WO2017220885A1

WO2017220885A1 - Motor vehicle starter comprising an electric motor and a contactor for supplying power to the electric motor

Info

Publication number: WO2017220885A1
Application number: PCT/FR2017/051524
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yannick Parvery; Rami BOUCHOUICHA
Original assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
Priority date: 2016-06-24
Filing date: 2017-06-13
Publication date: 2017-12-28
Also published as: FR3053080A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle starter (10) comprising: a movable pinion which can move along an axis X1 between a rest position and an active position; an electric motor (30) which can rotate the pinion about axis X1; a lever (15) for moving the pinion (16) from the rest position to the active position and vice versa; and a contactor (11) for controlling the power supply to the electric motor, said contactor comprising a first contact plate (17) which can move between a rest position and a contact position. According to the invention, the starter is arranged such that the first contact plate (17) is in the contact position before the pinion (16) enters the intermediate position, and the starter also comprises a second solenoid (34), known as the micro solenoid, arranged to lock the contact plate (17) in a locked position located between its rest position and its contact position, preventing the electric motor (30) from being powered.

Description

STARTER FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH AN ELECTRIC MOTOR AND A CONTACTOR FOR POWERING THE ELECTRIC MOTOR

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a starter for a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

Motor vehicles comprising a heat engine also include a starting means of this engine, called starter. The starter is connected to a power source from which an electric motor of the starter drives via a pinion a ring of the engine in a certain direction of rotation, called positive in the following description eto thus causes its startup which implies that in particular said ring continues its rotation in the positive direction of rotation. During this start, a starter of the starter allows the translation of the pinion until each tooth of the pinion is between two teeth of the ring so that the pinion engages the ring during the rotation of the electric motor. In the starters, the translation of the pinion towards the ring gear involves the rotation of the pinion by the electric motor so that the pinion drives the ring in the positive direction. Furthermore, after starting the heat engine, the crown which continues to rotate in the positive direction does not cause the starter gear. Indeed, a freewheel is interposed between the pinion and a shaft of the electric motor and the crown rotates faster than the starter gear.

According to the state of the art, several types of start-up are defined according to the operating state of the heat engine.

More precisely, when the engine is stopped, after idling, the engine goes through a phase of rapidly decreasing the speed of rotation, the starting during this phase is called "Window 1", "window 1" or " W1 "according to an Anglo-Saxon term well known to those skilled in the art. For example, depending on the type of start W1, the speed of rotation of the crown, decreasing, can reach a speed of the order of several hundreds of revolutions per minute, for example 500, but without being greater than 800 revolutions per minute. 0 Thereafter the motor goes through a sometimes called swinging phase in which its crown can rotate in a negative direction opposite to the direction of positive rotation mentioned above, the start during this phase is called "Window 2", "window 2" or "W2" according to an Anglo-Saxon term well known to those skilled in the art. When the engine is stopped, we speak of startup "Window 0", "window 0" or "WO" according to an Anglo-Saxon term well known to those skilled in the art.

According to the start W1 or W2, it is necessary that during the translation of the pinion teeth of the pinion can mesh the engine crown while it is still rotation. It happens that this commitment does not take place but on the contrary a tooth of the pinion taps against a tooth of the crown. This then causes a rebound of the pinion. The term firing window is defined which corresponds to the interval during which the translation of the pinion will allow the teeth of the pinion to reach a position in which the pinion meshes with the motor crown. The shooting window depends in particular on the speed of rotation of the crown and that of the pinion.

These starts or restarts are performed by driving the motor crown in the positive direction of rotation. To facilitate the meshing of the crown by the pinion during these two phases, it is known to add an additional solenoid in a starter of "SPLIT SOLENOID" type. This solenoid can block the power supply of the electric motor without blocking the translation of the pinion to control the rotation of the motor to the position of the most appropriate gear depending on the type of start. For example, in a start type W2, it is preferable to block the power supply of the electric motor as the pinion does not mesh the crown of the engine. However, this system even with an extra solenoid does not provide pre rotation. The pre-rotation consists in starting to rotate the pinion while it is not yet in mesh with the crown. For example, during the pre rotation, the speed of rotation of the pinion is less than that when the pinion is meshing with the ring gear. In the case of a start W1, the pre-rotation makes it possible to limit the difference in speed between the pinion and the crown, which increases the firing window and increases the probability that the pinion can be in a so-called active position to mesh the teeth. of the crown.

Similarly, it is known according to the state of the art, to use another type of starter type "TANDEM" also comprising an additional solenoid. It is therefore an alternative to the use of the micro solenoid of a "SPLIT SOLENOID" type starter. The starter of the "TANDEM" type can perform the pre-rotation and is described for example in the patent US8302497B2 published in its version issued November 6, 2012. However, in this system the triggering of the motor supply and the movement of the pinion are managed by two solenoids ordered without them having direct mutual interaction. It therefore requires two mobile cores that work independently. Which implies a robustness less important especially for the start in WO and therefore security problems. Indeed, in such a system for a start in WO both solenoids must work. On the contrary, with the starter of "SPLIT SOLENOID" type if the second solenoid is not powered, a start of the WO type is possible.

