US1378059A - Circuit-controller - Google Patents

Description

A. SIMON.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I5. I9I5.

Patented May 17, 1921.

asIIEET l A. SIMON.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I5. I9I5.

1,378,059. Patented May 17,/1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. SIMON.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLER,

APPLICATION FILED MAY I5. |915.

1,378,059. Patented 1l A 921.

In 91 55 A56 UNITED stares FATENT FFICE.

ARTHUR simon, or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, Assis-Non tro rrIIE Oumma-HAMMER. MEG. oo., or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A conromi'rion or WISCONSIN,

CIRCUIT-CONTROLLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 17, 1921.

Application filed May 1 5, 1915. Serial No. 28,406.

To all whom t may concer/L I Be it known that I, ARTHUR SIMON, a citizen of the United States. residing at Mil waukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Circuit-Controllers,

of which the following is a full, clear, conoise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in circuit controllers and, while not limited thereto, is particularly applicable to motor controllers.

One of the objects of the invention isto providean improved multiple switch controller wherein the several switches will be positively operated in a. definite order, automatically locked in closed position to relieve their operating means from the load thereof and positively moved to open position when released.

A further object is to provide a controller of the aforesaid character wherein the connections between the several switches and their operating means inherently function to lock said switches after closure thereof.

A further object of the invention is to lprovide a controller with improved means for either power or manual operation thereof.

A further object is to provide a controller with alternative manual and power operating means wherein a singleelectromagnet serves to controlthe connection between the controller and the power operating means and also serves as a means to retain the controller in on position after either manual or power operation thereof but subject to release upon failure of voltage.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The invention will now be more specifif cally described in. connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate one of a number of possible embodiments thereof.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a plan view of the controller; Fig. -2 is an end view thereof; Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken on lines 3 and 4 respectively, Fig. l; the former showing a switch in open position `and the latter showing a switch in closed position the controller Fig. 6 is a detail view of a part shown in F1g.' 5, and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the controller connected to an electric motor to serve as a starter therefor.

Referring to Fig. l, the controller comprises in general switch levers 1 to 9 having a common operating shaft 10 provided with operating members 1l to 19, one for each of said levers. Each member acts upon its respective lever through a to gle connection, as hereinafter more specifically set forth., to both open and close the same with a positive action, said toggle connection after operation to close its switch inherently setting to lock the same closed until tripped by reverse movement of its operating member. As illustrated, the membersll to 19 are so arranged on the shaft 10 as to close the switches 1, 2 and 3 simultaneously and to thereafter close the remaining switches progressively, although it will be understood that said members might be arranged in any other desired manner. The shaft 10 is provided with a return spring 20 and is manually operable against the action of said spring by a hand lever 25, Fig. 1, or by the motor drive, Fig. 5, as will hereinafterbe explained. Also, as. will be hereinafter set forth, the shaft 10 has associated therewith an electromagnetic clutch for locking the same against reverse rotation under the influence of spring 2O but subject to release at will.

All of the switches are of like construction and as illustrated in detail in Figs. 3 and 4, which show switches 2 and 4 respectively. Referring to Fig. 3 the switch lever 2 is fulcrumed in a supporting bracket 30 and carries a laminated brush'31 to bridge stationary contacts 32 and 33 and a pivoted arcing contact 34 to engage a stationary carbon contact 35. Adjacent to its lower end the lever 2 has an outwardly extending lug 36 to which is fulcrumed a pawl 37 of a bell crank form. One arm of the pawl carries a roller 38 to ride on the periphery of member 12 while the other. arm of said pawl is connected by a pivoted link 39 with the supporting bracket 30. The parts just described are so arranged as to form a toggle whereby movementof the pawl through eny`to be noted that the gagement of the member 12 and roller 38 positively forces the lever into c1rcu1t clos- 1n osition whereupon the toggle, as shown in 1g. 4, sets to lock the lever against return movement. Such operation of the pawl 1s effected by a shoulder 40 on the member 12 which upon clockwise rotation of said member, strikes and raises the roller, thereby rotating the pawl counter-clockwise to the position illustrated in Fig. 4, wherein a projection 37 on the pawl abuts the front face of the switch lever. In this connection it is eripheral surface of the member 12 extending counter-clockwise from the shoulder40 is of such radius as to clear the roller during continued clockwise rotation of the member 12 whereby said member is relieved of the friction of said roller and in consequence entirely relieved of the load of the switch lever during continued rotation of the shaft 10 to operate the other switch levers. The member 12 also serves upon reverse rotation to break the toggle, this being accomplished by a shoulder 41 on the vertical face of said member to coperate with a tail piece 42 on the pawl 37. As shown in Fig. 4, the tail piece is projected into the path of the shoulder 41 when the toggle is set so that upon counter-clockwise rotation of the member 12 said shoulder abuts said tail piece and thereby rotates the pawl 37 in a clockwise direction which acts to release the switch lever and also to positively -withdraw said lever from circuitclosing position. As above stated, all of the switches are of like construction and provision is thus made for the positive closing, locking and opening of each.

