Electromagnetic relay

Abstract

An electromagnetic relay includes a fixed terminal, a movable contact piece, a first contact, a second contact, a movable mechanism, and a magnet portion. The first contact is disposed on either of the fixed terminal and the movable contact piece. The second contact is capable of contacting the first contact and is disposed on the other of the fixed terminal and the movable contact piece. The movable mechanism moves the movable contact piece to a closed position in which the first contact and the second contact are in contact and an open position in which the first contact and the second contact are separated. The magnet portion generates a magnetic field that causes a Lorentz force to act on an electric arc generated between the first contact and the second contact. The magnet portion is disposed so that the Lorentz force acts in a first direction when a current flowing in the electric arc flows from the second contact toward the first contact. Either of the first contact and the second contact protrudes more toward the first direction than the other of the first contact and the second contact.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an electromagnetic relay. BACKGROUND

[0002] Nowadays, an electromagnetic relay that opens and closes a circuit is known. For example, the electromagnetic relay of Patent Document 1 is provided with a fixed terminal, a fixed contact disposed on the fixed terminal, a movable contact piece, and a movable contact disposed on the movable contact piece. The movable contact is capable of contacting the fixed contact, and by bringing the movable contact into contact with the fixed contact or separating the movable contact from the fixed contact, a circuit is opened and closed. Also, a permanent magnet for elongating an arc generated when the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact is provided in the electromagnetic relay.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-142195 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] In the electromagnetic relay of Patent Document 1, when an arc is generated, the arc adheres to the end portions of the fixed contact and the movable contact, or the boundary portions of the contacts and the terminals, and there is a concern that the movement of the arc is hindered.

[0008] The present application relates to an electromagnetic relay.

[0009] SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS

[0010] An electromagnetic relay of one embodiment of the present application is provided with a fixed terminal, a movable contact piece, a first contact, a second contact, a movable mechanism, and a magnet portion. The first contact is disposed on either one of the fixed terminal and the movable contact piece. The second contact is capable of contacting the first contact and is disposed on the other one of the fixed terminal and the movable contact piece. The movable mechanism moves the movable contact piece toward a closed position in which the first contact and the second contact are in contact, and an open position in which the first contact and the second contact are separated. The magnet portion generates a magnetic field that causes a Lorentz force to act on an arc generated between the first contact and the second contact. The magnet portion is disposed so that the Lorentz force acts in a first direction when a current flowing in the arc flows from the second contact toward the first contact. Either one of the first contact and the second contact protrudes more toward the first direction than the other one of the first contact and the second contact. In a state in which the first contact and the second contact are in contact, the center position of the first contact and the center position of the second contact are misaligned with each other in the first direction.

[0011] In the electromagnetic relay, for example, in a case where the first contact protrudes more in the first direction than the second contact, the distance to the end of the first contact located in the first direction is larger than the distance to the end of the second contact of the second contact located in the first direction. Therefore, the end of the arc on the first contact side moves further in the first direction than the end of the arc on the second contact side. Thus, the direction of the Lorentz force acting on the arc changes, and the end of the arc on the second contact side easily moves toward the terminal in which the second contact is disposed (either the fixed terminal or the movable contact piece). That is, by changing the direction of the Lorentz force acting on the arc, the end of the arc on the second contact side can be caused to move rapidly toward the terminal in which the second contact is disposed. As a result, the arc can be caused to move rapidly in the first direction.

[0012] The first contact can protrude more in the first direction than the second contact. In this case, when the current flowing in the arc flows from the second contact toward the first contact, the Lorentz force acts in a direction in which the end of the arc on the second contact side, which is the cathode-side contact, easily moves toward the terminal. Thus, one of the ends of the arc can be more effectively caused to move toward the terminal, and thus the arc can be further caused to move rapidly.

[0013] The second contact can also protrude more in a second direction opposite to the first direction than the first contact. The magnet portion can also be disposed so that, when the current flowing in the arc flows from the first contact toward the second contact, the Lorentz force acts in the second direction. In this case, in either energization direction, the end of the arc can be caused to move rapidly toward the terminal in which either of the first contact, which is the anode-side contact, and the second contact is disposed.

[0014] The first contact can also be disposed so that, in a state in which the first contact and the second contact are separated, the center position of the first contact and the center position of the second contact are offset from each other in the first direction. In this case, the arc can also be caused to move rapidly in the first direction.

