EP1925011A1

EP1925011A1 - Heat engine starter switch comprising improved winding electrical connection means

Info

Publication number: EP1925011A1
Application number: EP06808311A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Chantal Bocquet; Sanghyuk Ahn
Original assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur SAS
Priority date: 2005-09-15
Filing date: 2006-09-12
Publication date: 2008-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2026-09-12
Also published as: ATE549732T1; FR2890780A1; BRPI0615343A2; BRPI0615343B1; EP1925011B1; CN101263572A; JP2009508315A; FR2890780B1; KR20080055825A; PL1925011T3; CN101263572B; KR101281383B1; WO2007031681A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a starter switch (10) comprising a winding borne by a support (24) of the type wherein the winding is electrically connected with the outside of the switch via connection means which include a connecting element borne by a cover and a second element (65, 66) arranged inside the switch which is connected to at least one winding wire (22), the second connector element (65, 66) being connected to at least one conductor wire of the winding by the so-called insulation-displacement connecting technique.

Description

"Thermal motor starter contactor having improved means for electrically connecting its winding"

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic starter contactor of a heat engine, especially a motor vehicle engine. The invention more particularly relates to a contactor of the type comprising a hollow body, in particular of generally tubular shape, which houses a rear winding, which controls the axial displacements of a movable contact, which is capable of cooperating with two fixed contact terminals, which are arranged in the bottom of an insulating front cover closing an axial end of the body of the contactor.

STATE OF THE ART

In such a contactor, also called relay, the electrically conductive mobile contact, also called contact pad, is carried by a central control rod, which, when the coil is electrically powered, is pushed by a movable core to come into contact electric with two fixed contact terminals, one of which is connected to the battery of the vehicle, and the other is connected to the electric motor of the starter. The contact terminals are carried by the cover of electrically insulating material.

When the movable contact comes into electrical contact with the two electrical contact terminals, the electric motor of the starter is then energized and turned.

In known manner, the winding, for example of annular shape, comprises at least one peripheral winding. This winding surrounds the movable core and must be electrically connected to the outside of the contactor by connection means.

According to a first known design, electrical connections, or connections, between the winding winding or windings, and the contact terminals are made on the cover by welding, in particular by soldering with tin.

Such a welding connection technique is particularly complex to implement. Indeed, the free end sections of the different winding wires, to be electrically connected to the contact terminals, must be positioned angularly and oriented axially, that is to say in a direction generally parallel to the general axis of the contactor and orthogonal to the plane of the fixed core of the contactor.

These sections of free ends must also be of sufficient length so that they can pass axially through the cover to extend at least partially, forwards, outside the cover. When placing the cover on the body of the contactor, for example metal, it is necessary to correctly pass the end sections of the son in through holes provided for this purpose in the cover, and this operation is particularly delicate as it is done "blindly".

In addition, it is necessary that the cover comprises, externally, electrically conductive connecting tabs for connecting the fixed contact terminals to the free end sections of the winding son. These tabs, usually cut sheet conductive sheet, extend outside the hood and occupy a space that adversely affects the possibilities of reducing the size and total size of the contactor. For the realization of tin solders, it is necessary to put sheaths on the end sections of the son to prevent phenomena of leakage of the tin solder inside the contactor. Finally, the welding operation requires that the free end sections of the winding son are devoid of any insulation, and must be stripped, for example by "scraping" to remove the insulating varnish that covers the core. copper of each wire.

B REF RESUME OF LI NVENTION

In order to remedy these drawbacks, the invention proposes a contactor of the type mentioned above. According to the invention, the rear winding is electrically connected to the outside of the contactor by connection means which comprise at least:

- A first connector element, which is carried by the insulating cover and which extends axially rearwardly towards the inside of the contactor; and

a second connector element which is arranged inside the contactor, which is electrically connected to a conductor wire of the coil coated with an insulator, and which is able to axially receive the free end of the first element of the connector during the mounting of the insulating cover on the body of the contactor; and the second connector element is connected to said conductive wire by the so-called insulation displacement technique.

