the operating member 9 is provided with a slot or opening 9a which receives an end or a portion of the end of the movable contact spring 4d to form a connection. Due to the size of the slot 9a, the connection is a lost motion connection having considerable play in transferring the motion of the armature 7 to the movable contact 4d.
  • the armature 7 In operation, with the electromagnetic system deactivated, the armature 7 assumes the rest position, as illustrated, to provide a rest switching position with the movable contact 4d in contact with the lower stationary contact 4c.
  • the armature 7 When electrical current is received by the exciter coil 2, the armature 7 is moved toward the core I with a pivotable movement and applies a force to the movable contact 4d to disengage it from the lower stationary contact 40 and engage the upper stationary contact 40 of the contact assembly 4.
  • the spacing between the two stationary contacts 40 is at a minimum to reduce the necessary travel of the movable contact 4d during shifting of the switching state, and to prevent relay chatter, the stationary contact springs 40 are flexible and can yield when engaged or contacted by the movable contact 4d.
  • FIG. 2 The principles of the present invention are best illustrated in FIG. 2 in which the contact arrangement 4 is mounted on a yoke 3 by a suitable fastener means such as 4a which yoke 3 supports the electromagnetic system which includes the core 1, the coil 2, and the armature 7 with its armature arm 8 which supports the operating member 9.
  • a suitable fastener means such as 4a which yoke 3 supports the electromagnetic system which includes the core 1, the coil 2, and the armature 7 with its armature arm 8 which supports the operating member 9.
  • the contact assembly 4 includes the plurality of contact springs 40' and 4d which are supported in a mounting means 10'.
  • Each of the substantially stationary contact springs 4c' has parallel portions 11 and 12 with a portion 13 which extends therebetween at an angle P which is at least 10.
  • the portions 11 are arranged to be parallel to the movable contact spring 4d so that the portion 13 of the stationary contact springs extends at the angle 7 with respect to the movable contact spring 4d.
  • support brackets or plates 4b which extend substantially parallel to movable contact 4d are provided.
  • the mounting means 10 is similar to the mounting means 10 with the addition of blocks 14 which are disposed between each support bracket or plate 4b and the parallel portion 11 of its respective stationary contact springs 4c.
  • the portion 13 which extends at an angle to the movable contact spring 4 d enables the portions 12 to be spaced the same distance apart while the other parallel portions 11 are spaced a greater distance from the movable contact 4d.
  • a triangular structure which has a leg equal to the spacing between portions 11 and contact spring 4d is formed which triangular structure increases the rigidity of the welded arrangement to prevent the inadvertent movement of the welded arrangement into electrical contact with the other stationary contact 4c and therefore prevents the inadvertent short circuiting between the circuits of the spaced stationary contacts 40.
  • the provision of the support brackets or plates 4b increases the resistance of the movement of the contact spring 40' towards the other contact spring. While each of the support brackets or plates 4b is illustrated in FIG. 2 as extending parallel to the movable contact 4d, it may be desirable to have support brackets or plates 41; (FIG.
  • the preferred embodiment also contemplates a change in the connection between the movable contact spring 4d and the operating member 9.
  • a tapered or conical slot or opening 9a (FIG. 2a) for receiving the end of the contact spring 4d
  • the narrowest portion of the slot 9a engages both surfaces of the movable contact spring 4d while providing a pivot point to allow pivoting movement between the operating member 9 and movable contact 4d.
  • Such an arrangement results in a connection between the operating member 9 and the movable contact spring 4d which guides the movement of the operating spring 4d without play.
  • a slot 9a having a tapered or conical cross section a slot such as 9a (FIG. 2b) or 9a' (FIG. 20) having a ball shape with a circular cross section forming a narrow slot to provide pivot points for engaging the movable contact 4d can also be utilized to provide the desired guiding without play of the movable contact spring 4d during changes in the switching state.
  • a contact assembly having at least one movable contact spring and a pair of substantially stationary contact springs which are arranged in a mounting means with the movable contact spring disposed between the pair of stationary contact springs and with each of the springs having a portion gripped between insulating members in a parallel and spaced relationship, said assembly including an actuating means engaging a free end of the movable contact spring to selectively switch it from a position forming a contact with a free end of one of said pair of stationary contact springs to a position forming a contact with a free end of the other of said pair, the improvement comprising each of the stationary contact springs having a second portion extending at an angle to first mentioned portion from adjacent said insulating members to form an angle of at least 10 with the movable contact spring, said second portion having a length substantially equal to the length of the movable contact spring so that when the movable contact spring becomes welded to either of the pair of stationary contact springs, said movable contact spring, the second portion of the stationary contact spring
  • the actuating means includes an armature arm having an operating member carried thereon, said operating member engaging the movable contact spring forming a connection therewith to guide the movable contact spring without play during actuation of the armature arm.
  • each of said bracket plates being gripped in the mounting means and having a portion extending out of the mounting means to engage its respective stationary contact spring adjacent to the free endthereof to provide support for the stationary contact spring and to increase the resistance of the stationary contact spring against movement in a direction towards the movable contact spring.
  • bracket plates extend parallel to the movable contact spring and are disposed in said mounting means in spaced relationship to the first mentioned portion of their respective stationary contact springs.
  • bracket plates have the configuration of the stationary contact springs.
  • said actuating means includes an armature arm carrying an operating member having a connection with the movable contact spring formed by a conical slot receiving the free end of the movable contact spring to guide the movement of the movable contact spring without play.
  • said actuating means includes an armature arm carrying an operating member having a ball-shaped slot receiving the free end of the movable contact spring forming a connection therewith for guiding the movable contact spring without play.
  • a contact assembly having at least one movable contact spring and a pair of substantially stationary contact springs which are arranged in a stack by mounting means with the movable contact spring disposed between the pair of stationary contact springs and with each of the springs having a portion gripped between insulating members in a parallel and spaced relationship, said assembly including an actuating means engaging a free end of the movable contact spring to selectively switch it from a position forming a contact with a free end of one of said pair of stationary contact springs to a position forming a contact with a free end of the other of said pair, the improvement comprising each of the stationary contact springs having a second portion extending at an angle to first mentioned portion from adjacent said insulating members to form an angle of at least 10 with the movable contact spring and said actuating means including an operating tact springs.
  • connection between the operating member and the movable contact spring comprises a conical slot receiving the free end of the movable contact spring.
  • connection between the operating member and the movable contact spring comprises a ball-shaped slot receiving the free end of the movable contact spring.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Contacts (AREA)
  • Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)
  • Adjustable Resistors (AREA)
  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
  • Breakers (AREA)
US14524A 1969-03-10 1970-02-26 Contact assembly with an unchangeable switching state at the instant of welding Expired - Lifetime US3651294A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE1912077A DE1912077C2 (de) 1969-03-10 1969-03-10 Kontaktfedersatz mit im Augenblick des Verschweißens einer Schaltverbindung nicht mehr veränderbarem Schaltzustand