[0015] According to the present application, in an electromagnetic relay, the arc can be caused to move rapidly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay.

[0017] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay.

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic view of the inside of a contact housing viewed from above.

[0019] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay. Figure 3Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the movable contact periphery when the movable contact is in the open position, taken along the L-L line of Fig. 5.

[0020] Figure 5 Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the movable contact periphery when the movable contact is in the closed position, taken along the L-L line of Fig. 6. Figure 3

[0021] Figure 6 Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the inside of the contact housing from above, of another embodiment.

[0022] Figure 7 Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the movable contact periphery when the movable contact is in the open position, taken along the LI -LI line of Fig. 8. Figure 6

[0023] Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the inside of the contact housing from above, of another embodiment. Figure 8

[0024] Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the inside of the contact housing from above, of another embodiment. Figure 9

[0025] Fig. 12 is a schematic view of the inside of the contact housing from above, of another embodiment. Figure 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] An embodiment of an electromagnetic relay of one embodiment of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in describing with reference to the drawings, the upper side in Fig. 1 will be described as "up", the lower side will be described as "down", the left side will be described as "left", and the right side will be described as "right" for easy understanding of the description. Also, the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of Fig. 1 will be described as the front-back direction. The above directions are defined for easy description, and do not limit the configuration direction of the electromagnetic relay 100. Figure 1 Figure 1

[0027] Figure 1 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electromagnetic relay 100. The electromagnetic relay 100 is provided with a contact housing 2, a contact device 3, a driving device 4, and a magnet portion 5. Figure 2 The contact housing 2 is a substantially quadrangular box type, and is formed of a material having insulating properties. In the present embodiment, the contact housing 2 is made of resin. The contact device 3 is housed in the contact housing 2.

[0028]

[0029] Figure 3 ​​​​​Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the inside of the contact housing 2 as viewed from above. The contact housing 2 includes first to fourth inner sides 2a to 2d. The first to fourth inner sides 2a to 2d are inner sides of the contact housing 2 located in front, rear, left, and right. The first inner side 2a and the second inner side 2b are disposed opposite each other in the front-rear direction. The first inner side 2a and the second inner side 2b extend in the up-down direction and the left-right direction. The third inner side 2c and the fourth inner side 2d are disposed opposite each other in the left-right direction. The third inner side 2c and the fourth inner side 2d extend in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction.

[0030] The contact device 3 includes fixed terminals 6, 7, fixed contacts 8a, 8b, a movable contact piece 9, movable contacts 10a, 10b, and a movable mechanism 11. The fixed terminals 6, 7, the fixed contacts 8a, 8b, the movable contact piece 9, and the movable contacts 10a, 10b are formed of a material having electrical conductivity. The fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10b in the present embodiment are examples of first contacts, and the fixed contact 8b and the movable contact 10a in the present embodiment are examples of second contacts.

[0031] The fixed terminals 6, 7 are plate-shaped terminals extending in the left-right direction. The fixed terminals 6, 7 are disposed apart from each other in the left-right direction. The fixed terminal 6 includes an external connection portion 6a protruding to the left from the contact housing 2. The fixed terminal 7 includes an external connection portion 7a protruding to the right from the contact housing 2.

[0032] The fixed contacts 8a, 8b are disposed inside the contact housing 2. When viewed from the up-down direction, the fixed contacts 8a, 8b are substantially rectangular. The end portions of the fixed contacts 8a, 8b can also be chamfered. The fixed contact 8a is disposed at the fixed terminal 6. The fixed contact 8a protrudes from the face of the fixed terminal 6 opposite the movable contact piece 9 toward the movable contact piece 9. Here, the fixed contact 8a protrudes downward from the fixed terminal 6. The fixed contact 8b is disposed at the fixed terminal 7. The fixed contact 8b protrudes from the face of the fixed terminal 7 opposite the movable contact piece 9 toward the movable contact piece 9.

[0033] The movable contact piece 9 is a plate-shaped member longer in one direction, extending in the left-right direction inside the contact housing 2. In the present embodiment, the length direction of the movable contact piece 9 coincides with the left-right direction. Also, the width direction of the movable contact piece 9 coincides with the front-rear direction. The movable contact piece 9 moves integrally with the movable contacts 10a, 10b. The movable contact piece 9 and the first inner side 2a and the second inner side 2b are disposed apart from each other in the front-rear direction. An arc elongation space 12a, 12b for elongating an arc is provided between the movable contact piece 9 and the first inner side 2a, and between the movable contact piece 9 and the second inner side 2b.

