FR3132986A1 - Device for locking a motor vehicle circuit breaker system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking device (100) of a circuit breaker system (10) of a motor vehicle, said circuit breaker system (10) comprising two terminal blocks (11, 12) adapted to be moved relative to each other between an open position to open an electrical contact of said circuit breaker system (10) and a closed position to close said electrical contact, said locking device (100) comprising: - fastening means (120) arranged to fix said locking device (100) to at least one cable (14) of said circuit breaker system (10), - a locking pin (130) adapted to be engaged through an opening (13 ) delimited by a first (12) of the two terminal blocks (11, 12) when the two terminal blocks (11, 12) are in the open position, in order to lock them in the open position, and - a connecting element (140 ) flexible connecting said locking pin (130) to the fixing means (120). Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Locking device for a circuit breaker system of a motor vehicle Technical field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to securing the circuit breaker systems of motor vehicles.

It relates more particularly to a device and a method for locking a circuit breaker system of a motor vehicle.

It also concerns a circuit breaker system equipped with such a locking device.

It applies to all types of vehicles, and in particular to cars.

State of the art

Electric and hybrid vehicles contain storage batteries capable of delivering a strong electric current, at a high voltage.

In this context, it appeared necessary to protect individuals who must work on the vehicle, by equipping the accumulator battery with a circuit breaker system which is suitable for isolating the battery from the rest of the vehicle, particularly during repair operations. assembly of the vehicle then maintenance.

Such a circuit breaker system generally comprises two terminal blocks adapted to connect to each other to close the electrical circuit (that is to say to establish electrical contact) and to be separated to open the electrical circuit .

The danger with such a system is that an operator distractedly closes the electrical circuit, while work on the vehicle is not completed.

To avoid finding yourself in such a situation, it is known to use a lock which blocks the terminal blocks in the open position of the electrical circuit. One of the terminal blocks defines an opening in which it is possible to hook the lock so that the latter then blocks the two terminal blocks in the open position.

These locks are functional but pose various problems, notably ease of use because they require the use of a key. It is therefore necessary that all operators who work on the vehicle have the key to this lock, which involves problems of implementation, ease of use and cost linked to the time necessary to find the appropriate lock key.

These problems are all the more accentuated when the vehicle is removed from production circuits and operations, such as maintenance or repairs, must be carried out on said vehicles.

In addition, such a key can be lost or stolen, which causes an even more pronounced slowdown in operations to be carried out on the vehicle.

Presentation of the invention

In order to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a device for locking a circuit breaker system of a motor vehicle, which is used with a circuit breaker system comprising two terminal blocks adapted to be moved relative to each other between an open position to open an electrical contact of said circuit breaker system and a closed position to close said electrical contact. According to the invention, the locking device comprises:
- a fixing means arranged to fix said locking device to at least one cable of said circuit breaker system,
- a locking pin adapted to be engaged through an opening delimited by a first of the two terminal blocks when the two terminal blocks are in the open position, in order to lock them in the open position, and
- a flexible connecting element connecting said locking pin to the fixing means.

Thus, thanks to the invention, there is provided a locking device that is easy to use because it does not require any key to lock or unlock the locking device.

In addition, this locking device does not raise any implementation problems because the locking device is directly held on the circuit breaker system. Such a locking device is therefore directly within reach and can be directly used by an operator. Such characteristics also make it possible to limit the loss of time and costs that could be induced by searching for the key. In addition, locking the circuit breaker system by this locking device is simple to implement since it is enough to insert the locking pin into the opening of the circuit breaker system.

Other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the locking device according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, exist and are explained below.

According to one embodiment, the locking pin comprises:
- a body elongated along an axis of engagement in said opening; And
- holding means adapted to block the body in the opening.

Advantageously, the elongated body has a section whose size is less than that of the opening, and the holding means comprise, at one end of the body, a head whose section has a size greater than that of said opening, said head being adapted to pass through said opening by elastic deformation.

