U.S. patent number 3,597,562 [Application Number 04/844,151] was granted by the patent office on 1971-08-03 for movable contact structure for an electric switch.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Square D Company. Invention is credited to Merlin Y. Turnbull.
United States Patent |
3,597,562 |
Turnbull |
August 3, 1971 |
MOVABLE CONTACT STRUCTURE FOR AN ELECTRIC SWITCH
Abstract
A movable contact structure having a movable contact member
carried on a movable contact carrier by a spring biased rotatable
plunger. The contact member has a channellike cross section and is
formed of at least two laminated metals each having different
deflection and conductive characteristics so that the weight of the
contact member may be reduced and provide a maximum conductive
ability commensurate with its resistance to bending. An end of the
plunger extends through a notched opening in the contact member so
that when the plunger is rotated to one position the contact member
may be separated from the carrier and when the plunger is rotated
to a second position, a pin on the end of the plunger engages the
material of the contact member to maintain the contact member on
the end of the plunger. The plunger also includes a portion that
acts as a piston in a bore of the contact carrier to reduce the
bounce which occurs when the movable contact surfaces on the
contact member initially engage the stationary contacts.
Inventors: |
Turnbull; Merlin Y.
(Brookfield, WI) |
Assignee: |
Square D Company (Park Ridge,
IL)
|
Family
ID: |
25291953 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/844,151 |
Filed: |
July 23, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
200/267; 200/275;
200/280; 200/288 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H
1/2008 (20130101); H01H 50/546 (20130101); H01H
1/50 (20130101); H01H 1/02 (20130101); H01H
1/2083 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01H
1/20 (20060101); H01H 50/54 (20060101); H01H
1/12 (20060101); H01H 1/00 (20060101); H01H
1/02 (20060101); H01H 1/50 (20060101); H01h
003/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;200/165,166B,166H
;335/132,196,197 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Jones; H. O.
Claims
What I claim is:
1. In an electric switch the combination comprising: a movable
contact carrier having a front surface, a rear surface, and pair of
sidewalls, a cylindrical bore having a cylindrical counterbored
portion with said bore extending between the front surface and the
rear surface and said counterbored portion extending from the rear
surface partially to the front surface to provide a spring seat
adjacent the front surface end of the bore and a pair of walls
spaced equidistantly on opposite sides of the bore and extending
forwardly of the front surface, a movable contact member movably
positioned between the walls on the front surface, said contact
member having an opening at a central portion aligned with the
opening in the front surface provided by the bore and portions
extending in opposite directions from the central portion beyond
the sidewalls carrying contact surfaces, and means for resiliently
positioning the contact member for movement between the walls and
constantly urging the contact member toward an engaging position
with the front surface, said means including an axially extending
plunger having a cylindrical portion rotatably received in the
counterbored portion, a cylindrical stem portion rotatable with the
cylindrical portion, said stem portion extending from the
cylindrical portion through the opening in the front wall and
through the opening in the central portion of the contact member to
provide a free end that is disposed forwardly of the central
portion and a stop surface on the free end engaging a forwardly
facing surface portion of the central portion of the contact
member, and a spring having coils surrounding the stem portion and
ends respectively engaging the spring seat and an end of the
cylindrical portion for constantly maintaining the engagement
between the stop surface and the contact member.
2. The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein the opening in the
central portion of the contact member is elongated by a pair of
notches extending from opposite sides of the opening along a first
axis through the center of the opening, the central portion
includes at least one pair of stops spaced on opposite sides of a
second axis through the center of the opening that extends at an
angle to the first axis and the stop surface on the free end of the
stem portion is provided by a pin that extends from opposite sides
of the plunger along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the
plunger so that when the pin is rotated to a first rotative
position wherein the axis of the pin and the first axis extend in a
common plane the portions of the pin extending from opposite sides
of the stem portion are received in the notches so that the movable
contact member may be detached from the free end and when the
plunger is rotated to a second rotative position wherein the axis
of the pin and second axis extend in a common plane the portions of
the pin will engage the central portion and the stops and thereby
position the contact member on the free end.
