Contractor with micro-solenoid and device for retention of core of micro-solenoid for motor vehicle starter, and corresponding starter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10002734-B2
Application number	US-201515119902-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 19, 2015
Priority date	Feb 27, 2014
Publication date	Jun 19, 2018
Grant date	Jun 19, 2018

Abstract

The invention essentially relates to a contact-breaker ( 1 ) for a heat engine starter, comprising: —a cap ( 30 ); and —a micro-solenoid ( 41 ) that comprises a coil ( 42 ) which is stationary relative to the cap ( 30 ), and a core ( 43 ) which is translationally movable relative to the cap ( 30 ) between a starting position and an end position. The contact-breaker ( 1 ) comprises a means ( 51 ) for retaining the core ( 43 ) of the micro-solenoid ( 41 ) in the end position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A contactor ( 1 ) for a starter of a thermal engine, comprising:
a cap ( 30 ); and
a micro-solenoid ( 41 ) comprising a coil ( 42 ) fixed relative to the cap ( 30 ), a core ( 43 ) moveable relative to the cap ( 30 ) between an initial position and a final position, and a retention device ( 51 , 52 ) positioned at a base of the cap ( 30 ) and configured for retaining the core ( 43 ) of the micro-solenoid ( 41 ) in the final position or in the initial position.

2. The contactor according to claim 1 , wherein the retention device comprises a magnet ( 51 ) positioned at the base of the cap ( 30 ).

3. The contactor according to claim 1 , wherein the retention device comprises a magnetic support ( 52 ) in the form of a “U” positioned at the base of the cap ( 30 ).

4. The contactor according to claim 3 , wherein the contactor is configured to establish a magnetic flux loop which passes via the magnetic support ( 52 ) when the core ( 43 ) of the micro-solenoid ( 41 ) is in the final position.

5. The contactor according to claim 4 , further comprising a resistor ( 59 ) fitted between an end of the coil ( 42 ) of the micro-solenoid ( 41 ) and an end of a pull-in coil ( 81 ).

6. The contactor according to claim 3 , further comprising a resistor ( 59 ) fitted between an end of the coil ( 42 ) of the micro-solenoid ( 41 ) and an end of a pull-in coil ( 81 ).

7. The contactor according to claim 1 , wherein a contact plate ( 21 ) is attached to the core ( 43 ) of the micro-solenoid ( 41 ) such that during the displacement of the contact plate ( 21 ) from an active position to a deactivated position the contact plate ( 21 ) drives the core ( 43 ) of the micro-solenoid ( 41 ) to its initial position.

8. The contactor according to claim 7 , wherein it is configured such that a gap exists between a head ( 432 ) of the core ( 43 ) of the micro-solenoid ( 41 ) and a face of the contact plate ( 21 ), when the core ( 43 ) of the micro-solenoid ( 41 ) is in the final position.

9. The contactor according to claim 7 , wherein it is configured such that a gap exists between an intermediate shoulder ( 433 ) of the core ( 43 ) of the micro-solenoid ( 41 ) and a face of the contact plate ( 21 ), which faces towards the intermediate shoulder ( 433 ) when the core ( 43 ) of the micro-solenoid ( 41 ) is in the final position.

10. A starter of a thermal engine comprising a contactor ( 1 ) including:
a cap ( 30 ); and
a micro-solenoid ( 41 ) comprising a coil ( 42 ) fixed relative to the cap ( 30 ), a core ( 43 ) moveable relative to the cap ( 30 ) between an initial position and a final position, and a retention device ( 51 , 52 ) positioned at a base of the cap ( 30 ) and configured for retaining the core ( 43 ) of the micro-solenoid ( 41 ) in the final position or in the initial position.

Assignees

• Valeo Equip Electr Moteur

Inventors

• Metral Jean Sébastien
• Guesney Tristan
• SANCHEZ JOSé

Classifications

• F02N15/067

  the starter comprising an electro-magnetically actuated lever · CPC title

• H01H3/60

  Mechanical arrangements for preventing or damping vibration or shock · CPC title

• H01H47/04

  for holding armature in attracted position, e.g. when initial energising circuit is interrupted; for maintaining armature in attracted position, e.g. with reduced energising current {(with switching regulator H01H47/325)} · CPC title

• H01H51/01

  Relays in which the armature is maintained in one position by a permanent magnet and freed by energisation of a coil producing an opposing magnetic field {(H01H51/02 - H01H51/26 take precedence)} · CPC title

• H01H51/29

  Relays having armature, contacts, and operating coil within a sealed casing (H01H51/27 takes precedence) · CPC title