Electromagnetic relay

Abstract

To reduce the size of an electromagnetic relay.SOLUTION: An electromagnetic relay comprises a transmission line base, a movable contact piece, a coil block, and a movable block. The transmission line base includes a first transmission line and a second transmission line. The movable contact piece includes a joint part and a contact point part. The joint part is joined to the first transmission line on the transmission line base. The contact point part has a single break structure and is arranged above the second transmission line. The coil block includes a coil. The movable block is operated by an electromagnetic force of the coil to move the movable contact piece between a connection position where it connects the first transmission line and the second transmission line to each other and a cut-off position where it cuts off the connection between the first transmission line and the second transmission line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electromagnetic relay. [Background technology]

[0002] There are electromagnetic relays for switching high frequency signals. The electromagnetic relay in Patent Document 1 includes a movable contact piece, a fixed terminal, a movable block, and an electromagnet block. The electromagnet block includes a coil and generates an electromagnetic force that operates the movable block. The movable block presses the movable contact piece to bring the movable contact piece into contact with the fixed terminal. The electromagnetic relay is mounted on a transmission line base. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP2003-51234A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for further miniaturization of the above-mentioned electromagnetic relay. An object of the present invention is to achieve a miniaturization of the electromagnetic relay.

[0005] An electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present invention includes a transmission line base, a movable contact piece, a coil block, and a movable block. The transmission line base includes a first transmission line and a second transmission line. The movable contact piece includes a joint portion and a contact portion. The joint portion is joined to the first transmission line on the transmission line base. The contact portion has a single-break structure and is disposed above the second transmission line. The coil block includes a coil. The movable block is operated by electromagnetic force of the coil to move the movable contact piece between a connection position that connects the first transmission line and the second transmission line and a disconnection position that disconnects the first transmission line and the second transmission line.

[0006] In the electromagnetic relay according to this embodiment, one end of the movable contact piece is joined to the first transmission line of the transmission line base, so that the contact portion is disposed in a position close to the transmission line base. This allows the electromagnetic relay to be made smaller in size in the height direction of the electromagnetic relay. In addition, since the contact portion has a single-break structure, the contact pressure of the contact portion can be ensured with a smaller electromagnetic force than in the case of a double-break structure. This allows the coil block to be made smaller. As a result, the electromagnetic relay can be made smaller.

[0007] The transmission line base may further include an RF line for passing an RF signal and a DC line for passing a DC signal. The RF line may include a first transmission line and a second transmission line. The DC line may be connected to either the first transmission line or the second transmission line. In this case, the use of the electromagnetic relay is expanded.

[0008] The RF signal may be cut off at the DC line by a low-pass filter connected to the DC line.

[0009] The movable contact piece may extend linearly between the first transmission line and the second transmission line, which provides stable high frequency characteristics. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the electromagnetic relay can be made smaller. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a transmission line base. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a top view of the transmission line base. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of the base assembly and the stand as viewed from below. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the base assembly as viewed from below. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay in an open state. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay in a closed state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An electromagnetic relay according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The electromagnetic relay according to the present embodiment is used to switch between a high-frequency RF signal and a low-frequency DC signal.

[0013] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of an electromagnetic relay 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electromagnetic relay 1 includes a case 2, a transmission line base 3, a base assembly 4, and a stand 5. Note that the case 2 is omitted in Figure 2. In the following description, the direction in which the base assembly 4 and the stand 5 are arranged with respect to the transmission line base 3 is defined as the upper side, and the opposite direction is defined as the lower side.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the case 2 is attached to the transmission line base 3. The case 2 covers the upper surface of the transmission line base 3, the base assembly 4, and the stand 5. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electromagnetic relay 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the electromagnetic relay 1 includes a first movable contact piece 6A, a second movable contact piece 6B, and a shield plate 7. The first movable contact piece 6A, the second movable contact piece 6B, and the shield plate 7 are disposed on the transmission line base 3.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the transmission line base 3. In FIG. 4, the shield plate 7 is omitted. The transmission line base 3 is a printed circuit board. However, the transmission line base 3 may be a ceramic board, a resin molded product, a metal molded product, an FPC (flexible printed circuit board), or an MID (molded circuit component). As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission line base 3 includes first to fourth conductor layers 11-14 and first to third dielectric layers 15-17. The first to fourth conductor layers 11-14 are made of a material having electrical conductivity such as copper. The first to third dielectric layers 15-17 are made of a dielectric material. The first to fourth conductor layers 11-14 and the first to third dielectric layers 15-17 are alternately stacked with each other.

