US3678422A - Miniature crossbar switch - Google Patents

Miniature crossbar switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3678422A
US3678422A US167314A US3678422DA US3678422A US 3678422 A US3678422 A US 3678422A US 167314 A US167314 A US 167314A US 3678422D A US3678422D A US 3678422DA US 3678422 A US3678422 A US 3678422A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
select
bars
printed wiring
select bar
bus bars
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
US167314A
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English (en)
Inventor
William A Reimer
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.)
AG Communication Systems Corp
Original Assignee
GTE Automatic Electric Laboratories 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
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Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3678422A publication Critical patent/US3678422A/en
Assigned to AG COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS CORPORATION, 2500 W. UTOPIA RD., PHOENIX, AZ 85027, A DE CORP. reassignment AG COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS CORPORATION, 2500 W. UTOPIA RD., PHOENIX, AZ 85027, A DE CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: GTE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H67/00—Electrically-operated selector switches
    • H01H67/22—Switches without multi-position wipers
    • H01H67/26—Co-ordinate-type selector switches not having relays at cross-points but involving mechanical movement, e.g. cross-bar switch, code-bar switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard

Definitions

  • a miniature crossbar switch adapted to be mounted on and connected through a printed wiring card includes a plurality of orthogonal bus bars; those in a first direction being provided with a fixed electrical contact and those in the orthogonal direction being provided with a movable safety pin type contact element.
  • a like plurality of orthogonally disposed select bars having notches adapted to receive the movable contact element are driven by solenoids in axial translation to urge the movable and fixed electrical contacts together to complete a selected circuit path.
  • the alignment of the critical components of the switch has been a continuing problem and the replacement of a worn component is not only difiicult due to the arrangement of the arts but also involves a realignment of the switch.
  • the switches of this type are generally hard wired; i.e., the wires leading to and from the switch are connected directly to the individual switch contacts thus complicating the removal and replacement of a crossbar switch unit from a rack of switches.
  • Prior art cross-bar switches have typically not been optimized for economy of manufacture and in their normal use are not well adapted to having their mechanical components effectively protected from dust and moisture thus compounding the environmental control problems in the facility in which the switching system is housed.
  • the prior art crossbar switches are generally rather bulky and since relatively large numbers of switches are required, as in a telephone exchange, the available space is quickly taken up.
  • a printed wiring card base member adapted to receive an alignment guide frame in which are mounted a plurality of orthogonal, electrically conductive bus bars.
  • Each bus bar arranged in a first direction is provided with a plurality of spaced fixed electrical contacts electrically coupled through the bus bar to the printed wiring card.
  • the orthogonal busbars are each provided with a like plurality of movable safety pin type electrical contacts.
  • a like plurality of orthogonally disposed, electrically non-conductive select bars are disposed in a select bar frame disposed adjacent the alignment guide frame. Each select bar is notched such as to engage the movable contacts when driven in axial translation by a selected solenoid.
  • the activation of one solenoid in each of two directional arrays of solenoids operates to translate two orthogonal select bars thereby urging the movable contact at the crosspoint of the select bars together with a corresponding fixed contact to thereby complete a selected circuit path.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic view of a miniature crossbar switch constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a more detailed schematic view of the elements of one crosspoint of the switch of FIG. 1;
  • FIGS. 3A-3E is a schematic diagram of the operation of a crossbar switch constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a detailed partial elevation view of the alignment guide frame of the switch illustrated in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is a detailed partial elevation view of a select bar actuating solenoid structure of utility in the practice of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a detailed schematic view with portions cut away of a select bar which may advantageously be used in the practice of this invention.
  • FIG. 1 there is illustrated a printed wiring card 10 of conventional construction to which a plurality of signal lines (not shown) may be coupled.
  • a first area 12 of the card 10 includes the circuitry 14 for providing the electrical connections to the orthogonal bus bars to be presently described.
  • Second areas 16 of the printed wiring card 10 provide the electrical circuitry 18 necessary for the select bar activating solenoids also to be presently described. Electrical connections to the printed wiring card circuitry 14 and 18 is made via plated through holes 20 only several of which are shown for the purposes of illustration.
  • the printed wiring card 10 is further provided with several alignment holes 21 adapted to receive corresponding projections (not shown) on the bus bar alignment guide frame 22, the detailed construction of which will be described hereinbelow.
  • the alignment guide frame holds the orthogonal bus bars, only one pair of which, 24 and 26 are shown, in a spaced relationship with respect to one another.
  • the lower or x bus bar 24 is provided with upstanding electrical. contacts 28 and with downward projecting tabs 30 adapted to mate with associated plated through holes 20 in the printed circuitry 14.
  • the upper or y bus bar 26 is provided with downward projecting tabs 32 which mate with associated plated through holes in the circuitry 14.
