EP2504852A1

EP2504852A1 - Electric switch having a slide forming a short-circuit or selector switch

Info

Publication number: EP2504852A1
Application number: EP10799115A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Evrard Borg
Original assignee: Herakles SA
Current assignee: Safran Ceramics SA
Priority date: 2009-11-27
Filing date: 2010-11-26
Publication date: 2012-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2030-11-26
Also published as: CN102870183B; JP5743341B2; WO2011064510A1; PL2504852T3; FR2953324A1; HUE025754T2; CN102870183A; FR2953324B1; EP2504852B1; JP2013512539A; US9058940B2; US20130126326A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric switch (10) including a hollow body (12) defining a cavity (14), an actuator (16), and a slide (18) mounted in said cavity (14). Under the action of the actuator (16), the slide (18) is suitable for moving from a first position, in which at least one conducting portion (19) of the slide (18) is electrically connected to at least two primary electrically conductive contacts (20a, 20b) leading laterally into said cavity (14) by a breakable permanent electric junction, into a second position, in which at least one of said primary electrically conductive contacts (20a, 20b) is no longer electrically connected to said conducting portion (19) of the slide (18).

Description

ELECTRIC SWITCH WITH SLIDING DRAWER FORMING CIRCUIT BREAKER OR SWITCH

The present invention relates to an electrical switch. More particularly, the invention relates to an electrical switch said "sliding drawer", including an electrical switch of the type comprising a hollow body defining a cavity, an actuator formed in this cavity, a sliding drawer mounted in the cavity downstream of the actuator and having at least one conductive portion, and at least two primary electrical conductive pads installed in the thickness of the hollow body and opening laterally into the cavity, the conductive portion of the sliding drawer and the two primary electrical conductive pads being electrically connected between they when the sliding drawer is in a first position, thus closing a first electrical circuit, and the sliding drawer being adapted, under the effect of the operation of the actuator, to move from its first position to a second position in which at least one of said primary electrical conductive pads is no longer connected electrically to said conductive portion of the sliding drawer.

The electrical switch object of this disclosure can be used as a circuit breaker or as a switch, according to the embodiments. It is particularly suitable for electrical circuits with very high current.

In many applications, it is necessary to have fast and reliable electrical switches to open a faulty circuit to isolate one or more components including when they are faulty, and also allowing, if necessary, to simultaneously close a branch circuit.

The document FR 2,788,165 describes an example of an electrical switch of the aforementioned type, in which electrical conductive pads passing through the thickness of the hollow body are clamped against the conductive part of a slide mounted movably inside the hollow body, by screwing. This connection by screwing does not ensure sufficient reliability of the electrical contacts between the movable drawer and the conductive pads. Under the effect of external constraints (vibrations, shocks ...), the Screw connection can loosen, causing false contacts, arcing and other parasitic phenomena.

In addition, the electrical switch described in FR 2,788,165 requires the use of precision components, relatively expensive, and a very precise adjustment of these components during assembly.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical switch without the disadvantages mentioned above.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical switch switch, can be assembled very simply, acting in a very short time, and providing reliable electrical connections.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, this objective is achieved by means of a switch of the aforementioned type comprising a hollow body delimiting a cavity, an actuator formed in said cavity, a sliding drawer mounted in said cavity downstream of said actuator and having at least one conductive portion, a first and a second electrical conductive pad forming a first pair, and a downstream electrical conductive pad disposed downstream of said first pair, wherein said electrical conductive pads are installed in the thickness of the hollow body and open laterally in the cavity, in which the conductive portion of the sliding drawer and the two electrical conductive pads of the first pair are electrically connected to each other when the sliding drawer is in a first position, thus closing a first electrical circuit, in which the sliding drawer is able to move from his first position to a second position under the effect of the operation of the actuator, wherein the conductive portion of the sliding spool comprises a first protuberance located upstream of the first electrical conductive pad of the first pair, and a second protuberance located upstream of the electrical conductive pad downstream, and wherein, when the sliding drawer is in its second position, the first and the second protuberance are arranged to tighten respectively on the junction facets of the first electrical conductive pad of the first pair and the downstream electrical conductive pad . Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical switch that can be assembled very simply, acting in a very short time and providing reliable electrical connections.

According to one embodiment of the invention, this objective is achieved by means of an electrical switch of the aforementioned type, in which the connection between the conductive portion of the sliding drawer and the two primary electrical conductive pads is a permanent electrical breakable joint constituted by a weld.

According to one embodiment of the invention, this objective is also achieved by means of an electrical switch of the aforementioned type, in which the connection between the conductive portion of the sliding drawer and the two electrical conductive pads is a permanent electric breakable joint constituted by a solder.

Thanks to these arrangements, when the sliding drawer is in its first position, the electrical conductive pads are electrically connected to each other, thereby closing a first electrical circuit. In this position, the closure of this first electrical circuit is provided by reliable electrical contacts. As the connection between the primary electrical conductive pads and the conductive portion of the sliding drawer is a permanent electrical connection, the electrical contact between these elements is ensured even in the case where the electrical switch is subjected to vibration or shock. The undesirable phenomena of the type fau contacts, losses by joule effect, electric arcs, etc. are avoided. The switch has a circuit breaker function; When, under the effect of the actuator, the sliding drawer passes from its first to its second position, at least one of the pads is no longer electrically connected to the conductive portion of the sliding drawer. The electrical connection between the two primary electrical conductive pads is broken, and the first electrical circuit is open.

