ELECTRIC ROCKER SWITCH FOR CONTROLLING MULTIPLE CIRCUITS WITH MAGNETIC COUPLING MEMBERS
United States Patent 3673358
An electric rocker switch for controlling a plurality of different circuit combinations. The rocker is pivotally mounted in a frame and held in normal "off" position by a spring-urged member and adapted for movement in each of two "on" directions including a permanent magnet mounted in each end of the rocker, positioned to engage mating magnets for holding the rocker in each of its two "on" positions. The rocker contains a plurality of contacts to engage mating contacts in the body of the switch, which contacts may be connected to control a plurality of different circuits.
US Patent References:
Electric switches
Fichter - September 1962 - 3056001
/3566319.html
Ohno - February 1971 - 3566319
ROCKER SWITCH CENTERED BY CIRCULAR LOOP SPRING MEMBERS COILED IN COMPRESSION
Weremey - July 1970 - 3519775
Electric switch
Elliott - August 1958 - 2849549
/1077380.html
Wellman - November 1913 - 1077380
Electric switches
Fichter - September 1962 - 3056001
/3566319.html
Ohno - February 1971 - 3566319
ROCKER SWITCH CENTERED BY CIRCULAR LOOP SPRING MEMBERS COILED IN COMPRESSION
Weremey - July 1970 - 3519775
Electric switch
Elliott - August 1958 - 2849549
/1077380.html
Wellman - November 1913 - 1077380
Application Number:
05/129883
Publication Date:
06/27/1972
Filing Date:
03/31/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
200/61.45M, 335/206
International Classes:
H01H5/02; H01H5/00; H01H9/54
Field of Search:
200/6R,6BB,6BA,6B,6C,61.45M 335/302,303,306,206
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Scott J. R.
Claims:
Having described my invention, I claim
1. A manual multiple contact electric switch comprising a means forming a generally rectangular hollow body of dielectric material with an open side,
2. In a manual multiple contact rocker switch of the character described means forming a hollow body of dielectric material with an open side,
1. A manual multiple contact electric switch comprising a means forming a generally rectangular hollow body of dielectric material with an open side,
2. In a manual multiple contact rocker switch of the character described means forming a hollow body of dielectric material with an open side,
Description:
This invention relates in general to manual electric switches and more particularly to a rocker type manual electric switch for movement to two "on" positions from a neutral "off" position with terminals for controlling a plurality of different circuits.
Prior manual electric switches, particularly of the button, toggle, and rocker type employ over-center spring means for holding the switch in an "off" off position or with the contacts together and the terminals thereof adapted to control relatively few circuits.
The present invention overcomes the above mechanical disadvantages and circuit limitations and is adapted to low cost manufacture by the provision of a rocker type switch which is held in each of its two operating positions by permanent magnets. The switch is provided with six external terminals for providing a large number of electric circuits.
These and other objects and advantages in one embodiment of the invention are described and shown in the following specification and drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the switch with the rocker thereof in "off" position.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the switch shown in FIG. 1 in reduced scale with a portion thereof broken away.
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side elevation in reduced scale, taken through section line 3--3, FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an end elevation in enlarged scale taken through section line 4--4, FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken through the side opposite that shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view in reduced scale taken through section line 6--6, FIG. 1, with the rocker thereof moved to "B" position.
FIG. 7 is the same as FIG. 5 with the contacts in the rocker in their "B" position.
FIG. 8 is a top plan view taken through section line 8--8, FIG. 2.
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional end elevation taken through section line 9--9, FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the under side of the rocker shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded view of the contact arrangement in the switch shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the terminals when the switch terminals are in "open" circuit position.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the terminals connected for S.P.S.T. operation.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the terminals connected in S.P.3.T. position.
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram with the terminals connected in S.P.4.T. position.
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram with the terminals connected in S.P.3.T. position with the load and line terminals connected different than shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram with the terminals connected in S.P.4.T. position with the load and line terminals connected different than shown in FIG. 15.
