Reciprocating Or Linearly Sliding Patents (Class 335/126)
  • Patent number: 8179217
    Abstract: A polar electromagnet device has a drive shaft comprising an axis center supported so as to reciprocate in an axis center direction at a center hole of a spool wound with a coil, and a movable iron core attached to a lower end of the drive shaft on the axis center. The drive shaft is reciprocated with the movable iron core which reciprocates based on excitation and demagnetization of the coil. A permanent magnet is integrally arranged at the movable iron core on the same axis center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Kensuke Kawaguchi, Kazuchika Hiroki
  • Patent number: 8169281
    Abstract: The starter has a system of pushing the pinion gear in the direction of the anti-motor side by using the attracting power of the electromagnetic switch via the shift lever. The switch coil of the electromagnetic switch is constituted of one coil that is electrically separated from the motor circuit. The mass of pinion gear is set to 100 g or less, the switch extrusion power stored in the drive spring is set to 70 N (Newton) or less, and the operation current of the electromagnetic switch is set to 12 amperes or less. With this starter, since the switch coil and the motor circuit can be electrically separated, the terminal for connection for connecting the conventional attracting coil and conventional “M terminal bolt” can be abolished. Further, by setting the operation current of the electromagnetic switch 10 to 12 amperes or less, it is possible to control the operation current directly by the ECU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Andoh
  • Patent number: 8169284
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator including an actuating member associated with an armature and able to move under the action of at least one electromagnet, a coil, and a core suitable for channeling a flux of the coil so that the flux closes within the armature, where the core includes a base from which branches extend, including a central branch around which the coil extends, and two permanent magnets which are associated with the core. The two permanent magnets are placed in the central branch of the core in order to form a V, which separates the central branch into two parts so that any section of the core or the armature through which the flux from one or the other of the permanent magnets can pass, has an area large enough to prevent saturation by this flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Valco Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventor: Emmanuel Talon
  • Publication number: 20120098629
    Abstract: The invention relates to a starter relay (19) for internal combustion engines, comprising a relay coil (27) and an armature (20), which interacts with a fork lever (21) by way of a driver (24) so as to toe-in a starter pinion, and comprising a contact bridge (34) which is to be actuated by the armature by way of a switch axis (32) and interacts with switch contacts (23a), wherein a coupling (33b) connects the switch axis and the armature such that they can be displaced with respect to each other to a limited extent. In order to ensure that welded contacts tear open and the neutral position of the fork lever is achieved when the relay is shut off, a pretensioned compression spring (26) is inserted between the armature (20) and the end of the fork lever (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Josef Weigt, Houman Ramezanian, Raphael Schymura
  • Patent number: 8154366
    Abstract: Provided is a device mounted contactor and a method of reducing continuous charge distribution, especially in a vehicle. The contactor includes a housing, and a plurality of power terminals. The device may further include a conductance shield and support structure extending from the housing. Situated at least partially in the housing is a switch, which is capable of electrically coupling at least two of the plurality of power terminals. One or more electrically insulative covers may be provided. The contactor may also provide a fused accessory terminal, which is electrically coupled to one of the power terminals through a fuse. A method according to the present invention reduces continuous electrical charge distribution in an electrical circuit by mechanically attaching a first contactor power terminal to a battery terminal and electrically coupling a second contactor power terminal to a circuit, which may include a vehicle starter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Trombetta, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen M. Schmidt, Paul D. Lindsay, Dennis A. Maller
  • Patent number: 8138440
    Abstract: A fast acting switching mechanism for a circuit breaker includes a drive rod articulated to a drive module and supporting at an end thereof a contact bridge having at opposite ends thereof respective moveable contacts for switchably engaging a pair of fixed contacts of the circuit breaker. A contact spring unit is operatively coupled to the drive module for applying closing pressure in the order of 200 Kg; and a latch latches the drive rod in an open or closed position after operation of the circuit breaker and prevents rebounds. The contact bridge includes a pair of side conductors supporting on upper edges thereof an armature having an exposed upper surface that supports the moveable contacts at opposite ends of the armature; and a reinforcing element inserted between the side conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Arcoline Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuriy Onufriyenko, Eduard Ulanovsky, Dov Yeger, Yefim Gofman
