US2769947A - Control circuit and actuating mechanism for a coaxial switch - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 6, 1956 w R. ELLIOTT 2,759,947

CONTROL CIRCUIT AND ACTUATING MECI'HNI M FOR A COAXIAL SWITCH Filed Jan. 26, 1953 TF1 q 1 24/ A V 41 Z4 w 120 4i 45 4/ a T 5 w-\ 61 s 58 15 a I 57 40 59 38 as I a2 'l ETYETIZLDT & MM%M Wm. 4

United States Patent CONTROL CIRCUIT AND ACTUATING MECHA- NISM FOR A COAXIAL SWITCH William R. Elliott, Bellevue, Wash, assignor son Products, Ohio to Thomp- Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Application January 26, 1953, Serial No. 333,106 9 Claims. (Cl. 318-267) tatable driving member rather than by means of a stepby-step driving member.

When a continuously rotating driving member, such as the rotor of an electric motor, is utilized to move a position is often inadequate to stop the switch rotor and return it to the preselected position.

It is, therefore, a further object of the present invention to provide novel means for rendering the angular switch rotor in the preselected position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide novel indexing mechanism for a coaxial switch in which pletely stopped.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide nove wever, both as to its organization, manner of construction and Figure 2 is a fragmentary transverse section view taken substantially along the line IIII of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line HI-II-I of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram indicating the control system for the motor.

The present invention is particularly adapted for use with a rotary coaxial switch having a rotor which is designed to be rotated into one or more preselected positions to complete one or more circuits. It will be readily appreciated that in a coaxial-type switch much more precise positioning rotor is required than in the ordinary switch. It 18 the particular problems which are switch,

for selectively indexing the switch rotor to one of a plurality of preselected switching positions. The invention is, therefore, illustrated as it might be employed with such an index and control system by way of example and not by way of limitation.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, by way of example, a single pole, double throw rotary coaxial switch 10 is operated by an actuating mechanism generally designated by the reference numeral 11. The rotary switch 10 comprises stationary switch body 12 and a switch rotor 13 rotatably mounted therein.

The switch rotor 13 has an inner conductor elbow 14 having a reduced diameter pin 15 axially of said is centered axially of fitting 19 by means of insulation 22. The switch rotor 13 is turned to sethe inner conductor and 26 afford outer conductors for connection with the mg gear 36, shaft 37, 39 and shaft 40.

In order to accurately position the switch rotor preselected position in which the detent mechanism is operative to move the switch rotor to the central position desired.

' By way of definite example, the detent may have an overall range of 30, with a range in advance of the predetermined switching position of and a range beyond the predetermined switching position of 15. By way of example, this range of detent action may be accomplished by means of a detent gear 42 which is controlled by means of a pair of opposed arms 43 and 44 illustrated as being pivotally mounted on the coaxial switch housing 12 by means of bolts 45.

The details of this mechanism are described in my copending application entitled Rotary Coaxial Switch Actuating Mechanism, Serial No. 259,979, filed Decembet 5, 1951, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

As also described in my above mentioned copending application, a sloppy coupling indicated generally by the reference numeral 50 is provided between the shafts '32 and 40. This coupling is designed to allow some 'free play between the action of the switch detent 41 and the motor driving system for the shaft 40. The coupling permits the detent mechanism 41 to center the rotor shaft 32 in its proper position after the shaft 40 has been stopped by means of the braking mechanism which will hereinafter be described.

For disconnecting the motor reverse winding which is utilized to brake the motor, as will hereinafter be described, a switch 55 is utilized which is associated with the shaft 40. The switch comprises a microswitch' 56, Figure 2, connected in series with conductors 57 and 58 and having an actuating button 60 for opening the circuit in normal projected position, and for closing the circuits when depressed. The button 60 is controlled by an operating lever 61 loosely carried by the shaft 40 for movement from a lower position abutting the stop 63, Figure 2, to the upper position shown in solid outline in Figure 2 wherein the edge of the lever 61 contacts the button 60 to depress the same. When the shaft 40 is rotating counterclockwise as seen in Figure 2, the lever 61 is lifted to its actuated position by means of friction coupling disks 65 and 66 which are fixed in grooves in the shaft 40- and rotate therewith and have annular endfaces 69 and 70 hearing on opposite sides of the lever 61 to urge the lever to turn with the shaft 40. I It will be understood that the disks 65 and 66 are of resilient material and are so positioned as to be ten- :sioned to urge the annular faces 69 and 70 against the opposed surfaces of the lever 61. Thus when the shaft is: turning counterclockwise, the lever arm 61 will be in the switch actuating position shown in Figure 2, while when the shaft rotated counterclockwise, the lever arm 61 will be moved against the stop 63 to open the motor reverslng circuit.

