US3497841A - Magnetic latch relay - Google Patents

Description

A. E. WOOD, JR., ETAL 3,497,841

Feb. 24,1970

MAGNETIC LATCH RELAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 30, 1967 Feb. 24, 1970 A. E. wooo, JR., ETAL MAGNETIC LATCH RELAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 30, 1967 INVENTORS.

United States Patent Ofitice 3,497,841 Patented Feb. 24, 1970 3,497,841 MAGNETIC LATCH RELAY Arthur E. Wood, Jr., San Pedro, Calif. (40 Chuck Wagon Road, Rolling Hills, Calif. 90274), and Ralph Edward lgvlarvin, 1805 E. Wardlow Road, Long Beach, Calif.

0807 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 456,226, May 17, 1965. This application Aug. 30, 1967, Ser. No. 664,419

Int. Cl. H01h 9/02 US. Cl. 335-179 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A magnetic latch relay is disclosed in which a pair of electromagnets, a centrally disposed permanent magnet and an associated pivotable armature are all mounted from a common yoke element which supports the components away from the relay base assembly. The armature is supported by an intermediate plate and is adapted to pivot about a knife edge formed from one end of the permanent magnet.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-impart of an earlier filed application Ser. No. 456,226, filed May 17, 1965, now abandoned.

This invention relates to improvements in electrical relays particularly as to mounting and packaging of parts. Exemplary forms of the invention are disclosed as magnetic latch type relays having a novel and improved construction. The relay is referred to as a latch type relay inas much as it is a bi-stable device, that is it is stable in two different positions which, may, for example, represent the on and off positions of a switch. In one form of the invention, as described in detail herein, it takes the form of a bi-stable electromagnetic relay providing single pole, double throw contact operation. In another form of the invention double pole, double throw contact operation is provided. The relay is of a type wherein the bi-stable operation is achieved through the use of a permanent magnet associated with an electromagnetic means and an armature. The electromagnetic means can, of course, be energized and de-energized. In the invention as described herein, the energization and de-energization of the electromagnetic means changes the magnetic flux in a manner so as to cause the armature to shift between its bi-stable positions. The flux produced by the permanent magnet is utilized to hold the armature in its two stable positions. The magnetic fields are utilized in this way so that the result is realized without the use of biasing springs or any other similar types of devices. Only a single ermanent magnet is used. In the forms of the invention as described herein, two electromagnetic cores and associated windings are used. The permanent magnet and the electromagnetic cores and windings are arranged in a symmetrical relationship. The armature is preferably symmetrically arranged about a pivot point at one end of the permanent magnet. In the preferred form of the invention the magnetic cores are mounted upon a common magnetic yoke which yoke also supports the permanent magnet. This assembly is supported by a base member or contact header.

A special feature of both forms of the invention is the particular manner and construction utilized in the packaging of the parts of the assembly. A significant aspect of this construction is that there is provided a magnetic yoke upon which are supported the magnetic cores, the coils and the permanent magnet and the armature. These parts as well as the contacts and terminals are contained within the cap or cover which is attachable to a circular base or header. The yoke has legs that are secured to the header so that the yoke with its attached parts stands off from the header. The terminal members extend through the header, thence through insulating members into the space between the header and the part is carried 'by the yoke. This provides an extremely simple, compact way of packaging and holding the parts in their proper relationship. This structural relationship is a primary feature of the herein invention and may be utilized in relays other than latch type relays.

In light of the foregoing, a primary object of the invention is to provide a relay characterized in having an improved arrangement of parts, mounting thereof, and containment in a circular housing having a header wherein the essential parts are carried by a magnetic yoke having legs whereby it stands off from the header.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved bi-stable latch type relay, utilizing a single permanent magnet which is carried by the magnetic yoke member, and the relay having contacts, providing for either single pole, single throw operation or double throw operation. In either relay operation, however, contacting means is positioned between the header and the part is carried by the magnetic yoke.

In the forms of the invention described in detail herein, the armature is preferably mounted upon a knife ed e at the end of the permanent magnet which is positioned between the relay windings. In one form of the invention the armature is held on the knife edge by way of metal fingers, brackets or clips extending from a plate positioned at the ends of the windings or coils through which the cores extend. These fingers or clips engage with cutouts on opposite sides or edges of the armature allowing it to move angularly on the knife edge. In this form of the invention, the knife edge is received in a V-notch in the armature. In a further and preferred form of the invention, instead of having the V-notch in the armature, a transverse groove is provided in the armature on the side opposite from the knife edge support. A transverse pivot shaft, having its ends journalled in brackets extending from the plate which is carried by a tachment to the coils fits in the transverse groove cores. This armature mounting thus described has improved reliability and effectiveness.

Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational View of the exterior of one form of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken through the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional View taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 4;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of a modified form of the invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a partial exploded View of the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 6.

The relay of this invention is highly adapted to miniaturization and has many applications in different types of components and environments. An exemplary form of the relay as shown in FIGURE 1 comprises a base or header 10 and a cap or cover 12 having a flange 14 adjacent the base 10. The cap or cover 12 encloses the mechanism of the relay. Extending outwardly from the base 10 are a group of connecting leads designated collectively at 16.

As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIGURE 2 and in FIGURE 5, the base 10 has a portion 18 of smaller diameter so as to provide an extending flange 19. The cap 12 fits over the part 18 of smaller diameter with the flange 14 flush against the flange 19. Numeral 21 designates an extending tab which indicates the position of the armature and the contacting mechanism within the housing 12.

Supported within the housing are electromagnetic cores, electromagnetic windings and a permanent magnet. Numeral 24 designates a common magnetic yoke or yoke frame which supports the magnetic cores. The frame 24 has extending legs 27 and 28 (FIGURE which are received in cutouts 31 and 32 in the header or base member and which may be welded thereto. The magnetic yoke 24 supports cylindrical cores 33 and 34 which are suitably attached to the top of the yoke 24 as shown at 35 and 36 (FIGURE 2). The core 33 has an end flange 40. Numeral 42 designates an electromagnetic winding which is wound on the core 33, the winding being encased in a suitable insulative sheath 43.

The core 34 has an end flange 50. Numeral 52 designates an electromagnetic winding on this core, this Winding having a suitable insulative sheath 54. The cores 33 and 34 have end parts 55 and 56 which fit through apertures 57 and 58 in the base or bottom of yoke or frame 24. See FIGURE 5.

The armature is designated at 60. In this form of the invention, it has a shape or configuration as shown in FIGURES 3 and 5 having side cutouts as designated at 61 and 62 (FIGURE 3). A support plate 46 has openings 47 and 48 through which the cores 33 and 34 extend (FIGURE 5) plate 46 has a center slot or opening 63 from which depend legs 66 and 68 having end tabs 70 and 71 which are bent over to engage the armature 60 as shown in FIGURE 3. Legs 66 and 68 fit in cutouts 61 and 62. Between the electromagnetic cores and windings there is an elongated permanent magnet 74 supported from the yoke frame 24. It has a knife edge 75 formed at its end. The armature 60 is shaped as may be seen in FIGURE 2 so that when one portion as shown, contacts an end face of the core 33 the other portion of the armature is spaced from the end face of the core 34 to pro vide an air gap therebetween. The armature 60 has an intermediate transverse groove 77 which engages the knife edge 75 so that the armature has a pivotal mounting at the end of the permanent magnet 74. From the foregoing it may be seen that the legs 27 and 28 of magnetic yoke 24 stand it ofi from header 10. The yoke 24 carries and supports the coils, and armature. The contacts are located in the space between the winding assembly and the header with the terminals extending through the header into this space.

The armature 60 has a stem 78 attached to it having a ball 79 at its end positioned to engage and operate a contact as will be described. Numeral 81 designates a second stem with a ball 82 attached to it for similar purpose. As may be observed the armature has a pivotal mounting provided by the knife edge 75, groove 77 and the tabs 70 and 71.

The armature in its pivotal movements operates a flexible contact strip 85 which is secured to the end 86 of a conductive contact pin or stem which extends through an insulator 88 in the base or header 10. The flexible contact strip 85 selectively engages one of two curved contact members 91 and 92 which are attached respectively to contact pins or stems 94 and 95 as shown in FIG- URE 4. Stems 94 and 95 extend through insulators 97 and 98 respectively in the base or header 10.

Additional current pin leads are provided as designated at 100 and 101 extending through insulators 103 and 104. Numerals 108 and 109 designate additional current pin leads extending through the insulators 111 and 112 respectively in the base or header 10. These leads are for the purpose of conducting current to the electromagnetic windings 42 and 52. The windings are wired so that they may be individually energized to produce magnetic flux in a direction to neutralize the permanent magnetic flux in either of the cores 33 or 34, as will be described.

