US1923282A - Automatic telephone switch - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 22, 1933. c. P. SMITH ET AL AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE SWITCH Fild July 28, 1932 [g w 5% w Tfi 1?? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

INVENTORS CHARLES P. SMITH GEOFFREY N WTON ATTORNEY I Aug. 22, 1933. Q R SMITH Er AL 1,923,282

AUTOMAT IC TELEPHONE SWITCH Filed July 28, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS CHARLES F. SMITH CEOF EY NEWTON M ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 22, 1933 PATENT OFFICE I 1,923,282 7 AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE SWITCH Charles P. Smith and Geoffrey Newton, Aldwych,

London, England, assignors to International Standard Electric Corporation, New York,

N. Y., a Corporation of Delaware Application July .28, 1932, Serial No. 625,324,

and in Great Britain November 27, 1931 20 Claims.

This invention relates to switching mechanisms more particularly, though not exclusively, for use as non-numerical or numerical selectors in automatic or semi-automatic telephone exchange systerns.

The object of the present invention is to provide a switching mechanism which is cheap and simple in operation and which gives much quicker switching operation than the switches of the general type which have been previously proposed.

The switch mechanism according to the invention is particularly adapted for use in common control or marking systems of automatic or semi.- automatic telephony.

One feature of the invention comprises a switch mechanism adapted to make connection between any one of a, plurality of incoming lines'and any one of a plurality of outgoing lines, in which each incoming line is connected to a switching unit and each outgoing line is connected to a contact set individualto each of said incoming lines and in which control means are provided to select and move all the contact sets'connected to one outgoing line to an off-normal position, and further means are provided for moving each switching unit to an off-normal position, connection being obtained between a contact set and a switching unit when both have been moved off-normal.

According to another feature of the invention the contact bank of a switch mechanism comprises a number of groups of contacts each group including a contact individual to each outgoing line, one of said groups being used for selecting purposes only, and the other groups being used for connecting purposes only.

The above and other features of the invention will be better understood from the following description of one embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of. the switch showing one outgoing bank multiple,

Fig. 2 is a partial view of one side of the switch mechanism,

Fig. 3 is a view of one end of the switch mech anism showing the main operating mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a circuit arrangement for the switch when used as a second group selector in' a system having feed in the first stage.

The switch is rectangular in horizontal cross section, the two longer sides comprising flat contact banks on each of which each outgoing line appears five times so that each line makes ten appearances in the bank. Each line multiple is 55 formed by a bundle of 30'bare wires suitably insulated from one another, giving sets of 10, a, b and c wires. The multiple enters from one end of the bank at which three connecting tags are provided and the Wires are turned off at right angles at intervals in groups of three (a, b and 0 wires) as shown in Fig. 1, the tips of these wires forming the multiples as shown. In addition two test or marking wires 11, 12 connected to wiring tags 2,3 at the terminal end of the switch pass right through the bank to commutators 28 at the opposite end of the switch. The complete bank comprises a number (250 for instance) of outgoing line multiples assembled one above the other in horizontal rows. The multiples extend-- ing to the opposite faces. of the switch may be kept separate, and used for different groups of outlets if desired.

