Independently Operative Bimetallic Elements Patents (Class 337/39)
  • Patent number: 7876192
    Abstract: A thermal and/or magnetic overload trip device for an electrical switching device having multiple poles includes a housing having a housing member configured to receive a plurality of functional elements and being at least partially closable. The overload trip device further including a conductor strap associated with each of the multiple poles, each conductor strap having an associated housing portion, and a rotatable trip shaft configured to rotate between a rest position and an actuating position so as to trip an associated switching mechanism. The overload trip device further including at least one rotatable adjusting element configured to set the at least one of the presettable thermal threshold and the presettable magnetic threshold. Further, the housing member is configured so that the functional elements is insertable therein and is couplable to the housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Industries GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Bausch, Rainer Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7355139
    Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker includes an elastic contact piece to contact with two terminals of a circuit, thereby electrically connecting the circuit. One end of the elastic contact piece fixed to a terminal is a fixed end, and the other end of the elastic contact piece is a free end. The portion of the elastic contact piece close to the fixed end is bended to form an elastic curved section, which is capable of deforming and resuming an original state after deformation. Because of the elastic curved section, the elastic contact piece is capable of deforming, deflecting, and resuming the original state after deformation. Therefore, the length and size of the elastic contact piece can be reduced, and the circuit breaker is miniaturized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6621403
    Abstract: An overload tripping device includes a temperature-compensating bimetal operating as a tripping lever and interposed between an output lever of a differential shifter mechanism linked with a main bimetal and a latch receiver of an opening-and-closing mechanism section of a circuit breaker. The temperature-compensating bimetal has an intermediate portion journaled on a bimetal holder. An operating arm made of a light molding material is attached to a tip of the temperature-compensating bimetal so as to push the latch receiver. Additionally, a balance weight may be installed on the temperature-compensating bimetal to balance inertial moments on the opposite sides of the bimetal. Thus, the circuit breaker is prevented from being inadvertently tripped due to external stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isamu Nagahiro, Naoshi Uchida, Katsunori Kuboyama, Jun Oyama
  • Publication number: 20030160679
    Abstract: A switch includes an N-shaped spring which is connected between an inside of the base of the switch and an end of a bimetal plate. The bimetal plate has a contact point and is pushed to let the contact point contact an another contact point on one of three terminal plates. An adjusting member is movably engaged with the base and contacts an end of the N-shaped spring so as to adjust the position of the N-shaped member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Publication number: 20030137390
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing having a rim defining an open top and having a closed bottom defining two slots. A button is pivotally connected to the housing at the open top and is pivotal relative to the housing between two extreme positions. A first blade and a second blade extend from the interior to the exterior of the housing through the slots. A bimetallic strip is held in place in the housing and engaged with the second blade. The bimetallic strip has a U-shaped groove surrounding a tongue portion of the bimetallic strip. The tongue portion is normally engaged with the first blade. Additionally, the button has two legs configured so that the tongue portion of the bimetallic strip may be sandwiched between the legs whenever the button is in any angular position between the two extreme positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Albert Huang
  • Publication number: 20030102953
    Abstract: A safety switch is constructed to include two metal contact plates, a bimetal contact plate suspended from one metal contact plate, a switching handle, a push and pull bar pivoted to the switching handle and driven by the switching handle to move the bimetal contact plate between the “On” position and the “Off” position, and a S-shaped metal spring plate adapted for supporting and guiding movement of the push and pull bar for enabling the bimetal contact plate to trip off automatically upon an overload despite of the positioning of the push and pull bar or the switching handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: Ming-Shan Wang
  • Patent number: 6512441
    Abstract: A push-button switch with overload protection is disclosed. The switch comprises a housing, a conducting unit, and an actuating unit. The conducting unit comprises several terminals, a normal-open first conducting leaf and a thermally deflecting bimetal sheet. The bimetal sheet is of a U shape having a working end and an opening end. The working end can deflect to an overload position from a normal position in the event of overload. The actuating unit comprises a stem, a positioning means, a rocking lever, an enabling lever, and a lever reseating member. By means of the above structure, a trip action could be assured no matter what happens on the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6445273
    Abstract: An overload-protection push-button switch with automatic resetting mechanism is disclosed. The switch is characterized in that a pressing stem actuates a conducting leaf via an enabled rocking lever, and that a wrecking bar is provided to dislocate the position of a positioning unit so that the pressing stem will automatically return back to its reset position in case the rocking lever is disabled due to overload. By means of the above structure, a push-button switch which is capable of exactly functioning and has a simple structure to easily assemble is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Publication number: 20020063619
    Abstract: An overload tripping device includes a temperature-compensating bimetal operating as a tripping lever and interposed between an output lever of a differential shifter mechanism linked with a main bimetal and a latch receiver of an opening-and-closing mechanism section of a circuit breaker. The temperature-compensating bimetal has an intermediate portion journaled on a bimetal holder. An operating arm made of a light molding material is attached to a tip of the temperature-compensating bimetal so as to push the latch receiver. Additionally, a balance weight may be installed on the temperature-compensating bimetal to balance inertial moments on the opposite sides of the bimetal. Thus, the circuit breaker is prevented from being inadvertently tripped due to external stimulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Isamu Nagahiro, Naoshi Uchida, Katsunori Kuboyama, Jun Oyama
