US3239621A - Snap action switch - Google Patents

Snap action switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3239621A
US3239621A US378509A US37850964A US3239621A US 3239621 A US3239621 A US 3239621A US 378509 A US378509 A US 378509A US 37850964 A US37850964 A US 37850964A US 3239621 A US3239621 A US 3239621A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
cage
contact
switch
spring
lever
Prior art date
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
US378509A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Daussin Bernard
Granson Jean
Baulier Henry
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.)
Alcatel Lucent SAS
Original Assignee
Compagnie Generale dElectricite SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Compagnie Generale dElectricite SA filed Critical Compagnie Generale dElectricite SA
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3239621A publication Critical patent/US3239621A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/50—Means for increasing contact pressure, preventing vibration of contacts, holding contacts together after engagement, or biasing contacts to the open position
    • H01H1/54—Means for increasing contact pressure, preventing vibration of contacts, holding contacts together after engagement, or biasing contacts to the open position by magnetic force
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H21/00—Switches operated by an operating part in the form of a pivotable member acted upon directly by a solid body, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H21/02—Details
    • H01H21/18—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H21/36—Driving mechanisms
    • H01H21/40—Driving mechanisms having snap action
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H21/00—Switches operated by an operating part in the form of a pivotable member acted upon directly by a solid body, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H21/02—Details
    • H01H21/18—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H21/36—Driving mechanisms
    • H01H21/40—Driving mechanisms having snap action
    • H01H21/42—Driving mechanisms having snap action produced by compression or extension of coil spring
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/22—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism
    • H01H3/30—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism using spring motor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
    • H01H71/50—Manual reset mechanisms which may be also used for manual release
    • H01H71/52—Manual reset mechanisms which may be also used for manual release actuated by lever
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/38—Auxiliary contacts on to which the arc is transferred from the main contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/22—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism
    • H01H3/30—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism using spring motor
    • H01H2003/3084—Kinetic energy of moving parts recuperated by transformation into potential energy in closing or opening spring to be used in next operation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2300/00—Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H
    • H01H2300/046—Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H using snap closing mechanisms
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2300/00—Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H
    • H01H2300/046—Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H using snap closing mechanisms
    • H01H2300/048—Snap closing by latched movable contact, wherein the movable contact is held in a minimal distance from the fixed contact during first phase of closing sequence in which a closing spring is charged

