Electromagnetic relay

Abstract

To provide an electromagnetic relay, which can overcome or alleviate such a problem that, in an electromagnetic relay for multiphase circuits, the increased costs and complex assembly of an electric arc isolation plate may occur.SOLUTION: An electromagnetic relay includes: an insulator which is accommodated in a housing and in which a plurality of chambers are formed, the chambers being opened towards a front sidewall of the housing to be arranged in a row along the left-right direction; a plurality of static terminals fixedly arranged in respective ones of the plurality of chambers; and a plurality of movable terminals arranged in respective ones of the plurality of chambers to be adapted for electrical contact with the plurality of static terminals. The insulator includes a partition plate located between two adjacent chambers, and a rib is formed on the inner wall surface of the front side wall. The front side of the partition plate is in contact with the inner wall surface of the front side wall, and a side of the rib is in contact with the left or right of the partition plate to electrically isolate the adjacent two chambers from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202210752236.5, filed on June 28, 2022 with the China State Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to electromagnetic relays, and in particular to electromagnetic relays for multi-phase circuits. [Background technology]

[0003] In the prior art, an electromagnetic relay for a multi-phase circuit usually includes a housing, an insulator, a plurality of arc isolation plates, a plurality of movable terminals, and a plurality of stationary terminals. The insulator is disposed in the housing, and an internal cavity is formed in the insulator. The plurality of arc isolation plates are disposed in the insulator so as to divide the internal cavity of the insulator into a plurality of chambers. A movable terminal and a stationary terminal are disposed in each chamber. However, the arc isolation plate will occupy space in the chamber, which results in a reduction in the open distance between the movable contact of the movable terminal and the stationary contact of the stationary terminal, which is prone to arc erosion. In addition, the manufacture of the arc isolation plate requires the use of a separate mold, which may increase the cost and complicate the assembly of the arc isolation plate.

[0004] In addition, in the prior art, the movable terminal generally includes a fixed terminal and a U-shaped movable elastic piece. The fixed terminal is fixed to the insulator and cannot move. The movable elastic piece has a fixed end fixed to the fixed terminal and a cantilever part extending from the fixed end. The cantilever part of the movable elastic piece faces the body part of the fixed terminal. When a short-circuit current passes through the cantilever part of the movable elastic piece and the body part of the fixed terminal, the current directions in the fixed terminal and the movable elastic piece are opposite, which generates an electric force between the fixed terminal and the movable elastic piece. When a short-circuit current passes through the movable contact in the closed state, the strong contraction of the current generates a large Holm force that moves the movable contact away from the stationary contact. The electric force generated by the above-mentioned opposite current and the elastic force of the armature connecting spring piece are in the same direction, but are opposite to the Holm force to resist the Holm force, thereby preventing the movable contact in the closed state from springing back and separating from the stationary contact. However, in the prior art, the gap between the movable elastic piece of the U-shaped structure and the fixed terminal is relatively large, and the effective length of the movable elastic piece of the U-shaped structure is relatively small, so that the generated electric force is relatively small and the resistance to the Holm force is insufficient, which may cause the movable contact to bounce back and disconnect. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT The present invention has been made to overcome or mitigate at least one aspect of the above disadvantages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electromagnetic relay. The electromagnetic relay includes a housing having a top wall and a bottom opening on opposite sides in a height direction, a front side wall and a rear side wall on opposite sides in a front-rear direction, and a left side wall and a right side wall on opposite sides in a left-right direction; an insulator housed in the housing and having a plurality of chambers formed therein that open toward the front side wall of the housing and are arranged in a row along the left-right direction; a plurality of stationary terminals fixedly installed in the plurality of chambers of the insulator; and a plurality of movable terminals respectively installed in the plurality of chambers for electrical contact with the plurality of stationary terminals. The insulator has a partition plate arranged between two adjacent chambers, a rib formed on an inner wall surface of the front side wall of the housing, a front side of the partition plate contacts the inner wall surface of the front side wall of the housing, and a side of the rib contacts the left or right side of the partition plate so as to electrically isolate the two adjacent chambers from each other.

