EP2858085B1 - Electromagnetic contactor cover for a starter of a motor vehicle, and corresponding starter and electromagnetic contactor - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic starter contactor cover of a motor vehicle as well as to the corresponding electromagnetic contactor and starter. The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the field of electromagnetic contactors for power circuits, in particular for an electric motor of a thermal engine starter, in particular of a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

According to a known design, an electromagnetic contactor for a power circuit comprises a movable contact mounted on a control rod. The movable contact is intended to come into contact with power terminal heads, arranged in a contact chamber located at the rear of the contactor. This contactor is for example used to control the actuation of an electric motor of an internal combustion engine starter.

More specifically, an electromagnetic contactor 1 shown on the Figures 1a to 1c has a movable core 3, a fixed core 4 and a metal housing 6, or tank, in which is arranged at least one coil 8 mounted on an insulating annular support 9. This support 9 and the front end of the casing 6 are centrally provided with a passage for the mobile core 3.

One end of the mobile core 3 is connected to a pivoting lever (not shown) which acts for example on the launcher of the starter as described in the document FR2795884 . Thus, the spring teeth against teeth 10 can be compressed in the event of direct non-penetration of the starter gear (not shown) in the starter ring connected to the heat engine and the connecting rod 12 connected to the pivoting lever.

The other end of the movable core 3 is intended to act on a front end of a thrust rod 15 through a central hole 16 of the fixed core 4 in which the front portion of the rod 15 is slidably mounted.

The control rod 15 carries a contact plate 21. The contact plate 21 extends transversely with respect to the rod 15 to cooperate with two heads 23, 24 of electrical terminals 26, 27 of an electrical power circuit and to establish between them an electrical contact. One of the terminals 26, 27 is intended to be connected to a positive terminal of the battery, the other terminal being intended to be connected by means of a cable to the brushes of the electric motor of positive polarity.

The two terminals 26, 27 are fixed and carried by a cover 30 of electrically insulating material ensuring the closing of the rear of the tank 6. The attachment of the cover 30 is made by folding the material of the free end of the tank 6 on the cover 30. The heads 23, 24 of the power terminals are arranged in a contact chamber 41 defined by a wall 40 of the cover 30.

The rod 15 carries an axial compression spring 32 arranged between a shoulder 33 of the control rod 15 and a face of the movable contact 21. The switch 1 also comprises a return spring 38 arranged between the cover 30 and a stop of the control rod.

The mobile core 3 is initially in a position, called the rest position, in which the core 3 is remote from the fixed core 4. When starting the heat engine is controlled, the coil 8 is electrically activated and then creates a magnetic field. This magnetic field allows the axial displacement of the movable core 3 towards the fixed core 4. The rear end of the movable core 3 comes into contact with the front end of the control rod 15 and then axially moves the rod 15 through the hole 16 towards the rear of the switch 1. The displacement of the rod 15 has the effect of compressing the return spring 38 until the movable contact 21 comes into contact with the heads 23, 24 of the terminals 26, 27 electric. The contactor 1 is then in a so-called electrical contact position visible on the figure 1b , the contact plate being in a so-called "active" position. Then, the axial crushing spring 32 is compressed until the movable core 3 comes into contact with the fixed core 4. The movable core 3 is then in a visible magnetized position. figure 1c . This contact between the rear face of the plate 21 and the heads 23, 24 of the electric terminals 26, 27 makes it possible to power the electric motor of the starter electrically.

When the coil 8 is de-energized, this coil 8 no longer creates a magnetic field and the mobile core 3 is no longer attracted towards the fixed core 4, which causes the mobile core 3 to return to the rest position via the action of a spring 39 positioned between the tank 6 and an end of the movable core 3. The axial spring 32 crushing and the spring 38 return decompresses, which has the effect of moving the contact plate 21 of the terminal heads 23, 24 to cut the contact between the two power terminals 26 and 27. The contact plate 21 is then in the off position.

