EP1028442B1 - Anti-theft electric switch for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Anti-theft electric switch for a motor vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1028442B1
EP1028442B1 EP00400260A EP00400260A EP1028442B1 EP 1028442 B1 EP1028442 B1 EP 1028442B1 EP 00400260 A EP00400260 A EP 00400260A EP 00400260 A EP00400260 A EP 00400260A EP 1028442 B1 EP1028442 B1 EP 1028442B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
rotor
electrical
cam surface
cleaning
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
EP00400260A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1028442A1 (en
Inventor
Franck Thivilier
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 Comfort and Driving Assistance SAS
Original Assignee
Valeo Securite Habitacle SAS
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 Valeo Securite Habitacle SAS filed Critical Valeo Securite Habitacle SAS
Publication of EP1028442A1 publication Critical patent/EP1028442A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1028442B1 publication Critical patent/EP1028442B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
    • H01H1/18—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with subsequent sliding
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H19/00—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H19/54—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand the operating part having at least five or an unspecified number of operative positions
    • H01H19/60—Angularly-movable actuating part carrying no contacts
    • H01H19/63—Contacts actuated by axial cams
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H19/00—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H19/54—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand the operating part having at least five or an unspecified number of operative positions
    • H01H19/60—Angularly-movable actuating part carrying no contacts
    • H01H19/62—Contacts actuated by radial cams
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H27/00—Switches operated by a removable member, e.g. key, plug or plate; Switches operated by setting members according to a single predetermined combination out of several possible settings
    • H01H27/06—Key inserted and then turned to effect operation of the switch

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an electrical switch.
  • the invention more particularly relates to a rotary electrical switch for a motor vehicle antitheft device, of the type comprising a rotor body which is rotatably mounted about its axis with respect to a stator body, and of the type in which the rotor body is rotatable between two angular positions, in particular between a neutral angular position and an angular starting position in which it causes the power supply of an equipment, in particular an electric starter of a heat engine, for example by passing by an intermediate position.
  • the rotor of the switch is rotated for example by a key or by a part integral with a lock rotor which is itself actuated with a suitable key.
  • the "on" position corresponds to the power supply of the ignition circuit of the engine of the vehicle without which the engine can not operate.
  • the "start" position causes the power supply of an electric starter motor which is able to rotate the engine shaft of the engine of the vehicle and which is intended to start the engine.
  • the power supply of the starter is obtained by means of at least one electrical blade contact comprising a stationary contact element of axial orientation carried by the stator and a hairpin contact blade which extends in an axial plane and which comprises a fixed section of axial orientation carried by the stator and a movable section and of axial orientation which is substantially parallel to the first fixed section and which is connected thereto by an intermediate upper section curved in an arc of a circle, lower free end of the movable section being capable of cooperating or not with a portion vis-à-vis contact of the fixed contact element according to the relative angular position of the rotor relative to the stator.
  • the invention therefore aims to provide a switch for a motor vehicle of the type mentioned above which avoids clogging of electrical contacts blade achieving a self-cleaning effect of the contacts.
  • the invention proposes a rotary electrical switch for a motor vehicle antitheft device, of the type comprising an upper rotor which is rotatably mounted about its axis relative to a lower stator, and of the type in which the rotor is capable of to rotate between two angular positions, in particular a neutral angular position and an angular starting position in which it causes the power supply of an equipment, in particular an electric starter of a heat engine, by means of at least one blade electrical contact having a fixed axially oriented contact member carried by the stator and a hairpin contact blade extending into an axial plane and which comprises a fixed section of axial orientation carried by the stator and a movable section and axially oriented which is substantially parallel to the first fixed section and which is connected to the latter by an intermediate upper section arcuate curve of circle, the lower free end of the movable section being capable of cooperating or not with a portion vis-à-vis contact of the fixed contact element as a function of the relative angular position of the
  • FIG. 1 shows some components belonging to a rotary switch with vertical axis A1 intended to equip a motor vehicle lock (not shown).
  • the antitheft device comprises a rotary latch which is arranged axially above the switch 10 and which can be unlocked and rotated by a corresponding key.
  • the switch 10 essentially comprises a rotor body 12 which is rotatably mounted in a stator body 14 and which is capable of acting on a series of blade-type contacts 16 which are arranged in an inner annular cylindrical chamber 20 switch 10, for selectively controlling the power supply of a number of electrical circuits of the vehicle according to the angular position of the rotor body 12 about its axis A1.
  • the rotor body 12 can for example occupy four preferred angular positions, with respect to the stator 14, which are, in order, the "stop", "accessories", “on” and “start” positions.
  • the stator body 14 of the switch 10 comprises a cylindrical housing (not shown) of axis A1.
  • the stator body 14 is delimited axially downwards by a lower bottom 26 which has an external transverse wall 28 from which extends axially towards the inside of the stator body 14, a tubular wall 30.
  • the annular wall 30 delimits thus a central cylindrical enclosure 32 and a peripheral annular enclosure 34 which both open axially upwards in the chamber 20.
  • the bottom bottom 26 may carry, for example, five blade contacts 16 which are arranged in the peripheral annular enclosure 34 and which each comprise two pins 36, 38 which extend axially downwards outside the body of the body. stator 14, through the transverse wall 28 of the bottom bottom 26, to allow the connection of the switch 10 to electrical circuits of the vehicle to be opened or closed depending on the angular position of the rotor body 12 in the stator body 14.
  • Each blade contact 16 comprises a fixed grain 40 which is arranged on an outer cylindrical face 42 of the annular wall 30 of the bottom 26, which is turned radially outwards, and which is secured to a first 36 of the connecting pins of the blade contact 16.
  • Each contact 16 also has a hairpin blade 44 which includes a first substantially fixed section 46 extending axially upwardly the second 38 of the connecting pins.
  • the first peripheral portion 46 is fixed on the inner face 48 of an outer annular wall 50 of the bottom 26 which extends vertically upwardly from the upper face of the wall 28 and which delimits the annular enclosure 34 radially towards outside.
  • the first peripheral section 46 is extended by a section 52, radially internal, which is curved radially inwards and which extends axially downwardly parallel to the section 46 so as to extend into the outer peripheral enclosure 34.
  • the second section 52 of the blade 44 carries, at a lower free end 54, a contact key 56 rotated radially inward, opposite the fixed grain 40.
  • the second section 52 of the blade 44 has a curved control surface 58, which is turned radially inwards, and on which the rotor body 12 is capable of acting to repel elastically, radially outwardly, the second section 52 of the blade 44 for the purpose of detaching the contact key 56 from the associated contact grain 40 in order to open an electrical circuit which, in the free state of the blade 44, is closed by the elastic action of the blade 44 which plates the key 56 against the grain 40.
  • the free end 54 of the blade 44 which carries the key 56 has a transverse flange 60 which is turned radially outwards and which is capable of bearing against an inner face of the first section 46 of the blade 44. in order to limit the stroke of the second section 52 radially outwardly when the rotor body 12 acts to spread it radially outwards, as will be described later.
  • Lower bottom 26 may also carry a key presence contact (not shown).
  • the rotor body 12 of the switch 10 essentially comprises an upper axial portion 82 for driving the rotor body 12, an external radial collar 84 arranged axially in the central position, and a tubular lower axial section 86 for controlling the blade contacts 16.
  • the upper axial portion 82 has an outer tubular cylindrical wall 88 which is rotatably received in the not shown housing and a central shaft 90 which extends axially to cooperate with a drive part (not shown) connected to the lock and likely to turn with the key.
  • An annular axial housing 100 which opens axially upwards, is thus defined radially between the shaft 90 and the outer cylindrical wall 88, and it receives an angular action spiral spring (not shown) which, in known manner, is designed to elastically bring back the body of rotor 12 from its angular position "start” to its angular position "on".
  • the lower axial portion 86 of the rotor body 12 comprises a tubular wall which extends axially downwards, and which is cylindrical but not of revolution.
  • the wall thus delimits an external surface 104 which constitutes a cam surface whose distance relative to the axis A1 is variable around this axis.
  • the wall is thus capable of cooperating with the control surfaces 58 of each blade contact 16 to establish or interrupt the flow of electrical current in the circuits associated with each of these contacts 16, depending on whether a curved surface 58 cooperates with the part cylindrical of revolution 106 of the outer surface 104 or with an internal radial recess 108 formed in the outer surface 104.
  • the switch 10 may also comprise means (not shown in detail) for indexing the angular position of the rotor body 12 relative to the stator body 14, and non-return means which in certain cases limit the possibility for the body 12 to rotate from one to the other of its positions, for example when the rotor body 12 has been previously brought to its starting position and is being brought back to one of its three positions of "walk", "accessories", or "stop".
  • the anti-return means prevent the rotor body 12 from being taken back to its "starting" position without having been brought back to at least in a neutral position, for example the position "accessories” or "stop".
  • each two-element electrical contact 36 and 44 is designed, in association with the rotor body 12, to be of the self-cleaning type.
  • the rotor body 12 cooperates with the intermediate section 110 of each contact blade 44 which interconnects the sections, of axial, fixed and movable orientation 52.
  • each intermediate connecting section 110 has a curved profile in a cylinder arc, that is to say an arcuate profile when considered in section by an axial plane (as can be seen from FIG. in Figure 1 and Figures 5 to 8).
  • Each contact 16, and more particularly its contact blade 44 extends in a vertical and axial plane with its intermediate curved connecting portion 110 located axially in the upper part and arranged facing the lower face 112 of the outer radial flange 84 of the rotor body 12.
  • the rotor body 12 comprises a generally frustoconical annular skirt 114 which extends axially downwards from the periphery of the outer radial flange 84.
  • the skirt 114 thus delimits a radially internal surface 116 which constitutes, for the purposes of the invention, a cleaning surface or cam path of the electrical contacts 16.
  • the skirt 114 is not continuous, that is to say that it is interrupted here by two emergent recesses of radial orientation 118 each of which is delimited by two faces transversely axial orientation 120 and 122.
  • the recesses or recesses 118 are angularly arranged opposite the recesses 108 of the surface 104 for controlling the electrical contacts 16.
  • the internal profile forming a cleaning cam surface 116 of the skirt 114 is here a frustoconical profile of revolution which is intended to cooperate, as will be explained later, with the radially external part, facing intermediate connecting sections 110 of the contact blades 44.
  • the side edges of the portion 124 are beveled and / or have a rounded "non-aggressive" profile. Part 124 can also be thinned locally.
  • the electrical contact 16 is illustrated in its position, or state, open, that is to say that the grain 56 carried by the contact blade 44 is not in contact with the fixed grain 40 carried by the pin 36 of the stator 14.
  • the convex portion 58 of the movable section or strand 52 of the contact blade 44 cooperates with the cylindrical control surface 106 of the tubular lower portion 86 of the rotor 12.
  • the arrangement of the contact blade 44 and the skirt 114 is such that the upper intermediate loop 110, in the form of a loop, of the blade 44 is compressed transversely in an axial plane between the cylindrical surface 126 of the portion upper tubular section 86 and the frustoconical inner surface forming cam 116 of the skirt 114.
  • the rotor 12 is rotated with respect to the stator 14, for example in the direction indicated by the arrow F, of FIG. bring the curved control surface 58 facing a recess 108 of the tubular extension 86.
  • the contact position of the moving grain 56 is determined by its radial inward support against the fixed grain 40.
  • the corresponding angular sector of the skirt 114 extends angularly slightly beyond the portion opposite the cylindrical surface 106 so that the "loosening" of the upper part 110 of the contact blade 44 does not occur. only slightly after the closing of the electrical contact 16.
  • FIG. 7 This relaxed state is illustrated in FIG. 7, in which it can be seen that the curved control portion 58 is always facing a recess 108 while the upper part of the contact blade 44 constituted by the intermediate connecting curve section 110 is more opposite a sector of the skirt 114 but is opposite a recess 118, that is to say that it is no longer confined radially and that the contact blade 44 thus occupies its rest position shown in Figure 7.
  • friction occurs between the contacting faces of the fixed and movable grains 40 leading to a self-cleaning effect of these two surfaces in contact, thus eliminating them from any impurity. dirt, or oxide layer that may form there in use.
  • the opening of the contact 16 can also be carried out, alternatively, by rotating the rotor 12 relative to the stator 14 in the same direction as that indicated by the arrow F, the other active sector of the skirt 114 delimited by the facet 122 then cooperating with the upper loop 110 of the contact blade 44 to first cause the self-cleaning effect before the cylindrical surface 106 cooperates again with the curved portion 58 of the movable section 52 of the contact blade 44 to cause the opening of the electrical contact 16.