The members 11 to 19 as before stated, are set in different angular positions on the shaft but structurally they are identical except in their manner of attachment to. the

'shaft 10. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, a

portion of the shaft 10 is rectangular in cross section while another portion is circular. The rectangular portion of the shaft is provided with an insulating covering 45 and the members 11, 12 and 13 of switches 1, 2 and 3 are secured to this insulated portion of the shaft by suitable clamps 46, the remaining members 14 to 19 being mounted on the circular portion of the shaft and being locked thereto by set screws 47. This particular arrangement of the members on the shaft is provided for a specific use of the controller, as will hereinafter appear.

The shaft is mounted in suitable bearings 50 and 51 and has extensions beyond both bearings. The operating lever 25 is revolubly mounted upon the left hand extension l of the shaft 10 and is arranged to rotate said shaft and the cams thereon in a direction for closure of the several switches b abutment with a stop 52 xed to said sha and projecting into the path of said lever.

The lever is mounted in this manner so that it may remain stationary when the controller is operated by power. However, it will be apparent that if desiredthe lever might be fixed to the shaft. Also for control of the electrical means hereinafter described, the lever has associated therewith a pair of contact clips 53 and 54 which it bridges in its down position and a pair of contact clips 55, 56 which it bridges in its up position, while the extreme left hand end of the shaft 10 has fixed thereto drum segments 57 and 58 coperating with stationary contact fingers 59 and 60 respectively. The drum segments are electrically connected and are so arranged as to engage their respective fingers except in the one angular position of the shaft representing closure of all of the switch levers.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 6 the return spring 20 for shaft 10 is coiled about said shaft and has its inner end fixed thereto while its outer end is secured by a bolt 61 to the bearing 51. Also, it will be noted, that the spring is coiledl in a direction whereby it will act to rotate shaft 10 and the cams thereon in a direction for opening of the several switches.

Referring now to F 5, the power driving mechanism comprlses an electric motor 70 driving through a suitable coupling 71 into a worm gear set 72 and thence throu h a mechanical clutch 73 to a pinion 74 mes ing with a double pinion 75, in turn meshing with a pinion 76 on the right hand extension of controller shaft 10. The .mechanical clutch 73 thus serves to couple and uncouple'the motor and controller at will. Moreover, the clutch being interposed between the -controller shaft and the worm gear set 72 serves as a means to releasably lock the shaft 10 against rotation by the spring 20, it being understood that when the clutch is set and the motor inert the worm gear locks the clutch member associated therewith against rotation. The clutch is controllable by a lever 77 biased by a tension device 78 to disengage the clutch members and said lever is provided with an operating solenoid 79 for effecting movement thereof to engage the clutch members.

eferring now to Fig. 7, the controller is shown as employed for starting. an alternating current motor M. The switch levers 1, 2 and 3 control the primary circuit of the motor and to provide proper insulation between the same the cams 11, 12 and 13 are mounted on the insulated section of the shaft 10 as heretofore s et forth, while the switches 4 to 9 respectively control resistances r* to 1' in the secondary circuit of the motor.

The driving motor 70 for the controller More specifically the arrangement is Such that with the lever 25 in down position closure of switch 80 completes circuit from line Z of the supply circuit by conductor 85 through said switch 80, by conductor 86V through the contacts'53--54 at which point the circuit divides, one branch extending by conductor 87 through the drum segments 57-58 by conductor 88 through the motor 70, by conductor 89 to line Z of the supply circuit, while the other branch extends by conductor 90 through the clutch solenoid 79 to conductor 89 and thence to line Z. Hence closure of switch 8O under these conditions couples the motor to the shaft 10 and sets said motor in operation whereupon the controller` is operated automatically'. Upon completion of such operation the drum segments 57-58 disengage their respectivecontact fingers thereby interrupting the circuit of motor 70 while the solenoid 79 remains energized to maintain the controller in running position. When it is desired to stop the motor M then the switch 80 is opened to denergize solenoid 79 thereby releasing the clutch and the controller shaft 10 to permit the latter to operate under the infiuence of the spring 20. Such operation of the shaft, as above set forth, effects positive opening of all of the switch levers.

v For manual operation the switch 8() is allowed to remain open whereby the ebntroller is maintained free of the motor driving mechanism and hence is readily operable by the lever 25. When, however, the controller is fully o erated, lever 25 bridges contacts 55-56 t ereby completing circuit from line Z by conductors 85 and,9l through said contacts, by conductors 92 and 90 through the clutch solenoid to conductor 89 and line Z thereby energizing said solenoid to set the clutch. This again locks the conA troller shaftand, under such conditions, release of the controller shaft for return of the controller to off position is effected by withdrawal vof the lever 25 from the conta'ct clips :S5-56, which denergizes the solenoid 79 with the results aforesaid.

