GB1021233A - Improvements in or relating to electrical multiple contact arrangements - Google Patents

Abstract

1,021,233. Electromagnetic relays. WESTERN ELECTRIC CO. Inc. Oct. 4, 1962 [Oct. 9, 1961], No. 37497/62. Heading H2B. A plurality of magnetic reeds la, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f are mounted in an insulating resilient block 2 which envelopes the reeds to differing extents so as to impart different stiffnesses to the reeds and to mechanically couple them together. Two of the above sets of reeds are mounted in a common envelope with their contacts overlapping. The air gap between co-operating pairs of reeds progressively increases from the most flexible pair, e.g. 1a to the stiffest pair, e.g. 1f. When a common flux is applied to the reeds, the pair la being closest together close first, shunting some of the flux so that there is insufficient flux to close the adjacent pair 1b. However, closure of pair 1a causes flexure of the resilient blocks, e.g. 2, and the combined mechanical force transmitted by the block and electromagnetic flux is sufficient to close pair 1b. In this way, the pairs of reed are closed in succession. Although the block is of stepped form as shown, it may be triangular. The gaps between co-operating reeds may be the same. The contact arrangement may be utilized in a remanent relay of the type described in Specification 870,906 or may be surrounded by an energizing coil.