US3676628A

US3676628A - Reversible moving contact arrangement

Info

Publication number: US3676628A
Application number: US61190A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hugh Kane
Original assignee: Honeywell Inc
Current assignee: Honeywell Inc
Priority date: 1970-08-05
Filing date: 1970-08-05
Publication date: 1972-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 1989-07-11

Abstract

A moving contact arrangement, for a relay, for example, which allows for selective normally open and normally closed contact orientation with respect to fixed contacts by rotative movement between two opposite positions of a bridging bar carrying the moving contacts about an axis substantially parallel to and coextensive with a straight line connecting the moving contacts.

Description

[451 'July 11, 1972 [54] REVERSIBLE MOVING CONTACT 2,985,736 5/l96l Coke!etal..............,.....

ARRANGEMENT [72] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-David Smith, Jr.

Hush Kane Freepon' Anomey'-Lamont B. Koontz and Philip J. Zrimsek [73] Assignee: Honeywell Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.

[22] Filed:

[57] ABSTRACT A moving contact arrangement, for a relay, for example,

Aug. 5, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 61,190

which allows for selective normally open and normally closed contact orientation with respect to fixed contacts by rotative movement between two opposite positions of a bridging bar [52] US. BC, 335/198 iii} $.51;'8...""m"'i;3:353:11:1:JJJJJJJJJJJJ3%'5$?3"8832? wemovinscowsabomnaxissubmnfianypm- 260 6 lel to and co-extensive with a straight line connecting the moving contacts.

IOCInkmJDnwlng figures [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,501,717 3/1970 Schubring et a].

REVERSIBLE MOVING CONTACT ARRANGEMENT This invention is directed to a contact arrangement for a switching device wherein a moving contact bridging bar member can be selectively positioned with respect to the fixed contacts so as to provide a normally open or normally closed contact orientation.

In switching devices, such as relays, it is often necessary at the time of installation or even later to select the contact orientation of each of the poles, that is, normally open or normally closed. For this reason, it is desirable to be able to provide the desired pole orientation in the field: using the same relay, the same poles and the same parts; without encountering loose parts, the need for disconnecting of electrical wires from the fixed contacts and the need for special tools; and requiring but at most nominal disassembly.

The attributes above-described are incorportated in the present invention which in the preferred embodiments are in the form of relays. As disclosed, a moving contact carrier supports a moving contact bridging bar which is reciprocally movable with respect to fixed contacts to provide the switching function and rotably movable with respect to the fixed contacts to provide changes in contact orientation. Thus, as to the latter, the moving contact bridging bar is arranged to be rotated without the need of special tools while inplace in the moving contact carrier about an axis which is parallel to and co-extensive with a straight line which extends between the moving contacts. This rotation positions the moving contact bridging bar so as to change the condition of the moving contacts with respect to the fixed contacts from normally open to normally closed or vice versa. Because of the manner of rotating the moving contact bridging bar with respect to the fixed contacts, an arrangement can be provided wherein no disassembly of the moving contact carrier from the remainder of the structure, with the attendant loose parts, or disconnecting of the electrical wiring is required.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a moving contact arrangement for a switching device which can be easily converted between normally open and normally closed orientation wherein at most a minimum of disassembly of the structure is involved, where no disconnecting of the electrical wiring is necessary, where no loose or different parts are involved and which requires no special tools.

This and other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following specification and claims when viewed with the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a switching device in the form of a relay in which the present invention finds application;

FIG. 2 is a perspective partial explosion view of the partially disassembled relay of FIG. 1 wherein details of the invention are visible;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the moving contact carrier of FIG. 2 taken along the lines 33 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a relay of the type shown in FIG. 1 incorporating a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective explosion view of the moving contact carrier of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the relay of FIG. 4 with the moving contact bridging bars in various stages of rotation to bring about a change in contact orientation; and

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the lines 7-7 of FIG. 6 with the moving contact bridging bars in positions corresponding to that of FIG. 6.

A multi-pole relay I0 shown assembled in FIG. I and partially disassembled in FIG. 2 includes a base member 12 having a cavity 120 in which a magnetic frame member, not shown, is secured and a coil, not shown, is disposed. Pivotally associated and appropriately secured at the lower portions of the base member 12 are a pair of bifurcated housing members l4and 16, the upper portions of which are arranged to overlay the cavity 12a when in the assembled condition. The

housing members

14 and 16 support a plurality of first terminal members 18 each of which include a fixed contact portion 18a and further support coil tenninals I9. Disposed between the housing members 14 and I6 and arranged for association and relative inward and outward reciprocal movement therewith and with said base member 12 is an assembly 20 comprised of an armature, not shown, a bias plate 22 and a bifurcated moving contact carrier 24. A plurality of U-shaped moving contact bridging bars 26 are supported by the moving contact carrier 24, and the extremities are arranged when in the assembled condition for association with a respective pair of fixed contact portions 18a to provide the switching function. The moving contact carrier 24 and the armature, not shown, are suitably secured together with the bias plate 22 resiliently disposed therebetween for limited relative reciprocal movement therewith as will become apparent below.