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a snap action electric switch.
  • a fast circuit closing operation is required even in case of switches where the pressure on the contacts is provided both by springs and by the electrodynamic effects created by the current flowing in the main circuits. It is essential that, before the current intensity reaches too high an instantaneous value, first, the springs should be sufiiciently compressed and secondly, the parts subjected to the electrodynamic etfects should be in a position that very nearly corresponds to the closed position of the switch. If this condition is not met, the operator may be unable to ensure the full closing of the switch resulting in possible damage to the equipment and harm to himself.
  • the invention provides a snap action mechanism that eilectuates the closing of the switch with a suflicient speed regardless of how fast the operator himself actuates the switch.
  • the present invention relates to switch mechanisms for making and breaking high intensity currents, wherein the snap action during the closing operation may take place with a minimum of energy input; i.e. fast, snap action closing of the switch is ensured without the necessity to resort to ancillary energy storing devices associated with the switch actuator or the circuits.
  • restraining means for ensuring the sudden closing of the contacts by holding them back during the closing operation and releasing them only in the final phase thereof when the moving parts of the switch are very nearly in their closed position.
  • the springs associated with these contact parts are already compressed with a force greater than that which will be necessary when the switch is fully closed.
  • the contacting motion of the mobile parts of the main circuits with the corresponding stationary parts is caused by the surplus energy previously stored in the contact pressure springs.
  • the speed of the contacting motion is independent not only of the speed the operator handles the switch, but also, in particular, of the speed at which the springs were compressed.
  • the invention may be advantageously practiced in switches where electrodynamic effects created by the cur rents flowing in them increase the pressure on the contacts.
  • the parts which are to be affected by the electrodynamic forces are thcmselves, in the final phase of the closing operation, disposed very near their final position and consequently, the switch mechanism, and particularly its lock, do not have to be exposed to force noticeably higher than those which are applied when the equipment is fully closed.
  • the closing of the switch is achieved by a continuous, unidirectional movement of the actuating handle.
  • the restraining means used for holding back the contacts during the closing operation have two additional important functions: on one hand, the contact parts are able to resist reclosing by accidental snap back during opening and, on the other hand, the restraining means permit the storage, in potential form, of the kinetic energy gained during the opening operation of the switch. This stored energy is utilized during the closing operation, thus making possible a substantial decrease in the external energy input. Consequently, the eifort to be delivered by the operator when the equipment is handoperated, or, in case the operation is carried out with the help of an ancillary energy source, the output of the electric or pneumatic actuating devices may be reduced in the same proportion.
  • the switches shown by Way of example have only one pole, provided with only one mobile part. It is to be understood that, within the scope of the invention, the switches may be of either the multi-pole or single-pole type and may comprise either one or several mobile parts for each pole.
  • FIGURE 1 is a plan view in fully open position of an embodiment according to the invention, in which the pressure on the contacts is provided only by springs;
  • FIGURE 2 is a view of the same embodiment in the last phase of the closing operation preceding the full closing;
  • FIGURE 3 is a View of the same embodiment in closed position
  • FIGURE 4 is a view of the same embodiment at the beginning of the opening operation
  • FIGURE 5 is a plan view in the fully open position of another embodiment in which the main circuits are arranged in such a Way that the elcctrodynamic effects arising from the current contributes to the pressure on the contacts;
  • FIGURE 6 is a view of the embodiment according to FIGURE 5 in the last phase of the closing operation preceding the full closing;
  • FIGURE 7 is a view of the embodiment according to FIGURE 5 in closed position and FIGURE 8 is a view of the embodiment according to FIGURE 5 at the beginning of the opening operation.
  • the switch shown in FIGURE 1 includes a stationary conductive element 1 integral with a frame or mounting base 12 and fitted with a permanent current contact 2 and burning-tip contact 3. There is further shown a mobile conductive contact element 4, provided with a permanent current contact 5- and a corresponding burning-tip contact 6.
  • a stationary conductive element 7, integral with the frame 12, is connected to the contact element 4 by means of a flexible conductor 8.
  • the contact element 4 is fixedly mounted on an elongated bracket 9, held in a cage by a pivot pin 11.
  • the cage 10 is attached to the frame 12 by a pivot pin 13. Between one end of cage 10 and bracket 9 there is disposed a spring 14 adapted to urge parts 9 and 10 apart.
  • lever 15 pivotable around a pin 16 secured to cage 10.
  • lever 15 is provided with a roller 17 rotating around a pin 18 integral with lever 15.
