Contact device

Abstract

To reduce risk of sticking between a fixed contact part and a movable contact part.SOLUTION: A contact device includes a fixed contact part F1, a movable contact part M1, and a movable contactor 13. The movable contact point M1 moves in a vertical direction and comes in contact with or separates from the fixed contact part F1. The movable contactor 13 is made of a metal. The movable contact part M1 is provided adjacent to a first edge 131 of the movable contactor 13. The movable contact part M1 has a first specified edge M11 that is closest to the first edge 131 of the movable contactor 13 in a top view. The first specified edge M11 is positioned between the first edge 131 of the movable contactor 13 and the fixed contact part F1 in a top view, in a closed state where the fixed contact part F1 and the movable contact part M1 are in contact.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a contact device, and more particularly to a contact device including a contact portion provided at an end of a metallic member. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electromagnetic relay.

[0003] The electromagnetic relay of Patent Document 1 includes a fixed contact holding member, a fixed contact, a movable leaf spring, a movable contact, an electromagnetic coil, a fixed iron core, and a movable iron piece. The fixed contact holding member is plate-shaped. The fixed contact is arranged so as to protrude from one side of the fixed contact holding member. The movable leaf spring is plate-shaped. The movable contact is arranged so as to protrude from one side of the movable leaf spring. The movable contact faces the fixed contact arranged on the fixed contact holding member. The electromagnetic coil generates an electromagnetic force when current is applied to it. The movable iron piece is arranged at a position facing the fixed iron core, and is attracted to the fixed iron core when current is applied to the coil.

[0004] In an electromagnetic relay, when electricity is applied to the electromagnetic coil, the electromagnetic force attracts the movable iron piece to the fixed core, causing the movable contact to abut against the fixed contact and closing the electrical circuit. On the other hand, when electricity is cut off from the electromagnetic coil, the elastic force of the movable leaf spring separates the movable contact from the fixed contact and opening the electrical circuit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-157904 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the electromagnetic relay described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the fixed contact and the movable contact may become stuck together due to the effect of an arc generated between the fixed contact and the movable contact.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to reduce the possibility of the fixed contact portion and the movable contact portion becoming stuck to each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A contact device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a fixed contact portion, a movable contact portion, and a movable member. The movable contact portion is in contact with or separated from the fixed contact portion in the up-down direction. The movable member is made of metal, and the movable contact portion is provided adjacent to a first end portion of the movable member. The movable contact portion has a first predetermined end portion closest to the first end portion of the movable member in a top view. The first predetermined end portion is located between the first end portion of the movable member and the fixed contact portion in a top view when the fixed contact portion and the movable contact portion are in contact with each other in a closed state.

[0009] A contact device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a fixed contact portion, a movable contact portion, and a fixed terminal. The movable contact portion is in contact with or separated from the fixed contact portion in the up-down direction. The fixed terminal is made of metal, and the fixed contact portion is provided adjacent to a first end of the fixed terminal. The fixed contact portion has a predetermined end portion closest to the first end of the fixed terminal in a top view. The predetermined end portion is located between the first end of the fixed terminal and the movable contact portion in a top view when the fixed contact portion and the movable contact portion are in contact with each other in a closed state. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, there is an advantage in that it is possible to reduce the possibility of the fixed contact portion and the movable contact portion becoming stuck to each other. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electromagnetic relay including a contact device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electromagnetic relay. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the electromagnetic relay. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of a main part of the electromagnetic relay. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the electromagnetic relay taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the electromagnetic relay taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a contact portion provided in the contact device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the movable contactor and the movable contacts included in the contact device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram seen from below, showing the positional relationship between a movable contactor, a movable contact, and a fixed contact provided in the contact device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an electromagnetic relay including the contact device of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the electromagnetic relay. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the electromagnetic relay. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a side view of a main part of the electromagnetic relay in an open state. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 10, showing the electromagnetic relay in an open state. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a side view of a main part of the electromagnetic relay in a closed state. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a front view of a main part of the electromagnetic relay in a closed state. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in FIG. 10, showing the electromagnetic relay in a closed state. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an arc generated in the electromagnetic relay. [Figure 19]FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram seen from below, illustrating the positional relationship between a movable spring, a movable contact, and a fixed contact provided in the contact device. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the fixed terminal, the fixed contact, and the movable contact included in the contact device of the first modified example. [Figure 21] Fig. 21A is a perspective view of a contact portion included in a contact device of a modified example, Fig. 21B is a side view of the contact portion included in the contact device, and Fig. 21C is a front view of the contact portion included in the contact device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The contact device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings described in the following embodiments are schematic drawings, and the ratios of sizes and thicknesses of the components in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0013] (1) Embodiment 1 A contact device 10 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0014] (1.1) Overall Structure The contact device 10 is a device that is inserted into an electric circuit to open or close the electric circuit. The electric circuit may be a DC circuit through which a direct current flows, or an AC circuit through which an alternating current flows.

[0015] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the contact device 10 of this embodiment includes a fixed contact portion F1 (hereinafter also referred to as the "first fixed contact portion F1"), a movable contact portion M1 (hereinafter also referred to as the "first movable contact portion M1"), a fixed terminal 11 (hereinafter also referred to as the "first fixed terminal 11"), and a movable contactor 13 (movable member).

[0016] The first movable contact portion M1 faces the first fixed contact portion F1 in one direction. The first movable contact portion M1 comes into contact with or separates from the first fixed contact portion F1 in the one direction. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the side where the first movable contact portion M1 is located with respect to the first fixed contact portion F1 is also referred to as "upper", and the opposite side is also referred to as "lower", and the direction in which the first movable contact portion M1 comes into contact with or separates from the first fixed contact portion F1 is also referred to as the "vertical direction". In other words, the movable contact portion (first movable contact portion) M1 comes into contact with or separates from the fixed contact portion (first fixed contact portion) F1 in the vertical direction. The movable contact portion M1 is located above the fixed contact portion F1 and comes into contact with the fixed contact portion F1 from above. In addition, in this disclosure, "viewed from above" means looking through each component (extracting the outline of each component) along the direction (up-down direction) in which the fixed contact portion (first fixed contact portion) F1 and the movable contact portion (first movable contact portion) M1 contact or separate from each other.

[0017] As shown in Figs. 3 to 6, the first fixed contact portion F1 is provided on the first fixed terminal 11. The first movable contact portion M1 is provided on the movable contactor 13. The movable contactor 13 is movable in the vertical direction. When the movable contactor 13 moves in the vertical direction relative to the first fixed terminal 11, the first movable contact portion M1 comes into contact with or is separated from the first fixed contact portion F1.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the contact device 10 further includes a second fixed contact portion F2, a second movable contact portion M2, and a second fixed terminal 12.

