Magnetic switch for a vehicle starter

Abstract

The invention relates to a magnetic switch (1) for a starter motor of a motor vehicle. The magnetic switch (1) comprises a housing (2) and two terminals (4, 5). Furthermore, the magnetic switch (1) comprises a cover (11) that seals the terminals (4, 5) from the outside.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a magnetic switch for a starter of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A starter usually comprises a starter motor with an excitation coil and a magnetic switch. The magnetic switch switches the starter motor on by electrically contacting a vehicle battery with an excitation coil of the starter motor when the corresponding control signal is received. For this purpose, the magnetic switch is electrically connected to the vehicle battery and to the excitation coil via corresponding terminals. The starter usually has a common housing for the starter motor and the magnetic switch. The terminals of the magnetic switch are then also arranged in the common housing so that they are protected from external tampering - for example, from starting the starter and thus the vehicle without the corresponding control signal by bridging or short-circuiting the terminals. However, if the magnetic switch is not directly adjacent to the excitation coil orlocated on the starter motor, the terminals of the magnetic switch are not protected and can be manipulated from the outside.

[0003] The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved or at least alternative embodiment for a magnetic switch of the generic type, in which the described disadvantages are overcome.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0005] The present invention is based on the general idea of covering the terminals of the magnetic switch and thereby preventing bridging or short-circuiting of the terminals and tampering with the starter or motor vehicle.

[0006] The magnetic switch according to the invention is intended or designed for a starter motor of a motor vehicle. The magnetic switch has a housing with a first longitudinal end axial with respect to its longitudinal center axis. In addition, the magnetic switch has a first terminal for connection to a battery of the motor vehicle and a second terminal for connection to an excitation winding of the starter motor of the motor vehicle. The terminals protrude axially outward from the housing at the first longitudinal end of the housing. The magnetic switch further has a contact plug with contacts for controlling the magnetic switch and a wall. The wall of the contact plug protrudes axially outward from the housing at the first longitudinal end of the housing and surrounds the contacts of the contact plug. According to the invention, the magnetic switch has a cover, wherein the cover is arranged in a form-fitting and non-detachable manner at the first longitudinal end of the housing.The terminals are arranged completely in the cover and the wall of the contact plug protrudes axially outwards from the cover.

[0007] In the magnetic switch according to the invention, the cover encloses the terminals from the outside and can thus prevent tampering. In particular, the cover can prevent bridging or short-circuiting of the terminals from the outside without a corresponding control signal, thus preventing the starter or the motor vehicle from being started by tampering. The cover is permanently attached to the longitudinal end of the housing, meaning it cannot be removed. The cover can, for example, be molded as a standard part and used with all magnetic switches of the described type.

[0008] The housing of the magnetic switch can, for example, be hollow-cylindrical and closed at the first longitudinal end. The terminals and the contact plug can protrude from the housing at the first longitudinal end, allowing the magnetic switch or the terminals of the magnetic switch to be connected to the vehicle's battery and the starter's excitation coil. The contact plug is not completely closed by the cover, so the contacts are open to the outside. This allows the magnetic switch or the starter to be connected and controlled externally.

[0009] In one possible embodiment, the contact plug can have a stop edge formed on the wall and located outside the cover. The stop edge can run around the wall and protrude outwards from the wall perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis of the housing. The cover can then abut axially on the stop edge of the contact plug on one side and axially on the housing on the other side, thereby being axially secured to the housing. In other words, the cover can be wedged or clamped between the stop edge of the contact plug and the housing, thereby being axially secured. Due to this arrangement of the cover on the housing, the cover cannot be detached from the housing, while the contacts of the contact plug remain accessible from the outside.This means that on the one hand the terminals of the magnetic switch can be closed and protected from the outside and on the other hand the magnetic switch can be contacted and controlled from the outside via the contacts of the contact plug.

[0010] The cover can have at least one pin protruding outward from the cover. The pin can be inclined at an angle to the longitudinal center axis of the housing and to the wall of the contact plug. The cover can then rest axially with the pin against the stop edge of the contact plug. Because the pin is inclined to the wall, the pin that is attached to the stop edge of the wall can no longer be moved beyond the stop edge of the wall. This allows the cover to be securely and permanently attached to the housing.