It is also known from the state of the art a starter comprising two separate power contacts for each a group of inductor coils and whose contact is not activated simultaneously. It is thus possible to carry out a first phase of rotation when one is in tooth / tooth at a limited speed when the contact feeds a part of the coils of the first group of coils is ensured and then at full speed, perform a rotation at full speed of the pinion when the two contacts feed the two groups of coils. Such a starter is described for example in the patent US8258639 (B2) published in its version issued September 4, 2012. However, such a starter does not block the power supply of the electric motor. On the contrary, it proposes an early diet. This can be a problem especially in the case of startup type W2.

There is therefore a need for a starter that can perform pre-rotation, robust design. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to respond to this desire while at the same time remedying at least one of these aforementioned drawbacks.

According to the invention, the motor vehicle starter comprises:

- A movable pinion capable of starting a heat engine, the movable pinion can translate or move along an axis X1 between a rest position and an active position, the pinion being rotatable about the axis X1, the pinion passing from the rest position at the active position by an intermediate position,

an electric motor capable of rotating the pinion about the axis X1,

a lever for moving the pinion from the rest position to the active position and vice versa, a contactor adapted to control the power supply of the electric motor, the contactor comprising:

a movable core able to move in translation along an axis X 2 between an initial position and a final position; at least one coil for producing a magnetic force on the movable core to move it from the initial position to the final position;

a control rod able to move between a rest position and a final position, under the effect of the mobile core,

a first group of power terminals, a first terminal being intended to be connected to the battery and a second terminal being connected to the electric motor,

a first movable contact plate between a rest position and a contact position in which it is in contact with the two power terminals for powering the electric motor, said first contact pad being mounted on the control rod,

wherein the starter is arranged so that the first contact plate is in the contact position before the pinion is in the intermediate position, and wherein the starter further comprises a second solenoid said micro solenoid arranged to block the first contact plate in a locking position between its rest position and its contact position preventing the power supply of the electric motor.

When the first contact pad is in the contact position, the pinion of the electric motor can rotate. Given the arrangement of the starter, this rotation is triggered before the arrival of the pinion in the intermediate position, so it is a pre-rotation. However, this pre rotation can be controlled using the micro solenoid. Thus, according to the invention, a controllable pre rotation is obtained by a solenoid of the SPLIT SOLENOID type.

According to other characteristics taken separately or in combination:

- In which the contactor comprises a tooth tooth spring adapted to compress when the pinion is locked in translation between its rest position and its active position to allow the movable core to continue to move to its final position, and in that the tooth tooth spring compresses between an initial prestress state when the movable core is in the rest position and a final stress state when the pinion is in the intermediate position and the movable core is in the final position, and in that the first contact plate can be in the contact position while the spring is still in the prestress condition.

the control rod is able to move from its final position to its rest position under the effect of a return spring when the at least one coil is electrically deactivated, and in that the mobile core is adapted to move from its final position to its initial position under the effect of another return spring.

according to another example that that described above, the control rod is fixed to the movable core and in that the movable core and the control rod adapted to move from its final position to its rest or active position under the effect of a return spring when the at least one coil is electrically deactivated.

- The intermediate position is a gear tooth position of the pinion against a ring of the engine. This tooth position of the gear against the crown of the engine is interesting because a triggering of the pre-rotation at this time allows the pinion to avoid the tooth position tooth to reach the active position and start the engine.

- the contactor includes:

a second group of power terminals, a first terminal of the second group of terminals being intended to be connected to the battery and a second terminal of the second group of terminals being connected to the electric motor; a second contact plate movable between a position and a contact position in which it is in contact with the two terminals of the second group of terminals.

The first contact plate already connecting the battery to the motor, is obtained using the second contact pad, an additional control of the voltage and intensity across the motor.

the circuit formed by the first terminal of the second group of terminals at one end of an inductor of the motor when the second contact pad is in the position of contact is connected in parallel with at least a portion of the circuit formed by the first terminal of the first group at the end of the motor inductor when the first contact pad is in the contact position and the second contact pad is in position. rest position. This provides a possibility by using the second contact pad to either control the current flowing in the circuit of the first contact pad, or to feed additional windings of the inductor.

the second terminals of the first and second groups of terminals are connected to a first and a second group of windings of an inductor of the electric motor respectively so that the first and second groups of windings can be powered selectively by the first and second contact pads respectively.

By controlling the number of windings of the inductor fed, control the rotational speed of the electric motor according to the contact or rest positions of the first and second contact pads. Advantageously, provision may be made to feed fewer windings during the pre-rotation of the starter.

the second terminal of the first group of terminals is connected to the electric motor via a power resistor and the second terminal of the second group of terminals is connected directly to the electric motor, the first plate being in series with the resistance of the power and the second wafer being in parallel with the first wafer and the power resistance.

