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US3238329A - Electric switch apparatus - Google Patents

Electric switch apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US3238329A
US3238329A US274111A US27411163A US3238329A US 3238329 A US3238329 A US 3238329A US 274111 A US274111 A US 274111A US 27411163 A US27411163 A US 27411163A US 3238329 A US3238329 A US 3238329A
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United States
Prior art keywords
pole
yoke
relay
contact
pole unit
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Expired - Lifetime
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US274111A
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English (en)
Inventor
Russo Roland
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Clark Controller Co
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Clark Controller Co
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Publication date
Application filed by Clark Controller Co filed Critical Clark Controller Co
Priority to US274111A priority Critical patent/US3238329A/en
Priority to GB30444/63A priority patent/GB1046794A/en
Priority to DEP1267A priority patent/DE1267309B/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3238329A publication Critical patent/US3238329A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H11/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches
    • H01H11/0006—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches for converting electric switches
    • H01H11/0012—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches for converting electric switches for converting normally open to normally closed switches and vice versa
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
    • H01H50/54—Contact arrangements
    • H01H50/546—Contact arrangements for contactors having bridging contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
    • H01H50/16—Magnetic circuit arrangements
    • H01H50/18—Movable parts of magnetic circuits, e.g. armature
    • H01H50/30—Mechanical arrangements for preventing or damping vibration or shock, e.g. by balancing of armature
    • H01H50/305—Mechanical arrangements for preventing or damping vibration or shock, e.g. by balancing of armature damping vibration due to functional movement of armature

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of electrical circuits and, more particularly, to an electromagnetically actuated device for repeatedly establishing and interrupting an electric circuit.
  • Control panel space has become a prime concern in control system design.
  • the relatively large space required for the installation of control devices rated at the 600 volt level has aggravated the space problem.
  • the control device or relay of the invention has been designed primarily for use at control potential levels up to 300 volts, although somewhat higher levels may be employed under industrial conditions with a simple adjustment of pole spacing.
  • the relay provides a substantial space saving economy over relays rated at 600 volts and a saving over other relays rated at lower control potential levels.
  • Each pole is a unit completely separate from and readily removable from the relay base.
  • the pole unit is attached to the base with a simultaneous connection of the pole leads. This is accomplished by merely turning a pair of screws located at opposite ends of the pole unit.
  • the pole unit comprises a plastic housing which encloses and protects both the stationary and movable contacts from contamination.
  • the movable contacts enclosed within the housing arc of a bifurcated construction to provide multiple current flow paths through the pole unit and to thereby assure contact continuity and reliability.
  • Various types of contacts and contact material are usable with the pole unit of the invention.
  • the terminal ends of the stationary contacts project from opposite ends of the housing.
  • a screw and wire clamp connected to each terminal end provide a means for attaching the electrical leads to the unit and a means for securing the unit to the relay base.
  • the control device of the invention offers versatility not found in any known relays.
  • the relay is freely usable in circuits requiring any number of poles from one to eight. Any combination of normally open or normally closed poles may be utilized.
  • the standard four pole relay may be readily converted to an eight pole relay without removing the relay base from a control panel upon which it may be mounted.
  • the armature of the raley carries a thermoplastic operating yoke which may be a single yoke in four pole applications or a double yoke in eight pole applications.
  • a thermoplastic operating yoke which may be a single yoke in four pole applications or a double yoke in eight pole applications.
  • the bobbin is formed with three vertically projecting fingers which engage pads formed on the bottom of the frame when the frame is secured to the relay case.
  • the pads are provided on the base in a manner such that pole housing frame can be secured to the case in either of two positions. Only two screws are required to securely connect the pole housing frame to the relay case and, simultaneously therewith, to secure to bobbin, coil and magnetic core element in the case.
  • the bottom of the magnetic core element upon which the bobbin is supported is provided with a resilient mounting to reduce electromagnetic vibration and chatter to the barest minimum under operating conditions.
  • a combination of slotted and unslotted mounting feet which are formed at diagonally opposite ends of the base are provided to facilitate installation on crowded control panels.
  • the relay and all of its components have been designed to reduce the number of parts required to simplify and make possible the replacement of any and all parts of the relay under conditions requiring a minimum of skill and time.
  • the coil, the pole housing and the movable contact actuating plunger of the relay may be made in colors distinguishing them for their particular application.
  • the relay of the invention may include a latching lever mechanism at the option of the user, which acts in response to a torsion means to maintain the pole operating yoke in operative contact with the movable contact actuating plungers of the pole unit.
  • the latch magnet is energized to move a shaft downwardly into engagement with an arm of the latch lever which results in the disengagement of the latch lever from the yoke and permits the yoke to rise when the relay coil is tie-energized.
  • the invention therefore provides a smaller relay for use at reduced control potential levels.
  • the relay utilizes readily replaceable and convertible pole units, the movable contact of which are enclosed in a protective housing.
  • a four pole relay may be readily converted to an eight pole relay, and any number and combination (from one to eight) of normally open and normally closed poles may be employed with the latter.
  • the coil supporting bobbin is constructed in a manner such that the coil terrninals can be attached without being riveted to the bobbin or molded integrally thereto, and the finger projections thereof insure that the coil can be positively secured within the case.
  • the latching device is a simple means for maintaining the operative condition of the relay without the expenditure of an appreciable amount of power.
  • FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the relay of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the relay of the invention illustrating the manual installation therein of a pole unit
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the relay showing the elements thereof;
  • FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pole unit of the invention with normally open contacts
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view of the pole unit taken along line 55 of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is an end view of the pole unit
  • FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of a pole unit of the invention having normally closed contacts
  • FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the relay of the invention with parts broken away to illustrate the resilient mounting of the electromagnet and the simultaneous connection of the pole unit to a lead and to the relay case;
  • FIG. 9 is a fragmentary end view of the bobbin of the invention illustrating the snap-in terminal connection thereto;
  • FIG. 10 is a front elevation of the latching device of the invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the latching device taken along line 11-11 of FIG, 10.
  • the control device or relay 1 of the invention is shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings as it would appear just prior to installation on a control panel.
  • the relay 1 comprises a case 2 which is molded from a phenolic resin material.
  • a slotted mounting foot 3 is molded integrally into the case 2.
  • the pole housing frame 4 is shown in combination with four readily installed and removed pole units 5.
  • a latch assembly support member 6 which serves in a dual capacity as a latching device support and as a relay cover is attached to the pole housing frame 4.
  • An electromechanical latching device 7 is secured to the latch assembly support 6.
  • FIG. 2 The simple and quick manual installation of a pole unit 5 into the pole housing frame 4 is shown in FIG. 2.
  • a second panel mounting foot 8 which is also molded as an integral portion of case 2, is bored on its axis to receive a captive mounting screw.
  • Mounting foot 8 is located diagonally opposite the slotted mounting foot 3 as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • the captive mounting screw supplied with non-slotted mounting foot 8 simplifies the control panel mounting of the relay.
  • one screw may be partially threaded into the panel.
  • Slotted foot 3 is hooked over the screw, and the captive mounting screw of foot 8 is threaded into the panel. The mounting procedure is completed when the screws of both mounting feet 3 and 8 are made fast to the panel.
  • a number of relays 1 can be mounted side by side in parallel horizontal rows. The small space between such rows can be utilized as a wire trough. Due to the compactness and design of the relay, only a minimum spacing is required between adjacent relays and relay rows greatly simplifying the maintenance thereof.
  • FIG. 3 The individual elements of the relay are shown in FIG. 3 in an exploded view of the relay of the invention.
  • a generally E-shaped magnet 9 consisting of a plurality of stacked magnetically permeable laminations of siliconsteel riveted together is designed to be inserted into case 2 and to be resiliently, but securely, supported within the case by mounting means provided in the bottom thereof.
  • the E-shaped magnet 9 serves as the stationary magnet portion of the electromagnet of relay 1.
  • a pair of shading coils 10 are positioned within slots machined into the tops of the outermost anms of magnet 9 and are resiliently bonded thereto. The shading coils are employed to reduce chatter present in the AG. operation of an electromagnet.
  • a bobbin 11 made of a strong non-conducting thermoplastic material such as nylon, is designed to be inserted over the central leg or arm of magnet 9.
  • a coil winding 12 is wound upon bobbin 11 and is covered with a moisture-resistant tape.
  • While the instant relay is designed primarily for use in control applications requiring contral potential levels of 300'volts and below, coils are usually supplied for the particular voltage level required in a specific circuit. Therefore, coils are generally available for use at voltage levels of -120 at frequencies of 50 and 60 cycles and 208-230 at frequencies of 50 or 60 cycles. However, a variety of coils at less commonly employed voltage and frequency levels up to 440 volts may be supplied for use in the relay of the invention. Each coil is provided with a color coded means to distinguish it from others rated for use at different control potential levels.
  • the ends 13 of the coil are soldered at 14 to coal terminals 15 which protrude out of case 2 on the same side as the slotted mounting foot 3.
  • Bobbin 11 is molded with a series of projections 16 and a flange 17 extending from the top thereof.
  • a portion of the projection 15 which protrudes from flange 17, as may be seen in FIGURE 1, is visible from the exterior of case 2. This portion may be colored or provided with other readily recognizable means to identify the various voltage levels attainable with the coil 12 being employed.
  • the flange portion 17 includes a pair of spaced vertically extending channels 18 which open at the top of the flange.
  • the terminal 15 comprises a metal strip formed in a generally L-shaped configuration.
  • the lower end of the L-shaped strip is formed with laterally projecting shoulder engaging extensions 21 which taper inwardly and downwardly to a constricted neck portion 22 and to which coil end 13 is soldered at 14.
  • the terminal end 13 of coal 12 is first soldered to the bottom portion of the terminal 15.
  • the portion of the strip formed with extension 21 is forced into channel 18.
  • the material forming the channel walls is designed to resiliently respond to extending stress exerted thereupon by extensions 21.
  • the channel walls resiliently respond to the reduction in stress previously exerted thereupon by the extensions 21 and return to their normal cross-sectional dimension. This acts to securely and rigidly retain the end of terminal to which the coil end 13 is soldered in channel 18 of bobbin flange 17.
  • This snapping-in method of attaching the terminal to the bobbin permits the realization of substantial manufacturing economics. Normally, such terminals would be molded into the bobbin when the bobbin was formed. To attach the coil lead to such a molded-in terminal, a diflicult and costly soldering operation is required. An alternative method of attaching terminals which is in common use, requires the riverting of the terminal to the bobbin. This riveting operation has been found to be expensive and the results are often not reliable as the terminal tends to gradually work loose under conditions of continuous or excessive vibration.
