US1284672A - Automatic switch. - Google Patents

Description

C. J. HENDRICKSON.

Patented Nov 12, 1918.

Char/(s J:

' Arry.

ii rious groups of terminals COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW 'YOR AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

Application filed December 29. 1916. Serial No. 189,534.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. (humus J. T'TENDRICK- SON, a citizen of the United States, rcsiding at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Auto lnatic Switches, of which the following is a full. clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to switches for use in automatic telephone systems, and more particularly to switches in which the power for imparting motion to the brushes is supplied by the action of a plunger and a solenoid.

This application is a continuation in part of applicants copenrling application, Serial No. 105,355. filed June 23 1916.

It is the object. of the present invention to provide an automatic switch which shall be simple in structure and rapid and accurate in operation.

A feature of the invention is an arrangement by which a. solenoid operated switch may be advanced in response to the operation of an impulse sending device.

A further feature of the invention is the use of solenoids to operate a two-motion switch which may be either of the up-and around or the around-and-up type.

It is thought that, the invention will best be understood from the following detailed description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings. Figure l is a side elevation of a selector switch of the around-and up type; Fig. 2 is a View of the lower part of the same, looking from the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fi 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the switch shown in Fig. 1. looking down from the line 33 of Fig. 1: and Fit. 4 is a top plan view of a portion of the switch shown in Fig. l. looking down from the line 44 of Fig. 1.

The structure of the switch disclosed in the accompanying drawings will first be described. and will he followed by a dcscription of the operation of such partsof the dcvice as are necessary to an understanding of the invention.

A brush-earrving shaft. 5 is rotatably and slidablv mounted in any desired manner. A plurality of spirally disposed brushes 6 are secured to shaft 5 and are arranged to be brought into operative relation with the va- 7 upon rotation of shaft 5. The arrangement of brushes 6 with respect to the terminal banks 7 is substantiall the same as that disclosed in a patent to O. F. Forsberg, No. 12523-20, issued Januarv 8. 1918.

To the lower portion of shaft 1 is secured. a cylinder 8 having a series of notches 9 cut in its surface. Immediately below the cylinder 8 is a magnetic plunger 10 arranged to be attracted by a solenoid 11, the cylinder 8 and plunger 10 being arranged to pass through 'a cylindrical opening in the center of the solenoid. The solenoid 11 is arran ed to give vertical movement to shaft 5, t is vertical motion being controlled by means of a frame 12. The frame 12 is pivoted on pins 13 mounted on solenoid 11 and carries at one end an armature 14. and at the other end a pawl 15. the relation of the armature and pawl being best seen in Fig. 4.

A pinion 16 is secured to shaft 5 at some pointbelow the plunger 10 and is in engagement with a strip of toothed rack 17. The toothed rack 17 is mounted on a member 18. which is provided with a series of ratchet teeth 19. Also mounted on the member 18 is a cylinder of non-magnetic material having notches 20 cut in its surface. Fixed to one end of the not hed cylinder is a plunger 21 of magnetic material. A solenoid 22 is provided with a central opening through which the cvlinder and plunger may pass. Upon energization of solenoid 2:? the Dinnger 21 will be attracted to move rack 17 and cause the rotation of shaft 5 through the action of pinion .16. this motion being controlled by means of a frame 23. The frame. :3 is pivotally and slidably mounted on pins 24 secured to the solenoid 92.'and carries at. one end a pawl 25 of non-magnetic material. and at the other end an armature 26, the relafirm of pawl 25 and armature 26 being best seen in Fig. .2. Springs 36 and 37 return frame 23 to its normal position when the solenoid 522 is not: energized.

The rack 17 is maintained in its operated position against the tension of a restorin spring (not shown) by the action of a holdinn pawl 28 pressed into engagement with teeth 19 by the action of spring), 29.

The pawl 15 holds the shaft 5 in its elevated position by engaging one of the slots 9.