In one embodiment, the first connector element is of the male type and the second connector element is of the female type. The design according to the invention, which allows a blind mechanical assembly and to overcome the stripping operation of the free end sections of the winding wires, is of course not limited to a first male connector element. carried by the insulating cover and to a second female connector element connected to a winding wire, but also applies to the reverse design in which the first connector element is a female element carried by the insulating cover and the second connector element is a male element electrically connected to a winding wire.

The solution according to the invention is compact.

According to other features of the invention:

- The second connector element comprises a housing of insulating material, axially open towards the front, which defines at least one blind slot of transverse orientation adapted to position and maintain a section of said conductive wire; and

a metal contact element, housed in a housing cavity, which is configured to be able to move the insulation of said conductive wire and locally strip the conducting wire when the contact element is placed axially from front to back; in the cavity;

the metal contact element comprises a fork-shaped rear connection part which is open axially towards the rear and which is able to displace the insulation of said conductive wire and locally strip the conducting wire when the contact element is set up axially back and forth in the cavity;

the metal contact element comprises a front part shaped as a resilient clip open axially towards the front which is adapted to axially receive the free end of a first male connector element when mounting the insulating cover on the body of the contactor; said free end of the first male connector element is shaped in a flat tongue of axial orientation;

the rear winding, when electrically powered, actuates an axially movable core which acts on a control rod which passes through its center a disk-shaped fixed core arranged at an axial end before the body of the contactor, the rod controlling the axial displacements of the movable contact, and the contactor comprises a support plate which is pierced at its center to allow the passage of the body of the control rod;

the support plate is arranged axially between the fixed core and the movable contact and carries said second connector element;

- The support plate is made by plastic molding, and the insulating housing of the second connector element is made integrally by molding with the support plate;

the support plate is adjacent to the fixed core;

the support plate is in contact with the fixed core.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic view, partly in axial section, illustrating the main components of an electric starter switch d a motor vehicle engine according to the state of the art;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the central body of the winding and the support plate of the housings of the second female connector elements according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, according to another angle of view, and on which are also illustrated the metal contact elements intended to be housed in the insulating housings of female connector elements; - Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating the inside of the complementary cover including the male connector elements according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the two male elements of the hood connector of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a detailed view on a larger scale of one of the housings made of insulating material of a female element of a connector according to the invention;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view illustrating the insulation displacement contact member in place in the housing of Fig. 6; and

- Figure 8 is a simplified schematic perspective view illustrating the cooperation of the movable contact plate with the male elements of the connectors shown in Figure 5; - Figure 9 is a front view of the rear winding before mounting the support plate;

- Figure 1 0 is a view similar to Figure 9 after mounting the support plate;

- Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of the rear winding assembly support plate;

FIG. 12 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the metal contact element

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the following description and in the claims, the terms front and rear will be adopted, in a non-limiting manner, according to the left and right orientation of FIG. 1. Identical, similar or similar components will be designated by the same reference numerals.

According to a generally known design, the electromagnetic contactor 1 0 illustrated in FIG. 1 is intended to equip a starter with a thermal engine of a motor vehicle of which only the casing 12 of its electric motor casing has been represented, as well as the lever, or fork 14, for actuating the launcher (not shown) of the starter.

The upper end of the lever 14 is hinged to a link rod 1 1. This rod January 1 is supported at its free end for support of the axial end before a first spring 13, called spring teeth against teeth. This spring 13, shown here in part, surrounds the rod 1 1 and intervenes between this rod 1 1 and a hollow axially movable core 1 5 for housing the rod 1 1 and the spring 13. This movable core 1 5 comprises a bottom

1 9 centrally perforated for passage of the rod 1 1. This bottom 1 9 serves to support the rear axial end of the first spring 13 acting between the bottom 1 9 and the shoulder of the rod 1 January.

