auxiliary contact unit

Abstract

The auxiliary contact unit (12) of the present application is capable of being installed in the side of the electromagnetic contactor (11) using a buckle (13), wherein the buckle (13) comprises: a protruding portion (53) protruding towards the electromagnetic contactor (11), a front end portion (55) formed in a hook shape capable of being engaged with the electromagnetic contactor (11); and a release operation portion (54) formed on the root end side of the protruding portion (53), the front end portion (55) engaged with the electromagnetic contactor (11) being released by the flexure when pressed from the outside.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an auxiliary contact unit installed in an electromagnetic contactor. Background Technology

[0002] An auxiliary contact unit that can be selectively installed on an electromagnetic contactor can output signals from the auxiliary contacts to an external electronic control circuit in conjunction with the opening and closing of the electromagnetic contactor. As an example, as shown in reference 1, there is a side-mounted type that is installed on the side of the electromagnetic contactor body.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-038644 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] Side-on auxiliary contact units, when using a snap-fit ​​mounting structure, can be easily installed by hand. However, the snap-fit ​​is generally not easily disengaged by hand. Therefore, the electromagnetic contactor housing must be disassembled during disassembly. For types where the divided housings are threaded together, a tool for removing the screws is required. Additionally, for types where the divided housings are secured together using wire springs, a tool for removing the wire springs and disassembling the housings is required.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to improve the ease of disassembly in the auxiliary contact unit installed in an electromagnetic contactor.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is an auxiliary contact unit that can be mounted on the side of an electromagnetic contactor using a snap fastener. The snap fastener includes: a protrusion that protrudes toward the electromagnetic contactor and has a hook-shaped front end that can engage with the electromagnetic contactor; and a release operation portion formed at the root end of the protrusion, which releases the front end that engages with the electromagnetic contactor by deflection when pressed from the outside.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] According to the present invention, since a release operation part is provided at the front end of the protrusion that releases the engagement with the electromagnetic contactor by pressing from the outside, the latch can be easily released by hand (fingers). Therefore, it is not necessary to disassemble the housing or use tools, thus improving the ease of disassembly. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an electromagnetic contactor and auxiliary contact units.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a diagram representing an electromagnetic contactor.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the cross-section of the mounting hole in an electromagnetic contactor.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the appearance of the auxiliary contact unit.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the cross-section of the mounting holes in the auxiliary contact unit.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a diagram representing a snap fastener.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the installation method of the auxiliary contact unit.

[0020] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the method for disassembling the auxiliary contact unit.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the auxiliary contact unit after the housing has been disassembled.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the auxiliary contact support component.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a diagram representing auxiliary contacts.

[0024] Figure 12 This is a diagram representing a comparative example. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. Please note that the drawings are illustrative and may differ from actual embodiments. Furthermore, the following embodiments illustrate apparatus and methods for embodying the technical concept of the present invention, and do not specify the structure as described below. That is, the technical concept of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claimed claims.

[0026] One implementation method

[0027] "structure"

[0028] In the following description, for convenience, the three mutually orthogonal directions are defined as the longitudinal direction, the width direction, and the depth direction.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an electromagnetic contactor and auxiliary contact units.

[0030] Figure (a) shows the state before the auxiliary contact unit 12 is installed on the electromagnetic contactor 11. Figure (b) shows the state with the first auxiliary contact unit 12 installed on the side of the electromagnetic contactor 11, and then with the second auxiliary contact unit 12 installed on the side of the first auxiliary contact unit 12. Both figures are views of the electromagnetic contactor 11 and the auxiliary contact unit 12 from the front, i.e., from the front side in the depth direction.

[0031] The electromagnetic contactor 11 opens and closes the main circuit, and the auxiliary contact unit 12, in conjunction with the opening and closing of the electromagnetic contactor 11, outputs signals from the auxiliary contacts to external electronic control circuits, etc. The auxiliary contact unit 12 is a side-mounted type installed on the side of the electromagnetic contactor 11 in the width direction, and can be configured to connect multiple auxiliary contact units 12 to each other. Here, only one side of the electromagnetic contactor 11 is equipped with an auxiliary contact unit 12, but it is possible to install auxiliary contact units 12 on the other side as well. The maximum number of auxiliary contact units 12 installed on the electromagnetic contactor 11 depends on the attractive force of the electromagnet built into the electromagnetic contactor 11; here, approximately three or four can be installed on one side and the other side together. The auxiliary contact unit 12 is designed to be detached and reattached via a clip 13.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a diagram representing an electromagnetic contactor.

