US3912894A - Convertible switch - Google Patents

Convertible switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3912894A
US3912894A US464730A US46473074A US3912894A US 3912894 A US3912894 A US 3912894A US 464730 A US464730 A US 464730A US 46473074 A US46473074 A US 46473074A US 3912894 A US3912894 A US 3912894A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
contact
actuator
cam
movable
open
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
US464730A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John H Mullen
Walter J Kellogg
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.)
Westinghouse Electric Corp
Original Assignee
Westinghouse Electric 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 Westinghouse Electric Corp filed Critical Westinghouse Electric Corp
Priority to US464730A priority Critical patent/US3912894A/en
Priority to ZA00752275A priority patent/ZA752275B/xx
Priority to GB16350/75A priority patent/GB1496827A/en
Priority to ES436845A priority patent/ES436845A1/es
Priority to IT41598/75A priority patent/IT1029242B/it
Priority to FR7512699A priority patent/FR2269182A1/fr
Priority to CH523775A priority patent/CH593547A5/xx
Priority to AU80513/75A priority patent/AU488478B2/en
Priority to BR3155/75D priority patent/BR7502483A/pt
Priority to BE1006612A priority patent/BE828365A/xx
Priority to JP1975055851U priority patent/JPS50136776U/ja
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3912894A publication Critical patent/US3912894A/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
    • H01H11/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches
    • H01H11/0006—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches for converting electric switches
    • H01H11/0012—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches for converting electric switches for converting normally open to normally closed switches and vice versa
    • 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

Definitions

  • a contact actuator extending through the hole and having a pair of cam surfaces located at angularly disposed positions on the actuator to effect movement of the movable contact to one of the open and closed positions.
  • the contact actuator is rotatable within the hole to present one or the other of the pair of cam surfaces to one or the other of the pair of cam follower surfaces.
  • This invention relates to electrical switching devices and, more particularly, to switches which are convertible from normally open to normally closed conditions.
  • a convertible switch comprising an insulating housing, fixed and movable contacts within the housing and movable between open and closed positions, mounting means mounting the movable contacts between open and closed positions and comprising a contact carrier having aperture means including a pair of spaced cam follower surfaces disposed along opposite sides of the aperture means, the cam follower surfaces extending transversely to the direction of movement of the movable contacts, a contact actuator having diametrically opposite pair of cam surfaces which are movable against one of the spaced cam follower surfaces to effect movement of the movable contact to one of the open and closed positions, the contact actuator extending through the aperture means and being rotatable to present one or the other of the cam surfaces to one or the other of the cam follower surfaces, and the cam actuator being biased longitudinally to a position corresponding to the bias position of the contact carrier.
  • the advantage of the switch of this invention is that it is not only convertible from normally open to normally closed positions by rotating the cam actuator or plunger 180 without disassembling any part of the switch, but it is operable to separate the contacts forcibly if the contacts are welded together.
  • FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line [-1 of FIG. 2, and showing the contacts in the open position;
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line IIII of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line III-III of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view taken on the line lV-IV of FIG. 1.
  • a convertible switch is generally indicated at 5 and it comprises a housing 7, a contact assembly generally indicated at 9, and a contact actuator or plunger 11.
  • the housing 7 is composed of electrically insulating material and encloses a chamber 13 in which the operating parts of the switch are located.
  • the housing also comprises a plunger-receiver aperture 15, an access opening 17, and a hole 19, all of which communicate with the chamber 13.
  • the contact assembly 9 comprises a pair of stationary contacts 21, movable contacts 23, and a contact carrier 25 which is slidably mounted in the chamber 13 for moving the contacts 21, 23 between open and closed positions.
  • the stationary contacts 21 are mounted on similar conductors 27 which extend through the housing 7 and are provided with external terminals 29.
  • the movable contacts 23 are disposed at opposite ends of a bridging contact member 31 which extends between the space pair of stationary contacts 21.
  • the member 31 extends through a window 33 at one end of the contact carrier 25.
  • a compression spring 35 holds the associated bridging contact member 31 in place to provide a resilient contacting engagement between the corresponding movable contacts 23 and the stationary contacts 21 in a manner similar to that set forth in US. Pat. No. 3,296,567.
  • a spring 37 is disposed between a shoulder 39 on the plunger and the housing to maintain the contacts 21, 23 in the open position. However, if the spring 37 is a tension spring, the contacts 21, 23 may be maintained in the closed position.
  • the contact carrier 25 comprises opening means or hole 41 through which the plunger 1 1 extends.
  • the plunger 11 comprises cam surfaces 43 and 45
  • opposite surfaces 47 and 49 of the hole 41 are cam follower surfaces which engage the cam surfaces 43 and 45 when the plunger 11 is operated.
  • the contact actuator or plunger 11 is an elongated member, the upper end portion of which extends through the aperture 15 of the housing 7 where it is retained by suitable biasing means such as a compression spring 51.
  • the cam surfaces 43 and 45 are located at diametrically opposite positions on the plunger and at longitudinally spaced positions thereof.
  • the plunger 11 is movable longitudinally as well as rotatably as indicated by the arrow 53 (FIG. 1).
  • the top surface of the plunger may be provided with an indicator or'arrow 55 for indicating whether the plunger is in the normally closed or normally open position with respect to the contact carrier 25.
  • FIG. 4 differs from that of FIG. 3 in that the movable contacts 23a and stationary contacts 21a are reversed and shown in a closed circuit condition against the pressure of the spring 37.
  • the plunger 11 is in the position shown in FIG. 1 with the cam surface 45 in the solid line position.
  • lowering of the plunger 11 causes separation of the contacts 21a, 23a under normal conditions in response to pressure of the spring 37.
  • the contacts 21a, 23a are slightly welded together, continued depression of the plunger 11 brings the cam surface 43 into contact with the cam follower surface 47 and thereby forces the contacts 21a, 23a apart.
  • Rotation of the plunger 11 to the dotted line position of the cam surfaces 43, 45 enables closing of the circuit through the contacts 21a, 23a.
  • the indicator 55 (FIG. 5) does not obtain for the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4.
  • the convertible switch of this invention provides for simple conversion of the switch from a normally open to a normally closed position without the necessity of removing or adding parts or changing wiring.
  • the convertible switch also provides for means for readily separating the contacts where they are welded together.
  • a convertible switch comprising an insulating housing, fixed and movable contacts movable between open and closed positions, mounting means mounting the movable contact between open and closed positions and comprising a contact carrier having a pair of spaced cam follower surfaces extending transversely to the direction of movement of the movable contact, a contact actuator having one cam surface on one side thereof and another cam surface on the other side thereof, the cam surfaces being operable on opposite sides of the contact carrier, the contact actuator being movable longitudinally to effect movement of the contact carrier, the one cam surface moving the contact carrier to one of the open and closed positions of the contacts when the actuator is moved in one direction, the other cam surface moving the contact carrier to the other of the open and closed positions of the contacts when the actuator is moved in the other direction, the contact actuator also being rotatable to turn the cam surfaces to diametrically opposite sides of the actuator, the contact carrier being biased in one direction against the contact actuator, and the actuator being movable against the cam surfaces to effect movement of the movable contact to one of the open and closed positions.
  • the convertible switch of claim 1 in which the contact carrier is movable longitudinally in a direction that is transverse to the movement of the contact actua- 3.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Slide Switches (AREA)
  • Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
US464730A 1974-04-26 1974-04-26 Convertible switch Expired - Lifetime US3912894A (en)

