US3334199A

US3334199A - Pattern controlled multiple switching unit

Info

Publication number: US3334199A
Application number: US506246A
Authority: US
Inventors: Helmer C Hanson; Andrew J Kmetz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-11-03
Filing date: 1965-11-03
Publication date: 1967-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 1984-08-01

Description

1967- h we. HANSON ETAL 3,334,199

PATTERN CONTROLLED MULTIPLE SWITCHING UNIT Filed Nov. 5, 1965 MAGNET LEVER H52 v RELEASE RELEASE C 0 66 M1CRO SWITCHES- mvmons HELMER c. HANSON ANDREW J. KMETZ ATTORNEW United States Patent Filed Nov. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 506,246 Claims. (Cl. 200-46) The present invention relates to multiple switching units in general and, more particularly, to improved pattern controlled switching units for selectively actuating a plurality of predetermined switching circuits.

Complex multiple switching units having the capability of controlling multiple circuits in accordance with some predetermined pattern have developed in the art of electronics instrumentation. Such pattern controlled multiple switching units normally include a plurality of individual switches which are selectively actuated to achieve a desired controlled switching function.

The efficiency of an electronic instrument which includes a plurality of individual circuit paths controlled by a multiple switching unit is often seriously limited by the deficiencies inherent in the switching unit utilized.

Deficiencies in previously devised pattern controlled switching units have given rise to the need for improved multiple switching units provided with simplified structural characteristics without compromising a capability of prolonged trouble-free operation.

A general object of this invention is to provide an improved pattern controlled multiple switching unit of simplified construction.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a pattern controlled switching unit with a single motive power means employed to close predetermined electrical contacts.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides in the following specification and claims, certain embodiments and details of construction being illustrated by the specification when considered with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating the pattern controlled switching unit of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partially sectioned view in side elevation of the switching unit of the present invention; and

FIGURE 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical drive circuitry of the unit of the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, FIG- URE 1 illustrates the pattern controlled switching unit of the present invention indicated generally at 10. Unit 10, includes a support means 11 having a lower support plate 12 and an upper support plate 13. Upper support plate 13 is secured to and spaced from lower support plate 12 by a plurality of spacing members, such as bolts 14. Mounted above and spaced from the upper support plate 13 is a stationary, non-conductive mounting plate 15 which serves to support a plurality of electrical contact members 16, as shown in FIGURE 2, thereby forming a first bank of contact means. Superimposed on mounting plate 15 is a movable non-conductive mounting plate 17 which serves to support a plurality of electrical contact members 18, thereby forming a second bank of contact means.

The mounting plate 15 is held in spaced relationship above upper support plate 13 by means of spacing columns 23 which surround mounting bolts 19. Mounting bolts 19 are suitably secured to upper support plate 13 3,334,199 Patented Aug. 1, 1967 "Ice 13d at which position a suitable fastening means is provi ed.

A motive power means 20 is positioned within support means 11 and preferably includes a suitable electromagnetic operating means 21 mounted on the top surface of lower support plate 12. Power means 20 includes a movable contact plate 22, held in non-operative spaced relationship with operating means 21 by actuating bolts 24. Plate 22 is preferably composed of a magnetic material, such as steel. Actuating bolts 24 are suitably secured to contact plate 22 and extend upward therefrom through apertures provided in upper support plate 13, through passages in additional spacing columns 26, positioned between upper support plate 13 and mounting plate 15, through apertures in stationary mounting plate 15, and through suitableapertures in mounting plate 17. When the switching unit is in non-operative condition, movable mounting plate 17 is held in spaced relationship above stationary mounting plate 15 by resilient biasing means, such as coil springs 30, which act between a surface on stationary plate 15 and a surface on movable plate 17. Actuating bolts 24 extend above the upper surface of mounting plate 17 and are suitably secured thereto. The apertures and passages in upper support plate 13, spacing columns 26, lower mounting plate 15, and upper mounting plate 17 are large enough to enable actuating bolts 24 to reciprocate freely therethrough.

Preferably, the major part of the periphery of upper mounting plate 17 constitutes a depending portion 32, which, however, is interrupted, as at 33, to permit insertion of a control element 84 between the mounting plates, as described hereinafter. Lower mounting plate 15 is cut away at 34 to accommodate the depending portions 32. The apertures in

mounting plate

15 and 17, through which actuating bolts 24 extend, preferably extend through the cut-away portions 34 and depending portions 32 of the mounting plates. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the actuating bolt apertures in lower mounting plate 15 are provided with enlarged portions 36, and coil springs 30 are positioned around actuating bolts 24 within the enlarged portions. The coil spring biasing means act between surfaces 38' created at the ends of enlarged portions 36 and the lower surface of depending portions 32.

