US1921766A - Electric switch - Google Patents

Description

Aug. s, 1933. G. J. MEUER 1,921,766

y ELECTRIC SWITCH vFiled Jan. 2e. 1931 Patented Aug. 8, 1933 UNITED STATES ELECTRIC SWITCH George J. Meuer, Milwaukee, Wis., asslgnor to Cutler-Hammer, Inc., poration oi' Delaware Application January 26, 1931.

16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in electric switches, and the same relates more particularly to electric snap switches of the rotary type.

An object of the invention is to generally improve and simplify the details of construction and assembly of the parts of the switch and the manner of operatingthe same.

another object is to provide stationary and movable switch contacts of novel form, the same being directly supported by the insulating base of the switch.

Another object is to provide improved means for effecting actuation of the movable contact of the switch.

Another object is to provide means for limiting the switch contactor to oscillating movement between given extreme positions together with means independent of the contactor for limiting the actuating element to oscillating movement of a similar character. f

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawing illustrates certain embodiments of the invention, which will now be described', it being understood that the invention is susceptible vof embodiment in other forms without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

in the drawing, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a single-pole, or single-circuit-controlling, rotary snap switch constructed in accordance with 'my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the switch base shown in Fig. l, with the stationary and movable contact elements in position.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, in separated relation, of the switch parts shown inFig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a modified form of switch base having stationary contact and terminal elements arranged to provide a switch of the three-point, or multiple-circuit-controlling, type.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary 'view similar to Fig; 4, but showing a modified form of wiring terminal elements.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the switch contactor and the actuating cam member therefor,- a portion of the contacter being mown in section to illustrate the manner of forming the same.

Figs. '7 and 8 are detail perspective views of the stationary contact and terminal members shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view, on the line 9--9, of the actuating cam member shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of the metal cover plate of the switch prior to attachment of' the metal bushing thereto, and

Milwaukee, Wis., a Cor- Serial No. 511,359

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the combined double-contact and terminal element shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawing', the numeral 15 designates the molded insulating base of theswitch. Base 15 is preferably hot molded from a phenolformaldehyde condensation product, such as that vsold commercially under the trade name of Bakelite. This bas'e is of relatively shallow over-all depth, and the same is provided with a substantially cylindrical central recess 16, the bottom wall of which has a stud or pin 17 formed integrally therewith, said stud having a at annular shoulder 18 formed thereon and raised slightly above said bottom wall of the recess (Figs. 1 and 3).

Opening to the recess 16 at diametrically opposide-sides ofthe latter are the relatively shallower substantially segmental recesses 19 and 20, the end walls 2l and 22 of which act jointly as limiting stops or abutments for the movable contactor 23 of the switch. Contactor 23 preferably comprises a stamping of suitable metal, such as brass, having a substantially circular flat body portion 24 adapted to bear against the shoulder 18 aforementioned, said body portion being provided with an opening as shown to accommodate the stud 17 whereby the latter acts as a pivotal support for the former. Contacter 23 is provided withv upwardly offset diametrically opposed arms the end portions 25 and 26 of which are bent as shown to provide convex lower contact surfaces. The upwardly converging pairs of inclined cam surfaces 27 and 23 on contacter 23 are adapted to merge at the lower ends thereof with the at portion 24 of the contacter.

Extending inwardly from diagonally opposite corners of the base 15 are a pair of relatively narrow tortuous recesses 29 and 30, the inner ends of which respectively coincide with the segmental recesses 20 and 19. The recesses 29 and 30 are provided with intermediate branches or extensions 29a and 30 to facilitate internal wiring of the switch when combined contact and terminal members of the type shown in Fig. 8 are employed, as described hereinafter with reference to Fig. 5. Recesses 29 and 30 open through the end Walls of base 1.5 as shown at 29b and 30b to accommo- 'date the insulated wires when internal wiring is provided for, and relatively deeper and relatively narrower slots 29 and 3()c are provided to accommodate the outwardly extending terminal portions of the one-piece combined contact and terminal members 31 and 32 best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

Members 3l and 32 preferably consist of sheet metal punchings bent as illustrated to snugly fit within the recesses 29- and 30,-the inner edge portions of said members being inclined to the horizontal to provide contact surfaces 3D'a and 32* for cooperative engagement by the end portions 26 vand 25, respectively, of the contactor 23. Adjacent to surfaces 31B, 32a are the vertical abutment edges 31h, 32b,-the upper horizontal edges 31, 32 of said members being located in substantially flush relation to the upper surface of base 15 when the parts are in assembled relation. The

'outer ends of members 31 and 32 may be provided with openings 31d, 32d by means of which the.

' 33, 34 without unduly reducing the strength of 20 the molded piece, while at the same time minimizing the amount of insulating material required, and \the weight of the piece, with consequent reduction in cost of manufacture and shipment of the articles.

