Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H51/00—Electromagnetic relays
  • H01H51/02—Non-polarised relays
  • H01H51/04—Non-polarised relays with single armature; with single set of ganged armatures
  • H01H51/06—Armature is movable between two limit positions of rest and is moved in one direction due to energisation of an electromagnet and after the electromagnet is de-energised is returned by energy stored during the movement in the first direction, e.g. by using a spring, by using a permanent magnet, by gravity
  • H01H51/065—Relays having a pair of normally open contacts rigidly fixed to a magnetic core movable along the axis of a solenoid, e.g. relays for starting automobiles
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H1/00—Contacts
  • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
  • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
  • H01H1/20—Bridging contacts
  • H01H1/2008—Facilitate mounting or replacing contact bridge and pressure spring on carrier
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H1/00—Contacts
  • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
  • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
  • H01H1/20—Bridging contacts

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the method of mounting a movable contact on a control rod, which comprises an electromagnetic contactor for a power circuit, in particular for an electric motor of an internal combustion engine starter, in particular of a motor vehicle .
• the present invention also relates to an electromagnetic contactor, in particular for an electric motor of an internal combustion engine starter, comprising such an assembly.
• an electromagnetic contactor for a power circuit comprises a moving element comprising a movable contact mounted on a control rod.
• the movable contact is intended to come into contact with fixed electrical contact terminals, arranged in a contact chamber at the front of the contactor.
• This contactor is for example used to control the actuation of an electric motor of an internal combustion engine starter.
• FIG. 1 which is a partial view in axial section, illustrates such a contactor 10 of the state of the art for an electric motor of an internal combustion engine starter, provided with a mobile core 16, a fixed core 24, both of ferromagnetic material, and a metal housing 12, also called tank, wherein is arranged at least one coil 14 mounted on an insulating annular support (not referenced). The support is engaged on an annular bearing (not referenced) of the fixed core 24. This support and the rear end of the tank 12 are centrally provided with a passage for the movable core 16.
• This coil 14, when activated electrically following for example to actuation of the ignition key, controls the axial displacement of the movable core 16 towards the fixed core 24.
• One end of the movable core 16 is connected to a pivoting lever (not shown) which acts for example on the launcher of the starter as described in the document FR A 2 795 884 and it is for this reason that we see partially in 50 in Figure 1 the spring teeth against teeth and 51 the connecting rod to the pivoting lever.
• the other front end 18 of the movable core 16 is intended to act on a control rod 20 by pushing through a central hole 22 of the fixed core 24 in which the rear portion 26 of the rod 20 is slidably mounted.
• the rod 51 and the spring 50 are mounted inside a cavity closed by the front end 18, in the form of a washer, of the movable core 16, which controls the axial displacements of the control rod 20, electrically
• This rod is thus pushed by its rear end 26 and carries at its opposite end before 28 a movable contact 30, slidably mounted on the control rod 20.
• the movable contact 30 is substantially plate-shaped electrically conductive material. This contact 30 extends transversely to cooperate with two heads 32 and 34 of electrical terminals 36 and 38 of an electrical power circuit and establish between them an electrical contact by its front face 29.
• the two terminals 36 and 38 are fixed and are carried by a front cover 40 of electrically insulating material, which is fixed by crimping in a front portion of the housing 12.
• the cover 40 defines a contact chamber for the heads 32, 34 and for the movable contact 30.
• This cover 24 serves also to the fixing of the fixed core 24, axially wedged between a shoulder of the cover 20 and the fixed core 24 having axial projections engaging in notches of the fixed core 24 for locking in rotation and angular indexing of the cover 40.
• One of the terminals 36, 38 is intended to be connected to the positive terminal of the battery, while the other terminal is intended to be connected to the electric motor of the starter as described for example in the document FR A 2 79 5,884 above.
• the rod 20 carries an axial retaining spring 42 arranged between a rear axial shoulder 44 of the rod 20 and a rear face 31 of the movable contact 30.
• the spring 42 is provided to maintain the movable contact 30 bearing forwards on front axial stop means 46 when the movable contact 30 is not in contact with the heads 32, 32.
• These means 46 are constituted by a thrust washer immobilized axially by a claw washer, which is elastic and consists of a Belleville washer having at its inner periphery legs adapted to anchor in the front part of the rod 20.
• the contactor 10 comprises a return spring 48 arranged between the front cover 40 and the control rod 20 to recall the latter, and therefore the movable contact 30, back.
