Permanently Polarized Reed Switch

Abstract

A reed switch comprising a permanently polarized reed; at least two temporarily polarizable reeds; one of the polarizable reeds which when not polarized being in contact with the permanent polarized reed; and the one of said polarizable reeds when polarized being out of contact with the permanent polarized reed.

Parent Case Text

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 669,614, filed Sept. 21, 1967 for "POLARIZED MAGNETIC CABLE SWITCH PROGRAMMING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS," now U.S. Pat. No. 3,447,105, issued May 27, 1969.

Description

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

In the past, reed switches have been made primarily to perform a single switching function or in some instances a flip-flop function. Where a reed switch has been biased (by placing the switch in a polarized field for subsequent neutralization by a second field of opposite polarity), the polarization in any instance has not been a permanent one associated with the reed itself. For the most part, polarization has been brought about by induction and the like. Further, there has been little or no attempt to provide reed switches which have a many-function aspect and which permit a plurality of switching operations in addition to the usual flip-flop arrangement. Furthermore, there has been no attempt to structurally design the reed switches for easier connect and disconnect by "branching" or the like. In this regard, this invention is particularly adaptable for use in systems such as described in my copending application Ser. No. 669,614 filed Sept. 21, 1967, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,447,105 issued July 27, 1969, and my U.S. Pat. No. 3,261,941 issued July 19, 1966.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a reed switch which allows for a plurality of switching operations.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reed switch which has a plurality of branches or arms radiating in various directions to permit ease in installation and to allow flexibility for use in diverse control mechanisms.

Another object of this invention is to provide a reed switch a portion of which is polarized and a portion of which is unpolarized to allow for various switching operations when an oppositely polarized field is brought into proximity thereto.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a reed switch which is simple and economical to manufacture.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reed switch which is in capsule form and which has its contacts sealed to prevent unnecessary corrosion and arcing.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a reed switch in which the contacts may be placed in an inert atmosphere or the like.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a reed switch which may be biased in more than one direction by a plurality of permanent magnets permanently fixed to the switch.

Another object of this invention is to provide a reed switch having a plurality of operating contacts in close proximity to each other for producing a multiplicity of switching operations at high speed due to the close proximity thereof.

These and other objects of this invention will be apparent the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example various embodiments of this invention:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged plan view of the invention;

FIG. 1A is a sectional view taken along the lines of 1A-1A in FIG. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow;

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are plan views of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 and showing three different stages of operation as caused by fields of opposite polarity;

FIGS. 5 through 10, 11 and 12 are enlarged plan views showing various other embodiments of the invention with portions shown in dash lines to illustrate various positions of the switch reeds;

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines of 10A-10A of FIG. 10 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the invention in which the reed is encircled by a washer-type permanent magnet having the poles running in a vertical direction.

FIGS. 1 THROUGH 4

In FIGS. 1 through 4, the capsule C forms the housing for the reeds 2, 4 and 6. The capsule C may be of glass or other encapsulating material such as plastic, etc. The reeds 2, 4, and 6 are sealed respectively in the radial arms or legs of the capsule. In the case of glass, the tubing is sealed both at the ends of the legs 8, 10 and 12 forming sealing beads of glass 14, 16, and 18. The reed 2 extends into the leg 8 to a point approximately midway of the capsule. Abutting the reed 2 on either side and normally in contact therewith are the reeds 4 and 6. The reeds 4 and 6 may have contact feet 20 and 22 as illustrated. The reeds 2, 4 and 6 will be made of a material which has a magnetic characteristic. For good conductivity, the reeds may be coated with a conductor material such as gold, silver, etc.

Affixed to a reed 2 in a permanent way is a permanent magnet 24. The magnet 24 may be welded, threaded, cemented, wedged, or otherwise secured to the reed 2 so that is will not be readily removable. It is contemplated that for some purposes the magnet 24 might be removable but preferably force would be required in order to remove the same such as unthreading, etc. As illustrated, the permanent magnet 24 is welded or otherwise secured to the reed 2.

OPERATION

In operation, the reeds 4 and 6 normally are in contact with the reed 2 as illustrated in FIG. 1. When a magnet 26 having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the magnet 24 is passed in the vicinity of the reed 4, it has been found that the reed 4 will back away from reed 2 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2 leaving only the single contact between the reed 6 and the reed 2. The approach of the magnet 26 at one leg as illustrated in FIG. 2 will not have an effect on the other leg to bias the reed 6 away from the reed 2.

When the magnet 26 is shifted, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to the proximity of the reed 6, and an additional magnet 28 is moved into the proximity of the reed 4, and when the polarities of the magnets 28 and 26 are opposite to the magnet 24, the reeds 4 and 6 will move away from the reed 2 in the manner illustrated thereby breaking all contact with the reed 2.

