US2603725A - Multiple circuit control switch - Google Patents

Description

July 15 1952 w. L. DIETRICH 2,603,725

MULTIPLE CIRCUIT CONTROL SWITCH Filed Aug. 2, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 www.

July 15 1952 w. L. DIIETRxcH 2,603,725

MULTIPLE CIRCUIT CONTROL SWITCH Filed Aug. 2, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ffa/f5 E 15 (3 /7 Q I@ M [E :a .P1 .2 g3] g 71S Iza a? 62 69 68a 73a g/'g 65N l5 /ZI A 2 7a@ 1.8 Q 6.6, `.6.18 P1 68 5 C) 6? A 6.6 H I@ 1a. f b Pl m Lzb.-

July 15, 1952 w. L. DIETRICH 2,603,725

MULTIPLE CIRCUIT CONTROL SWITCH Filed Aug. 2, 1949 5 sheets-sheet s www July l5, 1952 MULTIPLE CIRCUIT CONTROL SWITCH Filed Aug. 2, 1949 W. L. DIETRICH 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 MMM.

July 15, 1952 Filed Aug. 2, 1949 w. l.. DITRICH 603,725

MULTIPLE CIRCUIT `CONTROL. SWITCH 5 Shee'cs-Sheet.L 5

Patented July 15,v 1952 vMULTIPLE CIRCUIT CONTROLSWITCH Y `Walter L. Dietrich, Hartford, Conn., assignor to The Arrow-Hart & Hegeman Electric Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation' of Connecticut I Application August 2, 1949, Serial No, 108,185

This invention relates to electric switches for controlling a multiple of circuits. More particularly it relates to a multiple circuit control switch driven by a time mechanism in'which the time mechanism or clock motor can be disengaged from the switch 'tof permit operation of the switch manually when desired. Devices of the type to which this invention relates 'are commonly used now on automatic washing machines and other devices which require time control of multiple circuits Vand which, additionally, require the switch 'to be capable of manual operation to shorten or change the sequence.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved multiple circuit clock-controlled switch which will be of sturdy construction and reliable in operation.

Another object of the invention vis to provide a switch ofthe foregoing type wherein the clock motor may be disengaged from the control mechanism so that the control mechanism may be manually operated to shorten` or eliminate any stage of the cycle or to enable the Ycycle to be started at'any point therein as desired.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a switch of the foregoing type wherein the entire device is disconnected from the power lines during the manual manipulation of thecontacts or the setting of the switch prior to its operation under control-of the clock motor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch of the foregoing typewherein there are two sets of control contacts in 'which the operation of one set is adjustable so that it may operate simultaneously or differently than the other set.

Another object is to provide yfor automatick resettingor return of one yof two ysets of control contacts when the clock motor is disengaged from the contacts.

`Another object is by rotary cams driven by a clock motor.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as it is described in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: f

Fig. 1k is a longitudinal section View taken through a device embodying the invention;`

Fig. 2 is a transverse section vview taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section View taken along lines-3 of Fig, l;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section View taken along line 4--44'of Fig. 3 and illustrating the clock motor to providefor quickand ac- 'curate action of the switchcontacts in the type of mechanism wherein control of the contacts -is Y 8 Claims; (Cl. 200-38) 2 andits association with the driving and main control switch contacts;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section Viewv similar to Fig. lofa modied form of the invention;

Fig.- 6 is atransverse section view taken along line 6-6 of Fig; 5.

Fig. 7 is anenlargeddetailview of a portion of the structure'illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is an elevational sectional viewA taken along line-B of Fig; 7; 't

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 8 viewed from the opposite side from that of Fig. 8 or, in other words, from the outside of the device;

Fig. 10"is an enlarged detail section'view taken along' line I -I Il of Fig.v 8;

VFigfll' is an enlarged perspectivevdetailed view of the switch spring compression element.

Referring to the drawings, fixed and movable contact elements and cams for selectivelyy operating them are housed within a cubical container comprising a square top plate of metal Il1- whose side edges are bent up at right angles to form flanges Ita. A bottom plate I2 also of sheet metal also has its side edges bent down at right angles to form `flanges I2a. The top and bottom plates may be spaced apart by rods III placed in or near the four corners of the plates. v Fourr insulating plates AI 5, Iii,` I'I, I8 are at right angles to one another and secured by screws to the iianges Ilia and I 2a ofthe top and bottom plates, forming the side wallsv of the housing. f

The casing may bel divided, ifdesired, intwo compartments by placing a wall of sheet insulation `I9 within the housing, parallel to the top and bottom plates IU and I2. Also the housing may be entirely insulated inside by placing sheet insulation plates 20 against the interior surfaces of the top and bottom plates IIl and I2.

