EP0484291A1 - An electromagnetic device for controlling the current supply to the electric starter motor of an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles - Google Patents

An electromagnetic device for controlling the current supply to the electric starter motor of an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0484291A1
EP0484291A1 EP91830460A EP91830460A EP0484291A1 EP 0484291 A1 EP0484291 A1 EP 0484291A1 EP 91830460 A EP91830460 A EP 91830460A EP 91830460 A EP91830460 A EP 91830460A EP 0484291 A1 EP0484291 A1 EP 0484291A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
controlling
fixed contacts
combustion engine
internal combustion
current supply
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP91830460A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0484291B1 (en
Inventor
Bruno Ugo
Luciano Buschi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Industrie Magneti Marelli SRL
Original Assignee
Industrie Magneti Marelli SRL
Magneti Marelli SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Industrie Magneti Marelli SRL, Magneti Marelli SpA filed Critical Industrie Magneti Marelli SRL
Publication of EP0484291A1 publication Critical patent/EP0484291A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0484291B1 publication Critical patent/EP0484291B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • H01H1/02—Contacts characterised by the material thereof
    • H01H1/021—Composite material
    • H01H1/025—Composite material having copper as the basic material

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electromagnetic device for controlling the current supply to the electric starter motor of an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles.
  • the subject of the invention is a device comprising an electromagnet including a solenoid for controlling a movable contact which is adapted to cooperate with a pair of fixed contacts carried by a support of electrically-insulating material, each fixed contact comprising a screw-like, threaded metal member clamped to the support with a predetermined force by a respective nut.
  • the fixed contacts In applications in which the fixed contacts have to be clamped to the insulating support with a fairly high clamping torque (for example, 15 Nm or more) the fixed contacts typically have a two-component structure; a steel screw suitable for withstanding the clamping torques envisaged has a recess in its head, in which a pellet of electrolytic copper is fixed for cooperating with the movable contact of the electromagnet.
  • the copper pellet may be fixed to the head of the steel screw by braze-welding or clamped thereto mechanically, for example by upsetting.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic device of the type specified above whose fixed contacts overcome the problems explained above.
  • this object is achieved by means of a device of the type specified above whose main characteristic lies in the fact that the threaded members constituting the fixed contacts are made of a copper-based alloy including chromium and zirconium.
  • the alloy forming the fixed contacts preferably includes 99.1% by weight of copper, 0.8% by weight of chromium and 0.1% by weight of zirconium.
  • the fixed contacts may be formed either by machining, that is, by turning, or by die-forming.
  • Figures 1 shows a device according to the invention, generally indicated 1. It includes, in known manner, a support element 2 of electrically-insulating material which, in the embodiment illustrated, is substantially cup-shaped.
  • An electromagnet generally indicated 3, is fixed to this element.
  • the electromagnet includes a casing 4 containing a spool 5 carrying a control winding or solenoid 6.
  • a movable core, generally indicated 7, is associated with the solenoid.
  • the movable core has a head 7a which extends into the cavity in the support element 2 and carries a plate 8 of electrically-conductive material, preferably copper, which constitutes the movable contact.
  • the end wall of the support element 2 has two holes 9 through which the shanks of two screws 10 extend.
  • the screws have hexagonal heads 10a which, in the assembled condition, face a side portion of the plate 8 constituting the movable contact.
  • the screws 10 are clamped to the support 2 by respective nuts 11, with the interposition of washers 12.
  • the screws 10 are formed in one piece from a copper-based alloy including small quantities of chromium and zirconium.
  • the alloy includes:
  • such an alloy is the alloy No. 2.12.33 conforming to DIN standard 17666.
  • the screws 10 may be formed either by machining (turning) or by die-forming.
  • the fixed contacts thus produced have very good electrical conductivity, better than that of the prior-art contacts made of copper and steel, and can withstand the highest clamping torques currently envisaged.

Abstract

The device comprises an electromagnet (3) including a solenoid (6) for controlling a movable contact (8) which is adapted to cooperate with a pair of fixed contacts (10, 10a) carried by a support (2) of electrically-insulating material. Each fixed contact comprises a screw-like, threaded metal member (10) clamped to the support (2) with a predetermined force by a respective nut (11). The threaded members (10) constituting the fixed contacts are made of a copper-based alloy including chromium and zirconium.