[0011] The cover can have exactly two or exactly three pins, with the pins being molded onto the cover, distributed around the wall of the contact plug. This allows the cover to be securely attached to the housing, even radially.

[0012] The respective pin can be elastically deformable. When mounting the cover on the housing, the cover can then be guided axially past the stop edge of the contact plug wall and then behind the stop edge of the contact plug wall. This allows the cover to be mounted on the housing simply by plugging it in. Since, as already described above, the pin is angled towards the wall, the cover cannot be removed from the housing after assembly, or can only be removed with great effort.

[0013] In one possible embodiment, the cover can have a circumferential region, and the circumferential region can at least partially surround the housing at the first longitudinal end of the housing in a circumferential direction surrounding the longitudinal center axis, thereby radially securing the cover to the housing. The cover can therefore at least partially surround the housing on the outside at the first longitudinal end and thus be securely secured to the housing. The circumferential region can, in particular, prevent the cover from radially slipping off the housing.

[0014] In one possible embodiment, a recess can be formed on the housing that projects axially at the first longitudinal end, and a recess corresponding to the recess can be formed on the cover. The recess can engage axially in the recess, thereby securing the cover to the housing in a rotationally fixed manner. The recess can, for example, be arranged between the terminals, separating them from one another within the cover. This can prevent accidental short-circuiting of the two terminals. The recess of the housing can form an axial stop for the cover. In other words, the cover can axially abut the recess on one side, so that further movement of the cover is prevented by the recess. Expediently, the recess and the stop edge of the contact plug can be designed such that the cover is axially clamped or wedged between them.

[0015] In one possible embodiment, the cover can have at least one opening for draining condensed water from the cover. The opening allows the water condensed in the cover to drain freely, thus preventing rusting of the terminals.

[0016] The cover can be formed from a dielectric material, preferably plastic. The housing can be formed from a dielectric material, preferably plastic, at least at the first longitudinal end. This can prevent, in particular, an electrically conductive connection between the terminals through the housing.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, the terms “axial” and “radial” always refer to the longitudinal center axis of the housing.

[0018] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0019] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0021] They show, schematically Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 exploded views of a magnetic switch according to the invention with a cover in a first embodiment in different views; Fig. 3 a plan view of the magnetic switch according to the invention with the cover in the first embodiment; Fig. 4 a sectional view of the magnetic switch according to the invention with the cover in the first embodiment with a radial section; Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 sectional views of the magnetic switch according to the invention with the cover in the first embodiment with mutually perpendicular axial sections; Fig. 7 to 10 are sectional views of the magnetic switch according to the invention with the cover in the first embodiment during assembly of the cover; Fig. 11 a view of the cover of the magnetic switch according to the invention in a second embodiment; Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 side views of the cover of the magnetic switch according to the invention in the second embodiment; Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 a top view and a rear view of the cover of the magnetic switch according to the invention in the second embodiment.

[0022] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show exploded views of a magnetic switch 1 according to the invention for a starter motor of a motor vehicle. The magnetic switch 1 comprises a housing 2 with a longitudinal center axis LMA. With respect to the longitudinal center axis LMA, the housing 2 has a first axial longitudinal end 2a and a second axial longitudinal end 2b. The housing 2 is cylindrical in shape and has a plastic-molded section 3 at the first longitudinal end 2a.

[0023] Furthermore, the magnetic switch 1 has a first terminal 4 for connection to a battery of the motor vehicle and a second terminal 5 for connection to an excitation winding of the starter motor of the motor vehicle. The terminals 4 and 5 are arranged at the first longitudinal end 2a of the housing 2 and protrude axially from the housing 2. The magnetic switch 1 further comprises a contact plug 6 with contacts 7 for controlling the magnetic switch 1 and a wall 8. The wall 8 protrudes axially outward from the housing 2 at the first longitudinal end 2a of the housing 2 and surrounds the contacts 7. The contact plug 6 has a stop edge 9 which is formed on the wall 8 and arranged outside the cover 11. The stop edge 9 surrounds the wall 8 and protrudes outward from the wall 8 perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis LMA of the housing 2.