[0019] The second movable contact portion M2 is provided on the movable contactor 13. The second fixed contact portion F2 is provided on the second fixed terminal 12. The second movable contact portion M2 faces the second fixed contact portion F2 in the vertical direction. The second movable contact portion M2 contacts or separates from the second fixed contact portion F2 in the vertical direction. The second fixed terminal 12 is aligned with the first fixed terminal 11 in one direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the direction in which the first fixed terminal 11 and the second fixed terminal 12 are aligned is also referred to as the "left-right direction", the side where the first fixed terminal 11 is located with respect to the second fixed terminal 12 is also referred to as the "left", and the opposite side is also referred to as the "right". In addition, the direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is also referred to as the "front-rear direction". As shown in FIG. 3, the first fixed contact portion F1 is provided at the rear end of the first fixed terminal 11. In each figure referred to in the description of the embodiments, the up, down, front, back, left and right directions are indicated by virtual arrows; however, these directions are merely for the convenience of explaining the positional relationships between the components and do not limit the orientation, etc., of the contact device 10 when in use.

[0020] The contact device 10 of this embodiment constitutes at least a part of an electromagnetic relay 100. The electromagnetic relay 100 is a device that restores and closes electrical contacts by electrical control in order to open and close an electrical circuit. The electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment is a hinge-type relay. The electromagnetic relay 100 is used for applications such as solar power generation systems, UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), inverters, and vehicles. In the following, for convenience of explanation, elements constituting the contact device 10 and elements constituting the parts of the electromagnetic relay 100 other than the contact device 10 will be explained separately, but some or all of the elements constituting the parts of the electromagnetic relay 100 other than the contact device 10 may be included in the contact device 10.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the electromagnetic relay 100 further includes, in addition to the contact device (main contact device) 10, an electromagnet device 20, an auxiliary contact device 30, and a housing 9.

[0022] (1.2) Electromagnetic device As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the electromagnetic device 20 includes a coil 21, an armature 22, a bobbin 23, an iron core 24, a yoke 25, and a pair of coil terminals .

[0023] The bobbin 23 is made of, for example, resin. As shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 6, the bobbin 23 has a cylindrical portion 230 (see Fig. 6), a first flange portion 231, and a second flange portion 232 which are integral with each other.

[0024] The tube portion 230 has a hollow cylindrical shape and extends in the front-rear direction.

[0025] The first flange 231 is a rectangular plate extending vertically and horizontally from the rear end edge of the tube portion 230. A first support base 233 is provided on the left side of the upper end of the first flange 231, and a second support base 234 is provided on the right side of the upper end of the first flange 231.

[0026] The second flange portion 232 is a rectangular plate extending vertically and horizontally from the front edge of the tube portion 230. A pair of holding grooves 235 for holding the pair of coil terminals 26, respectively, are provided on both left and right sides of the upper end of the second flange portion 232.

[0027] The coil 21 is formed by winding a conductive wire around the cylindrical portion 230 of the bobbin 23. A first end of the coil 21 is connected to one of a pair of coil terminals 26, and a second end of the coil 21 is connected to the other of the pair of coil terminals 26. Each coil terminal 26 integrally includes a connection piece 261 to which the coil 21 is connected, and a terminal piece 260.

[0028] The iron core 24 is made of a magnetic material. The iron core 24 is cylindrical and long along the front-rear direction. The iron core 24 is inserted into the space inside the tube portion 230 of the bobbin 23. A flange portion 241 is provided at the rear end of the iron core 24.

[0029] The yoke 25 is made of a magnetic material. The yoke 25 has a first yoke 251 and a second yoke 252 integrally. The first yoke 251 is plate-shaped, and is located on the front surface of the second flange 232 of the bobbin 23, and is fixed to the front end of the iron core 24. The second yoke 252 is plate-shaped and extends rearward from the lower end of the first yoke 251, and covers the lower side surface of the coil 21 from below.

[0030] 3, protrusions 253 are formed on both the left and right ends of the rear end edge of the second yoke 252. Between the two left and right protrusions 253, a U-shaped recess 254 is formed.

[0031] The armature 22 is made of a magnetic material. The armature 22 has a first portion 221 and a second portion 222 integrally therewith. The first portion 221 is plate-shaped. The second portion 222 is plate-shaped. The first portion 221 and the second portion 222 intersect at a predetermined angle (obtuse angle). The armature 22 is formed into a substantially L-shape by the first portion 221 and the second portion 222. The armature 22 is disposed such that the front surface of the first portion 221 faces the rear surface of the flange portion 241 of the iron core 24 and the upper surface of the second portion 222 is located below the second yoke 252.

[0032] Recesses 223 are formed on the left and right edges of a portion of the first portion 221 near the lower end. The armature 22 is positioned with respect to the yoke 25 by the two protrusions 253 of the yoke 25 being positioned in the two recesses 223.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 5, a portion of the front surface of the first portion 221 of the armature 22 that connects the two recesses 223 comes into contact with the rear end of the recess 254 of the yoke 25. The armature 22 is rotatable about the contact portion with the yoke 25 as a rotation axis (fulcrum). The armature 22 is displaceable between a first position in which the first portion 221 is separated from the iron core 24 and a second position (see Figs. 4 and 5) in which the first portion 221 is closer to the iron core 24.

[0034] 3, a through hole 229 is formed in the armature 22 at a portion connecting the first portion 221 and the second portion 222. An L-shaped leaf spring 27 is disposed in the through hole 229. The return spring 27 applies an elastic force to the armature 22 in a direction that causes the armature 22 to assume the first position.

[0035] When the coil 21 is not energized, the armature 22 is in a first position in which the first portion 221 is separated from the iron core 24 due to the elastic force of the return spring 27. When a voltage is applied between the pair of coil terminals 26 to energize and excite the coil 21, the armature 22 rotates around the rotation axis such that the first portion 221 is attracted to the iron core 24 and moves forward. This causes the armature 22 to assume the second position. In this manner, the armature 22 is displaced between the first position and the second position depending on whether or not the coil 21 is energized.

[0036] (1.3) Contact device As described above, the contact device 10 includes the first fixed terminal 11, the second fixed terminal 12, and the movable contact 13.

[0037] 3 to 6, the first fixed terminal 11 is a plate-like shape with a thickness direction along the up-down direction. The first fixed terminal 11 extends in the front-rear direction. The first fixed terminal 11 integrally includes a rectangular plate-like fixed piece 111 and a terminal piece 110 protruding forward from a front edge of the fixed piece 111.

