US3724067A

US3724067A - Method of assembling a switch by the use of an aligning pin

Info

Publication number: US3724067A
Application number: US00054045A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Tygard; J Cameron
Original assignee: Spectrol Electronics Corp
Current assignee: Spectrol Electronics Corp
Priority date: 1969-05-28
Filing date: 1970-06-01
Publication date: 1973-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-03

Abstract

A combined potentiometer and switching structure including wiper contacts fixed to a shaft and having contacting engagement with an annular resistor and a pair of switching rings. The wiper contacts are located coincident, or in phase relation. The switching rings are each provided with an interrupted area, such areas are located in an arc complemental to the arc of the resistor and are circumferentially spaced apart a distance not greater than the length of the resistor contacting surface whereby, during rotation of the shafts, circuits connected to the switch rings are opened at different positions with respect to the resistor wiping contact. Alignment openings in the rings accommodate a pin to permit proper positioning of the rings relative to one another and also provide a passage for a conductor upon removal of the pin once the rings are properly positioned and secured against displacement.

Description

I United States Patent 1 1 [111 3,724,067 Tygard et al. 1451 Apr. 3, 1973 |54| METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A SWITCH 2.002.054 7/l96l Nelson ct ill "z t/s97 x BY E E OF N ALIGNING pm 3,330,031 711%? Rcdigcr c1 I. ..29/.WR [75] inventors: Charles M. Tygard; James H. P

. rlmary Exammer-John F. Campbell gzg both of west Covma Assistant ExaminerRobert W. Church Attorney--l-larry G. Martin, Jr. and 1. Raymond Cur- [73] Assignee: Spectrol Electronics Corporation, tin

City of Industry, Calif. 22 Filed: June 1,1970 [57] ABSTRACT A combined potentiometer and switching structure in- [211 Appl 54045 cluding wiper contacts fixed to a shaft and having con- Rdated Application Data tacting engagement with an annular resistor and a pair of switching rings. The wiper contacts are located [62] gg' g May 1969 coincident, or in phase relation. The switching rings are each provided with an interrupted area, such areas are located in an arc complemental to the arc of the [52] resistor and are circumferentially spaced apart a I I 200/1/68 distance not greater than the length of the resistor contacting surface whereby, during rotation of the E2 g g ig i shafts, circuits connected to the switch rings are 0 455:5 5 opened at different positions with respect to the re 2007168 sistor wiping contact. Alignment openings in the rings accommodate a pin to permit proper positioning of the rings relative to one another and also provide a [56] References Cited passage for a conductor upon removal of the pin once UNITED STATES PATENTS the rings are properly positioned and secured against displacement. 2,502,252 3/1950 Faile ..339/8 PB 2,917,643 12/1959 Mihanowich ..3l0/42 2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEBAPRS I975 3.724.067

SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTORS CHARLES M. TYGARD JAMES H. CAMERON ATTORNEY PATENTEDAPRB ma 3.724.067

SHEET 2 [IF 2 INVENTORS CHARLES M. TYGARD JAMES H. CAMERON ATTORNEY Of Assembly" now issued as US. Letters Pat. No. 3,585,562.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION cessible locations may be readily connected to the switch units is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention has to do with a combined potentiometer and circuit switching structure. The potentiometer is of the conventional annular type having a circular contacting surface engaged by a wiping contact fixed to a shaft. A second wiper contact is affixed to the shaft and is phased with the resistor wiper contact. This second contact engages a pair of conducting switch rings. A circuit is formed from the second wiper contact through each of the switch rings. The switch rings are formed with interrupted areas whereby, at different positions of the resistor wiper contact, the

switching circuits are opened.

More particularly, the invention is directed to a structural arrangement which is economical to manufacture and convenient to assemble to produce a device having very small overall dimensions.