[0033] Only one side of the electromagnetic contactor 11 is shown here; the other side is a symmetrical structure reversed in the width direction, so it is omitted from the diagram. The housing of the electromagnetic contactor 11 is made of resin.

[0034] In the electromagnetic contactor 11, a protrusion 22 is formed on the depth side of each end face 21 at one end in the longitudinal direction and on the outer edge of each end in the width direction, capable of hooking (engaging) the latch 13. The protrusion 22 protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction and is a protrusion extending along the depth direction, and the outer end face in the width direction is aligned with the side surface 23 of the electromagnetic contactor 11. The corners of the outer end face in the width direction and the outer end face in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 22 are chamfered.

[0035] In the electromagnetic contactor 11, an opening 24 is formed approximately at the center of the depth direction and approximately at the center of the longitudinal direction of each side 23 at one end in the width direction, extending through the side wall of the housing and extending along the depth direction. A movable recess 26 of the main contact support 25 housed inside protrudes from the opening 24. The main contact support 25 opens and closes the main contacts by shifting along the depth direction according to the opening / closing of the electromagnet, and the movable recess 26 is formed on both end faces of the main contact support 25 in the width direction.

[0036] In the electromagnetic contactor 11, mounting recesses 27 are formed approximately at the center of the depth direction and on both sides longitudinally in each side 23 at one end in the width direction and at the other end.

[0037] In the electromagnetic contactor 11, mounting holes 28 are formed approximately at the front side and longitudinal center of each side 23 in the width direction and in the depth direction.

[0038] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the cross-section of the mounting hole in an electromagnetic contactor.

[0039] Here, only the housing of the electromagnetic contactor 11 is shown, and the main contact support 25 housed therein is omitted. When viewed longitudinally, the mounting hole 28 is a hole that penetrates the side wall of the housing in a generally L-shape, including a width direction hole 28a formed along the width direction and a depth direction hole 28b formed along the depth direction. That is, it extends inward in the width direction, bends at a right angle, and leads to the front side in the depth direction.

[0040] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the appearance of the auxiliary contact unit.

[0041] In the auxiliary contact unit 12, the side away from the electromagnetic contactor 11 in the width direction is designated as the outer side, and the side closer to the electromagnetic contactor 11 is designated as the inner side. Figure (a) shows the side 31 of the auxiliary contact unit 12 that is the inner side in the width direction. The housing of the auxiliary contact unit 12 is made of resin.

[0042] In the auxiliary contact unit 12, a pair of latches 13 are formed on both the depth side in the depth direction and on one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction. The pair of latches 13 protrude inward in the width direction and can hook onto the protrusion 22 of the electromagnetic contactor 11.

[0043] In the auxiliary contact unit 12, an opening 34 is formed approximately at the center of the inner side surface 31 in the width direction and approximately at the center in the depth direction, extending through the side wall of the housing in the width direction and extending along the depth direction. A movable protrusion 36 of the auxiliary contact support 35 housed inside protrudes from the opening 34. The movable protrusion 36 can be inserted into the movable recess 26 of the main contact support 25. When the movable protrusion 36 is inserted into the movable recess 26 of the main contact support 25, the auxiliary contact support 35 is linked with the main contact support 25 and shifts along the depth direction, thereby opening and closing the auxiliary contact.

[0044] In the auxiliary contact unit 12, a pair of mounting protrusions 37 are formed approximately at the center of the depth direction and on both sides of the inner side surface 31 in the width direction. The pair of mounting protrusions 37 can be inserted into the mounting recesses 27 of the electromagnetic contactor 11.

[0045] In the auxiliary contact unit 12, a mounting hook 38 is formed approximately at the center of the inner side 31 in the width direction, at the front side in the depth direction and longitudinally. The mounting hook 38 is first formed in the shape of a hook protruding inward in the width direction and then towards the front side in the depth direction, and can be hooked onto the mounting hole 28 of the electromagnetic contactor 11.

[0046] (b) in the figure represents the outer side 41 of the auxiliary contact unit 12 in the width direction.

