KR100771740B1 - A terminal assembly for a vehicle starter contactor, and a contactor having such a terminal assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The terminal assembly for the starting contactor of the electromagnetic relay type has a cap axially fixed on the contactor body. The cap supports two fixed contacts and connecting terminals that cooperate with the movable contacts of the contactor, the connecting terminals connecting one of the fixed contacts to a power source and the other to the windings of the starter motor rotor. The cap further supports an excitation winding, with means for connecting the terminal to the relay coil of the means defining the electromagnetic relay of the contactor. The connecting terminal for connecting one of the fixed contacts to the power source is located on the side of the cap and has an axis not parallel to the main axis of the cap. The connecting terminal is mounted on a right angle member attached on a complementary support portion supported by a cap.

Description

A TERMINAL ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE STARTER CONTACTOR, AND A CONTACTOR HAVING SUCH A TERMINAL ASSEMBLY}

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a contactor of the type known in the prior art,

2A-2C are schematic perspective views illustrating an assembly of one possible embodiment of the present invention;

3a to 3d are schematic perspective views showing a second possible embodiment of the invention,

4a to 4c are schematic perspective views showing a third possible embodiment of the present invention;

5a to 5d are schematic perspective views showing a fourth possible embodiment of the present invention;

5E is a cross-sectional view of a connector with a terminal assembly according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross sectional view similar to FIG. 5E but showing a fifth possible embodiment of the invention;

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

1: electromagnetic relay 3: movable contact

11: fixed contact 12: right angle member

13: + BAT terminal 14: Nut

15: cap 15a, 15b: wall

16: power supply rivet 17: gourd connector

20: screw 22a: pad

The present invention relates to a terminal assembly for a starting contactor of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, and a starting contactor having such a terminal assembly.

Typically, as shown in FIG. 1, the starting contactor of a motor vehicle comprises an electromagnetic relay 1 having a core 2 with a movable contact 3, said movable contact 3 being an electric motor of the starter. The power supply to the furnace is controlled, and the displacement of the core 2 and the movable contact 3 is controlled by the excitation of the windings 4 of one or more relays.

Such a contactor has three terminals supported by the cap 5, and one end of the cap 5 is attached to the main body of the contactor.

One of these terminals is the power terminal, which is generally labeled + BAT and is arranged to receive one end of the cable connecting the starter to the positive terminal of the battery. This + BAT terminal consists of a generally copper screw attached to the base of the cap 5. The head of the screw is arranged inside the cap 5. This head performs two functions. That is, the terminal is fixed to the cap and functions as a fixed electrical contact for the movable contact 3 of the relay.

The other of these terminals is the so-called inductor terminal (IND in FIG. 1) connected to the winding of the rotor of the electric starter motor. This terminal consists of a screw similar to the + BAT terminal and functions as a fixed electrical contact for the movable contact of the relay.

The third terminal is an excitation terminal, which is generally shown as EXC although not shown in FIG. This EXC terminal supplies power to the contactor winding 4 from a circuit controlled by the ignition switch of the motor vehicle. Such terminals consist of screws or nuts or tags with or without any type of protection and sealing system known as connectors used in the motor industry.

These three terminals (+ BAT, IND, EXC) are generally parallel to the axis of the relay core. That is, parallel to the axis of the starter.

Such a device is not without problems.

Because of its proximity to the exhaust pipe or inlet pipe or other components mounted to the engine, access to the terminals of the starter in the axial direction is relatively difficult, which makes it difficult to mount the power cable.

One solution is to modify the obstructing component to increase the space available in the axis of the contactor. However, this modification may adversely affect the miniaturization of the engine.

Another possible solution is to fix the + BAT and EXC connections laterally (in this connection, the inductor terminals are less difficult to pose as they are connected to their windings during the manufacture of the starter motor).

In particular, the French patent application FR 2 751 124 of the applicant has been proposed to provide a housing which is suitable for being fixed transversely on a contactor of the starter and which has a connecting means, by means of which the terminal of the starter is provided. Is attached to the attachment terminal and the attachment terminal is arranged and oriented at 90 ° with respect to the original main terminal when the housing is placed on the contactor.

Such a device has the disadvantage of being complicated and expensive.

It is an object of the present invention to present an inexpensive and less complex solution.

