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EP0113544B1 - Interrupteur sensible à une condition, en particulier avec une unité séparable sensible à la pression - Google Patents

Interrupteur sensible à une condition, en particulier avec une unité séparable sensible à la pression Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0113544B1
EP0113544B1 EP19830307436 EP83307436A EP0113544B1 EP 0113544 B1 EP0113544 B1 EP 0113544B1 EP 19830307436 EP19830307436 EP 19830307436 EP 83307436 A EP83307436 A EP 83307436A EP 0113544 B1 EP0113544 B1 EP 0113544B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
arm
pressure
switch
diaphragm
spring
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19830307436
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0113544A1 (fr
Inventor
Thomas J. Charboneau
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Texas Instruments Inc
Original Assignee
Texas Instruments Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US06/448,106 external-priority patent/US4459444A/en
Priority claimed from US06/448,668 external-priority patent/US4469923A/en
Application filed by Texas Instruments Inc filed Critical Texas Instruments Inc
Publication of EP0113544A1 publication Critical patent/EP0113544A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0113544B1 publication Critical patent/EP0113544B1/fr
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
    • H01H1/24—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with resilient mounting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H35/00—Switches operated by change of a physical condition
    • H01H35/24—Switches operated by change of fluid pressure, by fluid pressure waves, or by change of fluid flow
    • H01H35/34—Switches operated by change of fluid pressure, by fluid pressure waves, or by change of fluid flow actuated by diaphragm

Definitions

  • the field of this invention is that of condition responsive switches and the invention relates more particularly to switches using dished disc elements which move between original and inverted dished configurations with snap action in response to the occurrence of selected pressure conditions.
  • Conventional condition responsive switches have a contact arm movable between first and second switch positions, have a spring biasing the arm to one switch position, and have a dished disc element movable between original and inverted dished configurations with snap action for moving the switch between switch positions in response to the occurrence of selected conditions.
  • Such switches are intended to perform selected control functions but it is found that forces applied to the disc elements during assembly in the switches alter the response characteristics of the disc elements.
  • Various switch structures have been proposed for limiting such variations in forces applied to the discs during switch manufacture, assembly, and use so that the switches will display consistently and reliably reproducible response characteristics.
  • reaction forces applied to the discs due to overtravel of the discs during snap acting disc movement for closing switch contacts in known switch structures frequently result in undesirably large variations in the response characteristics of the switches.
  • a diaphragm In pressure responsive switches a diaphragm is conventionally exposed to fluid pressures in a zone to be monitored so that the diaphragm moves in response to applied fluid pressures.
  • the diaphragm is typically arranged to actuate an electrical switch or the like when an applied fluid pressure reaches a selected level.
  • such switches primarily serve a safety function for discontinuing operation of a compressor motor or the like if fluid pressure in the zone exceeds a safe level. Accordingly, the switches have a long service life but are required to undergo only a limited number of operating cycles during that service life. In such conventional applications the pressure switches also tend to be subjected to relatively low operating pressure levels. Accordingly, the performance requirements for such switches are relatively easy to meet.
  • the novel and improved condition responsive switch of this invention comprises a base and movable contact means which are mounted on the base to be movable between an open circuit position spaced from complementary stationary contacts mounted on the base and a closed circuit position engaged with the stationary contacts.
  • the movable contact means comprise terminal means mounted on the base having a first pivot surface disposed over the base in spaced, facing relation to the base.
  • the movable contact means further includes a rigid contact arm having a complementary pivot surface formed at one end of the arm, the arm being disposed with its complementary pivot surface arranged in facing relation to the first pivot surface on the terminal means so that the two pivot surfaces are adapted to engage each other and so that the arm is adapted to pivot around the point of that engagement for moving the opposite end of the arm between the noted switch positions.
  • a spring means comprising a flat spring having a relatively low spring rate and preferably having a bight formed intermediate the spring ends, is connected at one end to the terminal means and at its opposite end to the contact arm for biasing the complementary pivot surface on the arm into engagement with the first pivot surface on the terminal means.
  • the spring means also biases the arm to pivot the arm to move the opposite end of the arm to one of said switch positions.
  • the spring also serves to electrically connect the terminal means to the contact arm.
  • a pressure responsive means including a dished disc element which is arranged to move between original and dished configurations with snap action in response to changes in pressure conditions is disposed for cooperating with the switch arm in moving the arm between the switch positions in response to the occurrence of selected pressure conditions.