• This spring 48 is supported on the claw washer and on the cover 40.
• the return spring 48 also called the cutoff spring, has a lower stiffness of the holding spring 42, also called contact pressure spring, which makes it possible to a last phase to the movable core 16 to come into contact with the fixed core 24 and the rod 20 to move after coming into contact with the movable contact 30 with the heads 32, 34. In this last phase the spring 42 is compressed and the movable contact 30 occupies finally a retracted active position.
• the coil 14 when energized, the coil 14 creates a magnetic field, which allows the axially forward drive of the movable core 16, which then moves the control rod 20 and the movable contact 30, the latter being brought in contact with the heads 32, 34 to make an electrical contact between the terminals 36,38 and electrically power the electric motor of the starter.
• the movable contact 30 is thus slidably mounted on the rod 20 between an advanced rest position and an active retracted position.
• the spring 42 axially urges the movable contact 30 towards its rest position in which it is in contact with the abutment means 46 beforehand. In its active position, the movable contact is in contact with the heads 32, 34 and the spring 42 is compressed. so that a clearance exists between the contact 30 and the stop means 46 ( Figure 1).
• the arrangement of the contact 30 on the rod 20 is quite complex and comprises a number of parts that must be assembled.
• This arrangement comprises in FIG. 1 six pieces, namely the control rod 20 with a rear axial shoulder 44, the holding spring 42, the movable contact 30, the stop abutment means 46 comprising the thrust washer and the claw washer and finally the return spring 48.
• the means for fixing the abutment means 46 on the rod 20 have the disadvantage of creating particles of insulating material that result from the force fitting of the claw fastener washer. These insulating particles may affect the contact between the heads 32, 34 and the movable contact if they are placed between these elements.
• No. 2,741,996 consists in making grooves in the control rod and in radially crimping the movable contact to form pins which are slidably received in the grooves delimited at the front by an abutment surface for the moving contact. Such a solution is satisfactory because it reduces the number of parts, however, when crimping cracks may appear.
• the present invention proposes to create a bayonet type assembly to mount the movable contact on the control rod.
• a mobile electromagnetic contactor power unit of the type comprising a movable contact carried by a control rod
• bayonet type assembly means intervene between the movable contact and the control rod for mounting the movable contact on the control rod and in that these assembly means of the bayonet type are configured to achieve a locking rotation of the movable contact on its control rod.
• an electromagnetic contactor in particular for an electric motor of an internal combustion engine starter, of the above-mentioned type comprising a moving element is characterized in that it comprises a moving element according to the invention.
• the movable contact through its hole or central orifice, forming a passage, is placed on the control rod and is rotated to come into contact with its front face with at least one stop integral with the rod. ordered.
• the invention compared to the solution of Figure 1 is removed two pieces namely the thrust washer and the claw washer so that the solution is simple, economical and reduces the number of parts to be stored.
• the assembly is faster and without risk, on the one hand, pollution of the contact chamber by particles torn off the control rod during assembly of the claw washer due to the removal of this washer claws and on the other hand, forgetting the mounting of the thrust washer and / or the claw washer.
• the reliability of the contactor is also improved by eliminating the resilient spring washer subjected to fatigue during operation of the contactor.
• the lifespan of the moving equipment is thus increased, while reducing the number of parts.
• the reliability of the contactor is also improved because of the absence of crimping at the mobile contact, which in certain cases reveals failure primers and / or cracks. .
• the solution according to the invention makes it possible to increase the life of the contactor. It is therefore possible to stop and restart the internal combustion engine a greater number of times. Thus in the case of an application to a motor vehicle can stop the internal combustion engine at a red light and restart it to reduce fuel consumption.
• the mounting of the movable contact on its control rod is performed without special precautions, is robust and takes advantage of the holding spring which urges the movable contact towards at least one rigid abutment integral with the control rod.
• the stop is in one piece with the control rod.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the movable assembly of the invention equipped with the return spring or breaking spring;
• FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2;
• FIG 4 is a perspective view of the movable contact
• FIG. 5 is a front view of the movable contact
• FIG 6 is a perspective view of the control rod
• FIGS. 7 and 8 are views of the second section of the control rod respectively along the lines 7-7 and 8-8 of Figure 6 to show the sections of the front and rear portions of the second section;
• FIG. 9 to 12 illustrate the different phases of bayonet mounting of the movable contact on its associated control rod.
