US3733569A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic switching assembly
Assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1972-04-25
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Granted: 1973-05-15
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Expires: 1992-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A magnetic switching assembly is disclosed in which the magnet stroke for operative switching is reduced while maintaining reasonably wide tolerances in the relative positioning of the components thereby to provide faster and more accurate switching at low cost. In a preferred embodiment of the invention an actuating magnet is positioned adjacent a reed switch for movement toward and away from the switch contacts to provide operative switching in both directions. A second permanent magnet is disposed at right angles to the actuating magnet and is effective to deflect the magnetic field associated therewith thereby to provide a steeper magnetic field strength gradient in the direction of the magnet stroke. The magnet stroke is thereby minimized while maintaining the positioning tolerances of the reed switch and magnet at values permitting low cost manufacture. In another embodiment of the invention, the second magnet which serves to deflect the magnetic field of the driving magnet is formed integral with the driving magnet in an L-shaped configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 N Yanagisawa
- 👤 T Murata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H36/00; H01H36/0006; H01H36/0013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
In a magnetic switching assembly comprising switching means movable between at least two operative switch positions under the influence of a magnetic field, said switching means being movable from a first to a second position upon entering a magnetic field having an intensity greater than a first value and being movable from said second position back to said first position upon moving into a magnetic field having a second intensity less than a second value, said first intensity value being greater than said second intensity value, first permanent magnet means disposed adjacent said switching means and reciprocally movable in a common plane with said switching means in a first direction toward and away from same, said first magnet means having a normal magnetic field intensity which decreases from a value greater than said first intensity value to a value less than said second intensity value in said first direction, whereby said switching means may be operatively switched between said first and second operative switch positions by a reciprocating movement of said permanent magnet toward and away from said switch means in said first direction by a given minimum distance, the improvement comprising second permanent magnet means adjacent said first permanent magnet means and having a magnetic field extending in a second direction angularly disposed to said first direction, said second magnetic field interfering with said first magnetic field to increase the rate of intensity variation in said first direction thereby to decrease said minimum distance which said first magnet must be moved to effect switching of said switching means between said first and second switch positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
In a magnetic switching assembly comprising switching means movable between at least two operative switch positions under the influence of a magnetic field, said switching means being movable from a first to a second position upon entering a magnetic field having an intensity greater than a first value and being movable from said second position back to said first position upon moving into a magnetic field having a second intensity less than a second value, said first intensity value being greater than said second intensity value, first permanent magnet means disposed adjacent said switching means and reciprocally movable in a common plane with said switching means in a first direction toward and away from same, said first magnet means having a normal magnetic field intensity which decreases from a value greater than said first intensity value to a value less than said second intensity value in said first direction, whereby said switching means may be operatively switched between said first and second operative switch positions by a reciprocating movement of said permanent magnet toward and away from said switch means in said first direction by a given minimum distance, the improvement comprising second permanent magnet means adjacent said first permanent magnet means and having a magnetic field extending in a second direction angularly disposed to said first direction, said second magnetic field interfering with said first magnetic field to increase the rate of intensity variation in said first direction thereby to decrease said minimum distance which said first magnet must be moved to effect switching of said switching means between said first and second switch positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The magnetic switching assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second permanent magnet means are discrete permanent magnets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The magnetic switching assembly of claim 2, wherein said switching means is a reed switch and wherein said first and second discrete permanent magnets are angularly disposed bar magnets extending in a direction parallel to said reed switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The magnetic switching assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second magnet means comprises the angularly disposed legs of a single integral permanent magnet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The magnetic switching assembly of claim 4, wherein said switching means comprises a reed switch and wherein said legs of said permanent magnet lie in planes parallel to the axis of said reed switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The magnetic switching assembly of claim 4, wherein said first and second magnet means are disposed at right angles to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The magnetic switching assembly of claim 6, wherein said first and second permanent magnet means are discrete permanent magnets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The magnetic switching assembly of claim 6, wherein said first and second magnet means comprises the angularly disposed legs of a single integral permanent magnet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The magnetic switching assembly of claim 2, wherein said first and second discrete magnets are of the same size and shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The magnetic switching assembly of claim 2, wherein said first and second discrete magnets are of different size and shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The magnetic switching assembly of claim 4, wherein said first and second legs of said integral magnet are of the same size and shape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The magnetic switching assembly of claim 4, wherein said first and second legs of said integral magnet are of different size and shape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3133173A
Cited
US3356948A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-14 | 1976-11-13 | 1977-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-14 | 1980-11-13 | 1981-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-14 | 1984-11-13 | 1985-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |