Switching mechanism with energy stored in coil sprin

Leavy, W. A.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

July 21, I964 W. A. LEAVY 3,141,932 
SWITCHING MECHANISM WITH ENERGY STORAGE MEANS 
Filed Sept. 18, 1961 
INVENTOR 
WILLIAM A. LEAVY 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19700029397 2020-03-17T02:14:29+00:00Z
3,141,932 United States Patent Office ,, , ,, ,,
2 
Switching devices of the type described are often uti- 
lized on tam recorder vlavbacks which are incorvorated 
SWITCHING M E c ~ A ~ S M  WITH ENERGY in satellite-vehicles. i t  k l l  be appreciated thit, con- 
STORAGE MEANS sidering the constraints imposed by the environment of 
~ i l i l i a m  A. ~eavy ,  Hyattwille, Ma., assignor to the united operation, simple and efficient means must be provided 
~~~~ $ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ a ~ ~ & ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  to insure that the playback operation will not be termi- 
Filed Seat. 18,1961, Ser. No. 139,012 nated in such a manner that recycling will be prevented. 
'I Claims. (CB. 200-39) On the other hand, it is extremely desirable that simple 
(Graded under Title 35, U.S. Code (1952), sec. 266) and reliable means be incorporated as a part of the ro- 
tating device for terminating such rotation at a desired 
The invention described herein may be manufactured position in order to conserve the space and weight that 
and used by or for the Government of the United States otherwise would of necessity be allocated to ancillary 
of America for governmental purposes without the pay- equipment adapted for this purpose. 
rnent of royalties thereon or therefor. The present invention includes as one of its features 
This invention relates to an improved switch actuation 15 a rotatable mechanical energy storage mechanism which 
I mechanism and more particularly to a driven switch stores energy in a coil spring as a result of the rotation 
actuation mechanism including a mechanical reset feature of the driven object and which is triggered by that ob- 
capable of completing its cycle of operation after the ject reaching a desired termination position. The mech- 
input drive has been deactivated. anism of the invention will store sufficient energy to 
Occasions will often arise when it is desirable to utilize allow a cutoff switch to be actuated thereby and then 
the final mechanical motion of a given operation to 20 permitted to return to its normal operating position. 
effectuate its own termination. For example, when using Coil spring operated switch actuation mechanisms are 
a mametic dr- as an information storage device it found in the prior art but generally have been directed 
may be desired to cause the drum to rotate past a pickup toward timing circuits which prevent the application of 
head for one revolution and then to terminate its own a voltage to a vacuum tube or the like for a predeter- 
motion. A protrusion or similar means may be located 25 mined period of time following an interruption in the 
on, or connected to, the body of the drum so that at the filament voltage in order that a sufficient period is al- 
completion of the desired rotation the protrusion will lowed for reheating. Such devices, which are actuated 
actuate suitable switching means to terminate the opera- by the position of a driven shaft, result in rotation of 
tion in accordance with the actual position of the drum. 30 a disc in a direction opposite to that of shaft rotation 
This feature of self-termination of operation is frequently so that, in effect, a rotating switch contact mounted on 
utilized with many diverse types of equipment wherein such a disc has its direction of rotation reversed for a 
it is desirable that a second operation, or a repetition sufficient period of time to allow filament temperature 
of the first cycle, be caused to occur at some later time. to be restored. The instant invention, in contradistinction 
For such purposes it is common practice to utilize 35 to the above, has as one feature thereof energy storage 
separate control circuits to effectuate initiation and terrni- means capable of storing energy from a rotating shaft 
nation of the operational sequence. In space applica- which will, at a desired time, release such stored energy 
tions, for example, a satellite vehicle may c m y  scientific SO that rotation of a disc or similar means is initiated in 
equipment that begins to operate when a signal pulse the same direction as that of the shaft. 
is received by a satellite carried radio receiver. This 40 Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to 
pulse may be sufficient to actuate a switch, latching relay provide an improved switch operating mechanism. 
or similar device which will then maintain the circuit in Another object is to provide a switch operating mech- 
an operative condition after the pulse is terminated. A anism controlled by the position of a driven object. 
completely independent circuit may be utilized to effectu- It is a further object to provide a cutoff switch which 
ate circuit cutoff or termination when a cutoff signal is 45 will be returned to its normal operating condition by 
received or on the occurrence of a predetermined event. energy stored within the switch mechanism. 
When separate start and stop circuits are used, the stop Still a further object is to provide a spring operated 
circuit is often in the form of a switch or similar device motion termination switch with a positive reset feature. 
which momentarily opens a power line. In such cases Yet another object is to provide a reset switch with 
it is usually required that the switching means, which 50 increased reliability of operation. 
opens the circuit, be returned to a closed position prior Still another object is to provide a reset switch actu- 
to the initiation of a second operational cycle. ation mechanism that is independent of the inertial energy 
A careful inspection of the problem will make evident of the controlled device. 
that when rotary mechanical means are utilized to actu- Other objects of this invention will become apparent 
ale a motion termination or cutoff switch an additional 85 upon a more comprehensive understanding of the inven- 
operation may be required to reactivate the switch prior tion for which reference is made to the following specifi- 
to a second cycle. For example, a rotating cam which cation and drawings which describe illustrative embodi- 
actuates a push button type switch that terminates the ments of the invention and wherein: 
cam rotation may coast beyond the switch mechanism, FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the in- 
if s ac i en t  inertia is present, thereby allowing the switch 60 stant invention shown in partial cross section along the 
to return to its normal position. On the other hand, line A-A of FIG. 2; and 
the cam may come to rest in a position which will maintain FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in 
the motion termination switch in the depressed position FIG. 1. 
when the power circuit is deenergized. If such an event Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference 
is allowed to occur it is usually necessary that the motion ~5 numerals refer to like or similar parts in the figures, 
termination switch be returned to its operative position and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated one 
prior to initiation of a second cycle. embodiment of the instant invention. A shaft 10 is il- 
Thus, it will be realized that in certain rotating de- lustrated which extends to motor 17 through driven mem- 
vices, utilizing a mechanically actuated motion ternlina- ber 18, which may be a tape recorder or other device 
tion switch, which rotates with insufficient momentum to 70 that it is desired to stop at a particular angular position 
clear the switch mechanism and allow it to reset, addi- or after the shaft has rotated a predetermined period of 
tional means will be required to complete this operation. time. 
3,142,022 
*a 
. i' 4 
The motor 17 may be p'ovided with suitable control nlcnt of the cup member 11 in a clockwise direction 
means, as are shown in the illustrative embodiment, will cause can1 36 to depress lever arm 34 which in turn 
which include relay 28 and switch 30. The relay, which actuates switch mechanism 30. 
is used to initrate motor operation, includes a pair of The instant inveniion may be most clearly understood 
nornlally open contacts wired in series with the motor 5 by considcring a complete cycle of operation. Assume 
power circuit 19, a holding winding 37 and a setti1-g that shaf~ 10 and cup member 11 are in such a position 
winding 29. The holding winding 37 is also wired in that stop member 24 is not engaged in slot 23 and, there- 
series wiih the power circuit 19 so that when a momen- fore, :hat the cup n~ember will rotate with the shaft due 
lary pulse is received by setting winding 29 the relay will to the connecting spring 20. As the shaft rotates, and 
be caused to close and current flowing in the power cir- 10 spring 28 rotates the cup member at the same rate, stop 
cuit though holding winding 3'7 will maintain the relay member 24 will slide along the outer surface of the cup. 
in a closed posiLion until the power circuit is intenuptea. When slot 23 is aligned with the keyed extension on 
Any momentary iilterruptionl in power circuit 19 will stop member 24, the spring 26 will draw the key into 
cause relay 28 to open. This relay will then remain open slot 23 preventing further rotation of the cup member. 