.The operation of the control circuit will now be readily understood by reference to Figure 4. In Figure 4, the motor armature is represented at73, and the motor is provided with a split series field winding including windings 74 and 75, the Winding 74 being arranged to drive'the shaft 40 in the counterclockwise direction as seen in Figure 2, while the Winding 75 is arranged to drive the shaft 40 in theclockwise direction and will be termed the reverse winding of the motor.

' The wafer switch 80 shown mounted on the motor shaft 32 in Figure 1 includes rotor sections 81 and 82 which turn with the shaft 32 by virtue of the rectangular slots 83 and 84 interlocked with a flattened'portion of the shaft 32 as indicated in Figure 4. Voltage-may be supplied to the control circuit by means of a pair of supply lines 85 and 85', and the voltage may be supplied between tne common conductor 87 and conductor 88 or. 88 by any suitable selector means, such as suitable jacks connected to the three conductors and plugs connected with the respective supply lines, one plug being inserted in the jack for conductor 87 and the other plug being selectively connected with thejack for conductor 88 or 88', or alternatively as illustrated, conductor 87 the rotor is in the vicinity of said first may be electrically connected with one of the supply lines 85' while a selector switch 86 selectively connects the other supply line 85 with line 88 or 88. When a supply voltage is applied between common conductor 87 and conductor 88 the motor is driven in the forward direction through conductor 89, stationary contact 90, rotor 81, stationary contact 91, conductor 92, series winding 74, armature 73, to conductor 87. The shaft 40 is now turned in the counterclockwise direction, and the lever 61 actuates the button 60 of microswitch 56 to close the switch 55, Figure 4. When the lobe 94 of rotor 82 of wafer switch reaches the stationary contact 97, and the gap 98 in the rotor 81 reaches the stationary contact 90, the forward winding 74 is deenergized, and the reverse winding 75 is energized through conductor 88, conductor 100, stationary contact 97, rotor lobe $4, stationary contact 101, conductor 57, switch 55, conductor 53, reverse winding 75, armature 73 and conductor 87. The braking action is then exerted on the armature 73 by the reverse winding '75 to bring the shaft 40 to a stop adjacent a selected switching position, in this case with the rotor elbow 14 in registry with the inner conductor 24 of the branch terminal 26. When the armature has completely stopped rotating in the counterclockwise direction and begins to rotate in the clockwise direction due to the reverse winding 75, the lever 61 is moved away from the button 61) to open the microswitch 55 and deenergize the reverse winding 75. It will be understood that the detent means 41 is then free to exactly position the switch rotor in its left hand switching position by virtue of the sloppy coupling 50. The rotors 81 and 82 are illustrated in Figure 4 in positions corresponding to the position of the rotor in Figure l at'its right hand station. The circuit operation for ind-exing the rotor to the right hand position shown in Figure l is the same as that described hereinabove and need not be specifically described. Corresponding primed reference numerals have been applied to the conductors which are connected to the supply lines to index the switch to its right hand position.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will, of course, be understood that I do not Wish to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. Indexing mechanism for selectively positioning a rotor with respect to first and second surrounding stations, comprising a motor, first and second energizing circuits for said motor, indexing means driven by said motor and controlling said first and second motor energizing circuits, said indexing means being operative to open said first and second motor energizing circuits when the rotor is in the vicinity of said first and second stations respectively, first and second braking circuits for said motor, rotary switch means driven by said motor and controlling said first and second braking circuits, said switch means being operative to close said first braking circuit when said rotor has angularly moved to a preselected relative position with respect to said first station and being operative to close said second braking circuit when said rotor has angularly moved to a preselected relative position with respect to said second station, and selector means selectively accommodating energization of said first and second motor energizing circuits.

2. Indexing mechanism for selectively positioning a rotor With respect to first and second surrounding stations, comprising a motor, first and second energizing circuits for said motor, indexing switch means driven by said motor and controlling said first and second motor energizing circuits, said indexing switch means being operative to open said first and second motor energizing circuits when and second stations respectively, first and second reverse energizing circuits.

for said motor, rotary switch means driven by said 1110- ergizing said motor to drive said rotor in the forward tor and controlling said first and second motor reverse direction, first and second motor braking circuits includenergizing circuits, said switch means being operative ing respectively said first and second braking contacts to close said first and second motor reverse energizing and said braking member for applying a braking force to circuits when said rotor has angularly moved to a presesaid motor shaft, the respective stationary indexing and lected relative position with respect to said first and secbraking contacts being arranged with respect to said rotor 0nd stations respectively, and selector means selectively shaft to contemporaneously deenergize the selected m0- accommodating energization of said first motor energiztor-energizing circuit and to energize the corresponding ing and reverse energizing circuit and said second motor motor braking circuit to selectively position the rotor at energizing and reverse energizing circuit. the first and second stations, and selector means selec- 3. Indexing mechanism for selectively positioning a roti ciy a ommodating energization of said first motor entor with respect to first and second surrounding stations, ergizing and braking circuits and said second motor encomprising a motor, first and second energizing circuits ergizing and braking circuits. for said motor, indexing switch means driven by said 6. Indexing mechanism for selectively positioning a romotor and controlling said first and second motor enertor with respect to first and second surrounding stations gizing circuits, said indexing switch means bein operaof a coaxial switch, comprising a rotor shaft in driving tive to open said first and second motor energizing circonnection with said rotor a motor shaft in driving concuits when the rotor is in the vicinity of said first and nection with sa d rotor shaft a motor in driving consecond stations respectively, first and second reverse ennection with said motor shaft indexing switch means inergizing circuits for said motor, rotary switch means eluding an indexing member on said rotor shaft and to driven by said motor and controlling said first and econd tatable therewith and a pair of arcuately spaced stationary motor reverse energizing circuits, said switch means being indexing contacts disposed about said rotor shaft and c0- opeiative to close said first and second motor reverse operating with said indexing member, said indexing memenergizing circuits when said rotor has angularly moved her having a non-conducting portion for successively isoto a preselected relative position with respect to said first lating said first and second stationary contacts as said roand second stations respectively, further switch means tor shaft is rotated braking switch means including a in the motor reverse energizing circuits maintained closed braking member on said rotor shaft and rotatable thereby continuous rotation of the motor in the forward direcwith and first and second braking contacts disposed artion but opening upon reverse rotation of said motor, cuately about said rotor shaft and cooperating with said and selector means selectively accommodating energizabraking member, said braking member being operative tion of said first motor energizing and motor reverse ento successively make contact with said first and second ergizing circuits and said second motor energizing and contacts as said rotoi shaft is rotated first and second motor reverse energizing circuits. motor energizin circuits including respectively said first 4. Indexing mechanism for selectively positioning a roand second indexing contacts and said indexing member tor with respect to first and second surrounding stations, r n gizing said m or to drive saidrotor in the forcomprising a motor, a shaft driven by said motor and ward direction, first and second motor braking circuits driving said rotor and having an indexing member there- 1 Including r pw v ly 831d r t and Second braking on, first and second stationary indexing contacts cooperntacts and said braking member for applying a brakating with said lilClEXlIl" member, first and second motor ing force to said motor shaft the respective stationary energizing circuits including respectively said first and ndexing and braking contacts being arranged with resecond indexing contacts and said i dexin m mbe a spect to said rotoi shaft to contemporaneously deenergize braking switch member on said shaft, first and second the selected motor-energizing circuit and to energize the stationary braking contacts cooperating with said braking C rr sp nding motoi braking circuit to selectively posimember, first and second braking circuits for said motor n the rotor at the first and second stations switch including respect vely said first and second braking conmeans having Contacts 111 Said motor bfaklng clrcults ta t a d sa d brak n m b d ndexmo emb r maintained closed by continuous rotation of said motor having non-conducting means for interrupting said first Shaft 1 1 the forward dlrectloll and Opening uP011 reverse and second motoi energiz ng r u t wh th rot is movement of said motor shaft, and selector means selecin the vicinity of said first and second stat ons respectivetiVfllY acwmmodatmg energllatloll of said first motor ly, and said braking member closing a d fi t a d o d energizing and motor braking circuits and said second mobraking circuits contemporaneously with the opening of energizing and motor braking Circuitssaid first and second motor energizing circuits respective- 7. Indexing mechanism for selectively positioning a roly, and selector means selectively accommodating e rtor with respect to first and second surrounding stations gization of said first motor energizing and braking circuits of a coaxial switch, comprising a rotor shaft in driving tor with respect to first and second surrounding stations tion with said motor shaft, indexing switch means inof a coaxial switch, comprising a rotor shaft in driving l ing n in exing member on said rotor shaft and roconnection with said rotor, a motor shaft in driving contatable therewith and a pair of arcuately spaced stationnection with said rotor shaft, a motor in driving connec- V ary indexing contacts disposed about said rotor shaft and tion with said motor shaft, indexing switch means includcooperating h said ing member, said indexing ing an indexing member on said rotor shaft and rotatable member having a non-conducting portion for successively therewith and a pair of arcuately spaced stationary indexisolating said first and second stationary contacts as said ing contacts dispos d about said rotor shaft and cooperatrotor shaft is rotated, braking switch means includin a ing with said indexing member, said indexing member brakin member on said rotor shaft and rotatable therehaving a non-conducting portion for successively isolatwith and first and second braking contacts disposed arcuing said first and second stationary contacts as said rotor ately about said rotor shaft and cooperating with said shaft is rotated brakin switch means includin a brakbraking member said brasing member being operative ing member on said rotor shaft and rotatable therewith to successively make contact with said first and second and first and second braking contacts disposed arcuately contacts as said rotor shaft is rotated, first and second about said rotor shaft and cooperating with said braking motor energizing circuits including respectively said first member, said braking member being operative to succesand second indexing contacts and said indexing member sively make contact with said first and second contacts for energizing said motor to drive said rotor in the for as said rotor shaft is rotated first and second motor enward direction, first and second motor braking circuits ergizing circuits including respectively said first and secincluding respectively said first and second braking conond indexing contacts and said indexing member for entacts and said braking member for applying a braking force to said motor shaft, the respective stationary indexing and braking contacts being arranged with respect to said rotor'shaft to contemporaneously deenergize the selected motor-energizing circuit and to energize the corresponding motor braking circuit to selectively position the rotor at the first'and second stations, switch means having contacts in said motor braking circuits maintained closed by continuous rotation of said motor shaft in the forward direction and opening upon reverse movement of said motor shaft, a sloppy coupling between said motor shaft and said rotor shaft to accommodate limited reverse rotation of said motor shaft without corresponding rotation of said rotor shaft, and selector means selectively accommodating energization of said first motor energizing and motor braking circuits and said second motor energizing and motor braking circuits.

