Pneumatically operated device with valve and switch mechanisms

• US 4,368,366 A
• Filed: 01/07/1981
• Issued: 01/11/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.), Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Kitamura, Kazuhiko, Okumura, Atsuo, Nonoyama, Takao
• Primary Examiner(s): Tolin, G. P.
• Application Number:
  US06/223,155
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 123/568, 137/DIG. 8, 251/61.4, 200/82 R, 200/82 D, 200/82 E, 200/83 R, 200/83 Q, 200/83 J, 200/83 L, 200/83 S, 200/83 SA, 200/83 Y
• US Class Current: 200/83.00Q
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/34 actuated by diaphragm

Abstract

A pneumatically operated device responsive to a signal pressure applied thereto from a source of negative pressure for controlling the atmospheric air applied to a control device and for controlling an electric signal applied to an electric control circuit. The pneumatically operated device includes a diaphragm assembly assembled within a housing to subdivide the interior of the housing into first and second chambers respectively in open communication with the negative pressure source and the atmospheric air, and valve and switch mechanisms arranged within the housing to be operated in response to movement of the diaphragm assembly caused by the pressure difference between the first and second chambers.

Claims

1. A pneumatically operated device responsive to a signal pressure applied thereto from a source of pneumatic pressure for controlling the atmospheric air applied to a control device and for controlling an electric signal applied to an electric control circuit, said pneumatically operated device comprising:

a housing provided with a first inlet port for connection to said pneumatic pressure source, a second inlet port in open communication with the atmospheric air, and an outlet port for connection to said control device;

a diaphragm assembly assembled within said housing in a fluid tight manner to subdivide the interior of said housing into first and second chambers respectively in open communication with said first and second inlet ports, said diaphragm assembly being integrally provided with a movable member which is moved by the pressure difference between said first and second chambers;

valve means including a valve seat member adjustably threaded into said housing and a valve seat formed on an inner end portion of said valve seat member, said valve seat member having an air passage formed therein to permit the flow of atmospheric air from said second inlet port to said outlet port therethrough, and a valve member cooperating with said movable member to open and close said valve seat in response to the movement of said diaphragm assembly; and

switch means arranged within said housing to be connected to said control circuit and including a pair of contacts one of which is arranged to be operated in response to the movement of said diaphragm assembly.

2. A pneumatically operated device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing is integrally formed with a first tubular extension located in said first chamber, and said movable member is integrally formed with a second tubular extension in surrounding relationship with said first tubular extension, and wherein said pair of contacts of said switch means are assembled within said first tubular extension, and a permanent magnet is fixed to said second tubular extension for normally engaging said contacts with each other due to the magnetic force of said magnet.

3. A pneumatically operated device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a tubular rod fixed at its one end to said movable member and extending into said first chamber, a second diaphragm member assembled at its outer periphery within said first chamber in a fluid tight manner and fixed at its inner periphery to said tubular rod to form an atmospheric chamber in open communication with said second chamber through said tubular rod, and a spring loaded piston slidably carried on said housing and aligned with said tubular rod, and wherein one of said contacts is engaged with said piston and the other contact is fixed to said housing.

4. A pneumatically operated device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve means and switch means are coaxially arranged within said housing.

5. A pneumatically operated device responsive to a signal pressure applied thereto from a source of pneumatic pressure for controlling the atmospheric air applied to a control device and for controlling an electric signal applied to an electric control circuit, said pneumatically operated device comprising:

a housing provided with a first inlet port for connection to said pneumatic pressure source, a second inlet port in open communication with the atmospheric air, and an outlet port for connection to said control device;

a diaphragm assembly assembled within said housing in a fluid tight manner to subdivide the interior of said housing into first and second chambers respectively in open communication with said first and second inlet ports, said diaphragm assembly being integrally provided with a movable member which is moved by the pressure difference between said first and second chambers;

valve means including a valve seat arranged within said second chamber to permit the flow of atmospheric air from said second inlet port to said outlet port, and a valve member cooperating with said movable member to open and close said valve seat in response to the movement of said diaphragm assembly; and

switch means arranged within said housing to be connected to said control circuit and including a pair of contacts one of which is arranged to be operated in response to the movement of said diaphragm assembly wherein said housing is integrally formed with a first tubular extension located in said first chamber, and said movable member is integrally formed with a second tubular extension in surrounding relationship with said first tubular extension, and wherein said pair of contacts of said switch means are assembled within said first tubular extension, and a permanent magnet is fixed to said second tubular extension for normally engaging said contacts with each other due to the magnetic force of said magnet.

