Electromagnetic relays

Abstract

To prevent inclination toward a counterpart member before connecting a terminal.SOLUTION: An electromagnetic relay 100 comprises a fixed contact, a movable contact, an electromagnetic drive part, a housing 1, a contact terminal 41, and a coil terminal 40. The electromagnetic drive part moves the movable contact toward the fixed contact in response to power supply to a coil. The housing 1 houses the fixed contact, the movable contact, and the electromagnetic drive part. The contact terminal 41 is connected to either the fixed contact or the movable contact. The contact terminal 41 protrudes downward from the housing 1. The coil terminal 40 is connected to the coil. The coil terminal 40 protrudes downward from the housing 1. At least one of the contact terminal 41 and the coil terminal 40 is a specific terminal 5. The specific terminal 5 has a deformation part 53 between an upper end and a lower end of the specific terminal 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to electromagnetic relays. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an electromagnetic relay having contact terminals and coil terminals protruding from a housing.

Background Art

[0002] <000s009>Patent Document 1 discloses an electromagnetic relay. This electromagnetic relay is composed of an insulating base housing to which a movable contact piece and a fixed contact piece are fixed, an operating electromagnet assembled to the base housing, and a case.

[0003] The movable contact piece has a base. At the lower end of the base, a board connection portion connected to the circuit board is formed to protrude downward. Further, at the left end edge of the base, an elastic spring piece having a movable contact on the tip rear surface extends leftward.

[0004] The fixed contact piece has a base. At the lower end of the base, a board connection portion connected to the circuit board is formed to protrude downward. Further, at the left end edge of the base, a flat plate portion having a fixed contact on the opposing surface of the movable contact extends leftward.

[0005] The operating electromagnet includes a flat armature, a bobbin, and an armature coil. The bobbin has a winding cylinder portion attached to the body portion of the flat armature so as to cover the upper and lower edges and the back surface of the body portion. An exciting coil is wound around the winding cylinder portion. Both ends of the exciting coil are connected to respective ones of a pair of coil terminals. The pair of coil terminals are inserted into a pair of through holes formed at both ends of a rail on the left end side of a substantially rectangular plate portion of the base housing.

[0006] The case is a substantially rectangular member having an accommodation space formed therein for covering the base housing and the operating electromagnet assembled on the base housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-115248 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The electromagnetic relay disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used by fixing it to a mating component such as a circuit board. For example, the electromagnetic relay is fixed to the mating component by inserting the terminals of the electromagnetic relay into through holes in the mating component and soldering the terminals to the mating component.

[0009] However, with such conventional electromagnetic relays, if the mating component or the electromagnetic relay is subjected to impact or vibration before the terminals are connected to the mating component by soldering or other means, the electromagnetic relay may tilt relative to the mating component, and if the tilt becomes too large, the electromagnetic relay may even fall over.

[0010] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an electromagnetic relay that can suppress tilting relative to the mating member before the terminals are connected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] An electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a fixed contact, a movable contact, an electromagnetic drive unit, a housing, a contact terminal, and a coil terminal. The movable contact moves between a contact position in contact with the fixed contact and a separated position away from the fixed contact. The electromagnetic drive unit has a coil. The electromagnetic drive unit moves the movable contact relative to the fixed contact in response to current being supplied to the coil. The housing accommodates the fixed contact, the movable contact, and the electromagnetic drive unit. The contact terminal is connected to either the fixed contact or the movable contact. The contact terminal protrudes downward from the housing. The coil terminal is connected to the coil. The coil terminal protrudes downward from the housing. At least one of the contact terminal and the coil terminal is a specific terminal. The specific terminal has a deformable portion between its upper and lower ends. The cross-sectional shape of the upper end and the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the specified terminal are both rectangular. Viewed from above, the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the specified terminal intersects with the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the specified terminal. Viewed from above, the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the specified terminal is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the specified terminal. An electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a fixed contact, a movable contact, an electromagnetic drive unit, a housing, a contact terminal, and a coil terminal. The movable contact moves between a contact position in contact with the fixed contact and a separated position away from the fixed contact. The electromagnetic drive unit has a coil. The electromagnetic drive unit moves the movable contact relative to the fixed contact in response to current being supplied to the coil. The housing accommodates the fixed contact, the movable contact, and the electromagnetic drive unit. The contact terminal is connected to either the fixed contact or the movable contact. The contact terminal protrudes downward from the housing. The coil terminal is connected to the coil. The coil terminal protrudes downward from the housing. At least one of the contact terminal and the coil terminal is a specific terminal. The specific terminal has a deformable portion between its upper and lower ends. The deformable portion is located outside the housing. An electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a fixed contact, a movable contact, an electromagnetic drive unit, a housing, a contact terminal, and a coil terminal. The movable contact moves between a contact position in contact with the fixed contact and a separated position away from the fixed contact. The electromagnetic drive unit has a coil. The electromagnetic drive unit moves the movable contact relative to the fixed contact in response to current being supplied to the coil. The housing accommodates the fixed contact, the movable contact, and the electromagnetic drive unit. The contact terminal is connected to either the fixed contact or the movable contact. The contact terminal protrudes downward from the housing. The coil terminal is connected to the coil. The coil terminal protrudes downward from the housing. At least one of the contact terminal and the coil terminal is a specific terminal. The specific terminal has a deformable portion between its upper and lower ends. The electromagnetic relay further includes, in addition to the first contact terminal as a contact terminal and the first coil terminal as a coil terminal connected to the first end of the coil, a second contact terminal connected to the other of the fixed contact and the movable contact and protruding downward from the housing, and a second coil terminal connected to the second end of the coil and protruding downward from the housing. The first contact terminal, the second contact terminal, the first coil terminal, and the second coil terminal are arranged in a straight line on the lower surface of the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to this disclosure, there is an advantage in that it is possible to provide an electromagnetic relay that can suppress tilting relative to the mating member in the state before the terminals are connected. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view of an electromagnetic relay according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a right side view of the same electromagnetic relay. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the same electromagnetic relay. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electromagnetic relay shown above, viewed from a diagonal front angle. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the electromagnetic relay shown above, viewed from a diagonal front angle. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the electromagnetic relay shown above, viewed from a diagonal front angle. [Figure 7]Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of Figure 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 1. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of Figure 3. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X of Figure 1. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a sectional view taken along the line XI-XI of Figure 1. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along the line XII-XII of Figure 1. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a specific terminal of the electromagnetic relay as described above. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a normal terminal of the electromagnetic relay as described above. < [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a partially broken front view of the state where the electromagnetic relay as described above is arranged on a substrate. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a partially broken right side view of the state where the electromagnetic relay as described above is arranged on a substrate. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a partially broken front view of the state where the electromagnetic relay of the comparative example is arranged on a substrate. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a partially broken right side view of the state where the electromagnetic relay of the comparative example is arranged on a substrate. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a perspective view of a specific terminal of the electromagnetic relay of Modification 1. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a perspective view of a specific terminal of the electromagnetic relay of Modification 2. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a front view of a main part of the state where the electromagnetic relay of Modification 3 is arranged on a substrate, with a part broken. [Figure 22] Figure 22 is a view of the substrate as seen from below in the state where the electromagnetic relay as described above is arranged on the substrate. [Figure 23] Figure 23 is a front view of a main part of the state where the electromagnetic relay of a modification is arranged on a substrate, with a part broken. [Figure 24]Figure 24 is a partially cutaway right side view of the electromagnetic relay shown above, with the main components mounted on the substrate. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The electromagnetic relay of the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The figures described in the embodiment below are schematic diagrams, and the ratios of the size and thickness of each component in the figures do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0015] (1) Overview As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment comprises a housing 1, a fixed contact 231, a movable contact 271, an electromagnetic drive unit 3, a contact terminal 41, and a coil terminal 40.

[0016] The electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment is a relatively small device that can be mounted on a substrate of approximately 100 mm x 50 mm in size.

[0017] The electromagnetic relay 100 is fixed (connected) to the circuit board 9 (see Figures 15 and 16), for example, by inserting the contact terminals 41 and coil terminals 40 of the electromagnetic relay 100 into the through-holes 90 of the circuit board 9, which serves as the mating component, and soldering the contact terminals 41 and coil terminals 40 to the circuit board 9.

[0018] The movable contact 271 moves between a contact position and a separation position. The contact position is the position of the movable contact 271 that is in contact with the fixed contact 231. The separation position is the position of the movable contact 271 that is away from the fixed contact 231.

[0019] The electromagnetic drive unit 3 has a coil 33. The electromagnetic drive unit 3 moves the movable contact 271 relative to the fixed contact 231 in response to the energization of the coil 33.

[0020] Housing 1 houses the fixed contact 231, the movable contact 271, and the electromagnetic drive unit 3 (see Figure 9).

[0021] The contact terminal 41 is connected to either the fixed contact 231 or the movable contact 271 (as shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, to the fixed contact 231). The contact terminal 41 protrudes downward from the housing 1. The coil terminal 40 is connected to the coil 33. The coil terminal 40 protrudes downward from the housing 1.

[0022] At least one of the contact terminal 41 and the coil terminal 40 (in this case, the contact terminal 41) is a specific terminal 5. As shown in Figure 13, the specific terminal 5 has a deformed portion 53 between its upper end 51 and lower end 52.