Depending on the position of the second contact pad, it is therefore possible to control the short circuit of the power resistor. This controls the voltage and the intensity at the terminals of the electric motor. Advantageously, provision can be made to supply the electric motor via the power resistor during the pre-rotation and then to short-circuit the power resistance using the second contact pad to enable the electric motor to turn faster.

- The control rod comprises two branches extending towards the movable core, the two branches being long enough for the first contact plate can take its contact position while the pinion is in a position at a distance less than 2 mm from its rest position.

It is thus easy to control the kinematics of the starter so that the contact position of the first contact pad is anticipated with respect to the contact position of the second contact pad. - The starter is arranged so that when the pinion is located between the rest position and the intermediate position, the second contact pad remains in the rest position.

Thus, the second plate will not be in the contact position before the intermediate position of the pinion. This makes it possible to avoid allowing the pinion to rotate at full speed when it is neither in the active position nor in the intermediate position. This reduces the risk of milling the pinion.

- The starter is arranged so that the first contact plate can take its contact position while the pinion is in a position at a distance of less than 2 mm from its rest position. This defines a kinematic starter to ensure the pre rotation.

- The distance between the first contact pad and its two power terminals is less than 1 .5 mm. By bringing the first contact plate closer together, the rest position can be moved more rapidly to the contact position of the first wafer. This provides an anticipation of the power supply of the electric motor. - The distance between an initial position and a final position of the movable core in which it comes into contact with a starter fixed core and acts on the control rod may be less than 1 1 mm. The control rod being connected to the contact plate, giving a maximum value to the stroke of the movable core before acting on the control rod, it controls the speed with which the displacement of the movable core allows a contact position of the first plate. It allows a passage from the rest position to the contact position of the first wafer with a maximum controlled duration.

- The starter is configured so that the distance between the idle position and the active position of the pinion is sufficiently large so that the first contact plate can take its contact position while the pinion has not yet reached its active position. By increasing sufficiently the race of the pinion, it slows the passage to the active position of the pinion so that the relative power of the electric motor is anticipated.

- The micro solenoid is configured to block the first contact pad for 20 ms after the supply of the at least one coil when the engine to start is stopped. With this timer, it ensures that the pinion is in the active position before triggering the rotation of the electric motor that could otherwise lead to milling of the crown. Indeed, the engine crown is stopped. the thermal engine comprising a ring rotating in a positive direction after starting the heat engine, the micro solenoid is configured to block the first contact pad for 100 ms after the supply of the at least one coil when the speed of rotation of the the crown of the engine to start is negative. With this timer, it ensures that the pinion is in the active position before triggering the rotation of the electric motor that could otherwise lead to milling of the crown. Indeed, the motor ring rotates in the negative direction. The time delay of 100ms is greater than that provided in the case of a ring at rest because the time to obtain an active position of the pinion is greater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

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. Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic view of a starter according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figures 3 to 5 show timing diagrams for the starter according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 represents a schematic view of a starter according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figures 7 and 8 show an implementation detail of Figure 6; and FIGS. 9 to 11 show timing diagrams for the starter according to the second embodiment.

Identical, similar or similar elements retain the same reference from one figure to another.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically represent a starter 10 provided with a hood according to the present invention comprising an electromagnetic contactor 11 provided with a coil 12 producing a magnetic field when it is electrically powered to move a movable core 23 capable of to move in translation along an axis X2 between an initial position and a final position. The movable core is combined with a fork-shaped lever here called fork fork 15. The fork 15 is associated with a drive pinion 16 and a first contact pad 17 towards power terminals 20a. , 20b. In the initial position of the movable core, the pinion is in a rest position remote from the ring and the contact pad is in a rest position which does not electrically connect the two power terminals 20a, 20b. In the final position of the movable core, the plate may be in a contact position electrically connecting the two power terminals 20a and 20b and the pinion may be in the active position meshing with the ring gear. The displacement of the movable core from the initial position to the end position due to the magnetic field of the coil 12 moves the pinion from its rest position to its final position and moves the plate from its rest position to its contact position. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, instead of a single coil 12, there is used a holding coil 14 and a call coil 13. The coil 12 is connected to a battery 1 via a switch 5 and a wire whose resistance is represented by the resistor 4. For example, the switch 5 is on when the driver of the automobile turns the ignition key to start the car. The switch 5 is shown schematically and could be an output of a control unit of the engine (ECU) of the vehicle. The coil can be made with a single solenoid or with a solenoid of call and a solenoid of maintenance. In the case of two solenoids, the call solenoid is shunted (bypass) by the wafer when it is in the final position.

The pinion 16 is movable along an axis X1 between the rest position in which the pinion 16 is located at a distance from a starter ring 18 of a heat engine 19 to the active position in which the pinion 16 meshes with the ring gear. starting 18 of the heat engine 19. During translation of the pinion from the idle position to the active position, the pinion passes through an intermediate position. For example, the intermediate position is a gear tooth position of the pinion against the ring gear 18 of the engine 19.