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the movable terminal includes a fixed terminal fixed to the insulator and contacting the left or right side of the partition plate, a movable elastic piece including a fixed end fixed to an upper end of the fixed terminal and a cantilever portion extending downward from the fixed end, and a movable contact fixed to a free end of the cantilever portion. The front side of the partition plate protrudes forward a predetermined distance relative to the fixed terminal, and the top surface of the rib contacts the front side of the fixed terminal.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the insulator has a bottom plate, a top plate, a left plate, a right plate, and a rear plate surrounding an internal cavity, the divider plate separates the internal cavity of the insulator into multiple chambers, and a rear side of the fixed terminal contacts the rear plate of the insulator such that the fixed terminal is fixed between the rib and the rear plate in the fore-aft direction.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bottom of the rear plate of the insulator is open, and the outer surface of the rear plate abuts the inner wall surface of the rear side wall of the housing so as to electrically isolate the two adjacent chambers from each other.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a stationary terminal includes a terminal body secured to an insulator, and a stationary contact secured to one end of the terminal body and opposing the movable contact, the movable resilient piece adapted to move between a closed position in which the movable contact is in electrical contact with the stationary contact and an open position in which the movable contact is electrically isolated from the stationary contact.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the insulator has a fixed portion disposed in the chamber, the fixed portion facing the free end of the cantilever portion of the movable elastic piece, and the terminal body of the stationary terminal is fixed to the fixed portion of the insulator.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of the fixed terminal is U-shaped, and the fixed terminal includes a main body extending in the height direction, a first connecting portion extending in the left-right direction, and a second connecting portion extending downward in the height direction. One end of the first connecting portion is connected to the upper end of the main body, and one end of the second connecting portion is connected to the other end of the first connecting portion, the upper end of the main body, the first connecting portion, and the second connecting portion constitute the U-shaped upper end of the fixed terminal, and the fixed end of the movable elastic piece is fixed to the second connecting portion of the fixed terminal.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of the fixed terminal is L-shaped, and the fixed terminal includes a main body extending in the height direction and a first connecting part having one end connected to the upper end of the main body and extending in the left-right direction. The upper end of the main body and the first connecting part constitute the L-shaped upper end of the fixed terminal, and the fixed end of the movable elastic piece is fixed to the first connecting part of the fixed terminal.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cantilever portion of the movable elastic piece has at least one bend for increasing the elasticity of the cantilever portion of the movable elastic piece and for reducing the distance between the cantilever portion of the movable elastic piece and the main body of the fixed terminal.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bent portion has an arc shape that protrudes toward the main body of the fixed terminal, or a slope shape that extends obliquely toward the main body of the fixed terminal.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the movable terminal comprises a single movable resilient piece, or the movable terminal comprises a plurality of movable resilient pieces stacked on top of each other.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the movable elastic piece comprises a first movable elastic piece and a second movable elastic piece stacked on each other, the fixed ends of the first movable elastic piece and the second movable elastic piece are fixed to a fixed terminal, and the free ends of the first movable elastic piece and the second movable elastic piece are fixed to each other by a movable contact.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first movable elastic piece is closer to the main body of the fixed terminal than the second movable elastic piece, the bending portions of the first movable elastic piece and the second movable elastic piece are arc-shaped protruding toward the main body of the fixed terminal, the radius of the bending portion of the first movable elastic piece is larger than the radius of the bending portion of the second movable elastic piece, and the bending portion of the second movable elastic piece is accommodated in the bending portion of the first movable elastic piece.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fixed end of the movable elastic piece is riveted or welded to the upper end of the fixed terminal, the movable contact is riveted or welded to the free end of the movable elastic piece and protrudes toward the stationary contact of the stationary terminal, and the stationary contact of the stationary terminal is riveted or welded to one end of the terminal body of the stationary terminal.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lower ends of the body of the fixed terminal and the terminal body of the stationary terminal pass through the bottom plate of the insulator and are exposed through a bottom opening in the housing.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electromagnetic relay further comprises a driving device received in the housing and attached to the insulator for driving the movable elastic piece of the movable terminal to move between a closed position and an open position.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the driving device includes a coil bobbin fixed to an insulator, a coil wound around the coil bobbin, a magnetic core housed in the coil bobbin and passing through the coil, a yoke fixed to the coil bobbin and connected to one end of the magnetic core, an armature movably mounted on the yoke, facing the other end of the magnetic core and adapted to rotate between an initial position and an end position, a connecting spring piece elastically connecting the armature to the yoke, and a pushing member movably mounted on the insulator and connected to the armature. When the coil is energized, the armature moves to the end position under the action of an electromagnetic force to simultaneously drive the multiple movable elastic pieces to the closed position via the pushing member, and when the coil is de-energized, the armature rotates to the initial position under the elastic restoring force of the connecting spring piece to simultaneously drive the multiple movable elastic pieces to the open position via the pushing member.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pushing member includes a pushing rod movably mounted on the insulator, a plurality of pushing portions connected to the pushing rod and each having a slot formed therein to allow the movable elastic piece to pass therethrough, and a connecting portion disposed at one end of the pushing rod and rotatably connected to the armature.

[0024] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a notch is formed in the front side of the partition plate of the insulator, and the push rod passes through the notch in the partition plate and is restricted at the notch by a stopper connected to the partition plate.

[0025] In the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ribs on the housing cooperate with the partition plate on the insulator to electrically isolate two adjacent chambers from each other, so the present invention does not require additional provision of a separate arc isolation plate, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and simplifying the assembly process.

[0026] Additionally, in the above-described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the cantilever portion of the movable elastic leaf has a bend, which increases the elasticity and effective length of the movable elastic leaf, reduces the spacing between the movable elastic leaf and the fixed terminal, improves the electrical force generated by the opposing currents, and ensures that the movable contact does not bounce or open when in the closed position.

[0027] The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an illustrative perspective view of an electromagnetic relay according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an illustrative perspective view of an electromagnetic relay in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the right side, with the housing removed; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an illustrative perspective view of an electromagnetic relay housing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an illustrative perspective view of an electromagnetic relay according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the left side, with the housing removed; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an illustrative perspective view of an electromagnetic relay according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear, with the housing removed; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is an illustrative perspective view of a movable terminal and a stationary terminal of an electromagnetic relay in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the movable terminal and the stationary terminal being in a separated state. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a side view of a movable terminal and a stationary terminal of an electromagnetic relay in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory exploded view of a movable terminal of an electromagnetic relay according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an illustrative perspective view of a movable terminal and a stationary terminal of an electromagnetic relay in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the movable terminal and the stationary terminal being in electrical contact; [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is an explanatory perspective view of a movable terminal of an electromagnetic relay according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is an explanatory perspective view of a movable terminal of an electromagnetic relay according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0030] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in schematic form to simplify the drawings.

[0031] According to a general aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electromagnetic relay comprising a housing having a top wall and a bottom opening on opposite sides in a height direction, front and rear side walls on opposite sides in a front-rear direction, and left and right side walls on opposite sides in a left-right direction, an insulator housed in the housing and having a plurality of chambers formed therein that open toward the front side wall of the housing and are arranged in a row along the left-right direction, a plurality of stationary terminals fixedly installed in the plurality of chambers of the insulator, and a plurality of movable terminals respectively installed in the plurality of chambers for electrical contact with the plurality of stationary terminals. The insulator has a partition plate arranged between two adjacent chambers, a rib formed on an inner wall surface of the front side wall of the housing, a front side of the partition plate contacts the inner wall surface of the front side wall of the housing, and a side of the rib contacts the left or right side of the partition plate so as to electrically isolate the two adjacent chambers from each other.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative perspective view of an electromagnetic relay according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an illustrative perspective view of an electromagnetic relay according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the right side, with the housing 10 removed. FIG. 3 shows an illustrative perspective view of an electromagnetic relay housing 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. FIG. 4 shows an illustrative perspective view of an electromagnetic relay according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the left side, with the housing 10 removed. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the electromagnetic relay includes a housing 10, an insulator 20, a plurality of movable terminals 3, and a plurality of stationary terminals 4. The housing 10 has a top wall and a bottom opening on opposite sides in the height direction, a front side wall 11 and a rear side wall 12 on opposite sides in the front-rear direction, and a left side wall 13 and a right side wall 14 on opposite sides in the left-right direction. The insulator 20 is accommodated in the housing 10, and a plurality of chambers 201 are formed in the insulator 20. The plurality of chambers 201 are arranged in a line in the left-right direction. Each chamber 201 has a front opening that opens toward the front side wall 11 of the housing 10. The plurality of stationary terminals 4 are fixedly installed in the plurality of chambers 201 of the insulator 20, respectively. The plurality of movable terminals 3 are installed in the plurality of chambers 201, respectively, for electrical contact with the plurality of stationary terminals 4.