When as illustrated in FIG. 4, the magnet 28 is shifted from the vicinity of the reed 4 to the vicinity of the reed 6, the reed 4 will again close and make contact with the reed 2. The magnet 28 will maintain the reed 6 from out of contact engagement with the reed 2 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5

In FIG. 5, the reeds 30, 32 and 34 are sealed in the legs 36, 38 and 40 of the capsule. The reed 34 is movable between the reeds 30 and 32 from the full-line position to the dashline position as illustrated. Reed 30 is polarized by means of a magnet 42 which is affixed in a permanent manner to the reed 30.

OPERATION

When the magnet 44 of opposite polarity to the magnet 42 is placed in the vicinity of the reed 34, the opposite polarities will cause the reed 34 to move from contact engagement with the reed 30 into contact engagement with the reed 32. Upon removal of the magnet 44, the reed 34 will again return to its position in contact with the reed 30. If it is desired that the reed 34 remain in contact with the reed 32, a second magnet 46 can be affixed to the reed 32. The magnet 46 must have a polarity similar to the polarity of the magnet 42. Thus, when the magnet 44 is moved into the vicinity of the reed 34, it will be of opposite polarity to the reed 42 but of the same polarity with the reed 46 and thus the reed 34 will switch from permanent contact with the reed 30 to permanent contact with the reed 32. A reversal of the direction of the magnet 44 will shift the reed 34 back to its original contact with the reed 30.

FIGS. 6, 7 AND 8

In FIG. 6, the reed 48 which is mounted in the capsule is provided with a contact surface 50. Reeds 52 and 54 rest on the contact surface 50. A permanent magnet 56 is secured to the reed 48. It will be noted that the reeds 52 and 54 may be mounted either above the contact surface 50 as shown in FIG. 6, or below the contact surface (not shown).

OPERATION

It will now be obvious that when the magnets 58 and 60 having polarities opposite to the magnet 56 are brought either simultaneously or individually into association with the reeds 52 and 54, the reeds 52 and 54 will raise from the contact surface 50 making contact with either or both sides of the contact surface 50 depending upon the positioning of the magnets 58 and 60. It will be noted that the capsule C in both FIGS. 5 and 6 is T-shaped.

In FIG. 7, it will be noted that in addition to the arms or legs 62, 64 and 66, there is an additional leg 68 thus forming cruciform shape. The leg 68 of the capsule encloses and seals a reed 70 having a contact surface 72.

OPERATION

It will now be obvious that in operation of FIG. 7, when the magnets 74 and 76 are positioned either simultaneously or individually in the vicinity of the reeds 52 and 54 respectively, and when their polarities differ from the polarities of the magnet 56, there will be a shifting of the reeds 52 and 54 from contact with the contact surface 50 to contact with the contact surface 72 of the reed 70.

As in the case of FIG. 5, if a second magnet 78 shown in dash lines is affixed to the reed 70, the contact shift of the reeds 52 and 54 from the contact surface 50 to the contact 72 will be permanent until the polarities of the magnets 74 and 76 are made opposite to the magnet 78. It will be obvious that the polarities of the magnets 56 and 78 will be the same.

In FIG. 8, the capsule C in addition to including the reeds 48, 52, 54 and 70, will also include the reeds 80, 82, 84 and 86. Reeds 80 and 84 will be in contact with the upper surface of the contact surface 50 and reeds 82 and 86 will be in contact with the lower surface of the contact surface 72.

OPERATION

The operation of the switch shown on FIG. 8 is similar to that of FIG. 7 with the exception that when the magnets 74 and 76 either individually or combined move into the vicinity of reeds 80, 82, 84 and 86, these reeds will shift from their respective contact surfaces and thus break the circuit connection.

It will be obvious that various other contact arrangements can be produced in multiple sequence utilizing in essence the various principles heretofore illustrated and it will be further obvious that the inclusion of the magnet 78 will affect the operation in a manner similar to the operation illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9 THROUGH 11

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention in which three reeds 88, 90 and 92 are positioned above a pair of reeds 94 and 96 in the manner illustrated. Reeds 88 and 92 are provided with permanent magnets 98 and 100 which are polarized in the same direction. It will now be obvious that reeds 94 and 96 will normally be in contact with the reeds 88 and 92. If magnets 102 and 104 are simultaneously or individually positioned in close association with the reeds 94 and 96, and the polarities of the magnets 102 and 104 are opposite to the polarities of the magnets 98 and 100, the reeds 94 and 96 will shift from contact with the reeds 88 and 92 to contact with the reed 90 as illustrated in the dash lines. If a magnet 106 is secured to the reed 90, and its polarity is reverse of the polarity of the magnets 98 and 100, the reeds 94 and 96 will remain in contact with the reed 90 until the polarity of the magnets 102 and 104 is reversed.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, the reeds 108, 110, 112 and 114 are encapsuled in the capsule. Reeds 108 and 110 are provided with magnets 116 and 118. The magnets are opposite in polarity. In FIG. 10, the reeds 112 and 114 are placed on the inside and in contact with the reeds 108 and 110 whereas in FIG. 11, the reeds 112 and 114 are placed in contact with and outside of the reeds 108 and 110.