• FIG. 2 the moving assembly according to the invention is shown at 100 and the return spring associated with this crew at 48, this assembly 100-48 being mounted in place of that of FIG. 1.
• the springs 48 and 42 are helicoidal springs of cylindrical shape as in FIG. 1.
• the external diameter of the spring 42 is here greater than the external diameter of the spring 48.
• the spring 42 is stiffer than the spring 48.
• the control rod 20, the retaining spring 42 and the movable contact 30, carried by the rod 20, belong to the mobile assembly 100.
• control rod 20 and the central hole or orifice 246 of the movable contact 30 are modified in the manner described below in the form of a generally rectangular plate as in FIG. 1.
• the rod 20 is made of electrically insulating material, while the movable contact 30, carried by the rod 20, is of electrically conductive material.
• the mobile contact 30 is in this metallic embodiment, for example copper, and is adapted to cooperate by its front face 29 with the heads 32 and 36 of the terminals 36 and 38 of Figure 1 and its rear face 31 with the front end of the fixed core of the electromagnetic contactor of Figure 1.
• the retaining spring 42 is supported on the rear shoulder 44 of the rod 20 and on the rear face 31 of the movable contact 30 of transverse orientation relative to the axial axis of symmetry XX ( Figure 6) that has the rod 20.
• This contact 30 is obtained here by cutting with the press.
• the rod 20 is here made of insulating plastic optionally reinforced with fibers. It is for example PA 6-6 and is obtained by molding to obtain the desired shapes. Alternatively the rod 20 is ceramic and is obtained for example by sintering.
• the rod 20 has a rear end 26, a front end 28 and, between these ends 26, 28, a rear guide portion 133, 134, the rear shoulder 44, a central portion 129, 130, 131 and a front portion 128 for mounting the return spring 48.
• the chamfer 26 (FIG. 6) is connected at the front to a section 134 of cylindrical shape extended itself forward by a section 133 of cylindrical shape with a diameter slightly greater than that of the section 134.
• a section 134 of cylindrical shape extended itself forward by a section 133 of cylindrical shape with a diameter slightly greater than that of the section 134.
• the sections 134, 133 constitute the rear guide portion of the rod, which in a variant comprises only the section 133.
• the shoulder 44 is delimited by a front face 144 and a rear face 132.
• section 133 is connected at the front to the rear shoulder 44 of the rod 20, more precisely to the rear face
• This rear face 132 is flared here being of frustoconical shape, adapted to the shape of the central passage of the fixed core of Figure 1.
• This shoulder. 44 extends radially projecting relative to the rear portion 133, 134 and is, through its front face 144, transverse orientation relative to the central axis XX of the rod, a rear stop for the holding spring 42.
• the shoulder 44 is in the form of an annular collar whose outer diameter is greater than that of the rear portion 133, 134 and a fourth cylindrical section 142 for mounting the rear end of the holding spring 42 threaded on this section 142 belonging to the central part of the rod 20.
• the section 142 is delimited by the front face 144.
• the front end 28 is here of frustoconical shape, alternatively rounded or ogival-shaped, to facilitate the mounting of the return spring 48. This end is connected to a first section
• the central part of the rod 20 extends between the front face of the shoulder 44 and the first section 128 for mounting the spring 48.
• This central portion comprises, from left to right in the direction from left to right in FIG. 6, a second section 129, a third section 130, a connecting chamfer 131 and a fourth section, namely the mounting section 142 of FIG. holding spring 42.
• the movable contact 30 is mounted on its control rod 20 by means of assembly means bayonet type.
• the axial length of the mounting section 142 of the holding spring 42 is reduced, as is the axial length of the first section 128 for mounting the return spring 48 to maintain the axial length of the rod 20.
• the reduction in the axial length of the first section 128 is made possible by the suppression of the claw washer and the thrust washer of FIG. 1. This first section 128 is therefore arranged with respect to that of FIG. less mechanically stressed.
• the third section 130 is cylindrical in shape and has a smaller external diameter than the fourth section 142, the chamfer 131 being a connecting chamfer between the sections 130 and 142.
• the fourth section 142 and the third section 130 have an outer diameter greater than that of the sections 133, 134. Of course this depends on the applications.
• the first section 128 and the third section 130 have in this embodiment the same external diameter.
• the third section 130 is a so-called section section of rotation allowing a rotation of the movable contact 30, while the second section 129 and a so-called said section of passage and blocking of the movable contact 30.
• This second section 129 also allows the passage of the spring 42.
