阅读说明：本技术 用于发动机的起动装置的开关装置 (Switch device for starting device of engine ) 是由 扬·伯特 于 2017-06-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于发动机的起动装置的开关装置(10),该开关装置包括：马达的供电电路的两个端子(11、12)；螺线管装置(13),该螺线管装置具有轴线(14),并且包括：绕所述轴线(14)缠绕的螺线管线圈(16)；柱塞(17),该柱塞被部分地容纳在螺线管线圈(16)中并包括芯(18)和接触板(21)；其中,当电流通过螺线管线圈(16)时,使柱塞(17)从非作用位置轴向移动到作用位置,从而将马达的小齿轮移动成与发动机的环齿轮接合,在该作用位置,接触板(21)与端子(11、12)接触,以闭合马达供电电路；继电器(30),该继电器具有轴线并包括：继电器线圈(36)；可移动构件(31),当电流通过继电器线圈(36)时,使该可移动构件(31)从电流不能通过螺线管线圈(16)的断开位置移动到使电流通过螺线管线圈(16)的闭合位置；螺线管装置(13)和继电器(30)具有同一个轴线(14)。(The invention relates to a switching device (10) for a starting device of an engine, comprising: two terminals (11, 12) of a power supply circuit of the motor; a solenoid device (13) having an axis (14) and comprising: a solenoid coil (16) wound about the axis (14); a plunger (17) partially housed in the solenoid coil (16) and comprising a core (18) and a contact plate (21); wherein, when an electric current is passed through the solenoid coil (16), the plunger (17) is caused to move axially from an inactive position to an active position, thereby moving the pinion of the motor into engagement with the ring gear of the engine, in which active position the contact plate (21) is in contact with the terminals (11, 12) to close the motor supply circuit; a relay (30) having an axis and comprising: a relay coil (36); a movable member (31) that moves the movable member (31) from an open position where current cannot pass through the solenoid coil (16) to a closed position where current passes through the solenoid coil (16) when current passes through the relay coil (36); the solenoid device (13) and the relay (30) have the same axis (14).)

1. A switching device (10) for a starting device (3) of an engine, comprising:

two terminals (11, 12) of a power supply circuit of the motor (6);

a solenoid device (13) having an axis (14), the solenoid device (13) comprising:

a solenoid coil (16) wound about the axis (14);

a plunger (17), said plunger (17) being partially housed in said solenoid coil (16) and comprising a core (18) and a contact plate (21);

wherein, when an electric current is passed through the solenoid coil (16), the plunger (17) is axially moved from an inactive position to an active position, moving the pinion (8) of the motor (6) into engagement with the ring gear (2) of the engine, in which active position the contact plate (21) is in contact with the terminals (11, 12) to close the power supply circuit of the motor;

a relay (30) having an axis (14), the relay (30) comprising:

a relay coil (36);

a movable member (31) that moves the movable member (31) from an open position where current cannot pass through the solenoid coil (16) to a closed position where current passes through the solenoid coil (16) when current passes through the relay coil (36);

the solenoid device (13) and the relay (30) have the same axis (14).

2. The switching device (10) of claim 1 wherein the movable member (31) of the relay (30) is configured to rotate about the axis (14) between the open position and the closed position.

3. The switching device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the relay (30) is configured such that the movable member (31) has a rotation range between 30 ° and 60 °, such as about 45 °, between the open position and the closed position.

4. The switching device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the relay (30) comprises biasing means (37), the biasing means (37) being for biasing the movable member (31) towards its off position.

5. The switching device (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the relay (30) further comprises:

a switch (40), said switch (40) being biased towards an open position and being movable to a closed position in which it closes a power supply circuit of said solenoid device (13) so that an electric current can pass through said solenoid coil (16);

an actuator (43), the actuator (43) being rotatably secured to the movable member (31) and configured to: the actuator (43) moves the switch (40) towards its closed position when the movable member (31) moves towards its closed position.

6. The switching device (10) according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the relay (30) comprises a substantially C-shaped stator (34), the stator (34) preferably having one pole (35) at each of its ends, the poles (35) substantially facing each other in a radial direction, the relay coil (36) being wound around the stator (34).