In addition, the solder, like the solder, are inexpensive to achieve.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical switch that can be assembled very simply, and allowing a very fast breaking of the electrical connections and therefore actuation in a very short time. According to an embodiment of the present invention, this objective is achieved by means of an electrical switch of the aforementioned type, in which the junction facet of at least one electrical conductive pad and the corresponding junction facet of the diverging conductive portion. downstream.

Advantageously, each junction facet of each primary electrical conductive pad and the corresponding junction facet of the conductive portion diverges downstream.

Such a configuration allows the sliding drawer to immediately disengage the primary electrical conductive pads, without parasitic friction, when it passes from its first to its second position. It ensures a reliable break of the first electrical circuit connecting the electrical conductive pads, and thus avoids arcing.

Throughout the present application (and in particular for all the embodiments described), the term "primary electrical conductor pads" means the electrical conductive pads which are connected to the conductive portion of the sliding drawer when it is in its first position, that is to say when the electric switch is in its initial state.

Several embodiments are described in this disclosure. However, unless otherwise specified, features described in connection with any embodiment may be applied to another embodiment.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of examples of embodiments of the invention given for illustrative and non-limiting. This description refers to the attached drawing sheets in which:

- Figures 1 and 2 are side sectional views of an electrical switch illustrating a first embodiment of the invention, respectively in its first and in its second position;

- Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along III-III of the electrical switch of Figure 1;

- Figure 4 is an alternative embodiment of the sliding drawer; - Figures 5 and 6 are side sectional views of an electrical switch according to a third embodiment, respectively in its first and in its second position;

- Figures 7 and 8 are side sectional views of an electrical switch according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, respectively in its first and in its second position;

- Figures 9 to 11 are side sectional views of an electrical switch according to a variant of the fourth embodiment of the invention, respectively in its first position, in an intermediate position and in its second position;

- Figures 12 to 14 are sectional views of an electrical switch according to another variant of the fourth embodiment of the invention, respectively in its first position, in an intermediate position and in its second position;

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the third embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In the examples illustrated, the electrical switch according to the invention comprises a hollow body 12 delimiting an internal cavity 14 of circular section, closed at its lower end 14b by a bottom wall 15 and partially filled, in its upper part, with According to other exemplary embodiments, the cavity 14 may obviously have a rectangular cross section or any other suitable form.

In the present description, unless otherwise stated, an axial direction is a direction parallel to the main axis X of the cavity 14 of the hollow body 12. In addition, a radial direction is a direction perpendicular to the main axis X of the cavity 14 and intersecting this axis. Unless stated otherwise, the adjectives and adverbs axial, radial, axially and radially are used with reference to the aforementioned axial and radial directions. In the same way, an axial plane is a plane containing the main axis X of the cavity 14 and a radial plane is a plane perpendicular to this axis. Likewise, an axial section is a section defined in an axial plane, and a radial section is a section defined in a radial plane.

In addition, unless otherwise stated, the upper and lower adjectives are used with reference to the Tax X direction as shown in the figures.

Finally, the upstream and downstream terms are defined with respect to the direction of the X axis, which corresponds to the direction of movement, inside the cavity 14, of the sliding drawer 18 which will be defined in the following.

The electrical switch comprises a pyrotechnic gas generator 16 (for example a micro gas generator and its pyrotechnic initiator or a pyrotechnic initiator according to the amount of gas to be supplied to operate the switch) which closes the cavity 14 at its level. upper end 14a. In the examples, the electric switch 10 is therefore single operation.

As illustrated in the figures, electrical conductive pads are installed in the thickness of the hollow body and open laterally into the cavity 14. Each of these conductive pads comprises a junction facet directed towards the inside of the cavity 14.

A sliding slide 18, comprising a conductive portion 19, is mounted in the cavity 14 downstream of the pyrotechnic gas generator 16. The conductive portion 19 of this slide 18 is initially connected to at least two primary electrical conductive pads closing a first electrical circuit .

Upstream of its conductive portion 19, the slide 18 includes a non-conductive portion 24, at least one portion 24b has a section complementary to that of the cavity 14 and forms a piston adapted to slide inside the sleeve 13 according to the axial direction X.

In the examples described, the conductive portion 19 is bonded to the non-conductive portion 24. As a variant, it can also be imagined that the conductive portion 19 and the piston 24 are independent of one another.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a gas expansion chamber 27 is formed between the pyrotechnic gas generator 16 and the piston 24.

In addition, the piston 24 is provided, on its periphery, with at least one groove capable of receiving an O-ring seal 25, ensuring the seal between the gas expansion chamber 27 and the remainder of the cavity 14.

Any other sealing means may be used instead of the O-ring 25. A sealing means of the gas expansion chamber may for example be obtained by injecting, in an annular groove of the piston 24, a plastic material. more malleable than the one used to make the piston. A sealing means may also consist of a succession of baffles made on the piston 24, and serving to reduce the flow velocity of the leakage gases passing in the gap between the piston 24 and the inner wall of the cavity 14.

It will be noted that a leakage orifice for the gases (not shown) can be provided in the downstream part of the cavity 14, for example in its bottom wall 15.

In cases where the sections of flow of current between the primary electrical conductive pads and the conductive portion 19 of the sliding drawer 18 are small, the forces due to the gas pressure inside the combustion chamber 27, sufficient to break the connections between the electrical conductive pads and the drawer 18, are relatively moderate. In this case, for example, a hollow body 12 made of polymer reinforced by an injection process, has sufficient mechanical strength.

