Fell 17, 1942
H. l.. vAN VALKENBURG
ELECTRIC SWITCH
2,273,545
Feb. 17, 1942. '
H. L. VAN VALKENBURG
,
2,273,545
ELECTRIC ’ SWITCH
Filed Sept. 22, 1937
'3 Sheets-Sheet 2 '
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£5
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A TTORNEY
Feb.r17, 1942.
H. L.. VAN VALKENBURG
ELECTRIC
SWITCH
2,273,545
`
Filed Sept. 22, 1957
5 Sheets-Sheet 3
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BY
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A TTORNE Y
2,273,545
Patented Feb. 17, 1942
UNITEDr STATES PATENT OFFICE
2,273,545
ÈLnc'rnrc swrrcn
Herman L. Van Valkenburg, Wauwatosa, Wis., as
signor to Square D Company, Detroit, Mich.,
a corporation of Michigan
Application September 22, 1937, Serial No. 165,023
15 Claims. (Cl. 20G-_104)
This invention relates to electromagnetically
operated electric switches or relays and has for
its object the provision of an improved i’orm of
an electromagnetically operated switch provid
ing a maximum of accessibility of contacts, a
is shown as mounted against a back supporting
plate or surface I and is comprised of a gener
ally rectangular supporting frame formed by end
pieces 2 and 3 and by side pieces l connected to
gether by a generally centrally disposed integral
web 5 at the front of the frame. The side por
tions l are provided with front. flanges 6 also in
tegral with the web 5 upon which are mounted
insulating blocks 'I and 8 as by means of studs 9.
>sion of an electromagnetic switch having a sta
tionary contact block mounted at its front face 10 The contact blocks 'I and 8 are formed to provide
a plurality of individual compartments for the
which is readily removable and readily adapt
individual poles through the switch and in this
able to conversion into normally closed and nor-~
simple and dependable construction and ready _
adaptability to varying contact arrangements.
Another object of the invention is the provi
respect may be considered either to be provided
with individual openings extending through the
Another object of the invention is the pro»
vision of an improved form of double throw elec 15 blocks or as being of hollow rectangular shape
with vertically extending integral webs II divid
tromagnetically operated electric switch having
mally open contact arrangements.
front contact blocks with vertically dispose'd sta
tionary contacts together with movable contacts
ing the interior of the rectangle into the elon
gated individual chambers. Upon the top and
bottom front face of the transverse portions of
rotating in a. substantially horizontal direction
from the back of the blocks in response to sub 20 the blocks 1 and 8 are mounted pairs of sta
tionary contacts I2 and I3 as by means of studs
stantially vertical rotation of an armature mem
I4 having their heads disposed in recesses in the
ber disposed in back of the blocks.
back face of the block. Upon the ends of the
Another object of the invention is the provi
studs I4 are disposed terminal nuts I5 for the
sion of an improved movable contact assembly
25 securing of circuit wires. Terminals I6 are also
mounting for an electromagnetic relay.
provided on the front face of the block for con
Another object of the invention is an im
nection to the field or energizing circuit of the
proved form of an electromagnetically operated
operating magnet coil to be hereinafter described.
relay of the held in type of. relatively rigid and
The central web 5 joining the side pieces 4 is
dependable construction but with simple and eco
provided with a pair of slots through which ex
nomical parts.
-tend tongues I'I integral with a contact operat
Other objects and features of the invention
ing plate I8 to which is rigidly secured a lam
will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
inated armature structure I9. Centrally of the
art from the following specifications and the ap
pended drawings illustrating certain preferred ' web 5 is disposed a backwardly extending flange
35 portion 2I for attachment to one end of a ten
embodiments of the invention in which:
sion spring 22, the other end of which is secured
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a multi
to the plate I8 and serves to bias the plate to
pole double throw electromagnetically operated
ward the web 5, the spring being disposed in a
electric switch according to the present inven
central cut-out portion in the plate I8 as more
tion.