[0023] The deformed portion 53 has a cross-section that changes from top to bottom (or from bottom to top). In this disclosure, “cross-section of the terminal” means the cross-section of the terminal in a virtual plane perpendicular to the axis along which the terminal extends (the first axis A1 described later). In this disclosure, “the cross-section of the terminal changes” means at least one of the following: the cross-sectional shape of the terminal changes; the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the terminal changes; and the position of the cross-section of the terminal in the plane P1 perpendicular to the first axis A1 changes.

[0024] The deformed portion 53 has a cross-section different from that of the upper end 51 of the specific terminal 5. In this disclosure, "different from the cross-section of the upper end 51 of the specific terminal 5" means at least one of the following: the cross-sectional shape is different from that of the upper end 51 of the specific terminal 5; the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape is different from that of the upper end of the specific terminal 5; and the position of the cross-section in the plane P1 perpendicular to the first axis A1 is different from that of the upper end 51 of the specific terminal 5.

[0025] As can be seen from Figure 13, the area of ​​the projection region obtained by projecting the deformed portion 53 (the entire deformed portion 53) onto a virtual plane perpendicular to the first axis A1 is larger than the area of ​​the projection region obtained by projecting the upper end 51 of the specific terminal 5 onto the same virtual plane.

[0026] The electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment has a specific terminal 5 having a deformable portion 53, which has the advantage of being able to suppress tilting relative to the mating member such as the substrate 9 (tilting of the housing 1) compared to the electromagnetic relay of the comparative example which does not have a specific terminal 5.

[0027] (2) Details The electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the direction in which the contact terminal 41 and coil terminal 40 protrude from the housing 1 will be referred to as "down," and the opposite direction will be referred to as "up," and the virtual axis extending along the up and down directions will be referred to as the first axis A1. The side on which the coil terminal 40 is located when viewed from the contact terminal 41 will be referred to as "right," and the side on which the contact terminal 41 is located when viewed from the coil terminal 40 will be referred to as "left," and the virtual axis along which the contact terminal 41 and coil terminal 40 are aligned and which is perpendicular to the first axis A1 will be referred to as the second axis A2. The virtual axis perpendicular to both the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 will also be referred to as the third axis A3. In this embodiment, the fixed contact 231 and the movable contact 271 face each other along the third axis A3, and hereafter, the side on which the fixed contact 231 is located when viewed from the movable contact 271 will be referred to as "front," and the side on which the movable contact 271 is located when viewed from the fixed contact 231 will be referred to as "rear." However, these orientations are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the orientation in which the electromagnetic relay 100 is used.

[0028] The electromagnetic relay 100 is a so-called hinge-type relay. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the electromagnetic relay 100 comprises a contact device 2 including a fixed contact 231 and a movable contact 271, an electromagnetic drive unit 3 including a coil 33, and a housing 1. The electromagnetic relay 100 also further comprises a fixed contact terminal 45, a movable contact terminal 46, and two coil terminals 40, 40.

[0029] (2.1) Housing Housing 1 is roughly rectangular in shape.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the housing 1 comprises a base 11 and a cover 15. The base 11 is made of resin. The cover 15 is also made of resin. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the base 11 holds the contact device 2 and the electromagnetic drive unit 3. The cover 15 is attached to the base 11 so as to cover the base 11 that holds the contact device 2 and the electromagnetic drive unit 3. The fixed contact 231 and movable contact 271 of the contact device 2, and the electromagnetic drive unit 3 are arranged in the internal area of ​​the housing 1. In other words, the housing 1 accommodates the fixed contact 231, the movable contact 271, and the electromagnetic drive unit 3.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the base 11 integrally comprises a base portion 12 and a partition wall 13.

[0032] The base portion 12 is a rectangular plate shape with thickness along the first axis A1, and its dimension along the second axis A2 is larger than its dimension along the third axis A3.

[0033] The partition wall 13 is a wall-like structure that rises upward from the upper surface of the base portion 12 along the first axis A1. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the contact device 2 is located in front of the partition wall 13. Also, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the electromagnetic drive unit 3 is located behind the partition wall 13. The partition wall 13 electrically insulates the contact device 2 and the electromagnetic drive unit 3.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6, a recessed area 131 is formed in the lower central portion of the front surface of the partition wall 13, which is recessed towards the rear. The contact device 2 is positioned in this recessed area 131.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, a separation wall 14 extending to the left and right is formed in the center of the upper and lower parts of the rear surface of the partition wall 13, projecting backward. The coil 33 of the electromagnetic drive unit 3 is positioned above the separation wall 14, and the axle 37 (described later) of the electromagnetic drive unit 3 is positioned below the separation wall 14. The separation wall 14 physically separates the axle 37 from the coil 33, thereby increasing the insulation distance between the axle 37 and the coil 33.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6, in the partition wall 13, a through hole 132 is formed below the separation wall 14 in the center of the left and right sides, extending from front to back. The shape of the through hole 132 is such that the projection 381 (described later) of the movable body 38 can be inserted through it, and is, for example, rectangular.

[0037] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cover 15 is a hollow rectangular box with an open bottom. The cover 15 is assembled to the base 11 so as to cover the base 11 from above. Two pairs of legs 16 are formed on the underside of the front and rear walls of the cover 15, with one pair on each side, projecting downwards.

[0038] With the base 11, to which the contact device 2 and the electromagnetic drive unit 3 are assembled, covered with the cover 15, the cover 15 is fixed to the base 11 by applying adhesive 101 (see Figures 3 to 5) to the back side of the base portion 12 of the base 11.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the dimension D1 (height) of the housing 1 along the first axis A1 is greater than the dimension D3 (width) along the third axis A3. Here, the height of the housing 1 is more than twice the width of the housing 1, and may be about 2.5 times.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the dimension D2 (length) of the housing 1 along the second axis A2 is greater than the dimension D3 (width) along the third axis A3. Here, the length of the housing 1 is more than twice, especially more than three times, and may even be around four times, the width of the housing 1. This makes it possible to reduce the width of the electromagnetic relay 100.

[0041] (2.2) Contact device As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the contact device 2 comprises a fixed member 21 and a movable member 25.

[0042] The fixing member 21 is conductive. The fixing member 21 is made of, for example, metal. The fixing member 21 is plate-shaped with thickness. As shown in Figure 6, the fixing member 21 integrally includes a fixing piece 22 and a contact piece 23.

[0043] The fixing piece 22 is the part for fixing the fixing member 21 to the base 11. The fixing piece 22 has a plate-shaped plate portion 221, a projection portion 222 that protrudes rearward and to the left from the lower end of the plate portion 221, and a curved portion 223 that curves in a roughly C-shape so as to protrude forward from the front end of the projection portion 222. The fixing piece 22 is fixed to the base 11 by the upper end of the plate portion 221 being placed in a retaining recess 111 formed on the front surface of the partition wall 13 of the base 11, and the projection portion 222 being inserted (press-fitted) into a press-fit recess 112 formed on the front surface of the partition wall 13 of the base 11. The lower wall of the curved portion 223 covers the lower surface of the base 11.

[0044] The contact piece 23 is plate-shaped and protrudes to the right from the right side of the plate portion 221 of the fixing piece 22. A fixed contact 231 is provided on the rear surface of the contact piece 23. The fixed contact 231 is located at the right end of the contact piece 23.

[0045] The fixed contact 231 is formed from a separate component from the contact piece 23 and fixed to the contact piece 23. However, this is not the only option; the fixed contact 231 may be formed integrally with the contact piece 23. For example, the rear surface of the plate member constituting the contact piece 23 may be used as the fixed contact 231.

[0046] The movable member 25 is conductive. The movable member 25 is made of, for example, metal. The movable member 25 is plate-shaped with thickness. As shown in Figure 6, the movable member 25 integrally includes a fixed piece 26, an operating piece 27, and a spring piece 28.

[0047] The fixing piece 26 is the part that fixes the movable member 25 to the base 11. The fixing piece 26 has a plate-shaped plate portion 261, a pair of protruding portions 262 that protrude rearward from both the left and right ends of the lower part of the plate portion 261, and a curved portion 263 that curves in a roughly C shape so as to protrude forward from the lower end of the plate portion 261. The fixing piece 26 is fixed to the base 11 by the pair of protruding portions 262 being inserted (press-fitted) into a pair of press-fit recesses 113 formed on the front surface of the partition wall 13 of the base 11. The lower wall of the curved portion 263 covers the lower surface of the base 11.

[0048] The actuating piece 27 is positioned so that its left end faces the through-hole 132 of the bulkhead 13 of the base 11.

[0049] Furthermore, the actuating piece 27 faces the rear surface of the contact piece 23 of the fixed member 21. A movable contact 271 is provided on the front surface of the actuating piece 27. The movable contact 271 is located at the right end of the actuating piece 27. The movable contact 271 faces the fixed contact 231 in a forward and backward direction along the third axis A3. The movable contact 271 moves between a contact position where it is in contact with the fixed contact 231 and a separated position away from the fixed contact 231.