3. The electric switch as recited in claim 1 wherein the
combination includes a base having a slot in a rear wall of the
base and an opening extending from the slot through a front wall of
the base and a pair of stationary contacts mounted on opposite
sides of the opening in the base and a portion of the movable
contact carrier that provides the rear surface of the movable
contact carrier is movable in the slot while a portion of the
movable contact carrier providing the front surface extends through
the opening in the base forwardly of the front wall of the base so
that the contact surfaces on the contact member that is positioned
on the front surface of the movable contact carrier engages the
stationary contacts when the movable contact carrier is moved along
the axis of the plunger.
4. The combination as recited in claim 3 wherein the opening in the
central portion of the contact member is elongated by a pair of
notches extending from opposite sides of the opening along a first
axis through the center of the opening, the central portion
includes at least one pair of stops spaced on opposite sides of a
second axis through the center of the opening that extends at an
angle to the first axis and the stop surface on the free end of the
stem portion is provided by a pin that extends from opposite sides
of the plunger along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the
plunger so that when the pin is rotated to a first rotative
position wherein the axis of the pin and the first axis extend in a
common plane the portions of the pin extending from opposite sides
of the stem portion are received in the notches so that the contact
member may be detached from the free end and when the plunger is
rotated to a second rotative position wherein the axis of the pin
and the second axis extend in a common plane the portions of the
pin will engage the central portion and the stops and thereby
position the contact member on the free end.
5. The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein the contact member
is a U-shaped channel member formed of laminated metals having
different electrical conducting capabilities and different
resistances to deflection.
6. The combination as recited in claim 2 wherein the edges of the
notches are included that the pin may be readily rotated from the
first rotative position to the second rotative position and the
central portion includes two pairs of spaced stops that are
positioned on opposite sides of the opening in the central
portion.
7. The electric switch as recited in claim 3 wherein the
combination includes a spring that is positioned between the rear
surface of the movable contact carrier and a support for the switch
to supply a force for constantly urging the contact member to a
position wherein the contact surfaces on the contact member are
separated from the stationary contacts.
8. The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein the walls on the
front surface are provided by a pair of projections extending from
the front surface on opposite sides of the bore.
9. The switch assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the
cylindrical portion includes an annular groove and an O-ring seal
is positioned in the groove in sealing engagement with the
cylindrical counterbore to reduce the bounce of the contact member
when the contact surfaces of the contact member engage contact
surfaces of a pair of stationary contacts.
10. The switch assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein the
cylindrical portion includes an annular groove and an O-ring seal
is positioned in the groove in sealing engagement with the
cylindrical counterbore to reduce the bounce of the contact member
when the contact surfaces of the contact member engage contact
surfaces of a pair of stationary contacts.
Description
The present invention relates to switching devices and more
particularly to the details of construction of a movable contact
structure and support therefor in an electric switch.
The contact structure of the type with which the present invention
is concerned is particularly suited for use in electromagnetic
switching devices commonly known as contactors which are furnished
as devices of varying sizes having ratings in accordance with the
standards promulgated by the National Electrical Manufacturers
Association, commonly known as NEMA. An example of a contactor
construction which is particularly suited to control electrical
loads of 50 amperes or less, which corresponds to a NEMA Size 2
device, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,354,415, which was granted
to the inventors Joseph J. Gribble, Kenneth J. Marien and Harold E.
Whiting.
While the proportions of the device shown in the Gribble et al.
