EP0913847A1 - Starter contactor having an improve movable contact and vehicle starter equipped with such contactor - Google Patents

Starter contactor having an improve movable contact and vehicle starter equipped with such contactor Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0913847A1
EP0913847A1 EP98120145A EP98120145A EP0913847A1 EP 0913847 A1 EP0913847 A1 EP 0913847A1 EP 98120145 A EP98120145 A EP 98120145A EP 98120145 A EP98120145 A EP 98120145A EP 0913847 A1 EP0913847 A1 EP 0913847A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
movable contact
contact
plate
contactor
control rod
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
EP98120145A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0913847B1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Francois Quentric
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.)
Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur SAS
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Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur SAS
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Application filed by Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur SAS filed Critical Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur SAS
Publication of EP0913847A1 publication Critical patent/EP0913847A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0913847B1 publication Critical patent/EP0913847B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a contactor starter for a combustion engine of a motor vehicle.
  • the invention relates more particularly to a starter switch of the type in which a movable contact in plate shape is crossed in the center by a control rod on which the movable contact is slidably mounted between a advanced rest position to which he is called back elastically, by means acting on the central part of the rear face of the movable contact that surround a hole for the passage of the control rod, and in which the contact mobile is in axial support, by its front face, against means stop integral with the control rod, and a position of contact in which the two opposite transverse ends of the front face of the movable contact plate cooperate with fixed contact terminals of the contactor.
  • the presence of the central hole for the passage of the rod particularly reduces the section of the plate contact mobile in its central part.
  • Another solution is to locally increase the lateral width of the contact plate, especially in its central part around the hole for the passage of the rod ordered.
  • the overall overall width movable contact plate is increased, which affects the location of the contactor control terminal and different electrical connections located in the radial plane of the plate, thus leading to an overall increase in the outside diameter of the contactor cover.
  • These additional fixing means are constituted by a claw fixing washer which is force-fitted on a free end of the sliding control rod and which immobilizes the thrust washer in axial support against a radial shoulder of the control rod.
  • the object of the invention is to propose an improvement to the design of a contactor of the type mentioned previously which overcomes the drawbacks which have just been mentioned.
  • the invention provides a contactor for motor vehicle starter of the type in which a movable contact in the form of a plate is crossed at its center by a control rod on which the movable contact is mounted sliding between an advanced rest position towards which it is recalled elastically, by means acting on the part center of the rear face of the movable contact that surrounds a hole for the passage of the control rod, and in which the movable contact is in axial support, by its front face, against stop means integral with the control rod, and a remote contact position in which both ends opposite transverse from the front face of the movable plate of contact cooperate with fixed contact terminals of the contactor, the movable contact plate being delimited by two opposite side edges each of which, at least in the vicinity of the central part, extended by a side orientation cheek axial so that, at least in its central part, the movable contact has, in axial section, a profile substantially U-shaped, said movable contact plate being generally rectangular in shape with two edges longer sides which each extend by a side cheek of
  • the particular shape of the mobile contact increases considerably its rigidity and thus reduces the thickness of the copper foil in which the plate mobile is cut and folded, while having a section of copper sufficient for current flow.
  • the invention also relates to a vehicle starter. automobile characterized in that it comprises a contactor in accordance with the teachings of the invention.
  • the contactor 10 partially illustrated in FIG. 1, includes a housing 12, of general axis X-X, inside which an inductor winding 14 is intended to cause, using a polar mass 16, an axial magnetic field capable of axially moving a movable core 18 between a position rear rest, shown in Figure 1, and a position advanced control or contact which is axially offset to the right considering figure 1.
  • the open front axial end 20 of the housing is closed by a cover 22 made of insulating material, one wall of which transverse 24 with radial orientation carries an input terminal 26 connected to a vehicle battery (not shown) automobile and a power supply terminal 28 connected to the engine electric motor (not shown) of the starter of the vehicle fitted with the contactor 10.
  • Terminals 26 and 28 each have a terminal 30, 32 which is arranged inside the cover 22 of the contactor.
  • the heads 30, 32 constitute two fixed contacts which are intended to be electrically connected by a movable contact 34 which, according to the known design illustrated in FIG. 1, is produced as a thick rectangular plate in copper, i.e. an electrically conductive material.
  • the movable contact 34 is arranged, according to its largest length, transversely inside the contactor 10 and more particularly inside the cover 22.
  • the movable contact 30 is arranged axially between the front transverse face 36 of the polar mass 16 and the heads fixed contacts 30 and 32.
  • the movable contact 34 can be moved axially in the contactor 10 between a first position called rest, in which the electrical circuit enters terminals 26 and 28 is open, which is shown in the figure 1 and in which the contact 34 is in axial abutment against the front axial face 36 of the polar mass 16, and a position contact advance, in which the electrical circuit is closed, which is offset axially to the right considering FIG. 1 and in which the contact 34 comes to bear axially, by the opposite transverse end portions 35 of its face transverse front, against the heads of terminals 30 and 32 of so as to connect them electrically.
  • the contactor 10 can control the supply of the starter motor in electric current supplied by the vehicle battery.
  • the movements of the movable contact 34 to the interior of the contactor 10 are controlled via an axial control rod 38 which is capable of being moved axially, from back to front, in contactor 10 by the movable core 18.
  • the rod 38 has a rear guide section 40 which passes axially through the polar mass 16, in which it is guided in sliding, and whose rear axial end 42 is controlled by the movable core 18.
  • the rear guide section 40 extends axially forward by a central section 44, of larger diameter, on which the movable contact 34 is slidably mounted and which is delimited axially towards the rear by an external radial collar 46 of larger diameter.
  • control rod 38 ends with an additional free end front section 48 small diameter which is delimited, in relation to the central section 44, by a shoulder 51.
  • the central section 44 is thus delimited axially by two radial shoulder surfaces 49 and 51.
  • the movable contact 34 has a hole or orifice circular central 50 to allow its sliding mounting, between an advanced rest position, illustrated in FIG. 1, and an active backward position, on the central cylindrical section 44 of the control rod 38.
  • a thrust washer 52 is provided which is engaged on the free end section 48 of the rod control 38 on which it is kept pressed against the radial shoulder 51 by a claw washer 53 which is press fit on the free end section before 48.
  • a helical compression spring 54 also called compensation or contact spring, is arranged around the central section 44 of the control rod 38 between the shoulder radial front 49 of the collar 46 and the central part of the face rear 33 of the movable contact plate 34 which surrounds the hole central 50, so as to permanently contact the contact movable 34 axially towards its rest position, advanced by relative to the rod 38, in which it is in axial abutment against the stop means constituted by the washer 52.
  • a return spring 55 which is a helical compression spring which is arranged axially at the front of the control rod 38 and which bears axially on the one hand against the front transverse face of the washer claws 53 and, on the other hand, against a portion opposite the rear inner face of the transverse wall 24 of the cover 22.
  • Compensation spring 54 causes displacement axial of the movable contact 34 relative to the contactor 10 towards its closed circuit position in which the movable contact 34 is in axial support, by its parts 35, against the two heads of terminals 30, 32.
  • control rod 38 then continues its movement axial forward under the action of the movable core 18, which causes axial compression of the spring 54 of the movable contact 34 because the movable contact 34 is immobilized in support axially against terminals 26 and 28.
  • the movable contact 34 then moves axially by relative to the control rod 38 from its advanced rest position towards a retracted active position, against the spring of compensation 54.
  • the movable contact plate 34 is a plate of general shape rectangular made by cutting and folding in a sheet of thin copper, i.e. in copper foil thickness significantly reduced compared to that depending on the condition of the technique illustrated in Figure 1.
  • the main part, here of rectangular outline, of the movable contact plate 34 is delimited laterally by two parallel and opposite side edges 60 which determine the width of the movable contact plate 34, and by two edges parallel and opposite transverse lines 62 which determine the transverse length of the plate 34.
  • the main part of the control plate 34 of course has a central hole 50 whose diameter corresponds substantially to that of the diameter outside of the central section 44 of the control rod 38.
  • each of the two lateral edges 60 extends axially, here towards the rear, by a lateral cheek 64.
  • the two cheeks 64 are made integrally by folding with the rectangular main part of the plate 34.
  • the two cheeks 64 are identical and each has its maximum height H in its central part, i.e. in the vicinity of the hole central 50 so as to give the movable contact plate 34 a cross section along the Y-Y axis, U-shaped.
  • each of the cheeks 64 decreases progressively from the part central towards the transverse end edges 62.
  • the bending moments of the forces applied to the movable plate 34 gradually decrease in direction transverse from the central part with the hole 50, and therefore the wings 64 need not be of significant height in the vicinity of the ends 62.
  • the thin copper foil design of contact tab 34 allows to achieve the latter with means, made come from material by cutting and folding, for its axial retention relative to the control rod 38 so as to remove the thrust washer 52 and claw washer 53 according to the state of the technique.
  • two diametrically opposed tongues or lugs 66 are cut out simultaneously with the central hole 50 and they extend radially towards the center.
  • Each lug 66 is delimited by an end edge free 68, parallel to the edges 62 of the contact plate 34, and it extends transversely outwards to its fold base 70 which is located radially outwards by relative to the contour of the hole 50 so as to have lugs 66 of sufficient length which are delimited laterally by cutting slots 72 parallel to the side edges 60.
  • the lugs 66 are folded axially towards the rear, forming a acute angle ⁇ which determines a transverse distance D1 between their edges 68 which is greater than the initial distance D0 between these edges at the end of the initial cutting operation (shown in dotted lines in Figure 3).
  • the section central 44 of the guide rod 38 comprises two axial grooves 74 which are diametrically opposite and which open radially outward into the surface cylindrical outer 45 of the section 44.
  • the width of the axial grooves 74 is slightly greater than the width of the pins or tabs 66 so that each of these pins can be received in axial sliding in a corresponding groove 74.
  • the depth of the grooves 74 is a depth stepped.
  • each groove 74 has a section main rear 76 of great depth, that is to say that the distance D2 separating the opposite bottoms of these sections 76 is the weaker and slightly less than the distance D0 previously mentioned.
  • the axial length L of the very deep section 76 grooves 74 is at least equal to the axial travel of the contact mobile 34 between its forward and backward positions.
  • Each groove 74 opens axially forward in the shoulder 51 by a lower front section 78 so that the distance D3 separating the bottoms of the sections 78 is slightly less than the distance D1 mentioned previously.
  • These tooling elements include a rear element 80 which is essentially an axial support element towards the left against which the control rod 38 is supported by its flange 46, and a front element 82 for positioning and deformation of the movable contact plate 34.
  • This axial action has the effect, due to the support free end edges 68 of the lugs 66 against the face rear 84 of the sections 76 of the grooves 74, to cause a progressive deformation of the lugs 66, that is to say that these the latter are brought back into the general plane of the movable plate contact 34 to re-occupy their initial position, that is to say after cutting and before folding, as they are shown in Figure 7.
  • the pins 66 extend radially inward in large sections depth 76 of axial grooves 74 and distance D0, greater than D2 and less than D3, is such that the plate contact mobile 34 can slide axially in the grooves 74 while being retained axially forward due to the coming into abutment of the front faces of the lugs 66 against the face before 86 of the sections 76 of the grooves 74.
  • the lateral wings 74 can be oriented axially towards the front, i.e. towards the return spring 55 and this in order to reduce the overall width of the plate movable contact 34 which, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, depends on the outside diameter of the spring compression 54.
  • the initial folding of the tabs can be done the other way around, i.e. that they then initially project axially forward beyond face 35, which however requires calling to another design of a folding tool of suitable shape to allow the lugs 66 to be straightened and brought back into the plane of the movable contact plate 34.
  • the movable plate need contact 34 is of constant width, its width possibly being reduced in the vicinity of opposite transverse ends 62 because the material is only necessary to ensure contact punctual with heads 30 and 32 and bending moments are weak near these areas of contact with terminals.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
  • Contacts (AREA)