During its manufacture as well as in the engine environment, the starter is exposed to the presence of impurities such as dirt, liquid (water, brake fluid) or ice, likely to enter the chamber This can lead to insulation problems between the contact plate 21 and the power terminals 26, 27 when the contact plate 21 is in the off position.

In addition, it is possible to validate the operation of the contact chamber 41 after assembly of the support 30 with the tank 6. As a result, any malfunctions can be detected only later in the manufacturing process. In addition, in case of problems, it will be necessary to disassemble the support 30 relative to the tank 6 to replace the contact chamber 41, which makes this operation particularly long to achieve. The document " FR 2 768 259 A1 "discloses a motor vehicle starter switch cover according to the preamble of claim 1.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to effectively remedy at least one of these drawbacks by proposing a motor vehicle starter switch cover comprising a wall delimiting a chamber, called a contact chamber, within which at least two heads of contact of two power terminals and a contact plate adapted to move from a deactivated position in which said contact plate cuts the contact between said two power terminals to an active position in which said contact plate makes contact between the two power terminals via the contact heads of said power terminals, wherein a membrane provides a closure of said contact chamber.

The contact chamber thus closed by the membrane containing the contact plate and the power terminals form an autonomous unit whose proper functioning can be tested before its attachment with the rear part of the tank, which saves time in case malfunction compared to state-of-the-art systems.

In addition, the membrane prevents the penetration of impurities such as dirt, liquid (water, brake fluid) or ice inside the contact chamber. This limits the risk of poor insulation between the contact plate and the power terminals.

According to the invention, the membrane comprises at least one central zone made of a deformable material to allow the displacement of said contact plate by the action of an element external to said contact chamber.

This limits the modification of the contactor of the prior art by allowing the movable core to move the contact plate.

Thus the outer member can by deforming the membrane move the contact plate to close the electrical contact between the two terminals.

In one embodiment, the membrane is made entirely of a deformable material.

This allows the shaft to push on the contact blade while sealing.

According to one embodiment, the membrane comprises a first rigid portion attached to the cover and a second central portion intended to cooperate with a an element outside the contact chamber, said second part being connected to said first part by means of an elastic element.

The rigid part allows its easy attachment to the cover, for example by ultrasonic welding or any other method.

According to one embodiment, a guiding device is adapted to ensure the guiding of said contact plate from the deactivated position to the active position inside said contact chamber.

According to one embodiment, the guiding device comprises a guide inside which can slide a control rod carrying said contact plate, said control rod being positioned inside the contact chamber.

According to one embodiment, the guiding device is formed by a connection between said contact plate and one of the power terminals such that said contact plate is permanently in contact with one of the power terminals in the active position and in the deactivated position. .

The movable core is movable between a rest position at a magnetized position, wherein the movable core generates the displacement of said contact plate to establish contact between the two terminals when it moves from its rest position to its magnetized position and in that that the return of the movable core to its rest position allows the contact plate to cut the electrical contact.

Thus, by maintaining an electrical contact between the contact plate and one of the terminals in the deactivated position and in the active position, the risks of malfunction of the contact chamber are halved.

According to one embodiment, said contact plate is made of a deformable material so that said contact plate is adapted to come into contact with the other power terminal following a deformation generated by an element external to said contact chamber.

Such an embodiment makes it possible to have a contactor provided with a number of pieces that is smaller than the part numbers in the prior art. Indeed, the fact that the contact plate is deformable allows to remove the contact spring of the prior art to allow the movable core to finish its race to the final position while having an electrical contact between the terminals through the plate of contact.

According to one embodiment, the contact plate is of deformable elastic material and is arranged to allow the control rod to return to the rest position when the movable core returns to the initial position.

According to one embodiment, said contact plate is crimped to the power terminal with which said contact plate is in contact in the deactivated position and in the active position.

