WO1995024727A1

WO1995024727A1 - Inertia circuit breaker for a motor vehicle electric storage battery

Info

Publication number: WO1995024727A1
Application number: PCT/FR1995/000274
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrice Leboucq; Stéphane BUY
Original assignee: Patrice Leboucq; Buy Stephane
Priority date: 1994-03-10
Filing date: 1995-03-10
Publication date: 1995-09-14
Also published as: EP0699339A1; FR2717303A1; AU1953295A; FR2717303B1

Abstract

Inertia circuit breaker for a motor vehicle electric storage battery comprising a metallic ball (7) held under pressure on its seats (5A, 5B) by a spring washer (25) calibrated for applying pressure to the ball (7) which, on impact, is releasable from its seat by dynamic inertia. The stationary lower abutment seat (5A) and the movable upper abutment seat (5B) each consist of a lead alloy or similar washer comprising a preformed impression. The housing (35) of the circuit breaker is incorporated into the battery at the usual location of one of its terminals. The housing (35) is fastened and bonded to the upper battery wall (38). The upper seat (5B) of the ball (7) is inserted into the lower end of a rod (9) provided with a shoulder for insertion into the central hole (40) of the washer (25) for applying pressure to the ball (7) on its lower seat (5A). Said rod (9), which is screwed and locked into the battery terminal (41), is capable of sliding in the cover (37) of said housing, the lower seat (5A) being inserted into the head of a rivet (42) passing through the base of the housing and holding a connecting cable lug onto the corresponding pole of the battery.

Description

Inertial battery switch for electric accumulator of auto-mobile machines.

The invention relates to an inertial circuit breaker for an electric accumulator battery of auto-mobile devices preventing fire in the event of a collision.

For over forty years we have been concerned with the problem of the risk of fire in motor vehicles in the event of a collision with a fixed or mobile obstacle. Thousands of vehicles in every country are burnt down every year as a result of a collision, and scores of drivers and passengers are burned to the ground.

Numerous inertial battery switch systems are already known for isolating the battery from the electrical circuit of road or other vehicles or vehicles in the event of a collision. In the event of an accident involving a violent collision, a fixed obstacle or another mobile object, the driver is rarely in a position to operate the circuit breaker in good time to avoid the start of a fire, generally due to a short -circuit following the shock.

This very serious security problem remains unresolved despite all the solutions proposed.

Why have vehicle manufacturers not yet installed them on their production vehicles? The devices offered are not adequately adapted to properly resolve this problem. Nowadays the battery switch is to be considered as an essential element of the safety of people and goods. A vehicle damaged by a collision is generally repairable and therefore retains a market value; when it burns it is no longer repairable and has lost all value.

To be able to be used by a very large audience, the battery switch must be able to: - be very easily installed on one of the vehicle battery terminals without special tools without changing habits;

- be easily reset if the vehicle is ready to restart after a collision

- allow the battery to be recharged without any particular operation, as is usually done; - be produced at a very low cost and be very reliable.

The ideal solution would be to be able to integrate it directly into the battery at one of its terminals.

The systems offered do not meet, or are incomplete, these specifications. They are either too complicated, too bulky or too expensive to make, too fragile or unreliable or not adaptable to the battery terminals. The purpose of the inertial battery circuit breaker according to the invention is to overcome all of these drawbacks and in addition to provide a very simple solution which can be incorporated directly into the battery.

RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP According to a first embodiment according to the invention, the inertial battery switch for electric accumulator of self-moving vehicles, comprises a metal ball maintained in pressure on its seats by a spring, able to disengage from its seats by dynamic inertia during '' a shock, the lower part of the support box being immobilized on one of the terminals of the battery II is characterized in that the means for pressurizing the ball on its seats consists of an elastically deformable metal washer, calibrated for setting in pressure of the inertial element between its seats; the fixed lower support seat and the mobile upper support seat of the inertial element each consist of a lead alloy washer. The body of the battery isolator is integrated in the battery under the normal location of one of its terminals. It forms a clipped and glued box on the upper wall of the battery. The upper seat of the inertial ball is inserted into the lower face of a shouldered metal rod, screwed and locked in the battery terminal, capable of sliding in the cover of the housing. The lower seat is inserted into the head of a rivet crossing the bottom of the case and maintaining a connection lug to the corresponding pole of the battery.