  • Patent number: 6377158
    Abstract: A push button current cut-off safety switch comprising a housing having an opening; a push button mounted within the housing and being fitted to said opening; a push rod being mounted below said push button and including a triangular passage and an insulating element; a spring being inserted into and compressed by the push rod; an interlinking rod having one end pivotally connected to the housing and the other end being connected to the triangular passage of the push rod; a first conductive plate; a second conductive plate being connected to the first conductive plate by a resilient plate such that the downward movement of the push rod electrically connects to the first and the second conductive plates and the upward movement of the push button disconnects the first and the second conductive plates; an alloy metal made of a shape memory alloy which is thermally deformable, said alloy metal being linked to the second conductive plate and connected to the interlinking rod; a third conductive plate being connect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6377159
    Abstract: A circuit breaker switch essentially comprising a push button switch, an alloy metal having one end connected to a contact of a circuit of the switch and the other end being mounted to the circuit of the switch. If the current to the switch does not exceed a predetermined current value, the switch functions as a normal switch. That is, the original position of the switch is in the “OFF” position and a depression to the push button changes its position to the “ON” state. A further depression of the push button restores the push button to the “OFF” state. When the current passed to the switch exceeds the predetermined current valve, the alloy metal is thermally deformed and curved upward, which forms a gap to allow an insulating plate to be inserted to cut off the current supply and open the circuit. The switch restores to its function by resetting the push button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6353380
    Abstract: A power switch device includes a switch body with a switch contact device pivotally connected to a switch cover body. An alloy piece is connected to one of two contact terminals and a second contact joint to which the other contact terminal disengagably contacts when the circuit is closed. The switch contact device has a movable member retractably received therein and the alloy piece contacts one end of the movable member. The end of the movable member is normally supported on a plate in the switch body so that when the current is overloaded, the alloy piece is thermally deformed to push the end of the movable member away from the plate and the switch contact device is therefore pivoted to release a conductive plate pressed by the switch contact device so as to shut the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6335674
    Abstract: A circuit breaker with a push button includes an electrical breaker having a casing having an opening defined therein with a hole defined in each side near the opening. A first prong and a second prong each attached to and extending through the casing. An alloy plate is attached to the first prong and has a free end aligning with the second prong. A seesaw switch is pivotally mounted in the opening of the casing with a shaft extending from the center of each side. Each of the shafts is received in the corresponding hole in the casing. A push block is pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the seesaw switch and has a recess defined therein to receive the free end of the alloy plate. An activation block extends from a top portion of the seesaw switch. A push button is attached to the electrical breaker and has an activation rod movable back and forth therein. The activation rod presses on the activation block of the seesaw switch and has an axis at a right angle with the axis of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventor: Chao-Tai Huang
  • Patent number: 6307460
    Abstract: A power switch device includes a switch box with a button pivotally connected thereto which is pivotally connected to an actuating member. An engaging member is movably connected to the actuating member and removably engaged with a block. A head connected to the actuating member movably compresses a conduct plate so that when the conduct plate contacts a terminal plate, the circuit is closed. A bimetal plate connected to the terminal plate has a pushing end contacting the engaging member so that when the current is overloaded, the pushing end is thermally deformed to push the engaging member away from the block and the engaging member drops due to gravity. The head is then lifted to release the conduct plate from the terminal plate to open the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6307459
    Abstract: A switch structure comprises a control element, which comprises an alloy piece and a swing contact device. The alloy piece includes an actuating piece with a convex part, which has a upper side normally pushing the lower surface of the end part in the swing contact device so that the actuating piece ejects outwards and escapes from the end part when the alloy piece is overheated because of the current flowing through therein overloaded. Therefore, the end part falls down due to no support force and the head part of the swing contact device deforms upwards and does not press on the elastic contact piece. The elastic contact piece is released from the pressing of the swing contact device to eject upwards. Two joints connected in an electric loop are tripped. The object of rapid response, cutting power source, and safety is therefore achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6275133
    Abstract: A switch structure comprises a control element, which comprises an alloy piece and a swinging device. The swinging device has an actuating element used to actuate the swinging device when the actuating element is pushed. When the alloy piece is overheated due to overloading of current, it will deform toward the actuating element so as to eject the actuating element, which causes the swing device to swing outwards and is released from the supporting of the stopper in the switch body. Then, the swing device moves towards the original closing position, and the elastic contacting piece is released from the pressing of the swing device to eject upwards. Two joints connected in an electric loop are tripped. The object of rapid response, cutting power source, and safety is therefore achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Tsung-Mou Yu