Description

L'invention concerne un commutateur électrique.The invention relates to an electrical switch.

L'invention concerne plus particulièrement un commutateur électrique rotatif pour un antivol de véhicule automobile, du type comportant un corps de rotor qui est monté à rotation autour de son axe par rapport à un corps de stator, et du type dans lequel le corps de rotor est susceptible de tourner entre deux positions angulaires, notamment entre une position angulaire neutre et une position angulaire de démarrage dans laquelle il provoque l'alimentation électrique d'un équipement, notamment d'un démarreur électrique d'un moteur thermique, par exemple en passant par une position intermédiaire.The invention more particularly relates to a rotary electrical switch for a motor vehicle antitheft device, of the type comprising a rotor body which is rotatably mounted about its axis with respect to a stator body, and of the type in which the rotor body is rotatable between two angular positions, in particular between a neutral angular position and an angular starting position in which it causes the power supply of an equipment, in particular an electric starter of a heat engine, for example by passing by an intermediate position.

Dans un antivol de véhicule automobile, le rotor du commutateur est entraîné en rotation par exemple par une clé ou par une pièce solidaire d'un rotor de verrou qui est lui-même actionné à l'aide d'une clé conforme.In a motor vehicle lock, the rotor of the switch is rotated for example by a key or by a part integral with a lock rotor which is itself actuated with a suitable key.

Lorsque le verrou est déverrouillé, il est alors possible de faire pivoter le rotor du commutateur depuis une position "stop" dans laquelle la plupart des circuits électriques du véhicule sont coupés de l'alimentation provenant de la batterie. Il est prévu généralement trois autres positions "accessoires", "marche" et "démarrage" dans lesquelles le commutateur établit l'alimentation électrique pour différents circuits et organes du véhicule.When the lock is unlocked, it is then possible to rotate the switch rotor from a "stop" position in which most of the vehicle's electrical circuits are cut off from the power supply from the battery. There are generally three other positions "accessories", "on" and "start" in which the switch establishes the power supply for different circuits and organs of the vehicle.