  • the snap-in method of the invention provides a means whereby the coil ends 13 may be soldered to the terminal 15 prior to installation of the terminal in channel 18 of bobbin flange 17. After the soldering operation has been completed, the terminal may then be easily and securely snapped into the flange.
  • a wire clamp 23 and locking screw 24 are provided at the ends of coil terminals 15. As is shown in FIG. 8, the clamp and screw act to connect the coil 12 to the leads 25 of a power circuit (not shown).
  • the series of bobbin projections 16 are designed to be engaged by the bottom portion of housing 4 when the housing is secured to the case.
  • the projections 16 cooperate with the housing 4 to force magnet 9 securely against its resilient mounting and to minimize the undesirable effects of electromagnetic vibration on the relay elements.
  • the top of the bobbin 11 is also provided with an annular raised portion 26. This serves to retain an end of a non-magnetic compression spring 27 which is positioned between the bobbin and generally I-shaped armature 28 or movable element of the electromagnet of the relay which is generally fabricated from laminations of silicon steel. Spring 27 acts to maintain the separation of the armature 28 and the magnet 9 when coil 12 is in a de-energized condition.
  • Yoke 29 comprises a generally fiat base portion 30 which is molded over armature 29 and the rivets thereof which secure the laminations and protrude laterally from the body of the armature.
  • a yoke portion 31 extends upwardly from base 30 and produces the complete yoke enclosure 29.
  • a ridge 32 is molded into the exterior surface of the yoke portion 31 of yoke 29. Thevertically extending portions of ridge 32 complement guide channels 33 molded into pole housing 4 and act to control the vertical movement of the armature actuated yoke 29 with respect to the pole housing.
  • the horizontally extending portion of ridge 32 is formed with a pad section 34 which acts in 'co-operation with a latching device 7, as is shown in FIG. 11, to maintain the relay in an operative condition though coil 12 is de-energized or, otherwise, inoperative.
  • Projections 35 molded into yoke 29 act as means for manually actuating the relay.
  • a double yoke 36 is shown in FIG. 3. This yoke 36 is employed in relays utilizing a pair of vertically stacked pole housing frames 4 in combination with two groups of pole units 5. Up to four pole units may be secured in each housing whereby up to a total of eight pole units may be employed with each relay and all of which pole units are operable through a single electromagnet and a yoke 36.
  • Pole housing frame 4 is shown in FIG. 3 to be formed with a series of spaced pole unit mounting blocks 37, each of which is provided with threaded apertures to receive screws from pole unit 5.
  • the underside of pole housing frame 4 is provided with a series of spaced pads 38 which are adapted to engage the projections 16 of the bobbin 11 when the housing is secured to the case.
  • the pads 38 on each side of the housing frame are symmetri- 6 cally aligned to permit the attachment of the housing frame to the case 2 in either of two positions.
  • a pair of screws 39 located at diagonally opposite corners of the housing frame 4 are threaded into openings 40 in case 2. Screws 39 act to secure the housing frames 4 to case 2 and, simultaneously therewith, through projections 16 and pads 38, to resiliently secure the bobbin 11 and the magnet 9 in position.
  • the resilient mounting of the stationary E-shaped magnet 9 may be best viewed in FIG. 8.
  • a rubber-type or resilient plastic pad 41 is shown mounted on the base of case 2.
  • the pads 38 of the pole housing frame 4 engage the top portion of projections 16 and resiliently bias bobbin 11 and magnet 9 against resilient pad 41 on the bottom of case 2.
  • a cover plate 42 is secured to the housing 4 by a pair of screws 43.
  • Cover plate 42 is formed from a vinyl plastic or similar material, which can be marked by pencil or pen for purposes of identification, and with a pair of openings 44 through which yoke projections 35 extend for manual operation of yoke 29.
  • each pole unit 5 consists of a generally elongated contact housing 45 which is formed into a pair of symmetrical pieces 46 and 47.
  • the symmetrical housing halves or pieces are secured together by rivets 48.
  • the halves 46 and 47 of the contact housing 45 are riveted together, they produce a central enclosure 49 which contains and protects the movable and stationary contacts of pole unit 5.
  • the top portions of the outer ends of contacts housing 45 when riveted together, serve as shields for the terminal ends of the pole unit.
  • the material generally used in molding the contact housing pieces is a non-conducting plastic, such as melamine.
  • a contact actuating and yoke actuated plunger 50 made of thermoplastic material is positioned within the central encolsure 49 of contact housing 45 and projects through openings 51 and 52 in the top and bottom thereof respectively.
  • the extent of vertical movement of the plunger 50 within enclosure 49 is controlled by a retaining ring 53 located near the uppermost portion of the plunger within enclosure 49.
  • Plunger 50 is notched on its axis to permit insertion and positioning of retaining ring 53.
  • a second retaining ring 54 may be mounted adjacent bottom opening 52 of enclosure 49.
  • a pair of compression springs 55 and 56 are positioned around the central portion of plunger 50 and on opposite sides of a movable bifurcated contact element 57.
  • the contact element is restrained from vertical movement in one direction by a shoulder on plunger 50.
  • Spring 55 is retained at one end of the plunger by retaining ring 53 and contact element 57, while spring 56 is retained at the other end by element 57 and retaining ring 54.
