FR3085229A1 - STARTER CONTACTOR COMPRISING A SEALING DEVICE, AND STARTER COMPRISING SUCH A CONTACTOR - Google Patents

Abstract

11. Starter switch (1) comprising: - a housing (2) delimiting at least one interior space (18), - at least one coil (3) housed in the housing (2), - a fixed core (13) integral of the housing comprising a central opening, - a movable core (4) axially along an axis of the contactor (X) relative to the fixed core (13) under the action of the magnetic field of the coil (3), - a cover secured to the housing (2), the cover comprising supply terminal heads (16), - a movable contact (12) slidingly mounted in a central opening of the fixed core, the movable contact being able to come into a position so-called contact, in contact with each of the supply terminal heads, characterized in that the housing comprises a flange (41) folded over the hood, the hood and the flange of the housing forms a retention groove (40) filled with resin to seal the interior space (18).

Description

A SEALING DEVICE, AND STARTER

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STARTER CONTACTOR COMPRISING A SEALING DEVICE, AND STARTER COMPRISING SUCH A CONTACTOR

The field of the present invention is that of thermal engine starters for vehicles.

A motor vehicle starter conventionally comprises an electric motor generating a starting torque, a launcher capable of transmitting the starting torque to the heat engine and a contactor selectively supplying the electric motor and modifying the axial position of the launcher so that '' it transmits the starting torque to the engine.

The electric motor conventionally comprises a stator integral in rotation with the casing and a rotor disposed radially inside the stator and able to rotate. The rotor is integral with a motor shaft which is itself integral in rotation with the launcher, in particular by means of grooved grooves. The launcher conventionally comprises, in the direction of transmission of the torque to the starter ring, a reduction gear, a free wheel and a grooved pinion cooperating with the starter ring when the starter is in its engagement position.

According to a known design, the starter contactor of a thermal engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, comprises a cylindrical housing, also called a tank, in which is placed an annular coil which generates a magnetic field under the effect of an electric current passing through it. . Depending on the polarization of the coil, the magnetic field thus created exerts an attractive force on a cylindrical and at least partly magnetic moving core.

The movable core is mounted in an interior space delimited by the annular coil so as to be able to slide therein in an axial translation in order to close or open an electrical circuit connected to the supply circuit of the starter motor.

The movable core acts on a movable contact capable of coming, in a so-called contact position, in contact with supply terminal heads to close the electrical circuit.

When the circuit is closed, the electric motor is supplied. These power terminal heads are mounted on a contactor cover secured to the housing.

The starter conventionally comprises mechanical means by which the movable core is connected to the launcher. These means conventionally compost a fork coupled at its upper end to the movable core and a lower end to the launcher. The fork is pivotally mounted between its two ends on a fixed starter housing. When the solenoid is energized, the movable core moves the launcher into a meshing position in which the launcher is engaged with a starter ring of the heat engine by means of the actuation means.

The starter switch generally operates in a polluted environment and / or comprising dust and particles which, if they enter the interior space of the housing or between the moving core and. an inner wall of the inner space, can prevent the movable core from sliding freely inside the coil, or even seizing it completely.

The contactor also has a contact chamber in which the supply terminal heads are arranged. Water, mud, impurities, salt or other contamination can enter the contact chamber and degrade the electrical contact between the movable contact and the supply terminal heads.

There is a need to improve the tightness of the contactor to all kinds of impurities.

The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a new starter contactor limiting access to impurities.

The invention aims to meet this need and it achieves this, according to one of its aspects, using a starter contactor comprising:

- a housing delimiting at least one interior space,

- at least one coil housed in the housing,

- a fixed core integral with the housing comprising a central opening,

- a core movable axially along an axis of the contactor with respect to the fixed core under the action of the magnetic field of the coil,

a cover secured to the housing, the cover comprising heads of supply terminals, and

- A movable contact slidably mounted in a central opening of the fixed core, the movable contact being able to come, in a so-called contact position, in contact with each of the supply terminal heads.

The contactor according to the invention is characterized in that the housing comprises a flange folded over the cover and in that the cover and the flange of the housing form a groove filled with resin to seal the interior space.

The resin-filled groove makes it possible to limit access to the impurities present outside the resin contactor. The groove thus serves as a resin retention tank.

The resin prevents degradation of contact between the tank and the fixed core, for example by corrosion, which could lead to loss of mass return.

The flange of the folded down housing and the cover forms a connection interface, this is completely embedded in the resin so that the possible passage for the impurities is occupied by the resin.

According to one aspect of the invention, the throat can be annular. The groove extends all around the axis of the contactor. The groove may have a constant section along its periphery.

According to one aspect of the invention, the groove may comprise a first flank defined by the cover, a second flank defined at least in part by the edge of the housing and a bottom defined by the cover.

The first side can be substantially cylindrical around the axis. The portion of the second side formed by the rim can be flat. The throat may have a flared shape which allows good filling of the throat.

According to one aspect of the invention, the cover can be hollowed out. The second side can be defined both by the cover and by the edge of the housing. The cover is hollowed out in the direction of the housing or the coil. The cover is hollowed out in the direction opposite to an axial opening of the groove. The amount of resin is determined by a depth of the recess formed in the cover.