[0034] 1 to 4 and 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the insulator 20 has a partition plate 23 disposed between two adjacent chambers 201, and a rib 111 is formed on the inner wall surface of the front side wall 11 of the housing 10. The front side of the partition plate 23 contacts the inner wall surface of the front side wall 11 of the housing 10, and the side surface of the rib 111 contacts the left side surface or the right side surface of the partition plate 23 so as to electrically isolate the two adjacent chambers 201 from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the side surface of the rib 111 abuts against the left side surface of the partition plate 23.

[0035] FIG 7 shows an illustrative perspective view of the movable terminal 3 and the stationary terminal 4 of an electromagnetic relay according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where the movable terminal 3 and the stationary terminal 4 are in a separated state. FIG 8 shows a side view of the movable terminal 3 and the stationary terminal 4 of an electromagnetic relay according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG 9 shows an illustrative exploded view of the movable terminal 3 of an electromagnetic relay according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG 10 shows an illustrative perspective view of the movable terminal 3 and the stationary terminal 4 of an electromagnetic relay according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where the movable terminal 3 and the stationary terminal 4 are in electrical contact.

[0036] 1 to 4 and 6 to 10, in the illustrated embodiment, the movable terminal 3 includes a fixed terminal 31, a movable elastic piece 32, and a movable contact 33. The fixed terminal 31 is fixed to the insulator 20 and contacts the left or right side of the partition plate 23. The movable elastic piece 32 includes a fixed end 321 fixed to the upper end of the fixed terminal 31, and a cantilever portion 320 extending downward from the fixed end 321. The movable contact 33 is fixed to the free end of the cantilever portion 320 and protrudes toward the stationary contact 43 in the stationary terminal 4.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 to 4 and 6 to 10, in the exemplary embodiment, the front side of the partition plate 23 protrudes forward a predetermined distance relative to the fixed terminal 31, and the top surface of the rib 111 contacts the front side of the fixed terminal 31.

[0038] 1-4 and 6-10, in the illustrated embodiment, the insulator 20 has a bottom plate 21, a top plate 22, a left plate, a right plate, and a rear plate 24 that surround an internal cavity. A partition plate 23 divides the internal cavity of the insulator 20 into a plurality of chambers 201. A rear side of the fixed terminal 31 contacts the rear plate 24 of the insulator 20 such that the fixed terminal 31 is fixed between the rib 111 and the rear plate 24 in the front-rear direction.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 to 4 and 6 to 10, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower part of the rear plate 24 of the insulator 20 is open, and the outer surface of the rear plate 24 contacts the inner wall surface of the rear side wall 12 of the housing 10 so as to electrically isolate two adjacent chambers 201 from each other.

[0040] 1 to 4 and 6 to 10, in the illustrated embodiment, the stationary terminal 4 includes a terminal body 42 and a stationary contact 43. The terminal body 42 is fixed to the insulator 20. The stationary contact 43 is fixed to one end of the terminal body 42 and faces the movable contact 33.

[0041] 1-4 and 6-10, in an exemplary embodiment, the movable elastic piece 32 is adapted to move between a closed position and an open position. As shown in FIG. 10, when the movable elastic piece 32 moves to the closed position, the movable contact 33 is in electrical contact with the stationary contact 43. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, when the movable elastic piece 32 moves to the open position, the movable contact 33 is electrically isolated from the stationary contact 43.

