Inertia switch having a variable operating threshold
AssigneeSociete Anonyme Automobiles Citroen
InventorAlbert Grosseau
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved inertia switch having a variable threshold and operating time comprises a flywheel, a driving member, electrical contact elements carried respectively by the driving member and the flywheel and return means coupled between the driving member and the flywheel. The contact element carried by the flywheel comprises on the one hand a contact terminal integral with a support coupled by friction to the flywheel, the contact terminal co-operating with a part of the contact carried by the driving member, and on the other hand, a contact surface integral with the flywheel co-operating with a second contact part carried by the driving member. The switch is particularly applicable for detecting imminent locking of a vehicle wheel.
Claims11
An improved inertia switch having a variable operating threshold for detecting impending locking of a rotary device, such as a vehicle wheel, comprising:
- a shaft mounted for rotation by said rotary member;
- a flywheel mounted on said shaft for idling rotation relative thereto;
- a stop carried by said flywheel;
- a flywheel drive member mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith and cooperable with said stop to drive said flywheel in said direction of rotation;
- return means coupled between said flywheel and said drive member, the effect of which tends to maintain the said stop in contact with said drive member;
- a support member frictionally coupled to said flywheel and capable of being displaced relative thereto;
- two pairs of contact means, each pair comprising contact elements, said first pair of contact means being normally open when said drive member engages said stop and including a contact element mounted on said drive member and a contact element mounted on said support member, said contact elements being arranged to be closed upon relative movement of said flywheel and said drive member through a predetermined annular distance, said second pair of contact means being normally open when said drive member engages said stop and including a contact element mounted on said flywheel and a contact element carried by one of said members and shiftable upon movement of said drive member relative to said flywheel through a predetermined annular distance greater than said first mentioned annular distance to effect contact with said contact element of said second pair of contact means mounted on said flywheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.