US3268684A - Mechanically operable magnetic reed switch - Google Patents

Mechanically operable magnetic reed switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3268684A
US3268684A US363090A US36309064A US3268684A US 3268684 A US3268684 A US 3268684A US 363090 A US363090 A US 363090A US 36309064 A US36309064 A US 36309064A US 3268684 A US3268684 A US 3268684A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
magnet
pair
reed
contacts
switch
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
US363090A
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English (en)
Inventor
Ronald J Keller
James M Mckeon
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.)
International Business Machines Corp
Original Assignee
International Business Machines Corp
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 International Business Machines Corp filed Critical International Business Machines Corp
Priority to US363090A priority Critical patent/US3268684A/en
Priority to GB13163/65A priority patent/GB1045823A/en
Priority to DE19651515880 priority patent/DE1515880B1/de
Priority to AT371265A priority patent/AT263125B/de
Priority to FR14324A priority patent/FR1431563A/fr
Priority to NL6505169A priority patent/NL6505169A/xx
Priority to CH588965A priority patent/CH429877A/de
Priority to SE05593/65A priority patent/SE326772B/xx
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3268684A publication Critical patent/US3268684A/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
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/004—Mechanisms for operating contacts for operating contacts periodically
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H36/00—Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding
    • H01H36/0006—Permanent magnet actuating reed switches
    • H01H36/0013—Permanent magnet actuating reed switches characterised by the co-operation between reed switch and permanent magnet; Magnetic circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H36/00—Switches actuated by change of magnetic field or of electric field, e.g. by change of relative position of magnet and switch, by shielding
    • H01H36/008—Change of magnetic field wherein the magnet and switch are fixed, e.g. by shielding or relative movements of armature
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H51/00—Electromagnetic relays
    • H01H51/28—Relays having both armature and contacts within a sealed casing outside which the operating coil is located, e.g. contact carried by a magnetic leaf spring or reed
    • H01H51/281—Mounting of the relay; Encapsulating; Details of connections