A movable locking means 38 is positioned between contact plate 22 and upper support plate 13. Locking means 38 includes a pair of members positioned in spaced, parallel alignment, such as metallic strip members 40. Members 40 are fastened together at one end by a spacer 42 and at their opposite end by roller means, such as

rollers

44 and 46. Each roller member is rotatably secured between strip members 40, with roller 44 positioned to contact the lower surface of upper support plate 13, and roller 46 positioned to contact the upper surface of contact plate 22. In non-operative condition of switching unit 10, roller 46 is held by a retaining means, such as detent portion 48, on contact plate 22. Locking means 38 is preferably horizontally positioned with a portion 50, including spacer 42, extending beyond the outer edges of support plates 12 and 13. A releasing means, or lever 52, is pivotally connected to U-shaped member. 54 attached to the edge of lower support plate 12 directly below the extended portion 50 of locking means 38. Lever 52 is positioned between strips 40 and between spacer 42 and an edge of support plate 13. The opposite end of lever 52 preferably extends above the upper surface of upper mounting-plate 17. A resilient biasing means, such as a coil spring 56, is suitably attached at one end to lever 52 and is attached at an opposite end to an upright stud 58, which extends above the upper surface of upper support plate 13. Biasing means 56 is provided to hold lever 52 in a vertical position against a side surface of either, or both, the upper and lower mounting plates.

Preferably, stud 58 is the upper portion of a screw which extends from the bottom surface of strips 40 on locking means 38, through the space between the strips 40, and up through upper support plate 13. The lower surfaces of the strips 40 rest on a head 57 of stud 58 thereby serving to maintain locking means 3-8 in a horizontal position. Additionally, a limit stop pin 59 may be positioned perpendicularly between strips 40.

A lever-release-actuated switching means 60, preferably a normally-open microswitch, is suitably mounted on the upper surface of upper support plate 13 adjacent the upright position of release lever 52. A release pin 62, attached to lever 52 and extending perpendicularly therefrom, is provided to contact an actuating means 64, attached to switch 60. When lever 52 is in a vertical position, actuating means 64 closes switch 60 under the influence of pin 62.

A locking means actuated release switch 66, preferably a normally-closed microswitch, is positioned adjacent the bottom surface of upper support plate 13. A switch actuating rod 68 is connected to the end of locking means 38

adjacent rollers

44 and 46. Rod 68 may be essentially a projection extending from means 38 toward release switch 66. A resilient biasing means, preferably a coil spring 70, is connected at one end to locking means 38 adjacent the position of attachment of actuating rod 68. Spring 70 is connected at its opposite end to a stud 72 which extends downwardly from the bottom surface of upper support plate 13. Upon operation of the switching unit, biasing means 78 pulls the horizontally movable locking means 38 toward release switch 66.

Both the upper and lower mounting plates are provided with a plurality of apertures which correspond in number and position. A plurality of electrical contact members 18, illustrated only representatively in FIGURE 1, are positioned in the apertures in upper mounting plate 17. Contact members 18 are suitably secured within the apertures in upper mounting plate 17 in aligned spaced relationship with a like number of contact members 16, positioned in the apertures of lower mounting plate 15. An enlarged portion 76 in the upper portion of each aperture in the lower mounting plate 15, is provided to contain a resilient biasing means, such as coil springs 78. Springs 78 are positioned around the upper portion of contact members 16 and act between an upper surface 79, created by the enlarged portion 76 in lower mounting plate 15, and a head 80 ot the upper-most end of each contact member 16. Each spring 78 urges its corresponding contact member 16, in an upward direction toward the aligned contact members 18 in upper mounting plate 17. The upward movement of each contact member 16 is limited by a ring 82, positioned about the bottom portion of each member 16 below the bottom surface of lower mounting plate 15. Rings 82 contact plate 15, holding the head 80 of each member 16 in spaced relationship with a superimposed member 18, when the switching unit is in non-operative condition. A control element 84 may be inserted into the space between

contact members

16 and 18. Element 84 may constitute a punched card or similar-type control sheet. A card-actuated switching means, such as normally-open microswitch 86, is attached to upper mounting plate 17, adjacent the position of maximum insertion of control element 84. Element 84 actuates switch 86 upon contact therewith.

Although the appropriate wiring between the motive power means 20 and the

switches

60, 66 and 86 is not illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the schematic diagram of FIGURE 3 illustrates the wiring contemplated for the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, an isolation transformer is provided between the switching unit and a suitable source of electrical power. The

switches

60, 66 and 86 are each connected in series across the operating means 21. The operating means pref erably includes a diode bridge circuit 88 connected across an electromagnet 90.

