US3504312A - Electromagnetic contactor - Google Patents

Description

March 31, 1970 c. DE VIS SER vET A 3,504,312. ELECTROMAGNETIC CONTAQCTOR Filed Oct. 16, 1968 "3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IM I FIGJA N-vi INVENTORS Io CHRIST/AN De V/ssse,

86 3'1 8'7 DOA/4 1.0 0- M YERS A] TTORNE Y March 31-, 1970 0. DE VISSER ET AL 3,504,312

I ELECTROMAGNETIC CONTACTOR 7 Filed Oct. 16, 1968 v 3 Sheets-Sheet B INVENTORS CHR/sr/A/v DEV/555R Down 0. Mysns Y ATTDRNEY United States Patent 3,504,312 ELECTROMAGNETIC CONTACTOR Christian De Visser, Clinton, and Donald 0. Myers, Normal, Ill., assignors to General Electric Company, a

corporation of New York Filed Oct. 16, 1968, Ser. No. 768,083 Int. Cl. H01h 6*7/02 US. Cl. 335136 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electromagnetic contactor includes a pair of spaced solenoids having axially aligned magnetic plungers movable in axial directions in response to energization of associated windings. The plungers and a movable contact carrier are interconnected by an overcenter linkage so as to effect reciprocating translatory movement of the carrier along an axis perpendicular to the axis of alignment of the plungers relative to fixed contact means in response to energization of the windings. A pair of cutout switches each is connected in circuit with a separate winding for actuation in response to movement of either plunger to its full extent to deenergize the associated winding. The carrier is mechanically latched by the linkage in the position it assumes in response to movement of either plunger to its full extent subsequent to deenergization of the associated winding whose energization resulted in such plunger movement. Separate auxiliary switches for customer usage are also actuated in response to movement of each plunger to its full extent.

Background of the invention Electromagnetic contactors have been available in the past to control energization of various types of loads such as motors, lights, etc. Such contactors generally have incorporated an electromagnet including a winding energizable to effect movement of a contact carrier to close a pair of relatively movable contactr for energizing the load. Return spring means are normally provided to separate the relatively movable contacts when the winding is deenergized.

In certain installations it is necessary that the load be energized for prolonged periods which requires that the relatively movable contacts be maintained closed for long periods of time. In order to avoid excessive power consumption to maintain the contacts closed for prolonged periods, it is desirable to provide contactors which include latching devices which operate to maintain the contacts closed when the winding whose energization resulted in closure of the contacts is subsequently deenergized. A contactor incorporating a latching device need only be energized for a period suflicient to effect closure of its contacts after which the latching device retains the contacts in the closed condition. A latching contactor is also desirable in that it results in elimination of objectionable hum or noise caused by alternating magnetic flux.

Latching contactors of previous design generally have not been entirely satisfactory in that they have been of bulky and multipart construction which contributes to a costly contactor design: Moreover, many prior designs have incorporated a latch which is effective only to latch the contacts closed and do not operate to latch the contacts open. Further, prior designs in general have incorporated latch means separate from the contact operating means which has contributed to the large size and high cost of prior designs.

Objects of the invention It is therefore a primary object of the invention to 3,504,312 Patented Mar. 31, 1970 provide a novel and improved mechanically latched contactor of unusually compact construction.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel and improved mechanically latched contactor wherein the latching means comprises part of the contact operating means and functions to latch the contacts in either open or closed conditions.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel and improved mechanically latched contactor including a pair of aligned solenoids and a contact carrier with a unique linkage interconnecting the solenoid plungers and the carrier both to effect movement of the carrier in a direction perpendicular to the direction of plunger alignment and also to effect latching of the carrier in either its contact closed Or contact open position.