In particular, the present invention proposes a terminal assembly for a starter contactor of electromagnetic relay type, comprising a cap adapted to be axially attached to and secured to a contactor body, the cap cooperating with a movable contact of the contactor. Supporting two fixed contacts suitable for the following, and two connecting terminals for connecting one of the fixed contacts to a power supply and the other fixed contact for the rotor of the electric motor of the starter, the cap being excited And further supporting means for connecting the excitation terminal to the windings of the electromagnetic relay of the contactor, the first connecting terminal connecting one of the fixed contacts to the power source located on the side of the cap and on the main axis of the cap. In a terminal assembly having a non-parallel axis, the connecting terminal is a right angle member (sa) attached to and fixed to the complementary support element of the cap. and a ddle member).

Such terminal assemblies take up less space, produce less, and are easier to manufacture than conventional devices.

It is desirable to have the following several features which are selected alone or possibly together.

The connecting terminal is fixed on the complementary support element by screw and nut fixing.

The excitation terminal is arranged on the side of the cap and has an axis that is not parallel to the main axis of the cap.

The axis is substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the cap.

The cap has a wall located on the side of the support element for receiving the right angle member, which wall, together with the wall constituting the base, defines a configuration suitable for guiding and positioning complementary spade terminals to be attached on the connecting terminals do.

The cap extends to a lug aligned with one of the flat parts of the right angle member, and a connection terminal for connecting one of the fixed contacts to the power source is mounted on the right angle member.

The ends of the flat part are bent.

-Connecting terminals and exciting terminals suitable for connecting one of the fixed contacts to the mains have parallel axes.

With a nut received in the wall, the wall being suitable for cooperating with a threaded male terminal suitable for protruding against the remainder of the cap and being secured on the nut; A connection fixed to and arranged to provide an electrical connection between the thread terminal and an element connecting said thread terminal to the winding of the contactor or to an electronic printed circuit which controls the supply of power to the winding. do.

The excitation terminal is integrated with the connection element.

The cap has a cavity for receiving the excitation terminal, the cavity having a shape suitable for receiving and retaining a complementary connection element.

The feed terminal is formed in the cap by in-situ shaping with the pad as its extension, the pad (or its extending element) protrudes from the cap through one of its faces to form a fixed contact.

One side of the pad extends to a spigot suitable for forming a fixed contact.

Two respective sides of the pad extend to the nipple.

The nipple is forcibly fitted to the pad and formed of a material different from the pad.

A connecting terminal suitable for connecting one of the fixed contacts to the power source protrudes laterally with respect to the projection of the cap for mounting the connecting terminal and the exciting terminal.

The invention further comprises a terminal assembly comprising a body disposed with means for constructing an electromagnetic relay suitable for moving a movable contact, the terminal assembly including a cap axially attached to the body and adapted to be fixed on the body. And the cap has two fixed contacts suitable for cooperating with the movable contacts of the connector, the connecting terminals for connecting one of the fixed terminals to the power supply and the other to the rotor winding of the electric motor of the starter. And the cap is a means for connecting the excitation terminal to the winding of the electromagnetic relay and a starting contactor of the type further supporting the excitation terminal, characterized in that the terminal assembly is an assembly of the type described above.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description. This specification is for illustrative purposes only and is not limiting. This specification will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the contactor has a cap 15 made of an electrical insulation material. On the cap 15 two screw terminals (+ BAT 13 and EXC 19) are integrated, in this embodiment the cap 15 is cast. The two terminals 13 and 19 are parallel to each other and extend at right angles to the main axis of the cap 15 and are laterally directed relative to the cap 15.

A thread terminal 13 arranged to receive the end connector of the cable from the plus terminal of the battery is mounted on a right angle member 12 of electrically conductive material having two flat portions 12a, 12b. In particular, the terminal 13 projects at right angles from the portion 12a on the side of the portion 12a opposite to the flat portion 12b. The flat portion 12a is bent at the end connected to the portion 12b.

The terminal 13 may be fixed to the right angle member 12 and together with it form a subassembly by screwing, attaching or welding.

In another variant, the right angle member 12 and the thread terminal 13 may be formed as a single member if desired.

The right angle member 12 is disposed on a saddle-shaped complementary support supported on the outside of the cap 15.

The cap 15 comprises a wall 15a which borders the side of the U-shaped support and forms a shoe with the base 15b and a right angle member 12 is placed on the support. Guided into the shoe to position.

The support shoes defined by the walls 15a, 15b, on the one hand, provide good mechanical positioning with respect to the assemblies 12, 13, while on the other hand the cables, links, tools, etc., when working in the factory, Provides electrical protection against accidental short circuits due to proximity to grounded metal parts.

In addition, the shoe guides and grips the complementary cable connector, which is arranged to be supported on the terminal 13 and gripped between the flat portion 12a and a nut (not indicated) which is screwed onto the terminal 13. . The right angle member 12 is complementary to the cap 15 by a threaded bolt 11 extending through a portion 12b of the right angle member and the support portion on which the portion 12b of the right angle member is located. Is fixed to injuries. The threaded bolt 11 terminates inside the cap 15 in the head 11a and receives the nut 14 at an end opposite the head 11a, which bolt 11 cooperates with the nut 14. The flat portion 12b and the corresponding support of the cap 15 between the head 11a and the nut 14 are gripped.

The head 11a is a fixed contact which is coupled to the movable contact of the contactor and connects the movable contact to the battery.                     

The terminal 19 is made of a standard screw of low cost. The terminal 19 is screwed onto a nut 18 housed in a complementary shaped housing 15d formed in the wall 15e. The wall 15e protrudes from the remainder of the cap 15 and is open at the top to fit a nut that is rectangular in this embodiment. The wall 15e and its housing 15d fix the nut 18, and the side wall 15e is formed with a through hole for the passage of the terminal 19.

A saddle-shaped electrical leaf 17 is supported on the wall 15e to contact and power the rivet 16 to the head of the terminal 19 that is coupled on a portion of the electrical foil 17. (In claim 1, "means for connecting the excitation terminal to the winding of the electromagnetic relay"). The power supply rivet 16 extends through the cap and is connected to the relay winding of the contactor. The rivet 16 is fitted to the eye portion of the foil 17. In a variant, foil 17 may supply a winding of a contactor or connect any other element for connecting said terminal 19 to an electronic control board in the case of an electronic contactor.

Finally, the cap 15 supports the terminal IND (inductor terminal) and the conventional connecting means 10 for connecting the inductor terminal to the rotor winding. The terminal IND consists of a screw attached on the base of the cap 15 in a manner known per se and extending parallel to the axis of the cap (ie the axis of the starter).

The connecting means 10 are indicated by various arrows since they comprise various elements, namely a first element associated with the terminal IND (inductor terminal) and a second element associated with the right angle member 12.

Each such element consists of a metal strip terminated by an eye that is joined on the flat surface 15f of the cap. Each eye is fixed to a hollow rivet extending through the flat surface, so that the first and second elements are respectively fixed to the flat surface 15f by forcing the free end of the rivet.

This configuration also applies to the hollow contact rivet 16, but the hollow contact rivet is fixed to another flat surface 15i, which will be described later.

Electrical wires pass through the hollow rivets coupled to the eye from the inside of the contacts.

In this way, current flows in the winding or related electrical circuit.

The thin connector 17 constituting the connecting element and the washer is preferably forcibly fitted on the terminal IND, and the right angle member is attached to the rivet 16 and other rivets for fixing the aforementioned first and second elements of the connecting means. It is not lost by.

More specifically, the metal strip constituting the first connecting element is fitted in the washer, while the metal strip of the second connecting element of the connector 10 is fitted in the portion 12b of the right angle member, and the wall 15a is It has a local opening that allows the passage of a metal strip.

The cable connector on the cable leading to the plus terminal of the battery is arranged between the washer and a nut (not shown) screwed onto the thread of the terminal IND.

Similarly, the terminal of the cable for connecting the starter motor is fixed between the part 12a and the nut (no reference number) screwed onto the terminal 13.

The terminal IND is separated from the bolt 11 and from the right angle member in a known manner by a transverse wall 15h protruding from the upper wall of the projection 15g having the general shape of a parallelepiped.

This upper wall partially contacts the support comprising the surface on the other side of the transverse wall 15h, with the washer of the first element of the connecting means bear on the surface on the other side.