Definitions

  • FIG. 7 FIG. 8
  • This invention rel-ates to magnetic reed switch elements and, more particularly, to a unitized mechanically operable switch module which permits convenient and inexpensive usage of such switch elements in a variety of standard switching arrangements.
  • Magnetic reed switches are well known in the electrical switching art. Each switch comprises a pair of ferromagnetic, electrically conductive reeds sealed within a glass enclosure tube which is filled with an inert gas. The reeds extend in cantilever fashion from the ends of the tube to approximately the center thereof, where their free ends are suspended in close proximity to each other. The ends are normally kept apart by the natural spring force of the reeds. The portions of the reeds which project outside of the tube are used for making electrical contact with an external circuit to be switched.
  • a magnetic field is used to bring the reeds together to close the switch.
  • the ends of the reeds opposing one another in the tube are' caused to become induced magnetic poles of opposite sign.
  • the force of attraction exerted therebetween overcomes the spring bias of the reed elements and they are drawn together, establishing electrical contact. Removal of the magnetic field opens the switch.
  • Still another object is to provide such a unitized, doublethrow magnetic reed switch module that is highly compact, low in cost and reliable in operation.
  • a switch module wherein a source of magnetic 3,268,684 Patented August 23, 1966 reed actuating path.
  • These means include a pivotable actuator bearing against one surface of the flux source and a biasing spring bearing against another surface of the source to maintain it in contact with the actuator.
  • the actuator is adapted to be operated by such means as a toggle lever, pushbutton, etc.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled switch module in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the switch module of FIG. 1 showing the several operating elements.
  • FIGS. 3a and 3b are elevation views, partially in section, of one of the body halves of the switch module of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 and illustrates a first embodiment of a toggle detent in accordance with the invention.
  • FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c are schematic diagrams illustrating the operating relationship between the actuating magnet and two reed switch elements in accordance with the principles of the invention.
  • FIGS. 6a and 6b are schematic diagrams illustrating the functional equivalence between one switching arrangement in accordance with the invention and a conventional form of single-pole double-throw switch.
  • FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a toggle detent.
  • FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7 and shows elevational details of the central aperture of the detent.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown an assembled switch module in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the module comprises a pair of body halves 10 and 11 joined together by a pair of fastening elements 14 and 16 (the latter not shown).
  • a clip-on bracket 18 straddles the tops of the body halves 10 and 11 and supports a. threaded neck 20.
  • the external threads on the neck 20 may be used for the purpose of mounting the switch module on, for example, an instrument panel.
  • a toggle lever 22 is pivotally mounted by means of a ball and socket mechanism (to be described subsequently) housed within the neck 20.
  • Two sets of terminals 24A, 24B, and 24C, and 26A, 26B, and 26C (the latter two not shown) provide electrical access in a manner hereinafter described to magnetic reed switch elements contained within the body halves 10 and 11.
  • FIG. 2 the switch module of FIG. 1 is exploded, showing the internal elements of the switch as well as the manner in which the body halves 10 and 11 and the clip-on bracket 18 are assembled.
  • a pair of parallel recesses 28 and 30 extend inwardly from the inner face 12 of body half 11.
  • a pair of conventional magnetic reed switches 37 and 38 such as the type marketed by the IBM Corporation under Part No. 765,460, is contained within the recesses 28 and 30.
  • a more shallow recess 32 runs diagonally across the face 12, intersecting the recesses 28 and 30 at preferably, but not necesstudy, a 45 angle.
  • a recess 36 extends the upper portion of recess 32 to the top of body half 11. Appended to the lower end of recess 32 is a small recess notch 34.
  • the inner face 13 of the body half 10 contains a network of recesses identical to those just described for the body half 11.
  • the recesses on the two faces 12 and 13 are mirror images of each other so that they match up when the body halves are joined together.
  • a pair of reed switches 37A and 38A (not shown; see FIG. 5) are contained in the body half 10 in a manner identical to that in which the elements 37 and 38 reside in body half 11.
  • the body halves are preferentially constructed of a molded plastic material such as Nylatron.
  • a permanent magnet 40 slides within the diagonal recess 32.
