DE1253334B - Multi-position switch - Google Patents

Description

GERMAN WzmSsk PATENT OFFICE

German class: 21c-39/02

PATENT LETTERING

. Number: 1 253 334

File number: N 21765 VIII d / 21 c j [253 334 filing date: 28.J ^ mU.962 ,. "

Launch date: November 2, 1967 Issue date: May 2, 1968 The patent specification corresponds to the patent specification

The electrical switching technology is becoming more and more complicated, and more and more switches are required that have a plurality of switching functions, which according to several different movements of a mechanical switch operating part be performed. Many different sonic functions are desired according to consumer demands and this has heretofore required many different switch designs. This increases manufacturing cost and complexity, increases sales and distribution difficulties, and further increases the number of switches that must be stocked either at the manufacturing site or at the distribution point to meet the demands of many different customers.

There is a pendant switch for one-handed operation for switching three-phase motors with two directions of rotation, in which for each of the two Direction of rotation two momentary switches are hinged to one longitudinally displaceable adjusting member. as Moment switching elements are provided, known per se, hinged to the adjusting members, two pairs of flaps with one another conductively connected flaps by a tension spring and also at least two pairs are interconnected by coupling so that the coupled flaps are always parallel to each other. The flaps engage with normally open contacts in the switched-on position and with non-conductive surfaces and normally closed contacts in the rest position. The switching paths can through Change in the strength of the non-conductive covering tiles can be varied.

The known switch has only four switching combinations. Other switching combinations can be obtained if the switching elements are replaced by other switching elements in which the non-conductive covering plates have a different thickness. In order to obtain a larger number of switching combinations, a corresponding number of Switching elements are kept in stock.

There is also a plunger switch with out in an insulating housing, removable from the housing Schaltstangc known, on which the movable, designed as contact bridges contact pieces are adjustably mounted. This switch has a single plunger on which the contact bridges carrying the movable contact pieces are arranged adjustable. By adjusting the contact carrier on the plunger, it can be achieved

Multi-position switch Patented for:

The National Acme Company, Cleveland, Ohio (V. Si. A.)

Representative:

Dr. E. Wiegand and Dipl.-Ing. W. Niemann, Patent Attorneys, Hamburg 50, Königstr. 28

Named as inventor:

Michael Joseph Dobes, Cleveland Heights, Ohio (V.St.A.)

that the switch is an usually open or an usually closed switch.

In contrast, the object of the invention is to create a switch in which as many switching combinations as possible can be obtained with the simplest possible design.

To this end, the invention is based on a switch

with fixed contact pieces arranged in a housing, with which movable contact pieces cooperate, which are mounted longitudinally movable in the housing, under spring action Adjusting elements are operated.

Such a switch is characterized according to the invention in that the adjusting members have at least two interchangeable slides with which the movable contact pieces steering arms in different relative positions are connectable.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each slide can have two attachment points for the control arms, which in one different distance to the one in question End of the slide. The attachment points can preferably have transverse slots formed on both sides of the slide, in which the control arms are optionally attached.

According to another preferred embodiment

form of the invention, it is advantageous to store the slide in longitudinal grooves of the housing and movable to provide each slide with a lateral recess, which is provided with a stop provided in the housing groove to limit the slide movement interacts.

The invention creates a switch in which a surprisingly simple design

B09 545 91

large number of switching combinations is possible. When using z. B. two slides can a total of twelve different switching combinations can be obtained. These switching combinations can can be obtained by simply and quickly executing repositioning of the slide and the control arms, without that it is necessary to keep some parts in stock. Furthermore, a switch is according to the invention Not only is it very simply constructed, but it is relatively insensitive, making it a reliable one and precise working or switching is guaranteed even after long periods of use. aside from that can be a switch according to the invention by repositioning the slide from a usually open can be converted into a normally closed switch and vice versa.

The invention is explained below with reference to the drawing, for example.