[0050] The operating piece 27 has a slit 272 that extends from its right end to the left. As a result, the right end of the operating piece 27 is bifurcated into upper and lower parts. A movable contact 271 is provided on both the upper and lower parts of the operating piece 27, which are separated by the slit 272.

[0051] The movable contact 271 is formed from a separate component from the operating piece 27 and fixed to the operating piece 27. However, this is not limited to this configuration; the movable contact 271 may be formed integrally with the operating piece 27, for example, the front surface of a plate member constituting the operating piece 27 may be used as the movable contact 271.

[0052] The spring piece 28 is a so-called leaf spring. The spring piece 28 connects the right side of the plate portion 261 of the fixed piece 26 and the left side of the working piece 27.

[0053] In order to ensure the spring properties of the spring section 28, the thickness of the movable member 25 is thinner than the thickness of the fixed member 21.

[0054] The movable contact 271 and the fixed contact 231 are positioned below the center within the housing 1. This makes it possible to shorten the length of the circuit including the movable contact 271 and the fixed contact 231 compared to the case where the movable contact and the fixed contact are positioned above the center within the housing. In addition, the distance between the contact point where the movable contact 271 and the fixed contact 231 make contact and the contact point where the electromagnetic relay 100 makes contact with the mating member (for example, the contact point between the leg portion 16 and the substrate 9 as shown in Figure 15) is shortened. This makes it possible to reduce the magnitude of the torque centered on the contact point between the electromagnetic relay 100 and the mating member when the movable contact 271 makes contact with the fixed contact 231.

[0055] (2.3) Electromagnetic drive unit As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the electromagnetic drive unit 3 comprises an iron core 31, a coil bobbin 32, a coil 33, two coil connecting members 34, 34, an axle 37, and a movable body 38.

[0056] The iron core 31 is made of a magnetic material. The iron core 31 is a thin plate with thickness along the third axis A3. The iron core 31 has a body portion 311 extending left and right along the second axis A2, a first leg portion 312 extending downward along the first axis A1 from the left end of the body portion 311, and a second leg portion 313 extending downward along the first axis A1 from the right end of the body portion 311, and is formed in a roughly C-shape with an open bottom.

[0057] The coil bobbin 32 is made of resin. The coil bobbin 32 is formed of, for example, liquid crystal polymer (LCP). The coil bobbin 32 integrally comprises a main portion 321, a pair of flange portions 322, 322, a first extension portion 323, and a second extension portion 324.

[0058] The main portion 321 is open to the front and has a roughly C-shaped groove in cross-section perpendicular to the second axis A2. The main portion 321 extends to the left and right along the second axis A2.

[0059] A pair of flange portions 322, 322 are formed at both the left and right ends of the main portion 321.

[0060] The first extension 323 extends to the left from the left end of the main part 321. The first extension 323 is groove-shaped and open to the front and downward. The groove of the first extension 323 is connected to the groove of the main part 321. A plate-shaped restricting piece 325 that protrudes downward is provided at the lower end of the rear surface of the first extension 323.

[0061] The second extension 324 extends to the right from the right end of the main part 321 and then extends downward. The second extension 324 is groove-shaped and open to the front. The groove of the second extension 324 is connected to the groove of the main part 321. A plate-shaped positioning piece 326 that protrudes downward is provided at the lower end of the rear surface of the second extension 324. In the third axis A3, the front surface of the positioning piece 326 is located in front of the front surface of the regulating piece 325.

[0062] The iron core 31 is held in place by being fitted (press-fitted) into the grooves of the coil bobbin 32 (the grooves of the main portion 321, the first extension portion 323, and the second extension portion 324).

[0063] A pair of through holes 327, 327 are formed in the upper wall of the second extension portion 324 of the coil bobbin 32, penetrating from front to back along the third axis A3. A retaining recess 328 recessed to the rear is formed on the front surface of the right wall of the second extension portion 324 of the coil bobbin 32, and a retaining recess 328 recessed to the rear is formed on the front surface of the right flange portion 322 of the coil bobbin 32.

[0064] The coil 33 is formed into a hollow cylindrical shape by winding, for example, copper wire. The coil 33 is wound around the body 311 of the iron core 31 and the main part 321 of the coil bobbin 32, with the iron core 31 fitted into the groove of the coil bobbin 32.

[0065] The two coil connecting members 34, 34 are conductive. The two coil connecting members 34, 34 are made of, for example, metal. The two coil connecting members 34, 34 are the parts for connecting the coil 33 to the two coil terminals 40, 40, respectively. Hereinafter, the one that is relatively inward (left side in this embodiment) of the two coil connecting members 34, 34 will also be referred to as the "first coil connecting member 35," and the one that is relatively outward (right side in this embodiment) will also be referred to as the "second coil connecting member 36."

[0066] The first coil connecting member 35 integrally comprises a first extension piece 351, a first entanglement portion 352, and a first retaining piece 353. The first extension piece 351 is plate-shaped, having thickness along the third axis A3 and extending along the first axis A1. The first entanglement portion 352 is rod-shaped, projecting rearward from the upper end of the first extension piece 351 along the third axis A3. The first retaining piece 353 is plate-shaped, projecting rearward from the upper or lower middle of the left side surface of the first extension piece 351.

[0067] The second coil connecting member 36 integrally comprises a second extension piece 361, a second entanglement portion 362, and a second retaining piece 363. The second extension piece 361 is plate-shaped, having thickness along the third axis A3 and extending along the first axis A1. The second entanglement portion 362 is rod-shaped, projecting rearward from the upper end of the second extension piece 361 along the third axis A3. The second retaining piece 363 is plate-shaped, projecting rearward from partway up or down on the right side surface of the second extension piece 361.

[0068] The first coil connecting member 35 and the second coil connecting member 36 are held on the coil bobbin 32. The first coil connecting member 35 is held on the coil bobbin 32 by inserting the first interlocking portion 352 from the front into one of the pair of through holes 327, 327 of the second extension portion 324 of the coil bobbin 32 (the left through hole 327), and inserting (press-fitting) the first retaining piece 353 from the front into the retaining recess 328 of the flange portion 322. The second coil connecting member 36 is held on the coil bobbin 32 by inserting the second interlocking portion 362 from the front into the other of the pair of through holes 327, 327 of the second extension portion 324 of the coil bobbin 32 (the right through hole 327), and inserting (press-fitting) the second retaining piece 363 from the front into the retaining recess 328 of the second extension portion 324.

[0069] The first end of the coil 33 is connected to the first entanglement portion 352 of the first coil connecting member 35. The second end of the coil 33 is connected to the second entanglement portion 362 of the second coil connecting member 36. As shown in Figure 5, a notch 329 is formed in the flange portion 322 on the right side of the coil bobbin 32, and both ends of the copper wire drawn out from the coil 33 are connected to the first entanglement portion 352 and the second entanglement portion 362, respectively, through the notch 329.

[0070] The axol 37 is formed of a magnetic material. The axol 37 is a rectangular plate with thickness along the third axis A3 and extending along the second axis A2.

[0071] The axle 37 is positioned to oscillate back and forth with its right end as the pivot axis. Specifically, the right end of the axle 37 is located between the second leg 313 of the core 31 and the positioning piece 326 of the coil bobbin 32. The distance between the second leg 313 and the positioning piece 326 (a dimension along the third axis A3) is approximately the same as (slightly larger than) the thickness of the right end of the axle 37 (a dimension along the third axis A3). This restricts the back and forth movement of the right end of the axle 37 along the third axis A3. On the other hand, the left end of the axle 37 is located between the first leg 312 of the core 31 and the restricting piece 325 of the coil bobbin 32. As shown in Figure 7, the distance between the first leg 312 and the restricting piece 325 (a dimension along the third axis A3) is greater than the thickness of the left end of the axle 37 (a dimension along the third axis A3). As a result, the left end portion of the armature 37 can move back and forth along the third axis A3. However, excessive forward movement of the left end portion of the armature 37 is restricted by the first leg portion 312, and excessive backward movement is restricted by the restricting piece 325.

[0072] The movable body 38 is made of resin. The movable body 38 is formed of, for example, liquid crystal polymer. The movable body 38 is cylindrical and covers the central left and right portions of the axle 37. The movable body 38 is, for example, a resin molded product with the axle 37 as an insert.

[0073] A projection 381 is formed on the front surface of the movable body 38, projecting forward. The projection 381 is inserted from the rear into a through hole 132 in the partition wall 13 of the base 11 and is exposed into a recess 131 of the partition wall 13. The amount of projection 381 into the recess 131 changes according to the forward and backward movement of the axle 37.

[0074] The front end of the projection 381 faces the rear surface of the operating piece 27 of the movable member 25. As the projection 381 moves forward in response to the forward movement of the axle 37, the operating piece 27 is pushed forward by the projection 381, causing the movable contact 271 to come into contact with the fixed contact 231.

[0075] (2.4) Terminals As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 6, the electromagnetic relay 100 is equipped with a fixed contact terminal 45, a movable contact terminal 46, and two coil terminals 40, 40.

[0076] The fixed contact terminal 45 is conductive. The fixed contact terminal 45 is made of, for example, metal. As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the fixed contact terminal 45 is connected to the fixed member 21. The fixed contact terminal 45 extends downward from the curved portion 223 of the fixing piece 22 of the fixed member 21. The fixed contact terminal 45 has a tapered shape at its lower end.