  • the magnet may be made of any highly magnetizable material, such as sintered Alnico 2, and is magnetized so as to have poles at its upper and lower ends.
  • a compression spring 44 is supported at its lower end in the recess notch 34 and exerts an upward force on the magnet 40.
  • a small pin 42 may be set in the lower end of the magnet to serve as a guide to keep the spring in a proper position against the magnet.
  • a cam arm 46 is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 48 which is supported in a pair of holes 23 in the body halves and 11. Rotation of the cam arm 46 causes the magnet 40 to slide up and down in the recess 32, passing immediately adjacent the four reed switch elements 37, 38, 37A, and 38A in a manner to be described in more detail subsequently. It is preferred, although not essential, that the cam arm 46, pivot pin 48, spring 44 and guide pin 42 be made of non-magnetic materials in order to confine the flux field associated with the magnet to the area immediately adjacent the four reed switch elements.
  • the clip-on bracket 18 has a pair of tabs 19 protruding from its lower ends. These tabs are adapted to fit into notches 21 in the body halves 10 and 11, providing a secure attachment of the threaded neck and the mechanism contained therein to the body of the switch.
  • a ball 50 and camming pin 52 are attached to the lower end of the toggle lever 22.
  • the camming pin 52 engages an upper surface of the cam arm 46.
  • a collar 58 protrudes from the inner walls of the neck 20 and serves as a bearing seat for the ball 50. The upward force exerted by the spring 44 through the frictionally engaged elements 40, 46, and 52 keeps the ball 50 seated against the collar 58.
  • a resilient detent plug 54 is pressed in a slight force fit into the lower end of the neck 20.
  • the camming pin 52 extends through a central aperture 56 in the plug 54.
  • This aperture shown in FIG. 4, is in the shape of a slot having widened end portions and a narrow center portion. The end portions are of a width suflicient to accommodate the camming pin 52 so that the pin may be held in either of the two operating positions illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
  • Application of lateral force to the lever 22 causes the pin 52 to be forced through the narrow center portion of the aperture 56, thus enabling an operator to change the switch from one operating position to the other.
  • a pair of holes 59 in the plug 54 increase the give of the material so that a suitable switch feel is obtained.
  • the resiliency of the plug 54 prevents the camming pin 52 from. residing in any position other than the two operating positions illustrated. That is, if an operator moves the toggle lever 22 to a center position and then lets go of it, the resiliency of the side walls of the aperture 56 will force the camming pin 52 into one of the two positions shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
  • the detent plug is made preferably, but not essentially, of polyurethane.
  • FIG. 5A shows an enlarged view of the reed switches 37A and 38A (contained in the body half 10) while behind them is shown the magnet 40 located, as in FIG. 3A, in its upper operating position.
  • the arrow marks this position.
  • a pair of lines 62 and 63 are marked one quarter of the way in from each end of the magnet. These lines are hereinafter referred to as quarter-lines.
  • the bulk of the fiux emanating from the magnet and capable of being conducted longitudinally along the switch reeds extends between the quarter-lines 62 and 63.
  • the cross-hatched portion of the magnet between these lines therefore, represents the operative segment of the magnet (i.e., that which is capable of operating the switch elements).
  • the gap between the reeds of a switch element does not lie substantially between the quarter-lines 62 and 63, there will not be sufficient flux conducted longitudinally along both reeds of the switch in order to induce a closing attraction between them.
  • the gap between the two reeds of the element 37A lies substantially between the quarter-lines 62 and 63. Sufficient flux is therefore conducted across the reed gap and longitudinally along the reeds to induce a closing attraction between the reeds. Since the reed gap of the element 38A is outside the operative area, those reeds remain apart.
  • the reed gaps of both the elements 37A and 38A lie out side of the quarte -lines and therefore remain open. Even though the gaps of the elements are only slightly beyond the quarter-lines, their opening is assured by the presence of the reed 39 which, because it offers an uninterrupted, low-reluctance path from one quarter-line to the other, acts to shunt or short circuit most of the operative flux away from the gaps The presence of such a shunt path is instrumental in achieving a compact switch design wherein the required movement of the magnet is minimized.
  • the reed gap of the lower element 38A is placed within the area between the quarter-lines and thus closes.
  • the switch of the present invention gives a single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switching function.
  • SPDT single-pole double-throw