7. The switching device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the relay (30) further comprises a rotor (31) as the movable member, the rotor (31) having at least one magnetic pole and being rotatably mounted about the axis (14) between the magnetic poles (35) of the stator.

8. The switching device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plunger (17) comprises a shaft (19), the shaft 19 having a first end secured to the core (18) or axially movable by the core (18), and an end stop (20) secured to a second end of the shaft (19) opposite the core (18), the contact plate (21) comprising a central hole (22), the shaft (19) being engaged in the central hole (22), the switching device (10) further comprising biasing means (23), the biasing means (23) being configured to urge the contact plate (21) towards the end stop (20).

9. The switching device (10) according to claims 2 and 8, characterized in that said movable member (31) comprises a central hole (32), said shaft (19) being engaged in this central hole (32), so that said movable member (31) is rotatably mounted with respect to said shaft (19) between said core (18) and said contact plate (21), and said movable member (31) is axially free with respect to said shaft (19).

10. The switching device (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the contact plate (21) and the plunger (17) are mutually configured such that the contact plate (21) is pivotable about an axis orthogonal to the solenoid axis (14) by an angle (α), the angle (α) being in the range of 0.5 ° to 10 °, for example about 3 °.

11. The switching device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a safety device (50), the safety device (50) being able to assume a safety position in which it prevents the contact plate (21) from coming into contact with the terminals (11, 12) and, when the movable member (31) of the relay (30) moves towards its closed position, it moves towards a connection position in which the safety device (50) allows the contact plate (21) to come into contact with the terminals (11, 12).

12. The switching device (10) according to claim 11 and claim 5, wherein the actuator (43) is arranged on the safety device (50).

13. The switching device (10) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the terminals (11, 12) have contact surfaces (62), the contact surfaces (62) extending substantially in a plane orthogonal to the axis (14) and facing the contact plate (21), and the safety device (50) comprises:

a substantially radial surface (60), said substantially radial surface (60) being arranged substantially flush with a contact surface (62) of the terminal, or said substantially radial surface being further from the contact plate (21) than the contact surface (62) of the terminal; and

a protrusion (59), the protrusion (59) extending from the radial surface (60) towards the contact plate (21), the protrusion (59) being configured such that:

in the safety position, the projection is arranged substantially axially aligned with one terminal (11, 12) and extends further towards the contact plate (21) with respect to a contact surface (62) of the terminal;

in the connecting position, the projection is offset with respect to the terminal (11, 12).

14. The switching device (10) according to claim 13, wherein the projection (59) has an inclined surface (61) and preferably the contact plate (21) has a corresponding chamfer (63).

15. The switching device (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 14 and claim 2, wherein the safety device (50) has at least one driven member (58), the driven member (58) cooperating with an operating member (33) of the movable member (31) such that rotation of the movable member causes rotation of the safety device about the axis (14).

16. The switching device (10) according to claim 15, wherein said movable member (31) has at least one radial projection (33) as said operating member, and said safety device (50) comprises an annular collar (54), said annular collar (54) being provided with at least one radial recess or opening (58) as said driven member, said collar (54) being mounted around said movable member (31), wherein said radial projection (33) is housed in said radial recess or opening (58).

17. The switching device (10) according to claim 16 and claim 5, wherein the actuator (43) is arranged on the annular collar (54).

18. The switching device (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 17 when depending on claim 13, wherein the safety device (50) comprises a ring (53) arranged around the terminals (11, 12), an annular collar (54) arranged around the movable member (31), and a peripheral wall (55) extending axially and joining the ring (53) and the annular collar (54), the projection (59) being arranged on the ring (53).

19. A starting device (3) for an engine, the starting device (3) comprising a motor (6) and further comprising a switching device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, the motor (6) having an output shaft (7), the output shaft (7) comprising a pinion (8), wherein the plunger (17) of the solenoid device (13) is linked to the output shaft (7) of the motor (6) by a lever (24) such that axial movement of the plunger (17) causes axial movement of the output shaft (7), and wherein the motor (6) is connected to one of the terminals (12).

