US3781728A - Electric contactor - Google Patents

Electric contactor Download PDF

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Publication number
US3781728A
US3781728A US00295794A US3781728DA US3781728A US 3781728 A US3781728 A US 3781728A US 00295794 A US00295794 A US 00295794A US 3781728D A US3781728D A US 3781728DA US 3781728 A US3781728 A US 3781728A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
housing
cover
carrier structure
contact carrier
movable
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
US00295794A
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English (en)
Inventor
K Grunert
J Dauer
S Dobrosielski
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.)
Westinghouse Electric Corp
Original Assignee
Westinghouse Electric 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 Westinghouse Electric Corp filed Critical Westinghouse Electric Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3781728A publication Critical patent/US3781728A/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
    • 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
    • H01H9/34—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate
    • H01H9/345—Mounting of arc chutes
    • 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
    • H01H50/20—Movable parts of magnetic circuits, e.g. armature movable inside coil and substantially lengthwise with respect to axis thereof; movable coaxially with respect to coil
    • H01H50/22—Movable parts of magnetic circuits, e.g. armature movable inside coil and substantially lengthwise with respect to axis thereof; movable coaxially with respect to coil wherein the magnetic circuit is substantially closed
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
    • H01H50/54—Contact arrangements
    • H01H50/546—Contact arrangements for contactors having bridging contacts