The relea e of the switch is accomplished by means of a release magnet 30. Magnet 30, by attracting its armature 31, causes an extension 32 to operate pawl 28 by means of a pin 33 to disengage such pawl from one of the notches 19. Armature 31, in moving to the r ght, slides up a cam surface 34, as best seen in Fig. 4, and causes the frame 12 to rotate about its pivots 13 and withdraw pawl 15 from engagement with one of the notches 9, which allows U'rush shaft 5 to be restored to its normal vertical position by gravity.

Assuming that the device is to be used as a selector switch, its operation will be follows: No circuit arrangement has been disclosed, but a suitable circuit arrangement would be of sufficient siinilarit to that disclosed in a patent to C. L. oodrum, No. 1,251,503, issued January 1, 1918, as to be unnecessary of detailed description, the chief distinction being that in the present case solenoids would be substituted for step ping magnets, and no means would be necessary for interrupting the circuit of the secondary solenoid.

Upon the receipt of a series of directive impulses, solenoid 22 is intermittently en ergized and det nergized to attract the plungcr 21 and rotate shaft 5 a desired number of steps to bring a brush 6 into operative relation with a group of terminals 7, in which terminate trunks leading to switches of a desired designation.

Upon the first energization of solenoid 22 and before the plunger 21 can move, due to the inertia of the mechanism operated thereby, armature 26 will be attracted, causing the frame 23 to rotate about its pivots, therethrowing pawl 25 into engagement" with the first slot 20. The plunger 21 is then advanced and moves frame 23 to the right with it, since pawl 25 is engaging a slot 20. The forward motion of rack 17 is limited to one step since the engagement of armature 26 witlf-thebody of the solenoid limits the extent of motion.

Upon the first deinergization of solenoid .22 armature 26 is retracted by spring 37,

' therejlydisn aging pawl 25 from the first slot 20 and al owing the frame 23 to be re turned to its normal position by spring 36. The pawl 25 now lies in the plane of the second slot 20. The rack 17 will be held in its advanced position, since pawl 28 now ongages the second ratchet tooth 19. In this way the brush shaft 5 may .be rotated a de sired number of steps by the action of solenoid 22 in response to the series of directive im ulses.

pon completion of the sending of directive im ulses, current will be sup lied to solenoi 11 to elevate the brush sha t 5 and cause a positioned brush to hunt over a se lected group in search of an idle trunk. Upon energization of solenoid 11 armature 14 is attracted, causing the rotation offrame 12, which results in the disengagement of pawl 15 from the first slot 9. The solenoid 11 is maintained energized until an idle trunk is found, at which time its circuit. will be broken. Upon deenergization of magnet 11, armature 14 is retracted by the movement of frame 12 in response to the action of a spring 35, and awl 15 will engage a slot f to hold the sha t in its elevated position.

When connection is no longer desired, magnet 30 is lease of the switch, as previously dcscrilnd.

If the invention is to be applied to a selector switch of the up-and-around type, it would only be necessary to provide a solenoid controlled in the same manner as that described for solenoid 22 to produce vertical motion of the shaft, after which the shaft would be rotated by means of a rack and pinion through the action of a solenoid equipped with a Controlling device similar to that described for solenoid 11.

If the switch is to be used as a connector, that is, if motion in both directions is to be made responsive to impulse control, then both of the operating solenoids would have to be equipped with controlling mechanism similar to that described for solenoid 22.

What is claimed is:

1. In an automatic switch, a brush carrying shaft, a solenoid and a plunger therefor arranged to impart motion to said shaft,

- and an armature mounted independently of said plunger and operated by the magnetic field of the solenoid to render the motion of said shaft of a step-by-step character.

2. In an automatic switch, a brush-carry ing shaft, means, including a plunger and an operating solenoid therefor, for impart. ing motion to the shaft, and means including a member pivotally and slidably mounted in operative relation to said solenoid to ren der the motion of the shaft responsive to impulse control.

3. In an automatic switch, a brush-carrw ing shaft, a solenoid, a plunger for said solenoid operatively connected to said shaft, a series of stops, an armature in operative relation to said solenoid, a pawl carried by said armature and arranged to engage one of said stbpsupon energization of said solenoid to limit the extent of movement of said switch.