20. An engine apparatus comprising a starting device (3) according to claim 19, and further comprising:

an engine comprising a ring gear (2) with which the pinion (8) of the motor (6) can be brought into engagement;

a battery (4), said battery (4) being connected to said terminal (11) not connected to said motor (6) and being able to supply power to said solenoid coil (16) and to said relay coil (36);

an electrical control unit (5), the electrical control unit (5) for controlling the supply of power to the relay coil (36).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a switch device for a starting device of an engine, a starting device for an engine including such a switch device, and an engine apparatus including such a starting device.

The invention is applicable in heavy vehicles, such as trucks, buses and construction equipment.

Background

A conventional starting device for an engine comprises a motor powered by a battery and comprising a pinion for engagement with a ring gear of the engine, and a switching device.

The switching device includes a solenoid device including at least one coil and a plunger received in the coil and axially movable when current is passed through the coil to cause the pinion to engage the engine ring gear and electrical power to be supplied to the motor. The switching device further includes a relay for controlling the operation of the solenoid device.

The relay is typically fastened to the starting device so that a radially protruding member is formed at the outer circumference of the starting device. This arrangement has a number of disadvantages.

One major problem is that such an arrangement requires space at the outer periphery of the starting device, which may not be available in many engine installations. This results in a sub-optimal relay installation and may prevent access to some components of the engine plant.

Further, with this arrangement, the lead wires required between the relay, the solenoid device, and the battery are exposed to external factors and may be damaged by corrosion or mechanical wear.

Thus, there appears to be room for improvement in starting devices from several perspectives.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a switching device for a starting device of an engine that solves at least part of the problems of the prior art in terms of packaging and service life.

To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a switching device for a starting device of an engine, comprising:

two terminals of a power supply circuit of the motor;

a solenoid device having an axis, the solenoid device comprising:

-a solenoid coil wound around said axis;

-a plunger, partially housed in the solenoid coil, and comprising a core and a contact plate;

wherein, when current is passed through the solenoid coil, the plunger is caused to move axially from an inactive position to an active position, thereby moving the pinion of the motor into engagement with the ring gear of the engine, in which active position the contact plate is in contact with the terminal to close the motor supply circuit;

-a relay having an axis, the relay comprising:

a relay coil;

a movable member that is moved from an open position where current cannot pass through the solenoid coil to a closed position where current passes through the solenoid coil when current passes through the relay coil;

the solenoid device and the relay have the same axis.

Due to this coaxial arrangement of the solenoid device and the relay, the invention greatly improves the packaging of the starting device, without external parts being provided at the outer periphery of the starting device. Furthermore, this makes it possible to form an integrated system (without external leads), which significantly increases the reliability of the starting device.

In one embodiment, the relay may be disposed between the core and the contact plate outside of the solenoid coil.

According to one embodiment, the movable member of the relay is configured to rotate about the axis between an open position and a closed position. From a magnetic point of view it is very efficient to arrange the relay coaxially and rotatably with respect to the solenoid arrangement, thus leading to a high performance. This also further improves the compactness of the starting device.

For example, the relay may be configured such that the range of rotation of the movable member between the open and closed positions is between 30 ° and 60 °, for example about 45 °.

The relay may comprise biasing means for biasing the movable member towards its open position.

The relay may further include:

a switch that is urged toward an open position and is movable to a closed position in which the switch closes a power supply circuit of the solenoid device so that current can pass through the solenoid coil;

an actuator rotatably secured to the movable member and configured to: the actuator moves the switch towards its closed position when the movable member is moved towards its closed position.

According to one embodiment, the relay comprises a stator having at least one pole. For example, the stator is substantially C-shaped, having one magnetic pole at each of its ends, the magnetic poles substantially facing each other in the radial direction, the relay coil being wound around the stator. The relay coil can be wound around a central portion of the stator.

The relay may further comprise a rotor as said movable member, the rotor having at least one pole and being rotatably mounted about said axis, for example between the poles of the stator.

The plunger may comprise a shaft having a first end secured to or axially movable by the core, and an end stop secured to a second end of the shaft opposite the core, the contact plate comprising a central bore into which the shaft is engaged, the switching device further comprising biasing means configured to urge the contact plate towards the end stop.

