US3927288A - Electrical switch having a movable contact rolling between stationary contacts - Google Patents

Electrical switch having a movable contact rolling between stationary contacts Download PDF

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Publication number
US3927288A
US3927288A US328869A US32886973A US3927288A US 3927288 A US3927288 A US 3927288A US 328869 A US328869 A US 328869A US 32886973 A US32886973 A US 32886973A US 3927288 A US3927288 A US 3927288A
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United States
Prior art keywords
contact
stationary
contacts
electrical
stationary contacts
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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
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US328869A
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English (en)
Inventor
Jay Utken
Edgar F Hauenstine
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.)
Duracell Inc USA
Emerson Electric Co
Original Assignee
PR Mallory and Co Inc
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 PR Mallory and Co Inc filed Critical PR Mallory and Co Inc
Priority to US328869A priority Critical patent/US3927288A/en
Priority to CA191,068A priority patent/CA1003881A/en
Priority to JP49012328A priority patent/JPS49111170A/ja
Priority to DE2404906A priority patent/DE2404906A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3927288A publication Critical patent/US3927288A/en
Assigned to EMERSON ELECTRIC CO. A CORP. OF MISSOURI reassignment EMERSON ELECTRIC CO. A CORP. OF MISSOURI ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: EMHART INDUSTRIES, INC. A CORP. OF CONNECTICUT
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
    • 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
    • H01H1/16—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting by rolling; by wrapping; Roller or ball contacts

