US2589868A - Relay switch - Google Patents

Description

M. A. RUDD RELAY SWITCH March 18, 1952 Filed Aug. 29, 1945 2 SI-[EETS-SI-IEET l a'b pd e'f g'h ij k l m'n p INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY 1 ,b F a March 18, 1952 RUDD 2,589,868

RELAY SWITCH Filed Au 29, 1945 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Fig.3

92 INVENTOR. 88 B :21 9 BY F M W 096% wig/5m ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 18, 1952 RELAY SWITCH Maurice A. Rudd, North Plainfield, N. J assignor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Beiaware Application August 29, 1945, Serial No. 613,317

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a switch mechanism and is related to the disclosures of my Patent No. 2,501,410 and my co-pending application Serial No. 613,318, filed August 29, 1945.

In the electrical industry and particularly in connection with the ignition systems of multicylinder engines, great difliculty has been encoun tered because of the need of coordinating a plurality of circuits which must be simultaneously or alternately energized. The dimculty of controlling such circuits increases as the number of circuits increases and this difficulty is further enlarged when the circuits are to be employed in several combinations which must be coordinated with each other. The problem becomes even more complex when remote control must be employed. Those complexities, which are largely electrical, are further complicated when it is considered that the parts must be electrically shielded, compressed within a minimum of space, and frequently made of light materials. In addition, when such complexity is involved the testing of particular circuits is rendered most difficult, and yet becomes increasingly important because of the complexity. Furthermore, it is frequently desirable to impose upon the normal circuits or some of them additional current from a, separate source. The contemplation of these manifold and intricate needs and the creation of an instrumentality adapted to perform them may be regarded as almost infinitely difficult.

It is an object of this invention to provide connection between conductors embodying a switch having plurality of contacts, to coordinate the operation of that switch with the operations of a like switch, to operate the switches by remote control, to operate them in a number of coordinated combinations, to mount switches and operating means in a light and strong casing, to separate the switch and the operating means both electrically and physically, to provide for testin the circuits, to provide for the imposition of additional current upon the norma] currents which pass through the apparatus, and to do all that with economy of material, simplicity of construction, and facility of operation.

The particular embodiment of the invention which has been selected for purposes of description is adapted to employment in connection with a radial engine having a plurality of cylinders in each row but it is to be understood that this particular description is adopted only for purposes of illustration and that this invention in one of its broad phases may be considered as a means of making a connection between a plurality of conductors.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference for this latter purpose being had primarily to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention embodying a plurality of switches one of which is engaged, the other of which is disengaged. This figure is largely diagrammatical in character and may be considered as having been taken from the right hand side of Fig. 3 with the cover removed;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic showing of the mechanism visible from the left hand end of Fig. 3 with the cover removed;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail in plan of an armature mounted upon its pintle;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the construction shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a section through one of the coils adapted to cooperate with the armature of Fig. 4.

Referrin now to the numerals of the drawings, iii indicates generally a casing of annular shape having a plate I I from one face of which projects the annular side or wall 12 and from the other face of which projects the annular side or wall [3. Th wall !2 has a broad rounded edge It that is shown in Fig. 3 to be concave. That concave curvature is adapted to cooperate with a cover [5 that is provided with an exterior annular flange it which engages over and conforms to the sides of wall I2 as shown in Fig. 3, and with an inner annular ridge I! having a sharp edge adapted to make line contact with the curved surfaces of the groove l4. The edge of the wall l2 may be convexly rather than concavely curved if desired, but with convex construction it is usually necessary to lengthen the flange l6 in order to secure proper overlappin with the Wall l2.

A stud I8 is mounted in the plate H, for instance by a force fit of such character that the wall H is sealed by the stud. The end is of the stud is screw'threaded for the reception of the threaded end of a screw 2% which is screwed through the threads in the cover I5. The tight ening of the screw 29 will force the ridge H into sealing engagement with the wall i2, and the length of stud l3 will prevent great distortion, weakening, or breaking of the cover plate ie by the application of excessive pressure.