• the second section 129 has a rear portion 124, 123 ( Figure 7) of square section with rounded corners. This rear portion has a diameter D at these corners and a width D1 between these corners.
• the second section 129 has a front portion 127, 123
• the diameter D is equal, close to the mounting clearance, to that of the internal diameter of that of the spring 42 and that of the fourth section 142.
• the spring 42 is mounted simply by axial threading back and forth on the rod 20 until 'at its abutment against the front face 144 of the rear shoulder 44, which has the largest outer diameter of the rod 20.
• the opening or central orifice 246 of the movable contact 30 has a shape complementary to that of the front portion 123, 127 of the second section 129.
• This opening 246 (FIG. 5) is therefore delimited by two parallel flats separated from each other. other by a distance D '1 equal to the mounting clearance close to the width D 1 of the square of the rear portion of the section 129.
• These two flats are connected to each other by two diametrically opposed cylindrical portions of diameter D' equal to the mounting clearance near that D on which are located the rounded corners of the front portion of section 129.
• the second section 129 has two first parallel faces 123 separated from each other by the distance Dl. These first two faces extend between the two cylindrical sections 128 and 130 of external diameter equal to this distance D l. These first two faces 123 thus extend continuously axially along the second section 129 and constitute the two flats of the front portion 123, 127 and two of the sides of the rear portion 123, 124 of the second section 129.
• This second section 129 also has two second parallel faces 124 separated from each other by the distance D 1. These second faces 124 are perpendicular to the first faces 123 and constitute the other two sides of the rear portion 123, 124 of the second section.
• the two faces 124 extend forwardly from the third section 130 of external diameter D 1 inscribed in the square with rounded corners of diameter D as best seen in FIG.
• the second faces 124 extend axially each up to the rear face 125 of an abutment 127.
• Each abutment 127, protruding radially and forming a relief, is in the form of a cylindrical portion of external diameter D equal to the set of tolerances by , that of the fourth section 142 and that of the complementary cylindrical portions of the orifice 246 of the movable contact 30.
• the stops 127 constitute the cylindrical portions of the front portion 123, 127 of the second section. These stops are rigid.
• each protruding stop 127 serves as a stop on the rear face of the spring 48 supported by its front face on the bottom of the cover 40 of FIG. 1.
• the two rigid stops 127 replace the front abutment means 46 of FIG. 1 and are therefore rigid front stops here.
• the second section is a passage section allowing, by its first faces 123 and its cylindrical portions 127, the axial passage of the opening 246 of the movable contact 30.
• This contact 30 is thus axially threaded on the second section
• the parallel faces of the movable contact 30, constituted by the two flats of the opening 246 of the movable contact, are axially threaded with mounting clearance on the first faces 123 of the section 129 and the spring 42 is compressed axially, this spring bearing on the front face 144 of the shoulder 44 and on the rear face 31 of the movable contact acting as a pressure plate and the shoulder 44 of the reaction plate.
• This second section 129 belonging to the bayonet type assembly means, is therefore configured to allow axial threading of the movable contact on this second section 129.
• the third cylindrical section 130 is used to rotate the movable contact 30 by 90 ° against the force exerted by the spring.
• the opening 246 of the movable contact 30 is rotated and the flats of this opening 246 are brought into parallelism with the second faces 124.
• the axial length of the third section 130 is at least equal to the thickness of the moving contact. 30 at its orifice 246. This length is preferably greater than the thickness of the movable contact.
• the third section is therefore a section of rotation for the movable contact 30.
• This third section 130 belonging to the bayonet type assembly means, is therefore configured to allow rotation of the movable contact on the third 130 extending rearward the second section 129.
• a third step the axial force exerted previously on the front face 29 of the movable contact 30 is released using a non-visible pressing tool, so that the front face 29 of the movable contact, under the bias of the spring 42 , comes into axial abutment on the two rear faces 125 of the two front stops 127 as visible in FIG. 12.
• the assembly means of the bayonet type are configured, according to a feature of the invention, to achieve a locking in rotation of the movable contact relative to the control rod.
• the axial length of the second faces 124 of the second section 129 is at least equal to the thickness of the moving contact.
• This length is preferably greater than that of the thickness of the moving contact and depends on the applications in order to allow the required axial movement of the movable contact with respect to the rod 20 so that this contact occupies its position. active backward position.
