US3593230A - Load independent thermo-magnetic flasher - Google Patents

Load independent thermo-magnetic flasher Download PDF

Info

Publication number: US3593230A
Authority: US; United States
Prior art keywords: armature; current path; load current; operative; coil
Prior art date: 1969-10-27
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.): Expired - Lifetime

Application number

US869551A

Other languages

English (en)

Inventor

Hemming G Siiberg

Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

Cooper Industries LLC

Original Assignee

Wagner Electric Corp

Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)

1969-10-27

Filing date

1969-10-27

Publication date

1971-07-13

1969-10-27 Application filed by Wagner Electric Corp filed Critical Wagner Electric Corp

1971-07-13 Application granted granted Critical

1971-07-13 Publication of US3593230A publication Critical patent/US3593230A/en

1980-12-31 Assigned to STUDEBAKER-WORTHINGTON, INC. reassignment STUDEBAKER-WORTHINGTON, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: WAGNER ELECTRIC CORPORATION

1981-01-06 Assigned to EDISON INTERNATONAL, INC. reassignment EDISON INTERNATONAL, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: STUDEBAKER-WORTHINGTON, INC., A CORP. OF DE

1985-11-08 Assigned to COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC., 1001 FANNIN, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002, A CORP. OF reassignment COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC., 1001 FANNIN, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002, A CORP. OF ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: EDISON INTERNATIONAL, INC., A CORP. OF DE.

1988-07-13 Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Status Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H61/00—Electrothermal relays
- H01H61/06—Self-interrupters, i.e. with periodic or other repetitive opening and closing of contacts
- H01H61/066—Self-interrupters, i.e. with periodic or other repetitive opening and closing of contacts making use of an extensible wire, rod or strips

