US3196231A - Switch which reduces rebounding of its contacts - Google Patents

Switch which reduces rebounding of its contacts Download PDF

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Publication number
US3196231A
US3196231A US88470A US8847061A US3196231A US 3196231 A US3196231 A US 3196231A US 88470 A US88470 A US 88470A US 8847061 A US8847061 A US 8847061A US 3196231 A US3196231 A US 3196231A
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United States
Prior art keywords
magnet
stationary
movable contact
contacts
spring
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US88470A
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English (en)
Inventor
Meyer Herbert
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Licentia Patent Verwaltungs GmbH
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Licentia Patent Verwaltungs GmbH
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Publication date
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Publication of US3196231A publication Critical patent/US3196231A/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
    • H01H50/16—Magnetic circuit arrangements
    • H01H50/18—Movable parts of magnetic circuits, e.g. armature
    • H01H50/30—Mechanical arrangements for preventing or damping vibration or shock, e.g. by balancing of armature
    • H01H50/305—Mechanical arrangements for preventing or damping vibration or shock, e.g. by balancing of armature damping vibration due to functional movement of armature

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electric switch.
  • the present invention relates to an electric switch in which the contacts cooperating with the movable contacts are structurally associated with the stationary part of the actuator system for the movable contacts, and in which, upon closing of the contacts, that part of the switch actuator which causes the movement of the movable contacts strikes the stationary part of the actuator system.
  • the actuator system generally consists of a stationary switching magnet and an armature. The armature is connected with a holder which carries the movable contacts, while the stationary switching magnet is mounted on a carrier which supports the cooperating stationary contacts.
  • the useful life of relays of the above type has to be very high, i.e., the relay Will be called upon to carry out a large number of mechanical and electrical switchings.
  • the electrical life of the switch i.e., the useful life of the contacts, is to a large extent dependent on the impact of the contacts when the switch is closed.
  • One of the causes of the impact occurring upon closing of the switch is the striking of the movable armature against the stationary magnet which is part of the ma netic actuator system of the switch.
  • the impact which this produces is particularly detrimental because it does not occur until some time after the current-carrying contacts have engaged each other, i.e., not until about to 20 milliseconds later, or at a time when the current has already reached a high value, so that the arc-overs which are caused by the rebounding and consequent re-opening of the contacts may produce increased contact scorching or welding (so-called freezing).
  • the present invention is based on the consideration that it is the higher frequency components of the oscillations produced by the striking of the armature against the magnet which are mainly responsible for the rebounding.
  • the kinetic energy of the movable armature, when it strikes the stationary magnet, is preserved mainly as kinetic energy of the entire magnet, or of the relay as a whole, including the surface or other support upon which it is mounted.
  • a smaller part is converted into oscillatory energy, the oscillations occurring as a mixture of low-frequency components (about 100 cycles per second) and higher-frequency components (about 1000 to 2000 cycles per second).
  • the higher-frequency components will propagate without appreciable attentuation through all of the stationary structural elements.
  • oscillatory energy will also be propagated from the point of contact between the movable armature and stationary magnet to the stationary contacts via the stationary magnet, the support for the magnet, and the support carrying the stationary contacts.
  • the stationary contacts will, therefore, undergo a movement which corresponds to this oscillation.
  • the relative low-frequency system comprising the movable contact and the contact spring, cannot follow the thus-produced high-frequency movements of the stationary contacts, and this results in rebounding which, in turn, produces the above-mentioned undesired opening of the contacts, the latter, of course, causing the above-mentioned arc-overs and freezing.
  • a primary object of the present invention to provide a switch which overcomes the above disadvantages.
  • this is accomplished by keeping away from the stationary contacts the higher-frequency oscillatory energy which is produced when the movable parts of the switch strike against the stationary parts.
  • This can be done, for example, by providing means such as a mechanical low-pass filter in the path of propagation of the oscillatory energy, which filter is arranged between the surface at which these oscillations are produced, namely, the contact surface at which the armature and the stationary magnet engage each other, and the stationary contacts.
  • FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a switch according to the present invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 22 of FIGURE 1.
  • FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic elevational view, partly in section, of another form of the present invention and wherein only a portion of the stationary assembly is shown.
  • FIGURE 4 is an elevational view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing still another form of the invention.
  • a rela type switch comprising a stationary magnet 1 which is mounted on a support 2.
  • the magnet 1, including its coil 1 is pressed down against the support 2 as, for example, by abutments 3a, 4a, on the supports 3, 4, which carry the stationary contacts 5, 6, these abutments cooperating with movable abut-ments 1a, 1b, carried by the magnet 1, as shown in FIGURE 2.
  • the magnet 1 can be pressed down by an upper dome (not shown) which serves as an arc-extinguishing chamber.
  • the movable contact assembly 7 comprises an armature 7a and a movable contact carrier 71), the latter supporting contact bridges 9 whose free ends carry the movable contact elements 9a, 9b which engage the stationary contact elements 5a, 6a.
  • Contact springs 8 are provided for pressing the contact bridges 9 downwardly.
  • Compression springs 10 urge the movable contact assembly away from the stationary magnet 1, stationary abutments 10a, 10b being provided for limiting the movement of the movable contact assembly 7.
  • a mechanical lowpass filter is interposed between the magnet 1 and the support 2 therefor.
  • the low-pass filter comprises a buffer device in the form of one or more heavily prestressed coil springs 12 arranged within a spring casing 11 which is mounted on the support 2, the lower end of the spring abutting against the support 2 and the upper end against the magnet 1.
  • FIGURE 1 shows a one-spring arrangement
  • FIGURE 3 shows a multiple spring arrangement.
  • a prestressed leaf spring 12' may be provided as shown in FIGURE 4.
  • the magnetic actuator for the relay namely, the magnet and the armature, form together with the damping spring 12 an oscillatory system. If the natural frequency of this system is made suiiiciently low, it is possible to prevent substantially completely the transmission of highfrequency components, of the mixed frequency oscillations produced by the impact, to the supports 3, 4 and,
  • the most advantageous bias of the spring is one which, When the spring 12'converts the kinetic energy of-thearmature intopotential energy, -results in a deflection ofbetween about 0.5 to 1 millimeter.
  • said movable contact means including a contact spring
  • said buffer device comprises a spring housing for said spring means, said spring housing being mounted on said support and said magnet abutting against saidspring means.
  • said bufler device comprises prestressed coil spring means.
  • the combination which comprises: stationary and movable contact means; actuator means for moving said movable contact means relative to said-stationary means, said actuator means including a stationary magnet and a movable armature cooperating with said magnet, said armature being connected to said movable contactmeans and forming therewith a movable contact assembly; a support supporting said magnet and said stationary contact means; and means for keeping away from said stationary contact means oscillatory energy which is higher in frequency than the natural frequency of the movable contact assembly and which is producedupon the impact of said movable contact as sembly against said magnet, said means including a buffer'device interposed between said support and said magnet, and said buffer device being a low-pass filter.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Electromagnets (AREA)
US88470A 1960-02-12 1961-02-10 Switch which reduces rebounding of its contacts Expired - Lifetime US3196231A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DEL35338A DE1119963B (de) 1960-02-12 1960-02-12 Anordnung zum Daempfen der Kontaktprellungen bei elektromagnetischen Schaltgeraeten,insbesondere bei Schaltschuetzen