  • the bifurcated construction of movable contact element 57 may be best viewed in FIG. 5. As is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, the outer ends of bifurcated contact element 57 are slightly bowed. This how forms about a 2 angle with the horizontal plane of the element with a permissible tolerance of about plus or minus a degree. The combination of the thin material from which element 57 is made and the bowing of the ends thereof acts to produce a small, but effective, degree of contact wipe when the movable contact element 57 is flattened out against a stationary contact. This wiping action increases the effectiveness and reliability of the electrical contact obtainable from the pole unit 5.
  • Element 57 is provided with four contact tips 58, each of which is riveted to the bowed end of a leg of the bifurcated contact element.
  • the bifurcated contact element 57 acts to provide multiple current flow paths through the pole unit which thereby produce substantially improved contact reliability.
  • the bifurcated contact element itself is made of a silver plated beryllium-copper alloy, and the contact tips 58 are generally made of gold bonded silver.
  • the gold bonding of the contact tips 58 acts to prevent the formation of non-conducting oxides or sulfides on the silver tips during periods of storage thereby assuring initial contact continuity even after long periods of shelf life.
  • Contact tips may be supplied in silver, silver alloy, or noble metal depending on particular usage.
  • plunger 50 is made in various colors to permit immediate identification of the type of contact tips employed in the unit.
  • Contact members 59 of pole unit are fabricated from a phosphor-bronze material to which is aifixed, through edge-lay construction, silver or silver alloy. The complete surface of contact member 59 is then gold bonded. As is best viewed in FIG. 5, each of the contact members 59 is formed with notched out portions 60 and 61 be tween the ends thereof. These notched out portions are engaged by surfaces of the housing pieces 46 and 47 when the contact housing is assembled.
  • the portion of contact member 59 positioned in contacting relation with the contact tips 58 of bifurcated contact element 57 comprises stationary contact 62 of pole unit 5 while the opposite end thereof comprises the terminal or circuit connecting end 63 of contact member 59.
  • the terminal end 63 of the stationary contact is provided with a captive wire clamp 64 which is formed with a tongue which projects through a slot in terminal end 63.
  • a dual purpose screw 65 maintaining clamp 64 captive with respect to terminal end 63 of contact member 59 is, in turn, held captive therein by the partially enclosed ends of the assembled halves 46 and 47 of housing 45.
  • the leads 66 to a circuit (not shown) to be controlled by the pole unit may be simultaneously connected to the terminal end 63 of contact member 59 as the dual purpose screw is threaded into block 37 and wire clamp 64 forces lead 66 into firm electrical contact with terminal end 63.
  • pole unit shown in FIG. 4 illustrates a normally open contact.
  • the fragmentary view of the pole unit in FIG. 7 is illustrative of a unit having normally closed contacts.
  • normally open and normally closed contacts can be provided by merely reversing the position of the bifurcated contact element 57 on plunger 50. This permits the realization of appreciable manufacturing economies in the assembly of pole units.
  • Pole units with normally open contacts can be made to be readily distinguished from pole units having normally closed contacts by appropriately coloring the housing of the respective units for easy identification.
  • the relay of the invention is operated by energizing coil 12 through lead 25.
  • the current in the coil acts to magnetize the E-shaped stationary magnet 9.
  • the magnetic field produced by magnet 9 exerts an attracting force on armature 28 which overcomes the resistance of non-magnetic spring 27 causing the armature to move vertically downwardly and into contact with magnet 9.
  • the yoke portion 31 of yoke 29 engages the portion of plunger which projects from the top opening 51 .of the central enclosure 49 of the pole unit during its downward movement.
  • the plunger 50 engaged by yoke portion 31 is fully depressed, the contact 57 in FIG. 4, which is normally open in its inoperative condition, is closed and flattened against contact 62 in operation by plunger 50; and conversely, the normally closed contacts of FIG. 7 are opened by the depression of plunger 50.
  • the electromagnet and yoke of the standard unit shown in FIG. 3 can operate any combination of one, two, three or four pole units of either the normally open or normally closed variety irrespective of the type of contacts employed.
  • the pole units controlled by the yoke 29 can be operated irrespective of the energization of the coil 12.
  • the standard four pole relay can be readily converted into an eight pole relay. This would produce a relay capable of utilizing a group of up to four pole units at one level and a second group of up to four pole units at a level spaced thereabove.
  • the conversion of a standard four pole relay to an eight pole relay can be accomplished while the relay is mounted upon a control panel; it can be accomplished quickly; and the conversion requires only a minimum of skill.
  • any combination of normally open and normally closed pole units, from one to eight may be employed.
  • coil 12 may be changed according to the voltage requirement of the control system by merely removing the pole housing frame 4 and spring 27 and replacing the bobbin-coil assembly with one rated at a higher or lower Voltage; that single pole units of one type may be readily replaced by pole units of another type, by removing only the dual purpose screws from blocks 37 of the pole housing; and that the standard four pole relay may be converted to a relay which can utilize from one to eight poles merely by substituting yoke 36 for yoke 29 and adding a pole housing to the original assembly; it becomes readily apparent that the relay of the invention offers nearly unlimited flexibility and adaptability to a wide variety of control uses.
  • any changes required after the relay has been installed on a control panel can be made in a minimum amount of time and with a minimum amount of skill thereby substantially reducing changeover and repair costs of users.