  • Patent number: 8138863
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay has a movable contact arranged at one end of a drive shaft that reciprocates in an axis center direction based on excitation and demagnetization of an electromagnet block, and a pair of adjacently arranged fixed contacts with which the movable contact is operable to contact and separate. A first electromagnetic iron piece, a second electromagnetic iron piece and the movable contact are inserted to the drive shaft so that the first electromagnetic iron piece and the second electromagnetic iron piece sandwich the movable contact. The second electromagnetic iron piece is biased to one end side of the drive shaft with a coil spring inserted to the drive shaft. When the movable contact contacts to the pair of fixed contacts, the second electromagnetic iron piece forming a magnetic circuit with the first electromagnetic iron piece pushes the movable contact to the pair of fixed contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Tanaka, Ikuhiro Yoshihara, Ryuichi Hashimoto, Kazuchika Hiroki, Hideaki Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8138872
    Abstract: A contact device has a first yoke having a substantially U-shape, a second yoke bridged over both ends of the first yoke, a spool wound with a coil disposed between the first yoke and the second yoke, a movable iron core inserted into a center hole of the spool in a reciprocating mariner, and a contact mechanism unit formed above the second yoke driven with a drive shaft having a lower end fixed to the movable iron core, which reciprocates based on excitation and demagnetization of the coil, and an upper end projecting out from an upper surface of the second yoke. An insertion hole communicating to the center hole of the spool and through which the movable iron core reciprocates is formed in the first yoke. An annular auxiliary yoke including an insertion hole communicating to the insertion hole of the first yoke and through which the movable iron core reciprocates is provided at a lower surface of the first yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Ikuhiro Yoshihara, Kazuchika Hiroki
  • Patent number: 8125303
    Abstract: A solenoid switch for starters of internal combustion engines has a switch cover in an end-faced manner to the switch housing enclosing the magnetic armature which, in the vicinity of the circumferential edge zones of passageway openings for switch bolts that are to be braced axially against switch cover, is made of a material that is more rigid to compression than in the rest of the cover region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Klingel, Thomas Fischer
  • Patent number: 8106731
    Abstract: There is provided an electromagnetic switch, for a starter, that is capable of preventing a defect caused by the formation of a leakage circuit between the battery terminal and the motor terminal, even in the case where the electromagnetic switch is flooded with water. On the outer surface of a switch cap, there is provided a diaphragm disposed between the battery terminal and the motor terminal that are arranged in such a way as to be exposed outside the switch cap; the diaphragm is formed in such a way that a wall face thereof that faces one terminal, out of the battery terminal and the motor terminal, which is disposed upper than the other terminal has a protrusive shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hayato Yamauchi, Haruki Nakayama, Yasuyuki Yamane, Yoshihiro Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20110273250
    Abstract: A contactor including a plunger core (100), a pull-in winding (La), a holding winding (Lm), a moving contact plate (CM) and three contacts (PC+, PC1, PC2). The contactor has three operating states: a first state with no electrical contact between the contacts, a second state with electrical contact between first and second contacts and a third state with electrical contact between the first, second and third contact. The contactor also includes an electrically controllable micro-actuator (MS) to allow or prohibit, depending on the electric current which is applied thereto, commutation between the second and third operating states, the commutation being prohibited by the micro-actuator due to a force counteracting a thrust of the moving contact plate when the micro-actuator is electrically excited. Preferably, the micro-actuator is a micro-solenoid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Stéphane PLAIDEAU
  • Patent number: 7982565
    Abstract: A solenoid includes a solenoid housing defining a solenoid centerline; and an ignition magnetic switch including an ignition magnetic switch coil disposed at least partially within the housing, the ignition magnetic switch coil having a magnetic field that encompasses the solenoid centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael D. Bradfield, Joel M. Gray, Daniel B. Teixeira
  • Patent number: 7982564