Abstract

The starter motor spoke section has a channel section into which the contact slots with the inner prongs radially deformed with a spring section ensuring an opening and closing action, providing a simple construction without needing an isolating section.

Description

La présente invention concerne un contacteur de démarreur pour un moteur à combustion de véhicule automobile.The present invention relates to a contactor starter for a combustion engine of a motor vehicle.

L'invention concerne plus particulièrement un contacteur de démarreur du type dans lequel un contact mobile en forme de plaque est traversé au centre par une tige de commande sur laquelle le contact mobile est monté coulissant entre une position avancée de repos vers laquelle il est rappelé élastiquement, par des moyens agissant sur la partie centrale de la face arrière du contact mobile qui entourent un trou pour le passage de la tige de commande, et dans laquelle le contact mobile est en appui axial, par sa face avant, contre des moyens de butée solidaires de la tige de commande, et une position de contact dans laquelle les deux extrémités transversales opposées de la face avant de la plaque mobile de contact coopèrent avec des bornes de contact fixes du contacteur.The invention relates more particularly to a starter switch of the type in which a movable contact in plate shape is crossed in the center by a control rod on which the movable contact is slidably mounted between a advanced rest position to which he is called back elastically, by means acting on the central part of the rear face of the movable contact that surround a hole for the passage of the control rod, and in which the contact mobile is in axial support, by its front face, against means stop integral with the control rod, and a position of contact in which the two opposite transverse ends of the front face of the movable contact plate cooperate with fixed contact terminals of the contactor.

Afin d'assurer une bonne qualité de contact et une bonne conduction de l'électricité, le contact mobile est réalisé en cuivre et il se présente, selon une conception connue, sous la forme d'une plaque épaisse découpée sensiblement en forme de rectangle.In order to ensure good contact quality and good conduction of electricity, mobile contact is achieved copper and it comes, according to a known design, under the shape of a thick plate cut out substantially in the shape of rectangle.

La présence du trou central pour le passage de la tige de commande réduit particulièrement la section de la plaque mobile de contact dans sa partie centrale.The presence of the central hole for the passage of the rod particularly reduces the section of the plate contact mobile in its central part.

Cet affaiblissement par réduction de la section est nuisible car cette dernière doit être suffisante d'une part pour permettre le passage de l'intensité du courant nécessaire au démarreur sans chute de tension ni échauffements excessifs et, d'autre part, pour résister à la contrainte de flexion qui résulte de l'action du ressort de rappel, aussi appelé ressort de compensation ou ressort de contact, qui agit sur sa face arrière lorsque le contact est fermé, c'est-à-dire lorsque la plaque mobile de contact est dans sa position reculée de contact.This reduction by reduction of the section is harmful because the latter must be sufficient on the one hand for allow the passage of the current intensity necessary for the starter without excessive voltage drop or overheating and, on the other hand, to resist the bending stress which results from the action of the return spring, also called spring compensation or contact spring, which acts on its face back when the contact is closed, i.e. when the movable contact plate is in its retracted position contact.

Afin de disposer d'une section suffisante, il est connu d'augmenter l'épaisseur de la plaque mobile de contact. Cette dernière étant généralement découpée dans une feuille ou plaque de cuivre épaisse, l'accroissement de l'épaisseur s'applique à toute la plaque et on fait ainsi appel inutilement à une quantité excessive de cuivre en augmentant sans nécessité le poids et donc le coût de cette pièce.In order to have a sufficient section, it is known increase the thickness of the movable contact plate. This the latter generally being cut from a sheet or plate thick copper, the increased thickness applies to the whole plate and we needlessly call upon a excessive amount of copper by unnecessarily increasing the weight and therefore the cost of this piece.

Une autre solution consiste à accroítre localement la largeur latérale de la plaque de contact, notamment dans sa partie centrale autour du trou pour le passage de la tige de commande. Toutefois, l'encombrement global en largeur de la plaque mobile de contact est augmenté, ce qui nuit à l'implantation de la borne de commande du contacteur et des différentes connexions électriques situées dans le plan radial de la plaque, conduisant ainsi à un accroissement global du diamètre extérieur du capot du contacteur.Another solution is to locally increase the lateral width of the contact plate, especially in its central part around the hole for the passage of the rod ordered. However, the overall overall width movable contact plate is increased, which affects the location of the contactor control terminal and different electrical connections located in the radial plane of the plate, thus leading to an overall increase in the outside diameter of the contactor cover.

Selon un autre aspect de la conception connue d'un contacteur, le montage du ressort de compensation, dont une extrémité arrière prend appui contre un collet radial d'appui réalisé venu de matière avec la tige de commande et de la plaque de contact mobile, est assuré au moyen d'une rondelle d'appui en acier qui est rendue solidaire axialement de la tige de commande par des moyens de fixation complémentaires.According to another aspect of the known design of a contactor, mounting the compensation spring, one of which rear end bears against a radial support collar made integrally with the control rod and plate of movable contact, is ensured by means of a support washer in steel which is made axially integral with the control rod by additional fixing means.

Ces moyens de fixation complémentaires sont constitués par une rondelle de fixation à griffes qui est emmanchée à force sur une extrémité libre de la tige coulissante de commande et qui immobilise la rondelle de butée en appui axial contre un épaulement radial de la tige de commande.These additional fixing means are constituted by a claw fixing washer which is force-fitted on a free end of the sliding control rod and which immobilizes the thrust washer in axial support against a radial shoulder of the control rod.

Outre leur complexité, ces moyens d'assemblage et de fixation ont pour inconvénient de créer des particules de matière isolante, résultant du montage à force de la rondelle de fixation à griffes, qui risquent ultérieurement de polluer la zone dans laquelle sont situés les éléments de contact fixes et mobile.In addition to their complexity, these means of assembly and drawback have the disadvantage of creating particles of insulating material, resulting from the forced mounting of the washer claw fixing, which may later pollute the area in which the fixed contact elements are located and mobile.

Ces particules se déposent en particulier sur les éléments de contact fixes et provoquent des discontinuités électriques qui perturbent le bon fonctionnement de l'ensemble du démarreur et qui peuvent empêcher sa mise sous tension.These particles are deposited in particular on fixed contact elements and cause discontinuities that disrupt the proper functioning of the assembly of the starter and which may prevent it from being energized.

L'invention a pour objet de proposer un perfectionnement à la conception d'un contacteur du type mentionné précédemment qui permet de remédier aux inconvénients qui viennent d'être évoqués. The object of the invention is to propose an improvement to the design of a contactor of the type mentioned previously which overcomes the drawbacks which have just been mentioned.

Dans ce but, l'invention propose un contacteur de démarreur pour véhicule automobile du type dans lequel un contact mobile en forme de plaque est traversé en son centre par une tige de commande sur laquelle le contact mobile est monté coulissant entre une position avancée de repos vers laquelle il est rappelé élastiquement, par des moyens agissant sur la partie centrale de la face arrière du contact mobile qui entourent un trou pour le passage de la tige de commande, et dans laquelle le contact mobile est en appui axial, par sa face avant, contre des moyens de butée solidaires de la tige de commande, et une position reculée de contact dans laquelle les deux extrémités transversales opposées de la face avant de la plaque mobile de contact coopèrent avec des bornes de contact fixes du contacteur, la plaque mobile de contact étant délimitée par deux bords latéraux opposés dont chacun, au moins au voisinage de la partie centrale, se prolonge par une joue latérale d'orientation axiale de manière que, au moins dans sa partie centrale, le contact mobile présente, en section axiale, un profil sensiblement en forme de U, ladite plaque mobile de contact étant de forme générale rectangulaire avec ses deux bords latéraux de plus grande longueur qui se prolongent chacun par une joue latérale d'orientation axiale, caractérisé en ce que la tige de commande comporte au moins une rainure qui s'étend axialement dans sa paroi cylindrique sur une longueur supérieure à la course du contact mobile entre ses positions avancée de repos et reculée de contact, et la partie centrale de la plaque mobile de contact comporte un ergot d'appui qui s'étend radialement à partir du trou pour le passage de la tige de commande et qui est déformé radialement lors du montage de la plaque sur la tige de manière à être reçu en coulissement dans la rainure pour coopérer avec une face d'extrémité axiale de butée de la rainure pour déterminer la position avancée de repos du contact mobile.To this end, the invention provides a contactor for motor vehicle starter of the type in which a movable contact in the form of a plate is crossed at its center by a control rod on which the movable contact is mounted sliding between an advanced rest position towards which it is recalled elastically, by means acting on the part center of the rear face of the movable contact that surrounds a hole for the passage of the control rod, and in which the movable contact is in axial support, by its front face, against stop means integral with the control rod, and a remote contact position in which both ends opposite transverse from the front face of the movable plate of contact cooperate with fixed contact terminals of the contactor, the movable contact plate being delimited by two opposite side edges each of which, at least in the vicinity of the central part, extended by a side orientation cheek axial so that, at least in its central part, the movable contact has, in axial section, a profile substantially U-shaped, said movable contact plate being generally rectangular in shape with two edges longer sides which each extend by a side cheek of axial orientation, characterized in that the control rod has at least one groove which extends axially in its cylindrical wall over a greater length at the stroke of the movable contact between its advanced positions of rest and backward contact, and the central part of the plate contact mobile has a supporting lug which extends radially from the hole for the passage of the rod which is deformed radially during assembly of the plate on the rod so as to be received sliding in the groove to cooperate with an axial end face of groove stopper to determine the advanced rest position of the mobile contact.