6. A pneumatically operated device responsive to a signal pressure applied thereto from a source of pneumatic pressure for controlling the atmospheric air applied to a control device and for controlling an electric signal applied to an electric control circuit, said pneumatically operated device comprising:

a housing provided with a first inlet port for connection to said pneumatic pressure source, a second inlet port in open communication with the atmospheric air, and an outlet port for connection to said control device;

a diaphragm assembly assembled within said housing in a fluid tight manner to subdivide the interior of said housing into first and second chambers respectively in open communication with said first and second inlet ports, said diaphragm assembly being integrally provided with a movable member which is moved by the pressure difference between said first and second chambers;

valve means including a valve seat arranged within said second chamber to permit the flow of atmospheric air from said second inlet port to said outlet port and a valve member cooperating with said movable member to open and close said valve seat in response to the movement of said diaphragm assembly;

switch means arranged within said housing to be connected to said control circuit and including a pair of contacts one of which is arranged to be operated in response to the movement of said diaphragm assembly and a tubular rod fixed at its one end to said movable member and extending into said first chamber, a second diaphragm member assembled at its outer periphery within said first chamber in a fluid tight manner and fixed at its inner periphery to said tubular rod to form an atmospheric chamber in open communication with said second chamber through said tubular rod, and a spring loaded piston slidably carried on said housing and aligned with said tubular rod, and wherein one of said contacts is engaged with said piston and the other contact is fixed to said housing.

7. A pneumatically operated device responsive to a signal pressure applied thereto from a source of pneumatic pressure for controlling the atmospheric air applied to a control device and for controlling an electric signal applied to an electric control circuit, said pneumatically operated device comprising:

a housing provided with a first inlet port for connection to said pneumatic pressure source, a second inlet port in open communication with the atmospheric air, and an outlet port for connection to said control device, said housing being integrally formed with a first tubular extension located therein;

a diaphragm assembly assembled within said housing in a fluid tight manner to subdivide the interior of said housing into first and second chambers respectively in open communication with said first and second inlet ports, said diaphragm assembly being arranged to be moved by the pressure difference between said first and second chambers and being integrally provided with a movable member;

valve means including a valve seat arranged within said second chamber to permit the flow of atmospheric air from said second inlet port to said outlet port, and a valve member cooperating with said movable member to open and close said valve seat in response to the movement of said diaphragm assembly; and

switch means arranged within said first tubular extension to be connected to said control circuit and including a pair of contacts one of which is arranged to be operated in response to the movement of said diaphragm assembly;

and wherein said movable member is integrally formed with a second tubular extension in surrounding relationship with said first tubular extension within said first chamber, and wherein said switch means includes a permanent magnet fixed to said second tubular extension for normally engaging said contacts with each other due to the magnetic force of said magnet.

8. A pneumatically operated device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first tubular extension of said housing is coaxially arranged with said valve means, and said first inlet port and said outlet port are radially provided on said housing.

9. A pneumatically operated device responsive to a signal pressure applied thereto from a source of pneumatic pressure for controlling the atmospheric air applied to a control device and for controlling an electric signal applied to an electric control circuit, said pneumatically operated device comprising:

a housing provided with a first inlet port for connection to said pneumatic pressure source, a second inlet port in open communication with the atmospheric air, and an outlet port for connection to said control device;

a diaphragm assembly assembled within said housing in a flight tight manner to subdivide the interior of said housing into first and second chambers respectively in open communication with said first and second inlet ports, said diaphragm assembly being arranged to be moved by the pressure difference between said first and second chambers and being integrally provided with a movable member;

valve means including a valve seat arranged within said second chamber to permit the flow of atmospheric air from said second inlet port to said outlet port, and a valve member cooperating with said movable member to open and close said valve seat in response to the movement of said diaphragm assembly;

an extension rod fixed at its one end to said movable member and extending into said first chamber;

a second diaphragm member assembled at its outer periphery within said first chamber in a fluid tight manner and fixed at its inner periphery to said extension rod to form a space isolated from said first chamber; and

switch means arranged within said space to be connected to said control circuit and including a pair of contacts one of which is arranged to be operated by said extension rod.

10. A pneumatically operated device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a spring loaded piston slidably carried on said housing and aligned with said extension rod, and wherein one of said contacts is engaged with said piston and the other contact is fixed to said housing.

11. A pneumatically operated device as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein said first inlet port and said outlet port are radially provided on said housing, and said valve means and said extension rod are coaxially arranged.