  • Each y bus bar is provided with a plurality (only one being shown) of safety pin type movable electrodes 34 which under proper urging may be moved into electrical contact with the fixed electrical contact 28 on the x bus bar 24.
  • the bus bar alignment guide frame 22 is provided with alignment holes 36 adapted to receive corresponding projections (not shown) on the select bar frame 38.
  • the notched portions 40 of the alignment guide frame 22 and select bar frame 38 provide mounting channels for a plurality of orthogonal select bars 42 and 44, only one pair of which are shown.
  • Each select bar 42 and 44 is provided with a plurality of notches or cut-outs 46 and is adapted to move in axial translation.
  • Each select bar is notched at one end 50 to receive the armature of a solenoid as will later be described and is provided with a spring biasing means 52 which tends to retain the select bars in a preselected unoperated position against a select bar stop 48.
  • Low profile x and y solenoid assemblies 54 and 56 are disposed on the printed wiring card 10.
  • the solenoid cores 58 are formed in a continuous'strip and each core is provided with a solenoid bobbin 60 which is electrically coupled to the printed wiring card via terminals 62 which extend through plated through holes 64.
  • Each solenoid is provided with a pivotal armature 66 retained in a position by a strip keeper spring 68 fixed to the printed wiring card 10.
  • the electrical coupling between the printed wiring card 10 and the x and y bus bars and x and y solenoid windings may be efficiently made through a conventional wave soldering technique.
  • a cover 70 may beplaced over the entire mechanical assembly such as to leave only the plug portion 72 of the printed wiring card 10 exposed to the environment.
  • FIG. 2 schematically illustrates one crosspoint element of the crossbar switch wherein elements common to those discussed with reference to FIG. 1 are identified by like reference numerals.
  • the crosspoint electrical coupling is made between a movable contact element 34 positioned by the x and y select bars 42 and 44 respectively and a stationary electrical contact element 28.
  • the movable contact element 34 is herein termed a safety pin element due to its shape and comprises a first cantilever spring portion 34a affixed to the y bus bar 26, a coil spring portion 34b and a second cantilever spring portion 340 on the free end of which is placed any desired long-life electrical contact material 34d.
  • the fixed element 28 is fixed to or integrally formed with the x bus bar 24 and is preferably formed in a V-shaped and plated with a suitable contact material at the contact end 28a.
  • the y select bar 44 is translated along its longitudinal axis in the direction of the arrow thereby engaging movable contact 34 and moving the free end cantilever portion 34c with its electrical contact 34d into alignment with the fixed contact 28.
  • the at select bar 42 is then" translated along its longitudinal axis to engage the cantilever portion 34c near the contact 34d and thereby urge the contacts 34d and 28a into electrical contact.
  • the y select bar 44 may be released and the contact will be maintained so long as the x select bar 42 remains operated thereby holding the contact 34d against the V-shaped fixed contact 28a.
  • FIGS. 3A-3E serve to better illustrate in a schematic top view the operation of the present invention. Again elements previously described are identified with common reference numerals.
  • FIG. 3A shows a segment of the crossbar switch including x select bars 42, through 42 y select bars 44, through 44 and a movable electrical contact element 34 and fixed contact 28 associated with each intersection of x and y select bars 42 and 44.
  • y select bar 44 has been translated in the direction of the arrow engaging the free end of movable contact 34 preferably near its furthest point from its bus bar such that minimum select bar movement produces maximum movement of the free end of contact 34.
  • the x select bar 42 acts as a stop when the y select bar 44, moves the free end of element 34 into alignment with the fixed contact 28.
  • x select bar 42 is translated in the direction of the arrow engaging the free end of movable contact 34 proximate the contact area urging the contact 34 into the V- shaped portion of fixed contact 28.
  • the y select bar 44 may be returned to its original position although x select bar 42 must remain displaced so long as the connection is to be maintained.
  • the movable contact element 34 cannot return to its disconnected position since it is trapped between the x select bar 42 and the V-shaped fixed contact element 28.
  • the guide frame 22 may be easily molded of one of a variety of plastic materials and is used to provide alignment of the x and y bus bars normal to the surface of the wiring card 10 and to provide a guide surface for the x and y select bars.
  • the alignment guide frame When affixed to the printed wiring card 10 the alignment guide frame also serves to provide additional structural integrity and removal of any card warpage which may be encountered.
  • the alignment guide frame is provided with slots 74 and 76 the latter being deeper than the former to permit the y bus bars to be maintained beneath the x bus bars.
  • the notches 40 in the guide frame 22 provide a guide surface over which the x and y select bars move and are again stepped to provide the necessary elevation differential between the orthogonal select bars.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates in greater detail a segment of the low profile x and y select bar operating solenoid subassemblies 54 and 56 preferred in the practice of the present invention as described with reference to FIG. 1.
  • conventional solenoids may be used in the present crossbar switch it is preferred for ease of construction to provide a plurality of solenoid cores 58 formed of a single continuous strip of suitable material. This strip of cores may then be affixed to the printed wiring card 10 by any convenient means such as eyelets 78.
  • Each core 58 on the strip is fitted with a wire wound solenoid bobbin 60 with the ends of the winding brought out to terminals 62 adapted to engage plated through holes 20 in the printed wiring card 10.
  • FIG. 6 there is schematically shown a partial view of the end detail of a typical select bar such as 42.
