Electromagnetic relay

Abstract

Electromagnetic relay (1) comprising: a coil (4) arranged to generate a magnetic field upon excitation; a housing (2) that securely supports the coil (4); a non-moving section (5) which is securely supported by the housing (2), wherein the non-moving section (5) has at least one fixed magnetic path defining element (51, 53) to define a fixed magnetic path during excitation of the coil (4), and wherein it has a fixed core (51) arranged inside the coil (4);and a movable section (6) which is provided to be movable back and forth along a central axis line (C) of the coil (4) according to an excitation state of the coil (4), wherein the movable section (6) has a movable core (61) which is arranged to face the fixed core (51) along the central axis line (C) in order to be attracted by the fixed core (51) due to the magnetic field during excitation of the coil (4), wherein one of a plurality of elements forming the movable section (6) integrally forms a flange section (620;613) which projects in a coil radial direction perpendicular to the central axis line (C) such that it defines a separation distance and / or an facing surface in a magnetic space (G1, G2) between the fixed magnetic path defining element (51, 53) and the movable core (61) by bearing against the non-moving section (5) during excitation, the movable section (6) furthermore having a shaft (62) which is fixed to the movable core (61) and is provided along the central axis line (C), and the flange section (620; 613) is provided on the shaft such that it bears against the fixed core (51) during excitation.;

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONThe present application is based on Japanese Patent Application JP 2016-248078 filed on Dec. 21, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.Technical FieldThe present invention relates to an electromagnetic relay.Background of the Prior ArtPatent Document 1 describes a device in which an end portion end surface of a bearing for sliding a movable iron core rod protrudes from an outer end surface of a fixed iron core by a predetermined magnetic gap. This enables a predetermined magnetic clearance to be provided between the movable iron core and the fixed iron core without using a magnetic spacer, and also enables fine adjustment of the magnetic clearance to be performed with ease.Prior Art DocumentsPatent DocumentsPatent Document 1: JP 2011-54405 APatent Document 2: JP 2014-099319 AJP 2014-099319 A discloses an electromagnetic relay including a coil, a housing in which the coil is fixedly seated; and a yoke of multiple plates. The plurality of plates includes non-movable plates and a movable plate. The non-movable plates are seated on a fixed core. The movable plate is coupled to a shaft slidably seated in a base. The movable plate has a flange portion on the outer peripheral side. The flange portion of the movable plate is radially spaced from the fixed core.SummaryThe separation distance and / or the facing surface in the magnetic space is adjusted, thereby enabling adjustment of the operating voltage of the device. Therefore, by adopting a structure in which a magnetic clearance can be set excellently, the degree of freedom in design of the apparatus is improved. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic relay.This object is achieved by an electromagnetic relay having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.In the structure according to claim 1, the movable core is attracted to the fixed core by the magnetic field at the time of excitation of the coil. As a result, the movable portion having the movable core moves along the center axis line of the coil toward the non-movable portion having the fixed core. At this time, the flange portion integrally provided with one of the plurality of members constituting the movable portion abuts against the non-movable portion. As a result, the separation distance and / or the facing surface is defined in the magnetic space between the fixed magnetic path defining member and the movable core. Therefore, according to the above-described structure, the adjustment of the separation distance and / or the facing surface in the magnetic space can be performed more easily.The flange portion can be formed smoothly and integrally with one of the plurality of members constituting the movable portion. In the above-described structure, the flange portion which is formed seamless and integrally with the one of the plurality of members constituting the movable portion abuts against the non-movable portion, thereby defining the separation distance and / or the facing surface in the magnetic space. Therefore, according to the above-described structure, the separation distance and / or the facing surface in the magnetic space can be defined with even higher accuracy.The non-movable portion may further include a plate yoke as the fixed magnetic path defining member disposed between the fixed core and the movable core. In this case, the flange portion is provided so as to define the separation distance and / or the facing surface in the magnetic space between the movable core and the fixed core or the magnetic space between the movable core and the plate yoke.The fixed core may have a fixed-side recessed portion that is open to the flange portion. In this case, the flange portion is configured to be disposed inside the fixed-side recessed portion while abutting on the fixed core.The movable core may have a movable-side recessed portion that is open to the flange portion. In this case, the shaft is fixed to the movable core in a state where the flange portion is disposed inside the movable-side recessed portion. The flange portion may be provided on the movable core to define the separation distance in the magnetic space between the movable core and the fixed core by abutting on the plate yoke during excitation.Brief Description of the DrawingsFIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view according to a first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a detail from FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a third exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a fourth exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of a fifth exemplary embodiment. FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of a detail from FIG. 6.DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTSHereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A variety of modifications applicable to the embodiments are described after the description of the embodiments as modified examples.First EmbodimentFirst, a schematic configuration of an electromagnetic relay 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The electromagnetic relay 1 includes a housing 2, a contact mechanism 3, a coil 4, a non-movable portion 5, and a movable portion 6.In FIG. 1, one of the directions parallel to the central axis line C of the coil 4 (i.e., a lower side in FIG. 1 ) is referred to as a "suction direction", and the other direction (i.e., an upper side in FIG. 1 ) is referred to as a "reverse direction" (return direction). In addition, in any plane perpendicular to the central axis line C, a direction facing away from the central axis line C so as to extend radially from the central axis line C is referred to as a "coil radial direction". In other words, the coil radial direction is any linear direction that is perpendicular to the central axis line C and that passes through the central axis line C. The definitions of these directions are the same for Fig. 2 and the following figures.The housing 2 is made of synthetic resin and has a base frame 21, an outer cover 22, and a contact cover 23. the base frame 21 supports the contact mechanism 3, the spool 4, the non-movable portion 5, and the movable portion 6. FIG. 1 mainly shows a portion of the base frame 21 supporting the contact mechanism 3. However, the base frame 21 is provided with the coil 4, the non-movable portion 5, and a bottom plate portion (not shown) for supporting the movable portion 6.The outer cover 22 is formed in a bathtub-like shape having an opening on one surface in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The opening is provided so as to be open to a side perpendicular to the central axis line C (i.e., a direction perpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. 1 ). The outer cover 22 is formed to cover the contact mechanism 3, the coil 4, the non-movable portion 5, and the movable portion 6 supported by the base frame 21 from the outside. In other words, the housing 2 is configured to form an accommodation space S inside by closing the opening in the outer cover 22 by the bottom plate portion in the base frame 21. The structures of the base frame 21 and the outer cover 22 are the same as those in a fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 6.The contact cover 23 is disposed between the outer cover 22 and the contact mechanism 3. More specifically, the contact cover 23 is formed in the shape of an inverted U that is open in the suction direction so as to cover the contact mechanism 3 from the upper side in the drawing.The illustrated portion of the base frame 21 supporting the contact mechanism 3 has a shaft insertion hole 24 that is a through hole defined along the central axis line C. The base frame 21 is provided with a guide portion 25. The guide portion 25 protrudes in the reverse direction so as to guide reciprocating motion of the movable piece 31 provided on the contact mechanism 3 along the central axis line C.In addition to the movable piece 31 described above, the contact mechanism 3 includes a movable contact 32, a fixed piece 33, a fixed contact 34, and a contact pressure spring 35. the movable piece 31 is formed of a plate-like member made of metal, and is provided on the reverse direction side of the fixed piece 33 in such a position that a main surface of the movable piece 31 is perpendicular to the central axis line C. The movable contact 32 is formed of an electric contact member made of metal, and is fixed to the movable piece 31 by caulking or the like.The fixed piece 33 is formed of a plate-like member made of metal, and is fixed to the base frame 21 in such a position that the main surface of the fixed piece 33 is perpendicular to the central axis line C. The fixed contact 34 is formed of an electrical contact member made of metal, and is disposed to face the movable contact 32 along the central axis line C. The fixed contact 34 is fixed to the fixed piece 33 by caulking or the like. The contact pressure spring 35 is a coil spring and is provided between the movable piece 31 and the contact cover 23 so as to urge the movable piece 31 toward the fixed piece 33 in the suction direction.The spool 4 is fixedly supported by the base frame 21 while being disposed on the suction direction side of the contact mechanism 3. The coil 4 has a bobbin 41 and a coil 42, and the coil 42 is wound around the bobbin 41 made of synthetic resin. In other words, the coil 4 is configured to form a magnetic field by exciting the winding 42.The bobbin 41 has a first bobbin cylinder portion 43, a second bobbin cylinder portion 44, and a step portion 45. The second bobbin cylinder portion 44 is formed to have an inner diameter larger than that of the first bobbin cylinder portion 43. the shoulder portion 45 is provided at a connection portion between the first bobbin cylinder portion 43 and the second bobbin cylinder portion 44.A core installation hole 46 is provided inside the first bobbin cylinder portion 43. A spring accommodation hole 47 is provided inside the second bobbin cylinder portion 44. The core installation hole 46 is provided so as to be in close contact with the fixed core 51 when the fixed core 51 is inserted into the non-movable portion 5 through the core installation hole 46. The spring accommodation hole 47 is provided so as to create a predetermined space between the fixed core 51 and the spring accommodation hole 47 when the fixed core 51 is inserted into the non-movable portion through the spring accommodation hole 47.The fixed core 51 is a substantially columnar member that is seamless and integrally formed, and is disposed inside the coil 4. More specifically, the fixed core 51 is fixed to the coil 4 (i.e., so as not to be moved relative to the coil 4 along the central axis line C regardless of the excited state of the coil 4) by being inserted through the core installation hole 46 and the spring accommodation hole 47 provided in the coil 41.The non-movable portion 5 has a frame yoke 52 and a plate yoke 53 in addition to the fixed core 51. the fixed core 51, the frame yoke 52, and the plate yoke 53 are fixed magnetic path defining members made of a ferromagnetic metal material, and are arranged to form a fixed magnetic path by excitation of the coil 4. The non-movable portion 5 is fixedly supported by the base frame 21 (i.e., so as not to move relative to the base frame 21 along the central axis line C regardless of the excited state of the coil 4).The frame yoke 52 is a member having a shape in which a flat plate is bent into a substantially U-shape, and is disposed so that the substantially U-shape is open toward the reverse direction. An end portion of the fixed core 51 in the suction direction is coupled to a bottom plate portion of the frame yoke 52 with the main surface thereof being perpendicular to the central axis line C.The plate yoke 53 is a flat plate-like member that is seamless and integrally formed, and is provided such that a main surface of the plate yoke 53 is perpendicular to the central axis line C. The plate yoke 53 is disposed adjacent to the frame yoke 52 such that an outer edge portion of the plate yoke 53 abuts both end portions of the frame yoke 52 protruding toward the reverse direction.The fixed core 51 has a guide hole 54. the guide hole 54 is a through hole and is provided on the central axis line C coaxial with the axial center of the fixed core 51. The plate yoke 53 has a core through hole 55. the core through hole 55 is provided to pass through the plate yoke 53 along the central axis line C. The core through hole 55 is provided in the center portion of the plate yoke 53 so that a portion of the movable core 51 in the movable portion 6 can pass through the core through hole 55 when the movable core 61 reciprocates along the center axis line C.The movable portion 6 is provided so as to be able to reciprocate along the central axis line C according to the excited state of the coil 4. More specifically, the movable portion 6 has a shaft 62 and an insulator 63 in addition to the movable core 61.The movable core 61 is a substantially disk-shaped member made of a ferromagnetic metal material, and is seamless and integrally formed. The movable core 61 is disposed between the contact mechanism 3 and the non-movable portion 5. The movable core 61 is disposed to face the fixed core 61 and the plate yoke 53 along the central axis line C so as to be attracted to the fixed core 51 and the plate yoke 63 by a magnetic field at the time of excitation of the coil 4. More specifically, the plate yoke 53 is disposed between the movable core 61 and the fixed core 51.The shaft 62 is a rod-shaped member having a longitudinal direction parallel to the central axis line C, and is formed seamless and integrally. In other words, the shaft 62 is provided along the central axis line C. The shaft 62 is inserted through a shaft fixing hole 64 provided in the movable core 61 and fixed to the movable core 61.An end portion of the shaft 62 in the reverse direction is covered by an insulator 63 made of synthetic resin. An end portion of the shaft 62 in the reverse direction covered by the insulator 63 is disposed to face the movable piece 61 while being inserted through the shaft insertion hole 42. The portion of the shaft 62 on the suction direction side is accommodated in the guide hole 54 provided in the fixed core 51, while being guided to be reciprocally movable along the central axis line C by the guide hole 54 provided on the fixed core 51.A return spring 65, which is a coil spring, is disposed on the suction direction side of the movable core 61. The return spring 65 is accommodated in the space between the fixed core 51 and the second bobbin cylinder portion 44 formed in the spring accommodation space 47. The return spring 65 is provided to urge the movable core 61 in the reverse direction.The schematic configuration of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first embodiment described above is the same as the schematic configuration of the electromagnetic relay (see, for example, JP 2015-84315 A). Next, a detailed structure of the electromagnetic relay 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.In the present embodiment, a chamfered outer portion 510 is provided at an end portion of the fixed core 51 that is close to and opposite to the movable core 61 during excitation of the coil 4, that is, at an end portion in the reverse direction. The outer chamfered portion 510 is formed in a substantially truncated cone shape so as to protrude toward the turning direction. The outer chamfered portion 510 has an upper core surface 511, an outer chamfered surface 512, a step surface 513, and a fixed-side recessed portion 514.The upper core surface 511 is a plane formed in a ring shape so as to surround the shaft 62, and is provided so that the normal direction is parallel to the central axis line C. The outer chamfered surface 512 is a chamfered surface corresponding to a side surface in a substantially truncated cone shape (truncated cone) of the outer chamfered portion 510, and is formed so as to increase in diameter from an outer edge of the upper core surface 511 toward the suction direction.The shoulder surface 513 is an annular plane formed such that the normal direction is parallel to the central axis line C, and extends from the end portion of the outer tapered surface 512 on the suction direction side to the spool radial direction. The fixed-side recessed portion 514 is a recessed portion open to the reverse direction, and is provided adjacent to the central axis line C of the upper core surface 511. In other words, the upper core surface 511 is provided on the outer side of the fixed-side recessed portion 514 in the coil radial direction.The fixed-side recessed portion 514 is formed by a recessed portion side surface 515 and a recessed portion bottom surface 516. The recess portion side surface 515 is a cylindrical inner surface that is parallel to the central axis line C and extends from the inner edge portion of the upper core surface 511 to the suction direction. The recessed portion bottom surface 516 is a flat surface formed in a ring shape so as to surround the shaft 62, and extends from an end portion of the recessed portion side surface 515 on the suction direction side to the central axis line C. The recessed portion bottom surface 516 is formed parallel to the core upper surface 511 with a normal direction being parallel to the central axis line C. In other words, the recessed portion bottom surface 516 is provided at a position offset from the core upper surface 511 in the suction direction by a height of the recessed portion side surface 515.The plate yoke 53 has a yoke recessed portion 531. The yoke recessed portion 531 is a recessed portion open to the reverse direction, and is provided around the core through hole 55. In other words, at a position of the plate yoke 53 corresponding to the yoke recessed portion 531, a thin portion 532 having a plate thickness thinner than that of the outside of the yoke recessed portion 531 is formed. A yoke surface (yoke surface) 533 of the thin portion 532, which is a surface exposed in the reverse direction, is provided to confront the plate yoke 53 to form a first magnetic gap (magnetic gap) G 1 between the movable core 61 and the plate yoke 53.The movable core 61 is provided with a tapered inner portion 610 forming a recessed portion open to the suction direction. The tapered inner portion 610 is formed so as to be able to house the tapered outer portion 510 of the fixed core 51 upon energizing the coil 4. More specifically, the movable core 61 has a central plate portion 611, a cylindrical portion 612, and a core flange portion 613.The center plate portion 611 is a substantially disk-shaped portion that is adjacent to the shaft 62 in the coil radial direction, and has a shaft fixing hole 64. the cylindrical portion 612 is a cylinder portion provided to surround the outer tapered portion 510 of the fixed core 51 from the outside, and protrudes from the outer edge portion of the center plate portion 611 to the suction direction. In other words, the center plate portion 611 and the cylindrical portion 612 form the tapered inner portion 610. The core flange portion 613 is a thin portion having a thinner plate thickness than the center plate portion 611, and extends in the coil radial direction from the outer edge portion of the center plate portion 611.A surface of the movable core 61 exposed in the suction direction has a flange abutting surface 614, a tapered inner surface 615, a protrusion surface 616, and a core flange surface 617. The flange abutment surface 614 is a plane forming a bottom surface of the recess portion formed by the center plate portion 611 and the cylindrical portion 612, and is formed in a ring shape so as to surround the shaft 62. The flange abutment surface 614 is provided to face the upper core surface 511. The tapered inner surface 615 is provided to face the tapered outer surface 512 at a substantially constant distance. The protrusion surface 616 is an end surface of the cylindrical portion 612 in the suction direction, and is provided to face the step surface 513. The core flange surface 617 is provided on the core flange portion 613 so as to face the yoke surface 533.The shaft 62 has a shaft flange portion 620 protruding in the coil radial direction. The shaft flange portion 620 is provided at a position adjacent to a portion of the shaft 62 fixed to the shaft fixing hole 64 on the suction direction side. As shown in FIG. 2, when the movable core 61 is attracted to the fixed core 51 by the magnetic field during excitation of the coil 4, the shaft flange portion 620 is formed to be accommodated in and abut on the fixed-side recessed portion 514 of the fixed core 51.The shaft flange portion 620 is formed to have a substantially constant thickness (a dimension in a direction parallel to the central axis line C). The shaft flange portion 620 has a first flange surface 621 and a second flange surface 622. The first flange surface 621 and the second flange surface 622 are planes whose normal direction is parallel to the central axis line C, and are formed in a ring shape so as to surround the central axis line C.The first flange surface 621 is provided to face the movable core 61. More specifically, the first flange surface 621 is formed to abut (i.e., be in close contact with) the flange abutting surface 614 of the center plate portion 611 in a state where the movable core 61 is fixed to the shaft 62.The second flange surface 622 is formed on the rear side of the first flange surface 621 so as to face the recessed portion bottom surface 516. The second flange surface 622 is provided so as to be spaced apart from the recess portion bottom surface 516 when the coil 4 is not excited, and so as to abut on the concave bottom surface 516 when the movable core 61 is attracted to the fixed core 51 by the magnetic field upon excitation of the coil 4.As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, a first magnetic clearance (magnetic gap) G 1 is defined between the yoke surface 533 of the plate yoke 53 and the core flange surface 617 of the movable core 61. A second magnetic clearance (magnetic gap) G 2 is defined between the upper core surface 511 of the fixed core 51 and the flange abutment surface 614 of the movable core 61. A third magnetic clearance (magnetic gap) G 3 is defined between the step surface 513 of the fixed core 51 and the protrusion surface 616 of the movable core 61. A fourth magnetic clearance (magnetic gap) G 4 is defined between the outer tapered surface 512 of the fixed core 51 and the inner tapered surface 615 of the movable core 61.The shaft flange portion 620 is provided to define the separation distances and / or facing surfaces in these magnetic spaces. More specifically, the separation distances in the first to fourth magnetic spaces G 1 to G 4 are defined by the thickness of the shaft flange portion 620 and the depth of the fixed-side recessed portion 514 in the fixed core 51. The thickness of the shaft flange portion 620 corresponds to a distance between the first flange surface 621 and the second flange surface 622 in the suction direction. The depth of the fixed-side recessed portion 514 corresponds to a distance between the core upper surface 511 and the recessed portion bottom surface 516 in the suction direction.The facing surface of the second magnetic gap G 2 is a surface (a region) at which (at) the upper core surface 511 of the fixed core 51 and the flange abutting surface 614 of the movable core 61 face each other. This area (this area) is defined by the outer diameter of the shaft flange portion 620, i.e., the dimension in the coil radial direction in the fixed-side recess portion 514 for accommodating the shaft flange portion 620.The operation and effects of the configuration of the present embodiment will be described below. As is apparent from the above description, FIG. 1 shows a state in which the coil 4 is not excited, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the coil 4 is excited.In the electromagnetic relay 1 of the present embodiment, the movable core 61 is attracted to the fixed core 51 by the magnetic field at the time of excitation of the coil 4. As a result, the movable portion 6 having the movable core 61 moves along the central axis line C to the non-movable portion 5 having the fixed core 51.At this time, the shaft flange portion 620, which is integrally provided with the shaft 62, which is one of the plurality of members constituting the movable portion 6, abuts (is abutted) with the non-movable portion 5. As a result, the separation distances and / or facing surfaces (facing portions) in the first to fourth magnetic spaces G 1 to G 4 between the fixed core 51 and the plate yoke 53, which are fixed magnetic path defining members, and the movable core 61 are defined.For example, the thickness of the shaft flange portion 620 is set to be thick, whereby the separation distances in the first magnetic gap G 1 and the fourth magnetic gap G 4 may increase. On the other