The portion 12 of the casing is provided, as most clearly shown in Fig.1, with three outlets 21, 23, 29, which are adapted to receive multiple connectors of the pin or socket type mounted in rubber inserts. The pins or sockets, as the case may be, may be connected by appropriate conductors with a plurality of switch contacts that will be described hereinafter. In Fig. 1 it has been difiicult to show those connections by direct representation so they have been diagrammatically indicated and will be described in detail hereinbelow. v

The portion it? of the casin is annular and is provided with a fiat edge 22 upon which a cover 9 member 28, comprised of an outer metal layer 24 and an inner dielectric layer 25, may beattached as by means of screws 26. The dieletric layer may extend over the whole surface of the cover, or may be a mere gasket between the abutblocks 32, 33 that carry a plurality of spring switch contacts 34, 35 having ends bent into the path of motion of movable contacts 50 and 4!. The contacts 3 3, 35 have body portions held between plates 33 and terminals 39, the forme of which projects-beyond the elements 32, 33 to support the downturned ends of the springs 34, 35 and the latter of which have upturned ends 39' adapted to receive the sold-er connection or" the leads.

The switch contacts 35, seven in number as shown, are connected by leads a, c, c, g, i, It, m to similarly lettered pins or sockets in the insert of outlet 29. Similarly the seven switch contacts 34 are connected to leads I), d, f, i2, Z, n to pins or sockets in the insert of outlet 21. In addition, there are provided connections a, 0, etc., from the insert of outlet 29 to pins or sockets in the insert of outlet 2?, and connections I), d, etc., from the insert of outlet 21 to those of outlet 29 so that either outlet 29 or 2'! may be used to connect all the switch circuits to operating mechanism, the other outlet being available for the testing of each individual circuit. The test insert has one terminal, p, connected to ground.

In addition three terminals of plug or socket type, preferably, are mounted in a resilient insert in inlet 28, through which booster current may be supplied to certain of the circuits. These terminals are diagrammatically shown at :c, 'y,

. or the like.

and z in Fig. l, and are connected to terminals b, d", and 12., respectively, serving to furnish current to those circuits through three of the switch contacts 3:3. 7

Associated with the fixed contacts are two gangs or sets of movable contacts generally indicated by numerals it and H, the description of one gang of which will serve for both, because they are preferably of similar structure. The contacts 48 are shown as integral fingers or" metal projecting from a plate 52 rigidly attached, as by rivets 53, to a supporting member 44 of dielectric material which i clamped between metal plates 45 and d5 by means of rivets The metal plates 55, 35 are not in contact with the plate 62, but are separated therefrom, being supported by the dielectric material of supporting member M, as shown in Fig. l.

The plates 45, 6'6 are mounted as by nut 53 on the square and screw threaded end of pintle 5!,

which is mounted for pivoting in bearing 52 in plate ii. This bearing has a firm and sealing mounting with respect to the plate, and a very close fit about the shaft or" the pintle, so that the chambers of the casing are shielded and sealed from each other, the film of lubricant normally used to oil the pintle being sufficient to provide sealing of substantially perfect character between pintle and bearing.

Toward its other en the pintle has an oiiset and flattened section 53 in Which is mounted the double ended armature 54 to the end of which are attached curved channel members tit-designed to fit Within grooves such as shown at 58 in Fig. 6, in the ends of the coils 56, 57. The channel members may be solid, curved blocks if desired. The pintle ends are steadied by contact with pins 59 mounted in the bar 68, which is fastened at its ends by bolts 6! to the casing. A. metal finger 6! projects from the body of each armature and has a curveddielectric end 62 projecting between the contacts of the associated relay adapted to operate the relay as explained hereinafter.

