AU2020302230A1

AU2020302230A1 - Hybrid circuit breaker with sequential operation

Info

Publication number: AU2020302230A1
Application number: AU2020302230A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Claude Bonnet; Eric VOISIN
Original assignee: Viatemis Sas
Current assignee: Viatemis Sas
Priority date: 2019-06-28
Filing date: 2020-06-12
Publication date: 2022-02-10
Also published as: CA3144101A1; FR3098009B1; FR3098009A1; WO2020260042A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a circuit breaker (100) comprising: - at least two electrical connection terminals (102, 103), - an electromechanical breaking device (130) comprising a mobile contact element (132) movable between two positions, including a closed position in which it closes the electrical contact between the two terminals and an open position in which it opens the electrical contact between the two terminals, as well as an actuator (131) suitable for moving the mobile contact element between the open and closed positions, and - an actuator control circuit (110). According to the invention, the circuit breaker further comprises an electronic breaking device (120) which comprises a transistor (121) controlled by the control circuit between an open state in which it opens the electrical contact between the two terminals and a closed state in which it closes the electrical contact between the two terminals.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title of the invention: HYBRID CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH SEQUENTIAL OPERATIONt

Technical field of the invention

[0001] In general manner, the present invention relates to the field of electrical safety.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a circuit breaker for a storage battery of a motor vehicle, the circuit breaker comprising: - at least two electrical connection terminals; - an electromechanical breaker device comprising firstly a movable contact element movable between two positions comprising a closed position in which it closes electrical contact between two of said terminals and an open position in which it opens electrical contact between those two terminals, and secondly an actuator adapted to move the movable contact element between the open and closed positions; and - a control circuit for controlling the actuator.

[0003] The invention applies to circuit breakers for all types of motor vehicle (cars, trucks, ships, airplanes, ...)

State of the art

[0004] A circuit breaker serves to isolate a voltage generator (typically a storage battery) from electrical members that it powers electrically (typically a starter and electricity-consuming accessories).

[0005] At present, there are two known types of circuit breaker suitable for use in motor vehicles, namely electromechanical circuit breakers and electronic circuit breakers.

T Translation of the title as established ex officio.

[00061 Electromechanical circuit breakers generally comprise a movable contact element of position that is controlled by means of an electromagnetic coil. They are simple to make, and they present time-tested operation together with moderate production cost. In contrast, they present a lifetime that is limited, in particular because of undesirable and destructive electric arcs that are struck both when closing and when opening the circuit.

[0007] Electronic circuit breakers generally comprise transistors of the metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) type. They are compact and they present a lifetime that is longer than that of electromechanical circuit breakers since they do not suffer from the phenomenon of electrical contact wear. Nevertheless, their components are sensitive to high currents that can cause them to be destroyed. It is then necessary to have numerous transistors in order to handle high currents, which makes such circuit breakers expensive.

Summary of the invention

[00081 The present invention proposes a judicious combination of both of those types of circuit breaker so as to retain their advantages only.

[00091 More particularly, the invention provides a circuit breaker as defined in the introduction, in which there is provided an electronic breaker device that comprises a transistor controlled by the control circuit to switch between an open state in which it opens electrical contact between the two terminals and a closed state in which it closes electrical contact between the two terminals.

[0010] Thus, by means of the invention, it is possible to use two distinct electrical paths depending on whether the electricity that is to pass through the circuit breaker presents high current or low current (a predetermined current threshold preferably being taken into consideration in order to distinguish between low currents, below the threshold, and high currents, above the threshold).

[0011] Specifically, it is possible to use the electronic breaker device for low currents and the electromechanical breaker device for high currents.

[0012] It is then possible to use a small number of transistors in the electronic breaker device, thereby enabling its cost price to be limited.

[0013] In addition, the number of opening cycles of the electromechanical breaker device is reduced since that device is not used for low currents, thereby enabling the lifetime of the circuit breaker to be increased.

[0014] Furthermore, using the electronic device for low currents makes it possible to guarantee that the circuit presents electrical resistance that is low and stable over time and to avoid any micro-breaks of the circuit in the event of vibration.

[0015] Finally, given the reduced amount of use that is made of the electromechanical breaker device, it is possible for that device to make use of a simple monostable actuator that is compact and inexpensive.