Ainsi la forme particulière du contact mobile accroít considérablement sa rigidité et permet de réduire ainsi l'épaisseur de la feuille de cuivre dans laquelle la plaque mobile est découpée et pliée, tout en disposant d'une section de cuivre suffisante pour le passage du courant. Thus the particular shape of the mobile contact increases considerably its rigidity and thus reduces the thickness of the copper foil in which the plate mobile is cut and folded, while having a section of copper sufficient for current flow.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques de l'invention :

  • chaque joue latérale s'étend transversalement jusqu'aux deux extrémités transversales opposées du bord latéral qu'elle prolonge ;
  • la hauteur axiale de chaque joue latérale est décroissante à partir de la partie centrale de la plaque mobile de contact ;
  • chacune des deux joues latérales s'étend axialement vers l'arrière ;
  • chacune des deux joues latérales s'étend axialement vers l'avant ;
  • la largeur latérale de la plaque mobile de contact est constante ;
  • la largeur latérale de la plaque mobile de contact est réduite au voisinage de ses extrémités transversales opposées ;
  • le contact mobile est une plaque en tôle dont le contour et le trou central sont réalisés par découpe et dont les joues latérales sont rabattues axialement par pliage ;
  • la partie centrale de la plaque mobile de contact comporte deux ergots diamétralement opposés dont chacun est reçu dans l'une de deux rainures axiales diamétralement opposées ;
  • la tige de commande est réalisée par moulage, et les rainures sont réalisées venues de matière par moulage.
According to other characteristics of the invention:
  • each lateral cheek extends transversely to the two opposite transverse ends of the lateral edge which it extends;
  • the axial height of each lateral cheek is decreasing from the central part of the movable contact plate;
  • each of the two lateral cheeks extends axially towards the rear;
  • each of the two lateral cheeks extends axially forward;
  • the lateral width of the movable contact plate is constant;
  • the lateral width of the movable contact plate is reduced in the vicinity of its opposite transverse ends;
  • the movable contact is a sheet metal plate whose outline and central hole are produced by cutting and whose side cheeks are folded axially by folding;
  • the central part of the movable contact plate comprises two diametrically opposite lugs, each of which is received in one of two diametrically opposite axial grooves;
  • the control rod is produced by molding, and the grooves are produced integrally by molding.

L'invention concerne aussi un démarreur de véhicule automobile caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un contacteur conforme aux enseignements de l'invention.The invention also relates to a vehicle starter. automobile characterized in that it comprises a contactor in accordance with the teachings of the invention.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaítront à la lecture de la description détaillée qui suit pour la compréhension de laquelle on se reportera aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en coupe axiale d'un contacteur de démarreur équipé d'un contact mobile réalisé selon l'état de la technique ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue en section axiale, selon la ligne 2-2 de la figure 3, d'un contact mobile réalisé conformément aux enseignements de l'invention illustré avant son montage sur la tige de commande ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue latérale de gauche du contact mobile de la figure 2 ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue en perspective, avec un arrachement partiel, du contact mobile illustré aux figures 2 et 3 ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de l'extrémité axiale avant d'une tige de commande réalisée conformément aux enseignements de l'invention et destinée à être équipée du contact mobile illustré aux figures 2 à 4 ;
  • la figure 6 est une vue en section axiale qui illustre le contact mobile de la figure 4 en cours de montage sur l'extrémité avant de la tige de commande de la figure 5 ; et
  • la figure 7 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 6 qui illustre le contact mobile en position assemblée sur la tige de commande.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a starter switch equipped with a movable contact made according to the prior art;
  • Figure 2 is an axial sectional view, along line 2-2 of Figure 3, of a movable contact made in accordance with the teachings of the invention illustrated before mounting on the control rod;
  • Figure 3 is a left side view of the movable contact of Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view, with a partial cutaway, of the movable contact illustrated in Figures 2 and 3;
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of the front axial end of a control rod produced in accordance with the teachings of the invention and intended to be equipped with the movable contact illustrated in Figures 2 to 4;
  • Figure 6 is an axial section view which illustrates the movable contact of Figure 4 during mounting on the front end of the control rod of Figure 5; and
  • Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6 which illustrates the movable contact in the assembled position on the control rod.

Dans la description qui va suivre, des composants identiques, similaires ou analogues seront désignés par les mêmes chiffres de référence.In the following description, components identical, similar or analogous will be designated by same reference figures.

Le contacteur 10, illustré partiellement à la figure 1, comporte un boítier 12, d'axe général X-X, à l'intérieur duquel un bobinage inducteur 14 est destiné à provoquer, à l'aide d'une masse polaire 16, un champ magnétique axial susceptible de déplacer axialement un noyau mobile 18 entre une position arrière de repos, représentée à la figure 1, et une position avancée de commande ou de contact qui est décalée axialement vers la droite en considérant la figure 1.The contactor 10, partially illustrated in FIG. 1, includes a housing 12, of general axis X-X, inside which an inductor winding 14 is intended to cause, using a polar mass 16, an axial magnetic field capable of axially moving a movable core 18 between a position rear rest, shown in Figure 1, and a position advanced control or contact which is axially offset to the right considering figure 1.

L'extrémité axiale avant ouverte 20 du boítier est fermée par un capot 22 en matériau isolant dont une paroi transversale 24 d'orientation radiale porte une borne d'entrée 26 reliée à une batterie (non représentée) du véhicule automobile et une borne d'alimentation 28 reliée au moteur électrique (non représenté) du démarreur du véhicule équipé du contacteur 10.The open front axial end 20 of the housing is closed by a cover 22 made of insulating material, one wall of which transverse 24 with radial orientation carries an input terminal 26 connected to a vehicle battery (not shown) automobile and a power supply terminal 28 connected to the engine electric motor (not shown) of the starter of the vehicle fitted with the contactor 10.

Les bornes 26 et 28 comportent chacune une tête de borne 30, 32 qui est agencée à l'intérieur du capot 22 du contacteur. Terminals 26 and 28 each have a terminal 30, 32 which is arranged inside the cover 22 of the contactor.

Les têtes 30, 32 constituent deux contacts fixes qui sont destinés à être reliés électriquement par un contact mobile 34 qui, selon la conception connue illustrée à la figure 1, est réalisé sous la forme d'une plaque rectangulaire épaisse en cuivre, c'est-à-dire en matériau conducteur de l'électricité.The heads 30, 32 constitute two fixed contacts which are intended to be electrically connected by a movable contact 34 which, according to the known design illustrated in FIG. 1, is produced as a thick rectangular plate in copper, i.e. an electrically conductive material.

Le contact mobile 34 est agencé, selon sa plus grande longueur, transversalement à l'intérieur du contacteur 10 et plus particulièrement à l'intérieur du capot 22.The movable contact 34 is arranged, according to its largest length, transversely inside the contactor 10 and more particularly inside the cover 22.

Le contact mobile 30 est agencé axialement entre la face transversale avant 36 de la masse polaire 16 et les têtes de contact fixes 30 et 32.The movable contact 30 is arranged axially between the front transverse face 36 of the polar mass 16 and the heads fixed contacts 30 and 32.

Le contact mobile 34 est susceptible d'être déplacé axialement dans le contacteur 10 entre une première position reculée dite de repos, dans laquelle le circuit électrique entre les bornes 26 et 28 est ouvert, qui est représentée à la figure 1 et dans laquelle le contact 34 est en appui axial contre la face axiale avant 36 de la masse polaire 16, et une position avancée de contact, dans laquelle le circuit électrique est fermé, qui est décalée axialement vers la droite en considérant la figure 1 et dans laquelle le contact 34 vient en appui axial, par les parties d'extrémité transversale opposées 35 de sa face transversale avant, contre les têtes des bornes 30 et 32 de manière à les raccorder électriquement.The movable contact 34 can be moved axially in the contactor 10 between a first position called rest, in which the electrical circuit enters terminals 26 and 28 is open, which is shown in the figure 1 and in which the contact 34 is in axial abutment against the front axial face 36 of the polar mass 16, and a position contact advance, in which the electrical circuit is closed, which is offset axially to the right considering FIG. 1 and in which the contact 34 comes to bear axially, by the opposite transverse end portions 35 of its face transverse front, against the heads of terminals 30 and 32 of so as to connect them electrically.