40
Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line
particularly shown in Figures 2 and 4. The
II--II of Figure 1.
tongues I1 may be provided with pinning wires
Figure 3 is an front elevational view similar `
23 to positively prevent accidental'removal of the
to Figure l but with the stationary contact bases
tongues from their holding and guiding slots.
removed.
A stop 24 rigid with the bottom end plate 3 is
Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the
provided for limiting the energized position of
line IV--IV of Figure 3.
the armature I9. A tension spring 25 having one
Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view of one form
end connected to a flange 26 on the contact plate
of a multiple contact mounting.
Figure 6 is a front elevational view of a modi 50 I8 and its other end connected to a threaded
pin 21 extends through the bottom plate 3 and
fied form of an electromagnetic switch of the
is adjustable relative thereto by a nut 28, the
mechanically held in type.
spring 25 biasing the armature I9 to its deen
Figure 'l is a vertical sectional view on the line
ergized position and serving to maintain the
VII-VII of Figure 6.
The relay according to the present invention 55 proper contact pressure between the cooperating
2
2,273,545
contacts which are engaged in the deenergized
position ci’ the switch.
Upon the under surface of the top plate 2 is
tion of gravity and the tension of spring 25 and
will cause the contact carrying plate I8 to rotate
in a clockwise direction into the position shown
secured a pair of U-shaped brackets 29 and upon
in Figure 2 in which the lower contact support
these brackets is rigidly secured a stationary
ing portion 39 is directed toward the cooperating
magnet structure 3| of general E-shape and
stationary contacts.
about the central leg oi' which is disposed an op
The contact arrangement herein shown and
erating coil 32. The coil 32 is maintained in
described is adapted for the ready conversion oi
place by means of a U-shaped strap 33 mounted
over the armature structure and having flange 10 the cooperating stationary and movable contacts
into either the normally closed or normally open
portions 34 engageable with the bottom face of
type. In the device shown in Figure 1 the upper
the coil to hold it in place. A sheet of insulation
contacts have been illustrated as being of the
35 may be mounted upon the stationary magnet
normally open type and the contacts in the bot
supports to shield the magnet and its supports
tom block as of the normally closed type. This
from the movable contact structure. Leads 36
extend forwardly through the insulating block 1
and connect with the plates holding the terminals
II.
To the top and bottom surfaces of the contact
actuating plate I9 are rigidly secured generally 20
U-shaped insulating portions 31 and 38 as by
means o1' studs as shown which extend through
ñange portions on the legs of the U and through
the contact plate Il to rigidly hold the parts to
designation of the contacts is perhaps misleading
in view of the fact that the relay is herein shown
and described as the double throw type but it is
to be understood that the contact plate 42 and
stationary contacts I3 may be used upon the
upper block 1 on any of the poles and that the
contact plate 4I and the stationary contacts I2
gether. These U-shaped insulating portions have
thickened bight portions 39 upon which are
mounted the movable contacts and their sup
contacts I3,
ports. 'I'he movable contacts are of two forms
ready use with any desired type of normally open
as are the stationary contact pairs I2 and I3.
or closed circuit arrangement.
'I'he cooperating contacts shown on block 1 in 30
While the switch
Figure 2 are of the type to be closed when the
scribed
insulating supporting portion 39 is moved toward
equally susceptible to single throw construction
the stationary contacts. The cooperating con
by
omitting the U-shaped member 38 and the
tacts shown on the block 8 in Figure 2 are of the
type to be disengaged when the corresponding Cro C( contact block 9 and the parts supported thereon
and with a subsequent shortening of the sup
insulating support 39 is moved toward the sta
porting frame by using shorter side pieces 4.
tionary contacts I3. In each case the movable
'I'his construction is so obvious by the simple
contacts are embodied by plates 4I and 42 which
are resiliently mounted in the direction to pro
vide resilient engagement with the spaced sta 40
tionary contacts. 'I'he support 43 for the contact
plate 4I is of generally conventional form and is
means for supporting the relay upon its mount
oi' U-shape with the bight mounted on the in
ing plate.