    Abstract: A starter solenoid comprises a solenoid cap defining a contact channel. A first terminal and a second terminal are provided on the solenoid cap. A contact is moveable within the channel between a first position where the contact touches the first and second terminals and a second position where the contact is removed from the first and second terminals. A shield is positioned in the channel to space the contact apart from the channel walls. The contact comprises a first terminal face connected to a second terminal face. The first and second terminal faces are configured to respectively contact the first and second terminals when the contact is in the first position. Opposing lips extend from opposite sides of the first terminal face with a curved shoulder provided between the first terminal face and each of the opposing lips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter K Farrar, David A. Fulton, Darrell Stephens
  • Patent number: 7978035
    Abstract: A magnet switch which may be employed in automotive engine starters is provided. The magnet switch includes a stationary magnetic core made up of a disc assembly and a core body. The disc assembly is made of a stack of annular plate members superposed on each other. Each of the plate members has an opening through which a terminal lead of a magnetic coil extends. The core body has a boss with an edge which is plastically deformed outwardly in the radius direction thereof or staked to create an elastic nip which retains the stack of the plate members firmly on the core body. This structure ensures the joint between the disc assembly and the core body to withstand mechanical impact exerted on the magnetic core and stability in operation of the magnet switch without increasing a total production cost of the magnetic switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Usami, Tomohiro Teramachi
  • Patent number: 7973624
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch is described as including a starter relay, in particular, for an electrical starter motor for controlling a starter pinion when starting an internal combustion engine, having a housing, an armature electromagnetically controllable therein, for controlling a control lever, and having a flexible protective cap which seals a transition from the housing to the armature, the protective cap being developed to be pot-shaped and having a pot floor and a pot opening, the pot floor having a circular opening having a thickened ring for the form-locking connection to the armature, and the pot opening being developed reinforced at its circumferential edge for the form-locking connection to the housing, the pot floor having a setpoint bending region, as seen in cross section. In order to create a small installation space, the protective cap has an arrangement or structure, on its inner wall, for connecting to the housing, which are able to be connected to the housing in a form-locking manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Kramer, Samir Mahfoudh
  • Patent number: 7973623
    Abstract: The starter has a system of pushing the pinion gear in the direction of the anti-motor side by using the attracting power of the electromagnetic switch via the shift lever. The switch coil of the electromagnetic switch is constituted of one coil that is electrically separated from the motor circuit. The mass of pinion gear is set to 100 g or less, the switch extrusion power stored in the drive spring is set to 70N (Newton) or less, and the operation current of the electromagnetic switch is set to 12 amperes or less. With this starter, since the switch coil and the motor circuit can be electrically separated, the terminal for connection for connecting the conventional attracting coil and conventional “M terminal bolt” can be abolished. Further, by setting the operation current of the electromagnetic switch 10 to 12 amperes or less, it is possible to control the operation current directly by the ECU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Andoh
  • Patent number: 7948338
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch is provided which is equipped with a built-in electronic control circuit working to control energization of an exciting coil. The electronic control circuit is disposed within a chamber defined by a magnetic plate to be separate from a contact chamber. In other words, the electronic control circuit is disposed between the magnetic plate and the exciting coil, thereby avoiding the adhesion of conductive dusts, as arising from the wear of contacts, to the surface of the electronic control circuit. This results in decreases in electric insulation and short-circuit of the electronic control circuit and also eliminates the need for additional special parts to electrically insulate and shield the electronic control circuit, thus permitting the electromagnetic switch to be reduced in size and produced at a decreased const.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Niimi, Yoshiaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7915984
    Abstract: In a solenoid switch according to the invention, a magnetic plate is disposed on one side of a solenoid coil in an axial direction of the solenoid coil. A contact cover is arranged with the magnetic plate interposed between the contact cover and the solenoid coil in the axial direction. First and second fixed contacts are received in the contact cover and respectively electrically connected to first and second terminals that are to be electrically connected to an electric circuit. A resistor is electrically connected between the first and second terminals to limit current flowing through the electric circuit when the first and second fixed contacts are electrically disconnected by a movable contact. The resistor is received in the contact cover and interposed between the magnetic plate and the first and second fixed contacts in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Masami Niimi
  • Patent number: 7876184