[0042] 1 to 4 and 6 to 10, in the illustrated embodiment, the insulator 20 has a fixed portion 231 disposed in the chamber 201 on the opposite side to the free end of the cantilever portion 320 of the movable elastic piece 32. The terminal body 42 of the stationary terminal 4 is fixed to the fixed portion 231 of the insulator 20.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 to 10, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper end of the fixed terminal 31 is U-shaped. The fixed terminal 31 includes a main body 310, a first connecting portion 311, and a second connecting portion 312. The main body 310 extends in the height direction. The first connecting portion 311 extends in the left-right direction, and one end of the first connecting portion 311 is connected to the upper end of the main body 310. The second connecting portion 312 extends downward in the height direction, and one end of the second connecting portion 312 is connected to the other end of the first connecting portion 311. The upper end of the main body 310, the first connecting portion 311, and the second connecting portion 312 constitute the U-shaped upper end of the fixed terminal 31. The fixed end 321 of the movable elastic piece 32 is fixed to the second connecting portion 312 of the fixed terminal 31.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1-4 and 6-10, in the illustrated embodiment, the cantilever portion 320 of the movable elastic piece 32 has at least one bend 323 for increasing the elasticity of the cantilever portion 320 of the movable elastic piece 32 and reducing the distance between the cantilever portion 320 of the movable elastic piece 32 and the body 310 of the fixed terminal 31. In addition, the bend 323 can also increase the overall length of the cantilever portion 320 of the movable elastic piece 32, thereby increasing the effective length of the movable elastic piece 32. When the distance between the cantilever portion 320 of the movable elastic piece 32 and the body 310 of the fixed terminal 31 is reduced and the effective length of the movable elastic piece 32 is increased, this will increase the electric force generated by the opposite current between the movable elastic piece 32 and the fixed terminal 31, thereby reliably ensuring that the movable contact 33 will not bounce open when in the closed position.

[0045] 1 to 4 and 6 to 10, in the illustrated embodiment, the bent portion 323 has an arc shape that protrudes toward the main body 310 of the fixed terminal 31. The movable terminal 3 includes a plurality of movable elastic pieces 32' and 32'' that are stacked on top of each other.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 to 10 , in the illustrated embodiment, the movable elastic piece 32 includes a first movable elastic piece 32′ and a second movable elastic piece 32″ that are stacked on top of each other. Fixed ends 321′ and 321″ of the first movable elastic piece 32′ and the second movable elastic piece 32″ are fixed to a fixed terminal 31. Free ends of the first movable elastic piece 32′ and the second movable elastic piece 32′ are fixed to each other by a movable contact 33.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 to 10, in the illustrated embodiment, the first movable elastic piece 32' is closer to the main body 310 of the fixed terminal 31 than the second movable elastic piece 32'. The bent portions 321' and 321'' of the first movable elastic piece 32' and the second movable elastic piece 32'' have an arc shape protruding toward the main body 310 of the fixed terminal 31. The radius of the bent portion 321' of the first movable elastic piece 32' is larger than the radius of the bent portion 321'' of the second movable elastic piece 32'', and the bent portion 321'' of the second movable elastic piece 32'' is accommodated in the bent portion 321' of the first movable elastic piece 32'.

[0048] 1 to 4 and 6 to 10, in an exemplary embodiment, the fixed end 321 of the movable elastic piece 32 may be riveted or welded to an upper end of the fixed terminal 31. The movable contact 33 may be riveted or welded to a free end of the movable elastic piece 32 and protrude toward a stationary contact 43 of the stationary terminal 4. The stationary contact 43 of the stationary terminal 4 may be riveted or welded to one end of a terminal body 42 of the stationary terminal 4.

[0049] As shown in Figures 1-4 and 6-10, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower end 313 of the body 310 of the fixed terminal 31 and the lower end 423 of the terminal body 42 of the stationary terminal 4 pass through the bottom plate 21 of the insulator 20 and are exposed through a bottom opening of the housing 10 so as to be electrically connected to an external circuit (not shown).

[0050] FIG. 5 shows an illustrative perspective view of an electromagnetic relay according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear, with the housing 10 removed.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1 to 10, in the exemplary embodiment, the electromagnetic relay is accommodated in the housing 10, attached to the insulator 20, and further includes a driving device used to drive the movable elastic piece 32 of the movable terminal 3 to move between a closed position and an open position.

[0052] As shown in Figures 1 to 10, in an exemplary embodiment, the drive device includes a coil bobbin 51 fixed to the insulator 20, a coil 50 wound around the coil bobbin 51, a magnetic core 52 housed in the coil bobbin 51 and passing through the coil 50, a yoke 53 fixed to the coil bobbin 51 and connected to one end of the magnetic core 52, an armature 54 movably mounted on the yoke 53, facing the other end of the magnetic core 52, and adapted to rotate between an initial position and a terminal position, a connecting spring piece 55 elastically connecting the armature 54 to the yoke 53, and a pushing member 60 movably mounted on the insulator 20 and connected to the armature 54.

