EP2239456B1 - Starter device for an internal combustion engine, in particular of an automobile - Google Patents

Starter device for an internal combustion engine, in particular of an automobile Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2239456B1
EP2239456B1 EP10159086.7A EP10159086A EP2239456B1 EP 2239456 B1 EP2239456 B1 EP 2239456B1 EP 10159086 A EP10159086 A EP 10159086A EP 2239456 B1 EP2239456 B1 EP 2239456B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
unidirectional
tooth
combustion engine
control rod
contactor
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP10159086.7A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2239456A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Sébastien Metral
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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Publication of EP2239456A1 publication Critical patent/EP2239456A1/en
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Publication of EP2239456B1 publication Critical patent/EP2239456B1/en
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02N—STARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; STARTING AIDS FOR SUCH ENGINES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02N15/00—Other power-operated starting apparatus; Component parts, details, or accessories, not provided for in, or of interest apart from groups F02N5/00 - F02N13/00
    • F02N15/02—Gearing between starting-engines and started engines; Engagement or disengagement thereof
    • F02N15/04—Gearing between starting-engines and started engines; Engagement or disengagement thereof the gearing including disengaging toothed gears
    • F02N15/06—Gearing between starting-engines and started engines; Engagement or disengagement thereof the gearing including disengaging toothed gears the toothed gears being moved by axial displacement
    • F02N15/067—Gearing between starting-engines and started engines; Engagement or disengagement thereof the gearing including disengaging toothed gears the toothed gears being moved by axial displacement the starter comprising an electro-magnetically actuated lever
    • 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 invention relates in particular to a starting device for an internal combustion engine, especially a motor vehicle.
  • Starters comprising an electromagnetic contactor comprising electrical windings of call and holding able to put in motion a mobile core when they are supplied with electric current.
  • This mobile core is able, by means of a lever, to actuate a launcher arranged to start a combustion engine, by means of a pinion of this launcher and a crown of this engine.
  • These starters further comprise an electric motor arranged to rotate the starter. When the pinion is sufficiently engaged in the ring, the contactor closes a power contact and thus feeds the electric motor.
  • the rotational movement of a shaft of the electric motor is transmitted to the launcher by helical splines which allow, by the effect of screwing, to engage the launcher in a working position when the teeth of the pinion are engaged in the teeth of the crown .
  • the rotational movement of the launcher is transmitted to the pinion which drives the combustion engine until it starts.
  • a compression spring called a tooth against tooth spring, is interposed between the lever and the movable core, or alternatively between the lever and the launcher.
  • This spring allows the mobile core to continue its race until the closing of the power contact to power the electric motor.
  • the pinion then starts to rotate at a slow speed because it is the beginning of the revving of the electric motor.
  • the launcher is propelled into the crown under the action of the previously compressed spring during the race of the mobile core, then the pinion continues its course in the crown under the action of this spring and screwing on the flutes.
  • the axial distance traveled by the launcher before it is rotated by the action of the electric motor is called the kinematics of the starter.
  • the value of the kinematics may be greater than or equal to the maximum distance between the pinion and the crown in order to be sure that the pinion will not turn again when it encounters the crown.
  • the electric motor starts rotating even before the sprocket of the thrower has reached the crown.
  • the pinion comes into contact with the crown, the pinion already rotates at a high speed, against the crown, without entering it.
  • the pinion is generally harder than the crown, and acts as a machining tool by removing crown particles with each tooth pass. This phenomenon, called milling, destroys very quickly the teeth and puts the starter out of use.
  • the risk is all the more important that the mass of the launcher is important, which is particularly the case of outgoing sprocket starters.
  • a first solution is to harden the tooth spring against tooth.
  • this solution causes an increase in a starter conjunction value (in which case a voltage drop due to the peak current of the electric motor and a short-circuit of a winding of this contactor can induce a lack of strength to allow the mobile core to come to the magnetic bonding), while this value is limited during the design of the starter, in particular because of the performance of the battery.
  • a second solution is to seal the interface between the mobile core and a winding support, and an interface between a contact axis and a fixed core. In this way, as the mobile core recedes, the volume of air trapped between the movable core, the support, the fixed core and the contact axis, escapes slowly, braking the moving core in its displacement.
  • This second solution has another drawback when the user of the vehicle releases the ignition key of the vehicle, because the retention effect of the mobile core is reversible.
  • the key is released, that is to say when the combustion engine has started, the pinion is ejected from the crown thanks to the splines, and the air is hard to enter the contactor.
  • the movable core is recalled by the depression in the contactor and the sprocket starts against the crown without entering. This causes a noise, which can be annoying, as well as a wear of the crown since the engine then started.
  • This second solution has another disadvantage when closing the power contact to power the electric motor.
  • the force due to the compressed air on the moving core is an additional component that can cause reopening of the contact, accentuating the wear of this contact.
  • the invention aims in particular to propose alternatives to this second solution and to solve the aforementioned drawbacks in a simple manner.
  • these unidirectional retarder means are arranged not to slow the displacement along the longitudinal axis of the moving assembly when the launcher is ejected from the ring when the combustion engine has started.
  • the unidirectional retarder means may advantageously be provided to prevent the moving assembly from causing electric power to the electric motor as long as the launcher is in the tooth against tooth position on the driving ring of the combustion engine.
  • the invention makes it possible in particular to reduce the torque peak as long as the launcher is in the tooth against tooth position on the ring gear, and thus to eliminate the risk of milling.
  • the invention may also make it possible to eliminate re-openings by return of the movable core which may appear in the case of a tooth against tooth position at the time of the conjunction (in which case a voltage drop due to the peak current of the motor electrical and short-circuiting of a contact winding of this contactor can induce a lack of strength to allow the movable core to come to magnetic bonding).
  • the peak current is limited in the electric motor, which reduces the electrical wear of brushes present in the electric motor.
  • the limitation of the torque peak makes it possible to reduce the mechanical wear of the pinion against the ring gear.
  • the contactor may comprise a mobile assembly arranged to move the launcher by means of a pivoting fork, the mobile assembly advantageously comprising a movable core and an actuating element mounted movable relative to said movable core against the force exerted by an elastic return element, in particular a spring.
  • At least one of the mobile core and the actuating element can be arranged to be applied against a control rod, in particular integral with an electrical contact element. , so as to push it to cause the electrical power supply of the electric motor.
  • At least one unidirectional retarding means can be arranged in such a way that the control rod can bear against this unidirectional retarder means in order to slow the displacement of this control rod, and thus to slow down the movement of the assembly.
  • mobile in particular at least one of the mobile core and the actuating element.
  • At least one of the unidirectional retarder means can be arranged at least partially in the contactor.
  • At least one unidirectional retarder can be arranged at least partially in a cover of the contactor, in particular in a cavity of this cover.
  • At least one unidirectional retarder means may be arranged at least partially within the movable assembly, particularly in the movable core around the actuating element.
  • At least one unidirectional retarder means may comprise at least one cylinder, in particular hydraulic or pneumatic.
  • At least one unidirectional retarder means may comprise at least one elastomer piece capable of braking the moving assembly in particular by friction of this elastomeric piece against a wall of the device.
  • a displacement of the elastomeric piece may cause an increase in the internal pressure of the device, in particular the bonnet cavity in which this part may be at least partially inserted, causing swelling of the elastomeric piece and thus its friction against a wall of the device, in particular an inner wall of the hood cavity.
  • the elastomer piece may have the general shape of a cylinder having a substantially thin longitudinal cylindrical wall.
  • This cylindrical wall may for example have a thickness of a few tenths of a millimeter.
  • the elastomer piece may comprise an end forming a stop for the control rod.
  • This end can, if desired, be in the form of a solid cylinder.
  • At least one unidirectional retarder means may be formed of an incompressible fluid, especially grease.
  • the incompressible fluid is incorporated in a sealed space of the device.
  • This sealed space may for example be created in the moving assembly, in particular inside the movable core around the actuating element.
  • the movable core may comprise at least one seal capable of clogging at least one of its ends.
  • This seal may for example be arranged around the actuating element.
  • the movable core may comprise at least one plate, in particular crimped, capable of clogging at least one of its ends.
  • This plate can, if desired, be circular and planar.
  • this sealed space may have a partially filled volume of grease and air to ensure movement of the movable core relative to the actuating member.
  • the amount of air is advantageously low relative to the amount of grease so as not to induce excessive depression when the tooth against tooth spring is compressed, especially just before the launcher is ejected from the drive ring. when the combustion engine has started.
  • the grease may be in the movable core around the actuating member on the tooth-to-tooth spring side. As the movable core moves back, the spring is compressed, the volume in front of a shoulder formed on the actuating member decreases, forcing the fat to partially flow behind this shoulder. This flow of the grease can slow the movement of the moving assembly.
  • an incompressible fluid as a unidirectional retarder means reduces the stiffness of the tooth against tooth spring, compared to a known starter. Indeed, the force exerted on the fluid is constant and proportional to the speed, which improves the value of conjunction.
  • At least one unidirectional retarder means may comprise a system acting by friction.
  • the invention also relates to a rotating electrical machine, including a starter or a reversible alternator of a motor vehicle, which may comprise a device as described above.
  • FIG. 1 a starting device 1 for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.
  • This device 1 comprises, firstly, a rotor 2, also called armature, rotatable about an axis X, and secondly, a stator 3, also called inductor, around the rotor 2.
  • This stator 3 comprises a yoke on which are fixed one or more pole pieces 4 for the introduction of an inductor coil 5.
  • the rotor 2 comprises a rotor body 7, and an armature winding 8 wound in notches of the rotor body 7.
  • This armature winding 8 forms, on either side of the rotor body 7, a front bun 9 and a rear bun 10.
  • the rotor 2 is provided, at the rear, with a collector 12 comprising a plurality of contact pieces electrically connected to the conductive elements, formed in the example in question by wires, of the armature winding 8.
  • a group of brushes 13 and 14 is provided for the power supply of the armature winding 8, one of the brushes 13 being connected to the ground of the device 1 and another of the brushes 14 being connected via an electrical connection element to a terminal 28 of a switch 17.
  • the brushes are for example four in number.
  • the brushes 13 and 14 rub on the collector 12 when the rotor 2 is rotating.
  • the starting device 1 further comprises a launcher 19 slidably mounted on a drive shaft 18 and drivable in rotation about the X axis by the rotor 2.
  • a gear reduction unit 20 may be interposed between the rotor 2 and the drive shaft 18, in a manner known per se.
  • the launcher 19 comprises a driving element formed by a pinion 21 and intended to engage on a drive member 33 of the combustion engine.
  • This drive member is for example a ring gear.
  • the launcher 19 further comprises a freewheel 22 and a pulley washer 23 defining between them a groove 24 for receiving the end 25 of a fork 27.
  • This fork 27 is made for example by molding a plastic material.
  • the fork 27 is actuated by the switch 17 to move the launcher 19 relative to the drive shaft 18, along the Y axis, between a first position in which the launcher 19 is disengaged from the ring gear 33, and a second position in which the launcher 19 drives the combustion engine via the pinion 21.