According to another embodiment, the elongated body has a section whose size is less than that of the opening, and the holding means comprise at least two elastically deformable fins which, at rest, are deployed and distributed around said elongated body and which are adapted to fold towards said engagement axis when the locking pin passes through said opening and to redeploy when said locking pin is fully engaged in said opening.

According to another embodiment, the locking pin further comprises a support which projects radially or obliquely relative to the body of the locking pin and which is adapted to abut against one and/or the other of the terminal blocks .

Advantageously, the holding means comprise a clipping means which is located on said support and which is adapted to clip onto one and/or the other of the terminal blocks.

According to another embodiment, the fixing means comprises a jaw and means for holding the jaw in the closed position on the cable.

According to another embodiment, the locking device is made in one piece of plastic material.

The invention also proposes a circuit breaker system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- two terminal blocks adapted to be moved relative to each other between an open position to open an electrical contact and a closed position to close said electrical contact, one of which has an opening accessible only when both terminal blocks are in the open position, and
- a locking device according to the present disclosure.

The invention also proposes a method of locking a circuit breaker system of a motor vehicle, said circuit breaker system comprising two terminal blocks adapted to be moved relative to each other between an open position for open an electrical contact of said circuit breaker system and a closing position to close said electrical contact, said method using a locking device of said circuit breaker system comprising a fixing means, a locking pin, and a flexible connecting element connecting said locking pin to said fixing means, said method comprising:
- a step of fixing the fixing means to an electrical cable of said circuit breaker system;
- a step of engaging said locking pin through an opening delimited by a first of the two terminal blocks by applying an engagement force to said locking pin, when the two terminal blocks are in the open position, in order to to lock them in the open position.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises a step of total disengagement of said locking pin from said opening by applying a withdrawal force, opposite to the engagement force, on said locking pin.

Of course, the different characteristics, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations as long as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

Detailed description of the invention

The description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be carried out.

On the attached drawings:

is a schematic representation of a circuit breaker system equipped with a locking device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a locking device according to the invention;

is a schematic representation of a circuit breaker system equipped with a locking device according to a third embodiment of the invention;

is a schematic representation of a circuit breaker system equipped with a locking device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

is a schematic representation of a step of unlocking the locking device of the ;

is a schematic representation of a step of unlocking the locking device of the .

In Figures 1 to 4, four embodiments of a locking device 100 of a circuit breaker system 10 of a motor vehicle are shown.

As a preliminary note, it should be noted that the identical or similar elements of the different embodiments of the invention represented in the different figures will, as far as possible, be referenced by the same reference signs and will not be described each time.

The circuit breaker system 10 is a safety feature which makes it possible to cut off an electric current circulating between a storage battery of the motor vehicle and a vehicle engine, for example when an operator works on the vehicle.

In the example illustrated in , the circuit breaker system 10 comprises two terminal blocks 11, 12 and an electrical cable 14 attached to one of the terminal blocks 11. The terminal blocks 11, 12 are adapted to be moved relative to each other between a position d opening to open an electrical contact of the circuit breaker system 10 and a closing position to close said electrical contact. The terminal block numbered 11 is in this example a fixed terminal block; it can for example be fixed to the vehicle chassis, while the terminal block numbered 12 is a mobile terminal block.

Each of these terminal blocks 11, 12 has a base made of electrically insulating material, typically plastic, which internally contains electrical contact terminals adapted to connect together.

Here, the base of the fixed terminal block 11 forms a sort of sheath into which the base of the mobile terminal block 12 can fit in order to establish electrical contact between their terminals.

The electrical cable 14 is for its part connected to the contact terminals of the fixed terminal block 11.

In the example illustrated in , the two terminal blocks 11, 12 are in the open position. By open position we mean a configuration in which the movable terminal block 12 is not completely fitted into the fixed terminal block 11, which makes it possible to open the electrical contact of the circuit breaker system 10. Conversely, we mean by closed position a configuration in which the movable terminal block 12 is completely fitted into the fixed terminal block 11, which causes the electrical contact of the circuit breaker system 10 to close. Thus, in the closed position, an electric current can flow in the circuit breaker system 10, for example in the electrical cable 14 of the circuit breaker system 10, while in the open position, no electric current circulates in the electrical cable 14 of the circuit breaker system 10.