FIGURE 2 shows the armature 60 in one of its positions in which it is in contact with the end face of the core 33. The other end of the armature 60 forms an air gap with the end face of the core 34. In this position the insulated actuator ball 82 on the armature 60 presses one end of the flexible contactor into engagement with the contact member 92. As will be observed by those skilled in the art, the relay provides for single poles, double throw contacting operation. Double pole, double throw contacting operation can of course be provided for as shown in the embodiment of FIGURES 6 and 7. It will be observed that the relay as described in detail herein accomplishes all of the objects and advantages as described herein as well as having many additional advantages that are apparent from the detailed description. f

In the position shown in FIGURE 2, the armature 60 being in contact with the end face of the core 33 provides a low permeability flux path for the flux from the permanent magnet 74 through the armature, the core 33 and the yoke 24. This flux holds the armature in the position shown so that it is stable in this position. To reverse the position of the relay, the electromagnetic winding 42 may be energized in a direction (or polarity) so as to neutralize the flux in the core 33. The armature 60 is not then held against the core 33. The flux of the permanent magnet 74 in the air gap between the other end of the armature and the core 34 is suflicient to cause the armature to rotate about its pivot point so that its other end is brought into contact with the end face of the core 34. Armature 60 is then held in that position. In this position the contact member 85 is brought into engagement with the contact 91. To again change the position of the armature, the winding 52 may be energized in a direction, that is with a polarity to cancel or neutralize the flux in the core 34.

FIGURES 6 and 7 show a modified form of the relay. This form of the invention provides for double pole, double throw contacting operation. The mounting of the armature is different as will be described hereinafter. Those parts of the relay of FIGURES 6 and 7 which are alike and correspond to similar parts in the previous embodiment are identified by the same reference characters. In this form of the invention the magnetic yoke 24 is like that of the previous embodiment having legs 27 and 28 which fit into the cutouts 31 and 32 in the header 10.

In this form of the invention, the armature is designated at 100. It is like the armature 60 of the previous embodiment except as follows. On the side of the armature opposite from the knife edge 75 it has a transverse groove 101 adapted to receive a pivot shaft 104. The other side of the armature is positioned directly against the knife edge 75 without a V-notch in the armature. The plate 106 is slightly different than the corresponding plate 46 of the previous embodiment. It has openings 107 and 108 through which the cores 33 and 34 extend as in the previous embodiment. It has an intermediate slot or cutout 111 from which extend brackets 114 and 115 having apertures therein, in which the ends of the shaft 104 are journalled with the shaft positioned in the groove 101 as shown in FIGURE 6. Thus as can be seen, the armature rotates angularly about the knife edge 77, the shaft 104 having slight clearance in the openings in the brackets 114 and 115 to allow this movement. The armature and shaft 104 are normally urged against the knife-edge 75 by the magnetic attraction so that the shaft is normally in a tangential relationship at the bottom of the aperture in the brackets 114 and 115.

In FIGURE 7, numerals and 121 designate a pair of flexible contact strips which are engageable to be operated by the balls 79 and 82 carried by the armature 100. Strip 120 is carried at the end part of a terminal 124 which extends through an insulated member 125 in the header 10. This end operates between two curved contact members 127 and 129. Contact 127 is carried by a terminal 130 which extends through an insulator member 131 in the header 10. Contact 129 is attached to and carried by terminal 133 extending through an insulating member 134 in the header 10.

Contact strip 121 is carried by terminal member 140 extending through insulating member 141 in header 10. The end of strip 121 operates between curved contact members 145 and 146. Contact member 145 is carried by terminal member 148 extending through an insulating member in header 10, and contact 146 is carried by terminal member 147 extending through an insulating member in the header 10. Additional terminal members as necessary are provided, carried by and extending through the header 10.

The operation of the relay of FIGURES 6 and 7 is similar to that of the previous embodiment and therefore the description of operation need not be repeated in detail. However, as explained, the contact operation is double pole, double throw. The armature is held in position and operates as described without the requirement of having a V-notch in the armature.

From the foregoing those skilled in the art will observe that the relay of both embodiments is stable in its two positions and in each position it is held stable by the flux from the permanent magnet in a flux path including either one of the cores 33 or 34. By the reason of the symmetrical relationship, the same permanent magnet is utilized to provide flux for causing the armature to change its position and for holding it stable in either one of its two positions.

From the foregoing those skilled in the art will observe and understandthe construction, and mounting of the parts, and will appreciate that the packaging thereof is alike in the two embodiments of the invention. The magnetic yoke itself serves as the supporting frame for the parts of the relay, its legs standing these parts off from the header. The contacts are conveniently spaced just inside the header between it and the winding assembly. This provides for a very simplified, compact and effective arrangement of parts.

