US3710043A

US3710043A - Cam operated periodic switch with deflectable kinetic energy storage cam operator and attached microswitch ramp

Info

Publication number: US3710043A
Application number: US00164385A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Linn; E Voland
Original assignee: PR Mallory and Co Inc
Current assignee: Duracell Inc USA; Emerson Electric Co
Priority date: 1971-07-20
Filing date: 1971-07-20
Publication date: 1973-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-09

Abstract

Electrical contacts carried by cooperating switch blades intermittently engaged one another in response to intermittent release of energy generated by rotating resilient means, the resilient means being rotated at a constant speed.

Description

United States Patent [191 Linn 'et al. 5

3,710,043 Jan. 9, 1973 CAM OPERATED PERIODIC SWITCH WITH DEFLECTABLE KINETIC ENERGY STORAGE CAM OPERATOR AND ATTACHED MICROSWITCH RAMP Inventors: Wallace L. Linn; Elmo W. Voland, both of Indianapolis, lnd.

P..R. Mallory & Co., Inc., lndianapolis, lnd.

Filed: July 20, 1971 Appl. No.: 164,385

Assignee:

US. Cl. ..200/31 R, 200/38 BA, 200/153 T Int. Cl. ..H01h 19/62, HOlh 5/14 Field of Search ..200/30, 38 B, 38 BA, 38 C, 200/38 CA, 153 T, 31 R; 335/205; 74/567,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,990,459 6/1961 Stanbro et al. ..200/30 X 3,267,767 8/1966 Neal ..200/153 L 2,553,846 5/1951 Clemens... ..74/567 X 2,769,046

10/1956 Russell ..200/30 X Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott Att0rney-Richard H. Childress et al.

[57] ABSTRACT Electrical contacts carried by cooperating switch blades intermittently engaged one another in response to intermittent release of energy generated by rotating resilient means, the resilient means being rotated at a constant speed.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJM 9 I975 w 2 3/4 3f 36 38 44 I 3e 40 40 e2 i 3 4 7 i1 L O 62 46 M. 0

54 Fll'diffi 2 INVENTORS WALLACE L. LINN ELMO W. VOLAND ATTORNEY CAM OPERATED PERIODIC SWITCH WlTI-I DEFLECTABLE KINETIC ENERGY STORAGE CAM OPERATOR AND ATTACHED MICROSWITCH RAMP This invention relates to switching mechanisms; and more particularly to a switching mechanism which isintermittently responsive to a means rotating at a constant speed.

Timing mechanisms are generally used in the appliance industry to operate appliances in accordance with a programmed sequence. For example, timers are used to operate washers and dryers to wash, rinse and dry clothes in accordance with a programmed sequence. Some appliances use two such timers. For example, a washer and dryer may have a timer having predetermined programmed cycles and a pulser timer to provide a repeat of a particular cycling function without taking up needed space on the main timer cams. In such situations the timer is usually a pair of snap acting switches which need to be very accurately and quickly opened and closed. And, as in the case of timer in generaly, the more simple the switch and its actuating mechanism, the lower the cost of the timer.

The present invention is concerned with a switching mechanism and has as one of its objects the provision of a switching mechanism and an actuator means therefor, the combination of which is simple, easy to produce and therefore relatively low in cost.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a switching mechanism which is intermittently, but very quickly, actuated in response to a means rotating at a constant speed. I

Yet another object of the invention is the provision ofa switch mechanism which is actuated in response to the intermittent release of energy generated by a resilient means rotating at a constant speed.

A further object of the invention is the provision ofa switch mechanism which is actuated in response to a flipping of a resilient means which is rotating at a con-' stant speed.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision ofa switch mechanism which is actuated in accordance with a flipping ofa resilient means which is rotating at a constant speed and wherein there are means pre-loading the resilient means to store energy therein.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a switch mechanism which is actuated in response to an intermittent flipping of a finger which rides over a ramp to store energy therein.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a switch mechanism which includes a switch actuator which is actuated in response to an intermittent flipping of a rotating resilient means which rides over a ramp wherein the holding time interval of the switch is dependent upon the size or diameter of the switch actuator.

A further object of the invention is the provision ofa timing mechanism having first and second timing means, the second timing means includinga pair of switch blades having electrical contacts adapted to engage one another in response to intermittent release of energy generated by a resilient means rotating at constant speed.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a timing mechanism employing the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and; 7 FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 showing a different period of operation of the invention.

Generally speaking, the objects of the invention are accomplished by providing in combination a switch including a pair of electrical contacts adapted to engage one another and a resilient means rotating at a constant.

speed, the electrical contacts intermittently engaging one another in response to intermittent release of energy generated by the rotating resilient means.

Referring now to the. drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a timing mechanism 10 utilizing the concept of the invention. A base plate 12 which is generally L-shaped carries first and second timing means 14 and 16. Timing mechanism 14 includes a constant speed drive means 18 such as a synchronous motor, a speed reduction means 20, the output of which is coupled to a cam carrying shaft 22 which would carry a plurality of cams used to actuate a plurality of switches in a manner well known in the art. Such cams and switches would be carried in housing 17 with the switches being connected to electrical terminals 15.