[0077] In this embodiment, the fixed contact terminal 45 is formed integrally with the fixing member 21. For example, the fixing member 21 and the fixed contact terminal 45 are formed integrally by punching and bending a single metal plate.

[0078] The movable contact terminal 46 is conductive. The movable contact terminal 46 is made of, for example, metal. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the movable contact terminal 46 is connected to the movable member 25. The movable contact terminal 46 extends downward from the curved portion 263 of the fixed piece 26 of the movable member 25. The movable contact terminal 46 has a tapered shape at its lower end.

[0079] In this embodiment, the movable contact terminal 46 is formed integrally with the movable member 25. For example, the movable member 25 and the movable contact terminal 46 are formed integrally by punching and bending a single metal plate.

[0080] As described above, the thickness of the movable member 25 is thinner than the thickness of the fixed member 21, so the thickness of the movable contact terminal 46 is thinner than the thickness of the fixed contact terminal 45.

[0081] In the following, of the fixed contact terminal 45 and the movable contact terminal 46, the contact terminal located relatively inward (in this embodiment, the fixed contact terminal 45 located on the right) will also be referred to as the "first contact terminal 41," and the contact terminal located relatively outward (in this embodiment, the movable contact terminal 46 located on the left) will also be referred to as the "second contact terminal 42."

[0082] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first contact terminal 41 (fixed contact terminal 45) has an upper end 411 and a lower end 412. The upper end 411 of the first contact terminal 41 (fixed contact terminal 45) is the part of the first contact terminal 41 that is connected to the curved portion 223 of the fixing piece 22 of the fixing member 21. The lower end 412 of the first contact terminal 41 (fixed contact terminal 45) is the lower end portion of the first contact terminal 41 above the part where the tapered shape is formed.

[0083] As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the second contact terminal 42 (movable contact terminal 46) has an upper end 421 and a lower end 422. The upper end 421 of the second contact terminal 42 (movable contact terminal 46) is the part of the second contact terminal 42 that is connected to the curved portion 263 of the fixing piece 26 of the movable member 25. The lower end 422 of the second contact terminal 42 (movable contact terminal 46) is the lower end portion of the second contact terminal 42 above the part where the tapered shape is formed.

[0084] Each of the two coil terminals 40, 40 is conductive. Each of the two coil terminals 40, 40 is made of, for example, metal. As shown in Figure 6, the two coil terminals 40, 40 are connected to the two coil connecting members 34, 34, respectively. Hereinafter, the coil terminal 40, 40 located relatively inward (on the left in this embodiment) will be referred to as the "first coil terminal 43," and the coil terminal 40, 40 located relatively outward (on the right in this embodiment) will be referred to as the "second coil terminal 44."

[0085] As shown in Figures 6 and 9, the first coil terminal 43 is connected to the first coil connecting member 35. The first coil terminal 43 extends downward from the lower end of the first extension piece 351 of the first coil connecting member 35. The first coil terminal 43 has a chamfered (curved) shape at its lower tip.

[0086] As shown in Figure 9, the upper end 431 of the first coil terminal 43 is the portion of the first coil terminal 43 that is connected to the first extension piece 351 of the first coil connecting member 35. The lower end 432 of the first coil terminal 43 is the lower end portion of the first coil terminal 43 above the portion where the chamfered shape is formed.

[0087] The first coil terminal 43 has a smaller dimension (width) along the second axis A2 than the first extension piece 351. In this embodiment, the first coil terminal 43 is formed integrally with the first coil connecting member 35.

[0088] As shown in Figures 6 and 9, the second coil terminal 44 is connected to the second coil connecting member 36. The second coil terminal 44 extends downward from the lower end of the second extension piece 361 of the second coil connecting member 36. The second coil terminal 44 has a chamfered (curved) shape at its lower tip.

[0089] As shown in Figure 9, the upper end 441 of the second coil terminal 44 is the portion of the second coil terminal 44 that is connected to the second extension piece 361 of the second coil connecting member 36. The lower end 442 of the second coil terminal 44 is the lower end portion of the second coil terminal 44 above the portion where the chamfered shape is formed.

[0090] The second coil terminal 44 has a smaller dimension (width) along the second axis A2 than the second extension piece 361. In this embodiment, the second coil terminal 44 is formed integrally with the second coil connecting member 36.

[0091] As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 9, the fixed contact terminal 45 (first contact terminal 41), the movable contact terminal 46 (second contact terminal 42), the first coil terminal 43, and the second coil terminal 44 each protrude downward from the lower surface of the housing 1.

[0092] In the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, the movable contact terminal 46 (second contact terminal 42), the fixed contact terminal 45 (first contact terminal 41), the first coil terminal 43, and the second coil terminal 44 are arranged in this order along the second axis A2. As shown in Figure 3, the movable contact terminal 46 (second contact terminal 42), the fixed contact terminal 45 (first contact terminal 41), the first coil terminal 43, and the second coil terminal 44 are in the same position on the third axis A3. That is, the second contact terminal 42 (movable contact terminal 46), the first contact terminal 41 (fixed contact terminal 45), the first coil terminal 43, and the second coil terminal 44 are arranged in a straight line (see dashed line L1 in Figure 3) on the lower surface of the housing 1. The lower surface of the housing 1 is rectangular in shape. Furthermore, the second contact terminal 42 (movable contact terminal 46), the first contact terminal 41 (fixed contact terminal 45), the first coil terminal 43, and the second coil terminal 44 are positioned towards one side of the short axis (third axis A3) on the lower surface of the housing 1, in this case, the front side.

[0093] As shown in Figure 10, in the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 411 of the first contact terminal 41 (fixed contact terminal 45), the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 421 of the second contact terminal 42 (movable contact terminal 46), the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 431 of the first coil terminal 43, and the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 441 of the second coil terminal 44 are all rectangular. In this disclosure, "cross-sectional shape of the terminal" means the shape of the cross-section of the terminal on a virtual plane perpendicular to the axis (first axis A1) along which the terminal extends. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the longitudinal axis B11 of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 411 of the first contact terminal 41 (fixed contact terminal 45), the longitudinal axis B21 of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 421 of the second contact terminal 42 (movable contact terminal 46), the longitudinal axis B31 of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 431 of the first coil terminal 43, and the longitudinal axis B41 of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 441 of the second coil terminal 44 are all aligned along the second axis A2. In other words, when viewed from above, the longitudinal axis B11 of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 411 of the first contact terminal 41 (fixed contact terminal 45), the longitudinal axis B21 of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 421 of the second contact terminal 42 (movable contact terminal 46), the longitudinal axis B31 of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 431 of the first coil terminal 43, and the longitudinal axis B41 of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 441 of the second coil terminal 44 all align with the axis (second axis A2) along which the first contact terminal 41, the second contact terminal 42, the first coil terminal 43, and the second coil terminal 44 are aligned.

[0094] In the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, at least one of the first contact terminal 41 (fixed contact terminal 45), the second contact terminal 42 (movable contact terminal 46), the first coil terminal 43, and the second coil terminal 44 is a specific terminal 5. In the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, the first contact terminal 41 (fixed contact terminal 45) is the specific terminal 5. As described above, the specific terminal 5 has a deformable portion 53 between its upper end 51 and lower end 52.

[0095] As shown in Figure 13, in the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, the deformed portion 53 of the specific terminal 5 (first contact terminal 41) has a twisted shape 54.

[0096] The twisted shape 54 is a shape in which the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape gradually changes from top to bottom (along the first axis A1) while maintaining the cross-sectional shape of the deformed part 53. From Figures 10 to 12, it can be seen that the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the specific terminal 5, the first contact terminal 41 (fixed contact terminal 45), is gradually changing. Here, from top to bottom, the angle of intersection of the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the twisted shape 54 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape at the upper end 531 of the twisted shape 54 (deformed part 53) is gradually changing (increasing). In other words, the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the twisted shape 54 is rotating from top to bottom with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape at the upper end 531 of the twisted shape 54 (deformed part 53). The intersection angle here is the angle centered on the central axis of the specific terminal 5.

[0097] The twisted shape 54 has a twist angle. The twist angle is the angle from the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape at the upper end 531 to the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape at the lower end 532 of the twisted shape 54 (deformed portion 53), measured along the direction of rotation of the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the twisted shape 54. The twist angle of the twisted shape 54 may be 40 degrees or more, 60 degrees or more, 90 degrees or more, or 180 degrees or more. A twist angle of 40 degrees or more is sufficient to suppress the tilt of the electromagnetic relay 100 relative to the mating member. There is no particular upper limit to the twist angle of the twisted shape 54. For example, the twist angle of the twisted shape 54 may be 90 degrees.

[0098] In the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, the twisting direction of the twisted shape 54 is such that, when viewed from below, the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the deformed portion 53 rotates counterclockwise from top to bottom.

[0099] As can be seen from Figures 10 and 12, when viewed from above, the longitudinal axis B11 of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 411 of the first contact terminal 41, which is a specific terminal 5 (see Figure 10), intersects with the longitudinal axis B12 of the cross-sectional shape of the lower end 412 (see Figure 12). That is, when viewed from above, the longitudinal axis C1 of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 51 of the specific terminal 5 (fixed contact terminal 45) intersects with the longitudinal axis C2 of the cross-sectional shape of the lower end 52 of the specific terminal 5. In the specific terminal 5, the intersection angle between the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 51 and the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the lower end 52 may be 40 degrees or more, or it may be 60 degrees or more.