    Abstract: An electrical relay includes a magnetic system, a contact system and a slider. The magnetic system includes an armature. The contact system includes a moveable spring contact and a fixed spring contact. The moveable spring contact is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The moveable spring contact is in electrical contact with the fixed spring contact in the closed position. The slider connects the moveable spring contact to the armature. The slider transfers movement of the armature to the moveable spring contact. The slider has at least one contact opening element extending there from. The contact opening element strikes the moveable spring contact during movement of the moveable spring contact to the open position to break any existing weld between the moveable spring contact and the fixed spring contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Mikl, Gerhard Stangl, Johann Loy
  • Patent number: 7876183
    Abstract: This electromagnetic switching device comprises an electromagnetic device 1 in which a movable core 15 comes into contact with or separates from a fixed core 14 in response to energization of an excitation coil 11 wound around a coil bobbin 10 a contact device 2 with a fixed contact 21 and a movable contact which comes into contact with or separates from the fixed contact in conjunction with a movement of the movable core 15 of the electromagnetic device, and a boxy case 3 configured to house the electromagnetic device and the contact device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuya Uruma, Masahiro Itou, Motoharu Kubo, Ritsu Yamamoto, Riichi Uotome
  • Patent number: 7868720
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed relay is provided having two circuits therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignees: Tyco Electronics Corporation India, Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard Victor Bush, Naveen Samuel Jesuraj
  • Patent number: 7859373
    Abstract: A contact device including a pair of fixed terminals 2 with a fixed contact 2a each, a movable armature 3 with movable contacts 3a which contact to or separate from the fixed contacts 2a, a movable shaft 4 connected to the movable armature 3 at its one end, a movable core 8 secured to the opposite end 4b side of the movable shaft 4, a movable core receiver 7 slid onto the movable shaft 4 so that it faces a surface 8b on the movable armature side of the movable core 3 to receive the movable core 8 driven by an electromagnetic mechanism, an impact absorber 17 disposed on a surface 7a on the movable armature side of the movable core receiver 7 to absorb an impact generated when the movable core 3 hit the movable core receiver 7, and a stopper 16 (a movement restriction member) disposed on a surface on the movable armature side of the impact absorber 17 to restrict a movement of the impact absorber 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ritsu Yamamoto, Riichi Uotome, Katsuya Uruma, Masahiro Ito, Motoharu Kubo
  • Patent number: 7852178
    Abstract: An electromechanical relay includes an armature and an inner core at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the armature. The armature is slidably movable relative to the inner core. A coil at least partially surrounding at least a portion of the inner core. The relay also includes a stationary contact held in a ceramic header and a movable contact connected to the armature via a shaft. The movable contact is movable between an open position wherein the movable contact does not engage the stationary contact and a closed position wherein the movable contact engages the stationary contact. The relay also includes a housing having an open end and a chamber. The chamber contains the armature, the inner core, the coil, the movable contact, and at least a portion of the stationary contact. The housing forms a portion of a magnetic circuit of the relay. The ceramic header is circumferentially welded to the housing adjacent the open end such that the chamber of the housing is hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard Victor Bush, Marcus Priest
  • Publication number: 20100271155
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic switch for an auxiliary-rotation starter according to the present invention, the magnetic bypass core is disposed at a place that is an air gap portion, in a magnetic circuit, through which the plunger moves due to magnetic attractive force produced by energizing the attraction coil and the holding coil and that is between the outer circumference of the plunger and the inner circumference of the bobbin, in such a way that one end thereof makes contact with one end of the case and the other end thereof faces the end of the core by the intermediary of an air gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naohito Kaneda, Taehyun Kim, Koichiro Kamei, Noriaki Moriyama, Mitsuru Tsukima
  • Patent number: 7772944
    Abstract: A starter includes a motor and an electromagnetic switch disposed close to and radially outward of the motor. The switch includes a contacts cover, a terminal bolt, and a conductive metal member. The contacts cover is cup-shaped. The terminal bolt is secured in the contacts cover so as to extend in the axial direction of the motor through an end wall of the contacts cover. The metal member has a first and a second end portion. The first end portion is inserted in the contacts cover through a side wall of the contacts cover. The second end portion is located outside the contacts cover and electrically connected to the motor. The switch further includes a movable contact, a first fixed contact that is electrically connected to a power source via the terminal bolt, and a second fixed contact made up of the first end portion of the metal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiro Kurasawa, Kazuhiro Andoh, Yamato Utsunomiya