The contactor 1 0 also comprises a hollow body 1 6, here of generally tubular shape, which is open axially forward, that is to say to the left of Figure 1, and which is for example worn by a transverse support 1 8, oriented perpendicular to the axis A of the contactor 1 0 and which belongs to the starter. This axis A constitutes the axis of a control rod 36 described below. The section of the body 1 6 is circular in shape so that the body 1 6 is generally of tubular general shape.

Alternatively the body 1 6 is square, rectangular or polygonal section. This body 1 6 can be of any shape and has at the bottom a hole 21 centrally perforated for passage and axial guidance of the movable core 1 5.

The central portion of the bottom 21 is configured to constitute outside the body 1 6 a shoulder for support of the front end of a second spring 23, called return spring. The end rear of this spring 23 is supported on a cup 25 secured to the bottom 1 9 of the movable core 1 5.

At the rear of the body 1 6, here metallic, we also see a portion 20 of a starter housing element called "nose" of the starter configured to be mounted on a fixed part of the vehicle. This portion 20 is also used to mount the body 1 6 using for example unrepresented screws.

The body 1 6 internally houses a rear winding 22, also called solenoid, here of generally cylindrical annular shape of axis A which consists essentially of a support

24 annular insulating material which is open radially outward and which houses at least one winding or coil 26.

Of course the shape of the outer periphery of the rear winding 22 depends on that of the body 1 6. Here the support 24 serves, in known manner, the housing of two concentric windings, one of the windings 26 being a winding called winding of call, the other 126 a winding said holding winding.

The support 24 consists of a radially inner sleeve 28 and two transverse plates of rear end 30 and front 32. There is thus formed an annular groove in which are housed the windings 26, 126.

The inner periphery of the sleeve 28 serves to guide the movable core 1 5, adapted to penetrate and to move axially inside the body 1 6.

Alternatively there is provided a guide tube between the sleeve 28 and the movable core 1 5, this tube projecting from the bottom 21 of the body 1 6.

The front transverse plate 32, and therefore the rear winding 22, is adjacent to the generally disk-shaped fixed core 34, which, in known manner, comprises a thick metal transverse plate and housed in the vicinity of the free end of the front end. body 1 6. More specifically, the outer periphery of the plate of the fixed core 34 is interposed axially between a clamp (not referenced), which has the free end of the body 1 6 with the aid of a change in internal diameter, and the face rear of a closure cap 50 of electrically insulating material. This hood, hollow in shape, closes the front face of the body 1 6 and carries fixed electrical contact terminals 46, 48 each provided within the cover 50 respectively of a contact head 42, 44 electrically conductive. The terminals and the heads are carried by the bottom 54 of the cover 50.

The fixed core plate 34 is extended centrally by a central portion 27 provided with a sleeve 29, which guides in axial sliding a front control rod 36 mentioned above. The outer periphery of the central portion 27 carries the support 24. The rod 36 controls the axial displacements of a transverse wafer 40 electrically conductive called moving contact. This rod 36 comprises a body provided with a front portion 38 which carries the plate 40.

More precisely, the body of the rod 36 comprises a shoulder 31, which delimits a front portion 38 of larger diameter adapted to pass through the central opening of the wafer 40. A third spring 33, called the contact spring, surrounds the front portion 38 of the rod and acts between the shoulder 31 of the rod 36 and the rear face of the wafer 40. A fourth spring 35, called break spring, acts between the front face of the wafer 40 via an anchor plate (not referenced) and the bottom 54 of the cover 50 with a recess 51 for the housing of the front end of the cut spring 35 less stiff than the spring 33.

The rod 36 and the plate 40 form a moving element, which can move axially against the force exerted by the spring 35, until the plate 40 comes into contact with the head 42, 44 to electrically power the motor. electric motor (not shown) of the starter. During this movement, the plate 40 is integral with the rod 36.