Definitions

the contact pair close in tecond-fint-third order. and during cooling of the pull wire, the contact pair: open in firat-second-third order.
the second and third contact pain control a load current path paralleling the path controlled by the first contact pair.
the path through the first contact pair closes first to energize the load, and the path through the second and third contact pairs closes second.
the path through the tint contact pair opens firat, but the load is still energized by the path through the second and third contact pain, which opens aecond.
the present invention relates to a flasher unit employing thermally and magnetically generated forces in its operation. More specifically, a pull wire is employed to control a main armature and an auxiliary armature attached thereto, while an electromagnet is employed to control a third armature.
the flasher unit embodying the present invention has numerous advantages. This unit can replace both shunt and series-type flashers, is capable of directional and emergency signalling, and can provide a positive pilot indication over a wide range ofloads.
the ON time is almost exclusively a function of the cooling rate of the pull wire, and the speed (rate) adjustment is independent of the ratio adjustment. Also, contact breaking speed is sufficiently high to enable the use of relatively low-cost contact material.
FIG. l is a diagram of the preferred embodiment of the flasher unit showing the electrical and mechanical features thereof, and the manner in which the flasher unit is connected to external circuitry.
the flasher unit comprises a main armature 12 which is attached to a rigid support member 14 by a leaf spring 16.
Main armature 12 has an extension 18 to which one end of pull wire 20 is mechanically and electrically connected.
the other end of pull wire 20 is secured by an insulating glass bead 22 set in a mechanical support 24.
the pull wire 20 is connected in series with a ballast resistor 26, one terminal of which is connected to fixed contact 28, which is in a cooperative make-and-break relationship with movable contact 30 mounted on main armature 12.
Pull wire 20 maintains contacts 28 and 30 normally open against the bias of leaf spring 16.
auxiliary armature 32 Mechanically and electrically connected to main armature 12 is a flexible auxiliary armature 32 which is slaved to the motion of main armature l2 and serves to control the making and breaking of fixed contact 34 and movable contact 36 mounted on the auxiliary armature 32.
An essential feature of the present invention is that the gap between the normally open contacts 28 and 30 must be greater than the gap between the normally open contacts 34 and 36, so that the latter pair of contacts willclose first upon heating of the pull wire 20.
a third armature 38 is mounted to fixed support 40 by means of a leaf spring 42, which biases the armature 38 so that the fixed and movable contacts, 44 and 46 respectively, are normally open. Contacts 44 and 46 close when there is a sufficiently strong magnetic force exerted on armature 38 by coil 48 and magnetic core 50, which, like core 52, is U-shaped. Cores 50 and 52 may also be integrally formed in the shape of an l" laid on its side (as it would appear in the drawing). Coil 48 and magnetic core 52 serve to exert an attracting electromagnetic force on main armature l2 and auxiliary armature 32 during a portion of the operating cycle of the flasher unit.
Fixed contact 44 is connected to fixed contact 34, and movable contact 46 is connected through armature 38 to fixed contact 28.
the coil 48 is connected between fixed contact 28 and the load terminal 54.
Battery terminal 56 is connected through mechanical mount 14, leafspring l6, and main armature l2 to movable contact 30; through the mount 14, spring 16 and the auxiliary armature 32 to movable contact 36; and through the mount 14, spring l6, main armature 12, pull wire 20, and ballast resistor 26 to fixed contact 28.
the external circuitry to which the flasher unit is connected consists of battery 8, which is connected to battery ter' minal 56, and load L which is connectable through switch S to load terminal 54.
the operation ofthe flasher unit is as follows:
switch S When switch S is closed, a small current will flow from battery B through battery contact 56, spring 16, main armature 12, its extension 18, pull wire 20, ballast resistor 26, coil 48 and load terminal 54 through switch S and load L. Where load L is a lamp load. this current is sufficiently small to prevent the lamps from becoming incandescent. As this current passes through pull wire 20, thereby causing same to heat and expand, main armature 12 and auxiliary annature 32 begin to move downward. As this motion progresses, contacts 34 and 36 close first. However, this event has no immediate effect, since contacts 44 and 46 are still open, thus holding open the portion of the circuit from contact 34 to ground. After contacts 34 and 36 have closed, main armature l2 continues to travel downward until contacts 28 and 30 close, thus energizing the load L.
Heating current is now shunted from pull wire 20, which begins to cool.
pull wire 20 contracts, it exerts sufficient force on the main armature 12 to overcome the magnetic attraction of the field generated in core 52, thus causing contacts 28 and 30 to break, but load current continues to flow through auxiliary armature 32, contacts 34 and 36, contacts 44 and 46, armature 38 and coil 48. Since the magnetic field ofcoil 48 is thus maintained, there is no inductively generated voltage to cause arcing across contacts 28 and 30 when they open.
the main armature l2 moves upward, it engages auxiliary armature 32 and thereby causes contacts 34 and 36 to open.
the breaking speed of contacts 34 and 36 is relatively high due to the camming action of main armature 12 on auxiliary armature 32.
the field in core 52 collapses as a result of the cessation of flow of load current through coil 48, thus eliminating the magnetic forces exerted on armatures l2 and 32 and further enhancing the breaking speed of contacts 34 and 36.
contacts 44 and 46 also open as a result of the collapse of the magnetic field which serves to attract armature 38 to core 50. Heating current again begins to flow through pull wire 20 as described earlier, and the foregoing cycle will continue to repeat itself as long as switch S is closed.
thermomagnetic flasher unit comprising:
first circuit-controlling means operative to close and open a first load current path
second circuit-controlling means operative in cooperation with said first circuit control means to close and open a second load current path which is partially in parallel and partially coincident with said first load current path between said first and second terminals, said first and second circuit-controlling means being jointly operative, when a source of direct-current power and a load are connected in series between said first and second terminals, sequentially to close said first load current path, to close said second load current path, to open said first load current path, and to open said second load current path during each flashing cycle.
thermomagnetic flasher unit according to claim 1 wherein:
said first circuit-controlling means comprises a. a main armature having a first movable contact mounted thereon in cooperative make-and-break relationship with a first fixed contact;
electromagnetic means operative when energized to exert an attractive magnetic force upon said armature.
thermomagnetic flasher unit according to claim 2 wherein a ballast resistor is connected between said pull wire and said first fixed contact.
thermomagnetic flasher unit according to claim 2 wherein said mounting means includes a leaf spring operative to bias said first contacts toward a closed position.
thermomagnetic flasher unit according to claim 2 wherein:
said second circuit-controlling means comprises a. a flexible auxiliary armature attached to said main armature and having a second moveable contact mounted thereon in cooperative make-andbreak relationship with a second fixed contact, the gap between said first contacts being greater than the gap between said second contacts; and
relay means including a coil in common with said electromagnetic means and operative when energized to close a current path between said second fixed contact and said first terminal.
thermomagnetic flasher unit wherein said coil is connected between said first fixed contact and said first terminal, and disposed about at least one magnetizable core member.
thermomagnctic flasher unit wherein said coil is disposed about first and second U-shaped magnetizable cores, said first core being operatively associated with said main and auxiliary armatures and said second core being an element ofsaid relay means.
thermomagnetic flasher unit wherein said relay means further comprises an armature having a third movable contact mounted thereon in cooperative make-and-break relationship with a third fixed contact. said relay means being operative when energized to close a path between said second fixed contact through said coil to said first terminal.
thermomagnetic flasher unit comprising:
mounting means for said main armature connected to a first terminal of said flasher unit and operative to urge said first contacts to a closed position
ballast resistor connected between said pull wire and said first fixed contact
auxiliary armature connected to said main armature, a movable contact mounted thereon and a fixed contact in cooperative make-and-break relationship with said movable contact, said auxiliary armature contacts being set with a smaller gap than said main armature contacts;
an electromagnetic relay including a coil, first and second magnetizable cores, an armature controlled by the magnetic forces exerted by said second core in response to current through said coil, a movable contact mounted on said armature, and a fixed contact in cooperative makeand-brealt relationship with said movable contact, one terminal of said coil being directly connected to said first fixed contact, said relay being operative to make and break a current path between said one terminal of said coil and said second fixed contact, the other terminal of said coil being connected to a second terminal of said flasher unit, and said second core being operative in response to the current flowing through said coil to exert magnetic forces upon said main and auxiliary armatures.