Of course, as a variant, the circuit breaker system 10 can comprise several electrical cables, typically two cables each attached to one of the terminal blocks, in which the electric current can flow or be blocked depending on the open position or closing of the two terminal blocks 11, 12 of the circuit breaker system 10.

The locking device 100, which is more precisely the subject of the present invention, is then provided to lock the circuit breaker system 10 in the open position.

To be able to cooperate with this locking device 100, the base of one of the terminal blocks (here the movable terminal block 12) has a tab 16 in which an opening 13 is located. The base of the other terminal block (here the fixed terminal block 11 ) for its part has a shape such that this opening 13 is only accessible in the open position. For this, the fixed terminal block 11 here has a hollow wall 15 in which said tab 16 can navigate when the movable terminal block 12 passes from one position to another. This hollow wall 15 thus makes it possible to hide the opening 13 only in the closed position.

In all the illustrated embodiments, the locking device 100 firstly comprises a fixing means 120 arranged to fix the device 100 to the cable 14 of the circuit breaker system 10 in order to make it captive.

The device 100 further comprises a locking pin 130 adapted to be engaged through the opening 13 when the two terminal blocks 11, 12 are in the open position, in order to lock them in the open position.

The device 100 finally comprises a flexible connecting element 140 connecting the locking pin 130 to the fixing means 120. By flexible, we mean an element which has a degree of elastic deformation such that it is possible to put in place or remove the locking pin 130 of the opening 13 without detaching the fixing means 120 from the electrical cable 14. This level of deformation can be caused by the material used and/or the thickness of the material used.

In the locking device 100, the fixing means 120 is directly fixed to the circuit breaker system 10. In addition, the connecting means 140 permanently connects the fixing means 120 to the locking pin 130. In this way, even if the locking pin 130 is not inserted into the opening 13, the locking device 100 always remains connected to the circuit breaker system 10. Such an arrangement makes it possible to avoid losing the locking device 100, which facilitates also actions on the motor vehicle, thus limiting wasted time searching for the locking device 100 and the resulting costs. In addition, this promotes the safety of the circuit breaker system 10 since the locking device 100 is always within reach. The locking device 100 is also easy to use because locking is carried out directly with the locking pin 130 attached to the cable 14 of the circuit breaker system 10.

The fixing means 120 of the locking device 100 comprises for example two semi-tubular shells which together form a jaw 121, and means for holding the jaw 121 in position on the cable 14. Preferably, the means for holding the jaw 121 form a clipping system. Such a system makes it possible to easily attach and remove easily and inexpensively the locking device 100 of the circuit breaker system 10.

In all the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the locking pin 130 comprises a body 131 which is intended to be engaged through the opening 13 in order to prevent the two terminal blocks 11, 12 from moving from a position d opening to a closed position. Indeed, once engaged, the locking pin 130 comes to rest against the edge of the hollow wall 15 which prevents the tab 16 in which the opening 13 is provided from penetrating into the housing defined by the hollow wall 15.

In all these modes, the body 131 of the locking pin 130 has a cylindrical shape of revolution around an axis A1, which happens to be the axis A1 of engagement of the locking pin 130 in the opening 13.

Preferably, means are provided for holding the body 131 through the opening 13, so that the body 131 of the locking pin 130 cannot accidentally emerge from the opening 13. These holding means are deactivatable, so as to allow the body 131 to be removed from the opening 13 when it is desired to be able to close the electrical contact.

The body 131 is fixed to the connecting element 140 by a first of its ends 314. It is intended to be inserted into the opening 13 when an engagement force 102 is exerted on the locking pin 130, preferably at its first end 314 and along axis A1. Preferably, the locking pin 130 is adapted to be engaged in the circuit breaker system 10 when the locking pin 130 is subjected to the engagement force 102 greater than 5 decanewton (daN). The locking pin 130 is therefore easy to put in place.

