GB2178911A

GB2178911A - Temperature sensitive switches

Info

Publication number: GB2178911A
Application number: GB8618767A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gian Carlo Savio; Ettore Oldani
Original assignee: VEBE ELETTROMECC; V E B E ELETTROMECCANICA SpA
Current assignee: VEBE ELETTROMECC; V E B E ELETTROMECCANICA SpA
Priority date: 1985-07-30
Filing date: 1986-07-31
Publication date: 1987-02-18
Also published as: IT206626Z2; GB2178911B; ES1000561U; FR2585876B3; IT8522672V0; DE8620387U1; FR2585876A1; GB8618767D0; ES1000561Y

Abstract

A temperature sensitive switch has a base portion A, an insulating cap portion B and four terminals 12, 15 spaced around the periphery of the base portion. The terminals 15 project from the base portion to form two diametrically opposed outlet connector terminals. One end of each of the terminals 12 is attached to an adaptor plate 20, an integral part of which forms a connecting terminal 24. The connector terminals (15, 24) projecting from the switch body are thus aligned. The adaptor plate is provided with an outlet connector terminal 24 and shaped to dispose said terminal 24 in alignment with the diametrically opposed outlet connector terminals 15. The four connecting terminals 15, 24 are arranged in a protective insulating housing B secured to the connecting terminals themselves. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and Relating to Temperature Sensitive Switches The invention relates to temperature sensitive switches.

In the types of temperature sensitive switches normally in use, specifically (but not exclusively) for temperature control in domestic appliances such as washing machines, dish washers and similar items, the connector terminals, for reasons of construction, project from the body of the switch around its periphery and are relatively orientated by 90". This makes difficult the connection of the switch to the electric control unit of the appliance.

The present invention provides a temperature sensitive switch comprising at least three outlet connector terminals which are aligned with respect to each other to facilitate connection of the switch to the electric control circuit of a machine.

The advantages of this invention are that a switch is provided with adequately shielded connector terminals, which are arranged so as to afford easy simple connection of the switch to the control unit of any type of machine by means of a single connector of standard pitch.

A preferred embodiment of the switch according to the invention is characterized in that a body portion of the switch is provided with two adapter plates shaped and disposed to connect with two opposed terminals in the body and provide connector terminals in line with the other two opposed terminals in the body.

The four connector terminals, thus aligned, are fitted in a housing that may be secured to the connector terminals themselves and in which housing can be inserted a single connector, linked to electric control circuitry of the machine.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a side elevation, partially sectioned, of an embodiment of the invention, complete with an insulating cap portion; Figure 2 is a section along a part of the line Il-Il of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1, with the insulating cap portion removed; Figure 4 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

In Figure 1, the temperature sensitive switch comprises a base portion A of generally circular cross-section and an insulating cap portion B for partially shrouding connector terminals 15, 24 which project from the base portion A. The base portion consists of a body 2 of insulating material and a flanged metal cap 4. The cap 4 is attached to the body 2 and is for attaching the switch to, for example, the wall of a vessel (not shown) in which the temperature is to be controlled.

Much of the base portion A is conventional and will not be explained in detail. In particular the electrical and thermal construction and operation will not be described. However, the base portion A is provided with four terminals 12,15 spaced apart by 90 around its periphery. Of these terminals, the two labelled 12 are diametrically opposed, as are the two labelled 15.

Of the pair of terminals labelled 15, the terminal ends contained within the base portion A are connected directly to the internal contacts of the switch (not shown). The other ends of terminals 15 project from the base portion to form two diametrically opposed connector terminals.

Of the pair of terminals labelled 12, the ends of the terminals contained within the base portion are connected to electric contacts by the bimetallic portion of the switch (not shown). The opposite ends of the terminals 12 are provided with tabs 14 for attachment to terminals 24, as will later be described.

The upper face 10 of the base portion A is recessed around its periphery, in register with the four terminals 12, 15. The terminals 15, project outwardly from recesses 26 in the upper face 10 and the terminals 12 project outwardly from recesses 16.

The terminals 12 and 15 are retained in position in the face 10 by swaged tabs 13 and 13' respectively.

Two adapter plates 20 alter the spacing and disposition of the terminals 12 by each having a generally planar main portion 21 provided with a slot 22 through which project swaged tabs 14 on the respective terminal 12. Each piate 20 is also provided with integral projections which form connecting terminals 24, extending normal to the plane of the plate 20. The projections are disposed so as to form two connecting terminals located inline with the connecting terminals 15. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, these connector terminals 15, 24 are regularly spaced, with a constant pitch of preferably 5 mm which is a standard pitch for connectors.