Summary of the invention In carrying out the invention in one preferred form, a mechanically latched contactor includes a pair of spaced solenoids having axially aligned magnetic plungers each movable axially in response to energization of the associated solenoid winding. A contact carrier which supports movable contact means is guided for reciprocating translatory movement relative to fixed contact means along an axis generally perpendicular to the direction of axial align- .ment of the plungers between contact closed and contact open positions. An overcenter linkage includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected links pivotally connected to the plungers and to the carrier for moving the carrier to either of its contact closed or contact open positions in response to movement of a selected plunger to its full extent resulting from energization of the associated solenoid winding. The linkage is arranged to assume an overcenter position when the carrier is in either of its contact open or contact closed positions to latch the carrier in either of its positions subsequent to deenergization of the solenoid winding whose energization resulted in movement of the carrier to such position. The solenoid windings are deenergized by actuation of a pair of cutout switches in response to movement of the associated plunger to its full extent resulting from energization of the associated winding. The solenoids include magnetic frames which are mechanically connected by bridge means extending between and connected to the frames. The bridge means carries a fixed pivot pin which pivotally supports a part of the linkage and the carrier is guided for movement by a pair of spaced posts carried by the bridge means and extending through spaced openings in the carrier. Auxiliary switches for customer usage are arranged for actuation in response to movement of the respective plungers to their full extent.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a view in top plan of the mechanically latched contactor of the present invention;

FIGURE 1A is a view in top plan of a portion of the contactor housing showing a fuse addition thereto;

FIGURE 2 is a view in section taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1 showing in particular the movable contact carrier;

FIGURE 3 is a view in section taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a view in section taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 1 showing the linkage, solenoid plungers and movable contact carrier in their positions assumed for a contact open condition;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 4 showing the linkage, solenoid plungers and movable contact carrier in their positions assumed for a contact closed condition;

FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view showing parts of the linkage and their associated pivot pins;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view showing the auxiliary switches, the cutout switches and their associated operating means; and

FIGURE 8 is a schematic circuit diagram showing circuit connections for the solenoid windings and the cutout switches.

Description of a preferred embodiment While the contactor of the present invention is suitable for controlling loads of many different types, it is specially suited for controlling lamp lighting loads wherein high inrush currents usually exist during connection of the lighting loads to a voltage source through the contactor. With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2. the contactor includes in general an insulating housing comprised of a base 10 which supports an electromagnetic structure including a pair of solenoids 12 and 13 for actuating a linkage 14 to effect reciprocating translatory movement of a movable contact carrier 16 relative to a plurality of fixed contact means 17 which cooperate with movable contact means 18 carried by the carrier 16.

More specifically, the base 10 is constructed of insulating material molded or otherwise formed in a generally rectangular configuration with a pair of opposed side walls 20 and 21 and a pair of opposed end walls 22 and 23. Intermediate the side walls and end walls are a plurality of spaced parallel upstanding barriers 25, 26 and 27 extending parallel to the side walls 20 and 21 to define a plurality of side-by- side compartments 28, 29, 30 and 31 which contain various components of the contactor. The barriers 25, 26 and 27 include respectively ali-gned slots 33, 34 and 35 which open at the top and which form a passage receiving parts of the carrier 16 to assist in guiding the carrier 16 for reciprocating translatory movement in directions toward and away from the observer as viewed in FIGURE 1 or in vertical directions as viewed in FIGURE 2. As best shown in FIGURE 3, the fixed contact means 17 are supported adjacent the bottom wall 37 of the base 10 by spaced line and load bus bars. In the illustrated embodiment, a three pole device is provided having three spaced line bus bars 38, 39 and 40 adjacent the end wall 22 and having three spaced load bus bars 41, 42 and 43 adjacent the end wall 23. The fixed contact means 17 comprises a separate pair of spaced fixed contacts for each pole with each pair of fixed contacts within a separate one of the compartments 28, 30 and 31. As shown in FIGURE 3 in connection with one pole including the bus bars 40 and 43 and the associated fixed contacts 44, each bus bar is secured to the underside of the base 10 within a slot 45 by a screw 46 and the associated fixed contact 44 includes a terminal part 44a attached to the bus bar by a screw 47. The contact tip is secured to an arm 44b bent angularly back from the terminal part 44a at approximately a 45 angle.

