US3047690A - Magnetic switch - Google Patents

Description

July 31, 1962 R. L. SPRAGUE ETAI.

MAGNETIC swrrcn Filed Jan. 8, 1960 The/r Attorney United. States Patent Ofiice I 3,047,690 Patented July '31, 1962 3,047,690 MAGNETIC SWITCH Richard L. Sprague and Donald F. Wigner, Anderson,

Ind., assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 8, 1960, Ser. No. 1,265 9 Claims. (Cl. 200-87) This invention relates to magnetically operated switches and more particularly to a magnetic switch which'when manually moved to a closed position is held in this position by magnetic forces generated by a coil winding.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a magnetic switch which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and durable in operation,

Another object of this invention is to provide a magnetic switch that includes a movable armature core that carries a coil winding, the armature core also supporting an electrical contactor which is adapted to complete a circuit for the coil winding whenever the armature core is manually shifted to a predetermined position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a magnetic switch that includes an armature core member carrying a coil winding and wherein a switch contactor moves with the armature core member to complete a circuit for the coil winding whenever the armature core member is manually moved in one direction, there being a resilient means provided for normally biasing the armature core member in such a direction that the circuit for the coil winding is open.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is.-a sectional view taken along line 11 of FIGURE 2 illustrating a magnetic switch made in accordance with this invention.

'FIGURE 2 is a sectionalview taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1. a

FIGURE 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of the magnetic switch of this invention, the switch being shown for use. in controlling the application of power from a battery to a load.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURE 1, it is seen that the magnetic switch. of this invention includes a metal case or housing which is secured to a base member 12 by staking over the housing-10 as at 14. The base member 12 is formed of a suitinsulating material. The tubular member carries an annular contact 42 which is made of suitable electrically conductive material and which isconnected to one side of the coil winding 34 via a lead wire 44. The other lead of coil winding 34 is connected with the metal spool member 36 which in turn is electrically connected with the case 10 of the magnetic switch via the core member 32 and spring 46. A metal washer 48 formed of magnetic material is carried by the armature core member 32 and is positioned between the insulator member 40' and a shoulder formed on the armature core.

The armature core 32 carries a manual actuator 52 which passes through a metal bushing 54 formed of magnetic material and secured within an opening in the case 10. The bushing 54 slidably supports the coil and contactor assembly during its axial movement Within the case 10.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURE 3, a circuit is illustrated employing the magnetic switch of this invention. It is seen that the coil winding 34 has one lead wire 44 connected with the contactor 42 and has another lead wire 45 connected directly to ground The lead wire 45 of FIGURE 3 corresponds to one end of the coil Wind- 'ing 34 which is electrically connected with the metal spool 36 and thus is electrically connected with the case Ill of the switch. It will be appreciated that the case 19 in the system will be at ground potential. The contact 26 is connected to one side of an electrical load 58, the opposite side of the load being connected to ground as shown. The contact 22 is connected to one side of a manually operable switch 60 and this switch is connected to one side of a storage battery 62. It is seen that the opposite side of the contactor assembly 30 leftwardly in FIGURE 1 to a position wherein the contactor 42 connects the contacts 22 and 26. In this position ofthe magnetic switch, the metal washer 48 engages the metal washer 28. When the contactor 42 connects the contacts 22 and 26, a circult is made for the load 58 and a circuit is also made when the coil winding 34 is energized. and the contactor able electrical insulating material and carries a pair of male terminals 16 and 18 which are adapted to be. connected to a female type of connector. The terminal 16 is held to the base member 12 by a rivet, 20 which also holds a contactor 22 in place. A .similar rivet 24 holds the terminal 18 and a second contactor 26 fixed with respect v to the base 12. The contactors 22 and 26 are formed of reference numeral 30 and which includes the armature core member 32 and the coil winding 34. A metal spool 36 carries the coil winding and this spool is press fitted to the armature core member 32. The core member 32 is formed of a suitable magnetic material and has an extension 38 which carries a tubular member 40 formed of '42 will continue to connect the contacts 22 and 26, The magnetic switch will now maintain the circuit closed between the battery .62 and load 58 as long as the switch 60 is closed. Whenthe switch 60 is opened, the circuit for the coil winding 34 is opened and the spring 46 shifts the coil and contactor assembly 30 back to its position illustrated in FIGURE 1 wherein thecontactor 42 is out of contact with the contacts 22 and 26. The magnetic switch may also be opened by grasping the manual actu ator 52 and shifting it rightwardly in FIGURE'l to cause contactor 42 to be shifted out of engagement with contacts 22 and 26. This will break the circuit for coil winding 34 so that the switch will remain open until contactor 42 is once more caused to engage contacts 22 and 26.