  • Patent number: 7764152
    Abstract: A probe card having a plurality of silicon finger contactors contacting pads provided on a tested semiconductor wafer and a probe board mounting the plurality of silicon finger contactors on its surface, wherein each silicon finger contactor has a base part on which a step difference is formed, a support part with a rear end side provided at the base part and with a front end side sticking out from the base part, and a conductive part formed on the surface of the support part, each silicon finger contactor mounted on the probe board so that an angle part of the step difference formed on the base part contacts the surface of the probe board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kuitani, Tadao Saito, Yoshihiro Abe
  • Patent number: 7760056
    Abstract: The electromagnetic switch for use in a starter includes a solenoid including an excitation coil and a plunger, and an energization terminal through which a current is supplied to the excitation coil from an external battery. The excitation coil generating, when applied with the current, a magnetic attraction force to move the plunger in order to close a main contact of the starter to thereby energize a motor of the starter. The energization terminal is constituted by a male terminal having a plate-like shape and insert-molded in the mold cover, and a female terminal fixed to a coil bobbin of the excitation coil and connected with a lead wire of the excitation coil, the female terminal being provided with a fitting section to which the male terminal is fitted so that the male and female terminals are electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yamato Utsunomiya, Tadahiro Kurasawa
  • Patent number: 7733201
    Abstract: According to the invention, a starter includes a motor and an electromagnetic switch. The electromagnetic switch includes a switch case, a movable contact, a fixed contact, a contact cover, an excitation coil, an excitation coil terminal, a motor terminal, and a protective cover. The excitation coil terminal has a first end, which is located inside the contact cover and electrically connected to the excitation coil, and a second end that protrudes outside the contact cover so as to be electrically connected to a power source. The motor terminal has a first end, which is located inside the contact cover and electrically connected to the fixed contact, and a second end that protrudes outside the contact cover and is electrically connected to the motor. The protective cover covers both the second end of the excitation coil terminal and the second end of the motor terminal, thereby protecting both the second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hironori Yoneshima, Youichi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7728704
    Abstract: Provided is a device mounted contactor and a method of reducing continuous charge distribution, especially in a vehicle. The contactor includes a housing, and a plurality of power terminals. The device may further include a conductance shield and support structure extending from the housing. Situated at least partially in the housing is a switch, which is capable of electrically coupling at least two of the plurality of power terminals. One or more electrically insulative covers may be provided. The contactor may also provide a fused accessory terminal, which is electrically coupled to one of the power terminals through a fuse. A method according to the present invention reduces continuous electrical charge distribution in an electrical circuit by mechanically attaching a first contactor power terminal to a battery terminal and electrically coupling a second contactor power terminal to a circuit, which may include a vehicle starter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Trombetta, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen M. Schmidt, Paul D. Lindsay, Dennis A. Maller
  • Patent number: 7679476
    Abstract: A polarized electromagnetic relay including an electromagnet assembly, a contact section insulated from the electromagnet assembly, and a force transfer member disposed between the electromagnetic assembly and the contact section. The electromagnet assembly includes an electromagnet, an armature driven by the electromagnet, and a permanent magnet carried on the armature. The armature includes first and second electrically conductive plate elements holding the permanent magnet therebetween in a direction of magnetization of the permanent magnet and disposed to orient the direction of magnetization in parallel with the center axis of the coil. The armature is arranged linearly movably in a direction parallel with the center axis in a state where a part of the first electrically conductive plate element is inserted into a space between the outer peripheral region of the iron core head portion and the distal end region of the yoke major portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Componenet Limited
    Inventors: Kazuo Kubono, Shinichi Sato
  • Patent number: 7667561
