Modular switch mechanism
AssigneeSquare D Company
InventorsHamid S. Abroy, David E. Greer, John K. Leppla
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switch mechanism module for a switch including a first housing member, a second housing member, and an operating mechanism between the first and second housing members. The first housing member has first and second integral stops depending therefrom, and the second housing member has first and second integral legs depending therefrom. The operating mechanism rotates upon rotation of the handle of the switch causing rotation of the rotor of the switch. Movement of the operating mechanism ceases upon engagement of the operator cam with the stop of the first housing member. The integral legs of the second housing member provide reinforcement for the stops to prevent movement of the stops in the direction of the rotating cam.
Claims19
A switch mechanism module for an electrical distribution device, the electrical distribution device having a switch assembly within an enclosure, and a handle external to the enclosure for controlling the switch mechanism module, the switch mechanism module comprising:
- a first housing member having a substantially planar wall and an integral stop depending therefrom;
- a corresponding second housing member mating with the first housing member, the second housing member having a substantially planar wall and an integral leg depending therefrom;
- and,
- an operating mechanism having a cam operably connected to the handle for rotation upon movement of the handle, wherein the first housing member and second member housing mate around the operating mechanism, wherein the integral stop of the first housing member stops movement of the cam in one direction, and wherein the integral leg of the second housing member provides reinforcement for the integral stop to prevent movement of the integral stop in the direction of the cam.
An operating mechanism for a switch mechanism module of a switch comprising:
- a handle cam having an aperture, and a first arcuate slot with opposing fingers extending from the ends of the slot;
- an operator cam having an aperture, a second arcuate slot with opposing fingers extending from the ends of the slot, and a third arcuate slot with an opening thereto;
- a bias spring having a first end and a second end, the first end of the bias spring concurrently engaging the fingers at a first end of the first and second arcuate slots, the second end of the bias spring concurrently engaging the fingers at a second end of the first and second arcuate slots;
- a rotor cam adjacent the operator cam, the rotor cam having a first side, a second side, and a nub thereon, wherein a hub extends from the second side of the rotor cam, the hub having a geometrically shaped indentation adapted to mate with a protrusion of a rotor of the switch;
- and,
- a shaft extending through the apertures in the handle cam and operator cam.
A switch mechanism module for an electrical distribution device, the electrical distribution device having a switch assembly within an enclosure, and a handle external to the enclosure for controlling the switch mechanism module, the switch mechanism module comprising:
- a first housing member having a substantially planar wall and first and second integral stops depending therefrom;
- a corresponding second housing member mating with the first housing member, the second housing member having a substantially planar wall and first and second integral legs depending therefrom;
- and,
- an operating mechanism substantially within the mating first and second housing members and having a handle cam connected to a operator cam with a bias spring, wherein the handle cam and the operator cam rotate about a shaft upon rotation of the handle, wherein rotation of the operator cam energizes a push rod engaging the operator cam such that an energized push rod accelerates the operator cam causing rotation of a rotor cam that rotates a rotor of the switch assembly, movement of the operator cam ceasing upon engagement of the operator cam with one of the first or second integral stops of the first housing member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.