US 5,475,190 AGranted

Operator of a handle or toggle of a switch

AssigneeEaton Corporation

InventorsGeorge A. Smith, Thomas K. Fogle, Mark L. Lotzmann

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Abstract

A powered mechanism displaces the toggle, handle or similar operator of a switch such as a circuit breaker, motor contactor or transfer switch. A linear induction motor drives a motor shaft between extended and retracted positions. A pair of S-shaped cam members pivot at one end on an axis, and a sliding pin carried on the end of the motor shaft rides along slots in the cam members. A couple engages over the switch operator and is pivotally attached to links that in turn are pivotally attached to the cam members, The links attach to the cam members at a point closer to the pivot axis of the cam member than the sliding pin in the slots, thus obtaining leverage. The slots have an inclined or curved section joined to a straight section. The straight section provides an idling action in that no force is applied to the operator via the couple as the sliding pin passes through the straight section, allowing the motor to accelerate unopposed. When the sliding pin is in the inclined or curved section, displacement of the motor shaft moves the couple, and therefore the switch operator handle.

Claims14

Dependent claims

Apparatus for displacing a toggle or rocker-type actuator of a circuit switch, the circuit switch being mounted to a mounting structure, the apparatus comprising:

a couple engageable on the toggle or rocker-type actuator of the circuit switch;
a controllable device, mounted fixed relative the mounting structure, for supplying a driving force, the controllable device having an arm formed with an attachment-fixture and being controllable to alternately drive and stop the arm, the arm carrying the attachment-fixture through various positions relative to the circuit switch repeatably between a first position and a second position;
and,
a mechanism interconnecting the arm of the controllable device with the couple on the toggle or rocker-type actuator of the circuit switch;
the mechanism comprising a pivotal cam member mounted to pivot about a fixed axis relative the mounting structure, a rigid link extending between opposite ends pivotally connected to the couple and the cam member respectively, and, an abutment member attached to the attachment-fixture on the arm;
wherein the cam member is formed with an elongated slot as defined between spaced edges, and, the abutment member is arranged with portions partly occupying the slot and abuttable against one of said edges;
wherein the slot comprises an active section, and the arm and cam member are cooperatively arranged such that while the abutment member occupies the active section, operation of the controllable device effects driving the abutment member to attack one of the edges of the slot such that the abutment member simultaneously traverses said edge and induces angular changes in position of the cam member, which angular changes in position of the cam member induce corresponding changes in position of the couple on the toggle or rocker-type actuator of the circuit switch via the rigid link;
and,
the mechanism being sized and arranged such that the first and second positions for attachment-fixture correspond to open and closed positions respectively for the circuit switch, whereby operation of the controllable device permits operation of the circuit switch.

6 more elements

Apparatus for displacing a toggle or rocker-type actuator of a circuit switch, the apparatus comprising:

a couple engageable on the toggle or rocker-type actuator of the circuit switch;
motive means for supplying a drive input, comprising an arm formed with an attachment-fixture and being operable to alternately drive and stop the arm, the arm carrying the attachment-fixture in straight line motion through various positions relative to the circuit switch reversibly between opposite extreme positions;
and,
a mechanism interconnecting the arm of the motive means with the couple on the toggle or rocker-type actuator of the circuit switch;
the mechanism comprising a pivotal cam member mounted to pivot about a fixed axis, a rigid link extending between opposite ends pivotally connected to the couple and the cam member respectively, and, an abutment member attached to the attachment-fixture on the arm;
wherein the cam member has spaced and elongated cam surfaces defining a slot therebetween, the abutment member being arranged with portions partly occupying the slot and abuttable alternately against one and the other of said cam surfaces;
wherein the slot has an inclined section that is inclined relative to a straight axis defined by the motion of the abutment member, and the arm and cam member are cooperatively arranged such that while the abutment member occupies the inclined section, operation of the motive means effects driving the abutment member to attack one of the cam surfaces of the slot such that the abutment member simultaneously traverses said one cam surface and induces angular changes in position of the cam member, which results in corresponding changes in position of the couple on the toggle or rocker-type actuator of the circuit switch via the rigid link;
and,
wherein the mechanism is sized and proportioned such that operation of the motive means permits operation of the toggle or rocker-type actuator of the circuit switch, between open and closed positions for the circuit switch.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.