Fig. 1 shows a switch designed according to the invention with a plurality of positions in a bottom view along the line 1-1 of FIG. 2;

F i g. Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Fi g. 3 shows the switch according to FIG. 1 in a plan view along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2; as

Fi g. 4 to 15 schematically show twelve different switching states of the switch according to FIG Find again.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a switch mechanism, indicated generally at 15 , comprising a housing 16 having an upper cover 17 and a lower cover 18 (Fig. 2). A shaft 21 is mounted in one end of the housing 16 along an axis 22 which runs at right angles to the longitudinal axis 23 of the housing 16 . A grooved portion 24 of the shaft 21 extends outwardly from the housing 16 and is used to attach an external lever 25 . The lever 25 is fastened to a spring housing 26 which is connected by an overflow spring 27 to a hub 28 which is keyed onto the grooved shaft part 24. The spring 27 enables the lever 25 to move through an angle greater than the allowed movement of the shaft 21 . The outer lever 25 can optionally be connected directly to the shaft 21 , but the overflow spring 27 enables additional uses of the switching mechanism 15.

A rocker 31 is pinned to the shaft 21 near the lower cover 18. A spring-influenced locking ball 29 cooperates with a groove 30 in the rocker 31 in order to hold the rocker 31 and the shaft 21 in the neutral position shown in FIGS. The rocker 31 has opposite sides extending arms 32 and 33 which carry rollers 34 and 35, respectively. The housing 16 has a first groove 36 and a second groove 37, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing at a distance from one another and parallel to the axis 23 . A first and a second drive slide 38 and 39 can be arranged in these grooves 36, 37 so as to be longitudinally displaceable. Side grooves 40 and 41 , respectively, are provided in the slides 38 and 39 and cooperate with stops 42 and 43, respectively, on the housing 16 in order to limit the longitudinal movement of the slides 38, 39. Furthermore, the cooperation of the stops 42 and 43 with the grooves 40 and 41 allows only two positions of a slide in each groove, namely one in which the top is turned upward

and one in which the top is turned down. Each of the slides 38 and 39 can furthermore be turned over end by end and arranged in the other groove.

Each of the sliders 38 and 39 has a first and a second end, and the first slider 38 has on its upper surface near its first and second end, a first and a second transverse slot 44 or 45 and correspondingly arranged slots 44 A and 45 Λ on its Bottom (Fig. 12 to 15). Likewise, the second slide 39 has on the upper side near its first and second ends a first and a second transverse slot 46 and 47 and correspondingly arranged slots 46/1 and 47/4 on its lower side (FIGS. 12 to 15).

The first slider 38 has a first and a second bearing surface 51 and 52 respectively at its first and second ends, and also the second slider 39 has a first and a second bearing surface 53 and 54. When the sliders 38 and 39 as shown in Figure 1, the roller 34 rests on the bearing surface 51 of the slide 38 and the roller 35 rests on the bearing surface 53 of the slide 39 . Compression springs 55 and 56 can be arranged in the housing grooves 36 and 37 in order to press the slides against the rollers on the arms of the rocker arm 31.

The switch mechanism 15 further includes first and second L-shaped arms 61 and 62, respectively. The sliders 38 and 39 are provided with threaded holes 63 in the center of each of the ice strands 44 to 47 , and screws 64 can be one end of each of the arms 61 and closely fits 62 in one of the slots 44 to 47 in which the end, set. The other ends of the L-shaped arms 61 and 62 are cylindrical and lie on the axis 23.

An insulated terminal block 67 is accessible from the top of the switch 15 when the top cover 17 is removed. Connection parts 68 of any type, for example, as shown, clamping screws, are arranged on the connection block 67 . Furthermore, a first and a second pair of fixed contact pieces 69 and 70 near one end of the housing 16 and a third and fourth pair of fixed contact pieces 71 and 72 near the other end of the housing 16 are arranged on the terminal block 67. These fixed contacts are connected to different pairs of terminals 68 . Lead wires (not shown) can be inserted through an opening 73 in the housing 16 for connection to the connections 68. The housing opening 73 is threaded for connection to a protective sheath for the lead wires.