According to a second version of the battery switch according to the invention, the lower part of its housing is engaged and fixed to one of the battery terminals by means of a clamping collar by means of a piece of alloy lead engaged on the battery terminal and forming the lower seat of the ball; it has a flat washer in the upper part and annular arms extending downwards and engaged in corresponding grooves in the lower part of the housing, the rod comprising the upper seat passes through the cover of the housing in which it is guided and receives a washer threaded.

The threaded end of the rod is provided for the installation and immobilization of the cable lug connecting the accumulator to the electrical circuit of the auto-mobile machine. The washer in treated steel, elastically deformable, is folded in the shape of a cone, the periphery of which is flat over a small width; it comprises two series of radial cuts, the first starting from the center and the second from the periphery, its bending characteristics are provided to allow it a sufficient stroke to let escape the ball, but also to maintain a frank contact of the ball on its seats during brutal vertical accelerations due to "potholes" and other road accidents. According to a third version according to the invention, the metal ball is kept under pressure on its seats by a compression spring arranged in the lower part of the housing immobilized on one of the terminals of the battery. The movable upper seat is fixed on the cover of the housing along a vertical axis XX 'opposite the first fixed seat. The housing is made to slide on the support of the lower seat, so as to put the ball under pressure on said lower seat by means of the compression spring arranged in the space taken up by the terminal of the battery and annularly thereto. The support of the lower seat consists of a sheath internally shoulder maintaining the seat in abutment on the top of the terminal and shoulder externally to constitute the upper support of the spring and the upper part of the internal sliding guide of said housing. The sheath is provided with a clamp to immobilize the case on the battery terminal.

According to a fourth version for flying machines, the box is fixed outside the battery, the axis XX ′ being horizontal, the fixing is carried out by means of lugs integral with the box which has two seats on two rods acting as a terminal, arranged in opposition, one fixed, and the other movable by means of the spring washer.

The advantages of the inertial circuit breaker according to the invention are as follows:

- possibility of being directly integrated from the original into the battery, leaving only the standard terminal visible;

- automatic isolation of the electrical circuit from the electrical accumulator in the event of an impact exceeding a calibrated threshold;

- compactness and reliability;

- identification of the direction of impact as a function of the dial in which the inertial cut-out element is taken out for the establishment of responsibilities with regard to insurance;

- very simple manual reset in the event of the circuit breaker being put into operation following a collision which does not render the vehicle unusable;

- possibility of mounting the inertial circuit breaker along a horizontal axis in the event of shock from top to bottom (fall from a helicopter). The invention is described in the following text, with reference to the accompanying drawings given without limitation, in which it has been shown:

- Fig.1, a section in elevation of a first version of the battery switch according to the invention in place on one of the terminals of a battery;

- Fig.2, a section in elevation of a second version of the battery switch according to the invention in place on one of the terminals of a battery;

- Fig.3, a sectional elevation of a third version of the battery switch according to the invention incorporated in the battery; - Fig.4, an example of an elastic washer for maintaining the pressure on the inertial cut-off member;

- Fig.5, a perspective view of an example of a contact piece on the battery terminal.