In the case where the forces required are greater, the hollow body 12 may be reinforced by a metal frame. According to an exemplary embodiment, the metal frame may surround the hollow body 12 to form a rigid protective shell. In another example, when the hollow body 12 is made by an injection method, the metal armature can be directly inserted into the material at the time of injection.

If such reinforcing reinforcement is used, the pyrotechnic gas generator 16 and the electrical conductive pads must generally be mounted in insulated inserts.

As indicated above, the electrical switch comprises, in the various embodiments presented, a pyrotechnic gas generator 16. It should be noted that this example is not limiting and any other device or actuator capable of exerting sufficient effort on the upper part of the sliding drawer 18 for breaking the connection between the electrical conductive pads and the drawer 18, may be used. As an example, it will be possible to use actuators with mechanical or electrical energy.

An example of operation of the switch described above is as follows:

When the pyrotechnic gas generator 16 is actuated under the effect of an electric trigger signal transmitted, for example, by a failure detection unit (not shown) of an electrical component of the first electrical circuit, combustion gases are released into the expansion chamber 27 located upstream of the piston 24.

As the pressure of the gases increases in the expansion chamber, the connections between the primary electrical pads and the sliding drawer 18 are subjected to shearing forces of increasing importance. When, finally, the forces due to the gas pressure exceed the shear strength efforts of these connections, they break, releasing the sliding slide 18 which then moves downstream, until it comes against a formed abutment for example by the bottom wall of the cavity 14.

In Figures 1 and 2, there is shown an electrical switch 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. According to this first embodiment, the electrical switch 10 has a circuit breaker function for a first electrical circuit connecting two electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b opening into the cavity 14.

In the example, the two electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b are arranged on the same radial axis AA, and each comprise a junction facet 26a, 26b, defined in a plane perpendicular to the axis AA and facing inwards of the cavity 14.

The sliding drawer 18 comprises, in the example, a non-conductive portion (made of insulating material) provided with a first section 24b having a section complementary to that of the cavity 14 and forming a piston, and, downstream of this first section 24b, of a second section 24a of axial length L2.

Downstream of this non-conductive portion 24, the sliding drawer further comprises a conductive portion 19 which, in the example, has a length (taken in the axial direction X) substantially equal to the length L1 of the connecting facets 26a, 26b of the conductive pads 20a, 20b.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the junction facet 26a of the first electrical conductive pad 20a is connected to a corresponding junction facet 28a of the conductive portion 19 by a weld 22a, for example a tin-copper solder.

In the same way, the junction facet 26b of the second primary electrical conductive pad 20b is connected to a corresponding junction facet 28b of the conductive portion 19 by a weld 22b, for example a tin-copper solder.

Thanks to the two welded connections 22a, 22b, a first electrical circuit is closed between the first and the second primary electrical conductive pad 20a, 20b, which are interconnected by means of the conductive portion 19 of the sliding drawer 18.

The welds 22a, 22b can withstand external stresses such as vibration, shock, etc. and thus ensure reliable electrical contacts.

When the pyrotechnic gas generator 16 is actuated, under the effect of an electric trigger signal transmitted, for example, by a failure detection unit (not shown) of an electrical component of the first electrical circuit, combustion are released into the expansion chamber 27 located upstream of the piston 24.

As the gas pressure increases in the expansion chamber, the welds 22a, 22b are subjected to increasingly large shear forces. When, finally, the forces due to the gas pressure exceed the shear strength forces of the welded connections 22a, 22b, the welds 22a, 22b break, releasing the sliding drawer 18 which then moves downstream, until abut against the bottom wall of the cavity 14. The path traveled by the sliding drawer 18 between its first and second positions is greater than the axial length L1 of the conductive portion 19.

In the second position of the sliding drawer 18, illustrated in FIG. 2, the joining facets 28a, 28b and the whole of the conductive portion 19 are located downstream of the connecting facets 26a, 26b of the primary electrical conductor pads 20a, 20b. The joining facets 26a, 26b are then located facing the insulating portion 24 of the sliding drawer, so that the electrical connection between the pads 20a, 20b is broken and the first electrical circuit is open.

It will be noted that, according to another exemplary embodiment, the conductive portion 19 may extend upstream of the electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b. In this case, to allow a clear and reliable cut of the electrical circuit when the sliding drawer passes from its first to its second position, the conductive portion further has a recess upstream of each of the electrical conductive pads, whereby, after actuation of the pyrotechnic gas generator 16 and displacement of the slide 18, each primary electrical conductive pad 20a, 20b is found positioned opposite a recess, and the primary electrical circuit is open.

In the example of Figures 1 and 2, the conductive portion 19 has a substantially parallelepiped shape. Its axial section, rectangular, is shown in Figure 3. The connecting facets 28a, 28b of the conductive portion 19 of the sliding drawer 18 are planar, as are the corresponding facets 26a, 26b of the primary electrical conductor pads 20a, 20b .

According to another embodiment, the conductive portion 19 may have a circular axial section, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In this case, its joining facets 28a, 28b have a convex shape and the corresponding connecting facets 26a, 26b of the electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b have a corresponding concave shape.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the junction facets of the conductive portion 19 and the primary electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b are connected by a solder. All the characteristics, remarks, variants indicated above in connection with the first embodiment of the invention remain valid for this second embodiment and are therefore not repeated here.

In Figures 5 and 6, there is shown an electrical switch 100 according to a third embodiment of the invention.

According to this third embodiment, the electrical switch 100 has a circuit breaker function for a first electrical circuit connecting two electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b opening into the cavity 14.

The reference numerals corresponding to elements common to the first and second embodiments described above remain identical for the rest of the description.