OPERATION

In operation, the magnet 120 is moved to a position so that its poles are aligned so that a pole of the magnet 120 is opposing a similar pole of the magnet 116 and the opposite pole of the magnet 120 is opposed to the similar pole of the magnet 118, the two reeds 112 and 114 will be forced away from in contact with the reeds 108 and 110 and into contact with each other as shown in the dash lines in FIG. 10.

In FIG. 11, upon positioning of the magnet 126, the reeds 112 and 114 will be thrown outwardly and out of contact with each other and with the reeds 108 and 110.

In the dotted lines in FIG. 11, additional reeds 122 and 124 may be provided so as to operate in the manner illustrated in FIG. 10; i.e., to contact each other when the magnet 120 is positioned in the manner illustrated.

FIG. 12

FIG. 12 presents a further modification of the invention in which reeds 126, 128 and 130 are positioned in contact with a Y-shaped reed member 132 having reeds 134 and 136 forming the arms of the Y-member 132. Reeds 126 and 130 are provided with magnets 138 and 140 which are oppositely polarized. The reed 128 is not polarized.

OPERATION

In operation, the reeds 134 and 136 of the Y-shaped reed 132 are in contact respectively with the reeds 126 and 128. When a magnet 142 is positioned in association with the reed member 132, as illustrated in FIG. 12, and the polarity of the magnet 142 is opposite to that of the magnet 132, the reeds 134 and 136 will shift from contact with reeds 126 and 128 to contact with the reeds 128 and 130 respectively as illustrated.

As illustrated in dash lines, additional reeds 144 and 146 may be provided in order to provide additional switching systems for the overall capsule switch assembly. In this instance, the reeds 144 and 146 will normally be in contact with the reeds 126 and 130 when the magnet 142 is not in position. When the magnet 142 is positioned beneath and in close association with the reeds 144 and 146, and the polarity is the reverse of the polarity of the magnets 138 and 140 respectively, then the reeds 144 and 146 will move out of contact engagement with the reeds 126 and 130.

FIG. 13

FIG. 13 shows the fragment of a capsule with a reed 148 positioned therein. Associated with the reed 148 and connected thereto is a ring magnet 150. The ring magnet is secured to the reed 148 and is positioned thereon in the manner of a washer on a bolt. The ring magnet is polarized so that the poles are axially aligned with the axis of the reed 148. This is an alternate form for the various magnets illustrated in the other drawings which are secured to one side of the reed.

While the invention has been described in connection with different embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Claims

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A reed switch comprising:

a. a permanently polarized reed

b. at least two temporarily polarizable reeds

c. one of said polarizable reeds when not polarized being in contact with said permanently polarized reed

d. a sealing capsule

e. at least a portion of each of said reeds being sealed within said capsule, and

f. at least one of said temporarily polarizable reeds having its axis transverse to the axis of said permanently polarized reed.

2. A reed switch as in claim 1 and wherein:

a. at least said one of said temporarily polarizable reeds has its axis aligned with the axis of said permanently polarized reed.

3. A reed switch comprising:

a. a permanently polarized reed

b. at least two temporarily polarizable reeds

c. one of said polarizable reeds when not polarized being in contact with said permanently polarized reed

d. a sealing capsule

e. at least a portion of each of said reeds being sealed within said capsule, and

f. at least said two temporarily polarizable reeds being axially aligned.

4. A reed switch as in claim 3 and wherein:

a. said at least said two temporarily polarizable reeds are transverse to the axis of said permanently polarized reed.

5. A reed switch as in claim 3 and wherein:

a. that portion of said permanently polarized reed sealed in said capsule includes first crossbar contact means.

6. A reed switch as in claim 5 and wherein:

a. at least said two temporarily polarizable reeds are in contact with said first crossbar means when not polarized.

7. A reed switch as in claim 5 and including:

a. at least a third temporarily polarizable reed axially aligned with said permanently polarizable reed,

b. said third temporarily polarizable reed including second crossbar contact means adjacent said first crossbar means, and

c. at least said two temporarily polarizable reeds are in contact with said second crossbar means when oppositely polarized.