sulating portion 39 by the stud as shown and with
flanges 44 on the legs of the U spaced apart sui’
ñciently to permit the edgewise insertion of the
contact plate and preventing removal of the plate
when it is turned parallel to the plane oi' the
ñange. A compression spring 45 is disposed be
tween the bight of the U and the back surface "
of the contact plate 4I. The support for the
contact plate 42 is shown in detail in Figure 5
and comprises a supporting base 45 having an in
tegral spacing leg 41 the end of which is return
bent to form the rectangular structure generally
indicated at 49. Within the rectangle 49 is dis
posed the bridging contact plate 42 and a com
pression spring 49 to provide the resilient mount
ing for the plate 42 in the direction oi' its en
gagement. 'I'he plate 42 is here inserted longi
tudinally and is maintained in place by notches 60,
in its edges which engage with the sides of the
biased by tension springs 55 toward the front
rectangle 48, this interlocking arrangement be
of the support. The energizing structure here
ing more particularly shown at the lower right
includes two operating coils 56 and 51 which op
hand contact in Figure 1.
erate an armature or core 59 of the solenoid type.
The operation of the switch should be readily
Brackets 59 attached to the under surface of the
apparent. Upon energization of the coil 32 the
top supporting plate 2 are adapted to support a
armature I9 will be attracted and will rotate the
contact carrying plate I8 about its engagement
with the web 5, thus moving the upper contact 70
supporting portion 39 toward the stationary con
mature 58 cooperates. Guiding pin B4 rigid with
tacts I2 and causing engagement of the plate 4I
the
armature 59 and preferably formed of some
therewith to cause the circuit across the contacts.
non-magnetic material such as brass slides
Similarly, deenergization ot the coil 32 will cause
through an opening in the button 63 to guide the
the armature I9 to move downwardly by the ac
armature in its movement. An insulating cylin
amant
der 65 may be provided about which the energiz
ing coll 55 is disposed so as to be protected from
the moving solenoid amature. The magnetic
circuit for the energizing coil 51 is identical to
that previously described but reversely disposed
and embodies supporting brackets 55, the mag
netic circuit formed by the parts 51 and 88, the
non-magnetic guide pin 69 and the insulating
cylinder 1 I. The central portion of the solenoid
3
coil and a rotatable armature member operative
ly connected to said movable contact supporting
means to eifect movement of said movable con
tacts to perform the switching operation.
2. An electromagnetically operated electric
switch comprising an insulating block having a
central opening extending from the front to
the back face thereof, a plurality of vertically
disposed plates integral with said block dividing
58 is cut away to form the peripheral groove 12 10 said opening into a plurality of individual open
which interlocks with the contact carrying plate ` ings, a pair of vertically spaced stationary con
5|.
tacts in each of said individual openings and
The operation of this switch will now be de
having terminals at the front of the block, mov
scribed. In the position shown in Figure 7, the
able contacts adapted to bridge said stationary
parts are mechanically held in this lower posi 15 contacts, supporting means for said movable con
tion by the toggle arrangement formed by the
tacts movable in said openings from the back of
plates 5| and 52. Upon energization of the coil
the block, and a magnet structure in back of said
55 the solenoid armature 5B will move upwardly
block and including an armature member opera
and rotate the contact carrying plate 5| in a
tively connected to move said supporting means
counterclockwise direction, this movement ac 20 to eifect the switching operation.
companying the moving of the toggle links past
3. An electromagnetically operated electric
their dead center position in an upward direc
switch comprising an insulating block having a >
tion and mechanically holding the parts in this
upward position regardless of subsequent deen
ergization of the coil 56. Thus the insulating
plurality of vertically elongated horizontally
treme positions regardless of deenergization of
the coil which operated it to that position.