    Abstract: A starter includes a motor and an electromagnetic switch disposed close to and radially outward of the motor. The switch includes a contacts cover, a terminal bolt, and a conductive metal member. The contacts cover is cup-shaped. The terminal bolt is secured in the contacts cover so as to extend in the axial direction of the motor through an end wall of the contacts cover. The metal member has a first and a second end portion. The first end portion is inserted in the contacts cover through a side wall of the contacts cover. The second end portion is located outside the contacts cover and electrically connected to the motor. The switch further includes a movable contact, a first fixed contact that is electrically connected to a power source via the terminal bolt, and a second fixed contact made up of the first end portion of the metal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiro Kurasawa, Kazuhiro Andoh, Yamato Utsunomiya
  • Patent number: 7663457
    Abstract: Magnetically latching and releasing a voice coil actuator for controlling electrical switchgear. The voice coil actuator includes a voice coil magnet disposed on a common longitudinal axis with respect to a voice coil assembly. A coil of the voice coil assembly exerts a magnetic force on the voice coil assembly, thrusting the voice coil assembly towards the voice coil magnet. At least one pair of latching members mounted to the voice coil assembly creates a permanent magnet circuit between the latching members and the voice coil magnet. The permanent magnet circuit maintains the position of the voice coil assembly relative to the voice coil magnet, even when power to the coil is removed. This latch can be released by applying a current in the coil or by applying an external, physical force to a member coupled to the voice coil assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Bela Peter Szeifert, Michael Peter Dunk
  • Patent number: 7659801
    Abstract: A starter includes a starter motor, a main circuit section, a main switch section including a main contact section to cut a current, a main plunger driven to open and close the main contact section, suction and holding coils, battery and motor terminals, and a switch terminal connected to the battery through a start switch, and opening and closing the main contact section in accordance with movement of the main plunger, a suction circuit section connected in parallel with the main circuit section and connected in series with the suction coil, a holding circuit section connected in series with the holding coil, and a breaking section connected in series with the suction coil inside the suction circuit section. The breaking section cuts electricity conduction when electricity is continuously conducted to the suction coil to bring about layer short circuit and a short circuit current flows at the suction circuit section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiichi Kusumoto, Hayato Yamauchi, Motoaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 7639108
    Abstract: The electromagnetic switch for use in a starter includes a B-terminal bolt fixed to a mold cover thereof so as to protrude outside from the mold cover, a first bush fitted to the B-terminal bolt and detachably fixed to the mold cover, and a terminal electrically connected to the B-terminal bolt and led out in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the B-terminal bolt. The B-terminal bolt is applied with a current from an external battery through the terminal. The first bush is positioned with respect to the mold cover in a circumferential direction of the B-terminal bolt. A lead-out angle of the terminal is selectable from among a plurality of predetermined angular positions, and the terminal is held in a second bush detachably fitted to an outer periphery of the first bush so as to be locked immovable with respect to the first bush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Shinya Miyake
  • Patent number: 7623010
    Abstract: An electrical switch for connecting and breaking a circuit including a connecting and breaking mechanism for connecting and breaking the circuit provided with at least a set of movable contacts and stationary contacts; a electromagnetism drive mechanism for controlling the contacts to be actuated so as to realize closed circuit; a housing for accommodating the movable contact and stationary contact; an arc-extinguishing mechanism disposed in the housing and corresponded to the movable and stationary contact; a case connected to a base for accommodating the electromagnetism drive mechanism; a bedplate associated with the case; and a holding mechanism disposed on the bedplate for holding the contacts to connect the circuit, the electromagnetic holding mechanism is electromagnetic and has a set of electromagnetic attracting mechanism in which the movable iron core is made to be a pothook or a baffle mechanism, the movable iron core is attracted so that the pothook or baffle keeps the switch closed by means of hi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Inventor: Ping Liu
  • Publication number: 20090212888
    Abstract: A coupling for a solenoid and a lead frame includes plurality of terminals. Each terminal includes a plurality of terminal guides. A lead frame defines a plurality of slots. A plurality of locating and support channels are defined adjacent each slot, wherein each of the plurality of terminals are coupled to a respective slot on the lead frame, and the plurality of terminal guides on each terminal are located in the plurality of locating and support channels defined adjacent a respective slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: ACUTEX, INC.