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3196231A true US3196231A (en) 1965-07-20

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ID=7267036

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US88470A Expired - Lifetime US3196231A (en) 1960-02-12 1961-02-10 Switch which reduces rebounding of its contacts

Country Status (4)

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US (1) US3196231A (de)
CH (1) CH408165A (de)
DE (1) DE1119963B (de)
FR (1) FR1280265A (de)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3503019A (en) * 1967-10-26 1970-03-24 Ite Imperial Corp Noise damping means for electromagnet
US3529269A (en) * 1966-08-01 1970-09-15 William P Gardiner Magnetic switch
US3550048A (en) * 1969-07-23 1970-12-22 Square D Co Electromagnetically operated switch having a movable contact carrier shock absorber
US3659237A (en) * 1971-03-30 1972-04-25 Westinghouse Electric Corp Contactor
US3663908A (en) * 1970-09-11 1972-05-16 Honeywell Inc Relay magnetic frame and armature arrangement
US3708769A (en) * 1970-10-22 1973-01-02 Ghisalba Spa Electromagnetic contactor
US4713503A (en) * 1986-08-26 1987-12-15 A. B. Chance Company Three phase vacuum switch operating mechanism with anti-bounce device for interrupter contacts
EP0660355A1 (de) * 1993-12-22 1995-06-28 Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. Eisenkern-Halteanordnung eines elektromagnetischen Schützes
AU664556B2 (en) * 1991-07-26 1995-11-23 Eaton Corporation Contactor floating magnet
US20100308944A1 (en) * 2009-06-04 2010-12-09 Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd. Electromagnetic contactor
CN105047479A (zh) * 2014-04-16 2015-11-11 三菱电机株式会社 电磁接触器

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1227124B (de) * 1958-12-31 1966-10-20 Licentia Gmbh Elektromagnetisches Schaltgeraet, insbesondere Schaltschuetz
DE1257938B (de) * 1962-11-19 1968-01-04 Licentia Gmbh Elektromagnetisches Antriebssystem, insbesondere fuer Schaltschuetze
DE4331554C2 (de) * 1993-09-16 2003-01-30 Siemens Ag Schaltgerät mit einer Abfangvorrichtung zur Verminderung des Kontaktprellens sowie Verfahren zur Dimensionierung der dabei verwendeten Dämpfungskörper