patent may be increased to control amperes greater than 50 amperes,
economic and physical size limitations dictate that additional
features should be incorporated therein if currents having a
magnitude two or three times 50 amperes are to be controlled by the
device. It is well known that any conductor is heated by the
current passing therethrough and therefore it follows that an
increase in the current controlling capability of a device requires
a corresponding increase in the cross-sectional mass of the current
carrying metal parts of the device. Inherently, any electrical
switch which relies on an abutting engagement between two metal
parts to complete an electric circuit will operate with a
phenomenon known as contact bounce, which is generated when the
movable contacts initially are in effect slammed into engagement
with the stationary contacts. Contact bounce is a well-known cause
of wear, and thus is objectionable. One possible solution which may
be used to reduce contact bounce is to employ extremely strong
springs in the movable contact structure. However, this solution is
impractical for a number of reasons, including the necessity of
requiring an operating magnet structure which would have to be
excessively large in physical size. The presence of contact bounce
is particularly objectionable in switches of larger sizes and
becomes more difficult to control because of the weight of the
movable contacts which is required to enable the switch to control
the large currents. As any conductor is heated by the current
passing therethrough, common practices which have been heretofore
followed dictated that each current carrying part in a switch be
designed to operate independently of the remaining components in
the switch and act as its own radiator for the heat generated
therein. However, in any electric switch, the components carrying
current must be in firm physical contact with each other if
overheating of the switch is to be avoided. In the contact
structure according to the present invention, the stationary
contact structures which have a large mass in relation to the
current passing therethrough are engaged by the movable contact
which has a small mass in relation to the current passing
therethrough so that the heat generated within the movable contact
will be conducted and dissipated by the stationary contact
structures. This philosophy of design is incorporated into the
movable contact structure according to the present invention
wherein the cross-sectional mass of the movable contact is reduced
to thereby reduce the problems of contact bounce. Further, as
occasionally contacts of the switching devices may require
replacement, the movable contact is carried on a rotatable pin
which when rotated to one position, will permit removal of the
movable contact and when rotated to a second position will position
the movable contact for engagement with the stationary
contacts.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a movable
contact structure which will operate with a low degree of contact
bounce and can be readily serviced.
Another object is to provide an electric switch with a movable
contact structure that includes a contact carrier having a portion
movable in a slot in an insulating base and portions extending
through openings in the base to a front surface of the base to
provide a surface on the carrier whereon the movable contact is
positioned, and to connect the movable contact to the contact
carrier by a spring biased rotatable plunger that extends through a
centrally located opening in the movable contact so that when the
plunger is rotated to one position the movable contact may be
separated from the contact carrier and when the plunger is rotated
to a second position, the plunger will be held against rotation by
surface portions on the movable contact and constantly urge the
movable contact toward the contact positioning surface on the
carrier.
Another object is to provide an electric switch with a movable
contact structure that includes a contact carrier having a portion
movable in a slot in an insulating base and portions extending
through openings in the base to a front surface of the base to
provide a surface on the carrier whereon the movable contact is
positioned, and to connect the movable contact to the contact
carrier by a spring biased rotatable plunger that extends through a
centrally located opening in the movable contact so that when the
plunger is rotated to one position the movable contact may be
separated from the contact carrier and when the plunger is rotated
to a second position, the plunger will be held against rotation by
surface portions on the movable contact and constantly urge the
movable contact toward the contact positioning surface on the
carrier and to form the movable contact from two laminated metal
parts having a U-shpaed cross section and different conducting and
resistance to deflection characteristics so that the movable
contact will have a maximum conductive ability commensurate with
its resistance to bending.
Another object is to provide an electric switch with a movable
contact structure that includes a contact carrier having a portion
movable in a slot in an insulating base and portions extending
through openings in the base to the front surface of the base to
provide a surface on the carrier whereon the movable contact is
positioned, and to connect the movable contact to the contact
carrier by a spring biased rotatable plunger that extends through a
centrally located opening in the movable contact so that when the
plunger is rotated to one position the movable contact may be
separated from the contact carrier and when the plunger is rotated
to a second position the plunger will be held against rotation by
surface portions on the movable contact and constantly urge the
movable contact toward the contact positioning surface on the
carrier and to form the movable contact from two laminated metal
parts having a U-shaped cross section and different conducting and
resistance to deflection characteristics so that the movable
contact will have a maximum conductive ability commensurate with
its resistance to bending and to provide the movable contact
carrier with a bore wherein a portion of the plunger acts as an air
piston to reduce the contact bounce when the movable contacts
engage stationary contacts that are mounted on the front surface of
the base.
Further objects and features of the invention will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art from the specification and
appended drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment in which:
FIG. 1 is a view partly in cross section illustrating an electric
switch incorporating the movable contact structure according to the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a movable contact
carrier and a movable contact as used in the switch in FIG. 1 with
certain portions of the carrier broken away.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a plunger used in the movable contact
structure in FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIGS. 4 and 5 are top and side views of the movable contact
structure used in the switch in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG.
4.