On the one hand, the movable core is connected to the fork 15 cooperating at one of its ends with a launcher 26 carrying the pinion 16 as described for example in the document FR279588. For example, the fork 15 is connected by the other of its ends to the movable core 23 which acts on this other end via a tooth-tooth spring. On the other hand, the movable core 23 is connected with a control rod 27 on which is mounted the contact plate 17. For example, the movable core 23 is moved under the effect of the coil 12 between the initial position and the end position in which it comes into contact with a starter fixed core and acts on the control rod 27. The contact plate 17 is intended to come into contact with the power terminals 20a, 20b to control the actuation of a electric motor 30 X1 axis. For this purpose, one of the terminals 20a is connected via a wire whose resistance is represented by the resistor 2 to a positive terminal of the battery 1, while the other terminal 20b is connected to the electric motor. 30. In addition, the switch 11 comprises a second solenoid 34 for the control of the electric motor 30 and which is of the micro-solenoid type. The second solenoid 34 comprises a coil 31 and a core 32. The coil 31 is connected to the battery 1 via a switch 3. The core 32 is movable in translation between an initial position and a final position. In the initial position of the core, one end of the core 32 protrudes so as to block the first contact plate 17 in a locking position between its rest position and its contact position preventing the power supply of the electric motor 30. , the core 32 then prevents an electrical contact between the contact plate 17 and at least one of the power terminals 20a, 20b of the contactor January 1.

In its final position, the core 32 allows an electrical contact between the contact plate 17 and the power terminals 20a, 20b and thus allows the activation of the electric motor 30. Optionally, a return spring 33 mounted between a part fixed starter hood and the movable core 23 ensures the return of the core 32 in the initial position following a power failure of the micro-solenoid 34.

In addition, it may further comprise a magnet 39 fixed in the cover of the contactor to prevent bouncing of the movable core 32 when it moves to the final position. Indeed such bounces can take off the contact plate 17 of the terminal 20a.

The contact plate 17 can thus take:

a first position, called rest position, in which the contact plate 17 is located at a distance from the power terminals 20a, 20b (the contactor coil 12 and the coil 31 of the micro-solenoid 34 are then not energized), a second position, called a locking position, in which the contact plate 17 is in contact with one of the terminals 20b but is kept at a distance from the other terminal 20a, and

a third position, called a contact position, in which the contact plate 17 is in contact with the power terminals 20a, 20b to activate the electric motor 30 (the contactor coil 12 is then energized while the coil 31 of the microswitch solenoid 34 is not powered). We can refer for example to the documents FR2923869 or FR2959891 for more details on such a device.

The pinion 16 can take: a rest position in which the pinion 16 is located at a distance from a starter ring 18,

an intermediate position in which it is for example in contact with the tooth against the intermediate ring 18,

an active position in which it has been moved so as to mesh with the starter ring 18.

The starter 10 is arranged so that the first contact pad 17 is in the contact position before the pinion 16 is in the intermediate position. In any case, this means that the electric motor 30 can be powered while the pinion 16 is located between the rest position and the intermediate position and therefore before the pinion is in the active position. However, the micro solenoid 34 makes it possible to block the contact plate 17 and thus the power supply of the electric motor. The activation of the micro solenoid 34 can be controlled using the switch 3.

For example, the starter 10 is arranged so that the first contact plate 17 can take its contact position while the pinion 16 is in a position at a distance less than 2 mm from its rest position.

For this, one can accelerate the contact between the contact plate and the two terminals 20a and 20b. For example, it can be provided that the distance between the first contact pad 17 and its two power terminals 20a and 20b is less than 1.5 mm. In another example, it can be provided that the distance between an initial position and a final position of the movable core 23 in which it comes into contact with the fixed core of the starter and acts on the control rod 27 is less than 1 1 mm. According to another example, no motion damper is called dash pot according to an Anglo-Saxon term well known to those skilled in the art on the mobile core 23.

One can also slow down the contact between the ring gear 18 and the pinion 16. For example, it acts on the race of the pinion 16 by defining that the distance between the rest position and the active position of the pinion is sufficiently large so that the first plate contact 17 can take its contact position while the pinion 16 has not yet reached its active position. In another example, it acts on the hardness of the tooth tooth spring must be low so that the movement of the pinion 16 to the ring 18 is slower. In each of FIGS. 3 to 5 are illustrated 4 markers each provided with two axes, an abscissa axis and an ordinate axis. The x-axis is expressed in milliseconds. The y-axis has no unit The 0-scale corresponds to a rest state while the -1 and 1-ticks correspond to an active state.

FIG. 3 illustrates a timing diagram during a start of type W1. The micro solenoid 34 is not used in this case as can be seen on the third mark.

The first mark illustrates the operating state of the ring gear 18 of the heat engine 19 which rotates in the positive direction.

The second mark illustrates the operating state of the coil 12 or the call coil 13 and hold 14 if appropriate. As can be seen, its power supply is triggered at time t1 illustrated by the line 9. In this example the heat engine is autonomous after about 400 ms, the supply of the coil is stopped because of the opening of the switch 3 ..

The third mark illustrates the operating state of the micro solenoid 34. This, in the case of a start type W1, is not activated.