4. In an automatic switch, a brush carry ing shaft, a solenoid, a plunger rod for said solenoid operatively connected to said shaft, a series of slots in said plunger rod, an arm arranged to enga e one of said slots and be moved therewit upon each en ergization of said solenoid, a stop to limit the extent of movement of said arm, and means to return said arm to its normal position upon each denergization of said solenoid.

5. In an automatic switch, a brush carry ing shaft, a solenoid, a plunger rod for said energized and causes the rcsolenoid operatively connected to said shaft, :1 series of slots in said plunger rod, an arm arran ed to engage one of said slots and he move therewith upon each energization of said solenoid, a stop to limit the extent of movement of said arm, means to return said arm to its normal position upon each deenergization of said solenoid, and ratchet and pawl mechanism to maintain said brush shaft in an advanced position. 1

6. In an automatic switch a brush-carryiog shaft, means, including a plunger rod and an operating solenoid therefor, for imparting motion to the shaft, 3, series of notches on said rod, a pawl arranged to en gage said notches, a series of slots in said rod, an arm to engage said slots, and a frame pivotally and slidably mounted on said solenoid, said arm being carried by said frame, said elements constituting means to render the motion of the shaft responsive to impulse control.

7. In an automatic switch, a brush-carrying shaft arranged to be moved in a plu rality of directions, and a plurality of solenoids and plungers therefor arranged to cause such motions of said shaft.

it. In an automatic switch, a brush-carry ing shaft arranged to be moved in a plurality of directions, operating solenoids and plungers therefor, and means to render motion of said brush shaft subject to impulse control.

9. In an automatic switch, a brush-carrying shaft mounted so as to be capable of both rotary and vertical motions, a plunger on said shaft and an operating solenoid therefor, a pinion on said shaft, a rack engaging said pinion and carrying a plunger, and a solenoid for operating said plunger.

10. In an automatic switch, a brush-car- 1 'ing shaft mounted so as to be capable of both rotary and vertical motions, a plunger on said shaft, an o crating solenoid therefor, a pinion on sai shaft, a rack engaging said pinion and carrying a plunger, a solenoid for operating said plunger, and means to render motion in one direction subject to im ulse control.

1. In an automatic switch, a brush car rying shaft, a solenoid, a plunger for said solenoid arranged to impart motion'to the brush shaft, and an armature for said solenoid, said plunger and armature cooperatin with each other to render the motion of said shaft responsive to impulse control.

12. In an automatic switch, a brush carrying shaft, a solenoid, a plunger therefor arranged to impart motion to the brush shaft, and an armature for said solenoid, said plunger and armature being simultaneously responsive to the energization of said solenoid to render the motion of the brush shaft subject to impulse control.

13. In an automatic switch, a brush can rying shaft, a solenoid, a plunger therefor for moving said brush shaft, and an armature for said solenoid mounted for movement in two directions, said armature being movable in one direction in response to the.energization of the solenoid and movable in the other direction in response to the movement of said plunger to thereby limit the extent of motion of said brush shaft.

14. In an automatic switch, a brush carrying shaft, a solenoid, a plunger rod therefor for moving said shaft, a series of stops on said plunger rod, and an armature for said solenoid mounted in operative relation thereto and having a pawl thereon arranged to cooperate with said stops, said plunger be.- ing responsive to the encrgization of the solenoid to advance the brush shaft, said armature being movable in response to the energization of the solenoid to engage said pawl with one of said stops, said armature being further movable in response to movement of the plunger red to limit the extent of motion of the brush shaft for each energization of the solenoid.

15. In an automatic switch, a brush shaft, a solenoid, a plunger therefor operatively connected to said shaft, and an armature for said solenoid, said plunger and armature being responsive to successive energizations of said solenoid and arranged to cooperate with each other to impart successive movements of equal extent to said brush shaft.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 28th day of December A. D.,

CHARLES J. HENDRICKSON.

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