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram with the terminals connected in S.P.4.T. position with load and line terminals connected different than shown in FIG. 17.
FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram with terminals connected in D.P.D.T. position.
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram with the terminals connected in S.P.4.T. position different than the load and line terminals shown in FIG. 18.
FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram with the terminals connected in S.P.D.T. position with the load and line terminals connected for larger current than shown in FIG. 19.
FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing simple "off-on" terminal connections.
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram for normal "off-on" connections for higher current rating.
FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing connections for "off-on" circuits to two independent loads.
FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of a pair of lines connected to independent terminals for connection to a corresponding pair of independent load terminals.
FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of the terminal connections for maintaining a through circuit and simultaneously opening or closing two independent load circuits.
Referring to FIG. 1, a switch body 1 is molded from plastic material having high dielectric properties, such as polycarbonate, and is of generally rectangular shape and has a stamped metal mounting plate 2 secured to the body 1 by a pair of ears 3 laterally positioned at opposite sides of the plate for snap-on engagement with outstanding projections from opposite sides of the body 1. A manual actuated rocker 4 is pivotally mounted in body 4, by means to be hereinafter described, and extends through a clearance aperture in the mounting plate 2. The rocker has a divergent upper surfaces A and B for designating operating positions. The plate 2 is provided with suitable holes through opposite extensions for mounting purposes.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the rocker 4 has molded therein a transverse shaft 5 having an integral cam 6 on one end thereof with a transverse V notch therein, better shown in FIG. 2. The rocker is pivoted for oscillation about axis a--a by a pair of bearings formed by ears 7--7, which are integral with the opposite sides of plate 2. A vertical bore 8 in one side of the body 1 directly below the axis a--a retains a spring 9 and a ball 10, which ball is urged into contact with the V groove in cam 6, forming a self-centering detent, as shown in FIG. 2. It is now apparent that when the rocker 4 is alternately depressed from either the A or B side, the spring will tend to urge the rocker return to its central or "off" position, as shown in FIG. 2.
The cross sectional view, FIG. 3, shows a pair of permanent magnets 11--11 molded into pillars 12--12 positioned centrally within opposite ends of the body 1. The magnets are retained in the molded body 1 by suitable shape or by projections extending therefrom. The rocker 4 also has a pair of like permanent magnets 13 molded in integral opposite central projections, as shown, with the outer surface of each magnet 13 thereof adapted to mate with the upper surface of each magnet 11 when the rocker is operated.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 11, the rocker has a pair of electric contacts 14--14 secured in opposite ends of a conducting bridge 15, which bridge is molded transversely into the "A" portion of the rocker with the contacts 14 projecting therefrom, as shown in FIG. 10.
A second pair of contacts 14--14 are secured to a conducting bridge 16, which is molded into the "B" portion of the rocker with the contacts projecting therefrom, as shown.
A third pair of contacts 14--14 are secured to conducting bridge 17 and molded in predetermined spaced relation to bridge 16 in the "B" portion of the rocker.
FIG. 11 shows a common conducting terminal bracket 18 which electrically connects three of the contacts 14f in different positions and provides for three terminal screws, which bracket is shown in operative position in FIG. 5 retained within the body 1 by screws 19. A terminal bracket 20 provides for a terminal screw 19 carrying a contact 14f, shown in FIG. 5, secured in the body 1 by a fourth screw 19.
Referring to FIG. 8, a terminal bracket 21 is secured in the opposite side of the base 1 by a fifth screw 19 and a sixth bracket 22 is positioned on the same side as the bracket 21 and retained by screw 19.
In operation and referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rocker 4 is held in its idle or "off" position by the action of spring 9 urging the ball 10 into the "V" groove in cam 6. When the "B" side of the rocker is manually depressed the spring 9 will be depressed by the action of cam 6 and the ball 10 and the rocker will assume an "on" position, shown in FIG. 7, and will be held in the "on" position by the mutual attractive force of magnets 11 and 13, shown in FIGS. 6 and 9.