[0024] Furthermore, a formation 10 is formed on the housing 2, which protrudes axially at the first longitudinal end 2b of the housing 2 and separates the two terminals 4 and 5 from each other.

[0025] The magnetic switch 1 further comprises a cover 11. The cover 11 is formed or molded separately from the housing 2 and is positively and permanently secured to the longitudinal end 2a of the housing 2. In the first embodiment, the cover 11 has two pins 12 that protrude axially outward and are inclined toward the wall 8. Furthermore, a recess 13 is provided on the cover 11 - see Fig. 6 - into which the recess 10 can engage axially. Furthermore, a peripheral region 14 is formed on the cover 11, which can partially enclose the housing 2 at the first longitudinal end 2a from the outside.

[0026] The cover 11 is permanently fixed to the longitudinal end 2a of the housing 2 and prevents a tamper-evident short circuit of the two terminals 4 and 5. The arrangement and fixing of the cover 11 to the housing 2 are described below with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 10 described in more detail.

[0027] Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the magnetic switch 1 according to the invention with the cover 11 in the first embodiment. As in Fig. 3, the cover 11 is arranged at the first longitudinal end 2a of the housing 2. The pins 12 of the cover 11 are formed around the contact plug 6 and rest against the wall 8 of the contact plug 6 below the stop edge 9. The cover 11 partially surrounds the terminals 4 and 5 from the outside and leaves the contacts 7 of the contact plug 6 open to the outside and accessible from the outside.

[0028] Fig. Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the magnetic switch 1 according to the invention with the cover 11 in the first embodiment with a radial section. Fig. 4 shows that the cover 11, with its peripheral area 14, surrounds the housing 2 from the outside in section 3, or at the first longitudinal end 2a. This secures the cover 11 radially to the housing 2.

[0029] Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of the magnetic switch 1 according to the invention with the cover 11 in the first embodiment with an axial section through the pins 12 of the cover 11. As in Fig. As can be seen particularly clearly in Figure 5, the pins 12 of the cover 11 rest against the wall 8 of the contact plug 6 and axially against the stop edge 9 of the contact plug 6, and are supported thereon. As a result, the cover 11 is limited in its axial movement away from the housing 2 and is axially fixed to the longitudinal end 2a of the housing 2.

[0030] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of the magnetic switch 1 according to the invention with the cover 11 in the first embodiment with an axial section through the formation 10 of the housing 2. As in Fig. 6, the cover 11 rests axially against the recess 10 of the housing 2 and is limited in its axial movement toward the housing 2 or axially fixed to the longitudinal end 2a of the housing 2. The recess 10 of the housing 2 engages axially in the recess 13 of the cover 11, so that the cover 11 is also fixed to the housing 2 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0031] Referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the stop edge 9 of the contact plug 6 and the recess 10 of the housing 2 form axial stops for the cover 11 on both sides, so that the cover 11 is axially arranged, clamped, or wedged between the housing 2 and the stop edge 9 of the contact plug 6. Due to the shape of the pins 12 of the cover 11, the cover 11 can no longer be removed from the housing 2 after assembly is complete.

[0032] Fig. 7 to Fig. 10 show sectional views of the magnetic switch 1 according to the invention with the cover 11 in the first embodiment during assembly of the cover 11 on the housing 2. The cover 11 is according to Fig. 7 to Fig. 9 axially over the contact plug 6 and its stop edge 9 to the housing 2. The pins 12 deform elastically outwards at the stop edge 9 of the contact plug 6 and the circumferential area 14 slides axially on the housing 2. According to Fig. 11, the pins 12 are then guided behind the stop edge 9 and hook with the stop edge 9. At the same time, the cover 11 also rests on the formation 10 of the housing 2 - see Fig. 6 - axially. The cover 11 is now axially fixed to the housing 2, since axial movement of the cover 11 is prevented on one side by the pins 12 and on the other side by the formation 10 of the housing 2.