In the assembled condition, as shown in FIG. 1, the bias plate 22 is seated on the posts 12b and of the base member 12 and overlaid by the

projections

14a and 16a of the

housing members

14 and 16, respectively, so as to be maintained as a prisoner therebetween. Further, in the assembled condition, the leg portions 240 of the moving contact carrier 24 are guided in slots 12d of the base member 12 and between

opposite guide surfaces

14b and 16b of the

housing members

14 and 16, respectively, so as to allow for reciprocal movements of the carrier and the armature, not shown, toward and away from the magnetic frame, not shown, upon the energization and de-energization of the coil, not shown. Inward reciprocal movement of the moving contact carrier 24 from the at rest position, shown in FIG. 1, upon energization results in relative movement with the bias plate 22 and the generation of a return force caused by spring means, not shown, disposed therebetween being compressed. Consequently, outward reciprocal movement upon de-energization is provided by the return force. Such reciprocal movements of course cause a change in the condition of the poles formed of the respective sets of fixed contact portions 18a and bridging bars 26.

The foregoing general description is merely to set a framework for the invention and as such forms no real part of it. The inventive concept is set forth below.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that the moving contact carrier 24 includes four substantially cylindrical, stepped, through openings 24b in which the bridging bars 26 are disposed. Each of the bridging bars 26 is supported in an assembly 28 comprised of a substantially cylindrical, shouldered, hollow sleeve 30 having a bottom opening, not shown, coil spring 32, T-shaped hollow spring retainer 34 and end piece 36. Each assembly 28 is located in one of the stepped openings 24b of the moving contact carrier 24 as best shown in FIG. 3.

In initial assembly, the spring retainer 34 is disposed within and the extremity 34a thereof extends through and beyond the top opening 300 of the sleeve 30. Further, the bridging bar 26 and the spring 32 are disposed within the sleeve 30 so that the bridging bar is opposite the spring retainer 34 and the spring is disposed therebetween. A first extremity of the bridging bar 26 passes through the opening 30b of the sleeve 30. Thereupon the shouldered sleeve 30 with the assembled elements just referred to is slidably disposed in a stepped opening 24b of the moving contact carrier 24. End piece 36 is secured to the sleeve 30 when in place in the opening 24b by plastically deforming tabs 300 which extend through apertures 36a provided in the end piece. As so constructed, the second extremity of the bridging bar 26 passes through the slot 36b provided in end piece 36. While each assembly 28 is thus secured in place with respect to lateral movement in the moving contact carrier 24, rotative movement thereof about the longitudinal axes of the openings 24b is permitted. To properly locate the assembly 28 in the two extreme positions which allow for the normally open and normally closed contact orientation, positioning means are provided. Thus, oppositely located depressions 24d are provided in the side walls of the stepped openings 24b for detent association with resilient fingers 360 of the end pieces 36.

It should be noted in passing that as shown in FIG. 3, extremity 34a is disposed in opening 24c of the moving contact carrier 24 for engagement with a protrusion, not shown, of the bias plate 22 upon inward reciprocal movement of the moving contact carrier. This construction which is known in the prior art allows for equalization of force loading as seen by the magnetic structure whether a normally open or a normally closed contact orientation is involved. It will be appreciated that in the rotative process to bring about a normally closed contact orientation, the extremity 34a of the spring retainer 34 enters the opening 240 of the moving contact carrier as shown in FIG. 3. Further, where a normally open contact orientation is brought about, the extremity 34a is forced out of the opening as the cam surface 34b engages the side wall of the opening 24c causing movement of the spring retainer 32 toward the bridging bar resulting in a compression of spring 32.

Rotative movement of an assembly 28 with the relay in the condition of FIG. 2 is brought about by means of a screwdriver bit or similar tool being introduced in the slot provided between protrusions d on the end face of the sleeve 30 and turning the same. Because of the proportions of the elements of the assembly 28, rotation of the assembly results in the bridging bar 26 assuming one of two positions, that is, normally open or normally closed, with respect to the fixed contact portions 18a when the relay 10 is assembled as shown in FIG. 1.