Ainsi, le contacteur 10 peut commander l'alimentation du moteur du démarreur en courant électrique fourni par la batterie du véhicule.Thus, the contactor 10 can control the supply of the starter motor in electric current supplied by the vehicle battery.

A cet effet, les déplacements du contact mobile 34 à l'intérieur du contacteur 10 sont commandés par l'intermédiaire d'une tige axiale de commande 38 qui est susceptible d'être déplacée axialement, d'arrière en avant, dans le contacteur 10 par le noyau mobile 18.For this purpose, the movements of the movable contact 34 to the interior of the contactor 10 are controlled via an axial control rod 38 which is capable of being moved axially, from back to front, in contactor 10 by the movable core 18.

La tige 38 comporte un tronçon arrière de guidage 40 qui traverse axialement la masse polaire 16, dans laquelle il est guidé en coulissement, et dont l'extrémité axiale arrière 42 est commandée par le noyau mobile 18.The rod 38 has a rear guide section 40 which passes axially through the polar mass 16, in which it is guided in sliding, and whose rear axial end 42 is controlled by the movable core 18.

Le tronçon arrière de guidage 40 se prolonge axialement vers l'avant par un tronçon central 44, de plus grand diamètre, sur lequel le contact mobile 34 est monté coulissant et qui est délimité axialement vers l'arrière par un collet radial externe 46 de plus grand diamètre.The rear guide section 40 extends axially forward by a central section 44, of larger diameter, on which the movable contact 34 is slidably mounted and which is delimited axially towards the rear by an external radial collar 46 of larger diameter.

Au delà du tronçon central 44, la tige de commande 38 se termine par un tronçon avant d'extrémité libre 48 de plus petit diamètre qui est délimité, par rapport au tronçon central 44, par un épaulement 51.Beyond the central section 44, the control rod 38 ends with an additional free end front section 48 small diameter which is delimited, in relation to the central section 44, by a shoulder 51.

Le tronçon central 44 est ainsi délimité axialement par deux surfaces d'épaulement radial 49 et 51.The central section 44 is thus delimited axially by two radial shoulder surfaces 49 and 51.

Le contact mobile 34 comporte un trou ou orifice central circulaire 50 pour permettre son montage coulissant, entre une position avancée de repos, illustrée à la figure 1, et une position reculée active, sur le tronçon central cylindrique 44 de la tige de commande 38.The movable contact 34 has a hole or orifice circular central 50 to allow its sliding mounting, between an advanced rest position, illustrated in FIG. 1, and an active backward position, on the central cylindrical section 44 of the control rod 38.

Afin de déterminer la position avancée de repos du contact 34, il est prévu une rondelle de butée 52 qui est engagée sur le tronçon d'extrémité libre 48 de la tige de commande 38 sur lequel elle est maintenue en appui contre l'épaulement radial 51 par une rondelle à griffes 53 qui est emmanchée à force sur le tronçon d'extrémité libre avant 48.In order to determine the advanced rest position of the contact 34, a thrust washer 52 is provided which is engaged on the free end section 48 of the rod control 38 on which it is kept pressed against the radial shoulder 51 by a claw washer 53 which is press fit on the free end section before 48.

Un ressort hélicoïdal de compression 54, aussi appelé ressort de compensation ou de contact, est agencé autour du tronçon central 44 de la tige de commande 38 entre l'épaulement radial avant 49 du collet 46 et la partie centrale de la face arrière 33 de la plaque de contact mobile 34 qui entoure le trou central 50, de manière à solliciter en permanence le contact mobile 34 axialement vers sa position de repos, avancée par rapport à la tige 38, dans laquelle il est en appui axial contre les moyens de butée constitués par la rondelle 52.A helical compression spring 54, also called compensation or contact spring, is arranged around the central section 44 of the control rod 38 between the shoulder radial front 49 of the collar 46 and the central part of the face rear 33 of the movable contact plate 34 which surrounds the hole central 50, so as to permanently contact the contact movable 34 axially towards its rest position, advanced by relative to the rod 38, in which it is in axial abutment against the stop means constituted by the washer 52.

Selon une conception connue, lorsque le noyau mobile 18 est commandé vers sa position avant, il entraíne avec lui la tige de commande 38 à l'encontre de l'effort de rappel appliqué à l'équipage mobile par un ressort de rappel 55 qui est un ressort hélicoïdal de compression qui est agencé axialement à l'avant de la tige de commande 38 et qui prend appui axialement d'une part contre la face transversale avant de la rondelle à griffes 53 et, d'autre part, contre une portion en vis-à-vis de la face interne arrière de la paroi transversale 24 du capot 22. According to a known design, when the movable core 18 is commanded to its front position, it drives with it the control rod 38 against the restoring force applied to the moving assembly by a return spring 55 which is a helical compression spring which is arranged axially at the front of the control rod 38 and which bears axially on the one hand against the front transverse face of the washer claws 53 and, on the other hand, against a portion opposite the rear inner face of the transverse wall 24 of the cover 22.

Le ressort de compensation 54 provoque le déplacement axial du contact mobile 34 par rapport au contacteur 10 vers sa position de circuit fermé dans laquelle le contact mobile 34 est en appui axial, par ses parties 35, contre les deux têtes de bornes 30, 32.Compensation spring 54 causes displacement axial of the movable contact 34 relative to the contactor 10 towards its closed circuit position in which the movable contact 34 is in axial support, by its parts 35, against the two heads of terminals 30, 32.

La tige de commande 38 poursuit alors son déplacement axial vers l'avant sous l'action du noyau mobile 18, ce qui provoque la compression axiale du ressort 54 du contact mobile 34 du fait que le contact mobile 34 est immobilisé en appui axialement contre les bornes 26 et 28.The control rod 38 then continues its movement axial forward under the action of the movable core 18, which causes axial compression of the spring 54 of the movable contact 34 because the movable contact 34 is immobilized in support axially against terminals 26 and 28.

Le contact mobile 34 se déplace alors axialement par rapport à la tige de commande 38 de sa position avancée de repos vers une position reculée active, à l'encontre du ressort de compensation 54.The movable contact 34 then moves axially by relative to the control rod 38 from its advanced rest position towards a retracted active position, against the spring of compensation 54.

On décrira maintenant la conception selon l'invention de la plaque mobile de contact 34 et de sa tige associée de commande 38 en référence aux figures 2 à 7.We will now describe the design according to the invention of the movable contact plate 34 and its associated rod of command 38 with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7.

Comme on peut le voir notamment aux figures 2 à 4, la plaque mobile 34 de contact est une plaque de forme générale rectangulaire réalisée par découpe et pliage dans une feuille de cuivre mince, c'est-à-dire dans une feuille de cuivre d'épaisseur notablement réduite par rapport à celle selon l'état de la technique illustré à la figure 1.As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2 to 4, the movable contact plate 34 is a plate of general shape rectangular made by cutting and folding in a sheet of thin copper, i.e. in copper foil thickness significantly reduced compared to that depending on the condition of the technique illustrated in Figure 1.