Notamment, la position "marche" correspond à l'alimentation électrique du circuit d'allumage du moteur thermique du véhicule sans lequel le moteur thermique ne peut fonctionner.In particular, the "on" position corresponds to the power supply of the ignition circuit of the engine of the vehicle without which the engine can not operate.

De manière connue, la position "démarrage" provoque l'alimentation en courant d'un moteur électrique de démarreur qui est susceptible d'entraîner en rotation l'arbre moteur du moteur thermique du véhicule et qui a pour but de lancer le moteur thermique.In known manner, the "start" position causes the power supply of an electric starter motor which is able to rotate the engine shaft of the engine of the vehicle and which is intended to start the engine.

L'alimentation du démarreur est obtenue au moyen d'au moins un contact électrique à lame comportant un élément fixe de contact d'orientation axiale porté par le stator et une lame de contact en épingle à cheveux qui s'étend dans un plan axial et qui comporte un tronçon fixe d'orientation axiale porté par le stator et un tronçon mobile et d'orientation axiale qui est sensiblement parallèle au premier tronçon fixe et qui est relié à ce dernier par un tronçon supérieur intermédiaire courbe en arc de cercle, l'extrémité libre inférieure du tronçon mobile étant susceptible de coopérer ou non avec une portion en vis-à-vis de contact de l'élément fixe de contact en fonction de la position angulaire relative du rotor par rapport au stator.The power supply of the starter is obtained by means of at least one electrical blade contact comprising a stationary contact element of axial orientation carried by the stator and a hairpin contact blade which extends in an axial plane and which comprises a fixed section of axial orientation carried by the stator and a movable section and of axial orientation which is substantially parallel to the first fixed section and which is connected thereto by an intermediate upper section curved in an arc of a circle, lower free end of the movable section being capable of cooperating or not with a portion vis-à-vis contact of the fixed contact element according to the relative angular position of the rotor relative to the stator.

Un exemple d'un tel type de commutateur à contacts électriques à lame est par exemple décrit et représenté dans le document FR-A-2.763.421.An example of such a type of switch with electrical contacts blade is for example described and shown in FR-A-2,763,421.

L'invention a donc pour but de proposer un commutateur pour un véhicule automobile du type mentionné précédemment qui permet d'éviter l'encrassement des contacts électriques à lame en obtenant un effet d'auto-nettoyage des contacts.The invention therefore aims to provide a switch for a motor vehicle of the type mentioned above which avoids clogging of electrical contacts blade achieving a self-cleaning effect of the contacts.

Dans ce but, l'invention propose un commutateur électrique rotatif pour un antivol de véhicule automobile, du type comportant un rotor supérieur qui est monté à rotation autour de son axe par rapport à un stator inférieur, et du type dans lequel le rotor est susceptible de tourner entre deux positions angulaires, notamment une position angulaire neutre et une position angulaire de démarrage dans laquelle il provoque l'alimentation électrique d'un équipement, notamment d'un démarreur électrique d'un moteur thermique, au moyen d'au moins un contact électrique à lame comportant un élément fixe de contact d'orientation axiale porté par le stator et une lame de contact en épingle à cheveux qui s'étend dans un plan axial et qui comporte un tronçon fixe d'orientation axiale porté par le stator et un tronçon mobile et d'orientation axiale qui est sensiblement parallèle au premier tronçon fixe et qui est relié à ce dernier par un tronçon supérieur intermédiaire courbe en arc de cercle, l'extrémité libre inférieure du tronçon mobile étant susceptible de coopérer ou non avec une portion en vis-à-vis de contact de l'élément fixe de contact en fonction de la position angulaire relative du rotor par rapport au stator, caractérisé en ce que le rotor comporte une surface de came de nettoyage du contact électrique qui coopère avec une portion en vis-à-vis du tronçon intermédiaire de la lame de contact pour déformer élastiquement la lame de contact, globalement dans son plan axial moyen, et provoquer un déplacement relatif de l'extrémité libre inférieure du tronçon mobile par rapport à la portion de contact de l'élément fixe de contact, avec laquelle elle est en contact, lorsque le rotor provoque la fermeture ou l'ouverture du contact électrique.For this purpose, the invention proposes a rotary electrical switch for a motor vehicle antitheft device, of the type comprising an upper rotor which is rotatably mounted about its axis relative to a lower stator, and of the type in which the rotor is capable of to rotate between two angular positions, in particular a neutral angular position and an angular starting position in which it causes the power supply of an equipment, in particular an electric starter of a heat engine, by means of at least one blade electrical contact having a fixed axially oriented contact member carried by the stator and a hairpin contact blade extending into an axial plane and which comprises a fixed section of axial orientation carried by the stator and a movable section and axially oriented which is substantially parallel to the first fixed section and which is connected to the latter by an intermediate upper section arcuate curve of circle, the lower free end of the movable section being capable of cooperating or not with a portion vis-à-vis contact of the fixed contact element as a function of the relative angular position of the rotor relative to the stator, characterized in the rotor comprises a cleaning surface of the electrical contact which cooperates with a portion facing the intermediate section of the contact blade for elastically deforming the contact blade, generally in its mean axial plane, and causing a relative displacement of the lower free end of the movable section with respect to the contact portion of the fixed contact element, with which it is in contact with ntact, when the rotor causes the closing or opening of the electrical contact.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques de l'invention :