[0038] The second fixed terminal 12 is a plate-like shape with a thickness direction along the up-down direction. The second fixed terminal 12 extends in the front-rear direction. The second fixed terminal 12 integrally includes a rectangular plate-like fixed piece 121 and a terminal piece 120 that protrudes forward from a front edge of the fixed piece 121. The second fixed terminal 12 has a shape symmetrical to the first fixed terminal 11. The second fixed terminal 12 is disposed to the right of the first fixed terminal 11.

[0039] The movable contactor 13 is a plate-like member that is long in the left-right direction and whose thickness direction is along the up-down direction. As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the left end portion of the movable contactor 13 faces the right rear end portion of the first fixed terminal 11. The right end portion of the movable contactor 13 faces the left rear end portion of the second fixed terminal 12.

[0040] Each of the first fixed terminal 11, the second fixed terminal 12, and the movable contact 13 is made of a metal. The material of each of the first fixed terminal 11, the second fixed terminal 12, and the movable contact 13 is preferably highly conductive. The material of each of the first fixed terminal 11, the second fixed terminal 12, and the movable contact 13 is, for example, copper or a copper alloy. Examples of the copper alloy that is the material of the first fixed terminal 11 include phosphor bronze, Corson copper, tin-containing copper, brass, beryllium copper, magnesium copper, zirconia copper, and titanium copper. The material of the first fixed terminal 11, the material of the second fixed terminal 12, and the material of the movable contact 13 are the same in this embodiment, but are not limited to this and may be different.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the contact device 10 further includes a connecting body 141, a support body 142, and a connecting spring 143.

[0042] The connector 141 is in the form of a block that is long in the left-right direction. The connector 141 is joined to the armature 22 such that the front end portion of the second portion 222 of the armature 22 fits into the rear surface of the connector 141.

[0043] The support body 142 is in the form of a plate that is long in the front-rear direction. The thickness direction of the support body is along the up-down direction. The rear end of the support body 142 is embedded in the front surface of the connector 141 and is held by the connector 141.

[0044] The connecting spring 143 is a leaf spring that is long in the front-rear direction and whose thickness direction is along the up-down direction. The connecting spring 143 is disposed on the upper side of the support 142 (the side where the movable contactor 13 is located relative to the first fixed terminal 11) so that a rear portion of the connecting spring 143 overlaps with the support 142. The rear end of the connecting spring 143 is fixed to the support 142. The movable contactor 13 is fixed to the front end of the connecting spring 143.

[0045] The movable contact 13 is connected to the armature 22 via a connecting body 141, a support 142, and a connecting spring 143, and moves up and down in response to the displacement of the armature 22. The movable contact 13 is located relatively above when the armature 22 is in the first position, and is located relatively below when the armature 22 is in the second position (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the contact device 10 further includes a first fixed contact member 16, a first movable contact member 17, a second fixed contact member 18, and a second movable contact member 19.

[0047] The first fixed contact member 16 is held (fixed) by the first fixed terminal 11. The first fixed contact member 16 is fixed to a right rear end portion of a fixed piece 111 of the first fixed terminal 11. The first fixed contact member 16 is fixed to a portion of the first fixed terminal 11 facing the movable contactor 13.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first fixed contact member 16 has a head portion 161 and a body portion 162.

[0049] The head 161 is a portion of the first fixed contact member 16 that is exposed upward from the first fixed terminal 11. The head 161 is disk-shaped.

[0050] The body 162 is a portion that extends downward from the head 161. The body 162 is cylindrical. The material of the body 162 is, for example, copper. The body 162 is inserted into a through hole provided in the fixed piece 111 of the first fixed terminal 11. The first fixed contact member 16 is fixed to the fixed piece 111 of the first fixed terminal 11 by crimping, with the body 162 passing through the through hole. In this way, the first fixed contact member 16 is electrically connected to the first fixed terminal 11.

[0051] The head portion 161 of the first fixed contact member 16 functions as the above-mentioned first fixed contact portion F1.

[0052] The first movable contact member 17 is held (fixed) by the movable contactor 13. The first movable contact member 17 is fixed to the left end portion of the movable contactor 13. The first movable contact member 17 is fixed to a portion of the movable contactor 13 facing the first fixed terminal 11.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first movable contact member 17 has a head portion 171 and a body portion 172.

[0054] The head 171 is a portion of the first movable contact member 17 that is exposed downward from the movable contactor 13. The head 171 is disk-shaped.

[0055] The body 172 is a portion that extends upward from the head 171. The body 172 is cylindrical. The material of the body 172 is, for example, copper. The body 172 is inserted into a through hole provided at the left end of the movable contactor 13. The first movable contact member 17 is fixed to the movable contactor 13 by crimping with the body 172 passing through the through hole. In this way, the first movable contact member 17 is electrically connected to the movable contactor 13.

[0056] A head portion 171 of the first movable contact member 17 faces in the up-down direction the head portion 161 of the first fixed contact member 16. The head portion 171 of the first movable contact member 17 functions as the above-mentioned first movable contact portion M1.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 8, the first movable contact portion M1 is provided on the movable contactor 13 adjacent to the first end portion 131 of the movable contactor 13. In the present disclosure, "the first movable contact portion M1 is provided on the movable contactor 13 adjacent to the first end portion 131 of the movable contactor 13" means that the first movable contact portion M1 is provided on the movable contactor 13 so that the ratio of the predetermined distance L0 to the first distance L1 is within a predetermined range. The predetermined distance L0 is the distance between the first end portion 131 of the movable contactor 13 and the first predetermined end portion M11 of the first movable contact portion M1. The first distance L1 is the distance between the first predetermined end portion M11 and the second predetermined end portion M12 of the first movable contact portion M1. The first predetermined end portion M11 is the end portion of the first movable contact portion M1 that is closest to the first end portion 131 of the movable contactor 13 in a top view. The second predetermined end M12 is the end of the first movable contact portion M1 that is farthest from the first end 131 of the movable contactor 13 in a top view. For example, when the first movable contact portion M1 is disk-shaped, the first distance L1 is the diameter of the first movable contact portion M1. The upper limit of the predetermined range is, for example, one-half, one-third, or one-fifth. The lower limit of the predetermined range is, for example, one-hundredth, one-fiftieth, or one-twentieth.

[0058] The second fixed contact member 18 is held (fixed) by the second fixed terminal 12. The second fixed contact member 18 is fixed to the left rear end portion of the fixed piece 121 of the second fixed terminal 12. The second fixed contact member 18 is fixed to a portion of the second fixed terminal 12 facing the movable contactor 13.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, the second fixed contact member 18 has a head portion 181 and a body portion 182.

