Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6373009
-
Patent Number
6,373,009
-
Date Filed
Monday, February 14, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 16, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Bradley; P. Austin
- Nguyen; Nhung
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 200 468
- 200 401
- 200 430
- 200 446
- 200 329
- 200 334
- 200 335
- 200 336
- 200 337
- 200 338
- 200 440
- 200 442
- 200 DIG 42
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A safety switch with a spring toggle linkage which causes the switch shaft to rapidly rotate for opening and closing the switch has a lost motion coupling between the switch handle and the switch shaft which engages at about the point of toggling to assure positive operation of the switch.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to switches for electric power distribution systems. More particularly, it relates to a safety switch with an arrangement which assures positive operation of the spring toggle mechanism of such a switch.
2. Background Information
Safety switches are used in electric power distribution systems to isolate a load or a portion of the circuit. Typically, they include a switch mechanism housed in a sheet metal box. The switch mechanism has a number of switchblades mounted along a rotatable switch shaft. The shaft is rotated by a handle mounted at one side of the box and coupled to the shaft by a spring toggle mechanism which assures, by snap action, that the switch opens and closes rapidly. While such switches work very well under normal conditions, it is possible that the spring toggle linkage may not be able to effect the switching operation under some conditions, such as where the contacts become welded. This is a condition which can occur, for instance, in closing on a short circuit.
There is a need, therefore, for an improved safety switch of the type having a spring toggle linkage.
There is a particular need for such a safety switch with a capability of breaking any weld that might form between switch contacts.
More specifically, there is a need for such a safety switch which provides a direct mechanical coupling between the handle and the switch mechanism as the switch contacts open or close in addition to the coupling provided by the spring toggle linkage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These needs and others are satisfied by the invention which is directed to a safety switch which is provided with a lost motion coupling between the handle and the switch shaft of the switch mechanism in addition to the spring toggle linkage. This lost motion coupling provides a direct mechanical connection between the handle and the switch shaft which is effected as the spring toggle linkage approaches the over center position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1
is an elevation view of a safety switch in accordance with the invention with a side wall removed.
FIG. 2
is a vertical section taken along the line
2
—
2
of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is a plan view of the safety switch shown in the on position.
FIG. 4
is an exploded isometric view of an operating assembly which forms part of the safety switch.
FIG. 5
is a vertical section taken along the line
5
-
5
of
FIG. 1
showing the operating mechanism in the on or switch closed state.
FIG. 6
is a view similar to that of
FIG. 5
but showing the operating mechanism in the off or open state.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to
FIGS. 1-3
, the safety switch
1
includes a housing
3
in the form of a sheet metal switch box having a rear wall
5
, side walls
7
and a hinged cover
9
(shown in part in FIG.
1
). Housed within the box and mounted to the rear wall is a conventional switch mechanism
11
. Such switch mechanisms are known and include an insulative molded housing
13
in which an electrically insulative switch blade shaft
15
is rotatably mounted. This switch blade shaft
15
carries a switch blade
17
a
-
17
c
for each pole of the switch. The switch shown is a
3
pole switch and therefore has
3
switchblades. Each switchblade has two ends, one of which in the on or closed state shown in
FIGS. 1-3
engages an associated line contact jaw
19
a
-
19
c
and a second end that engages an associated load contact jaw
21
a
-
21
c
. As is well known, the contact jaws are U-shaped members into which the associated switchblade ends slide during rotation of the switchblade shaft
15
. Line terminals
23
a
-
23
c
provide connections for of line conductors (not shown) to the line contact jaws
19
a
-
19
c
. On the load side, the load contact jaws
21
a
-
21
c
are electrically connected to a first set of fuse clips
25
a
-
25
c
. A second set of fuse clips
27
a
-
27
c
are electrically connected to load terminals
29
a
-
29
c
. Fuses
31
(only one shown) are placed in corresponding clips in the first and second sets of fuse clips
25
and
27
to provide protection for overcurrents.
The switchblade shaft
15
is rotated by a crank
33
on one end. As shown in
FIG. 2
, a first coupler
35
is integrally molded on the crank
33
eccentric to the axis of the switchblade shaft
15
. A second coupler
37
is integrally molded with the crank diametrically opposite the first coupler
35
. The switch mechanism is shown in
FIG. 2
in the on or closed state. Rotation of the crank
33
counterclockwise as viewed in
FIG. 2
moves the switchblades to the off or open state.
The crank
33
, and therefore the switch mechanism
11
, are operated between the open and closed states by an operating assembly
39
which can best be understood by reference to FIG.
4
. This operating assembly
39
includes a bracket
41
which is secured to a side wall
7
a
of the housing
3
facing the crank
33
of the switch mechanism. The bracket
41
is secured to the side wall
7
a
by fasteners
43
which are seated in offset sections
45
in the brackets so that the main body
47
of the bracket is spaced from the side wall
7
a
. A strip
49
of the main body
47
of the bracket
41
is punched out to form an elongated horizontally extending slot
51
. A punched aperture
53
forms a neck which serves as a first pivot axis.
