Dual bipolar magnetic field for rotary high-voltage contactor in automotive lithium-ion battery systems

A vehicular propulsion system comprising:

• a plurality of batteries;
• a motive force;
• and
• a switching assembly configured to permit selective delivery of an electric current from said plurality of batteries to said motive force, said switching assembly comprising:
• a solenoid comprising at least a coil and a plunger rotatably responsive to electric current flowing through said coil;
• a contact plate;
• a plurality of electrically-conductive terminals cooperative with said solenoid and said contact plate such that upon said solenoid being energized, rotational movement of said plunger forces said contact plate into contact with said plurality of terminals to complete an electric circuit therebetween;
• and
• a plurality of arc-extinguishing magnets disposed about a region defined at least in part by said contact between said contact plate and said plurality of terminals such that a field created by said plurality of magnets extends in a direction such that a Lorentz force formed by coupling between said field and a current flow between said plurality of terminals during said contact between said contact plate and said plurality of terminals is substantially inhibited or formed along a direction that does not substantially promote premature separation of said contact plate from said plurality of terminals.