hand, for example, the depth of the fixed-side recessed portion 514 in the fixed core 51 is set to be deep, whereby the separation distances in the first to fourth magnetic gaps G 1 to G 4 can be reduced without setting the shaft flange portion 620 to be too thin. In addition, the diameters of the shaft flange portion 620 and the fixed-side recessed portion 514 increase, whereby the facing areas of the second magnetic gap G 2 can be reduced.As described above, according to the electromagnetic relay 1 of the present embodiment, the adjustment of the separation distances and / or the facing surfaces (facing portions) in the first to fourth magnetic gaps G 1 to G 4 can be more easily performed. In other words, the shape of the shaft flange portion 620 and the shape of the fixed-side recessed portion 514 corresponding to the shape of the shaft flange portion 620 are arbitrarily set (set), whereby the separation distances in the first to fourth magnetic gaps G 1 to G 4 and the facing area (the facing surface) in the second magnetic gap G 2 can be arbitrarily set. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the operating electric voltage in the electromagnetic relay 1 can be easily adjusted. In addition, the degree of freedom in the design of the electromagnetic relay 1 is improved.In the electromagnetic relay 1 of the present embodiment, the shaft 62 having the shaft flange portion 620 for defining the first to fourth magnetic gaps G 1 to G 4 is formed seamless and integrally. In the above-described configuration, the shaft flange portion 620, which is seamless and integrally formed with the shaft 62, and which is one of the plurality of members constituting the movable portion 6, abuts on the member (i.e., the fixed core 51) constituting the non-movable portion 5, thereby defining the separation distances and / or the facing surfaces (facing regions) in the first to fourth magnetic spaces G 1 to G 4. Thereby, according to the above-described structure, the separation distances in the first to fourth magnetic gaps G 1 to G 4 can be set with even better accuracy.Second EmbodimentNext, another embodiment in which a part of the above-described embodiment is modified will be described. In the following description of the second embodiment and the like, only the portions different from the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the like, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, in the following description of the second embodiment and the like, the description of the first embodiment can be suitably integrated for the components having the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment unless a technical contradiction occurs or a specific additional description is given.As shown in FIG. 3, the movable core 61 may have a movable-side recessed portion 661 that is open upward to the shaft flange portion 620. In this case, a shaft 62 is fixed to the movable core 61 in a state where the shaft flange portion 620 is accommodated in the movable-side recessed portion 661.In the above-described configuration, the separation distances in the first to fourth magnetic gaps G 1 to G 4 are defined by a thickness of the shaft flange portion 620, a depth of the fixed-side recessed portion 514 in the fixed core 51, and a depth of the movable-side recessed portion 661 in the movable core 61. The facing surface (facing area) in the second magnetic gap G 2 is defined by the outer diameter of the shaft flange portion 620, i.e., the dimensions in the coil radial direction of the fixed-side recessed portion 514 and the movable-side recessed portion 661 for accommodating the shaft flange portion 620. Therefore, the same effects as the first embodiment can be obtained by the above-described structure.Third EmbodimentAs shown in FIG. 4, when the movable core 61 is provided with the movable-side recessed portion 661, the fixed-side recessed portion 514 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be omitted. In this case, the separation distances in the first to fourth magnetic spaces G 1 to G 4 are defined by the thickness of the shaft flange portion 620 and the depth of the movable-side recessed portion 661 in the movable core 61. The facing area (facing surface) in the second magnetic clearance G 2 is defined by an outer diameter of the shaft flange portion 620, i.e., a size in the coil radial direction of the movable-side recessed portion 661 for accommodating the shaft flange portion 620.Fourth EmbodimentAs shown in FIG. 5, both a fixed-side recessed portion 514 in a fixed core 51 and a movable-side recessed portion 661 in a movable core 61 may be omitted. Such a structure can also provide the same effects as in the above-described embodiments.Fifth EmbodimentIn each of the above-described embodiments, the fixed core 51 is provided with the outer chamfered portion 510 protruding toward the movable core 61. On the other hand, the movable core 61 is provided with the inner tapered portion 610 so as to cover the outer tapered portion 510 when the coil 4 is energized. In other words, in each of the above-described embodiments, when the coil 4 is excited, relative movement between the fixed core 51 and the movable core 61 is performed in such a manner that the outer chamfered portion 510, which is an end portion of the fixed core 51, is inserted into the recessed