The fourth mark illustrates the operating state of the electric motor 30. The latter starts to rotate at a time t2 which follows the instant t1. It stops when the engine is started, that is to say that it has taken enough speed not to call. The information concerning the minimum speed to be autonomous, in this example about 400 ms, can be realized by a speed sensor of the thermal engine which sends the information to the ECU (control unit of the engine) controlling the deactivation in cutting the power supply of the coil holding the fixed core in the end position of the contactor in this case the coil 12 is cut electrically and no longer produces its magnetic field to keep the mobile core in the final position.

Since the starter is arranged so that the first contact pad 17 is in the contact position before the pinion 16 is in the intermediate position, on the one hand the instant t2 may be close to the instant t1, for example the duration t2-t1 is less than 10 ms.

On the other hand, at time t2, the pinion is not yet in the intermediate position, so pre-rotation is carried out until the pinion reaches the active position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a timing diagram during a start of the WO type. The first mark illustrates the operating state of the ring 18 of the heat engine 19 which is stopped at the beginning.

The second mark illustrates the operating state of the coil 12 or the call coil 13 and hold 14 if appropriate. As can be seen, its power supply is triggered at a time t3 illustrated by the line 36. After about 400 ms, the supply of the coil is stopped because of the opening of the switch 3, the heat engine being autonomous .

The third mark illustrates the operating state of the micro solenoid 34. This is activated between the instants t3 and t4 represented by the line 35. It makes it possible to block the first contact pad 17 in the blocking position and to delay the setting in rotation of the electric motor until time t4.

The fourth mark illustrates the state of operation of the electric motor 30. The latter begins to rotate at time t4 following the time t3. It stops after about 400 ms when the coil power is turned off.

Since the starter is arranged so that the first contact pad 17 is in the contact position before the pinion 16 is in the intermediate position, without the micro solenoid, between the instant t3 and t4, the first contact pad 17 would be already in the contact position before the active position of the pinion.

This could have led to the milling of the pinion that arrives on a stationary crown.

The micro solenoid 34 thus allows a delay so that the pinion arrives in the active position before rotating the electric motor. For example, the timer t4-t3 is 20ms. At time t4 when the micro solenoid 34 is deactivated, the electric motor 30 rotates and drives the ring gear 18. FIG. 5 illustrates a timing diagram during a start of type W2.

The first mark illustrates the operating state of the ring 18 of the heat engine 19 which is turned in the negative direction at the beginning.

The second mark illustrates the operating state of the coil 12 or the call coil 13 and hold 14 if appropriate. As can be seen, its power supply is triggered at time t5 illustrated by the line 37. After about 400 ms, the supply of the coil is stopped due to the opening of the switch 3, the heat engine being autonomous.

The third mark illustrates the operating state of the micro solenoid 34. This is activated between the instants t5 and t6 represented by the line 38. It makes it possible to block the first contact pad 17 in the blocking position and to delay the setting in rotation of the electric motor until time t6.

The fourth mark illustrates the operating state of the electric motor 30. The latter begins to rotate at the instant t6 after the instant t5. It stops after about 400 ms when the coil power is turned off.

Since the starter is arranged so that the first contact pad 17 is in the contact position before the pinion 16 is in the intermediate position, without the micro solenoid, between the instant t5 and t6, the first contact pad 17 would be already in the contact position before the active position of the pinion. This could have led to the milling of the pinion which arrives on the ring 18 turning in negative direction.

The micro solenoid 34 thus allows a delay so that the pinion arrives in the active position before rotating the electric motor. For example, the timer t5-t6 is 100ms or more. At time t6 when the micro solenoid is deactivated, the electric motor rotates and drives the ring 18. It should be noted that at the moment t6, following the deactivation of the micro solenoid, the passage of the first plate in the position of contact is faster than if at time t6 it had triggered the supply of the coil 12. Indeed, the locking position of the first contact plate 17 is closer to the contact position that is the rest position. The embodiment of FIG. 6 differs from that of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the starter 10 comprises a second group of power terminals 6 and 7 and a second contact pad 8. A first terminal 6 of the second group is intended to be connected to the battery 1 and the second terminal 7 of the second group is connected to the electric motor 30. The second contact pad 8 is movable between a rest position and a contact position in which it is in contact with the two terminals 6 and 7. The circuit formed by the second terminal 20b of the first group to an inductor of the included motor is in parallel with at least a portion of the circuit formed from the second terminal of the second group 7 to said inductor included.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the electric motor 30 comprises four windings 21, 22 and 24, 25 respectively forming two groups 27b and 27a in parallel. In each of the groups, the two windings are in series to interact with the rotor or armature 29 of the motor 30. The inductor 28 of the stator of the electric motor 30 is formed by the two groups of two windings 27a and 27b.

The contactor 1 1 comprises the contact pads 17 and 8.

The first contact pad 17 is connected in series with the two groups of windings 27a and 27b and the second contact pad 8 is connected in series with the windings 21, 22 of the group 27b and in parallel with the windings 24, 25 of the group 27a.