[0016] Other advantageous and nonlimiting characteristics of the circuit breaker in accordance with the invention, taken individually or in any technically feasible combination, are as follows: - the control circuit is programmed to put the transistor into the closed state before causing any movement of the movable contact element from its open position towards its closed position; - the control circuit is programmed to put the transistor into the closed state before causing any movement of the movable contact element from its open position towards its closed position; - the control circuit is programmed to close electrical contact between the two terminals with the electronic breaker device when the electricity that is to flow between the two terminals presents low current and with the electromechanical breaker device when the electricity that is to flow between the two terminals presents higher current; - one of the two terminals is adapted to be connected to a starter for an internal combustion engine and the other one of the two terminals is adapted to be connected to a storage battery, and the control circuit is programmed to initiate a sequence for starting the combustion engine by performing the following actions in succession: putting the transistor into the closed state, moving the movable contact element into the closed position, putting the transistor into the open state, waiting for the internal combustion engine to start, putting the transistor into the closed state, and moving the movable contact element into the open position; - including a communication interface adapted to be connected to a multiplexed communication network of the motor vehicle in order to read data therefrom, and wherein the control circuit is programmed to put the transistor into the closed state at the beginning of the starting sequence and following starting of the internal combustion engine after reading corresponding predetermined data on the multiplexed communication network; - the transistor is of the insulated gate field effect type; - the electronic breaker device includes a second transistor of the insulated gate field effect type that is connected in series with said transistor and in the opposite direction, thereby enabling circuit breaking in both directions; - the control circuit is provided with a sensor for measuring the electrical currents between two of said terminals; in practice this sensor is situated between the electromechanical breaker device and one of said terminals and/or between the electronic breaker device and one of said terminals; - the control circuit includes means for measuring the voltage at at least one of the two terminals; - the control circuit is provided with a temperature sensor or with a terminal block for connection to an external temperature sensor; - the electromechanical breaker device is provided with a manual control device enabling the movable contact element to be forced to move into the closed position; - the electromechanical breaker device and the electronic breaker device are housed in a common protective box from which said terminals emerge; - exactly two terminals are provided, and the electromechanical breaker device and the electronic breaker device are then electrically connected in parallel; - in a variant, three terminals are provided comprising an input terminal adapted to be connected to a storage battery, a first output terminal adapted to be connected to electricity-consuming elements, and a second output terminal adapted to be connected to a starter, the first output terminal being connected to the electronic breaker device and the second output terminal being connected to the electromechanical breaker device.

[0017] The invention also provides a motor vehicle including a storage battery, a starter, electricity consuming elements, and a circuit breaker as specified above.

[0018] Preferably, the motor vehicle includes a multiplexed communication network to which the control circuit of the circuit breaker is connected.

[0019] To do this, the circuit breaker may be provided with a communication module.

[0020] Naturally, the various characteristics, variants, and embodiments of the invention may be associated with one another in a variety of combinations providing they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

Detailed description of the invention

[0021] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of nonlimiting example shows clearly what the invention consists in and how it can be reduced to practice.

[0022] In the accompanying drawings:

[0023] [Fig. 1] is an electrical circuit diagram showing a first embodiment of a circuit breaker in accordance with the invention that is connected to various members of a motor vehicle;

[0024] [Fig. 2] is a diagram showing the cylinder of a steering-column lock of a vehicle fitted with the Figure 1 circuit breaker;

[0025] [Fig. 3] is an electrical circuit diagram showing a variant embodiment of the electronic breaker device of the Figure 1 circuit breaker;

[0026] [Fig. 4] is an electrical circuit diagram showing a second embodiment of the circuit breaker in accordance with the invention;

[0027] [Fig. 5] is an electrical circuit diagram showing a third embodiment of the circuit breaker in accordance with the invention;

[0028] [Fig. 6] is an electrical circuit diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the circuit breaker in accordance with the invention;

[0029] [Fig. 7] is an electrical circuit diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the circuit breaker in accordance with the invention;

[0030] [Fig. 8] is an electrical circuit diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the circuit breaker in accordance with the invention; and

[0031] [Fig. 9] is an electrical circuit diagram showing a variant embodiment of the electronic breaker device of the Figure 4 circuit breaker.