  • the numbers of combinations of these elements usable can be increased without danger of confusion.
  • relay While the relay is designed primarily for use at control potential levels up to 300 volts, provision can be made in the relay of the invention to accommodate poten tial levels up to 440 volts. This can be accomplished by mounting pole units in every other mounting position in the pole housing 4, leaving alternate positions vacant.
  • the latching device 7 is designed to mechanically maintain the yoke of the relay in an operative relation with the pole units regardless of the condition of coil 12 and to be electromagnetically or manually disengaged therefrom.
  • the latching device comprises a latch support 6 which is mounted upon the pole housing 4 of the relay and is secured thereto by a pair of screws 67 located on diagonally opposite corners of the latch support 6.
  • pivot rod 68 On the underside of latch support 6, a pivot rod 68 is journalled in a pair of supporting blocks 69. A pair of retaining rings 70 are attached to the outer ends of pivot rod 68 and act to maintain the rod in its normal horizontal operating position. A latch 71 is connected to the pivot rod and is provided with a lever arm extension 72 extending at approximately right angles thereto.
  • a torsion spring 73 which is inserted over the pivot rod, is connected to an edge of the latch 71. The spring acts to maintain the latch under substantially constant operative tension.
  • the top of the latch support 6 carries a coil of wire windings 74 which is secured to the support by a magnet frame 75 and spring washer 76.
  • the coil of the latch is encased in a non-conducting plastic material.
  • a pair of 'terminals'77, equipped with wire clamps 78 and captive screw 79 threaded therethrough, are connected to the leads of coil 74 and are adapted to be connected into a power supply circuit (not shown).
  • a stationary magnet 80 is mounted within coil 74.
  • a compression spring 81 is mounted above the stationary magnet core 80 and acts to bias an armature 82 from contact with the stationary magnet core 80 when coil 74 is in a de-energized condition.
  • a latch actuating shaft 83 having an upwardly projecting constricted shank 84 and a shoulder 85, is suspended from armature 82 by nut 86 threaded onto shank 84. Nut 86 acts to secure the shoulder 85 of the shaft in engagement with the lower end of the armature.
  • the lower end of shaft 83 projects through latch support 6 and is restrained from upward movement with respect thereto by a retaining ring 87.
  • a plastic bushing 88 generally made of nylon, is inserted into an opening 89 in magnet frame 75 and serves to permit the smooth, non-frictional movement of armature 82 with respect to stationary magnet 80.
  • latch 71 is formed with a notch 90 and is adapted to engage, in operation, the pad section 34 on yoke 29.
  • the latch coil 74 may be energized by a current pulse through terminals 77. This magnetizes magnet 80 causing armature 82 to overcome the force of compression spring 81. Actuating shaft 83 is forced downwardly and into engagement with the lever arm extension 72 of latch 71. When actuating shaft -83 engages latch 71, the notched portion 90 of the latch is deflected from engagement with the pad 34 of the yoke thereby permiting the yoke to rise and to assume its fully elevated and inoperative position.
  • the latching device 7 produces a considerable saving in the electrical power required for the long term operation of the relay of .the invention. This results from the mechanical latching of yoke '29 when it is depressed by the energization of relay coil 12. Once the coil is energized and the yoke is latched into its depressed operating position, no further power need be supplied to the coil or to the latch to maintain the poles of the relay in an operative position. Therefore, only a current pulse of a magnitude and duration sufficient to draw the armature '28, and yoke 29 secured thereto, into contact with the stationary E-shaped magnet 9 is required to operate up to eight pole units. A continuous current supply is unnecessary.
  • a circuit controlling apparatus comprising a case, an electro-magnet positioned in the case, the electromagnet having a coil of windings supported upon a nonmagnetic bobbin and a core of magnetically permeable material, the core having a generally stationary element biased against the case and a movable element disposed opposite the stationary element and movably responsive to energization of the coil, the bobbin and coil being positioned in magnetizable relation with the core, the bobbin being formed with a plurality of terminal connector receiving receptacles, one port-ion of each receptacle having walls defining an enlarged portion, terminal connector members inserted into the receptacles, the terminal connector members having enlarged body portions disposed in fixed engagement with the walls of the receptacles defining the enlarged portion thereof, means for connecting the ends of the coil windings to the terminal connector members, means for connecting the terminal connector members in :a circuit, the bobbin having a plurality of spaced projections extending therefrom
  • a circuit controlling apparatus comprising a frame, an electromagnet positioned on-the frame, the electromagnet having a coil of windings supported upon a bobbin and a core of magnetically permeable material, the core having a generally stationary element and a movable element disposed opposite the stationary element and movable responsive to energization of the coil, the coil being positioned in magnetizable relation with one of the elements of the core, means for energizing the coil, a yoke secured to the movable core element and movable therewith on the frame in response to the energization of the coil, means provided between the sta tionary core element and the movable core element to prevent contact thereof when the coil is inoperative, a pole unit separably secured to the frame, the pole unit being separable from and connectable to the frame without the necessity of disassembling or interfering with any of the other elements of the circuit controlling apparatus; the pole unit comprising a generally stationary contact, a movable contact and means for actuating
  • the circuit controlling apparatus of claim 2 wherein the bobbin is provided with 'a plurality of terminal connector receiving receptacles, one portion of each receptacle having Walls defining an enlarged portion, and wherein terminal connector members are inserted into the receptacl-es, the terminal connector members having enlarged body portions disposed in fixed engagement with the walls of the receptacles defining the enlarged portion thereof.