8. Indexing mechanism for selectively positioning a rotor with'respe'ct to first and second surrounding stations of a coaxial switch, comprising a rotor shaft in driving connection with said rotor, a motor shaft in driving connection with said rotor shaft, a'motor in driving connection with said motor shaft, indexing switch mean including an indexing member on said rotor shaft and rotatable therewith and a pair of arcuately spaced stationary indexing contacts disposed about said rotor shaft and cooperating with said indexing member, said indexing member having a non-conducting portion for successively isolating said first and second stationary contacts as said rotor shaft is rotated, braking switch means including a braking member on said rotor shaft and rotatable therewith and first and second braking contacts disposed arcuately about said rotor shaft and cooperating with said braking member, said braking member being operative to successively make contact with said first and second contacts as said rotor shaft is rotated, first and second motor energizing circuits including respectively said first and second indexing contacts and said indexing member for energizing said motor to drive said rotor in the forward direction, first and second motor braking circuits including respectively said first and second braking contacts and said braking member for applying a braking force to said motor shaft, the respective stationary indexing and braking contacts being arranged with respect to said rotor shaft to contemporaneously deenergize the selected motor-energizing circuit and to energize the correspondingmotor braking circuit'to selectively position the rotor at the first and second stations, switch means having contacts in said motor braking circuit maintained closed by continuous rotation of said motor shaft in the forward direction and opening upon reverse movement of said motor shaft, a sloppy coupling between said motor shaftand said rotor shaft to accommodate limited reverse rotation of said motor shaft without corresponding rotation of said rotor shaft, detent means acting on said rotor shaft to establish precise angular positions of said rotor at said first and second stations, and selector means selectively accommodating energization of said first mo-- tor energizing and braking circuits and said second motor energizing and braking circuits.

9. Indexing mechanism for selectively positioning a rotor with respect to first and second surrounding stations of a coaxial switch, comprising a rotor shaft in driving connection with said rotor, a motor shaft in driving connection with said rotor shaft, a motor in driving connection with said motor shaft, indexing switch means including an indexing member on said rotor shaft and rotatable therewith and a pair of arcuately spaced stationary indexing contacts disposed about said rotor shaft and cooperating with said indexing member, said indexing memer having a non-conducting portion for successively isolating said first and second stationary contacts as said rotor shaft is rotated, braking switch means including a braking member on said rotor shaft'and rotatable therewith and first and second braking contacts disposed atcuately about said rotor shaft and cooperating with said braking member, said braking member being operative to successively make contact with said first and second contacts as said rotor shaft is rotated, first and second motor energizing circuits including respectively said first and second indexing contacts and said indexing member for energizing said motor to drive said rotor in the forward direction, first and second motor braking circuits including respectively said first and second braking contactsand said braking member for applying a braking force to said motor shaft, the respective stationary indexing and braking contacts being arranged with respect to said ro tor shaft to contemporaneously deenergize the selected motor-energizing circuit and to energize the corresponding motor braking circuit to selectively position the rotor at the first and second stations, and switch means having contacts in said motor braking circuit maintained closed by continuous rotation of said motor shaft in the forward direction and opening upon reverse movement of said motor shaft, said switch means comprising a member frictionally connected with said motor shaft to tend to rotate therewith, a switch actuated by movement of said member thereagainst as the motor shaft is rotated in the forward direction, but opened as the member moves with the shaft in the reverse direction, and selector means for selectively accommodating energization of said first m0- tor energizing and motor braking circuits and said second motor energizing and motor braking circuits.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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