[0053] 1 to 10, in the illustrated embodiment, when the coil 50 is energized, the armature 54 moves to a terminal position under the action of an electromagnetic force, and simultaneously drives the multiple movable elastic pieces 32 to a closed position via the pushing member 60. When the coil 50 is de-energized, the electromagnetic force disappears, and the armature 54 rotates to an initial position under the elastic restoring force of the connecting spring piece 55, and simultaneously drives the multiple movable elastic pieces 32 to an open position via the pushing member 60.

[0054] As shown in Figures 1 to 10, in the exemplary embodiment, the push member 60 includes a push rod 61 movably attached to the insulator 20, a plurality of push portions 63 connected to the push rod 61 and each having a slot through which the movable elastic piece 32 can pass, and a connection portion 62 disposed at one end of the push rod 61 and rotatably connected to the armature 54.

[0055] As shown in Figures 1 to 10, in the illustrated embodiment, a notch 23a is formed on the front side of the partition plate 23 of the insulator 20, and the push rod 61 passes through the notch 23a in the partition plate 23 and is restrained at the notch 23a by a stopper 64 connected to the partition plate 23 to prevent the push rod 61 from falling out of the insulator 20.

[0056] FIG. 11 shows an explanatory perspective view of a movable terminal 3 of an electromagnetic relay according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 11, in the illustrated embodiment, the movable terminal 3 includes a single movable elastic piece 32, and the upper end of the fixed terminal 31 of the movable terminal 3 is L-shaped. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed terminal 31 includes a main body 310 extending in the height direction and a first connecting portion 311 whose one end is connected to the upper end of the main body 310 and extends in the left-right direction. The upper end of the main body 310 and the first connecting portion 311 form the L-shaped upper end of the fixed terminal 31. The movable elastic piece 32 includes a fixed end 321 and a cantilever portion 320. The fixed end 321 of the movable elastic piece 32 is bent perpendicularly to the cantilever portion 320 and fixed to the first connecting portion 311 of the main body 310. The cantilever portion 320 extends in the height direction from the fixed end 321. The bent portion 323 in the cantilever portion 320 is an arc-shaped portion protruding toward the main body 310 of the fixed terminal 31. The movable contact 33 is riveted to the free end of the cantilever portion 320 .

[0058] FIG. 12 shows an explanatory perspective view of a movable terminal 3 of an electromagnetic relay according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 12, in the illustrated embodiment, the movable terminal 3 includes a single movable elastic piece 32, and the upper end of the fixed terminal 31 of the movable terminal 3 is L-shaped. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed terminal 31 includes a main body 310 extending in the height direction and a first connecting portion 311 whose one end is connected to the upper end of the main body 310 and extends in the left-right direction. The upper end of the main body 310 and the first connecting portion 311 form the L-shaped upper end of the fixed terminal 31. The movable elastic piece 32 includes a fixed end 321 and a cantilever portion 320. The fixed end 321 of the movable elastic piece 32 is bent perpendicularly to the cantilever portion 320 and fixed to the first connecting portion 311 of the main body 310. The cantilever portion 320 extends in the height direction from the fixed end 321. The bent portion 323 in the cantilever portion 320 has a slope shape that extends obliquely toward the main body 310 of the fixed terminal 31. The movable contact 33 is riveted to the free end of the cantilever portion 320 .

[0060] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive. For example, those skilled in the art can make many modifications to the above embodiments without any contradiction in structure or principle, and can freely combine various features described in different embodiments with each other.

[0061] While several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

[0062] As used herein, elements described in the singular and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding a plurality of said elements or steps, unless expressly stated to the contrary. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or elements having a particular characteristic may include additional such elements that do not have that characteristic.