Thus, a first circuit is obtained formed of the first terminal 6 of the second group of terminals 6 and 7 at one end of an inductor 28 of the motor 30 when the second contact plate 8 is in the contact position. This first circuit comprises in particular the second contact plate 8 and the second group 27b of two windings.

A second circuit formed from the first terminal 20a of the first terminal group at the end of an inductor of the motor 30 is also obtained when the first contact plate 17 is in the contact position and the second contact plate 8 is in position. rest. This second circuit includes the first contact plate 17 and the first group 27a of two windings.

The first circuit is connected in parallel with at least part of the circuit of the second circuit.

In other words, the second terminals 20b, 7 of the first and second group of power terminals are both connected to groups of different windings 27a, 27b respectively of an inductor 28 of the motor so that when the first 17 and the second 8 contact pad are in the contact position, the rotation speed of a motor rotor is greater than that obtained when only the first contact plate 17 is in the contact position. Thus, the second terminals 7 and 20b of the first 20a, 20b and the second 6, 7 groups of terminals are connected to a first 27a and a second group 27b of windings of an inductor 28 of the electric motor 30 respectively so that the first 27a and the second 27b groups of windings can be selectively powered by the first 17 and the second 8 contact pads respectively.

For example, the contactor January 1 is arranged so that, in a decreased regime, the first contact plate 17 is closed and the second contact plate 8 is open to allow the power supply by the battery 1 only the windings 24, 25 of group 27a.

In other words, only half of the inductor 28 is activated.

This reduces the peak torque as the pinion 16 is in the intermediate position which corresponds for example to a tooth against tooth position on the ring gear 18. This reduction reduces the risk of milling. When the pinion is in the active position, ie engaged in the ring gear 18 for example beyond the tooth against tooth position, the switch 1 1 can control the power supply of all the windings 21, 22 and 24, 25 of the inductor 28.

The electric motor 30 then runs at full speed, the two contact pads 17 and 8 being in the contact position.

For example, as can be seen in the patent US8258639 (B2) cited above which can be referred to for more details including Figure 7 where we see two branches 77, the control rod comprises two branches s' extending towards the mobile core. These two branches are sufficiently long so that the first contact plate 17 can take its contact position while the pinion is in a position at a distance less than 2 mm from its rest position.

Advantageously, the starter is arranged so that when the pinion is located between the rest position and the intermediate position, the second contact pad remains in the rest position. Moreover, as illustrated in the patent US8258639 (B2) already cited it can switch to the contact position if the pinion is located in the active position.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the inductor can be put in series with a power resistor 41. The first contact plate 17 is placed between the positive terminal 20a connected to the battery 1 and the power terminal 20b connected, in this case, to the power resistor 41.

The second contact plate 8 is placed, in parallel with the first contact plate 17, between the terminal 6 connected to the battery 1 and the electrical terminal 7, to short-circuit the power resistance 41. The power resistor 41 is disposed between the terminals 20b and 7.

In other words, the second terminal 20b of the first group 20a, 20b is connected to the electric motor 30 via a power resistor 41 and the second terminal 7 of the second group 6, 7 is connected directly to the electric motor 30, the first wafer being in series with the power resistor 41 and the second wafer 8 being in parallel with the first wafer 17 and the power resistance. The motor 30 comprises the rotor 29 and the inductor 28 (not visible in FIG. 8). Thus, a first circuit is obtained formed of the first terminal 6 of the second group of terminals 7 at one end of an inductor 28 of the motor 30 when the second contact plate 8 is in the contact position. This first circuit includes in particular the second contact plate 8.

A second circuit formed from the first terminal 20a of the first terminal group at the end of an inductor of the motor 30 is also obtained when the first contact plate 17 is in the contact position and the second contact plate 8 is in position. rest. This second circuit comprises in particular the first contact pad 17 and the power resistor 41.

In the reduced speed phase, the first contact pad 17 is closed and the second contact pad is open for supplying the inductor through the power resistor 41 so as to reduce the peak torque. Furthermore, the speed of rotation of the reduced speed phase is adaptable according to the choice of the resistance value 41.

At full speed, the two contact pads 8 and 17 are closed and the power resistor 41 is short-circuited, which allows to feed the inductor at full power. For example, as can be seen in the aforementioned US Pat. No. 8258639 (B2) to which reference may be made for more details, the control rod comprises two branches extending towards the movable core, the two branches being sufficiently long so that the first contact plate can take its contact position while the pinion 16 is in a position at a distance less than 2 mm from its rest position.

Advantageously, the starter is arranged so that when the pinion 16 is located between the rest position and the intermediate position, the second contact plate 8 remains in the rest position. Thus, as shown in the patent US8258639 (B2) already cited it can switch to the contact position if the pinion is located in the active position.

Furthermore, since the starter is arranged so that the first contact plate 17 is in the contact position before the pinion 16 is in the intermediate position, in the case where the starter is arranged so that when the pinion is located between the rest position and the intermediate position, the second contact pad 8 remains in the rest position, the first contact pad 17 arrives in the contact position while the second contact pad is still in the rest position.