For example, the movable member may comprise a central hole into which the shaft is engaged, the movable member thus being rotatably mounted relative to the shaft between the core and the contact plate, and the movable member being axially free relative to the shaft.

The contact plate and plunger may be mutually configured such that the contact plate may pivot about an axis orthogonal to the solenoid axis through an angle in the range 0.5 ° to 10 °, for example about 3 °. This arrangement makes the separation of the contact plate from the terminal easier. To this end, for example, the diameter of the central hole of the contact plate may be slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft.

According to one embodiment, the switching device further comprises a safety device which can be in a safety position in which it prevents the contact plate from coming into contact with the terminal and which, when the movable member of the relay is moved towards its closed position, moves it towards a connection position in which it allows the contact plate to come into contact with the terminal.

The safety device allows to prevent the contact plate from coming into contact with the terminal when the solenoid coil is not energized, thereby improving safety. Then, when the movable member is moved back to its open position, the safety device is moved back to its safety position, forcing the contact plate to separate from the terminal.

In one embodiment, the terminal may have a contact surface extending substantially in a plane orthogonal to said axis and facing the contact plate, and the security device may comprise:

-a substantially radial surface arranged substantially flush with the terminal contact surface; and

-a protrusion extending from the radial surface towards the contact plate, the protrusion being configured such that:

-in the safety position, the projection is arranged substantially axially aligned (in line) with one of the terminals and extends further towards the contact plate with respect to the terminal contact surface;

in the connected position, the tab is offset relative to the terminal.

The projection may have an inclined surface and preferably the contact plate may have a corresponding chamfer. This makes separation of the contact plate from the terminal easier.

The safety device may have at least one driven member which cooperates with an operating member of the movable member such that rotation of the movable member causes rotation of the safety device about said axis.

For example, the movable member has at least one radial projection as said operating member, and the safety device comprises an annular collar provided with at least one radial recess or opening as said driven member, the collar being mounted around the movable member, wherein said radial projection is received in the radial recess or opening.

The actuator may be arranged on the safety device, for example on the annular collar.

The safety device may include a ring disposed around the terminal, an annular collar disposed around the movable member, and a peripheral wall extending axially and joining the ring and the annular collar, the projection being disposed on the ring.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a starting device for an engine, comprising a motor having an output shaft comprising a pinion, and further comprising a switching device as described hereinbefore, wherein a plunger of a solenoid device is linked to the output shaft of the motor by a lever such that axial movement of the plunger causes axial movement of the output shaft, and wherein the motor is connected to one of said terminals.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to an engine arrangement comprising a starting device as described hereinbefore, and further comprising:

an engine including a ring gear with which a pinion of the motor may be brought into engagement;

a battery connected to a terminal not connected to the motor and capable of supplying power to the solenoid coil and the relay coil;

an electric control unit for controlling the power supply of the relay coil.

Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims.

Drawings

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the following is a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

In these figures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an engine arrangement including a starting device including a switching device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a detailed sectional view of the switching device according to line II-II of fig. 5;

fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the switching device according to the line III-III of fig. 2, the movable member of the switching device being in the open position;

fig. 4 is a sectional view of the switching device according to the line IV-IV of fig. 2;

fig. 5 is a sectional view of the switching device according to the line V-V of fig. 2;

fig. 6 and 7 are perspective views of a safety device included in the switching device;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with the movable member of the switch device in a closed position;

fig. 9 is a sectional view of the switching device according to the line IX-IX of fig. 5;

fig. 10 and 11 are detailed views of the safety device and the contact plate of the switching device and show the steps for closing the motor supply circuit;

fig. 12 to 15 are detailed views of the safety device and the contact plate of the switching device and show the steps for disconnecting the motor supply circuit;

fig. 16 is a detailed view of the switching device near the contact plate.

Detailed Description

The engine arrangement 1 is partially shown in fig. 1. The engine arrangement 1 comprises an engine (not shown) comprising a ring gear 2, a starter device 3 for starting the engine, a battery 4 and an electric control unit 5.

