US3713053A

US3713053A - Reset timer

Info

Publication number: US3713053A
Application number: US00190247A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Mahon
Original assignee: Deltrol Corp
Current assignee: Deltrol Corp
Priority date: 1971-10-18
Filing date: 1971-10-18
Publication date: 1973-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-23

Abstract

A spring return type timer in which a timing gear is bodily carried by a solenoid operated lever which shifts it into and out of mesh with a motor driven pinion. This shiftable timing gear directly actuates a snap switch. The lever carries a field removable tab which holds the switch in actuated position when the lever releases the clutch, and releases the switch to control by the timer when the clutch is engaged. The tab when used causes the timer to serve as an interval timer. Removal of the tab from active position converts the timer to a delay timer. In an alternative unit, the lever is actuated by a push button. Here the lever tab serves to prevent start of a cycle until the push button is released.

Description

United States Patent Mahon 1 1 Jan. 23., 1973 [541 RESET TIMER 2,858,388 10/1958 Eastman ..335/77 [75] Inventor: Joseph J. Mahon, Wauwatosa, Wis.

Primary Examiner-Harold Broome [73] Assignee: Deltrol Corp., Bellwood, lll. Atmmey JOhn L Harris [22] Filed: Oct. 18, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 190,247

A spring return type timer in which a timing gear is bodily carried by a solenoid operated lever which a [58] Field of Search "335/59, 62, 64, 65, 68, 69 pinion. This shiftable timmg gear directly actuates a 335/70, 71 72, 73 74, 75 76; 200/38 39; snap switch. The lever carries a field removable tab 58/395; 307/141 which holds the switch in actuated position when the lever releases the clutch, and releases the switch to [56] References Cited control by the timer when the clutch is engaged. The tab when used causes the timer to serve as an interval UNITED STATES PATENTS timer. Removal of the tab from active position con 1,041,716 10 1912 Burnham ..335/75 the time a delay time an alternative nit, 2,792,468 5/1957 Kozikowski the lever is actuated by a push button. Here the lever' 3,284,734 11/1966 Schleicher ..335/68 tab serves to prevent start of a cycle until the push 2,325,860 8/1943 Kizaur ..335/75 button is released. 3,04l,480 6/l962 Holzer ....307/l4l 2,957,962 10/1960 Hanstein et al ..335/74 10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures INTERVAL TIMER AT STANDBY PAIENTEUJ/m23 I975 3,713,053

SHEET 1 OF 2 OFF DELAY TIMER PUSH B TIMER INVENTOR.

JOSEPH I MAHO/V ATTOR N EY PAIENIEDJMI 2 3 I975 SIIEEI 2 [IF 2 INTERVAL TIMING MOMENTNQY CONTACT START f1 r TCM5 IZ L-l ON DELAY TIMING INTERVAL TIMING SUSTAINED PILOT CIIZCU IT CLOS U RE.

OFF DELAY TIMI N6 INV EN TOR.

JOSEPH J MAHON ATTORNEY RESET TIMER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to spring return automatic reset timers of interval and delay types.

Automatic reset timers as known in the art include a timing member which is motor driven in timing direction through a clutch and actuates a switch at the end of the cycle. On release of the clutch, a return spring returns the timing member to a reset stop which is the starting point of the next cycle. The motor and clutch of this type of timer are usually controlled by a remote switch.

In some applications it is required that something happen a predetermined time after something else occurs. For example, to start a second motor seconds after the start of a first motor. Here, nothing happens until the end of the time delay. This type of timing is known in the art as delay timing and timers performing this function are known as delay timers.

In other applications it is required to start something in responsive to a control signal and to stop it after a predetermined time. For example, to start a motor on closure of a control circuit and to stop it seconds later. Here the timer switch closes instantly and reopens after a predetermined interval. This is known as interval timing and timers performing this function are called interval timers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION One object of the invention is to provide a simplified automatic reset timer in which the clutch is an integral part of the gear train between the motor and timing element.