  • the contactor 17 comprises a terminal 29 connected via an electrical connection element, in particular a wire 30, to a power supply of the vehicle, in particular a battery 26.
  • the switch 17 comprises two switches 45 and 46 forming first and second electrical contacts.
  • the first switch 45 is connected in series with two resistors 50 between the battery 26 and the inductor coil 5 of the electric motor.
  • the inductor winding 5 can therefore be put in series with two power resistors 50.
  • the switch 45 is placed between the positive terminal 29 of the contactor 17 connected to the battery 26 and an intermediate power terminal 52 connected, in this case, to the power resistors 50.
  • the switch 46 is placed, in parallel with the switch 45, between the terminal 29 connected to the battery 26 and a full power terminal 54 to be able, in this case, to bypass the power resistors 50.
  • the power resistors 50 are arranged between the intermediate power terminals 52 and full power 54.
  • the contactor 17 is arranged so that, in a pre-rotation phase, the switch 45 is closed and the switch 46 is open in order to allow the electrical supply by the battery 26 of the induction coil 5, through the resistors of power 50 so as to reduce the peak torque.
  • the invention makes it possible to reduce the torque peak as long as the launcher 19 is in the tooth against tooth position on the ring gear 33, and thus to eliminate the risk of milling.
  • the peak current can be divided by a factor of between 1 and 3, in particular by a factor of about 2.
  • the switch 17 controls the power supply of the inductor coil 5 to cause the start of the combustion engine.
  • the contactor 17 comprises a contact element 58 and electrical contact terminals 51 to 54 for respectively defining the first and second switches 45 and 46.
  • the switch 17 further comprises a movable assembly 60 arranged to move the launcher 19 via the pivoting fork 27, the moving assembly 60 comprising an actuating element 61.
  • the actuating element 61 is provided with a rod 62 fixed at one end to the fork 27 and having at its opposite end a head 63.
  • the moving assembly 60 of the contactor 17 comprises a movable core 65, the actuating element 61 being mounted thereon, displaceable with respect to this movable core 65 against the force exerted by a coil spring 64, so-called tooth spring against tooth.
  • This spring 64 is mounted around the rod 62 of the actuating element 61 and is applied at one end against the head 63 thereof.
  • the spring 64 allows the pinion 21 to engage in the ring 33 when the pinion 21 was previously in position tooth against tooth with the ring 33.
  • the mobile core 65 is movable in the contactor 17 by the action of a magnetic field generated by a coil 41 of the contactor 17.
  • This coil 42 comprises two excitation windings, also called call and hold windings, respectively formed by a call winding 42 and a holding winding 43, as illustrated schematically in FIG. figure 2 .
  • the coil may comprise a single winding.
  • the call and hold windings 42 and 43 make it possible to generate, when each is traversed by a current, a magnetic force displacing the moving core 65 in an axial direction X, while the holding winding 43, when it is only traversed by a current, can generate a magnetic force holding the movable core 65 in position after the aforementioned displacement.
  • the electrical contact element 58 is integrally carried by a control rod 68, for example made of plastic material, and the mobile core 65 is arranged to be applied against the control rod 68 so as to push it to cause the closing of the first switch 45 and to further cause the closing of the second switch 46 when a user of the motor vehicle engages and turns the key 100, as visible to figures 2 and 3 .
  • the actuating element could also be applied against the control rod so as to push it to cause the closing of at least one of the switches.
  • the switch 17 further comprises a fixed core 72 interposed between the contact element 58 and the movable core 65, a coil spring 73, also called a return spring, allowing, at least when the contactor is at rest, apply the electrical contact element 58 against the fixed core 72 of the contactor 17.
  • the spring 73 is disposed in a plastic cover 80 of the contactor 17.
  • This spring 73 is further carried by a unidirectional retarder means 90 arranged to slow the displacement of the electrical contact element 58 by slowing the displacement of the control rod 68, as long as the pinion 21 is in the tooth against tooth position with the crown 33.
  • the unidirectional retarder means 90 may for example use a cylinder system, for example hydraulic or pneumatic, and be inserted partially into a cavity 81 made in a central part of the cover 80.
  • This jack 90 has a stepped shape for receiving the spring 73.
  • the jack 90 extends longitudinally along the X axis on either side of a bottom 82 of the cover 80, that is to say both outside the cover 80 and in an interior space 83 of this hood 80.
  • the control rod 68 carrying the contact element 58 is capable, during its displacement between the two phases, of bearing against one end of the jack 90 located in the interior space 83 of the cover 80.
  • control rod 68 has an end in substantially permanent contact with the aforementioned end of the jack 90.
  • the contact element 58 is applied against terminals 53 and 54 visible to the figure 4 , in addition to terminals 51 and 52 visible to the figure 3 .
  • the switch 17 is arranged so that the second switch 46 is in the open state as the launcher 19 is in position tooth against tooth on the drive ring 33 of the combustion engine.
  • the contact terminals 51 to 54 are arranged in the plastic cover 80 of the contactor 17, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 3 and 4 .
  • each terminal 51 and 52 is mounted on a mobile support 92 inserted in a cavity 84 of the cover 80.
  • the mobile support 92 is arranged to allow each terminal 51 and 52 to be movable along the axis X, that is to say that it is movable relative to the cover 80 against the force exerted by a spring 93 with turns.
  • This spring 93 is mounted around an axis 94 disposed within the movable support 92 is applied at one end against it.
  • the contact element 68 comes into contact with the terminals 51 and 52 while being braked by the jack 90, then, between the two phases, continues its travel by pushing the terminals 51 and 52 being always braked by the cylinder 90, until this contact element 58 also comes into contact during the second phase with the terminals 53 and 54, which are fixed in the cover 80.
  • each of the terminals 51 and 52 has a flat lug 56 which is extended by a connection portion 57 connected to one end of one of the two resistors 50.
  • Each resistor 50 is formed of a metal cylindrical support disposed against a peripheral rim 85 of cylindrical shape of the cover 80.
  • This cylindrical metal support can be heat set with the plastic cover 80.
  • the terminal 51 is connected to a first resistor 50, itself connected to the terminal 53, and the terminal 52 is connected to a second resistor 50, itself connected to the terminal 54.
  • the electrical contact element 58 comprises an electrically conductive circular plate, which allows this plate circular to simultaneously press the terminals 51 and 53 to close the first switch 45, and simultaneously on the terminals 52 and 54 to close the second switch 46.
  • terminals 51 to 54 are respectively arranged at 90 ° to each other on the cover bottom 80, which makes it possible to ensure contact between the circular plate 58 and the four terminals 51 to 54 during the closing the second switch 46.
  • the call winding 42 of the coil 41 of the contactor 17 is short-circuited once the first and second switches 45 and 46 closed in particular to ensure the absence of reopening by recoil of the mobile core 65 .
  • the contactor 17 comprises means 95 enabling the opening of a third switch 47, these means 95 being arranged in a cavity 86 of the cover 80 made in the axial extension of the contact terminal 51, as visible in FIG. figure 2 .
  • the displacement along the X axis of the terminal 51 when pushed by the wafer 68 causes the opening of the switch 47, and thus the short circuit of the call winding 42.
  • the opening of the switch 47 is performed at the moment when the wafer 58 comes into contact with the terminals 53 and 54 causing the phase of full speed.
  • the opening of the third switch can be performed when the retarder means reaches the end of the race.
  • the wafer 58 is substantially against the fixed core 72, corresponding to the open state of the switches 45 and 46.
  • the launcher 19 is in the rest position, close to the gearbox 20.
  • the moving assembly 60 moves back slightly towards the fixed core 72 under the effect of the magnetic field exerted by the coils of the contactor 17.
  • the moving assembly is then not yet braked by the jack 90.
  • the fork 27 is applied against the freewheel 22.
  • the pinion 21 of the launcher 19 bears against tooth against tooth on the ring gear 33.
  • the gear 21 of the launcher 19 remains in the tooth against tooth position on the ring gear 33.
  • the movable core 65 moves back against the control rod 68 carrying the plate 58, which rod 68 is moved backwards by being braked by the cylinder 90. This displacement causes the closing of the first switch 45 thanks to the plate 58 which comes into operation. support on terminals 51 and 52.
  • the second switch 46 is always open.
  • the gear 21 of the launcher 19 remains in the tooth against tooth position with the ring gear 33.
  • the movable core continues to move back and push the control rod 68, still braked by the jack 90.
  • control rod 68 pushes the plate 58 as well as the terminals 51 and 52.
  • the intermediate power phase is implemented, the pinion 21 is driven slightly in rotation, which will allow it, thanks also to the grooves, to fully engage in the ring 33.
  • the pinion 21 of the launcher 19 engages in the ring gear 33 and the actuating element 61 moves back relative to the movable core 65.
  • the movable core continues to move back and push the control rod 68, still braked by the jack 90.
  • control rod 68 pushes the wafer 58 and the terminals 51 and 52 until the wafer 58 bears on the terminals 53 and 54.
  • the second switch 46 is then closed.
  • the full power phase is implemented, the pinion 21 is rotated at high speed, which will allow it, thanks to the ring 33, to start the combustion engine.
  • the actuating element 61 and the control rod 68 move back to an end position, corresponding to the end of stroke of the cylinder 90.
  • the spring 73 is further compressed.
  • the jack 90 since the jack 90 has no reversible braking effect, that is to say it only brakes the control rod 68 in the direction of movement of the control rod 68 of the mobile assembly 60 towards the bottom of the hood 80, the risks of returning the pinion 21 towards the ring gear 33, for example in the tooth against tooth position, are avoided, as well as a re-engagement of this pinion 21 in this ring gear 33.
  • the figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a unidirectional retarder means.
  • this means is formed by grease 110 as an incompressible fluid.
  • the grease 110 is incorporated in a sealed space 116 inside the movable core 65, around the rod 62 of the actuating element 61, and embedded with the spring 64.
  • the movable core 65 has at one end of the rod 62 attached to the fork, a seal 114 capable of plugging this end.
  • This seal 114 is introduced between the rod 62 and an inner wall of the movable core 65.
  • a flat circular plate 112 is crimped into the inner wall of the movable core 65 to prevent the grease from escaping.
  • the sealed space 116 advantageously has a volume partially filled with grease 110 and air to guarantee the displacement of the movable core 65 with respect to the rod 62.
  • the amount of air is small relative to the amount of grease 110 so as not to induce excessive depression in the movable core 65 when the launcher 19 is ejected from the drive ring 33 when the combustion engine has started .
  • the Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a third embodiment of a unidirectional retarder means.
  • this means comprises an elastomer piece 120 having a general cylinder shape and having a longitudinal cylindrical wall 124 substantially thin.
  • This wall 124 has a small thickness, for example a few tenths of millimeters.
  • the cylindrical wall 124 is inserted into a cavity 81 of the cover 80.
  • the elastomer piece 120 further comprises an end 122 partially disposed in the interior space 83 of the cover 80, this end 122 forming a stop on which the control rod 68 is able to come into abutment during its movement.
  • This end 122 has the shape of a solid cylinder connected to the longitudinal cylindrical wall 124.
  • the end 122 has, in section, a T shape, and a ring 128 is disposed around this end 122, particularly around the lower part of the T and against the upper part of this T.
  • the upper part of the T of the end 122 has a diameter substantially equal to that of the general cylinder shape of the elastomer piece 120, which extends in particular through the longitudinal cylindrical wall 124.
  • a spring 121 is further disposed in the cavity 81 of the cover 80 to return the elastomeric piece 120 to an initial position in which it does not undergo swelling of its cylindrical wall 124, when the combustion engine has started.
  • the elastomer piece may be integrally connected in translation with the control rod, and, where appropriate, it is not necessary to have a spring in the hood cavity.
  • the device may not include means for opening and closing the call circuit.
  • the device may comprise only one power supply phase of the electric motor.
  • the device may not have a pre-rotation phase, and possibly a single pair of electrical contact terminals may be necessary.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Connection Of Motors, Electrical Generators, Mechanical Devices, And The Like (AREA)

Description

L'invention concerne notamment un dispositif de démarrage pour moteur à combustion interne, notamment de véhicule automobile.The invention relates in particular to a starting device for an internal combustion engine, especially a motor vehicle.