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electrical switches and more specifically to the type of switches which are accompanied with a snap action mechanism. More particularly, the present invention relates to electrical switches wherein a self-centering movable contact engages a pair of stationary contacts.
  • switch life is heavily dependent upon electrical contact life, or more specifically, the life of the contact surfaces which engage one another. For example, with repeated cycling, high inrushes of current, in combination with contact bounce, causes spurious arcing and the contact surfaces are degraded to the point where the switch is no longer functional. Further, severe arcing can result in an early failure of the switch due to the arc jumping to other elements of the switch.
  • the present invention is concerned with an electrical switch wherein a movable contact engages a pair of stationary contacts and has as one of its objects the provision of a switch having longer contact life.
  • Another object of the invention is the provision of a switch which provides a nesting action between fixed and movable contacts to substantially eliminate contact bounce.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical switch with at least a pair of stationary contacts positioned in the path of a movable contact such that the movable contact will roll and engage one of the stationary contacts prior to engaging the second stationary contact.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical switch such that a movable contact will engage a pair of stationary contacts in a way to nest the movable contact between the stationary contacts.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to confine the travel of a round movable contact to an operating area bordered by at least two stationary contacts.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an electrical switch coupled to a volume control with portions broken away for purposes of clarity;
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken along lines 22 of FIG. 1 and showing the switch in one position of operation;
  • FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the switch in a second position of operation
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of stationary contacts and movable contacts of the switch after repeated cycling in accordance with the invention.
  • an electrical switch having a self-centering round movable contact engaging at least a pair of stationary contacts by rolling the round 2 movable contact along one of the stationary contacts with the pair of stationary contacts disposed in spaced angular relationship to each other such that continued rolling of the movable contact causes it to nest between the pair of stationary contacts.
  • electrical switch 10 is illustrated as being attached to a volume control 12.
  • electrical switch 10 is of a snap acting type switch wherein a movable contact is self-centering due to its movement being initiated through a one point contact.
  • volume control 12 includes a shaft 14 rotationally coupled to a rotor 16 for the purpose of changing a variable resistance (not shown) in the control 12.
  • Rotor 16 is provided with a boss 18 to facilitate actuation of electrical switch 10.
  • switch 10 is of the single-pole double-throw type and is provided with a snap actuation means 11.
  • Snap-action means 11 includes a rotatable actuator 22, provided with a pair of legs 20 extending into control 12, spring 30, and a switch actuator blade 28.
  • Boss 18 may be rotated into an interference path with one of the legs 20 to change the position of rotatable actuator 22.
  • Rotatable actuator 22 is positioned in a switch housing 24 and supported in the housing to pivot about pivot post 26.
  • Switch actuator blade 28 is also supported for rotational movement in the housing 24 about post 26.
  • Spring 30 is connected between rotatable actuator 22 and switch actuator blade 28.
  • a boss 34 which is provided with a rib 36 extending across its diameter.
  • a movable contact means 38 is provided by a contact ring 40 which floats around boss 34 and is disposed between switch actuator blade 28 and terminal board 42. The cooperation of rib 36 with ring contact 40 provides the self-centering characteristics of the ring contact.
  • a switch housing 24 is closed at one end by an insulative terminal board 42.
  • Insulative terminal board 42 is retained in place by a plurality of tabs 44 which are crimped over the outer face thereof.
  • Terminal means 46 includes a common terminal 48, having a stationary contact portion 50 located inside housing 24, and terminals 52 and 56 with their stationary contacts 54 and 58, respectively, also extending into switch housing 24.
  • terminals 48, 52 and 56, with their stationary contacts 50, 54 and 58, respectively are positioned in such a manner that ring contact may be moved from a first position, as illustrated In FIG. 2, to a second position as shown in FIG. 3.
  • Stationary contact 50 which is also rectangular is spaced from the two contacts which are in tandem and is substantially in line with space 57.
  • Ring contact 40 is limited in its travel to an area boardered by stationary contacts 50, 54 and 58.
  • ring contact 40 Since ring contact 40 is moved through a one point contact of the rib 36 so as to be self-centering, it may find its own seat between stationary contacts 50 and 54 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. More specifically, stationary contacts 50 and 54 are positioned a distance apart from each other sufficient to provide a nesting between the ring and stationary contacts when ring contact 40 is placed between either one of the two. As switch actuator blades 28 moves from the position shown in FIG. 2 to that of FIG. 3, ring contact 40 will remain nested between common stationary contacts 50 and stationary contact 54 to assure that electrical continuity is continued until the rib 36 of the switch actuator blade 28 moves across the central opening 41 of contact ring 40. When rib 36 imparts motion to the ring contact 40 on the opposite side of the ring, contact ring 40 will, as shown in FIG. 3, be nested between stationary contacts 50 and 58.
  • Shaft 14 of volume control 12 may be manually rotated so that boss 18 on rotor 16 will impart motion to rotatable actuator 22 of switch by way of legs 20.
  • compression spring 30 is compressed until rotatable actuator 22 moves it through an over-center condition to allow the spring to be released to displace switch actuator blade 28.
  • switch actuator blade 28 is displaced from a position as shown in FIG. 2 to that shown in FIG. 3, rib 36 on boss 34 will impart motion to ring contact 40 to move it to a position shown in FIG. 3.
  • Ring contact 40 will tend to move differently depending upon the position in which the switch is mounted. Should switch 10 be mounted in a position as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, ring contact 40 will tend to drop between the stationary contacts 54 and 58 as it travels from the position shown in FIG. 2 to that shown in FIG. 3. In this particular path of movement, ring contact 40 will make contact with stationary contact 58 prior to seating between stationary contacts 50 and 58 by rotating into engagement with stationary contact 50. Should switch 10 be mounted in a position inverted from that of FIGS. 2 and 3, ring contact 40, due to gravity, will tend to roll along the common stationary contact 50 to therefore be in contact with stationary contact 50 prior to engagement with stationary contact 58. Ring contact 40 will tend to roll into engagement with stationary contact 58 to become lodged between stationary contacts 50 and 58. In either event the movable contact will be seated between cooperating stationary contacts.
  • Reduction of contact bounce is achieved by the relative spacing between stationary contacts 50 and 58, their angular relationship to each other and their location in relationship to the path of movement of the movable ring contact 40.
  • movable ring contact 40 rolls into seating engagement between stationary contacts 50-58 or 50-54 it will engage one of the stationary contacts, it pivots about a point of contact with the first stationary contact and upon continued movement of rib 36, pivots into engagement with the second stationary contact.
  • a wiping action between the second engaged stationary contact and movable contact 40 is achieved.
  • Ring contact 40 will engage the second stationary contact at a point about the periphery of ring contact 40 to permit nesting simultaneously with the wiping action to thereby minimize the amount of contact bounce and provide an improved electrical contact.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein there is only a pair of stationary contacts cooperating with a round movable contact.
  • the actuation of round movable contact 60 is accomplished in substantially the same manner as that for movable contact 40 of FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • movable contact 60 When actuated in a predetermined direction, movable contact 60 will roll along contact 62 to become nested between contacts 62 and 64 and when actuated in an opposite direction, the movable contact will, as shown, become disengaged.
  • FIG. 4 also illustrates the condition of contacts operating in accordance with the invention at the end of over 100,000 cycles of turning 6,100 watt lights on and off.
  • Movable contact 60 has formed a slight pocket 61 in stationary contact 62 with a slight amount of mushrooming taking place at 61.
  • stationary contact 64 has been displaced at 66 to conform with the contours of movable contact 60. Also a small amount of mushrooming material 64' is noted on the top surface of the stationary contact 64. Virtually no build-up of material is realized in area 62" and 64" of stationary contacts 62 and 64, respectively, which would provide a barrier in front of the movable contact to facilitate bouncing of the movable contact 40. As the ring contact 40 continues to move through the stationary contacts 62 and 64, continued displacement of material in the path of the movable contact 60 will occur.
  • a self-centering round movable contact engages at least three rectangular shaped stationary contacts, two of said contacts disposed in tandem relationship with a space therebetween, the third contact spaced from said first two contacts and overlapping said space, said contacts further being disposed lengthwise directionally substantially parallel to a path of movement of said movable contact, and means rolling said round movable contact between said stationary contacts.
  • An electrical switch comprising:
  • An electrical switch comprising:
  • An electrical switch according to claim 4 wherein there are three of said stationary electrical contacts two of said electrical contacts disposed in a spaced relationship in a substantially common plane, the third contact spaced from said first two contacts and overlapping said first named space.
  • An electrical switch according to claim 4 wherein said means disposed within said contact ring comprises a boss and a rib carried by said boss and extending substantially across the inside diameter of said ring contact.