• This second section 129 is a multifunction section, which therefore constitutes for the movable contact 30 a passage section, axial grooving in one direction and rotational locking of this contact mounted on its rod 20 by a bayonet type mounting, means bayonet type assembly intervening between the movable contact 30 and the control rod 20 for mounting the movable contact on its rod.
• the invention takes advantage of the presence of the spring 42 which permanently solicits the movable contact 30 in the direction of the stops 127. This position of contact without play corresponds to the advanced position of rest of the movable contact, which moves axially on its rod. to reach an active retracted position when the movable contact is in contact with the heads 32, 34 of Figure 1.
• This assembly is stable thanks to the presence of two stops 127 and two faces 124 which provide a large surface or contact area to the moving contact.
• This assembly can be robotic and uses a simple tooling without deformation of the moving contact unlike a crimp assembly requiring greater efforts.
• the second section 129 is easily obtained.
• this section is obtained by milling the faces 123, 124 from a cylindrical section.
• the opening 246 of the contact 30 and the complementary front portion of the second section 129 have another shape, for example a square or rectangular shape.
• the radially projecting stops 127 have alternatively a shape complementary to that of the orifice 246, for example square or rectangular.
• a single stop 127 a single flat and only two faces 123, 124 are provided.
• stop or stops 127 are in one piece with the rod.
• stop or stops 127 are attached to fixation on the rod. In all cases the stop or stops 127 are rigid and integral with the rod.
• the bayonet-type mounting may involve at least two radially projecting lugs inside the opening 246 of the contact 30.
• These lugs for example in the form of lugs, are each engaged in a complementary groove provided in the fourth section 142 extended axially forward so that the presence of sections 129, 130 is not mandatory.
• the lugs are in a diametrically opposed embodiment.
• each groove has a first axial section, opening in front of the side of the first section 128 and extended at its rear end by a circumferential section in the same manner as the opening of a lighting lamp socket.
• This circumferential section is in an embodiment extended at its circumferential end by a second axial section shorter than the first section for locking in rotation of the movable contact on the rod.
• the width of the grooves depends on that of the lugs.
• the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it also applies to different forms of electromagnetic contactors power.
• the invention applies to all types of contactors for electric motors of conventional internal combustion engine starters.
• the contactor can be installed above the electric motor of the starter as in the document FR A 2 795 884.
• the contactor is offset, for example being implanted transversely to the rear of the electric motor of the starter as in document FR A 2,843,427.
• the spring teeth against teeth also called engagement spring, is implanted either in the switch as in Figure 1, or outside the contactor between the launcher and the actuating lever as in Figure 1 of EP B 0,960,276.
• the contactor may comprise a holding coil and a call coil.
• the contactor comprises a coil as described in document FR A 2 795 884.
• a specific electric motor is provided to operate the lever so that the movable core is simplified without being connected to the lever.
• the presence of the operating lever is not mandatory, the electric motor of the starter in an embodiment running at a slow speed via a bypass winding.
• the launcher is either freewheel or multiple disk clutch.
• the starter is a starter with speed reducer or without gearbox.
• the launcher comprises a pinion which meshes with a toothed starter ring as described in document FR A 2 795 884.
• a belt transmission and pulley or chain and sprockets intervenes between the starter and the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, the freewheel being for example implanted in the pulley or the toothed wheel associated with the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, which may be stationary or belong to a motor vehicle, such as a passenger vehicle or a boat.
• the electromagnetic contactor for a power circuit according to the invention may belong to a battery coupler for example in such a way that two 12V batteries previously connected in parallel is put in series for starting and that a voltage of 24V exists at the terminals of the starter.
• the contactor according to the invention may belong to a coupling relay of two starters acting in parallel.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Connection Of Motors, Electrical Generators, Mechanical Devices, And The Like (AREA)
• Connection Of Batteries Or Terminals (AREA)
• Valve Device For Special Equipments (AREA)
• Electromagnets (AREA)

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• 2005
  • 2005-12-15 FR FR0512711A patent/FR2895143B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2006
  • 2006-12-11 WO PCT/FR2006/051331 patent/WO2007068852A2/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2006-12-11 CN CN2006800454879A patent/CN101322208B/zh active Active
  • 2006-12-11 EP EP06842142.9A patent/EP1961030B1/de not_active Not-in-force
  • 2006-12-11 BR BRPI0619878A patent/BRPI0619878B1/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2006-12-11 PL PL06842142T patent/PL1961030T3/pl unknown
  • 2006-12-11 JP JP2008545060A patent/JP2009519571A/ja active Pending

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