    Inventor: Dan Stanhope
  • Patent number: 7570138
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch for a starter comprises a current-supply terminal and a vibration absorber configured to absorb vibration imposed on the terminal. The terminal is provided so that one end of the terminal is tightly attached to the switch, and the other end is connected to a cable which supplies electric current to the switch. One end of the terminal is tightly attached to a bobbin wound by an excitation coil to which the current is supplied and the other end protrudes through a molded cover outward to be connected to the cable at a connection port formed in the molded cover. The vibration absorber is, for example, a bent portion of the terminal formed integrally with the terminal itself. One or more flexible members are attached to the terminal to support the terminal within the electromagnetic switch and to seal inner spaces between the terminal and the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Hirabayashi
  • Publication number: 20090179718
    Abstract: Switching device (D) disposed on an electrically powered vehicle, able to switch, by rectilinear displacement of a contact means (52) by means of a drive means (60), indiscriminately in the two directions, between a first state in which the said contact means (52) establishes an electrical connection between a first individual terminal (I1) and a common terminal (Co) and a second state in which the said contact means (52) establishes an electrical connection between a second individual terminal (I2) and the said common terminal (Co), the said switching device (D) being characterised in that the said individual terminals (I1, I2), the said common terminal (Co) and the said contact means (52) are disposed within one single insulator (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: ALSTOM Transport SA
    Inventors: Christophe Aubigny, Nicolas Quentin
  • Patent number: 7557684
    Abstract: According to the invention, an electromagnetic switch includes a pair of fixed contacts, a movable magnetic core, a magnetic coil, and a fixed magnetic core. The movable magnetic core is configured to be moved by a magnetic attraction, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the fixed contacts. The fixed magnetic core is configured to create the magnetic attraction when the magnetic coil is energized. The fixed magnetic core has a base portion and a disc portion. The base portion is arranged to face the movable magnetic core. The disc portion is fixed to the base portion and formed of a stack of metal sheets including at least one base metal sheet and a balance metal sheet. The balance metal sheet has a thickness that is predetermined to balance a difference between a desired thickness of the disc portion and a total thickness of the at least one base metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tadahiro Kurasawa
  • Patent number: 7551049
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch for use in actuating a starter for automotive vehicles is provided. The switch includes fixed contacts, a moving contact, and a plunger shaft. The moving contact is joined to a plunger shaft through an insulator. The plunger shaft is to be moved magnetically to bring the moving contact into abutment with the fixed contact to establish electric communication between the fixed contact. The switch also includes a rotation holder working to hold the moving contact and the insulator from rotating relative to each other. Use of the rotation holder results in a decrease in wear of the insulator. This eliminates the need for the insulator to have an additional thickness which would be worn down, thus permitting the insulator to be reduced in thickness to shorten the overall length of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Hirabayashi, Tadahiro Kurasawa
  • Patent number: 7549899
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch has a solenoid and an electric contact section set to a closed state in response to an attraction force of the solenoid. The contact section is covered with a contact cover fixed to the solenoid, and a terminal electrically connected with the solenoid is placed within the cover. An end of the terminal is protruded from the cover and is electrically connected with a conducting member. The member has a portion joined to the terminal and other portions separated or detachable from the terminal. In the maintenance of the switch, the portion of the member joined to the terminal is removed from the switch. After the maintenance, one of the other portions of the member is joined to the end of the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoya Imanishi, Youichi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7535328
    Abstract: In an electromagnet switch, a stationary iron core is composed mainly of a base part and a disk part. The base part is faced to a plunger and the disk part is forcedly inserted and fixed to a boss part formed in the base part. The disk part is composed of a metal plate of ferromagnetic substance (iron plate) and another substance plate (made of resin or rubber and the like, for example,) of a smaller spring constant or a larger damping coefficient than that of the metal plate. The metal plate and another substance plate are laminated. Another substance plate absorbs or reduces the impact force when the plunger is electromagnetically attracted toward and collides with the base part. The propagation of a large impact noise or crashing sound is thereby suppressed, and as a result the impact noise can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiro Kurasawa, Shinji Usami, Tomohiro Teramachi
  • Patent number: 7525404
    Abstract: A vent assembly is provided for allowing internal contaminants to exit a solenoid. The vent assembly includes a vent membrane interposed between a gasket and a support. The support may have a variable diameter. The vent assembly attaches to the solenoid via a mating cover of the solenoid, which includes a vent opening that aligns with an opening in the gasket and includes a counter bore that captures the gasket. The vent assembly allows contaminants to exit the solenoid through a vent membrane. It also prevents contaminants from entering the solenoid around the vent membrane without the use of injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Remy Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Larimore, James Gillett, Dong Ju Park