portion provided inside the inner chamfered portion 610 of the movable core 61. Further, the reciprocating motion of the shaft 62 is guided by the fixed core 51.On the other hand, the configurations of the fixed core 51 and the movable core 61 of the fifth embodiment are different from those of the above-described embodiments, and the relative movement between the fixed core 51 and the movable core 61 is performed in such a manner that the end portion of the movable core 61 is inserted into the recessed portion provided in the fixed core 51 when the coil 4 is energized. The reciprocating motion of the movable core 61 and the shaft 62 is guided by the plate yoke 53.More specifically, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, according to the fifth embodiment, the fixed core 51 is provided with the tapered inner portion 517 forming a recessed portion open to the reverse direction. The tapered inner portion 517 has a tapered inner surface 517a whose diameter increases toward the reverse direction. A cylindrical recessed portion 518 is connected to an end portion of the tapered inner surface 517 on the suction direction side. The cylindrical recessed portion 518 is formed along the central axis line C so as to be open to the reverse direction. A bottom surface 519, which is a plane perpendicular to the central axis line C, is formed at the end portion of the cylindrical recessed portion 518 on the suction direction side. The bottom surface 519 is provided so that the tip end surface of the shaft 62 abuts against the bottom surface 519 when the coil 4 is excited.The plate yoke 53 has a guide cylinder portion 534. The guide cylinder portion 534 is a substantially circular tube-like portion protruding toward the suction direction, and a core through hole 55 is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the guide cylinder portion 534. The core through hole 55 is formed in an inner cylindrical surface shape along the central axis line C so as to guide the reciprocating motion of the movable core 61 by sliding with the outer cylindrical surface of the movable core 61 on the reverse direction side of the outer tapered portion 618.Also in the fifth embodiment, the core flange portion 613 is provided at the end portion of the movable core 61 on the reverse direction side, that is, at the end portion on the opposite side to the side close to the fixed core 51. The movable core 61 is provided with a tapered outer portion 618 protruding toward the fixed core 51. The outer tapered portion 618 has an outer tapered surface 618a whose diameter decreases toward the suction direction.A cylindrical recessed portion 619 open in the suction direction is formed inside the movable core 61. An upper surface 619 aof the recessed portion, which is an annular plane perpendicular to the central axis line C, is formed at the end portion of the cylindrical recessed portion 619 on the reverse direction side. The recess portion upper surface 619a is provided to abut against the first flange surface 621 of the shaft flange portion 620 when the movable core 61 and the shaft 62 are assembled. A return spring 65 is disposed between the recess portion upper surface 619a and the bottom surface 519 of the fixed core 51.In the above-described structure, when the coil 4 is energized, the movable core 61 is attracted to the fixed core 51 so that the movable core 61 and the shaft 62 move in the suction direction. At this time, the tip end surface of the shaft 62 abuts on the bottom surface 519 of the fixed core 51. As a result, a positional relationship between the fixed core 51 and the movable core 61 and a positional relationship between the plate yoke 53 and the movable core 61 when exciting the coil 4 are defined.More specifically, referring to FIG. 7, the first magnetic clearance G 1 is defined between the yoke surface 533 of the plate yoke 53 and the core flange surface 617 of the movable core 61 in a state where the tip end surface of the shaft 62 abuts on the bottom surface 519 of the fixed core 51. An inter-core magnetic clearance GC is defined between the inner tapered surface 517 aof the fixed core 51 and the outer tapered surface 618 aof the movable core 61.According to the present embodiment, the first magnetic clearance G 1 and the inter-core magnetic clearance GC vary according to the formation state of the shaft flange portion 620 in the shaft 62, that is, the separation distance in the direction parallel to the central axis line C from the tip end surface of the shaft 62 to the first flange surface 621. In addition, the first magnetic clearance G 1 varies according to the thickness of the core flange portion 613, that is, the separation distance in the direction parallel to the central axis line C from the tip end surface of the shaft 62 to the core flange surface 617.According to the above-described configuration, the separation distances can be adjusted in the first magnetic gap G 1 and the inter-core magnetic gap GC by appropriately adjusting the shapes of the core flange portion 613 and the shaft 62. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the operating electric voltage in the electromagnetic relay 1 can be easily adjusted. Moreover, the degree of freedom in the design of the electromagnetic relay 1 is improved.Further VariationsThe present invention is not limited to the specific examples described in the above-explained embodiments. In other words, the above-described respective embodiments may be appropriately changed.For example, in the structure of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 to 5, the yoke recessed portion 531 and the core flange portion 613 may be omitted.In the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the end portion of the movable core 61 on the suction direction side may be formed in the same shape as the outer tapered portion 510 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 to 5. In this case, the end portion of the fixed core 61 on the reverse direction side is formed in the same shape as the chamfered inner portion 610 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 to 5. In other words, in the fifth embodiment of FIG. 6, the portion where the fixed core 51 and the movable core 61 face each other may be formed in a configuration inverted from top to bottom in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 to 5.In the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the yoke recessed portion 531 similar to FIG. 2 or the like may be formed at a position of the plate yoke 53 facing the core flange portion 613. In this case, the thickness of the core flange portion 613 and the depth of the yoke recessed portion 531 are suitably set, whereby the separation distance in the magnetic space between the movable core 61 and the fixed core 51 can be suitably (arbitrarily) adjusted.In the above description, a member that is seamless and integrally formed may be configured to have a seam by joining or the like between a plurality of members. Similarly, the plurality of members provided separately from each other may be joined together seamlessly and integrally.The modifications are also not limited to the illustrations set forth above. In addition, several modifications may be combined with each other. In addition, some of the configurations in each of the above-stated embodiments and some of the configurations in each of the above-stated modifications may be combined with each other.

Claims

An electromagnetic relay (1) comprising: a coil (4) arranged to form a magnetic field by excitation; a housing (2) fixedly supporting the coil (4); a non-movable portion (5) fixedly supported by the housing (2), the non-movable portion (5) having at least one fixed magnetic path defining member (51, 53) to define a fixed magnetic path during excitation of the coil (4), and having a fixed core (51) disposed inside the coil (4); and a movable portion (6) provided to be reciprocally movable along a central axis line (C) of the coil (4) according to an excitation state of the coil (4), wherein the movable portion (6) has a movable core (61) disposed to face the fixed core (51) along the central axis line (C) to be attracted by the fixed core (51) due to the magnetic field during the excitation of the coil (4), wherein one of a plurality of members constituting the movable portion (6) integrally has a flange portion (620; 613) protruding in a coil radial direction perpendicular to the central axis line (C) so as to have a separation distance and / or a facing surface in a magnetic space (G 1, G 2) between the fixed magnetic path defining member (51, 53) and the movable core (61) defined by abutting against the non-movable portion (5) during excitation, the movable portion (6) further has a shaft (62) fixed to the movable core (61) and provided along the central axis line (C), and the flange portion (620; 613) is provided on the shaft so as to abut against the fixed core (51) during excitation.The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, wherein the flange portion (620; 613) is formed seamless and integrally with the one of the plurality of members constituting the movable portion (6).The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-movable portion (5) further has a plate yoke (53) as the fixed magnetic path defining member (51, 53) disposed between the fixed core (51) and the movable core (61), and the flange portion (620; 613) is provided to define the separation distance and / or the facing surface in the magnetic gap (G1, G2) between the movable core (61) and the fixed core (51) or the magnetic gap (G1, G2) between the movable core (61) and the plate yoke (53).The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, wherein the fixed core (51) has a fixed-side recessed portion (514) that is open to the flange portion (620; 613), and the flange portion (620; 613) is configured to be disposed inside the fixed-side recessed portion (514) while abutting on the fixed core (51).The electromagnetic relay according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the movable core (61) has a movable-side recessed portion (661) that is open to the flange portion (620; 613), and the shaft is fixed to the movable core (61) in a state where the flange portion (620; 613) is disposed inside the movable-side recessed portion (661).The electromagnetic relay according to claim 3, wherein the flange portion (620; 613) is provided on the movable core (61) such that the separation distance in the magnetic space (G1, G2) between the movable core (61) and the fixed core (51) is defined by abutting on the plate yoke (53) during the energization.

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