In each of FIGS. 9 to 11 are illustrated 6 markers each provided with two axes, an abscissa axis and an ordinate axis. The x-axis is expressed in milliseconds. The y-axis has no unit The 0-scale corresponds to a rest state while the -1 and 1-ticks correspond to an active state.

FIG. 9 illustrates a timing diagram during a start of type W1. The micro solenoid 34 is not used in this case as can be seen on the third mark. The first mark illustrates the operating state of the ring gear 18 of the heat engine 19 which rotates in the positive direction.

The second mark illustrates the operating state of the coil 12 or the call coil 13 and hold 14 if appropriate. As can be seen, its power supply is triggered at time t1 illustrated by line 9. After about 400 ms, the supply of the coil is stopped because of the opening of the switch 3, the heat engine being autonomous.

The third mark illustrates the operating state of the micro solenoid 34. The latter in the case of a start type W1 is not activated. The fourth mark illustrates the operating state of the first contact pad 17. It comes into contact with the two terminals 20a and 20b at a time t2.

The fifth mark illustrates the operating state of the second contact pad 8. It comes into contact with the two terminals 6 and 7 for example at time t2. It could also be expected that it comes into contact at a later time t7.

The sixth mark illustrates the state of operation of the electric motor 30. The latter runs at full speed at a time t2 following the time t1. It stops after about 400 ms when the coil power is turned off. In the case where the second wafer 8 comes into contact with the two terminals 6 and 7 at the subsequent time t7, the motor 30 starts between times t2 and t7 at a reduced speed then from time t7 at full speed .

Since the starter is arranged so that the first contact pad 17 is in the contact position before the pinion 16 is in the intermediate position, the instant t2 is close to the instant t1 on the one hand, for example the duration t2-t1 is less than 10 ms.

On the other hand, at time t2, the pinion is not yet in the intermediate position, so pre-rotation is carried out until the pinion reaches the active position. We can predict that this pre rotation is performed at a reduced speed if the wafer 8 comes into contact at time t7. FIG. 10 illustrates a timing diagram during a start of type W0.

The first mark illustrates the operating state of the ring 18 of the heat engine 19 which is stopped at the beginning.

The third mark illustrates the operating state of the micro solenoid 34. This is activated between the instants t3 and t4 represented by the straight line 35. It makes it possible to block the wafer and to delay the rotation of the electric motor up to the moment t4. The fourth mark illustrates the operating state of the first contact pad 17. It comes into contact with the two terminals 20a and 20b at time t4 as soon as the micro solenoid 34 is no longer activated.

The fifth mark illustrates the operating state of the second contact pad 8. It comes into contact with the two terminals 6 and 7 for example at time t4. It could also be expected that it comes into contact at a later time t7.

The sixth mark illustrates the operating state of the electric motor 30. The latter starts to rotate at the instant t4 following the instant t3. It stops after about 400 ms when the coil power is turned off. Since the starter is arranged so that the first contact pad 17 is in the contact position before the pinion 16 is in the intermediate position, without the micro solenoid, between the instant t3 and t4, the first contact pad 17 would be already in the contact position before the active position of the pinion. This could have led to the milling of the pinion that arrives on a stationary crown. The micro solenoid 34 thus allows a delay so that the pinion arrives in the active position before rotating the electric motor. For example, the timer t4-t3 is 20ms. At time t4 when the micro solenoid is deactivated, the electric motor rotates and drives the ring gear 18.

Alternatively, a timing t4-t3 could be provided so that the pinion reaches the intermediate position which is a tooth-tooth position against the ring gear. In this case, at time t4 when the micro solenoid 34 is deactivated, the second plate 8 is still in the rest position so that the rotation of the pinion is performed at a reduced speed. Then at time t7, as soon as the second plate 8 passes into the contact position, the pinion being in the active position, the rotation of the pinion is carried out at full speed.

FIG. 11 illustrates a timing diagram during a start of type W2.

The second mark illustrates the operating state of the coil 12 or the call coil 13 and hold 14 if appropriate. As can be seen, its power supply is triggered at time t5 illustrated by the line 37. After about 400 ms, the supply of the coil is stopped due to the opening of the switch 3, the heat engine being autonomous. The third mark illustrates the operating state of the micro solenoid 34. This is activated between times t5 and t6 represented by the line 38. It allows blocking the wafer and delaying the rotation of the electric motor up to the moment t6.

The fourth mark illustrates the operating state of the first contact pad 17. It comes into contact with the two terminals 20a and 20b at time t6 as soon as the micro solenoid 34 is no longer activated.

The fifth mark illustrates the operating state of the second contact pad 8. It comes into contact with the two terminals 6 and 7 for example at time t6. It could also be expected that it comes into contact at a later time t7. The sixth mark illustrates the state of operation of the electric motor 30. The latter starts to rotate at the instant t6 after the instant t5. It stops after about 400 ms when the coil power is turned off.

The micro solenoid 34 thus allows a delay so that the pinion arrives in the active position before rotating the electric motor. For example, the timer t5-t6 is 100ms or more. At time t6 when the micro solenoid is deactivated, the electric motor rotates and drives the crown 18.