By the description up to this point, it will be perceived that there have been provided switch members and operating means therefor mounted in sealed chambers separated from each other'by a wall which is substantially imperforate except at the points through which the mountin pintles pass, and that those points are so constructed that both physical and electrical separation of the parts is secured. Thus, it is possible to separate the operating means from the switches themelves so that neither will be harmfully affected by the operation of the other. To bring about the functioning of the switches by remote control, relays are provided comprising coils, armatures, and switches. preferably constructed is best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6. With respect to Fig. 2 it is pointed out that the showing is diagrammatic in order that the circuits may be made clear, a practical mounting of the parts being indicated in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 6 is shown a coil that is indicated generally by the numeral 65 and is composed of a winding 66. The ends of the coil are shielded by suitable annuli t9 and the base of the coil is closed by member it through which the leads H, '12 are brought out. The core 6'! is provided with a screw threaded hole '53 for the reception of a screw or bolt mounting member 7A" which is adapted to mount the coil firmly on the side elements of easing section l3, which are preferably fiat at the mounting position. I r

The novel operating means is made to function This structure as i Fig. 2 and in section in Fig. 3.

by the alternate energization of coils 56 and 51, the energizing of which is carried out through switch 18 shown diagrammatically in plan in The switch 18 as shown in Fig. 2 has three contacts, short inner contact 1| and longer outer contacts 12 and 13 all of which are made of sprin metal having high electrical conductivity. The prong 62 on the end of the finger 61 projects between the ends of contacts 12 and 13; the finger is of such relation by length to the throw of the armature 54 that the motion of the armature in one direction disengages the one pair of contacts and permits the others to close, and by motion in the other direction reverses the closed and open positions of the respective contacts.

The contacts of the switch are spring biased so that in the absence of the prong 62 both would engage the contact 11. A pivoted lever 75 having a double faced cam 16 at its end is pivotally mounted on a suitable post 11 and 1s thrust by the spring 18 into contact with the lower edge of the armature as shown in Fig. 2. The strength of the spring 18 and the angle of the cam I6 is great enough to overcome the force of the spring 12 but not great enough to overcome the attraction of the coil for the armature, so that the energizing of the coil is sufficient to throw the switch and displace the arm 15, but when once thrown, the strength of the springs 12 or I3 is not great enough to displace the armature even though the coil is no longer energized.

As shown. the novel operating means has two relays which are marked L and R in Fig. 1, and it is a part of this invention to energize the relays so that they may be coordinated in their functioning. A simple coordination is disclosed in this specification and a more complex system of coordination is disclosed in my said patent I and copending application. This invention is thus shown to be adapted for use with different systems of varying complexity.

The battery B is shown to be connected at its negative side to ground and at its positive side to a lead 88 from which conductors 8!, 82, 83 are connected to terminals 84, 65 and 86, 85 and 86 being terminals of switches 8 88, respectively. Additional switch terminals 89 and 80 of switches 81 and 88, respectively, are connected to ground and the switches themselves are connected by leads 9| and 92 to terminals 93, 94, respectively, and through conductors 95, 98 to the intermediate contacts of the respective switches. The three contacts of each relay are separated from each other by dielectric material as will be understood by persons skilled in the art. In Fig. 2 the battery is shown to be connected through switch 8! and contacts H and 13 to the winding of coil 56 and back through terminal 84 to a battery connection, so that both sides of coil 56 are connected to battery and the coil is not energized. If now the switch 81 be thrown to engage contact 89 the coil 56 will be connected through conductors 88, 8!, 97 to battery and through conductors 99, relay contacts H and I3, conductors 95 and 9! to ground, completing the circuit and energizing the relay so that the upper end of the armature will be attracted, the force of the spring 18 overcome, the contact between elements 12 and H made, and that between contacts H and 13 broken. When the said contact is broken the center element of the switch is connected to ground and the contact 72, which is in engagement therewith, is connected through conductors I80, lfll to ground so that the coil 51 is not energized. In this position the lower end of the armature 54 will bear against the outer cam of the lever as shown in connection with the coils L, L of Fig. 2. Throwing the switch 81 into engagement with terminal 85 will energize the coil 51. The system is adapted to remote control, so that switch 81 may be located at any distance from the coils.

