US3430168A - Electrical quick-break switch - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 25, 1969 H. EHRENBERG ELECTRICAL QUICK BREAK SWITCH Filed Aug. 25, 1966 United States Patent Us; (:1. 335-205 Int. (:1. Htllh 1/12, 9/54 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electric quick-break switch with a magnetic contact-making device, in which a switch magnet pivotable about an axle effects a contact member pivotable in the same plane as that of the switch magnet and disposed at the end face of the magnet.

The known structures of such electrical quick-break switches have drawbacks as to their manufacture and as to their function. In addition to the switch magnet, another magnet is provided at the contact member, which responds to the magnetic field of the switch magnet. The structures are thereby very expensive as to their manufacture and also unfavorable as to their mounting. In addition, the drawback occurs that, in spite of the two magnets operating upon each other, no satisfactory quickbreak switching of the contact member can be obtained, the latter in particular owing to the stray field of the two magnets leading also to the start of the reversal procedure.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an electrical quick-break switch, wherein, in spite of its simple structure, nevertheless, performs an absolutely instantaneous quick-break switching.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrical quick-break switch, wherein a U-shaped contact member, pivoted at its U-peak is directed with its narrow edged end faces towards the switching magnet, and with its wide faces pointing to contact-and abutmentpins, forms the contact places.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an electrical quick-break switch, wherein the distance between the U-leg members of the contact member is adjustable.

It is, furthermore, another object of the present invention to provide an electrical quick-break switch, wherein a set screw projects through the U-leg members, which set screw carries a pressure spring, the ends of which engage the inner faces of the U-leg members.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electrical quick-break switch, wherein the peak of the U-shaped contact members is formed to a bearing eye, which surrounds a bearing bolt of the contact member connected with a connecting clamp.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an electrical quick-break switch, wherein the two outside disposed wide faces of the contact member are equipped with a contact rib which forms with its round formation disposed laterally from its peak, the contact point.

In view of the structure set forth above, according to the present invention, an electrical quick-break switch is produced which is technically economical to manufacture and also preferred as to its use, which quick-break switch constitutes to the greatest extent an instantaneous quickbreak switch. One single switch magnet is merely required. The latter works in the small edged end face of the U-shaped contact member. The corresponding bundles of the magnetic field towards the engaging face of the contact member provide a sufficiently high contact pressure and the desired instantaneous reversal by displacement of the contact member.

The adjustment of the distance between the U-leg members renders possible thereby, in the simplest manner, the instantaneous reversal timing. The special mounting of the U-shaped contact member in connection with the fact, that the bearing bolt of the contact member itself provides the current feeding, permits the structure to be appreciably simplified. The ribs on the outer wide faces of the leg members of the U-shaped contact member bring about favorable contact faces, particularly a favorable appreciable contact pressure. The fact, that the round formations of the ribs disposed laterally from their peak form the contact points, causes resulting from the magnetic pulling force, simultaneously also an increased pulling effect on the U-shaped contact member. This pulling effect assures, even considering a certain play between I the bearing bolts of the contact members and the bearing eye of the contact members, a good contact with a low transmission resistance.

With these and other objects in view which will become apparent in the following detailed description, the present invention will be clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a cross-section of the quick-break switch showing a first embodiment thereof;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the quick-break switch, its cover being removed for the purpose of a better demonstration;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the switch socket;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, of a second embodiment of the operation mechanism; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the showing in FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawing, the quick-break switch comprises a socket 1 in which are secured the contact carriers 2, 3 and 4, which are formed simultaneously as cable connecting clamps. The contact 2 is formed as a bearing bolt 5. It carries a contact member 6. The latter is of U-shape and is produced of a material having magnetic characteristics. The peak of the U-shaped contact member 6 is formed to a bearing eye. The latter assures the necessary ready pivoting for the contact member 6 by means of an intermediate sleeve 22.

The U-leg member 6' and 6" are equipped at their outside disposed wide faces with contact ribs 7 and 8, respectively. The latter have a semi-cylindrical cross-section and cooperate with cylindrical contact-and abutment- pins 9 and 10, respectivcely. The latter are a part of the contact carriers 3 and 4. Sleeves 26 are mounted on the pins 9 and 10, respectively.

In a position opposite to the contact member 6 is disposed a spindle 12. The latter is mounted in the socket 1 and in a cover 11. A section of the spindle 12 emerges from the cover 11 and is formed as a handle. The spindle 12 is pressed towards a shoulder 14 by means of a pressure spring 13, which shoulder 14 serves as an upper limiting abutment.

A magnet holder 16 is secured on the spindle 12. The magnet holder 16 carries a permanent magnet 17 directed towards the narrow edged end faces 6" and 6" of the contact member 6.

The spindle 12 is designed, in accordance with the showing of FIG. 1, as a splined shaft. The lower spindle section guides itself in a guide plate 15 retained in the socket 1 and formed complementary to the configuration of the spindle 12. The spindle 12 is, thus, safe against rotation. While, in the lower range of the spindle 12, the wedges run parallel to the spindle axis, the upper Wedge sections are changed to form a turn. The magnet holder 16 has likewise a guide plate 18 equipped with corresponding grooves and has likewise a configuration complementary to the spindle 12.