[0047] In the auxiliary contact unit 12, an opening 44 is formed approximately at the center of the outer side 41 in the width direction and approximately at the center in the depth direction, extending through the side wall of the housing in the width direction and extending along the depth direction. The movable recess 46 of the auxiliary contact support 35 housed inside is exposed from the opening 44. The movable protrusion 36 of another auxiliary contact support 35 can be inserted into the movable recess 46.

[0048] In the auxiliary contact unit 12, a pair of mounting recesses 47 are formed approximately at the center of the depth direction and on both sides of the outer side 41 in the width direction. The mounting recesses 47 can respectively accommodate the mounting protrusions 37 of another auxiliary contact unit 12.

[0049] In the auxiliary contact unit 12, a mounting hole 48 is formed approximately at the center of the depth direction and the front side 41 of the outer side 41 in the width direction. The mounting hook 38 of another auxiliary contact unit 12 can be hooked into the mounting hole 48.

[0050] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the cross-section of the mounting holes in the auxiliary contact unit.

[0051] Here, only the housing of the auxiliary contact unit 12 is shown, and the auxiliary contact support 35 housed therein is omitted. When viewed longitudinally, the mounting hole 48 is a hole that penetrates the side wall of the housing in a generally L-shape, including a width direction hole 48a formed along the width direction and a depth direction hole 48b formed along the depth direction. That is, it extends inward in the width direction, bends at a right angle, and leads to the front side in the depth direction.

[0052] Figure 6 This is a diagram representing a snap fastener.

[0053] In the auxiliary contact unit 12, a protrusion 52 capable of hooking (engaging) the latch 13 is formed on the outer edge of the outer side of each end face 51 in the width direction at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction. The protrusion 52 is generally plate-shaped along the longitudinal and depth directions, extending outward in the longitudinal direction, and the outer end face in the width direction is aligned with the outer side surface 41 in the width direction of the auxiliary contact unit 12. The corners of the outer end face in the width direction and the outer end face in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 52 are chamfered.

[0054] In the auxiliary contact unit 12, a latch 13 is formed approximately at the center of the width direction in each end face 51 at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction.

[0055] The latch 13 includes a protrusion 53 and a release operation part 54.

[0056] The protrusion 53 is generally plate-shaped along both the width and depth directions, protruding inward in the width direction, and its front end 55 is formed into a hook shape protruding inward in the longitudinal direction. The front end 55 can hook onto the protrusion 22 of the electromagnetic contactor 11 or the protrusion 52 of another auxiliary contact unit 12. During installation, in order to make it easy for the front end 55 to pass over the protrusion 22 or the protrusion 52, the longitudinal inner side of the front end 55 is inclined in such a way that the longitudinal thickness decreases as it moves inward in the width direction. The longitudinal inner end face position of the protrusion 53, excluding the front end 55, is set to be the same as the longitudinal front end position of the protrusion 52.

[0057] The release operation part 54 is formed at the root end of the protrusion 53. By deflecting when pressed from the outside to the longitudinal inside, the front end part 55 that is stuck on the protrusion 22 of the electromagnetic contactor 11 or on the protrusion 52 of another auxiliary contact unit 12 is released.

[0058] The decommissioning operation section 54 includes the main staff 56 and the operation section 57.

[0059] The main body 56 is generally plate-shaped along the longitudinal and depth directions, extending from approximately the center in the width direction of the end face 51 to the outer side in the longitudinal direction, and a protrusion 53 is formed on the inner end face in the width direction.

[0060] The operating part 57 is generally plate-shaped along both the width and depth directions, extending outward from the front end of the main body 56 in the width direction. Its front end 58 is formed into a hook shape protruding outward in the longitudinal direction, so that the user can easily hook their finger. The outer end face of the front end 58 in the width direction is aligned with the outer side 41 of the auxiliary contact unit 12 in the width direction. When the operating part 57 is pressed from the outside inward in the longitudinal direction, the main body 56 flexes outward in the width direction. At this time, the front end 55 of the protrusion 53 is displaced outward in the longitudinal direction, and the auxiliary contact unit 12 can be disassembled by the front end 55 from the protrusion 22 of the electromagnetic contactor 11 or from the protrusion 52 of the other auxiliary contact unit 12.

[0061] Next, the installation method of the auxiliary contact unit will be explained.

[0062] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the installation method of the auxiliary contact unit.