The projection 15g abuts two walls perpendicular to its upper wall, the upper wall of the projection being hollow to hold a fixed contact associated with the IND terminal and the terminal 13 and the fixing of the terminal IND. The form of the contact is the same as that of the fixed contact 11a.

The projection 15g extends in the radial direction with respect to the cap 15, and its base is circular.

Walls 15a and 15b protrude from the base in accordance with a feature of the present invention and also support portions define projections laterally, which support portions define lugs in the manner described below with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C. Extends further down than projections;

The flat surfaces 15f and 15c extend downward on each side of the projection.

According to a feature of the invention, the protruding wall 15e protrudes against the two divided surfaces 15c.

In this embodiment, the protruding wall 15e is an extension of the transverse wall 15h, but at a lower position than the transverse wall 15h so that the terminal 17 is electrically insulated.

The same applies to the terminal 19 at a position lower than the upper wall of the projection.

The terminal 19 is located within the entire periphery of the cap 15, while the terminal 13 protrudes with respect to the cap 15.

In a variant, the wall 15e is offset from the transverse wall 15h.                     

According to the present invention, a solution is achieved which is easy to manufacture and occupies little space, especially since the cap 15 is molded.

Since the washer is forcibly fitted on the terminal IND, the terminal IND cannot be lost.

The various connecting means described above may be assembled to the cap 15 before the cap is fitted on the contactor.

In a variant, in order to facilitate assembly work (eg, sticking, welding, etc.) which may be difficult to carry out as the terminal 13 protrudes out of the conventional sheath from the contactor, the cap 15 is placed on the remainder of the contactor. The right angle member 12 and the terminal 13 may be inserted in place only after assembling.

Other embodiments may be contemplated using the cap 15.

In particular, as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, the terminal EXC may consist of one end of the connecting foil 17, where the cap 15 is in an unmodified state.

In particular, the terminal EXC may be in the form of a flat or round tag, male or female, which is integral with the connecting foil 17, in particular formed by stamping in the connecting foil 17. 17 is supported on the cap 5 by screw and nut fasteners 18 and 19a or by rivets (not shown). In this case, the terminal EXC is bent.

In addition, the terminal EXC may be arranged to be received in a cavity formed for that purpose in the cap. The cavity functions as a connector housing for receiving the complementary connector from the cover of the vehicle cable. Clipping and sealing systems may be coupled to it.

In another variant, the terminal EXC supported on the cap 15 may be a female member.

For example, it may consist of a foil 17 cooperating with a hole formed in the wall 15e and the nut 15d to receive the screw 20 (see FIGS. 4A-4C) when fitting the cable connector.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 4C, the cable connector may be a flat terminal 21 in the form of a fork. The cap 15 extends to the lug 15j aligned with the portion 12a of the right angle member 12 so that the terminal 13 is located below it.

In another variant shown in FIGS. 5A-5E, the member 11, the right angle member 12 and the terminal 13 are replaced with a part or assembly 22 formed on the cap 15 by in situ casting. May be This part or assembly 22 comprises a parallelepiped pad 22a which is formed on the wall of the cap 15 by molding, and the terminal 13 is connected to the cap 15 from one side of the pad 22a. Extend into the material.

The lower surface of the pad 22a, that is, the surface adjacent to the main portion of the contactor where the cap 15 is disposed when the pad is in place, is opened into the cap 15 and the electrical contactor for relay function. Function as.

This face preferably extends to the spigot 22b or to any other known type of contact (a hemispherical or grooved surface, a surface with a concentric annular ring, etc.). The advantage is low voltage drop, wear and freezing sensitivity.

The nipple 22b may be tightly fitted into the pad 22a, a corrosion resistant material may be used for the electrical contact made of the nipple, and an inexpensive material (steel) may be used for the pad 22a and the terminal 13.

It extends through the pad 22a and extends from its upper surface, thereby avoiding misfit during in-situ molding operation.

The connecting means associated with the terminal 13 also includes a washer for the electric cable for connecting to the plus terminal of the battery.

The wall 15a does not protrude above the protrusions but extends to the side edges of the protrusions 15g to electrically insulate the terminals 13 and washers.

Therefore, it is flush with the slide surface.

