EP0484291B1 - 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

Info

Publication number
EP0484291B1
EP0484291B1 EP91830460A EP91830460A EP0484291B1 EP 0484291 B1 EP0484291 B1 EP 0484291B1 EP 91830460 A EP91830460 A EP 91830460A EP 91830460 A EP91830460 A EP 91830460A EP 0484291 B1 EP0484291 B1 EP 0484291B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
controlling
fixed contacts
combustion engine
internal combustion
weight
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP91830460A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0484291A1 (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

Links

Images

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 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.
  • An electromagnetic device of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 is known from PCT patent application WO-A-87/02824, where the material of the fixed contacts is not specified.
  • 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.
  • European patent application EP-A-0 172 912 relates to a vacuum breaker having a fixed contact and a movable contact, each constituted by an alloy pellet soldered to a respective end of a conducting rods and in which the material used for the pellets is a copper-based alloy including chromium, approximately 25% by weight, and zirconium, up to 5% by weight.
  • the results of tests using different quantities of chromium and zirconium are reported and an insufficient weld-resisting ability and breakdown voltage was found for material using 0.3 % by weight of zirconium and less than 20% by weight of chromium.
  • the material used for the contacts is different from the material used for the conductors and it causes problems of cost as in the case mentioned above.
  • 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 copper-based alloy including chromium and zirconium, said alloy comprising:
  • the fixed contacts may be formed either by machining, that is, by turning, or by die-forming.
  • Figure 1 shows a device embodying 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 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 whithstand the highest clamping torques currently envisaged.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Composite Materials (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Electromagnets (AREA)
  • Control Of Eletrric Generators (AREA)
  • Hybrid Electric Vehicles (AREA)
  • Control Of Vehicle Engines Or Engines For Specific Uses (AREA)
  • Contacts (AREA)

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 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.
  • An electromagnetic device of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 is known from PCT patent application WO-A-87/02824, where the material of the fixed contacts is not specified.
  • 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.
  • European patent application EP-A-0 172 912 relates to a vacuum breaker having a fixed contact and a movable contact, each constituted by an alloy pellet soldered to a respective end of a conducting rods and in which the material used for the pellets is a copper-based alloy including chromium, approximately 25% by weight, and zirconium, up to 5% by weight. The results of tests using different quantities of chromium and zirconium are reported and an insufficient weld-resisting ability and breakdown voltage was found for material using 0.3 % by weight of zirconium and less than 20% by weight of chromium. The material used for the contacts is different from the material used for the conductors and it causes problems of cost as in the case mentioned above.
  • 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 copper-based alloy including chromium and zirconium, said alloy comprising:
    • 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.
  • The fixed contacts may be formed either by machining, that is, by turning, or by die-forming.
  • Further characteristics and advantages of embodiments 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.
  • Figure 1 shows a device embodying 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 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 whithstand the highest clamping torques currently envisaged.

Claims (3)

  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 copper-based alloy including chromium and zirconium, said alloy comprising:
    - 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.
  2. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the fixed contacts are formed by machining.
  3. A device according to Claim 1, 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 EP0484291A1 (en) 1992-05-06
EP0484291B1 true 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)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2697370B1 (en) * 1992-10-26 1994-12-02 Valeo Equip Electr Moteur Contactor for motor vehicle internal combustion engine starter.
US8278600B2 (en) * 2007-11-28 2012-10-02 Lincoln Global, Inc. Welding contractor apparatus with improved heat dissipation
DE102008002432A1 (en) * 2008-06-16 2009-12-17 Robert Bosch Gmbh Relay contact, electromagnetic switch for an electric machine and manufacturing process

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS60172116A (en) * 1984-02-16 1985-09-05 三菱電機株式会社 Contact for vacuum breaker
US4692192A (en) * 1984-10-30 1987-09-08 Ngk Insulators, Ltd. Electroconductive spring material
FR2581658B1 (en) * 1985-05-10 1987-07-17 Centre Nat Rech Scient NEW ALLOYS WITH HIGH ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE, THEIR MANUFACTURE AND THEIR APPLICATIONS IN PARTICULAR IN THE ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONIC AND CONNECTIC FIELDS
DE3537598A1 (en) * 1985-10-23 1987-05-27 Bosch Gmbh Robert ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCHES, IN PARTICULAR FOR TURNING DEVICES OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2084143T3 (en) 1996-05-01
IT1241000B (en) 1993-12-27
DE69115857T2 (en) 1996-06-13
IT9067854A0 (en) 1990-10-31
EP0484291A1 (en) 1992-05-06
DE69115857D1 (en) 1996-02-08
IT9067854A1 (en) 1992-05-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3815060A (en) Electromagnetic contactor for battery powered vehicles
EP1175687A1 (en) Latching magnetic relay assembly with linear motor
US20030020574A1 (en) Electromagnetic relay
EP0725971B1 (en) High amperage solenoid structure
US4132968A (en) Current limiting circuit breaker with improved magnetic drive device
US5684442A (en) Electromagnet switching device, especially contactor
US4766273A (en) High current double-break electrical contactor
EP0484291B1 (en) An electromagnetic device for controlling the current supply to the electric starter motor of an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles
US3436697A (en) Electromagnetic load relay having an insulated barrier between contacts
EP0348909A3 (en) On-load electromagnetic relay
US5757256A (en) Starter and contactor therefor
US2232625A (en) Electric switch
GB1586285A (en) Electrical terminal
US3553613A (en) Magnet and movable contact support structure for a multiple contact electromagnetically actuated switch
US4791394A (en) Sensor-tripper apparatus for a circuit interrupter
JP3682707B2 (en) High current packaging fuse with cable
KR100277920B1 (en) Trip device of circuit breaker
JPH04351825A (en) Breaker for wiring
US6770828B2 (en) System and method for electrical contacts and connections in switches and relays
US3623150A (en) Contactor switch
GB2229579A (en) "An electromagnetic switch for controlling the electric starter meter of an internal combustion engine"
US3239627A (en) Hermetically sealed electromagnetic contactor having wear adjustment
US3378798A (en) Electromagnetic relay utlizing a single-leaf, magnetically conductive and resilient core structure
CN212695107U (en) Oil-immersed circuit breaker
SU1711246A1 (en) Increased power reed relay

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19920518

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19940905

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: INDUSTRIE MAGNETI MARELLI S.P.A.

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69115857

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19960208

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2084143

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20050831

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20050914

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20050919

Year of fee payment: 15

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20050919

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20051028

Year of fee payment: 15

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20061030

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070501

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20061029

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20070629

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20061029

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20061030

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20061031

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20061030