In the example, two electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b protrude laterally inside the cavity 14. These pads are arranged along the same radial axis AA, and each comprise a junction facet 26a, 26b facing inwards of the cavity 14.

A sliding drawer 18 is mounted directly downstream of the pyrotechnic gas generator 16. This drawer comprises, in the example, a non-conductive portion (made of insulating material) of complementary section to that of the cavity 14 and forming a piston, extended, downstream, by a conductive portion 19 of axial length L8 greater than the length L1 of the connecting facets of the electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the sliding drawer 18 is in its first position, the two electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b are electrically connected via the conductive portion 19, thereby closing an electrical circuit.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the junction facets 26a, 26b of the electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b and corresponding ones 28a, 28b of the sliding drawer 18 diverge downstream.

In the example, upstream of each of its junction facets, the conductive portion 19 further comprises a recess, 23a, 23b extending over an axial length 13. The length L3 is chosen greater than the length L1 of the conductive pads , and more generally so that, after actuation of the pyrotechnic gas generator 16 and displacement of the slide 18, each electrical conductive pad 20a, 20b is found positioned opposite a recess 23a, 23b.

Thanks to the recesses 23a, 23b, on the one hand, and to the inclination of the connecting facets 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b, on the other hand, the sliding drawer 18 disengages immediately from the two primary electrical conductor pads 20a, 20b , without parasitic friction, during its movement inside the cavity 14. The electrical connection between the two conductive pads is broken very reliably and a cut free of the electrical circuit is obtained. Moreover, thanks to these provisions, the breaking of the electrical connection between the primary electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b and the conductive portion 19, is obtained for a minimum path of the drawer 18 in the direction of sliding X.

According to an alternative embodiment, the entire portion of the sliding drawer 18 located upstream of the connecting facets 28a, 28b may be made of an insulating material. In this case, the sliding drawer 18 does not necessarily include recesses 23a, 23b upstream of the connecting facets 28a, 28b.

According to yet another variant embodiment, an insulating strip is simply provided on each face of the sliding drawer 18 situated upstream of a junction facet 28a, 28b (for example, an insulating material fills the space formed by a recess 23a, 23b, see Figures 15 and 16).

Preferably, as in the example illustrated, the junction facets 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b of the primary electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b and the sliding drawer 18 have, in radial section, a rectilinear section. Alternatively, these facets may however have non-rectilinear sections, if, in general, they diverge downstream.

Note that, in this embodiment, the junctions between the electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b and the conductive portion 19 may be constituted by any type of breakable permanent electrical connection. In particular, these junctions may be formed by solders, or welds. Or again the primary electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b and the conductive portion 19 of the sliding drawer 18 can be made in one piece, but are delimited by breaking primers.

According to another embodiment shown in Figures 15 and 16, the primary electrical conductive pads can be biased in contact with the conductive portion by resilient biasing means, for example a spring. In this case, the sliding drawer 18 advantageously comprises, upstream of each junction facet 28a, 28b of the conductive portion 19, an insulating portion 50a, 50b. When the sliding drawer 18 is in its second position, the primary electrical conductor pads 20a, 20b, biased towards the drawer slidable 18 by the springs 52a, 52b, come into contact with these insulating portions 50a, 50b. The electrical connection between the primary electrical conductor pads 20a, 20b is thus broken reliably despite the fact that these pads are biased towards the sliding drawer 18 by the springs 52a, 52b.

In the example shown, a strip of insulating material 50a, 50b is simply attached to the sliding drawer 18 upstream of each junction facet 28a, 28b of the conductive portion 19. In particular, in FIGS. 15 and 16, the drawer slider 18 comprises a recess 23a, 23b upstream of each junction facet 28a, 28b and each recess 23a, 23b receives a strip of insulating material intended to come opposite an electrical conductive pad when the sliding drawer is in its second position. According to another exemplary embodiment, the sliding drawer 18 may comprise a section of insulating material upstream of its conducting portion 19.

The preceding remarks, relating to the variant illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, are applicable to all the embodiments of the invention for which the electrical connection between at least one primary electrical conductive pad and a conductive portion of the sliding drawer is achieved. by means of elastic biasing means, for example a spring.

In Figures 7 and 8, there is shown an electric switch 200 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

The reference numerals corresponding to elements common to the first, second and third embodiments described above remain identical for the remainder of the description.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the switch 200 here comprises a first and a second primary electrical conductive pad 20a, 20b forming a first pair, and a third electrical conductive pad 30 located downstream of the first pad pair (ie in a first pair). radial plane located downstream of the plane in which are disposed the electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b of the first pair) and which will therefore be called "downstream conductive pad" in the following description.

According to this fourth embodiment, the electric switch 200 has a switch function. It is for example intended to isolate a faulty component connected to the second primary electrical conductive pad 20b by opening the first electrical circuit connecting the primary electrical conductor pads 20a, 20b and closing a second electrical circuit (bypass circuit) between the first primary electrical conductive pad 20a and the downstream electrical conductive pad 30.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the switch comprises a sliding drawer 18 mounted in the cavity 14 downstream of the pyrotechnic gas generator 16. This sliding drawer 18 comprises a conductive portion 19 bonded, at its upper end, to a portion insulating section 24 complementary to that of the cavity 14, and forming a piston.

When the switch 200 is in its initial position (ie its first position), the two primary electrical conductor pads 20a, 20b are electrically connected via the conductive portion 19 of the sliding drawer 18, so as to close a first electrical circuit.