  • a circuit controlling apparatus comprising a frame, an electromagnet having an electromagnetically responsive movable element positioned on the frame, means for energizing the electromagnet connected thereto, a yoke secured to the movable element of the electromagnet and movable therewith on the frame in response to the energization of the electromagnet, a pole tunit separably connected to the frame as a unitary element, the pole unit being separable from and connectable to the frame without the necessity of disassembling or interfering with the other elements of the circuit controlling apparatus, the pole unit including a generally stationary contact, a movable contact and means for making and breaking the contacts, a portion of the yoke being engageable with the making and breaking means of the pole unit, the movable contact of the pole unit being actuable in response to the movement of the yoke to assume a position with respect to the stationary contact, and means for separably connecting the pole unit in a circuit whereby the circuit may be completed or broken through the pole unit by actu
  • the circuit controlling apparatus of claim 4 including a housing and means for simultaneously and removably securing the separable pole unit to the housing and connecting the unit in a circuit to facilitate the replacement, exchanging and interchanging of the pole units.
  • the circuit controlling apparatus of claim 4 including a latching device disposed in latching relation to a portion of the yoke, the device having an arm biased to engage and maintain the yoke in an operative condition and having electromagnetically and manually actuable means for disengaging the arm from contact with the yoke whereby upon energization of the coil of the electromagnet, the movable magnet and yoke are moved relative to the coil thereby actuating the pole unit and whereby the arm of the l-atcing device engages and maintains the operative condition of the yoke until the arm engaging means of the latching device is disengaged therefrom.
  • a circuit controlling device comprising a case, an electromagnet having an electromagnetically responsive movable portion positioned in the case, means for energizing the electromagnet, a group of separately actuable and individually removable unitary pole elements secured to the case, the pole elements being individually separable from and connectable to the case without disturbing or disassembling adjacent pole elements or other elements of the circuit controlling device, the unitary pole elements including stationary contacts, movable contacts and means for connecting 'and separating the contacts, a nonconducting yoke connected to the movable portion of the electromagnet and reciprocable in the case in response to the movement of the movable portion, the yoke having means for actuating the contact connecting and separating means in response to the electromagnetically induced movement of the yoke to position the movable contacts of the unitary pole elements with respect to the stationary contacts, and means for separably connecting the pole units in circuits whereby the circuits may be completed and broken through the pole unit by actuation of the yoke.
  • circuit controlling device of claim 8 wherein means are provided on the case to receive a plurality of groups of unitary and individually separable pole elements and the yoke includes means for actuating Ia plurality of groups of pole units.
  • circuit controlling device of claim 8 including latching means positioned to actuate the yoke for simult-aneously actuating the movable contacts of theunitary pole elements whereby some circuits may be broken and others may be completed.
  • a circuit controlling device comprising a case, an electromagnet positioned at an end of the case and supported therein upon a resilient member, the electromagnet having a coil of windings supported upon a non-magnetic bobbin, the electromagnet having a generally stationary element having an E-shaped configuration and supported in the case by the resilient member, a movable element having a generally I-shaped configuration disposed opposite the stationary element and movably responsive to the energiz-ation of the coil being positioned around and in magnetizable relation with one of the legs of the stationary element of the electromagnet, terminal, connector means connected to the bobbin, means for connecting the ends of the coil windings to the terminal connector means, means for connecting the terminal connector means in a circuit, the bobbin having a plurality of spaced projections extending upwardly therefrom, a pole housing mounted upon the end of the case opposite the electromagnet, the pole housing having means thereon for establishing compressive engagement with the projections on the bobbin, means for securing
  • the circuit controlling device of claim 11 including a latching device disposed in latching relation to a portion of the yoke, thelatching device having a resiliently biased arm engageable with the yoke to maintain the yoke in operative condition andhaving electromag netically and manually operable means for disengaging the arm from contact with the yoke whereby upon energization of the electromagnet, the movable element thereof and yoke are moved relative to the pole unit thereby actuating the pole unit and whereby the arm of vthe latching device engages and maintains the operative condition of the yoke until the arm engaging means of the latching device is disengaged therefrom.
  • a pole unit comprising an elongate nonconducting housing, the housing having an opening provided between the elongate ends thereof, a plunger disposed within the opening and reciprocable therein in response to an actuating means, a contact member within the housing, the contact member being responsive to the reciprocating movement of the plunger, resilient biasing means positioned between the plunger and the contact member for maintaining the contact member in an initial operative position, terminal elements mounted at opposite ends of the elongate housing, a portion of the terminal elements protruding from opposite ends of the housing and at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the unit to permit access thereto from an angle less than normal to the axis thereof, the protruding elements being exposed.
  • honzontally accessible connecting means co-operable with and disposed adjacent to the protruding terminal portions for simultaneously connecting the pole unit in an electrical circuit and for securin-gthe .pole unit to a non-conducting base member having non-conducting mounting means disposed to complement, support and engage the angularly disposed terminal elements of the pole unit, a portion of the terminal elements projecting into the housing and into contacting proximity with respect to the contact member whereby an electrical circuit may be completed through the terminal elements and the contact member when contact between the elements and the member is established, and means for connecting the pole unit and the terminal elements in an electrical circuit.
