US1783421A - Electric switch - Google Patents

masgm B. E. GETCHELL ELECTRIC SWITCH Bea 2, i930.

ofiginal Filed Sept.

December 27, 1927.

This invention applies to magnetically I operated switches particularly of the class commonly known as the remote control type.

A particular object of my invention is to provide a construction in which the movable contacts of a switch are so connected with the movable member of an electro-magnet that the movement of the magnet member will simultaneously move the switch contact at an angle relative to the corresponding stationary contact so as'to engage the latter with an angular or wiping movement.

Another object is to provide a construction inwhich the movable switch contacts and the movable member of an electro magnet are so connected as to move simultaneously and so that the switch contacts may be moved at any desired angle relative to the lineal path of movement of the magnet member.

Another object is to provide a construction in which the movable contacts of a switch, or

a similar construction, are connected with the movable member of an electro-magnet 'so as to move simultaneously with the magnet member and to further provide a guiding means whereby the switch contacts will be moved in a predetermined angularpath of movement with respect to the lineal movement of the magnet member.

An important object is to provide a construction in which the movable switch contacts are connected to the movable member of an electro-magnet so as to move simultaneously with the magnet member and for a proportionate relative distance as required.

In the specific form shown herein, the armature of an electro-magnet is arranged to be moved to effect the desired result although in some cases it may be desirable to provide a movable magnet coil to cooperate with a relatively stationary armature but, in either case, it is my purpose to provide for a certain relative movement between the magnet and its cooperating armature.

In reducing my invention to actual practice, I preferably provide an electro-magnet (together with its core and pole pieces as a unit) with a form of mounting which will permit a limited free movement and a cooperating movable armature which has an Serial No. 242,560.

operable connection with movable switch contacts or other parts which are to be operated.

In the preferred form of apparatus the vertically movable armature is connected by link motion to an angularly movable cross bar which carries the movable switch element.

The foregoing describes the basic ideas of the invention, but in practice, certain refinements of detail are desirable; for instance, it is desirable that some of the shock of the fast moving armature be cushiphed or absorbed by a suitable yielding means' before the armature actually strikes against the poles of the magnet and it is also desirable that the switch contacts close with a yielding pressure. These two requirements are provided for by using spring contacts which engage the corresponding stationary contacts before the armature reaches the poles of the magnet and, for the reason that the spring contacts are connected with the armature, the closing impact of the latter is checked.

When the armature has completed its switch closing movement, it rests against the pole ieces of the magnet and will. remain in tiat position against the tension of the spring contacts which however will operate to cause a rapid separation of the armature from the magnet when the circuit is broken. These spring contacts also operate to move the magnet unit back into its normal position as it stood before being struck by the moving armature.

The accompanying drawings show one form of mechanism embodying all of the improvements of my invention.

This is a division from my former application #221,2l5 'filed September 22, 1927.

Fig. 1 is a front view of the construction but omitting the relay elements.

Fig. 2 is a side view showing one of the relays preferably intended to be used with the construction. Such a relay is shown in my former Patent No. 1,569,364, dated January 12, 1926.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view and plan.

Fig. 4 is a front view and partial section,

the insulating base being removed.

Fig. 4a is a detail side view and section of one of the movable switch elements.

Fig. 5 is a view from the right hand side, the ri ht hand side plate being omitted and parts eing shown in section.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one side plate and parts of the link motion.

Fig. 7 is a side view of a modification, the base being omitted.

Fig. 8 IS a fragmentary side view of another modification.

In case of overload the magnet circuit will automatically be opened through one or both of the relays. In case of failure of line voltage or abnormal drop of line voltage, the magnet will become weakened and unable to hold the armature against gravity and the force of the springs and the armature will drop away from the magnet thus opening the load and magnet switches. After the switch is once opened, it cannot normally be closed again except by the remote switch or equivalent. This feature is of great value in that it protects the operator against the unexpected starting of the motor or other device after it has once been stopped. Obviously additional spring means may be employed to assist in the natural gravity switch opening movement.

Although I have described the preferred form of the complete apparatus and its method of operation, it should be understood that some of the features may beemployed independently of others, for instance, the link connecting features of the armature and the contact carrier herein set forth are applicable to other types of switches, so also it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the use of the particular thermostatic relay herein set forth. It should also be un derstood that although I have described the invention as particularly applicable to control from a remote point, certain features may be employed without such limitations, for instance, in some cases the control buttons may be mounted directly upon the box which encloses the main swltch. I intend that the claims shall be interpreted broadly as they may appear except as ma be required by the state of the art or by t e terms thereof.

The details of the contact mechanism er se are claimed in my co-pending application 432,107, filed February 28, 1930.

I claim: a

1. In a switch, an insulating base, switch mechanism mounted at the front thereof and including a cross bar, side plates secured to said base and extending rearwardly therefrom, an electro-magnet mounted at the rear of the base and having acore and an armature supported between said side lates, levers pivoted to said side plates, lin rs connecting said cross bar with said levers and links connecting said levers with said armature.

2. An electric switch including stationary switch contacts, a resilient switch member mounted to move transversely thereof, re-

silient auxiliary switch contacts forming an abutment for said switch member, an electromagnet, an armature movable thereby, a link mechanism connecting said armature and said switch member for moving said switch member at an angle to the direction of movement of said armature.

3. An electric switch including a base, pairs of stationary contacts mounted on said base, a slidably movable contact carrier, contacts for bridging the respective pairs of stationary contacts mounted on said carrier, side plates secured'to said base and having slots for guiding the movement of said contact carrier in a predetermined straight line direction with respect to said stationary contacts, an electromagnet, a.movable armature for said magnet and link connections between said movable contact carrier and said armature for causing acorresponding movement of said carrier when said armature is moved.

4. An electric switch including a base, pairs of stationary contacts mounted on said base, a slidabl i movable contact carrier, contacts mounted on said carrier for bridging the respective pairs of stationary contacts, side plates secured to said base and having slots for guiding the movement of said carrier in a predetermined direction with respect to said stationary contacts and. for maintainin a substantially parallel relation between said stationary contacts and their respective movable contacts.

5. An electric switch construction including a base, pairs of spaced stationary contacts mounted on said base, a slidable contact carrier having contacts mounted thereon for bridging the respective pairs of saidstationv ary contacts and having guide lugs, plates secured to said base and having slots to receive the In on said carrier, an electromagnet, a mova le armature for said magnet and toggle links connecting said contact carrier and said armature forcausing the movement of said carrier when said armature is moved. 6. An electric mitchconstruction includmg a base, pairs of spaced stationary contacts mounted on said base, a slidable contact carrier having contacts mounted thereon for bridging the respective pairs of said stationary contacts and having guidelugs,plates secured to said base and having slots to receive the lugs on said carrier, a vertically movable operator and toggle links connecting said contact carrier and said operator for causing the movement of said carrier when said operator is moved, the angular relation of the slots in said plates and the lugs on said carrier being such that the movable contacts will constantly be maintained in parallel re-. lation with said stationary contacts out will have an endwise movement to-provide for a sliding engagement of the respective contacts.

7. A switch including a vertically disposed base, upper and lower rows of station- .ary contacts mounted on the front of the circuit, BENJAMIN E. GETCHELL.