The operating mechanism for the switch contacts may be set or controlled manually by a rotary handle 2I mounted on one end of a rotary spindle 22 which is movable to a limited extent longitudinally 'in `sleeve 24 within which the spindle is'mounted. The sleeve 24 has reduced top and bottom ends or necks 2E and 28 providing shoulders abutting the inner surfaces'of the top and bottom plates I0 and I2. These necks form bearings rotating in bearing apertures in the center of the top and bottom plates. The sleeve 24 carries a plurality of sheet insulation cam discs, such as 30a, 30d, 30e and 3th mounted coaxially thereon and spaced apart by spacing washersSZ placed between the discs. For the purpose 'of illustration eight cam discs are shown spindle, preferably about at its middle.

metal supporting member 6E) having its transverse part 69a riveted to a side plate (such as I6) of the housing. Pivotally mounted upon the ends of the parallel arms of the supporting member 6D is a lever member 62 comprising parallel legs 62a, 82o, joined transversely at their free ends by an integral strut 62s.

rExtending: between the legs 62a, 62e and jour- -nalled in them just abovethestrut 62s is axle 63 upon which there is an integral roller Sil. The roller is positioned along the axle so as to engage one of the cam discs as may be seen in of longitudinal or axial motion of the spindle within the sleeve.

In order to hold the spindle .in zdifferent. axial Fig. l.V By varying the position of the roller any one f the vcam .discs can be selected to engage positions a thick metal indexing disc 40 is proivided around the neck of the sleeve and spindle just above the upper surface of the top plate IG. This disc contains a diametrical bore with.- in which are coiled compressed springs 44 which press balls V152 into engagement with circumferential or annular grooves 4 8 and-,59 spaced along the spindle but adjacent to one another. Springs 44 may be held within the bores in any suitable fashion suc-h as by small pins 46 driven through the disc and diametrically acrossthe bore near the periphery of the disc. l

In order that the balls il; 'may engage the circumferential grooves, the sleeve 24 has bored in its neck 28 openings in alignment with 'the diametrical :bore in the disc 40, within which openings the -balls l2 are normally located. Be- .Cause the bensi? are of greater :diameter than the thickness of the nekrof the sleeve, the inf dexing disc 40 is maintained by the balls in its g axial position upon the neck- Df- .thesleeve it being impossible to remove thedisc axallyalong the neck of the sleeve ywithout first removing the balls and their ,biasing .springs from the diametyrical bore in which they are located. That is because vthe balls protrude into the springA bore .of the disc while being held against axial movement by the sleeve neck 28. f

Althoughtwo circumferential grooves ,4;8 and :50 are shown, the `invention is not .limited -tofthat number. If it should be desirable to have the spindle `take .additional positions, additional circumferential grooves can be provided.

In the .event that a vdilferent thickness of :ball and neck be employed, the indexing disc @il may be held in place upon 'the sleeve by providing a set screw (not shown) radially entering the disc and engaging the neck' or depression or radial bore therein. Y

The cam discs have high parts and depressions to cause operation of individual switches. The individual switches may comprise movable Contacts to engage and diseneaee :Xed contacts. The switch may be of any suitable form but preferably are of the snap-acting type known as sensitive switches in which a Small amount of movement of the ,Operating members of such e switch suces to aetuate the movable Contact. It is desirable tol use the snap-acting sensitive swi-tchesbecause as hereinafter described, the earns-are rotated by a clock motorand hence move slowly. Thus, the opening land .closingY of the Contacts is most Se, action type of switch.

Each cam disc controls one switch in the example of the invention as illustrated. The switches are identical and hence description of one will suliice.