Assuming proper connection of a source of electrical power and closure of a suitable on-ofi. switch on one side of the isolation transformer, the operation of switching unit 10 is as follows. Control element 84 is provided with a number of holes, located in predetermined positions in accordance with a desired pattern of electrical circuits to be connected through the contact members of the switching unit. When element 84 reaches its maximum position of insertion between the heads of members 16 and the lower surface of upper mounting plate 17, normallyopen microswitch 86 is actuated, thereby connecting the source of electrical power to the operating means 21. When electromagnet is energized, contact plate 22 is moved in a downward direction to operating means 21. Simultaneously, the upper mounting plate 17 is also moved in a downward direction by actuating rods 24. With plate 22 in its lowered position, movable locking means 38 is caused to roll horizontally away from detent 48, by the action of resilient biasing means 70. Thus, biasing means 70 pulls locking means 38 toward normally closed switch 66, and actuating rod 68 contacts the switch there-by opening it to disconnect the source of power from operating means 21. Contact plate 22 and upper mounting plate 17 are held in their downward positions by

rollers

44 and 46 which act between the lower surface of upper support plate 13 and the upper surface of contact plate 22. At this point in the operation of the switching unit, the card actuated swich 86 is in a closed position, the locking means actuated switch 66 is in an open position, and the lever-release actuated switch 60 is still in its normally-closed position. Contact members 16 not in alignment with a hole in control element 84 are biased downwardly by the control element, while the contact members which are so aligned are contacted by superjacent terminal members 18 and are biased downwardly I to a somewhat less extent.

After the desired switching function has been accomplished, release lever 52 is pulled away from its vertical position against the mounting plates. The release lever is caused to rotate about its pivotal connection on member 54 and is caused to contact the spacer 42 positioned between strips 48 on locking means 38. Actuating pin 62 on lever 52 is pulled away from actuating means 64 on normally-closed lever release switch 60, thereby opening the switch. Further, rotation of release lever 52 moves locking means 38 and actuating rod 68 away from switch 66, thereby enabling switch 66 to assume its normallyclosed position. Lever 52 is rotated far enough to allow roller 46 to fall into detent portion 48, and contact plate 22 re-ciprocates upwardly away from operating means 21, by the force of resilient biasing means 30 acting in an upward direction upon mounting plate 17 at the lower surface of depending portions 32. The rotation of lever 52 and horizontal movement of locking means 38 are limited by contact of pin 59 with the portion of stud 58 which extends between strips 40. Upon release, lever 52 is urged back to its vertical position by resilient biasing means 56, acting between lever 52 and stud 58. Pin 62 then recontacts switch actuating means 64, and switch 60 is closed. Switching unit 10 is now ready for the next pattern controlling switching function.

Switch 66 is provided to open the circuit, removing energization from operating means 21, during the period of the switching function in which it is not needed. Furthermore, as lever 52 pulls locking means 38 and rod 68 away from switch 66, energization would again be applied to operating means 21, if release-lever-actuated switch 60 were not connected in the circuit. Thus, switch 60 opens the circuit to prevent re-energization of operating means 21 before the present control element 84 is removed and a new element is inserted.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A switching unit adapted for actuation by a programmed control element to elfect a selective connection of a plurality of electrical contact members, comprising a support means, a first bank of contact means attached to said support means, a second bank of contact means positioned in spaced, parallel alignment with said first bank of contact means, means operatively connected with said second bank of contact means for biasing said second bank away from said first bank, motive power means on said support means, said motive power means including a relatively stationary portion and a portion movable with respect to said relatively stationary portion, said movable portion being operatively connected with said second bank of contact means, means in said unit operatively connected for limiting the biased movement of said second bank of contact means away from said first bank of contact means and for enabling said motive power means to drive said second bank of contact means toward said first bank of contact means against the action of said biasing means, locking means operatively connected between said movable portion of said motive power means and said support means for limiting the travel of said movable portion with respect to said relatively stationary portion and for locking the movable portion and the second bank of contact means in position upon activation and subsequent deactivation of said motive power means, means connected to said movable portion of said motive power means for retaining said locking means in a given position prior to activation of said motive power means, biasing means connected between said locking means and said support means for urging said locking means away from said retaining means subsequent to activation of said motive power means, release means movably connected to said support means and extended through said locking means for enabling operative communication therewith, means connected between said release means and said support means for biasing said release means toward said support means, release actuated switching means mounted on said support means adjacent said release means, locking means actuated switching means mounted on said support means, and control element actuated switching means mounted on said second bank of contact means.

2. A switching unit according to claim 1, wherein said first bank of contact means includes a first non-conductive mounting plate attached to said support means in spaced relationship therewith and a first plurality of electrical contact members extending through and secured to said first mounting plate, and said second bank of contact means includes a second non-conductive mounting plate and a second plurality of electrical contact members extending through and reciprocally secured to said second mounting plate.