[0100] In the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, at the first contact terminal 41, which is a specific terminal 5, the intersection angle between the longitudinal axis B11 of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 411 and the longitudinal axis B12 of the cross-sectional shape of the lower end 412 is 90 degrees. That is, when viewed from above, the longitudinal axis C1 of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 51 of the specific terminal 5 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis C2 of the cross-sectional shape of the lower end 52 of the specific terminal 5.

[0101] In the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, all terminals other than the first contact terminal 41 (fixed contact terminal 45), namely the second contact terminal 42 (movable contact terminal 46), the first coil terminal 43, and the second coil terminal 44, are terminals with a constant cross-section from the upper end 61 to the lower end 62 (see Figure 14; hereinafter also referred to as "normal terminal 6"). The normal terminal 6 does not include the shape corresponding to the deformable portion 53. In other words, the second contact terminal 42 (movable contact terminal 46) extends vertically without including the shape corresponding to the deformable portion 53 between the upper end 421 and the lower end 422. Similarly, the first coil terminal 43 extends vertically without including the shape corresponding to the deformable portion 53 between the upper end 431 and the lower end 432. Similarly, the second coil terminal 44 extends vertically without including the shape corresponding to the deformable portion 53 between the upper end 441 and the lower end 442.

[0102] From Figures 10 to 12, it can be seen that the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of each of the normal terminals 6, namely the second contact terminal 42, the first coil terminal 43, and the second coil terminal 44, is constant (does not change). Also, as can be seen from Figures 10 and 12, when viewed from above, the longitudinal axis B21 of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 421 of the second contact terminal 42, namely the normal terminal 6, coincides with the longitudinal axis B22 of the cross-sectional shape of the lower end 422. Similarly, the longitudinal axis B31 of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 431 of the first coil terminal 43, namely the normal terminal 6, coincides with the longitudinal axis B32 of the cross-sectional shape of the lower end 432. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis B41 of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end 441 of the second coil terminal 44, namely the normal terminal 6, coincides with the longitudinal axis B42 of the cross-sectional shape of the lower end 442.

[0103] It can also be said that the specific terminal 5 is a terminal having a different shape (deformed portion 53) from the normal terminal 6. The deformed portion 53 can be formed, for example, by processing (for example, twisting) a part of the normal terminal 6 to deform it. However, it is not limited to this, and the specific terminal 5 having the deformed portion 53 may be manufactured without performing any deformation processing.

[0104] As shown in Figure 1, in the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, the deformable portion 53 is located outside the housing 1. More specifically, the deformable portion 53 is located below the lowest end of the housing 1. The lowest end of the housing 1 is, for example, the portion that contacts the mating member at the lower end of the housing 1 when the electromagnetic relay 100 is placed on a mating member such as a substrate 9. In this case, the lowest end of the housing 1 is the lower end of the leg portion 16 of the cover 15. In the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, the entire deformable portion 53 is located below the lowest end of the housing 1, but at least a part of the deformable portion 53 (at least the lower end portion) may be located below the lowest end of the housing 1.

[0105] (2.5) Operation The operation of the electromagnetic relay 100 will be briefly explained below.

[0106] First, when no voltage is applied between the two coil terminals 40, 40 and no current flows through the coil 33 (it is not energized), the biasing force of the spring piece 28 of the movable member 25 causes the operating piece 27 to be positioned relatively rearward, and the movable contact 271 is separated from the fixed contact 231. Also, the axle 37 and the movable body 38 are pushed rearward from the operating piece 27 via the projection 381, and the left end portion of the axle 37 is positioned relatively rearward (closer to the restricting piece 325).

[0107] When a voltage is applied between the two coil terminals 40, 40 and current flows through the coil 33 (it is energized), the coil 33 is energized, and a magnetic attractive force is generated between the left end portion of the axle 37 and the first leg portion 312 of the iron core 31, causing the left end portion of the axle 37 to be attracted to the first leg portion 312. In other words, the axle 37 and the movable body 38 rotate (counterclockwise when viewed from above) with the right end portion of the axle 37 as the axis of rotation.

[0108] As the movable body 38 rotates, the projection 381 moves forward, and the actuating piece 27 moves forward due to being pushed by the projection 381. As a result, the movable contact 271 provided on the front surface of the actuating piece 27 comes into contact with the fixed contact 231, and an electrical circuit is formed between the movable contact terminal 46 and the fixed contact terminal 45.

[0109] On the other hand, when the voltage between the two coil terminals 40, 40 is released (energy is cut off), the biasing force of the spring piece 28 of the movable member 25 causes the actuating piece 27 to move backward, and the movable contact 271 separates from the fixed contact 231. This interrupts the electrical circuit between the movable contact terminal 46 and the fixed contact terminal 45. In addition, the projection 381 is pushed by the actuating piece 27, causing the axle 37 and the movable body 38 to move backward as well.

[0110] (2.6) Advantages The advantages of the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment will be explained in comparison with the electromagnetic relay 200 of the comparative example.

[0111] The comparative electromagnetic relay 200 has the same basic configuration as the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment. However, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, the comparative electromagnetic relay 200 differs from the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment in that the first contact terminal 41 (fixed contact terminal 45) is also a normal terminal 6 and does not have a specific terminal 5. In the comparative electromagnetic relay 200, components that are the same as those in the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0112] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the electromagnetic relay 200 of the comparative example is fixed (connected) to the circuit board 9 by inserting the four terminals 41, 42, 43, and 44 into the four through-holes 90 of the circuit board 9, and then soldering the terminals 41, 42, 43, and 44 to the circuit board 9.

[0113] In the comparative electromagnetic relay 200, before terminals 41, 42, 43, and 44 are soldered to the substrate 9, a force along the second axis A2 (such as a leftward or rightward impact or vibration as shown in Figure 17) may be applied to the housing 1 or the substrate 9. In the comparative electromagnetic relay 200, as shown in Figure 17, the dimension (width) of the first contact terminal 41 along the second axis A2 is approximately the same as (slightly smaller than) the diameter of the through-hole 90, and the dimension (width) of the second contact terminal 42 along the second axis A2 is approximately the same as (slightly smaller than) the diameter of the through-hole 90. Therefore, in the comparative electromagnetic relay 200, even if a force (such as an impact or vibration) along the second axis A2 is applied to the housing 1 or the substrate 9, the first contact terminal 41 and / or the second contact terminal 42 immediately come into contact with the wall surface of the through-hole 90. Furthermore, in the comparative electromagnetic relay 200, even if the housing 1 rotates counterclockwise around the third axis A3 with the left leg 16 as the pivot point, as shown in Figure 17, only a small angle of rotation is required for the second coil terminal 44 to contact the wall surface of the through-hole 90. Therefore, in the comparative electromagnetic relay 200, rotation around the third axis A3 is unlikely to occur, and tilting of the housing 1 relative to the substrate 9 in this orientation is unlikely to occur.

[0114] Furthermore, in the comparative electromagnetic relay 200, before terminals 41, 42, 43, and 44 are soldered to the substrate 9, a force along the third axis A3 (such as a leftward or rightward impact or vibration as shown in Figure 18) may be applied to the housing 1 or the substrate 9. In the comparative electromagnetic relay 200, as shown in Figure 18, each of the first contact terminal 41, second contact terminal 42, first coil terminal 43, and second coil terminal 44, which are normally terminals 6, is plate-shaped with the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape aligned with the second axis A2, and the dimension (thickness) of each terminal 41, 42, 43, and 44 along the third axis A3 is smaller than the diameter of the through-hole 90. Therefore, in the comparative electromagnetic relay 200, if a force along the third axis A3 (such as an impact or vibration) is applied to the housing 1 or the substrate 9, it may rotate with the second axis A2 as the axis of rotation. Therefore, the electromagnetic relay 200 in the comparative example may tilt relative to the substrate 9 (see the dashed line in Figure 18). Furthermore, if the tilt of the electromagnetic relay 200 becomes too large, terminals 41, 42, 43, and 44 may come out of the through-hole 90, causing the electromagnetic relay 200 to tip over.

[0115] On the other hand, the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment is also fixed (connected) to the circuit board 9 by inserting the four terminals 41, 42, 43, and 44 into the four through-holes 90 of the circuit board 9, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, and then soldering the terminals 41, 42, 43, and 44 to the circuit board 9.

[0116] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, in the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, at least a portion of the deformed portion 53 of the first contact terminal 41, which is a specific terminal 5, is located inside the through-hole 90 of the substrate 9. That is, with the lowest end of the housing 1 (the lower end of the leg portion 16) in contact with the upper surface 91 of the substrate 9, the upper end 531 of the deformed portion 53 is located above the lower surface 92 of the substrate 9, and the lower end 532 of the deformed portion 53 is located below the upper surface 91 of the substrate 9.