According to one aspect of the invention, from the bottom towards the opening of the groove, the second flank comprises a portion formed by the cover then a portion tonned by the edge of the housing.

According to one aspect of the invention, when the cover is hollowed out, the rim of the housing cooperates with a cover notch which can extend around the entire periphery of the axis of the contactor.

As a variant, the second flank is only defined by the edge of the housing. The bottom can be flat. The bottom can extend from the connection interface in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the contactor. In this configuration, the cover is not axially hollowed out.

According to one aspect of the invention the bottom of the throat can be flat. Alternatively, the cross section to the direction of extension of the groove may be substantially triangular. The amount of resin can be limited in such a configuration. The back of the throat can be rounded. Alternatively, the cross section to the direction of extension of the groove may be substantially rectangular.

According to one aspect of the invention, the flange may have a surface pressed against a connection surface of the cover. This contact defines the connection interface between the cover and the housing. This connection interface can be a flat contact, in particular over the entire circumference.

The connection plane can be tilted relative to the axial direction by an angle between 10 ° and 90 °. This provides a groove deep enough to receive the resin. Thus, the bottom of the groove and the connection surface with the housing are not defined on the cover by a single flat surface.

According to one aspect of the invention, the housing can be crimped onto the hood. After crimping, the resin can be poured into the groove.

The invention also relates to a starter, in particular to a heat engine of a motor vehicle which comprises a contactor as described above.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description given below by way of indication in relation to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in axial section of a starter switch according to the prior art,

FIG. 2 is a view in axial section of a single cover able to equip a contactor according to an exemplary implementation of the invention,

- Figure 3 is an axial sectional view of a contactor comprising the cover of Figure 1 without the resin being shown,

FIG. 4 is a view of a first variant of FIG. 2, the housing being this time visible, and

- Figure 5 is a second variant of Figure 2.

Figure 1 shows a starter switch 1 according to the prior art fitted to a motor starter of a vehicle.

The contactor 1 comprises a housing 2 housing at least one coil 3, a fixed core 13 integral with the housing, comprising a central opening, and a movable core 4 in axial translation along an axis of the contactor X under the action of the field coil 3.

The housing 2, of generally annular shape and having the X axis as its central axis, delimits an interior space 18, of cylindrical shape. The housing 2 has a first longitudinal end 31 where a hole is formed in which the movable core 4 slides in and out of the housing 2, and a second longitudinal end 32 closed by a cover 14 secured to the housing. The coil 3, of annular shape, is housed in the housing 2.

In the example of FIG. 1, the fixed core 13 has the general shape of a disc. The fixed core 13 is delimited radially outwards by an internal face of the housing 2. The external peripheral part of the fixed core 13 is delimited axially on the one hand by the housing 2 and on the other hand by the cover 14, of the shape of a cylindrical pot, disposed at the axial end of the housing 2 opposite to that which receives the movable core 4.

In the example considered, the cover 14 can be provided with lugs, which each penetrate a notch in the fixed core 13 to link them in rotation and index them angularly.

The movable core 4, of generally cylindrical shape, is actuated by the coil 3. It slides along the axis X in the interior space 18. The movable core 4 comprises a bore radially centered with the axis X and extending axially between two ends of the movable core 4. This bore delimits an internal volume 25. In the internal volume 25 is inserted a shaft 10 for controlling a fork (not shown) making it possible to move a launcher into a position of engagement in which the launcher is engaged with a starter ring of the heat engine. The launch is rotated by an electric starter motor, which allows the flywheel to start and the vehicle engine to start.

Peripherally outside the movable core 4 and on at least part of it, a spring 11, for example of the helical type, is arranged to exert a repulsive force on the movable core 4, oriented along the axis X and in a direction coming out of the housing 2. The spring It makes it possible to push the movable core 4 out of the interior space 18 in the absence of supply to the coil 3. The spring 11 bears axially on the housing 2 via a device for sealing 6 of a graze and on a terminal flange 20 of the movable core 4 on the other hand, the terminal flange 20 having the shape of a disc shaped in "S" in a transverse plane and as illustrated in Figure 1 The spring 11 compresses during the translation of the movable core 4 towards the interior of the starter contactor 1, corresponding to a working position of the movable core 4, and expands when the coil 3 is not polarized, thus pushing back the moving core 4 out of space e internal 18 of the coil 3, thus corresponding to a so-called initial position of the movable core 4.

In the example considered, the contactor 2 also comprises a cavity 19 delimited radially outwards by the cover 14, and axially by the cover 14 on the one hand and by the fixed core 13 on the other hand. This fixed core 13 is arranged to separate the interior space 18.

The movable core 4 exerts a translational force on a movable contact when the movable core 4 enters the housing 2. The movable contact 6 is slidably mounted in the central opening of the fixed core. The movable contact comprises a control rod 12 and a contact plate 15 capable of coming, in a so-called contact position, in contact with each of the supply terminal heads 16, typically in the form of protruding screws, connected respectively to the positive terminal of the battery and the electric motor to close an electric circuit.