The starting device 3 comprises a motor 6, the motor 6 having an output shaft 7, the output shaft 7 comprising a pinion 8, which pinion 8 is capable of meshing with the ring gear 2 of the engine during an engine starting phase. The starting device 3 further comprises a switching device 10, which switching device 10 allows starting the motor 6 and coupling the motor 6 to the engine in order to start said engine.

The switching means 10 comprise the terminals of the power supply circuit of the motor 6, i.e. a first terminal 11 connected to the battery and a second terminal 12 connected to the motor 6.

The switching device 10 further comprises a solenoid device 13 having an axis 14. The solenoid device 13 comprises a solenoid coil 16 wound around said axis 14, and a plunger 17 partially housed in the solenoid coil 16. The plunger 17 includes a core 18, a shaft 19 secured to the core 18, and an end stop 20 secured to the shaft 19 opposite the core 18. It is contemplated that the solenoid coil 16 may include several coils, such as a solenoid hold-in coil, a solenoid push-in coil, and possibly a solenoid shunt coil.

Alternatively, the end stop 20 may be secured to the shaft 19 a short distance from the core 18. In this arrangement, axial movement of the core towards the terminal results in the same axial movement of the shaft and end stop only after the core has moved the distance and thus has made contact with the shaft. Although not specifically shown, the present invention is also applicable to such alternative arrangements.

The plunger also comprises a contact plate 21, the contact plate 21 having a central hole 22, the shaft 19 being engaged in the central hole 22, the contact plate 21 being located between the core 18 and the end stop 20. The contact plate 21 may be made of copper or contain copper. Biasing means, such as a helical spring 23 mounted around the shaft 19 between the core 18 and the contact plate 21, are provided to urge the contact plate 21 towards the end stop 20.

Further, the plunger 17 of the solenoid device 10 is linked to the output shaft 7 of the motor 6 through a lever 24.

Thus, when the current provided by the battery 4 passes through the solenoid coil 16, the plunger 17 is caused to move axially from the inactive position (as shown in fig. 1) to the active position (i.e., to the right in fig. 1). This movement results in:

axial movement of the motor output shaft 7 by means of the lever 24, so as to engage the pinion 8 of the motor 6 with the ring gear 2 of the engine;

the contact plate 21 is moved axially towards the terminals 11, 12, up to said active position, in which the contact plate 21 is in contact with the terminals 11, 12, thus closing the motor power supply circuit.

The switching device 10 also includes a relay 30. According to the invention, the relay 30 is arranged coaxially with the solenoid device 13, i.e. with the same axis 14.

The relay 30 is located axially between the solenoid coil 16 and the contact plate 21, and is arranged around the shaft 19 of the plunger 17.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the relay 30 comprises a rotor 31, the rotor 31 having a central hole 32, the shaft 19 being engaged in the central hole 32 in the following manner: that is, the rotor 31 is rotatably mounted with respect to the shaft 19, and is free in the axial direction with respect to the shaft 19. The rotor 31 may also comprise at least one radial projection 33, for example two diametrically opposite radial projections 33. Each projection 33 forms one magnetic pole of the rotor 31.

The relay 30 also includes a stator 34, which stator 34 may be generally C-shaped. The stator 34 has one magnetic pole 35 at each of its ends, which face each other substantially in the radial direction. Further, the relay includes a relay coil 36 wound around the stator 34 substantially in a central portion of the stator 34 (i.e., between the poles 35). The rotor 31 is disposed between the stator poles 35.

The switching device 10 further includes a housing 25, the housing 25 accommodating the solenoid device 13, the relay 30, and the terminals 11, 12. The rotor 31 is rotatably mounted on the housing 25. On one of the axial ends of the housing 25, the housing 25 has an opening (not shown) for allowing the end of the shaft 9 opposite the end stop 20 to pass through the opening. Furthermore, on the other axial end of the housing 25, the housing 25 has two openings 26, 27, in which the terminals 11, 12 are engaged respectively, so that a portion of these terminals 11, 12 is located around the housing 25 to allow connection to the battery 4 and the motor 6.