In the invention disclosed, the final gear of the train is an integral part of the timing element. This timing gear directly actuates a snap switch operator and is shifted bodily from disengagement with its driving pinion. This constitutes a clutch allowing a reset spring to return the timing gear to its starting position against an adjustable reset stop when the clutch is disengaged. This arrangement in which the timing element is an actual part of the clutch reduces the parts required to a minimum.

'A further object of the invention is the provision for adjustment of the reset stop in either direction during a timing cycle with the clutch engaged. This is accomplished by arranging the drive pinion to cam away from the timing gear when this gear is manually rotated in shortening the time setting when the clutch is engaged. This same arrangement cams the pinion into the gear during normal driving, thus providing a positive one way drive in which the gear engagement is self energizing. Binding that would be caused in releasing the gears by this self energizing effect is avoided by the arrangement in which the timing gear is moved bodily away from the drive pinion in a substantially radial direction.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a construction in which the same components can be used for building either an interval timer or a delay timer.

In the device of the invention, an electro magnet actuates a lever bodily carrying the timing gear. The timing gear actuates a snap switch lever to open it at the end of the cycle. The lever also carries a tab actuating the snap switch directly. This tab when in use causes the electro magnet to actuate the switch to open position and hold it open independently of the timer. This provides instantaneous switch actuation by the electro magnet to start a cycle and timer operation to end it, giving interval timing. This tab is arranged so that it may be bent to an inactive position either at the factory or in the field. When this is done, the timer alone controls the position of the switch and the timer becomes a delay timer.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation with the main portion of the front plate removed of a timer embodying the invention set up for interval timing and with the parts in the positions assumed when the timer is at standby.

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the device in FIG. 1 but showing the parts in the position assumed when the timer is timed out.

FIG. 4 is a view of the same device as FIG. 1 but set up as a delay timer.

FIG. 5 is a front view with the front plate removed of a timer arranged for off delay timing.

FIG. 6 is a front view with the front plate removed of the same timer as FIG. 1 but set up for direct push button control.

FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 8, 9, l0 and 11 are wiring diagrams showing applications of the timers shown in FIGS. 1 through 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, reference character 1 indicates a surface mounting bracket of U-shaped configuration having side members 2, mounting flanges 3, and a flat portion 4 which serves as a rear mounting plate for the timer mechanism. A timer motor 5 is mounted at the rear of plate 4 between the mounting flanges and has a pinion 6 extending through plate 4 into driving relationship with a gear 7 mounted on a pinion 8. The pinion 8 extends between the back plate 4 and a front plate 9 which is attached to the back plate at its upper end by a spacer 10. The lower end of plate 4 carries a snap switch 12 which is also attached to and serves to support the lower end of front plate 9. Suitable barriers 13 are provided between the switch 12 and

plates

4 and 9, these barriers serving to provide adequate electrical clearance between these plates and the

terminal tabs

14, 15 and 16 of the switch which preferably is of the single pole single throw type.