On connaît des démarreurs comportant un contacteur électromagnétique comprenant des enroulements électriques d'appel et de maintien aptes à mettre en mouvement un noyau mobile lorsqu'ils sont alimentés en courant électrique. Ce noyau mobile est capable, grâce à un levier, d'actionner un lanceur agencé pour démarrer un moteur à combustion, par l'intermédiaire d'un pignon de ce lanceur et d'une couronne de ce moteur. Ces démarreurs comportent en outre un moteur électrique agencé pour entraîner en rotation le lanceur. Quand le pignon est suffisamment engagé dans la couronne, le contacteur ferme un contact de puissance et alimente ainsi le moteur électrique. Le mouvement de rotation d'un arbre du moteur électrique est transmis au lanceur par des cannelures hélicoïdales qui permettent, par effet de vissage, d'engager le lanceur dans une position de travail lorsque les dents du pignon sont engagées dans les dents de la couronne. Lorsque le lanceur ne peut plus avancer, le mouvement de rotation du lanceur est transmis au pignon qui entraîne le moteur à combustion jusqu'à son démarrage.Starters are known comprising an electromagnetic contactor comprising electrical windings of call and holding able to put in motion a mobile core when they are supplied with electric current. This mobile core is able, by means of a lever, to actuate a launcher arranged to start a combustion engine, by means of a pinion of this launcher and a crown of this engine. These starters further comprise an electric motor arranged to rotate the starter. When the pinion is sufficiently engaged in the ring, the contactor closes a power contact and thus feeds the electric motor. The rotational movement of a shaft of the electric motor is transmitted to the launcher by helical splines which allow, by the effect of screwing, to engage the launcher in a working position when the teeth of the pinion are engaged in the teeth of the crown . When the launcher can no longer advance, the rotational movement of the launcher is transmitted to the pinion which drives the combustion engine until it starts.

Toutefois, l'engagement du pignon et de la couronne ne se fait pas toujours directement. En effet, une face frontale des dents du pignon peut venir en butée contre une face frontale des dents de la couronne. Cette situation, appelée dent contre dent, stoppe la course du noyau mobile et empêche la fermeture des contacts du contacteur et l'alimentation du moteur électrique.However, the engagement of the pinion and the crown is not always directly. Indeed, a front face of the teeth of the pinion can abut against a front face of the teeth of the crown. This situation, called tooth against tooth, stops the stroke of the moving core and prevents the closing of the contacts of the contactor and the power supply of the electric motor.

Pour remédier à ce problème, un ressort de compression, appelé ressort de dent contre dent, est interposé entre le levier et le noyau mobile, ou en variante entre le levier et le lanceur. Ce ressort permet au noyau mobile de continuer sa course jusqu'à la fermeture du contact de puissance pour alimenter le moteur électrique. Le pignon commence alors à tourner à vitesse lente, car c'est le début de la montée en régime du moteur électrique. Dès que les dents du pignon sont en face des dents de la couronne, le lanceur est propulsé dans la couronne sous l'action du ressort précédemment comprimé durant la course du noyau mobile, puis le pignon poursuit sa course dans la couronne sous l'action de ce ressort et du vissage sur les cannelures.To remedy this problem, a compression spring, called a tooth against tooth spring, is interposed between the lever and the movable core, or alternatively between the lever and the launcher. This spring allows the mobile core to continue its race until the closing of the power contact to power the electric motor. The pinion then starts to rotate at a slow speed because it is the beginning of the revving of the electric motor. As soon as the teeth of the pinion are in front of the teeth of the crown, the launcher is propelled into the crown under the action of the previously compressed spring during the race of the mobile core, then the pinion continues its course in the crown under the action of this spring and screwing on the flutes.

Mais cette solution produit un déphasage entre le mouvement du noyau mobile et le mouvement du lanceur en raison de l'inertie de celui-ci causée par sa masse.But this solution produces a phase shift between the movement of the mobile core and the movement of the launcher due to the inertia of the latter caused by its mass.

La distance axiale que parcourt le lanceur avant qu'il soit en rotation par l'action du moteur électrique est appelée la cinématique du démarreur. La valeur de la cinématique peut être supérieure ou égale à la distance maximum entre le pignon et la couronne afin d'être sûr que le pignon ne tournera pas encore lorsqu'il rencontrera la couronne.The axial distance traveled by the launcher before it is rotated by the action of the electric motor is called the kinematics of the starter. The value of the kinematics may be greater than or equal to the maximum distance between the pinion and the crown in order to be sure that the pinion will not turn again when it encounters the crown.

Dans le cas contraire le moteur électrique se met en rotation avant même que le pignon du lanceur ait atteint la couronne. Quand le pignon arrive au contact de la couronne, le pignon tourne déjà à une vitesse élevée, contre la couronne, sans entrer dans celle-ci. Le pignon est généralement plus dur que la couronne, et agit comme un outil d'usinage en enlevant des particules de couronne à chaque passage de dent. Ce phénomène, appelé fraisage, détruit très rapidement les dentures et met le démarreur hors d'usage. En outre, le risque est d'autant plus important que la masse du lanceur est importante, ce qui est notamment le cas des démarreurs à pignon sortant.In the opposite case the electric motor starts rotating even before the sprocket of the thrower has reached the crown. When the pinion comes into contact with the crown, the pinion already rotates at a high speed, against the crown, without entering it. The pinion is generally harder than the crown, and acts as a machining tool by removing crown particles with each tooth pass. This phenomenon, called milling, destroys very quickly the teeth and puts the starter out of use. In addition, the risk is all the more important that the mass of the launcher is important, which is particularly the case of outgoing sprocket starters.

Pour remédier au problème précité, une première solution est de durcir le ressort de dent contre dent. Cependant, cette solution entraîne une augmentation d'une valeur de conjonction du démarreur (cas dans lequel une chute de tension due au pic de courant du moteur électrique et une mise en court-circuit d'un enroulement d'appel de ce contacteur peuvent induire une insuffisance de force pour permettre au noyau mobile de venir au collage magnétique), alors que cette valeur est limitée lors de la conception du démarreur, notamment à cause des performances de la batterie.To remedy the aforementioned problem, a first solution is to harden the tooth spring against tooth. However, this solution causes an increase in a starter conjunction value (in which case a voltage drop due to the peak current of the electric motor and a short-circuit of a winding of this contactor can induce a lack of strength to allow the mobile core to come to the magnetic bonding), while this value is limited during the design of the starter, in particular because of the performance of the battery.

Une deuxième solution est de rendre étanche l'interface entre le noyau mobile et un support d'enroulements, et une interface entre un axe de contact et un noyau fixe. De cette manière, lorsque le noyau mobile recule, le volume d'air emprisonné entre le noyau mobile, le support, le noyau fixe et l'axe de contact, s'échappe lentement, freinant le noyau mobile dans son déplacement.A second solution is to seal the interface between the mobile core and a winding support, and an interface between a contact axis and a fixed core. In this way, as the mobile core recedes, the volume of air trapped between the movable core, the support, the fixed core and the contact axis, escapes slowly, braking the moving core in its displacement.

Mais pour obtenir cette étanchéité, il est nécessaire d'avoir des pièces parfaitement ajustées, permettant un bon coulissement du noyau mobile par rapport au support d'enroulement, et du noyau fixe par rapport à l'axe de contact. Cet ajustement implique des coûts de production important. De plus, il y a des risques d'avoir des coincements de certaines de ces pièces.But to obtain this seal, it is necessary to have perfectly fitted parts, allowing a good sliding of the movable core relative to the winding support, and the fixed core relative to the contact axis. This adjustment involves significant production costs. In addition, there are risks of having jammed some of these parts.

Cette deuxième solution présente un autre inconvénient lorsque l'utilisateur du véhicule relâche la clef de contact du véhicule, car l'effet de rétention du noyau mobile est réversible. Lors du lâcher de clef, c'est à dire lorsque le moteur à combustion a démarré, le pignon est éjecté de la couronne grâce aux cannelures, et l'air a du mal à rentrer dans le contacteur. Dès que le pignon n'est plus dans la couronne, le noyau mobile est rappelé par la dépression qui règne dans le contacteur et le.pignon repart contre la couronne sans pour autant y pénétrer. Cela provoque un bruit, qui peut être gênant, ainsi qu'une usure de la couronne puisque le moteur a alors démarré.This second solution has another drawback when the user of the vehicle releases the ignition key of the vehicle, because the retention effect of the mobile core is reversible. When the key is released, that is to say when the combustion engine has started, the pinion is ejected from the crown thanks to the splines, and the air is hard to enter the contactor. As soon as the pinion is no longer in the crown, the movable core is recalled by the depression in the contactor and the sprocket starts against the crown without entering. This causes a noise, which can be annoying, as well as a wear of the crown since the engine then started.

Cette deuxième solution présente encore un autre inconvénient du à l'élasticité de l'air. En effet, l'effort qui s'oppose à l'avancée du noyau est nul au départ du noyau, et ne devient influent que lorsque le noyau a déjà parcouru une certaine distance. Le ressort de dent contre dent doit donc être suffisamment raide pour obtenir une cinématique satisfaisante, malgré la solution mise en place.This second solution has another disadvantage of the elasticity of the air. Indeed, the effort that opposes the advance of the nucleus is zero from the nucleus, and only becomes influential when the nucleus has already traveled a certain distance. The tooth against tooth spring must therefore be stiff enough to obtain a satisfactory kinematics, despite the solution implemented.

Cette deuxième solution présente un autre inconvénient lors de la fermeture du contact de puissance pour alimenter le moteur électrique. L'effort dû à l'air comprimé sur le noyau mobile est une composante supplémentaire qui peut provoquer des réouvertures du contact, accentuant l'usure de ce contact.This second solution has another disadvantage when closing the power contact to power the electric motor. The force due to the compressed air on the moving core is an additional component that can cause reopening of the contact, accentuating the wear of this contact.

D'autres solutions mécaniques ou logicielles sont montrées par les documents US 2008/0053390 A1 et FR 2795883 A1 .Other mechanical or software solutions are shown by the documents US 2008/0053390 A1 and FR 2795883 A1 .