[0016] The first conductor layer 11 is provided on the upper surface of the transmission line base 3. Fig. 5 is a top view of the transmission line base 3. Note that the shield plate 7 and the movable contact pieces 6A and 6B are omitted in Fig. 5. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the first conductor layer 11 is provided with a first RF line 21A, a second RF line 21B, a first DC line 22A, a second DC line 22B, and a ground line 23.

[0017] The first RF line 21A and the second RF line 21B are transmission lines for transmitting an RF signal. The first RF line 21A includes a first transmission line 24A and a second transmission line 25A. The first transmission line 24A and the second transmission line 25A are arranged apart from each other. The first transmission line 24A and the second transmission line 25A are electrically isolated from each other. The first transmission line 24A is connected to a first input terminal 26A. The second transmission line 25A is connected to a first RF terminal 27A. The first input terminal 26A and the first RF terminal 27A are through-hole terminals provided on the end surface of the transmission line base 3.

[0018] The second RF line 21B includes a third transmission line 24B and a fourth transmission line 25B. The third transmission line 24B and the fourth transmission line 25B are arranged apart from each other. The third transmission line 24B and the fourth transmission line 25B are electrically isolated from each other. The third transmission line 24B is connected to a second input terminal 26B. The fourth transmission line 25B is connected to a second RF terminal 27B. The second input terminal 26B and the second RF terminal 27B are through-hole terminals provided on the end surface of the transmission line base 3.

[0019] The first DC line 22A and the second DC line 22B are transmission lines for passing a DC signal. The first DC line 22A is connected to a first transmission line 24A. A first inductor 28A and a first capacitor 29A are arranged on the first DC line 22A. In the drawings, only a part of the first inductor 28A is labeled with a reference symbol 28A, and the reference symbols of the other first inductors 28A are omitted.

[0020] The first DC line 22A is connected to the first DC terminal 30A between the first inductor 28A and the first capacitor 29A. The first DC terminal 30A is a through-hole terminal provided on an end surface of the transmission line base 3. The first DC line 22A, the first inductor 28A, and the first capacitor 29A function as a low-pass filter that cuts RF signals. DC signals pass through the first inductor 28A and the first DC line 22A. The first inductor 28A and the first capacitor 29A are set to cut high-frequency signals of, for example, 1 kHz or higher.

[0021] The second DC line 22B is connected to the third transmission line 24B. A second inductor 28B and a second capacitor 29B are disposed on the second DC line 22B. Note that in the drawing, only a portion of the second inductor 28B is labeled with the reference symbol 28B, and the reference symbols of the other second inductors 28B are omitted.

[0022] The second DC line 22B is connected to the second DC terminal 30B between the second inductor 28B and the second capacitor 29B. The second DC terminal 30B is a through-hole terminal provided on an end surface of the transmission line base 3. The second DC line 22B, the second inductor 28B, and the second capacitor 29B function as a low-pass filter that cuts RF signals. The DC signal passes through the second inductor 28B and the second DC line 22B. The second inductor 28B and the second capacitor 29B are set to cut high-frequency signals of, for example, 1 kHz or higher.

[0023] The second to fourth conductor layers 12-14 are ground layers. The second conductor layer 12 is disposed below the first conductor layer 11. The second conductor layer 12 is laminated on the first conductor layer 11 via a first dielectric layer 15. The third conductor layer 13 is laminated on the second conductor layer 12 via a second dielectric layer 16. The fourth conductor layer 14 is laminated on the third conductor layer 13 via a third dielectric layer 17.

[0024] A plurality of through-hole terminals 31 are provided on an end face of the transmission line base 3. In the drawings, only some of the through-hole terminals 31 are labeled with the reference numeral 31, and the reference numerals of the other through-hole terminals 31 are omitted. The through-hole terminals 31 connect the above-mentioned ground line 23 and the second to fourth conductor layers 12-14.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 4, the first movable contact piece 6A and the second movable contact piece 6B are disposed on the transmission line base 3. The first movable contact piece 6A and the second movable contact piece 6B are disposed above the first conductor layer 11. The first movable contact piece 6A extends linearly between the first transmission line 24A and the second transmission line 25A. The first movable contact piece 6A is disposed above the first RF line 21A.