When no current passes through the relay coil 36, the rotor 31 is in the off position, as shown in fig. 3, the projections 33 of the rotor 31 are circumferentially offset from the stator poles 35. The rotor 31 is biased towards its off position by biasing means, such as a flat coil spring 37 (see fig. 4) secured at one end to the housing 25 and at the other end to the rotor 31.

The battery 4 supplies current to the relay coil 36 according to suitable commands of the electronic control unit 5. As a result, the rotor 31 is rotated about the axis 14 from its open position to a closed position in which each of the projections 33 substantially faces one of the poles 35 of the stator 34 (see fig. 8). This arrangement provides a closed magnetic field, which is particularly advantageous in terms of efficiency.

There may be provided: the rotor 31 is rotatable between the open position and the closed position through a range of between 30 ° and 60 °, for example about 45 °.

As shown in fig. 3, the relay 30 further includes a switch 40. The switch 40 comprises a terminal 41 fixed to the housing 25, and a moving part 42, the moving part 42 being slidably guided with respect to the housing 25 and being held away from the terminal 41, i.e. towards the open position, by biasing means.

The relay 30 further comprises an actuator 43 rotatably secured to the rotor 31. Thus, when the rotor 31 is rotated about the axis 14 towards its closed position, the actuator 43 is rotated to its closed position, thereby moving the switch 40 towards its closed position (fig. 8). Thus, the switch 40 closes the power supply circuit of the solenoid device 13 so that the current supplied by the battery 4 can pass through the solenoid coil 16. In practice, the actuator 43 may be a part having an increasing diameter in the circumferential direction corresponding to this closing movement.

In other words, activation of the relay 30 causes activation of the solenoid device 13, which causes activation of the motor 6 and engagement between the pinion gear 8 and the ring gear 2 of the engine, resulting in the engine being started.

The actuator 43 may be part of a separate piece from the rotor 31. In one embodiment, the parts also form a safety device 50, which safety device 50 prevents the contact plate 21 from coming into contact with the terminals 11, 12 when the rotor 31 is not in its closed position.

More specifically, the safety device 50 may be in a safety position in which the safety device 50 prevents the contact plate 21 from coming into contact with the terminals 11, 12 and may move the safety device 50 towards the connection position when the rotor 31 is moved towards its closed position. In the connected position, the safety device 50 allows the contact plate 21 to come into contact with the terminals 11, 12, i.e. to supply the motor 6 with power and start the engine.

An embodiment of the safety device 50 will now be described with reference to fig. 6 and 7.

The safety device 50 is substantially cylindrical and is mounted between the relay 30 and the terminals 11, 12 coaxially with the axis 14. It has a first axial end 51 on the side of the terminals 11, 12 and a second axial end 52 on the side of the relay 30.

On its first end 51, the safety device 50 comprises a ring 53 arranged around the terminals 11, 12 (see fig. 2); at its second end 52, the safety device 50 comprises an annular collar 54 (see fig. 3) arranged around the rotor 31. The ring 53 and the annular collar 54 are joined by two peripheral walls 55, these two peripheral walls 55 extending axially and facing each other. Two windows 56 facing each other are arranged between the peripheral walls 55. Since the diameter of the annular collar 54 is smaller than the diameter of the circumferential wall 55 of the safety device 50, a radial wall 57 is arranged between the circumferential wall 55 and the annular collar 54.

The annular collar 54 is provided with an opening 58 (or alternatively a recess), the position and size of the opening 58 being adapted to the projection 33 of the rotor, so that said projection 33 can fit into said opening 58, as shown in fig. 3. Furthermore, the safety device 50 comprises an actuator 43 as a component radially protruding from the annular collar 54.

The safety device 50 is preferably made of a non-magnetic material so as not to interfere with the operation of the rotor 31, and is non-conductive so as not to create a short circuit with the terminal 41. For example, the security device 50 may be made of a plastic material.

As can be seen in fig. 7, the safety device 50 further comprises a projection 59 arranged between the ring 53 and one of the peripheral walls 55. The projection 59 extends from a radial surface 60 of the ring 53 facing the annular collar 54 towards the annular collar 54 and has an inclined surface 61.