The cooperating contact arrangement in the
armature and having tongue portions projecting
spaced slots extending from the front to the back
face thereof in side by side relation, a pair of ver
portion 39 at the top of the switch or relay will
tically spaced stationary contacts in each slot
now be held in its position toward the cooperat
and having terminals at the front of the block,
ing spaced stationary contacts.- To move the
a magnet structure mounted in back of said
parts again to the position shown in Figure 'l
block and including an energizing coil and an
with the lower insulating portion 39 moved to 30 armature member, movable contacts adapted to
ward its stationary contact it is necessary to en
cooperate with said stationary contacts, support
ergize the coil 51 to pull the solenoid armature
ing means for said movable contacts movable
58 downwardly and move the toggle formed by
in said slots from the back of the block, and an
the plates 5i and 52 past dead center position
operable connection between said movable con
to the position shown in this figure. The me
tact supporting means and said armature to pro
chanical holding in of the switch in its opposite
vide for operation of the movable contact to
extreme positions is effected by means of the
perform their switching function.
toggle and the force exerted thereon by the
4. An electromagnetically operated electric
tension springs 55 since in moving past the dead
switch comprising a supporting frame of rec
center position the toggle elongates and moves 40 tangular shape having a front transverse por
the pivoted plate 53 in a clockwise direction as
tion, an insulating block mounted on said frame
viewed in Figure 7 against the force exerted by
at the front thereof, stationary contacts mount
the springs 55. In this' switch, therefore, it is
ed on said insulating block, a magnet structure
necessary to energize an operating coil to move
mounted in back of said block and including a
the switch in each direction and the switch will
field magnet, an energizing coil therefor and an
be mechanically held in each of its opposite ex
armature member, a bracket connected to said
through slots in said transverse frame portion
from the back thereof, movable contacts coop
switch shown in Figures 6 and 7 is identical to 50 erating with said stationary contacts, spring
that described in connection with the relay
means biasing said tongue portions within the
shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive and the same
slots in said transverse frame portion. and an
adaptability and convertibility of the contacts to
operative connection between said movable con
normally open or normally closed type is pres
tacts and said armature to provide for movement
ent therein.
Ul Cil of the movable contacts in response to movement
While certain preferred embodiment of the in
of the armature.
vention have been specifically disclosed, it is un
5. An electromagnetically operated electric
derstood that the invention is not limited there
switch comprising a supporting frame having
to as many variations will be readily apparent
an at least partial front face, an insulating block
to those skilled in the art and the invention is 60 mounted on said frame at the front thereof,
to be given its broadest possible interpretation
pairs of vertically spaced stationary contacts
within the terms of the following claims.
mounted on said block, a magnet structure
What is claimed is:
mounted on said frame in back of said block and
i. An electromagnetically operated electric
including a field magnet, an energizing coil there
switch comprising an insulating block having a 65 for and an armature member, the pole faces of
plurality of vertically elongated, horizontally
said field magnet being directed downwardly, a
spaced slots extending from the front to the back
bracket connected to said armature and having
tongue portions extending through slots in said
face thereof in side by side relation, a pair of
vertically spaced stationary contacts in each slot
at least partial front face of said frame from
and having terminals accessible from the front
the back thereof to provide a pivotal mounting
of the block,l movable contacts adapted to bridge
for the armature, openings in the back face of
said stationary contacts, supporting means for
said block communicating with said pairs of sta
said movable contacts movable in said slots from
tionary contacts, movable contacts adapted to
the back of said block, a magnet structure in
bridge the stationary contacts, and supporting
back of said block and including an energizing 75 means for said movable contacts disposed be
4
2,273,545
tween the back face of said block and said mag
net structure and having portions movable in
lating support disposed in back of each of said
blocks and having movable contact mountings
said openings to move the movable contacts into
adapted to be moved in said slots, movable con
and out of bridging relation with the stationary
tacts on said mountings adapted to cooperate
with said spaced stationary contacts to perform
the switching operation, and an operative con
nection between said armature and said pivoted
contacts, said movable contacts rotating for
wardly and backwardly in response to upward
and downward rotating movement of the arma
ture.
supports.