The crimping makes it possible to have a simple and safe electrical contact between this terminal and the contact plate.

According to one embodiment, the connection between said contact plate and the power terminal is of the sliding type.

This embodiment makes it possible to have a rigid contact plate.

According to one embodiment, an elastic return means is positioned between said contact plate and the power terminal so as to urge said contact plate in the deactivated position when no force is applied to said contact plate.

This embodiment makes it possible, on the one hand, to return to the initial state by means of the spring when the mobile core returns to its rest position.

According to one embodiment, said contact plate comprises a pad intended to cooperate with a head of the other power terminal when said contact plate is in the active position.

This allows to have a portion of the plate which comprises a non-deformable material to ensure good electrical contact with the terminal opposite.

In one embodiment, said pad of said contact plate and the head of the power terminal have complementary shaped toothings.

This breaks the ice if there is any.

In one embodiment, said contact plate is configured to be in the active position before the movable core is in the magnetized position.

In one embodiment, said contact plate is made of a copper and beryllium alloy. This alloy has both properties of elasticity and electrical conductivity.

Such a contact plate makes it possible to have elastic characteristics to bend in order to be in contact with the other terminal when it is biased towards it.

By magnetic position is meant the final position in which the movable core remains stationary, in general the core abuts against an organ, generally a fixed core. This ensures that there is electrical contact when the core is in the magnetized position.

According to another invention, the object is an electromagnetic starter contactor of a motor vehicle having at least two power terminals, a contact plate, and a movable core capable of generating the displacement of said contact plate from a deactivated position in which the contact plate cuts the contact between the two power terminals to an active position in which the contact plate makes contact between the two power terminals, wherein the contact plate is permanently in contact with one of the terminals of power in the active position and in the off position.

Thus, by maintaining an electrical contact between the contact plate and one of the terminals in the deactivated position and in the active position, the risks of malfunction of the contact chamber due to the impurities likely to be introduced between the terminals are halved. power and the contact plate.

The movable core is movable between a rest position at a magnetized position, wherein the movable core generates the displacement of said contact plate to establish contact between the two terminals when it moves from its rest position to its magnetized position and in that that the return of the movable core to its rest position allows the contact plate to cut off the electrical contact.

According to different embodiments this other invention comprises one or more of the various characteristics relating to the contact plate described above.

In addition, the invention relates to a motor vehicle starter comprising a contactor according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• Les figures 1 a à 1 c, déjà décrites, montrent des vues en coupe longitudinale d'un contacteur électromagnétique de démarreur selon l'état de la technique respectivement dans une position de repos, une position de contact électrique, et une position de collage magnétique;
• Les figures 2a à 2c représentent des vues en coupe longitudinale d'un contacteur électromagnétique de démarreur selon l'invention respectivement dans une position de repos, une position de contact électrique, et une position de collage magnétique;
• Les figures 3a et 3b montre une variante de réalisation de la membrane de fermeture de la chambre de contact selon l'invention lorsque la plaque de contact se trouve respectivement dans une position désactive et dans une position active;
• Les figures 4a et 4b montrent un autre mode de réalisation selon l'invention de la liaison permanente entre la plaque de contact et une des bornes de puissance du contacteur;
• Les figures 5a et 5b montrent un autre mode de réalisation selon l'invention du dispositif de guidage de la plaque de contact à l'intérieur de la chambre de contacts.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the figures which accompany it. These figures are given for illustrative but not limiting of the invention.