La partie principale, ici de contour rectangulaire, de la plaque mobile de contact 34 est délimitée latéralement par deux bords latéraux parallèles et opposés 60 qui déterminent la largeur de la plaque mobile de contact 34, et par deux bords transversaux parallèles et opposés 62 qui déterminent la longueur transversale de la plaque 34.The main part, here of rectangular outline, of the movable contact plate 34 is delimited laterally by two parallel and opposite side edges 60 which determine the width of the movable contact plate 34, and by two edges parallel and opposite transverse lines 62 which determine the transverse length of the plate 34.

Afin de permettre son guidage en coulissement sur le tronçon 44 de la tige de commande 38, la partie principale de la plaque de commande 34 comporte bien entendu un trou central 50 dont le diamètre correspond sensiblement à celui du diamètre extérieur du tronçon central 44 de la tige de commande 38.In order to allow its sliding guidance on the section 44 of the control rod 38, the main part of the control plate 34 of course has a central hole 50 whose diameter corresponds substantially to that of the diameter outside of the central section 44 of the control rod 38.

Conformément aux enseignements de l'invention, et afin de renforcer la plaque mobile de contact 34 dans sa partie centrale et de disposer d'une section suffisante pour le passage du courant, chacun des deux bords latéraux 60 se prolonge axialement, ici vers l'arrière, par une joue latérale 64.In accordance with the teachings of the invention, and in order to reinforce the movable contact plate 34 in its part central and have a sufficient section for passage of the current, each of the two lateral edges 60 extends axially, here towards the rear, by a lateral cheek 64.

Les deux joues 64 sont réalisées venues de matière par pliage avec la partie principale rectangulaire de la plaque 34.The two cheeks 64 are made integrally by folding with the rectangular main part of the plate 34.

Dans l'exemple illustré sur les figures, les deux joues 64 sont identiques et chacune présente sa hauteur maximale H dans sa partie centrale, c'est-à-dire au voisinage du trou central 50 de manière à conférer à la plaque mobile de contact 34 une section, transversale selon l'axe Y-Y, en forme de U.In the example illustrated in the figures, the two cheeks 64 are identical and each has its maximum height H in its central part, i.e. in the vicinity of the hole central 50 so as to give the movable contact plate 34 a cross section along the Y-Y axis, U-shaped.

Dans l'exemple illustré sur les figures, la hauteur H de chacune des joues 64 décroít progressivement depuis la partie centrale en direction des bords d'extrémité transversale 62. En effet, les moments fléchissants des efforts appliqués à la plaque mobile 34 décroissent progressivement selon la direction transversale en partant de la partie centrale comportant le trou 50, et il n'est donc pas nécessaire que les ailes 64 soient d'une hauteur importante au voisinage des extrémités 62.In the example illustrated in the figures, the height H of each of the cheeks 64 decreases progressively from the part central towards the transverse end edges 62. In indeed, the bending moments of the forces applied to the movable plate 34 gradually decrease in direction transverse from the central part with the hole 50, and therefore the wings 64 need not be of significant height in the vicinity of the ends 62.

Conformément à un autre aspect de l'invention, la conception en feuille de cuivre mince de la patte de contact 34 permet de réaliser cette dernière avec des moyens, réalisés venus de matière par découpe et pliage, pour sa retenue axiale par rapport à la tige de commande 38 de façon à supprimer la rondelle de butée 52 et la rondelle à griffes 53 selon l'état de la technique.In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the thin copper foil design of contact tab 34 allows to achieve the latter with means, made come from material by cutting and folding, for its axial retention relative to the control rod 38 so as to remove the thrust washer 52 and claw washer 53 according to the state of the technique.

Comme on peut le voir sur les figures 2 à 4, deux languettes ou ergots 66, diamétralement opposés, sont découpés simultanément avec le trou central 50 et ils se prolongent radialement vers le centre.As can be seen in Figures 2 to 4, two diametrically opposed tongues or lugs 66 are cut out simultaneously with the central hole 50 and they extend radially towards the center.

Chaque ergot 66 est délimité par un bord d'extrémité libre 68, parallèle aux bords 62 de la plaque de contact 34, et il s'étend transversalement vers l'extérieur jusqu'à son pli d'embase 70 qui est situé radialement vers l'extérieur par rapport au contour du trou 50 de façon à disposer d'ergots 66 de longueur suffisante qui sont délimités latéralement par des fentes de découpe 72 parallèles aux bords latéraux 60.Each lug 66 is delimited by an end edge free 68, parallel to the edges 62 of the contact plate 34, and it extends transversely outwards to its fold base 70 which is located radially outwards by relative to the contour of the hole 50 so as to have lugs 66 of sufficient length which are delimited laterally by cutting slots 72 parallel to the side edges 60.

Comme on peut le voir notamment aux figures 2, 4 et 6, les ergots 66 sont pliés axialement vers l'arrière en formant un angle aigu α qui détermine une distance transversale D1 entre leurs bords 68 qui est supérieure à la distance initiale D0 entre ces bords à l'issue de l'opération de découpe initiale (représentés en pointillés à la figure 3).As can be seen in particular in Figures 2, 4 and 6, the lugs 66 are folded axially towards the rear, forming a acute angle α which determines a transverse distance D1 between their edges 68 which is greater than the initial distance D0 between these edges at the end of the initial cutting operation (shown in dotted lines in Figure 3).

Comme on peut le voir aux figures 5 à 7, le tronçon central 44 de la tige de guidage 38 selon l'invention comporte deux rainures axiales 74 qui sont diamétralement opposées et qui débouchent radialement vers l'extérieur dans la surface cylindrique externe 45 du tronçon 44.As can be seen in Figures 5 to 7, the section central 44 of the guide rod 38 according to the invention comprises two axial grooves 74 which are diametrically opposite and which open radially outward into the surface cylindrical outer 45 of the section 44.

La largeur des rainures axiales 74 est légèrement supérieure à la largeur des ergots ou languettes 66 de manière que chacun de ces ergots puisse être reçu en coulissement axial dans une rainure correspondante 74.The width of the axial grooves 74 is slightly greater than the width of the pins or tabs 66 so that each of these pins can be received in axial sliding in a corresponding groove 74.

La profondeur des rainures 74 est une profondeur étagée.The depth of the grooves 74 is a depth stepped.

A cet effet, chaque rainure 74 comporte un tronçon principal arrière 76 de grande profondeur, c'est-à-dire que la distance D2 séparant les fonds opposés de ces tronçons 76 est la plus faible et elle est légèrement inférieure à la distance D0 mentionnée précédemment.To this end, each groove 74 has a section main rear 76 of great depth, that is to say that the distance D2 separating the opposite bottoms of these sections 76 is the weaker and slightly less than the distance D0 previously mentioned.

La longueur axiale L du tronçon 76 de grande profondeur des rainures 74 est au moins égale à la course axiale du contact mobile 34 entre ses positions avancée et reculée.The axial length L of the very deep section 76 grooves 74 is at least equal to the axial travel of the contact mobile 34 between its forward and backward positions.

Chaque rainure 74 débouche axialement vers l'avant dans l'épaulement 51 par un tronçon avant 78 de plus faible hauteur de manière que la distance D3 séparant les fonds des tronçons 78 soit légèrement inférieure à la distance D1 mentionnée précédemment.Each groove 74 opens axially forward in the shoulder 51 by a lower front section 78 so that the distance D3 separating the bottoms of the sections 78 is slightly less than the distance D1 mentioned previously.