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT An electric contactor characterized by improvements including a movable contact carrier structure having a one piece bridge between a pair of movable contacts, the outer ends of which bridge are curved outwardly away from the corresponding stationary contacts, a magnetic coil for actuating the movable contact carrier structure and being embedded in an aluminum die cast base which serves as a better heat sink for the coil, an interlock between the cover and housing of the contactor for preventing operation of the contactor when a cover is removed, and a guide pin for the crossbar of the movable contact carrier structure which guide pin comprises a screw insert for the screw by which the cover is attached to the housing.
  • This invention relates to an electrical contactor of the type comprising a metallic base, an insulating housing, a bridging contact structure within the housing, and a removable cover on the housing.
  • an improved electrical contactor having switching capabilities in a modular arrangement for 1,500V, 60 Hz applications, comprising a metallic base, an insulating housing, a detachable insulating cover, a plurality of conducting paths extending across the conductor, each conducting path comprising a pair of terminals, one terminal at each of the two opposite ends of the conducting path, each of the conducting paths comprising two spaced stationary contacts between the associated pairs of terminals, a bridging contact member for bridging the spaced stationary contacts, a contact carrier member supporting the bridging contact member for movement between open and closed positions relative to the spaced stationary contacts, the contact carrier member extending between the spaced stationary contacts, biasing means for holding the movable briding contact carrier structure in one of the positions, electromagnetic means for actuating the bridging contact carrier structure to the other of the positions, the bridging contact members having opposite end portions extending beyond their
  • the contactor also comprises guide pins for the movable contact carrier each pin having a screw insert or threaded opening in which a screw clampingly engages each side of the detachable cover to the corresponding guide pin.
  • the contactor also comprises a safety interlock including a pair of oppositely disposed and oppositely removable flexible members that are movable into and out of a locking position for preventing movement of the movable contact carrier, which flexible members are disposed in the locked position when the detachable cover is removed from the insulating housing and which members are disposed in the unlocked position when the cover is in place.
  • the contactor also comprises a coil for the electromagnetic means which coil is embedded in the metallic base, which base provides an improved heat sink for the coil.
  • FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line III-III of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the interlock in the unlocked position, taken on the line IV-IV of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the interlock in the locked position when the cover is removed from its operating position
  • FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line VIVI of FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line VII-VII of FIG. 6.
  • a three pole contactor is generally indicated at 5 in FIG. 1 and it comprises an insulating housing structure 7, a contactor structure 9, an insulating cover 11, and a die cast aluminum base 13.
  • the contactor 5 is generally similar to that disclosed in K. A. Grunert US. Pat. No. 3,602,850, issued Aug. 31, 1971, for which reason an abbreviated description of the contactor is set forth herein.
  • the contactor-structure 9 comprises a U-shaped stationary magnetic member 15 and a conducting coil 17 supported on the base 9.
  • the contactor 5 of this invention differs from that of the above-mentioned patent in that the base 13 includes pairs of opposite side walls 19 and 21 (FIG. 3) which form a central compartment 23.
  • the magnetic member 15 and the coil 17 are encapsulated in a shell 25 of insulating material such as an epoxy resin.
  • the magnetic member is fixedly mounted on the base 13 where it energizes the contactor.
  • the base having the integral die cast side walls 19 and 21 serves as a heat sink for heat generated by the coils during operation of the contactor.
  • a pair of guide pins 27 (FIGS. 1 and 3) extend upwardly from the base 13 and separate kick-out coil springs 29 are mounted on each guide pin to bias a movable contact carrier structure 31 upwardly to a contact open position (FIG. 1) when the coil 17 is deenergized.
  • the movable contact carrier structure 31 comprises an insulating carrier 33, three bridging contact structures 35 at the upper end of the carrier, and an inverted U-shaped magnetic armature 37 at the lower end of the carrier.
  • the bridging contact carrier 35 includes an elongated conductor 43 to which the contacts 39 are attached.
  • the stationary contacts 41 disposed on opposite sides of the carrier 33 are separately mounted on support members 45 which, in turn, are mounted on elongated terminals 47.
  • Associated with each stationary contact 41 is an arc diverter 49.
  • the elongated conductor 43 comprises similar opposite end portions or horns 51 which are turned upwardly and outwardly from the movable contact 39 and from the arc diverters 49.
  • each horn 51 is preferably tapered to a rounded end surface 53, whereby it is devoid of all corners such as present in rectangular or square end portions of prior construction.
  • an arc is blown or magnetically forced off of the contacts by self-generated magnetic fields.
  • the arcs move outwardly extending between the corresponding arc diverters 49 and the end portions or horns 51, the arcs become less stable due to the divergence of the diverters and the horns.
  • the rounded end portions of the horns prevent the arcs from terminating at any sharp corners and thereby prevent undue burning of the diverters or horns.
  • the assembly of the contactor 5 is best understood with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the insulating housing structure 7 is secured to the base 13 by screws 55 at four corners thereof.
  • the insulating cover 11 is mounted on the insulating housing structure 7 by a pair of oppositely disposed screws 57, one of which is shown in FIG. 2. The manner in which the screws 57 are secured to the housing structure 7 is described hereinbelow.
  • each guide pin 59 includes an upper insert portion 61 which is embedded in the housing structure 7.
  • the pin guides are disposed on two opposite sides of the housing structure 7 and include threaded openings or screw inserts 63 in which the screws 57 are seated.
  • the insert portions 61 thereof are provided with non-circular or rectangular flanges 65 which are likewise embedded in the housing structure 7.
  • contactor structure 9 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed lugs 67 which extend outwardly through opening 69 in the housing structure 7 and in which a corresponding guide pin 59 is disposed.
  • Each lug 67 has an opening 71 in which the corresponding guide pin 59 is mounted.
  • the lugs 67 move vertically on the pin 59 within the openings 69 and between the upper, solid line position and the lower, broken line position 67a thereof as the contactor structure 9 moves between the open and closed positions of the contacts 39 and 41.
  • the contactor 5 is provided with interlock means for preventing closing of the contacts 39 and 41 when the cover 11 is removed.
  • the housing structure 7 has an upper surface 73 and the cover 11 has a lower surface 75.
  • the interlock means includes a projection member 77 and a flexible member 79 which cooperate to lock and unlock the contactor structure 9 when the cover 11 is displaced or mounted in position.
  • the flexible member 79 is a wire-like structure having similar hooked end portions 81, and a central necked portion 83.
  • the flexible member 79 includes similar intermediate portions comprising intumed segments 85 and outturned segments 87. All of the portions 81, 83 and the segments 85 and 87 constitute an integral wirelike member having a non-flexed configuration, as shown in the locked position of FIG. 5, whereby the inturned hooked end portions 81 extend under the lug 67 to prevent its downward motion in the event that the contact structure 9 is actuated when the cover 11 is removed.
  • the flexed or unlocked position of the flexible member 79 is that shown in FIG. 4 in which the inturned hooked end portions 81 are removed from any interference with the downward movement of the lug
  • the neck portion 83 of the flexible member 79 is a circular segment of the member and is clamped in place (FIG.
  • the necked portion 83 and the spun flange 89 be seated within a recess 91 within the upper surface 73 of the housing, whereby the upper side of the flange 89 is in planar alignment with said upper surface.
  • the projection member 77 When the cover 11 is intact with its lower surface in surface-to-surface contact with the upper surface 73 of the housing 7 (FIG. 4), the projection member 77 is disposed between the intumed segments so that the outturned segments 87 and the hooked end portions 81 are cammed outwardly in opposite directions from each other so that the lug 67 is free to move vertically on the guide pin 59, such as to the lower, broken line position 67a. Conversely, when the cover 11 is removed from the seated position on the surface 73 (FIG. 5), the projection member 77 moves out of the position between the opposing inturned segments 85, whereupon the hooked end portions 81 move (due to the resilient property of the flexible member 79) into the locked position below the lug 67. Accordingly, the pair of interlocks on opposite sides of the contactor 5 serve as safety lock mechanisms for stopping movement of the crossbar of the contactor structure 9 when the cover is removed.
  • a contactor comprising an insulating housing, a cover detachably mounted on the housing, a stationary contact structure within the housing, a movable contact carrier structure within the housing and movable between open and closed positions relative to the stationary contact structure, biasing means for holding the movable contact carrier structure in one of the positions, electromagnetic means for actuating the contact carrier structure to the other of the positions and comprising a magnetic armature, a magnetic core, and a coil, means for detachably mounting the cover on the housing, interlock means for preventing movement of the movable carrier structure when the cover is removed from the housing, the interlock means comprising a flexible member movable into and out of a locking position in the path of travel of the movable contact carrier structure, the flexible member being mounted on the housing and being biased in the locked position, the cover having a projecting portion for holding the flexible member in the unlocked position when the cover is mounted on the housing, the electromagnetic means actuates the movable contact carrier structure to the closed position, the flexible member comprising one portion attached to