In the housing 16 , a first and a second insulated contact lamella carrier 74 and 75 are arranged, which are displaceable along the axis 23 and elastically support a first contact lamella 76 and a second contact lamella 77, respectively. The first contact lamella 76 can alternately bridge the first and second pair of fixed contact pieces 69 and 70 , and the second KontaktIamelIe 77 can optionally bridge the third and fourth pair of fixed contact pieces 71 and 72 , so that Jsde of the contact lamellae 76 and 77 the switching element of a two-pole changeover switch forms. The elastic support of the contact lamellae 76 and 77 is provided by compression springs 78 and 79, which are located within the lamellae

carrier 74 and 75 are arranged and allow a forward movement of the carrier relative to the stationary contact piece pairs 70 and 71.

The contact blade carriers 74 and 75 have lateral lugs 80 and 81, with which the L-shaped Arms 61 and 62 can come into engagement to actuate the carrier, and also compression springs 82 and 83 are on the housing 16 and on the Lugs 80 and 81, respectively, to press the carriers against arms 61 and 62, respectively.

It can be seen that the longitudinal distance of the located on the top of the slide 38 and 39 first slots 44 and 46 from the first end of the slide smaller than the distance between the second slots 45 and 47, respectively, from the second end of this slide. The same is the longitudinal distance between the slots located on the underside of the slides 38 and 39 44 A. or 46/1 from the first end of the slide is smaller than the distance between the second slots 45/1 or 47/1 from the second end of the slide. This design is intentional with this spacing of the Slots selected so that the switching function can be easily changed by each of the sliders 38 and 39 is turned upside down and placed upside down in the other groove. The as L-shaped arms 61 and 62 are shown in top slots 45 and 46, respectively, but each will fit Arm in one of the eight slots 44 to 47 and 44 Λ to 47/1.

The screws 64 can be used to attach the arms 61, 62 to the slides in any of the desired ways To fasten the slot by means of the threaded bores 63. When arms 61 and 62 are in the in F i g. 1 and 3 are the positions shown, then bridged, as shown in FIG. 3, the contact blade

76 the pair of fixed contact pieces 69 and the contact blade 77 the pair of fixed contact pieces 71. The compression springs 55 and 56 press the Slide 38 and 39 upwards, so that their bearing surfaces 51 and 53 with rollers 34 and 35 4 » are engaged on the rocker arm 31. The side grooves 40 and 41 of the slide are also located with the stops 42 and 43 in engagement.

F i g. 4 shows the switch schematically in the state in which its main parts, namely the Slider 38 and 39, the U-shaped arms 61 and 62, the supports 74 and 75 for the contact blades 76 and

77 and the fixed contacts 69, 70 and 71, 72, are set in the same position as they are in Figs. 1 to 3 is shown, the remaining parts have been omitted for the sake of clarity.

When the shaft 21 is rotated counterclockwise when looking at Fig. 1, moved the roller 34 resting on the bearing surface 51 of the slide 38 moves the slide in the longitudinal direction until the the other end of its side groove 40 abuts against the stop 42. This causes the arm 61 to reach the wearer 75 moved in the longitudinal direction and the contact blade 77 carried by it takes with it, so that they the The circuit at the fixed contact pieces 71 opens and the fixed contact pieces 72 are bridged. Conversely, if the shaft 21 when viewing FIG. 1 is rotated clockwise from its central position, the slide 39 is in the longitudinal Moved direction, so that the arm 62 moves the carrier 74 and the contact blade 76 in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the lamella 76 opens the circuit

the fixed contact pieces 69 and bridges the fixed contact pieces 70. It can thus be seen that the switching function, regardless of whether the Switch is usually open or usually closed, is done by making a circuit with one of the four pairs of fixed contact pieces 69 to 72 is connected.