[0063] First, while tilting the auxiliary contact unit 12, hook the mounting hook 38 into the mounting hole 28 of the electromagnetic contactor 11. Next, with the main contact support 25 of the electromagnetic contactor 11 pressed into the depth direction, bring the depth direction of the auxiliary contact unit 12 close to the electromagnetic contactor 11. At this time, the movable protrusion 36 inserts into the movable recess 26 of the main contact support 25, and the mounting protrusion 37 embeds into the mounting recess 27.

[0064] Furthermore, when the front end 55 of the latch 13 abuts against the protrusion 22 and is further pressed in, the protrusion 53 and the main body 56 flex. And when the protrusion 53 and the main body 56, which have flexed beyond the protrusion 22, return to their original position, the hook-shaped front end 55 hooks onto the protrusion 22, and the auxiliary contact unit 12 is fixed to the electromagnetic contactor 11. The mounting hook 38 and the latch 13 support the auxiliary contact unit 12 in the width direction, and the mounting protrusion 37 supports the auxiliary contact unit 12 in the depth direction. The same applies when another auxiliary contact unit 12 is mounted on the auxiliary contact unit 12.

[0065] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the method for disassembling the auxiliary contact unit.

[0066] Each of the two latches 13 is provided at one end longitudinally and the other end. When the release operation part 54 is pressed inward longitudinally, the front end 55 of the protrusion 22 hooked to the electromagnetic contactor 11 is released. The separation distance between the front ends 58 of the operation parts 57 is set within a range that a user with a normal hand size can easily pinch with the tip of their thumb and other fingers (e.g., the middle finger) and press inward longitudinally. After the two front ends 55 are released from the protrusion 22, the depth side of the auxiliary contact unit 12 in the depth direction is pulled away from the electromagnetic contactor 11. After the movable protrusion 36 disengages from the movable recess 26 of the main contact support 25 and the mounting protrusion 37 disengages from the mounting recess 27, the auxiliary contact unit 12 is disassembled by disengaging the mounting hook 38 from the mounting hole 28 of the electromagnetic contactor 11. The same procedure applies to disassembling another auxiliary contact unit 12 from the auxiliary contact unit 12.

[0067] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the auxiliary contact unit after the housing has been disassembled.

[0068] Figure (a) shows the outer shell 61 in the width direction, and Figure (b) shows the inner shell 62 in the width direction. Both shells 61 and 62 are made of resin, and the inner side of shell 61 in the width direction and the outer side of shell 62 in the width direction are fastened together by fitting their respective bosses. A contact storage portion 63 is formed inside the auxiliary contact unit 12. The auxiliary contact support 35 is stored in the contact storage portion 63 in a state that allows it to move back and forth in the depth direction.

[0069] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the auxiliary contact support component.

[0070] Figure (a) is a perspective view of the auxiliary contact support 35, and Figure (b) is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary contact support 35.

[0071] The auxiliary contact support 35 is made of resin and is formed into a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is longer in the depth direction. In the auxiliary contact support 35, a movable protrusion 36 protruding inward in the width direction is formed approximately at the center of the depth direction in the inner side surface in the width direction, and a movable recess 46 recessed in the width direction is formed approximately at the center of the depth direction in the outer side surface in the width direction. In the auxiliary contact support 35, a longitudinally penetrating opening 71 is formed on the depth side of the movable recess 46 in the depth direction, and a longitudinally penetrating opening 72 is formed on the front side of the movable recess 46 in the depth direction.

[0072] A movable contact 73 is provided at the opening 71 on the depth side in the depth direction, and a movable contact 74 is provided at the opening 72 on the front side in the depth direction. The movable contacts 73 and 74 are plate-shaped conductors extending longitudinally, protruding from the auxiliary contact support 35 to both ends in the longitudinal direction, with each end forming a double contact. A contact point is formed on the depth side surface of the movable contact 73, and a contact point is formed on the front side surface of the movable contact 74 in the depth direction. The movable contact 73 is elastically supported when pressed by the contact spring 75 provided in the opening 71 towards the depth side in the depth direction, and the movable contact 74 is elastically supported when pressed by the contact spring 76 provided in the opening 72 towards the front side in the depth direction.

[0073] Figure 11 This is a diagram representing auxiliary contacts.

[0074] Here, the shell 62 is omitted, indicating the state of the shell 61 as viewed from the inside in the width direction.