The movable contact means 18 comprises three generally U-shaped bridging contact members 48- for cooperation respectively with the three pairs of spaced fixed contacts as best shown in FIGURE 3. Each of the bridging contact members carries a pair of contact tips which are angularly disposed at substantially the same angles of disposition as the associated fixed contact tips. The bridging contacts 48 are mounted by the carrier 16 within hollow sections 49 spaced along the length of the carrier as 'best shown in FIGURE 2. The intermediate sections 50 of the bridging contacts are located within the respective hollow sections 49 normally against the bottoms thereof and biasing springs 51 are positioned between the intermediate sections 50 of the bridging contacts and the upper surfaces 52 of the hollow sections to permit displacement of the bridging contacts relative to the carrier 16 in response to engagement of the movable and fixed contact means. i

In order to effect movement of the contact carrier 16 relative to the fixed contact means between contact closed and contact open positions, the solenoids 12 and 13 are provided each for energization to effect movement of the carrier in a separate one of its two opposite directions of movement. The solenoids 12 and 13 may be of any suitable construction and form part of a unitary electromagnetic structure which is disposed within the compartment 29 of the base 10. In the embodimentillustrated the solenoids 12 and 13 include respectively as best shown in FIGURE 4 generally U-shaped laminated magnetic frames 54 and 55 each having a pair of spaced parallel legs connected by a base and a pair of windings 56 and 57 having axially extending openings and positioned within the associated frames 54 and 55 with their axial openings axially aligned and parallel to the legs of the frames. The solenoids also include magnetic plungers 58 and 59 having respectively terminal portions 58a and 59a which extend into the openings of the associated windings 56 and 57 and enlarged heads 58b and 59b in spaced confronting relation externally of the associated windings. Side angle plates 60 and 61 are secured on opposite sides of the respective magnetic frames 54 and 55 by screw and nut assemblies 62 passing through the frames and base plates 64 and 65 are secured to the undersides of the angle plates 60 and 61 by screws 66 with the base plates 64 and '65 in turn secured to the bottom wall 37 of the base 10 by screws 67 for mounting the electromagnetic structure to the base. The windings 56 and 57 are securely retained in position by spring clips (not shown) located between the front ends of the windings and pairs of extensions 71 and 72 of the magnetic frames 54 and 55. The plungers 58 and 59 are aligned in the axial direction and are movable axially relative to the frames 54 and 55 in response to respective energization of the windings 56 and 57.

In order to rigidly connect the two solenoids and also to provide support means for the linkage 14 and the carrier 16, the invention provides bridge means extending between and connecting the magnetic frames 54 and 55 of the solenoids. The bridge means serves to distribute over a large area the impact forces resulting from operation of the contactor and is preferably in the form of pair of metallic bridges 73 and 74 extending between and connected to opposite sides of the frames 54 and 55 by screw and nut assemblies 75 passing through the frames. As best shown in FIGURE 2 the bridges 73 and 74 include respectively laterally extending projections 73a and 74a having openings through which extend externally threaded portions of spacers 76 and 77 which are internally threaded to receive screws 79 for securing a combination nameplate and cover 80 in overlying relation with electromagnetic structure. Additional cover means (not shown) are attached to the base 10 so as to overlie the compartments 28, 30 and 31. Such cover means many comprise a pair of insulating members either flat or of other shape detachably secured to the base 10 to overlie respectively the compartment 28 and the compartments 30 and 31. A pair of internally threaded pins 81 and 82 are screwed onto the threaded portions of the spacers 76 and 77 and project through openings 84 and 85 of the carrier 16 into recesses 86 and 87 formed in the bottom wall 37 of the base 10. Return spring means shown in the form of a coil spring '88 surrounding the pin 81 between a shoulder of the recess -86 and a shoulder of the carrier 16 is provided to normally bias the carrier 16 upwardly as viewed in FIGURE 2 to its contact open position. While a single spring 88 is illustrated, two such springs each surrounding a separate one of the pins 81 and 82 can be employed if desired. It is desirable however that the springs 51 and 88 be selected so that the combination serves to equalize the contact opening and closing forces and also to equalize the gaps between the fixed and movable contacts. The bridges 73 and 74 also serve to support a fixed pivot pin 90 which extends between the bridges for supporting part of the linkage 14 which will now be described.