Claims

1. It is an electromagnetic relay, The aforementioned electromagnetic relay is - A housing (10) having a top wall and bottom opening on opposite sides in the height direction, a front side wall (11) and a rear side wall (12) on opposite sides in the front-rear direction, and a left side wall (13) and a right side wall (14) on opposite sides in the left-right direction, - An insulator (20) housed in the housing (10), having a plurality of chambers (201) formed therein that open toward the front side wall (11) of the housing (10) and arranged in a row along the left-right direction, - A plurality of stationary terminals (4) fixedly installed in the plurality of chambers (201) of the insulator (20), - Multiple movable terminals (3) are installed in each of the multiple chambers (201) for electrical contact with the multiple static terminals (4), Equipped with, The insulator (20) has a partition plate (23) positioned between two adjacent chambers (201), and ribs (111) are formed on the inner wall surface of the front side wall (11) of the housing (10). The front side of the partition plate (23) is in contact with the inner wall surface of the front side wall (11) of the housing (10), and the side of the rib (111) is in contact with the left or right side of the partition plate (23) so as to electrically isolate the two adjacent chambers (201) from each other. Electromagnetic relay.

2. The aforementioned movable terminal (3) is - A fixed terminal (31) is fixed to the insulator (20) and is in contact with the left or right side of the partition plate (23), - A movable elastic piece (32) having a fixed end (321) fixed to the upper end of the fixed terminal (31), and a cantilever portion (320) extending downward from the fixed end (321), - A movable contact (33) fixed to the free end of the cantilever portion (320), Equipped with, The front side of the partition plate (23) protrudes forward from the fixed terminal (31) over a predetermined distance, and the top surface of the rib (111) is in contact with the front side of the fixed terminal (31). The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1.

3. The insulator (20) has a bottom plate (21), a top plate (22), a left plate, a right plate, and a rear plate (24) surrounding the internal cavity, and the partition plate (23) separates the internal cavity of the insulator (20) into the plurality of chambers (201). The rear side of the fixing terminal (31) is in contact with the rear plate (24) of the insulator (20) so that the fixing terminal (31) is fixed between the rib (111) and the rear plate (24) in the front-rear direction. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 2.

4. The lower part of the rear plate (24) of the insulator (20) is open, and the outer surface of the rear plate (24) is in contact with the inner wall surface of the rear side wall (12) of the housing (10) so as to electrically isolate the two adjacent chambers (201) from each other. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned stationary terminal (4) is - The terminal body (42) is fixed to the insulator (20), - A stationary contact (43) fixed to one end of the terminal body (42) and facing the movable contact (33), Equipped with, The movable elastic piece (32) is adapted to move between a closed position in which the movable contact (33) is electrically in contact with the stationary contact (43) and an open position in which the movable contact (33) is electrically separated from the stationary contact (43). The electromagnetic relay according to claim 2.

6. The insulator (20) has a fixed portion (231) positioned in the chamber (201), the fixed portion (231) facing the free end of the cantilever portion (320) of the movable elastic piece (32), and the terminal body (42) of the stationary terminal (4) is fixed to the fixed portion (231) of the insulator (20). The electromagnetic relay according to claim 5.

7. The upper end of the fixed terminal (31) is U-shaped, and the fixed terminal (31) is - The main body (310) extending in the height direction, - The first connecting portion (311) extending in the left-right direction, - A second connecting portion (312) extending downward in the height direction and Equipped with, One end of the first connecting portion (311) is connected to the upper end of the main body (310), and one end of the second connecting portion (312) is connected to the other end of the first connecting portion (311). The upper end of the main body (310), the first connecting portion (311), and the second connecting portion (312) constitute the U-shaped upper end of the fixed terminal (31). The fixed end (321) of the movable elastic piece (32) is fixed to the second connecting portion (312) of the fixed terminal (31). The electromagnetic relay according to claim 2.

8. The upper end of the fixed terminal (31) is L-shaped, and the fixed terminal (31) is - The main body (310) extending in the height direction, - A first connecting portion (311) having one end connected to the upper end of the main body (310) and extending in the left-right direction, Equipped with, The upper end of the main body (310) and the first connecting portion (311) constitute the L-shaped upper end of the fixed terminal (31). The fixed end (321) of the movable elastic piece (32) is fixed to the first connecting portion (311) of the fixed terminal (31). The electromagnetic relay according to claim 2.

9. The cantilever portion (320) of the movable elastic piece (32) has at least one bent portion (323), The at least one bent portion (323) is for increasing the elasticity of the cantilever portion (320) of the movable elastic piece (32) and for reducing the distance between the cantilever portion (320) of the movable elastic piece (32) and the main body (310) of the fixed terminal (31). The electromagnetic relay according to claim 7 or 8.