Referring particularly to Figs. 7-11 the switch mechanisms each comprise a stamped .U--shaped tisfactory with the, snapy ythat roller, and .thus to control the movement of theY lever 6.2 and the individual switch which it operates. The strut 62s is engaged by an adjusta'ble plunger arrangement which reciprocates when moved by the lever 62 so as to control the operation of the movable contact. The Inova-ble contact comprises a thin, flexible leaf spring member 65 -which is stamped from sheet metal with an =Hshaped opening `therein as illustrated in Fig. 8. Flexible lapg'fsrtured-arms 85a and 26:51:, formed by -thestampingout of the movable contact member are in the plane of the contact member as stamped. However they are later stressed or bowed upwardly fby the insertQnIl :between them of a compression 4member 66 of substantially U-shapefand stamped from thin dexible sheet .metal with slots 'Ges in its arms i0 receive the ends ofthe arms 65a, 6511. The compression member L63 -is mounted on, the plunger as hereinafter more Vfully described- Mevement .0f the .arms 65a -and'ib through theplane of the contact member .-6.5 from one side to the other thereof-causes ,snap yaction movement of the ends of the contact `member 55 also `with a snap-action in a rnannervnow weljl understood by -those familiar with the art. At the-ends of the contact member are contact buttons 61 to engage and disengage fixed contact buttons 68 mounted on fixed Contact members 69. The fixed contact members have rivet extensions 69a vpassing through -vthe insulating plate I6 and through a metal terminal plate v'lil on the outside of the insulating plate. Between the fixed contactmember and the inside surface of the insulating plate l5 is located one leg of al rigid stop member 'Il stamped from sheet metal into substantially J-shape. By peeni-ng over the ends of the rivet portion 69a, .the stop Amember TI, -xed contact `4G9 and terminal member 'I0 are thus secured to the plate I 6. The portion 'Hs of the stop member 'H overlies the end of the movable contact to limit the switch opening or disengaging movement of the mo-vable Contact member at each end, it being understood that similar xed contact structure and stop members are provided at each end of the movable contact as -well illustrated in Figs. =2, 7; and 10.. Y

It isdesirable to be kable to adjust for. accuracy :the positionofthe movable switch Contact and .thus its action fromV the outside of the switch housing.. For this purpose the plungerl device is constructed in the following manner. A support or bearing member I2 is -mounted in the insulating plate IS. This bearing member has a ange 12a abutting the outside surface of the plate l5 and a similar interior flange '112e which is stamped down upon the interior surface of the plate Iii to secure the bearing member permanently in place. The bearing member has a bore which is reduced near its outer end to form a shoulder against which presses one end of a compression 'spring 13. The other end of such spring 13 presses against a shoulder on a sleeve member 14 whose outwardly facing end 14a is of lreduced diameter and slides in the smaller part ofthe bore in the bearing member 12. Theinner end of the sleeve member 14 slides within the larger portion of the bore in the member 12. Y

Upon the larger or inner end 14'b of the sleeve member is secured the compression member 66. The -compression member is" secured by upsetting an extending -neck o f the ysleeve `end 14h onto the inside surface of the transverse portion 6675 of the compression member. I

The adjustment of the position ofthe movable contact is accomplished by manipulating a screw bolt 15 which slides within the sleeve 14 and has its inner end extending inwardly of the switch housing to engage the lever 62. A squareheaded nut 16 is threaded upon the end of the screw bolt 15 to x the adjustment and to determine the inward movement or location of the screw bolt into or relatively to the sleeve member. The abutment ofthe nut 16 against the sleeve 14 thus limits the movement of vthe screw bolt -15 into the` sleeve.- To maintain the adjustment, parallel lugs 62gY are struck down from the lever strut `B2sin position to embrace the sides of the nut. A slot is provided in the head of the bolt. This slot is available from, the outside of the plate I8 by use of a small screw driver inserted in the sleeve 14. By turning the bolt a relatively fine adjustment can be obtained of the action of the switch. Since the vclockwork rotates the controlling cams a relatively ne adjustment is desirable in order that the switch contacts shall not separate or engage before or after they should. u f

In the embodiment illustrated there are eight switch mechanisms of the sort just described. Two switches are mounted on each of the four side plates of the housing, one set of switches being above another in position for the upper four to be controlled by the four upper cams and the lower four to be controlled by the four lower cams. The rollers of each switch are located at four different places on their axles so that one cam is in the plane of one roller of each switch and thus controls thatv switch.

If it is desired to have one cam-control two switches, their rollers will be in the same plane or on the same level as the controlling cam. If the two cams are to control onel switch, then two rollers will be formed on one axle of that switch in planes of the two controlling cams. It will be obvious of course that the number of cams and switches can be varied to suit-the particular conditions.

