US3255639A - Snap action switch - Google Patents

Snap action switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3255639A
US3255639A US308796A US30879663A US3255639A US 3255639 A US3255639 A US 3255639A US 308796 A US308796 A US 308796A US 30879663 A US30879663 A US 30879663A US 3255639 A US3255639 A US 3255639A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
blade
force
lever
switch
secured
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
US308796A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Grover M Russell
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.)
Penn Controls Inc
Johnson Controls International Inc
Original Assignee
Penn Controls Inc
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 Penn Controls Inc filed Critical Penn Controls Inc
Priority to US308796A priority Critical patent/US3255639A/en
Priority to GB2348/66A priority patent/GB1081070A/en
Priority to BE675819D priority patent/BE675819A/xx
Priority to AT93666A priority patent/AT264645B/de
Priority to CH363566A priority patent/CH456721A/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3255639A publication Critical patent/US3255639A/en
Assigned to JOHNSON CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL, INC., A CORP. OF DE. reassignment JOHNSON CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL, INC., A CORP. OF DE. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: JOHNSON SERVICE COMPANY, A CORP. OF DE.
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
    • H01H5/00—Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
    • H01H5/04—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members
    • H01H5/18—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by flexing of blade springs
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H5/00—Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
    • H01H5/04—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/18—Mechanical movements
    • Y10T74/18856—Oscillating to oscillating