In order to translate axial movement of the solenoid plungers 58 and 59 into translatory movement of the carrier 16 in directions perpendicular to the direction of axial alignment of the plungers 58 and 59 and also to eflect a mechanical latching function, the linkage 14 is provided and includes a plurality of links which interconnect the plungers 58 and 59 and the carrier 16. As best shown in FIGURES 2, 4, 5 and 6 the linkage 14 preferably includes six links comprising a pair of identical links 92 having first ends pivotally mounted on the fixed pivot pin 90 and having second ends pivotally mounted on a movable pivot pin 93. A second pair of links 94 and 95 are pivotally connected respectively to the heads 58b and 59b of the plungers 58 and 59 by pins 97 and 98 extending through the plunger heads 58b and 59b. The other ends of the links 94 and 95 are pivotally mounted on the movable pivot pin 93 and the links 94 and 95 extend substantially parallel to the axes of the solenoid plungers when the carrier is in its contact open position. A third pair of identical links 100 have first ends pivotally connected to a pin 101 which is secured as by screws 102 to the intermediate section of the carrier 16 as best shown in FIGURE 2. The links 92 and 100 extend transversely of the axes of the plungers 58 and 59. It is noted that the links 94 and 95 are of unequal length with the link 94 shorter than the link 95 and the arrangement of the linkage 14 is such that it may be termed an overcenter linkage whereby the movable pivot pin 93 assumes a position at either side of a line connecting the fixed pivot pin 90 and the pin 101 in response to selective energization of the solenoid windings 56 and 57 and movement of the associated plunger to its full extent.

With reference to FIGURE 4, the carrier 16 is shown in its contact open position wherein the movable and fixed contact means are in spaced relation and the movable pivot pin 93 is above a line connecting the pins 90 and 101 resulting from energization of the solenoid winding 56. Also, as shown in FIGURE 5, the carrier 16 is in its contact closed position wherein the movable contacts engage the fixed contacts and the movable pivot pin 93 is below a line connecting the pins 90 and 101 resulting from energization of the solenoid winding 57. When the carrier 16 is in its contact closed position as shown in FIGURE 5, the links 92 and 100 are respectively displaced in clockwise and counterclockwise directions from their positions shown in FIGURE 4 and the spring 88 is compressed to exert ,a force on the carrier acting toward the left as viewed in FIGURE 5. A component of this force acts through the links 100 to maintain the movable pivot pin 93 in its illustrated overcenter position to prevent movement of the carrier 16 toward the left to its contact open position after the solenoid winding 57 is deenergized. It is thus necessary that a positive force be applied to the pivot pin 93 by energization of winding 56 in order to move the pin 93 upwardly overcenter for displacing the carrier 16 to its contact open position shown in FIGURE 4. Also, when the carrier 16 is in its contact open position as shown in FIGURE 4, it is necessary that a positive force be applied to the movable pivot pin 93 in a downward direction as viewed in FIGURE 4 by energization of winding 57 in order to displace the carrier 16 towards the right against the bias of the spring 88. Therefore, the linkage 14 and the carrier 16 will remain in their positions shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 subsequent to deenergization of the solenoid windings 56 and 57 respectively. It is thus seen that the linkage 14 not only latches the carrier 16 in either its contact open or contact closed position but also translates axial movement of the plungers 58 and 59 into translatory movement of the carrier 16 in directions perpendicular to the direction of axial alignment of the solenoid plungers to contribute to the unusually compact construction of the contactor.

In order to permit manual operation of the carrier 16 and also to provide an indication of the position of the carrier 16, a slide member 115 shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 4 overlies the electromagnetic structure for manual movement and also for movement in response to movement of the movable pivot pin 93. The slide member 115 includes upper end sections 116 which rest upon the upper edges of the bridges 73 and 74 and further includes a pair of spaced central depending wings 117 having notches 119 (FIGURE 4) through which extends the movable pivot 93. The wings 117 also include elongated slots 121 through which extend the fixed pivot to permit movement of the slide member relative to the fixed pivot 90. The upper part of the slide member includes an opening 123 (FIGURE 1) into which a tool such as a screwdriver may be inserted to effect sliding movement of the slide member 115 so as to move the movable pivot 93 and effect movement of the carrier 16 between its contact open and contact closed positions. Also, the arrangement is such that movement of the movable pivot 93 resulting from energization of the windings 56 and 57 eifects movement of the slide member 115 to provide an indication of the position of the carrier 16. The cover 80 includes a slot (not shown) aligned with the opening 123 of the slide member to permit insertion of the screwdriver.