until another pulse is received by setiing winding 29. 15 Thus, as the shaft 3.8 continues to rotate in a clockwise 
The switch 30, which is also in series with the power manner spring 20 will be wound so that mechanical 
circuit, may be a normally closed pnsh button type mi- energy is stored therein. As the shaft rotates further, 
croswitch which whcn actuated will open power circuk the end of arm 14  will slide under stop lever 24 and as 
19. It  will be realized that the relay 28 and switch 30, the trailing edge of the rotor arm passes thereunder the 
cooperating with each other, will allow a cyclc of opera- 20 cup 11 will be freed from slop lever 24. At this time 
tion lo be initiated when a pulse is applied to setting wind- coil spring 20 will impart rotational movement to the 
ing 29 of the relay 23, which operation will continue cup membcr in a clockwise direction. The cam 36, 
until switch 30 is momentarily opened. Of course, for which Is positioned so that it is located adjacent lever 
proper operation, it is imperative that the normally closed arm 54 when the key is engaged in slot 23, will now 
switch 368 be returned to its closed position alter the 25 depress the arm 34 actuating switch mechanism 30. The 
circuit is broken to permit a new pulse at the setting spring is selected so that it is sufficient to cause cam 36 
winding lo recycle the apparatus. to actuate the switch mechanism and continue to rotaie 
A disc or cup shaped member BB is rotatably rnounted , far enough to permit lever arm 34 to return to the normal 
on shaft BO by means of ball bearing assemblies 12 and position. The push button 31, which is spring loaded 
13 so that it will freely rotate with respect thereto. On 30 io tine outer position, also returns to its normal condi- 
the cxtrenle lewer end of shaft 10, and below the cup tion. This momentary opening of power circuit 19 will 
shaped member 11, a rotor arm 14 is rigidly mounted by permit holding relay 28 to open thus maintaining the mo- 
means of set screws 15 and 3.6 so that it rotates with tor in an off condition. However, when the next pulse 
shaft BO. The configuration of rotor arm 14 may be is received at a winding 29 the mechanism will be in 
more clearly appreciated by simultaneous reference to 33 conmion to recycle. 
FIG. 2. It will be noted that the outer end of the roior Arm 14 may be adjusted by nteans of set screws 15 and 
arm is angled so that the leading edge, as the shaft rotates 16 so that any szlccted angular position of shaft 18 will 
in a clockwise manner, does not extend quite to the in- iniiiate the above described sequence of operation. Thus, 
ner diameter of cup member 11. The trailing edge, how- it will be appreciated that when shaft 10 reaches a pre- 
ever, extends beyond the outer diameter of the cup mem- 40 determined angular positron it will trip stop lever 24 which 
ber. will trigger an operational sequence that will actuate a 
As may be s?en in FIG. 2, a coil spring 20 (not shown swi~ch wlzich may be uiilked lo open the power circuit 
in FIG. B for purposes of clarity) is positioned within supplying !he drive mechanism for shaft 10 and which 
cup member 81 with one end k ~ e d l y  nlounted thereto after this operation is eBcctuated will, in a definite and 
by suitable means at 21. The other end of spring 20 45 positive manner, allow the switch to return to its normal 
is attached to shaft 10 through rotor arm 14 by means operative position so that a second cycle may be initiated 
of pin 22. The structure as thus far described consists on command. 
of a driven shaft with arm 14 rigidly mounted thereto While the parlicular switch mechanism disclosed herein 
and cup member 11 mounted thereon and constrained has been described in conjunction with specific embodi- 
from free ro?ation only by means of coil spring 20 which 50 mcnts for accon~plishing the desired operation, it should 
semirigidly attaches cup member 11 to shaft 10. be undcistood that the invention is not limited to any 
Along one side of the cup member BP a slot 23 is ma- particular mechanical components but rathcr compre- 
chined therein to receive the keyed extension of stop hends the utilization of any of a number of well-known 
member 24 which is pivotably mounted by means of means for accomplishing the desircd effect. 
scrcw 25 to base assembly 27. A spring 26, best illus- 55 What is claimed is: 
trated in FIG. I, is attached to slop member 24 and the I. A switch actuaiiozl inechanism, comprising in com- 
base assembly 2% so that the stop member is held against bination, switching means, a driven shaft, disc means 
the outer surface of the cup member as it rotates and rnourltcd for rotation on said shaft and connccted thereto 
so that the Icc!ied extension thereof will be drawn in to by spring means, means mounted on said disc for actuat- 
slot 23 when they are slimed. 60 iilg said switching means as said disc rotates on said shaft, 
A push button type microswitch 38, which is connected restraining means adjacent said disc for maintaining said 
through electrical lcads 19 to open the power circuit of disc in a fixed position so that the rotation of said driven 
motor 17, is adjustably attached to base member 27 by shaft will store energy in said spring means and trigger 
means of screws 32 and 33. Push button 31 extends means carried by said driven shaft for releasing said re- 
from the main switch body 368, which is positioned ad- 65 straining means at a predetermined angular position of 
jacent lo lever arni 34. The lever arm 34 is pivotably said driven, shaft. 