  • each of the body halves 10 and 11' of the switch module of the present invention contain a pair of reed switches which coact with the magnet 40 in the above-described manner, the switch module of the present invention may also be utilized when a double-pole double-throw switching function is required.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second type of toggle detent plug.
  • the central aperture 78 of the plug 76 has a center stop detent in addition to the end detents of the previously described detent plug 54.
  • the plug 78 thus additionally provides the switch with a center position for maintaining all of the reed switch elements in an open state.
  • the toggle mechanism including the lever 22, ball 50, pin 52, and detent plug may be replaced by a push button actuator adapted to slide vertically within the neck 20.
  • a camrning pin, such as the pin 52, provided on the lower end of such a push button causes the cam arm 46 toslide the magnet 40 to its lower operating position when. the push button is depressed.
  • the bias ⁇ force of the spring 44 is suflicient to return the push button, when released, to its up position. It is desirable to place a shoulder in the button to mate with the collar 58 so that the upward travel of the button is arrested when the cam arm 46 reaches its upper limit (FIG. 3A).
  • a double throw switch comprising:
  • a double throw switch comprising:
  • each said element including a pair of flexible, ferromagnetic, normally open electrical contacts;
  • third and fourth magnetically operable reed switch elements mounted adjacent said magnet on a side thereof opposite said first and second switch elements, said third and fourth elements being substantially identical to said first and second elements and being adapted to coact with said magnet in the same manner as said first and second elements.
  • a double throw switch comprising:
  • a bar magnet slidably supported adjacent said reed contacts, said magnet having poles at its ends and being reciprocable along a line joining said poles, said line lying substantially parallel to said plane of said reed contacts;
  • a double throw switch comprising:
  • a bar magnet slidably supported adjacent said reed contacts, said magnet having poles at its ends and being reciprocable along a line joining said poles, said line lying substantially parallel to said plane of said reed contacts;
  • a magnetic switch comprising:
  • a camming bar pivotally connected at one end to said casing and having its other end in frictional engagement with said source;
  • a manually operable lever pivotally connected to said casing, a first end of said lever slidably engaging said camming bar and the other end of said lever being free for manual operation, whereby the pivoting of said lever rotates said camming bar about its pivot, causing movement of said source past said reed contacts to open and close the same.
  • resilient detent means cooperating with said lever to maintain said source in selected positions when said lever is released from manual actuation.
  • a double throw switch comprising:
  • a permanent magnet slidably positioned adjacent said first and second pairs of reed contacts
  • a camming bar pivotally connected at one end to said casing and having its other end in frictional engagement with said magnet
  • a manually operable lever pivotally connected to said casing, a first end of said lever frictionally engaging said camming bar, the other end of said lever being free for manual operation, whereby the pivoting of said lever rotates said camming bar about its pivot, causing said magnet to slide past said first and second pairs of reed contacts to open and close the same;
  • detent means resiliently cooperating with said manually operable lever to hold said lever in selected positions upon release of the latter from manual actuation, a first said selected position being such that said magnet is located to hold said finst pair of reed contacts, only, closed and .a second said selected position being such that said magnet is located to hold said second pair of reed cont-acts, only, closed.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Switches That Are Operated By Magnetic Or Electric Fields (AREA)
  • Control Of Transmission Device (AREA)
US363090A 1964-04-28 1964-04-28 Mechanically operable magnetic reed switch Expired - Lifetime US3268684A (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US363090A US3268684A (en) 1964-04-28 1964-04-28 Mechanically operable magnetic reed switch
GB13163/65A GB1045823A (en) 1964-04-28 1965-03-29 Improvements relating to multiple magnetic reed switch
AT371265A AT263125B (de) 1964-04-28 1965-04-22 Kippschalter zur Herstellung oder Umsteuerung von Stromkreisverbindungen
FR14324A FR1431563A (fr) 1964-04-28 1965-04-22 Module de commutateur à lames magnétique
DE19651515880 DE1515880B1 (de) 1964-04-28 1965-04-22 Kippschalter unter Verwendung von Schutzrohrkontakten zur Herstellung oder Umsteuerung von Stromkreisverbindungen
NL6505169A NL6505169A (de) 1964-04-28 1965-04-23
CH588965A CH429877A (de) 1964-04-28 1965-04-28 Schalter mit Schutzrohrkontakten
SE05593/65A SE326772B (de) 1964-04-28 1965-04-28