In order to effect deenergization of the solenoid windings 56 and 57 in response to movement of the magnetic plungers 58 and 59 to their full extent resulting from energization from the associated windings, there is provided a pair of cutout switches 125 and 126 which as viewed in FIGURE 1 are conveniently mounted at the right hand side of the magnetic frames 54 and 55 by the screw and nut assemblies 62 and 75. The switches 125 and 126 are connected in circuit with the associated windings 56 and 57 and is shown in FIGURE 7 with reference to the switch 126, each switch includes a movable bridging contact carrier 127 carrying a pair of contact tips which cooperate with fixed contact tips on terminals 128 and 129. The carrier 127 is urged toward the terminals 128 and 129 by a bias spring 130. As shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, the switch 125 associated with the solenoid winding 56 is in its open position to which it has been actuated in response to energization of the winding 56 to deenergize the winding 56; At the same time the switch 126 associated with the winding 57 is in its closed position to permit subsequent energization of the winding 57 for moving the carrier 16 to its contact closed position. In order to actuate the cutout switches the pins 97 and 98 which extend through the heads 58b and 59b of the plungers have affixed thereto at their outer ends enlarged cylindrical members 131 and 132 positioned to engage and displace the movable contact carriers 127 to open each cutout switch when the associated plunger is drawn inwardly to its full extent in response to energization of the associated solenoid winding.

The circuit connections for the cutout switches and the solenoid windings are illustrated in FIGURE 8. As there shown, three terminals are provided designated respectively a line terminal L, a closing terminal C and an opening terminal 0 which as shown in FIGURE 1 are disposed at the left hand side of the base 10 within spaced recesses 134 formed in the side wall 20. The line terminal L is connected to one fixed terminal of the cutout switch 125 through a wire 135, and the other fixed terminal of the cutout switch 125 is connected to one side of the winding 56 the other side of which is connected to the opening terminal 0 through a wire 137. The closing terminal C is connected through a wire 138 to one side of the winding 57 the other side of which is connected to the fixed terminal 129 of the cutout switch 126. The other fixed terminal 128 of the cutout switch 126 is connected through a wire 139 to the line terminal L.

The present invention also provides a pair of auxiliary switches 141 and 142 which are actuatable in response to operation of the contactor and which may be employed by the customer for connection to suitable external circuits. As viewed in FIGURE 1, the switches 141 and 142 are disposed at the left hand side of the electromagnetic structure opposite to the side thereof containing the cutout switches and are supported by the frames 54 and 55 by screw and nut assemblies 143 and also by the screw and nut assemblies 62. As shown in FIGURE 7 with reference to the auxiliary switch 142, each auxiliary switch is virtually identical to the cutout switches in that ach auxiliary switch includes a movable contact carrier 145 carrying a pair of contact tips which cooperate with a pair of fixed contact tips mounted on spaced fixed terminals 146 and 147. A bias spring 148 urges the contact carrier toward the fixed terminals and in the illustrated embodiment the switches 141 and 142 are respectively closed and open when the carrier 16 is in its contact open position. In order to actuate the auxiliary switches 141 and 142 a pair of levers 150 and 151 are provided having first ends attached to the pins 97 and 98 which extend through the heads 58b and 59b of the solenoid plungers, and having second ends attached as by screws 152 to enlarged cylindrical members 153 and 154 positioned to engage and displace the movable carriers of the auxiliary switches. The cylindrical members 153 and 154 are spaced from the adjacent ends of the levers 150 and 151 by insulating spacers 156 and 157. The fixed terminals of the auxiliary switches may be connected by a customer to any desired external circuits. Operation of the contactor will now be described.

