Selector switch operator

Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Solid contact – Rotating actuator

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C200S566000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06274835

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to electro-mechanical switches and, more particularly, to a modular, water resistant selector switch operator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A selector switch is commonly used as a manually operated controller for industrial electric motor control circuits. A selector switch is typically mounted in a front panel of a control enclosure. Selector switches are used in applications where rotary knob actuation of the control circuit is desired, as opposed to push button or knife switches, for example. A knob operated selector switch has a rotatable knob that actuates an electrical switch to open and close electrical circuits.
Existing NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) industry 22 mm selector switches perform basic selector switch functions in various configurations, such as two or three actuation positions and momentary or maintained contact actuation. These switches have not generally been constructed for environmental water entry resistance required by both NEMA
4
water spray tests and NEMA
6
water submersion tests. Also, prior such switches utilize different mechanical components for the six most common switch configurations requiring additional investments in tooling and inventory for manufacturing.
The present invention is intended to overcome the problems discussed above, in a novel and simple manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention there is provided a modular selector switch design, reducing the number of unique switch components for different switch configurations.
Broadly, there is disclosed herein a modular selector switch operator including a housing and a cylinder rotationally mounted in the housing. The cylinder has a radially extending follower and a circumferential cam track. A knob extends forwardly of the housing and is operatively connected to the cylinder for rotating the cylinder. A pusher is received in the housing and has a follower pin riding in the cam track to convert rotational movement of the cylinder to linear movement of the pusher for actuating an electrical switch, in use. An indexing cam ring is concentrically mounted to the cylinder in the housing in one of two orientations with the cylinder follower engaging the cam ring. A first orientation provides a maintained actuation position relative to a neutral position. A second orientation provides a momentary actuation position relative to the neutral position.
It is a feature of the invention that the cam ring has plural ramped surfaces for riding on the follower, the ramped surfaces that ride on the follower in the first orientation including detents for locking the cylinder to the cam ring in the maintained actuation position. A spring biases the cam ring against the follower.
It is another feature of the invention that the selector switch comprises a three position switch and the housing limits movement of the cylinder to approximately 100 degree rotation or the selector switch comprises a two position switch and the housing limits movement of the cylinder to approximately 50 degree rotation.
It is a further feature of the invention that the cam ring includes first and second axial end surfaces each having plural ramped surfaces. The ramped surfaces at the first axial end have detents. The first axial end surface engages the follower in the first orientation and the second axial end surface engages the follower in the second orientation.
It is still another feature of the invention that the cam ring is rotationally constrained in the housing.
It is an additional feature of the invention that the cam ring includes first and second axial end surfaces each having opposite pairs of intersecting ramped surfaces. One of each of the intersecting ramped surfaces has a detent. The follower is positioned proximate the intersection of the ramped surfaces in the neutral position and the ramped surface having the detent is clockwise from the intersection in the first orientation and counterclockwise from the intersection in the second orientation.
There is disclosed in accordance with another aspect of the invention a selector switch operator including a one-piece tubular barrel housing and a cylinder rotationally mounted in the housing. The cylinder has a radially extending follower and a circumferential cam track. A knob extends forwardly of the housing and is operatively connected to the cylinder for rotating the cylinder. A pusher is received in the housing and has a follower pin riding in the cam track to convert rotational movement of the cylinder to linear movement of the pusher for actuating an electrical switch, in use. A ring gasket surrounds the knob and is received in the barrel housing. The ring gasket includes a wiper seal engaging an inner wall of the housing to prevent water entry into the housing.
It is a feature of the invention that the ring gasket is U-shaped in cross section. The gasket includes an inner cylindrical wall and end wall engaging the knob and an outer cylindrical wall engaging the inner wall of the housing. The ring gasket is formed of rubber.
It is another feature of the invention to provide a panel gasket surrounding an outer wall of the housing for sealing the housing in an enclosure panel, in use.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4376239 (1983-03-01), Long et al.
patent: 5049709 (1991-09-01), Prickett et al.
patent: 5736700 (1998-04-01), Takahashi et al.
patent: 6025564 (2000-02-01), Verduci et al.

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