When the lower cover 18 is removed from the switch, each of the sliders 38 and 39 taken out of the housing groove 36 or 37 and placed back in the opposite groove after turning it endwise. This gives the execution as shown in FIG. 8 is shown schematically. In this case, the greater the distance of the second slots 45 and 47, respectively, from the second. End of the slide used to cause all contact pieces in the neutral central position of the shaft 21, which is determined by locking ball 29, are open. F i g. 8 shows schematically that the contact blades 76 and 77 are out of contact with any fixed contact pieces.

To achieve this, the longitudinal distance of the second slot 45 from the second bearing surface 52 is of the slide 38 greater than the longitudinal distance of its first slot 44 by a certain amount the first bearing surface 51. This predetermined amount corresponds to approximately half of the longitudinal distance c between the associated fixed contact pieces, e.g. B. the fixed contact pieces 69 and 70, in particular the thickness of the Contact bridging blade 76 is to be considered. As a result, it is double that of the above mentioned predetermined amount equal to the longitudinal distance between the contact pieces 69 and 70 minus the thickness of the contact blade 76.

The same relationships apply to the cross slots of the second slide 39, and also to the distance between the stationary contact pieces 71 and 72 is the same as the distance between the contact pieces 69 and 70. This enables each of the sliders 38 and 39 and 38 to be turned over end-to-end its placement in the opposite groove and still allows attachment of the arms 61 and 62 in any of four combinations of slots 44 through 47 so that eight different switch combinations can be obtained. These eight different switching combinations are shown in FIGS. 4th to 11 shown schematically. In addition, the slide can be turned over so that one slide is turned upside down and the slide others can be used upside down with arms 61 and 62 in the corresponding slots are arranged. This gives four additional, different switching combinations, so that a total of twelve result in different switching combinations.

It was mentioned above that in FIG. 8, in which the slides are reversed end by end with respect to FIG. 4 and reversed in the slots, all switches are in the neutral position and the circuits are open. If the Wave 21 when looking at FIG. 1 is turned clockwise from the neutral position, is shown in FIG. 8, the slide 38 and thus the plate carrier 74 moved in the longitudinal direction, so that the lamella 76 carried by it bridges the stationary contact pieces 70. Moved at the same time the slide 39 moves under the influence of the spring 55

upwards, so that the carrier 75 is also moved upwards and consequently that carried by it Lamella 77 bridges the fixed contact pieces 71. If conversely the shaft 21 against the Is moved clockwise from the neutral position, the slide 39 is moved down, so that the lamella 77 bridges the fixed contact pieces 72, and at the same time the moves Slide 38 upwards so that the lamella 76 bridges the stationary contact pieces 69.

Fig. 5 shows the switch set so that the slide 38 is on the left; it can be seen that the slide 38 in all F i g. 4 to 7 is on the left. In Fig. 5, the stationary contact pieces 69 and 71 are bridged in the neutral position. When the swing shaft 21 is rotated from the neutral position in the clockwise direction, the Slide 39 moved in the longitudinal direction, but the switching function remains unchanged. If the rocker shaft 21 from the neutral position against the ao Is rotated clockwise, the slider 38 is moved down, and thereby the usually bridged contact pieces 69 and 71 are separated and the contact pieces 70 and 72 are bridged. This is done because both arms 61 and 62 on the slide as 38 are attached.

According to FIG. 6, the two arms 61 and 62 are attached to the slide 39 on the right. In the In the neutral position, the stationary contact pieces 69 and 71 are bridged. When the swing shaft 21 is rotated from the neutral position in the clockwise direction, the slide 39 is after moved down to separate the contact pieces 69 and 71 and to bridge the contact pieces 70 and 72. If the rocker shaft 21 from the new central position is rotated counterclockwise, the slide 38 is actuated, however this does not change the switching function of the normally bridged contact pieces 69 and 71.

F i g. 7 again shows the slide 38 on the left side, so that in the neutral position of the Switch the contact pieces 69 and 71 are bridged. When the rocker shaft 21 from the neutral Position is rotated in the clockwise direction, the slide 39 is moved down to separate the contact pieces 71 and the contact pieces 72 to bridge, but the contact pieces 69 remain bridged. When the rocker shaft is rotated counterclockwise from the neutral position, the slide 38 is moved downwards, to separate the contact pieces 69 and to bridge the contact pieces 70, but the contact pieces 71 remain bridged during this movement.