Referring to the drawing, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is
shown an electromagnetic switch assembly 20 having a plurality of
components that are stacked one upon the other. The components of
the assembly include a metal mounting plate 22, an insulating
sheetlike member 24, an insulating base 26, an insulation barrier
28, a metal housing 30, and a cover 32, each of which is disclosed
and described in an application for U.S. Pat., Ser. No. 844,148,
filed July 23, 1969.
The metal mounting plate 22 is formed of a stamped metal part and
provides a means to secure the switch assembly 20 to a vertical
panel and the like, not shown. When the plate 22 is secured to a
panel, an edge 34 becomes a bottom edge of the plate 22 and a
surface 36 the front surface of the plate 22. The plate 22 has a
pair of rearwardly extending indentations 38 along its bottom edge
34 providing a pair of spaced mounting feet having openings
therein. The plate 22 also has an indentation 40 extending across
its top edge which provides an elongated mounting foot having an
opening, not shown, therein. The mounting feet 38 and 40 with the
openings therein are provided for the purpose of securing the plate
22 to a vertical panel. The plate 22 also includes an indentation
42 which extends from the bottom edge 34 rearwardly in the front
surface 36 to the indentation 40. The indentation 42 is provided to
permit passage of control wires, not shown, from the upper to the
lower ends of the switch 20 in the space provided by the
indentation. The control wires may be connected in circuit with the
switching contacts of a device known as an overload relay, in a
manner well known to those skilled in the art. The plate 22 also is
provided with suitably located threaded openings which act as
mounting holes which are used to secure the insulating sheetlike
member 24 and base 26 to the plate 22.
The sheet 24 is preferably formed as a molded insulating part
having a relatively thin cross section having a flat rear surface
engaging the front surface 36 to cover a central portion of the
indentation 42 so as to act as a cover for the wire trough. The
sheet 24 is provided with a pair of circular ribs 44 which are
raised on the front surface of the sheet 24 on opposite sides of a
vertical center of the plate 22. The ribs 44 act as spring seats,
as will be later described. The sheet 24 also is provided with
portions 46 which are formed along the top and bottom edges of the
sheet 24 in alignment with the indentation 42. The portions 46 act
as scoops and aid in directing the wires in the portion of the wire
trough disposed between the sheet 24 and the plate 22.
As disclosed in the application for U.S. Pat., Ser. No. 844,148,
supra, the base 26 and the barrier 28 are formed of a molded
insulating material having arc suppressing capabilities and
cooperate with each other to provide a cavity which is divided into
three compartments 48 having equal widths. The base 26 has a rear
surface 50 positioned on the insulating sheet 24 and the plate 22
in a secured position by suitable screws which pass through
openings in the base 26 and the sheet 24 and are threadedly
received in the housing holes in the plate 22. Extending into the
material of the base 26 forwardly of the rear surface 50 and
through the sidewalls of the base 26 is a slot 52. The slot 52 is
centered on a centerline equidistant between a top wall 54 and a
bottom wall 56 of the base 26 and is exposed to each of the
compartments 48 by an opening 58. The compartments 48 extend to
provide openings 60 between a rib 62 on the barrier 28 and a front
surface 64 of the base 26 at the top 54 and the bottom walls 56 of
the base 26. Embedded within the material of the base 26 adjacent
the bottom and the top walls 54 and 56 of each compartment 48 is a
threaded insert 66 which is used to secure the terminal and
stationary contact assemblies in the compartments 48.
Each of the compartments 48 has a pair of stationary contact
assemblies positioned so that contact assemblies of each pair are
spaced equidistantly on opposite sides of the respective openings
58 and face in opposite directions. Each of the contact assemblies
includes a terminal member 68, a contact member 70 and a conducting
bar member 72. The bar member 72 has a threaded opening adjacent
one of its ends and an unthreaded opening adjacent its other end.
The terminal member 68 and the bar member 72 are secured adjacent
an open end of the compartment by a screw 74. The screw 74 passes
through an opening in the terminal member 68 and the unthreaded
opening in the bar member 72 and is threaded into the insert 66.
The contact member 70 in turn is secured to the bar member 72 by a
screw 76 which passes through an opening in the contact member 70
and is threaded into the threaded opening in the bar member 72. As
shown in FIG. 1, when the contact assemblies are secured at the
opposite ends of the compartments 48, the terminal member 68 will
have a wire connecting portion 78 extending external of the top
wall 54 and the bottom wall 56 and the contact member 70 will have
an inclined stationary contact surface 80 positioned adjacent one
of the openings 58.