• The figures 1 a 1 c, already described, show views in longitudinal section of a starter electromagnetic contactor according to the state of the art respectively in a rest position, an electrical contact position, and a magnetic bonding position;
• The Figures 2a to 2c represent longitudinal sectional views of an electromagnetic starter contactor according to the invention respectively in a rest position, an electrical contact position, and a magnetic bonding position;
• The Figures 3a and 3b shows an alternative embodiment of the closure membrane of the contact chamber according to the invention when the contact plate is respectively in a deactivated position and in an active position;
• The Figures 4a and 4b show another embodiment according to the invention of the permanent connection between the contact plate and one of the power terminals of the contactor;
• The Figures 5a and 5b show another embodiment according to the invention of the guiding device of the contact plate inside the contact chamber.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, identical, similar, or similar elements retain the same reference from one figure to another, and an axial orientation from front to back corresponding to a left-to-right orientation will be used in accordance with FIGS. Figures 2a-2c , 3a-3b , 4a-4b and 5a-5b .

The Figures 2a to 2c illustrate a contactor 1 rising in place of the contactor of the Figures 1a to 1 vs. This contactor 1 is for example used to control the actuation of an electric motor of an internal combustion engine starter. The contactor 1 has a mobile core 3, a fixed core 4, both of ferromagnetic material, and a metal housing 6, also called tank, in which is arranged two coils (a call coil 81 and a holding coil 82) mounted on an insulating annular support 9. The support 9 is engaged on an annular bearing surface of the fixed core 4.

This support 9 and the front end of the tank 6 are centrally provided with a passage for the movable core 3. The call coil 81, when electrically activated, controls the axial displacement of the mobile core 3 towards the core fixed 4. The mobile core 3 then moves from a so-called rest position in which said movable core 3 is moved away from the fixed core 4 to a so-called magnetized position in which the mobile core 3 is in contact with the fixed core 4. The coil holding means 82 keeps the movable core in the magnetized position as explained in more detail below.

A front end of the mobile core 3 is connected to a pivoting lever (not shown) which acts for example on the starter of the starter as described in the document FR2795884 . Thus, the spring teeth against teeth can be compressed in the event of direct non-penetration of the starter pinion (not shown) in the starter ring connected to the heat engine and in 12 the connecting rod to the pivoting lever.

The rod 12 and the spring 10 are mounted inside a cavity of electrically insulating material. The other end of the movable core 3 is intended to act on a front end of a control rod 15 by pushing through a central hole 16 of the fixed core 4 in which the front part of the rod 15 is slidably mounted. This thrust of the rod 15 is performed when the movable core 3 moves from the rest position to the magnetized position.

As is clearly visible on the Figures 2a to 2c , this rod 15 comprises a shoulder 151. This shoulder 151 and a central portion of the rod 15 are mounted inside a cavity of the fixed core 4 closed by a washer 17. The washer 17 is provided with a central opening to allow passage of the rear portion of the rod 15 whose end is in cooperation with a central zone 44 of a membrane 43 described in more detail below. A return spring 34 is mounted on the one hand bearing between this shoulder 151 and on the other hand bears against the washer 17 forming a stop.

Moreover, two power terminals 26 and 27 are fixed and are carried by a cover 30 of electrically insulating material. More specifically, the cover 30 has a wall 40 delimiting a contact chamber 41 inside which the heads are located. 23, 24 of the power terminals and a contact plate 21. One of the terminals 26 is intended to be connected to the positive terminal of the battery, while the other terminal 27 is intended to be connected to the electric motor of the starter as described. for example in the document FR2795884 supra. In this case, the power terminals 26, 27 pass axially right through the bottom of the chamber 41, so that the heads 23, 24 of the terminals are pressed against the bottom of the chamber 41, the rear part of the terminals. power 26, 27 protruding from the bottom of the chamber 41 to allow respectively to make the connections with the positive terminal of the battery and the positive terminal of the brushes of the electric motor of the starter.