In the example, the junction facet 26a of the first electrical conductive pad is connected to the corresponding junction facet 28a of the conductive portion 19 by a weld 22a. In the same way, the junction facet 26b of the first electrical conductive pad is connected to the corresponding junction facet 28b of the conductive portion 19 by a weld 22b.

More generally, the first and the second primary electrical conductive pad 20a, 20b can be connected to the conductive portion 19 by any permanent electrical breakable junction. For example, this junction can be a solder. Or again, the primary electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b and the conductive portion 19 of the sliding drawer can be made in one piece being delimited by breaking primers. According to another embodiment, the primary electrical conductive pads may be biased in contact with the conductive portion by resilient biasing means, for example a spring.

As illustrated in Figure 7, the conductive portion 19 comprises a first protuberance in the form of a ramp 34 upstream of its junction facet 28a located opposite the first primary electrical conductive pad 20a.

More specifically, the lateral face portion of the conductive portion 19 which is located directly upstream of the facet of junction 28a, diverges upstream on a length L4, taken in the axial direction X. In the example, the length L4 is chosen substantially equal to the length L1 of the junction facets of the primary electrical conductive pads, also taken in the axial direction X.

The conductive portion 19 also has a second protuberance in the form of a ramp 38 formed downstream of the connecting facets 28a, 28b. As shown in FIG. 7, when the sliding drawer 18 is in its first position, this second protrusion 38 is placed directly upstream of the downstream electrical conductive pad 30. The length L5 of this ramp 38 (taken in the axial direction X) is substantially equal to that L6 of the junction facet 31 of the downstream electrical conductive pad 30 (taken in the axial direction X).

In the example illustrated, the conductive portion 19 further comprises a recess 36 provided upstream of its junction facet 28b located opposite the second primary electrical conductive pad 20b.

When the sliding drawer 18 is in its first position, the first protrusion 34 is located upstream of the first primary electrical conductive pad 20a, the recess 36 is located upstream of the second primary electrical conductive pad 20b, and the second protuberance 38 is located upstream of the downstream electrical conductive pad 30. The sliding drawer 18 is not in contact with the downstream electrical conductive pad 30, which remains inactive.

When, under the effect of the pyrotechnic gas generator 16, the sliding drawer 18 moves downstream in the direction X, the first and the second protuberance 34, 38 are gradually tightened on the first primary electrical conductive pad 20a and on the downstream electrical conductor pad 30.

In parallel, the recess 36 is placed opposite the junction facet 26b of the second electrical conductive pad 20b.

In this position, the electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b are no longer electrically connected and the first electrical circuit is open. On the other hand, the tightening of the protuberances 34, 38 on the electrical conductive pads 20a and 30 allows the conductive portion 19 to electrically connect these two pads 20a, 30 and thus to close a second electrical circuit (branch circuit). Advantageously, as it appears in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cavity 14 is terminated in its downstream part by a guiding portion 32, the shape of which is complementary to that of the lower part of the sliding drawer 18. The guiding portion 32 allows to guide the sliding drawer 18 as it moves from its first position to its second position. In particular, it prevents the sliding drawer 18 from moving away from the first primary electrical conductive pad 20a and the downstream electrical conductive pad 30, and thus increases the reliability of the electrical contacts in the second electrical circuit (bypass circuit), when the drawer sliding is in its second position.

Alternatively, it may also be provided that the sliding drawer ends, at its lower end, by a conical portion, intended to come into a conical conical recess provided in the bottom wall 15 of the hollow body 12.

In the example considered, the protuberances 34 and 38 of the conductive portion 19 are located directly upstream of the connecting facets 28a, 28b. As a variant, it will obviously be possible for these protuberances to be situated upstream of these joining facets but at a distance from them. In this case, the path traveled by the sliding drawer between its first and second position will simply be larger. However, it must be ensured that the distances between the protuberances and the connecting facets with which they must respectively cooperate remain substantially indicated.

As indicated above, the conductive portion 19 comprises, in the example considered, a recess 36 located upstream of the second primary electrical conductive pad 20b when the sliding drawer 18 is in its first position. This recess makes it possible to break the electrical contact between the sliding drawer and the second conductive pad 20b when the drawer makes its way inside the cavity. Instead of this recess, or in addition thereto, the sliding drawer may comprise an insulating portion, upstream of the joining facet 28b. This insulating portion is then configured to come opposite the second primary electrical conductive pad 20b once the sliding drawer 18 in its second position.

According to another advantageous example, the face of the sliding drawer located opposite the second primary electrical conductive pad 20b can diverger downstream, as well as the corresponding junction facet of the conductive pad 20b, whereby the sliding drawer 18 is able to disengage immediately from the electrical conductive pad 20b without parasitic friction.

According to yet another advantageous example, the downstream electrical conductive pad may be biased towards the inside of the cavity 14 by resilient biasing means, for example a spring. In this case, when the sliding drawer 18 moves from its first to its second position, the ramp 38 gradually constrains the downstream electrical conductive pad in a direction opposite to the force of said resilient biasing means. When the sliding drawer 18 is in its second position, the downstream electrical conductive pad is biased in contact with the conductive portion 19 by said resilient biasing means.

Figures 9 to 11 illustrate an electrical switch 201 according to a variant of the fourth embodiment of the invention. All the characteristics described above in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8 remain valid and are therefore not described again.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the conductive portion 19 of the sliding drawer 18 has a third protuberance 40 situated in the vicinity of the recess 36. In the example, in particular, this protuberance 40 is positioned downstream of the recess 36 and upstream of the junction facet 28b of the conductive portion 19 connected to the second primary electrical conductive pad 20b. This protrusion 40 has an axial length L7 smaller than those L4, L5 of the first and the second protuberance 34, 38.