For driving the spindle 22 and sleeve 24, a gear 80 (Fig. l) is mounted on the end of the spindle in mesh with a pinion'l (Figs. 1 and 3) driven by a clock `mechanism 82. The clock mechanism is preferably electrically driven. Since its details form no part of this invention they need not be 'specifically described. The clock mechanism is mounted on a plate 83 whose sides are bent up so as to be coplanar with the planes of the bent-down sides of the bottom plate I2 of the housing. Plate 83 is secured to the bottom plate I2 in spaced relation thereto by bolts 84 threaded into hollow internallythreaded posts 85 mounted upon and extending from the bottom plate l l2. l

In order that the clock mechanism not be damaged by turning the spindle 22 nor-the controlling mechanism damaged by attempts to operate it contra the clock motor and also in order to permit turning of the spindle manually While vthe gear 88 and pinion 8| are in mesh, a friction clutch is provided between the Aspindle and Athe gear 80. The gear 80 is cup-shaped and internally threaded. It has therein "a'driving disc 86 having a collar 81 non-rotatably mounted on and turning with the spindle 22. A concave flexible spring disc 88 lies' against thedriying disc 86 and it is pressedthereagainst by a circular cover member'- 89 screwed into the gear member `89. The spindle 22 maybe flattened on one side of its end portion to receive and cooperate with a similar flat interior surface within the collar 81. Thefforming of the flat surface on the spindle provides a shoulder so that the collar and driving disc are thus limited in the amount of axial movement onto the end of the spindle.- To hold the clutch member mechanism in place a spring ring 9U fits into a circumferential groove in the spindle near its end, although the clutch mechanism might bemaintained on the spindle in any other suitable fashion.

It is desirable in rsome uses of the invention that all the electric circuits be openffwhilethe switch is being manuali-'y 'setor manipulated from one position to another. One example of such use is in electric automatic washing machines.

To permit accomplishment of this objective, disconnect contacts are mounted on the back plate 83. They may comprise a fixed contact member 92 stamped from sheet metal and secured in insulated relation uponfthe back plate 83 by the use of insulating washer members 93 on opposite lsides of the back plate. 'A rivet may secure a terminal member 94 on the opposite side of the plate from'the contact member 92 on top of the outer insulating washer while at the same time securing the contact member on top of the inner insulating disc 93 and connecting the contact and terminal.

The movable contact member may comprise a hat V-shaped .flexible -metallic stamping riveted at one end to the backplate 83 in insulated relation'similar to the securement of the fixed contact. A terminal member 96 may similarly be held in place by the same rivet that secures the movable contact member.

The free end of the movable contact is located and positioned for engagement with the fixed contact. It is normally stressed by inherent springiness to engagement with the xed contact. In order to cause separation of the contacts there is mounted upon the movable contact a pin 91 in alignment with the spindle 22; and an insulating tip member 98 ismounted upon the end of the spindle for engagement with the pin 91 when the spindle is pressed inwardly, thereby to cause separation of the movable and fixed contacts. These contacts and 92 may be in the main control circuit of the device whose operations are to be under main control by the individual switches housed in the main portion ofthe switch. Thus when the contacts 92 and 95 open they cause the power supply into the circuit to be cut off.` Since the circuits for this arrangement form no part of this invention and are well known to those skilled in the fart, they need not be illustrated or further described.

In the alternative construction illustrated in Fig. 5 (described and claimed in my divisional application Serial No. 274,025, filed February 28, 1952, entitled Multiple Circuit Control Switch) the sleeve Vupon the spindle instead of being made in one part as was sleeve 24, is made in two parts,v |24 and |25, both of which are mounted upon the spindle |22. Insulation cams are mounted on the sleeve parts in the same manner as previously described. In this form of the'ine vention the upperrfour operating cams are carriedby the sleeve part |24 and the lower four cams. are carried by the sleeve part |25. In order to causethesleevepart |24 and the-operating cams carried thereby-toturn with the spindle, the spindle |22 has a slot |38 therein engaged by the end of a radial pin I 3=mounted in the-sleeve part |24. The sleeve 'part |25 is "caused kto turn with the spindle by a clutch mechanism between e them. i y.

.'The clutch mechanism comprises a cup-shaped gear member r|81 having Vteeth formed on its .peripheral edge facing in an axial direction. Gear |31 is non-rotatably mounted'on theend of the `spindle |22 by having the spindle end flattened on one side to cooperate with a similar flat space in a spindle-receiving aperture `in the gear |81. A spring ring |90 holds thegear |31 on the end off the spindle against the yshoulder formed by adjacent flat portion of the end of the spindle.

The cup gear |81 can mesh -wi-th a drive gear |89 which is non-rotatably mounted on the end of an extension |26 of the sleeve part |25 in a fashion similar tothe mounting of the gear |81 on spindle |22. Engagement of the gear |31 with the gear |8 is by a ring of teeth formed in the race of gear |80 to engage with the axially-positioned tooth of the gear |81. The gear |-|li| also has peripheral teeth meshing with -a driving pinion |8| of the clock mechanism as hereinbefore described. A spring yring is or may be employed to hold the gear ISU on the end of the sleeve part |25. Y

Since spindle |22 can be moved axially, it is possible to disengage the gear `|81 from the ring of the teeth in the face of gear |89. II-he sleeve part |241 and spindle |22 can therefore be rotated separately from the sleeve part |25.