[0117] Furthermore, in the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, the upper end 531 of the deformable portion 53 is located inside the through-hole 90. That is, with the lowest end of the housing 1 in contact with the upper surface 91 of the substrate 9, the upper end 531 of the deformable portion 53 is located below the upper surface 91 of the substrate 9 and above the lower surface 92 of the substrate 9.

[0118] Furthermore, in the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, the lower end 532 of the deformable portion 53 is located inside the through-hole 90. That is, with the lowest end of the housing 1 in contact with the upper surface 91 of the substrate 9, the lower end 532 of the deformable portion 53 is located below the upper surface 91 of the substrate 9 and above the lower surface 92 of the substrate 9.

[0119] Furthermore, in the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, the entire deformable portion 53 is located inside the through-hole 90. That is, with the lowest end of the housing 1 in contact with the upper surface 91 of the substrate 9, the upper end 531 of the deformable portion 53 is located below the upper surface 91 of the substrate 9, and the lower end 532 of the deformable portion 53 is located above the lower surface 92 of the substrate 9.

[0120] In the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, as in the electromagnetic relay 200 of the comparative example, a force along the second axis A2 (such as a leftward or rightward impact or vibration in Figure 15) may be applied to the housing 1 or the substrate 9 before the terminals 41, 42, 43, and 44 are soldered to the substrate 9. In the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 15, the upper end 531 of the deformed portion 53 of the first contact terminal 41, which is a specific terminal 5, is located inside the through-hole 90, and the dimension (width) of the first contact terminal 41 along the second axis A2 at the upper end 531 of the deformed portion 53 is approximately the same as (slightly smaller than) the diameter of the through-hole 90. Also, the dimension (width) of the second contact terminal 42 along the second axis A2 is approximately the same as (slightly smaller than) the diameter of the through-hole 90. Therefore, even if a force (shock, vibration, etc.) along the second axis A2 is applied to the housing 1 or the substrate 9, the first contact terminal 41 (upper end 531 of the deformed portion 53) and / or the second contact terminal 42 immediately come into contact with the wall surface of the through-hole 90. Furthermore, in the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, for example, even if the housing 1 rotates counterclockwise around the third axis A3 as shown in Figure 15 with the left leg portion 16 as the pivot point, the second coil terminal 44 will come into contact with the wall surface of the through-hole 90 with only a small angle of rotation. Therefore, in the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, as with the electromagnetic relay 200 of the comparative example, rotation around the third axis A3 as the axis of rotation is unlikely to occur, and tilting of the housing 1 relative to the substrate 9 in this orientation is unlikely to occur.

[0121] Furthermore, in the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, similar to the electromagnetic relay 200 of the comparative example, a force along the third axis A3 (such as a leftward or rightward impact or vibration in Figure 16) may be applied to the housing 1 or the substrate 9 before the terminals 41, 42, 43, and 44 are soldered to the substrate 9. In the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 16, the lower end 532 of the deformed portion 53 of the first contact terminal 41, which is a specific terminal 5, is located inside the through-hole 90, and the dimension (width) of the first contact terminal 41 along the third axis A3 at the lower end 532 of the deformed portion 53 is approximately the same as (slightly smaller than) the diameter of the through-hole 90. Therefore, even if a force along the third axis A3 (such as an impact or vibration) is applied to the housing 1 or the substrate 9, the first contact terminal 41 (lower end 532 of the deformed portion 53) immediately comes into contact with the wall surface of the through-hole 90 (see the dashed line in Figure 16). Therefore, in the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, rotation around the second axis A2 is unlikely to occur, and tilting of the housing 1 relative to the substrate 9 in this orientation is also unlikely to occur.

[0122] Thus, the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment can not only suppress tilting with respect to the third axis A3 as the axis of rotation, but can also suppress tilting with respect to the second axis A2 as the axis of rotation. In short, the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment has the advantage of being able to suppress tilting with respect to the mating member (substrate 9) (tilting of the housing 1) before the terminals (contact terminals 41, coil terminals 40) are connected.

[0123] Furthermore, in the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, the first contact terminal 41 is a specific terminal 5. Normally, the first contact terminal 41 is wider than the coil terminal 40 because it carries a larger current. In the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, the first contact terminal 41, which is wider than the coil terminal 40, has a deformable portion 53, which further suppresses the tilt relative to the mating member (tilt of the housing 1).

[0124] Furthermore, in the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, the first contact terminal 41 and the first coil terminal 43 are located between the second contact terminal 42 and the second coil terminal 44. That is, in the electromagnetic relay 100, the first contact terminal 41, which is a specific terminal 5, is located between the second contact terminal 42 and the second coil terminal 44, which are both normal terminals 6. This makes it possible to suppress the tilt of the housing 1 with the third axis A3 as the axis of rotation, compared to the case where the outermost terminals 42 and 44 among the four terminals 41, 42, 43, and 44 are specific terminals 5. Specifically, for example, if the second contact terminal 42 is a specific terminal 5 and the upper end 531 of the deformed portion 53 is located above the upper surface 91 of the substrate 9, a relatively large gap may occur between the upper opening surface of the through-hole 90 of the substrate 9 and the second contact terminal 42 (specific terminal 5) on the second axis A2. As a result, tilting of the housing 1 with the third axis A3 as the axis of rotation may occur. In contrast, if the outermost terminals 42 and 44 among the four terminals 41, 42, 43, and 44 are normal terminals 6, then the gap G1 between the upper opening surface of the through-hole 90 of the substrate 9 and the second contact terminal 42 (normal terminal 6) is small in the second axis A2 (see Figure 15). This makes it possible to suppress the tilt of the housing 1 with the third axis A3 as the axis of rotation.

[0125] (3) Variant The embodiments described above are merely one of many embodiments of this disclosure. These embodiments can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the objectives of this disclosure are achieved. The following lists some modifications of the embodiments. Hereafter, these embodiments may also be referred to as "basic examples." The basic examples and the modifications described below can be combined and applied as appropriate.

[0126] (3.1) Variation 1 The electromagnetic relay 100 of Modification 1 will be described with reference to Figure 19. In the electromagnetic relay 100 of Modification 1, explanations of the same configuration as the electromagnetic relay 100 of the basic example may be omitted as appropriate.

[0127] In the electromagnetic relay 100 of the modified example 1, as shown in Figure 19, the deformed portion 53 of the specific terminal 5 has a protruding shape 55.

[0128] The protruding shape 55 refers to a shape in which, within a plane P1 perpendicular to the first axis A1, its cross-section is located at a different position from the cross-section of the upper end 51 of the specific terminal 5. In this modified example, the protruding shape 55 changes the position of the cross-section of the deformed portion 53 within the plane P1 perpendicular to the first axis A1 from top to bottom. As shown in Figure 19, in this modified example, the protruding shape 55 maintains the shape of the cross-section of the deformed portion 53 while changing the position of the cross-section of the deformed portion 53 within the plane P1 perpendicular to the first axis A1 from top to bottom.

[0129] In the electromagnetic relay 100 of the modified example 1, the position of the cross-section of the protruding shape 55 gradually changes (moves) from top to bottom along the third axis A3 (the axis along the thickness of the specific terminal 5). In particular, the position of the cross-section of the protruding shape 55 gradually moves forward from top to bottom, and then gradually moves backward. Then, within the plane P1 perpendicular to the first axis A1, the position of the cross-section of the upper end 531 of the deformed portion 53 and the position of the cross-section of the lower end 532 are at the same position.

[0130] In the electromagnetic relay 100 of Modified Example 1, the protruding shape 55 of the deformed portion 53 has a bent shape 56. A bent shape is a shape that can be formed by bending a part of the terminal 6. As shown in Figure 19, in the electromagnetic relay 100 of Modified Example 1, the bent shape 56 is roughly C-shaped when viewed from the left. However, it is not limited to this, and the bent shape 56 may be other shapes such as a square bracket shape or a less-than symbol shape when viewed from the left.

[0131] Even with the specific terminal 5 having the deformed portion 53 of the protruding shape 55 in the modified example 1, it is possible to suppress the tilt of the housing 1 with the second axis A2 as the axis of rotation.

[0132] (3.2) Variation 2 The electromagnetic relay 100 of Modified Example 2 will be described with reference to Figure 20. In the electromagnetic relay 100 of Modified Example 2, explanations of the same configuration as the electromagnetic relay 100 of the basic example may be omitted as appropriate.

[0133] In the electromagnetic relay 100 of the modified example 2, as shown in Figure 20, the deformed portion 53 of the specific terminal 5 has a protruding shape 55.

[0134] In the electromagnetic relay 100 of the modified example 2, the protruding shape 55 of the deformed portion 53 has a protruding portion 57 that protrudes along the third axis A3 from the central portion on the first axis A1. In the protruding shape 55 having the protruding portion 57, the cross-sectional shape of the deformed portion 53 in the plane P1 perpendicular to the first axis A1 is different at the upper end position and at the central position. Specifically, in the protruding shape 55 having the protruding portion 57, the thickness at the central position (dimension along the third axis A3) is greater than the thickness at the upper end position.

[0135] The protruding shape 55 in the modified example 2 can be formed, for example, by attaching a protrusion 57 to a conventional terminal 6. The material of the protrusion 57 is not particularly limited and may be an insulator or a non-insulator (conductor or semiconductor).