As shown in fig.l, the first version of battery switch has a part 1 for positioning and clamping the battery switch assembly on the terminal 2 of the battery. The clamping is obtained by means of a collar 3 acting on the periphery of the terminal. The clamping piece 1 maintains a contact washer 4 resting on the top of the terminal 2. This washer can be made of lead alloy or in metal which does not create an electrolytic torque on the terminal 2. In the latter case, a small 5 A washer made of lead alloy is used inserted in a housing machined in the washer 4. This washer 5 has a cavity 6 preformed to receive the inertial cut-off element 7 consisting of a metal ball which does not cause electrolytic torque with the lead. The ball 7 is in abutment against a movable seat constituted by a second washer 5 B made of lead alloy, also comprising a preformed imprint. The preforming of these imprints is carried out, at the time of assembly, on a tool exerting both a thrust and a rotation to obtain an always correct alignment of the two seats 5 of the ball along the axis XX 'to suitably ensure the passage of the battery current in normal operation. This arrangement is obtained at a very low cost, without the need for very precise horn machining, this is the case in known battery switches. The second seat 5B is inserted into a housing 8 of an intermediate piece 9 acting as a terminal for receiving the terminal lug 10 of the electric cable 11. The terminal 9 has a bearing shoulder on the underside of the cover 12 of the body of battery switch that it crosses, its end is threaded. It is immobilized by a threaded washer 13, made of brass serving as a support for the terminal 10. The cover 12 is glued to the top of the cylindrical body 14 of the battery switch. This body, made of plastic, has a lower part 15 of a smaller diameter, ending in an internal shoulder 16 acting as a lower support for a compression spring 17, calibrated to let the ball escape according to the kinetic energy of the shock defined for the vehicle power cut. The spring is in upper support on a shoulder 18 of the part 1 mounted on the battery terminal. The sliding of the cylindrical lower part of the movable body 14 is guided on the shoulders 16 and 18 for supporting the spring 17. In normal operation, the ball 7 is placed in abutment on its seats 5. During a strong collision the kinetic energy communicated to the ball causes the lifting of the upper seat and the ejection of the ball which finds itself trapped in the position 19, shown in mixed lines. The power supply is then cut to avoid the risk of fire. A slope of 15 to 20 ° was given to the bottom 20 of the battery switch body and 21 from above the clamping piece 1 on terminal 2. If the vehicle is still in a running condition after the impact. The battery circuit can be restored by pulling on the nut 21 for clamping the terminal 10 to compress the spring 17 and raise the seat 7, which has the effect of allowing the ball to return to its place on its seat. If the slope on which the vehicle is located, is higher than that of the bottom of the body of the battery switch, simply loosen the screw of the collar and extract the battery switch by putting it back flat so that the ball returns to its seat . To maintain the cut-off position of the battery, it suffices to insert a fork piece with a thickness of 3 mm under the lower shoulder 16 of the body, bearing on the collar 3.

Figure 2 shows a section in elevation of a second version of the battery switch according to the invention also in place on one of the terminals of a battery. The means for pressurizing the ball on its seats is constituted by an elastically deformable metal washer 25, calibrated for pressurizing the inertial element 7 between its seats; the movable upper support seat 5B of the inertial element 7 is also constituted by a lead alloy washer. The lower part of the housing 26 of the battery switch is engaged and fixed on one of the terminals 2 of a battery standard by means of a clamp 3, via a lead alloy part 27 (Figure 5), engaged on terminal 2 of the battery and forming the lower seat 28 of the ball 7. This seat is engaged in a central hole in the housing 26 and comprises a flat washer in the upper part and annular arms 29 extending downward and engaged in corresponding grooves 30 in the lower part 31 of the housing. The rod 9 comprising the seat 5B crosses the cover 32 of the housing in which it is guided and receives a threaded washer 33 blocked on the end of the thread 34 allowing a slight downward movement until it rests on said cover 32. The end threaded rod 9 is provided for the establishment and immobilization of the terminal 10 of the cable 11 connecting the accumulator to the electrical circuit of the self-moving vehicle. This arrangement significantly simplifies Figure 1, makes the housing 26 perfectly stable on the terminal 2. The movable part is no longer formed by the rod 9 receiving the electric cable. Reliability is greatly increased and the cost lowered. The deformable washer 25 contributes to maintaining and centering the rod 9 facilitating its sliding. The electrical contact on the battery is better ensured. As in Figure 1, the circuit is closed by pulling on the nut 21 (Figure 1) to lift the seat 5B and let the ball 7 return to its place.