5d clearly shows the shape of the eye and the rivet of the connecting means 10, which are in line with the rivet like the eye 16.

In another variant as shown in FIG. 6, the terminal 13 (+ BAT terminal) is connected by an extension of the flat portion 12b of the right angle member 12 and by the cap 15 (lug 15j). By an extension of the skirt, the flat portion 12b can be electrically insulated from the body of the contactor.

The ends of the flat portion 12b may be bent overlapping to separate the terminal 13 further away from the contactor body.

In all cases, the terminal 13 (+ BAT) and the EXC terminal extend on the side of the cap with a connecting pin that is not parallel to the main axis P of the cap shown in FIGS. 1, 5E and 6.

The terminal 13 projects laterally with respect to the projection and with respect to the cap 15.

The terminal assembly of the present invention occupies less space, has a lower manufacturing cost, and is easier to manufacture than a conventional device.

Claims (17)

A terminal assembly for a starter contactor of the electromagnetic relay type, comprising a cap axially attached and fitted on a contactor body, the cap having two fixed contacts cooperating with a movable contact of the contactor and powering one of the fixed contacts. And two connecting terminals for connecting the other fixed contact to the rotor of the electric motor of the starter, the cap being connected to the excitation terminal and the winding of the electromagnetic relay of the contactor. The terminal assembly for the starting contactor further supporting means, wherein the first connecting terminal provided for connecting one of the fixed contacts to a power source has an axis located on the side of the cap and not parallel to the main axis of the cap. , And the first connection terminal is mounted to a right angle member attached to and fitted on the complementary support element of the cap, wherein the right angle member and the complementary support element each include a flat portion perpendicular to each other. Terminal assembly for starting contactor. The method of claim 1, The first connecting terminal is fitted on the complementary support element by screw and nut fixing Terminal assembly for starting contactor. The method of claim 1, The excitation terminal is located on the side of the cap and has an axis not parallel to the main axis of the cap. Terminal assembly for starting contactor. The method according to claim 1 or 3, The axis is perpendicular to the major axis of the cap Terminal assembly for starting contactor. The method of claim 1, The cap has sidewalls positioned on the side of the support element for receiving the right angle member, the sidewalls being configured to guide and position the complementary cable connector to be attached to the first connection terminal, with the wall constituting the base. Characterized in that Terminal assembly for starting contactor. The method of claim 1, The cap extends to a lug aligned with one of the flat portions of the right angle member on which the first connecting terminal for connecting one of the fixed contacts to a power source is mounted; Terminal assembly for starting contactor. The method of claim 6, The flat portion is bent at an end, characterized in that Terminal assembly for starting contactor. The method of claim 3, wherein And the first connecting terminal for connecting one of the excitation terminal and the fixed contact to a power source has a parallel axis. Terminal assembly for starting contactor. The method of claim 1, A nut received in a wall protruding relative to the remainder of the cap, wherein the nut is secured with a male threaded terminal and connects the thread terminal to the winding of the contactor or to the winding. Further comprising a connection arranged to be secured on said threaded terminal and to provide an electrical connection between said threaded terminal and an element connected to an electronic printed circuit for controlling power supply. Terminal assembly for starting contactor. The method of claim 9, The exciting terminal is integrated with the connecting portion. Terminal assembly for starting contactor. The method of claim 1, The cap has a cavity for receiving an excitation terminal, the cavity having a shape for receiving and retaining a complementary connection element. Terminal assembly for starting contactor. The method of claim 1, The first terminal extending from the pad is formed in the cap together with the pad by in-situ molding, and the pad or the element extending from the pad protrudes from the cap through one of the surface of the pad to form a fixed contact. Characterized Terminal assembly for starting contactor. The method of claim 12, One surface of the pad extends to a spigot constituting the fixed contact Terminal assembly for starting contactor. The method of claim 13, The pad extends to a nipple on each of the two surfaces of the pad. Terminal assembly for starting contactor. The method of claim 14, The nipple is forcibly fitted to the pad and is formed of a material different from the pad. Terminal assembly for starting contactor. The method of claim 1, The first connecting terminal for connecting the fixed contact to the power supply protrudes laterally with respect to the protrusion 15g of the cap 15 for mounting the first connecting terminal and the exciting terminal. Terminal assembly for starting contactor. delete

Images