  • the spring means is arranged to bias the contact arm to an open contacts switch position and the condition responsive means is arranged with the dished disc element thereof disposed in an original dished configuration holding the contact arm in a closed contacts position against the spring bias.
  • the dished disc element is adapted to move to an inverted dished configuration with snap action for permitting sharp opening of the switch contacts on the occurrence of a selected actuating pressure condition or the like.
  • the dished element On the occurrence of a subsequent reset pressure condition the dished element is adapted to return to its original configuration with snap action for moving the contact arm back into its closed contacts position against the spring bias.
  • reaction forces applied to the disc element during build up of the desired contact engaging force tend to be very consistent and do not adversely effect manufacture of switches having consistently reproducible condition response characteristics.
  • reaction forces applied to the disc element due to overtravel of the disc result primarily from movement of a spring having a relatively low spring rate and those reaction forces therefore have little effect in varying the subsequent condition response characteristics of the dished disc element.
  • the pressure responsive unit comprises a support plate having an opening with tapered edges and has a diaphragm preferably formed of a superimposed pair of polyimide films or the like arranged on the plate over the opening.
  • An annular gasket is disposed over the diaphragm concentric with and closely surrounding the opening.
  • a metal port body has a recess in one end and has a port communicating with the recess. The recess is fitted over and closely surrounds the gasket and the bottom of the recess bears against the gasket to form a sealed pressure chamber at one side of the diaphragm which communicates through the body port with a pressure zone to be monitored.
  • a dished disc element of the type adapted to move from an original dished configuration to an inverted dished configuration with snap action when selected force is applied to the element is disposed at an opposite of the diaphragm and a force converter member is disposed between the dished element and the diaphragm.
  • a force receiving portion of the converter having tapered edges has a selected diameter and fits closely within the opening in the support plate to be movable with the diaphragm and a force applying portion of the converter of relatively larger diameter bears against one side of the dished element for transmitting diaphragm movement to the element.
  • Reaction means are provided for bearing against an opposite side of the dished element so that the element snaps to its inverted dished configuration when sufficient force is applied to it by the converter in response to application of selected force to the diaphragm.
  • Means mount the support plate, diaphragm, gasket, port body, converter and dished element in selected relation to each other to form a discrete, separately testable, pressure sensing unit.
  • the mounting means comprises a deformed metal sleeve which encloses the dished element and force.
  • the pressure responsive unit is of low cost, high performance construction and is easily and reliably assembled on the switch base to form a reliable pressure switch device.
  • the pressure unit also cooperates with other switch components to provide long cycle life under high pressure operating conditions.
  • Fig. 1 indicates the novel and improved condition responsive switch of this invention which is exemplified in Fig. 1 as a pressure switch device comprising a base means 12, stationary contact means 14 mounted on the base, movable contact means 16 mounted on the base for movement between alternate switch positions into and out of electrical engagement with the stationary contact means 14, spring means 18 biasing the movable contact means to one of the switch positions, and pressure responsive means 20 for cooperating with the spring means in moving the movable contact means between switch positions on the occurrence of selected pressure conditions or the like.
  • the base means 12 comprises a generally cylindrical, cup-shaped housing or body 12.1 formed of a rigid, electrically insulating thermoplastic material or the like having a bottom 12.2 with openings 12.3 therein, having a side wall 12.4, having an open end 12.5, and having an integral mounting flange 12.6 extending around the open end of the housing.
  • integral abutments 12.7 are formed inside the housing body chamber 12.8 adjacent to the opening 12.3.
  • the stationary contact means preferably comprises a first rigid terminal plate member 14.1 formed of a rigid, electrically conductive material such as copper, brass, or bronze or the like which fits through one of the openings 12.3 in the housing bottom 12.2, a terminal post 14.2 extending outside of the housing for permitting electrical connection to be made to the first terminal member, a pair of wings 14.3 (only one being shown) on respective sides of the terminal member to engage respective abutments 12.7 inside the housing chamber, a pair of tabs 14.4 (only one being shown) on respective opposite sides of the terminal post engaging the outer side of the housing bottom 12.2 for securing the terminal member securely in the opening 12.3 against abutments 12.7, a contact seat 14.5 struck and bent out of the upstanding end 14.6 of the first terminal plate member, and an electrical contact 14.7 mounted on the seat by welding or soldering or the like, the contact preferably being formed of a precious metal or other material having desired contact wear and resistance characteristics in conventional manner.