After contact of the wafer 40 with the heads 42, 44, the spring 33 is compressed and a relative movement occurs between the rod and the wafer until the axially movable core 15 comes into contact with the fixed core 34.

Alternatively the front portion 38 of the rod 36 is of the same diameter, the return spring then acting between the fixed core and the movable core, while the tooth against tooth spring is located at the starter of the starter. The connecting rod 1 1 is then secured to the movable core 1 5 and is adapted to act on the control rod.

The body 1 6, the movable core 1 5 and the fixed core 34 are here made of ferromagnetic material. The movable contact plate 40 is illustrated in FIG. 1 in its rear rest position and, in a known manner, when the windings 26, 126 are electrically powered, a magnetic field is generated, which controls the axial displacement of the movable core. in the direction of the fixed core 34. The movable core 1 5 has at its front end a washer 37, so that after catching a game the movable core 1 5 acts on the rear end of the control rod 36 which is moves towards the hood 50 against the cut spring 35 less stiff than the contact spring 33. Alternatively, as mentioned above, it is the connecting rod, which acts on the control rod.

It is thus caused when the windings 26, 126 are electrically powered, for example following the operation of the ignition key, an axial displacement from behind to the front of the wafer 40, which then establishes at the end of a race. determined an electrical contact between the inner heads 42 and 44 of two fixed contact terminals 46 and 48. The two metal terminals 46, 48 are carried by the bottom 54 of the insulating front cover 50, which is the closing cap of the open axial end of the body 1 6.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the cover 50 is for example fixed to the body 1 6 by crimping. More specifically, the axial end before 1 7 of reduced thickness of the body 1 6 is folded in contact with the front face of an outer peripheral protrusion 53 of the cover 50 in contact with its rear face with the front face of the contact plate fixed 34 interposed axially clamping between this extra thickness and the above-mentioned shoulder of the body 1 6. The cover 50 has a shape complementary to that of the front end of the body 1 6 to be in close contact with the outer periphery of its extra thickness 53 with the inner periphery of the body 1 6 of reduced thickness at this level. As can be seen in Figure 1, as well as in Figure 4, the cover 50 is an insulating plastic molded part in the general shape of hollow cavity internally and open axially rearwardly.

The cover 50 essentially consists of an annular axial axial skirt 52, here cylindrical, and a front end transverse face 54 which is traversed by the body of the terminals 46 and 48. The face 54 here constitutes the bottom of the hood and protrudes outside a partition 55 separating terminals 46, 48. The skirt 52 is extended at the rear by the extra thickness 53, here of annular shape.

In known manner, the terminal 46 is connected to the storage battery of the vehicle, while the terminal 48 is connected by leads 58, here a cable, to the armature and to the inductor (not shown) of the motor electric starter. Of course as a variant a single winding 26 is provided, the electric supply current thereof being then electronically controlled. In any case, it is necessary to be able to supply the winding (s) 26, 1 26 electrically.

This is achieved according to the invention by means of connection means of the seamless mechanical type, which comprise at least two elements of complementary shape, which fit together or slide one into the other.

The electrical connections are made in the switch between the bottom 54 of the cover 50 and the plate of the fixed core 34.

One of the elements belongs to the hood 50 and the other belongs to a support piece positioned on the fixed core.

One of these elements is of the male type and the other of these elements of the female type.

One of the elements is connected to at least one end conductor wire of one of the windings by the insulation displacement connection technique.

One of the elements is configured to expose at least one end of one of the conductive wires of the windings 26, 1 26.

One of the elements is configured to serve as a cradle for at least one end of a wire of one of the windings 26, 26. One of the elements comprises a transverse support plate 60 of electrically insulating material. , such as plastic, adjacent to the plate of the fixed core 34 as described hereinafter, itself adjacent to the rear winding 22.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 to 11, three ends of conductors 81 belonging to coils 26, 1 26 are stripped.