Priority Applications (11)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US464730A US3912894A (en) 1974-04-26 1974-04-26 Convertible switch
ZA00752275A ZA752275B (en) 1974-04-26 1975-04-09 Convertible switch
GB16350/75A GB1496827A (en) 1974-04-26 1975-04-21 Electric switch
ES436845A ES436845A1 (es) 1974-04-26 1975-04-22 Perfeccionamientos introducidos en un interruptor electricoconvertible.
FR7512699A FR2269182A1 (pm) 1974-04-26 1975-04-23
IT41598/75A IT1029242B (it) 1974-04-26 1975-04-23 Commutatore convertibile
CH523775A CH593547A5 (pm) 1974-04-26 1975-04-24
AU80513/75A AU488478B2 (en) 1974-04-26 1975-04-24 Improvements in or relating to convertible switch
BR3155/75D BR7502483A (pt) 1974-04-26 1975-04-24 Comutador eletrico
BE1006612A BE828365A (fr) 1974-04-26 1975-04-25 Interrupteur convertible
JP1975055851U JPS50136776U (pm) 1974-04-26 1975-04-25

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US464730A US3912894A (en) 1974-04-26 1974-04-26 Convertible switch

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3912894A true US3912894A (en) 1975-10-14

Family

ID=23845016

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US464730A Expired - Lifetime US3912894A (en) 1974-04-26 1974-04-26 Convertible switch