  • the movable contact means 16 includes a second, rigid terminal plate member 16.1 of an electrically conductive copper, brass or bronze material or the like having a terminal post 16.2, having wings 16.3, and having mounting tabs 16.4 similar to those of the first terminal member.
  • the second terminal member also has an opening 16.5 therein at an end 16.6 of the member upstanding from the base and has a first pivot surface 16.7 formed inside that opening at a margin of the opening where the surface is disposed over the bottom 12.2 of the base or housing in spaced, facing relation to the base bottom.
  • Movable contact means also includes a contact arm 22 which is also preferably formed of a rigid, and typically conductive material such as steel, and is fitted into the opening 16.5 in the second terminal member as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the contact arm has a second or complementary pivot. surface 22.1 formed on the arm adjacent one end 22.2 of the arm. With the contact arm inserted in the terminal opening 16.5, that complementary pivot surface is disposed in facing relation to the first pivot 16.7 formed on the terminal member.
  • the contact arm has a central portion 22.3 extending across the housing chamber 12.8 near the open end of the housing body, has a pair of lever tabs 22.4 ' (only one being shown) at opposite sides of the arm near the arm end 22.2 for engaging the terminal member near the opening 16.5, and has an electrical contact 22.5 secured to the arm at the opposite end 22.6 of the arm to be pivoted into and out of electrically contacting engagement with the stationary contact 14.7.
  • the contact arm has a portion 22.7 formed therein intermediate the arm ends to be engaged for pivoting the arm, that deformed portion also typically serving to form a stiffening rib to add to the rigidity of the contact arm.
  • the spring means 18 preferably comprises a flat spring formed of beryllium copper, phosphor bronze, stainless steel or other electrically conductive material haying one or more bights 18.1 formed therein intermediate the ends of the spring, the spring preferably being secured at one end 18.2 by welding or riveting or the like in any conventional manner to the terminal plate member and at its opposite end 18.3 in a similar manner to the contact arm 22.
  • the spring is connected to the terminal member and to the arm 22 for normally biasing the complementary pivot surface 22.1 of the arm into pivotal engagement with the first pivot surface 16.7 on the terminal member.
  • the spring 18 also normally biases the contact arm to pivot (in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig.
  • the flat spring 18 has a relatively low spring rate as measured at the transfer pin 42 location, of 3.3 pounds per inch and preferably less than about 10 pounds per inch or less and in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring end 18.3 is connected to said opposite end 22.6 of the arm so that a length of the spring 18.4 extends along the arm between the arm and the base bottom 12.2 with a small angular separation a between the spring portion 18.4 and the arm.
  • condition responsive means 20 includes a dished disc spring element 24 formed of a metal spring material such as stainless steel or a thermostat bimetal or the like which is adapted to move between original and inverted dished configurations with snap action in response to the occurrence of selected pressure applied to the disc.
  • a dished disc spring element 24 formed of a metal spring material such as stainless steel or a thermostat bimetal or the like which is adapted to move between original and inverted dished configurations with snap action in response to the occurrence of selected pressure applied to the disc.
  • condition responsive means 20 comprises a discrete separately testable pressure responsive unit having the dished disc element 24 arranged for cooperating with the spring 18 in moving the switch device 10 between switch positions thereof in response to changes in pressure conditions in a pressure zone to be monitored. That is, as is shown in Fig.
  • the condition responsive means comprises a support plate 26 having an opening 26.1, a flexible diaphragm 28 disposed over the support opening, a ring gasket 30 arranged concentric with the support opening for forming a pressure chamber 32 at one side of the diaphragm, and a port body 34 having a recess 34.1 fitted over the gasket to seal the chamber, having a passage 34.2 communicating with the chamber, and having a clamping or mounting ring 34.3 formed around the recess.
  • a force converter 36 is aligned with the support opening at the opposite side of the diaphragm to be movable in response to movement of the diaphragm as the diaphragm moves in response to variation in fluid pressures applied to the diaphragm in the chamber 32.
  • the converter has a force receiving portion 36.1 of one diameter fitted into the support opening 26.1 and has a force transmitting portion 36.2 of a relatively greater diameter.
