Mechanical displacement amplifier and thermostat embodying same
AssigneeCanadian Industrial Innovation Centre
InventorUdo H. Mohaupt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanical displacement amplifier is disclosed in which a displacement amplifying spring member essentially in the shape of a shallow V is positioned between a reference point structure and a displacement member so as to buckle in response to movement of the displacement member towards the reference point structure. A dimple is provided adjacent the buckling point of the spring member to prevent it from straightening entirely. A thermostat embodying the mechanical displacement amplifier is also disclosed, in which a push rod between a microswitch and the buckling point of the spring member actuates the microswitch. A temperature adjustment dial positions the reference point structure, and a temperature sensing unit is the displacement member.
Claims10
A mechanical displacement amplifier comprising:
- a reference point structure;
- a displacement member which moves towards and away from said reference point structure;
- a displacement amplifying spring member including a displacement amplifying portion essentially in the shape of a shallow V, the bias of said spring member being towards straightening said displacement amplifying portion, the base of the V-shape constituting a buckling point;
- the ends of said displacement amplifying spring member being positioned to be constrained between said reference point structure and said displacement member with one end of said displacement amplifying portion adjacent said displacement member, and the other end of said displacement amplifying portion fixed with respect to said reference point structure, whereby movement of said displacement member with respect to said reference structure produces amplified displacement at said buckling point.
In a thermostat comprising a temperature sensing unit, a temperature adjustment, a snap action microswitch, and means for actuating said snap action microswitch in relation to the relative positions of said temperature sensing unit and said temperature adjustment, the improvement in which said means for actuating said microswitch comprises a displacement amplifying member essentially in the shape of a shallow V, the base of said V being connected to actuate said microswitch, the ends of said V being constrained between said temperature adjustment and said temperature sensing unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.