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a new and improved snap action switch. Particularly the invention relates to a new principle of actuating a snap action switch of a particular design. Still more particularly the invention relates to a snap action switch wherein a leaf spring is actuated by means of the application of a torsional force thereto.
  • a unique positive action mechanism comprising a switch blade secured to a base at one end, having contacts adapted to cooperate with fixed contacts mounted on said base at its other end and a longitudinal slot in a portion of its center, a -U-shaped clamp whose arms engage the outer edges of the switch blade and compress the two halves of the blade on either side of the slots toward each other, an actuating, element adapted to apply compressive force perpendicular to the blade at a point on the blade between the slot and the secured end, and a spring bearing on the opposite side of said blade to supply a constant force resisting the compressive force applied by the actuator.
  • the present invention makes it possible not only to actuate a switch of a given electrical rating from any direction throughout a 180 arc, but it allows such a switch to be so actuated without any increase or variation in the amount of work required. As aforementioned, that amount of work is less than that required by switches presently known in the art.
  • Another object ofthis invention is to provide a new and improved snap action device which is actuated by the application of a torsional force.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a snap action mechanism which requires a lower amount 3,255,639 Patented June 14, 1966 of work for actuation of the mechanism than is required to actuate positive' action mechanism presently known in the art.
  • An additional object is to provide a snap action mechanism wherein the work required to actuate the mechanism can be divided into any desired force movement relationship with the work required for actuation remaining constant.
  • a further object is to provide a snap action mechanism wherein the actuating force may be applied from any direction throughout a are without varying the work required to actuate the mechanism.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a snap action mechanism which is comprised of a thin metallic blade havingone end secured while the other end is free to move, a pair of elements forcing each portion of the blade inwardly toward the other to buckle the blade, and means secured to said blade at a point between said elements and the secured end of the blade to apply torsional force thereto.
  • FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a modification of the ernbodimentof the invention shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a top sectional view taken along the line 33 in both FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • a base 10 which is composed of molded insulating material has a positive acting blade in the form of a spring leaf element 21 secured at one end to a metallic sleeve 22 by a rivet 23.
  • the sleeve 22 is securely molded into the base 10 and thereby forms a rigid part of the base 10.
  • the inner surface 24 of the sleeve 22 is threaded to receive a terminal screw.
  • a second metallic sleeve 25 is rigidly embedded in the base 10 to form a part thereof at the other end of the base 10.
  • a contact arm 26 is mounted on the sleeve 25 at one of its ends and has a contact 27 mounted near its other end.
  • the inner surface 28 of sleeve 25 is threaded to receive a terminal screw.
  • a third metallic sleeve 30 is rigidly embedded in the base 10 and carries an arm 31 rigidly mounted thereon, which has a contact 32 mounted near one end.
  • a pair of contacts 33 and 34 are mounted on the free end of the blade 21 so that they coact with the contacts 27 and 32.
  • the sleeve 30 is similar to the sleeves 22 and 25 in that it also has a threaded internal surface 35.
  • a U-shaped strip of spring metal forms a clamp 40 when it is mounted in a socket 41. It has arms which are provided with notches 42.
  • the blade 21 may be provided with a centrally located slot 43 although this slot is not always necessary.
  • a clamp sea-t 44 underlies the cross member of the clamp 40 in the socket 41 and is provided with seating corners engaging this cross member;
  • a clamp adjusting screw 45 secures the clamp 40 and the clamp seat 44 onto the base 10 by being threaded in the base 10. As the adjusting screw ,45 is screwed into the base 10, the cross member of the blade clamp 40 is forced downward onto the seating corners of seat 44 forcing the arms of the clamp toward each other.
  • the turning of the adjustment screw 44 is accomplished by passing a screwdriver through an opening 46 in the blade 21.
  • the degree of buckling can be regulated by tightening or loosening screw 45.
  • a lever arm 50 is secured to the blade 21 between the end of the slot'43 and the rivet 23 which secures the blade 21 to the base 10.
  • a spring 51 may be mounted in a recess 52 in the base to cause the blade 21 to buckle upwardly, as shown in FIG. 2 if desired. In the absence of spring 51 it will be apparent that the blade 21 will remain in the snapped position.
  • the blade 21 will be subject to a torsional force at the point the lever 50 is secured to the blade 21.
  • the portion of the blade between lever 50 and the rivet 23 securing the end of the blade will remain relatively fixed and act as a flexible hinge about which the portion of the blade at the lever 50 pivots. Therefore, the lever arm 50 may be secured in any manner which will create a torsional force at the point the lever arm 50 is secured to the blade 21 such as rigidly brazing, riveting, bolting, or soldering the lever to the blade.
  • the securing method is not limited to rigid securing methods, since a lever may be pivotally or loosely secured to the blade as long as it can at some point produce the required torsional force.
  • the lever 54] could pass loosely through a hole in the blade and have collars on either side of the blade which contact the blade to apply a torsional force on it when the lever is tilted sufliciently, or the lever could be hinged to the blade with the hinge parallel to the long axis of the blade. As this force, illustrated in FIG.
  • a cover 60 which may also be molded, of insulating material is fitted onto the top of the base 10 to enclose the switch mechanism.
  • a channel 61 is formed in the cover 60 which is so much larger than the shaft 50 that the shaft has sufiicient space to be rotated about the hinge provided by the portion of the blade 21 between the shaft 50 and the rivet 23.
  • FIG. 2 a modification of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 is disclosed. It differs from the structure shown in FIG. 1 in that the straight lever has been replaced with a lever 50a which has a portion which is perpendicular to a portion 56 in order that it may be perpendicular to a downwardly applied force as indicated in FIG. 2.
  • the portion 56 of the arm 50a is rigidly connected to the blade 21 in the same manner as lever 50 in FIG. 1.
  • m-aining components of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, except for the replacement of the cover 60 with a cover 70, are identical to those in FIG. 1 and bear the same reference numerals.
  • a portion 57 of the lever 50a is substantially perpendicular to the portion 55 so that a portion of the lever extends beyond the cover which is mounted in the same manner as is cover 60 on the base 10.
  • An aperture 71 allows for the movement of the portion 57 of the lever 50a as the lever pivots about the hinge provided by the portion of the blade 21 between the attaching point of the lever to the blade 21 and the rivet 23.
  • the force may now be applied to the switch in a vertically downward direction.
  • the length of the portion 55 of the arm 50a determines the force-movement relationship required to actuate the switch.
  • the force required is increased and vice versa.
  • the lever may be made of such shapes that a force may be applied in an upward direction, a sideward direction as illustrated in FIG. 1, or in a downward direction as illustrated in FIG. 2. In whatever direction the force is applied, it is applied at substantially a right angle to'a lever arm which extends from the point of application of force on the lever to the point of connection of the lever arm to the blade 21.
  • the present invention allows for the application of an actuating force in any direction throughout at least a arc while maintaining a constant work requirement for actuation which is lower than that required by switches presently in the art. It further maintains this work requirement constant while the force-movement relationship constituting the quantity of work required is varied.
  • the instant invention relates to a snap-or--positive action mechanism which comprises a resilient blade having one end rigidly mounted on a base with the other end free to move.
  • the blade is subjected to lateral stress and is equipped with means for applying torsional force at a point between the fixed end and the point of application of lateral stress thereto.
  • the blade may be weakened in resistance to lateral stress, and the base may be equipped with a spring to resist any torsional force applied to the blade.
  • the improved snap action mechanism of the invention may be actuated by the application of a force in any direction within a 180 The rearc and without change in work required to accomplish the actuation.
  • the force-movement relation for actuation may be varied at will Without change of the necessary actuating work.
  • a positive action mechanism com-prising: a base, a resilient blade having one end rigidly mounted hereon with its other end free to move with a positive action and having an intermediate portion subjected to lateral compressive stress, and means secured to said resilient blade for applying a torsional movement to said blade.
  • a positive action mechanism comprising: a base, a resilient blade having one end rigidly mounted thereon with its other end free to move with a positive action and having an intermediate portion which is subjected to lateral compressive stress, and a lever secured to said resilient blade between said intermediate portion and said rigidly mounted end.
  • a positive action mechanism comprising: a resilient ward each other to cause them to assume a buckled position, and means for applying torsional force to said blade between said abu-tments and said secured end.
  • a positive action mechanism comprising: a spring leaf element having ends and being slotted lengthwise intermediate its ends, mounting means clamping said leaf element at one end and leaving the other end free, clamping means engaging side edges of said spring lea-f element to exert a pressure on said leaf element which tends to reduce the width of said slot whereby said free end moves in one direction or the other out of the normal plane of the spring leaf element, and a lever secured to said spring leaf element for moving said spring leaf element intermediate said clamping means and said fixed end in opposite directions to cause positive motion of said free end in corresponding direct-ions out. of the plane of the element.
  • a positive action mechanism comprising: an alongated resilient blade having ends and a single generally longitudinally extending slot therein terminating short of said ends, an adjustable means for biasing opposite side edges of said blade in the vicinity of said slot toward each other to produce a positive action of the blade as a portion thereof is moved to one side or the other of the plane of the blade, and a lever secured to said blade for twisting said portion'of the blade to one or the other side of the.