  • the select bars are preferably molded from any suitable plastic material and as stated hereinabove are provided at their operated end with a notch or cut-out 50 adapted to receive the upward extending portion 82 of an individual solenoid armature 66.
  • a select bar spring biasing means 52 is affixed to the top edge of the select bar frame 38 and engages a notch 84 in the upper surface of each select bar 42 providing an outward biasing force which retains the select bar stop 48 against the inside of the select bar frame 38.
  • Notches 40 in the alignment guide frame 22 and select bar frame 38 align to provide the select bar 42 with a guide surface or channel in which the select bar is free to move in translation when activated by inward movement of the solenoid armature 66.
  • the crossbar switch of the present invention when assembled is particularly well suited for mounting in conventional printed wiring card shelves or racks with the connector plug portion engaging a suitable rack mounted connector to which input and output wiring connections may easily be made.
  • An entire switch may be replaced by simply unplugging it from its associated connector and plugging in the replacement. Repairs to the switch are facilitated since the alignment of the various electrical and mechanical components is provided by stamped and/or molded structural elements which automatically locate the various elements in their proper position without the necessity of manual adjustment procedures.
  • a crossbar switch for coupling any selected one of a first plurality of signal lines to any selected one of a second plurality of signal lines, said switch comprising a printed wiring card having a plurality of signal lines coupled to the circuit portions thereof;
  • a first plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel, electrically conductive bus bars each provided at one edge with a plurality of spaced upstanding fixed electrical contact elements and at the opposite edge with downward extending electrically conductive tabs adapted to selectively engage circuit portions of said printed wiring card;
  • a second plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel, electrically conductive bus bars oriented orthogonally in a spaced relation with respect to said first plurality of bus bars, each provided at one edge with a plurality of spaced upstanding safety pin type movable electrical contact elements and at the opposite edge with downward extending electrically conductive tabs adapted to selectively engage circuit portions of said printed wiring card;
  • first plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel, electrically non-conductive select bars arranged parallel with and in spaced relation with respect to said first plurality of bus bars, each said select bar adapted for axial translation, and having a plurality of spaced vertically oriented notches adapted to engage said movable electrical contacts;
  • said select bar driving means comprises a solenoid associated with each said select bar, disposed on and having the windings thereof coupled to said printed wiring card and having an armature engaging one end of said select bar such that operation of said solenoid drives said select bar in axial translation.
  • Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including a select bar frame adapted. to retain said first and second pluralities of select bars in a preselected disposition with respect to one another and permitting only axial translation of each said select bar; spring biasing means affixed to said select bar frame, engaging each said select bar, and providing an outwardly directed biasing force of preselected magnitude to each said select bar;
  • a select bar stop disposed on eachsaid select bar inwardly of said select bar frame, and operative to restrict outward axial translation of said select bar to a predetermined maximum
  • each said select bar driving means being operative to selectively drive said select bar inwardly with respect to said select bar frame against said spring biasing force.
  • each of said first and second pluralities of select bars include a plurality of solenoid cores formed of a single continuous strip of ferromagnetic material, each said core being provided with a wire wound bobbin having terminals adapted to selectively engage circuit portions of said printed wiring card, and an armature adapted to pivot about one edge of said solenoid core.
  • Apparatus as recited in claim 4 further including a solenoid keeper spring associated with each of said plurality of solenoids, affixed to said printed wiring cards and engaging each said armature such as to retain same in pivotal contact with said solenoid core.
  • Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including an alignment guide frame affixed to said printed wiring card, adapted to receive and retain said first plurality of bus bars in a selected first plane parallel to said printed wiring card, and adapted to receive and retain said second plurality of bus bars in a selected second plane parallel to said printed wiring card and spaced apart from said first plurality of bus bars, each of said first and second plurality of bus bars being substantially normal to the plane of said printed wiring card.
  • each of said safety pin type movable electrical contact elements comprises a first cantilever spring portion affixed at one end to and upstanding from said second plurality of bus bars, a coil spring portion at the opposite end of said first cantilever spring portion, a second cantilever spring portion extending downwardly from said coil spring portion terminating in a movable free end, and all of said spring portions integrally formed from a single piece of spring material.
  • Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including plated through holes disposed in the circuit portions of said printed wiring card and adapted to receive and electrically couple with said downward extending tabs of said first and second pluralities of said bus bars.
  • Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including protective means engaging said printed wiring card and covering said bus bars, select bars and driving means to thereby substantially prevent the entry of foreign matter into said switch.
  • each of said fixed electrical contact elements are integrally formed with said first plurality of bus bars and are formed at the upstanding portion thereof in a V-shape adapted to receive and retain said movable electrical contact element.