If the spindle 12 is pushed downwardly against the effect of the pressure spring 13, the magnet holder 16 performs a rotary movement about the spindle 12 from its original position a to the switched position b. By the change of positions occurring thereby of the permanent magnet 17, the contact member 6 is moved by attracting the corresponding end face by this magnet. In the present case, the contact carriers 2 and 3 are closed. -If the pressure on the spindle 12 is released and the spring 13 is discharged, the latter pushes the spindle 12 back until it reaches the abutment 1 4. The magnet holder 16 returns from the position b to the position a. The contact carriers 2 and 4 are closed.

The contact ribs 7 and '8 disposed on the outside arranged wide faces of the U-legs 6 and 6" are set off from the direction of movement relative to the contact-and abutment- pins 9 and 10. The contact ribs 7 and 8 form accordingly with the roundings 7 and 8' disposed laterally from its peak the contact points, so that during any abutment a section between the contacts is created, through which the finest melting scars are smoothed out with each contact closure. The set otf contact ribs 7 and 8 cause, jointly with the magnetic force, the contact member 6 to engage rigidly the bearing pin of the contact member 6 along a line. Thus, a line contact between all contact points is obtained.

The contact member 6 is furthermore equipped with a set screw 19 by which the distance of the U-legs 6 and 6 of the switching member 6 can be varied. The set screw 19 projects thereby through both U-members 6 and 6" of the contact member 6. It carries a pressure spring 29, the ends of which engage the inner faces of the U- le-gs 6' and 6". A nut 33 of the set screw 19 is secured against rotation, due to the Z-shaped angular arrangement of the U-legs 6". By adjustment of the distances of the end faces, the switching time point can be varied. This can be of advantage, for instance, if a plurality of switches are to be set to the same time operation. Such adjustment does not interfere with the easy swinging movement of the contact member 6 on the bearing pin 5, particularly due to the intermediate position of the sleeve 22.

For the avoidance of larger friction faces for the contact member 6, also in the radial direction, a spacer member 23 is formed on the cover 11.

For their attachment, the contact carriers 2, 3 and 4 are equipped with a threaded section for holding nuts 25.

A holding screw 27 anchored in the socket 1 projects through the cover 11 for the application of a holding nut 28.

The receiving bore for the spindle 12 can be covered by means of a cover 30, which is secured to the socket 1 by means of a screw bolt 31. The cover 30 provides simultaneously the lower limit for the axial displacement of the spindle 12 and the spring bearing for the pressure spring 13.

Bores 34 and 35 serve the purpose of securing the quickbreak switch.

Referring now again to the drawing, and in particular to FIGS. 4 and 5, an operating mechanism is disclosed, which constitutes a second embodiment of the quickbreak switch.

On the spindle 12' which is equipped with grooves parallel to the longitudinal axis, there is disposed a switching lever 20 arranged at any chosen angle about the spindle axis, which switch lever 20 renders possible the operation of the switch from any selected horizontal direction. The switching lever 20 is forked on the spindle side and is equipped with a clamping screw 32 which permits a radial and axial adjustment of the switching lever 20.

. A ring hook spring 21, one end of which is hooked in the socket 1 and the other end of which is hooked in the magnet holder 16, maintains the magnet holder 16 in its original position.

The spindle 12 supports itself in accordance with the second embodiment directly on the cover 30.

While I have disclosed several embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that these embodiments are given by example only and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the present invention being determined by the objects and the claims.

I claim:

1. An electric quick break switch, comprising a socket,

a switch magnet pivotally mounted about an axis on said socket,

a contact member made of a material which is itself magnetically attracted, and disposed adjacent an end face of said switch magnet and pivotable in the same plane as the swinging plane of said switch magnet,

said contact member being substantially of U-shape and including a U-peak defining a bearing eye and two leg members having end faces,

said contact member pivotally mounted at said bearing eye on said socket and said end faces pointing toward said switch magnet,

said switch magnet being operatively disposed adjacent said contact member, said switch magnet adapted to attract at least one of said two leg members of said contact member,

contact pins including clamping means, adapted to secure wires thereto, mounted in said socket, and

said leg members of said contact member having wide faces for engagement alternately with said contact pins for opening and closing electric circuits.

2. The electrical quick break switch, as set forth in claim 1, which includes means for adjusting the distance between said leg members of said contact member.

3. The electrical quick break switch, as set forth in claim 1 which includes a set screw extending through said leg members, and

a pressure spring surrounding said set screw and the ends of said pressure spring engaging the inner faces of said leg members.

4. The electrical quick break switch, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said U-shaped contact member has a peak formed as a bearing eye,

a bearing bolt mounted in said contact member and connected with said wire clamping means, and

said bearing eye surrounding said bearing bolt.

5. The electrical quick break switch, as set forth in claim 1, which includes a contact rib having a round portion disposed laterally of its peak and arranged on each of said outside disposed wide faces of said contact member, and said round portion constituting contact points.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1957 Crissinger 335-207 9/1966 Wales 335-207

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