Figure 10 shows the sliding drawer 18 in an intermediate position between its first and second position.

In this position, the first and second protuberances 34, 38 began to tighten respectively on the first electrical conductive pad 20a and the downstream electrical conductive pad 30. The third protuberance 40 is clamped on the second electrical conductive pad 20b. Furthermore, the sliding drawer 18 is engaged in the guide portion 32.

The three electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b and 30 are therefore short-circuited and the flow of current in the second circuit electrical (branch circuit) connecting the electrical conductor pads 20a and 30 begins before the first electrical circuit (which connects the electrical conductive pads 20a and 20b) is cut.

When the sliding drawer 18 reaches its second position shown in FIG. 11, the third protuberance 40 is located downstream of the second primary electrical conductive pad 20b, and the recess 36 is positioned opposite this second electrical conductive pad 20b.

In this position, the first electrical circuit between the pads 20a and 20b is open, and the second electrical circuit between the pads 20a and 30 is closed.

Figures 12 to 14 illustrate an electrical switch 202 according to another variant of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, comprising a plurality of circuits initially mounted in parallel.

According to this variant, the switch 202 comprises a first pair of primary electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b, and a second pair of primary electrical conductive pads 20c, 20d located downstream of said first pair 20a, 20b. In the example illustrated in the figures, the electrical conductive pads of the first pair are defined along an axis AA perpendicular to the axial direction X, and the electrical conductive pads of the second pair 20c, 20d are located along an axis BB parallel to axis AA, downstream of it.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 14, the sliding drawer 18 comprises a first conducting portion 42, substantially identical to that described in connection with the fifth embodiment described above, and a second conducting portion 44 located downstream of the first conducting portion. 42. The two conductive portions 42 and 44 are separated from each other by an insulator 46 extending, in the example, in an axial plane.

When the slide drawer 18 is in its first position, a connecting face 28a of the first conductive portion 42 is connected to a first primary electrical conductive pad 20a of the first pair 20a, 20b, and a second connecting facet 28b is connected. to the second primary electrical conductor pad 20b of the first pair 20a, 20b. In the example, the electrical conductive pads of the first pair 20a, 20b are connected to the first conductive portion 42 by welds 22a, 22b.

The first conductive portion 42 of the sliding drawer 18 comprises a first protrusion 34 upstream of its junction facet 28a, and a second protrusion 38 located upstream of the first primary electrical conductive pad 20c of the second pair 20c, 20d.

These protuberances have a function identical to those previously described in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8.

The second conductive portion 44 is located opposite the electrical conductive pads 20c, 20d of the second pair. In the example, it comprises a first junction facet 28c connected by a weld 22c to the corresponding junction facet of the stud 20c, and a second junction facet connected by a weld 22d to the corresponding junction facet of the stud 20d.

According to other exemplary embodiments, the connections between the electrical conductive pads and the conductive portions of the sliding drawer may be any other type of permanent electric breakable joint. For example, these bonds may be solders. In another example, the electrical conductive pads and the conductive portions of the sliding drawer can be made in one piece, and be delimited by breaking primers. According to yet another example, the primary electrical conductive pads may be biased in contact with the conductive portion by resilient biasing means, for example a spring.

Note that, in the example, the sliding drawer 18 has a first recess 36 upstream of its junction facet 28b connected to the second conductive pad 20b of the first pair, and a second recess 48 upstream of its facet of junction 28d connected to the second electrical conductive pad 20d of the second pair.

When the sliding drawer is in its initial position, as indicated above, the primary electrical conductor pads 20a, 20b of the first pair are electrically connected via the first conductive portion 42 of the sliding drawer 18 and the primary electrical conductive pads 20c, 20d of the second pair are electrically connected via the second conductive portion 44 of the sliding drawer 18.

The insulator 46 is placed upstream of the connecting facets 28c, 28d of the sliding drawer 18 connected to the second pair of primary electrical conductive pads 20c, 20d, and downstream of the second protrusion 38 and the second recess 48.

With this configuration, when the sliding drawer 18 reaches its second position, the first protrusion 34 is tightened on the junction facet 26a of the first primary electrical conductive pad 20a of the first pair 20a, and the second protrusion 38 is tightened on the junction facet 26c of the first primary electrical conductor pad 20c of the second pair 20c, 20d.

In parallel, the first recess 36 is positioned opposite the junction facet 26b of the second primary electrical conductive pad of the first pair 20a, 20b. In the same way, the second recess 48 is positioned opposite the junction facet 26d of the second primary electrical conductive pad 20d of the second pair 20c, 20d.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 14, the insulator 46 is found downstream of the first primary electrical conductive pad 20c of the second pair.

In this position, the electrical circuit initially established between the electrical conductive pads of the first pair 20a, 20b through the first conductive portion 42 of the sliding drawer 18 is open.

In the same way, the electrical circuit initially established between the electrical conductive pads of the second pair 20c, 20d through the second conductive portion 44 of the sliding drawer 18, is open.

On the other hand, a bypass circuit is closed between the first electrical conductive pad 20a of the first pair and the first electrical conductive pad 20c of the second pair, via the first conductive portion 42 of the sliding drawer.

In the example shown, the sliding drawer further comprises a third protuberance 40, shorter than the first and second protuberances 34, 38, located upstream of its junction facet 28b, and downstream of the recess 36.