[0034] Movable contacts 10a and 10b are disposed on movable contact piece 9. When viewed from above, movable contacts 10a and 10b are approximately rectangular in shape. The ends of movable contacts 10a and 10b may also be chamfered. Movable contacts 10a and 10b can move to a closed position to contact fixed contacts 8a and 8b. Figure 1 (as shown in the image) and the disconnected position away from the fixed contacts 8a and 8b ( Figure 2 The movable contacts 10a and 10b can move in the contact direction Z1, which contacts the fixed contacts 8a and 8b, and in the separation direction Z2, which separates them from the fixed contacts 8a and 8b. In this embodiment, the contact direction Z1 and the separation direction Z2 are consistent with the up and down directions.

[0035] Movable contact 10a is positioned opposite fixed contact 8a and protrudes from movable contact piece 9 toward fixed contact 8a. Movable contact 10b is positioned opposite fixed contact 8b and protrudes from movable contact piece 9 toward fixed contact 8b.

[0036] Movable mechanism 11 causes movable contact piece 9 to move towards Figure 1 The closed position shown and Figure 2 The movable mechanism 11 moves the movable contacts 10a and 10b via the movable contact piece 9. The movable mechanism 11 includes a drive shaft 21, a first retaining member 22, a second retaining member 23, and a contact spring 24. The drive shaft 21 is connected to the movable contact piece 9. The drive shaft 21 extends in the vertical direction and passes through the movable contact piece 9 in the vertical direction. The drive shaft 21 is configured to move in both the contact direction Z1 and the separation direction Z2.

[0037] The first retaining member 22 is fixed to the drive shaft 21 at a position above the movable contact piece 9. The second retaining member 23 is fixed to the drive shaft 21 at a position below the movable contact piece 9. The contact spring 24 is disposed between the movable contact piece 9 and the second retaining member 23. The contact spring 24 applies force to the movable contact piece 9 in the contact direction Z1 via the second retaining member 23.

[0038] The drive device 4 uses electromagnetic force to move the movable mechanism 11 in the contact direction Z1 and the separation direction Z2. In this embodiment, the drive device 4 moves the movable contact piece 9 in the contact direction Z1 and the separation direction Z2 via the drive shaft 21. The drive device 4 includes a coil 31, a movable iron core 32, a fixed iron core 33, a magnetic yoke 34, and a return spring 35.

[0039] When a voltage is applied to the coil 31 to energize it, an electromagnetic force is generated that moves the movable iron core 32 in the contact direction Z1. The movable iron core 32 is connected to the drive shaft 21 in a manner that allows it to move as a single unit. The fixed iron core 33 is positioned opposite the movable iron core 32. The magnetic yoke 34 is configured to surround the coil 31. A return spring 35 is positioned between the movable iron core 32 and the fixed iron core 33. The return spring 35 applies a force to the movable iron core 32 in the separation direction Z2.

[0040] The magnet 5 generates a magnetic field that causes Lorentz forces F1 and F2 to act on the electric arc generated between the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a, and between the fixed contact 8b and the movable contact 10b. The magnet 5 is configured such that when the current flowing in the electric arc moves from the movable contact 10a toward the fixed contact 8a... Figure 3 When the inner side of the paper faces the near-front side, the Lorentz force F1 acts on the arc generated between the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a in the first direction D1. That is, the first direction D1 is the direction in which the arc generated between the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a elongates. However, in this embodiment, the direction of the Lorentz force F1 acting on the arc changes as the arc moves. Therefore, more precisely, the first direction D1 refers to the direction of the Lorentz force F1 acting on the arc at the moment when the arc is generated between the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a. In this embodiment, the first direction D1 is forward. The first direction D1 is parallel to the width direction of the movable contact piece 9 and is the direction from the movable contact piece 9 toward the first inner side surface 2a.