The membrane 43 ensures a sealed closure of the contact chamber 41. This membrane 43 is located on the open side of the chamber 41 opening on the side of the fixed core 4. The membrane 43 comprises at least one central zone 44 made of a deformable material for allow the displacement of the contact plate 21 by the action of the control rod 15 via said central zone 44. In this case, the central zone 44 has a concave shape cooperating with the end of the rod of As a variant, the membrane 43 is entirely made of a deformable material. Alternatively, as is visible on the Figures 3a and 3b , the membrane 43 comprises a first rigid portion 46 fixed on a free end of the cover 30 and a second central portion 47 intended to cooperate with the rear end of the control rod 15. The second portion 47 is connected to the first portion 46 via a resilient member 48 so as to allow movement of the second portion 47 relative to the first portion 46 when the control rod 15 comes into contact with the contact plate 21 to move it through of the second part 47. The first and second parts 46, 47 may for example be made of a metallic material. According to the embodiment, the membrane 43 may be fixed on the free end of the support 30 by welding, crimping, gluing or any other suitable fastening technique.

The contact chamber 41 thus closed by the membrane 43 containing the contact plate 21 and the power terminals 26, 27 forms an autonomous assembly whose proper functioning can be tested before its attachment with the rear part of the tank 6, which provides a time saving in the event of a malfunction compared to the systems of the state of the art described above which could only be tested after fixing the cover 30 with the tank 6 and which therefore required dismantling of the chamber 41 by case of detection of a malfunction. In addition, the membrane 43 prevents the penetration of impurities such as dirt, liquid (water, brake fluid) or ice, inside the contact chamber 41, which limits the risk of poor insulation between the contact plate 21 and the power terminals 26, 27.

In this case, once the test verifying the correct operation of the contact chamber 41 has been performed, the fixing of the chamber 41 on the contactor 1 is performed by folding the material of the free end of the tank 6 on the hood 30.

In the embodiment of Figures 2a to 2c , the power terminals 26, 27 being axially offset with respect to one another, one of the terminals 26 is constantly connected, for example by crimping, to the contact plate 21 made of a deformable material. The contact plate 21 may be made for example in a copper and beryllium alloy. The contact plate 21 is able to go from a deactivated position to an active position, and vice versa. In the deactivated position, the contact plate 21 is remote from the power terminal 27 so as to cut off the contact between the two power terminals 26, 27. In the active position, the contact plate 21 makes contact between the two power terminals 26, 27 via the contact heads 23, 24. The transition from the deactivated position to the active position occurs due to a deformation of the contact plate 21 generated by the displacement of the movable core 3. A pellet 49 reach by the contact plate 21 is intended to cooperate with the head 24 of the terminal 27 when the contact plate 21 is in the active position. In addition, the pellet 49 of the contact plate 21 and the head 24 of the terminal 27 comprise complementary-shaped toothings.

More specifically, during operation of the contactor 1, while the movable core 3 is initially in the rest position and the contact plate 21 is in the deactivated position, the starting of the heat engine is controlled, which electrically activates the coil of 81. The coil 81 then creates a magnetic field, which generates the axial displacement of the movable core 3 towards the fixed core 4. The rear end of the movable core 3 comes into contact with the front end of the rod 15. in order to move the control rod 15 through the central hole 16 of the fixed core 4 towards the contact plate 21 while compressing the return spring 34. The end of the control rod 15 then applies a force on the contact plate 21 via the central zone 44 of the membrane 43 which is deformed. The rod 15 thus indirectly applies a force on the contact plate 21 which will be able to deform to make contact with the power terminal 27 and thus move to the active position. The contact between the contact plate 21 and the heads 23, 24 of the electric terminals 26, 27 thus makes it possible to electrically supply the electric motor of the starter. The contactor 1 is then in the so-called electrical contact position shown on the figure 2b .

The return spring 34 continues to be compressed until the movable core 3 comes into contact with the fixed core 4. The movable core 3 is then in the magnetized position as shown in FIG. Figure 2c . The compression the spring 34 and the flexibility of the contact plate 21 allow the displacement of the rod 15 after the movable contact 21 has come into contact with the heads 23, 24. The movable core 3 is held in the magnetized position by the power supply. the holding coil 82, the supply of the call coil 81 being cut off.