The desired positioning of the assemblies 28 can take place prior to installation of the relay 10 to provide the desired condition of each of the poles or it can take place after installation when already wired. In both cases, a nominal disassembly of the relay 10 to the condition shown in FIG. 2 and the exposure of the moving contact carrier 24 and associated assemblies 28 is all that is necessary to allow the desired rotative positioning tobe brought about. It is apparent that where the relay 10 is wired no disconnecting of wires is required due to the pivotal manner of association of the housing members 14 and I6 with the base member 12 coupled with the location of the terminal members 18 and coil terminals 19 thereon and the rather small movement encountered thereby in such disassembly. To limit the movement of the

housing members

14 and 16 with respect to the base member 12 during such disassembly and to preclude disassociation of the assembly 20 from the remainder of the relay 10 during such disassembly, the housing members can be limited in opening pivotal movement with respect to the base member by appropriate means so that the armature, not shown, can not clear the gap thus provided between the upper portions of the housing members.

With the relay 10 of FIGS. 1-3, an arrangement is provided which allows for change in contact orientation with the attributes above set forth although a nominal disassembly is involved. If it is desired to provide such an arrangement without any disassembly, attention is directed to the following.

Relay as shown in FIG. 4 is for all practical purposes the same as that shown in FIG. 1 except for the moving contact carrier 42. Thus the moving contact carrier 42 includes means exposed proximate the top surface thereof which allow for rotation of the moving contact bridging bars to change contact orientation with respect to the fixed contact portions between normally open and normally closed without any disassembly of the relay 40 being required as will become apparent from the following explanation with respect to FIGS. 5-7.

Turning initially to FIG. 5, the moving contact carrier 42 includes four stepped through openings 42a in each of which an assembly 46 is arranged to be disposed. Each assembly 46 includes a moving contact bridging bar 26, coil spring 32, T- shaped hollow spring retainer 34 and end piece 36, all of which are identical with the same numbered elements of FIGS. 2 and 3. Further included in the assembly 46 is a substantially cylindrical hollow sleeve 48 generally the same as sleeve 30 of FIGS. 2 and 3 except for the inclusion of an integral gear sector 48a near the journal 48b thereof. Also included in the assembly 46 are a support 50 formed of a resilient plastic material and a driving gear 52 including teeth 520. In initial assembly the bridging bar 26, the spring 32, spring retainer 34 and the end piece 36 are associated with the sleeve 48 in exactly the same manner as the corresponding elements are associated with the sleeve 30 of FIGS. 2 and 3. Following this, the shaft 52b of driving gear 52 is disposed in and through the opening 500 of the support 50 so that surface 520 of the gear engages lower surface 50b of the support. Thereupon the sleeve 48 with the assembled elements is located with respect to the support 50 so that surface 48c of the sleeve engages surface 500 of the support with the journal 48b of the sleeve slidably disposed in the opening 50d of the support. Such assembly causes driving engagement between the teeth 48a of the sleeve 48 and the teeth 52a of the driving gear 52. It should be noted that the resilience of the support 50 is relied upon to allow the driving engagement to take place; that is, the top portion and the downwardly extending portions of the support are spread apart during assembly to allow the teeth 48a of of the sleeve 48 and the teeth 52a of the driving gear 52 to interengage. After assembly and upon the forementioned portions of the support return to their normal position, the sleeve 48 and the driving gear 52 are maintained assembled and in proper relative position.

After the foregoing has been accomplished, the assembly 46 can be accommodated in an opening 42a of the moving contact carrier 42 by a sliding enterengagement therebetween whereby clevis extremities 50e of the support 50 are forced together so as to allow notches 50f to be associated with protrusions 42a of the moving contact carrier. This interengagement locates and positions the assembly 46 in place in the moving contact carrier 42. Also aiding in locating and positioning the assembly 46 in place is shoulder 420 provided in the opening 44 against which surface 48a of the sleeve 48 bears. To properly locate the assemblies 46 in the two extreme positions which allows for normally open and normally closed contact orientation, the same expedient utilized inFlGS. 2 and 3, that is, depressions 24d in the moving contact carrier 24 and resilient fingers 36c of the end piece, can be utilized. Alternatively the extreme positions can be determined by means which positively limit movement. Thus in the arrangement of FIG. 5 the gear sector 48a of the sleeve 48 is of such a length and so located as to not allow the extreme positions to be exceeded. Friction between the teeth 48a of the sleeve 48 and the teeth 52a of the driving gear 52 inhibit casual relative movement.