A second timing means 16 includes a constant speed drive means 24 such as a synchronous motor coupled to a speed reducing means 26 which in turn is coupled to an output shaft 28. Rotation of output shaft 28 will sequentially operate a switch means 30 in a manner hereinafter to be described. The second switch means could be used as an interrupter switch to interrupt the program of the first switching means 14. Under such situation, the operation of the switch means 30 and its cycle of operation must be very accurately controlled. In the present invention, this is accomplished by the cooperating elements of the switch means 30 and the means 32 coupling the output shaft 28 to the switch means 30.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, switch means 30 is carried by a mounting plate 34 and includes a housing 36, whichcarries a pair of

switch blades

38 and 40, and switch actuator 42. Electrical terminals 38' and 40' are electrically connected to the switch blades to provide an electrical out-let for the switch. Each of the blades carries an

electrical contact

44 and 46 which are adapted to engage one another upon actuation of blade 40. Switch actuator 42 includes a plunger 48 slidably carried in a recess 50 provided in the housing 36. It should be understood that although a particular switch means 30 has been illustrated, other types of switches,

such as a microswitch, could be used.

The means 32 coupling the constant speed drive means to the switch means 30 includes a resilient means 52 fixedly carried by shaft 28 so as to be rotated thereby at a constant speed by constant speed drive means 24. Resilient means 52 includes a hub portion 54 having a finger 56 extending therefrom, the finger 56 having an outer camming surface 58 of increasing radius. The finger 56 is flexible. A pre-loading means 60 is carried by the housing 36 of the switch means 30 through lug 62 engaging aperture 64 of the housing. Pre-loading means 60 includes a ramp 66 terminating at a predetermined distance from and adjacent the switch actuator means 42, the end of the ramp being substantially level with the tip of the plunger 48. i

Continued rotation of the resilient means 52 disengages the finger 66 from switch actuator means 42 to allow it to return to its original position thereby breaking the contact.

The fact that the finger 56 is deflected by ramp 66 so as to store energy therein permits the finger 56 to flip" toward the switch actuator means 52 as it leaves the ramp. Thus the action is very quick and fast which makes the timing and closing of the switch much more accurate. Moreover, the intermittent actuation of the switch actuator means 42 is achieved directly from a constantly rotating member. Thus the usual escapements or intermittent motion transmission means have been eliminated. The time interval during which the

contacts

44 and 46 are held in engagement with each other is determined by the diameter or size of the plunger 48 for a given speed of rotation of resilient means 52. Thus the timingor the program of the switch means 30 is veryeasily determined.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination:

a. a snap switch including a pair of switch blades having electrical contacts adapted to engage one another and carried in a housing;

b. switch actuator means engaging one of said blades and extending outside said housing;

0. ramp means carried by said housing and terminating adjacent at and at a level of the end of said switch actuator means extending outside said housing; and

d. resilient means rotating at a constant speed, in-

cluding a finger riding over said ramp means to store energy therein and releasing said energy when leaving said ramp means to engage said switch actuator means.

2. The combination according to claim 1 further including a constant speed motor means coupled to said energy storage means.

3. A timing mechanism comprising:

a. a base plate,

b. first and second timing means, said second timing means energized in response to said first timing means,

0. said second timing means including a pair of switch blades having electrical contacts adapted to' engage one another and carried in a housing, switch actuator means engaging one of said blades and extending outside said housing; ramp means carried by said housing and terminating adjacent and at a level at the end of said switch actuator means extending outside said housing, and

d. resilient means rotating at a constant speed, in-

4. In combination: a snap switch including a pair of switch blades each having electrical contacts adapted to engage one another in response to movement of a switch actuator means, a resilient means rotating at a constant speed, said resilient means including a hub and a finger carried by said hub, and ramp means terminating adjacent said switch actuator means,

I engagement of said finger with said ramp means storing energy therein and upon leaving said ram means, releasing said stored energy to actuate said switch actuator means.

5. In combination,

a snap switch including a pair of switch blades each having electrical contacts adapted to engage one another and, resilient means rotating at a constant speed, and stationary deflecting means, engagement of said rotating resilient means withsaid stationary deflecting means, deflecting said resilient means to store energy therein, disengagement of said resilient means from said deflecting means releasing said stored energy causing intermittent flipping of resilient means to. intermittently engage said resilient means'with one of said electrical contacts so as to engage one another.

Claims

1. In combination: a. a snap switch including a pair of switch blades having electrical contacts adapted to engage one another and carried in a housing; b. switch actuator means engaging one of said blades and extending outside said housing; c. ramp means carried by said housing and terminating adjacent at and at a level of the end of said switch actuator means extending outside said housing; and d. resilient means rotating at a constant speed, including a finger riding over said ramp means to store energy therein and releasing said energy when leaving said ramp means to engage said switch actuator means.

3. A timing mechanism comprising: a. a base plate, b. first and second timing means, said second timing means energized in response to said first timing means, c. said second timing means including a pair of switch blades having electrical contacts adapted to engage one another and carried in a housing, switch actuator means engaging one of said blades and extending outside said housing; ramp means carried by said housing and terminating adjacent and at a level at the end of said switch actuator means extending outside said housing, and d. resilient means rotating at a constant speed, including a finger riding over said ramp means to store energy therein and releasing said energy when leaving said ramp means to engage said switch actuator means.

4. In combination: a snap switch including a pair of switch blades each having electrical contacts adapted to engage one another in response to movement of a switch actuator means, a resilient means rotating at a constant speed, said resilient means including a hub and a finger carried by said hub, and ramp means terminating adjacent said switch actuator means, engagement of said finger with said ramp means storing energy therein and upon leaving said ram means, releasing said stored energy to actuate said switch actuator means.

5. In combination, a snap switch including a pair of switch blades each having electrical contacts adapted to engage one another and, resilient means rotating at a constant speed, and stationary deflecting means, engagement of said rotating resilient means with said stationary deflecting means, deflecting said resilient means to store energy therein, disengagement of said resilient means from said deflecting means releasing said stored energy causing intermittent flipping of resilient means to intermittently engage said resilient means with one of said electrical contacts so as to engage one another.