The rocker will be returned to its normal "off" position by relatively light pressure on portion "A" of the rocker or near balanced pressure between "A" and "B" thereof, which breaks the holding force and permits the spring 9 to return the rocker to its "off" position.
It is now apparent that when the portion "A" of the magnet is depressed, the cam 6 will overcome the spring 9 and permit the mutual attraction of the opposite magnets 11 and 13 to hold the rocker in a position opposite to that shown in FIG. 7 and likewise permit the return to its idle "off" position by slight pressure on the "B" portion of the toggle or slightly unbalanced pressure on both "A" and "B" portions, but favoring the "B" portion.
Referring to FIG. 18, the electric conducting bridges and brackets are shown in their relative positions and are formed from low resistance material with the brackets threaded to receive screws 19 under which lugs or electric conductors may be secured.
The six terminal screws 19 and corresponding contacts are illustrated schematically in FIG. 12 and may be connected to control a large number of different circuit formations, such as shown in FIGS. 13 - 26. However, the connections are not limited to the fourteen different circuit formations shown.
This invention comprehends certain modifications in construction that fall within the teachings and scope of the above specification.
Prior manual electric switches, particularly of the button, toggle, and rocker type employ over-center spring means for holding the switch in an "off" off position or with the contacts together and the terminals thereof adapted to control relatively few circuits.
The present invention overcomes the above mechanical disadvantages and circuit limitations and is adapted to low cost manufacture by the provision of a rocker type switch which is held in each of its two operating positions by permanent magnets. The switch is provided with six external terminals for providing a large number of electric circuits.
These and other objects and advantages in one embodiment of the invention are described and shown in the following specification and drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the switch with the rocker thereof in "off" position.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the switch shown in FIG. 1 in reduced scale with a portion thereof broken away.
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side elevation in reduced scale, taken through section line 3--3, FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an end elevation in enlarged scale taken through section line 4--4, FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken through the side opposite that shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view in reduced scale taken through section line 6--6, FIG. 1, with the rocker thereof moved to "B" position.
FIG. 7 is the same as FIG. 5 with the contacts in the rocker in their "B" position.
FIG. 8 is a top plan view taken through section line 8--8, FIG. 2.
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional end elevation taken through section line 9--9, FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the under side of the rocker shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded view of the contact arrangement in the switch shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the terminals when the switch terminals are in "open" circuit position.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the terminals connected for S.P.S.T. operation.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the terminals connected in S.P.3.T. position.
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram with the terminals connected in S.P.4.T. position.
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram with the terminals connected in S.P.3.T. position with the load and line terminals connected different than shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram with the terminals connected in S.P.4.T. position with the load and line terminals connected different than shown in FIG. 15.
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram with the terminals connected in S.P.4.T. position with load and line terminals connected different than shown in FIG. 17.
FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram with terminals connected in D.P.D.T. position.
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram with the terminals connected in S.P.4.T. position different than the load and line terminals shown in FIG. 18.
FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram with the terminals connected in S.P.D.T. position with the load and line terminals connected for larger current than shown in FIG. 19.
FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing simple "off-on" terminal connections.
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram for normal "off-on" connections for higher current rating.
FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing connections for "off-on" circuits to two independent loads.
FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of a pair of lines connected to independent terminals for connection to a corresponding pair of independent load terminals.
FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of the terminal connections for maintaining a through circuit and simultaneously opening or closing two independent load circuits.
