Electromagnetic relay

Abstract

The housing (10) is provided with a flame suppression hole (50) which connects the housing space (104) to the outside and extinguishes flames, and is provided with a sealing member (60) which covers the flame suppression hole, sets the housing space as a sealed space, and suppresses the intrusion of gas from the outside to the inside of the housing space. In addition, the accommodating space is provided with a moisture absorption member (70) for absorbing water vapor in the accommodating space.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-030225 filed on February 28, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an electromagnetic relay for switching a circuit. Background Art

[0004] As shown in Patent Document 1, a conventional electromagnetic relay comprises a housing with a housing space open to the outside via an opening, and a base that engages with the housing to close the opening. The housing space communicates with the outside via a breathing hole formed in the housing or in the engaging portion between the housing and the base. This breathing hole allows flames generated in the housing space to pass through the breathing hole, where they are absorbed by the base and terminals, extinguishing the flames.

[0005] Furthermore, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, in order to prevent siloxane gas from entering the housing, a rubber cover is attached to the sliding portion of a button mounted on the housing, and the surface of the rubber cover is covered with a gas barrier layer.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-84613

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-59523 Summary of the Invention

[0010] Means of solving problems

[0011] However, as shown in Patent Document 1, in a structure where the inside and outside of the housing are connected via a breathing hole, while flames can be eliminated, when the electromagnetic relay is used in an environment where siloxane gas is generated, the siloxane gas can enter the housing space through the breathing hole. Consequently, the influence of the siloxane gas may cause contact failure.

[0012] On the other hand, as described in Patent Document 2, it is conceivable to enclose the housing space within the housing by covering it with a gas barrier layer to prevent the intrusion of siloxane gas from the outside. However, if the housing space is enclosed, this will hinder the escape of vaporized water vapor from internal components and other components within the housing space to the outside of the housing. Therefore, in subfreezing temperatures, water vapor may freeze on the contact surface, causing poor contact conduction.

[0013] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electromagnetic relay capable of extinguishing a flame in a housing space and suppressing contact conduction failure caused by the influence of siloxane gas and water vapor present in the housing space.

[0014] According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the electromagnetic relay comprises: a housing having a housing space open to the outside via an opening; a base engaged with the housing to close the opening; a coil disposed in the housing space and generating an electromagnetic force when energized; a pair of fixed contacts, one end of each of which is disposed in the housing space and fixed to the base; and a movable contact disposed in the housing space and driven to contact and separate from the fixed contacts by the electromagnetic force generated by the coil. A flame extinguishing hole is formed in the housing or the base to connect the housing space to the outside and extinguish the flame. Furthermore, the relay comprises: a sealing member covering the flame extinguishing hole, sealing the housing space and inhibiting gas from intruding from the outside of the housing space to the inside; and a moisture absorbing member disposed in the housing space to absorb water vapor within the housing space.

[0015] By covering the flame extinguishing hole with a sealing member, the intrusion of siloxane gas or flammable gas can be suppressed even in environments where siloxane gas or flammable gas is present around the electromagnetic relay. This prevents contact failure caused by the influence of siloxane gas and reduces the possibility of ignition of flammable gas. Furthermore, because of the flame extinguishing hole, even if flammable gas is present in the containment space and ignites, the flame will absorb heat upon entering the flame extinguishing hole, preventing the flame from continuing and extinguishing. This prevents the flame from spreading outside the electromagnetic relay.

[0016] Furthermore, since the containment space is sealed by the sealing member, if water vapor is generated within the containment space, it cannot be discharged to the outside. However, since a moisture-absorbing member is provided within the containment space, the moisture-absorbing member absorbs the water vapor. This prevents the water vapor from freezing, even in sub-freezing environments, and thus prevents contact failure.

[0017] According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the sealing member is a gas barrier film, and the sealing member covers the flame extinguishing hole by being attached to the case or the base where the flame extinguishing hole is formed.