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
US00295794A 1972-10-06 1972-10-06 Electric contactor Expired - Lifetime US3781728A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US29579472A 1972-10-06 1972-10-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3781728A true US3781728A (en) 1973-12-25

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00295794A Expired - Lifetime US3781728A (en) 1972-10-06 1972-10-06 Electric contactor

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3781728A (2)
BE (1) BE805685A (2)
BR (1) BR7307734D0 (2)
CA (1) CA988974A (2)
CH (1) CH563062A5 (2)
DE (1) DE2346724A1 (2)
ES (1) ES419379A1 (2)
GB (1) GB1438849A (2)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4068200A (en) * 1976-04-28 1978-01-10 Gould Inc. Combination cover interlock and trip actuator
US4149047A (en) * 1977-06-06 1979-04-10 Gould Inc. Contactor having interlock for movable contact carrier
EP0165332A1 (en) * 1984-06-22 1985-12-27 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Electric power switch
US4647886A (en) * 1985-04-09 1987-03-03 Square D Company Coil apparatus for electromagnetic contactor
EP0948009A3 (de) * 1998-03-31 2000-10-18 Moeller GmbH Anordnung zur Stromschienen- und Festkontaktbefestigung für elektrische Schaltgeräte
CN101976636A (zh) * 2010-11-24 2011-02-16 沈阳工业大学 一种接触器触头系统
US20150206684A1 (en) * 2012-12-05 2015-07-23 Fuji Electric Fa Components & Systems Co., Ltd. Electromagnetic contactor
US20230037032A1 (en) * 2019-12-24 2023-02-02 Schneider Electric Industries Sas Modular contactor

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108962684A (zh) * 2018-09-30 2018-12-07 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 接触器

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3076075A (en) * 1960-03-14 1963-01-29 Gen Motors Corp Series-parallel magnetic switch
US3243535A (en) * 1964-01-27 1966-03-29 Ite Circuit Breaker Ltd Contactor cover interlock
US3602850A (en) * 1969-08-27 1971-08-31 Westinghouse Electric Corp Contactor with improved contact support means and guide means

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3076075A (en) * 1960-03-14 1963-01-29 Gen Motors Corp Series-parallel magnetic switch
US3243535A (en) * 1964-01-27 1966-03-29 Ite Circuit Breaker Ltd Contactor cover interlock
US3602850A (en) * 1969-08-27 1971-08-31 Westinghouse Electric Corp Contactor with improved contact support means and guide means

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4068200A (en) * 1976-04-28 1978-01-10 Gould Inc. Combination cover interlock and trip actuator
US4149047A (en) * 1977-06-06 1979-04-10 Gould Inc. Contactor having interlock for movable contact carrier
EP0165332A1 (en) * 1984-06-22 1985-12-27 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Electric power switch
US4647886A (en) * 1985-04-09 1987-03-03 Square D Company Coil apparatus for electromagnetic contactor
EP0948009A3 (de) * 1998-03-31 2000-10-18 Moeller GmbH Anordnung zur Stromschienen- und Festkontaktbefestigung für elektrische Schaltgeräte
CN101976636A (zh) * 2010-11-24 2011-02-16 沈阳工业大学 一种接触器触头系统
CN101976636B (zh) * 2010-11-24 2013-01-02 沈阳工业大学 一种接触器触头系统
US20150206684A1 (en) * 2012-12-05 2015-07-23 Fuji Electric Fa Components & Systems Co., Ltd. Electromagnetic contactor
US9520246B2 (en) * 2012-12-05 2016-12-13 Fuji Electric Fa Components & Systems Co., Ltd. Electromagnetic contactor
US20230037032A1 (en) * 2019-12-24 2023-02-02 Schneider Electric Industries Sas Modular contactor
US12165822B2 (en) * 2019-12-24 2024-12-10 Schneider Electric Industries Sas Modular contactor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA988974A (en) 1976-05-11
BE805685A (fr) 1974-04-04
DE2346724A1 (de) 1974-04-11
GB1438849A (en) 1976-06-09
CH563062A5 (2) 1975-06-13
ES419379A1 (es) 1976-04-16
BR7307734D0 (pt) 1974-08-22

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