  • la surface de came de nettoyage du contact est formée à l'intérieur d'une jupe annulaire cylindrique d'orientation axiale du rotor et qui coopère avec la portion, radialement extérieure, en vis-à-vis du tronçon intermédiaire courbe de la lame de contact mobile de manière à provoquer un déplacement vertical relatif de l'extrémité libre inférieure du tronçon mobile par rapport à la portion de contact de l'élément fixe de contact ;
  • la surface de came de nettoyage comporte un secteur angulaire actif de révolution qui coopère avec le tronçon intermédiaire courbe de lame de contact lorsque le contact électrique est ouvert ;
  • le secteur actif de la surface de came de nettoyage s'étend angulairement de manière à coopérer avec le tronçon intermédiaire courbe de lame de contact lors de la partie finale de la course angulaire du rotor provoquant la fermeture du contact électrique, ou lors de la partie initiale de la course angulaire du rotor provoquant l'ouverture du contact électrique ;
  • le secteur actif de la surface de came de nettoyage présente un profil tronconique ;
  • le secteur actif de la surface de came de nettoyage est délimité angulairement par deux évidements formés dans la jupe du rotor ;
  • le tronçon mobile de la lame de contact comporte une surface de commande sur laquelle le rotor est susceptible d'agir pour repousser élastiquement, radialement vers l'extérieur, le tronçon mobile de la lame de contact pour ouvrir le contact électrique, qui est du type normalement fermé, à l'encontre de l'élasticité propre de la lame de contact ;
  • la surface de commande est une surface bombée, qui est tournée radialement vers l'intérieur, et qui coopère avec une surface de came de commande du rotor ;
  • le tronçon intermédiaire courbe de la lame de contact qui coopère avec la surface de came de nettoyage présente un profil non agressif pour la surface de came.
According to other features of the invention:
  • the contact cleaning cam surface is formed inside a cylindrical annular skirt of axial orientation of the rotor and which cooperates with the portion, radially outer, vis-à-vis the intermediate curved section of the blade of moving contact so as to cause a relative vertical displacement of the lower free end of the movable section relative to the contact portion of the fixed contact element;
  • the cleaning cam surface comprises an active angular sector of revolution which cooperates with the intermediate curved contact blade section when the electrical contact is open;
  • the active sector of the cleaning cam surface extends angularly so as to cooperate with the section intermediate curve of the contact blade during the final part of the angular travel of the rotor causing the closing of the electrical contact, or during the initial part of the angular travel of the rotor causing the opening of the electrical contact;
  • the active sector of the cleaning cam surface has a frustoconical profile;
  • the active sector of the cleaning cam surface is defined angularly by two recesses formed in the skirt of the rotor;
  • the movable section of the contact blade comprises a control surface on which the rotor is able to act to elastically push the moving portion of the contact blade elastically, radially outwards, to open the electrical contact, which is of the type normally closed, against the inherent resilience of the contact blade;
  • the control surface is a curved surface, which is rotated radially inward, and which cooperates with a control cam surface of the rotor;
  • the curved intermediate section of the contact blade which cooperates with the cleaning cam surface has a non-aggressive profile for the cam surface.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront 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 schématique en coupe axiale de certains des composants d'un commutateur selon l'invention sur laquelle le rotor est dans une position angulaire dans laquelle un contact électrique à lame est en position fermée et est nettoyé ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue en perspective du corps de rotor du commutateur qui est illustré en association avec les deux composants d'un contact à lame portés par le corps de stator ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue en perspective selon un autre angle de la lame du contact illustré à la figure 2 ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue en perspective de dessous du corps de rotor du commutateur selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue partielle simplifiée de la partie inférieure de la figure 1 illustrant une position relative des différents composants lorsque le rotor est dans sa position angulaire dans laquelle un contact électrique est ouvert ;
  • la figure 6 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 5 sur laquelle le rotor est dans une position angulaire suivante correspondant à la partie finale de la course angulaire du rotor provoquant la fermeture du contact électrique et un nettoyage du contact ;
  • la figure 7 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 6 sur laquelle le rotor est dans une position angulaire suivante dans laquelle le contact électrique est fermé et nettoyé; et
  • la figure 8 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 7 sur laquelle le rotor est dans une position angulaire suivante correspondant à la partie initiale de la course angulaire du rotor provoquant l'ouverture du contact électrique et un nettoyage du contact .
Other features 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 a schematic axial sectional view of some of the components of a switch according to the invention on which the rotor is in an angular position in which a blade electrical contact is in the closed position and is cleaned;
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rotor body of the switch which is illustrated in association with the two components of a blade contact carried by the stator body;
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view at another angle of the blade of the contact shown in Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of the rotor body of the switch according to the invention;
  • Figure 5 is a simplified partial view of the lower part of Figure 1 illustrating a relative position of the various components when the rotor is in its angular position in which an electrical contact is open;
  • Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 5 in which the rotor is in a subsequent angular position corresponding to the final part of the angular stroke of the rotor causing the closure of the electrical contact and cleaning the contact;
  • Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6 in which the rotor is in a subsequent angular position in which the electrical contact is closed and cleaned; and
  • Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 7 in which the rotor is in a subsequent angular position corresponding to the initial portion of the angular travel of the rotor causing the opening of the electrical contact and cleaning the contact.

Dans la description qui va suivre, afin de faciliter la compréhension de la description et des revendications, on utilisera les termes "vertical", "horizontal", "supérieur", "inférieur", etc. à titre non limitatif et notamment en référence aux figures.In the following description, to facilitate understanding of the description and claims, the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", etc. will be used. without limitation and in particular with reference to the figures.

On a représenté sur la figure 1 certains composants appartenant à un commutateur 10 rotatif d'axe vertical A1 destiné à équiper un antivol de véhicule automobile (non représenté). A titre d'exemple, on considère que l'antivol comporte un verrou rotatif qui est agencé axialement au-dessus du commutateur 10 et qui est susceptible d'être déverrouillé et d'être entraîné en rotation par une clé conforme.FIG. 1 shows some components belonging to a rotary switch with vertical axis A1 intended to equip a motor vehicle lock (not shown). By way of example, it is considered that the antitheft device comprises a rotary latch which is arranged axially above the switch 10 and which can be unlocked and rotated by a corresponding key.

Le commutateur 10 comporte essentiellement un corps de rotor 12 qui est monté à rotation dans un corps de stator 14 et qui est susceptible d'agir sur une série de contacts 16, du type à lame, qui sont agencés dans une chambre cylindrique annulaire interne 20 du commutateur 10, pour commander sélectivement l'alimentation en courant électrique d'un certain nombre de circuits électriques du véhicule en fonction de la position angulaire du corps de rotor 12 autour de son axe A1.The switch 10 essentially comprises a rotor body 12 which is rotatably mounted in a stator body 14 and which is capable of acting on a series of blade-type contacts 16 which are arranged in an inner annular cylindrical chamber 20 switch 10, for selectively controlling the power supply of a number of electrical circuits of the vehicle according to the angular position of the rotor body 12 about its axis A1.

Le corps de rotor 12 peut par exemple occuper quatre positions angulaires privilégiées, par rapport au stator 14, qui sont, dans l'ordre, les positions "stop", "accessoires", "marche" et "démarrage".The rotor body 12 can for example occupy four preferred angular positions, with respect to the stator 14, which are, in order, the "stop", "accessories", "on" and "start" positions.

Le corps de stator 14 du commutateur 10 comporte un boîtier cylindrique (non représenté) d'axe A1 .The stator body 14 of the switch 10 comprises a cylindrical housing (not shown) of axis A1.

Le corps de stator 14 est délimité axialement vers le bas par un fond inférieur 26 qui comporte une paroi transversale externe 28 depuis laquelle s'étend, axialement vers l'intérieur du corps de stator 14, une paroi tubulaire 30. La paroi annulaire 30 délimite ainsi une enceinte cylindrique centrale 32 et une enceinte annulaire périphérique 34 qui débouchent toutes les deux axialement vers le haut dans la chambre 20.The stator body 14 is delimited axially downwards by a lower bottom 26 which has an external transverse wall 28 from which extends axially towards the inside of the stator body 14, a tubular wall 30. The annular wall 30 delimits thus a central cylindrical enclosure 32 and a peripheral annular enclosure 34 which both open axially upwards in the chamber 20.

Le fond inférieur 26 peut porter par exemple cinq contacts à lame 16 qui sont agencés dans l'enceinte annulaire périphérique 34 et qui comportent chacun deux broches 36, 38 qui s'étendent axialement vers le bas à l'extérieur du corps de stator 14, au travers de la paroi transversale 28 du fond inférieur 26, pour permettre le raccordement du commutateur 10 à des circuits électriques du véhicule destinés à être ouverts ou fermés en fonction de la position angulaire du corps de rotor 12 dans le corps de stator 14.The bottom bottom 26 may carry, for example, five blade contacts 16 which are arranged in the peripheral annular enclosure 34 and which each comprise two pins 36, 38 which extend axially downwards outside the body of the body. stator 14, through the transverse wall 28 of the bottom bottom 26, to allow the connection of the switch 10 to electrical circuits of the vehicle to be opened or closed depending on the angular position of the rotor body 12 in the stator body 14.

Chaque contact à lame 16 comporte un grain fixe 40 qui est agencé sur une face cylindrique externe 42 de la paroi annulaire 30 du fond 26, qui est tourné radialement vers l'extérieur, et qui est solidaire d'une première 36 des broches de raccordement du contact à lame 16.Each blade contact 16 comprises a fixed grain 40 which is arranged on an outer cylindrical face 42 of the annular wall 30 of the bottom 26, which is turned radially outwards, and which is secured to a first 36 of the connecting pins of the blade contact 16.

