Electromagnetic actuator with magnetic latching and switching device comprising one such actuator

An electromagnetic actuator comprising:

• a moving core mounted for axial sliding along a longitudinal axis inside a magnetic yoke between a latched position and an open position,
• at least one permanent magnet surrounding one end of the moving core,
• at least one coil in the yoke and extending axially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the yoke and coaxial with the moving core, for generating:
• a first magnetic control flux in a fixed magnetic circuit to move the moving core from an open position to a latched position,
• and a second magnetic control flux opposing a polarization flux of the permanent magnet and enabling movement of the moving core from the latched position to the open position,
• wherein when the moving core is in the open position the permanent magnet is positioned on the moving core to be at least partly outside the fixed magnetic circuit in which the first magnetic control flux flows so that no first magnetic control flux can flow into said permanent magnet,
• and when the moving core is in the latched position the permanent magnet is positioned more inside the fixed magnetic circuit than in the open position to permit flow of the magnetic polarization flux generated by the magnet when the moving core is in the latched position.