  • the dished disc element 24 is positioned to be engaged on one side by force transmitting portion of the force converter, and reaction means 38 of a different diameter are arranged to engage an opposite side of the dished disc element.
  • the dished element is adapted to move from the dished configuration shown in Fig. 1 to an inverted dished configuration with snap action when a selected actuating force is applied to the disc element through the force converter in response to application of a selected actuating fluid pressure to the diaphragm 20.
  • the disc is also adapted to return to the illustrated dished configuration with snap action when the fluid pressure applied to the diaphragm falls to a selected, relatively lower, reset fluid pressure level.
  • the reaction means 38 are integrally incorporated in a sleeve 40 which is swaged as shown in Fig. 1 for securing the various components of the condition responsive means 20 together in the illustrated manner.
  • the sleeve 40 has a guide flange 40.1 slideably receiving a ceramic motion transfer pin 42 or the like for transmitting movement from the dished disc element spring 24 to the flat spring 18, the shoulder 40.2 of the sleeve locates the element 24 and the force converter 36 relative to the reaction means 38, and the flange 40.3 secures the support plate 26, the diaphragm 28, the gasket 30, and the clamping portion 34.3 of the port body together.
  • condition responsive means 20 are pretestable to assure they display desired pressure response characteristics and are then mounted on the base 12 in any conventional manner such as by having a metal mounting sleeve 44 or the like swaged around the housing flange 12.6 and around a portion of the condition responsive means 20 as shown in Fig. 1.
  • edges 26.2 of the support opening are tapered and the force receiving portion 36.1 of the force converter fits closely within the opening and has similar tapered edges 36.3.
  • the diaphragm 28 comprises a plurality of superimposed, thin films 28.1, 28.2 (see Fig. 5) of strong, pliable and stiffly flexible polyimide material about 0.005 inches thick which are preferably cut square as shown in Fig. 5.
  • the gasket 30 is only slightly larger than the opening 26 1 and the recess 34.1 fits closely around the gasket so that the side wall of the recess restrains gasket expansion.
  • the force converter has an annular stop 36.4 of relatively larger diameter than the dished element 24 which engages the portion of the sleeve 40 incorporating the reaction means 38 after the dished element snaps over and responds to fluid pressure on the diaphragm.
  • the port body 34 is an extruded, one-piece body having an integral connector 34.4 threaded as at 34.5 and provided with hex means as at 34.6.
  • the pressure device 20 is of simple, low cost construction but is adapted to withstand very high operating pressures while moving the disc 24 to its inverted dished configuration to perform a control function over a long service life in response to the application of precisely predetermined fluid pressure to the diaphragm 28 in the chamber 32.
  • the chamber's size is restricted by the gasket diameter and by the recess fitting closely around the gasket to prevent lateral blowout of the gasket for reducing forces applied to the device components by the applied high fluid pressures; the diaphragm is substantially fully supported while under initially applied pressures, undergoes a precisely limited degree of flexing in response to increases in pressure to the actuating level of the device, and is thereafter substantially fully supported to prevent diaphragm rupture if substantial overpressures should occur.
  • the multiple films used in forming the diaphragm permit flexing of the diaphragm over a long service life with improved strength and with reduced risk of fatigue cracking or the like and tapering of edges of the support and force converter while those components engage the diaphragm avoids risk of injury to the diaphragm.
  • the square cutting of the film permits full use of film material without waste while achieving center locating of the films over the opening 26.1.
  • the components of the pressure unit 20 are easily and accurately assembled by simply dropping the unit components into the sleeve 40 and by swaging the sleeve over the port clamping ring as shown.
  • the unit is also adapted to be separately tested for achieving desired performance characteristics before assembly with other switch components.
  • the contacts 14.7 and 22.5 are welded to the terminal 14 and arm 22, and the spring 18 is welded or riveted to the arm.
  • the arm is slipped into place in the terminal opening 16.5 and the spring 18 has a selected shape so it is compressed to a known degree and is then welded or riveted to the terminal 16.1 to normally bias the complementary pivot surface 22.1 against the pivot surface 16.7.
  • the terminal members 14 and 16 are mounted on the base 12 and the condition responsive means 20 is mounted on the base 12 by the swaged sleeve 44 with a motion transfer pin 42 of selected length disposed between the disc element 24 and the contact arm 22.
  • the arm is disposed in the switch in the position shown in Fig.