Du fait de l'agencement géométrique et du choix des dimensions D1 et D3, on comprend, plus particulièrement en considérant la figure 6, qu'il est possible d'engager axialement la plaque mobile de contact 34 sur le tronçon central 44 de la tige de commande 38, de la droite vers la gauche en considérant la figure 6, car les ergots 66 repliés axialement peuvent pénétrer axialement dans les rainures 74 par les tronçons avant 78.Due to the geometric arrangement and the choice of dimensions D1 and D3, it is understood, more particularly in considering Figure 6, which it is possible to engage axially the movable contact plate 34 on the central section 44 of the control rod 38, from right to left considering Figure 6, because the pins 66 folded axially can penetrate axially into the grooves 74 through the front sections 78.

On a aussi représenté schématiquement sur la figure 6 deux éléments d'outillage permettant d'assurer en une seule opération le montage et la retenue de la plaque mobile de contact 34 sur la tige de commande 38.Also shown schematically in Figure 6 two tool elements to ensure in one operation mounting and retaining the movable plate of contact 34 on the control rod 38.

Ces éléments d'outillage comportent un élément arrière 80 qui est essentiellement un élément d'appui axial vers la gauche contre lequel la tige de commande 38 prend appui par sa collerette 46, et un élément avant 82 de mise en place et de déformation de la plaque mobile de contact 34.These tooling elements include a rear element 80 which is essentially an axial support element towards the left against which the control rod 38 is supported by its flange 46, and a front element 82 for positioning and deformation of the movable contact plate 34.

En effet, à partir de la position illustrée à la figure 6 sur laquelle la plaque mobile de contact 34 a déjà été engagée dans les rainures 74 avec guidage de son mouvement de coulissement par réception du tronçon cylindrique 44 à travers le trou 50, l'opération d'assemblage se poursuit en agissant axialement, de la droite vers la gauche en considérant la figure 6, sur la face transversale avant 35 de la plaque 34 par l'intermédiaire de l'élément 82.Indeed, from the position illustrated in the figure 6 on which the movable contact plate 34 has already been engaged in grooves 74 with guidance of its movement of sliding by reception of the cylindrical section 44 through the hole 50, the assembly operation continues by acting axially, from right to left considering the figure 6, on the front transverse face 35 of the plate 34 by through element 82.

Cette action axiale a pour effet, du fait de l'appui des bords d'extrémité libre 68 des ergots 66 contre la face arrière 84 des tronçons 76 des rainures 74, de provoquer une déformation progressive des ergots 66, c'est-à-dire que ces derniers sont ramenés dans le plan général de la plaque mobile de contact 34 pour occuper à nouveau leur position initiale, c'est-à-dire après découpe et avant pliage, tels qu'ils sont représentés à la figure 7.This axial action has the effect, due to the support free end edges 68 of the lugs 66 against the face rear 84 of the sections 76 of the grooves 74, to cause a progressive deformation of the lugs 66, that is to say that these the latter are brought back into the general plane of the movable plate contact 34 to re-occupy their initial position, that is to say after cutting and before folding, as they are shown in Figure 7.

Dans cette position, les ergots 66 s'étendent radialement vers l'intérieur dans les tronçons de grande profondeur 76 des rainures axiales 74 et la distance D0, supérieure à D2 et inférieure à D3, est telle que la plaque mobile de contact 34 peut coulisser axialement dans les rainures 74 tout en étant retenu axialement vers l'avant du fait de la venue en appui des faces avant des ergots 66 contre la face avant 86 des tronçons 76 des rainures 74.In this position, the pins 66 extend radially inward in large sections depth 76 of axial grooves 74 and distance D0, greater than D2 and less than D3, is such that the plate contact mobile 34 can slide axially in the grooves 74 while being retained axially forward due to the coming into abutment of the front faces of the lugs 66 against the face before 86 of the sections 76 of the grooves 74.

Ce sont les faces 86 qui constituent alors les moyens de butée qui retiennent axialement vers l'avant la plaque mobile de contact 34 et qui déterminent la position de repos de ce dernier par rapport à l'axe X-X.These are the faces 86 which then constitute the means stops which axially move the movable plate forward contact 34 and which determine the rest position of this last with respect to the X-X axis.

A titre de variante, non représentée sur les figures, les ailes latérales 74 peuvent être orientées axialement vers l'avant, c'est-à-dire en direction du ressort de rappel 55 et ceci en vue de réduire la largeur globale de la plaque de contact mobile 34 qui, dans le mode de réalisation illustré sur les figures, dépend du diamètre extérieur du ressort de compression 54.As a variant, not shown in the figures, the lateral wings 74 can be oriented axially towards the front, i.e. towards the return spring 55 and this in order to reduce the overall width of the plate movable contact 34 which, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, depends on the outside diameter of the spring compression 54.

Selon une autre variante, le pliage initial des languettes peut s'effectuer dans l'autre sens, c'est-à-dire qu'elles font alors initialement saillie axialement vers l'avant au delà de la face 35, ce qui nécessite toutefois de faire appel à une autre conception d'un outil de pliage de forme adaptée pour permettre de redresser les ergots 66 et de les ramener dans le plan de la plaque mobile de contact 34.According to another variant, the initial folding of the tabs can be done the other way around, i.e. that they then initially project axially forward beyond face 35, which however requires calling to another design of a folding tool of suitable shape to allow the lugs 66 to be straightened and brought back into the plane of the movable contact plate 34.

Il n'est pas non plus nécessaire que la plaque mobile de contact 34 soit de largeur constante, sa largeur pouvant être réduite au voisinage des extrémités transversales opposées 62 car la matière n'est nécessaire que pour assurer un contact ponctuel avec les têtes 30 et 32 et les moments fléchissants sont faibles à proximité de ces zones de contact avec les bornes.Nor does the movable plate need contact 34 is of constant width, its width possibly being reduced in the vicinity of opposite transverse ends 62 because the material is only necessary to ensure contact punctual with heads 30 and 32 and bending moments are weak near these areas of contact with terminals.

Claims (11)