[0026] The first movable contact piece 6A includes a first joint portion 32A, a first contact portion 33A, and a first intermediate portion 34A. The first joint portion 32A is a fixed end. The first joint portion 32A is joined to the first transmission line 24A. The first joint portion 32A is joined to the first transmission line 24A by a joining means such as welding or soldering. The first contact portion 33A is a free end. The first contact portion 33A is disposed above the second transmission line 25A. The first intermediate portion 34A is located between the first joint portion 32A and the first contact portion 33A. The first intermediate portion 34A extends in a substantially straight line parallel to the first transmission line 24A and the second transmission line 25A. The first contact portion 33A has a single break structure.

[0027] As described later, the first movable contact piece 6A is movable between a connection position and a disconnection position. When the first movable contact piece 6A is in the connection position, the first contact portion 33A contacts the second transmission line 25A. This causes the first movable contact piece 6A to connect the first transmission line 24A and the second transmission line 25A. When the first movable contact piece 6A is in the disconnection position, the first contact portion 33A separates from the second transmission line 25A. This causes the first movable contact piece 6A to disconnect the first transmission line 24A and the second transmission line 25A.

[0028] The second movable contact piece 6B is disposed above the second RF line 21B. The second movable contact piece 6B includes a second joint portion 32B, a second contact portion 33B, and a second intermediate portion 34B. The second joint portion 32B is joined to the third transmission line 24B by a joining means such as welding or soldering. The second contact portion 33B is disposed above the fourth transmission line 25B. The second intermediate portion 34B is located between the second joint portion 32B and the second contact portion 33B. The second intermediate portion 34B extends in a substantially straight line parallel to the third transmission line 24B and the fourth transmission line 25B. The second contact portion 33B has a single-break structure.

[0029] Like the first movable contact piece 6A, the second movable contact piece 6B is movable between a connection position and a disconnection position. When the second movable contact piece 6B is in the connection position, the second contact portion 33B contacts the fourth transmission line 25B. As a result, the second movable contact piece 6B connects the third transmission line 24B and the fourth transmission line 25B. When the second movable contact piece 6B is in the disconnection position, the second contact portion 33B separates from the fourth transmission line 25B. As a result, the second movable contact piece 6B disconnects the third transmission line 24B and the fourth transmission line 25B.

[0030] The shield plate 7 is disposed on the transmission line base 3. The shield plate 7 is made of a conductive material. The shield plate 7 is disposed above the first contact portion 33A and the second contact portion 33B. The shield plate 7 is connected to the ground line 23. The shield plate 7 improves the isolation characteristics between the first RF line 21A and the second RF line 21B.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the base assembly 4 and the stand 5 as viewed from below. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the base assembly 4 as viewed from below. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the base assembly 4. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the electromagnetic relay 1. As shown in Figs. 6 to 9, the base assembly 4 includes a coil base 40, a coil block 41, and a movable block 42.

[0032] The coil block 41 includes a coil 43, a spool 44, and an iron core 45. The coil 43 is wound around the spool 44. The iron core 45 is disposed within the coil 43. The iron core 45 includes an intermediate portion 46, a first attraction portion 47, and a second attraction portion 48. The intermediate portion 46 is disposed within the coil 43 and extends in the axial direction of the coil 43. The first attraction portion 47 protrudes from the coil 43 in the axial direction of the coil 43. The first attraction portion 47 is disposed facing downward. The second attraction portion 48 protrudes from the coil 43 in the opposite direction to the first attraction portion 47 in the axial direction of the coil 43. The second attraction portion 48 is disposed facing downward.

[0033] The movable block 42 is operated by the electromagnetic force of the coil 43 to move the first movable contact piece 6A and the second movable contact piece 6B between the connection position and the disconnection position. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the movable block 42. As shown in Fig. 10, the movable block 42 includes an iron piece 50, a first hinge spring 51, a second hinge spring 52, a permanent magnet 53, a card 54, and a movable insulating base 55.

[0034] The iron piece 50 is supported by a movable insulating stand 55. The iron piece 50 includes a first end 56 and a second end 57. The first end 56 protrudes from the movable insulating stand 55 in the axial direction of the coil 43. The first end 56 is disposed below the first attraction portion 47 of the iron core 45 and faces the first attraction portion 47. The second end 57 protrudes from the movable insulating stand 55 in the opposite direction to the first end 56 in the axial direction of the coil 43. The second end 57 is disposed below the second attraction portion 48 of the iron core 45 and faces the second attraction portion 48.