[0018] In this manner, the sealing member can be formed of the gas barrier film, and by being attached to the flame extinguishing hole formed in the housing or the base, the flame extinguishing hole can be covered.

[0019] According to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the sealing component is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape having a hollow portion and an internal thread groove is formed on the inner wall surface constituting the hollow portion. The surrounding portion of the flame extinguishing hole on one side of the shell or base where the flame extinguishing hole is formed has a supporting wall having an external thread groove corresponding to the internal thread groove. The sealing component is fastened to the supporting wall via the external thread groove and the internal thread groove, and the flame extinguishing hole is covered by the sealing component.

[0020] In this way, if the sealing component is composed of a bottom cylindrical component with an internal thread groove, and a supporting wall with an external thread groove is formed around the flame extinguishing hole, the flame extinguishing hole can be covered with the sealing component by fastening the sealing component to the supporting wall in a threaded manner.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the hygroscopic member is a hygroscopic material coated on the wall surfaces constituting the accommodation space in the housing and the base.

[0022] In this way, the moisture absorbing member can be formed by coating the moisture absorbing material on the wall surfaces constituting the storage space in the housing and the base. This eliminates the need to ensure the space required when the moisture absorbing member is formed as a separate component.

[0023] According to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the hygroscopic component is a hygroscopic material coated on the inner wall surface of the housing and the base that constitutes the accommodation space. The hygroscopic material is not arranged on the portion of the inner wall surface that surrounds the contact portion, and the contact portion is composed of the fixed contact of the fixed contact and the movable contact of the movable contact, but is arranged on the portion of the inner wall surface that is closer to the coil side than the contact portion.

[0024] In this way, by providing areas where moisture-absorbing members are placed and areas where they are not, when water vapor is generated within the storage space, areas with high and low water vapor concentrations are generated. This creates a water vapor concentration gradient within the storage space, allowing water vapor to diffuse from high to low concentrations. This prevents water vapor from accumulating near the contact points. Therefore, even in subfreezing environments, water vapor is prevented from freezing, preventing contact failure.

[0025] Note that the parenthesized reference numerals attached to the respective components and the like are provided to indicate an example of a correspondence relationship between the components and the like and specific components and the like described in the embodiments to be described later. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view showing the electromagnetic relay according to the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 It is from Figure 1 The view observed in the II direction.

[0028] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Sectional view III-III.

[0029] Figure 4 yes Figures 1 to 3 The perspective view of the electromagnetic relay shown.

[0030] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 VV section view of the shell part.

[0031] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view showing an electromagnetic relay according to a second embodiment.

[0032] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 VII-VII sectional view.

[0033] Figure 8 It is a partial cross-sectional view of a case portion of an electromagnetic relay according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following describes the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in the following embodiments, portions that are identical or equivalent to those described in the previous embodiments may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions may be omitted. Furthermore, in each embodiment, when only a portion of the components is described, the components described in the previous embodiments may apply to the remaining components.

[0035] (First embodiment)

[0036] The electromagnetic relay according to this embodiment is used, for example, in an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell. Note that a fuel cell is a power generation device that utilizes hydrogen as a combustible gas.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the electromagnetic relay according to this embodiment includes a housing 10 made of resin. The housing 10 has four sidewalls 101 and a housing bottom 102. The housing 10 has a bottomed rectangular tube shape with a housing opening 103 on the side facing the housing bottom 102. A housing space 104 is formed within the housing 10, and this housing space 104 is open to the outside through the housing opening 103.

[0038] The resin-made base 12 includes a base bottom portion 121, a base body portion 122, and a base spring receiving portion 123. The base bottom portion 121 engages with the housing 10 to close the housing opening 103. The base body portion 122 protrudes from the base bottom portion 121 toward the housing bottom 102. The base spring receiving portion 123 holds the compression spring 38, described later. Furthermore, the housing 10 and the base bottom portion 121 define a housing space 104. The base 12 is insert-molded with the pair of stators 14, described later, as inserts.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, two terminal insertion holes 124 are formed on the base bottom 121 , into which a pair of coil terminals 20 described later are inserted.