As disclosed in an application for U.S. Pat., Ser. No. 844,148,
supra, the barrier 28, the metal housing 30 and cover 32 define an
internal closed cavity wherein an electromagnet, not shown, is
included. The electromagnet operates a bellcrank lever which has a
pair of arms connected to a movable U-shaped contact carrier that
has a bight portion indicated by the numeral 82 in the drawings.
The bight portion 82 is movable forwardly and rearwardly in the
slot 52. The movable contact carrier including the bight portion 82
is most clearly disclosed in an application for U.S. Pat., Ser. No.
844,100, filed July 23, 1969, which has been assigned by the
inventors Merlin Y. Turnbull and Harold E. Whiting to the assignee
of the present invention. The barrier 28 has a body portion 84
which provides a front wall 86 for the compartments 48 and suitable
ribs, not shown, which provide sidewalls for the compartments and
the ribs 62. Extending from the body portion 84 are ears 88 that
are arranged to seat upon the forward ends of a pair of posts 90 at
the top and bottom walls 54 and 56. The posts 90 each have a
threaded insert molded therein and each of the ears 88 has an
opening therein which permits the barrier 28 to be removably
secured to the front surface of the base 26 by screws 92 which pass
through the openings in the ears 88 into the threaded inserts in
the posts 90. It is readily apparent that the removal of the screws
92 will permit the assembly, including the barrier 28, the housing
30 and the cover 32, to be detached from the base 26 to permit
access to the stationary and the movable contacts within the
compartments 48 in event the contacts require inspection or
replacement.
A movable contact carrier 94 which is partly shown in FIG. 2, is
preferably formed as a U-shaped molded part that includes the bight
portion 82. The bight portion 82 is received in the slot 52 while
arms, not shown, which extend from opposite ends of the bight
portion 82 extend externally of the side walls of the base 26 have
free ends received in channels in the housing 30 defined by
portions 96 on the housing 30. The free ends of the arms receive
arm portions of a bellcrank lever, not shown, within the housing
30. Extending forwardly of the bight portion 82 are a plurality of
spaced projections 98 each of which extends through one of the
openings 58 into one of the compartments 48. The bight portion 82
has a rear surface 100 and each of the projections 98 has a front
surface whereon a movable contact member 104 is positioned. The
bight portion 82 also has a pair of sidewalls 106. Extending
between the rear surface 100 and the front surface 102 in each of
the projections 98 is a cylindrical bore 108 that has a
cylindrically shaped counterbored portion 110 extending from the
rear surface partially to the front surface 102 to provide an
annular ledge which acts as a spring seat 112 adjacent the front
surface 102 end of the projection 98. Spaced equidistantly on
opposite sides of the opening in the front surface 102 that is
provided by the bore 108 are a pair of parallel spaced walls 114
which extend substantially perpendicular to the front surface 102.
The walls 114 are provided by a pair of projections 116 which
extend forwardly of the front surface 102.
The movable contact member 104 which is most clearly shown in FIGS.
4--6, has a conducting portion formed of at least two laminated
metal parts 118 and 120 which are metallurgically laminated
together by methods well known to those skilled in the art so the
metal parts 118 and 120 act as a unitary member 122. The member 122
has a U-shaped channel cross section throughout its length with the
arm portions 124 imparting strength against bending to the contact
member 104. The member 104 has a central portion 126 and a pair of
portions 128 extending at an angle from opposite ends of the
central portion 126 whereon a pair of members 130 which are formed
of a noble metal to provide contact surfaces 132 are secured. The
angle of incline of the portions 128 corresponds to the angle of
incline of the portions on the contact member 70 carrying the
contact surfaces 80 so that contact surfaces 132 will properly
engage the contact surfaces 80.