[0075] On the housing 61, a pair of fixed contacts 81 are provided on the depth side in the depth direction. The pair of fixed contacts 81 are plate-shaped conductors along the width and longitudinal directions, respectively. The inner longitudinal side is disposed inside the contact housing 63, and the outer longitudinal side is disposed outside the contact housing 63. At the end of the fixed contact 81 that is the inner longitudinal side, a contact is formed on the surface facing forward in the depth direction, and a threaded hole for a threaded terminal is formed on the outer longitudinal side. The auxiliary contact, composed of the fixed contact 81 and the movable contact 73, is a normally open type a contact. That is, when the main contact of the electromagnetic contactor 11 is open, the auxiliary contact support 35 is located on the front side in the depth direction, thereby separating the movable contact 73 relative to the fixed contact 81, and the auxiliary contact opens. On the other hand, when the main contacts of the electromagnetic contactor 11 are closed, the auxiliary contact support 35 is located on the depth side in the depth direction, thereby the movable contact 73 contacts the fixed contact 81 and the auxiliary contact is closed.

[0076] On the housing 61, a pair of fixed contacts 82 are provided at the front side in the depth direction. Each pair of fixed contacts 82 is a plate-shaped conductor along the width and longitudinal directions, with the inner longitudinal side disposed inside the contact housing 63 and the outer longitudinal side disposed outside the contact housing 63. At the end of the fixed contact 82 that forms the inner longitudinal side, a contact is formed on the depth side surface in the depth direction, and a threaded hole for a threaded terminal is formed on the outer longitudinal side. Here, the auxiliary contact formed by the fixed contact 82 and the movable contact 74 is a normally closed type b contact. That is, when the main contacts of the electromagnetic contactor 11 are open, the auxiliary contact support 35 is located at the front side in the depth direction, thereby causing the movable contact 74 to contact the fixed contact 82, and the auxiliary contact to close. On the other hand, when the main contacts of the electromagnetic contactor 11 are closed, the auxiliary contact support 35 is located on the depth side in the depth direction, thereby separating the movable contact 74 from the fixed contact 82 and opening the auxiliary contact.

[0077] "effect"

[0078] Next, the main functions of one implementation method will be explained.

[0079] Existing latches cannot be easily released by hand. In this embodiment, the latch 13 hooks the front end 55 of the protrusion 53 onto the protrusion 22 of the electromagnetic contactor 11, but a release operation part 54 for releasing the front end 55 is provided at the root end of the protrusion 53. The release operation part 54 releases the front end 55 hooked onto the protrusion 22 of the electromagnetic contactor 11 by deflection when pressed from the outside. With this construction, the latch 13 can be easily released by hand (fingers). Therefore, it is not necessary to disassemble the housing or use tools, thus improving the ease of disassembly.

[0080] One latch 13 is provided on each of the two longitudinal ends. The release operation part 54 releases the front end 55 of the protrusion 22 hooked to the electromagnetic contactor 11 by deflection when pressed from the outside inwards longitudinally. The separation distance between the release operation parts 54 is set within a range that a user with a normal hand size can easily pinch and press inwards longitudinally using the fingertips of their thumb and other fingers (e.g., the middle finger). Therefore, by pressing both release operation parts 54 inwards longitudinally simultaneously with one hand, the user can release both latches 13 at once.

[0081] The main body 56 of the release operation section 54 extends longitudinally outward, and a protrusion 53 is formed on the inner end face in the width direction. The operation section 57 of the release operation section 54 extends from the longitudinal front end side of the main body 56 outward in the width direction, and when pressed from the outside towards the longitudinal inside, the main body 56 flexes outward in the width direction. According to this structure, the front end 55 that is stuck on the protrusion 22 of the electromagnetic contactor 11 can be released by flexing when pressed from the outside. The front end 58 of the operation section 57 is formed into a hook shape that protrudes longitudinally outward, so it is easy for the user to hook their finger, resulting in excellent operability.

[0082] The clip 13 can be hooked onto another auxiliary contact unit 12, and multiple auxiliary contact units can be connected. Therefore, it can meet the additional requirements for auxiliary contacts.

[0083] A movable protrusion 36 protruding inward in the width direction is formed on the inner side of the auxiliary contact support 35. The movable protrusion 36 can be inserted into the movable recess 26 of the main contact support 25 in the electromagnetic contactor 11, and also into the movable recess 46 of the auxiliary contact support 35 in another auxiliary contact unit 12. On the other hand, a movable recess 46 recessed in the width direction is formed on the outer side of the auxiliary contact support 35. The movable recess 46 allows the movable protrusion 36 of another auxiliary contact unit 12 to be inserted. According to this structure, multiple auxiliary contact units 12 can be connected.