  • the disc element 24 and the spring 18 cooperate so that, while a first fluid pressure is applied to the diaphragm 28 as indicated by the arrow 46, the disc element 24 is normally disposed in the dished configuration illustrated in Fig. 1 and positions the pin 42 to hold the contact arm 22 in the position shown against the bias spring 18.
  • the applied fluid pressure 46 is then increased to the selected actuating pressure of the switch device 10, the disc element 24 moves with snap action to an .
  • the contact arm is pivoted oppositely so that the complementary pivot surface 22.1 of the arm is moved away from the pivot surface 16.7. That is, the arm then pivots around the point of engagement between the contacts 22.5 and 14.7 so that the first end 22.2 of the arm pivots (counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 1) toward the bottom 12.2 of the switch base.
  • the switch device 10 is adapted to return to its closed contact position and to accommodate any overtravel type of snap-acting disc movement in closing the switch contacts without substantially altering the condition response characteristics of the switch. Accordingly, manufacturing tolerances for switch components and for switch assembly can be relatively large without savings in cost while assuring manufacture of switches with consistently reproducible performance characteristics.
  • the contact arm 22 has lever tab means 22.4 thereon adapted to engage the terminal member 16 or the like during pivotal movement of the arm relative to the member 16.
  • lever means are located to engage the arm and move the arm laterally as the arm pivots so that the point 22.8 of pivotal engagement between the pivot surfaces 22.1 and 16.7 changes as pivoting of the arm continues and produces a wiping engagement between the switch contacts 22.5 and 14.7 for enhancing electrical engagement between the switch contacts.
  • the switch device 10 as above described is adapted to be easily and reliably manufactured and assembled but is adapted to be made with consistently reproducible pressure response characteristics.
  • the switch device is particularly adapted to permit overtravel movement of the disc 24 during snap acting movement of the disc for closing switch contacts without substantially altering subsequent condition response characteristics of the switch. As a result, manufacture and assembly of the switch is adapted to be accomplished at low cost while achieving improved switch performance.
  • an alternate switch device 50 is adapted to provide normally open switch contact operation. That is, in that device the contact 22.5 is located on an opposite side of the contact arm 22 and the terminal 14 has an opening 14.9 in which the stationary contact 14.7 is mounted to be engaged and disengaged by the movable contact 22.5.
  • the motion transfer pin 42 normally holds the arm 22 in a contacts open position as shown in Fig. 2 but when applied pressure is increased to the selected actuating pressure of the switch, the disc 24 inverts and permits the spring 18 to move the switch sharply to closed contacts position.
  • an additional terminal member 54 is mounted on the base 12 and has an additional stationary contact 54.1 mounted on one end of that terminal member.
  • the motion transfer pin 42 normally holds the contact arm 22 in a first, closed contact switch position so that one movable contact 22.5 carried on the arm is normally engaged with the stationary contact 54.1.
  • the disc 24 inverts and permits the spring 18 to move the contact arm to a second, closed contacts switch position engaging a second movable contact 22.5 with the stationary contact 14.7 as will be understood.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Switches Operated By Changes In Physical Conditions (AREA)

Claims (9)

1. Interrupteur électrique réagissant à la pression (10; 50; 52) présentant un ensemble de contact mobile (16) monté sur une base (12) de manière à pouvoir se déplacer entre une première position d'interrupteur venant au contact d'un contact fixe (14) et une seconde position d'interrupteur espacée de ce contact fixe (14), l'ensemble de contact mobile (16) étant soumis à une sollicitation élastique vers l'une desdites positions d'interrupteur, et un ensemble réagissant à la pression (20) comprenant un élément en forme de disque bombé (24) déplaçable d'une configuration bombée d'origine vers une configuration bombée inversée avec un effet de déclenchement brusque en réponse à l'apparition d'une condition choisie de pression dans une zone de pression à contrôler, en vue de déplacer l'ensemble de contact mobile (16) vers l'autre desdites positions d'interrupteur à l'encontre de ladite sollicitation élastique, caractérisé en ce que l'ensemble de contact mobile (16) comprend une borne montée sur la base (12) et présentant une première surface de pivotement (16.7) placée suivant une disposition en regard