When the coil 3 is supplied, the movable core 8 forces the contact plate 15 against the terminals via the contact rod 12. When contact is established between these terminals, the electric motor is supplied.

The cavity 19 houses the contact plate 15 and the supply terminal heads 16. The supply terminal heads 16 are arranged on an internal face of the cover 14.

A return spring 17 of helical type is arranged to push the contact rod 12 towards the movable core 4 when the coil 3 is not supplied. The contact rod 12 is provided in its central region 23 with a shoulder 24 on which a first axial end of the return spring 17 is supported. A second axial end of the return spring 17 bears on the cover 14.

When the coil 3 is energized, an electromagnetic field attracts the movable core 4 in the interior space 18 of the coil 3. The movable core 4 translates the X axis towards the interior of the housing 2. By entering the interior space 18, the movable core 4 compresses the spring 11. When the movable core 4 sufficiently enters the housing 2, the movable core 4 also moves along the same axis X the movable shaft 12. The contact rod 12 will move the contact pad 15 disposed on the movable shaft 12 to bring it into contact with the electrical studs 16. The contact between the electrical contact 15 and the supply terminal heads 16 will close the supply circuit of the electric motor of the starter and allow its launch. By the same translational movement of axis X, the movable shaft 12 will compress the return spring 17. When the coil 3 is no longer supplied, the spring 11 pushes the movable core 4 out of the interior space 18. The return spring 17 pushes the movable shaft 12 back to its original position.

Referring to Figures 2 to 5, the invention differs from the prior art in that the housing 2 comprises a flange 41 folded over the cover 14 and in that the cover and the flange of the housing form a groove 40 filled with resin for sealing the interior space 18. The groove is annular, that is to say that it extends over the entire periphery of the axis X. The groove 40 has a constant section along its periphery.

In the example considered, the flange 41 folded down and the cover 14 forms a connection interface 45, the latter is completely embedded in the resin so that the possible passage for the impurities is occupied by the resin.

In the example considered, the connection interface is formed by a flat surface of the flange pressed against a flat connection surface 47 of the cover. The surfaces are flat all around. The box 2 is thus crimped onto the cover 14.

In the example considered, the connection plane forming the connection interface is inclined relative to the axial direction by an angle a between 10 ° and 90 °

With reference to FIG. 3, the groove 40 comprises a first flank 48, here substantially cylindrical, defined by the cover 14, a second flank 49, here plane, defined by the flange 41 of the housing and a bottom 50 defined by the cover 14 The throat 40 is here flared.

In the example of Figures 2 and 3, the bottom 50 is flat and extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis X.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the contactor 2 differs in that the cover 14 is hollowed axially at the bottom of the groove 41, in the direction opposite to an axial opening of the groove. The second flank 49 is defined both by the cover 14 and by the rim 41 of the housing

2. From the bottom 50 towards the opening of the groove, the second flank comprises a portion formed by the cover 54 then a portion 55 formed by the edge of the housing 2. The edge of the housing 41 cooperates with a notch 52 of the cover which s 'extends around the entire perimeter of the X axis.

In the variant shown in Figure 4, the bottom of the groove 50 is flat and the cross section to the direction of extension of the groove is substantially rectangular.

In the variant shown in Figure 5, the cross section to the direction of extension of the groove 50 is substantially triangular. The bottom 50 of the groove is here rounded.

Alternatively, the cross section to the direction of extension of the substantially rectangular groove.

The invention described above makes it possible to seal the starter contactor 1 by means which limit the introduction of particles and dust therein. The interior space 18 is thus particularly well protected during the input and output movements 15 of the movable core 4 inside the coil 3.

Claims (9)

1. Starter switch (1) comprising: - a housing (2) delimiting at least one interior space (18), - at least one coil (3) housed in the housing (2), - a fixed core (13) integral with the housing comprising a central opening, - a movable core (4) axially along an axis of the contactor (X) relative to the fixed core (13) under the action of the magnetic field of the coil (3), - a cover secured to the housing (2), the cover comprising heads of supply terminals (16), - A movable contact (12) slidably mounted in the central opening of the fixed core, the movable contact being able to come, in a so-called contact position, in contact with each of the supply terminal heads, characterized in that the housing includes a rim (41) folded over the cover, the cover and the rim of the housing form a retention groove (40) filled with resin to seal the interior space (18). 2. Starter switch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the groove (40) is annular. 3. starter switch (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the groove (40) comprises a first flank (48) defined by the cover, a second flank (49) defines at least in part by the rim of the housing and a bottom (50) defined by the cover. 4. Starter switch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cover (14) is hollowed out so that the second flank (49) is defined both by the cover and by the edge of the housing. 5. starter switch (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the second flank (49) is only defined by the edge of the housing 6. starter switch (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the bottom (50) of the groove is flat. 7. starter switch (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the cross section of the groove (50) is substantially triangular. 8. Starter switch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flange has a surface pressed against a connection surface (47) of the cover. 10 9, starter switch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the housing (2) is crimped on the cover (14). 10. Starter, in particular of a heat engine of a motor vehicle comprising a contactor (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.