[0084] Next, the comparative examples will be explained.

[0085] Figure 12 This is a diagram representing a comparative example.

[0086] The conventional construction of the latch is shown here. The auxiliary contact unit 112 is mounted to the electromagnetic contactor 111 via a latch 113. The electromagnetic contactor 111 can be divided into an upper housing 114 and a lower housing 115, with a protrusion 116 formed on the upper housing 114 for hooking the latch 113. This latch 113 cannot be easily released by hand. To disassemble the auxiliary contact unit 112, the electromagnetic contactor 111 must first be disassembled into the upper housing 114 and the lower housing 115, allowing the auxiliary contact unit 112 to slide towards the depth side in the depth direction, releasing the latch 113 from the protrusion 116. Furthermore, since the upper housing 114 and the lower housing 115 are secured by a wire spring (not shown), a tool is required to remove the wire spring and disassemble the upper housing 114 and the lower housing 115. In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, the latch 13 can be easily released by hand (fingers).

[0087] The above description refers to a limited number of embodiments, but the scope of the claims is not limited thereto. Modifications based on the above-disclosed embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0088] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0089] 11…Electromagnetic contactor, 12…Auxiliary contact unit, 13…Snap fit, 21…End faces, 22…Protrusion, 23…Side, 24…Opening, 25…Main contact support, 26…Modible recess, 27…Mounting recess, 28…Mounting hole, 28a…Width direction hole, 28b…Depth direction hole, 31…Side, 34…Opening, 35…Auxiliary contact support, 36…Modible protrusion, 37…Mounting protrusion, 38…Mounting hook, 41…Side, 44…Opening, 46…Modible recess, 47…Mounting recess, 48…Mounting hole, 48a…Width direction hole, 48b… 51… End face, 52… Protrusion, 53… Protrusion, 54… Release operation part, 55… Front end part, 56… Main body, 57… Operation part, 58… Front end part, 61… Housing, 62… Housing, 63… Contact storage part, 71… Opening, 72… Opening, 73… Movable contact, 74… Movable contact, 81… Fixed contact, 82… Fixed contact, 111… Electromagnetic contactor, 112… Auxiliary contact unit, 113… Snap, 114… Upper housing, 115… Lower housing, 116… Protrusion.

Claims

1. An auxiliary contact unit capable of being attached to a side surface of an electromagnetic contact with a clip, characterized by: the clip including: a protruding portion protruding toward the electromagnetic contact, a front end portion of which is formed in a hook shape capable of being engaged with the electromagnetic contact; and a release operation portion formed on a root end side of the protruding portion, by flexure thereof when being pressed by hand from the outside, the front end portion engaged with the electromagnetic contact is released, a direction along a side surface of the electromagnetic contact when viewed from a front surface is taken as a longitudinal direction, the clip is provided with one on each of one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction, the release operation portions respectively release the front end portions engaged with the electromagnetic contact by flexure thereof when being pressed by hand from the outside to an inside in the longitudinal direction, the release operation portion includes: a stem portion extending toward an outside in the longitudinal direction, the protruding portion being formed on a side where the electromagnetic contact is located; and an operation portion extending from a front end side of the stem portion in the longitudinal direction to a direction opposite to the side where the electromagnetic contact is located, when being pressed from the outside to the inside in the longitudinal direction, the stem portion is caused to flex in a direction opposite to the side where the electromagnetic contact is located.

2. The auxiliary contact unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: the clip is capable of being engaged with another auxiliary contact unit, and a plurality of the auxiliary contact units are capable of being connected.

3. The auxiliary contact unit according to claim 2, characterized in that: an auxiliary contact support member that performs opening and closing of an auxiliary contact is provided, a movable protruding portion protruding toward the electromagnetic contact and capable of being inserted into a movable recess portion of a main contact support member of the electromagnetic contact is formed on a side surface of the side where the electromagnetic contact is located of the auxiliary contact support member, and a movable recess portion capable of having the movable protruding portion of another auxiliary contact unit inserted thereinto is formed on a side surface of a side opposite to the side where the electromagnetic contact is located of the auxiliary contact support member. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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