Rotary vacuum-electric switch

Abstract

First and second self-supporting sheet metal contact plates are mounted in an insulating housing, in planes perpendicular to the axis of a driver which is rotatable to a series of detented positions. The driver carries first and second contactors having first and second contact points slidably engaging opposite sides of the plates while also having riders engaging opposite sides of the first contact plate at all times. The driver carries first and second coil springs biasing the contactors against the plates. The first and second plates have first and second sectors with first and second radial edges on opposite sides of a narrow gap across which the points are movable at different radially spaced locations. The points break contact substantially simultaneously with the second edge whereby wear due to electrical arcing is distributed between the radially spaced locations. A third contactor is biased by the second coil spring into sliding engagement with third and fourth contact plates for making and breaking another electrical circuit therebetween. A pinion gear on the driver meshes with and drives a gear rack on a linearly movable vacuum valve for performing vacuum switching functions. The contact plates are clamped between case and cover components of the housing. To facilitate assembly, the first and second plates are initially connected by a narrow temporary web and have rectangularly bent flanges with interlocking hooks remote from the web for strictly limiting relative movement of the plates. The third and fourth plates have a similar web and hooks.