10. The bent portion (323) is an arc shape that protrudes toward the main body (310) of the fixed terminal (31), or a slope shape that extends diagonally toward the main body (310) of the fixed terminal (31). The electromagnetic relay according to claim 9.

11. The movable terminal (3) comprises a single movable elastic piece (32), or The movable terminal (3) comprises a plurality of movable elastic pieces (32', 32'') stacked on top of each other. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 9.

12. The movable elastic piece (32) comprises a first movable elastic piece (32') and a second movable elastic piece (32'') which are stacked on top of each other. The fixed ends (321', 321'') of the first movable elastic piece (32') and the second movable elastic piece (32'') are fixed to the fixed terminal (31). The free ends of the first movable elastic piece (32') and the second movable elastic piece (32'') are fixed to each other by the movable contact (33). The electromagnetic relay according to claim 9.

13. The first movable elastic piece (32') is closer to the main body (310) of the fixed terminal (31) than the second movable elastic piece (32''), The bent portions (323', 323'') of the first movable elastic piece (32') and the second movable elastic piece (32'') are arc-shaped and protrude toward the main body (310) of the fixed terminal (31). The radius of the bent portion (323') of the first movable elastic piece (32') is greater than the radius of the bent portion (323'') of the second movable elastic piece (32''), and the bent portion (323'') of the second movable elastic piece (32'') is housed within the bent portion (323') of the first movable elastic piece (32'). The electromagnetic relay according to claim 12.

14. The fixed end (321) of the movable elastic piece (32) is riveted or welded to the upper end of the fixed terminal (31). The movable contact (33) is riveted or welded to the free end of the movable elastic piece (32) and protrudes toward the stationary contact (43) of the stationary terminal (4). The stationary contact (43) of the stationary terminal (4) is riveted or welded to one end of the terminal body (42) of the stationary terminal (4). The electromagnetic relay according to claim 5.

15. The lower end portion (313) of the main body (310) of the fixed terminal (31) and the lower end portion (423) of the terminal body (42) of the stationary terminal (4) pass through the bottom plate (21) of the insulator (20) and are exposed through the bottom opening of the housing (10). The electromagnetic relay according to claim 5.

16. A drive device housed in the housing (10) and mounted on the insulator (20) is used to drive the movable elastic piece (32) of the movable terminal (3) to move between the closed position and the open position. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 5, further comprising:

17. The drive device is - The coil bobbin (51) is fixed to the insulator (20), - The coil (50) is wound around the coil bobbin (51), - A magnetic core (52) housed in the coil bobbin (51) and passing through the coil (50), - A yoke (53) fixed to the coil bobbin (51) and connected to one end of the magnetic core (52), - An armature (54) is movably mounted on the yoke (53), facing the other end of the magnetic core (52), and is adapted to rotate between an initial position and an end position. - A connecting spring piece (55) elastically connects the armature (54) to the yoke (53), - A pressing member (60) is movably mounted on the insulator (20) and connected to the armature (54), Equipped with, When the coil (50) is energized, the armature (54) moves to the terminal position under the action of electromagnetic force, and simultaneously drives the multiple movable elastic pieces (32) to the closed position via the pushing member (60). When the coil (50) is de-energized, the armature (54) rotates to the initial position under the elastic restoring force of the connecting spring piece (55), simultaneously driving the multiple movable elastic pieces (32) to the open position via the pushing member (60). The electromagnetic relay according to claim 16.

18. The pressing member (60) is - A push rod (61) is movably attached to the insulator (20), - A plurality of pushing parts (63) connected to the push rod (61), each having a slot that allows the movable elastic piece (32) to pass through, - A connecting portion (62) is positioned at one end of the push rod (61) and is rotatably connected to the armature (54), Equipped with, The electromagnetic relay according to claim 17.

19. A notch (23a) is formed on the front side of the partition plate (23) of the insulator (20), and the push rod (61) passes through the notch (23a) in the partition plate (23) and is restricted at the notch (23a) by a stopper (64) connected to the partition plate (23). The electromagnetic relay according to claim 18.

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