Patent GB-352447-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in timing or retarding devices applicable to electromagnetic relays, switches and the like
IPC: H01H50/88
Filed: 1930-02-05
Abstract: 352,447. Electromagnetic relays and switches. ATELIERS DE CONSTRUCTIONS ELECTRIQUES DE CHARLEROI, 91, Rue de l'Enseignement, Brussels. Feb. 5, 1930, No. 3889. Convention date, May 28, 1929. [Class 38 (v).] Retarding-devices.-A retarding device for electromagnetically operated - switches, relays, &c., of the type in which the retarding mechanism is brought into action during the operating stroke, the operating member being automatically freed from it during its return stroke, has a coupling member between the operating and operated members, said -coupling member being pivoted to the operated .arm, its pivotal motion being limited between a pair of driving stops, mounted on the coupling member at opposite sides of the controlled or contact member on which the coupling member is pivoted the arrangement being such that a toothed sector on the coupling member is brought into engagement or disengagement with an escapement retarding mechanism. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3 the pivoted operating lever 14 forming the armature of the operating electromagnet is connected by a spring 16 to the end 4<1> of a coupling member 4 which is pivoted at 3 to the controlled lever 1 which is itself pivoted at 2 and is provided with .a contact 20 and a dead-centre spring 9. The parts are shown in Fig. 1 in their normal unoperated position so that when the operating member 14 is attracted to its controlling electromagnet the extension of the spring 16 causes a retarded movement of the controlled member as the toothed sector on the member 4 is in engagement with an escapement retarding mechanism 8 carried by an arm 24. Towards the end of the retarded movement, however, Fig. 2, the pinion 7 of the escapement mechanism is allowed to escape from the toothed sector and the direction of the pull of the spring 19 on the lever 1 is reversed so that contacts 20, 21 are brought together with a quick action. In the final position, Fig. 3, however, the tension and position of the springs 16, 19 cause a nose 18 on the lower end of lever 14 to engage the surface 17 of the member 4 so that this member is rocked relatively to the lever I by the amount permitted between stops 5, 6. Thus on the spring-retarded return movement of the lever 14 the toothed sector does not engage the pinion of the retarding mechanism and no retardation of the operated contact lever 1 takes place, quick breaking of the contacts being effected by the dead-centre spring 19. The amount of retardation may be adjusted by variation of the position of the arm 24 carrying the escapement mechanism. In other modifications described the escapement mechanism may be carried by the coupling member and the toothed sector is carried by a relatively fixed but adjustable arm. The spring 16 may be replaced by a link in this modification and a stop may be provided to prevent the uncoupling of the retarding mechanism until the commencement of the return stroke of the armature. The escapement mechanism employed is described as being of the gravity-controlled pendulum variety.