  • Roller 17 engages the heel-shaped portion of the bracket 9.
  • a yoke 19, secured to the back of cage 10, carries a pin 20 on which hinges an insulating connecting rod or linkage means 21, attached to the end of an arm 22 by means of a pin 23.
  • One end of an insulating connecting rod or release means 24 is attached to pin 23.
  • the other end of connecting-rod 24 is provided with a slot 25 which slideably receives a pin 26 integral with the lever 15.
  • the arm 22 is keyed to an actuating shaft 27 connected to an actuating mechanism such as operating handle 28.
  • actuating mechanism such as operating handle 28.
  • a catch mechanism comprising a hook 29 securedto the shaft 27 and a detent 30.
  • Attached to the hook 29 and to a stationary pin integral with the frame is a tension spring 34 which exerts a return torque on the shaft 27 in the opening direction and urges the arm 22 against a stop 36.
  • FIGURE 1 shows the switch at rest in a fully open position.
  • the arm 22 pulled the connecting-rod 24 which, imparting a counter-clockwise motion to lever 15, caused the roller 17 to force itself into the heel-shaped portion of bracket 9, resulting in a clock-wise rotation of the latter about pin 11.
  • This motion in turn, caused a recompression of spring 14 which is maintained in this position as shown in FIGURE 1.
  • FIGURE 2 shows the switch in the final phase of the closing operation, where the hook 29 is on the point of being engaged by the detent 30.
  • the contact element 4 is still retracted and spaced from the stationary contact 1 due to the position of roller 17 urging contact element 4 towards cage 10, compressing spring 14.
  • FIGURE 2 shows that during the closing operation the rod 24 imparted a clock-wise rotation to lever 15, causing roller 17 to ride upwardly on the heel-shaped portion of bracket 9 and assume an unstable equilibrium position.
  • release rod 24 causes a further clock-wise rotation of lever 15.
  • roller 17 entirely clears the heel portion of bracket 9.
  • bracket 9 is free to pivot about pin 11, and, consequently, contact 4 will snap into its circuit-making position urged solely by the spring 14.
  • FIGURE 4 shows the switch at the beginning of the opening operation, following the release of hook 29 by detent 30, while cage 10 has started its clock-wise open ing movement under the effect of the return-spring 34.
  • the permanent contacts 2 and 5 are no longer in engagement; the current flows across the burning-tip contacts 3 and 6 pressed against one another.
  • the slotted connecting-rod 24 drives the lever 15 counter-clockwise, forcing roller 17 into its stable equilibrium position in the heel-shaped portion of the bracket 9.
  • spring 14 is recompressed as it was described hereinbefore in connection with FIGURE 1.
  • the switch is adapted to resist effectively any recl-osing by accidental snap-back during the opening operation.
  • FIGURES 5, 6, 7 and 8 show another embodiment.
  • the switch is shown in consecutive positions corresponding to those of the previous embodiment and the same reference numerals have been given to similar or corresponding parts.
  • the cage 10 carrying the mobile contact element 4 rotates around the stationary pin 13 and is driven by a connecting-rod 42, connected to the cage 1% and to the part 4 by the pin 11. Further, the connecting-rod 42 is rotatable around a pin 37 also linking the connecting or release rod 24 to a lever 38. Lever 38 is pivotable around a stationary pin 45 The free end of lever 38 is connected to the insulating connecting-rod 21 by means of the pin 20.
  • the contact pressure and return-spring 41 abuts against a stationary stop 39 and exerts its force directly against the contact element 4.
  • the spring 41 is compressed between the stationary stop 39 and contact element 4 by the roller 17 movable along the back side of part 4.
  • a snap action electric switch comprising,
  • cage means pivotally secured to said base and movable between a closed position and an open position
  • a snap action electric switch comprising,
  • said restraining means includes a lever pivotally secured at its mid portion to said cage member, one end of said lever being secured to said releasing means, the other end of said lever being adapted to engage a heel portion on said contact element to maintain the same in its said retracted position when said cage member is in an open position, said other end of said lever adapted to be disengaged from said heel portion by the force imparted to said lever by said releasing means to permit said contact element to turn about said pivotal joint and snap into said triggered position urged by said spring means as said cage member pivots toward said closed position actuated by said arm means.
  • said releasing means includes an elongated element pivot-a1- ly secured at one end to said arm means, the other end of said elon ated element being provided with a slot for slidably receiving the end of said lever distal from said heel portion.
  • a snap action electric switch comprising,
  • said restraining means includes a lever, one end of which is pivotally secured to said cage member, the other end of said lever is adapted to engage a heel portion on said contact element to maintain the same in its said retracted position when said cage member is in an open position, the mid portion of said lever being secured to said releasing means, said other end of said lever adapted to be disengaged from said heel portion by the force imparted to said lever by said releasing means to permit said contact element to turn about said pivotal joint and snap into said triggered position as said cage member pivots toward said closed position actuated by said arm means.