It will thus be apparent that the means described provides for readily shifting the control of the device to either the operating lever or to the motor driving mechanism as desired, and provides for control of the elec trical means in a very simple and convenient manner, at the same time utilizing the solenoid 79 for the double function above de- Y scribed. Also it will be apparent that should the line voltage fail durlng operation of the controller or subsequently, solenoid 79 would release the clutch and thereby release-the controller for automatic return to off position.

What I claim' as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l 1. In combination, a pivotedI switch member biased to open position, an arm pivoted thereto and extending outwardly therefrom, a link element having one end pivotally connected to the outer end of said arm and its opposlte end pivoted at a fixed point, said arm being normally disposed at an acute angle to said link element and being movable through a position wherein its pivot points are in alinement with the pivot points of the latter to move said switch member into closed position with a toggle action and to lock the same therein, and a cam operable to move said arm in opposite directions to effect opening and closing movements of said switch member.

2. In combination, a pivoted switch member blased to open position, a lever pivoted thereto and having a `plurality of arms extending outwardly therefrom, a link element having one end pivotally connected to the outer end of one of said arms and its opposite end pivoted at a fixed point, said arm being disposed at an acute angle to said link 100 element and being movable through a position wherein its pivot points are in alinement with the pivot points of the latte:` to move said switch member into closed position with a toggle action and to lock the same 105 therein,` and a rotatable cam member asy sociated with the other arm of said lever to 8. In combination, a pivoted switch member biased to open position, a lever pivoted thereto and having a plurality of arms ex tending outwardly therefrom, and a link element having one end pivotally connected to the outer end of one of said arms and its opposite end pivoted at a fixed point, said arm being disposed at an acute angle to said link element and being movable through a position wherein its pivot points are in alinement with the pivot points of the latter to move said switch member into closed position and to lock the same therein and a rotatable cam having a radial projection to act upon the other arm of said lever to move the same in one direction for closure of said switch -member and an axial projection for engaging said latter arm to move the same in an opposite direction for opening of said switch member.

4. In a circuit controller, in combination,

a plurality of pivoted switch members, a link and lever mechanism associated with -each for moving the sameto closed position with I a toggle action and for locking the same therein, said mechanisms each including an arm pivoted to its respective switch member and extending outwardly therefrom and a link element disposed at an acute angle to said arm and having one end pivoted to the outer end thereof and-its opposite end plv-- oted at a fixed point and an operating member common to said switch members and having a plurality of shouldered members respective switch arm and havmg a depend.

ing lug and an operating member common to said switch arms and having a plurality of shouldered members to actuate the depending lu of said mechanisms for positive closing an release of said switch arms, said rojections being disposed to act upon Athe ugs of said mechanisms in a denite order and to disengage each afterv closure of the switch arm associated therewith.

6. In combination, a circuit controller biased to a predetermined position, alternative manual and power operating means therefor, and electro-responsive means functioning to control the connection between said power-operating means and ysaid circuit controller and to releasably lock said controller against return movement after operation by either said manual or power means.,

7. In. combination, a circuit controller biased to a predetermined position, alternative manual and power operating means for said controller and an electro-ma neticall controlled device for coupling sai contro ler to said power operating means for opercontrolled device for coupling saidcontroller to said power operating means for lop'- eration thereof and for restraining said controller against its biased movement' after operation by either said manual or power operating means but subject'to release of said controller upon 'failure of line voltage.

9. In combination, a circuit controller biased `to circuit breaking position, power ."operating means for said controller, an elec.

tro-magnetically controlled coupling be-` tween said controller and said means land manual operatmg means for sald controller ,governing said electro-magnetically coni trolled coupling to lock said controller iny ciruit making position subject to releaseat W1 will, said electro-magnetically controlledv coupling bein subject to release upon failure of line vo tage. l

In witness whereof, I have lhereunto Subscribed my name.

ARTHUR SIMON;

"10.- In combination, a circuit controller so `i

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