[0060] The head 181 is a portion of the second fixed contact member 18 that is exposed upward from the second fixed terminal 12. The head 181 is disk-shaped.

[0061] The body 182 is a portion that extends downward from the head 181. The body 182 is cylindrical. The material of the body 182 is, for example, copper. The body 182 is inserted into a through hole provided in the fixed piece 121 of the second fixed terminal 12. The second fixed contact member 18 is fixed to the second fixed terminal 12 by crimping with the body 182 passing through the through hole. In this way, the second fixed contact member 18 is electrically connected to the second fixed terminal 12.

[0062] The head portion 181 of the second fixed contact member 18 functions as the above-mentioned second fixed contact portion F2.

[0063] The second movable contact member 19 is held (fixed) by the movable contactor 13. The second movable contact member 19 is fixed to the right end portion of the movable contactor 13. The second movable contact member 19 is fixed to a portion of the movable contactor 13 facing the second fixed terminal 12.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 6, the second movable contact member 19 has a head portion 191 and a body portion 192.

[0065] The head portion 191 is a portion of the second movable contact member 19 that is exposed downward from the movable contactor 13. The head portion 191 is disk-shaped.

[0066] The body 192 is a portion that extends upward from the head 191. The body 192 is cylindrical. The material of the body 192 is, for example, copper. The body 192 is inserted into a through hole provided at the right end of the movable contactor 13. The second movable contact member 19 is fixed to the movable contactor 13 by crimping with the body 192 passing through the through hole. In this way, the second movable contact member 19 is electrically connected to the movable contactor 13.

[0067] A head portion 191 of the second movable contact member 19 faces in the up-down direction a head portion 181 of the second fixed contact member 18. The head portion 191 of the second movable contact member 19 functions as the above-mentioned second movable contact portion M2.

[0068] 8, the second movable contact portion M2 is provided on the movable contactor 13 adjacent to the second end portion 132 of the movable contactor 13. In this disclosure, "the second movable contact portion M2 is provided on the movable contactor 13 adjacent to the second end portion 132 of the movable contactor 13" means that the second movable contact portion M2 and the second end portion 132 have a positional relationship similar to the positional relationship between the first movable contact portion M1 and the first end portion 131.

[0069] In this embodiment, the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 are each disk-shaped, and the diameter of the first movable contact portion M1 is smaller than the diameter of the first fixed contact portion F1. The second fixed contact portion F2 and the second movable contact portion M2 are each disk-shaped, and the diameter of the second movable contact portion M2 is smaller than the diameter of the second fixed contact portion F2.

[0070] In the following, for ease of explanation, when there is no particular distinction between the first fixed contact portion F1, the first movable contact portion M1, the second fixed contact portion F2, and the second movable contact portion M2 (i.e., head 161 of the first fixed contact member 16, head 171 of the first movable contact member 17, head 181 of the second fixed contact member 18, and head 191 of the second movable contact member 19), they will also be referred to as "contact portion C1."

[0071] As shown in FIG. 7, the contact portion C1 includes a base member 101, a surface member 102, and a plated portion 103. The base member 101 and the surface member 102 are plated with a plating.

[0072] The base member 101 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The base member 101 is made of, for example, copper. The base member 101 may be formed integrally with the body portion 162 (172, 182, 192), for example.

[0073] The surface member 102 is formed in a dome shape. The surface member 102 covers the entire one surface 1011 (upper surface or lower surface) of the base member 101 facing the corresponding other contact part. The "corresponding other contact part" means a contact part facing the focused contact part C1 in the vertical direction. For example, if the focused contact part C1 is the first fixed contact part F1, it is the first movable contact part M1, and if the focused contact part C1 is the first movable contact part M1, it is the first fixed contact part F1. The surface member 102 may further cover a part or the whole of the side surface 1012 of the base member 101. The material of the surface member 102 is, for example, silver, a silver alloy, gold, or a gold alloy. The material of the surface member 102 is preferably a material that is less likely to be welded than the material of the base member 101.

[0074] The plated portion 103 is a plating that covers the exposed surface 1021 of the surface member 102. The plated portion 103 may cover the entire exposed surface 1021 of the surface member 102. The plated portion 103 may further cover a part or the whole of the side surface 1012 of the base member 101. The material of the plated portion 103 is, for example, silver or gold. It is preferable that the material of the plated portion 103 is a material that is less prone to welding than the material of the base member 101.

[0075] The contact portion C1 (each of the first fixed contact portion F1, the first movable contact portion M1, the second fixed contact portion F2, and the second movable contact portion M2) comes into contact with the corresponding other contact portion at the plated portion 103 or the surface member 102 (mainly the plated portion 103). In the contact portion C1, the material of the portion (the plated portion 103 or the surface member 102) that comes into contact with the corresponding other contact portion is different from the material of the metal member (the first fixed terminal 11, the second fixed terminal 12, or the movable contactor 13) to which the target contact portion C1 is fixed. Specifically, the material of the portion (the plated portion 103 or the surface member 102) that comes into contact with the first fixed contact portion F1 in the first movable contact portion M1 is different from the material of the movable contactor 13. In addition, the material of the portion (the plated portion 103 or the surface member 102) that comes into contact with the first movable contact portion M1 in the first fixed contact portion F1 is different from the material of the first fixed terminal 11. The same applies to the second fixed contact portion F2 and the second movable contact portion M2. It is preferable that the material of the portion of the contact portion C1 that comes into contact with the corresponding other contact portion is less susceptible to welding than the material of the metal member to which the contact portion C1 is fixed.

[0076] (1.4) Auxiliary contact device As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the auxiliary contact device 30 includes a card 31, an auxiliary fixed contact member 32, an auxiliary movable contact member 33, an auxiliary fixed terminal , an auxiliary movable terminal 35, and an auxiliary movable spring .

[0077] The card 31 is made of, for example, resin. The card 31 is fixed to the first portion 221 of the armature 22. The card 31 moves in the front-rear direction together with the first portion 221 of the armature 22 in response to the displacement of the armature 22. The card 31 is located relatively rearward when the armature 22 is in the first position, and is located relatively forward when the armature 22 is in the second position (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0078] The card 31 has a fixed portion 311 and a protrusion 312 integrally therewith.

[0079] The fixed portion 311 is a portion of the card 31 that is fixed to the armature 22. The fixed portion 311 is U-shaped and has claws at the front ends of the arms on both the left and right sides of the U. These claws of the fixed portion 311 are hooked onto the front surface of the first portion 221, thereby fixing the card 31 to the armature 22.