Coils L, L are similarly operated by means of switch 88.

The switches operating coils RR and LL may be coordinated for alternate operation of the relays by connecting the elements 8! and 88 together mechanically so that throwing the one will throw the other, but for many uses it is preferred to leave them unconnected so that they can be energized alternately or together by proper selection of contacts. Switches 81 and 88 may be appropriately labeled for the instruction of the operator.

When the armature 54 is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the contacts 34 and 48 are in engagement as shown in Fig. 1. When the coil 56 is energized the armature 54 is thrown and the switch elements 48 are disengaged from contacts 34.

Fixed to the metal of the casing are brushes 185, I85 which are in engagement with the switch plates 42; thus, when the switch elements 48 are engaged with the contacts 34, as shown in the upper half of Fig. 3, the electrical instrumentality which is connected to the switch 34 is connected through the switch to whatever electrical instrumentality is in circuit with the casing.

In one particular use to which this invention is put, that of grounding engine magnetos, the fixed switch elements are connected with the primary windings of magneto coils and the casing is connected to ground, and therefore the magneto coils will be grounded when the elements 34, 48 and 35, 4| are engaged. The switch elements 34 and 35 may have appropriate numbers or letters to assist electricians in making proper connections.

A particular use of this invention is in the system described in my Patent No. 2,501,410, the switches L (23) and R (63) of which may correspond in construction, operation and function to the switches L and R (Fig. 1) of this invention. It will therefore be seen that my said patent, the present application and my said co-pending application Serial No. 613,318 (SM-I86) constitute a complete disclosure of a simplified system for controlling the ignition of a multi-cylindermulti-row internal combustion engine, and of specific instruments useful in that system.

The novel structure and combinations which have been set forth hereinabove provide a switch that is adapted to remote control, that has comparatively few elements, and the elements of which are not complex, which is simple when considered in comparison to the prior art, which provides for the simultaneous operation of a plurality of electrical instrumentalities, and for the coordination thereof in various systems and diffrent combinations. It provides for the isolation of the switch elements from the elements that operate the switch and particularly shields them from the radio circuits of the vicinity, both electrically and mechanically. It provides for the testing of the instrumentalities during the operation thereof, for the imposition of current from an outside source upon certain of the circuits controlled thereby, during operation, and

it provides accessibility for inspection and replacement of particular parts or elements without interference with other operating parts.

Although only a single embodiment of the pres ent invention is herein illustrated and described, it is to be expressly understood that the same is not limited thereto. Various changes may be made therein, particularly in the design and arrangement of the parts illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

l. A switch mechanism comprising a metallic plate, a pintle pivotally mounted in the plate and having its ends projecting beyond opposite plane surfaces of said plate, a switch member adapted to be affixed to one end of the pintle for movement thereby in a path parallel to said plane surfaces, an armature adapted to be afiixed i to the other end of the pintle and movable in a path parallel to said plane surfaces, and means to move the armature whereby to move said pintle and in turn throw the switch member, said plate serving to mechanically and electrically shield said switch member and said armature from each other.

2. A switch assembly comprising a plurality of electrically and mechanically separated chambers, a plurality of pintles having ends projecting into said chambers, a plurality of switch members adapted to be afiixed to the pintle ends in one chamber, each of said switch members comprising a dielectric support and a group of electrically conjoined contacts carried thereby, a grounded brush contact adapted to make contact with said group of conjoined contacts, a group of electrically separate contacts mounted in and insulated from said one chamber and adapted to be engaged by said conjoined contacts, means to engage and disengage said groups of contacts, a plurality of openings in said chamber adapted to receive multiple connectors, means adapted to connect one group of said separate contacts to one of said multiple connectors, means to connect the other group of said separate contacts to the other of said multiple connectors, and means to electrically interconnect the multiple connectors whereby each of the separate contacts of one group and contacts in said connectors are in series, and each of the separate contacts of the other group and other contacts insaid connectors are in series with said connectors in reversed order.