[0032] In Figure 1, there can be seen a first embodiment of a circuit breaker 100 for fitting in a motor vehicle 10, typically in a truck.

[0033] The circuit breaker 100 is designed to enable the storage battery 200 of the truck to be electrically isolated, where necessary, from the electrical members 300, 310, and 320 on board the truck.

[0034] In this example, it can be considered that the electrical members comprise a starter 300 for an internal combustion engine, together with electricity-consuming elements 310 and 320 of capacitive and/or inductive type.

[0035] The circuit breaker 100 comprises a protective box 101 that defines a housing that contains all the other components of the circuit breaker, with the exception of firstly of connection terminals 102 and 103 that emerge in part from the box in order to enable the circuit breaker 100 to be connected to the storage battery 200 and to the electrical members 300, 310, and 320, and secondly electrical terminal blocks enabling the circuit breaker 100 to be connected to other electrical members of the truck.

[0036] The circuit breaker 100 may be said to be "hybrid" in that it includes two different devices for opening and closing electrical contact between the two terminals 102 and 103.

[0037] It thus includes an electromechanical breaker device 130 and an electronic breaker device 120 that are connected in parallel, that operate in distinct manners, but that are controlled by the same control circuit 110 contained in the protective box 101.

[0038] The electromechanical breaker device 130 may be of the type described in Document FR2853762. In that document, the device is said to be "bistable" in that it enables electrical contact between the two terminals 102 and 103 to be maintained in the open state or in the closed state without being powered electrically (electrical power is necessary only to cause it to change state).

[00391 In this example, since the electromechanical breaker device 130 is designed to be used at a low frequency and for short durations, it is preferable, for reasons of cost and size, to use a device of "monostable" type, of structure as described briefly below.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, the electromechanical breaker device 130 comprises firstly two stationary contact elements 133 and 134 that are connected to respective ones of the terminals 102 and 103 "directly".

[0041] The term "directly" is used to mean that no electrical or electronic component is interposed between those two elements.

[0042] The electromechanical breaker device 130 further includes a movable contact element 132 that is mounted to move inside the protective box 101. The movable contact element 132 is movable between two positions, namely a closed position in which it bears against both stationary contact elements 133 and 134 so as to close electrical contact between the two terminals 102 and 103, and an open position in which it lies at a distance from the two stationary contact elements 133 and 134 so as to open electrical contact between the two terminals 102 and 103.

[0043] The electromechanical breaker device 130 further includes an actuator 131 adapted to move the movable contact element 132 between its open and closed positions. By way of example, the actuator 131 may comprise a rod fastened to the movable contact element 132, an electromagnetic coil adapted to move the rod so as to force the movable contact element 132 to come into the closed position when the coil is electrically powered, and a return spring adapted otherwise to return the movable contact element 132 into the open position.

[0044] Since the electromechanical breaker device 130 is compact, the protective box 101 may also be of small volume.

[0045] As shown in Figure 1, the electronic breaker device 120 includes at least one transistor 121.

[0046] Preferably, the transistor 121 is of the MOSFET type (i.e. of the insulated gate field effect type).

[0047] The transistor 121 has a drain and a source connected directly to the terminals 102 and 103, and a gate connected to the control circuit 110.

[0048] In Figure 1, it can be seen that the transistor 121 is shown together with a diode 123, thereby illustrating the fact that the transistor is adapted to open the electrical circuit in one direction only (from the storage battery 200 to the electrical members 300, 310, and 320).

[0049] In this example, this closure is sufficient to protect these electrical members 300, 310, and 320.

[0050] As shown in Figure 3, when it is desired to isolate the storage battery 200 completely from the electrical members 300, 310, and 320, it is possible to use not only the first transistor 121, but also a second transistor 122 of MOSFET type that is connected in series with the first transistor 121 but in the opposite direction (i.e. specifically with its source connected to the source of the other transistor).

[0051] Finally, in this example, the control circuit 110 comprises a processor, a memory, and various input and output interfaces.

[0052] By means of its output interfaces, the control circuit 110 is adapted to transmit control signals to the actuator 131 of the electromechanical breaker device 130 so as to force the movable contact element 132 to move from the open position to the closed position.