Specifically before mounting the support plate 60 begins by housing the windings 26, 1 26 in the groove of the support 24 of the rear winding 22. To do this rolls them in the groove of the support 24 to achieve two windings As can be seen in FIG. 9, the wire-like free ends 81 of the windings 26, 126 then extend in axial projection, the front plate 32 having, in this embodiment, protrusions 132, here in the form of a chimney, for the passage of the son 81 of the call windings 26 and maintenance 126. Here two chimneys 132 are provided because of a chimney for two son.

Then the fixed core 34 is mounted on the front transverse plate 32 and finally the plate 60 is mounted on the transverse plate of the fixed core 34 and sandwiched between the plates 32, 60 (Figure 1 0).

Of course an insulating paper (not referenced) envelops the outer winding 126 to protect the windings 26, 1 26 and the fixed core 34 has peripheral clearances for the passage of the projections 132 in the form of chimneys integrally molded with the support 24 here made of plastic

The plate 60 also has clearances for the passage of the protrusions 132.

The clearances allow blocking in rotation of the parts concerned.

Finally, the free ends of the wires 81 are folded transversely to make them penetrate into housings 66 described hereinafter, one of the wires 81, here one of the wires of the holding winding 126, being welded to the fixed core. to return to ground so that there are three housings 66 for the other three son 81.

Two of the housings 66, as best seen in the figures

2 and 3, are adjacent so that there is a common partition wall in both housings. One of these housings receives the other end wire 81 of the holding coil 126 and the other one of the end wires 81 of the call winding 26.

The third housing is separate from the other two and receives the other end wire 81 of the call winding 26. It will be appreciated that, according to one characteristic, the transversely folded end threads 81 participate in maintaining the contact of the plate 60 with the fixed core 34.

The son 81, electrically conductive, thus allow to immobilize the support plate 60.

The protrusions 132 can also contribute to the maintenance of the contact, these being force-fitted in the aforementioned clearance of the support plate 60.

This gives a manipulable and transportable assembly (Figure 1 1). Of course it is possible to fix, if necessary, for example by gluing, the support plate 60 here made of electrically insulating plastic material on the plate of the fixed core 34.

As a variant, the cover 50 locally has for example at least one projection or a shoulder for axially locking the support plate 60.

In a variant, the plate 32 has at least one protrusion or boss, passing through the fixed core 34, on which the plate 60 is fixed.

Alternatively it is the support plate which has such projections or bosses.

The support plate 60 can thus be implanted at a small distance from the fixed core 34 or be in contact, as shown in the figures, with the fixed core 34.

In all cases the plate 60 is adjacent to the fixed core 34.

The outer diameter of the plate 60 is smaller than that of the inside diameter of the extra thickness 63 of the cover 50 for supporting the cover on the fixed core.

It is also possible to fix the plate 60 by local crimping as described in document FR A 2 854 665, disclosing a solution in which the body 1 6 is in several parts. In this variant the rib of this document FR A

2,854,665 will serve to immobilize the support plate 60. Of course the passages of the son 81 formed in projections can be made in the plate 60 as visible in 232 in Figure 3. The fixed core 34 then has recesses (not referenced in Figure 3) for the passage of the projections 232.

These projections 232 serve to block rotation of the plate relative to the fixed core 34 and also to the immobilization of the plate 60 when they are engaged by force in the recesses of the fixed core 34. In this embodiment, the wires 81 also serve to immobilize the plate 60 to form a unitary assembly comprising the rear winding the fixed core 34 and the plate 60.

In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the plate 60 is in the form of a disc or washer with an external diameter smaller than that of the annular plate of the fixed core 34 for supporting the extra thickness 53 of FIG. 1 of the cover 50. This extra thickness 53 also includes recesses for the passage of the radial tabs associated with the projections 232 of the washer 60.

Of course, the front plate of the support 24 may comprise at least one rotational locking projection engaged in a complementary hole of the fixed core 34.

Such a projection and such a hole are visible in Figure 3.