[0040] When the base 12 is assembled to the housing 10, as shown by arrow X, the base 12 is moved relative to the housing 10. Figure 1 The base 12 is relatively moved from the right side of the paper toward the left side to insert the base 12 into the housing 10. Hereinafter, the insertion direction of the base 12 when assembling the base 12 to the housing 10 is referred to as the base insertion direction X. It should be noted that the housing 10 and the base 12 are joined by a snap fit (not shown).

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, a pair of stators 14, made of conductive metal plates, are fixed to the base 12. One end of each stator 14 is fixed to the base body 122 and positioned within the housing space 104, while the other end of each stator 14 protrudes externally. Fixed contacts 16 made of conductive metal are riveted to the end of the stator 14 facing the housing space 104. The end of the stator 14 facing the external space is connected to an external circuit (not shown). It should be noted that the stator 14 and the fixed contacts 16 constitute fixed contacts.

[0042] A cylindrical coil 18 that generates electromagnetic force when energized is disposed in the housing space 104 , and a pair of coil terminals 20 made of conductive metal are connected to the coil 18 .

[0043] The coil terminal 20 is inserted into the terminal insertion hole 124, with its end protruding outside the electromagnetic relay. More specifically, the coil terminal 20 is pressed into the terminal insertion hole 124, leaving no gap between the coil terminal 20 and the inner wall surrounding the terminal insertion hole 124. Furthermore, the coil terminal 20 is connected to the ECU (not shown) via an external wiring harness, and power is supplied to the coil 18 via this external wiring harness and the coil terminal 20.

[0044] A disc-shaped plate 22 made of a ferromagnetic metal material is disposed on the base body 122 side of the coil 18. A yoke 24 made of a ferromagnetic metal material is disposed on the side opposite to the base body and on the outer periphery of the coil 18. It should be noted that the plate 22 and the yoke 24 are fixed to the base 12.

[0045] A cylindrical fixed core 26 made of a ferromagnetic metal material is disposed in a space on the inner peripheral side of the coil 18 , and the fixed core 26 is held by the yoke 24 .

[0046] A disk-shaped movable iron core 28 made of a ferromagnetic metal material is disposed between the base body 122 and the plate 22. Furthermore, a return spring 30 is disposed between the coil 18 and the movable iron core 28 to bias the movable iron core 28 toward the side opposite to the fixed iron core.

[0047] When coil 18 is energized, the electromagnetic force generated by coil 18 attracts movable iron core 28 toward fixed iron core 26 against return spring 30. Plate 22, yoke 24, fixed iron core 26, and movable iron core 28 form a magnetic circuit for the magnetic flux induced by coil 18.

[0048] A metal shaft 32 is fixedly inserted through the movable core 28. One end of the shaft 32 extends toward the side opposite the fixed core, and an insulator 34 made of resin with good electrical insulation properties is fixedly fitted into one end of the shaft 32. The other end of the shaft 32 is slidably inserted into the fixed core 26.

[0049] A movable member 36, made of a plate material made of conductive metal, is disposed in the housing space 104. A pressure spring 38 is disposed between the movable member 36 and the base spring receiving portion 123, biasing the movable member 36 toward the insulator 34. Two movable contacts 40, made of conductive metal, are riveted to the movable member 36 at positions opposing the two fixed contacts 16. The movable member 36 and the movable contacts 40 constitute a movable contact.

[0050] A pair of permanent magnets 42 are arranged in the recess of the base body 122. The pair of permanent magnets 42 form a magnetic field at the contact and separation portion where the fixed contact 16 and the movable contact 40 come into contact and separate, and extend the arc generated between the fixed contact 16 and the movable contact 40. These permanent magnets 42 are arranged along the direction of the contact and separation portion ( Figure 3 The two devices are arranged opposite each other (left and right directions of the paper).