[0080] The protrusion 312 protrudes upward from the fixed portion 311. As shown in FIG.

[0081] The auxiliary fixed terminal 34 is made of a conductive metal. The auxiliary fixed terminal 34 is in the form of a substantially L-shaped plate. The auxiliary fixed terminal 34 integrally includes a first piece 341, a second piece 342, and a terminal piece 340. The first piece 341 is in the form of a plate that is long in the left-right direction, and the auxiliary fixed contact member 32 is provided at its left end. The second piece 342 is in the form of a plate that extends forward from the right end of the first piece 341. The terminal piece 340 extends forward from the front end of the second piece 342.

[0082] The auxiliary movable terminal 35 integrally includes a connection piece 351 and a terminal piece 350. The connection piece 351 is a plate that is long in the front-rear direction. The terminal piece 350 extends forward from the front end of the connection piece 351.

[0083] The auxiliary movable spring 36 is in the form of a plate that is long in the left-right direction. The left end of the auxiliary movable spring 36 is fixed to the rear end of the connection piece 351 of the auxiliary movable terminal 35. The auxiliary movable contact member 33 is provided at the right end of the auxiliary movable spring 36. The auxiliary movable contact member 33 faces the auxiliary fixed contact member 32 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the protrusion 312 of the card 31 is located in front of the auxiliary movable spring 36.

[0084] (1.5) Housing As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 9 includes a body 90 and a cover 99 .

[0085] 1 and 2, the cover 99 is box-shaped, more specifically, a hollow rectangular box with one side (front) open. The cover 99 is made of, for example, resin. The cover 99 has two rectangular engagement holes 991 each (four in total) at one end (front end) of the upper wall and the lower wall.

[0086] The body 90 is made of, for example, resin and holds the contact device 10, the electromagnet device 20, and the auxiliary contact device 30.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 3, the body 90 integrally includes a bottom wall portion 91, a peripheral wall portion 92, and a partition wall portion 93.

[0088] The bottom wall portion 91 has a rectangular plate shape with its thickness direction aligned in the front-rear direction.

[0089] The peripheral wall portion 92 has a rectangular frame shape that protrudes rearward from the outer periphery of the bottom wall portion 91 .

[0090] The partition wall portion 93 is a plate-like shape that is substantially U-shaped when viewed from the front. The partition wall portion 93 integrally includes a plate-like first wall portion 931 whose thickness direction is along the up-down direction, two second wall portions 932 extending upward from both the left and right ends of the first wall portion 931, and two third wall portions 933 extending from the upper ends of the two second wall portions 932 toward the peripheral wall portion 92 along the left-right direction. The partition wall portion 93 divides the space behind the bottom wall portion 91 into an upper first space and a lower second space. The coil 21 of the electromagnet device 20 is disposed in the first space. The contact device 10 is disposed in the second space. The coil 21 and the contact device 10 are spatially separated by the partition wall portion 93.

[0091] The body 90 has two engaging protrusions 921 (four in total) on each of the upper and lower surfaces of the peripheral wall portion 92. The cover 99 is joined to the body 90 by inserting the four engaging protrusions 29 of the body 90 into the four engaging holes 991 of the cover 99, respectively.

[0092] 1 and 2, terminal pieces 110 of the first fixed terminal 11, terminal pieces 120 of the second fixed terminal 12, terminal pieces 260 of the pair of coil terminals 26, terminal pieces 340 of the auxiliary fixed terminal 34, and terminal pieces 350 of the auxiliary movable terminal 35 protrude forward from the front surface of the body 90. These terminal pieces 110, 120, 260, 260, 340, 350 function as terminals connected to an external electric circuit.

[0093] (1.6) Operation of Electromagnetic Relays In the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, when the coil 21 is not energized, the spring force of the return spring 27 causes the armature 22 to assume a first position in which the first portion 221 is separated from the iron core 24. At this time, in the contact device 10, the movable contactor 13 is positioned relatively upward, and the first movable contact portion M1 and the second movable contact portion M2 are separated from the first fixed contact portion F1 and the second fixed contact portion F2, respectively (open state of the contact device 10). Therefore, the electric path (main electric path) between the first fixed terminal 11 and the second fixed terminal 12 is interrupted. On the other hand, in the auxiliary contact device 30, the protrusion 312 of the card 31 contacts the front surface of the auxiliary movable spring 36, pushing the auxiliary movable spring 36 backward. As a result, the auxiliary movable contact member 33 contacts the auxiliary fixed contact member 32. Therefore, an electric path (auxiliary electric path) is formed between the auxiliary fixed terminal 34 and the auxiliary movable terminal 35.

[0094] In the electromagnetic relay 100, when the coil 21 is energized and excited, the first portion 221 of the armature 22 is attracted to the iron core 24 by a magnetic force. As a result, the armature 22 is displaced to a second position (see Figs. 4 and 5) in which the first portion 221 approaches the iron core 24. At this time, in the contact device 10, the movable contactor 13 moves downward, and the first movable contact portion M1 and the second movable contact portion M2 come into contact with the first fixed contact portion F1 and the second fixed contact portion F2, respectively (closed state of the contact device 10). As a result, an electric path (main electric path) is formed between the first fixed terminal 11 and the second fixed terminal 12. At this time, the movable contactor 13 is pressed downward by the spring force of the connecting spring 143, so that the contact pressure of the first movable contact portion M1 and the second movable contact portion M2 against the first fixed contact portion F1 and the second fixed contact portion F2 is improved. Meanwhile, in the auxiliary contact device 30, the protrusion 312 of the card 31 is displaced forward and separated from the auxiliary movable spring 36. In the auxiliary movable spring 36, the right end of the auxiliary movable spring 36 is displaced forward by the spring force of the auxiliary movable spring 36. As a result, the auxiliary movable contact member 33 is separated from the auxiliary fixed contact member 32, and the electric path (auxiliary electric path) between the auxiliary fixed terminal 34 and the auxiliary movable terminal 35 is interrupted.

[0095] In the electromagnetic relay 100, when the current to the coil 21 is stopped, the iron core 24 is demagnetized, and the spring force of the return spring 27 displaces the armature 22 from the second position to the first position. At this time, in the contact device 10, the movable contactor 13 moves upward, and the first movable contact portion M1 and the second movable contact portion M2 move away from the first fixed contact portion F1 and the second fixed contact portion F2, respectively (open state of the contact device 10). Also, in the auxiliary contact device 30, the protrusion 312 of the card 31 displaces rearward, pushing up the front surface of the auxiliary movable spring 36 from front to rear, and bringing the auxiliary movable contact member 33 into contact with the auxiliary fixed contact member 32.