Chaque contact 16 comporte aussi une lame 44 en épingle à cheveux qui comporte un premier tronçon sensiblement fixe 46 prolongeant axialement vers le haut la seconde 38 des broches de raccordement.Each contact 16 also has a hairpin blade 44 which includes a first substantially fixed section 46 extending axially upwardly the second 38 of the connecting pins.

Le premier tronçon périphérique 46 est fixé sur la face interne 48 d'une paroi annulaire externe 50 du fond 26 qui s'étend verticalement vers le haut à partir de la face supérieure de la paroi 28 et qui délimite l'enceinte annulaire 34 radialement vers l'extérieur.The first peripheral portion 46 is fixed on the inner face 48 of an outer annular wall 50 of the bottom 26 which extends vertically upwardly from the upper face of the wall 28 and which delimits the annular enclosure 34 radially towards outside.

Le premier tronçon périphérique 46 est prolongé par un tronçon 52, radialement interne, qui est recourbé radialement vers l'intérieur et qui s'étend axialement vers le bas parallèlement au tronçon 46 de manière à s'étendre dans l'enceinte périphérique externe 34. Le second tronçon 52 de la lame 44 porte, à une extrémité inférieure libre 54, une touche de contact 56 tournée radialement vers l'intérieur, en regard du grain fixe 40.The first peripheral section 46 is extended by a section 52, radially internal, which is curved radially inwards and which extends axially downwardly parallel to the section 46 so as to extend into the outer peripheral enclosure 34. The second section 52 of the blade 44 carries, at a lower free end 54, a contact key 56 rotated radially inward, opposite the fixed grain 40.

Comme on peut le voir plus particulièrement sur la figure 3, le second tronçon 52 de la lame 44 comporte une surface de commande bombée 58, qui est tournée radialement vers l'intérieur, et sur laquelle le corps de rotor 12 est susceptible d'agir pour repousser élastiquement, radialement vers l'extérieur, le second tronçon 52 de la lame 44 dans le but de décoller la touche de contact 56 du grain de contact 40 associé afin d'ouvrir un circuit électrique qui, à l'état libre de la lame 44, est fermé par l'action élastique de la lame 44 qui plaque la touche 56 contre le grain 40.As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 3, the second section 52 of the blade 44 has a curved control surface 58, which is turned radially inwards, and on which the rotor body 12 is capable of acting to repel elastically, radially outwardly, the second section 52 of the blade 44 for the purpose of detaching the contact key 56 from the associated contact grain 40 in order to open an electrical circuit which, in the free state of the blade 44, is closed by the elastic action of the blade 44 which plates the key 56 against the grain 40.

Par ailleurs, l'extrémité libre 54 de la lame 44 qui porte la touche 56 comporte un rebord transversal 60 qui est tourné radialement vers l'extérieur et qui est susceptible de venir en appui contre une face interne du premier tronçon 46 de la lame 44 dans le but de limiter la course du second tronçon 52 radialement vers l'extérieur lorsque le corps de rotor 12 agit de manière à l'écarter radialement vers l'extérieur, ainsi que cela sera décrit par la suite.Furthermore, the free end 54 of the blade 44 which carries the key 56 has a transverse flange 60 which is turned radially outwards and which is capable of bearing against an inner face of the first section 46 of the blade 44. in order to limit the stroke of the second section 52 radially outwardly when the rotor body 12 acts to spread it radially outwards, as will be described later.

Le fond inférieur 26 peut aussi porter un contact de présence de clé (non représenté).Lower bottom 26 may also carry a key presence contact (not shown).

Le corps de rotor 12 du commutateur 10 selon l'invention comporte essentiellement un tronçon axial supérieur 82 d'entraînement du corps de rotor 12, un collet radial externe 84 agencé axialement en position centrale, et un tronçon axial inférieur tubulaire 86 destiné à commander les contacts à lame 16.The rotor body 12 of the switch 10 according to the invention essentially comprises an upper axial portion 82 for driving the rotor body 12, an external radial collar 84 arranged axially in the central position, and a tubular lower axial section 86 for controlling the blade contacts 16.

Le tronçon axial supérieur 82 comporte une paroi cylindrique tubulaire externe 88 qui est reçue à rotation dans le boîtier non représenté et un fût central 90 qui s'étend axialement pour coopérer avec une pièce d'entraînement (non représentée) reliée à l'antivol et susceptible de tourner avec la clé.The upper axial portion 82 has an outer tubular cylindrical wall 88 which is rotatably received in the not shown housing and a central shaft 90 which extends axially to cooperate with a drive part (not shown) connected to the lock and likely to turn with the key.

Un logement axial annulaire 100, qui débouche axialement vers le haut, est ainsi délimité radialement entre le fût 90 et la paroi cylindrique externe 88, et il reçoit un ressort spiral à action angulaire (non représenté) qui, de manière connue, est conçu pour ramener élastiquement le corps de rotor 12 de sa position angulaire de "démarrage" à sa position angulaire de "marche".An annular axial housing 100, which opens axially upwards, is thus defined radially between the shaft 90 and the outer cylindrical wall 88, and it receives an angular action spiral spring (not shown) which, in known manner, is designed to elastically bring back the body of rotor 12 from its angular position "start" to its angular position "on".

Le tronçon axial inférieur 86 du corps de rotor 12 comporte une paroi tubulaire qui s'étend axialement vers le bas, et qui est cylindrique mais non de révolution. La paroi délimite ainsi une surface externe 104 qui constitue une surface de came dont la distance par rapport à l'axe A1 est variable autour de cet axe.The lower axial portion 86 of the rotor body 12 comprises a tubular wall which extends axially downwards, and which is cylindrical but not of revolution. The wall thus delimits an external surface 104 which constitutes a cam surface whose distance relative to the axis A1 is variable around this axis.

La paroi est ainsi susceptible de coopérer avec les surfaces de commande 58 de chaque contact à lame 16 pour établir ou interrompre la circulation du courant électrique dans les circuits associés à chacun de ces contacts 16, selon qu'une surface bombée 58 coopère avec la partie cylindrique de révolution 106 de la surface externe 104 ou bien avec un évidement radial interne 108 formé dans la surface externe 104.The wall is thus capable of cooperating with the control surfaces 58 of each blade contact 16 to establish or interrupt the flow of electrical current in the circuits associated with each of these contacts 16, depending on whether a curved surface 58 cooperates with the part cylindrical of revolution 106 of the outer surface 104 or with an internal radial recess 108 formed in the outer surface 104.

Le commutateur 10 peut aussi comporter des moyens (non représentés en détail) pour indexer la position angulaire du corps de rotor 12 par rapport au corps de stator 14, et des moyens d'anti-retour qui limitent dans certains cas la possibilité pour le corps de rotor 12 de pivoter de l'une à l'autre de ses positions, par exemple lorsque le corps de rotor 12 a été amené préalablement vers sa position de démarrage et qu'il est en cours d'être ramené vers l'une de ses trois positions de "marche", "accessoires", ou "stop".The switch 10 may also comprise means (not shown in detail) for indexing the angular position of the rotor body 12 relative to the stator body 14, and non-return means which in certain cases limit the possibility for the body 12 to rotate from one to the other of its positions, for example when the rotor body 12 has been previously brought to its starting position and is being brought back to one of its three positions of "walk", "accessories", or "stop".