The aforementioned holding means also make it possible to remove the locking pin 130 when a withdrawal force 103 is exerted on the locking pin 130, preferably on the body 131 along the axis A1, in the opposite direction. Preferably, the locking pin 130 is adapted to be removed from the opening 13 when the withdrawal force 103 is greater than 2 decanewtons (daN), which makes it possible to exclude unwanted withdrawals, for example withdrawals which could occur when the locking pin 130 comes into contact with a part of the mobile terminal block 12.

In this example, the opening 13 is circular in shape and has a diameter of 8 millimeters (mm). The body 131 has a diameter less than or equal to that of the opening 13.

In the first illustrated embodiment of the , the means for holding the elongated body 131 of the locking pin 130 in the opening 13 are in the form of a cone 134 of revolution around the axis A1, which extends to the second end 315 of the body 131 and therefore forms a head 134. This cone 134 comprises a free end 311, also called tip (corresponding to the free end 311 of the locking pin 130), and a base 312 flat and orthogonal to the axis A1, which is attached to body 131. In this example, base 312 has a circular shape. The shape of the locking pin 130 is therefore adapted to the shape of the opening 13. In addition, the base 312 has a diameter strictly greater than that of the opening 13, here equal to 10 millimeters (mm).

The cone 134, by its shape, is adapted to be engaged in the opening 13 and to pass through it entirely, so that its base 312 can abut against the tab 16 around the opening 13. Such configuration thus makes it possible to maintain and block the locking pin 130 in the opening 13. The opening position of the circuit breaker system 10 is thus locked (i.e. blocked) since the movable terminal block 12 can no longer slide or come into position. snap into the fixed terminal block 11.

It will be noted that the locking pin 130 is arranged so as not to touch any part of the circuit breaker system 10 other than the edge of the opening 13, and in particular no part which, by pressing against the free end 311 ( i.e. the tip of the cone 134) of the locking pin 130, would remove the locking pin 130 from the opening 13. In addition, the shape of the locking pin 130 is also optimized to limit early damage which could also cause damage. security issues. For example, the conical shape of the locking pin 130 is more durable over time compared to fir-type pins which are often damaged during removal.

In this example, the locking device 100 is made in a single piece, for example by molding. As a result, the locking device 100 is easy to manufacture and is less expensive in terms of assembly time. The locking device 100 is preferably made of plastic material, for example natural polyamide or nylon PA66.

There represents the second embodiment of the locking device 200. The locking device 200 comprises all the elements of the locking device 100 illustrated in . Thus, only the differences with the will be described.

In the first embodiment described above, the risk is that the body 131 sinks too far into the opening 13.

In the second mode, the locking pin 130 further comprises a support 133 which is adapted to apply against the hollow wall 15, on the side opposite the base 312 of the cone 134, to prevent the body 131 from sinking too much in opening 13.

For this, this support 133 projects radially relative to the body 131. It extends preferentially along a plane orthogonal to the axis A1. Alternatively, this plane could be inclined relative to the axis A1 at any angle.

In this example, the means for holding the elongated body 131 of the locking pin 130 in the opening 13 are in the form of the cone 134 of revolution around the axis A1 combined with the support 133. The support 133 makes it possible to improve the retention of the locking pin 130 in the opening 13.

In the example illustrated in , a distance, denoted e1, separates the base 312 of the locking pin 130 from the support 133. The distance e1 is preferably equal, within one mounting clearance, to a thickness of the tab 16. This distance e1 is chosen so to allow cone 134 and the support 133 to sandwich the tab 16, which further improves the stability of the locking pin 130 and the securing of the locking of the circuit breaker system 10 in the open position.

There represents the third embodiment of the locking device 300. The locking device 300 takes up most of the elements of the locking device 200 illustrated in . Thus, only the differences with the will be described.