[0035] The first hinge spring 51 is supported by the movable insulating base 55. The first hinge spring 51 protrudes from the movable insulating base 55 toward one side of the movable insulating base 55. The second hinge spring 52 is supported by the movable insulating base 55. The second hinge spring 52 protrudes from the movable insulating base 55 toward the other side of the movable insulating base 55. The permanent magnet 53 is attached to the upper surface of the movable insulating base 55.

[0036] The card 54 is supported by the movable insulating base 55. The card 54 protrudes downward from the movable insulating base 55. The card 54 is disposed above the first movable contact piece 6A and the second movable contact piece 6B. In detail, the card 54 is disposed above the first intermediate portion 34A of the first movable contact piece 6A and the second intermediate portion 34B of the second movable contact piece 6B. The card 54 is connected to the lower surface of the first end portion 56 of the iron piece 50. The card 54 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the first end portion 56.

[0037] The movable insulating stand 55 is supported so as to be able to swing with respect to the coil base 40. As shown in FIG. 8, the coil base 40 includes support protrusions 58 and 59. As shown in FIG. 10, the movable insulating stand 55 includes support holes 60 and 61. The support protrusions 58 and 59 are disposed in the support holes 60 and 61, and support the movable insulating stand 55 so as to be able to swing. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the coil base 40 includes a first support recess 62 and a second support recess 63. The first hinge spring 51 is disposed in the first support recess 62. The first hinge spring 51 is connected to the coil base 40 at the first support recess 62. The second hinge spring 52 is disposed in the second support recess 63. The second hinge spring 52 is connected to the coil base 40 at the second support recess 63. The movable insulating base 55 is supported by the coil base 40 so as to be swingable about the first hinge spring 51 and the second hinge spring 52 .

[0038] The stand 5 is disposed above the transmission line base 3 and supports the base assembly 4. In detail, the stand 5 supports the coil base 40. The coil block 41 is supported by the stand 5 via the coil base 40. The movable block 42 is supported by the stand 5 via the coil base 40. The stand 5 includes a frame 70 and a plurality of legs 71-74. As shown in FIG. 6, the frame 70 has an opening 75 in the center. The movable block 42 is disposed in the opening 75 of the frame 70. The card 54 extends downward through the opening 75.

[0039] The multiple legs 71-74 protrude downward from the frame 70. The multiple legs 71-74 each include a flat bottom surface 76-79. In detail, the multiple legs 71-74 include a first leg 71, a second leg 72, a third leg 73, and a fourth leg 74. The first to fourth legs 74 are disposed at the corners of the frame 70, respectively.

[0040] Next, the operation of the electromagnetic relay 1 will be described. FIG. 9 shows the electromagnetic relay 1 in an open state. When no current flows through the coil 43, the coil 43 is not excited, and the iron piece 50 is not attracted to the iron core 45. Due to the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 53, the first end 56 of the iron piece 50 is attracted to the first attraction portion 47 of the iron core 45 and is in contact with the first attraction portion 47. Therefore, the card 54 is separated from the first movable contact piece 6A and the second movable contact piece 6B, and the first movable contact piece 6A and the second movable contact piece 6B are each located at the disconnection position. Therefore, in the first RF line 21A, the first transmission line 24A and the second transmission line 25A are disconnected from each other. Also, in the second RF line 21B, the third transmission line 24B and the fourth transmission line 25B are disconnected from each other. In addition, in the interrupting position, the first movable contact piece 6A and the second movable contact piece 6B contact the insulating layer 20 arranged on the lower surface of the shield plate .

[0041] When a current flows through the coil 43, the electromagnetic relay 1 is in a closed state as shown in FIG. 11. When the electromagnetic relay 1 is in a closed state, the second end 57 of the iron piece 50 is attracted to the second attraction portion 48 of the iron core 45 by the electromagnetic force of the coil 43 and rises. This causes the iron piece 50 to swing and the first end 56 to fall. The card 54 falls together with the first end 56 and presses the first movable contact piece 6A and the second movable contact piece 6B, thereby moving the first movable contact piece 6A and the second movable contact piece 6B to their respective contact positions. This causes the first transmission line 24A and the second transmission line 25A to be connected to each other in the first RF line 21A. Also, the third transmission line 24B and the fourth transmission line 25B to be connected to each other in the second RF line 21B.