Mounted on the back plate 4 is a stud 18 carrying a bearing 19 which supports a lever 20 which extends parallel to plate 4 and is adjacent thereto. This lever 20 carries a stud 21 supporting the timing gear 22. This timing gear is provided with a suitable hub fitting over stud 21 and carrying a reset spring 23. The timing gear also is provided with an operating pin 24 which extends rearwardly and is arranged to engage the operating lever 25 which is pivotally attached to the snap switch 12 at 26 and actuates the snap switch plunger 27. The return spring 23 for the timing gear 22 is of the torsion type, one leg bearing on the pin 24 and the other leg being suitably attached to the lever 20. This spring serves to bias the timing gear 22 in a clockwise direction against a reset stop which serves as the starting point for a timing cycle. To this end the timing gear 22 carries a bracket 28 which is stopped by a reset stop comprising an ring 29 mounted on a lever 30 rigidly attached to adjusting shaft 31 which extends through the front plate 9. This shaft bears upon a tension spring 32 in front of the front plate which permits rotation of the shaft 31 by a suitable knob (not shown) and is held in adjusted position by the tension of spring 32. The lever 20 which bodily carries the timing gear 22 is biased counterclockwise by a spring 34 which is of a torsion type and carried by the bearing 19 which supports lever 20. One leg of this spring bears against the snap switch 12 and the other leg bears against a suitable stud (not shown) carried by lever 20. The forward end of lever 20 is formed inwardly as at 35 and tits into a slot 36 formed in a plunger 37 of solenoid 38 which is mounted on the back plate 4 of the mechanism. It will be apparent that energization of the solenoid 38 causes its plunger 37 to rise which rotates the lever 20 clockwise about stud 18, this carrying the timing gear bodily upwardly into engagement with the pinion 8. Deenergization of the solenoid allows the spring 34 to rotate lever 20 counterclockwise, disengaging the gear 22 from pinion 7.

The front end of the pinion 8 is formed with a bearing portion 40 which is supported in a slot 41 formed in the front plate 9. A U-shaped spring 42 is supported by studs 43 attached to the front plate and the end of this spring serves as a yieldable locator for holding the bearing portion 40 at the bottom of slot 41.

The inturned portion 35 of lever 20 which fits into the solenoid plunger also includes a tab portion 45 which is bent downwardly into engagement with the switch lever 25 and serves to hold this lever depressed when the solenoid 38 is deenergized. This tab in its active position as shown serves to cause the timer to act as an interval timer. This tab 45 is preferably designed so that it is easily deformed into an inoperative position by the insertion of a tool between the timer front and back plates. When this tab is deformed into an inoperative position, the timer is converted to a delay timer.

OPERATION OF FIGS. 1 AND 2 If interval timing operation is desired in which the timer is started by momentary closure of a pilot switch, the unit is wired as shown in FIG. 8. The timer solenoid 38 is connected between line wires 50 and 51 in circuit with a normally open push button switch 52 and a nor mally closed push button switch 53. The timer switch 12 is connected with its common terminal to line wire 50 and its timed closed terminal 54 to the timer motor and the load L.

FIG. 1 shows the parts in the standby position in which the solenoid is deenergized. This has caused the switch lever 25 to be depressed by the tab 45. Also it has caused the timing gear 22 to be disengaged from the drive pinion 8 allowing the reset spring to return the timing gear to starting position in which the bracket 28 engages the reset stop 29.

Start of a time cycle is caused by momentarily depressing the push button switch 52 which energizes the solenoid 38. This lifts the tab 45 off the switch operator 25 allowing the switch 12 to close energizing contact 54. This energizes the timer motor 5 and load L. It also establishes a maintaining circuit for the solenoid through the interlock connection 55. The push button 52 thus may be immediately released and the solenoid 38 will remain energized due to its having operated the switch 12. The load is now energized and the timer motor runs. Due to the energization of the solenoid 38 also having lifted the timing gear 22 into engagement with its drive pinion, the clutch formed by the gear and pinion is engaged and the gear is driven in a counterclockwise direction until the pin 24 engages the switch operator 25 and causes it to actuate the switch to open position. Just before the switch is actuated with the circuit described, the parts are in the position shown in FIG. 3. When the switch opens, it deenerv gizes the timer motor, the load and also the solenoid 38. The solenoid now drops back to the position shown in FIG. 1 in which the tab 45 depresses the switch operating means and the clutch gears are disengaged allowing the timer to reset back to the starting position.

Using the diagram of FIG. 8, a time cycle can be cancelled anytime in progress by depressing the off push button 53. This deenergizes the solenoid which drops out, returning the switch 12 to open position and also disengaging the clutch allowing the timer to reset to its starting position.