The cap portion B, which may be made of moulded plastics material, comprises a base wall 32 provided with slots 34. A substantially parallelpipedal body 30 is moulded integrally with the base wall 32 to form a cavity. The underside of the base wall 32 is provided with recesses to accommodate the plates 20 when the base portion B is inserted over the connector terminals 15, 24to assume the relative position of base portion A and cap portion B shown in Figures 1 and 2. The provision of recesses in the base wall 32 allows the cap portion B to fully abut the base portion A. In this position, teeth 36 provided on the terminals 15, 24 snap over and cooperate with the cap portion to prevent its removal.

The inside bottom of the housing B is provided with ribbings 38 to act as stops for a connector (not shown) which can be inserted slidably and guided into said housing. Unequivocal orientation of the connector is achieved by offset grooves 40 and 42.

There is thus provided a temperature sensitive switch wherein the alignment of the connector terminals 15, 24 affords a practical and quick connecting system using a single connector between the appliance's electric drive circuit and the temperature sensitive switch. The invention is particularly suited to temperature sensitive switches of small dimensions, such as those used in domestic appliances, which must necessariiy be housed in limited spaces.

The details of the embodiment may vary, especially with regard to dimensions.

It will of course be appreciated that this invention is not limited to temperature sensitive switches comprising four connector terminals. The invention is equally suitable to applications where one or more connector terminals is required to be aligned with a number of other connector terminals.

Claims

1. Atemperature sensitive switch comprising at least three outlet connector terminals which are aligned with respect to each other to facilitate connection of the switch to the electric control circuit of a machine.

2. A switch as claimed in Claim 1, wherein two of the outlet connector terminals extend directly out of a body portion of the switch and there is at least one further terminal of the switch which is not aligned with said two outlet connector terminals, said switch further comprising a respective adaptor member connected to the or each further terminal and provided with an outlet connector terminal which is in alignment with said two outlet connector terminals.

3. A switch as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the or each adaptor member has a portion thereof received in a respective recess in a surface of the body portion of the switch and in which the or each further terminal is disposed.

4. A switch as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet connector terminals are equally spaced.

5. A switch as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the magnitude of the spacing is 5 mm.

6. A switch as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the or each adaptor member is provided with a slot and the associated terminal is provided with tabs which pass through the said slot and form electrical connection between the associated terminal and the member.

7. A switch as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the or each of the further terminals and each of the outlet connector terminals is provided with projections for engaging and retaining the said terminals in the body portion of the switch.

8. A switch as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the switch further comprises a cap portion provided with a cavity to partially shroud the outlet connector terminals and to receive a connector from the electric control circuit of the machine.

9. A switch as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the cap portion consists of a parallelepipedal body and a base slotted to receive the aligned outlet connector terminals.

10. A switch as claimed in Claim 8 or 9, wherein the cap portion is made of an insulating material and is secured to the outlet connector terminals.

11. A switch as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the outlet connector terminals are each provided with a tooth to engage, by a snap action, the cap portion to prevent its detachment from the body portiDn of the switch.

12. A switch as claimed in any of Claims 8 to 11, wherein the bottom of the cavity provided in the cap portion is ribbed to form a limit stop forthe connector, when the connector is received in the cap portion.

13. A switch as claimed in any of Claims 8 to 12, wherein walls defining the cavity are provided with asymmetrically arranged slots to achieve unequivocal orientation of the connector when received in the cap portion.

14. A switch as claimed in any of Claims 8 to 13, wherein the o.r each adaptor member has a portion thereof partially received in a respective recess in the cap portion to allow the cap portion to abut the body portion of the switch.

15. A switch substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: Claims 1 and 2 above have been deleted or textually amended New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:

1. A temperature sensitive switch comprising at least three outlet connector terminals which are aligned with respect to each other to facilitate connection of the switch to the electric control circuit of a machine, two of the outlet connector terminals extending directly out of a body portion and the switch and there being at least one further terminal of the switch which is not aligned with said two outlet connector terminals, said switch further comprising a respective adaptor member connected to the or each further terminal and provided with an outlet connector terminal which is in alignment with said two outlet connector terminals.

Claims 3-15 above have been re-numbered as 2-14 and their appendancies corrected.