In this example, the body 131 of the locking pin 130 this time has an entirely cylindrical shape of revolution around the axis A1. Preferably, the diameter of the cylinder of the locking pin 130 is equal to or slightly less than the diameter of the opening 13 in order to facilitate the insertion of the locking pin 130 into the opening 13 and the removal of the locking pin 130 from said opening 13. Thus, in this example, the locking pin 130 does not include a head 134 allowing it to be retained in the opening 13.

In this example, the means for holding the body 131 in the opening 13 are then in a different form. Here, the support 133 of the locking pin 130 comprises a clipping means 332 adapted to clip to the circuit breaker system 10. In the example illustrated in , the clipping means 332 is formed by the upper end of the support 133, which forms a 180° return delimiting a groove which can clip onto the tab 16 of the movable terminal block 12.

Thus, the clipping means 332 makes it possible to hold the locking pin 131 in the opening 13.

Of course, in another variant of locking device 300, the clipping means can be combined with the shape of the locking pin 130 illustrated on the or 2. Such a configuration makes it possible to further improve the holding and blocking of the locking pin 130 in the opening 13, which further improves the secure locking of the circuit breaker system 10 in the open position.

There represents the fourth embodiment of the locking device 400. The locking device 400 takes up most of the elements of the locking device 300 illustrated in . Thus, only the differences with the will be described.

In this example, the body 131 of the locking pin 130 is therefore still cylindrical in shape. The cylinder of the locking pin 130 has a section having a diameter equal to or slightly less than that of the opening 13, as for the . However, in this example, in order to optimize the retention of the body 131 in the opening 13, the locking pin 130 comprises at least two fins 313. In the example illustrated in , the locking pin 130 comprises three fins 313. The three fins 313 are regularly distributed around the axis A1. The fins 313 are attached to the free end 311 of the locking pin 130 (the one located opposite the connecting element 140) and run along the latter, gradually moving away from it. They are rectilinear and inclined relative to axis A1. In addition, the fins 313 preferably have a tapered geometry, that is to say that the thickness of the fins 313 gradually reduces towards their free end giving on the side of the free end 311 of the locking pin 130. such shape allows them to flex elastically to facilitate the insertion of the locking pin 130 into the opening 13, then to return to their initial shapes once the locking pin 130 is completely engaged in the opening 13. Their free ends extend , at rest, with a diameter greater than that of the opening 13 (for example 10 mm), which allows them to guarantee the maintenance of the locking pin 130 in the opening 13.

Thus, in the example illustrated in , the fins 313 are movable in flexion between a rest position and a folding position when a force is exerted on said fins 313. The fins 313 can move into the folding position when a user presses on the fins 313. Such configuration makes it easier to insert the locking pin 130 into the opening 13 or to extract the locking pin 130 from the opening 13.

We will now describe with the help of Figures 1, 4 and 5, a first embodiment of a method of locking the circuit breaker system.

This locking method can be applied to any of the locking devices 100, 200, 300, 400 described in Figures 1 to 4.

The method according to the present disclosure comprises a step of fixing E1 of the fixing means 120 to the electrical cable 14 of the circuit breaker system 10. This fixing step E1 can, for example, be carried out by clipping the jaw 121 on the electric cable 14.

The method further comprises a step E2 of engaging the locking pin 130 through the opening 13 by applying an engagement force 102 to the locking pin 130.

The method according to the present disclosure also includes a locking step E3 of the locking pin 130 in the opening 13. In practice, this step E3 is done automatically thanks to the engagement of the locking pin 130 through the opening 13.

At this stage, the circuit breaker system 10 is secure in the sense that it guarantees that the terminal blocks 11, 12 are maintained in the open position of the electrical circuit.

The method following the present disclosure can then include a disengagement step E4 of the locking pin 130. The disengagement step E4 can for example be carried out when the operator has finished working on the vehicle. Such a step makes it possible to move the circuit breaker system 10 to the closed position, thus making it possible to close the electrical contact of the circuit breaker system 10.