From the foregoing those skilled in the art will readily understand the nature of the invention and its construction, and the manner in which its objects and advantages as outlined in the foregoing are realized as well as the many additional advantages that are apparent from the detailed description.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of preferred forms of the invention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A miniaturized magnetic latch relay comprising:

a support header having at least one pair of fixed contacts positioned above the header and coupled to contact pins extending through the header, a movable contact mounted on an additional contact pin extending through the header, said movable contact being adapted to pivot into electrical contact with one or the other of said fixed contacts in response to pivotable movement of an armature positioned for insulated engagement with the movable contact;

a magnetic yoke having a plate member parallel to the header and provided with substantially opposed downwardly depending elongated legs adapted for attach ment to the header;

an armature;

an electromagnetic means for pivotably moving said armature into engagement with said movable contact and latching the armature at said pivoted position, the improvement comprising:

said electromagnetic means is mounted from said yoke plate free from contact with said base and out of contact with said legs whereby distortion of said legs does not disrupt the cooperative relationship between said electromagnetic means, said armature and said contacts, said electromagnetic means comprising:

a permanent magnet fastened to said yoke plate and aligned free of contact between said opposed legs;

a pair of electromagnetic coils positioned on opposite sides of said permanent magnet;

means pivotably mounting the armature to the permanent magnet and completing a partial magnetic circuit with the permanent magnet through the armature; and

a magnetic core means for each coil, said core means mounting the armature mounting means, and the electromagnetic coils to said yoke plate also free of contact with said yoke legs, said cores serving to complete a magnetic circuit for said armature in latched positions thereof.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said permanent magnet has a knife edge formed at one end, said combination further comprising:

means included in said mounting means for supporting the armature in pivotal engagement with said knife edge.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said armature supporting means comprises:

an armature support plate member having extending bracket clips engaging said armature and holding it in position to pivot with respect to said knife edge, said support plate member being supported by said cores.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said armature has a transverse groove in a side opposite from said knife edge and said supporting means comprises:

a shaft engageable in said groove;

means for supporting said shaft with the armature in a position to pivot about said knife edge.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said shaft supporting means comprises:

an armature support plate member supported by said cores, said armature support plate member having a bracket pair extending therefrom, each bracket having an aperture therein through which an end of said shaft is journalled.

6. A miniaturized magnetic relay comprising in combination:

a base member;

electromagnetic means including two electromagnetic coils, each coil being provided with an associated core;

a permanent magnet positioned between said two coils;

a magnetic yoke including a magnetic plate member positioned substantially parallel to said base member and having at least two elongated legs supporting said plate member away from said base member, the electromagnetic coils, associated cores and the permanent magnet being supported from said magnetic plate member off from said base member, the coils, associated cores and the permanent magnet being out of contact with said legs;

armature support means supported by said cores; and

an armature pivotally mounted on said support mea s and adapted to selectively contact either one or the other of said cores depending upon its pivoted position.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said permanent magnet has a knife edge formed at one end; said combination further comprising:

said support means mounts the armature for pivotal engagement with said knife edge.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said armature support means further comprises:

an armature support plate member having extending bracket clips engaging said armature and holding it 7 in position to pivot with respect to said knife edge, said support plate member being supported by said cores.

9. The combination of claim 16 wherein said armature has a transverse groove in a side opposite from said knife edge and said support means comprises:

a shaft engageable in said groove;

means for supporting said shaft with the armature in a position to pivot about said knife edge.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said shaft supporting means comprises:

an armature support plate member supported by said cores, said armature support plate member having a bracket pair extending therefrom, each bracket having an aperture therein through which an end of said shaft is journalled.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,121,148 2/1964 Wellsctal. 335--80XR 2,955,174 10/1960 Richert 335-80 5 2,941,130 /1960 Fischer etal 33s 23o 2,082,493 6/1937 Hartman 335-181 FOREIGN PATENTS 0 155,233 10/1963 Russia. 1

U.S. Cl. X.R.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE ()F CORRECTION 3,497 ,841 February 24, 1970 Patent No. Dated I v d Arthur E. Wood, Jr. et a1 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, lines 6 and 7, and line 24, "part is carried",

each occurrence, should mead parts carried line 43 after "to the coils" insert and Column 4, line 11, "poles" should read pole line 70, "aperture" should read apertures Column 7, line 4, "claim 16" should read claim 6 Signed and sealed this 1st day of December 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR. Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

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