6. In an electromagnetically operated electric
10. An electromagnetically operated double
switch, an insulating block having a plurality of 10
throw electric switch comprising a supporting
vertical slots extending from the front to the
frame of generally rectangular shape having a
back face thereof, a pair of vertically spaced sta
central horizontally disposed connecting web at
tionary contacts disposed in each of said slots
the front thereof, a pair of insulating blocks
and having terminals at the front of the block,
a magnet structure in back of said block includ 15 mounted at the front of said frame above and
below said web, a plurality of vertical slots in
ing anv energizing coil and a rotatable armature,
each of said insulating blocks and extending from
an insulating support mounted to move with
the front to the back faces thereof, a pair of
said armature and disposed between the back of
vertically
spaced stationary contacts in each slot
the block and the magnet structure, movable
contacts mounted on said support and adapted 20 and having terminals at the front of the blocks.
movable contacts adapted to bridge said station
to move in said slots into and out of engagement
ary contacts, a magnet structure in back of said
blocks and including a field magnet, an energiz
ing coil and an armature member, the pole faces
with said stationary contacts, said block being
readily removable from the front and said sta
tionary contacts being readily converted into
either normally closed or normally open contact 25 of said ñeld magnet being directed downwardly,
an operating element connected to said armature
types, and interchangeable movable contact
and pivotally mounted in said web, oppositely di
rected insulating carriers mounted on said ele
ment and extending in back of said blocks, and
the stationary contact type selected.
means
mounting said movable contacts upon said
7. An electromagnetically operated double 30
carriers, said mounting means being movable
throw electric switch comprising a supoprting
within said slots in response to movement of said
frame, a pair of vertically spaced insulating blocks
armature.
mounted on said frame at the front thereof, sta
11. An electromagnetically operated double
tionary contacts mounted on said blocks and hav
throw electric switch comprising a supporting
ing terminals at the front faces of said blocks,
frame of generally rectangular shape having a
a magnet structure mounted on said frame in
central
horizontally disposed connecting web at
back of said blocks and including an energizing
the front thereof, a pair of insulating blocks
coil and an armature member, movable con
mounted at the front of said frame above and
tacts adapted to cooperate with said stationary
contacts at the opposite extreme positions of said 40 below said web, a plurality of vertical slots in
each of said insulating blocks and extending from
armature member, and spring means biasing said
the front to the back faces thereof, a pair of
armature in a direction opposite to its direction
vertically spaced stationary contacts in each slot
of attraction by said magnet structure to main
and having terminals at the front of the blocks,
tain contact pressure in one extreme position of
movable contacts adapted to bridge said station
the armature.
ary contacts, a magnet structure in back of said
8. An electromagnetically operable double
blocks and including a field magnet, an energiz
throw electric switch comprising a supporting
ing coil and an armature member, the pole faces
frame of generally rectangular shape having a
mountings to provide movable contacts of the
normally open or closed‘type to cooperate with
of said field magnet being directed downwardly,
horizontal centrally disposed connecting web, in
sulating blocks mounted at the front of said
frame above and below said central web, station
ary contacts mounted on said block and having
terminals on the front face of said blocks, a mag
net structure mounted on said frame in back of
said blocks including an energizing coil and an
armature member, means pivotally mounting
said armature member upon said web portion, a
pair of oppositely directed insulating carriers
50
'
an operating element connected to said armature
and pivotally mounted in said web by means of
tongue portions on the element extending through
slots in said web from the back thereof, spring
means biasing said tongues within said slots, op
positely directed insulating carriers mounted on
said element and extending in back of said blocks,
and means mounting said movable contacts upon
said carriers, said mounting means being mov
able within said slots in response to movement
mounted to move with said armature and dis
of said armature.
posed one in back of each of said blocks, and 60
l2. An electromagnetically operated double
movable contacts mounted on said insulating car
throw electric switch comprising a supporting
riers and adapted to cooperate with said station
frame of generally rectangular shape having a
ary contacts in response to movement of said
central horizontally disposed connecting web at
armature to perform the switching operation.