Lorsque le corps de rotor 12 a atteint au moins une position angulaire intermédiaire, les moyens d'anti-retour empêchent que le corps de rotor 12 ne soit emmené de nouveau vers sa position de "démarrage" sans avoir été préalablement ramené au moins jusqu'à une position neutre, par exemple la position "accessoires" ou "stop".When the rotor body 12 has reached at least one intermediate angular position, the anti-return means prevent the rotor body 12 from being taken back to its "starting" position without having been brought back to at least in a neutral position, for example the position "accessories" or "stop".

Conformément aux enseignements de l'invention, chaque contact électrique 16 à deux éléments 36 et 44 est conçu, en association avec le corps de rotor 12, pour être du type auto-nettoyant.In accordance with the teachings of the invention, each two-element electrical contact 36 and 44 is designed, in association with the rotor body 12, to be of the self-cleaning type.

A cet effet, le corps de rotor 12 coopère avec le tronçon intermédiaire 110 de chaque lame de contact 44 qui relie entre eux les tronçons, d'orientation axiale, fixe 46 et mobile 52.For this purpose, the rotor body 12 cooperates with the intermediate section 110 of each contact blade 44 which interconnects the sections, of axial, fixed and movable orientation 52.

Selon une conception connue, chaque tronçon intermédiaire de liaison 110 présente un profil courbe en arc de cylindre, c'est-à-dire un profil en arc de cercle lorsque l'on considère en section par un plan axial (comme on peut le voir à la figure 1 et aux figures 5 à 8). Chaque contact 16, et plus particulièrement sa lame de contact 44, s'étend dans un plan vertical et axial avec son tronçon intermédiaire courbe de liaison 110 situé axialement en partie supérieure et agencé en regard de la face inférieure 112 de la collerette radiale extérieure 84 du corps de rotor 12.According to a known design, each intermediate connecting section 110 has a curved profile in a cylinder arc, that is to say an arcuate profile when considered in section by an axial plane (as can be seen from FIG. in Figure 1 and Figures 5 to 8). Each contact 16, and more particularly its contact blade 44, extends in a vertical and axial plane with its intermediate curved connecting portion 110 located axially in the upper part and arranged facing the lower face 112 of the outer radial flange 84 of the rotor body 12.

Afin d'agir sur le tronçon intermédiaire courbe de liaison 110, le corps de rotor 12 comporte une jupe annulaire de forme générale tronconique 114 qui s'étend axialement vers le bas à partir de la périphérie de la collerette radiale extérieure 84.In order to act on the intermediate connecting section 110, the rotor body 12 comprises a generally frustoconical annular skirt 114 which extends axially downwards from the periphery of the outer radial flange 84.

La jupe 114 délimite ainsi une surface radialement interne 116 qui constitue, au sens de l'invention, une surface ou chemin de came de nettoyage des contacts électriques 16.The skirt 114 thus delimits a radially internal surface 116 which constitutes, for the purposes of the invention, a cleaning surface or cam path of the electrical contacts 16.

Comme on peut le voir notamment aux figures 2 et 4, la jupe 114 n'est pas continue, c'est-à-dire qu'elle est ici interrompue par deux évidements débouchants d'orientation radiale 118 dont chacun est délimité par deux faces transversales d'orientation axiale 120 et 122. Comme on peut le voir notamment aux figures 2 et 4, les évidements ou creusures 118 sont disposés angulairement en regard des évidements 108 de la surface 104 de commande des contacts électriques 16.As can be seen in particular in Figures 2 and 4, the skirt 114 is not continuous, that is to say that it is interrupted here by two emergent recesses of radial orientation 118 each of which is delimited by two faces transversely axial orientation 120 and 122. As can be seen in particular in Figures 2 and 4, the recesses or recesses 118 are angularly arranged opposite the recesses 108 of the surface 104 for controlling the electrical contacts 16.

Le profil interne formant surface de came de nettoyage 116 de la jupe 114 est ici un profil tronconique de révolution qui est prévu pour coopérer, comme cela sera expliqué par la suite, avec la partie, radialement externe, en vis-à-vis 124 des tronçons intermédiaires de liaison 110 des lames de contact 44.The internal profile forming a cleaning cam surface 116 of the skirt 114 is here a frustoconical profile of revolution which is intended to cooperate, as will be explained later, with the radially external part, facing intermediate connecting sections 110 of the contact blades 44.

Afin d'éviter d'endommager la surface de came 116, et notamment pour éviter la formation de copeaux, les bords latéraux de la partie 124 sont biseautés et/ou présentent un profil arrondi "non agressif". La partie 124 peut aussi être amincie localement.In order to avoid damage to the cam surface 116, and in particular to avoid chip formation, the side edges of the portion 124 are beveled and / or have a rounded "non-aggressive" profile. Part 124 can also be thinned locally.

On décrira maintenant le fonctionnement du perfectionnement selon l'invention permettant d'obtenir un auto-nettoyage des contacts 16 en référence aux figures 5 à 8 sur laquelle est illustré, à titre d'exemple, l'un des contacts 16 selon l'invention.We will now describe the operation of the improvement according to the invention for obtaining a self-cleaning of the contacts 16 with reference to Figures 5 to 8 in which is illustrated, for example, one of the contacts 16 according to the invention .

Dans la position angulaire illustrée à la figure 5, le contact électrique 16 est illustré dans sa position, ou état, ouverte, c'est-à-dire que le grain 56 porté par la lame de contact 44 n'est pas en contact avec le grain fixe 40 porté par la broche 36 du stator 14.In the angular position illustrated in FIG. 5, the electrical contact 16 is illustrated in its position, or state, open, that is to say that the grain 56 carried by the contact blade 44 is not in contact with the fixed grain 40 carried by the pin 36 of the stator 14.

A cet effet, la partie bombée 58 du tronçon ou brin mobile 52 de la lame de contact 44 coopère avec la surface cylindrique de commande 106 de la portion inférieure tubulaire 86 du rotor 12.For this purpose, the convex portion 58 of the movable section or strand 52 of the contact blade 44 cooperates with the cylindrical control surface 106 of the tubular lower portion 86 of the rotor 12.

L'agencement de la lame de contact 44 et de la jupe 114 est tel que le brin intermédiaire supérieur 110, en forme de boucle, de la lame 44 est comprimé transversalement dans un plan axial entre la surface cylindrique 126 de la partie supérieure du tronçon tubulaire 86 et la surface interne tronconique formant came 116 de la jupe 114.The arrangement of the contact blade 44 and the skirt 114 is such that the upper intermediate loop 110, in the form of a loop, of the blade 44 is compressed transversely in an axial plane between the cylindrical surface 126 of the portion upper tubular section 86 and the frustoconical inner surface forming cam 116 of the skirt 114.

Afin d'obtenir la fermeture du contact 16, en partant de la position illustrée à la figure 5, on fait tourner le rotor 12 par rapport au stator 14, par exemple dans le sens indiqué par la flèche F, de la figure 2 afin d'amener la surface bombée de commande 58 en regard d'un évidement 108 du prolongement tubulaire 86.In order to obtain the closure of the contact 16, starting from the position illustrated in FIG. 5, the rotor 12 is rotated with respect to the stator 14, for example in the direction indicated by the arrow F, of FIG. bring the curved control surface 58 facing a recess 108 of the tubular extension 86.