[0051] In addition, if Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, a flame extinguishing hole 50 is formed in the housing 10, and a sealing member 60 is further provided to cover the flame extinguishing hole 50. Although it is possible to configure the housing 10 without forming the flame extinguishing hole 50 and to seal the storage space 104 solely with the housing 10 and the base 12, this would require the housing 10 and the base 12 to be made of metal or ceramic and welded, which would reduce the degree of freedom in material selection and manufacturing process. Therefore, a structure in which the flame extinguishing hole 50 is provided in the housing 10 is adopted. Furthermore, by covering the flame extinguishing hole 50 with the sealing member 60, the storage space 104 is sealed.

[0052] The flame extinguishing hole 50 makes the receiving space 104 (refer to Figure 1 ) communicates with the outside and, in this embodiment, is provided on the housing 10. Specifically, the flame extinguishing hole 50 is a rectangular, elongated slit extending through the side wall 101 of the housing 10. The dimension S of the short side of the flame extinguishing hole 50 is set to a size sufficient to extinguish a flame entering the flame extinguishing hole 50. For example, the width of the slit constituting the flame extinguishing hole 50 is preferably set to 0.3 mm or less.

[0053] It should be noted that the flame extinguishing hole 50 can also be formed on the base 12, or formed by providing a groove on the contact surface between the shell 10 and the base 12. However, as described in this embodiment, when the flame extinguishing hole 50 is formed on the shell 10, Figure 2 The position of the terminal insertion hole 124 is not restricted, and the location of the flame extinguishing hole 50 can be set, which increases design freedom. In addition, since the size of the flame extinguishing hole 50 can be set without being affected by the width of the coil terminal 20, it is easy to ensure the flame extinguishing function and the required passage area.

[0054] Furthermore, a sealing member 60 is provided on the outer wall of the housing 10, covering and sealing the flame-extinguishing hole 50 to form the housing space 104 as a sealed space. This sealed space prevents the intrusion of siloxane gas or flammable gas into the housing space 104, even if siloxane gas or flammable gas exists outside the housing 10. However, the flame-extinguishing hole 50 remains as a depression on the inner wall of the housing 10. Therefore, even if flammable gas is present in the housing space 104 and ignites due to the arc, the flame will be absorbed by the housing 10 when it enters the flame-extinguishing hole 50, which remains as a depression, and the flame will be extinguished without being sustained.

[0055] Specifically, in this embodiment, the sealing member 60 is composed of a gas barrier film 61 that prevents gas outside the housing 10 from entering the housing space 104. For example, an EVAL film or a nylon film can be used as the gas barrier film 61. Note that "EVAL" is a registered trademark.

[0056] The portion of the housing 10 surrounding the flame extinguishing hole 50 is formed with a recessed portion 105 that is recessed further toward the outer wall of the housing 10 than the portion outside the recessed portion. The gas barrier film 61 is secured within this recessed portion 105, for example, using an adhesive. The depth of the recessed portion 105 and the thickness of the gas barrier film 61 are arbitrary, but if the depth of the recessed portion 105 is equal to or greater than the thickness of the gas barrier film 61, the gas barrier film 61 can be positioned within the housing 10 without protruding.

[0057] In this manner, the flame extinguishing hole 50 is formed and the sealing member 60 is provided to seal the flame extinguishing hole 50. Therefore, it is possible to prevent siloxane gas or combustible gas outside the housing 10 from intruding into the interior of the accommodation space 104 through the flame extinguishing hole 50. Even if combustible gas is contained in the accommodation space 104 and ignites to generate a flame, the flame can be extinguished.

[0058] However, since the storage space 104 is sealed by the gas barrier film 61, water vapor generated in the storage space 104 cannot be released through the flame extinguishing holes 50. Therefore, a moisture absorbing member 70 is provided in the storage space 104.