In the FIGURE 1 position of the switch, the end of the extension 38 contacts the base member 12 to prevent further rightward movement of the contactor and coil assembly 30. When the switch is pulled leftwardly manually, the bushing 54 serves to guide the switch and in the closed position of the switch, the magnetic attraction between plates 28 and 48 aids in supporting the coil and traction of plates 28 and 48 when the magnetic switch is shifted to a position wherein the contactor 42 connects the contacts 22. and 26.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood th-at other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A magnetic switch comprising, a shiftable assembly including; an armature core, a coil winding and a contactor all movable together as a unit, a pair of fixed contacts adapted to be engaged by said contactor, one of which is adapted to be connected to a power source and the other of which is adapted to be connected to a load,

and a lead Wire shiftable with said assembly connecting said coil winding wtih said contactor.

2. A magnetic switch comprising, a shiftable assembly including; an armature core, a coil winding and an electrical contactor, manually operable means for shifting said shiftable assembly, a pair of fixed contacts one of which is adapted to be connected to a power source and the other of which is adapted to be connected to a load, said contacts being positioned to be engaged by said contactor when said shiftable assembly is shifted, and a conductor connecting said coil winding with said contactor and shiftable with said assembly.

3. A magnetic switch comprising, a shiftable assembly including; an armature core, a coil winding, a plate member formed of magnetic material and an electrical contactor insulated from said core member, a relatively fixed plate member formed of magnetic material spaced from the plate member carried by said shiftable assembly, a pair of electrical contacts one of which is adapted to be connected to a power source and the other of which is adapted to be connected to a load, said electrical contacts being positioned for engagement with said contactor when said shiftab-le assembly is shifted, an electrical conductor connecting said coil winding with said contactor, and resilient means biasing said shiftable assembly to a position wherein said magnetic plate members are spaced apart and said contactor is spaced from said contacts.

4. A magnetic switch comprising, a base member formed of insulating material carrying a pair of fixed electrical contacts, one of which is adapted to be connected to a power source and the other of which is adapted to be connected to a load, a housing secured to said base member formed of magnetic material, a bushing carried by said housing, a plate member formed of magnetic material carried by said housing, a shiftable assembly including an armature core member having a portion slidable through said bushing, a coil winding, a second plate member formed of magnetic material and a contactor, said contactor being adapted to engage said fixed contacts when shiftable assembly is shifted and said second plate member being adapted to contact said first plate member when said shiftable assembly is shifted, resilient means interposed between said shiftable assembly and said housing and an electrical conductor connecting said coil winding with said contactor.

5. A magnetic switch comprising, a shiftable assembly including; an armature core memberv formed of magnetic material carrying a coil winding, a plate member formed of magnetic material and an electrical contactor, a conductor connecting one end of said coil winding with said contactor and shiftable with said assembly, means connecting the other end of said coil winding withv said core member, a pair of fixed electrical contacts adapted to be engaged by said contactor when said shiftable assembly is shifted, a plate member formed of magnetic material fixed with respect tosaid shiftable assembly, and resilient means for biasing said shiftable assembly in one direction.

6. A magnetic switch comprising, a housing, a shiftable assembly including; a coil winding and an electrical contactor slidably supported in cantilever fashion by said housing, resilient means for biasing said shiftable assemlby into engagement with a portion of said housing, a pair of fixed contacts positioned to be engaged by said contactor when said shiftable assembly is shifted, and a conductor connecting one end of said coil winding with said contactor. t i E l 7. A magnetic switch comprising, housing means d fining an enclosed chamber, a shiftable assembly positioned within said housing means including; an armature core member, a coil winding, and a contactor, means connecting one end of said coil winding with said contactor, means slidably supporting said shiftable assembly in said housing means, a pair of fixed contacts adapted to be engaged by said contactor, and resilient means normally urging one end of said shiftable assembly into engagement with a portion of said housing means.

8. A magnetic switch comprising, a shiftable assembly including; an armature core, a coil winding and a contactor all movable together as a unit and shiftable in two directions, a pair of fixed contacts adapted to be engaged by said contactor when said assembly is shifted in one direction, one of which is adapted to be connected to a power source and the other of which is adapted to be connected to a load, a lead wire shiftable with said assembly connecting said coil winding with said contactor, and resilient means biasing said shiftable assembly in an opposite direction, said assembly and contactor being manually shiftable out of engagement with said fixed contacts' against the magnetic attraction of said coil wind ings when it is energized and being shiftable out of en gagement with said fixed contacts by said resilient means when said coil winding is deenergized.

9. A magnetic switch comprising, a shiftable assembly including; an armature core, 'a coil winding and contactor all movable together as a unit, at least one fixed contact adapted to be engaged by said contactor, and a lead wire shiftable with said assembly connecting said coil winding with said contactor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,839,629 Williams Jan. 5, 1932 1,934,320 Nowosielski Nov. 7, 1933 2,283,340 Ray May 19, 1942 2,298,068 Pierce Oct. 6, 1942 2,648,735 Marshall Aug. 11, 1953 2,661,412 Dreyfus Dec. 1, 1953 2,663,804 Wolf Dec. 22, 1953

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