FIG. 3 shows a section in elevation of a third version of the battery switch according to the invention integrated in the battery. The means for pressurizing the ball on its 5 seats 5A, 5B is also constituted by an elastically deformable metal washer 25, calibrated for pressurizing the inertial element 7 between its seats. The fixed lower support seat and the movable upper support seat 5B of the inertial element 7 are also each constituted by a washer of preformed lead alloy. The battery switch box is integrated in the battery under the normal location of one of its terminals. Box 35 of

10 battery switch is clipped at 36 by its cover 37 and glued to the upper wall 38 of the battery. The upper seat 5 of the ball 7 is inserted into the lower face of a rod 9 identical to that of the previous figures, shouldered at 39 to engage in the central hole 40 of the washer 25 for pressurizing the ball 7 on its lower seat 5A, said rod 9 is screwed and locked in terminal 41 of the battery, capable of sliding in a cover boss

15 37 of said housing. The lower seat 5 A is inserted into the head of a rivet 42 passing through the bottom of the case 35 and now a terminal 43 for connection to the corresponding pole of the battery. The lower part of the housing has a slope of 20 °, as for the previous figures to ensure the return of the ball on its seat when the electrical circuit is closed. The normal terminal 44 of the battery sliding in the

20 cover 37 in replacement of the rod 9. As for the preceding figures, the terminal is pulled to close the electrical circuit.

To ensure the identification of the direction of the shock, as a function of the dial in which the inertial cut-out element has come out, for the establishment of responsibilities with regard to insurance, an annular coating has been placed inside the housing, at the area right

25 movement of the ball. This coating has characteristics of brittleness to impact so as to maintain a clear imprint informing of the direction of the impact at the time of the impact. The battery switch box is designed to be mass produced and installed at the last moment on the batteries. It is intended to be stored, the ball being out of circuit. The ball is closed in the circuit only when the batteries are filled.

30 Provision has been made to adapt this circuit breaker on all mobile vehicle batteries liable to short-circuit following a collision, including for helicopters. For the latter, the housing is fixed outside the battery, the axis XX 'being horizontal. The fixing can be carried out by means of lugs integral with the housing. This version, not shown, has two seats 5 A, 5B on two rods 9 arranged in opposition, one fixed, for example in place of the rivet 42 of FIG. 3 and the other movable as in FIG. 2. fixing lugs free access to the fixed terminal on the side of the lugs. Figure 4 shows the washer 25 in treated steel, elastically deformable. It is folded into a cone shape, the periphery of which is flat over a small width for its peripheral retention by the cover of the housing.

Said washer comprises two series of radial cuts, the first 45 starting from the center and the second 46 starting from the periphery. Its flexural characteristics are provided to allow it to run enough to allow the ball 7 to escape, but also to maintain a frank contact of the ball on its seats during brutal vertical accelerations due to "potholes" and other accidents. of the road alike.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 - Inertial battery switch for electric accumulator of self-moving vehicles, comprising: a metal ball maintained in pressure on its seats by a spring, able to disengage from its seats by dynamic inertia during an impact, the part lower of the support box being immobilized on one of the terminals of the battery, characterized in that it is traversed by the totality of the current of the battery, in that the means of pressurizing on its seats, the inertial rupture ball (7) for the passage of the battery current, is constituted by a metal washer (25) of thrust, elastically deformable, calibrated for the pressurization of the inertial element (7) between its seats (5A, 5B), that the fixed lower support seat (5 A) and the mobile upper support seat (5B) of the inertial element (7) each consist of a washer made of lead alloy or the like, each comprising a preformed imprint, in that the body of the said battery switch is integrated inside the battery.