The laminated metal parts 118 and 120 as shown in FIG. 6 are
arranged so that the part 120 provides a layer of a material having
a good electrical conducting ability, such as copper, silver and
the like, and the part 118 provides a layer of a material which
will resist bending, such as a layer of steel which also is more
abrasion-resistant than copper. The copper part 120 provides the
outer surface of the channel member 122 and is located on the side
of the member 122 to which the contact members 130 are secured and
the steel part 118 extends throughout the entire inner surface of
the channel member 122 and is located on the member 122 on the side
of the member 122 which is engaged by a pin 134 on a plunger 136
shown in FIG. 3. The central portion 126 is provided with an
elongated opening 138 that is centered in the member 122 at the
intersection of a centrally located longitudinal and a centrally
located transverse axis of the member 122 which are indicated by
the numerals 140 and 142. The opening 138 includes a circular
central portion 144 having a diameter slightly larger than a stem
portion 146 of the plunger 136. Extending in opposite directions
from the opening 138 toward the contact carrying portions 128 and
centered along the axis 140 are a pair of notches 148 which cause
the opening 138 to be elongated and having a width and length which
will permit the sides and ends of the pin 134 to pass through the
notches 148 with clearance when the plunger 136 is rotated to a
first position wherein the longitudinal axis of the pin 134 is
axially aligned in a plane that is common to the axis 140 so that
the movable contact member 104 may be readily detached from a free
end 150 of the stem 146.
The pin 134 has a length less than the spacing between the arm
portions 124 so that the plunger 136 may be rotated to a second
position wherein the longitudinal axis of the pin 134 extends in a
plane that is common with the axis 142 and engage portions of the
material of the central portion 126 and thereby positions the
contact member 104 on the free end 150. As most clearly shown in
FIG. 4, projecting from the forward surface of the central portion
on opposite sides of the axis 142 and adjacent the arm portions 124
are two pairs of stops 152 and 154 with the stops of each pair
spaced to receive the pin 134 therebetween and thereby prevent
rotation of the pin 134 when the pin 134 is in the second
position.
The plunger 136, as shown in FIG. 3, includes the stem portion 146
which is received in the cylindrical bore 108 with minimum
clearance and a cylindrical portion 156 on an end remote from the
free end 150 that has a diameter sized so the cylindrical portion
156 may be received in and guided by the counterbore 110.
Additionally, if desired, the cylindrical portion 156 may be
provided with an annular groove which receives an O-ring seal 158.
The O-ring seal 158 is arranged to slidingly engage the walls of
the counterbore 110 so that the cylindrical portion 156 will move
with an air piston type action in the counterbore 110 during
movements of the plunger 136 in the cylindrical bore 108.
Surrounding the stem portion 146 and positioned between the spring
seat 112 and the cylindrical portion 156 is a spring 160.
The plunger 136 and the spring 160 may be assembled in each of the
cylindrical bores 108 in the bight portion 82 by positioning the
spring 160 on the stem portion 146 so that one end of the spring
rests upon the cylindrical portion 156. The assembled spring 160
and plunger 136 is then inserted into the cylindrical bore 108 so
that the free end 150 projects forwardly of the surface 102 and the
spring is compressed between the spring seat 112 and the
cylindrical portion 156. The pin 134 when inserted through a
suitable opening in the free end 150 maintains the plunger 136 and
spring 160 within the cylindrical bore in a condition wherein the
spring 160 is under compression, the cylindrical portion 156 is
received in the counterbore 110 and the free end 150 and the pin
134 are positioned externally and forwardly of the front surface
102.
The components of the switch assembly 20 may be assembled as
follows. Initially the insulating sheet 24 is positioned on the
mounting plate 22. The movable contact carrier 94 with plungers
136, springs 160 and pins 134 assembled in each cylindrical bore
108 is then positioned so the bight portion 82 is within the slot
52 and the arm portions extend external of the sidewalls of the
base 26. The base 26 and the movable contact carrier 94 are
assembled on the insulating sheet 24 and the mounting plate 22 by
positioning the rear surface 50 adjacent on the sheet 24 with a
pair of springs 162 positioned between the insulating sheet 24 and
bight portion 82 and tightening screws, not shown, which extend
through suitable openings in the base 26 into the threaded openings
in the mounting plate 22. The stationary contact assemblies are
then secured to the base 26 by tightening the screws 74 which pass
through the unthreaded openings in the terminal member 68 and the
bar member 72 into the threaded inserts 66 and tightening the
screws 76 which extend through the unthreaded opening in the
contact member 70 into the threaded opening in the bar member
72.