[0042] When the current to the coil 43 is interrupted, the iron piece 50 rotates in the opposite direction due to the spring reaction force of the first movable contact piece 6A, the second movable contact piece 6B, the first hinge spring 51, and the second hinge spring 52, and the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 53, so that the second end 57 descends and separates from the second attraction portion 48, and the first end 56 rises. The card 54 rises together with the first end 56 and separates from the first movable contact piece 6A and the second movable contact piece 6B. As a result, the first movable contact piece 6A and the second movable contact piece 6B return to their respective disconnected positions due to the elastic forces of the first movable contact piece 6A and the second movable contact piece 6B. As a result, the first transmission line 24A and the second transmission line 25A are disconnected from each other in the first RF line 21A. In the second RF line 21B, the third transmission line 24B and the fourth transmission line 25B are isolated from each other.

[0043] For example, when an RF signal is input to the first input terminal 26A and the second input terminal 26B of the electromagnetic relay 1, the electromagnetic relay 1 is closed. In this case, the first transmission line 24A and the second transmission line 25A are connected to each other, and the third transmission line 24B and the fourth transmission line 25B are connected to each other. Therefore, the RF signal is output from the first input terminal 26A through the first RF line 21A to the first RF terminal 27A. Also, the RF signal is output from the second input terminal 26B through the second RF line 21B to the second RF terminal 27B. On the other hand, the RF signal is cut at the first DC line 22A and the second DC line 22B, respectively, and therefore the RF signal is prevented from being output from the first and second DC terminals 30B.

[0044] When a DC signal is input to the first input terminal 26A and the second input terminal 26B of the electromagnetic relay 1, the electromagnetic relay 1 is opened. In this case, the first transmission line 24A and the second transmission line 25A are disconnected from each other, and the third transmission line 24B and the fourth transmission line 25B are disconnected from each other. Therefore, the DC signal is output from the first input terminal 26A through the first DC line 22A without passing through the first RF line 21A, and from the first DC terminal 30A. The DC signal is output from the second input terminal 26B through the second DC line 22B without passing through the second RF line 21B, and from the second DC terminal 30B. This prevents the DC signal from flowing to the first movable contact piece 6A and the second movable contact piece 6B.

[0045] In the above-described electromagnetic relay 1, one end of the first movable contact piece 6A is joined to the first transmission line 24A of the transmission line base 3, so that the first contact portion 33A is disposed at a position close to the transmission line base 3. This allows the electromagnetic relay 1 to be downsized in the vertical direction. In addition, since the first contact portion 33A has a single-break structure, the contact pressure of the first contact portion 33A can be ensured with a smaller electromagnetic force than in the case of a double-break structure. This allows the coil block 41 to be downsized. As a result, the electromagnetic relay 1 can be downsized.

[0046] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0047] The configuration of the transmission line base 3 is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be modified. The configuration of the transmission lines of the transmission line base 3 is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be modified. For example, the second RF line 21B and the second DC line 22B may be omitted. The configuration of the terminals of the transmission line base 3 is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be modified. For example, the second output terminal 26B, the second RF terminal 27B, and the second DC terminal 30B may be omitted. A signal may be passed in the opposite direction to that of the above embodiment. The configuration of the base assembly 4 is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be modified. For example, the stand 5 is not limited to being separate from the coil base 40, and may be integrated with it.

[0048] The first DC line 22A of the transmission line base 3 may be configured to be connected to the second transmission line 25A. The second DC line 22B of the transmission line base 3 may be configured to be connected to the fourth transmission line 25B.

[0049] The coil block 41 may be of a solenoid type. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 3: transmission line base, 6A: first movable contact piece, 11: first conductor layer, 12: second conductor layer, 21A: first RF line, 22A: first DC line, 24A: first transmission line, 25A: second transmission line, 32A: joint, 41: coil block, 42: movable block, 43: coil

Claims

1. a transmission line base including a first transmission line and a second transmission line; a movable contact piece including a joint portion joined to the first transmission line on the transmission line base and a contact portion having a single break structure disposed above the second transmission line; A coil block including a coil; The coil is operated by an electromagnetic force to switch between a connection position where the first transmission line and the second transmission line are connected and a disconnection position where the first transmission line and the second transmission line are disconnected. a movable block that moves the contact portion of the movable contact piece; Equipped with Electromagnetic relay.

2. the transmission line base further includes an RF line for passing an RF signal and a DC line for passing a DC signal; the RF line includes the first transmission line and the second transmission line, The DC line is connected to one of the first transmission line and the second transmission line.

2. An electromagnetic relay as claimed in claim 1.

3. Further comprising a low pass filter connected to the DC line.

3. An electromagnetic relay as claimed in claim 2.

4. The movable contact piece extends linearly between the first transmission line and the second transmission line.

4. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 1.

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