In addition, the invention relates to a unique method of assembling the switch rings in the switch insulator whereby welding of electrical leads to the switch rings may be easily accomplished.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a structure embodying our invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation looking to the right, FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on a line corresponding to line 33, FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44, FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the switch rings and resistor illustrating the orientation of such parts; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of the resistor and switching rings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The apparatus consists of a casing having sections 10, 11. The section 10 is formed with an end wall 12 having an inwardly extending cylindrical hub 13. The hub 13 is provided with a central aperture forming a 2 bearing in which an enlarged portion 14 of an actuating shaft 15 is joumaled.

The casing section 11 is provided with a discoidal closure 16 which is formed with a central aperture arranged in axial alignment with the aperture in the hub 13 and forming a second bearing for the shaft 15. The end member 16 is attached to the section 11 by a clamp ring 17.

A resistor 18 of substantially annular configuration is fixedly mounted in the section 1 1. The inner surface 20 of the resistor is a contact surface over which a wiper contact 21 is moved. The contact 21 is fixed on one end of an arcuate spring member 22, the opposite end of which is fixed to an arm 23 which, in turn, is fixedly secured to a sleeve 25 of insulating material fixedly secured to the shaft 15. A collector ring 27 is attached in conductive relation to the arm 23 and is connected to a terminal 28 by a brush 30.

The casing section 10 is formed at its inner end with a cylindrical flange 33 formed with an annular shoulder 34. The casing 11 is formed with a circular flange 35 snugly engaging the flange 33 and abutting against the shoulder 34. The sections are held together by a clamp ring 37.

A pair of

switching rings

38, 40 are fixedly mounted in the flange 33 of the casing section 10. In the arrangement disclosed, the switching rings are mounted in an annular insulation member 41, fixedly mounted in the flange 33 and having a flange or central rib 43 extending radially inwardly between the

switch rings

38, 40. The inner contacting surfaces of the switch rings are engaged by a wiper contact 45 fixed on one end of an arcuate leaf spring member 46, the opposite end of which is fixed to an arm 47 which, in turn, is fixed to the sleeve 25. A collecting ring 50 is fixed in conducting relation to the arm 47, and is connected to a terminal 53 by a brush S4. The collector rings 27, 50 are separated by a ring of insulating material 55.

The contacting surface 20 of the resistor 18 extends circumferentially less than 360- in the structure shown about 325. The

switching rings

38, 40 are each formed with an interrupted area in their inner contacting surfaces. For economy in manufacture, these interrupted areas are preferably in the form of a notch 58 in ring 38, and a notch 60 in ring 40. The

switch rings

38, 40 are fixed in the insulating member 41 with the

notches

58, 60 spaced apart circumferentially a distance less than the circumferential extent of the effective contacting surface 20 of the resistor 18. It will be

apparent rings

38 and 40 are duplicate parts. To obtain the relationship shown in FIG. 5, it is only necessary to invert one of the rings through an angle of 180.

The switch ring 40 is connected to a terminal by wire 71 conveniently extended through the

apertures

63, 64 in the switching rings and member 41, see FIG. 3. The switching ring 38 is connected to a terminal 72 by wire 73. One end of the resistor 18 is connected to a terminal 75 by wire 76. Accordingly, a switching circuit is established from terminal 53 to terminal 70 through switching ring 40, and a second switching circuit is established through terminal 53 and terminal 72 through switch ring 38.

To provide for convenience in assembling the switch rings with the interrupted areas in the desired phase relation, the rings are formed with through apertures 63. The member 41 is formed with a through aperture 63 in the flange or central n'b 43. The

apertures

63, 64 are aligned and a pin is extended through the apertures. The rings are pressed into the member 41, or otherwise secured therein, and the member 41 is pressed or otherwise secured as by applying adhesive material to the rings prior to the insertion of the pins, in the section 10. The alignment pin is then removed and the wire 71 is run through the apertures and fixed to the ring 40. The sections .10, 11 are oriented and fixedly clamped together by the band 37.

in FIG. 6, the interrupted areas in the

rings

38, 40 are indicated at 58, 60 and as being located coincident with the ends of the resistor 18. The

wiper contacts

21, 45 are fixed in phase relation, see also FIG. 4. Accordingly, when the resistor wiper 21 is positioned at the right end of the resistor, the contact 45 is in register with the notch 58 in the switching ring 39. When the resistor wiper has been moved to the left end of the resistor, the contact 45 is in registration with the notch 60 in the switching ring 40. At intermediate positions of the wiper contacts, both switching circuits are energized.