[0136] Even with the specific terminal 5 having the deformed portion 53 of the protruding shape 55 in the modified example 2, it is possible to suppress the tilt of the housing 1 with the second axis A2 as the axis of rotation.

[0137] (3.3) Modification example 3 The electromagnetic relay 100 of Modification 3 will be described with reference to Figures 21 and 22. In the electromagnetic relay 100 of Modification 3, explanations of the same configuration as the electromagnetic relay 100 of the basic example may be omitted as appropriate.

[0138] The electromagnetic relay 100 of the modified example 3 differs from the electromagnetic relay 100 of the basic example in that the deformed portion 53 of the first contact terminal 41 (fixed contact terminal 45), which is a specific terminal 5, is located inside the housing 1.

[0139] In other words, as shown in Figure 21, the upper end 531 and lower end 532 of the deformed portion 53 are located inside the housing 1. The deformed portion 53 has a twisted shape 54 with a twist angle of 90 degrees. Therefore, the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the entire portion of the first contact terminal 41 that protrudes from the housing 1 is aligned with the third axis A3.

[0140] Even with the specific terminal 5 having the deformed portion 53 of the modified example 3, it is possible to suppress the tilt of the housing 1 with the second axis A2 as the axis of rotation.

[0141] Furthermore, in the electromagnetic relay 100 of the modified example 3, the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the entire portion of the first contact terminal 41 that protrudes from the housing 1 is aligned with the third axis A3. Therefore, as shown in Figure 22, it is possible to use an elongated through-hole 99 into which the first contact terminal 41 is inserted, which has a longitudinal axis aligned with the third axis A3.

[0142] (3.4) Other variations In one modified example, as shown in Figures 23 and 24, at least a portion of the deformed portion 53 may be located below the lower surface 92 of the substrate 9, or the entire deformed portion 53 (the upper end 531 of the deformed portion 53) may be located below the lower surface 92 of the substrate 9. In this case, for example, even if the specific terminal 5 moves upward due to the tilt of the housing 1 with the second axis A2 as the axis of rotation, the deformed portion 53 contacts the edge of the lower opening surface of the through-hole 90 on the substrate 9, preventing the specific terminal 5 from coming out of the through-hole 90.

[0143] In one modified example, the first coil terminal 43 may be a specific terminal 5.

[0144] In one modified example, the outermost terminal (second contact terminal 42 or second coil terminal 44) may be the specific terminal 5.

[0145] In one modified example, the electromagnetic relay 100 is not limited to having only one specific terminal 5, but may have two or more specific terminals 5. The electromagnetic relay 100 may also have all terminals designated as specific terminals 5.

[0146] In one modified example, the number of terminals provided by the electromagnetic relay 100 is not limited to four. For example, the electromagnetic relay 100 may be provided with two or more contact devices 2, each consisting of a movable contact 271 and a fixed contact 231. In this case, the electromagnetic relay 100 may also be provided with two or more movable contact terminals 46 and / or fixed contact terminals 45.

[0147] In one modified example, the multiple terminals of the electromagnetic relay 100 may include terminals that are not located on a straight line L1 along the second axis A2. For example, the multiple terminals may be arranged diagonally, with the first contact terminal 41 and the second contact terminal 42 located on the left front portion of the lower surface of the housing 1, and the first coil terminal 43 and the second coil terminal 44 located on the right rear portion of the lower surface of the housing 1.

[0148] In one modified example, the specific terminal 5 does not have to have a rectangular cross-sectional shape as long as it has a longitudinal axis. For example, it may be a rectangular shape with chamfered corners, a quadrilateral shape other than a rectangle, a triangular shape, a pentagonal shape or other polygonal shape, or an elliptical shape.

[0149] In one modified example, the first contact terminal 41 and / or the second contact terminal 42 do not have to have a tapered shape, and the first coil terminal 43 and / or the second coil terminal 44 do not have to have a chamfered shape.

[0150] In one modified example, the mating component to which the electromagnetic relay 100 is connected is not limited to the circuit board 9, but may be, for example, a terminal block or the like.

[0151] In one modified example, the contact device 2 is not limited to a structure in which the movable contact 271 contacts the fixed contact 231 when the coil 33 is energized (a-contact), but may also be a structure in which the movable contact 271 contacts the fixed contact 231 when the coil 33 is not energized (a-contact). The contact device 2 may also have a so-called c-contact structure.

[0152] In one modified example, the twisting direction of the twisted shape 54 of the deformed portion 53 may be such that, when viewed from below, the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the deformed portion 53 rotates clockwise from top to bottom.

[0153] In one modified example, the deformed portion 53 is not limited to having a structure having one continuous twist shape 54, but may have two or more twist shapes 54 that are separated vertically. If there are two or more twist shapes 54, there may be a twist shape 54 whose twist direction is opposite to that of the other twist shapes 54.

[0154] In one modified example, a particular terminal may have a plurality of deformed parts 53 having different shapes (for example, a twisted shape 54 and a protruding shape 55).

[0155] In one modified example, when the specific terminal 5 is projected onto a virtual plane orthogonal to the first axis A1, the positions of the upper end 51 and the lower end 52 may be different.

[0156] (4) Aspect As is clear from the embodiments and modifications described above, the following embodiments are disclosed herein.

[0157] The electromagnetic relay (100) of the first embodiment comprises a fixed contact (231), a movable contact (271), an electromagnetic drive unit (3), a housing (1), a contact terminal (41), and a coil terminal (40). The movable contact (271) moves between a contact position in contact with the fixed contact (231) and a separated position away from the fixed contact (231). The electromagnetic drive unit (3) has a coil (33). The electromagnetic drive unit (3) moves the movable contact (271) relative to the fixed contact (231) in response to the energization of the coil (33). The housing (1) houses the fixed contact (231), the movable contact (271), and the electromagnetic drive unit (3). The contact terminal (41) is connected to either the fixed contact (231) or the movable contact (271). The contact terminal (41) protrudes downward from the housing (1). The coil terminal (40) is connected to the coil (33). The coil terminal (40) protrudes downward from the housing (1). At least one of the contact terminal (41) and the coil terminal (40) is a specific terminal (5). The specific terminal (5) has a deformable portion (53) between its upper end (51) and lower end (52).

[0158] According to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the tilt of the housing (1) relative to the mating member (for example, the circuit board 9) before connecting the terminals (contact terminals 41, coil terminals 40) to the mating member.

[0159] In the electromagnetic relay (100) of the second embodiment, the deformable portion (53) has a twisted shape (54) as in the first embodiment.

[0160] According to this embodiment, the tilt of the housing (1) relative to the mating member can be further suppressed before connecting the terminal to the mating member.

[0161] In the electromagnetic relay (100) of the third embodiment, in the first or second embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the upper end (51) and the cross-sectional shape of the lower end (52) of the specific terminal (5) are rectangular. Viewed from above, the longitudinal axis (C1) of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end (51) of the specific terminal (5) intersects with the longitudinal axis (C2) of the cross-sectional shape of the lower end (52) of the specific terminal (5).

[0162] According to this embodiment, the tilt of the housing (1) relative to the mating member can be further suppressed before connecting the terminal to the mating member.

[0163] In the electromagnetic relay (100) of the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, when viewed from above, the longitudinal axis (C1) of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end (51) of the specific terminal (5) is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (C2) of the cross-sectional shape of the lower end (52) of the specific terminal (5).

[0164] According to this embodiment, the tilt of the housing (1) relative to the mating member can be further suppressed before connecting the terminal to the mating member.

[0165] In the electromagnetic relay (100) of the fifth embodiment, in any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the deformed portion (53) has a protruding shape (55).

[0166] According to this embodiment, the tilt of the housing (1) relative to the mating member can be further suppressed before connecting the terminal to the mating member.

[0167] In the electromagnetic relay (100) of the sixth embodiment, the protruding shape (55) has a bent shape (56) as in the fifth embodiment.

[0168] According to this embodiment, the tilt of the housing (1) relative to the mating member can be further suppressed before connecting the terminal to the mating member.

[0169] In the electromagnetic relay (100) of the seventh embodiment, the deformation portion (53) is located inside the housing (1) in the first to sixth embodiments.

[0170] According to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the tilt of the housing (1) relative to the mating member before connecting the terminal to the mating member. Furthermore, it is possible to use a through-hole (99) aligned with the longitudinal direction of the specific terminal (5) as the through-hole of the substrate (9) which is the mating member.

[0171] In the electromagnetic relay (100) of the eighth embodiment, the deformation portion (53) is located outside the housing (1), as in the first to seventh embodiments.

[0172] According to this embodiment, the tilt of the housing (1) relative to the mating member can be further suppressed before connecting the terminal to the mating member.

[0173] In the electromagnetic relay (100) of the ninth embodiment, the deformation portion (53) is located below the lowest end of the housing (1), as in the eighth embodiment.

[0174] According to this embodiment, the tilt of the housing (1) relative to the mating member can be further suppressed before connecting the terminal to the mating member.

[0175] The electromagnetic relay (100) of the tenth embodiment further comprises a second contact terminal (42) in addition to a first contact terminal (41) as a contact terminal (41) in any one of the first to ninth embodiments. The second contact terminal (42) is connected to the other of a fixed contact (231) and a movable contact (271) and protrudes downward from the housing (1). The second contact terminal (42) extends vertically without including a shape corresponding to a deformable portion (53) between its upper end (421) and lower end (422).