It will be appreciate that each multiple face of the switch consists of five vertical groups of sets of contacts, each set being individual to one outgoing line. Associated with each vertical group is a vertical switching unit formed by three metal angie bars I joined by insulating cross members 16. The switching units are pivoted top and bottom to members 20 and 36 respectively. The member 29 is the pivoted armature of an electromagnet 21 mounted on the top of the switch frame, while the member 36 forms part of a two armed lever pivoted to the bottom of the switch framework and carrying a counterweight V 37 which ensures that the magnet 21 will be able to move the switching unit. It will be noted that the magnet 21 and the lever 36' are mounted in such a way that the switching unit 1, 16 associ ated therewith will move towards the hat contact bank but diagonally thereto as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1. The purposes of this will be explained later. The commutators 23 are each mounted adjacent a'parallel continuous conducting strip Each commutator and its associated conducting strip are adapted to be wiped over by long flexible wiper members 4, 4 bridging the commutator and feeder bars. The wipers are mounted on a horizontal bar 2'7 fixed to slide member 25 journalled for up and down movement on a vertical guide rod 35. V The member 25 carries'a half-nut 26 while the guide rod 35 is mounted between two levers 31 pivoted on the spindle 34. The continuation of the spindle 34 carries the armature 32 of an electromagnet 33 which when operated tends torotate the levers 31 against a spring 30 to engage the half-nut 26 with a screw shaft 24 which is adapted to be driven by an electric motor 5 The ends of the bare wire multiplesof each outgoing line at each face of the bank are threaded through insulated slots in horizontal metal bars 13. These bars are normally held to the left in Figure l by the spring tension of the multiple wires and their left hand ends are positioned for engagement with operating members 14 on the horizontal bar 2'? carrying the wipers 4. 'Each of the switching units 1, 16 is connected to an incoming line by means of three spiral wires (not shown) connected to wiring tags on the with the shaft. The bar 27 and wipers 4 are then raised from theirnorinal position at the bottom of the switch and test the outgoing lines by means of the commutators 28. When an idle or wanted line is reached (this may be an idle line in a par ticular group) the electro-magnet 33 is deene gized and the half-nut 26 is withdrawn from the shaft by means of the spring 39. The bar 27 is thereby stopped opposite the ends of the bars 13 in which the multiple wires of the particular out-- let selected are engaged, and is brought into engagement with these bars to force them to the right, Fig. 1. This action displaces the ends of the contact wires of the selected outlet to the right of their normal position, in a position in which they are situated to the right of the correspond-- ing angles 1 of the associated switching unit. One of these switching units will have been previously selected and its electro-magnet2l is not operated. he switching unit 1, 16 is now moved towards the multiple bank in a diagonal direction as previously described. The members 1 engage the corresponding wires of the displaced multiple ire and during their further movement rub over the wires in a vertical and horizontal direction, at the same time further displacing said wires towards the right. The magnet 33 is then operated to withdraw the bar 27 from engagement with the bars 13 so that the bars 13 and the wire multiple of the selected outlet, with the exception of the three wires engaged by the switching unit return to normal position. v In addition the half-nut 26 engages the shaft 24 which in the meantime has been stopped and rotated in the opposite direction so that the bar 27 is returned to normal position. If the switch is used as a non-homing simple hunting switch it would remain with a pair of bars 13 pushed to the right in Fig. 1, by the horizontal bar 2'7 when not in use. When used as a simple hunting switch of the homing type it can be arranged to home to either end of the bank as required, that is to say, if it started from the bottom it could be made after selection to home to the top and when next taken into use would operate'in reversed direction. Instead of having an individual motor drive for each switch, a number of switches inan exchange could be arranged for operation by means of mechanical gearing driven from a single motor. In this case a simple bevel gear drive arranged for reversal could be provided.

Mechanically-operated contact assemblies are provided as required. For instance in Fig. 2 a set of contact springs 39 is shown on the magnet 21, adapted to be operated by an extension of its "arrangement shown in Fig. 4 for the switch when used as a second group selector in a forward hold system. It is to be understood that this circuit is by way. of example only, and that the switch can also be used as a call finder or a final selector or for any other suitable purpose.

On a call incoming to the switch earth is connected over wire 'I', contact cml, normally closed contacts on1 of the selector (which may be for example the'normal contacts indicated at 38 in Fig. 3), back contact b1, wiper pml and its normal contact to protected battery. A loop is extended forward on the positive and negative wires and relay A is operated over back contacts C1122,