  • the pole unit of claim 13 including means on the housing for partially enclosing the connecting means to maintain the connecting means in a captive condition with respect to the end portions of the housing.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
  • Breakers (AREA)
  • Electromagnets (AREA)
US274111A 1963-04-19 1963-04-19 Electric switch apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3238329A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US274111A US3238329A (en) 1963-04-19 1963-04-19 Electric switch apparatus
GB30444/63A GB1046794A (en) 1963-04-19 1963-07-31 Improvements in electromagnetic relays and contact arrangements therefore
DEP1267A DE1267309B (de) 1963-04-19 1964-01-15 Elektrisches Schuetz, bei dem Kontaktbruecke und Festkontakte als Baueinheit ausgebildet sind

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US274111A US3238329A (en) 1963-04-19 1963-04-19 Electric switch apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3238329A true US3238329A (en) 1966-03-01

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US274111A Expired - Lifetime US3238329A (en) 1963-04-19 1963-04-19 Electric switch apparatus

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Country Link
US (1) US3238329A (de)
DE (1) DE1267309B (de)
GB (1) GB1046794A (de)

Cited By (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3383487A (en) * 1966-07-18 1968-05-14 Wiener Robert Thin flexible magnetic switch
US3388353A (en) * 1965-10-07 1968-06-11 Smith Corp A O Electrical contactor having main circuit control contacts and auxiliary control contacts interconnected to be actuated from a common electromagnetic actuator
US3435389A (en) * 1967-04-19 1969-03-25 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Electromagnetic contactor having cam means for operating auxiliary switch
US3451018A (en) * 1967-11-24 1969-06-17 Ite Imperial Corp Contactor electromagnet
US3458838A (en) * 1967-09-25 1969-07-29 Smith Corp A O Electromagnetic contactor unit
US3506938A (en) * 1967-09-20 1970-04-14 Square D Co Current-sensing time-limit motor acceleration relay
US3517141A (en) * 1967-11-13 1970-06-23 Avis Ind Corp Limit switch
US3519967A (en) * 1967-11-30 1970-07-07 Westinghouse Electric Corp Relay with modular contact assembly
US3781727A (en) * 1970-06-03 1973-12-25 Siemens Ag Electromagnetic switching device
US3835425A (en) * 1973-11-01 1974-09-10 Square D Co Electromagnetic relay with reversible switch modules
US3882435A (en) * 1974-06-28 1975-05-06 Square D Co Latch attachment for an electromagnetically operated switching device
US3890585A (en) * 1973-04-05 1975-06-17 Cutler Hammer Inc Electrical switching apparatus
US4980801A (en) * 1988-05-20 1990-12-25 La Telemecanique Electrique Protection module for a contact-maker electromagnet
US5021760A (en) * 1989-10-03 1991-06-04 Clum Manufacturing Company, Inc. Solenoid switch contact and mounting assembly
FR2703185A1 (fr) * 1993-03-25 1994-09-30 Telemecanique Appareil interrupteur électromagnétique.
US5488337A (en) * 1993-08-05 1996-01-30 Hubbard; Dean A. Circuit breaker with distribution lug terminal having trapped insulator
US5534832A (en) * 1993-03-25 1996-07-09 Telemecanique Switch
US5933064A (en) * 1997-10-15 1999-08-03 Allen-Bradley Company, Llc Electromagnetic contactor with displaceable bobbin
US20020158729A1 (en) * 2001-04-25 2002-10-31 Sudarshan Allada Electromagnetic contactor and method for eliminating errors in assembling the same
US20030114078A1 (en) * 2001-12-11 2003-06-19 3M Innovative Properties Company Method for gasket removal
FR2838556A1 (fr) * 2002-04-10 2003-10-17 Schneider Electric Ind Sa Appareil electrique interrupteur
EP1235015A3 (de) * 2001-02-26 2004-03-17 Woodward Governor Company Elektromagnet mit Haltevorrichtung aus Kunststoff
US20050151606A1 (en) * 2003-12-22 2005-07-14 Omron Corporation Electromagnetic relay
US20050219019A1 (en) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-06 Hans Braun Relay with self-resilient contact bridge
US20110205003A1 (en) * 2007-08-07 2011-08-25 Bardo Koppmann Electromagnetic switching device having a plurality of areas graduated relative to one another
US9368266B2 (en) 2014-07-18 2016-06-14 Trumpet Holdings, Inc. Electric solenoid structure having elastomeric biasing member
CN113196431A (zh) * 2018-11-12 2021-07-30 伊顿智能动力有限公司 开关

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102007048424B3 (de) * 2007-10-09 2009-06-18 Siemens Ag Kontaktträgereinheiten eines Schaltgerätes sowie Schaltgerät

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US2794093A (en) * 1954-01-28 1957-05-28 Morschel Franz Multi-pole relay switches
US2930859A (en) * 1956-03-29 1960-03-29 Cutler Hammer Inc Electric switches
US2951922A (en) * 1958-11-07 1960-09-06 Vapor Heating Corp Electrical contactor assembly
US3102935A (en) * 1959-09-25 1963-09-03 Oerlikon Engineering Company Electromagnetic air contactor

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DE1127994B (de) * 1958-12-24 1962-04-19 Spindler & O Deissler E Elektrisches Schuetz
DE1113500B (de) * 1959-04-25 1961-09-07 Starkstrom Schaltgeraetefabrik Elektrisches Schaltgeraet

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1050228A (en) * 1911-02-20 1913-01-14 Crouse Hinds Co Electric alarm system.