As shown in fig. 2 and 9, when installed in the switchgear 10, the safety device 50 is arranged such that the radial surface 60 of the ring 53 is substantially flush with the terminal contact surfaces 62 of the terminals 11, 12 (i.e., the surfaces that extend substantially in a plane orthogonal to the axis 14 and face the contact plate 21). As a result, the projections 59 extend from said radial surface 60 of the ring 53. In other words, the projection 59 extends farther toward the contact plate 21 than the terminal contact surface 62.

The operation of the switching device 10 equipped with the safety device 50 will now be described.

In the position in fig. 3, when no current is passing through the relay coil 36, the rotor 31 and the switch 40 are in their open position and the safety device 50 is in its safety position, i.e. positioned so that the projection 59 is substantially axially aligned with one of the terminals 11, as shown in fig. 9.

As explained previously, when current is passed through the relay coil 36, the rotor 31 rotates about the axis 14 towards its closed position. The safety device 50 is caused to rotate about the axis 14 due to the cooperation between the projection 33 of the rotor and the opening 58 of the safety device 50 which receives the projection 33. As a result, the protruding portion 59 is moved in the circumferential direction with respect to the terminal 11 up to the connection position (as shown in fig. 11) where the protruding portion 59 is offset with respect to the terminal 11.

In particular, in the embodiment shown, the projections 33 have both an electrical function (since they are rotor poles) and a mechanical function (since they cause a rotational movement of the safety device 50). Alternatively, both functions may be achieved by two separate means. For example, an additional member for rotating the safety device may be provided, which will be separate from the magnetic poles. Alternatively, the safety device may be secured to the rotor by gluing or any other suitable method.

When the solenoid coil 16 is supplied with current, the contact plate 21 moves toward the terminals 11, 12. However, as long as the safety device 50 is not rotated sufficiently, the projection 59 prevents contact between the contact plate 21 and the terminals 11, 12 by making an abutment to the contact plate at a safe distance d from the terminal contact surface 60, as shown in fig. 10. When the safety device 50 has reached its connected position, the contact plate 21 can come into contact with the terminal contact surface 60 (fig. 11) because the projection 59 is offset with respect to the terminal 11.

In contrast, fig. 12 to 15 show the relative positions of the contact plate 21, the projection 59 and the terminal 11 when the motor power supply circuit is disconnected.

From the connected position of fig. 12 (same as fig. 11), when the rotor 31 is rotated back to its disconnected position, the safety device 50 is rotated towards its safety position in the same way. This causes projection 59 to move back to its position in axial alignment with the corresponding terminal (here terminal 11) while contact plate 21 is initially in contact with terminal contact surface 60.

When the projection 59 comes into contact with the contact plate 21, it pushes the contact plate 21 axially away from the terminal contact surface 60. The inclined surface 61 may facilitate this separation movement, and preferably by providing a corresponding chamfer 63 or the like on the contact plate 21.

This separation movement may also be facilitated by another arrangement shown in fig. 16 the diameter of the central bore 22 of the contact plate may be slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft 19 in the embodiment shown, the additional member 65 is engaged within the central bore 22 about the shaft 19, this is only one possible embodiment due to this difference in diameters the contact plate 21 may pivot through an angle α about an axis orthogonal to the solenoid axis 14, the angle α being in the range of 0.5 ° to 3 ° thus causing a slight pivoting movement of the contact plate 21 as the single protrusion 59 begins to push the contact plate 21 locally away from the terminal 11, as shown in fig. 16, as a result the contact plate 21 then contacts only one of the two terminals, which makes complete separation of the contact plate 21 from the terminals 11, 12 easier.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings; rather, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims set forth below.

Although the above detailed description has been made with respect to a switching device including a stator and a rotor, other embodiments may have another type of movable member as long as the movable member operates as follows: when current is passed through the relay coil, the movable member is moved from an open position in which current cannot pass through the solenoid coil to a closed position in which current is passed through the solenoid coil. The movable member may be configured to rotate about the axis between the open and closed positions, although other types of movement are also contemplated.