3. A switching unit according to claim 2, wherein said stationary portion of said motive power means includes an electromagnetic means and said movable portion of said motive power means includes a magnetic contact plate and actuating rods connected to said contact plate and extended through said second mounting plate.

4. A switching unit according to claim 3 wherein said actuating rods are provided with a portion extending beyond said second mounting plate and said means for limiting the biased movement of said second bank of contact means includes fastening means attached to said extended portion of said actuating rods.

5. A switching unit according to claim 1 wherein said locking means includes a pair of members positioned in spaced, parallel alignment, a spacing means connected between two ends of a first section of said members, said spacing means and said first section of said members being positioned exteriorly of said support means, a second section of said members being positioned between said movable portion of said motive power means and said support means, means connected between two ends of said second section for contacting said movable portion and said support means thereby maintaining said movable portion and said support means in spaced relationship.

6. A switching unit according to claim 5 wherein said means connected between the ends of said second section of said locking means includes a first roller means rotatably secured between said members, for contacting said support means and a second roller means rotatably secured between said members for contacting said movable portion of said motive power means.

7. A switching unit according to claim 6 wherein said retaining means connected to said movable portion of said motive power means includes a detent means in the surface of said movable portion, said detent means being positioned for communication with said second roller means during a non-operative condition of the switching unit.

8. A switching unit according to claim 1 wherein said release actuated switching means comprises a normallyopen switch, said locking means actuated switching means comprises a normally-closed switch, said control element actuated switching means comprises a normally-open switch, and all of said switching means are electrically connected in series across said stationary portion of said motive power means.

9. A switching unit according to claim 5 wherein said release means comprises an elongated member rotatably secured at one end thereof to said support means, said elongated member extending between said pair of spaced members of said locking means and between said spacing means and said support means.

10. A switching unit according to claim 1 wherein said means for limiting the biased movement of said second bank of contact means is attached to said movable portion of said power means and contacted by said second bank of contact means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,924,678 2/ 1960 Hickok 200-46 3,166,648 1/ 1965 Soderman et a1 200-46 3,176,091 3/1965 Hanson et a1. 200-46 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. H. E. SPRINGBORN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A SWITCHING UNIT ADAPTED FOR ACTUATION BY A PROGRAMMED CONTROL ELEMENT TO EFFECT A SELECTIVE CONNECTION OF A PLURALITY OF ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEMBERS, COMPRISING A SUPPORT MEANS, A FIRST BANK OF CONTACT MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS, A SECOND BANK OF CONTACT MEANS POSITIONED IN SPACED, PARALLEL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID FIRST BANK OF CONTACT MEANS, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID SECOND BANK OF CONTACT MEANS FOR BIASING SAID SECOND BANK AWAY FROM SAID FIRST BANK, MOTIVE POWER MEANS ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS, SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS INCLUDING A RELATIVELY STATIONARY PORTION AND A PORTION MOVABLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID RELATIVELY STATIONARY PORTION, SAID MOVABLE PORTION BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID SECOND BANK OF CONTACT MEANS, MEANS IN SAID UNIT OPERATIVELY CONNECTED FOR LIMITING THE BIASED MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND BANK OF CONTACT MEANS AWAY FROM SAID FIRST BANK OF CONTACT MEANS AND FOR ENABLING SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS TO DRIVE SAID SECOND BANK OF CONTACT MEANS TOWARD SAID FIRST BANK OF CONTACT MEANS AGAINST THE ACTION OF SAID BIASING MEANS, LOCKING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID MOVABLE PORTION OF SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS AND SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR LIMITING THE TRAVEL OF SAID MOVABLE PORTION WITH RESPECT TO SAID RELATIVELY STATIONARY PORTION AND FOR LOCKING THE MOVABLE PORTION AND THE SECOND BANK OF CONTACT MEANS IN POSITION UPON ACTIVATION AND SUBSEQUENT DEACTIVATION OF SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS, MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID MOVABLE PORTION OF SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID LOCKING MEANS IN A GIVEN POSITION PRIOR TO ACTIVATION OF SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS, BIASING MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID LOCKING MEANS AND SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR URGING SAID LOCKING MEANS AWAY FROM SAID RETAINING MEANS SUBSEQUENT TO ACTIVATION OF SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS, RELEASE MEANS MOVABLY CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND EXTENDED THROUGH SAID LOCKING MEANS FOR ENABLING OPERATIVE COMMUNICATION THEREWITH, MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID RELEASE MEANS AND SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR BIASING SAID RELEASE MEANS TOWARD SAID SUPPORT MEANS, RELEASE ACTUATED SWITCHING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS ADJACENT SAID RELEASE MEANS, LOCKING MEANS ACUTATED SWITCHING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS, AND CONTROL ELEMENT ACTUATED SWITCHING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID SECOND BANK OF CONTACT MEANS.