When the holding coil 82 is turned off, this coil 82 no longer creates a magnetic field and the mobile core 3 is no longer attracted to the fixed core 4, which causes the mobile core 3 to return to the position resting by the action of the spring 39. The return spring 34 is then decompressed so that the rod 15 moves axially rearward of the switch 1 until the shoulder 151 comes into contact with the bottom of the the recess of the fixed core 4. The contact plate 21 which is no longer constrained by the control rod 15 then moves away from the power terminal 27 so as to return to its original form in the deactivated position. The membrane 43 which is also no longer constrained by the rod 15 also resumes its initial shape. Alternatively, the power terminals 26, 27 are not axially offset with respect to each other and it is the contact plate 21 itself which establishes a connection with one of the heads 24 which is slightly raised relative to to the other contact head 23, as shown in Figures 3a and 3b .

The Figures 4a and 4b show an alternative embodiment of the contact plate 21 and its connection with the terminal 26 may replace the use of a deformable contact plate 21.

More specifically, the contact plate 21 which is in this case a rigid plate is mounted on the terminal 26 via a sliding connection 54. An elastic return means 55 is positioned between the contact plate 21 and the terminal 26 so as to urging the contact plate 21 into the deactivated position when no force is applied to the contact plate 21 (cf. figure 4a ). An abutment means (not shown) integrated in the connection 54 makes it possible to retain the plate 21 axially.

When actuating the contactor 1, the control rod 15 moved by the movable core 3 as explained above can then come to bear on the contact plate 21 via the membrane 43 to move it into position. translation to the second power terminal 27 and thus make it go to the active position. This has the effect of compressing the elastic means 55. The return spring 34 is also compressed between the shoulder 151 and the washer 17. The switch 1 is then in the position shown in FIG. figure 4b .

When the movable core 3 returns to the rest position following the power failure of the coils 81, 82, the return spring 34 decompresses, which has the effect of returning the rod 15 to the initial position. The rod 15 then applies more force on the contact plate 21 which returns to the disengaged position due to the action of the elastic means 55 which moves the plate 21 away from the terminal 27 (cf. figure 4a ).

The Figures 5a and 5b show another embodiment in which the contact plate 21 is mounted on a second control rod 60 slidable inside a guide 61.

This control rod 60 further carries a second return spring 62 arranged between the contact plate 21 and a front end of the guide 61. The spring 62 is provided to hold the contact plate 21 in abutment on a washer 63 forming a stop. distance of the heads 23, 24 when no force is applied to the second control rod 60. On the side of its rear end, a stop 64 is also provided to retain the control rod 60 inside the guide 61 when the contact plate 21 is in the off position.

When actuating the contactor 1, the first control rod 15 moved by the movable core 3 as explained above can then bear against the membrane 43 on the front end of the second control rod 60 to move it rearward. This has the effect of moving the contact plate 21 towards the power terminals 26, 27 until it comes into contact with the two power terminals 26, 27 in the active position (cf. figure 5b ). The spring 62 compresses, while the rear stop 64 is moved away from the rear end of the guide 61. The spring 34 is also compressed following the translational movement of the rod 15.

When the movable core 3 returns to the rest position following the interruption of the supply of the holding coil 82, the spring 34 decompresses, which causes the rod 15 to return to the initial position, which no longer exerts axial force on the second rod 60. The spring 62 also decompresses and allows the return of the contact plate 21 in a position remote from the two power terminals 26, 27 (disengaged position) while the rear stop 64 of the second rod 60 rests against the rear end of the guide 61, as shown in FIG. figure 5a .

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it is also applicable to different forms of power electromagnetic contactors 1. Those skilled in the art will thus have understood that the use of a closed contact chamber 41 is independent of the use of a contact plate 21 always having a contact with one of the power terminals 26, 27 in the active position and disables the contact plate 21 even if the combination of these two features may facilitate the realization of the contact chamber 41.