With the assemblies 46 in place in the moving contact carrier 42 as shown in FIG. 5, the carrier can be associated with the relay 40 as shown in FIG. 4. When so associated, it will be appreciated that the exposed extremity of the shaft 52b of the driving gear 52 can be engaged and rotated by a tool, such as a screwdriver for example, or manually, where properly formed. Rotation of the shaft 52a causes rotation of the driving gear 52 with the consequent rotation of the sleeve 48 due to the driving engagement between the teeth 52a of the driving gear and the teeth 48a of the sleeve. Such rotation of course results in changing the orientation of the bridging bars 26 with respect to the fixed contact portions of the terminals.

In FIGS. 6 relay 40 is shown in partial plan view without the terminal members in place and the bridging bars 26 undergoing rotation from a normally closed to a normally open orientation as the assemblies 46 are viewed from left to right. It will be noted that

housing members

54 and 56 have

outer walls

54a and 56a,

barriers

54b and 56b and center walls 540 and 560 so proportioned and located as to accommodate the rotation of the bridging bars 26. Further, referring to FIG. 7, the fixed contact portions 58 of the terminal members are so proportioned and located between the walls and the barriers of the

housing members

54 and 56 as to allow rotation of the bridging bars 26 thereabout. In FIG. 7, degrees of rotation of the assemblies 46 correspond to that of the bridging bars 26 directly thereabove as shown in FIG. 6; that is, the orientation is changed progressively from a normally closed to a normally open configuration.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the contact orientation of relay 40 can be changed between normally open and normally closed positions without any disassembly of the relay.

While I have disclosed two preferred embodiments of my invention, other forms are possible and therefore the scope of my invention should be determined from the following claims.

I claim:

1. A movable contact arrangement for a switch device comprising: a moving contact carrier arranged for reciprocating movement with respect to a switch housing; said carrier supporting a moving contact bridging bar assembly for association with spaced, fixed contact surfaces located proximate either extremity of said bridging bar and supported by the housing; the contact surfaces of said bridging bar and the fixed contact surfaces extending substantially transverse to the direction of movement of said carrier; said assembly being rotatable in place and with respect to said carrier about an axis substantially parallel to and co-extensive with a straight line connecting the contact surfaces of said bridging bar so as to relocate the bridging bar with respect to the fixed contact surfaces and thereby selectively provide a normally open or a normally closed contact orientation.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said bridging bar moving contact assembly includes a sleeve which is disposed in an opening contact carrier so as to allow for rotation of said assembly about the axis to thereby cause relocation of said bridging bar.

3. The arrangement of claim 2 wherein said sleeve and said opening are substantially cylindrical.

4. The arrangement of claim 3 wherein said sleeve includes means to be engaged for causing the rotation thereof.

5. The arrangement of claim 4 wherein said means comprises a tool engaging portion provided on an end face of said sleeve which is substantially parallel with the plane of movement of said moving contact carrier.

6. The arrangement of claim 4 wherein said means comprises a first gear portion associated with said sleeve, a second gear portion in driving engagement with said first gear and including an extension disposed so as to be engageable proximate a surface of said moving contact carrier which is substantially transverse to the plane of its movement.

7. The arrangement of claim 4 wherein said engagement means is operable from without said switch housing with said moving contact carrier remaining in place with respect to the housing and the fixed contact surfaces thereof to cause the contact surfaces of said bridging bar to be rotated about the fixed contact surfaces.

8. The arrangement of claim 2 wherein positioning means are provided to positively locate said bridging bar moving contact assembly in said moving contact carrier in the two extreme positions which allows for the normally open and normally closed contact orientations.

9. The arrangement of claim 8 wherein the positioning means are in the form of stops disposed between said moving contact carrier and said bridging bar moving contact assembly.

10. The arrangement of claim 8 wherein the positioning means are in the form of detents disposed between said moving contact carrier and said bridging bar moving contact assembly.

Claims

1. A movable contact arrangement for a switch device comprising: a moving contact carrier arranged for reciprocating movement with respect to a switch housing; said carrier supporting a moving contact bridging bar assembly for association with spaced, fixed contact surfaces located proximate either extremity of said bridging bar and supported by the housing; the contact surfaces of said bridging bar and the fixed contact surfaces extending substantially transverse to the direction of movement of said carrier; said assembly being rotatable in place and with respect to said carrier about an axis substantially parallel to and coextensive with a straight line connecting the contact surfaces of said bridging bar so as to relocate the bridging bar with respect to the fixed contact surfaces and thereby selectively provide a normally open or a normally closed contact orientation.