Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Multiple circuit control – Combined pivoted and reciprocating contact
Patent
1997-06-20
1998-10-13
Friedhofer, Michael A.
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Multiple circuit control
Combined pivoted and reciprocating contact
200438, 200449, H01H 1328
Patent
active
058214810
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention pertains to a snap switch which is triggered by the movement of a switching element. In this case, a relative movement is carried out between a switching element and a wedge profile, wherein a spring energy store is charged until the switching element has passed the highest point of the wedge profile, and the spring energy store is then released and the contact arm suddenly changes over into its second switch position.
The principle of this type of switch is known, for example, from DE-PS 3,940,285. In this case, a switch cylinder prestressed by means of a pretensioning spring is used as the switching element; said switch cylinder moves during the switch actuation along a wedge profile which is brought to the end of the contact arm. This switch is composed of individual parts which are installed in a switch system on a common base plate. In addition, a corresponding switch is described in DE-OS 3,942,925.3.
For example, from DE-PS 2,928,214, it is known how to design a snap switch as a premanufactured microswitch, which can be located by means of the corresponding mounting devices at a suitable location within a larger switching system. In addition, it was proposed to design the snap switch known from DE-OS 3,940,285 as a microswitch, which can be installed as a switching block in a switching system.
Furthermore, from DE-PS 3,336,877 it is known how to design a snap switch by means of two mutually opposing wedge profiles.
Another switch of this kind is proposed in conjunction with DE-OS 4,418,707. Likewise, for this switch, as also in DE-PS 3,336,877, the end of the pivoting contact arm is provided with a wedge profile. A switch cylinder under spring force acts on this wedge profile, wherein said switch cylinder runs during actuation of the switching element across the crimped profile surface. Thus the axis of rotation of the switch cylinder is run in grooves in the direction of the prestressed tensioning spring, these grooves are located on lateral jaws of the switching element. In this design it has turned out to be disadvantageous if the wedge profile is located precisely at that structural element which is heated most by the passage of current and the switching processes. Consequently, a wedge profile made of plastic tends to change its dimensions. Thus it may happen that the side surfaces of the wedge profile abrade against the guide jaws of the switch cylinder and clamp fast due to the resulting, increased friction. This clamping leads to a retarded switching behavior, which, in turn, increases the generation of heat at the contact arm. Due to the mutually adverse effects, the desired number of switchings cannot always be attained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore the purpose of the invention is to improve the switching behavior for a switch of the described type. The problem is solved in the way that the switching element is provided with the control profile spring mounted to the switching element by means of a pretension, and that the contact arm has at its end facing the control profile, a sensing surface as switching element, which is connected as a single piece to the contact arm, wherein the sensing surface acts on the control profile and the sensing surface is convex to the control profile. In principle, the invention consists in general of eliminating the use of a switch cylinder and placing the wedge profile under pretension against the switching element. It is advantageous if the contact arm is a very simple, easily manufactured piece of sheet metal.
In addition, another disadvantage of the formerly proposed switch is eliminated which consisted in that the switch cylinder regularly acts on the contact arm via the wedge profile outside of the longitudinal axis of the contact arm. Thus, considerable torque is produced on the proposed switch with regard to the contact arm, which, during the attachment of the switching element, changes the force which is applied to the fixed contact of the contact mounted to the contact arm. By means of the invent
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English Translation of the International Preliminary Examination Report for International Application No. PCT/EP95/04039.
Friedhofer Michael A.
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises Inc.
Lewis J. Gordon
Twomey Thomas N.
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