Figures 8-11 all show the slider 38 on the right hand side, and therefore all of these Versions because of the distance between the slots 45 and 47 from the bearing surfaces 52 and 54 (Fig. 1) causes all switch contacts to be open in the neutral position of the switch.

F i g. 8 was explained above, and FIG. 9 differs from it in that the second arm 62 is also at the slide 38 is arranged. Therefore, when the swing shaft 21 from the neutral position in Is rotated clockwise, the slide 38 is moved downwards in order to bridge the two pairs of contact pieces 70 and 72. Conversely, when the rocker shaft 21 is out of the neutral position

ment is rotated counterclockwise, the slide 39 moves downwards, but without a Cause change in the switching function while the slide 38 moves upwards, whereby the Contacts 69 and 71 are bridged.

According to FIG. 10, both arms 61 and 62 are arranged on the slide 39. Therefore, when the swing shaft 21 is rotated clockwise, üm To move the slide 38, there is no change in the switching function, but at the same time the slide 39 moves upwards, so that the contact pieces 69 and 71 are bridged. If the Swing shaft 21 is rotated counterclockwise from the neutral position the two pairs of contact pieces 70 and 72 are bridged.

In FIG. 11, one arm 62 is arranged on the slide 38 and the other arm 61 on the slide 39. When the swing shaft 21 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the slider 38 becomes moved down to bridge the contact pieces 72, and at the same time therewith the moves Slide 39 up and causes the contact pieces 69 to be bridged. If vice versa the swing shaft 21 is rotated counterclockwise from the neutral position the slider 39 moves down to bridge the contact pieces 70, and the slider 38 simultaneously moves up to bridge the contact pieces 71.

The F i g. 12 to 15 show four additional switching combinations, in which one slide is turned over end by end and turned upside down in the same housing slot. According to FIG. 12, the slide 38 is arranged upside down and rotated at its ends, whereby its transverse slots 44 A and 45 A are also reversed. The arm 61 is arranged in the transverse slot 45A. The other slide 39 remains upside down and carries the arm 62. In this setting of the switch, the carrier 74 is moved halfway down so that the bridging blade 76 is in the neutral or open position. However, the carrier 75 is in the position in which the lamella 77 carried by it bridges the contact pieces 71. When the rocker shaft 21 is rotated from its central position in the clockwise direction, the slide 39 is thereby moved downwards, so that the contact blade 77 separates the contact pieces 71 and the contact pieces 72 bridged. At the same time, the slide 38 moves upwards so that the lamella 76 bridges the contact pieces 69. When the rocker shaft 21 is rotated counterclockwise from its central position, the slide 38 is moved downward so that the lamella 76 bridges the contact pieces 70.

13 shows the slide 38 with the top facing upwards, the arm 61 being arranged in the transverse slot 45, while the slide 39 in FIG its housing slot is turned upside down and turned end-to-end and the arm 62 carries in its transverse slot 47 Λ. In this arrangement, the contact blade 76 is in the neutral or open position, while the other Lamella 77 bridges the contact pieces 71. If the rocker shaft 21 is now rotated clockwise, the slide 39 is moved downwards,

Claims (5)