The operating assembly
39
, which is shown exploded in
FIG. 4
for clarity, incorporates a spring toggle linkage
54
which includes a U-shaped operating member
55
having a bight
57
and first and second legs
59
and
61
. The first leg
59
is beveled at its free end and has a slot
63
which pivotally seats on the first pivot
53
on the bracket
41
. This first leg
59
extends through the elongated slot
51
in the bracket
41
as can be seen in
FIGS. 5 and 6
. Pivotal movement of the operating member
55
about the pivot
53
is limited at each end by the ends of the slot
51
.
The free end
62
of the second leg
61
of the operating member
55
is circular and seats in a pocket
64
(see
FIG. 2
) molded into the housing
13
of the switch mechanism. This pocket
64
and the first pivot
53
on the bracket form a pivot axis
65
(see
FIG. 1
) about which the operating member
55
pivots. The second leg
61
of the operating member
55
has a longitudinal slot
67
which engages the first coupler
35
on the crank
33
.
The operating assembly
39
further includes a handle unit
69
. This handle unit
69
includes an elongated handle
71
and a drive link
73
. The handle
71
and the drive link
73
are secured together for rotation as a unit with the handle on the outside of the wall
7
a
and the drive link inside the wall between the wall and the bracket
41
by a handle pivot pin
75
which has a first pair of flats
77
which engage a rectangular aperture
79
in the handle
71
and a second pair of flats
81
which engage a rectangular aperture
83
in the drive link. One end of the handle pivot pin
75
is seated in an aperture
85
in a recess in the bracket
41
. The other end of the handle pivot pin
75
is seated in a guard
87
mounted over the handle
71
outside the wall
7
a
The cylindrical center section of the handle pivot pin
75
rotates in an aperture
76
in the side wall
7
a
(see FIG.
1
). The cylindrical center section of the handle pivot pin
75
rotates in an aperture
76
in the side wall
7
a
(See FIG.
1
). With this arrangement, the handle
71
and drive link
73
move as a unit.
The drive link
73
has a first projection in the form of tang
89
which projects over and follows along an arcuate section
91
on the bracket
41
. A helical tension spring
93
, which forms part of the spring toggle linkage
54
, is connected at one end to the bight
57
of the operating member
55
and at the other end to the tang
89
. The drive link
73
also has a cam opening
95
which is engaged by a tab
97
punched out of the first leg
59
of the operating member.
As shown in
FIG. 5
, with the handle
71
rotated counterclockwise to a first or on position, the tang
89
on the drive link
73
is at the counterclockwise end of the arcuate surface
91
on the bracket
41
and is held against a stop formed by the on stop surface
99
on the bracket
41
by the tension spring
93
which also holds the operating member
55
with the first leg
59
against the stop formed by the left end of the slot
51
in the bracket. As the first coupler
35
on the crank
33
is engaged by the slot
67
of the second leg
61
of the operating member, the switchblade shaft
15
is held in the on state.
As the handle
71
is rotated clockwise as viewed in
FIGS. 5 and 6
from the on position toward the off position, the tang
89
moves clockwise above the arcuate surface
91
, thereby stretching the tension spring
93
since the operating member
55
is prevented from rotating clockwise by the left end of the slot
51
. As the tang
89
passes the pivot
53
about which the operating member
55
rotates, the spring toggle linkage
54
goes over center. As the line of force of the stretched tension spring
93
is now to the right of the pivot
53
the operating member is rapidly rotated counterclockwise until the first leg
59
reaches the right hand end of the slot
51
. Simultaneously, the handle unit
69
is rapidly rotated clockwise until the tang
89
reaches the off stop surface
101
at the clockwise end of the arcuate surface
91
. Again, as the first coupler
35
on the crank
33
is engaged by the slot
67
in the second leg
61
of the operating member
55
, the crank and therefore the switchblade shaft
15
are rapidly rotated to the open position. This rapid opening of the switchblade helps to assure interruption of the current through the switch. In order to assure that the snap action occurs consistently at the same point in the movement of the handle, the tab
97
on the first leg
59
of the operating member
55
, engages the drive link
73
through the cam opening
95
as the line of force of the spring
93
passes the pivot
53
.
When the handle
71
is moved from the off position in
FIG. 6
toward the on position in
FIG. 5
, the operating member
55
remains in the position shown in
FIG. 6
until the tang
89
in moving counterclockwise passes the pivot
53
. With the line of force of the spring
93
now to the left of the pivot, the operating member
55
is snapped in a clockwise direction to the position shown in
FIG. 5
thereby rapidly rotating the switchblade shaft
15
and closing the switch. Again, the tab
97
contacts the drive link to assure that the snap action occurs consistently at the same position in the movement of the handle
71
.