[0059] The hygroscopic member 70 only needs to be located within the storage space 104. However, in this embodiment, the hygroscopic member 70 is constructed by applying hygroscopic materials 71 and 72 to the inner wall surfaces of the housing 10 or the inner wall surfaces of the base 12. Specifically, the hygroscopic material 71 is applied to the entire surface of the housing bottom 102 and the four sidewalls 101, which face the storage space 104 and are located further inward than the portion where the base 12 is located. Furthermore, the hygroscopic material 72 is applied to the entire surface of the base bottom 121, which faces the storage space 104. Although the hygroscopic material 72 is not applied to the base body 122 of the base 12, it is possible to apply the hygroscopic material 72 to the base body 122.

[0060] The hygroscopic materials 71 and 72 are made of, for example, a resin mixed with a desiccant. For example, DRY KEEP manufactured by Sasaki Chemicals Co., Ltd. can be used as the hygroscopic materials 71 and 72. Since the hygroscopic member 70 is formed by applying the hygroscopic materials 71 and 72, the space required for a separate component such as the hygroscopic member 70 need not be required. For example, the hygroscopic materials 71 and 72 can be applied to the surfaces of the existing housing 10 and base 12 facing the storage space 104.

[0061] Thus, by providing the hygroscopic member 70 within the housing space 104, the flame extinguishing hole 50 is sealed with the gas barrier film 61, thereby suppressing the intrusion of siloxane gas or combustible gas. Even if a combustible gas flame is generated, the flame can be extinguished. Furthermore, even if water vapor is generated within the housing space 104, it is absorbed by the hygroscopic member 70. This prevents water vapor from freezing on the contact surface, even in subfreezing environments. Consequently, contact failure caused by the effects of siloxane gas and water vapor within the housing space 104 is suppressed.

[0062] Next, the operation of the electromagnetic relay according to this embodiment will be described. First, when coil 18 is energized, the electromagnetic force of movable iron core 28 resists return spring 30 and is attracted toward fixed iron core 26. Movable element 36, biased by contact spring 38, moves in accordance with movable iron core 28. This causes two movable contacts 40 to contact two fixed contacts 16, establishing electrical continuity between the pair of stators 14.

[0063] On the other hand, when the coil 18 is deenergized, the return spring 30 acts against the contact spring 38 to bias the movable core 28 and the movable element 36 toward the side opposite the fixed core. This causes the two movable contacts 40 to separate from the two fixed contacts 16, disconnecting the conduction between the pair of stators 14.

[0064] Here, in an environment where siloxane gas or flammable gas exists around the electromagnetic relay, if sealing member 60 is not provided, the siloxane gas or flammable gas can enter the housing space 104 through the flame extinguishing hole 50. If siloxane gas enters the housing space 104, it can become a major cause of contact failure. In addition, when flammable gas flows into the housing space 104, it may be ignited by the arc generated between the fixed contact 16 and the movable contact 40.

[0065] However, since the flame extinguishing hole 50 is covered with the sealing member 60, the intrusion of siloxane gas or combustible gas from the flame extinguishing hole 50 into the housing space 104 is suppressed. This prevents contact failure caused by the influence of siloxane gas and reduces the possibility of ignition of the combustible gas. Furthermore, even if the combustible gas in the housing space 104 is ignited by the arc, the flame absorbs heat from the housing 10 upon entering the flame extinguishing hole 50, preventing the flame from continuing and extinguishing. Therefore, the flame of the combustible gas ignited by the arc is prevented from propagating outside the electromagnetic relay, preventing the combustible gas surrounding the electromagnetic relay from igniting.

[0066] Furthermore, since the housing space 104 is sealed by the sealing member 60, even if water vapor is generated within the housing space 104, it cannot be released from the housing space 104 to the outside. However, since the moisture absorbing member 70 is provided within the housing space 104, the moisture absorbing member 70 can absorb the water vapor. This prevents the water vapor from freezing on the contact surface, even in subfreezing environments, thereby preventing contact conduction failure.

[0067] (Second embodiment)

[0068] use Figure 6 and Figure 7 In this embodiment, the description of the same or equivalent parts as those of the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0069] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the position at which the moisture absorbing member 70 is arranged is changed compared to the first embodiment.

