Energy regulators

Details Energy regulators Energy regulators

1995-01-18

1997-12-09

Picard, Leo P.

Electricity: electrothermally or thermally actuated switches

Thermally actuated switches

With bimetallic element

337342, 337380, H01H 3752

Patent

active

056964790

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to energy regulators for controlling the supply of electrical energy to electrical loads such as cooker hot plates or grills.
2. Description of Related Art
Typically, energy regulators comprise a snap-acting microswitch having a set of switch contacts arrangeable in the electrical supply circuit to the electrical load, an actuating member, for example a snap-acting switch contact arm, operatively associated with a bimetallic actuator for operating the switch contacts, and electrically energisable heating means associated with the bimetallic actuator. In such constructions, electrical power is initially supplied to the load and to the heating means which may be connected either in parallel or in series with the load. The heating means heats the bimetallic actuator, causing it to deform to the point where it causes snap-movement of the contact arm to open the switch contacts and interrupt the power supply to both the load and the heating means. The bimetallic actuator then cools and deforms in the opposite direction to the point where the contact arm undergoes reverse snap-action to close the contacts once more, whereupon the cycle recommences. Thus such regulators operate on the principle of supplying power to the load over a proportion of an operating cycle, the proportion being determined typically by the initial position of a free end of the bimetallic actuator which actuates the contact arm, such initial position being settable by control means coupled in use to a user actuated control member e.g. a knob. Such constructions are hereinafter referred to as "energy regulators of the kind described". The bimetallic actuator may, for example, form an integral part of a bimetallic element which further includes an ambient compensating bimetal through which the control means may be coupled to the actuator whereby the initial position of the free end thereof is unaffected by changes in ambient temperature.
In energy regulators of the kind described, it has been standard practice to provide separate mountings for the compensating bimetal and/or the bimetallic actuator and/or the microswitch contact arm and this results in an unnecessarily high number of components. Furthermore, there is often the need for a complicated linkage means for transmitting the actuating movement of the bimetallic actuator to the microswitch. Thus, known arrangements tend to be complicated and relatively costly.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From a first aspect, the invention provides an energy regulator comprising a bimetallic actuator and a snap-acting microswitch associated therewith, said regulator comprising a switch actuating member carried by a movable portion of the bimetallic actuator.
The actuating member may comprise for example a switch contact arm mounted, at its end remote from the contact, on the free end of the bimetallic actuator.
Viewed from a second aspect the invention provides an energy regulator of the kind described which is characterised in that the end of the switch contact arm remote from the switch contacts is carried by a movable free end of the bimetallic actuator.
Thus, in accordance with the invention, not only does the actuator provide a support for the switch actuating member or contact arm, but the actuating movement is transmitted directly to it. This is a new departure from known energy regulators and leads to a reduction in the number of parts and cost saving. As described below, the end of the switch contact arm or actuating member may be either pivotally or fixedly secured to the movable free end of the actuator.
As is traditional, the microswitch may comprise a spring means which provides an overcentre mechanism whereby the contacts are opened and closed by snap-action action in response to movement of the bimetallic actuator. The bimetallic actuator is mounted in the regulator such that when assembled, the spring means is placed in tension or compression to give the necessary spring biasing force for the contact ar

REFERENCES:
patent: 2623138 (1952-12-01), Kumler
patent: 2906839 (1959-09-01), Ashe et al.
patent: 4839626 (1989-06-01), Hollweck

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