Comme on peut le voir à la figure 6, dès que la partie bombée 58 du tronçon mobile 52 de la lame de contact 44 pénètre dans un évidement 108, le grain mobile 56 se déplace radialement vers l'intérieur en direction de l'axe A1 pour venir au contact du grain fixe 40 pour fermer le contact 16 en reliant électriquement les broches 36 et 38.As can be seen in FIG. 6, as soon as the convex portion 58 of the movable section 52 of the contact blade 44 penetrates into a recess 108, the movable grain 56 moves radially inwards in the direction of the axis A1 to come into contact with the fixed grain 40 to close the contact 16 by electrically connecting the pins 36 and 38.

La position de contact du grain mobile 56 est déterminée par sa venue en appui radial vers l'intérieur contre le grain fixe 40.The contact position of the moving grain 56 is determined by its radial inward support against the fixed grain 40.

Dans la position illustrée à la figure 6 correspondant à la phase finale de la course angulaire aboutissant à la fermeture du contact électrique 16, on constate que la surface de came de nettoyage 116 coopère toujours avec la portion en vis-à-vis 124 du tronçon intermédiaire de liaison 110 de la lame de contact 44 de manière à précontraindre légèrement la partie supérieure de la lame de contact 44 dans un sens tendant à rapprocher l'un vers l'autre les tronçons fixe 46 et mobile 52.In the position illustrated in FIG. 6 corresponding to the final phase of the angular stroke resulting in the closure of the electrical contact 16, it can be seen that the cleaning cam surface 116 always cooperates with the portion facing the portion 124 connecting intermediate 110 of the contact blade 44 so as to lightly prestress the upper portion of the contact blade 44 in a direction tending to bring the fixed and movable sections 46 towards each other towards each other.

Le secteur angulaire correspondant de la jupe 114 s'étend angulairement légèrement au-delà de la partie en vis-à-vis de la surface cylindrique 106 de manière que le "relâchement" de la partie supérieure 110 de la lame de contact 44 ne se produise que légèrement après la fermeture du contact électrique 16.The corresponding angular sector of the skirt 114 extends angularly slightly beyond the portion opposite the cylindrical surface 106 so that the "loosening" of the upper part 110 of the contact blade 44 does not occur. only slightly after the closing of the electrical contact 16.

Cet état relâché est illustré à la figure 7 sur laquelle on voit que la partie bombée de commande 58 est toujours en regard d'un évidement 108 tandis que la partie supérieure de la lame de contact 44 constituée par le tronçon intermédiaire courbe de liaison 110 n'est plus en regard d'un secteur de la jupe 114 mais se trouve en regard d'un évidement 118, c'est-à-dire qu'il n'est plus confiné radialement et que la lame de contact 44 occupe ainsi sa position de repos illustrée à la figure 7.This relaxed state is illustrated in FIG. 7, in which it can be seen that the curved control portion 58 is always facing a recess 108 while the upper part of the contact blade 44 constituted by the intermediate connecting curve section 110 is more opposite a sector of the skirt 114 but is opposite a recess 118, that is to say that it is no longer confined radially and that the contact blade 44 thus occupies its rest position shown in Figure 7.

En comparant les figures 6 et 7, on voit que le relâchement de la partie supérieure de la lame de contact 44 a provoqué un déplacement vertical relatif du grain mobile 56 par rapport au grain fixe 40, c'est-à-dire que les axes horizontaux A2 et A3 du grain fixe 40 et du grain mobile 56, qui étaient décalés verticalement l'un par rapport à l'autre en considérant la position illustrée à la figure 6, se trouvent alignés comme on peut le voir à la figure 7.Comparing FIGS. 6 and 7, it can be seen that the loosening of the upper part of the contact blade 44 has caused a relative vertical displacement of the moving grain 56 with respect to the fixed grain 40, that is to say that the axes horizontal lines A2 and A3 of the fixed grain 40 and the moving grain 56, which were offset vertically with respect to each other by considering the position illustrated in FIG. 6, are aligned as can be seen in FIG.

Le déplacement relatif des axes A2 et A3, et donc des grains fixe 40 et mobile 56, se produit alors que ces deux grains demeurent en contact mutuel du fait de l'élasticité propre de la lame de contact 44.The relative displacement of the axes A2 and A3, and thus of the fixed and movable grains 40 and 56, occurs while these two grains remain in mutual contact because of the inherent elasticity of the contact blade 44.

Ainsi, conformément aux enseignements de l'invention, il se produit un frottement entre les faces en contact des grains fixe 40 et mobile 56 aboutissant à un effet d'auto-nettoyage de ces deux surfaces en contact, les débarrassant ainsi de toute impureté, saleté, ou couche d'oxyde qui pourrait s'y former à l'usage.Thus, in accordance with the teachings of the invention, friction occurs between the contacting faces of the fixed and movable grains 40 leading to a self-cleaning effect of these two surfaces in contact, thus eliminating them from any impurity. dirt, or oxide layer that may form there in use.

En partant de la position fermée du contact électrique 16 illustré à la figure 7 et en vue de retourner vers une position ouverte de ce contact, on peut par exemple faire tourner le rotor 16 dans le sens inverse de celui décrit précédemment par rapport au stator 14.Starting from the closed position of the electrical contact 16 illustrated in FIG. 7 and with a view to returning to an open position of this contact, it is possible, for example, to turn the rotor 16 in the opposite direction to that described previously with respect to the stator 14. .

Lors de la partie initiale de cette course angulaire en vue d'obtenir l'ouverture du contact électrique 16, et du fait de l'extension angulaire du secteur actif de la jupe 114 comportant la surface de came 116 qui est supérieure à celle de la surface cylindrique de commande 106, il se produit tout d'abord une action de la surface de came de nettoyage 116 sur la partie en vis-à-vis 124 du brin intermédiaire de liaison 110 pour comprimer à nouveau la partie supérieure de la lame de contact 44 et provoquer à nouveau un déplacement vertical relatif du grain mobile 56 par rapport au grain fixe 40, ici verticalement vers le bas comme on peut le voir à la figure 8 sur laquelle on constate que l'axe A3 du grain mobile 56 est à nouveau décalé verticalement vers le bas par rapport à l'axe A2 du grain 40.During the initial portion of this angular stroke to obtain the opening of the electrical contact 16, and because of the angular extension of the active sector of the skirt 114 having the cam surface 116 which is greater than that of the Cylindrical control surface 106, first action of the cleaning cam surface 116 on the vis-à-vis portion 124 of the intermediate connecting strand 110 to compress the upper portion of the cleaning blade again. contact 44 and cause again a relative vertical displacement of the movable grain 56 relative to the fixed grain 40, here vertically downwardly as can be seen in Figure 8 on which it is found that the axis A3 of the moving grain 56 is at new offset vertically downward with respect to the axis A2 of the grain 40.

La course angulaire du rotor 12 en vue d'obtenir l'ouverture du contact 16 se poursuit ensuite jusqu'à aboutir à nouveau à un état des différents composants correspondant à celui illustré à la figure 5.The angular travel of the rotor 12 in order to obtain the opening of the contact 16 then continues until reaching again to a state of the various components corresponding to that illustrated in FIG.