[0070] In the first embodiment, hygroscopic material 71 is applied to the entire surface of the housing bottom 102 and the four sidewalls 101, which are located on the side facing the housing space 104 and further inward than the area where the base 12 is located. Furthermore, hygroscopic material 72 is applied to the entire surface of the base bottom 121, which is located on the side facing the housing space 104. Consequently, the contact area formed by the movable contact 40 and the fixed contact 16 is also surrounded by hygroscopic material 70.

[0071] In contrast, in the case of this embodiment, if Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, moisture-absorbing member 70 is not disposed around the contact portion, but rather on the inner wall surface of housing 10 and base 12 on the coil 18 side, on the opposite side from the contact portion, relative to the central axis of the electromagnetic relay. Specifically, moisture-absorbing member 70 is disposed on the portion of the wall surface of housing bottom 102, side wall 101, and base bottom 121 on the side of housing space 104 that is closer to coil 18 than plate 22, so as to surround coil 18, yoke 24, and fixed core 26.

[0072] In this way, if the area where the moisture absorbing member 70 is disposed and the area where the moisture absorbing member 70 is not disposed are provided, when water vapor is generated in the accommodation space 104, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, areas with high and low hydrogen concentrations are generated. This creates a water vapor concentration gradient within containment space 104, allowing water vapor to diffuse from high to low concentrations. This prevents water vapor from accumulating near the contacts. Consequently, even in subfreezing environments, water vapor is prevented from freezing on the contact surface, preventing contact failure.

[0073] Furthermore, by limiting the location where the moisture absorbing member 70 is arranged in this manner, the amount of moisture absorbing member 70 used can be reduced.

[0074] (Third embodiment)

[0075] use Figure 8 In this embodiment, the description of the same or equivalent parts as those of the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0076] like Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, the structures of the flame extinguishing hole 50 and the sealing member 60 are changed compared with the first embodiment.

[0077] Specifically, for example, the flame extinguishing hole 50 is composed of a cylindrical or polygonal hole, and the sealing member 60 is set to a threaded structure so that the flame extinguishing hole 50 is accommodated on the inner side of the threaded structure formed on the sealing member 60. The radial size and depth of the flame extinguishing hole 50 are set to a size that can extinguish the flame entering the flame extinguishing hole 50. In addition, the sealing member 60 is composed of a bottomed cylindrical shape with a cylindrical hollow portion, such as a cylindrical or bottomed polygonal shape. In addition, the portion surrounding the flame extinguishing hole 50 in the shell 10 has a recess 105 and a support wall 106, and an external thread groove 107 is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the support wall 106, and an internal thread groove 62 corresponding to the external thread groove 107 is formed on the inner wall surface of the hollow portion constituting the sealing member 60.

[0078] Regarding the sealing member 60, as long as it is a member that can suppress the invasion of siloxane gas or flammable gas. That is, the entirety of the sealing member 60 can be composed of a member of the same material that can suppress the invasion of siloxane gas or flammable gas, or it can be a structure in which the surface is covered by a gas barrier layer to suppress the invasion of siloxane gas or flammable gas. When the sealing member 60 is made of the same material, the sealing member 60 can, for example, be composed of metals such as resins such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), ceramics, iron, etc. In addition, when the sealing member 60 is set to a structure in which the surface is covered by a gas barrier layer, for example, a resin can be used as a base material, and a gas barrier layer can be applied on its surface to constitute the sealing member 60. When this structure is set, it is preferred to cover the entire surface of the sealing member 60 that is exposed to the outside of the housing 10, but as long as the outer wall surface of the bottom surface of the sealing member 60 is at least covered with a gas barrier layer.

[0079] According to this structure, the flame extinguishing hole 50 can be sealed by the sealing member 60 by screw-fastening the sealing member 60 to the support wall 108 using the internal thread groove 62 and the external thread groove 107. With this structure, the sealing member 60 can be more firmly fixed to the housing 10 and can also be easily installed on the housing 10.