9. An electromagnetically operated double 65 the front thereof, a pair of insulating blocks
mounted at the front of said frame above and
throw electric switch comprising a supporting
below said web, a plurality of vertical slots in
frame, insulating blocks mounted at the front of
each of said insulating blocks and extending
said frame, a plurality of vertical slots in each
from the front to the back faces thereof, a pair
block and extending from the front to the back
face thereof, a pair of vertically spaced station 70 of vertically spaced stationary contacts in each
slot and having terminals at the front of the
ary contacts in each of said slots and having ter
blocks, movable contacts adapted to bridge said
minals at the front of the blocks, a magnet struc
stationary contacts, a magnet structure in back
ture in back of said blocks including an energiz
ins coil and a movable amature, a pivoted insu 75 of said blocks and including a field magnet, an
energizing coil and an armature member, the pole
5
2,273,545
faces of said iield magnet being directed down
wardly, a bracket connected to said amature and
pivotally mounted in said web, oppositely directed
insulating carriers mounted on said bracket and
extending in back of said blocks, means mount
ing said movable contacts upon said carriers, said
mounting means being movable within said slots
in response to movement of said armature, and
spring means biasing said armature member into
one end pivoted to said first link, a member piv
oted at theback of said frame and biased in
a forward direction, the opposite end of said
second link being pivotally connected to said
member whereby force is exerted tending to col
lapse the toggle at both sides of its dead center
position, an electromagnetic operator disposed
between said blocks and said pivoted member
including a pair of energizing coils, and arma
ture means adapted to be attracted in opposite
10
its deenergized extreme position to maintain
directions by said coils to effect movement of
adequate contact pressure on the contacts en
said toggle links in opposite directions through
gaged in this position of the armature.ï
13. An electromagnetically operated electric
their dead center positions.
_
15. An electromagnetically operated electric
switch of the mechanically held in type com
switch of the double throw, mechanically held in
prising a supporting frame, an insulating block 15 type comprising a supporting frame of gener
mounted on said frame in the front thereof,
ally rectangular shape having a centrally dis
stationary contacts mounted on said block and
posed transverse web at the front thereof, a pair
having terminals at the front face of said block,
of insulating blocks mounted at the front of said
a movable contact carrier mounted at the back
frame above and below said web, a plurality of
of said block, a toggle link pivoted to a rigid 20 vertical slots in each of said blocks extending
portion of said frame and connected to said
from the front to the back faces thereof, a pair
movable contact carrier, a second toggle >link
pivotally connected at one end to said ñrst link
of vertically spaced stationary contacts in the
blocks having terminals at the front of the
and at its opposite end to a movable part on
blocks, movable contacts adapted to bridge the
l25
said frame, means biasing said movable part in
stationary contacts, supporting means for said
a direction to collapse the toggle at both sides
movable contacts disposed in back oí said blocks
of its dead center position, an electromagnetic
and having portions movable in said slots, a.
actuator in back of said block including a pair
toggle link having one end pivoted in said trans
of energizing coils, and armature means adapt
verse web from the back thereof, said link being
30
ed to be attracted by said coils in opposite direc
operatively connected to said movable contact
tions to effect movement of said toggle links. in
supporting means to effect movement thereof in
opposite directions through their dead center
response to movement of the link, a second tog
position.
gle- link having one end pivoted to said ñrst
14. An electromagnetically operated electric
link, a member pivoted at the back of said frame
35
switch of the double throw, mechanically held in
and biased in a forward direction, the opposite
type comprising a supporting frame of gener
end of said second link being pivotally connected
_ally rectangular shape having a transverse front
to said member whereby a bias is applied to said
connecting web, a pair of blocks disposed at the
toggle tending to collapse it at both sides of
front of said frame above and below said trans
40 its dead center position, an electromagnetic
verse web, a plurality of stationary contacts
actuator mounted between said blocks and said i
mounted on each of said blocks and having
member including a pair of energizing coils, and
terminals at the front faces of the blocks, a
an armature member adapted to be attracted
movable contact carrying means disposed in back
in opposite directions by said coils to eiîect move
of each of said blocks, a toggle link pivotally
ment-of said toggle links in opposite directions
mounted in said transverse web from the back 45 through their dead center position.
thereof, said carrying means being operatively
connected to be moved in response to move
ment of said link, a second toggle link having
HERMON L. VAN VALKENBURG.