8. A reed switch as in claim 7 and including:

a. at least a third temporarily polarizable reed in contact with said first crossbar means when not polarized and adjacent said two temporarily polarizable reeds, and

b. said at least third temporarily polarizable reed when polarized being out of contact with said first and second crossbar means.

9. A reed switch comprising:

a. a permanently polarized reed

b. at least two temporarily polarizable reeds, and

c. at least said two polarizable reeds when not polarized being in contact with said permanently polarized reed

d. whereby when at least one of said polarizable reeds is temporarily polarized with a polarity opposed to the polarity of said permanently polarized reed, said at least one temporarily polarized reed will move out of contact with said permanently polarized reed.

10. A reed switch as in claim 9 and including:

a. a sealing capsule, and

b. at least a portion of each of said reeds being sealed within said capsule.

11. A reed switch as in claim 10 and wherein:

a. said temporarily polarizable reeds are angularly disposed with respect to each other and to said permanently polarized reed.

12. A reed switch as in claim 9 and including:

a. means for interconnecting said polarizable reeds when oppositely polarized to said permanently polarized reed and out of contact with said permanently polarized reed.

13. A reed switch as in claim 12 and wherein:

a. said interconnecting means includes a contact plate spaced from said permanently polarized reed and lying within the path of travel of said polarizable reeds so as to be engaged by said polarizable reeds when polarized oppositely to said permanently polarized reed.

14. A reed switch comprising:

a. a permanently polarized reed

b. at least two temporarily polarizable reeds

c. at least one of said polarizable reeds being Y-shaped

d. one of the arms of said Y-shaped reed being in contact with said permanently polarized reed and the other said arms of said Y-shaped reed being in contact with the other of said temporarily polarizable reeds when said polarizable reeds are nonpolarized

e. whereby when said at least one of said temporarily polarizable reeds is temporarily polarized with a polarity opposed to the polarity of said permanently polarized reed, said Y-shaped temporarily polarizable reed will move out of contact with said permanently polarized reed and said other of said temporarily polarizable reeds.

15. A reed switch as in claim 14 and including:

a. a fourth reed, and wherein

b. one of said arms of said Y-shaped temporarily polarizable reed is in contact with said fourth reed when at least one of said polarizable reeds is oppositely polarized to said permanently polarized reed.

16. A reed switch as in claim 15 and wherein:

a. said fourth reed is permanently polarized oppositely to said first-mentioned permanently polarized reed.

17. A reed switch comprising:

a. a permanently polarized reed

b. at least two temporarily polarizable reeds

c. one of said polarizable reeds when not polarized being in contact with said permanently polarized reed

d. a second permanently polarized reed

e. said second polarized reed having a polarity opposite to said first-mentioned polarized reed, and

f. said first-mentioned polarized reed affecting the operation of said one of said polarizable reeds when said one of said polarizable reeds is polarized oppositely to said first-mentioned polarized reed and said second polarized reed affecting the operation of the other of said temporarily polarizable reeds when said other temporarily polarizable reeds is polarized oppositely to said second polarized reed.

18. A reed switch as in claim 17 and including:

a. a sealing capsule, and

b. at least a portion of each of said reeds being sealed within said capsule.

19. A reed switch as in claim 18 and wherein:

a. another of said temporarily polarizable reeds when not polarized is in contact with said second permanently polarized reed.

20. A reed switch as in claim 19 and wherein:

a. said another of said polarizable reeds is in contact with said one of said polarizable reeds when both of said polarizable reeds are simultaneously oppositely polarized to their polarized reeds.

21. A reed switch as in claim 19 and wherein:

a. said another of said polarizable reeds and said one of said polarizable reeds when oppositely polarized to their polarized reeds are out of contact with said polarized reeds and each other.

22. A reed switch as in claim 18 and including:

a. a contact reed mounted between said permanently polarized reeds, and

b. said at least two temporarily polarizable reeds having a common trunk support,

c. said two polarizable reeds when not polarized being in contact with said first-mentioned permanently polarized reed and said contact reed respectively, and

d. said two polarized reeds when oppositely polarized respectively being in contact with said second permanently polarized reed and said contact reed respectively.

23. A reed switch as in claim 18 and including:

a. a third permanently polarized reed having a polarity similar to said first-mentioned polarized reed, and

b. said temporarily polarizable reeds being both alternately shiftable between said second polarized reed and said first-mentioned and third polarized reed respectively.

24. A selectively operated multiple contact switch which comprises:

a. a plurality of radially arrayed resilient contacts;

b. a plurality of interconnected envelopes, each of which individually supports one end of each of said contacts to position said contacts in a common planar array with the opposite ends terminating about a contact area;

c. a common contact element in the contact area spaced from and overlying said opposite ends of said contacts; and

d. means for selectively flexing individual contacts into engagement with said common contact.