US1949019A - High-tension switch - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 27, 1934.. c, G. KOPFATZ HIGH TENSION SWITCH- Original Filed May 29, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1934- c. G. KOPPITZ HIGH TENSION SWITCH Original Filed May 29, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet Pll Fb. 27, 1934. v Q opprrz 1,949,019

HIGH TENSION SWITCH Original Filed May 29, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Feb. 27, 1934 fiarl G. hoppitt, Greenshurg, Pa... ignor to Railway d Industrial Engineering Company, Greensburg, Pm, a corporation oi Pennsylvania Application May 29, 11929, Serial No. 367,015 Renewed .ll'anuary it, 1933 315 tlliaims. (Cl. W8)

This invention relates to a high tension, high contact pressure switch of the general type described in my Patent No. 1,758,751, granted May 13, 1930.

As described in my prior application, the switch contacts comprise a switch jaw and a contact element which is of flattened construction, and the operating mechanism is designed to introduce the element within the jaw and thereafter to rotate the element to wedge the same within the jaw.

in accordance with the present invention, both the jaw and the contact element are movably supported, the construction and arrangement of the supporting and operating elements oi the switch mechanism being such that the final closing movement of the switch. causes relative rotation of the contact element and switch jaw.

An object of the invention is to provide a switch construction in which a switch jaw and a contact element are carried by two pivoted arms, the length and angular movement of the arms being such that the relative angular movement of the arms at the end of the closing movement of the switch causes the element to rotate into wedging position transversely of the switch jaw. More specifically, an object is to provide a switch in which two pivoted arms form a modified toggle linkage during the final closing movement of the switch, the centralpivot of the linkage being provided by a switch jaw and a contact element carried at the ends of the respective arms.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specification when taken with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the connections between the rotating pillars of the switch,

Fig. 3 is a top view of the switch,

Fig. 4 is a. fragmentary side elevation of the switch,

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram,

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a horizontal break switch, and

. Fig. '7 is a top view of the same.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 identifies the support or base upon which are mounted the two sets of insulator pillars, the inner pillar 2 of each set being mounted for axial rotation and the outer pillars 3 being fixed with respect to the support. The pillars of each set are interconnected by plates, 4 and 5, and each fixed pillar 3 carries an end plate 6 which provides a bearing for its associated rotating pillar 2 and carries a lug 'Z for pivotally supporting one ol the arms 8, 9 of the switch. The arm 8 terminates in a V shaped switch jaw comprising a soft metal contact block, 10 and a stifi spring ll disposed parallel to the inner surface of the block 11, while the arm 9 terminates in an enlarged head or contact element 12.

The pivot pins 13 which support arms 8, 9 on lugs '3' are parallel to each other and horizontal. Each rotary insulator pillar 2 carries a crank arm it which is connected through a link 15 with the adjacent switch arm, the pivotal connections at each end of the links 15 being formed by univer sal joints 16. One of the rotary pillars 2 has an operating arm 17 fixed thereto, and the pillars are connected for simultaneous rotary movement, in opposite directions, by cranks 18 and link 19.

Referring now to Fig. 5, which shows a simple form of jaw formed by bending the ends A of a metal strap at right angles to the central or base portion B, the legends applied to the view identify axes and planes which will be used in describing the operation of switch structures embodying the invention. The basal plane is normalto the longitudinal axis of the jaw; the medial plane is that plane through the longitudinal axis which is parallel to the jaws A, and the transverse plane passes through the longitudinal axis and is normal to the jaws A. The medial and transverse axes are determined by the intersection with the basal plane of the medial and transverse planes, respectively.

The operaton of the switch will be apparent from the drawings. When the insulator pillars 2 are rotated to-turn the crank arms 14 towards each other, the thrust exerted through links 15 upon the switch arms 8, 9 turns the arms downwards and towards each other. When the arms have moved somewhat past their intermediate positions which are shown in solid lines in Fig.

4, the flattened contact element 12 enters the open end of the switch jaw. As the effective overall length of the switch arms is in excess of the distance between pivot pins 13, this initial engagement takes place when the arms are spaced from their final positions by substantial angular displacements, and the plane of the maximum dimension of the contact element 12 is inclined to the medial and transverse planes of the jaw. The further rotation of the insulator pillars 2 causes relative translatory movement of the jaw and contact element along a line approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the jaw, and relative rotation of. the parts about an axis parallel to the medial axis of the jaw.