For simplicity, FIGS. 2 and 3 do not show the windings 26, 126, knowing that, in known manner, the resistance of the call winding 26 is lower than that of the holding winding 126.

Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 2, and in accordance with the teachings of the invention, the body 1 6 of the contactor according to the invention houses, in addition to the support 24 of the rear winding 22, a transverse support plate of electrically molded plastics material. insulating 60. The support plate 60 is arranged axially between the fixed core 34 and the movable contact plate 40 here being in contact with the plate of the fixed core 34.

The support plate 60 is generally disk-shaped and has a central hole 62 in particular for the passage of the front portion 38 of the control rod 36, that is to say for passage of the body of the control rod 36 .

The support plate 60 made of electrically insulating material, such as plastics material, carries, on its front transverse face 64, various elements made of material by molding and in particular insulating housings 66, here in a number of three, of which each is an insulating housing belonging, in the sense of the invention, to a second connector element, here of the female type, connection means, each female connector element consisting of an insulating housing

66 and a complementary contact element 65 (Figure 3) of electrically conductive material housed in the housing 66. Two of the housings 66 are previously adjacent. The element 65 is here metallic and is flexible thanks to its configuration described below.

As can be seen in more detail in FIG. 6, each housing 66 is here of generally rectangular and hollow parallelepipedal shape.

Each housing 66 delimits an internal cavity 68 open axially forward, itself of generally parallelepipedal shape.

The housing 66 also delimits transversely oriented slits 70, which are open axially forwardly, opening, with a chamfer 72, into the front free end transverse face 74 of the housing. A chamfer 75 is formed in the open end transverse face 74 of the housing 66

The slots 70 are each formed in one of two parallel and opposite side walls 76 of the housing 66. These slots 70 are in correspondence. Each slot 70 is blind and has a bottom 71 formed in the wall 76 concerned.

The slots 70 allow the establishment of the free end section 79 of an electrically conductive wire 81 belonging to the coils 26, 126.

Each wire 81 is, in known manner, coated with at least one insulator.

Here the width of the slots 70 is generally equal to the diameter of the wire 81, here of circular section. Each end 79 bears axially backwards against the funds 71 of the aligned slots 70 and a local extra thickness 69 from the bottom of the cavity 68 (see Figure 7). The funds 71 and the local extra thickness 69 are in correspondence and therefore aligned. The section 79 is thus perfectly positioned in the bottoms 71 and on the excess thickness 69 of the casing 66 which, together with the complementary metal contact element 65, constitutes here an insulating displacement type female connector element, in accordance with the teachings of FIG. the invention. For this purpose (FIGS. 7 and 3) each metal contact element 65 housed in a cavity 68 of a casing 66 has an axially rearward portion 80 in the form of a double fork with two slots which is open axially towards the rear and which delimits two parallel slots 82, which are able to move the insulation of the section 79 of the conductive wire 81 to locally strip the section 79 and establish an electrical contact between the stripped wire 81 and the contact element 65, when this contact element 65 is placed axially, from front to back, in the cavity 68, that is to say from top to bottom, with reference to FIG. 3. Each pair of slots 82 of a contact element 65 thus provides a insulation displacement effect on a corresponding part of the section 79 of the wire 81. The insulation of the wire 81, such as enamel, is cut locally. These are the side edges slots 82 which provide the stripping of the electrically conductive wire 81, for example copper. The blind slots 82 and 70 are mounted head to tail.

The width of each slot 82 is smaller than the thickness of the wire 81 with insulation. The width of the slot 82 is sized to obtain a clamping between the side edges of the slot 82 and the son son 81 denuded locally.

The width of the excess thickness 69 is generally equal to that of the stripped wire. On either side of the thickening 69 there is a hollow or recess for housing the bottom of the fork 80.

Each element 65 is held in its associated housing 66 by the elasticity of its rear portion 80.