    Inventor: Chun-Hsu Chen
  • Patent number: 6252489
    Abstract: A switch structure which includes an alloy piece, a contact control device, and a push device is disclosed. The contact control device includes an elastic part and connects to an end part so that the end part may reciprocally move with respect to the contact control device in a horizontal direction. The end part normally contacts with the upper side of the stopper placed in the switch body and is used to push the push device towards the end part when the alloy piece is overheated and strain is generated due to the current flowing through the alloy piece. The end part then elastically contracts and escapes from the stopper to fall down so that another end of the contact control device projects upwards and does not press the elastic contact plate. Therefore, the elastic contact plate may escape from the two contact points to cut off the power source rapidly by the elastic force to achieve the purpose of safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Tsung-Mou Yu
    Inventor: Chun-Hsu Chen
  • Patent number: 6249209
    Abstract: A switch structure comprises a switch case, a switch, a contact reed, a control element, a swinging device, and an alloy piece. The swinging device is assembled with the control element. The switch is coupled with the contact reed. When the alloy piece is overheated due to current overloading, it is deformed towards the control element so as to push the swinging device that is then swung away and released from the support of the switch case. As a result, the control element moves towards to an original off position. An elastic contacting piece is released from the pressing of the control element so as to be ejected upwards and break the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6154116
    Abstract: The thermal circuit breaker and switch has fixed and movable contacts, and non-conductive contact and trip actuators. The movable contact is provided on the free end of a lever arm that normally biases the movable contact toward its open position. The contact actuator transfers movement from a rocker or operator to the movable contact arm when no overload condition exists. The trip actuator is L shaped and rotates in a socket when engaged by a thermally sensitive bi-metallic element so as to allow one end of the contact actuator to float freely, allowing the movable contact arm's bias to open the circuit. The bi-metallic element is so positioned as to engage and rotate the trip actuator only when the bi-metallic element is deformed due to an overheat condition that occurs with an overcurrent. A compression spring acts between the upstanding legs of the trip actuator and the underside of the rocker thus biasing the rocker to the `off` position and biasing the trip actuator to the `reset` position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Richard W. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 6094126
    Abstract: The thermal circuit breaker and switch has fixed and movable contacts, and non-conductive contact and trip actuators. The movable contact is provided on the free end of a lever arm that normally biases the movable contact toward its open position. The contact actuator transfers movement from a rocker or operator to the movable contact arm when no overload condition exists. The trip actuator is L shaped and rotates in a socket when engaged by a thermally sensitive bi-metallic element so as to allow one end of the contact actuator to float freely, allowing the movable contact arm's bias to open the circuit. The bi-metallic element is so positioned as to engage and rotate the trip actuator only when the bi-metallic element is deformed due to an overheat condition that occurs with an overcurrent. A compression spring acts between the upstanding legs of the trip actuator and the underside of the rocker thus biasing the rocker to the `off` position and biasing the trip actuator to the `reset` position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Richard W. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 6072381
    Abstract: A small-sized simple switch for circuit protection of the present invention is simple in structure and easy to operate, and can be readily switched for safety protection of circuits. An alloy plate of the present invention is highly resilient. When in overload, the alloy plate expands and becomes deformed due to the different thermal expansion coefficient and is deformed upward to become disengaged from a wire connecting pad with which it is originally in contact, causing the switch to be switched from the "ON" condition to the "OFF" condition. The alloy plate pushes a lever pivoted to the moving end of the alloy plate to move up such that the lever pushes one end of a pivoted reset button to move up. A user only has to depress the reset button and the switch will be again in the "ON" condition such that repeated ON/OFF conditions of the protection circuit can be effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 5828284
    Abstract: A circuit overload protective device includes a body having a button pivotally disposed thereto and a bimetallic strip disposed thereto which has a first contact point disengagably contacting a second contact point on the body. A first member and a second member are respectively connected to an underside of the button, wherein the first member has a leg extending therefrom so as to be shifted into a curved recess defined in a first inner side of the body when the bimetallic strip is deformed, and the second member has a distal end thereof connected to the first contact point. A third member is disposed to a second inner side of the body and a spring is biasedly connected between the first member and the third member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Albert Huang
  • Patent number: 4339740
    Abstract: A thermally responsive electric switch including two dimensionally identical, bimetallic, snap-over, part-spherical, thermally responsive actuating elements 9, 11, arranged in a nesting, contacting relationship within the end portion 7 of a housing. The first element 9 changes from a first to a second curvature when its temperature rises above a first predetermined temperature, returning to its first curvature if its temperature falls below a second, lower, predetermined temperature. The second element 11 changes from a first to a second curvature when its temperature rises above a third predetermined temperature higher than the first temperature, and thereafter remains in that curvature. A common force transmitting rod 13 bearing on the uppermost element 11 transmits the movement of both elements to a pair of contacts 3 at the other end of the housing, the contacts being in one condition when both plates have the first curvature, and otherwise being in a second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: The General Electric Company Limited
    Inventor: Keith Greenhalgh