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB584050A (en) * 1944-11-20 1947-01-06 Allen West & Co Ltd Improvements in or relating to electromagnetic switches and relays
US2544491A (en) * 1949-02-25 1951-03-06 Goodrich Co B F Shock damper for electromagnetic devices
US2671836A (en) * 1950-03-29 1954-03-09 Square D Co Electromagnetic relay
US2688059A (en) * 1950-08-14 1954-08-31 Motorola Inc Electromechanical device
GB731713A (en) * 1952-12-03 1955-06-15 Licentia Gmbh An electric switch or contactor with resiliently supported contacts
US2714141A (en) * 1952-12-08 1955-07-26 Deltronic Corp Shock and vibration resistant solenoid relay
US2727191A (en) * 1951-12-27 1955-12-13 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Relay armature spring
US2727114A (en) * 1953-06-15 1955-12-13 Fkg Fritz Kesselring Geratebau Switching apparatus
US2762678A (en) * 1953-06-26 1956-09-11 American Mach & Foundry Anti-vibration support
US2782282A (en) * 1952-06-26 1957-02-19 Schrack Eduard Magnetically operable switch
US2938094A (en) * 1956-12-24 1960-05-24 Gen Dynamics Corp Low noise electric switch
US2977438A (en) * 1959-06-29 1961-03-28 Morschel Franz Relay-contactor

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB584050A (en) * 1944-11-20 1947-01-06 Allen West & Co Ltd Improvements in or relating to electromagnetic switches and relays
US2544491A (en) * 1949-02-25 1951-03-06 Goodrich Co B F Shock damper for electromagnetic devices
US2671836A (en) * 1950-03-29 1954-03-09 Square D Co Electromagnetic relay
US2688059A (en) * 1950-08-14 1954-08-31 Motorola Inc Electromechanical device
US2727191A (en) * 1951-12-27 1955-12-13 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Relay armature spring
US2782282A (en) * 1952-06-26 1957-02-19 Schrack Eduard Magnetically operable switch
GB731713A (en) * 1952-12-03 1955-06-15 Licentia Gmbh An electric switch or contactor with resiliently supported contacts
US2714141A (en) * 1952-12-08 1955-07-26 Deltronic Corp Shock and vibration resistant solenoid relay
US2727114A (en) * 1953-06-15 1955-12-13 Fkg Fritz Kesselring Geratebau Switching apparatus
US2762678A (en) * 1953-06-26 1956-09-11 American Mach & Foundry Anti-vibration support
US2938094A (en) * 1956-12-24 1960-05-24 Gen Dynamics Corp Low noise electric switch
US2977438A (en) * 1959-06-29 1961-03-28 Morschel Franz Relay-contactor

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3529269A (en) * 1966-08-01 1970-09-15 William P Gardiner Magnetic switch
US3503019A (en) * 1967-10-26 1970-03-24 Ite Imperial Corp Noise damping means for electromagnet
US3550048A (en) * 1969-07-23 1970-12-22 Square D Co Electromagnetically operated switch having a movable contact carrier shock absorber
US3663908A (en) * 1970-09-11 1972-05-16 Honeywell Inc Relay magnetic frame and armature arrangement
US3708769A (en) * 1970-10-22 1973-01-02 Ghisalba Spa Electromagnetic contactor
US3659237A (en) * 1971-03-30 1972-04-25 Westinghouse Electric Corp Contactor
US4713503A (en) * 1986-08-26 1987-12-15 A. B. Chance Company Three phase vacuum switch operating mechanism with anti-bounce device for interrupter contacts
AU664556B2 (en) * 1991-07-26 1995-11-23 Eaton Corporation Contactor floating magnet
EP0660355A1 (de) * 1993-12-22 1995-06-28 Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. Eisenkern-Halteanordnung eines elektromagnetischen Schützes
US5495220A (en) * 1993-12-22 1996-02-27 Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. Iron core retaining structure of electromagnetic contactor
US20100308944A1 (en) * 2009-06-04 2010-12-09 Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd. Electromagnetic contactor
US8324992B2 (en) * 2009-06-04 2012-12-04 Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd. Electromagnetic contactor
CN105047479A (zh) * 2014-04-16 2015-11-11 三菱电机株式会社 电磁接触器
CN105047479B (zh) * 2014-04-16 2018-01-23 三菱电机株式会社 电磁接触器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1280265A (fr) 1961-12-29
DE1119963B (de) 1961-12-21
CH408165A (de) 1966-02-28

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