In order to automatically return the sleeve part and cams which it carries when the clutch is disengaged, a iiat spring i9! is coiled spirally around the extension |25 of the sleeve part |25, one end of the spring being attached to that sleeve part andthe other end of the spring being anchored to a pin 19| mounted on and extending from the bottom face of the housing part H2. The spring |9| may be housed in a cage comprising parallel disc plates |83, |94, on each side of the spring. These plates may be keyed tothe sleeve extension |26. Stop arms |95 extending radially, in register, from the spring cage plates |93, |941 abut against spring pin |92 which also serves as a stop pin to locate the spring cage and sleeve part |25 with reference to the housing part I2 in expanded position of the spring. Thus, when the clutch is engaged the clock mechanism causes rotation of both gears |80, |81. Hence both sleeve parts |24 and |25 and their cams are driven together. During this rotation the spring I9| is wound up. The clock mechanism in the alternative just described (Fig. 5) is known as a gear shift motor and is available on the market. When it is deenergized the motor of the clock mechanism is automatically disconnected by means (not visible) within the clock housing, from the driving pinion |8|. Hence the pinion lil can turn freely when the spring ISI returns the parts to their starting position. Y

Thus the upper set of cams are manually adjustable by rotation of the spindle on merely pushing the spindle. The lower set of `cams'are not adjustable for they are constantly connected with the clock motor while it is energized; when deenergized the lower cams are lreturned. at once by the return spring to original starting position. This arrangement can be used where an adjustable wash period, for example, is desired inautomatic washing machines, although the invention obviously has other uses. y

l,Many modifications V within the scope of my invention will occur tothosefskilleddn the art. Therefore -I do no1-,limit it to the specific embodiments illustrated and described.. A

What is claimed-is: Y, A .i

l. In a time-controlled `switching device, a plurality of rotary cam members, ka sleeve member carrying said cam members, a manually-operable spindle slidable in said sleeve member, means connecting saidl sleeve member and spindle and .permitting axial movement of the spindle within the sleeve-and causing rotation of the sleeve with .the spindle, separable contact means whose engagement and disengagement is controlled by rotation of said cam members, vand disconnect switching means I including contact 'means engaged by the end ofv said spindle as it isf-moved axiallyto cause engagemeni-l and-disengagement of said-disconnect switch Contact means, and .means insulating said spindle from said disconnect switch contact means, in combination with an electric clock motor having a drivingpinion, a

gear coaxial with said spindle and ydriven by said pinion, and clutch means between said gear and spindle to permit'adjustment of tsaid cam members independently of said clock-motor, said clutch means including a member on and alwaysturning with said spindle andiengaging with said gear member.

. 2. A device as Aclaimed in claim l Awherein the clutch means includes a resilient member providing a frictional connection between said gear member and said spindle carriedY member.

3. A device as claimed in claim l wherein the gear member -is cup-shaped and said spindlecarried member nts therein. f

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 havinga resilient member within said gear providing frictional connection between saidl spindle-carried member. y

5. A device as claimed in claim l having indexing means associated with said spindleand said sleeve member to maintain said spindle `in diierent axial positions relative to the sleeve member.

6. A device -as claimed in claim 5 vwherein the 'sleeve member'is mounted rotatably in a housing but held against axial movement by engagement with said housing.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 having an indexing member mounted non-rotatably on said sleeve member, and indexing means carried by said indexing member and engaging with said spindle to maintain said spindle in different axial positions relative to the sleeve member.

8. A device as claimed in claim l vhaving an indexing member mounted on said sleeve member, a spring pressed ball in a passage in said indexing member and passing through a passage Vin said sleeve member and engaging said spindle to maintain the spindle in diiTerent-axial positions relative to the sleeve member, said -balls and said passages in said sleeve and indexing member being of relative dimensions such that the ball gear member-and in all normal positions is at least partly in both said passages whereby the indexing member is maintained in a xed axial position on said sleeve member.

WALTER L. DIETRICH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the l0 file of this patent:

Number 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Barney Nov. 27, 1923 Husted Apr. 27, 1926 Tulloch June 12, 1928 Gillette Apr. 29, 1941 Edwards Feb. 17, 1942 Hausler Oct.. 26, 1943 Grossen Mar. 22, 1949 Martin July 12, 1949 Wagner Nov. 8, 1949 Aitken Nov. 15, 1949

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