[0176] According to this embodiment, the inclination of the housing (1) relative to the mating member can be further suppressed before connecting the terminal to the mating member. In addition, compared to the case where the second contact terminal (42) is a specific terminal (5), the process of processing the second contact terminal (42) so that it has a deformable portion (53) is eliminated.

[0177] The electromagnetic relay (100) of the eleventh embodiment further comprises a second coil terminal (44) in addition to the first coil terminal (43) which is a coil terminal (40) connected to the first end of the coil (33) as in the tenth embodiment. The second coil terminal (44) is connected to the second end of the coil (33) and protrudes downward from the housing (1). The second coil terminal (44) extends vertically without including a shape corresponding to the deformation portion (53) between the upper end (441) and the lower end (442). The first contact terminal (41) and the first coil terminal (43) are located between the second contact terminal (42) and the second coil terminal (44).

[0178] According to this embodiment, the inclination of the housing (1) relative to the mating member can be further suppressed before connecting the terminal to the mating member. In addition, compared to the case where the second coil terminal (44) is a specific terminal (5), the process of processing the second coil terminal (44) so ​​that it has a deformable portion (53) is unnecessary.

[0179] The electromagnetic relay (100) of the twelfth embodiment further comprises a second contact terminal (42) and a second coil terminal (44), in addition to a first contact terminal (41) as a contact terminal (41) and a first coil terminal (43) as a coil terminal (40) connected to the first end of the coil (33), in any one of the first to eleventh embodiments. The second contact terminal (42) is connected to the other of a fixed contact (231) and a movable contact (271) and protrudes downward from the housing (1). The second coil terminal (44) is connected to the second end of the coil (33) and protrudes downward from the housing (1). The first contact terminal (41), the second contact terminal (42), the first coil terminal (43), and the second coil terminal (44) are arranged in a straight line (L1) on the lower surface of the housing (1).

[0180] According to this embodiment, even in a housing (1) that is prone to tilting with respect to the mating member, even if the axis on which the first contact terminal (41), the second contact terminal (42), the first coil terminal (43), and the second coil terminal (44) are arranged is the axis of rotation, it is possible to suppress the tilting of the housing (1) with respect to the mating member before connecting the terminals to the mating member.

[0181] In the electromagnetic relay (100) of the 13th embodiment, the lower surface of the housing (1) is rectangular, as in the 12th embodiment. The first contact terminal (41), the second contact terminal (42), the first coil terminal (43), and the second coil terminal (44) are arranged towards one side (front side) of the short axis of the lower surface of the housing (1).

[0182] According to this embodiment, even in a housing (1) that is prone to tilting with respect to the mating member, even if the axis on which the first contact terminal (41), the second contact terminal (42), the first coil terminal (43), and the second coil terminal (44) are arranged is the axis of rotation, it is possible to suppress the tilting of the housing (1) with respect to the mating member before connecting the terminals to the mating member.

[0183] In the electromagnetic relay (100) of the 14th embodiment, in the 12th or 13th embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the first contact terminal (41), the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the second contact terminal (42), the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the first coil terminal (43), and the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the second coil terminal (44) are each rectangular. Viewed from above, the longitudinal axis (B11) of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the first contact terminal (41), the longitudinal axis (B21) of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the second contact terminal (42), the longitudinal axis (B31) of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the first coil terminal (43), and the longitudinal axis (B41) of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the second coil terminal (44) all align with the axis (second axis A2) along which the first contact terminal (41), the second contact terminal (42), the first coil terminal (43), and the second coil terminal (44) are aligned.

[0184] According to this embodiment, even in a housing (1) that is prone to tilting with respect to the mating member, even if the axis (second axis A2) on which the first contact terminal (41), the second contact terminal (42), the first coil terminal (43), and the second coil terminal (44) are arranged is the axis of rotation, it is possible to suppress the tilting of the housing (1) with respect to the mating member before connecting the terminals to the mating member.

[0185] In the electromagnetic relay (100) of the 15th embodiment, in any one of the first to 14th embodiments, the contact terminal (41) is a specific terminal (5).

[0186] According to this embodiment, the contact terminal (41), which is wider than the coil terminal (40), has a deformable portion (53), which further suppresses the tilt of the housing (1) relative to the mating member before connecting the terminal to the mating member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0187] 100 Electromagnetic relay 1 Housing 231 Fixed contact 271 Movable contact 3 Electromagnetic drive unit 33 coils 40 Coil terminals 41 Contact terminal, first contact terminal 42 Second contact terminal 421 Upper end 422 Bottom end 43. First coil terminal 44 Second coil terminal 441 Upper end 442 Bottom end 5 Specific terminal 51 Upper end 52 Bottom end 53 Deformed part 54. Twisted shape 55 Projection shape 56 Bending Shape B11, B21, B31, B41, C1, C2 Long axis L1 Straight line (virtual line)

Claims

1. Fixed contacts and A movable contact that moves between a contact position in contact with the fixed contact and a separated position away from the fixed contact, An electromagnetic drive unit having a coil, which moves the movable contact relative to the fixed contact in response to current flowing to the coil, A housing that houses the fixed contact, the movable contact, and the electromagnetic drive unit, A contact terminal is connected to either the fixed contact or the movable contact, and protrudes downward from the housing, The coil terminals are connected to the aforementioned coil and protrude downward from the housing, Equipped with, At least one of the contact terminal and the coil terminal is a specific terminal, The specified terminal has a deformed portion between its upper end and lower end. The cross-sectional shape of the upper end and the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the specified terminal are each rectangular. Viewed from above, the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the specific terminal intersects with the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the specific terminal. Viewed from above, the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the specific terminal is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the specific terminal. Electromagnetic relay.

2. Fixed contact and A movable contact that moves between a contact position in contact with the fixed contact and a separated position away from the fixed contact, An electromagnetic drive unit having a coil, which moves the movable contact relative to the fixed contact in response to current flowing to the coil, A housing that houses the fixed contact, the movable contact, and the electromagnetic drive unit, A contact terminal is connected to either the fixed contact or the movable contact, and protrudes downward from the housing, The coil terminals are connected to the aforementioned coil and protrude downward from the housing, Equipped with, At least one of the contact terminal and the coil terminal is a specific terminal, The specified terminal has a deformed portion between its upper end and lower end. The deformed portion is located outside the housing, Electromagnetic relay.

3. The deformed portion is located below the lowest end of the housing, The electromagnetic relay according to claim 2.

4. Fixed contact and A movable contact that moves between a contact position in contact with the fixed contact and a separated position away from the fixed contact, An electromagnetic drive unit having a coil, which moves the movable contact relative to the fixed contact in response to current flowing to the coil, A housing that houses the fixed contact, the movable contact, and the electromagnetic drive unit, A contact terminal is connected to either the fixed contact or the movable contact, and protrudes downward from the housing, The coil terminals are connected to the aforementioned coil and protrude downward from the housing, Equipped with, At least one of the contact terminal and the coil terminal is a specific terminal, The specified terminal has a deformed portion between its upper end and lower end. In addition to the first contact terminal as a contact terminal and the first coil terminal as a coil terminal connected to the first end of the coil, there is a second contact terminal connected to the other of the fixed contact and the movable contact and protruding downward from the housing, and a second coil terminal connected to the second end of the coil and protruding downward from the housing, Furthermore, The first contact terminal, the second contact terminal, the first coil terminal, and the second coil terminal are arranged in a straight line on the lower surface of the housing. Electromagnetic relay.

5. The lower surface of the housing is rectangular in shape, The first contact terminal, the second contact terminal, the first coil terminal, and the second coil terminal are arranged to one side of the short axis of the lower surface of the housing. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 4.

6. The cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the first contact terminal, the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the second contact terminal, the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the first coil terminal, and the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the second coil terminal are each rectangular, Viewed from above, the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the first contact terminal, the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the second contact terminal, the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the first coil terminal, and the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the second coil terminal all align with the axis along which the first contact terminal, the second contact terminal, the first coil terminal, and the second coil terminal are aligned. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the specific terminal and the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the specific terminal are each rectangular, Viewed from above, the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the specific terminal intersects with the longitudinal axis of the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the specific terminal. An electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

8. The deformed portion has a twisted shape, An electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The deformed portion has a protruding shape, An electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The protruding shape has a bent shape, The electromagnetic relay according to claim 9.

11. The deformed portion is located inside the housing, An electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. In addition to the first contact terminal as a contact terminal, a second contact terminal is further provided, which is connected to the other of the fixed contact and the movable contact and protrudes downward from the housing, The second contact terminal extends vertically without including the shape corresponding to the deformed portion between its upper and lower ends. An electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. In addition to the first coil terminal which is the coil terminal connected to the first end of the coil, the device further comprises a second coil terminal which is connected to the second end of the coil and protrudes downward from the housing, The second coil terminal extends vertically between its upper and lower ends without including a shape corresponding to the deformed portion. The first contact terminal and the first coil terminal are located between the second contact terminal and the second coil terminal. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 12.

14. The contact terminal is the specific terminal, An electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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