L'invention vise notamment à proposer des alternatives à cette deuxième solution et à résoudre les inconvénients précités de manière simple.The invention aims in particular to propose alternatives to this second solution and to solve the aforementioned drawbacks in a simple manner.

L'invention a ainsi pour objet un dispositif de démarrage pour moteur à combustion selon la revendication 1, notamment de véhicule automobile, comportant :

  • un lanceur agencé pour démarrer le moteur à combustion par l'intermédiaire d'une couronne,
  • un moteur électrique agencé pour entraîner en rotation le lanceur,
  • un contacteur présentant un axe longitudinal et comprenant un ensemble mobile agencé pour déplacer le lanceur, cet ensemble mobile comportant un élément de rappel élastique, notamment un ressort dit de dent contre dent, agencé pour permettre à cet ensemble mobile de provoquer l'alimentation électrique du moteur électrique et pour engager le lanceur dans la couronne du moteur à combustion, et
  • des moyens ralentisseurs unidirectionnels prévus pour ralentir le déplacement suivant l'axe longitudinal de l'ensemble mobile, notamment tant que le lanceur est sensiblement en position dent contre dent contre la couronne d'entraînement du moteur à combustion.
The invention thus relates to a starting device for a combustion engine according to claim 1, especially a motor vehicle, comprising:
  • a launcher arranged to start the combustion engine via a ring,
  • an electric motor arranged to drive the launcher in rotation,
  • a contactor having a longitudinal axis and comprising a movable assembly arranged to move the launcher, this assembly mobile device comprising an elastic return element, in particular a so-called tooth-against-tooth spring, arranged to enable this mobile assembly to provoke the electrical power supply of the electric motor and to engage the launcher in the crown of the combustion engine, and
  • unidirectional retarder means provided to slow the displacement along the longitudinal axis of the moving assembly, especially as the launcher is substantially in the tooth against tooth position against the drive ring of the combustion engine.

Selon un exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, ces moyens ralentisseurs unidirectionnels sont agencés pour ne pas ralentir le déplacement suivant l'axe longitudinal de l'ensemble mobile lorsque le lanceur est éjecté de la couronne quand le moteur à combustion a démarré.According to an exemplary implementation of the invention, these unidirectional retarder means are arranged not to slow the displacement along the longitudinal axis of the moving assembly when the launcher is ejected from the ring when the combustion engine has started.

Les moyens ralentisseurs unidirectionnels peuvent avantageusement être prévus pour empêcher l'ensemble mobile de provoquer l'alimentation électrique du moteur électrique tant que le lanceur est en position dent contre dent sur la couronne d'entraînement du moteur à combustion.The unidirectional retarder means may advantageously be provided to prevent the moving assembly from causing electric power to the electric motor as long as the launcher is in the tooth against tooth position on the driving ring of the combustion engine.

L'invention permet notamment de réduire le pic de couple tant que le lanceur est en position dent contre dent sur la couronne dentée, et ainsi de supprimer le risque de fraisage.The invention makes it possible in particular to reduce the torque peak as long as the launcher is in the tooth against tooth position on the ring gear, and thus to eliminate the risk of milling.

L'invention peut également permettre de supprimer des ré-ouvertures par retour du noyau mobile qui peuvent apparaître dans le cas d'une position dent contre dent au moment de la conjonction (cas dans lequel une chute de tension due au pic de courant du moteur électrique et une mise en court-circuit d'un enroulement d'appel de ce contacteur peuvent induire une insuffisance de force pour permettre le noyau mobile de venir au collage magnétique).The invention may also make it possible to eliminate re-openings by return of the movable core which may appear in the case of a tooth against tooth position at the time of the conjunction (in which case a voltage drop due to the peak current of the motor electrical and short-circuiting of a contact winding of this contactor can induce a lack of strength to allow the movable core to come to magnetic bonding).

Ainsi, le pic de courant est limité dans le moteur électrique, ce qui permet de réduire l'usure électrique de balais présents dans le moteur électrique. La limitation du pic de couple permet de réduire l'usure mécanique du pignon contre la couronne dentée.Thus, the peak current is limited in the electric motor, which reduces the electrical wear of brushes present in the electric motor. The limitation of the torque peak makes it possible to reduce the mechanical wear of the pinion against the ring gear.

De préférence, le contacteur peut comporter un ensemble mobile agencé pour déplacer le lanceur par l'intermédiaire d'une fourchette pivotante, l'ensemble mobile comprenant avantageusement un noyau mobile et un élément d'actionnement monté déplaçable par rapport à ce noyau mobile à l'encontre de l'effort exercé par un élément de rappel élastique, notamment un ressort.Preferably, the contactor may comprise a mobile assembly arranged to move the launcher by means of a pivoting fork, the mobile assembly advantageously comprising a movable core and an actuating element mounted movable relative to said movable core against the force exerted by an elastic return element, in particular a spring.

Selon un exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, l'un au moins du noyau mobile et de l'élément d'actionnement peut être agencé pour s'appliquer contre une tige de commande, notamment solidaire d'un élément de contact électrique, de manière à pouvoir pousser celle-ci pour provoquer l'alimentation électrique du moteur électrique.According to an exemplary implementation of the invention, at least one of the mobile core and the actuating element can be arranged to be applied against a control rod, in particular integral with an electrical contact element. , so as to push it to cause the electrical power supply of the electric motor.

De préférence, au moins un moyen ralentisseur unidirectionnel peut être agencé de manière à ce que la tige de commande puisse venir en appui contre ce moyen ralentisseur unidirectionnel afin de freiner le déplacement de cette tige de commande, et ainsi freiner le déplacement de l'ensemble mobile, notamment de l'un au moins du noyau mobile et de l'élément d'actionnement.Preferably, at least one unidirectional retarding means can be arranged in such a way that the control rod can bear against this unidirectional retarder means in order to slow the displacement of this control rod, and thus to slow down the movement of the assembly. mobile, in particular at least one of the mobile core and the actuating element.

Dans un exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, au moins un des moyens ralentisseurs unidirectionnels peut être agencé au moins partiellement dans le contacteur.In an exemplary implementation of the invention, at least one of the unidirectional retarder means can be arranged at least partially in the contactor.

Par exemple, au moins moyen ralentisseur unidirectionnel peut être agencé au moins partiellement dans un capot du contacteur, notamment dans une cavité de ce capot.For example, at least one unidirectional retarder can be arranged at least partially in a cover of the contactor, in particular in a cavity of this cover.

Par exemple encore, au moins un moyen ralentisseur unidirectionnel peut être agencé au moins partiellement à l'intérieur de l'ensemble mobile, notamment dans le noyau mobile autour de l'élément d'actionnement.For example still, at least one unidirectional retarder means may be arranged at least partially within the movable assembly, particularly in the movable core around the actuating element.

Selon un exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, au moins un moyen ralentisseur unidirectionnel peut comporter au moins un vérin, notamment hydraulique ou pneumatique.According to an exemplary implementation of the invention, at least one unidirectional retarder means may comprise at least one cylinder, in particular hydraulic or pneumatic.

Selon un autre exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, au moins un moyen ralentisseur unidirectionnel peut comporter au moins une pièce élastomère apte à freiner l'ensemble mobile notamment par frottement de cette pièce élastomère contre une paroi du dispositif.According to another example of implementation of the invention, at least one unidirectional retarder means may comprise at least one elastomer piece capable of braking the moving assembly in particular by friction of this elastomeric piece against a wall of the device.

Dans ce cas, un déplacement de la pièce élastomère peut provoquer une augmentation de la pression interne du dispositif, notamment de la cavité du capot dans laquelle cette pièce peut être au moins partiellement insérée, entraînant un gonflement de la pièce élastomère et ainsi son frottement contre une paroi du dispositif, notamment une paroi interne de la cavité du capot.In this case, a displacement of the elastomeric piece may cause an increase in the internal pressure of the device, in particular the bonnet cavity in which this part may be at least partially inserted, causing swelling of the elastomeric piece and thus its friction against a wall of the device, in particular an inner wall of the hood cavity.

Dans un exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, la pièce élastomère peut présenter la forme générale d'un cylindre comportant une paroi cylindrique longitudinale sensiblement fine.In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the elastomer piece may have the general shape of a cylinder having a substantially thin longitudinal cylindrical wall.

Cette paroi cylindrique peut par exemple présenter une épaisseur de quelques dixièmes de millimètres.This cylindrical wall may for example have a thickness of a few tenths of a millimeter.

De préférence, la pièce élastomère peut comporter une extrémité formant une butée pour la tige de commande.Preferably, the elastomer piece may comprise an end forming a stop for the control rod.

Cette extrémité peut si on le souhaite présenter la forme d'un cylindre plein.This end can, if desired, be in the form of a solid cylinder.

Selon encore un autre exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, au moins un moyen ralentisseur unidirectionnel peut être formé d'un fluide incompressible, notamment de la graisse.According to yet another example of implementation of the invention, at least one unidirectional retarder means may be formed of an incompressible fluid, especially grease.

De préférence, le fluide incompressible est incorporé dans un espace étanche du dispositif.Preferably, the incompressible fluid is incorporated in a sealed space of the device.

Cet espace étanche peut par exemple être crée dans l'ensemble mobile, notamment à l'intérieur du noyau mobile autour de l'élément d'actionnement.This sealed space may for example be created in the moving assembly, in particular inside the movable core around the actuating element.

Le cas échéant, le noyau mobile peut comporter au moins un joint d'étanchéité capable de boucher au moins une de ses extrémités.Where appropriate, the movable core may comprise at least one seal capable of clogging at least one of its ends.

Ce joint d'étanchéité peut par exemple être disposé autour de l'élément d'actionnement.This seal may for example be arranged around the actuating element.

En variante ou en complément, le noyau mobile peut comporter au moins une plaque, notamment montée par sertissage, capable de boucher au moins une de ses extrémités.Alternatively or in addition, the movable core may comprise at least one plate, in particular crimped, capable of clogging at least one of its ends.

Cette plaque peut si on le souhaite être circulaire, et plane.This plate can, if desired, be circular and planar.

Si on le souhaite, cet espace étanche peut présenter un volume partiellement rempli de graisse et d'air pour garantir le déplacement du noyau mobile par rapport à l'élément d'actionnement. La quantité d'air est avantageusement faible par rapport à la quantité de graisse de manière à ne pas induire une dépression trop importante quand le ressort de dent contre dent est comprimé, notamment juste avant que lorsque le lanceur soit éjecté de la couronne d'entraînement quand le moteur à combustion a démarré.If desired, this sealed space may have a partially filled volume of grease and air to ensure movement of the movable core relative to the actuating member. The amount of air is advantageously low relative to the amount of grease so as not to induce excessive depression when the tooth against tooth spring is compressed, especially just before the launcher is ejected from the drive ring. when the combustion engine has started.

Par exemple, la graisse peut se trouver dans le noyau mobile, autour de l'élément d'actionnement du côté du ressort de dent contre dent. Lorsque le noyau mobile recule, le ressort est comprimé, le volume qui se situe devant un épaulement formé sur l'élément d'actionnement diminue, obligeant la graisse à s'écouler partiellement derrière cet épaulement. Cet écoulement de la graisse permet de freiner le déplacement de l'ensemble mobile.For example, the grease may be in the movable core around the actuating member on the tooth-to-tooth spring side. As the movable core moves back, the spring is compressed, the volume in front of a shoulder formed on the actuating member decreases, forcing the fat to partially flow behind this shoulder. This flow of the grease can slow the movement of the moving assembly.