By moving from its first to its second position under the effect of the actuation of the pyrotechnic gas generator 16, the sliding drawer passes through an intermediate position illustrated in FIG. 13.

In this intermediate position, the first and second protuberances 34, 38 began to tighten respectively on the first primary electrical conductive pad 20a and the secondary electrical conductive pad 30. The second electrical pad of the second pair is, him, no longer in contact with the second conductive portion 44. The third protrusion 40 has clamped on the second primary electrical conductive pad 20b. Finally, the sliding drawer 18 is engaged in the guide portion 32.

The three electrical conductive pads 20a, 20b and 30 are short-circuited thanks to the third protrusion 40 and the passage of the current in the second electrical circuit (branch circuit) connecting the electrical conductive pads 20a and 30 begins before the first electrical circuit (which connects the primary electrical conductor pads 20a and 20b) is cut.

Claims

An electric switch (200, 201, 202) comprising

a hollow body (12) delimiting a cavity (14),

an actuator (16) formed in said cavity (14),

a sliding drawer (18) mounted in said cavity (14) downstream of said actuator (16) and comprising at least one conductive portion (19), and

at least two primary electrical conductive pads (20a, 20b) forming a first pair, and a downstream electrical conductive pad (30) disposed downstream of said first pair (20a, 20b),

wherein said electrical conductive pads are installed in the thickness of the hollow body (12) and open laterally into said cavity (14),

in which the conductive portion (19) of the sliding drawer (18) and the two primary electrical conductive pads (20a, 20b) are electrically connected to one another when the sliding drawer (18) is in a first position, thereby closing a first electrical circuit , and

in which, under the effect of the operation of the actuator (16), the sliding drawer (18) is able to move from its first position to a second position in which at least one primary electrical conductive pad is no longer connected to the conductive portion of the sliding drawer, opening the first electrical circuit,

said electrical switch (200, 201, 202) being characterized in that the conductive portion (19) of the sliding drawer (18) comprises a first protuberance (34) located upstream of the first primary electrical conductive pad (20a), and a second protrusion (38) located upstream of the downstream electrical conductive pad (30), and in that, when the sliding drawer (18) is in its second position, the first and second protuberances (34, 38) are arranged to come tighten respectively on the joining facets (26a, 31) of the first electrical conductive pad primary and downstream electrical conductor pad (30), closing a second electrical circuit.

2. Electric switch (10) comprising

a hollow body (12) delimiting a cavity (14),

an actuator (16) formed in said cavity (14),

at least two primary electrical conductor pads (20a, 20b) installed in the thickness of the hollow body (12) and opening laterally into said cavity (14),

in which the conductive portion (19) of the sliding drawer (18) and the two primary electrical conductive pads (20a, 20b) are electrically connected to one another when the sliding drawer (18) is in a first position, thereby closing a first electrical circuit , and wherein, under the effect of the operation of the actuator (16), the sliding drawer (18) is adapted to move from its first position to a second position in which at least one of said primary electrical conductive pads (20a, 20b) is no longer electrically connected to said conductive portion (19) of the sliding drawer (18),

said electrical switch (10) being characterized in that the connection (22a, 22b) between the conductive portion (19) of the sliding drawer (18) and the two primary electrical conductive pads (20a, 20b) is a permanent electric breakable joint constituted by a weld.

Electric switch (10) comprising

a hollow body (12) delimiting a cavity (14),

an actuator (16) formed in said cavity (14),

a sliding drawer (18) mounted in said cavity (14) downstream of said actuator (16) and comprising at least one conductive portion (19), and at least two primary electrical conductor pads (20a, 20b) installed in the thickness of the hollow body (12) and opening laterally into said cavity (14),

wherein the conductive portion (19) of the slider (18) and the two primary electrical conductive pads (20a, 20b) are electrically connected between each other when the slider (18) is in a first position, thereby closing a first electrical circuit , and wherein, under the effect of the operation of the actuator (16), the sliding drawer (18) is adapted to move from its first position to a second position in which at least one of said primary electrical conductive pads (20a, 20b) is no longer electrically connected to said conductive portion (19) of the sliding drawer (18),

said electrical switch (10) being characterized in that the connection (22a, 22b) between the conductive portion (19) of the sliding drawer (18) and the two primary electrical conductive pads (20a, 20b) is a permanent electric breakable joint constituted by a solder.

4. Electrical switch (100) comprising

a hollow body (12) delimiting a cavity (14),

an actuator (16) formed in said cavity (14),

said electrical switch (100) being characterized in that the junction facet (26a, 26b) of at least one primary electrical conductive pad (20a, 20b) and the corresponding junction facet (28a, 28b) of the conductive portion ( 19) diverge downstream.

5. Electrical switch according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the connection (22a, 22b) between the conductive portion (19) of the sliding drawer (18) and the primary electrical conductive pads (20a, 20b) is a breakable electrical permanent junction .

6. An electric switch according to claim 5, the breakable electric permanent junction (22a, 22b) is a solder.

An electric switch according to claim 5, wherein the breakable electric permanent junction (22a, 22b) is a weld.

8. Electrical switch according to claim 5, wherein the primary electrical conductive pads (20a, 20b) and the conductive portion (19) of the sliding drawer (18) are made in one piece, but are delimited by breaking primers.

9. An electric switch according to claim 1 or 4, wherein, when the sliding drawer (18) is in its first position, the primary electrical conductive pads are biased in contact with the conductive portion by resilient biasing means, for example a spring.