In the disengagement step E4, the locking pin 130 is completely disengaged from the opening 13 by application of a withdrawal force 103 on the locking pin 130. This withdrawal force 103 can be exerted axially (according to the axis A1). However, in the embodiments of Figures 2 to 3, it will be preferable to simultaneously act on the holding means, for example by unclipping the clipping means and/or by pressing on the fins. Thus, the locking pin 130 can be easily removed by an operator's action on the locking pin 130.

The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and represented, but those skilled in the art will be able to make any variation conforming to the invention.

Following the examples developed previously, the opening 13 was circular in shape. Of course, the shape of the opening 13 can be other shapes, for example square, rectangular, etc.

Furthermore, the locking pin 130 is preferably adapted to the opening 13 in the sense that it preferably has the same shape as the opening 13.

Claims (10)

Locking device (100, 200, 300, 400) of a circuit breaker system (10) of a motor vehicle, said circuit breaker system (10) comprising two terminal blocks (11, 12) adapted to be moved one relative to the other between an opening position for opening an electrical contact of said circuit breaker system (10) and a closing position for closing said electrical contact, said locking device (100, 200, 300, 400) including:
- a fixing means (120) arranged to fix said locking device (100, 200, 300, 400) to at least one cable (14) of said circuit breaker system (10),
- a locking pin (130) adapted to be engaged through an opening (13) delimited by a first (12) of the two terminal blocks (11, 12) when the two terminal blocks (11, 12) are in the position of opening, in order to lock them in the open position, and
- a flexible connecting element (140) connecting said locking pin (130) to the fixing means (120). Locking device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to claim 1, in which said locking pin (130) comprises:
- a body (131) elongated along an axis (A1) for engagement in said opening (13); And
- holding means adapted to block the body (131) in the opening (13). Locking device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to claim 2, in which said elongated body (131) has a section whose size is smaller than that of the opening (13), and in which the holding means comprise, at one end (315) of the body (131), a head (134) whose section has a size greater than that of said opening (13), said head (134) being adapted to pass through said opening (13) by elastic deformation. Locking device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to claim 2, in which said elongated body (131) has a section whose size is smaller than that of the opening (13), and in which the holding means comprise at least two elastically deformable fins (313) which, at rest, are deployed and distributed around said elongated body (131) and which are adapted to fold towards said engagement axis (A1) when the locking pin (130) passes through said opening (13) and to redeploy when said locking pin (130) is fully engaged in said opening (13). Locking device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the locking pin (131) further comprises a support (133) which projects radially or obliquely relative to the body (131) to the locking pin (130) and which is adapted to abut against one and/or the other of the terminal blocks (11, 12). Locking device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to claim 5, wherein said holding means comprise clipping means (332) which is located on said support (133) and which is adapted to clip onto the one and/or the other of the terminal blocks (11, 12). Locking device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said fixing means (120) comprises a jaw (121) and means for holding the jaw (121) in closed position on the cable (14). Locking device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said locking device (100, 200, 300, 400) is made in one piece of plastic material. Circuit breaker system (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- two terminal blocks (11, 12) adapted to be moved relative to each other between an open position to open an electrical contact and a closed position to close said electrical contact, one of which has an opening (13) accessible only when the two terminal blocks (11, 12) are in the open position, and
- a locking device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to any one of the preceding claims. Method for locking a circuit breaker system (10) of a motor vehicle, said circuit breaker system (10) comprising two terminal blocks (11, 12) adapted to be moved relative to each other between a open position for opening an electrical contact of said circuit breaker system (10) and a closed position for closing said electrical contact, said method using a locking device (100, 200, 300, 400) of said circuit breaker system ( 10) comprising a fixing means (120), a locking pin (130), and a flexible connecting element (140) connecting said locking pin (130) to said fixing means (120), said method comprising:
- a step of fixing (E1) the fixing means (120) to an electric cable (14) of said circuit breaker system (10);
- a step of engaging (E2) said locking pin (130) through an opening (13) delimited by a first of the two terminal blocks (11, 12) by application of an engagement force (102) on said locking pin (130), when the two terminal blocks (11, 12) are in the open position, in order to lock them in the open position.