The normal width of the: jaw opening and the width of the contact element are so related that the element enters freely within the jaw and is tightly wedged between the spring 11 and contact block 10 when the switch is in fully closed position. The spring 11 is formed of stainless steel or the like and theistrength of the spring determines the current carrying capacity of the switch.

The contact element 12 is formed of a relatively hard metal, such as phosphor or manganese bronze, and the relative movement of the element 12, and the copper contact block 10 provides a self-cleaning contact between switch contacts.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the invention may be embodied in a switch of the horizontal break type. In this construction, the switch arms 20, 21 are rigidly connected to the metal caps 22of insulator pillars 23 which are rotatably mounted on a suitable base 24. One of the pillars is provided'with an operating arm 25 and the pillars are connected by link 26 and arms 27 for simul taneous angular movement in opposite directions. Switch arm 20 terminates in a soft copper contact block 28 and steel spring 29 which form the switch jaw, and switch arm 21 terminates in an enlarged head 30 of relatively hard metal which forms the flattened contact element.

Each metal cap 22 carries an overhanging lug 31 which cooperates with a boss (not shown) on the upper surface of the cap to provide a bearing for the line terminal 32, the terminal being electrically connected to the adjacent switch arm by a flexible jumper 33.

It will be apparent that the mechanism for supporting and operating the switch arms may take various forms without departing from the spirit of my invention as set-forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a high contact pressure switch, a pair of switch arms, means pivotally supporting said arms for rotation about spaced parallel axes, a

switch jaw comprising a contact block of soft copper and a spring arm parallel to the contact face thereof, and a flattened contact element formed of a metal harder than said block, said jaw and said element being carried by the respective arms, and means for rotating said arms to-move said element into said jaw, the length of said arms being such that said element is introduced into said jaw prior to the final movement of said arms and inclined to the basal and transverse planes of said jaw, whereby the final movement of said arms effects relative rotation of said element within said jaw.

2. In ahigh-contact pressure switch, resilient switch jaws comprising members whose opposed faces are normally substantially parallel, a contact element having a transverse dimension greater than the normal opening between said switch jaws, means mounting said jaws and said element for simultaneous. angular movement about spaced, parallel axes, said jaws and said element being so positioned that said element enters freel within the jaws, and operating means for oving said element to bring said element into said jaws and for effecting relative angular movement of said jaws and said element to position the-greatest transverse dimension of said element normal to the medial plane of said aws.

3. In a high contact pressure switch, resilient switch jaws comprising members whose opposed faces are normally substantially parallel, a contact element having a transverse dimension greater. than the normal opening betweensaid jaws, means mounting said jaws and said element for relative movement about separate axes, said element being so positioned that it enters freely within said jaws, and operating means for moving said jaws to position said element in said jaws and operative to move said element after it enters said jaws to position the greatest transverse dimension of said element perpendicular to the medial plane of said jaws.

4. In a switch, a pair of spaced insulator pillars,

a switch blade carried by each of said pillars, one blade terminating in a contact jaw and the other blade terminating in a transversely en--v larged contact head, and operating means for '0 effecting angular movement of both blades to po sition the same in substantially coaxial relation and with said contact head within said jaw at the end of the closing movement of said switch,

the width of said contact head being so related .5 to the transverse width of said jaws that said head enters freely withinsa-id jaw but is thereafter tightly wedged in the same by the continued angular movement of said blades.

5. In a high pressure contact switch, a pair of switch arms mounted for rotation about a pair of parallel axes, a flattened-contact element carried atthe end of one arm, a resilient switch jaw comprising a pair of jaw members having opposing surfaces that normally are substantially 108 parallel, the normal opening between said jaw members being substantially less than the width of said flattened contact element, said switch jaw being mounted on the other of said switch arms with the medial axis of the jaw parallel 110 to the axis about which said arms rotate, and operating means for rotating said first arm to position said flattened contact element within said jaw and with the plane of its major transverse dimension inclined to the basal plane of the'jaw and to thereafter rotate both of said arms to effect relative angular movement of said contact element and jaw, thereby to position said contact element with the plane of its greatest transverse dimension transversely of the said Jaw.

6. In a switch, a pair of spaced insulator pillars,

a jaw element and a flattened contact element carried by the respective pillars, said contact element having a width greater than the normal opening of said jaw element and operating means for effecting angular movement of both pillars to position said contact element freely within said jaw element and thereafter to produce relative rotation of said elements to position said con- 180 tact element transversely of said jaw element.