and the lamella 76 bridges the contact pieces 70. When the rocker shaft 21 is rotated counterclockwise from the neutral position, the slide 38 is moved downward so that the lamella 77 opens the contact pieces 71 and the contact pieces 72 bridged. At the same time, the slide 39 moves upwards, so that the lamella 76 bridges the stationary contact pieces 69. 14 shows the slide 39 with the upper side facing upwards and rotated end-to-end, but in the left housing groove. the arm 61 being arranged in its Ouerschlitz. The slide 38 is turned upside down and carries the arm 62 in the transverse slot 44 A. Because of the distance between the transverse slots 44 A and 47, the lamella 76 bridges the fixed contact pieces 69, and the lamella 77 is in the neutral or Open position. When the rocker shaft 21 is rotated clockwise, the slide 38 is moved downward so that the bridging lamella 76 separates the contact pieces 69 and the contact pieces 70 are bridged. At the same time, the slide 39 moves upwards so that the lamella 77 bridges the contact pieces 71. When the rocker shaft 21 is rotated counterclockwise from the neutral position, the slide 39 is moved downward so that the lamella 77 bridges the contact pieces 72. Fig. 15 shows the slide 38 upside down and rotated end to end; it carries the arm 62 in its slot 44. The slider 39 is upside down and carries the arm 61 in its slot 46A. In this arrangement, the contact blade 76 bridges the fixed contact pieces 69 in the central position of the rocker shaft 21, and the other contact blade 77 is in the neutral or open position. When the swing shaft 21 is rotated from the central position in the clockwise direction, the slider 38 is moved downward and the blade 77 bridges the contact pieces 72. When the swing shaft 21 is rotated from the central position counterclockwise, the slider 39 is moved downward moves so that the lamella 76 separates the contact pieces 69 and bridges the contact pieces 70, while at the same time the slide 38 moves upwards so that the lamella 77 bridges the contact pieces 71. It will therefore be seen that the switch 15 is designed so that the arms 61 and 62 can be conveniently and quickly changed to any of eight different positions and that each of the sliders 38 and 39 can still be conveniently removed, turned end-to-end and either with the Turned upside down in the same housing groove or in the opposite groove can be arranged to deliver a total of twelve different switching combinations. The slide side grooves 40 and 41 and the stops 42 and 43 not only create limits for the movement of the slide 38 and 39, respectively, but leave only two positions for each slide in each groove. Iei slots 45 lvw. 47 and 45/1 or 47 A from the I a; or 54 is greater than the distance of the slots 44 or 44 A and 46 or 46 A from the bearing surfaces or 53, a means of adjusting the longitudinal spacing of the contact blades 76 and 77 relative to the pairs of fixed contacts in the longitudinal direction so that the bridging blades 76 and 77 can be placed in the neutral or open position of the switch 15. This is shown in FIGS. 8 to 8 and is a longitudinal adjustment of the distance between the axis of the rocker shaft 21 and the contact strips 76 and 77. For many switch functions, it may be desirable that the rocker shaft 21 has certain locking positions at clockwise or counterclockwise limits, and if this is the case, suitable locking grooves, similar to the groove 30, can be arranged on the rocker 31, which with the locking ball 29 work together. In the context of the invention, various modifications are possible to the embodiment described as an example. Patent claims: 1. Switch with stationary contact pieces arranged in a housing, with which movable contact pieces cooperate, which are actuated by adjusting members which are mounted longitudinally movable in the housing and are under spring action, characterized in that the adjusting members have at least two interchangeable slides (38, 39) , with which arms (61, 62) controlling the movable contact pieces (76, 77 ) can be connected in various relative positions. 2. Switch according to claim 1, characterized in that each slide (38, 39) has two Ticfestigungsstellen for the Stcuerarme (61, 62) which are at a different distance from the slide end in question. 3. Switch according to claim 2, characterized in that the fastening plate. have transverse slots (44 to 47 ) formed on both 11 sides of the slides (38, 39) in which the control arms (61, 62) are optionally attached. 4. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the slide (38. 39) are mounted in longitudinal grooves of the housing hewcgbai and each slide with a lateral recess (40, 41 ) is provided with eim: m The stop (42, 41) provided in the housing groove acts together to limit the slide movement. 5. Switch according to one of the claims I to i. characterized in that the sliding elements (38, 3 *.) are actuated in a manner known per se by eiiu 1 "ihwinpe (31). Considered publications: Deuisehe Patent Specifications No. I 005 5 'Ki. 4. '>SS', ii, German Auslegesehrilt No. 1 09 · IM). Ifier / u 1 leaf Zeii Iinungeii Ot Q •. '• I · I