10. An electric switch according to claim 1, wherein, when the sliding drawer (18) is in its first position, the downstream electrical conductive pad (30) is biased towards the inside of the cavity (14) by means of elastic bias, for example a spring, and when the sliding drawer (18) is in its second position, the downstream electrical conductive pad (30) is biased in contact with the second protrusion (38) by said resilient biasing means.

11. Electrical switch according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the primary electrical conductive pads are located opposite one another, along an axis perpendicular to the sliding direction (X-X) of the sliding drawer.

Electric switch according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the actuator (16) is a pyrotechnic gas generator, and the sliding spool (18) forms or is connected to a piston (24) movable to the interior of said cavity (14), an expansion chamber (27) being defined between the actuator (16) and said piston (24).

13. An electric switch according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the junction facets (26a, 26b) of at least one primary electrical conductive pad (20a, 20b) and the corresponding junction facet (28a, 28b). ) of the conductive portion (19) diverge downstream.

14. Electrical switch according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the sliding drawer (18) comprises a recess (23a, 23b) upstream of at least one junction facet (26a, 26b) of the conductive portion. (19).

15. Electrical switch according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the sliding drawer (18) comprises an insulating portion upstream of at least one junction facet (26a, 26b) of the conductive portion (19).

16. Electrical switch according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said cavity (14) is terminated in its downstream portion by a guide portion (32) for guiding the drawer sliding (18) when it passes from its first to its second position.

17. An electric switch according to any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising at least two primary electrical conductive pads (20a, 20b) forming a first pair, and a downstream electrical conductive pad (30) disposed downstream of said first pair ( 20a, 20b),

wherein the conductive portion (19) of the slider (18) has a first protuberance (34) located upstream of the first primary electrical conductive pad (20a), and a second protuberance (38) located upstream of the downstream electrical conductive stud ( 30),

and wherein, when the sliding drawer (18) is in its second position, the first and second protuberances (34, 38) are arranged to tighten respectively on the joining facets (26a, 31) of the first conductive pad primary electrical and downstream electrical conductor pad (30), closing a second electrical circuit.

An electric switch according to claim 1 or 17, further comprising a second downstream electrical conductive pad downstream of the first pair of primary electrical conductive pads and forming with the first downstream electrical conductive pad, a second pair of primary electrical conductive pads, and wherein the sliding drawer (18) comprises at least a first and a second conductive portion (42, 44) separated from each other by an insulator (46) extending substantially in an axial plane of the sliding drawer, so that the primary electrical conductor pads (20a, 20b) of the first pair are electrically connected via the first conductive portion (42) of the sliding drawer (18) and the primary electrical conductor pads (20c, 20d) of the second pair are electrically connected via the second conductive portion (44) of the sliding drawer (18).

An electric switch according to claim 18, wherein the first and second pair of primary electrical conductive pads (20a, 20b; 20c, 20d) are respectively in planes perpendicular to the sliding direction (XX) of the sliding drawer ( 18).

20. An electric switch according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the insulator (46) is placed upstream of the second pair of primary electrical conductive pads (20c, 20d) and downstream of the second protrusion (38), by when the sliding drawer (18) is in its second position, the first and second protuberances (34, 38) are arranged to tighten respectively on the connecting facets (26a, 26c) of the first electrical conductive pad ( 20a) of the first pair (20a, 20b) and the first electrical conductive pad (20c) of the second pair (20c, 20d).

21. An electric switch according to claim 1 or 17, wherein the sliding drawer (18) further has a recess (36) located upstream of the second primary electrical conductive pad (20b) of the first pair (20a, 20b) when the sliding drawer (18) is in its first position, and said recess (36) is arranged to face the second primary electrical conductive pad (20b) of the first pair (20a, 20b) when the sliding drawer (18) is is in its second position, thereby opening the first electrical circuit and closing a second electrical circuit.

22. Electrical switch according to any one of claims 1 or 17, wherein the sliding drawer (18) further has an insulating portion located upstream of the second primary electrical conductive pad (20b) of the first pair (20a, 20b). when the sliding drawer is in its first position, and said insulating portion (36) is arranged to face the second primary electrical conductive pad (20b) of the first pair (20a, 20b) when the sliding drawer (18) is found in his second position, thereby opening the first electrical circuit and closing a second electrical circuit.

23. An electric switch according to claim 18 and any one of claims 21 and 22, wherein the sliding drawer (18) further comprises a second recess (48) located upstream of the second primary electrical conductive pad (20d) of the second pair (20c, 20d), and when the sliding drawer (18) is in its second position, the second recess (36, 48) is arranged to face the second primary electrical conductive pad (20d) of the second pair (20c, 20d).

An electric switch according to claim 18 and any one of claims 21 and 22, wherein the sliding drawer (18) further comprises a second insulating portion upstream of the second primary electrical conductive pad (20d) of the second pair (20c, 20d), and when the sliding drawer (18) is in its second position, said second insulating portion is arranged to face the junction facet (26d) of the second primary electrical conductive pad (20d) of the second pair (20c, 20d).

An electric switch according to claim 1 or 17, wherein the conductive portion (19) further comprises a third protuberance (40), located upstream of the second conductive pad (20b) of the first pair (20a, 20b) when the sliding drawer (18) is in its first position, and shaped and dimensioned to clamp against the joining face (26b) of the second primary electrical conductive pad of the first pair (20b) when the sliding drawer (18) is located in an intermediate position between its first and second positions, and then positioned downstream of the second primary electrical conductive pad (20b) of the first pair (20a, 20b) when the sliding drawer (18) is in its second position.