L'utilisation d'un fluide incompressible en tant que moyen ralentisseur unidirectionnel permet de réduire la raideur du ressort de dent contre dent, par rapport à un démarreur connu. En effet, l'effort exercé sur le fluide est constant et proportionnel à la vitesse, ce qui permet d'améliorer la valeur de conjonction.The use of an incompressible fluid as a unidirectional retarder means reduces the stiffness of the tooth against tooth spring, compared to a known starter. Indeed, the force exerted on the fluid is constant and proportional to the speed, which improves the value of conjunction.

Au moins un moyen ralentisseur unidirectionnel peut comporter un système agissant par frottement.At least one unidirectional retarder means may comprise a system acting by friction.

L'invention a également pour objet une machine électrique tournante, notamment un démarreur ou un alternateur réversible de véhicule automobile, pouvant comporter un dispositif tel que décrit précédemment.The invention also relates to a rotating electrical machine, including a starter or a reversible alternator of a motor vehicle, which may comprise a device as described above.

L'invention pourra être mieux comprise à la lecture de la description détaillée qui va suivre, d'exemples de mise en oeuvre non limitatifs de l'invention, et à l'examen du dessin annexé, sur lequel :

  • la figure 1 représente, schématiquement et partiellement, un dispositif de démarrage conforme à un exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention,
  • la figure 2 représente, schématiquement et partiellement, l'alimentation d'un moteur électrique du dispositif de démarrage de la figure 1,
  • la figure 3 représente, schématiquement et partiellement, en coupe axiale, un contacteur du dispositif de démarrage conforme à un exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention,
  • la figure 4 illustre, schématiquement et partiellement, en coupe axiale, le contacteur de la figure 2 tourné angulairement de 90° autour de l'axe X,
  • la figure 5 représente, schématiquement et partiellement, en perspective, des détails du contacteur de la figure 2 dans un état partiellement assemblé,
  • la figure 6 représente, schématiquement et partiellement, en coupe axiale, des détails d'un contacteur selon un autre exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, et
  • les figures 7 et 8 représentent, schématiquement et partiellement, en coupe axiale, des détails d'un contacteur selon encore un autre exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention.
The invention can be better understood on reading the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of implementation of the invention, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:
  • the figure 1 represents, schematically and partially, a starting device according to an exemplary implementation of the invention,
  • the figure 2 represents, schematically and partially, the power supply of an electric motor of the starting device of the figure 1 ,
  • the figure 3 represents, schematically and partially, in axial section, a contactor of the starting device according to an exemplary implementation of the invention,
  • the figure 4 illustrates, schematically and partially, in axial section, the contactor of the figure 2 angularly rotated 90 ° around the X axis,
  • the figure 5 represents, schematically and partially, in perspective, the details of the contactor of the figure 2 in a partially assembled state,
  • the figure 6 represents, schematically and partially, in axial section, details of a contactor according to another embodiment of the invention, and
  • the Figures 7 and 8 are schematically and partially in axial section details of a contactor according to yet another example of implementation of the invention.

On a représenté sur la figure 1 un dispositif de démarrage 1 pour moteur à combustion interne de véhicule automobile.We have shown on the figure 1 a starting device 1 for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.

Ce dispositif 1 comprend, d'une part, un rotor 2, encore appelé induit, pouvant tourner autour d'un axe X, et d'autre part, un stator 3, encore appelé inducteur, autour du rotor 2.This device 1 comprises, firstly, a rotor 2, also called armature, rotatable about an axis X, and secondly, a stator 3, also called inductor, around the rotor 2.

Ce stator 3 comporte une culasse sur laquelle sont fixées une ou plusieurs pièces polaires 4 pour la mise en place d'un bobinage inducteur 5.This stator 3 comprises a yoke on which are fixed one or more pole pieces 4 for the introduction of an inductor coil 5.

Le rotor 2 comporte un corps de rotor 7, et un bobinage d'induit 8 enroulé dans des encoches du corps de rotor 7.The rotor 2 comprises a rotor body 7, and an armature winding 8 wound in notches of the rotor body 7.

Ce bobinage d'induit 8 forme, de part et d'autre du corps de rotor 7, un chignon avant 9 et un chignon arrière 10.This armature winding 8 forms, on either side of the rotor body 7, a front bun 9 and a rear bun 10.

Le rotor 2 est pourvu, à l'arrière, d'un collecteur 12 comprenant une pluralité de pièces de contact connectées électriquement aux éléments conducteurs, formés dans l'exemple considéré par des fils, du bobinage d'induit 8.The rotor 2 is provided, at the rear, with a collector 12 comprising a plurality of contact pieces electrically connected to the conductive elements, formed in the example in question by wires, of the armature winding 8.

Un groupe de balais 13 et 14 est prévu pour l'alimentation électrique du bobinage d'induit 8, l'un des balais 13 étant relié à la masse du dispositif 1 et un autre des balais 14 étant relié via un élément de liaison électrique à une borne 28 d'un contacteur 17. Les balais sont par exemple au nombre de quatre.A group of brushes 13 and 14 is provided for the power supply of the armature winding 8, one of the brushes 13 being connected to the ground of the device 1 and another of the brushes 14 being connected via an electrical connection element to a terminal 28 of a switch 17. The brushes are for example four in number.

Les balais 13 et 14 viennent frotter sur le collecteur 12 lorsque le rotor 2 est en rotation.The brushes 13 and 14 rub on the collector 12 when the rotor 2 is rotating.

Le dispositif de démarrage 1 comporte en outre un lanceur 19 monté de manière coulissante sur un arbre d'entraînement 18 et pouvant être entraîné en rotation autour de l'axe X par le rotor 2.The starting device 1 further comprises a launcher 19 slidably mounted on a drive shaft 18 and drivable in rotation about the X axis by the rotor 2.

Un ensemble réducteur de vitesses 20 peut être interposé entre le rotor 2 et l'arbre d'entraînement 18, de manière connue en soi.A gear reduction unit 20 may be interposed between the rotor 2 and the drive shaft 18, in a manner known per se.

Le lanceur 19 comporte un élément d'entraînement formé par un pignon 21 et destiné à s'engager sur un organe d'entraînement 33 du moteur à combustion. Cet organe d'entraînement est par exemple une couronne dentée.The launcher 19 comprises a driving element formed by a pinion 21 and intended to engage on a drive member 33 of the combustion engine. This drive member is for example a ring gear.

Le lanceur 19 comprend en outre une roue libre 22 et une rondelle poulie 23 définissant entre elles une gorge 24 pour recevoir l'extrémité 25 d'une fourchette 27.The launcher 19 further comprises a freewheel 22 and a pulley washer 23 defining between them a groove 24 for receiving the end 25 of a fork 27.

Cette fourchette 27 est réalisée par exemple par moulage d'une matière plastique.This fork 27 is made for example by molding a plastic material.

La fourchette 27 est actionnée par le contacteur 17 pour déplacer le lanceur 19 par rapport à l'arbre d'entraînement 18, suivant l'axe Y, entre une première position dans laquelle le lanceur 19 est désengagé de la couronne dentée 33, et une deuxième position dans laquelle le lanceur 19 entraîne le moteur à combustion par l'intermédiaire du pignon 21.The fork 27 is actuated by the switch 17 to move the launcher 19 relative to the drive shaft 18, along the Y axis, between a first position in which the launcher 19 is disengaged from the ring gear 33, and a second position in which the launcher 19 drives the combustion engine via the pinion 21.

Le contacteur 17 comprend une borne 29 reliée via un élément de liaison électrique, notamment un fil 30, à une alimentation électrique du véhicule, notamment une batterie 26.The contactor 17 comprises a terminal 29 connected via an electrical connection element, in particular a wire 30, to a power supply of the vehicle, in particular a battery 26.

On va maintenant décrire plus en détail le contacteur 17 en référence aux figures 2 à 7.We will now describe in more detail the contactor 17 with reference to Figures 2 to 7 .

Comme visible à la figure 2, le contacteur 17 comporte deux interrupteurs 45 et 46 formant des premier et deuxième contacts électriques.As visible at figure 2 , the switch 17 comprises two switches 45 and 46 forming first and second electrical contacts.

Le premier interrupteur 45 est monté en série avec deux résistances 50 entre la batterie 26 et le bobinage inducteur 5 du moteur électrique.The first switch 45 is connected in series with two resistors 50 between the battery 26 and the inductor coil 5 of the electric motor.

Le bobinage inducteur 5 peut donc être mis en série avec deux résistances de puissance 50.The inductor winding 5 can therefore be put in series with two power resistors 50.

L'interrupteur 45 est placé entre la borne positive 29 du contacteur 17 reliée à la batterie 26 et une borne de puissance intermédiaire 52 reliée, dans le cas présent, aux résistances de puissance 50.The switch 45 is placed between the positive terminal 29 of the contactor 17 connected to the battery 26 and an intermediate power terminal 52 connected, in this case, to the power resistors 50.

L'interrupteur 46 est placé, en parallèle avec l'interrupteur 45, entre la borne 29 reliée à la batterie 26 et une borne électrique de plein régime 54 pour pouvoir, dans le cas présent, court-circuiter les résistances de puissance 50.The switch 46 is placed, in parallel with the switch 45, between the terminal 29 connected to the battery 26 and a full power terminal 54 to be able, in this case, to bypass the power resistors 50.

Les résistances de puissance 50 sont disposées entre les bornes de puissance intermédiaire 52 et de plein régime 54.The power resistors 50 are arranged between the intermediate power terminals 52 and full power 54.

Le contacteur 17 est agencé de manière à ce que, dans une phase de pré-rotation, l'interrupteur 45 soit fermé et celui 46 soit ouvert afin de permettre l'alimentation électrique par la batterie 26 du bobinage inducteur 5, à travers les résistances de puissance 50 de manière à réduire le pic de couple.The contactor 17 is arranged so that, in a pre-rotation phase, the switch 45 is closed and the switch 46 is open in order to allow the electrical supply by the battery 26 of the induction coil 5, through the resistors of power 50 so as to reduce the peak torque.

L'invention permet de réduire le pic de couple tant que le lanceur 19 est en position dent contre dent sur la couronne dentée 33, et ainsi de supprimer le risque de fraisage.The invention makes it possible to reduce the torque peak as long as the launcher 19 is in the tooth against tooth position on the ring gear 33, and thus to eliminate the risk of milling.

En particulier, par rapport à un démarreur fonctionnant avec un seul contact de puissance, le pic de courant peut être divisé par un facteur compris entre 1 et 3, notamment par un facteur 2 environ.In particular, with respect to a starter operating with a single power contact, the peak current can be divided by a factor of between 1 and 3, in particular by a factor of about 2.