[0041] The magnet section 5 includes a first magnet 5a and a second magnet 5b. Both the first magnet 5a and the second magnet 5b are permanent magnets. They are generally rectangular in shape and extend along the front-back and vertical directions. The first magnet 5a is disposed below the fixed terminal 6 on the outer periphery of the contact housing 2. The second magnet 5b is disposed below the fixed terminal 7 on the outer periphery of the contact housing 2. The first magnet 5a and the second magnet 5b are arranged opposite each other in the left-right direction. The first magnet 5a and the second magnet 5b are configured with opposite poles facing each other along the length of the movable contact piece 9. The first magnet 5a is configured with its N pole facing the contact housing 2. The second magnet 5b is configured with its S pole facing the contact housing 2.

[0042] With the first magnet 5a and the second magnet 5b configured in this way, magnetic flux flows in the direction from the first magnet 5a toward the second magnet 5b. That is, around the fixed contacts 8a and 8b and the movable contacts 10a and 10b, the magnetic flux flows in a direction substantially parallel to the length direction of the movable contact piece 9. Therefore, for example, when current flows from the movable contact 10a toward the fixed contact 8a, the Lorentz force F1 acts on the arc generated between the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a, and the arc moves toward the arc extension space 12a. On the other hand, the Lorentz force F2 acts on the arc generated between the fixed contact 8b and the movable contact 10b in a second direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1. That is, the Lorentz force F2 acts on the arc generated between the fixed contact 8b and the movable contact 10b in a direction toward the second inner surface 2b, thereby moving the arc toward the arc extension space 12b. Furthermore, in this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the direction of current flow will be described as from the movable contact 10a toward the fixed contact 8a. Therefore, on the movable contact 10b side, the current flows in the direction from the fixed contact 8b toward the movable contact 10b.

[0043] Next, the operation of the electromagnetic relay 100 will be explained. In the state where the drive device 4 is not energized, such as... Figure 1 As shown, movable contacts 10a and 10b are in the open position. If the drive device 4 is energized, then as... Figure 2 As shown, movable contacts 10a and 10b move from the open position to the closed position. Specifically, when voltage is applied to coil 31, movable core 32 overcomes the force of return spring 35 and moves in the contact direction Z1. As movable core 32 moves in the contact direction Z1, drive shaft 21 and movable contact piece 9 move in the contact direction Z1, thereby moving movable contacts 10a and 10b to the closed position and contacting fixed contacts 8a and 8b. On the other hand, if voltage is stopped applied to coil 31, movable core 32 moves in the separation direction Z2 together with movable contact piece 9 due to the force of return spring 35, thereby moving movable contacts 10a and 10b to the open position.

[0044] Next, the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a will be described in detail. Figure 4 Is Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the area surrounding the movable contact 10a when it is in the open position, taken at the LL line. Figure 4 The diagram schematically illustrates the arc elongation that occurs between the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a. Figure 5 Is Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the area around the movable contact 10a when it is in the closed position, cut along the LL line.

[0045] The fixed contact 8a protrudes further in the first direction D1 (in this case, forward) than the movable contact 10a. The movable contact 10a is shorter than the fixed contact 8a in the first direction D1. The fixed contact 8a is offset relative to the movable contact 10a in the first direction D1. That is, the fixed contact 8a is offset relative to the movable contact 10a in the direction of arc elongation (the same direction as the Lorentz force F1).

[0046] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in both the contact state and the separation state of the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a, the center positions C1 and C2 of the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a are offset from each other in the first direction D1. The center position C1 of the fixed contact 8a is located at the center of the fixed contact 8a in the front-back direction. The center position C2 of the movable contact 10a is located at the center of the movable contact 10a in the front-back direction. Figure 3 As shown, when viewed from the direction of movement of the movable contact 10a, the center position C1 of the fixed contact 8a and the center position C2 of the movable contact 10a are offset from each other in the first direction D1. That is, the center position C1 of the fixed contact 8a and the center position C2 of the movable contact 10a do not overlap in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the center position C1 of the fixed contact 8a is offset from the center position C2 of the movable contact 10a in the first direction D1.