Each metal contact element 65 also comprises an axially forward front part 84 in the form of a resilient clip which is open axially towards the front and which is adapted to receive axially the free end of a first connector element, in the sense of the invention, when mounting the insulating cover 50 on the body 1 6. As can be seen in particular in Figures 4 and 5, each first connector element is here of the male type and is here constituted by a male contact element 90, 1 90 which is shaped so that its free end is a flat tongue 92 of axial orientation adapted to be clamped in a resilient clamp 84 vis-à-vis the second connector element for passage of electric current.

One of the elements 1 90 has two tabs 92 for mounting in the two adjacent housings 66.

The elements 90, 90 are electrically conductive here being metallic. The elements 90, 90 are more rigid than the contact elements 65.

The tabs 92 are here provided with chamfers as shown in FIG. 8. The chamfer 75 formed in the open end transverse face 74 of the housing 66 is involved, on the one hand, in guiding the contact element 65 when it is introduced axially to ensure the insulation displacement operation, and on the other hand, guiding the associated tongue 92 in the resilient clamp 84 when the cover 50 is placed axially from front to back on the body 1 6 of the contactor 1 0.

The assembly is, in one embodiment, performed blind. Each male connector contact element 90, 1 90 also comprises an eyelet, or transverse washer 94 intended to be traversed for example by the body of an associated terminal, such as terminal 46.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, beyond the eyelet or washer 94, the single male contact element 90 on the left extends axially forwardly and outwardly of the cap 50 by a tongue external 96 intended to be connected to the electric motor via a conductor or a braid of electrical connection (not shown). As can be seen in FIG. 8, the washer 94 of the male connector element 90, 90 may also be used as contact area for the movable contact pad 40

The use of the so-called insulation displacement technique for connecting the wires 81 of the winding to the first connector elements 65-66 makes it possible to no longer have to strip the free end sections of the wires.

The support plate 60 positioned on the fixed core 34 also has the function of isolating the son of the winding from any contact with the fixed core and thus avoid possible cuts of the enamel insulating copper son on sharp edges of the core Of course the number of housing 66 depends on the number of son 81. For example with a single winding 26 it uses a single housing.

In all cases, at least one housing 66 is provided. Similarly, a single slot 70 can be provided as a variant per housing 66.

The structures can be inverted with the first connector element then being of the female type and the second element of the male type. Thus alternatively the contact element of the housing 66 is in the form of an electrically conductive jumper with a blind slot as shown in Figure 12. This jumper, here metallic, is laterally provided with projections (not referenced) for its mounting to force in its associated housing then advantageously comprising grooves for force mounting the side edges of the jumper 1 65.

The slot of the jumper, of the male type, serves to strip the wire in the aforementioned manner. More precisely, the lateral edges of the blind slot are able to move the insulation of said conductive wire and locally strip said conductive wire when the contact element 1 65 is placed axially back and forth in the cavity of the associated housing. The width of the slot of the rider is a function of the width of the excess thickness 69 above.

Of course the cover then carries electrically conductive female type elements for mounting on the jumper. These female elements are configured for example to form clamps which are mounted on the rider.

We can realize all the combinations. For example, the insulated casing 66 may be equipped with a jumper 1 65 and the adjacent casings of the contact element 65.

The section of the son 81 conductors may be alternatively square, rectangular or polygonal.

Alternatively it may be a wire 81 flat type. In all cases, prior to the blind plugging of the connector elements, the wire or wires 81 are mechanically stripped with the aid of the metallic contact element 65, 1 65, which thus has a dual function. The ends 79 of the wires 81 also have a function of holding the support plate 60 because they are folded, here at 90 °, after passing through the fixed core 34 and the plate 60 to enter the slot or slots 70.