[0053] It is also adapted to transmit control signals to the transistor 121 so as to place it in the open state (in which it opens the electrical contact between the two terminals 102 and 103) or in the closed state (in which it closes electrical contact between the two terminals 102 and 103).

[0054] In this way, the electricity delivered by the storage battery 200 may be transmitted to the electrical members 300, 310, and 320 via the electronic breaker device 120 and/or via the electromechanical breaker device 130.

[0055] In its memory, the control circuit 110 stores a computer application made up of computer programs having instructions that, when executed by the processor, enable the control circuit 110 to perform the method described below.

[0056] The control circuit 110 is then programmed to close electrical contact between the two terminals 102 and 103 using the electronic breaker device 120 on its own when the electric current to be passed is low (typically lower than a threshold lying in the range 50 amps (A) to 300 A, depending on the application and on the rating of the circuit breaker) and to close contact using the electromechanical breaker device 130 on its own for higher currents (above said threshold, or for example above 500 A).

[0057] It is also programmed to put the transistor 121 into the closed state before causing any movement of the movable contact element 132 from its closed position to its open position, or vice versa.

[0058] Thus, it serves to avoid an electric arc being struck during opening or closing of the circuit by the electromechanical breaker device 130 and it serves to avoid any interruption in the supply of electrical power between the terminals 102 and 103 (since the electrical circuit between the two terminals 102 and 103 is already closed by the transistor 121 while the movable contact element 132 is moving).

[0059] In Figure 2, there can be seen a highly diagrammatic representation of the cylinder of the truck steering-column lock into which the driver can insert a key and then turn it in order to start the internal combustion engine.

[00601 In order to be inserted into the cylinder, the key needs to take up a first angular position Po. In order to switch on and power some of the electricity consuming elements 310, 320, the key needs to take up a second angular position P1. In order to power the starter 300, the key needs to take up a third angular position P 2

.

[0061] The control circuit 110 is then programmed to perform the following steps.

[0062] In the absence of a key, or when the key is in the first angular position Po, the control circuit does not send any signal to the breaker devices, such that the movable contact element 132 is maintained in the open position and the transistor 121 is maintained in the open state.

[00631 When the driver turns the key from the first angular position to the second angular position P1, the control circuit 110 puts the transistor 121 in the closed state so that the electricity-consuming elements 310 and 320 can be powered with low currents.

[0064] When the driver turns the key from the second angular position to the third angular position P 2 , the control circuit 110 performs several steps in succession.

[00651 It begins by moving the movable contact element 132 into the closed position, then once that movement has taken place, it puts the transistor 121 in the open state. At this stage, the starter 300 is electrically powered for starting the internal combustion engine.

[00661 Once the starting has taken place, the transistor 121 is put into the closed state before the movable contact element 132 is returned to the open position.

[0067] Naturally, this illustration of the starting sequence using a steering-column lock constitutes merely one example of an application of the invention.

Specifically, the invention applies equally to recent vehicles in which the steering-column lock is replaced by an electrical pushbutton that triggers a sequence of successive activations of electronic components (e.g. computers) and/or of electrical components (e.g. relays) until the vehicle finally starts.

[00681 In any event, the sequence prior to starting the internal combustion engine needs to be performed quickly, preferably in less than 50 milliseconds (ms).

[00691 In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the circuit breaker 100 does not include any means for determining the instant at which the movable contact element 132 reaches the closed position.

[0070] Under such circumstances, the memory of the control circuit 110 includes time periods (referred to below as "timings") that need to be complied with in order to ensure that the movable contact element 132 is indeed in the closed position before putting the transistor 121 into the open state.

[0071] Thus, when the key reaches the third angular position P2, the control circuit 110 causes the movable contact element 132 to move from its open position towards its closed position, and it then waits for at least 20 ms (30 ms in this example for safety) prior to putting the transistor 121 into the open state. In contrast, it waits for less than 50 ms before putting the transistor 121 into the open state so as to be certain that the transistor is indeed in the open state when the starter 300 begins to operate and draws high current (which current could potentially destroy the transistor 121 if it were in the closed state).

[0072] Figures 4 to 8 show other embodiments of the circuit breaker 100.

[0073] It should be observed that, whereever possible, elements that are identical or similar in the variants and embodiments of the invention as shown in the figures are referenced by the same reference signs and they are not described again each time.