US2419071A (en) * 1944-05-02 1947-04-15 Gen Electric Electromagnet
US2419072A (en) * 1945-06-08 1947-04-15 Gen Electric Electric switch
US2794093A (en) * 1954-01-28 1957-05-28 Morschel Franz Multi-pole relay switches
US2930859A (en) * 1956-03-29 1960-03-29 Cutler Hammer Inc Electric switches
US2951922A (en) * 1958-11-07 1960-09-06 Vapor Heating Corp Electrical contactor assembly
US3102935A (en) * 1959-09-25 1963-09-03 Oerlikon Engineering Company Electromagnetic air contactor

Cited By (34)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3388353A (en) * 1965-10-07 1968-06-11 Smith Corp A O Electrical contactor having main circuit control contacts and auxiliary control contacts interconnected to be actuated from a common electromagnetic actuator
US3383487A (en) * 1966-07-18 1968-05-14 Wiener Robert Thin flexible magnetic switch
US3435389A (en) * 1967-04-19 1969-03-25 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Electromagnetic contactor having cam means for operating auxiliary switch
US3506938A (en) * 1967-09-20 1970-04-14 Square D Co Current-sensing time-limit motor acceleration relay
US3458838A (en) * 1967-09-25 1969-07-29 Smith Corp A O Electromagnetic contactor unit
US3517141A (en) * 1967-11-13 1970-06-23 Avis Ind Corp Limit switch
US3451018A (en) * 1967-11-24 1969-06-17 Ite Imperial Corp Contactor electromagnet
US3519967A (en) * 1967-11-30 1970-07-07 Westinghouse Electric Corp Relay with modular contact assembly
US3781727A (en) * 1970-06-03 1973-12-25 Siemens Ag Electromagnetic switching device
US3890585A (en) * 1973-04-05 1975-06-17 Cutler Hammer Inc Electrical switching apparatus
US3835425A (en) * 1973-11-01 1974-09-10 Square D Co Electromagnetic relay with reversible switch modules
US3882435A (en) * 1974-06-28 1975-05-06 Square D Co Latch attachment for an electromagnetically operated switching device
US4980801A (en) * 1988-05-20 1990-12-25 La Telemecanique Electrique Protection module for a contact-maker electromagnet
AT398677B (de) * 1988-05-20 1995-01-25 Telemecanique Electrique Schutzmodul für elektromagnete von schaltvorrichtungen
US5021760A (en) * 1989-10-03 1991-06-04 Clum Manufacturing Company, Inc. Solenoid switch contact and mounting assembly
FR2703185A1 (fr) * 1993-03-25 1994-09-30 Telemecanique Appareil interrupteur électromagnétique.
US5534832A (en) * 1993-03-25 1996-07-09 Telemecanique Switch
US5488337A (en) * 1993-08-05 1996-01-30 Hubbard; Dean A. Circuit breaker with distribution lug terminal having trapped insulator
US5933064A (en) * 1997-10-15 1999-08-03 Allen-Bradley Company, Llc Electromagnetic contactor with displaceable bobbin
EP1235015A3 (de) * 2001-02-26 2004-03-17 Woodward Governor Company Elektromagnet mit Haltevorrichtung aus Kunststoff
US20020158729A1 (en) * 2001-04-25 2002-10-31 Sudarshan Allada Electromagnetic contactor and method for eliminating errors in assembling the same
US20030114078A1 (en) * 2001-12-11 2003-06-19 3M Innovative Properties Company Method for gasket removal
FR2838556A1 (fr) * 2002-04-10 2003-10-17 Schneider Electric Ind Sa Appareil electrique interrupteur
EP1548781A3 (de) * 2003-12-22 2008-02-13 Omron Corporation Elektromagnetisches Relais
US7023306B2 (en) * 2003-12-22 2006-04-04 Omron Corporation Electromagnetic relay
US20050151606A1 (en) * 2003-12-22 2005-07-14 Omron Corporation Electromagnetic relay
US20050219019A1 (en) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-06 Hans Braun Relay with self-resilient contact bridge
US7598831B2 (en) * 2004-03-31 2009-10-06 Robert Bosch Gmbh Relay with self-resilient contact bridge
US20110205003A1 (en) * 2007-08-07 2011-08-25 Bardo Koppmann Electromagnetic switching device having a plurality of areas graduated relative to one another
US8305170B2 (en) * 2007-08-07 2012-11-06 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Electromagnetic switching device having a plurality of areas graduated relative to one another
US9368266B2 (en) 2014-07-18 2016-06-14 Trumpet Holdings, Inc. Electric solenoid structure having elastomeric biasing member
CN113196431A (zh) * 2018-11-12 2021-07-30 伊顿智能动力有限公司 开关
CN113196431B (zh) * 2018-11-12 2024-05-07 伊顿智能动力有限公司 开关
US12412709B2 (en) 2018-11-12 2025-09-09 Eaton Intelligent Power Limited Switch disconnector for manually switching a number of electrical contacts

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1046794A (en) 1966-10-26
DE1267309B (de) 1968-05-02

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