Claims

REVEN D ICATIONS

1. Contactor (1 0) of a thermal engine starter, in particular of a motor vehicle engine, of the type comprising a hollow body (1 6), in particular of generally tubular shape, which houses at least one rear winding (22), which controls the axial displacements of a movable contact (40), which is capable of cooperating with two fixed contact terminals (46, 48), which are arranged in the bottom (54) of an isolating front cover (50) for closing an axial end of the body (1 6) of the contactor, characterized in that the coil (22) is electrically connected to the outside of the contactor by connection means which comprise at least:

- a first connector element (90, 92, 1 90) which is carried by the insulating cover (50) and which extends axially inwards; and

a second fixed connector member (65, 1 65, 66) which is arranged inside the contactor, which is electrically connected to at least one conductive wire (79, 81) of the coil (22) coated with an insulator , and which is adapted to receive axially the free end (92) of the first connector element (90, 1 90) during assembly of the insulating cover (50) on the body (1 6) of the contactor, and in that the said second connector element (65, 65, 66) is connected to said at least one conductive wire (79, 81) by the so-called insulation displacement connection technique.

2. Contactor according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second connector element (65, 1 65, 66) comprises:

- a housing (66) of insulating material, axially open towards the front, which defines at least one slot (70) with a transverse orientation adapted to position and maintain a section (79) of said conductive wire (81); - and a metallic contact element (65, 1 65), housed in a cavity (68) of the housing (66), which is configured to be able to move the insulation of said conductive wire (79, 81) and locally strip said conducting wire (79, 81) when the contact element (65) is placed axially back and forth in the cavity (68).

3. Contactor according to claim 2, characterized in that the metal contact element (65) comprises a rear portion (80) of fork-shaped connection which is open axially towards the rear and which is able to move the isolating said conductive wire (79, 81) and locally stripping said conductive wire (79, 81) when the contact element (65) is placed axially back and forth in the cavity (68).

4. Contactor according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the rear portion (80) of the metal contact element is in the form of double fork with two slots (82) whose edges are able to move the insulation of said conductive wire (79, 81) and locally denuding said conductive wire (79, 81) when the contact element (65) is placed axially back and forth in the cavity (68).

5. Contactor according to claim 2, characterized in that the metal contact element (1 65) is a jumper with a blind slot whose edges are able to move the insulation of said conductive wire (79, 81) and locally stripping said conductive wire (79, 81) when the contact element (65) is placed axially back and forth in the cavity (68).

6. Contactor according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the housing has an extra thickness (69) in correspondence with the bottom of the slot (70) for supporting the free end (79) of said conductive wire (81).

7. Contactor according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the metal contact element (65) comprises a front portion (84) shaped as a resilient clip axially open to the front which is adapted to axially receive the free end (92) of a first male connector element (90) during assembly of the insulating cover (50) on the body (1 6) of the contactor.

8. Contactor according to any one of claims 1 to

4, 6, 7, characterized in that said free end of the first connector element (90, 1 90) is shaped in a plane tongue (92) of axial orientation.

9. Contactor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a support plate

(60) which carries said second connector member (65, 65, 66).

1 0. Contactor according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a movable core (1 5) adapted to act on a control rod (38) which passes through its center a fixed core (34) arranged at an axial end front of the body of the contactor, the control rod (36) being adapted to control the axial displacements of the movable contact (40), and in that the support plate (60) is disk-shaped which is pierced at its center for allowing the passage of the body of the control rod (38), which is arranged axially between the fixed core (34) and the movable contact (40).

1 1. Contactor according to claim 9 or 10 taken in combination with claim 2, characterized in that the support plate (60) is made by plastic molding, and in that the housing (66) of the second female connector element is made from material by molding with the support plate.

12. Contactor according to any one of claims 9 to 1 1, characterized in that the support plate (60) is adjacent to the fixed core (34).

13. Contactor according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the support plate (60) forms a unitary assembly with the rear winding (22) and the fixed core (34).

14. Contactor according to any one of claims 9 to 1 3, characterized in that the support plate (60) is held by the conductive wire (81).

The contactor according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 6 to 14, characterized in that the first connector element (90, 92) is a male-type element, while the second connector element is an element. of the female type.