'7. In a switch, resilient switch jaws comprising members whose opposed faces are normally substantially parallel, a contact element having a transverse dimension greater than the normal opening between said jaws, insulator means supporting said jaws and said element for angular movement about separate axes, and operating means for effecting relative angular movement of said jaw and element to position said element freely within said jaws and thereafter to effect relative rotation of said jaws and element to position the greatest transverse dimension of said element substantially perpendicular to the medial plane'of said jaws.

8. In a switch, a pair of insulators mounted for angular movement about parallel axes. a resilient switch jaw element carried by one insulator, a contact element carried by the second insulator and having an enlarged head of greater 5o weenie width than the normal opening of said jaw, said elements being so positioned that the enlarged head of said contact element may enter freely within said jaw element, and operating means for effecting angular movement of at least one of said insulators to position said enlarged head within said jaw element and for thereafter effecting angular movement of at least that insulator carrying the jaw element to produce relative rotation of said enlarged head and said jaw element to wedge said enlarged head in said jaw element.

9. In a switch, a pair of insulators mounted for angular movement about parallel axes, a resilient switch jaw element carried by one insulator, a contact element carried by the second insulator and having an enlarged head of greater width than the normal opening of said jaw, said elements being so positioned that the enlarged head of said contact element may enter freely within said jaw element, and operating means for effecting angular movement of at least one of said insulators to position said enlarged head within said jaw element and for thereafter efi'ecting angular movement of atleast that insulator carrying the contact element to produce relative rotation of said enlarged head and said jaw element to wedge said enlarged head in said jaw element 10. An electric switch comprising a jaw element, a contact element including a flattened head having a width greater than the normal opening of the jaw element, means supporting each of said elements for movement, and operat-- ing means for effecting movement of at least said contact element to position the head of said contactelement freely within said jaw element and for thereafter moving said jaw element angularly with respect to said contact element to wedge said enlarged head in said jaw element.

11. An electric switch comprising a jaw element, a contact element including a flattened head having a width greater than the normal opening of the jaw element, and means operative by a continuous movement thereof to move the head of the contact element freely into the jaw element and thereafter to move said jaw element angularly with respect to said contact element to wedge said enlarged head in said jaw element.

' 12. An electric switch of the high pressure contact type, said switch comprising a jaw element and a flattened contact element, means supporting each element for pivotal movement upon spaced axes which are each parallel to the medial axis of the jaw element and means operative by a continuous movement thereof to produce relative movement of said elements to introduce said flattened contact element freely within said jaw element and thereafter to effect pivotal movement of said jaw element to wedge said flattened contact element transversely-of the jaw element.

13. An electric switch comprising a jaw element, a flattened contact element, insulator columns supporting each of said elements for angular movement about spaced axes which are each parallel to the medial axis of said jaw element, and means operative by a continuous movement thereof to efiect angular movement of both elements to introduce said contact element freely within said jaw element and thereafter to effect relative rotation of the said elements to wedge said contact element transversely of said jaw element.

14. In a high pressure contact switch, a switch jaw, means including an insulator column supporting said jaw for pivotal movement, a flattened contact element having a transverse dimension greater than the normal opening of said jaw, means including an insulator column supporting said contact element for movement towards and away from said switch jaw, said contact element being so positioned on its said supporting means that it enters freely within said jaw prior to the final switch-closing movement of at least one of said supporting means, and operating means for actuating the supporting means of said contact element to move the contact element into the switch jaw and thereafter to actuate the,

other supporting means to produce pivotal movement of said switch jaw to wedge said contact element transversely of said switch jaw.

15. In a high pressure contact switch, a resilient switch jaw comprising members whose opposed faces are normally substantially parallel, a flattened contact element having a transverse dimension greater than the normal opening be-' tween the members of said jaw, means mounting said jaw forpivotal movement about an axis parallel to the medial axis of the jaw, means supporting said contact element for translatory movement into and away from said jaw, said contact element being so positioned on said supporting means that it enters freely within the said membersof the jaw prior to the final switchclosing movement of said supporting means, and operating means for moving said supporting means to position said contact element within said jaw and thereafter to continue the movement of said supporting means with a simultaneous pivotal movement of said jaw, thereby to efiect relative rotation of said contact element and switch jaw to position said contact element transversely of the said jaw.

- CARL G. KOPPITZ.

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