[0080] (Other embodiments)

[0081] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the above embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment and includes various modifications and variations within the scope of equivalents. In addition, various combinations and modes, further including only one element, other combinations and modes including more or fewer elements, also fall within the scope and concept of the present disclosure.

[0082] For example, in the above embodiments, the case where the housing 10 is made of resin is exemplified, but the housing 10 may also be made of metal. In addition, in the above embodiments, the case where the base 12 is made of resin is exemplified, but the base 12 may also be made of ceramic.

[0083] Furthermore, the shape of the flame-extinguishing holes 50 is exemplified by a slit in the first embodiment and a cylindrical or polygonal prism in the third embodiment, but these shapes are not limited to these. Furthermore, the flame-extinguishing holes 50 are exemplified by being formed on one of the sidewalls 101 of the housing 10 in the aforementioned embodiments. However, they may be formed in other locations, such as the housing bottom 102 or the base bottom 121. Furthermore, the number of flame-extinguishing holes 50 is not limited to one; it may also be two or more.

[0084] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments are not independent of each other and can be combined as appropriate except for cases where they are obviously not combinable.

[0085] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, it is self-evident that elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential, except for cases clearly indicated as essential or cases clearly considered to be essential in principle.

[0086] In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, when referring to numerical values ​​such as the number, value, amount, and range of the constituent elements of the embodiments, they are not limited to the specific numbers except for cases where they are clearly indicated as necessary and cases where they are clearly limited to specific numbers in principle.

[0087] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, when the shapes, positional relationships, etc. of components are mentioned, they are not limited to the shapes, positional relationships, etc. except when explicitly indicated or when they are limited to specific shapes, positional relationships, etc. in principle.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic relay, wherein: The electromagnetic relay has: A housing (10), the housing having a receiving space (104) open to the outside via an opening (103); a base (12) engaged with the housing to close the opening; a coil (18), which is disposed in the receiving space and generates electromagnetic force when energized; a pair of fixed contacts (14, 16), one end side of the pair of fixed contacts being arranged in the accommodation space and fixed to the base; and A movable contact (36, 40) is arranged in the receiving space and driven by the electromagnetic force generated by the coil to contact and separate with the fixed contact. In the electromagnetic relay, A flame extinguishing hole (50) is formed on the shell or the base to connect the receiving space with the outside and extinguish the flame. The electromagnetic relay further comprises: A sealing member (60) covers the flame extinguishing hole, sets the receiving space as a closed space, and inhibits gas from invading from the outside to the inside of the receiving space; as well as A moisture absorbing member (70) is arranged in the receiving space and absorbs water vapor in the receiving space.

2. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing member is a gas barrier film, and is attached to the case or the base where the flame extinguishing hole is formed, thereby covering the flame extinguishing hole.

3. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing member is in the shape of a bottomed cylinder with a hollow portion, and an internal thread groove (62) is formed on the inner wall surface constituting the hollow portion. A portion around the flame extinguishing hole on one side of the housing or the base where the flame extinguishing hole is formed is provided with a support wall (106) having an external thread groove (107) corresponding to the internal thread groove. The sealing member is fastened to the support wall via the external thread groove and the internal thread groove, and the flame extinguishing hole is covered by the sealing member.

4. The electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The moisture absorbing member is a moisture absorbing material (71, 72) coated on the wall surfaces (101, 102, 121) constituting the storage space in the shell and the base.

5. The electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The moisture absorbing member is a moisture absorbing material (71, 72) coated on the inner wall surfaces (101, 102, 121) constituting the accommodation space in the housing and the base. The hygroscopic material is not arranged in a portion of the inner wall surface surrounding a contact portion, but is arranged in a portion of the inner wall surface closer to the coil than the contact portion, wherein the contact portion is composed of a fixed contact (16) of the fixed contact and a movable contact (40) of the movable contact.

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