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US3912894A (pm)
JP (1) JPS50136776U (pm)
BE (1) BE828365A (pm)
BR (1) BR7502483A (pm)
CH (1) CH593547A5 (pm)
ES (1) ES436845A1 (pm)
FR (1) FR2269182A1 (pm)
GB (1) GB1496827A (pm)
IT (1) IT1029242B (pm)
ZA (1) ZA752275B (pm)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4160885A (en) * 1977-01-17 1979-07-10 General Electric Company Electrical switch and method of operation
US4181838A (en) * 1977-04-19 1980-01-01 Hundt & Weber Schalgerate GmbH Actuating mechanism with an auxiliary switch for an electrically lockable power switch
US4427856A (en) 1980-12-09 1984-01-24 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. Mechanical snap switch having a mechanism for separating fused contacts
EP0098894A1 (de) * 1982-07-16 1984-01-25 Square D Starkstrom GmbH Elektrisches Schaltgerät, insbesondere Schütz
WO1986006872A1 (en) * 1985-05-13 1986-11-20 Bell Industries, Inc. Illuminated push button switch
US4656323A (en) * 1985-05-13 1987-04-07 Bell Industries, Inc. Push button electric switch
US5205453A (en) * 1990-08-01 1993-04-27 Masco Industries, Inc. Locking mechanism for automobile luggage racks
US5359163A (en) * 1993-04-28 1994-10-25 Eaton Corporation Pushbutton switch with adjustable pretravel
US5488213A (en) * 1991-11-21 1996-01-30 Cherry Mikroschalter Gmbh Low-profile keyboard key
US5588572A (en) * 1994-01-26 1996-12-31 Advanced Accessory Systems Llc Article carrier
US5667061A (en) * 1996-07-01 1997-09-16 Packard Hughes Interconnect Company Linear cam-assisted plunger switch
WO2004066328A1 (en) * 2003-01-17 2004-08-05 Juha Marttala A method for changing the function of a coupler and a coupling device
CN101661852B (zh) * 2008-08-29 2011-11-30 郑春开 一种三位转换开关

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112786317B (zh) * 2019-11-07 2023-03-21 国创移动能源创新中心(江苏)有限公司 一种开关模块、选择式开关及功率分配器

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2714637A (en) * 1952-10-11 1955-08-02 Belmar Electric Corp Electric switches
US2714639A (en) * 1953-10-08 1955-08-02 Belmar Electric Corp Electric switches
US2991343A (en) * 1958-07-07 1961-07-04 Fed Pacific Electric Co Selective switches
US3369100A (en) * 1965-08-30 1968-02-13 Ite Circuit Breaker Ltd Mechanism for selectively operating one of two devices

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2714637A (en) * 1952-10-11 1955-08-02 Belmar Electric Corp Electric switches
US2714639A (en) * 1953-10-08 1955-08-02 Belmar Electric Corp Electric switches
US2991343A (en) * 1958-07-07 1961-07-04 Fed Pacific Electric Co Selective switches
US3369100A (en) * 1965-08-30 1968-02-13 Ite Circuit Breaker Ltd Mechanism for selectively operating one of two devices

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4160885A (en) * 1977-01-17 1979-07-10 General Electric Company Electrical switch and method of operation
US4181838A (en) * 1977-04-19 1980-01-01 Hundt & Weber Schalgerate GmbH Actuating mechanism with an auxiliary switch for an electrically lockable power switch
US4427856A (en) 1980-12-09 1984-01-24 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. Mechanical snap switch having a mechanism for separating fused contacts
EP0098894A1 (de) * 1982-07-16 1984-01-25 Square D Starkstrom GmbH Elektrisches Schaltgerät, insbesondere Schütz
US4540859A (en) * 1982-07-16 1985-09-10 Starkstrom Gummersbach Gmbh Convertible normally closed/normally open switch with cam actuator
WO1986006872A1 (en) * 1985-05-13 1986-11-20 Bell Industries, Inc. Illuminated push button switch
US4656323A (en) * 1985-05-13 1987-04-07 Bell Industries, Inc. Push button electric switch
US5326007A (en) * 1990-08-01 1994-07-05 Masco Industries, Inc. Locking mechanism for automobile luggage racks
US5205453A (en) * 1990-08-01 1993-04-27 Masco Industries, Inc. Locking mechanism for automobile luggage racks
US5488213A (en) * 1991-11-21 1996-01-30 Cherry Mikroschalter Gmbh Low-profile keyboard key
US5359163A (en) * 1993-04-28 1994-10-25 Eaton Corporation Pushbutton switch with adjustable pretravel
KR100284664B1 (ko) * 1993-04-28 2001-03-15 존 씨. 메티유 소정의 거리를 조절할 수 있는 푸쉬버튼
US5588572A (en) * 1994-01-26 1996-12-31 Advanced Accessory Systems Llc Article carrier
US5667061A (en) * 1996-07-01 1997-09-16 Packard Hughes Interconnect Company Linear cam-assisted plunger switch
WO2004066328A1 (en) * 2003-01-17 2004-08-05 Juha Marttala A method for changing the function of a coupler and a coupling device
CN101661852B (zh) * 2008-08-29 2011-11-30 郑春开 一种三位转换开关

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1496827A (en) 1978-01-05
FR2269182A1 (pm) 1975-11-21
AU8051375A (en) 1976-10-28
BR7502483A (pt) 1976-03-03
JPS50136776U (pm) 1975-11-11
ZA752275B (en) 1976-03-31
IT1029242B (it) 1979-03-10
BE828365A (fr) 1975-10-27
ES436845A1 (es) 1976-12-01
CH593547A5 (pm) 1977-12-15

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