Adapted to cooperatively engage contacts 23 is an actuating cam member 35 of substantially channel-shape, the bottom portion of which is provided at opposite ends thereof with downwardly converging inclined cam surfaces 35a, 35b,-said bottom portion being upwardly oiset, as indicated at 35' and provided with anopening 35d to accommodate the insulating pivot pin or spindle 17 aforementioned. Member 35 is preferably formed of steel.

Adapted to seat within the cam member 35 for driving of the latter is a flat punched plate 36 of insulating material, such as fiber. Plate 36 is preferably of inverted Y-shape, as shown,the

v notch 36a therein being adapted to accommodate 37 are two or more lugs 37, 37i which are adapted or straddle the pin 17. 'Ihe portion 36b of plate 36 is preferably of a width substantially equal to the diameter of la cylindrical metal shaft 37,

said shaft being diametrically slotted, as indi` cated at 37a to accommodate said portion 36h of plate `36; Shaft 37 is provided with a bore or cavity37b to receive the reduced upper end 36 of plate 36, said end being further reduced, as shown at 36d to t within the lower end of a spiral compression spring 38 located within said cavity.

Struck outwardly from the lower end of shaft to limit the upward displacement of shaft 37 with respect to the externally threaded hollow metal bushing 39 within which said shaft is adapted to bear. Bushing 39 is rigidly attached to a metal cover plate 40, as by spinning an end flange 39a (Fig. 1) of the former over the lower face of the latter. Asvshown in Fig. 10, the edge of the opening 40a in cover plate 40 is preferably notched or serrated, as indicated at 40b to insure against turning of these parts relatively to eachother after the spinning operation. Cover plate l40 is preferably provided with integral lugs 40 and 40d which are bent over shoulders formed by recesses 41 and 42 provided at opposite ends of base 15,-said lugs being reduced in width as indicated at 40 and 401 to facilitate such bending, while providing for a fairly snug fit of said lugs within said recesses.

Interposed between the metal cover plate 40 and thevtop surface of base 15 is a thin punched plate 43 of insulating 'material, which acts as additional means to retain the contact and terminal members 31 and 32 in position while insuring y against contact of the latter with said cover plate acarreo 40. -Insulating plate 40 is provided with a pair of segmental openings 43, 43h which communicate with each other, the diagonally related pairs of end walls of said openings being located in parallel planes spaced sufliciently from each other to accommodate the thickness of the plate 3 6. Said end walls thus cooperate in diagonally related pairs to engage the portion 36h of plate, 36 and thus limit the llatter to oscillatory movement within a given range.

Assuming that the contactor 23 is limited to oscillatory movement within a range of approxi-- mately sixty degrees, the plate 36 would preferably be limited by the end walls of the segmental openings 438, 43bv to movement Withina range of approximately ninety degrees, so that movement of the cam member 35 over the high points of the cam surfaces on the contactor will be insured upon movement of plate 36 to each of its extreme positions alternately. Inasmuch as the coiled spring 38 acts to constantly press the cam member 35 into engagement with contactor 23, snap movement of the latter from each extreme position to the other is insured.

The switch as shown is adapted for one-hole mounting upon a suitable panel or other support, the usual nuts 44 and 45 being preferably employed for adjustment with respect to panels or supports of dierent thicknesses. After the switch is attached to the support an insulating knob or handle 46 may be secured thereto, as by means of the set screw 47. As will be understood, the exposed portion of shaft 37 may itself be milled, grooved or otherwise roughened to serve as a handle, inasmuch as said shaft is properly insulated from the stationary and movable contacts of the switch. Also obviously the shaft 37 might be molded or otherwise formed from insulating material,-a suitable shoulder or abutments being formed thereon to perform the function of lugs 37, 371.

The insulating base 48 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is in general like the base 15 aforedescribed. However, base 48 is provided at the-four corners thereof with the relatively narrow tortuous recesses 49, 50, 51 and 52,-the recesses 50 and 51 being lconnected, as shown at 53 to accommodate the portion 54 of a 'combined double-contact and terminal member 54 (Figs. 4 and 11), the inclined edge contact surfaces 54b and 54 being arranged at an angle to eachother to lie in the path of the oscillating contactor of the switch. The right-hand contact and terminal member 55 may be identical with the member 31 shown in Figs. 2 and 3,and the member 56 may be formed from the same blank for assembly at the left-hand side of the switch base.