  • Patent number: 7515024
    Abstract: A magnetic movement mechanism usable in a ground fault circuit interrupter, comprising: (i) a first permanent magnet, (ii) a second permanent magnet positioned apart from the first permanent magnet, (iii) a soft magnet positioned between the two permanent magnets, (iv) a balance frame positioned between the two ends of the soft magnet, (v) a first coil and (vi) a second coil, wherein the first coil and the second coil are arranged such that when a current passes through the first coil, a first magnetic force is generated to cause the soft magnet and the balance frame to move towards the first permanent magnet in a first direction, and when a current passes through the second coil, a second magnetic force is generated to cause the soft magnet and the balance frame to move towards the second permanent magnet in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: General Protecht Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Wusheng Chen, Fu Wang, Huaiyin Song
  • Patent number: 7504916
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a solenoid switch which includes a pair of fixed contacts spaced away from each other, a solenoid, a contact pressure applier, and a moving contact. The moving contact is configured to be moved by the solenoid to strike the fixed contacts and keep contact with the fixed contacts under pressure applied by the contact pressure applier, thereby bridging the fixed contacts. The moving contact is also configured to have, when striking the fixed contacts, a flexural rigidity lower than or equal to 1000 N/mm, thereby preventing contact bounce from occurring in the solenoid switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Masaki
  • Patent number: 7504917
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch has a magnetic core having a base member and a disc member. The disc member is made of plates laminated along a pulling direction and has an inner hole. The base member has both a first portion and a second portion having a groove on its outer surface and disposed in the hole. An inner portion of a particular plate among the plates is disposed in the groove so as to fasten the particular plate to the base member. When the core is magnetized in response to excitation of a coil, a plunger is moved toward the first portion of the core along the pulling direction, a movable contact moved with the plunger comes in contact with a fixed contact electrically connected with a motor, and electric power is supplied to the motor through the fixed and movable contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Mikio Tsukada, Shinji Usami
  • Patent number: 7375606
    Abstract: The metal housing of the case of a contactor includes an annular rib extending continuously opposite the cylindrical periphery of the main stationary core, the rib having an internal diameter respectively greater than that of the ferrule and smaller than that of the housing, so as to ensure the locking of the different parts of the case and the crimping of the housing on the stationary magnet following local deformations exerted on the reduced diameter of the swaged part defining the rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventors: Frédéric Talon, Pierre Magnier, Christophe Gruet
  • Patent number: 7274279
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay system is constituted by containing an electromagnetic relay arranged in a case and including a coil, a movable contact and a plurality of fixed contacts, a positive terminal and a negative terminal formed to project from the case, and load terminals formed to project from the case and connectable to a motor. An electric current flowing in the motor is controlled by controlling an electric current flowing in the coil. A ground line extended from the coil is connected to the negative terminal via a coil spring in the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Asahi Denso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kohei Iima
  • Publication number: 20070200354
    Abstract: Provided is a starter which reliably cuts off any abnormal current caused to flow through the motor and which can reduce the possibility of current cutoff in the case of normal supply current. According to the present invention, a starter includes: a motor having a field coil; and an electromagnetic switch for supplying an electric current from a battery to the motor to start an engine through a pinion gear, in which: a metal conductor is connected to an upstream side of the field coil to which the electric current is supplied; and the metal conductor has a narrowed portion endowed with a fuse function and having a small sectional area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Keiichi Kusumoto, Hayato Yamauchi, Motoaki Kimura
  • Publication number: 20070194867
    Abstract: In an electromagnet switch, a stationary iron core is composed mainly of a base part and a disk part. The base part is faced to a plunger and the disk part is forcedly inserted and fixed to a boss part formed in the base part. The disk part is composed of a metal plate of ferromagnetic substance (iron plate) and another substance plate (made of resin or rubber and the like, for example,) of a smaller spring constant or a larger damping coefficient than that of the metal plate. The metal plate and another substance plate are laminated. Another substance plate absorbs or reduces the impact force when the plunger is electromagnetically attracted toward and collides with the base part. The propagation of a large impact noise or crashing sound is thereby suppressed, and as a result the impact noise can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadahiro Kurasawa, Shinji Usami, Tomohiro Teramachi