[0096] (1.7) Details of the contact device (main contact device) As described above, in the electromagnetic relay 100, when the contact device 10 is in the closed state, an electric path (main electric path) is formed between the first fixed terminal 11 and the second fixed terminal 12. When a voltage is applied between the first fixed terminal 11 and the second fixed terminal 12 in the closed state, a current flows in the main electric path.

[0097] In the electromagnetic relay 100, when current is flowing through the main electric circuit and the current to the coil 21 is cut off and the first movable contact M1 separates from the first fixed contact F1, an arc may occur between the first fixed contact F1 and the first movable contact M1. Also, in the electromagnetic relay 100, when current is flowing through the main electric circuit and the current to the coil 21 is cut off and the second movable contact M2 separates from the second fixed contact F2, an arc may occur between the second fixed contact F2 and the second movable contact M2.

[0098] Basically, the first arc occurs on the surface of the contact C1 at the point where the contact is in contact with the corresponding contact to the end when the contact is displaced from the closed state to the open state, and this point cannot be determined in general because it can vary depending on the shape of the surface of the contact. However, once an arc occurs, a Lorentz force caused by a magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the main electric circuit acts on the arc. Therefore, the arc moves along the surface of the contact C1 in the direction in which the Lorentz force acts. For example, when a current I1 flows from the first fixed terminal 11 through the movable contact 13 toward the second fixed terminal 12 as shown in FIG. 9, a leftward Lorentz force caused by a forward magnetic field generated by a rightward current I11 flowing through the movable contact 13 acts on an arc (upward current) generated between the first fixed contact F1 and the first movable contact M1. Also, when a current flows through the movable contact 13 in the opposite direction to the current I1, a leftward Lorentz force due to a backward magnetic field generated by a leftward current flowing through the movable contact 13 acts on the arc (downward current) generated between the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1. Therefore, the arc moves leftward on the surface of the first fixed contact portion F1 and the surface of the first movable contact portion M1, and reaches the left end of the first fixed contact portion F1 and the left end of the first movable contact portion M1. Since the arc has a characteristic of remaining at the edge portion, the arc between the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 continues to be generated mainly between the left end of the first fixed contact portion F1 and the left end of the first movable contact portion M1. Therefore, the left end portion of the first fixed contact portion F1 and the left end portion of the first movable contact portion M1 are prone to melting due to arcing, and adhesion due to melting of the contact portions is prone to occur between the left end portion of the first fixed contact portion F1 and the left end portion of the first movable contact portion M1.

[0099] In addition, when the arc reaches the movable contactor 13 beyond the end of the first movable contact portion M1, the movable contactor 13 may melt. In addition, when the arc reaches the first fixed terminal 11 beyond the end of the first fixed contact portion F1, the first fixed terminal 11 may melt. The metal material of the movable contactor 13 or the first fixed terminal 11 melted by the arc may adhere to the surface of the first movable contact portion M1 and / or the first fixed contact portion F1. The metal material adhered to the surface of the first movable contact portion M1 and / or the first fixed contact portion F1 may cause adhesion between the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1. In particular, when the arc reaches the end of the movable contactor 13 or the first fixed terminal 11 (for example, the first end portion 131 of the movable contactor 13), the arc continues to act on the edge portion at the boundary between the main surface and the side surface of the movable contactor 13 or the first fixed terminal 11, so that the movable contactor 13 or the first fixed terminal 11 is likely to melt. Therefore, when an arc reaches an end of the movable contactor 13 or the first fixed terminal 11, the movable contactor 13 or the first fixed terminal 11 is likely to melt, and the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 are likely to become stuck together. Note that, in this disclosure, "sticking" refers to a state in which the contact portions remain in contact and harden due to the welding of the contact material or other materials (e.g., the movable contactor 13, the fixed terminal 11, etc.) between the contact portions.

[0100] Therefore, in order to reduce the possibility of the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 becoming stuck to each other, the contact device 10 of the present embodiment employs the following structure.

[0101] Specifically, in the contact device 10 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, the first movable contact portion M1 is provided on the movable contactor 13 so as to be adjacent to the first end portion 131 of the movable contactor 13 (movable member). The first movable contact portion M1 has a first predetermined end portion M11 that is closest to the first end portion 131 of the movable contactor 13 in a top view. As shown in Fig. 9, in the closed state, the first predetermined end portion M11 is located between the first end portion 131 of the movable contactor 13 and the first fixed contact portion F1 in a top view. In Fig. 9, the first fixed terminal 11 located below the first fixed contact portion F1 (the front side of the paper in Fig. 9) is shown by an imaginary line. More specifically, in the closed state, the first predetermined end M11 of the first movable contact portion M1 is located between the first end 131 of the movable contactor 13 and the end F11 of the first fixed contact portion F1 that is closest to the first predetermined end M11 in the top view. In other words, in the top view, the location where the arc mainly stays in the first movable contact portion M1 (location where the arc continues to act; near the first predetermined end M11) is shifted from the portion of the first movable contact portion M1 that comes into contact with the first fixed contact portion F1 (portion that overlaps with the first fixed contact portion F1). As a result, even if an arc occurs between the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1, the vicinity of the first predetermined end portion M11 where the arc mainly stays (continues to act) in the first movable contact portion M1 is not in contact with the first fixed contact portion F1, so that the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 are unlikely to weld together, and the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 are unlikely to stick together. Note that in the present disclosure, "the first element is located between the second element and the third element in a top view" means that the first element is located between the second element and the third element in a direction connecting the second element and the third element in a top view, and the first element may be misaligned with the second element and the third element in a direction perpendicular to the direction connecting the second element and the third element in a top view.

[0102] Also, as described above, an arc generated between the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 when changing from the closed state to the open state moves on the surface of the first movable contact portion M1 toward the first end portion 131 of the movable contactor 13 and may reach the movable contactor 13 beyond the first predetermined end portion M11 of the first movable contact portion M1. However, the first fixed contact portion F1 (end portion F11 of the first fixed contact portion F1) is separated from the first end portion 131 of the movable contactor 13 by a second distance L2 or more. The second distance L2 is the distance between the first predetermined end portion M11 of the first movable contact portion M1 and the end portion F11 of the first fixed contact portion F1 in the closed state as viewed from above. Therefore, even if the arc reaches the first end portion 131 of the movable contactor 13 beyond the first predetermined end portion M11 of the first movable contact portion M1 and melts the movable contactor 13, the molten metal material is unlikely to reach the first fixed contact portion F1. As a result, even though the first movable contact portion M1 is provided adjacent to the first end portion 131 of the movable contactor 13, sticking between the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 is unlikely to occur.