L'ouverture du contact 16 peut aussi s'effectuer, à titre de variante, en faisant tourner le rotor 12 par rapport au stator 14 dans le même sens que celui indiqué par la flèche F, l'autre secteur actif de la jupe 114 délimité par la facette 122 venant alors coopérer avec la boucle supérieure 110 de la lame de contact 44 pour provoquer tout d'abord l'effet d'auto-nettoyage avant que la surface cylindrique 106 ne coopère à nouveau avec la partie bombée 58 du tronçon mobile 52 de la lame de contact 44 en vue de provoquer l'ouverture du contact électrique 16.The opening of the contact 16 can also be carried out, alternatively, by rotating the rotor 12 relative to the stator 14 in the same direction as that indicated by the arrow F, the other active sector of the skirt 114 delimited by the facet 122 then cooperating with the upper loop 110 of the contact blade 44 to first cause the self-cleaning effect before the cylindrical surface 106 cooperates again with the curved portion 58 of the movable section 52 of the contact blade 44 to cause the opening of the electrical contact 16.

Claims (9)

  1. Rotary electrical switch for a motor vehicle anti-theft device, of the type comprising a top rotor (12) that is mounted for rotation about its axis (A1) with respect to a bottom stator (14), and of the type in which the rotor (12) is able to turn between two angular positions, in particular a neutral angular position and a starting angular position in which it causes the electrical supply to an item of equipment, in particular an electric starter for a thermal engine, by means of which at least one electrical reed contact comprising an axially oriented fixed contact element (36) carried by the stator (14, 26) and a contact reed in a hairpin that extends in an axial plane and that comprises an axially oriented fixed portion (46) carried by the stator and an axially oriented moving portion (52) that is substantially parallel to the first fixed portion (36) and that is connected to the latter by an intermediate top portion curved (110) in an arc of a circle, the bottom free end (56) of the moving portion (52) being able to cooperate or not with a facing contact portion (40) of the fixed contact element (36) according to the relative angular position of the rotor (12) with respect to the stator (14),
    characterised in that the rotor comprises a cam surface (114, 116, 118) for cleaning the electrical contacts (36, 40, 44, 56) that cooperates with a facing portion (124) of the intermediate portion (110) of the contact blade (44) in order to elastically deform the contact blade (44), roughly in its axial mid-plane, and to cause a relative movement of the bottom free end (56) of the moving portion (52) with respect to the contact portion (40) of the fixed contact element (36), with which it is in contact, when the rotor (12) causes the closing or opening of the electrical contact (36, 40, 44, 56).
  2. Electrical switch according to claim 1, characterised in that the cam surface (116, 118) for cleaning the contact (36, 40, 44, 56) is formed inside an axially oriented cylindrical annular skirt (114) of the rotor (12) and that cooperates with the facing radially external portion (124) of the intermediate curved portion (110) of the moving contact reed (44) so as to cause a relative vertical movement of the bottom free end (56) of the moving portion (46) with respect to the contact portion (40) of the fixed contact element (36).
  3. Switch according to claim 2, characterised in that the cleaning cam surface comprises an active angular sector (114, 116) of revolution that cooperates with the intermediate curved portion (124) of a contact reed (44) when the electrical contact (36, 40, 44, 56) is open.
  4. Switch according to claim 3, characterised in that the active sector (114, 116) of the cleaning cam surface extends angularly so as to cooperate with the curved intermediate portion (110, 124) of a contact reed (44) during the final part of the angular travel of the rotor (12) causing the closure of the electrical contact (36, 40, 44, 56), or during the initial part of the angular travel of the rotor (12) causing the opening of the electrical contact (36, 40, 44, 56).
  5. Switch according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the active sector (114, 116) of the cleaning cam surface has a frustoconical profile.
  6. Switch according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the active sector (114, 116) of the cleaning cam surface is delimited angularly by two recesses (118) formed in the skirt (114) of the rotor (12).
  7. Switch according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the moving portion (52) of the contact reed (44) comprises a control surface (58) on which the rotor (12, 104, 106, 108) is able to act in order to push the moving portion (52) of the contact reed (44) elastically, radially towards the outside, in order to open the electrical contact (36, 40, 44, 56), which is of the normally closed type, counter to the inherent elasticity of the contact reed (44).
  8. Switch according to claim 7, characterised in that the control surface (58) is a curved surface that is turned radially towards the inside and that cooperates with a cam surface (104, 106, 108) controlling the rotor (12).
  9. Switch according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the curved intermediate portion (110, 124) of the contact reed that cooperates with the cleaning cam surface (116, 118) has a non-aggressive profile for the cam surface.
EP00400260A 1999-02-12 2000-01-31 Anti-theft electric switch for a motor vehicle Expired - Lifetime EP1028442B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9901686A FR2789797B1 (en) 1999-02-12 1999-02-12 ELECTRIC VEHICLE ANTITHEFT SWITCH
FR9901686 1999-02-12

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1028442A1 EP1028442A1 (en) 2000-08-16
EP1028442B1 true EP1028442B1 (en) 2006-08-09

Family

ID=9541934

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00400260A Expired - Lifetime EP1028442B1 (en) 1999-02-12 2000-01-31 Anti-theft electric switch for a motor vehicle

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US6143994A (en)
EP (1) EP1028442B1 (en)
AR (1) AR022574A1 (en)
BR (1) BR0000368A (en)
DE (1) DE60029853T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2269073T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2789797B1 (en)
MX (1) MXPA00001615A (en)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3587721B2 (en) * 1999-04-12 2004-11-10 アルプス電気株式会社 Rotating electrical parts with click
US20020175566A1 (en) * 2001-05-23 2002-11-28 Allen Sheldon J. Anti-theft ignition switch assembly
DE20303116U1 (en) * 2003-02-20 2003-07-17 Takata Petri Ag Switch with self-cleaning contacts
JP5026890B2 (en) * 2007-08-27 2012-09-19 株式会社マキタ Electric tool forward / reverse switching device
US20090170408A1 (en) * 2007-12-31 2009-07-02 Lee C C Integrated Circuit Package Contact Cleaning
US8822852B2 (en) * 2012-11-13 2014-09-02 Solteam Electronics Co., Ltd. Multi-level rotary switch
DE102013000904B4 (en) * 2013-01-18 2023-08-24 Kostal Automobil Elektrik Gmbh & Co. Kg Switch contact spring for an electrical switch and corresponding switch
US10072433B2 (en) 2013-09-06 2018-09-11 Gary Dilley Swimming lane marker
EP4111099A4 (en) * 2019-09-14 2024-01-31 Ferel Elektronik San Ve Tic A S Rotary control element for a domestic appliance

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1133039A (en) * 1967-05-12 1968-11-06 Carr Fastener Co Ltd Rotary switch
DE2937925C3 (en) * 1979-09-19 1982-04-15 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München counter
DE3644212A1 (en) * 1986-12-23 1988-09-01 Braun Ag ELECTRIC SWITCH
US5568860A (en) * 1994-06-23 1996-10-29 Methode Electronics, Inc. Pivot point contact with scrubbing action switch
FR2763421B1 (en) * 1997-05-27 1999-06-25 Valeo Securite Habitacle ELECTRICAL THEFT SWITCH COMPRISING ANTI-RETURN MEANS
US5865304A (en) * 1997-08-04 1999-02-02 Hubbell Incorporated Rotary-actuated electrical switch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AR022574A1 (en) 2002-09-04
ES2269073T3 (en) 2007-04-01
FR2789797B1 (en) 2001-06-01
EP1028442A1 (en) 2000-08-16
FR2789797A1 (en) 2000-08-18
DE60029853D1 (en) 2006-09-21
BR0000368A (en) 2000-09-26
US6143994A (en) 2000-11-07
DE60029853T2 (en) 2007-08-30
MXPA00001615A (en) 2002-03-08

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