Lorsque le lanceur 19 est engagé dans la couronne dentée 33 dans une deuxième phase de plein régime, encore phase de pleine puissance, au-delà de la position dent contre dent, le contacteur 17 commande l'alimentation électrique du bobinage inducteur 5 pour provoquer le démarrage du moteur à combustion.When the launcher 19 is engaged in the ring gear 33 in a second phase of full speed, still full power phase, beyond the position tooth against tooth, the switch 17 controls the power supply of the inductor coil 5 to cause the start of the combustion engine.

Dans cette deuxième phase de plein régime, les deux interrupteurs 45 et 46 sont fermés et les résistances de puissance 50 sont court-circuitées, ce qui permet d'alimenter le bobinage inducteur 5 en pleine puissance.In this second phase of full speed, the two switches 45 and 46 are closed and the power resistors 50 are short-circuited, which allows to supply the inductor coil 5 at full power.

Comme visible aux figures 2 et 3, le contacteur 17 comprend un élément de contact 58 et des bornes de contact électrique 51 à 54 destinés à définir respectivement les premier et deuxième interrupteurs 45 et 46.As visible to figures 2 and 3 the contactor 17 comprises a contact element 58 and electrical contact terminals 51 to 54 for respectively defining the first and second switches 45 and 46.

Comme visible également à la figure 3, le contacteur 17 comporte en outre un ensemble mobile 60 agencé pour déplacer le lanceur 19 par l'intermédiaire de la fourchette pivotante 27, l'ensemble mobile 60 comprenant un élément d'actionnement 61.As visible also in the figure 3 , the switch 17 further comprises a movable assembly 60 arranged to move the launcher 19 via the pivoting fork 27, the moving assembly 60 comprising an actuating element 61.

L'élément d'actionnement 61 est pourvu d'une tige 62 fixée à une extrémité à la fourchette 27 et présentant à son extrémité opposée une tête 63.The actuating element 61 is provided with a rod 62 fixed at one end to the fork 27 and having at its opposite end a head 63.

L'ensemble mobile 60 du contacteur 17 comporte un noyau mobile 65, l'élément d'actionnement 61 étant monté dedans, déplaçable par rapport à ce noyau mobile 65 à l'encontre de l'effort exercé par un ressort 64 à spires, dit ressort de dent contre dent.The moving assembly 60 of the contactor 17 comprises a movable core 65, the actuating element 61 being mounted thereon, displaceable with respect to this movable core 65 against the force exerted by a coil spring 64, so-called tooth spring against tooth.

Ce ressort 64 est monté autour de la tige 62 de l'élément d'actionnement 61 et s'applique à une extrémité contre la tête 63 de celui-ci.This spring 64 is mounted around the rod 62 of the actuating element 61 and is applied at one end against the head 63 thereof.

Le ressort 64 permet au pignon 21 de s'engager dans la couronne 33 lorsque ce pignon 21 était préalablement en position dent contre dent avec la couronne 33.The spring 64 allows the pinion 21 to engage in the ring 33 when the pinion 21 was previously in position tooth against tooth with the ring 33.

Le noyau mobile 65 est déplaçable dans le contacteur 17 par l'action d'un champ magnétique généré par une bobine 41 du contacteur 17.The mobile core 65 is movable in the contactor 17 by the action of a magnetic field generated by a coil 41 of the contactor 17.

Cette bobine 42 comporte deux bobinages d'excitation, aussi appelés bobinage d'appel et de maintien, formés respectivement par un enroulement d'appel 42 et un enroulement de maintien 43, comme illustré schématiquement à la figure 2.This coil 42 comprises two excitation windings, also called call and hold windings, respectively formed by a call winding 42 and a holding winding 43, as illustrated schematically in FIG. figure 2 .

En variante, la bobine peut comporter un seul enroulement.Alternatively, the coil may comprise a single winding.

Les enroulements d'appel et de maintient 42 et 43 permettent de générer, lorsqu'il sont chacun parcourus par un courant, une force magnétique faisant déplacer le noyau mobile 65 dans une direction axiale X, tandis que l'enroulement de maintien 43, lorsqu'il est seul parcouru par un courant, permet de générer une force magnétique maintenant le noyau mobile 65 en position après le déplacement précité.The call and hold windings 42 and 43 make it possible to generate, when each is traversed by a current, a magnetic force displacing the moving core 65 in an axial direction X, while the holding winding 43, when it is only traversed by a current, can generate a magnetic force holding the movable core 65 in position after the aforementioned displacement.

L'élément de contact électrique 58 est porté solidairement par une tige de commande 68, par exemple en matière plastique, et le noyau mobile 65 est agencé pour s'appliquer contre la tige de commande 68 de manière à pouvoir pousser celle-ci pour provoquer la fermeture du premier interrupteur 45 et pour provoquer en plus la fermeture du deuxième interrupteur 46 lorsqu'un utilisateur du véhicule automobile enclenche et tourne la clé de contact 100, comme visible aux figures 2 et 3.The electrical contact element 58 is integrally carried by a control rod 68, for example made of plastic material, and the mobile core 65 is arranged to be applied against the control rod 68 so as to push it to cause the closing of the first switch 45 and to further cause the closing of the second switch 46 when a user of the motor vehicle engages and turns the key 100, as visible to figures 2 and 3 .

Eventuellement, l'élément d'actionnement pourrait également 'appliquer contre la tige de commande de manière à pouvoir pousser celle-ci pour provoquer la fermeture d'au moins un des interrupteurs.Optionally, the actuating element could also be applied against the control rod so as to push it to cause the closing of at least one of the switches.

Comme illustré également à la figure 3, le contacteur 17 comporte en outre un noyau fixe 72 interposé entre le l'élément de contact 58 et le noyau mobile 65, un ressort à spires 73, encore dit ressort de rappel, permettant, au moins lorsque le contacteur est au repos, d'appliquer l'élément de contact électrique 58 contre le noyau fixe 72 du contacteur 17.As illustrated also in figure 3 , the switch 17 further comprises a fixed core 72 interposed between the contact element 58 and the movable core 65, a coil spring 73, also called a return spring, allowing, at least when the contactor is at rest, apply the electrical contact element 58 against the fixed core 72 of the contactor 17.

Le ressort 73 est disposé dans un capot en plastique 80 du contacteur 17.The spring 73 is disposed in a plastic cover 80 of the contactor 17.

Ce ressort 73 est en outre porté par un moyen ralentisseur unidirectionnel 90 agencé pour freiner le déplacement de l'élément de contact électrique 58 grâce au ralentissement du déplacement de la tige de commande 68, tant que le pignon 21 est en position dent contre dent avec la couronne 33.This spring 73 is further carried by a unidirectional retarder means 90 arranged to slow the displacement of the electrical contact element 58 by slowing the displacement of the control rod 68, as long as the pinion 21 is in the tooth against tooth position with the crown 33.

Le moyen ralentisseur unidirectionnel 90 peut par exemple utiliser un système de vérin, par exemple hydraulique ou pneumatique, et être inséré partiellement dans une cavité 81 réalisée dans une partie centrale du capot 80.The unidirectional retarder means 90 may for example use a cylinder system, for example hydraulic or pneumatic, and be inserted partially into a cavity 81 made in a central part of the cover 80.

Ce vérin 90 présente une forme étagée permettant de recevoir le ressort 73.This jack 90 has a stepped shape for receiving the spring 73.

Le vérin 90 s'étend longitudinalement suivant l'axe X de part et d'autre d'un fond 82 du capot 80, c'est-à-dire à la fois à l'extérieur du capot 80 et dans un espace intérieur 83 de ce capot 80.The jack 90 extends longitudinally along the X axis on either side of a bottom 82 of the cover 80, that is to say both outside the cover 80 and in an interior space 83 of this hood 80.

La tige de commande 68 portant l'élément de contact 58 est capable, lors de son déplacement entre les deux phases, de venir en appui contre une extrémité du vérin 90 se trouvant dans l'espace intérieur 83 du capot 80.The control rod 68 carrying the contact element 58 is capable, during its displacement between the two phases, of bearing against one end of the jack 90 located in the interior space 83 of the cover 80.

Dans l'exemple considéré, la tige de commande 68 présente une extrémité en contact sensiblement permanent avec l'extrémité précitée du vérin 90.In the example considered, the control rod 68 has an end in substantially permanent contact with the aforementioned end of the jack 90.

Dans un état fermé du premier interrupteur 45, l'élément de contact 58 s'applique contre des bornes 51 et 52 visibles à la figure 3.In a closed state of the first switch 45, the contact element 58 is applied against terminals 51 and 52 visible to the figure 3 .

Dans un état fermé du deuxième interrupteur, l'élément de contact 58 s'applique contre des bornes 53 et 54 visibles à la figure 4, en plus des bornes 51 et 52 visibles à la figure 3.In a closed state of the second switch, the contact element 58 is applied against terminals 53 and 54 visible to the figure 4 , in addition to terminals 51 and 52 visible to the figure 3 .

Le contacteur 17 est agencé de manière à ce que le deuxième interrupteur 46 soit dans l'état ouvert tant que le lanceur 19 est en position dent contre dent sur la couronne d'entraînement 33 du moteur à combustion.The switch 17 is arranged so that the second switch 46 is in the open state as the launcher 19 is in position tooth against tooth on the drive ring 33 of the combustion engine.

Les bornes de contact 51 à 54 sont disposés dans le capot en plastique 80 du contacteur 17, comme illustré sur les figures 3 et 4.The contact terminals 51 to 54 are arranged in the plastic cover 80 of the contactor 17, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 3 and 4 .

Dans l'exemple illustré à la figure 3, chaque borne 51 et 52 est montée sur un support mobile 92 inséré dans une cavité 84 du capot 80.In the example shown in figure 3 each terminal 51 and 52 is mounted on a mobile support 92 inserted in a cavity 84 of the cover 80.

Le support mobile 92 est agencé pour permettre à chaque borne 51 et 52 d'être mobile suivant l'axe X, c'est-à-dire qu'il est déplaçable par rapport au capot 80 à l'encontre de l'effort exercé par un ressort 93 à spires.The mobile support 92 is arranged to allow each terminal 51 and 52 to be movable along the axis X, that is to say that it is movable relative to the cover 80 against the force exerted by a spring 93 with turns.

Ce ressort 93 est monté autour d'un axe 94 disposé à l'intérieur du support mobile 92 s'applique à une extrémité contre celui-ci.This spring 93 is mounted around an axis 94 disposed within the movable support 92 is applied at one end against it.

Ainsi, dès la première phase de pré-rotation, l'élément de contact 68 vient en contact avec les bornes 51 et 52 en étant freiné par le vérin 90, puis, entre les deux phases, continue sa course en poussant les bornes 51 et 52 en étant toujours freiné par le vérin 90, jusqu'à ce que cet élément de contact 58 vienne également en contact lors de la deuxième phase avec les bornes 53 et 54, qui sont fixes dans le capot 80.Thus, from the first pre-rotation phase, the contact element 68 comes into contact with the terminals 51 and 52 while being braked by the jack 90, then, between the two phases, continues its travel by pushing the terminals 51 and 52 being always braked by the cylinder 90, until this contact element 58 also comes into contact during the second phase with the terminals 53 and 54, which are fixed in the cover 80.