~l~ounted to the base member 27 by means of screw 35 2. A switch actuation mechanism, comprising, switch- 
so that lever arm movement from left lo right as viewed ing means, a driven s1laft, a disc mounted for rotation 
in FIG. 2 will depress push button 31 to within a few about said shaft, a coil spring connected between said 
thousandths of an inch of its limit of trayel and cause 70 disc and said a cam carried by said disc for actuat- 
switch 30 to be actuated thus opennng clrcult 13. ing said switchas said disc rotates about said shaft, a slot 
@am 36 is positioned on the outer surface of cup in said disc, eagageable keying means constrained to en- 
member BB SO that when stop member 24 is in slot 23 gagement with said slot for maintaining said disc in a 
the lower, or iorward, end of the cam will aln~ost ouch fixcd position as said shaft rotates so that the rotation 
the upper end of lever arm 34 and so that further move- 7j of said driwn shaft will storc energy in said spring means, 
3,141,932 
5 6 
and a frigger arm fixedly mounted on said shaft for dis- tioned on said disc to depress and then release said push 
engaging said keying means at a predetermined angular button. 
position of said driven shaft. 6. A motor control mechanism, comprising, a motor, 
3. A self-actuating switch mechanism including a reset a power circuit for said motor, switching means connected 
feature for use with switching means having at least two 5 in series with said power circuit, a shaft driven by said 
switch positions, said switching means being biased to one motor, energy storage means interposed between said 
of said switch positions, comprising in combination, a switching means and said shaft operable to actuate said 
driven shaft mounted in spaced relationship to said switching means, trigger means connected to said shaft 
switching means, rotatable actuator means mounted on for controlling the operation of said storage means ac- 
said shaft for actuating said switching means, controllable 10 cording to the angular position of said motor whereby 
energy storage means on said shaft for causing said ac- energy imparted by said shaft will be stored in said energy 
tuator means to sequentially actuate and then deactuate storage means until released by said trigger means to ac- 
said switching means, and control means mounted on tuate said switching means connected in said power cir- 
said shaft for controlling said energy storage means. cuit. 
4. A self-actuating switch mechanism including a reset 15 7. A switch actuation mechanism comprising in com- 
feature for use with push button operated switching means, bination, switching means, a driven shaft which is con- 
comprising in combination, a driven shaft mounted in trolled by said switching means, disc means with means 
spaced relationship to said switching means, rotatable con- located thereon for actuating said switching means, spring 
, trollable energy storage means mounted on said shaft for means connected to said driven shaft and to said disc 
r' causing self-rotation about said shaft, control means fix- 20 means so that said disc means will rotate with said driven 
i * edly positioned on said shaft for controlling said energy shaft, restraining means for maintaining said disc means 
storage means in response to the angular position of said in a fixed position with said fixed position being such that 
Y shaft, and a cam mounted on said energy storage means any further rotation of said disc will cause said actuation 
for depressing said push button on said switching means means to actuate said switching means, and trigger means 
when said energy storage means rotates about said shaft. 25 carried by said driven shaft for releasing said restraining 
5. A self-actuating switch mechanism including a reset means at a predetermined angular position of said driven 
feature for use with a push-button switch, comprising in shaft whereby the energy stored in said spring means will 
combination, a driven shaft mounted in spaced relation- rotate said disc means which will actuate said switching 
ship to said push button switch, a spring loaded disc ro- means and stop, the rotation of said driven shaft. 
tatably mounted on said shaft, controllable means for re- 30 
straining rotation of said disc, a cam positioned on said References Cited in the file of this patent 
disc to engage said push button as said disc rotates about UGITED STATES PATENTS 
said shaft, and control means fixedly positioned on said 1,831,605 Porter Nov. 1931 
shaft to release said restraining means according to the 2,203,556 Warren --------------- June 4, 1940 
angular position of said shaft whereby the rotation of said 35 2,820,860 et -------- Jan. 21, 1958 
shaft will wind said spring until said shaft reaches a pre- 2,891,6 Wharton -------------- 23, 1959 determined angular position when said control means will 
release said disc and said spring will cause said cam posi- 


Switching mechanism with energy storage means Patent

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