Description

  • The present invention relates to an electromagnetic device for controlling the current supply to the electric starter motor of an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles.
  • In particular, the subject of the invention is a device comprising an electromagnet including a solenoid for controlling a movable contact which is adapted to cooperate with a pair of fixed contacts carried by a support of electrically-insulating material, each fixed contact comprising a screw-like, threaded metal member clamped to the support with a predetermined force by a respective nut.
  • In applications in which the fixed contacts have to be clamped to the insulating support with a fairly high clamping torque (for example, 15 Nm or more) the fixed contacts typically have a two-component structure; a steel screw suitable for withstanding the clamping torques envisaged has a recess in its head, in which a pellet of electrolytic copper is fixed for cooperating with the movable contact of the electromagnet. The copper pellet may be fixed to the head of the steel screw by braze-welding or clamped thereto mechanically, for example by upsetting.
  • Fixed contacts produced in this way are quite expensive. Moreover, the copper-steel connection involves a voltage drop and also problems of reliability.
  • The object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic device of the type specified above whose fixed contacts overcome the problems explained above.
  • According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a device of the type specified above whose main characteristic lies in the fact that the threaded members constituting the fixed contacts are made of a copper-based alloy including chromium and zirconium.
  • The alloy forming the fixed contacts preferably includes 99.1% by weight of copper, 0.8% by weight of chromium and 0.1% by weight of zirconium.
  • The fixed contacts may be formed either by machining, that is, by turning, or by die-forming.
  • Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the detailed description which follows with reference to the appended drawing provided purely by way of non-limiting example, which is a partially-sectioned view of an electromagnetic device for controlling the current supply to the electric starter motor of an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles.
  • Figures 1 shows a device according to the invention, generally indicated 1. It includes, in known manner, a support element 2 of electrically-insulating material which, in the embodiment illustrated, is substantially cup-shaped. An electromagnet, generally indicated 3, is fixed to this element. The electromagnet includes a casing 4 containing a spool 5 carrying a control winding or solenoid 6. A movable core, generally indicated 7, is associated with the solenoid. The movable core has a head 7a which extends into the cavity in the support element 2 and carries a plate 8 of electrically-conductive material, preferably copper, which constitutes the movable contact.
  • The end wall of the support element 2 has two holes 9 through which the shanks of two screws 10 extend. In the embodiment illustrated, the screws have hexagonal heads 10a which, in the assembled condition, face a side portion of the plate 8 constituting the movable contact.
  • The screws 10 are clamped to the support 2 by respective nuts 11, with the interposition of washers 12.
  • The screws 10 are formed in one piece from a copper-based alloy including small quantities of chromium and zirconium. In particular, the alloy includes:
    • between 98.5% and 99.67%, preferably 99.1%, by weight of copper,
    • between 0.3% and 1.2%, preferably 0.8%, of chromium, and
    • between 0.03% and 0.3%, preferably about 0.1%, by weight of zirconium.
  • For example, such an alloy is the alloy No. 2.12.33 conforming to DIN standard 17666.
  • As stated above, the screws 10 may be formed either by machining (turning) or by die-forming.
  • The fixed contacts thus produced have very good electrical conductivity, better than that of the prior-art contacts made of copper and steel, and can withstand the highest clamping torques currently envisaged.
  • Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the forms of embodiment and details of construction may be varied widely with respect to those described and illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (4)