Referring to FIG. 1, a switch body 1 is molded from plastic material having high dielectric properties, such as polycarbonate, and is of generally rectangular shape and has a stamped metal mounting plate 2 secured to the body 1 by a pair of ears 3 laterally positioned at opposite sides of the plate for snap-on engagement with outstanding projections from opposite sides of the body 1. A manual actuated rocker 4 is pivotally mounted in body 4, by means to be hereinafter described, and extends through a clearance aperture in the mounting plate 2. The rocker has a divergent upper surfaces A and B for designating operating positions. The plate 2 is provided with suitable holes through opposite extensions for mounting purposes.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the rocker 4 has molded therein a transverse shaft 5 having an integral cam 6 on one end thereof with a transverse V notch therein, better shown in FIG. 2. The rocker is pivoted for oscillation about axis a--a by a pair of bearings formed by ears 7--7, which are integral with the opposite sides of plate 2. A vertical bore 8 in one side of the body 1 directly below the axis a--a retains a spring 9 and a ball 10, which ball is urged into contact with the V groove in cam 6, forming a self-centering detent, as shown in FIG. 2. It is now apparent that when the rocker 4 is alternately depressed from either the A or B side, the spring will tend to urge the rocker return to its central or "off" position, as shown in FIG. 2.
The cross sectional view, FIG. 3, shows a pair of permanent magnets 11--11 molded into pillars 12--12 positioned centrally within opposite ends of the body 1. The magnets are retained in the molded body 1 by suitable shape or by projections extending therefrom. The rocker 4 also has a pair of like permanent magnets 13 molded in integral opposite central projections, as shown, with the outer surface of each magnet 13 thereof adapted to mate with the upper surface of each magnet 11 when the rocker is operated.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 11, the rocker has a pair of electric contacts 14--14 secured in opposite ends of a conducting bridge 15, which bridge is molded transversely into the "A" portion of the rocker with the contacts 14 projecting therefrom, as shown in FIG. 10.
A second pair of contacts 14--14 are secured to a conducting bridge 16, which is molded into the "B" portion of the rocker with the contacts projecting therefrom, as shown.
A third pair of contacts 14--14 are secured to conducting bridge 17 and molded in predetermined spaced relation to bridge 16 in the "B" portion of the rocker.
FIG. 11 shows a common conducting terminal bracket 18 which electrically connects three of the contacts 14f in different positions and provides for three terminal screws, which bracket is shown in operative position in FIG. 5 retained within the body 1 by screws 19. A terminal bracket 20 provides for a terminal screw 19 carrying a contact 14f, shown in FIG. 5, secured in the body 1 by a fourth screw 19.
Referring to FIG. 8, a terminal bracket 21 is secured in the opposite side of the base 1 by a fifth screw 19 and a sixth bracket 22 is positioned on the same side as the bracket 21 and retained by screw 19.
In operation and referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rocker 4 is held in its idle or "off" position by the action of spring 9 urging the ball 10 into the "V" groove in cam 6. When the "B" side of the rocker is manually depressed the spring 9 will be depressed by the action of cam 6 and the ball 10 and the rocker will assume an "on" position, shown in FIG. 7, and will be held in the "on" position by the mutual attractive force of magnets 11 and 13, shown in FIGS. 6 and 9.
The rocker will be returned to its normal "off" position by relatively light pressure on portion "A" of the rocker or near balanced pressure between "A" and "B" thereof, which breaks the holding force and permits the spring 9 to return the rocker to its "off" position.
It is now apparent that when the portion "A" of the magnet is depressed, the cam 6 will overcome the spring 9 and permit the mutual attraction of the opposite magnets 11 and 13 to hold the rocker in a position opposite to that shown in FIG. 7 and likewise permit the return to its idle "off" position by slight pressure on the "B" portion of the toggle or slightly unbalanced pressure on both "A" and "B" portions, but favoring the "B" portion.
Referring to FIG. 18, the electric conducting bridges and brackets are shown in their relative positions and are formed from low resistance material with the brackets threaded to receive screws 19 under which lugs or electric conductors may be secured.
The six terminal screws 19 and corresponding contacts are illustrated schematically in FIG. 12 and may be connected to control a large number of different circuit formations, such as shown in FIGS. 13 - 26. However, the connections are not limited to the fourteen different circuit formations shown.
This invention comprehends certain modifications in construction that fall within the teachings and scope of the above specification.