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  • Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)
US378509A 1963-06-27 1964-06-29 Snap action switch Expired - Lifetime US3239621A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR939583A FR1388664A (fr) 1963-06-27 1963-06-27 Dispositif à fermeture indépendante pour appareils électriques

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3239621A true US3239621A (en) 1966-03-08

Family

ID=8807080

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US378509A Expired - Lifetime US3239621A (en) 1963-06-27 1964-06-29 Snap action switch

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3239621A (fr)
CH (1) CH431668A (fr)
DE (1) DE1220926B (fr)
FR (1) FR1388664A (fr)
GB (1) GB1064163A (fr)
NL (1) NL6407178A (fr)
SE (1) SE220141C1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2560713A1 (fr) * 1984-03-02 1985-09-06 Merlin Gerin Mecanisme de fermeture brusque d'un disjoncteur miniature
US20100078299A1 (en) * 2008-10-01 2010-04-01 General Electric Company Contact arm assembly and method for assembling the contact arm assembly
US20120168295A1 (en) * 2011-01-05 2012-07-05 Jianzhuan Lin Ultra Low Profile Rocker Design
WO2015177143A1 (fr) * 2014-05-22 2015-11-26 Eaton Industries (Austria) Gmbh Appareil de coupure électrique

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE710116A (fr) * 1967-01-30 1968-05-30
DE1916956C3 (de) * 1969-04-02 1983-12-08 Bosch-Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, 7000 Stuttgart Elektrischer Schnappschalter
JPS5921487Y2 (ja) * 1979-05-14 1984-06-25 株式会社東芝 回路しや断器の可動接触子
DE3432086A1 (de) * 1984-08-28 1986-03-06 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Kontaktanordnung mit einer die kontaktkraft vergroessernden stromabhaengigen kraft
DE8913003U1 (de) * 1989-11-03 1991-02-28 Schupa-Elektro-GmbH + Co KG, 5885 Schalksmühle Einrichtung zum sprunghaften Einschalten beweglich gelagerter Kontakthebel, insbesondere für einen zweipoligen Fehlerstromschutzschalter
DE4003247C1 (en) * 1990-02-03 1991-07-04 Ddm Hopt + Schuler Gmbh & Co Kg, 7210 Rottweil, De Switching arrangement increasing hysteresis - has switching and control levers forming arrester released shortly before operating lever reaches rest position
DE29609824U1 (de) * 1996-05-21 1997-07-24 Siemens AG, 80333 München Niederspannungs-Leistungsschalter mit einem Kontaktträger
FR2780198B1 (fr) * 1998-06-17 2000-09-01 Cahors App Elec Interrupteur a mecanisme de declenchement de la fermeture et de l'ouverture

Family Cites Families (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL39632C (fr) * 1933-07-05
DE643708C (de) * 1934-02-20 1937-04-15 Siemens Schuckertwerke Akt Ges Kniehebellastschalter mit Federantrieb fuer Regeltransformatoren
AT159772B (de) * 1938-09-11 1940-11-11 Siemens Ag Elektrischer Schnellschalter mit Überstromauslösung, insbesondere Sockelautomat.
DE888879C (de) * 1944-04-20 1953-09-07 Aeg Einrichtung zur Vergleichmaessigung der zum Einschalten von elektrischen Schaltgeraeten aufzuwendenden Kraft
US3045083A (en) * 1959-06-25 1962-07-17 Westinghouse Electric Corp Spring closing mechanism for circuit breakers

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2560713A1 (fr) * 1984-03-02 1985-09-06 Merlin Gerin Mecanisme de fermeture brusque d'un disjoncteur miniature
EP0156692A1 (fr) * 1984-03-02 1985-10-02 Merlin Gerin Mécanisme de fermeture brusque d'un disjoncteur miniature
AU577833B2 (en) * 1984-03-02 1988-10-06 Merlin Gerin Closing mechanism of circuit breaker
US20100078299A1 (en) * 2008-10-01 2010-04-01 General Electric Company Contact arm assembly and method for assembling the contact arm assembly
US7718908B2 (en) * 2008-10-01 2010-05-18 General Electric Company Contact arm assembly and method for assembling the contact arm assembly
US20120168295A1 (en) * 2011-01-05 2012-07-05 Jianzhuan Lin Ultra Low Profile Rocker Design
CN103299385A (zh) * 2011-01-05 2013-09-11 嘉灵科技有限公司 超薄型翘板设计
CN103299385B (zh) * 2011-01-05 2016-08-10 嘉灵科技有限公司 超薄型翘板设计
US9947499B2 (en) * 2011-01-05 2018-04-17 Carling Technologies, Inc. Ultra low profile rocker design
WO2015177143A1 (fr) * 2014-05-22 2015-11-26 Eaton Industries (Austria) Gmbh Appareil de coupure électrique
US20170178842A1 (en) * 2014-05-22 2017-06-22 Eaton Industries (Austria) Gmbh Switching device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL6407178A (fr) 1964-12-28
DE1220926B (de) 1966-07-14
CH431668A (fr) 1967-03-15
GB1064163A (en) 1967-04-05
SE220141C1 (fr) 1968-04-23
FR1388664A (fr) 1965-02-12

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