If the timing requirement calls for timer operation and response to a sustained control circuit closure, the timer is wired as shown in FIG. 9. Here the interlock 55 is omitted and the solenoid 38 is controlled by a sustained closure switch 56. When the switch 56 is closed, the solenoid 38 is energized, lifting lever 20 engaging the clutch gears and also transferring switch 12 by removing tab 45 from switch operator 25. The timer now drives through its cycle until it reaches the timed out position shown in FIG. 3. Here the timer switch is transferred deenergizing the load and stopping the timer motor. However the solenoid 38 remains energized due to the sustained contact switch 56 still being closed.

When switch 56 opens, the solenoid 58 drops out which releases the clutch allowing the timer to reset. Before this happens however the tab 45 on the solenoid lever engages the switch operator 25 and holds it depressed. Thus when the control switch 56 opens, the solenoid drops out and resets the timer. However the solenoid itself now holds the switch open ready for the next cycle.

With the circuit shown in FIG. 9, opening the switch 56 anytime during the cycle will cancel out the time cycle causing the switch 12 to reopen and the timing mechanism to return to the starting position.

The end portion 57 of the switch operator lever 25 is off set so as to be generally parallel with the movement of pin 24 when this pin is at the switch operating point and is moved laterally in clutch disengaging direction by the solenoid dropping out. This arrangement of the parts insures that the clutch gears disengage without requiring any movement of the switch operator. This arrangement also minimizes any errors in location of the clutch gear at the end of the cycle, as no matter what the position of the solenoid lever, the pin 24 will trip the switch at the same angular position.

It should also be noted that the angle of the slot 41 allows the pinion 8 to be cammed out of the path of the teeth of gear 22 when this gear is rotated counterdisengagement is caused by a separate motion of the timing gear in being bodily moved away from the pinion.

DELAYED TIMING If delay timing is required, the solenoid lever tab 45 is bent to an inactive position as shown in FIG. 4 and the timer is wired as shown in FIG. 10. By making tab 45 inactive, the direct control by the solenoid on the timer switch is eliminated and the timer switch is controlled only by the position of the timing means 22. FIG. 4 shows the position of the delay timer in the stand-by condition. Here the solenoid is deenergized and the clutch is disengaged causing the timing mechanism to assume the reset position. The timer switch is closed to its top contacts. However the timer motor 5 and load L are deenergized due to the control switch 57 being open.

Closure of control switch 57 starts a time cycle by energizing the solenoid 38 and the timer motor 5 through the upper contacts of switch 12. Load L at this time is energized by closure of the control switch 57 and is not effected by the switch 12 which has not moved.

The timer runs through its cycle and reaches the timed out position shown in FIG. 3 in which the switch transfers, deenergizing load L and the timer motor, and energizing load L-l. Load L-l will now remain energized as long as the control switch 57 is closed. When this switch opens, the solenoid 38 is deenergized which releases the clutch and allows the timer to reset. This resetting motion of the timer causes the switch to transfer back to the position shown in FIG. 10. However nothing happens now as the. switch 57 is open.

The timing action described above is known in the art as delay timing as the solenoid is energized on and during the timing cycle. In some applications, the reverse action is needed in which a time cycle is started in response to deenergization of the timer solenoid. Where such operation is needed, the timer is constructed as shown in FIG. 5 and is wired as shown in FIG. 11. In FIG. 5, two levers are used. One lever 60 is carried by the case stud l8 and carries the gear bearing 61 which bodily carries the timing gear 22. A second lever 62 is pivoted on the gear bearing 61. The lever 62 extends toward and is operated by the solenoid plunger 37. This lever pivots about a stationary stud 63 attached to the back plate 4. When the solenoid is energized as shown in FIG. 5, the lever 62 is pulled upwardly by the solenoid plunger and pivots about the stud 63 causing the right hand end of lever 62 to move downwardly. This downward movement causes downward movement of the lever 60 for disengaging the clutch. In effect the intermediate lever 62 serves to reverse the action of the solenoid on the main solenoid lever 60.