It will be apparent that the interrupted areas of the switching means may be phased to provide interruption of the switching circuits at various preselected positions of the resistor wiper contact 21.

While we have described a preferred embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood the invention is not limited thereto since it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. The method of uniting a pair of switch rings to an annular insulating support member having a central projection forming a rib portion and thereafter assembling the united parts in a housing containing terminal elements having conductor leads depending therefrom comprising the steps of:

a. providing openings through the rings and rib portion of the insulating support member;

b. supplying adhesive to the parts of the ring in engagement with the support member;

c. arranging the parts with an adhesive coated switch ring contiguous each side of the rib portion so the openings define a passageway and the switch rings have a predetermined position relative to one another and to the support member;

d. inserting a pin through said passageway to retain the parts against relative movement while the adhesive acquires a set and permanently secures the switch rings to the support member;

e. removing the pin and thereafter feeding the free end of the one of said conductor leads through the passageway for connection to one of said rings;

f. securing the free end of a second of said conductor leads to the other ring; and

g. slidably securing the subassembly comprising the switch rings with leads attached and insulating support member into said housing.

2. The method of uniting a pair of switch rings to an annular insulating support member having a central projection forming a rib portion and thereafter assembling the united parts in a housing containing terminal elements having conductor leads depending therefrom comprisingthe steps of:

a. provl mg openings through the rings and nb portion of the insulating support member;

b. arranging the parts with the switch ring contiguous each side of the rib portion so the openings define a passageway and the switch rings have a predetermined position relative to one another and to the support member;

c. inserting a pin through said passageway to retain the parts against relative movement to assure proper alignment of die parts;

d. removing the pin and thereafter feeding the free end of the one of said conductor leads through the passageway for connection to one of said rings;

e. securing the free end of a second of said conductor leads to the other ring; and

f. slidably securing the subassembly comprising the switch rings with leads attached and insulating support member into said housing.

Claims

1. The method of uniting a pair of switch rings to an annular insulating support member having a central projection forming a rib portion and thereafter assembling the united parts in a housing containing terminal elements having conductor leads depending therefrom comprising the steps of: a. providing openings through the rings and rib portion of the insulating support member; b. supplying adhesive to the parts of the ring in engagement with the support member; c. arranging the parts with an adhesive coated switch ring contiguous each side of the rib portion so the openings define a passageway and the switch rings have a predetermined position relative to one another and to the support member; d. inserting a pin through said passageway to retain the parts against relative movement while the adhesive acquires a set and permanently secures the switch rings to the support member; e. removing the pin and thereafter feeding the free end of the one of said conductor leads through the passageway for connection to one of said rings; f. securing the free end of a second of said conductor leads to the other ring; and g. slidably securing the subassembly comprising the switch rings with leads attached and insulating support member into said housing.

2. The method of uniting a pair of switch rings to an annular insulating support member having a central projection forming a rib portion and thereafter assembling the united parts in a housing containing terminal elements having conductor leads depending therefrom comprising the steps of: a. providing openings through the rings and rib portion of the insulating support member; b. arranging the parts with the switch ring contiguous each side of the rib portion so the openings define a passageway and the switch rings have a predetermined position relative to one another and to the support member; c. inserting a pin through said passageway to retain the parts against relative movement to assure proper alignment of the parts; d. removing the pin and thereafter feeding the free end of the one of said conductor leads through the passageway for connection to one of said rings; e. securing the free end of a second of said conductor leads to the other ring; and f. slidably securing the subassembly comprising the switch rings with leads attached and insulating support member inTo said housing.