  1. An electromagnetic device for controlling the current supply to the electric starter motor of an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles, comprising an electromagnet (3) including a solenoid (6) for controlling a movable contact (8) which is adapted to cooperate with a pair of fixed contacts (10, 10a) carried by a support (2) of electrically-insulating material, each fixed contact comprising a screw-like, threaded metal member (10) clamped to the support (2) with a predetermined force by a respective nut (11), characterised in that the threaded members (10) constituting the fixed contacts are made of a copper-based alloy including chromium and zirconium.
  2. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the alloy comprises:
    - between 98.5% and 99.67%, preferably 99.1%, by weight of copper,
    - between 0.3% and 1.2%, preferably 0.8%, by weight of chromium, and
    - between 0.03% and 0.3%, preferably about 0.1%, by weight of zirconium.
  3. A device according to claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that the fixed contacts are formed by machining.
  4. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that the fixed contacts are formed by die-forming.
EP91830460A 1990-10-31 1991-10-29 An electromagnetic device for controlling the current supply to the electric starter motor of an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles Expired - Lifetime EP0484291B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT6785490 1990-10-31
IT67854A IT1241000B (en) 1990-10-31 1990-10-31 ELECTROMAGNETIC DEVICE TO CONTROL THE POWER SUPPLY TO THE ELECTRIC STARTING MOTOR OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0484291A1 true EP0484291A1 (en) 1992-05-06
EP0484291B1 EP0484291B1 (en) 1995-12-27

Family

ID=11305809

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91830460A Expired - Lifetime EP0484291B1 (en) 1990-10-31 1991-10-29 An electromagnetic device for controlling the current supply to the electric starter motor of an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0484291B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69115857T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2084143T3 (en)
IT (1) IT1241000B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2697370A1 (en) * 1992-10-26 1994-04-29 Valeo Equip Electr Moteur Contactor for motor vehicle internal combustion engine starter.
WO2009068966A1 (en) * 2007-11-28 2009-06-04 Lincoln Global, Inc. Welding contactor apparatus with improved heat dissipation
WO2009153243A1 (en) * 2008-06-16 2009-12-23 Robert Bosch Gmbh Relay contact piece, electromagnetic switch for an electric machine and manufacturing method

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0172912A1 (en) * 1984-02-16 1986-03-05 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Contact material for vacuum breaker
EP0180443A2 (en) * 1984-10-30 1986-05-07 Ngk Insulators, Ltd. Electroconductive spring material
WO1986006871A1 (en) * 1985-05-10 1986-11-20 Trefimetaux New alloys having high electrical and mechanical performances, fabrication thereof and applications thereof, particularly in the electric, electronic and connectics fields
WO1987002824A1 (en) * 1985-10-23 1987-05-07 Robert Bosch Gmbh Electromagnetic switch, in particular for starting devices of internal combustion engines

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0172912A1 (en) * 1984-02-16 1986-03-05 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Contact material for vacuum breaker
EP0180443A2 (en) * 1984-10-30 1986-05-07 Ngk Insulators, Ltd. Electroconductive spring material
WO1986006871A1 (en) * 1985-05-10 1986-11-20 Trefimetaux New alloys having high electrical and mechanical performances, fabrication thereof and applications thereof, particularly in the electric, electronic and connectics fields
WO1987002824A1 (en) * 1985-10-23 1987-05-07 Robert Bosch Gmbh Electromagnetic switch, in particular for starting devices of internal combustion engines

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2697370A1 (en) * 1992-10-26 1994-04-29 Valeo Equip Electr Moteur Contactor for motor vehicle internal combustion engine starter.
EP0595698A1 (en) * 1992-10-26 1994-05-04 Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur Contactor for an internal combustion engine starter of an automotive vehicle
US5424700A (en) * 1992-10-26 1995-06-13 Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur Starter motor contactor for a motor vehicle internal combustion engine
WO2009068966A1 (en) * 2007-11-28 2009-06-04 Lincoln Global, Inc. Welding contactor apparatus with improved heat dissipation
US8278600B2 (en) 2007-11-28 2012-10-02 Lincoln Global, Inc. Welding contractor apparatus with improved heat dissipation
WO2009153243A1 (en) * 2008-06-16 2009-12-23 Robert Bosch Gmbh Relay contact piece, electromagnetic switch for an electric machine and manufacturing method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69115857D1 (en) 1996-02-08
ES2084143T3 (en) 1996-05-01
DE69115857T2 (en) 1996-06-13
EP0484291B1 (en) 1995-12-27
IT9067854A1 (en) 1992-05-01
IT9067854A0 (en) 1990-10-31
IT1241000B (en) 1993-12-27

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