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  • Structure Of Telephone Exchanges (AREA)
US167314A 1971-07-29 1971-07-29 Miniature crossbar switch Expired - Lifetime US3678422A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16731471A 1971-07-29 1971-07-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3678422A true US3678422A (en) 1972-07-18

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US167314A Expired - Lifetime US3678422A (en) 1971-07-29 1971-07-29 Miniature crossbar switch

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Country Link
US (1) US3678422A (fr)
BE (1) BE786866A (fr)
CA (1) CA980468A (fr)
GB (1) GB1402171A (fr)
IT (1) IT963294B (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3838239A (en) * 1973-07-18 1974-09-24 Gte Automatic Electric Lab Inc Matrix switch with improved actuator translating arrangement
US3863044A (en) * 1973-07-18 1975-01-28 Gte Automatic Electric Lab Inc Open contact matrix switch
US20030001438A1 (en) * 2001-06-15 2003-01-02 Yoshihide Nii Switching circuit
US20040055859A1 (en) * 2002-09-23 2004-03-25 James Derksen System and method for motor controller with a reversible housing base

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2718559A (en) * 1950-10-23 1955-09-20 Ericsson Telefon Ab L M Cross-bar switch
US3031550A (en) * 1959-10-28 1962-04-24 Clare & Co C P Switching assembly
US3460076A (en) * 1967-12-06 1969-08-05 Karl Axel Lundkvist Crossbar switching device for use in automatic telephone systems
US3529113A (en) * 1966-10-20 1970-09-15 Int Standard Electric Corp Miniature crossbar switch with flexible tape selecting means and mechanical latch
US3551631A (en) * 1967-04-21 1970-12-29 Int Standard Electric Corp Miniature crossbar multiswitch

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2718559A (en) * 1950-10-23 1955-09-20 Ericsson Telefon Ab L M Cross-bar switch
US3031550A (en) * 1959-10-28 1962-04-24 Clare & Co C P Switching assembly
US3529113A (en) * 1966-10-20 1970-09-15 Int Standard Electric Corp Miniature crossbar switch with flexible tape selecting means and mechanical latch
US3551631A (en) * 1967-04-21 1970-12-29 Int Standard Electric Corp Miniature crossbar multiswitch
US3460076A (en) * 1967-12-06 1969-08-05 Karl Axel Lundkvist Crossbar switching device for use in automatic telephone systems

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3838239A (en) * 1973-07-18 1974-09-24 Gte Automatic Electric Lab Inc Matrix switch with improved actuator translating arrangement
US3863044A (en) * 1973-07-18 1975-01-28 Gte Automatic Electric Lab Inc Open contact matrix switch
US20030001438A1 (en) * 2001-06-15 2003-01-02 Yoshihide Nii Switching circuit
US6884953B2 (en) * 2001-06-15 2005-04-26 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Switching circuit
US20040055859A1 (en) * 2002-09-23 2004-03-25 James Derksen System and method for motor controller with a reversible housing base
US6841747B2 (en) * 2002-09-23 2005-01-11 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. System and method for motor controller with a reversible housing base

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1402171A (en) 1975-08-06
IT963294B (it) 1974-01-10
BE786866A (fr) 1973-01-29
CA980468A (en) 1975-12-23

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Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: AG COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS CORPORATION, 2500 W. UTOP

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:GTE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:005060/0501

Effective date: 19881228