GB1370447A - Electrical switch - Google Patents

Abstract

1370447 Partly magnetic switches MAGSAT CORP 16 Sept 1971 [23 Sept 1970] 43176/71 Heading H1N [Also in Division H2] An electric switch comprises a shuttle 16 and an operating element 14, movement of element 14 causing movement of shuttle 16 to open contacts 22, 26 or 24, 28. Element 14 is depressed by depression of push-button 88 and when pushbutton 88 is released, returned by retractive spring 90. Element 14 and shuttle 16 are permanent magnets of polarity such that when element 14 moves down, shuttle 16 moves up, and when element 14 moves up, shuttle 16 moves down. Movable contacts 26, 28 are spring blades biased to the closed position. In the complete switch there are three upper contact sets 22a, 26a, 22b, 26b, 22c, 26c (see Fig. 8), and three sets of lower contacts 24a, 28a, 24b, 28b and 24c, 28c. The fixed contacts 22a, 24a are connected together as are fixed contacts 22b, 24b and 22c, 24c. The lower moving contacts 28a, 28b, 28c are all commoned by connection 66. In the initial position shown in Figs. 5 and 8, contacts 28a-28c are held open by shuttle 16 and contacts 26a-26c by element 14. When button 88 is depressed, initially contacts 26a-26c close, however shuttle 16 does not move until element 14 reaches a critical position when shuttle 16 moves upwardly permitting contacts 28a-28c to close. When shuttle 16 reaches its upper position it opens upper contacts 26a-26c. Thus for an instant all contacts are closed so that a pulse is transmitted from battery 100 (see Fig. 8) to output terminals 56b, 56c. Further as shuttle 16 moves upwards a nose 82 on shuttle 16 holds contact 28a open until after contacts 28b, 28c have closed ensuring a simultaneous pulse output at terminals 56b, 56c. When button 88 is released element 14 moves upwards and shuttle 16 moves downwards. Element 14 engages and holds open contacts 26a-26c before shuttle 16 starts its downward movement, thus contacts 26a-26c are held open at all times during the return movement and the switch delivers one pulse during one complete cycle of the switch. The switch operating characteristics may be altered by cutting off movable contacts 26 at A so that it is only opened by shuttle 16 or at B when it is always closed and by cutting off movable contacts 28 at C so that it is always closed. Different combinations of these give two pulses per cycle, Fig. 9 (not shown), constant output during the cycle, Fig. 10 (not shown), and normally closed but opened during the cycle, Fig. 11 (not shown). A wiping contact may be provided, Fig. 7 (not shown). The contacts may press on a piezo-electric crystal to give a voltage pulse, Fig. 12 (not shown).