US2971068A - Magnetic switch - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 7, 1961 C. WEGNER 2,971,068

MAGNETIC SWITCH Filed sept. 17, 195s .-Plq 1 j, jug. .v

INVENTOR. 02m/0f WfGA/zsk.

United States Patent O "ice MAGNETIC SWITCH Claude Wegner, 429 S. 3rd St., Clinton, Ind.

Filed Sept. 17, 1958, Ser. No. 761,584

3 Claims. (Cl. 200-67) This invention relates `generally to switch structures land in particular to a low-cost switch structure incorporat-ing magnetic snap action.

' With the increased use of low voltage switching circuits for domestic lighting, it has become increasingly irnportant to provide a switch structure for use in such circuits Which is simple in construction and which can be manufactured at low cost. To provide such a switch structure with snap action, the conventional practice has required that either a relatively complicated overcen'ter snap spring arrangement be utilized or that permanent magnets be utilized to provide the snap action. When permanent magnets are used, conventional practice has required that the switch incorporate somewhat costly and complicated armature and Contact structure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch structure utilizing permanent magnets to provide snap action in'which the magnets also function as contact members.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a switch structure wherein the contact blade functions both as a switchingy member and as an armature.

Av further object of the present invention is to provide a switch structure which is relatively silent in operation, simple in construction and which can be manufactured at low cost. lThese and other objects will become apparent as the description proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the switch structure embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional side view of the structure shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the switch.

Referring to the drawings, the switch structure includes a generally rectangular housing including opposed side Walls and 11, end walls 12 and 13, and a base 14. The side walls and the end walls of the housing may be molded of an electrically non-conducting, plastic material and the base 14 may be formed of a potting resin, with the side and end wall structure secured to the base by an adhesive or other suitable means. It will be understood that the Wall and base components might also be molded or otherwise formed in unitary construction.

Imbedded in the base adjacent opposite ends thereof are U-shaped permanent magnets 16 and 17. Terminal screws 18 and 19 are threaded into contact plates 21, through the end portions of the base and into electrical contact with base sections 16a and 17a of the magnets 16 and 17, respectively. The transverse portions of the magnets have partial threads formed therein to accommodate screws 18 and 19, the screws being adjusted to clamp' lead Wire within the commercial range of lead wire while maintaining electrical contact with their respective magnets.

2,971,068 VPatented Feb. 7, 1961 A pin 22 extends transversely across the housing and is journalled for rotation in the opposed housing side walls, the axis of the pin being disposed above and midway between the two magnets. Rigidly secured to the pin is a switch blade 23 having its free ends overlying one pole face of each of the magnets 17 and 16. A transverse member 24, integral with the housing side walls has a stepped boss 26 thereon which is disposed in sup porting engagement with the shaft 22 adjacent to its end opposite that carrying the blade 23.

As may best be seen in Fig. l an electrically conducting lug 27 extends exteriorly of the housing sidewall 10 and is apertured so that the pin 22 extends freely therethrough but is in electrical contact with the lug. The lower por tion 27a of the lug 27 extends into the housing and is formed so as to engage the magnet 16 providing electrical contact between the lug and the magnet.

The upper margins of the housing are framed by a generally rectangular metal retaining member 2S -as may be seen in Figs. l and 4, the retaining member being omitted from Figs. 2 and 3. As may best be seen in Fig. 4 depending tongues 28a are formed at the ends of member 28, the tongues being recessed in the end walls 12 and 13. The member 28 is retained in place upon the switch by crimping extending tabs 29 around the shoulders formed by the recess in the end walls. The retaining member 28 cooperates with semi-circular notches 31 (Fig. l) formed in the side walls 18 and 11 to pivotally accommodate members 33 which extend sidewardly fromk a manual operator 34. The manual operator may be molded from a suitable plastic material with its sidewardly extending pivotal support members 33 being formed integrally therewith. Serrations may be formed on the upper surface of the operator 34 which facilitate manipulation of the operator between its solid and broken line positions of Fig. l. As may best be seen in Fig. 2 the under surface of the operator 34 has depending therefrom spaced abutments 35 and 36 which are positioned so as to engage the switch member 23 and move the switch member into engagement with one or the other of the permanent magnets depending upon the posi-l tion of the operator.