[0103] From another perspective, in the contact device 10 of this embodiment, the movable contactor 13 is formed long in one direction (left-right direction), and the first movable contact portion M1 is provided adjacent to the end (first end 131) of the movable contactor 13 in the extension direction. In addition, the first predetermined end M11 of the first movable contact portion M1, which is closest to the first end 131 of the movable contactor 13 in a top view, is located between the first end 131 of the movable contactor 13 and the first fixed contact portion F1 in a top view in the closed state. That is, in the contact device 10, the positional relationship between the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 is shifted in the left-right direction so that the first predetermined end M11 of the first movable contact portion M1 (the tip of the first movable contact portion M1 in the extension direction of the movable contactor 13) is located between the first end 131 of the movable contactor 13 and the first fixed contact portion F1 in a top view in the closed state. This makes it difficult for the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 to become stuck to each other.

[0104] In the contact device 10 of the present embodiment, a part of the arc generated between the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 may reach the movable contactor 13 and melt the movable contactor 13. Therefore, after repeated changes from the closed state to the open state, the surface of the portion of the first movable contact portion M1 that is closest to the first end portion 131 of the movable contactor 13 (near the first predetermined end portion M11) is covered with the material of the movable contactor 13. If a change from the closed state to the open state occurs while a large current equal to or greater than a predetermined value is flowing, the movable contactor 13 may melt even if it occurs only once. Therefore, in the present disclosure, "repeated changes from the closed state to the open state" means a change from the closed state to the open state at least once.

[0105] From the viewpoint of reducing the possibility of the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 sticking to each other, the second distance L2 may be in the range of 1 / 20 to 1 / 2 of the first distance L1. In the contact device 10 of the present embodiment, in particular, the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 are each disk-shaped. The second distance L2 is in the range of 1 / 20 to 1 / 2 of the diameter of the first movable contact portion M1. This makes it possible to further reduce the possibility of the first fixed contact portion F1 sticking to the first movable contact portion M1.

[0106] 9, in the contact device 10 of this embodiment, in the closed state, the center of gravity G2 of the surface of the first movable contact portion M1 is located between the center of gravity G1 of the surface of the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first end portion 131 of the movable contactor 13 in a top view. This makes it possible to further reduce the possibility of the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 becoming stuck to each other. In this disclosure, the "center of gravity of the surface of the specified member in a top view" means the center of gravity of a figure defined by the contour of the specified member in a top view, and for example, when the specified member is disk-shaped, it coincides with the center of the surface of the specified member.

[0107] In the contact device 10 of this embodiment, the third distance L3 is in the range of 1 / 20 to 1 / 2 of the first distance L1. The third distance L3 is the distance between the center of gravity G1 of the surface of the first fixed contact portion F1 and the center of gravity G2 of the surface of the first movable contact portion M1 in the closed state when viewed from above (see FIG. 9). In the contact device 10 of this embodiment, in particular, the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 are each disk-shaped, and the third distance L3 is in the range of 1 / 20 to 1 / 2 of the diameter of the first movable contact portion M1. This makes it possible to further reduce the possibility of the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 sticking to each other.

[0108] In the contact device 10 of the present embodiment, the arc generated between the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 is subjected to a leftward Lorentz force caused by a magnetic field generated by a current (for example, a rightward current I11) flowing through the movable contactor 13, as well as a backward Lorentz force caused by a magnetic field generated by a current (for example, a backward current I12) flowing through the first fixed terminal 11. In the contact device 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the first movable contact portion M1 is provided adjacent to one end (rear end portion 133) of the movable contactor 13 in the extension direction of the first fixed terminal 11 formed long in one direction (front-rear direction). The end portion M13 of the first movable contact portion M1 that is closest to the one end (rear end portion 133) of the movable contactor 13 in a top view is located between the one end (rear end portion 133) of the movable contactor 13 and the first fixed contact portion F1 in a top view in a closed state. That is, in the contact device 10, the positional relationship between the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 is shifted in the front-rear direction as well so that the rear end portion M13 of the first movable contact portion M1 (the tip of the first movable contact portion M1 in the extension direction of the first fixed terminal 11) is located between the rear end portion 133 of the movable contactor 13 and the first fixed contact portion F1 in a top view in the closed state. This makes it even more difficult for the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 to stick to each other.

[0109] 8 and 9, in the contact device 10 of this embodiment, the positional relationship between the second fixed contact portion F2 and the second movable contact portion M2 is set in consideration of the arc generated between the second fixed contact portion F2 and the second movable contact portion M2, similar to the positional relationship between the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1. Specifically, in consideration of the rightward Lorentz force caused by the current (e.g., the current I11) flowing through the movable contactor 13 acting on the arc generated between the second fixed contact portion F2 and the second movable contact portion M2, the end portion M21 of the second movable contact portion M2 closest to the second end portion 132 of the movable contactor 13 in a top view is located between the second end portion 132 of the movable contactor 13 and the second fixed contact portion F2 in a top view in the closed state. In addition, taking into consideration the backward Lorentz force acting on the arc and resulting from a current (for example, forward current I13) flowing through the second fixed terminal 12, the positional relationship between the second movable contact part M2 and the second fixed contact part F2 is shifted in the front-rear direction so that the rear end part M23 of the second movable contact part M2 (the tip of the second movable contact part M2 in the extension direction of the second fixed terminal 12) is located between the rear end part 134 of the movable contactor 13 and the second fixed contact part F2 when viewed from above in the closed state. This makes it less likely that the second fixed contact part F2 and the second movable contact part M2 will stick to each other.

[0110] In the contact device 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the distance L10 between the center of gravity G1 of the surface of the first fixed contact portion F1 and the center of gravity G3 of the surface of the second fixed contact portion F2 is smaller than the distance L20 between the center of gravity G2 of the surface of the first movable contact portion M1 and the center of gravity G2 of the surface of the second movable contact portion M2. This makes it possible to position the first predetermined end portion M11 of the first movable contact portion M1 between the first end portion 131 of the movable contactor 13 and the first fixed contact portion F1, and to position the end portion M21 of the second movable contact portion M2 between the second end portion 132 of the movable contactor 13 and the second fixed contact portion F2. As a result, adhesion between the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 and adhesion between the second fixed contact portion F2 and the second movable contact portion M2 are further unlikely to occur.

[0111] (2) Embodiment 2 The contact device 10 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 18. In the contact device 10 of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the contact device 10 of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0112] (2.1) Overall Structure As shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, the contact device 10 of this embodiment includes a fixed contact portion F1, a movable contact portion M1, a fixed terminal 11, and a movable spring 15 (movable member).