[0074] In Figure 4, there can be seen a second embodiment of the circuit breaker 100 in which the control circuit 110 is fitted with means enabling it to know the position of the movable contact element 132 at all instants.

[0075] Thus, the control circuit 110 has two input interfaces that are connected respectively to the storage battery 200 and to the movable contact element 132. It also includes another input interface that is connected directly to the ground of the circuit.

[0076] These interfaces thus form means of measuring the voltage Ul at the terminal 102 and the voltage U2 at the movable contact element 132.

[0077] It should be observed that the use herein of the term "voltage" at a point is terminologically inexact, since in practice the voltage Ul corresponds to the potential difference between the terminal 102 and circuit ground, and the voltage U2 corresponds to the potential difference between the movable contact element 132 and circuit ground.

[0078] Consequently, in this embodiment, there is no need to take the above-described timings into consideration. Specifically, by measuring these messages Ul and U2 it is possible to determine the positions occupied by the movable contact element 132 at all instants.

[0079] Thus, during a sequence of starting the internal combustion engine, after the movable contact element 132 has been controlled so as to move into the closed position, the control circuit 110 can measure the voltages Ul and U2, and then as soon as these voltages are equal (which means that the movable contact element 132 has reached the closed position), it can act without waiting to cause the transistor 121 to open.

[00801 It should also be observed, that measuring these voltages Ul and U2 makes it possible to detect a failure of the electromechanical breaker device 130.

[0081] Specifically, if the voltages Ul and U2 do not become equal after the movable contact element 132 should have moved into the closed position, then the control circuit 110 can detect a failure. Under such circumstances, it can send a warning signal to a computer of the truck, and it can interrupt the sequence for starting the internal combustion engine.

[0082] In Figure 5, there can be seen in a third embodiment of the invention.

[00831 This embodiment differs from embodiment shown in Figure 1 in that the control circuit 110 is provided with a current sensor 140 for measuring the current flowing between the terminals 102 and 103. In this example, the current sensor 140 is located between the electromechanical breaker device 130 and one of the terminals 102 or 103.

[0084] An input interface of the control circuit 110 thus enables it to act at all instants to measure the current Il flowing between the terminals 102 and 103 of the circuit breaker 100.

[00851 The control circuit 110 can then be programmed to perform one and/or the other of the following two functions.

[00861 The first function is a function of protecting the starter 300. Thus, if an abnormally high current is detected, the control circuit 110 can be programmed to act without waiting to open the electrical circuit between the terminals 102 and 103.

[0087] The second function is a function of protecting the transistor 121. Thus, if a current is detected that exceeds a threshold (depending on the intrinsic characteristics of the transistor), the control circuit 110 can be programmed to cause the electromagnetic breaker device 130 to close, and then to cause the electronic breaker circuit 120 to open.

[00881 In Figure 6, there can be seen in a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[00891 This embodiment differs from embodiment shown in Figure 5 in the sense that it presents a star configuration, with the electronic breaker device 120 on one of the branches, the terminal 102 on another one of the branches, and the electromechanical breaker device 130 on the third branch.

[00901 Under such circumstances, the circuit breaker 100 has three terminals 102, 103, and 104, comprising: - an input terminal 102 connected to the storage battery 200; - a first output terminal 103 connected to the electricity-consuming elements 310 and 320, and - a second output terminal 104 connected to the starter 300 (which is thus electrically isolated from the electricity-consuming elements 310 and 320).

[0091] In this embodiment, the electronic breaker device 120 is connected between the input terminal 102 and the first output terminal 103, while the electromechanical breaker device 130 is connected between the input terminal 102 and the second output terminal 104.

[0092] The current sensor 140 is then placed between the electromechanical breaker device 130 and the second output terminal 104.

[00931 Compared with the third embodiment, in this example the starter 300 is situated on a circuit that is independent from the circuit of the current-consuming elements 310 and 320. Under such circumstances, after detecting a failure of the electromechanical breaker device 130 or of the starter 300, the control circuit 110 can cause the transistor 121 to maintain the closed state so that the current-consuming elements 310 and 320 can continue to be powered.

[0094] In Figure 7, there can be seen in a fifth embodiment of the invention.