Comme visible aux figures 5 à 7, chacune des bornes 51 et 52 présente une cosse plate 56 qui se prolonge grâce à une portion de connexion 57 raccordée à une extrémité d'une des deux résistances 50.As visible to Figures 5 to 7 each of the terminals 51 and 52 has a flat lug 56 which is extended by a connection portion 57 connected to one end of one of the two resistors 50.

Chaque résistance 50 est formée d'un support cylindrique métallique disposé contre un rebord périphérique 85 de forme cylindrique du capot 80.Each resistor 50 is formed of a metal cylindrical support disposed against a peripheral rim 85 of cylindrical shape of the cover 80.

Ce support métallique cylindrique peut être serti à chaud avec le capot en plastique 80.This cylindrical metal support can be heat set with the plastic cover 80.

La borne 51 est connectée à une première résistance 50, elle-même connectée à la borne 53, et la borne 52 est connectée à une deuxième résistance 50, elle-même connectée à la borne 54.The terminal 51 is connected to a first resistor 50, itself connected to the terminal 53, and the terminal 52 is connected to a second resistor 50, itself connected to the terminal 54.

Dans l'exemple considéré, l'élément de contact électrique 58 comporte une plaquette circulaire électriquement conductrice, ce qui permet à cette plaquette circulaire de s'appuyer simultanément sur les bornes 51 et 53 pour fermer le premier interrupteur 45, et simultanément sur les bornes 52 et 54 pour fermer le deuxième interrupteur 46.In the example considered, the electrical contact element 58 comprises an electrically conductive circular plate, which allows this plate circular to simultaneously press the terminals 51 and 53 to close the first switch 45, and simultaneously on the terminals 52 and 54 to close the second switch 46.

En outre, les bornes 51 à 54 sont respectivement disposées à 90° l'une de l'autre sur le fond capot 80, ce qui permet d'assurer le contact entre la plaquette circulaire 58 et les quatre bornes 51 à 54 lors de la fermeture du deuxième interrupteur 46.In addition, the terminals 51 to 54 are respectively arranged at 90 ° to each other on the cover bottom 80, which makes it possible to ensure contact between the circular plate 58 and the four terminals 51 to 54 during the closing the second switch 46.

Comme visible à la figure 2, l'enroulement d'appel 42 de la bobine 41 du contacteur 17 n'est court-circuité qu'une fois les premier et deuxième interrupteurs 45 et 46 fermés notamment afin d'assurer l'absence de réouverture par recul du noyau mobile 65.As visible at figure 2 , the call winding 42 of the coil 41 of the contactor 17 is short-circuited once the first and second switches 45 and 46 closed in particular to ensure the absence of reopening by recoil of the mobile core 65 .

Pour cela, le contacteur 17 comporte des moyens 95 permettant l'ouverture d'un troisième interrupteur 47, ces moyens 95 étant disposés dans une cavité 86 du capot 80 réalisée dans le prolongement axial de la borne de contact 51, comme visible à la figure 2.For this, the contactor 17 comprises means 95 enabling the opening of a third switch 47, these means 95 being arranged in a cavity 86 of the cover 80 made in the axial extension of the contact terminal 51, as visible in FIG. figure 2 .

Le déplacement suivant l'axe X de la borne 51 lorsqu'elle est poussée par la plaquette 68 provoque l'ouverture de l'interrupteur 47, et ainsi le court-circuit de l'enroulement d'appel 42.The displacement along the X axis of the terminal 51 when pushed by the wafer 68 causes the opening of the switch 47, and thus the short circuit of the call winding 42.

L'ouverture de l'interrupteur 47 est réalisée au moment où la plaquette 58 entre en contact avec les bornes 53 et 54 provoquant la phase de plein régime.The opening of the switch 47 is performed at the moment when the wafer 58 comes into contact with the terminals 53 and 54 causing the phase of full speed.

En variante, l'ouverture du troisième interrupteur peut être réalisée lorsque le moyen ralentisseur arrive en fin de course.Alternatively, the opening of the third switch can be performed when the retarder means reaches the end of the race.

On va maintenant décrire plus en détail le fonctionnement du contacteur 17.We will now describe in more detail the operation of the contactor 17.

Phase de reposRest phase

La plaquette 58 est sensiblement contre le noyau fixe 72, correspondant à l'état ouvert des interrupteurs 45 et 46.The wafer 58 is substantially against the fixed core 72, corresponding to the open state of the switches 45 and 46.

Le lanceur 19 est en position de repos, à proximité du réducteur de vitesses 20.The launcher 19 is in the rest position, close to the gearbox 20.

Phase de rattrapage des jeuxGames catch-up phase

L'ensemble mobile 60 recule légèrement vers le noyau fixe 72 sous l'effet du champ magnétique exercé par les bobines du contacteur 17.The moving assembly 60 moves back slightly towards the fixed core 72 under the effect of the magnetic field exerted by the coils of the contactor 17.

L'ensemble mobile n'est alors pas encore freiné par le vérin 90.The moving assembly is then not yet braked by the jack 90.

La fourchette 27 vient s'appliquer contre la roue libre 22.The fork 27 is applied against the freewheel 22.

Position Dent contre dentPosition Dent against tooth

Le pignon 21 du lanceur 19 vient en appui dent contre dent sur la couronne dentée 33.The pinion 21 of the launcher 19 bears against tooth against tooth on the ring gear 33.

Phase de fermeture du premier interrupteur 45Closing phase of the first switch 45

Le pignon 21 du lanceur 19 reste en position dent contre dent sur la couronne dentée 33.The gear 21 of the launcher 19 remains in the tooth against tooth position on the ring gear 33.

Le noyau mobile 65 recule contre la tige de commande 68 portant la plaquette 58, laquelle tige 68 est déplacée en arrière en étant freinée par le vérin 90. Ce déplacement en arrière provoque la fermeture du premier interrupteur 45 grâce à la plaquette 58 qui vient en appui sur les bornes 51 et 52.The movable core 65 moves back against the control rod 68 carrying the plate 58, which rod 68 is moved backwards by being braked by the cylinder 90. This displacement causes the closing of the first switch 45 thanks to the plate 58 which comes into operation. support on terminals 51 and 52.

Le deuxième interrupteur 46 est toujours ouvert.The second switch 46 is always open.

Position de collage magnétiqueMagnetic bonding position

Le pignon 21 du lanceur 19 reste en position dent contre dent avec la couronne dentée 33.The gear 21 of the launcher 19 remains in the tooth against tooth position with the ring gear 33.

Le noyau mobile continue à reculer et à pousser la tige de commande 68, toujours freinée par le vérin 90.The movable core continues to move back and push the control rod 68, still braked by the jack 90.

En reculant, la tige de commande 68 pousse la plaquette 58 ainsi que les bornes 51 et 52.In retreating, the control rod 68 pushes the plate 58 as well as the terminals 51 and 52.

Ainsi, la phase de puissance intermédiaire est mise en oeuvre, le pignon 21 est entraîné légèrement en rotation, ce qui va lui permettre, grâce en outre aux cannelures, de s'engager complètement dans la couronne 33.Thus, the intermediate power phase is implemented, the pinion 21 is driven slightly in rotation, which will allow it, thanks also to the grooves, to fully engage in the ring 33.

Phase de fermeture du deuxième interrupteurClosing phase of the second switch

Le pignon 21 du lanceur 19 s'engage dans la couronne dentée 33 et l'élément d'actionnement 61 recule par rapport au noyau mobile 65.The pinion 21 of the launcher 19 engages in the ring gear 33 and the actuating element 61 moves back relative to the movable core 65.

Le noyau mobile continue à reculer et à pousser la tige de commande 68, toujours freinée par le vérin 90.The movable core continues to move back and push the control rod 68, still braked by the jack 90.

En reculant, la tige de commande 68 pousse la plaquette 58 ainsi que les bornes 51 et 52 jusqu'à ce que la plaquette 58 vienne en appui sur les bornes 53 et 54.In retreating, the control rod 68 pushes the wafer 58 and the terminals 51 and 52 until the wafer 58 bears on the terminals 53 and 54.

Le deuxième interrupteur 46 est alors fermé.The second switch 46 is then closed.

Ainsi, la phase de pleine puissance est mise en oeuvre, le pignon 21 est entraîné en rotation à grande vitesse, ce qui va lui permettre, grâce à la couronne 33, de démarrer le moteur à combustion.Thus, the full power phase is implemented, the pinion 21 is rotated at high speed, which will allow it, thanks to the ring 33, to start the combustion engine.

Position de fin de courseEnd of race position

L'élément d'actionnement 61 et la tige de commande 68 reculent jusqu'à une position de fin de course, correspondant à la fin de course du vérin 90.The actuating element 61 and the control rod 68 move back to an end position, corresponding to the end of stroke of the cylinder 90.

Le ressort 73 est davantage comprimé.The spring 73 is further compressed.

Dès que le moteur à combustion a démarré, le pignon 21 est éjecté de la couronne 33, sans être freiné par le vérin 90. Son désengagement de la couronne 33 est ainsi très rapide.Once the combustion engine has started, the pinion 21 is ejected from the ring 33, without being braked by the cylinder 90. Its disengagement of the ring 33 is thus very fast.

En outre, comme le vérin 90 n'a pas d'effet réversible de freinage, c'est-à-dire qu'il ne freine la tige de commande 68 que dans le sens de déplacement de la tige de commande 68 de l'ensemble mobile 60 vers le fond du capot 80, les risques de retour du pignon 21 vers la couronne 33, par exemple en position dent contre dent, sont évités, ainsi qu'un ré-engagement de ce pignon 21 dans cette couronne 33.In addition, since the jack 90 has no reversible braking effect, that is to say it only brakes the control rod 68 in the direction of movement of the control rod 68 of the mobile assembly 60 towards the bottom of the hood 80, the risks of returning the pinion 21 towards the ring gear 33, for example in the tooth against tooth position, are avoided, as well as a re-engagement of this pinion 21 in this ring gear 33.

La figure 6 illustre un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un moyen ralentisseur unidirectionnel.The figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a unidirectional retarder means.

Dans l'exemple considéré, ce moyen est formé par de la graisse 110 en tant que fluide incompressible.In the example under consideration, this means is formed by grease 110 as an incompressible fluid.

La graisse 110 est incorporée dans un espace étanche 116 à l'intérieur du noyau mobile 65, autour de la tige 62 de l'élément d'actionnement 61, et noyée avec le ressort 64.The grease 110 is incorporated in a sealed space 116 inside the movable core 65, around the rod 62 of the actuating element 61, and embedded with the spring 64.

Pour que l'espace 116 soit rendu étanche, le noyau mobile 65 comporte à une extrémité de la tige 62 fixée à la fourchette, un joint d'étanchéité 114 capable de boucher cette extrémité.So that the space 116 is sealed, the movable core 65 has at one end of the rod 62 attached to the fork, a seal 114 capable of plugging this end.

Ce joint d'étanchéité 114 est introduit entre la tige 62 et une paroi interne du noyau mobile 65.This seal 114 is introduced between the rod 62 and an inner wall of the movable core 65.