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  • Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)
US308796A 1963-09-13 1963-09-13 Snap action switch Expired - Lifetime US3255639A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US308796A US3255639A (en) 1963-09-13 1963-09-13 Snap action switch
GB2348/66A GB1081070A (en) 1963-09-13 1966-01-18 Improvements in or relating to snap action electric switches
BE675819D BE675819A (de) 1963-09-13 1966-01-31
AT93666A AT264645B (de) 1963-09-13 1966-02-02 Schnappschalter
CH363566A CH456721A (de) 1963-09-13 1966-03-14 Schnappschalter

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US308796A US3255639A (en) 1963-09-13 1963-09-13 Snap action switch
AT93666A AT264645B (de) 1963-09-13 1966-02-02 Schnappschalter

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3255639A true US3255639A (en) 1966-06-14

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ID=34553021

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US308796A Expired - Lifetime US3255639A (en) 1963-09-13 1963-09-13 Snap action switch

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US3255639A (de)
AT (1) AT264645B (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3601534A (en) * 1968-02-13 1971-08-24 Olivetti & Co Spa Alphanumeric keyboard

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2275642A (en) * 1940-01-18 1942-03-10 Mu Switch Corp Switch
US2511526A (en) * 1946-07-01 1950-06-13 Erling P Bugge Snap switch
US2789173A (en) * 1955-08-01 1957-04-16 Penn Controls Snap acting mechanism

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2275642A (en) * 1940-01-18 1942-03-10 Mu Switch Corp Switch
US2511526A (en) * 1946-07-01 1950-06-13 Erling P Bugge Snap switch
US2789173A (en) * 1955-08-01 1957-04-16 Penn Controls Snap acting mechanism

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3601534A (en) * 1968-02-13 1971-08-24 Olivetti & Co Spa Alphanumeric keyboard

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AT264645B (de) 1968-09-10

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: JOHNSON CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL, INC., 229 SOUTH ST

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:JOHNSON SERVICE COMPANY, A CORP. OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:003962/0639

Effective date: 19820302