Referring to the wiring diagram of FIG. 11 this type of timing requires a double throw control switch 64. One side of this switch energizes the solenoid 38 and the other side feeds the timer switch 12. The parts are shown in the off position in which the control switch 64 has energized solenoid and broken the circuit to timer switch 12' so that both loads and the timer motor are deenergized. When the control switch 64 is transferred it starts a timing cycle by deenergizing the solenoid 38 and applying power to the switch 12 which in turn energizes load L and the timer motor 5. The deenergization of the solenoid 38 shifted the timing gear 22 into driving relationship with its drive pinion and the timer runs to its timed out position at which the timing means depresses the switch operator 25. This deenergizes the timer motor and load L and energizes load L-l. The timer will remain in this condition until the load switch 64 is transferred back to its initial position. This breaks the circuit to timer switch 12 and also energizes the solenoid 38 causing it to release the clutch and allow the timing means to reset.

PUSH BUTTON OPERATION FIGS. 6 and 7 show the basic mechanism is used on a push button timer. Here the solenoid is omitted and the lever 65 carrying the timing gear 22 is actuated by a push button 66 which extends between the back plate 4 and front plate 9. The push button 66 is provided with an enlarged camming surface 67 which bears against the formed end 68 of lever 65. This lever is also provided with a tab 450 which extends into operating relationship with the switch operator 25. A spring 69 at the back of the large camming portion of the push button serves to push the push button to its forward position.

In operation, a timing cycle is started by pushing button 66. This earns the left hand end of lever 65 downwardly, which motion first engages tab 45a with switch lever 25 holding the switch open. Further motion of the push button releases the clutch gears 22 7 and the timer returns to its starting position. When the push button is released, the lever 65 rotates clockwise which engages the clutch gears and releases the switch operator allowing the switch to close and energize the timer motor and load. The timer now runs back to the timed out position which is shown in FIG. 6. With this construction, the off position of the timer is the timed out position and a time cycle is started by releasing the clutch allowing the timer to reset. The tab 45a in this application serves to prevent the timer switch from closing until the push button is released thus avoiding any repeating operations from a sticking push button.

While preferred forms of the invention have been shown and described it is obvious that many changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a timing device, a control device having an actuating element, a timing gear having a bearing about which it rotates, a drive gear arranged for engagement with the timing gear for driving the same when the gears are engaged, spring means for driving the timing gear when the gearsare disengaged, means including an operator carried by said timing gear for moving the actuating element of the control device when the timing gear is driven to a predetermined angle of rotation, and means for disengaging the gears laterally for allowing movement of the timing gear by the spring means, said disengaging means bodily carrying said bearing and moving the timing gear laterally away from the' drive gear said drive gear being yieldably supported and movable in a direction in which the driving force pulls it into engagement with the timing gear, and allows advancing of the timing gear faster than driven by the drive gear.

2. The combination recited in claim I in which the disengaging means moves the bearing in a direction causing the engaging gear teeth on the timing gear to move substantially radially from the engaging gear teeth on the drive gear, thereby separating the gears without rotation of the timing gear.

3. In time control means, the combination of, a control device having'an operator, said control device assuming one control position when the operator is in a first position and assuming a second control position when the operator is in a second position, timing means, a motor, motion transmitting means between the timing means and motor including clutch means, means controlled by the timing means when the clutch means is engaged for actuating said operator from said first position to the second position when the timing means reaches timed out position, electro-magnetic control means having a first position and a second position, means actuated when the electro-magnetic means is in its first position to engage the clutch means and to disengage the clutch means on movement of the electromagnetic means to its second position, and means actuated on movement of the electro-magnetic means to said second position for holding said switch operator in its second position independently of the timing position of the timing means.

4. The combination recited in claim 3 in which the control device includes a switch having a control effect on the electro-magnetic means.