The safety switch as described to this point is known. There can be situations, such as closing the switch on a short circuit in which the switchblade contacts can become welded in the closed position. Under these circumstances, even though the handle is moved, the switchblade shaft
15
can be frozen and the spring and the tab
97
are not capable of generating sufficient force to break the weld. In accordance with the invention, the drive link
73
is provided with a lost motion coupling
103
which allows the spring toggle linkage
54
to operate normally, but allows additional force to be applied to break a weld if necessary. This lost motion coupling
103
includes a pair of spaced apart engagement members formed by second and third tangs
105
and
107
formed on the opposite end of the drive link
73
from the tang
89
. Preferably, these tangs
105
and
107
are formed in confronting relation on a flange
109
on the drive link
73
. After initial movement of the handle from the on position (
FIG. 5
) or off position (
FIG. 6
) the tang
105
or
107
, respectively, engages the second coupler
37
on the crank
33
to break any weld of the switchblade contacts and assure that the spring toggle linkage
54
toggles. In the preferred arrangement, the tangs
105
and
107
are spaced such that they engage the second coupler
37
about at the point where the spring toggle linkage
54
toggles. Thus, the tangs
105
and
107
are spaced on either side of a diameter
111
which passes through the first tang
89
.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated, the handle unit
69
includes a handle
71
and a drive link
73
which rotate together with the drive link
73
inside the housing
3
and the handle
71
outside the housing. This eliminates the need to have a slot in the cover for movement of the handle
71
, and therefore, enhances the weatherproofing of the safety switch. In installations where this is not critical, the handle can be mounted inside the box and extend through the cover. In this arrangement, the tangs
89
,
105
and
107
can be integrally formed on the elongated handle which can also have a cam opening similar to the cam opening
93
for the tab
97
on the first leg
59
of the operating member
55
.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.
Claims
- 1. A safety switch comprising:a switch box having a rear wall, side walls, and a cover; a switch mechanism mounted in said switch box and including a switch shaft having a crank on one end of said switch shaft for rotating said switch shaft to alternately operate said switch mechanism between an open state and a closed state; and an operating assembly comprising: a handle unit pivotally mounted adjacent one side wall of said switch box; a spring toggle linkage coupling said handle unit to said crank for rotation of said crank and with it said switch shaft; and a lost motion coupling also coupling said handle unit to said crank for rotating said crank and said switch shaft.
- 2. The safety switch of claim 1 wherein said lost motion coupling comprises a pair of spaced apart engagement members engaging said crank only after initial movement of said handle unit.
- 3. The safety switch of claim 1 wherein said spring toggle linkage comprises:a bracket mounted between said one side wall and said switch mechanism, said bracket having a first pivot support, and said switch mechanism having an opposed second pivot support, said first and second pivot supports forming a pivot axis; a U-shaped operating member having a bight and first and second legs extending from said bight, said first leg being pivotally supported on said first pivot support and said second leg being pivotally supported on said second pivot support, said second leg being coupled to said crank; and a tension spring connected at one end to said bight of said operating member and at a second end to said handle unit, said tension spring toggling said operating member and handle unit between a first position in which the switch mechanism is in said closed state and a second position in which said switch mechanism is in said open state, said tension spring snapping said operating member and handle unit alternately between said first and second positions as a line of action of said tension spring crosses said pivot axis, said lost motion coupling engaging said crank about as said line of action of said tension spring approaches said pivot axis.
- 4. The safety switch of claim 3 wherein said crank has a first coupler offset from said switch shaft which couples said crank to said second leg of said operating member, and wherein said lost motion coupling comprises a second coupler on said crank about diametrically opposite said first coupler and a pair of engagement members spaced apart on said handle unit and engaging said second coupler after lost motion during initial movement of said handle unit.
- 5. The safety switch of claim 4 wherein said crank comprises a lever having said first coupler adjacent a first end and said second coupler adjacent a second end, said lever being mounted on said switch shaft intermediate said first and second ends.
- 6. The safety switch of claim 4 wherein said handle unit includes an elongated handle outside said one side wall, a drive link inside said one side wall, and a handle pivot journaled in an aperture in said one side wall and securing said elongated handle and drive link for pivotal movement together, said drive link having a first tang to which said second end of said tension spring is connected, said drive link having second and third spaced apart tangs forming said spaced apart engagement members of said lost motion coupling.
- 7. The safety switch of claim of 6 wherein said crank comprises a lever having said first coupler adjacent a first end and said second coupler adjacent a second end, said lever being mounted on said switch shaft intermediate said first and second ends.
- 8. The safety switch of claim 7 wherein said second and third tangs on said drive link straddle a diameter extending through said first tang.
- 9. The safety switch of claim 6 wherein said second and third tangs on said drive link straddle a diameter extending through said first tang.
US Referenced Citations (5)