et espacée de cette base (12), un bras rigide de contact (22) présentant une surface complémentaire de pivotement (22.1) à proximité de l'une de ses extrémités et placée suivant une disposition en regard de la première surface de pivotement (16.7) de manière à être mis en contact avec celle-ci pour faire pivoter le bras (22) entre lesdites positions d'interrupteur, et un ressort plat et conducteur de l'électricité (18) possédant un taux d'élasticité relativement faible et dans lequel est formée une partie en forme de méandre (18.1) située à une extrémité de ce ressort (18) qui est fixé sur la borne en jonction conductrice de l'électricité, avec une extrémité opposée (18.3) fixée sur le bras de contact (22) suivant une jonction de liaison électrique, la partie en forme de méandre (18.1) étant comprimée de façon à solliciter élastiquement le bras (22) à l'écart de la base (12) de manière à faire venir la surface complémentaire de pivotement (22.1) au contact de la première surface de pivotement (16.7), et de façon à solliciter élastiquement le bras (22) pour qu'il pivote à l'écart de la base (12) vers l'une desdites positions d'interrupteur, et en ce que l'élément en forme de disque bombé (24) est accouplé à ce bras (22) entre lesdites extrémités du bras afin de faire pivoter ce bras en direction de la base (12), vers l'autre desdites positions d'interrupteur et à l'encontre de ladite sollicitation élastique, sous l'effet dudit déplacement de déclenchement brusque de l'élément en forme de disque (24), et afin de permettre un déplacement de la surface complémentaire de pivotement (22.1) à l'écart de la première surface de pivotement (16.7) pour permettre un dépassement de position limite de la part de l'élément en forme de disque (24) au cours d'un tel déclenchement brusque, sans modifier de manière notable les caractéristiques de réponse à la pression de cet élément en forme de disque (24) en place dans le dispositif interrupteur.
2. Interrupteur réagissant à la pression tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 1, caractérisé en outre en ce que la borne comprend une première pièce en forme de plaque (16.1) présentant l'une de ses extrémités montée sur la base (12) suivant une disposition verticale par rapport à cette base, présentant une ouverture (16.5) qui y est ménagée à une extrémité opposée (16.6) de cette première pièce en forme de plaque (16.1), et présentant ladite première surface de pivotement (16.7) qui est formée à l'intérieur de cette ouverture (16.5) sur un côté de cette ouverture, et le bras rigide (22) a ladite première extrémité engagée dans ladite ouverture (16.5) de manière à placer ladite surface complémentaire de pivotement (22.1) suivant une disposition en regard de la première surface de pivotement (16.7) et de façon à situer un premier côté du bras (22) suivant une disposition en regard et espacée de la base (12), le ressort (18) présentant sa dite première extrémité fixée sur ladite première extrémité de la première pièce formant plaque (16.1), présentant ladite partie en forme de méandre (18.1) du ressort logée dans ladite ouverture de plaque (16.5), et présentant ladite extrémité opposée (18.3) de ce ressort (18) fixée sur ledit premier côté du bras de contact (22) de manière à solliciter élastiquement ce bras pour le déplacer à l'écart de la base (12).
3. Interrupteur réagissant à la pression tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 2, caractérisé en outre en ce que ladite extrémité opposée (18.3) du ressort (18) est fixée sur ledit premier côté du bras de contact (22) à proximité de ladite extrémité opposée du bras, un tronçon du ressort s'étendant le long de ce bras de contact (22) avec un écart angulaire choisi (2) par rapport à ce bras de manière telle qu'un déplacement du bras servant à déplacer la surface complémentaire de pivotement (22.1) de ce bras à l'écart de ladite première surface de pivotement (16.7) soit apte à faire venir le bras de contact (22) au contact dudit tronçon de ressort et le long de ce tronçon, afin de faciliter un déplacement du bras de contact au cours du déplacement de l'élément en forme de disque (24) avec dépassement de position limite et déclenchement brusque.
4. Interrupteur réagissant à la pression tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 2, caractérisé en outre en ce que des moyens formant levier (22.4) sont prévus sur ledit bras de contact (22) pour venir au contact de ladite pièce formant plaque au cours d'un déplacement en pivotement de ce bras de contact afin de déplacer latéralement le point de venue en contact de ladite surface complémentaire de pivotement (22.1) avec ladite première surface de pivotement (16.7) au cours d'un déplacement en pivotement du bras, de manière à produire une venue en contact avec frottement entre les contacts mobile (22.5) et fixe (14.7) de l'interrupteur, dans le but d'accroître la mise en contact électrique desdits contacts.