Landscapes

Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
Relay Circuits (AREA)
Breakers (AREA)
Thermally Actuated Switches (AREA)

US869551A 1969-10-27 1969-10-27 Load independent thermo-magnetic flasher Expired - Lifetime US3593230A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number	Priority Date	Filing Date	Title
US86955169A	1969-10-27	1969-10-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number	Publication Date
US3593230A true US3593230A (en)	1971-07-13

Family

ID=25353776

Family Applications (1)

Application Number	Title	Priority Date	Filing Date
US869551A Expired - Lifetime US3593230A (en)	1969-10-27	1969-10-27	Load independent thermo-magnetic flasher

Country Status (6)

Country	Link
US (1)	US3593230A (ja)
JP (1)	JPS5514497B1 (ja)
CA (1)	CA921142A (ja)
DE (1)	DE2047114B2 (ja)
FR (1)	FR2066504A5 (ja)
GB (1)	GB1282189A (ja)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
JPH01168167U (ja) *	1988-05-13	1989-11-27

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
US2103276A (en) *	1936-03-03	1937-12-28	Schmidinger Joseph	Flasher device
US2503303A (en) *	1945-06-26	1950-04-11	Tung Sol Lamp Works Inc	Electric flasher
US2673937A (en) *	1952-01-09	1954-03-30	Jesse R Hollins	Flasher device
US2674730A (en) *	1951-12-15	1954-04-06	Klebanoff	Intermittent switching means with pilot light
FR1445681A (fr) *	1965-06-02	1966-07-15	Klaxon Sa	Dispositif de commande de feux clignotants pour véhicules automobiles
US3400346A (en) *	1965-04-29	1968-09-03	Lucas Industries Ltd	Flasher unit for operating indicator lamps on a road vehicle

1969
- 1969-10-27 US US869551A patent/US3593230A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
1970
- 1970-09-15 CA CA093175A patent/CA921142A/en not_active Expired
- 1970-09-16 GB GB44189/70A patent/GB1282189A/en not_active Expired
- 1970-09-24 DE DE19702047114 patent/DE2047114B2/de active Pending
- 1970-10-15 JP JP9009770A patent/JPS5514497B1/ja active Pending
- 1970-10-23 FR FR7038453A patent/FR2066504A5/fr not_active Expired

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
US2103276A (en) *	1936-03-03	1937-12-28	Schmidinger Joseph	Flasher device
US2503303A (en) *	1945-06-26	1950-04-11	Tung Sol Lamp Works Inc	Electric flasher
US2674730A (en) *	1951-12-15	1954-04-06	Klebanoff	Intermittent switching means with pilot light
US2673937A (en) *	1952-01-09	1954-03-30	Jesse R Hollins	Flasher device
US3400346A (en) *	1965-04-29	1968-09-03	Lucas Industries Ltd	Flasher unit for operating indicator lamps on a road vehicle
FR1445681A (fr) *	1965-06-02	1966-07-15	Klaxon Sa	Dispositif de commande de feux clignotants pour véhicules automobiles

Also Published As

Publication number	Publication date
CA921142A (en)	1973-02-13
GB1282189A (en)	1972-07-19
JPS5514497B1 (ja)	1980-04-16
FR2066504A5 (ja)	1971-08-06
DE2047114B2 (de)	1972-02-17
DE2047114A1 (de)	1971-05-13

Legal Events

Date

Code

Title

Description

1980-12-31

AS

Assignment

Owner name: STUDEBAKER-WORTHINGTON, INC., ILLINOIS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WAGNER ELECTRIC CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:003984/0757

Effective date: 19801229

1985-11-08

AS