Furthermore, the invention applies to all types of contactors 1 for electric motors of conventional starters internal combustion engine. Thus, the contactor 1 can be implanted above the electric motor of the starter as in the document FR2795884 . In a variant, the contactor 1 is offset by being, for example, implanted transversely to the rear of the electric motor of the starter, as in the document FR2843427 .

The spring 10 teeth against teeth which is compressed in case of non direct penetration of the starter gear in the starter ring is implanted either in the contactor 1 as in figures 1 , 2 , 4 and 5 , either outside the contactor 1 between the launcher and the actuating lever as in the figure 1 of the document EP960276 . In a variant, the contactor 1 comprises only a coil 81 as described in the document FR2795884 . Alternatively, a specific electric motor is provided to actuate the lever so that the movable core 3 is simplified without being connected to the lever. The contactor 1 according to the invention can belong to a coupling relay of two starters acting in parallel.

Claims (14)

1. Cover (30) for the contactor of the starter of a motor vehicle, comprising a wall (40) which delimits a chamber (41), described as a contact chamber, on the interior of which at least two contact heads (23, 24) of two power terminals (26, 27) are arranged, together with a contact plate (21), which is designed to switch from a unactive position, in which said contact plate (21) breaks the contact between said two power terminals (26, 27), to an active position, in which said contact plate (21) establishes a contact between the two power terminals (26, 27) via the contact heads (23, 24) of said power terminals (26, 27), in which a membrane (43) effects the closure of said contact chamber (41), characterized in that
   the membrane (43) comprises at least one central zone (44), formed of a deformable material, to permit the movement of said contact plate (21) by the action of an element which is external to said contact chamber (41).
2. Cover according to Claim 1, wherein the membrane (43) is entirely formed of a deformable material.
3. Cover according to Claim 1, wherein the membrane (43) comprises a first rigid part (46) which is attached to the cover (30), and a second central part (47) which is designed to cooperate with an external element to the contact chamber (41), wherein said second part (47) is connected to said first part (46) by means of an elastic element (48).
4. Cover according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein a guide device is designed to guide said contact plate (21) from the unactive position to the active position on the interior of said contact chamber (41).
5. Cover according to Claim 4, wherein the guide device comprises a guide (61), on the interior of which an actuating rod (60), which carries said contact plate (21), is arranged to slide, wherein said actuating rod (60) is positioned on the interior of the contact chamber.
6. Cover according to Claim 4, wherein the guide device is formed by a junction between said contact plate (21) and one of the power terminals (26), such that said contact plate (21) is permanently in contact with one of the power terminals (26) in the active position and in the unactive position.
7. Cover according to Claim 6, wherein said contact plate (21) is formed of a deformable material, such that said contact plate (21) is capable of engaging in contact with the other power terminal (27) further to a deformation generated by an external element to said contact chamber (41).
8. Cover according to Claim 7, wherein said contact plate (21) is attached by crimping to the power terminal (26) with which said contact plate (21) is in contact in the unactive position and in the active position.
9. Cover according to Claim 6, wherein the junction (54) between said contact plate (21) and the power terminal (26) is of the sliding type.
10. Cover according to Claim 9, wherein an elastic return element is positioned between said contact plate (21) and the power terminal (26), such that said contact plate (21) is driven to the unactive position, if no load is applied to said contact plate (21).
11. Cover according to one of Claims 6 to 10, wherein said contact plate (21) comprises a pad (49) which is designed to cooperate with a head (24) of the other power terminal (27), when said contact plate (21) is in the active position.
12. Cover according to Claim 11, wherein said pad (49) of said contact plate (21) and the head (24) of the power terminal (27) are provided with teeth of a complementary form.
13. Contactor (1) for a starter of a motor vehicle, having a cover (30) according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed for attachment to one end of a housing (6) of said contactor.
14. Starter for a motor vehicle, comprising a contactor (1) according to Claim 13.

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