5. Dispositif interrupteur réagissant à la pression tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 1, caractérisé en outre en ce que l'ensemble réagissant à la pression est un ensemble indépendant présentant des caractéristiques de réponse à la pression pouvant être soumis à des essais de manière séparée, des moyens assurent le montage de cet ensemble réagissant à la pression sur la base (12), et des moyens de transmission de mouvement sont disposées entre cet ensemble réagissant à la pression et ledit ensemble de contact mobile (16) afin de déplacer cet ensemble de contact mobile (16) entre lesdites positions d'interrupteur en réponse à l'application de ladite pression choisie de fluide sur cet ensemble réagissant à la pression, ce même ensemble réagissant à la pression comprenant un support (26) dans lequel est ménagé une ouverture (26.1), une membrane (28) disposée sur ce support (26) en s'étendant par dessus l'ouverture (26.1), un joint d'étanchéité (30) présentant une ouverture plus grande que l'ouverture de support (26.1) et disposé sur un premier côté de la membrane (28) à l'opposé du support et suivant une disposition concentrique à l'ouverture de support (26.1), un ensemble à orifice (34) qui est monté sur ledit premier côté de la membrane (28) de façon à prendre appui contre le joint d'étanchéité (30) et à former une chambre rendue étanche (32) sur ledit premier côté de cette membrane (28), cet ensemble à orifice (34) présentant un passage (34.2) qui communique avec la chambre afin d'exposer ledit premier côté de la membrane (28) à une pression de fluide de façon à déplacer cette membrane par rapport à l'ouverture de support (26.1 ) sous l'effet de ladite pression, un élément en forme de disque bombé (24) disposé sur un côté opposé de la membrane (28) de façon à pouvoir être déplacé avec un effet de déclenchement brusque entre des configurations bombées d'origine et inversée afin de déplacer les moyens interrupteurs entre lesdites positions d'interrupteur, un convertisseur de force (36) disposé entre l'élément en forme de disque (24) et la membrane (28) et présentant une partie réceptrice de force (36.1) ayant un premier diamètre choisi étant disposée dans l'ouverture de support (26.1) de manière à réagir à un déplacement de la membrane (28), et présentant une partie annulaire d'application de force ayant un second diamètre relativement plus grand et prenant appui contre un diamètre correspondant d'une face de l'élément en forme de disque (24) afin de transmettre ledit déplacement de la membrane (28) à cet élément, des moyens de réaction (38) présentant une partie annulaire concentrique de réaction ayant un diamètre différent venant au contact d'un diamètre correspondant d'une face opposée de l'élément en forme de disque (24) en permettant à cet élément de se déplacer vers ladite configuration bombée inversée en réponse à l'application de ladite pression choisie de fluide sur la membrane (28), et des moyens assurant le montage du support (26) et de l'élément en forme de disque (24), ainsi qui l'ensemble à orifice (34), le joint d'étanchéité (30), le convertisseur et les moyens de réaction (38) suivant une disposition fixe les uns par rapport aux autres et par rapport à la membrane (28) de manière à former ledit ensemble indépendant réagissant à la pression et pouvant être soumis séparément à des essais.
6. Interrupteur réagissant à la pression tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 5, caractérisé en outre en ce que l'ouverture de support (26.1) présente un diamètre choisi et l'ouverture du joint d'étanchéité est limitée à un diamètre qui n'est que légèrement supérieur à l'ouverture de support (26.1) afin de limiter la force appliquée sur le support (26) par ladite pression appliquée de fluide, et l'ensemble à orifice (34) comprend un . corps métallique présentant dans une extrémité une cavité (34.1) s'emboîtant autour du joint annulaire d'étanchéité (30), cette cavité (34.1) présentant un fond qui prend appui contre ce joint d'étanchéité (30) de façon à former ladite chambre rendue étanche (32), une paroi latérale venant au contact du diamètre extérieur du joint d'étanchéité (30) afin de restreindre le diamètre extérieur de ce joint d'étanchéité en vue de limiter les forces appliquées sur le support (26) par la pression de fluide régnant dans la chambre (32), et présentant une partie annulaire de corps venue de matière et située autour de la cavité (34.1) et qui prend appui contre la membrane (28) afin de fixer des parties de bord de la membrane suivant une disposition fixe par rapport au support (26), le corps présentant une partie supplémentaire venue de matière qui délimite ledit passage destiné à la liaison avec une zone dont la pression de fluide doit être contrôlée.
