ACTUATOR MECHANISM

• US 3,672,233 A
• Filed: 07/06/1970
• Issued: 06/27/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carl J. Kopp, Hans U. Hjermstad
• Original Assignee: Carl J. Kopp, Hans U. Hjermstad
• Inventors: Hjermstad, Hans U., Kopp, Carl J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaufman, Milton
• Application Number:
  US05/052,513
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 74/2 89/1.5R
• US Class Current: 74/2
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/3031 Means for locking the spring in a charged state
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/11 Tripping mechanism

Abstract

An electro-mechanical actuator comprises a housing defining a cylindrical chamber for receiving a plunger which is movable between an energy-storing, cocked position and a released position. Release is effected by momentary energization of a rotary armature of a solenoid in response to an electrical signal pulse. A latch arm of a slidable switch member is normally captivated by the plunger but is released upon its displacement thereby to permit movement of the slidable switch member. A locking means coupled to the rotary armature of the solenoid is movable on release of the plunger to captivate the latch arm until power is removed from the solenoid.

Claims

1. An electro-mechanical actuator mechanism comprising:

a housing defining an elongated, walled chamber including a contoured cam recess formed therein;

a plunger mounted within said chamber and moveable therein from a first, ready position to a second, actuating position;

operating means including a solenoid having a rotary armature normally biased to a first angular position but momentarily displaceable to a second angular position in response to an electrical input signal to said solenoid for causing displacement of said plunger from said first to said second position;

switch means including a slideable contact member yieldably biased toward a first position but moveable against said bias to a second position and further including a latch member having at least a portion thereof received within said contoured cam recess, said plunger in said first position captivating said latch member within said contoured cam recess for retaining said slideable contact member in said second position but releasing said latch member upon movement of said plunger to said second position; and

locking means operatively coupled to said rotary armature of said solenoid and normally located in an inoperative position but momentarily moveable to an operative position with displacement of said solenoid armature to said second angular position for operatively engaging said latch member to momentarily retain said slideable contact member in said second position for a predetermined time interval subsequent to displacement of said plunger.

2. The actuator mechanism of claim 1 in which said operating means includes a first actuating pin coupled to said armature for movement therewith, said first actuating pin being adapted for actuating said locking means.

3. The actuator mechanism of claim 2 in which said locking means comprises a cam plate confined for slideable movement between said operative and inoperative positions and in which said cam plate is operatively coupled to said first actuating pin.

4. The actuator mechanism of claim 3 in which said operating means comprises a first circular plate concentrically mounted to the end of said armature of said solenoid for rotation therewith and in which said first actuating pin is fixedly mounted adjacent the periphery of said first circular plate.

5. The actuator mechanism of claim 4 in which said operating means comprises a second circular plate mounted for rotation about an axis concentric with that of said armature and having a peripheral slot for receiving said first actuating pin and having a second actuating pin fixedly mounted adjacent the periphery of said second circular plate.

6. The actuator mechanism of claim 5 in which said slidable cam plate includes a cam track surface in engagement with said second actuating pin such that said slidable cam plate is displaced between its operative and inoperative positions with rotation of said solenoid armature.