3. In apparatus of the classdescribed, a casing having a transverse wall therein, at least two rotatable pintles mounted in said wall, at least two sets of electrically separate contacts insulated from said casing, a group of conjoined contacts carried by each of said pintles for movement into and out of engagement with said sets of separate contacts, a first and a second multiple connector mounted in the walls of said casing, each having a number of contacts equal to the number of separate contacts in both said sets, each separate contact of one set being connected in series with one contact in each of said connectors with the contact or" said first connector being intermediate the others in series therewith, and each separate contact of the other set being connected in series with one of the other contacts in each of said connectors with the contact in said second connector intermediate the other two in series therewith. V

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein there is provided a third multiple connector mounted in the casing and having each of its contacts connected in series with a different pair of series connected contacts in said first and second connectors.

5. In apparatus of the class described, a casing, at least two sets of electrically separate contacts insulated from said casing, a group of electrically conjoined contacts mounted in said casing for movement into and out of engagement with said separate contacts, a first and a second multiple connector mounted in the wall of said casing, the terminals of one connector being connected with the terminals of the other connector in pairs, means connecting the separate contacts of one set to terminals of selected pairs in one of said connectors, and means connecting the separate contacts of the other set to terminals of the other pairs in the other connector.

6. In apparatus of the class described, relay switch mechanism comprising a pair of solenoid coils adapted to be alternately energized, a pivoted armature adapted to be oscillated by said coils, switch means comprising movable spring mounted contacts adapted to be alternately engaged and moved by said armature to a tensioned position, and a spring pressed cam lever mounted independently of said switch means and armature for yieldably holding the latter in its extreme end positions against the tension of said spring mounted contacts.

7. A switch mechanism comprising a metallic casing having a cover at each end, at least one of which is metallic, and a metallic partition intermediate the ends thereof to form two chambers radio-shielded from each other, at least one pintle journalled in and supported by said partition and terminating in said chambers, an insulating arm carried by one end of said pintle in one of said chambers, a first contact carried by said arm and grounded to said casing, a second contact mounted on and insulated from said casing in said one chamber for engagement by said first contact, and means in the other chamher for actuating said arm to engage and disengage said first and second contacts, said means including a pair of solenoid coils adapted to be individually, alternately energized, an armature mounted on said pintle for oscillation by said coils when the same are alternately energized, switch means comprising a pair of separable contacts in circuit with each of said coils and operable by said armature upon each actuation thereof to disengage the pair of contacts in circuit with the then energized coil to deenergize the same and to permit the engagement of the pair of contacts then in circuit with the other coil, said armature-controlled contacts being urged to engaged position by spring means, and a spring pressed cam lever mounted independently of said armature for yieldably holding said armature in its terminal positions against the pressure of said spring means.

8. In apparatus of the class described, relay switch mechanism comprising a pair of solenoid coils adapted to be alternately energized, a pivoted armature adapted to be oscillated by said coils, switch means comprising a central contact and two spring mounted movable contacts adapted to engage opposite sides or" said cen tral contact, each of said movable contacts being connected to a different one of said coils, means on the armature for actuating said movable contacts to move either one thereof out of engagement while permitting the other to move into engagement with said central contact, the spring mount for each movable contact being under tension when the contact is held out of engagement with said central contact, and a spring pressed cam lever pivotally mounted independently of said switch means and armature for yieldably holding the latter in its extreme end positions against the tension of said spring mounted movable contacts.

MAURICE A. RUDD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Gassett Feb. 12, 1884 Hovey Sept. 7, 1909 Levison Sept. 14, 1915 Guild June 21, 1921 Leddick Oct. 27, 1925 Hartwig Jan. 3, 1928 McNeil June 12, 1934 Peters Mar. 8, 1938

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