2 - inertial battery switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the body of the battery switch forms a housing (35) clipped and glued to the upper wall (38) of the battery, in that the upper seat (5B) of the ball (7) is inserted into the underside of a rod (9) shouldered to engage in the central hole (40) of the washer (25) pressurizing the ball (7) on its seat lower (5 A), said rod (9) is screwed and locked in the terminal (41) of the battery, capable of sliding in the cover (37) of said housing, in that the lower seat (5 A) is inserted in the head of a rivet (42) passing through the bottom of the boifier and maintaining a connection lug to the corresponding pole of the battery.

3 - inertial battery switch according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the lower part of the housing (26) of the battery switch is engaged and fixed on one of the terminals (2) of a standard battery by means of d '' a clamp (3), via a piece (27) of lead alloy or the like, engaged on the terminal (2) of the battery and forming the lower seat (5 A) of the ball ( 7) engaged in a central hole in the housing and comprising a flat washer in the upper part and annular arms (29) extending downward and engaged in corresponding grooves in the lower part of the housing, in that the rod (9) comprising the seat (5B) passes through the cover (32) of the box in which it is guided and receives a threaded washer (33) locked on the end of the thread and allowing a slight movement downwards until it rests on said cover.

4 - Inertial battery switch according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the threaded end of the rod (9) is provided for the establishment and immobilization of the terminal (10) of the cable (11) connecting the accumulator in the electric circuit of the auto-mobile machine 5 - Inertial battery switch according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the washer (25) in treated steel, elastically deformable, is folded in the form of a cone whose periphery is planar over a small width, in that said washer comprises two series of radial cuts, the first starting from the center and the second from the periphery, its bending characteristics are provided to allow it a sufficient stroke to allow the ball (7) to escape, but also to maintain contact ball free on its seats during brutal vertical accelerations due to "potholes" and other road accidents.

6 - Inertial circuit breaker according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing comprises a metal ball maintained in pressure on its seats by a compression spring, able to disengage from its seats by dynamic inertia during a shock, the lower part of the housing being immobilized on one of the battery terminals, characterized in that the movable upper seat (5B) is fixed, on the housing cover (14) along a vertical axis XX 'opposite the first fixed seat (5A), in that said housing (14) of the circuit breaker, made of plastic, is made to slide on the support of the lower seat (5 A) so as to put the ball (7) under pressure on the lower seat (5 A) by means of the compression spring (17) arranged inside the lower part of the housing, in the space taken up by the terminal of the battery and annularly therein, in that the lower seat support (5 A) consists a sheath (1) internally shouldered to maintain the seat (5 A) in abutment on the top of the terminal (2) of the battery and externally shouldered to constitute the upper support of the spring (17) and the upper part of the internal sliding guide of said housing, in that the sheath (1) is provided with a clamp (3) to immobilize the housing on the terminal (2).

7 - Inertial circuit breaker according to one of claims 1 to 4 and 6, characterized in that the lower seat (5 A) is included in a shouldered washer (4) held in abutment on the top of the terminal (2) , by the sheath (1).

8 - Inertial circuit breaker according to claim 7, characterized in that the lower seat (5 A) is constituted by the part (27) arranged concentrically in the sleeve (1).

9 - Inertial circuit breaker according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for flying machines, the housing is fixed outside the battery, the axis XX 'being horizontal, the fixing is carried out by means of lugs of the housing which comprises two seats (5 A, 5B) on two rods (9) arranged in opposition, one fixed, and the other movable by means of the spring washer (25). 10 - Inertial circuit breaker according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that to ensure the identification of the direction of the shock, as a function of the dial in which the inertial cut-out element is released, an annular coating has been placed on the inside the case, in line with the zone of displacement of the ball, in that this coating has characteristics of fragility on impact so as to maintain a clear imprint informing of the direction of impact.