The movable contact members 104 are installed on the front surfaces
102 by initially positioning the plungers 136 in the first position
wherein the axis of the pin 134 is parallel to the sidewalls 114
and placing the movable contact 104 on the front surface 102 in a
position wherein the free end 150 and pin 134 are positioned within
the elongated opening 138. When the movable contact 104 is thus
positioned, the arm portions 124 will be adjacent to the walls 114
and the contact carrying potions 128 will extend outwardly of the
sidewalls 106 in a position to align the contact surfaces 132 with
the contact surfaces 80 on the stationary contact members 70. The
movable contact 104 is secured to contact carrier 94 by merely
rotating the plunger 136 from the first position to a second
position as shown in FIG. 2 wherein the axis of the plunger 136
extends perpendicular to the walls 114 and is received between the
pairs of stops 152 and 154. The rotation of the plunger 136 from
the first position to the second position is facilitated by a
screwdriver slot 164 in the free end 150 and the inclined wall
portions 166 of the notches 148 which are shown in FIG. 6. The slot
164 permits the plunger to be rotated by a screwdriver and the
inclined walls 166 provide a camming movement as the pin 134 moves
against the force of the spring 160 out of the notches 148
forwardly to a position wherein it rides over the surface of the
central portion 126 and passes over the stops 152 and 154 to the
second position.
The assembly of the barrier 28, the housing 30 and the cover 32 in
a manner described in the application for U.S. Pat., Ser. No.
844,100, supra, on the base 26 completes the assembly of the switch
assembly 20 which also discloses in detail the operation of the
switch assembly 20.
The switch assembly 20 in FIG. 1 is shown in a deenergized
condition. The energization of the switch assembly 20 causes the
contact carrier 94 including the bight portion 82 to move in the
slot 52 wherein it is guided by a bearing member 166 toward the
plate 22 to a position wherein the contact surfaces 132 engage the
contact surfaces 80. The initial movement of the contact carrier 94
is opposed as the springs 162 are compressed. The springs 162 have
one end positioned with the spring seats provided by the circular
ribs 44 and the other end positioned with a recess, not shown, in
the rear surface 100 of the contact carrier 94. The subsequent
movement of the contact carrier 94, which occurs after the movable
contact surface 132 engage the contact surfaces 80, causes the
movable contact members 104 to move out of engagement with the
front surfaces 102 along a guided path which is controlled by the
walls 114. As previously described, the movable contacts 104 are
assembled on the free end 150 of the plunger 136 by the pin 134
which acts as stop surface as it engages the forward facing surface
portions of the central portion 126 of the contact member 104. Thus
the movement of the contact members 104 from the front surfaces 102
causes the plungers 136 to move in the bores 108 in a direction
wherein the springs 160 are compressed as the cylindrical portion
156 moves toward the spring seat 112 in the counterbore 110 and the
air present between the cylindrical portion 156 and the spring seat
112 is compressed and escapes through the space between the stem
146 and the portion of the cylindrical bore 108 that is present
between the spring seat 112 and the front surface 102.
The layered metal parts 118 and 120 provide the movable contact
member with a maximum current conducting ability and resistance to
binding relative to its mass. The arm portions 124 also contribute
to the resistance to bending without appreciably increasing the
mass of the device in terms of the current conducting ability of
the device. The contact members 130 are secured to the copper layer
instead of the steel layer so the device will have its maximum
conducting ability in terms of the amount of copper included in the
contact member 130. The steel layer 118 rather than the copper
layer 120 is positioned to be engaged by the pin 134 to provide the
connection between the movable contact member 130 and the plunger
136 with the maximum resistance to wear.
It is well known that the frequency and magnitude of the bounce of
the contacts is a function of the mass of the movable contact and
the velocity of the engagement between the movable contacts and the
stationary contacts. The contact structure according to the present
invention, by having the maximum resistance to bending and current
conducting capacity relative to its mass, thus will operate with a
minimum contact bounce when the movable contact surfaces 132
initially engage the stationary contact surfaces 80 while the
action provided by the operation of the cylindrical portion 156 in
the counterbore 110 acts like a hydraulic shock absorber to further
reduce the contact bounce of the switch assembly 20.
While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been
specifically disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not
limited thereto, as many variations will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its
broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the following
claims.
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