[0095] This embodiment differs from embodiment shown in Figure 4 in that the control circuit 110 is provided with means for measuring the voltage Ul on the terminal 102 and with a temperature sensor 150 connected to one of its input interfaces.

[0096] In this example, the temperature sensor 150 is situated inside the protective box 101. In a variant, and as shown by dashed lines in Figure 7, the temperature sensor 150' could be situated outside the protective box, preferably against or inside the storage battery 200. In this variant, the protective box is fitted with a terminal block to enable the temperature sensor 150' to be connected to the control circuit 110.

[0097] In this embodiment, the temperature and voltage sensors enable the control circuit 110 to estimate the state of charge (SOC) of the storage battery 200. This state of charge SOC can then be transmitted to another computer in the truck, which may be designed to warn the driver that the battery needs to be charged soon in the event of the state of charge SOC being lower than a predetermined threshold.

[0098] In order to transmit this data, the circuit breaker 100 may be wired to the other computer by a dedicated connection.

[0099] In Figure 8, there can be seen in a sixth embodiment of the invention.

[0100] This embodiment differs from embodiment shown in Figure 7 in that the control circuit 110 is provided with a communication interface 160 connected to the multiplexed communication network of the truck (e.g. to its controller area network (CAN)).

[0101] In this embodiment, there is therefore no need to provide a dedicated connection between the circuit breaker and the other computer.

[0102] This architecture also makes it possible to optimize the sequential mode of operation of the circuit breaker by exchanging information, e.g. during the sequence for starting the vehicle.

[0103] Specifically, providion can be made for the starting protocol to become initiated only after starting information has been read on the CAN network by the communication interface 160.

[0104] After closing the transistor 121, and then putting the movable contact element 132 into the closed position, and then re-opening the transistor 121, the control circuit 110 can send information over the CAN network indicating that the circuit breaker 100 is ready to start the internal combustion engine. This information can then be used by another computer in order to cause the starter start of the internal combustion engine.

[0105] The control circuit 110 can then be programmed to wait until it reads information on the CAN network indicating that the internal combustion engine has indeed started.

[0106] Once this information has been read, it can then cause the transistor 121 to close, and then cause the movable contact element 132 to be put into the open position.

[0107] It can be understood that connecting the circuit breaker to the CAN network makes it possible to initiate and perform the engine-starting sequence more quickly. This connection also makes it possible to ensure the sequence is more reliable in the sense that if a problem occurs in the circuit breaker or elsewhere (in the starter, in the engine, or in the other computer), then the sequence can be interrupted.

[0108] In more general manner, the circuit breaker 100 could even be used as a sensor, in the sense that the readings it takes (voltages Ul and U2, current Il, temperature T) could be sent over the CAN network in order to be available to any other member of the truck.

[0109] In Figure 9, there can be seen in a variant of the second embodiment shown in Figure 4.

[0110] This variant differs from the second embodiment in that the electromechanical breaker device 130 is provided with a manual control device 170 enabling the movable contact element 132 to be forced to move into the closed position.

[0111] In practice, the manual control device 170 may comprise a handle situated outside the protective box 101 and connected to the rod of the electromagnetic coil of the electromechanical breaker device 130 by a mechanical system making it possible to force the rod to move in translation inside the protective box 101 when a user acts on the manual control device 170.

[0112] The manual control device 170 makes it possible in particular to act on the movable contact element 132 in order to force the electrical contact between the terminals 102 and 103 to be closed, e.g. in the event of a malfunction of the control circuit 100, thereby avoiding the truck being immobilized by such a failure.

[0113] In order to avoid any recurrence and abnormal recourse to the manual control device 170, it may be provided with a safety seal.

[0114] The present invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments described and shown, and the person skilled in the art knows how to apply any variants in accordance with the invention.

[0115] By way of example, provision can be made for the control circuit to include not only one processor, but a plurality of distinct processors. Provision can also be made for a portion of the control circuit to be situated, not within the protective box, but in some other zone of the truck.