The recess 16 and stud 17 in Figs. 4 and 5 are like the corresponding parts in the other figures of the drawing. With the stationary contacts arranged as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the device is adapted to function as a three-point, or`

multiple-circuit-controlling, switch. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 5 the switch may be wired internally of base 48 after the sta tionary contact and terminal members are in position. yThus two of the combined contact and I terminal members 57 will be inserted in the re- -of Ythe base. These contact'and terminal members 57 and 58 are shown in detail in Figs. l7 and 8,-the same being respectively provided with 'angularly extending notches 57 and 58* in the upper edges or the terminal portions thereof. Thus with the members in position the bared ends o! insulated wires, such as 59 and 60 are inserted into the branches or extensions 49e, 50"L of the 'recesses 49, 50, and said bared end portions are then bent into the respective notches 57a, 58a and snubbed against the walls thereof. A small amount of solder may then be placed upon the adjacent portions of the wires and said members to insure proper electrical connection therebetween.

As will be apparent, the base 48 may be employed in constructing a single pole switch of the character illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3; and the contact and wiring terminal members Sor internal or external wiring may be employed selectively as desired.

As best illustrated in Fig. 6, upon a predetermined degree of clockwise movement of the spring pressed cam member the latter rides over the high points or ridges of the cam surfaces 2'?, 28 on contactor 23whereupon snap movement of the latter in a counter-clockwise direction to one extreme position is eiiected. Thereafter a corresponding degree vof counterclockwise movement of cam member 35 eects snap movement of contacter 23 in a clockwise direction to its opposite extreme position.

Suitable means mai,1 be associated with the shaft 37 and the supporting panel for the singlepole switch illustrated inFigs. l, 2 and 3 to indicate the on and the oft positions thereof.

What li claim as new and desire to cure by Letters Patent is:v

l.. In an electric switch, in combination, a molded insulating base having a centrally located cylindrical recess and segmental recesses on diametrically opposite sides .of said central recess and opening thereto,said segmental recesses having vertical notches formed therein, a plurality of punched sheet metalontact members seated edgewise within the respective notchea'a stamped sheet metal contactar the bod?,v portion of which is located within said central recess and the arno portions of which are oscillatable within said segmental recesses :for movement of said arm portions into and lout or engagement with said contact members, and means including a spring pressed cam for effecting movements oi said contacter with a snap action;

2. In an electric switch, in combination, a molded insulating base having a substantially cylindrical recess, a stamped sheet metal contactor having its bodyportion rotatable seated within said recess and having arm portions er;- tending radially beyond said recess, a plm-alits7 of punched sheet metal contact members seated edgewise within correspondingly shaped recesses in said base and having portions thereof located in the path oi movement oi said arms, means including said contact members for limiting said contacter to oscillator;7 movement within a given range, said contactor having ,double-inclined cern surfaces formed thereon, a cam member springpressed into cooperative engagement with said contactor, and means comprising a cover forlimiting said cam member to oscillatory movement within a given range.

3. In a rotary electric snap switch, in combination, a molded insulating base, and a flat punched insulating cover plate therefor, said cover plate having a pair of diametrically opposed segmental openings communicating with each other, for the purpose set forth.

4. ln an electric snap switch, in combination,

a shallow molded insulating basa-punched sheet metal contact and wiring terminal members seated edgewise within correspondingly shaped recesses in said base and having portions thereof extending ilush with the upper surface of said base, a flat punched insulating cover plate adapted to retain said contact and terminal .members inl assembled relation to said base, a pin formed integrally with said base, a stamped sheet metal contacter pivotally supported by said pin, said contactor having a plurality of pairs of upwardly converging inclined cam surfaces formed thereon, an actuating element having downwardly converging inclined cam surfaces formed thereon for cooperation with the cam surfaces aforementioned, a hollow shaft telescopically engaging said actuating element and interloclred with the latter against rotation relatively thereto, and means on said insulating cover plate for limiting said actuating element to oscillatory movement within a predetermined range.

5. ln an electric snap switch, in combination, a shallow molded insulating base, punched sheet metal contact and wiring terminaly members seated edgewise within correspondingly shaped recesses in said base and having portions thereof extending flush with the upper surface of said base, a iiat punched insulating cover plate adapted to retain said contact and terminal members in assembled relation to said base, a pin formed integrally with said base, a stamped sheet metal contacter pivotally supported bv said pin, said contactor having a plurality of pairs of upwardly converging inclined cam surfaces formed thereon, an actuating element having downwardly converging inclined cam suriaces formed thereon for cooperation with the cam surfaces aforementioned, a hollow shaft telescopically omgeging said actuating element and interloclred with the latter against rotation relatively thereto, liti means on said insulating cover plate for limiting said actuating element to oscillatory movement within a predetermined range, a sheet metal cover plate secured to said insulating base to maintain all of the aforementioned parts in assembled relation thereto, and means on said shaft to facilitate manual operation ci the latter.