The contractor is normally in an open contact condition wherein the carrier 16 is urged toward the left as viewed in FIGURE 4 by action of the bias spring 88 so that the fixed and movable contact means 17 and 18 are spaced from each other. The solenoid winding 56 whose energization resulted in positioning of the parts as shown in FIGURE 4 is deenergized inasmuch as its associated cutout switch 125 has been open in response to upward displacement of the plunger 58. The carrier 16 is latched in its contact open position by the overcenter disposition of the linkage 14 as previously described and the cutout switch 126 is closed to permit energization of the solenoid winding 57. Also, the auxiliary switches 141 and 142 are respectively in closed and open positions.

In order to actuate the carrier 16 to its contact closed position to effect engagement of the fixed and movable contact means 17 and 18, a suitable control voltage is applied between the line terminal L and the closing terminal C which results in current flow through the closed cutout switch 126 and the solenoid winding 57 for energizing such winding. When winding 57 is energized, its associated plunger '59 is moved downwardly which moves the link 95, the'movable pivot 93, the link 94 and the plunger 58 downwardly as viewed in FIGURE 4. At the same time the links 92 pivot in a clockwise direction and the links 100 pivot in a counterclockwise direction which displaces the movable pin 93 and the links 100 slightly toward the right to effect displacement of the carrier 16 toward the right to its contact closed position as shown in FIGURE 5. Downward movement of the plungers 58 and 59 causes corresponding movement of the switch actuating members 131, 132, 153 and 154 to effect closure of cutout switch 125 and opening of the cutout switch 126 and also opening and closure of the auxiliary switches 141 and 142 respectively. Opening of the cutout switch 126 deenergizes the solenoid winding 57. However, the carrier 16 is latched in its contact closed position shown in FIGURE by the overcenter linkage 14 as previously described. When it is desired to subsequentially energize the winding 56 to open the fixed and movable contact means 17 and 18, a suitable control voltage is applied between the line terminal L and the opening terminal 0 which causes current flow through the now closed cutout switch 125 and the winding 56. This results in movement of the plunger 58 upwardly as viewed in FIGURE 5 whcih displaces the linkage 14, the plunger 59 and the carrier 16 from their contact closed positions shown in FIGURE 5 to their contact open positions shown in FIGURE 4. At the same time, the cutout switch is opened and the cutout switch 126 is closed which conditions the contactor for a contact closing operation.

If desired, a fuse (not shown) may be readily added to protect the solenoid windings against overcurrent conditions. To this end, the line terminal L is replaced by a fuse clip and an additional fuse clip 161 is attached to the base 10 as shown in FIGURE 1A. A terminal 162 is secured to the fuse clip 161 to serve as the line terminal for application of control voltage.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments thereof, numerous modifications are possible and it is desired to cover all modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An electromagnetic contactor comprising in combination;

a housing,

an electromagnetic actuating structure including first and second spaced electromagnetic devices supported by said housing, each of said devices including a winding and a magnetic member movable axially in response to energization of said winding, said magnetic members being substantially aligned in the axial direction,

fixed contact means supported by said housing, movable contact means for cooperation with said fixed contact means,

a movable contact carrier supporting said movable contact means, means guiding said carrier for reciprocating translatory movement relative to said fixed contact means along 'a second axis generally perpendicular to said axial direction between contact closed and contact open positions, and an overcenter linkage interconnecting said magnetic members and said carrier for moving said carrier to either of said positions in response to movement of a selected magnetic member to its full extent resulting from energization of the associated winding,

said linkage including a plurality of links each having first and second ends, a movable pivot pin pivotally supporting the first end of each link, the second ends of two links being pivotally connected respectively to said magnetic members, the second end of a third link being pivotally connected to said carrier, and a fixed pivot pin pivotally supporting the second end of a fourth link, said two links extending substantially parallel to said axial direction when said carrier is in its contact open position, said third and fourth links extending transversely of said axial direction.

2. A contactor as defined in claim 1 wherein said fixed contact means comprise a plurality of fixed contacts spaced in a direction generally perpendicular to said axial direction and on opposite sides of said electromagnetic structure, said carrier underlying a portion of said electromagnetic structure and extending generally perpendicular to said axial direction and parallel to the direction of spacing of said fixed contacts.