A l'autre extrémité de la tige 62, où se trouve la tête 63, une plaque circulaire plane 112 est sertie dans la paroi interne du noyau mobile 65 pour empêcher la graisse de s'échapper.At the other end of the rod 62, where the head 63 is located, a flat circular plate 112 is crimped into the inner wall of the movable core 65 to prevent the grease from escaping.

L'espace étanche 116 présente avantageusement un volume partiellement rempli de graisse 110 et d'air pour garantir le déplacement du noyau mobile 65 par rapport à la tige 62.The sealed space 116 advantageously has a volume partially filled with grease 110 and air to guarantee the displacement of the movable core 65 with respect to the rod 62.

La quantité d'air est faible par rapport à la quantité de graisse 110 de manière à ne pas induire une dépression trop importante dans le noyau mobile 65 lorsque le lanceur 19 est éjecté de la couronne d'entraînement 33 quand le moteur à combustion a démarré.The amount of air is small relative to the amount of grease 110 so as not to induce excessive depression in the movable core 65 when the launcher 19 is ejected from the drive ring 33 when the combustion engine has started .

Ainsi, lorsque le noyau mobile 65 recule, le ressort 64 est comprimé, le volume qui se situe devant un la tête 63 de la tige 62 diminue, obligeant la graisse 110 à s'écouler partiellement derrière cet cette tête 63, ce qui permet de freiner le déplacement de l'ensemble mobile 60.Thus, when the movable core 65 moves back, the spring 64 is compressed, the volume in front of a head 63 of the rod 62 decreases, forcing the grease 110 to partially flow behind this head 63, which allows curbing the movement of the moving assembly 60.

En outre, grâce à l'utilisation de la graisse 110, il est possible d'avoir un ressort 64 présentant une raideur plus faible par rapport à un démarreur connu. En effet, l'effort exercé sur la graisse 110 est constant et proportionnel à la vitesse, ce qui permet d'améliorer la valeur de conjonction.In addition, through the use of the grease 110, it is possible to have a spring 64 having a lower stiffness compared to a known starter. Indeed, the force exerted on the grease 110 is constant and proportional to the speed, which makes it possible to improve the value of conjunction.

Les figures 7 et 8 illustrent un troisième mode de réalisation d'un moyen ralentisseur unidirectionnel.The Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a third embodiment of a unidirectional retarder means.

Dans l'exemple considéré, ce moyen comporte une pièce élastomère 120 ayant une forme générale de cylindre et comportant une paroi cylindrique longitudinale 124 sensiblement fine.In the example considered, this means comprises an elastomer piece 120 having a general cylinder shape and having a longitudinal cylindrical wall 124 substantially thin.

Cette paroi 124 présente une faible épaisseur, par exemple de quelques dixièmes de millimètres.This wall 124 has a small thickness, for example a few tenths of millimeters.

La paroi cylindrique 124 est insérée dans une cavité 81 du capot 80.The cylindrical wall 124 is inserted into a cavity 81 of the cover 80.

La pièce élastomère 120 comporte en outre une extrémité 122 partiellement disposée dans l'espace intérieur 83 du capot 80, cette extrémité 122 formant une butée sur laquelle la tige de commande 68 est apte à venir en appui lors de son déplacement.The elastomer piece 120 further comprises an end 122 partially disposed in the interior space 83 of the cover 80, this end 122 forming a stop on which the control rod 68 is able to come into abutment during its movement.

Cette extrémité 122 présente la forme d'un cylindre plein raccordé à la paroi cylindrique longitudinale 124.This end 122 has the shape of a solid cylinder connected to the longitudinal cylindrical wall 124.

L'extrémité 122 a, en section, une forme en T, et une bague 128 est disposée autour de cette extrémité 122, notamment autour de la partie inférieure du T et contre la partie supérieure de ce T.The end 122 has, in section, a T shape, and a ring 128 is disposed around this end 122, particularly around the lower part of the T and against the upper part of this T.

La partie supérieure du T de l'extrémité 122 présente un diamètre sensiblement égal à celui de la forme générale en cylindre de la pièce élastomère 120, qui s'étend notamment par la paroi cylindrique longitudinale 124.The upper part of the T of the end 122 has a diameter substantially equal to that of the general cylinder shape of the elastomer piece 120, which extends in particular through the longitudinal cylindrical wall 124.

Lorsque la tige de commande 68 est déplacée par l'ensemble mobile, la pièce élastomère 120 est déplacée, ce qui provoque une augmentation de la pression interne dans la cavité 81 du capot 80, entraînant un gonflement de la paroi 124 de la pièce élastomère 120, et ainsi son frottement contre une paroi interne de la cavité 81 du capot 80, ce qui permet de freiner la tige de commande 68.When the control rod 68 is displaced by the moving assembly, the elastomer piece 120 is displaced, which causes an increase in the internal pressure in the cavity 81 of the cover 80, causing swelling of the wall 124 of the elastomer piece 120 , and thus its friction against an inner wall of the cavity 81 of the cover 80, which makes it possible to brake the control rod 68.

En outre, lorsque la pièce élastomère 120 se déplace, l'air entre la pièce élastomère 120 et la paroi interne de la cavité 81 du capot 80 est comprimé, ce qui améliore le freinage de la tige de commande 68.In addition, when the elastomeric piece 120 moves, the air between the elastomeric piece 120 and the inner wall of the cavity 81 of the cap 80 is compressed, which improves the braking of the control rod 68.

Un ressort 121 est en outre disposé dans la cavité 81 du capot 80 pour ramener la pièce élastomère 120 dans une position initiale dans laquelle elle ne subit pas de gonflement de sa paroi cylindrique 124, lorsque le moteur à combustion a démarré.A spring 121 is further disposed in the cavity 81 of the cover 80 to return the elastomeric piece 120 to an initial position in which it does not undergo swelling of its cylindrical wall 124, when the combustion engine has started.

Eventuellement, la pièce élastomère peut être liée solidairement en translation avec la tige de commande, et, le cas échéant, il n'est pas nécessaire d'avoir un ressort dans la cavité du capot.Optionally, the elastomer piece may be integrally connected in translation with the control rod, and, where appropriate, it is not necessary to have a spring in the hood cavity.

Bien entendu, l'invention n'est pas limitée aux exemples de mise en oeuvre qui viennent d'être décrits.Of course, the invention is not limited to the implementation examples which have just been described.

Par exemple, le dispositif peut ne pas comporter de moyens d'ouverture et de fermeture du circuit d'appel.For example, the device may not include means for opening and closing the call circuit.

Par exemple encore, le dispositif peut ne comporter qu'une seule phase d'alimentation du moteur électrique.For example still, the device may comprise only one power supply phase of the electric motor.

Autrement dit, le dispositif peut ne pas comporter de phase de pré-rotation, et le cas échéant une seule paire de bornes de contact électrique peut être nécessaire.In other words, the device may not have a pre-rotation phase, and possibly a single pair of electrical contact terminals may be necessary.

Claims (12)

  1. Starter device (1) for an internal combustion engine, in particular of an automobile, comprising:
    - an inertia starter (19) arranged to start the internal combustion engine via a crown wheel (33),
    - an electric motor arranged to drive the inertia starter in rotation (19),
    - a control rod (68) for initiating the electrical supply of the electric motor,
    - an electrical contact element arranged so that it can be pushed by the control rod (68) to initiate the electrical supply of the electric motor,
    - a contactor (17) with a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising a movable assembly (60) arranged so as to move the inertia starter (19) along the longitudinal axis (X), this movable assembly (60) comprising an elastic return element (64) forming a spring of the tooth-against-tooth type, arranged to allow this movable assembly (60) to initiate the electrical supply of the electric motor and to engage the inertia starter (19) in the crown wheel (33) of the internal combustion engine,
    - unidirectional slowing means (90) provided to slow the movement of the movable assembly (60) along the longitudinal axis (X) at least while the inertia starter (19) is substantially in the tooth-against-tooth position against the crown wheel (33) of the internal combustion engine, and comprising at least one elastomer part and/or at least one ram,
    - the at least one unidirectional slowing means (90) being arranged such that the control rod (68) can come to rest against this unidirectional slowing means (90), or being arranged at least partially inside the movable assembly (60).
  2. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the unidirectional slowing means (90) are provided to prevent the movable assembly (60) from initiating the electrical supply of the electric motor while the inertia starter (17) is in the tooth-against-tooth position on the crown wheel (33) of the internal combustion engine.
  3. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the movable assembly (60) is arranged to move the assembly of the inertia starter (19) via a pivoting fork (27), the movable assembly (60) of the contactor (17) comprising a movable hub (65) and an actuating element (61) mounted displaceably relative to said movable hub (65) against the force exerted by the elastic return element (64).
  4. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one of the movable hub (65) and the actuating element (61) is arranged so as to press against the control rod (68).
  5. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one unidirectional slowing means (90) is arranged such that the control rod (68) can come to rest against this unidirectional slowing means (90) in order to brake the movement of said control rod (68).
  6. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the unidirectional slowing means (90) are arranged at least partially in the contactor (17).
  7. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one unidirectional slowing means (90) is arranged at least partially in a cover (80) of the contactor (17), in particular at least partially in a cavity (81) of the cover (80).
  8. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one unidirectional slowing means (90) comprises at least one ram, in particular hydraulic or pneumatic.
  9. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one unidirectional slowing means (90) comprises at least one elastomer part which is able to brake the movable assembly by friction of said elastomer part against a wall of the device (1).
  10. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one unidirectional slowing means (90) is formed by an incompressible fluid, in particular grease.
  11. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the incompressible fluid is incorporated in a sealed space of the device (1).
  12. Rotating electrical machine, in particular a starter or a reversible alternator of an automobile, comprising a device (1) according to any of the preceding claims.
EP10159086.7A 2009-04-07 2010-04-06 Starter device for an internal combustion engine, in particular of an automobile Not-in-force EP2239456B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0952276A FR2944068B1 (en) 2009-04-07 2009-04-07 STARTING DEVICE FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, IN PARTICULAR A MOTOR VEHICLE.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2239456A1 EP2239456A1 (en) 2010-10-13
EP2239456B1 true EP2239456B1 (en) 2016-04-06

Family

ID=41268215

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10159086.7A Not-in-force EP2239456B1 (en) 2009-04-07 2010-04-06 Starter device for an internal combustion engine, in particular of an automobile

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2239456B1 (en)
FR (1) FR2944068B1 (en)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2795883B1 (en) * 1999-06-30 2001-10-05 Valeo Equip Electr Moteur METHOD FOR THE PROGRESSIVE DRIVING OF A MOTOR VEHICLE STARTER CONTACTOR
FR2796991B1 (en) * 1999-07-30 2001-09-14 Valeo Equip Electr Moteur AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE STARTER PROVIDED WITH AN ELASTIC ELEMENT FOR GENERATING NON-LINEAR ELASTIC STIFFNESS
DE10008256A1 (en) * 2000-02-23 2001-09-06 Bosch Gmbh Robert Switch contact for a starter motor
US7373908B2 (en) * 2006-08-29 2008-05-20 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Reduced noise engine start-stop system using traditional crank device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2239456A1 (en) 2010-10-13
FR2944068B1 (en) 2017-05-05
FR2944068A1 (en) 2010-10-08

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