6. A movable contactos for electric snap switches, comprising a stamped sheet metal member having a flat intermediate portion provided with an opening, diametrieaily opposed. arms offset upwardly from said intermediate portion, the outer ends of said arms being hent to provide lower surfaces of convex torni, and the adjacent inner portions of said arras each'having upwardly converged inclined cam surfaces formed thereon.

in an electric snap switch, in combination, a stamped sheet metal contacter having a fiat intermediate portion provided with a bearing opening, diametricallv opposed arms offset upwardly irom said intermediate portion, the outer 'ends ci said arms being bent to pro'ide lovfer surfaces of convex form, the adjacent inner portions oi' said arms each having upwardly converged inclined cam surfaces formed thereon, a channel-shaped sheet metal member having op,- posite end portions thereof provided with downvvardlv converged inclined caro surfaces for cooperation with the cam surfaces on said contacm tor, a :flat punched insulating member having driving engagement with said channel shaped member, and an operating member having driving engagement with said insulating member.

8. ln an electric snap switch, in combination, 159

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punched insulating member having driving engagement with said channel shaped member, an operating shaft having telescopic driving engagement with said insulating member, and a coiled compression spring interposed between said shaft and said insulating member.

9. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a stamped sheet metal contactor having a hat intermediate portion provided with a bearing opening, diametrically opposed armsl offset upwardly from said intermediate portion, the outer ends of said arms beingbent to provide lower surfaces of convex form, the adjacent inner por' tions of said arms each having upwardly converged inclined cam surfaces formed thereon, a channel-shaped sheet metal member having opposite end portions thereof provided with downwardly converged :inclined cam surfaces for cooperation with the cam surfaces on said contactor, c. at punched insulating member having driving engagement with said channel shaped member, an operating shaft having telescopic driving engagement with said insulating member, a coiled compression spring interposed between said shaft and said insulating member, an insulating base having abutments formed integrally therewith to limit said contactor to oscillatory movement within a predetermined range,

and addinoni means associated with said base to limit said insulating member to oscillatory movement within a similar but slightly greater range.

l0. A combined stationary contact and terminal member for electric snap switches, comprising a sheet metal member adapted for wedge mounting within a suitably recessed base, said member having an inclined edge portion providing a contact surface and an integral vertical abutment shoulder adjacent thereto, and means on said member to provide for attachment of a,

terminal wire thereto.

ll. A one-piece combined contact and terminal element for electric snap switches, comprising a punched sheet metal member adapted for wedge mounting within a suitably recessed insulating base, said member having an inclined edge portion providing a contact surface and a vertical edge portion abutting said contact-sur- `face, and said member having a notch formed in another edge portion thereofto provide for snubbing attachment of a. terminal wire thereto.

l2. In combination, a molded insulating base having a relatively narrow recess formed therein, a substantially non-resilient sheet metal contact member having a portion o1' single thick-l ness adapted to seat edgewise within vsaid recess and between the parallel walls of the latter,.said portion o! said member having a laterally extending c'one-shaped boss lformed thereon to bite intol one of the at side walls of said recess to thereby provide for a drive t of said member within said recess, and said member having an angled contact edge portion extending beyond said recess, said contact edge portion being adapted for engagement by a movable contactor of 'suitable form. l

13. In an electric switch, in combination, a molded insulating base having a relatively narrow vertically extending recess formed therein, a punched sheet metal member having a drive t edgewise within said recess, said member having'an inclined edge portion at one end adapted to provide a contact surface, said member having a notch adjacent to the other end thereof, andsaid base having a relatively small recess adjacent to said notch whereby a wire terminal may be inserted in said last mentioned recess and snubbed against the walls of said notch to permit wiring of said member after attachment thereof to the base.

ld. A one-piece combined multiple contact and wiring terminal member for electric snap switches, comprising a metal punching having an intermediate relatively narrow portion and upwardly inclined edge contact portions adjacent thereto and vertical abutment edge portions adjacent to said contact portions, said contact portions being respectively located in vertical planes converging'towardsaid intermediate portion, and means integral with said punching'to provide for attachment of a terminal wire thereto.

15. In an electric switch, vin combination, a molded insulating base having a substantially cylindrical recess, a stamped sheet metal contacttor having its body portion rotatably seated within said recess and having arm portions extending radially beyond said recess, a plurality of punched sheet metal contact members seated edgewise within correspondingly shaped recesses in said base and having edge portions thereof located in the path of movement of said arms, means including said contact members for limiting said contactor to oscillatory movement within agiven range, said contactor having doubleinclined cam surfaces formed thereon, a cam member spring-biased into cooperative engagement with said contactar, and means for limiting said cam member to oscillatory movement l within a given range.

16. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a shallow molded insulating base, punched sheet metal contact and wiring terminal'members seated edgewise within correspondingly shaped recesses in said base and having portions thereof extending ush with the upper surface of said base, a at punched insulating cover plate adapted to retain said contact and terminal members in assembled relation to said base, a pin extending upwardly at right angles to said base,

Aa stamped sheet metal contactor pivotally sup-

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