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US363090A US3268684A (en) 1964-04-28 1964-04-28 Mechanically operable magnetic reed switch

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3268684A true US3268684A (en) 1966-08-23

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ID=23428753

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US363090A Expired - Lifetime US3268684A (en) 1964-04-28 1964-04-28 Mechanically operable magnetic reed switch

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3268684A (de)
AT (1) AT263125B (de)
CH (1) CH429877A (de)
DE (1) DE1515880B1 (de)
FR (1) FR1431563A (de)
GB (1) GB1045823A (de)
NL (1) NL6505169A (de)
SE (1) SE326772B (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3525060A (en) * 1967-05-26 1970-08-18 Int Standard Electric Corp Reed contacts operable by magnetic forces
US3675169A (en) * 1971-06-24 1972-07-04 Caterpillar Tractor Co Durable electrical switch
US4187483A (en) * 1978-08-30 1980-02-05 Whitney C David Multi-throw magnetic reed switch
US6650211B2 (en) 2001-05-25 2003-11-18 Asco Controls, Lp Valve position switch
US20190111830A1 (en) * 2015-12-02 2019-04-18 Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. Transfer mechanism, lever mechanism, and contactless lever switch

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4210869C2 (de) * 1992-04-01 1996-06-20 Industronic Ind Elect Gmbh Handbetätigbarer Schwachstromschalter

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2877361A (en) * 1957-04-12 1959-03-10 Holmes Electric Protective Com Burglar alarm system
US2916592A (en) * 1958-06-02 1959-12-08 Honeywell Regulator Co Seal
US2962572A (en) * 1958-06-30 1960-11-29 Amalgamated Electric Corp Ltd Low voltage a. c. current switch
US2973414A (en) * 1956-07-06 1961-02-28 Toledo Scale Corp Cutoff device for weighing scales
US3087030A (en) * 1960-06-03 1963-04-23 Sperry Rand Corp Magnetically controlled commutator devices
US3155955A (en) * 1961-05-15 1964-11-03 Westinghouse Electric Corp Shaft position indicator
US3176097A (en) * 1963-07-01 1965-03-30 Gen Electric Pushbutton magnetic switch with a memory
US3198903A (en) * 1962-07-12 1965-08-03 Gen Electric Control switch assembly, particularly for appliances such as clothes dryers

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH183119A (de) * 1935-09-05 1936-03-15 Rud Schweizer & Cie Addier- und Subtrahiermaschine.
DE1116771B (de) * 1959-12-11 1961-11-09 Telefonbau & Normalzeit Gmbh Durch einen Kipphebel ueber einen Dauermagneten gesteuerter Schutzrohrkontakt

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2973414A (en) * 1956-07-06 1961-02-28 Toledo Scale Corp Cutoff device for weighing scales
US2877361A (en) * 1957-04-12 1959-03-10 Holmes Electric Protective Com Burglar alarm system
US2916592A (en) * 1958-06-02 1959-12-08 Honeywell Regulator Co Seal
US2962572A (en) * 1958-06-30 1960-11-29 Amalgamated Electric Corp Ltd Low voltage a. c. current switch
US3087030A (en) * 1960-06-03 1963-04-23 Sperry Rand Corp Magnetically controlled commutator devices
US3155955A (en) * 1961-05-15 1964-11-03 Westinghouse Electric Corp Shaft position indicator
US3198903A (en) * 1962-07-12 1965-08-03 Gen Electric Control switch assembly, particularly for appliances such as clothes dryers
US3176097A (en) * 1963-07-01 1965-03-30 Gen Electric Pushbutton magnetic switch with a memory

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3525060A (en) * 1967-05-26 1970-08-18 Int Standard Electric Corp Reed contacts operable by magnetic forces
US3675169A (en) * 1971-06-24 1972-07-04 Caterpillar Tractor Co Durable electrical switch
US4187483A (en) * 1978-08-30 1980-02-05 Whitney C David Multi-throw magnetic reed switch
US6650211B2 (en) 2001-05-25 2003-11-18 Asco Controls, Lp Valve position switch
US20190111830A1 (en) * 2015-12-02 2019-04-18 Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. Transfer mechanism, lever mechanism, and contactless lever switch
US10703258B2 (en) * 2015-12-02 2020-07-07 Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. Transmission mechanism, lever mechanism, and contactless lever switch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1431563A (fr) 1966-03-11
AT263125B (de) 1968-07-10
CH429877A (de) 1967-02-15
DE1515880B1 (de) 1970-04-23
NL6505169A (de) 1965-10-29
SE326772B (de) 1970-08-03
GB1045823A (en) 1966-10-19

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