C1013. Relay A operates relay B in known fashion and the motor start circuits are closed at be and 225. When the next digit is received magnet PM of the marker switch is impulsed; earth, a1, b3, winding of relay C, e1, winding of PM, battery. Relay C remains operated throughout dialling of this digit in known manner. On the first in1- pulse the wipers of the marker switch step oil normal and a circuit is closed for magnet TM (which corresponds to magnet 33 of Fig. 3); earth, pm2, b2, 101, ml, g3, winding of TM, battery. Wiper 4 of the switch hunts for its marked contact as described in known manner. When this contact is reached relay M is operated; earth b7, e4, pm3, marking conductor, wiper 4, c6, winding of M, battery. When relay C falls off at the end of the digit and relay M has been operated relay E pulls up; battery, winding of relay E, 01, e2, m1, p1, b2,'pm2, earth. The operation ofrelay E opens at e4 the circuit for circuit of magnet TM which hunts via wiper 4 for an idle line in the selected group. When an idle line is found relay P operates; earth, windings of P, 95, e5, Wiper 4 to idle battery potential on the outgoing T wire. Relay P busies theselected line by short circuiting its high resistance upper winding at p2 and at pl closes the circuit for relay H which operates and locks up over 724-, I26 toearth and at contacts hl, I22 connects battery to the windings of the relays CM, which correspond to the magnets 21, Fig. 2. It has been assumed that the first selector stage is the battery feeding stage and earth is present on the wire H so that relay CM now operates and locks at cm l, disconnecting the positive, negative and T wires so that relays A releases followed by the other relays. Switch PM then homes via its interrupter contacts, b2, pm2. The release of'relay' B closes a circuit for relay N over offnormal contacts on2 and b7. The operation of N maintains the field excitation of the selected.

relay M which falls back and at m1 again closes the home where the contacts 0212 are opened and contacts onl closed. If no idle 'line has been found in the selected group relay M would have re-operated on thelast line via 96, wiper 4,0115. lead, c4, b7, operated relay G energises via e2, mi, :01, b2, pm2, earth. Relay G locks via g2, c3, b6, conearth. With relays E and M both nects up busy tone at 91, operates relay N to reverse the drive at 94 and at g3 opens the circuit of magnet TM which is, however, operated via n1 so that the switch homes. When the on2 con tacts open. relay N releases and releases magnet TM, the normal circuit for which is open at g3 and also stops the motor since contacts 97 are open. When the subscriber hangs up release takes place due to relay A releasing.

What we claim is:

l. A switch mechanism comprising a bank of movable contact sets arranged in a plurality of rows, a plurality of movable switching units each adapted to cooperate with the contact sets in a plurality of rows, means for moving the contact sets of a selected row into the path of said switching units and means for moving a selected switchng unit to connect with a contact set in said selected row.

2. A switch mechanism comprising in combination a main contact bank, an auxiliary contact bank, a plurality of switching units for cooperati on with said main contact control switch unit for cooperation with said aux' iary contact .a means for marking contacts in said auxim by contact bank, means for driving said control switch unit over said auxiliary contact bank under control of said. marking means to select particular set of contacts in said main contact l. and means for operating one of said switchin units to connect with said selected set of contacts.

3. A switch mechanism adapted to make con-- nection between any one of a plurality of incoming and outgoing lines in which each incoming line is connected to a movable switching unit and each outgoing line is connected to a contact set individual to each of said incoming lines and in which control means are provided to'select to all the contact sets connected to one outgoing line to an off-normal position and further means are provided for moving each switching unit to an off-normal position, connection being obtained between a contact set and a switching unit when both have been moved offnormal.

4. A switch mechanism comprising in combination, a flat contact bank having a number of adiacent rows of contacts in which each outgoing line is connected to a number of contacts in the same row, a number of switching units each of a length. sufficient to span said adjacent rows of contacts and arranged at right angles to said rows and adiacent to a single set of contacts associated with each outgoing line, control means for selecting an outgoing line in said bank, further means associated with each .of said contacts in a row and adapted to move all the multiple contact sets of said row out of alinernent with the corresponding contact sets of other outgoing lines in the remaining rows under control of said control means. and for moving a selected one of said switching units to engage a particular set of contacts in the row which has been moved out of alignment and so complete a connection between an incoming line connected to said switching unit and the outgoing line connected to said set of contacts.

5. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 4 characterized in this that said control means comprises a test wiper adapted to be moved over a commutator having a plurality of contacts each corresponding to one of said rows of contacts in the switch bank and each connected to a test wire associated with the outgoing line connected to that row of contacts.

6. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 4 characterized in this that each outgoing line multiple comprises groups of wires in the same or substantially the same plane, said wires being arranged substantially at right angles to the face of the contact bank which is formed by the ends of said wires.

7. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 4 characterized in this that each outgoing line multiple comprises groups of wires and that said wires forming the contacts of an outgoing line pass through slots in a bar arranged in the plane of, but at right angles to said wires, and in which a device associated with said control means is adapted to be positioned opposite the bar associated with the wires of an outgoing line and to be shifted to move said bar so that the wires are moved out of alignment with the wires of the other outgoing lines.

8. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 4 characterized in this that the wires forming the contacts of outgoing lines pass through slots in a plurality of bars and that each switching unit comprises a plurality of rigidly connected and insulated parallel contact strips, arranged to be moved bodily towards the associated portion of the contact bank in such a manner that said bars will only engage contact wires which have been forced out of normal alignment.

9. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized in this that the wires forming the contacts of outgoing lines pass through slots in a plurality of bars and that each switching unit is 110 arranged to be moved in such a manner as to force the contact wires with which it makes contact still further out of alignment so that the switching unit when in use will not interfere with movement of said bars and contact wires and in which the slots in said bars are of such length as to allow the bar to return to its unoperated position when one or more sets of wires controlled thereby are held in said last mentioned position by said switching unit.

10. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 4 characterized in this that it comprises two oppositely disposed fiat contact banks with each of line.

12. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized in this that sets of wires for each outgoing line are multipled and brought out to connecting tags at one end of a contact bank, and a separate test wire for each outgoing line is connected to the commutator device associated with said control means at the opposite end of said bank.

13. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 4 characterized in this that a plurality of sets of contact wires and two oppositely disposed contact banks are provided and that a slotted bar cooperates with the contact wires on each contact bank, and said control means comprises an operating bar parallel to the planes of said contact sets and adapted to cooperate with the ends of electroznagnet being associated with both slotted bars of a selected outgoing line whereby the contacts in both banks are displaced simultaneously.

14. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized in this that control means comprises a half-nut adapted to engage ascrew driving shaft, and in which said half-nut is adapted to be moved out of engagement with the screw when the operating bar shifts said slotted bars to move the contact sets of a row out of alignment with the contact sets in the remaining rows.

15. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized inthie that control comprises a driving shaft and that id driving shaft is driven by an electri motor i dividual'to said shaft or by reverse d I from a power shaft which may be common to a number of switches. v v

16. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim l characterized in this that saic" control means comprises a half ut adapted to a screw driving shaft and t f-nut is carried by a slide member slida y e guide rod ar ranged parallel to daft but movably supported on the main ranie of the switch, for example on a pair of p' ted levers, v1 such manner that it is movable towards and away from the driving shaft so that. the half '5 is engaged with and disengaged fr in. the c. -g shaft, an said guide rod to control its movement.-

1'7. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 4 wherein said control means comm'ise a half nut adapted to engage a screw during shaft and wherein the wires forming the contacts of outgoing lines pass through slots in a plurality of the said guide bar is moved for example under the influence of a spring to bring the half-nut out of engagement with the driving shaft, the said operating bar simultaneously engages with and displaces the slotted contact bar opposite which it stands.

18. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 4 characterized in this that each switching unit is vertically arranged and is pivotally mounted at one end on a counterweighted lever and at the oth r end on a lever carrying the armature of an electromagnet individual thereto and adapted when operated to shift the switching unit into engagement with the contact bank.

19. A switch mechanism as claimed in claim 4 wherein each switch unit is provided with mounting levers having pivots characterized in this that the pivots of said mounting levers are horizontal and at an angle to the plane of the flat contact bank whereby when operated the bars of the switching unit move towards the bank in an upward and diagonally forward direction so as to force the contact wires with which it makes contact'still further out of alignment and to move in contact with said wires in such a Way as to clean both the contact wires and the bars of the switching unit.

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