3. A contactor as defined in claim 1 in combination with a slide member overlying said electromagnetic structure, said slide member having an elongated slot through which extends said fixed pivot pin, and having a notch through which extends said movable pivot pin.

4. A contactor as defined in claim 1 in combination with a pair of cutout switches each connected in circuit with a separate one of said windings, and means operable to actuate the respective cutout switches to deenergize the associated winding in response to movement'of the associated magnetic member to its full extent resulting from energization of the associated winding.

5. A contractor as defined in claim 1 in combination with a pair of auxiliary switches, and means including a pair of levers each carried by a separate one of said magnetic members movable to operate a separate auxiliary switch in response to movement of its associated magnetic member to its full extent.

6. A contactor as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second electromagnetic devices comprise solenoids each including a magnetic frame, said windings having axially extending openings and positioned within their associated frames with their axial openings substantially aligned, said magnetic members comprising elongated plungers extending into the openings of the associated windings, and bridge means extending between and connecting said frames.

7. An electromagnetic contactor comprising in combination',

a housing,

an electromagnetic actuating structure including first and second spaced solenoids supported by said housing, each solenoid including a winding and a magnetic plunger movable axially in response to energization of said winding, said plungers being substantially aligned in the axial direction,

a plurality of fixed contacts spaced in a direction generally perpendicular to said axial direction and at opposite sides of said electromagnetic structure,

a plurality of movable contacts for cooperation with said fixed contacts,

a movable contact carrier supporting said movable contacts, said carrier underlying a portion of said electromagnetic structure and extending generally perpendicular to said axial direction and parallel to the direction of spacing of said fixed contacts,

means guiding said carrier for reciprocating translatory movement towards and away from said fixed contacts along a second axis generally perpendicular to said axial direction and to the direction of spacing of said fixed contacts between contact closed and contact open positions,

an overcenter linkage including a plurality of pivotally interconnected links pivotally connected to said plungers and said carrier for moving said carrier to either of said positions in response to movement of a selected plunger to its full extent resulting from energization of the associated winding,

a pair of cutout switches each connected in circuit with a separate one of said windings, and

means operable to actuate the respective cutout switches to deenergize the associated winding in response to movement of the associated plunger to its full extent resulting from energization of the associated winding, said linkage assuming an overcenter position when said carrier is in either of its contact open or contact closed positions to maintain said carrier in either of said positions subsequent to deenergization of the winding whose energization resulted in movement of said carrier to such position.

8. A contactor as defined in claim 7 wherein said linkage includes a plurality of links each having first and second ends, a movable pivot pin pivotally supporting the first end of each link, the second ends of twolinks being pivotally connected respectively to said magnetic members, the second end of a third link being pivotally connected to said carrier, and a fixed pivot pin pivotally supporting the second end of a fourth link, said two links extending substantially parallel to said axial direction, said third and fourth links extending transversely of said axial direction.

9. A contactor as defined in claim-8 in combination with a slide member overlying said electromagnetic structure, said slide member having an elongated slot through which extends said fixed pivot pin, and having a notch through which extends said movable pivot pin.

10. A contactor as defined in claim 7 in combination with a pair of auxiliary switches, and means includinga pair of levers each carried by a separate one of said plungers movable to operate a separate auxiliary switch in response to movement of its associated plunger to its full extent, said auxiliary switches being carried by said electromagnetic structure at a first side thereof, said cutout switches being carried by said electromagnetic structure at a second side thereof opposite said first side.

11. A contactor as defined in claim 7 wherein each of said solenoids includes a magnetic frame, said windings having axially extending openings and positionedwithin their associated frames with their axial openings substantially aligned, said plungers extending into the openings of the associated windings, and bridge means extending between and connecting said frames.

12. A contactor as defined in claim 7 wherein said means guiding said carrier includes a pair of spaced parallel posts carried by said electromagnetic structure, said carrier having a pair of spaced parallel openings each receiving a separate one of said posts, and a coil return spring underlying said carrier in alignment with one of said openings.

13. A contactor as define in claim 7 in combination with three spaced terminals positioned at a side of said housing, a first terminal being connected to one side of each of said cutout switches, a second terminal being connected to one side of one of said windings, and a third terminal being connected to one side of the other of said windings, the other sides of said windings being connected respectively to the other sides of said cutout switches.