[0047] like Figure 4 As shown, if a Lorentz force F1 acts on the arc generated between the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a, the first end A1 of the arc on the fixed contact 8a side and the second end A2 of the arc on the movable contact 10a side move towards the first inner surface 2a. At this time, since the fixed contact 8a is offset from the movable contact 10a in the first direction D1 of arc extension, the first end A1 of the arc moves towards the first inner surface 2a even closer than the second end A2. Therefore, the first end A1 and the second end A2 of the arc are offset vertically, and the direction of the Lorentz force F1 acting on the arc changes to a forward direction and a separation direction Z2. That is, the Lorentz force F1 acts easily in the direction in which the second end A2 of the arc moves from the movable contact 10a towards the movable contact piece 9. This allows the second end A2 of the arc to move rapidly towards the movable contact piece 9. As a result, the arc can move rapidly in the first direction D1.

[0048] Here, the arc generated between the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a has a characteristic of easily adhering to the end of the fixed contact 8a and the end of the movable contact 10a. Also, the arc has a characteristic of the cathode-side contact being more easily moved than the anode-side contact. The anode-side contact and the cathode-side contact are determined by the direction of current flow. Specifically, of the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a, the contact on the upstream side of the direction of current flow is the anode-side contact, and the contact on the downstream side is the cathode-side contact. Therefore, in the case where the current flows in the direction from the movable contact 10a toward the fixed contact 8a, the movable contact 10a becomes the anode-side contact, and the fixed contact 8a becomes the cathode-side contact. In the present embodiment, the Lorentz force Fl acts in the direction in which the second end A2 of the arc on the movable contact 10a side, which is more easily moved than the first end Al of the arc on the fixed contact 8a side, moves toward the movable contact piece 9. Thereby, the end of the arc can be more effectively moved toward the movable contact piece 9, and thus the arc can be further rapidly moved.

[0049] Further, on the movable contact 10b side, as shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable to offset the movable contact 10b, which is the cathode-side contact, with respect to the fixed contact 8b, which is the anode-side contact, in the second direction D2. Thereby, the same effect as on the movable contact 10a side can be obtained. Figure 3

[0050] The above describes the embodiment of the electromagnetic relay of one mode of the present application, but the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present application. For example, the shape or arrangement of the contact housing 2, the contact device 3, and the driving device 4 can be changed. In the above-described embodiment, the plunger-type electromagnetic relay is exemplarily shown to describe the present application, but for example, the present application can be applied to a hinge-type electromagnetic relay. In the case of the hinge-type electromagnetic relay, the structures corresponding to the fixed terminal 7, the fixed contact 8b, and the movable contact 10b can be omitted. Also, the present application can be applied to an electromagnetic relay that operates in a manner of pulling the movable contact piece 9 toward the fixed terminals 6, 7.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, the fixed contact 8a protrudes more than the movable contact 10a in the first direction Dl, but it can also be a structure in which the movable contact 10a protrudes more than the fixed contact 8a in the first direction Dl. That is, the shape of the fixed contact 8a in the above-described embodiment can be set to the shape of the movable contact 10a, and the shape of the movable contact 10a in the above-described embodiment can be set to the shape of the fixed contact 8a. In this case, the movable contact 10a becomes an example of the first contact, and the fixed contact 8a becomes an example of the second contact, and the first end Al of the arc can be rapidly moved toward the fixed terminal 6 by the Lorentz force Fl.

[0052] ​Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the interior of the contact housing 2 in another embodiment, viewed from above. Figure 7 Is Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the area surrounding the movable contact 10a when it is in the open position, taken along line L1-L1. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the movable contact 10a may protrude further in the second direction D2 than the fixed contact 8a. Furthermore, similar to the embodiment described above, the fixed contact 8a protrudes further in the first direction D1 than the movable contact 10a. The magnet 5 is configured such that when the current flowing in the arc flows from the fixed contact 8a toward the movable contact 10a (from... Figure 6 When the front side of the paper faces inward, the Lorentz force F2 acts on the arc generated between the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a in the second direction D2. The structure of the magnet part 5 is the same as in the above embodiment. In this case, when the current flowing in the arc moves from the fixed contact 8a to the movable contact 10a, the Lorentz force F2 acts in the direction in which the first end A1 of the arc of the fixed contact 8a, which becomes the anode side contact, moves towards the fixed terminal 6. That is, even if the energizing direction changes, the end of the arc can be quickly moved towards the fixed terminal 6 or the movable contact piece 9, which is provided with the fixed contact 8a or the movable contact 10a, which becomes the anode side contact.

[0053] Furthermore, regarding the movable contact 10b side, it is preferable to offset the fixed contact 8b relative to the movable contact 10b in the first direction D1. Thus, the same effect as the movable contact 10a side can be obtained on the movable contact 10b side.