5. The combination recited in claim 3 in which the control device includes a switch which is caused to be open either by the timing means in itstimed out position or by the electro-magnetic means being deenergized, the switch closing when the electro-magnetic means is energized, and circuit means whereby closure of the switch maintains the electromagnetic means energized.

6. In a timing device, timing means, a motor, motion transmitting means including a clutch between the timing means and motor for driving the timing means in one direction when the clutch is engaged, spring return means for driving the timing means in the opposite direction when the clutch is disengaged, a control device, said control device having a spring biased operator which is moved against its bias by movement of the timing device to timed out position due to the clutch being engaged, means for operating the clutch to disengage it allowing return of the timing means by its spring return means, and means for holding the operator against its bias when the clutch is disengaged.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which a single lever actuatcs both the clutch operating means and the holding means.

8. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which a single lever bodily carries both the clutch operating means and holding means. l

9. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which the holding means is arranged to hold the operator before the clutch operating means disengages the clutch.

10. In a combination delay timer and interval timer, the combination of, spring return timing means,a motor, motion transmitting means including a clutch connecting the motor and timing means for driving the timing means in one direction when the clutch is engaged, means for driving the timing means in the opposite direction when the clutch is disengaged, a control device, means for actuating said control device in one direction when the timing means reaches a predetermined position, means including an electro-magnetic controller for engaging or disengaging the clutch, and means actuated by the controller on disengaging the clutch for holding the control device in said one direction, said last named means being arranged for field disablement for field converting the timer from an interval timer to a delay timer.

Claims

1. In a timing device, a control device having an actuating element, a timing gear having a bearing about which it rotates, a drive gear arranged for engagement with the timing gear for driving the same when the gears are engaged, spring means for driving the timing gear when the gears are disengaged, means including an operator carried by said timing gear for moving the actuating element of the control device when the timing gear is driven to a predetermined angle of rotation, and means for disengaging the gears laterally for allowing movement of the timing gear by the spring means, said disengaging means bodily carrying said bearing and moving the timing gear laterally away from the drive gear said drive gear being yieldably supported and movable in a direction in which the driving force pulls it into engagement with the timing gear, and allows advancing of the timing gear faster than driven by the drive gear.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 in which the disengaging means moves the bearing in a direction causing the engaging gear teeth on the timing gear to move substantially radially from the engaging gear teeth on the drive gear, thereby separating the gears without rotation of the timing gear.

3. In time control means, the combination of, a control device having an operator, said control device assuming one control position when the operator is in a first position and assuming a second control position when the operator is in a second position, timing means, a motor, motion transmitting means between the timing means and motor including clutch means, means controlled by the timing means when the clutch means is engaged for actuating said operator from said first position to the second position when the timing means reaches timed out position, electro-magnetic control means having a first position and a second position, means actuated when the electro-magnetic means is in its first position to engage the clutch means and to disengage the clutch means on movement of the electro-magnetic means to its second position, and means actuated on movement of the electro-magnetic means to said second position for holding said switch operator in its second position independently of the timing position of the timing means.

5. The combination recited in claim 3 in which the control device includes a switch which is caused to be open either by the timing means in its timed out position or by the electro-magnetic means being deenergized, the switch closing when the electro-magnetic means is energized, and circuit means whereby closure of the switch maintains the electromagnetic means energized.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which a single lever actuates both the clutch operating means and the holding means.

8. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which a single lever bodily carries both the clutch operating means and holding means.

10. In a combination delay timer and interval timer, the combination of, spring return timing means, a motor, motion transmitting means including a clutch connecting the motor and timing means for driving the timing means in one direction when the clutch is engaged, means for driving the timing means in the opposite direction when the clutch is disengaged, a control device, means for actuating said control device in one direction when the timing means reaches a predetermined position, means including an electro-magnetic controller for engaging or disengaging the clutch, and means actuated by the controller on disengaging the clutch for holding the control device in said one direction, said last named means being arranged for field disablement for field converting the timer from an interval timer to a delay timer.