14. electromagnetic contactor comprising in combination:

a housing including a base having a plurality of spaced compartments in side-by-side relation comprising a first compartment and a plurality of second compartments on opposite sides of said first compartment,

an electromagnetic structure positioned within said first compartment, said structure including first and second spaced solenoids each comprising a winding, and a magnetic plunger movable axially in response to energization of said windings, said plungers being substantially aligned in the axial direction generally perpendicular to the direction of spacing of said compartments,

bridge means extending between and connecting said solenoids,

a plurality of fixed contact means each positioned within a separate one of said second compartments, said fixed contact means being spaced in a direction generally perpendicular to said axial direction,

a plurality of movable contact means for cooperation with said fixed contact means,

a movable contact carrier supporting said movable contact means, said carrier underlying a portion of said electromagnetic structure and extending across said first and second compartments generally perpendicular to said axial direction,

means guiding said carrier for reciprocating translator movement towards and away from said fixed contact means along a second axis generally perpendicular to said axial direction and to the direction of spacing of said fixed contact means,

an overcenter linkage supported in part by said bridge means, said linkage including a plurality of pivotally interconnected links pivotally connected to said plungers and said carrier for moving said carrier to one of its positions in response to movement of one of said plungers to its full extent resulting from energization of its associated winding, and to the other of its positions in response to movement of the other of said plungers to its full extent resulting from energization of its associated winding,

a pair of cutout switches carried by said electromagnetic structure each connected in circuit with a separate one of said windings, and

means operable to actuate the respective cutout switches to deenergize the associated winding in response to movement of the associated plunger to its full extent resulting from energization of the associated winding,

said linkage assuming an overcenter position when said carrier is in either of its contact open or contact closed positions to maintain said carrier in either of said positions subsequent to deenergization of the winding whose energization resulted in movement of said carrier to such position.

15. A contactor as defined in claim 14 wherein each of said solenoids includes a magnetic frame associated with said winding, said bridge means extending between and connecting said magnetic frames, said linkage comprising six links each having first and second ends, a movable pivot pin pivotally supporting the first end of each link, the. second ends of a first pair of links being pivotally-connected respectively to said plungers, the second ends of a second pair of links being pivotally connected to said carrier, and a second pivot pin carried by said bridge means pivotally supporting the second ends of a third pair of links.

16. A contactor as defined in claim 15 in combination with a slide member overlying said electromagnetic struc-' ture, said slide member having an elongated slot through which extends said second pivot pin, and having a notch through which extends said movable pivot pin.

17. A contactor as defined in claim 14 wherein said means guiding said carrier includes a pair of spaced parallel posts carried by said bridge means, said carrier having a pair of spaced parallel openings each receiving a separate one of said posts, and a coil return spring between said carrier and the bottom of said base in alignment with one of said openings.

18. A contractor as defined in claim 14 in combination with a pair of auxiliary switches carried by said electromagnetic structure on a first side thereof, and means ineluding a pair of levers each carried by a separate one of said plungers movable to'operate a separate auxiliary switch in response to movement of its associated plunger to its full extent, said cutout switches being caried by said electromagnetic structure at a second side thereof opposite said first side.

19. A contactor as defined in claim 14- wherein said carrier has a pair of enlarged hollow end sections and a restricted intermediate section connecting said end sections, each of said movable contact means comprising a spring biased bridging contact within one of said end sections, the intermediate section of said carrier underlying an intermediate portion of said electromagnetic structure and being pivotally connected to said linkage, said base having upstanding walls defining said compartments, said walls having slots defining a transverse passage receiving said carrier.

20. A contactor as defined in claim 14 wherein said base includes an outer ledge adjacent an outer side of one of said second compartments, three spaced terminals on said ledge, a first terminal being connected to one side of each of said cutout switches, a second terminal being connected to one side of one of said windings, and a third terminal being connected to one side of the other of said windings, the other sides of said windings being connected respectively to the other sides of said cutout switches.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS GEORGE HARRIS, Primary Examiner H. BROOME, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 335-191

Images