Claims

[Claim 1] A circuit breaker (100) for a storage battery (200) of a motor vehicle (10), the circuit breaker comprising: - at least two electrical connection terminals (102, 103); - an electromechanical breaker device (130) comprising, firstly a movable contact element (132) movable between two positions comprising a closed position in which it closes electrical contact between two of said terminals (102, 103) and an open position in which it opens electrical contact between said two terminals (102, 103), and secondly an actuator (131) adapted to move the movable contact element (132) between the open and closed positions; and - a control circuit (110) for controlling the actuator (131), the circuit breaker being characterized in that it further includes an electronic breaker device (120) that comprises a transistor (121) controlled by the control circuit (110) to switch between an open state in which it opens electrical contact between said two terminals (102, 103) and a closed state in which it closes electrical contact between said two terminals (102, 103).
[Claim 2] A circuit breaker (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the control circuit (110) is programmed to put the transistor (121) into the closed state before causing any movement of the movable contact element (132) from its open position towards its closed position.
[Claim 3] A circuit breaker (100) according to either preceding claim, wherein the control circuit (110) is programmed to put the transistor (121) into the closed state before causing any movement of the movable contact element (132) from its closed position towards its open position.
[Claim 4] A circuit breaker (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the control circuit (110) is programmed to close electrical contact between said terminals (102, 103): - with the electronic breaker device (120) when the electricity flowing between the terminals (102, 103) presents low current, and - with the electromechanical breaker device (130) when the electricity flowing between the terminals (102, 103) presents higher current.
[Claim 5] A circuit breaker (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the two terminals (102, 103) is adapted to be connected to a starter (300) for an internal combustion engine and the other one of the two terminals (102, 103) is adapted to be connected to the storage battery (200), and the control circuit (110) is programmed to initiate a sequence for starting the combustion engine by performing the following actions in succession: - putting the transistor (121) into the closed state; - moving the movable contact element (132) into the closed position; - putting the transistor (121) into the open state; - waiting for the internal combustion engine to start; - putting the transistor (121) into the closed state; and - moving the movable contact element (132) into the open position.
[Claim 6] A circuit breaker (100) according to the preceding claim, including a communication interface (160) adapted to be connected to a multiplexed communication network of the motor vehicle (10) in order to read data therefrom, and wherein the control circuit

(110) is programmed to put the transistor (121) into the closed state at the beginning of the starting sequence and following starting of the internal combustion engine after reading corresponding predetermined data on the multiplexed communication network.
[Claim 7] A circuit breaker (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the transistor (121) is of the insulated gate field effect type.
[Claim 8] A circuit breaker (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the electronic breaker device (120) includes a second transistor (122) of the insulated gate field effect type that is connected in series with said transistor (121) and in the opposite direction.
[Claim 9] A circuit breaker (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the control circuit (110) is provided with a sensor (140) for measuring the electrical currents between two of said terminals (102, 103; 104).
[Claim 10] A circuit breaker (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the control circuit (110) includes means for measuring the voltage at at least one of the two terminals (102, 103).
[Claim 11] A circuit breaker (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the control circuit (110) is provided with a temperature sensor (150) or with a terminal block for connection to an external temperature sensor (150').
[Claim 12] A circuit breaker (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the electromechanical breaker device (130) is provided with a manual control device (170) enabling the movable contact element (132) to be forced to move into the closed position.
[Claim 13] A circuit breaker (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the electromechanical breaker device (130) and the electronic breaker device (120) are housed in a common protective box (101) from which said terminals (102, 103) emerge.
[Claim 14] A circuit breaker (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein exactly two terminals (102, 103) are provided and wherein the electromechanical breaker device (130) and the electronic breaker device (120) are electrically connected in parallel.
[Claim 15] A circuit breaker (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein three terminals are provided (102, 103, 104) comprising an input terminal adapted to be connected to a storage battery (200), a first output terminal (103) adapted to be connected to electricity consuming elements (310, 320), and a second output terminal (104) adapted to be connected to a starter (300), the first output terminal (103) being connected to the electronic breaker device (120) and the second output terminal (104) being connected to the electromechanical breaker device (130).
[Claim 16] A motor vehicle (10) including a storage battery (200), a starter (300), and electricity-consuming elements (310, 320), the vehicle being characterized in that it includes a circuit breaker (100) in accordance with any preceding claim.
[Claim 17] A motor vehicle (10) according to the preceding claim, including a multiplexed communication network to which the control circuit (110) of the circuit breaker (100) is connected.