Alternatively, it could be expected that at time t6, the second wafer is still in the rest position so that the rotation of the pinion is carried out at a reduced speed. Then at time t7, as soon as the second plate 8 passes into the contact position, the pinion being in the active position, the rotation of the pinion is carried out at full speed.

In any case, it should be noted that at time t6, following the deactivation of the micro solenoid the passage of the first wafer in the contact position is faster than if at time t6 it had triggered the power supply. of the coil 12. Indeed, the locking position of the first plate is closer to the contact position that does not have the rest position.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle starter (10), comprising:

- A movable pinion (16) adapted to start a heat engine (19), the movable pinion can translate along an axis X1 between a rest position and an active position, the pinion being adapted to rotate about the axis X1, the pinion moving from the rest position to the active position by an intermediate position,

an electric motor (30) capable of rotating the pinion about the axis X1,

a lever (15) for moving the pinion (16) from the rest position to the active position and vice versa, a contactor (1 1) able to control the power supply of the electric motor, the contactor comprising:

at least one coil (12)

- a movable core (23) adapted to move relative to the at least one coil in translation along an axis X2 between an initial position and a final position, - the at least one coil (12) for producing a magnetic force on the movable core to move it from the rest position to the end position,

- a control rod (27) adapted to move relative to the at least one coil between a rest position and a final position, under the effect of the movable core (23), - a first group of power terminals (20a, 20b), a first terminal being intended to be connected to the battery and a second terminal being connected to the electric motor,

- At least a first contact plate (17) movable between a rest position and a contact position, in contact position the wafer is in contact with the two power terminals (20a, 20b) for supplying the electric motor, said first contact plate (17) being mounted on the control rod (27),

in which the starter is arranged so that the first contact pad (17) is in the contact position before the pinion (16) is in the intermediate position, and wherein the starter further comprises a second solenoid solenoid (34) said micro solenoid arranged to lock the first contact pad (17) in a locking position between its rest position and its contact position preventing the power supply of the electric motor (30).

2. Starter according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate position is a gear tooth position of the pinion against a ring (18) of the engine (19).

Starter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contactor (1 1) comprises:

a second group of power terminals, a first terminal (6) of the second group of terminals being intended to be connected to the battery (1) and a second terminal (7) of the second group of terminals being connected to the electric motor (30). )

a second contact pad (8) movable between a rest position and a contact position in which it is in contact with the two terminals of the second group of terminals.

The starter according to claim 3, wherein the circuit formed by the first terminal (6) of the second terminal group at one end (40) of an inductor (28) of the motor (30) when the second contact pad (40) 8) is in the contact position is connected in parallel with at least a portion of the circuit formed from the first terminal (20a) of the first group to the end (40) of the inductor (28) of the motor (30) when the first contact pad (17) is in the contact position and the second contact pad (8) is in the rest position.

5. Starter according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second terminals (7, 20b) of the first (20a, 20b) and second (6, 7) groups of terminals are connected to a first (27a) and a second group (27b) windings of an inductor (28) of the electric motor (30) respectively so that the first (27a) and the second (27b) groups of windings can be fed selectively by the first (17) and the second (8) contact pads respectively.

The starter according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the second terminal (20b) of the first terminal group (20a, 20b) is connected to the electric motor (30) via a power resistor ( 41) and the second terminal (7) of the second group of terminals (6, 7) is directly connected to the electric motor (30), the first board (17) being in series with the power resistor (41) and the second board (8) being in parallel with the first wafer (17) and the power resistor (41).

7. Starter according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the control rod (27) comprises two branches extending towards the movable core, the two branches being long enough for the first contact plate (17). can take its contact position while the pinion (16) is in a position at a distance of less than 2 mm from its rest position.

8. Starter according to one of claims 3 to 7, which starter is arranged so that when the pinion (16) is located between the rest position and the intermediate position, the second contact plate (8) remains in the rest position.

9. Starter according to one of the preceding claims, which starter is arranged so that the first contact plate (17) can take its contact position while the pinion (16) is in a position at a distance of less than 2 mm from his rest position.

10. Starter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the first contact plate (17) and its two power terminals (20a, 20b) is less than 1 .5 mm.

1 1. Starter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between an initial position and a final position of the movable core (23) in which it comes into contact with a starter fixed core and acts on the control rod (27) is less than 1 1 mm.

12. Starter according to one of the preceding claims, which starter is configured so that the distance between the rest position and the active position of the pinion (16) is sufficiently large so that the first contact plate (17) can take its position. when the pinion (16) has not yet reached its active position.

13. Starter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the micro solenoid (34) is configured to block the first contact pad for 20 ms after the supply of the at least one coil (12) when the heat engine (19). ) to start is stopped.

Starter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat engine (19) comprising a ring (18) rotating in a positive direction after its start, the micro solenoid (34) is configured to block the first contact pad ( 17) for 100 ms after feeding the at least one coil (12) when the speed of rotation of the ring (18) of the engine (19) to start is negative.