[0054] The structure of the magnet part 5 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, it can also be as follows: Figure 8 As shown, the first magnet 5a and the second magnet 5b are arranged such that their N poles are opposite each other along the length of the movable contact piece 9. That is, the magnet part 5 can also be configured such that, around the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a, magnetic flux flows from the first magnet 5a toward the second magnet 5b, and around the fixed contact 8b and the movable contact 10b, magnetic flux flows from the second magnet 5b toward the first magnet 5a. The fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a... Figure 6 The structure shown is the same. The fixed contact 8b and the movable contact 10b have the same structure as the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10b. In this case, even if the direction of energization changes, the anode side contact is always shorter than the cathode side contact in the direction of arc elongation on both the movable contact 10a and movable contact 10b sides, thus enabling the end of the arc to move rapidly.

[0055] It can also be like Figure 9As shown, the first magnet 5a and the second magnet 5b are arranged with their S poles facing each other along the length of the movable contact piece 9. That is, the magnet part 5 can also be configured such that, around the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a, magnetic flux flows from the second magnet 5b toward the first magnet 5a, and around the fixed contact 8b and the movable contact 10b, magnetic flux flows from the first magnet 5a toward the second magnet 5b. The fixed contacts 8a and 8b and the movable contacts 10a and 10b are... Figure 6 The fixed contact 8b and the movable contact 10b shown have the same structure.

[0056] like Figure 10 As shown, the magnet part 5 can also be configured such that the magnetic flux flows in a direction substantially parallel to the width direction of the movable contact piece 9. For example, the first magnet 5a and the second magnet 5b can also be arranged opposite each other in the width direction of the movable contact piece 9. Furthermore, in the case where the relay has a polarized structure, or in the case where the magnetic flux flows in a direction from the second inner surface 2b toward the first inner surface 2a, it can also be configured as follows. Figure 10 As shown, the fixed contacts 8a and 8b and the movable contacts 10a and 10b are staggered in the direction of arc extension (here, the left-right direction). In this case, the Lorentz forces F1 and F2 act in directions parallel to the length direction of the movable contact 9. When the current flows from the movable contact 10a to the fixed contact 8a, the Lorentz force F1 acts on the arc generated between the fixed contact 8a and the movable contact 10a in the direction toward the third inner surface 2c. On the other hand, when the current flows from the fixed contact 8a to the movable contact 10a, the Lorentz force F2 acts on the arc generated between the fixed contact 8b and the movable contact 10b in the direction toward the fourth inner surface 2d. Even in this case, since the anode-side contact is always shorter than the cathode-side contact in the direction of arc extension, the end of the arc can be moved rapidly.

[0057] Industrial availability

[0058] According to the present invention, an electric arc can be moved rapidly in an electromagnetic relay.

[0059] Symbol Explanation

[0060] 5…Magnet part; 6…Fixed terminal; 7…Modible contact piece; 8a…Fixed contact; 10a…Modible contact; 11…Modible mechanism; 100…Electromagnetic relay; D1…First direction; D2…Second direction.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic relay, characterized in that, have: Fixed terminals; Movable contact piece; The first contact is disposed on either the fixed terminal or the movable contact piece; The second contact, which is capable of contacting the first contact, is disposed on the other side of the fixed terminal and the movable contact piece; A movable mechanism that moves the movable contact piece to a closed position where the first contact and the second contact are in contact and to an open position where the first contact and the second contact are separated; as well as The magnet part generates a magnetic field that causes the Lorentz force to act on the electric arc generated between the first contact and the second contact. The magnet is configured such that when the current flowing through the arc moves from the second contact towards the first contact, the Lorentz force acts in a first direction. Either the first contact or the second contact protrudes further in the first direction than the other of the first contact or the second contact. When the first contact point and the second contact point are in contact, the center positions of the first contact point and the center positions of the second contact point are offset from each other in the first direction.

2. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first contact protrudes further in the first direction than the second contact.

3. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second contact protrudes further in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, than the first contact. The magnet is configured such that when the current flowing through the arc moves from the first contact to the second contact, the Lorentz force acts in the second direction.

4. The electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, When the first contact and the second contact are separated, the center positions of the first contact and the second contact are offset from each other in the first direction.

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