7. Interrupteur réagissant à la pression tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 6, caractérisé en outre en ce que la membrane (28) comprend plusieurs films flexibles (28.1, 28.2) en une matière organique, disposées de manière superposée l'un par rapport à l'autre sur le support (26) et serrés entre ce support (26) et ladite partie annulaire venue de matière (34.3) de l'ensemble à orifice (34) afin de coopérer pour résister à des pressions appliquées de fluide relativement élé- vées sans déchirure et afin de permettre une flexion de la membrane pendant une période prolongée de service.
8. Interrupteur réagissant à la pression tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que le convertisseur de force (36) présente des moyens de butée (36.4) aptes à venir en contact desdits moyens de réaction (38) après un déplacement avec effet de déclenchement brusque de l'élément en forme de disque (24) vers ladite configuration bombée inversée en réponse à l'application d'une pression de fluide sur la membrane (28) afin de protéger cet élément en forme de disque (24) et à soutenir de manière active cette membrane (28) dans l'orifice de support (26.1) si une pression de fluide en excès est appliquée sur la membrane (28).
9. Interrupteur réagissant à la pression tel qu'indiqué dans la revendication 8, caractérisé en outre en ce que lesdits moyens de montage comprennent un manchon métallique (40) venu de matière avec lesdits moyens de réaction (38), ledit manchon (40) présentant à une extrémité une collerette repliée vers l'intérieur et venue de matière, qui présente lesdits moyens de réaction (38) et dans laquelle est emboutie ladite partie annulaire de réaction de ces moyens de réaction, ledit manchon (40) enfermant ledit disque (24), ledit convertisseur de force (36) et ladite partie en forme de collerette venue de matière (34.3) du corps de l'élément à orifice (34), et présentant à l'extrémité opposée du manchon une collerette repliée vers l'intérieur et venue de matière (40.3) qui vient au contact de ladite partie en forme de collerette (34.3) du corps à orifice (34) de façon à former ledit ensemble réagissant à la pression, indépendant et pouvant être soumis séparément à des essais.
EP19830307436 1982-12-09 1983-12-07 Interrupteur sensible à une condition, en particulier avec une unité séparable sensible à la pression Expired EP0113544B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/448,106 US4459444A (en) 1982-12-09 1982-12-09 Condition responsive switch
US448106 1982-12-09
US06/448,668 US4469923A (en) 1982-12-10 1982-12-10 Pressure responsive switch with discrete pressure responsive unit
US448668 1982-12-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0113544A1 EP0113544A1 (fr) 1984-07-18
EP0113544B1 true EP0113544B1 (fr) 1987-01-28

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EP19830307436 Expired EP0113544B1 (fr) 1982-12-09 1983-12-07 Interrupteur sensible à une condition, en particulier avec une unité séparable sensible à la pression

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EP (1) EP0113544B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE3369595D1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2582442B1 (fr) * 1985-05-22 1988-08-26 Telemecanique Electrique Interrupteur de securite a ouverture forcee de ses contacts repos
US5049708A (en) * 1990-05-25 1991-09-17 Baker Gary A Normally closed pressure responsive switch
NL1000221C2 (en) * 1995-04-25 1996-10-28 Capax B V Double pole switch operated by trigger e.g. for control of hand-held hammer drill

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR937971A (fr) * 1942-04-13 1948-09-01 Reggiardi & Co Interrupteur, commutateur électrique ou semblable, à levier ou leviers oscillants,apte à déterminer une forte pression de clôture sur les plots
GB1278778A (en) * 1968-08-19 1972-06-21 Simplifix Couplings Ltd Improvements in pressure actuated switches
DE2261761C2 (de) * 1972-12-16 1974-10-31 Robert Scheuffele & Co, Armaturen Und Apparate, 7120 Bissingen Elektrischer Druckschalter
US3876845A (en) * 1973-11-16 1975-04-08 Neo Dyn Inc Pressure and temperature actuated switches
US4342887A (en) * 1980-08-15 1982-08-03 Texas Instruments Incorporated Normally closed pressure responsive switch with improved compact structure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3369595D1 (en) 1987-03-05
EP0113544A1 (fr) 1984-07-18

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