Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Interlocking – Between plural switches
Patent
1985-02-15
1986-07-22
Envall, Jr., Roy N.
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Interlocking
Between plural switches
361344, H01H 920
Patent
active
046021361
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a manual actuating device for an electrical switch which is built into a cubicle with the operating handle rotatably mounted in a door, of the kind that comprises misalignment compensating means and with interlocks to prevent undesirable operation.
In order to enhance safety and for protection against the environment, industrial switches are frequently enclosed in cubicles. However, it is desirable to operate such switches without having to open the door of the cubicle, and the switch is supplied with an axle of a length suitable for the mounting of an operating handle on the outside of the door. However, it is important to be able to open the door in order to change fuses or the like, and the handle is therefore often supported in the door and connected to the switch axle by means of a claw coupling. However, safety requires that the door may only be opened when the switch is in its "off" position, and hence the handle is often connected with locking means for the door. There are further safety requirements that the handle shall only be connectable to the switch when the position of the handle and the position of the switch agree. In practical mounting of switches in cubicles and handles in doors certain misalignments are inavoidable, and hence there is a requirement that compensating means will allow friction-free operation in any case.
Several solutions to the above requirements are known. Common to them all is that they consist of loose parts that have to be mounted in correct mutual relationship on handle and switch axle respectively. This reduces security in that the possibility of errors increases and it also contributes to greater assembly time. In particular the locking of the door is complicated, and in most cases it is dependent on correct engagement of the locking device and the part that is connected to the switch axle.
These disadvantages are all avoided by means of the actuating device according to the invention which is characteristic in that the misalignment compensating means constitute an enclosed unit which is fastened to the switch axle and in that its outer shape and engagement with the handle which is mounted in the door control the logical functioning of the interlocks.
The invention is to be further described with reference to the drawing in which
FIG. 1 shows a construction according to the state of the art, and
FIG. 2 shows a construction according to the invention, and
FIGS. 3a and 3b shows details in the construction of FIG. 2.
In FIG. 1 is shown the state of the art of a handle with misalignment compensating means for actuating a switch and with interlock to ensure that the door carrying the handle is locked when the switch is in the "on" position. A handle (1) is mounted on an axle (2) which is rotatably disposed in the door (not shown). The axle (2) carries a cross plate with projecting pins (3) which may engage slits (4) in an essentially circular disc (5). A further slit (6) is provided perpendicular to the first slits (4) surrounding the centre of the disc (5). In the slit is disposed the end of the actuating axle (7) of a switch. As the length of the slit (6) is greater than the width of the square axle (7) the disc (5) may perform a sideways motion on the switch axle (7). The disc (5) furthermore has a cut-out (8) covering part of the perifery. When using this, well-known, actuating device the length of the axle (7) has to be adjusted according to the mounting of the switch in the cubicle. The pins (3) and the slits (4) must get into engagement, and this can only occur when there is agreement between the position of the handle and the position of the switch. In case there is a certain misalignment between the directions of the axles (2) and (7) relative displacements between the pins (3) and the slits (4) and of the axle (7) in the slit (6) provide compensation during rotation of the handle, thus transmitting torque from the handle to the switch in order to let it operate. In order to obtain a locking action on the door when the switch is in the
REFERENCES:
patent: 2698361 (1954-12-01), Mekelburg
patent: 2806099 (1957-09-01), Rexroad
patent: 2885502 (1959-05-01), Eichelberger et al.
patent: 2961501 (1960-11-01), Piteo, Jr.
Deneke Albert
Pedersen Kurt F. L.
Aktieselskabet Laur. Knudsen Nordisk Elektricitets Selskab
Envall Jr. Roy N.
Ginsburg Morris
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