[0033] In Fig. 4 to Fig. In Figure 10, the housing 2 of the magnetic switch 1 is shown as a solid body for simplicity. However, it is understood that additional elements of the magnetic switch 1 can be arranged within the housing.

[0034] Fig. 11 shows a view of the lid 11 in a second embodiment. Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 show side views of the cover 11 in the second embodiment. Fig. 14 shows a plan view and Fig.Figure 15 shows a rear view of the cover 11 in the second embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, the cover 11 here has exactly three pins 12 formed around the contact plug 6. The pins 12 allow the cover 11 to engage particularly securely with the stop edge 9 of the contact plug 6. Furthermore, four through openings 15 are formed in the cover 11 for draining condensed water.

Claims

[1] Magnetic switch (1) for a starter of a motor vehicle, - wherein the magnetic switch (1) has a housing (2) with a first longitudinal end (2a) axial with respect to its longitudinal center axis (LMA), - wherein the magnetic switch (1) has a first terminal (4) for connection to a battery of the motor vehicle and a second terminal (5) for connection to an excitation winding of the starter of the motor vehicle, - wherein the terminals (4, 5) at the first longitudinal end (2a) of the housing (2) project axially outwards from the housing (2), - wherein the magnetic switch (1) has a contact plug (6) with contacts for controlling the magnetic switch (1) and a wall (8), - wherein the wall (8) of the contact plug (6) at the first longitudinal end (2a) of the housing (2) projects axially outwards from the housing (2) and surrounds the contacts (7), characterized by , - that the magnetic switch (1) has a cover (11) and the cover (11) is arranged in a form-fitting and non-detachable manner on the first longitudinal end (2a) of the housing (2), and - that the terminals (4, 5) are arranged completely in the cover (11) and the wall (8) of the contact plug (6) projects axially outwards from the cover (11). [2] Magnetic switch (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , - that the contact plug (6) has a stop edge (9) formed on the wall (8) and located outside the cover (11), - that the stop edge (9) runs around the wall (8) and projects outwards from the wall (8) perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis (LMA) of the housing (2), and - that the cover (11) axially abuts on one side against the stop edge (9) of the contact plug (6) and axially against the housing (2) on the other side and is thereby axially fixed to the housing (2). [3] Magnetic switch (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , - that the cover (11) has at least one pin (12) projecting outwards from the cover (11), - that the pin (12) is inclined at an angle to the longitudinal center axis (LMA) of the housing (2) and to the wall (8) of the contact plug (6), and - that the cover (11) with the pin (12) rests axially on the stop edge (9) of the contact plug (6). [4] Magnetic switch (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the pin (12) is elastically deformable, so that when the cover (11) is mounted on the housing (2), the cover (11) can be guided axially past the stop edge (9) of the contact plug (6) and then behind the stop edge (9) of the contact plug (6). [5] Magnetic switch (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the cover (11) has exactly two or exactly three pins (12) and the pins (12) are formed on the cover (11) distributed around the wall (8) of the contact plug (6). [6] Magnetic switch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover (11) has a circumferential region (14) and the circumferential region (14) at least partially circumferentially surrounds the housing (2) at the first longitudinal end (2a) of the housing (2) in a circumferential direction surrounding the longitudinal center axis (LMA) and as a result the cover (11) is fixed radially to the housing (2). [7] Magnetic switch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that a recess (10) projecting axially at the first longitudinal end (2a) is formed on the housing (2) and a recess (13) corresponding to the recess (10) is formed on the cover (11), and - that the formation (10) engages axially in the recess (13) and thereby the cover (11) is fixed to the housing (2) in a rotationally fixed manner. [8] Magnetic switch (1) according to claim 7, characterized by , - that the formation (10) of the housing (2) is arranged between the terminals (4, 5) and separates them from each other within the cover (11), and / or - that the formation (10) of the housing (2) forms an axial stop for the cover (11). [9] Magnetic switch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lid (11) has at least one opening (15) for draining the condensed water from the lid (11). [10] Magnetic switch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the cover (11) is formed from a dielectric material, preferably from plastic, and / or - that the housing (2) is formed from a dielectric material, preferably plastic, at least at the first longitudinal end (2a).

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