In operation, with the manual operator in its position of Fig. 2 the switch blade will be in electrical Contact with the magnet 17 and out of engagement with the magnet 16. In this position the switch is closed by a circuit which may be traced from terminal screw 18, magnet 16, lug 27, pin 22, switch member 23, magnet 17 and terminal screw 19. As the operator is moved from its solid line position of Fig. 1 into its broken line position, the switch member 23 will be pivotally moved so that it engages the magnet 16 and disengages the magnet 17. In this position the switch is open because of the break in electrical continuity caused by the disengagement of the switch member 23 from the magnet 17.

From the foregoing it will be evident that, since the switch member 23 acts as an armature and as a contact member, the switch is provided with a snapaction which assures effective electrical contact between the switch member and the magnet. The arrangement whereby the magnets function both as contact members and as a means providing the desired snap action further simplifies the switching structure.

This invention claimed is:

l. A magnetic snap-action switch structure comprising a housing having a base and opposed side walls, spaced permanent magnets supported on said base, an electrically conductive pin journalled for rotation in said opposed side walls with its axis of rotation disposed above and centered between said magnets, an electrically conductive lug having a portion extending exteriorly of said housing yand engaging said pin, a further portion of said lug extending interiorly of said housing and providing electrical contact with one of said magnets, a magnetically permeable and electrically conductive switch blade supported intermediate its ends on said pin with its free ends extending into overlying relation respectively with said magnets, a manual operator supported between said sidewalls for limited pivotal movement between a first position and a second position, said operator being adapted to alternately move said blade into engagement with said one of said magnets when moved to its said rst position and to mo-ve said blade into engagement with the other of said magnets when moved to its said second position, and terminal screws accessible exteriorly of said housing electrically connected to said magnets, whereby with said operator in said second position a circuit is completed through said one of said magnets, said pin, said switch blade and the other of said magnets, and when said operator is in its said first position the circuit through said switch is broken by disengagement of said switch 1blade and said other magnet, said magnets thereby acting to provide snap-action and as electrical contacts, said blade acting both as a switch member and an armature.

2. A magnetic snap-action switch structure comprising a housing having a base and opposed side walls, spaced permanent magnets supported on said base, an electrically conductive pin journalled for rotation in said opposed side walls with its axis of rotation disposed above and centered between said magnets, an electrically conductive member having electrical contact with said pin and with one of said magnets, a magnetically permeable and electrically conductive switch blade supported intermediate its ends on said pin with its free ends extending into overlying relation respectively with said magnets, a manual operator supported between said sidewalls for movement between a first position and a second position, said operator being adapted to alternately move said blade into engagement with said one of said magnets when rmoved to its said first position and to move said blade into engagement with the other of said magnets when moved to its said second position, and terminal screws accessible exteriorly of said housing electrically connected to said magnets, whereby with said operator in said second position a circuit is completed through said one of said magnets, said pin, said switch blade and the other of said magnets, and when said operator is in its said first position the circuit through said switch is broken by disengagement of said switch blade and said other magnet, said magnets thereby acting to provide snap-action and as electrical contacts, said blade acting both as a switch member and an armature.

3. A magnetic snap-action switch structure comprising a housing having a base and opposed side walls, spaced permanent magnets supported on said base, an electrically conductive pin journalled for rotation in said opposed side walls and disposed between said magnets, means providing electrical contact between said pin and one of said magnets, a. magnetically permeable and electrically conductive switch balde supported intermediate its ends on said pin with its free ends extending into overlying relation respectively with said magnets, a lmanual operator supported between said sidewalls for movement between a lirst position and a second position, said operator being adapted to alternately move said blade into engagement with said one of said magnets when moved to its said first position and to move said blade into engagement with the other of said magnets when moved to its said second position, and terminal screws accessible exteriorly of said housing electrically connected to said magnets, whereby with said operator in said second position a circuit is completed through said one of said magnets, said pin, said switch blade and the other of said magnets, and when said operator is in its said first position the circuit through said switch is broken by disengagement of said switch blade and said other magnet, said magnets thereby acting to provide snap-action and as electrical contacts, said blade acting both as a switch member and an armature.

References Cited inthe le of this patent i UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,976,953 Mantz Oct. 16, 1934 1,989,277 Jeffrey Jan. 29, 1935 2,193,731 Lamb Mar. l2, 1940 2,529,652 Dicke Nov. 14, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS n 468,510 Italy Ian. 25, 1952

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