Landscapes

  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Contacts (AREA)
  • Slide Switches (AREA)
US328869A 1973-02-01 1973-02-01 Electrical switch having a movable contact rolling between stationary contacts Expired - Lifetime US3927288A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US328869A US3927288A (en) 1973-02-01 1973-02-01 Electrical switch having a movable contact rolling between stationary contacts
CA191,068A CA1003881A (en) 1973-02-01 1974-01-28 Electrical switch having a movable contact rolling between stationary contacts
JP49012328A JPS49111170A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1973-02-01 1974-01-31
DE2404906A DE2404906A1 (de) 1973-02-01 1974-02-01 Elektrischer schalter

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US328869A US3927288A (en) 1973-02-01 1973-02-01 Electrical switch having a movable contact rolling between stationary contacts

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3927288A true US3927288A (en) 1975-12-16

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ID=23282806

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US328869A Expired - Lifetime US3927288A (en) 1973-02-01 1973-02-01 Electrical switch having a movable contact rolling between stationary contacts

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3927288A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
JP (1) JPS49111170A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
CA (1) CA1003881A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
DE (1) DE2404906A1 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6256169B1 (en) * 1998-12-09 2001-07-03 Toshiba Video Products Japan Co., Ltd. Operation mode detection device of magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus
US8822852B2 (en) * 2012-11-13 2014-09-02 Solteam Electronics Co., Ltd. Multi-level rotary switch

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT347273B (de) * 1976-08-09 1978-12-27 Dieter Reichert Schalter fuer tuerschloesser
US4680433A (en) * 1986-01-07 1987-07-14 Annulus Technical Industries, Inc. Contact assembly for a switch

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1520847A (en) * 1923-07-17 1924-12-30 Connecticut Telephone & Elec Electric switch
US2935585A (en) * 1957-04-22 1960-05-03 Sigma Instruments Inc Polarized electromagnetic relay
US3001046A (en) * 1958-05-07 1961-09-19 Jennings Radio Mfg Corp Vacuum relay
US3032620A (en) * 1960-03-07 1962-05-01 Tung Sol Electric Inc Snap action switch
US3311717A (en) * 1965-12-16 1967-03-28 Oak Electro Netics Corp Electrical switch with improved movable contact and detent structure

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5126259B2 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) * 1972-06-16 1976-08-05

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1520847A (en) * 1923-07-17 1924-12-30 Connecticut Telephone & Elec Electric switch
US2935585A (en) * 1957-04-22 1960-05-03 Sigma Instruments Inc Polarized electromagnetic relay
US3001046A (en) * 1958-05-07 1961-09-19 Jennings Radio Mfg Corp Vacuum relay
US3032620A (en) * 1960-03-07 1962-05-01 Tung Sol Electric Inc Snap action switch
US3311717A (en) * 1965-12-16 1967-03-28 Oak Electro Netics Corp Electrical switch with improved movable contact and detent structure

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6256169B1 (en) * 1998-12-09 2001-07-03 Toshiba Video Products Japan Co., Ltd. Operation mode detection device of magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus
US8822852B2 (en) * 2012-11-13 2014-09-02 Solteam Electronics Co., Ltd. Multi-level rotary switch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1003881A (en) 1977-01-18
JPS49111170A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1974-10-23
DE2404906A1 (de) 1974-08-22

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Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO. A CORP. OF MISSOURI, MISSO

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:EMHART INDUSTRIES, INC. A CORP. OF CONNECTICUT;REEL/FRAME:005691/0720

Effective date: 19910125