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3651294A true US3651294A (en) 1972-03-21

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ID=5727655

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14524A Expired - Lifetime US3651294A (en) 1969-03-10 1970-02-26 Contact assembly with an unchangeable switching state at the instant of welding

Country Status (16)

Country Link
US (1) US3651294A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS4919897B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AT (1) AT303180B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE747138A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH504094A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE1912077C2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DK (1) DK123195B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
ES (1) ES377093A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2037906A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1257141A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL154358B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NO (1) NO127997B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
PL (1) PL71265B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
SE (1) SE372998B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
YU (1) YU33030B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
ZA (1) ZA701569B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3714457A (en) * 1971-06-22 1973-01-30 J Sweeney Time delay switching system with improved twenty-four hour controller

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2556748A1 (de) * 1975-12-17 1977-06-23 Hartmann & Braun Ag Zwangsgefuehrte kontaktanordnung
JPS5957999U (ja) * 1982-10-07 1984-04-16 株式会社タカラ メツセ−ジボ−ド玩具
AT386698B (de) * 1985-04-25 1988-09-26 Schrack Elektronik Ag Relais
WO2018055909A1 (ja) * 2016-09-21 2018-03-29 有限会社リンテック 両振り子型電磁リレー

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2591684A (en) * 1948-12-23 1952-04-08 Int Standard Electric Corp Electrical contact
US3194933A (en) * 1962-06-20 1965-07-13 Ramstetter Rudolf Arc reducing snap switch
US3433917A (en) * 1967-10-25 1969-03-18 Westinghouse Air Brake Co Fail-safe vital relay contact arrangement

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB896401A (en) * 1957-05-21 1962-05-16 Dowty Electrics Ltd Improvements in electromagnetic multi-contact relays
DE1053667B (de) * 1958-03-10 1959-03-26 Helmut Mauell Relais mit Wischkontakten

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2591684A (en) * 1948-12-23 1952-04-08 Int Standard Electric Corp Electrical contact
US3194933A (en) * 1962-06-20 1965-07-13 Ramstetter Rudolf Arc reducing snap switch
US3433917A (en) * 1967-10-25 1969-03-18 Westinghouse Air Brake Co Fail-safe vital relay contact arrangement

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3714457A (en) * 1971-06-22 1973-01-30 J Sweeney Time delay switching system with improved twenty-four hour controller

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK123195B (da) 1972-05-23
AT303180B (de) 1972-11-10
JPS4919897B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-05-21
ZA701569B (en) 1971-04-28
NL7002851A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-09-14
YU56970A (en) 1975-08-31
GB1257141A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-12-15
NL154358B (nl) 1977-08-15
DE1912077C2 (de) 1975-10-09
FR2037906A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-12-31
NO127997B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-09-10
YU33030B (en) 1976-03-31
SE372998B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1975-01-20
DE1912077B1 (de) 1970-10-22
CH504094A (de) 1971-02-28
BE747138A (fr) 1970-09-10
PL71265B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-04-30
ES377093A1 (es) 1972-06-01

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