Contacteur (10) de démarreur pour véhicule automobile du type dans lequel un contact mobile (34) en forme de plaque est traversé en son centre par une tige de commande (38, 44) sur laquelle le contact mobile (34) est monté coulissant entre une position avancée de repos vers laquelle il est rappelé élastiquement, par des moyens (54) agissant sur la partie centrale (33) de la face arrière du contact mobile (34) qui entourent un trou (50) pour le passage de la tige de commande (38, 44), et dans laquelle le contact mobile (34) est en appui axial, par sa face avant, contre des moyens de butée solidaires de la tige de commande (38), et une position reculée de contact dans laquelle les deux extrémités transversales opposées (35) de la face avant de la plaque mobile de contact (34) coopèrent avec des bornes de contact (26, 28, 30, 32) fixes du contacteur (10), la plaque mobile de contact (34) étant délimitée par deux bords latéraux opposés (60) dont chacun, au moins au voisinage de la partie centrale, se prolonge par une joue latérale (64) d'orientation axiale de manière que, au moins dans sa partie centrale, le contact mobile (34) présente, en section axiale, un profil en forme de U, ladite plaque mobile de contact (34) étant de forme générale rectangulaire avec ses deux bords latéraux (60) de plus grande longueur qui se prolongent chacun par une joue latérale (64) d'orientation axiale, caractérisé en ce que la tige de commande (38) comporte au moins une rainure (74) qui s'étend axialement dans sa paroi cylindrique (44, 45) sur une longueur (L) supérieure à la course du contact mobile (34) entre ses positions avancée de repos et reculée de contact, et en ce que la partie centrale de la plaque mobile de contact (34) comporte un ergot (66) d'appui qui s'étend radialement à partir du trou (50) pour le passage de la tige de commande et qui est déformé radialement lors du montage de la plaque mobile de contact (34) sur la tige de commande (38) de manière à être reçu en coulissement dans la rainure (74, 76) pour coopérer avec une face d'extrémité axiale (86) de butée de la rainure (74, 76) pour déterminer la position avancée de repos du contact mobile (34). Vehicle starter switch (10) automobile of the type in which a movable contact (34) is shaped of plate is crossed in its center by a control rod (38, 44) on which the movable contact (34) is mounted sliding between an advanced rest position towards which it is recalled elastically, by means (54) acting on the central part (33) of the rear face of the movable contact (34) which surround a hole (50) for the passage of the rod control (38, 44), and in which the movable contact (34) is in axial support, by its front face, against stop means integral with the control rod (38), and a retracted position contact in which the two transverse ends opposite (35) of the front face of the movable contact plate (34) cooperate with fixed contact terminals (26, 28, 30, 32) of the contactor (10), the movable contact plate (34) being delimited by two opposite lateral edges (60) each of which, at less in the vicinity of the central part, is extended by a side cheek (64) axially oriented so that at least in its central part, the movable contact (34) has, in axial section, a U-shaped profile, said movable plate of contact (34) being of generally rectangular shape with its two longer side edges (60) which extend each by a side cheek (64) of axial orientation, characterized in that the control rod (38) has at least a groove (74) which extends axially in its wall cylindrical (44, 45) over a length (L) greater than the stroke of the movable contact (34) between its advanced rest positions and recessed contact, and in that the central part of the plate contact mobile (34) has a support lug (66) which extends radially from the hole (50) for the passage of the control rod and which is deformed radially during assembly of the movable contact plate (34) on the control rod (38) so as to be received sliding in the groove (74, 76) to cooperate with an axial end face (86) of abutment the groove (74, 76) for determining the advanced rest position of the movable contact (34). Contacteur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que chaque joue latérale (64) s'étend transversalement jusqu'aux deux extrémités transversales opposées (62) du bord latéral (60) qu'elle prolonge ;Contactor according to claim 1, characterized in that each side cheek (64) extends transversely to the two opposite transverse ends (62) of the edge lateral (60) which it extends; Contacteur selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que la hauteur axiale (H) de chaque joue latérale (64) est décroissante à partir de la partie centrale de la plaque mobile de contact (34).Contactor according to claim 2, characterized in what the axial height (H) of each side cheek (64) is decreasing from the central part of the movable plate contact (34). Contacteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que chacune des deux joues latérales (64) s'étend axialement vers l'arrière.Contactor according to any one of the claims previous, characterized in that each of the two cheeks lateral (64) extends axially rearward. Contacteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que chacune des deux joues latérales (64) s'étend axialement vers l'avant.Contactor according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of the two side cheeks (64) extends axially forward. Contacteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la largeur latérale de la plaque mobile de contact (34) est constante.Contactor according to any one of the claims previous, characterized in that the lateral width of the movable contact plate (34) is constant. Contacteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que la largeur latérale de la plaque mobile de contact (34) est réduite au voisinage de ses extrémités transversales opposées (62).Contactor according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lateral width of the plate contact mobile (34) is reduced in the vicinity of its opposite transverse ends (62). Contacteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le contact mobile est une plaque en tôle dont le contour et le trou central (50) sont réalisés par découpe et dont les joues latérales (64) sont rabattues axialement par pliage.Contactor according to any one of the claims previous, characterized in that the movable contact is a sheet metal plate whose outline and central hole (50) are made by cutting and whose side cheeks (64) are folded axially by folding. Contacteur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la partie centrale de la plaque mobile de contact (34) comporte deux ergots (66) diamétralement opposés dont chacun est reçu dans l'une de deux rainures axiales diamétralement opposées (74, 76).Contactor according to claim 1, characterized in what the central part of the movable contact plate (34) comprises two diametrically opposed lugs (66) each of which is received in one of two diametrically opposite axial grooves (74, 76). Contacteur selon l'une des revendications 1 ou 9, caractérisé en ce que la tige de commande (38) est réalisée par moulage, et en ce que les rainures (74, 76, 78) sont réalisées venues de matière par moulage.Contactor according to one of claims 1 or 9, characterized in that the control rod (38) is produced by molding, and in that the grooves (74, 76, 78) are made material coming by molding. Démarreur de véhicule automobile, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un contacteur (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes.Motor vehicle starter, characterized in that it comprises a contactor (10) according to any one of previous claims.
EP19980120145 1997-10-28 1998-10-27 Starter contactor having an improved movable contact and vehicle starter equipped with such contactor Expired - Lifetime EP0913847B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9713612 1997-10-28
FR9713612A FR2770334B1 (en) 1997-10-28 1997-10-28 STARTER CONTACTOR COMPRISING AN IMPROVED MOBILE CONTACT AND MOTOR VEHICLE STARTER PROVIDED WITH SUCH A CONTACTOR

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EP0913847A1 true EP0913847A1 (en) 1999-05-06
EP0913847B1 EP0913847B1 (en) 2005-08-24

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EP19980120145 Expired - Lifetime EP0913847B1 (en) 1997-10-28 1998-10-27 Starter contactor having an improved movable contact and vehicle starter equipped with such contactor

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EP (1) EP0913847B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69831299T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2247653T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2770334B1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3597562A (en) * 1969-07-23 1971-08-03 Square D Co Movable contact structure for an electric switch
FR2538037A1 (en) * 1982-12-21 1984-06-22 Paris & Du Rhone Composite shaft of electric starter contactor
DE19522404A1 (en) * 1994-06-22 1996-01-11 Valeo Equip Electr Moteur Electromagnetic starter switch for vehicle IC engine
EP0778600A1 (en) * 1995-12-05 1997-06-11 Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur Starter contact with integrated return spring and vehicle starter equipped with such a contactor
EP0778601A1 (en) * 1995-12-05 1997-06-11 Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur Starter contactor provided with a stop for movable contact made by deformation and the vehicle starter equipped with such a contactor

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3597562A (en) * 1969-07-23 1971-08-03 Square D Co Movable contact structure for an electric switch
FR2538037A1 (en) * 1982-12-21 1984-06-22 Paris & Du Rhone Composite shaft of electric starter contactor
DE19522404A1 (en) * 1994-06-22 1996-01-11 Valeo Equip Electr Moteur Electromagnetic starter switch for vehicle IC engine
EP0778600A1 (en) * 1995-12-05 1997-06-11 Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur Starter contact with integrated return spring and vehicle starter equipped with such a contactor
EP0778601A1 (en) * 1995-12-05 1997-06-11 Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur Starter contactor provided with a stop for movable contact made by deformation and the vehicle starter equipped with such a contactor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0913847B1 (en) 2005-08-24
ES2247653T3 (en) 2006-03-01
DE69831299T2 (en) 2006-05-04
DE69831299D1 (en) 2005-09-29
FR2770334A1 (en) 1999-04-30
FR2770334B1 (en) 2000-03-10

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