[0113] The movable contact portion M1 comes into contact with or separates from the fixed contact portion F1 in the up-down direction. The movable contact portion M1 comes into contact with the fixed contact portion F1 from above.

[0114] 10 to 14, the fixed contact portion F1 is provided on the fixed terminal 11. Moreover, the movable contact portion M1 is provided on the movable spring 15. The movable spring 15 has a movable portion 151 that is movable in the up-down direction. When the movable portion 151 is displaced in the up-down direction relative to the fixed terminal 11, the movable contact portion M1 comes into contact with or separates from the fixed contact portion F1.

[0115] The contact device 10 of the present embodiment also constitutes at least a part of the electromagnetic relay 100. As shown in Fig. 10 to Fig. 14, the electromagnetic relay 100 further includes, in addition to the contact device (main contact device) 10, an electromagnet device 20, an auxiliary contact device 30, and a housing 9.

[0116] (2.2) Electromagnetic device As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the electromagnetic device 20 includes a coil 21, an armature 22, a bobbin 23, an iron core 24, a yoke 25, a pair of coil terminals 26, and an insulating member .

[0117] The bobbin 23 integrally includes a cylindrical portion 230, a first flange portion 231, and a second flange portion 232.

[0118] The tube portion 230 has a hollow cylindrical shape that extends in the vertical direction.

[0119] The first flange 231 is a rectangular plate extending in all directions from the upper edge of the tube portion 230. Walls 236 protruding upward are provided on the right, left, and rear edges of the upper surface of the first flange 231. In addition, protruding ribs 237 extending in the front-rear direction are formed on the upper surfaces of the left and right walls 236, respectively.

[0120] The second flange portion 232 is connected to the lower edge of the tube portion 230. The second flange portion 232 is formed in the shape of a hollow rectangular box with an open front side.

[0121] The coil 21 is formed by winding a conductive wire around a cylindrical portion 230 of the bobbin 23. A first end of the coil 21 is connected to one of a pair of coil terminals 26, and a second end of the coil 21 is connected to the other of the pair of coil terminals 26. Each of the pair of coil terminals 26 is held by a second flange portion 232 of the bobbin 23.

[0122] Iron core 24 is inserted into the space within cylindrical portion 230 of bobbin 23. Iron core 24 has a flange portion 241 at its upper end, and a thin-diameter portion 242 at its lower end.

[0123] The yoke 25 integrally has a first yoke 251 and a second yoke 252. The first yoke 251 is plate-shaped and is located on the lower surface of the second flange portion 232 of the bobbin 23, and is fixed to the small diameter portion 242 of the iron core 24. The second yoke 252 is plate-shaped and extends upward from the front end of the first yoke 251.

[0124] The insulating member 28 is made of a resin material and is disposed between the bobbin 23 and the yoke 25.

[0125] 14, the insulating member 28 integrally includes a main body 281 located between the front side surface of the coil 21 and the second yoke 252 in the front-rear direction, a first cover 282 covering the front end portion of the first flange 231 of the bobbin 23 from above, and a second cover 283 covering the first yoke 251 from above. The second cover 283 is inserted into the space within the second flange 232 of the bobbin 23 together with the first yoke 251.

[0126] The armature 22 is plate-shaped and has a protrusion 225 at its front end that protrudes forward.

[0127] The armature 22 is disposed so as to face the upper surface of the flange portion 241 of the iron core 24. The armature 22 is fixed to the lower surface of the movable portion 151 of the movable spring 15. As shown in FIG. 14 , a part of the lower surface of the armature 22 contacts the upper edge of the second yoke 252.

[0128] When the coil 21 is not energized, the armature 22 is in a first position (see FIG. 13) away from the iron core 24 due to the elastic force of the movable spring 15. When a voltage is applied between a pair of coil terminals 26 to energize and excite the coil 21, the armature 22 is attracted to the iron core 24 and rotates around the contact portion with the second yoke 252. This causes the armature 22 to assume a second position (see FIG. 15) closer to the iron core 24. The armature 22 is displaced between the first position and the second position depending on whether or not the coil 21 is energized.

[0129] (2.3) Contact device (main contact device) As described above, the contact device 10 includes the fixed terminal 11 and the movable spring 15.

[0130] As shown in Figures 11 to 13 and 16, the fixed terminal 11 integrally comprises a plate-shaped fixed piece 111 whose thickness direction runs along the vertical direction, a central piece 112 extending downward from the rear end of the fixed piece 111, and a pair of terminal pieces 110 extending downward from the lower end of the central piece 112.

[0131] In fixed terminal 11, a through hole 113 (FIG. 16) is formed in the center of the joint between fixed piece 111 and central piece 112.

[0132] As shown in Figures 11 to 13, the movable spring 15 integrally has a plate-shaped movable part 151 that is long in the front-to-rear direction, a plate-shaped extension part 152 that extends downward from the front end of the movable part 151, and a pair of terminal pieces 150 that extend downward from the lower end of the extension part 152.

[0133] 12 and 13, the armature 22 is fixed to the lower surface of the movable part 151, and the movable part 151 is displaced together with the armature 22. In addition, the rear end portion of the movable part 151 of the movable spring 15 faces the upper surface of the fixed piece 111 of the fixed terminal 11. In addition, the extension part 152 is fixed to the front surface of the second yoke 252.

[0134] In the movable spring 15 , a through hole 153 is formed in the center of the joint between the movable portion 151 and the extension portion 152 .

[0135] Each of the first fixed terminal 11 and the movable spring 15 is made of a metal, for example, copper or a copper alloy.

[0136] As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the contact device 10 further includes a fixed contact member 16 and a movable contact member 17. As shown in FIG.

[0137] The fixed contact member 16 is held (fixed) by the fixed terminal 11. The fixed contact member 16 is fixed to a fixed piece 111 of the fixed terminal 11. The fixed contact member 16 is fixed to a portion of the fixed terminal 11 facing the movable portion 151 of the movable spring 15.

[0138] The movable contact member 17 is held (fixed) by the movable spring 15. The movable contact member 17 is fixed to the rear end of the movable part 151 of the movable spring 15. The movable contact member 17 is fixed to a portion of the movable part 151 facing the fixed terminal 11.

[0139] In this embodiment, the head 161 of the fixed contact member 16 constituting the fixed contact portion F1 and the head 171 of the movable contact member 17 constituting the movable contact portion M1 are each disk-shaped. As shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 15, the diameter of the movable contact portion M1 is larger than the diameter of the fixed contact portion F1. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of displacement of the fixed contact member 16 inward (toward the front) of the movable contact member 17, compared to when the diameter of the movable contact portion M1 is the same as the diameter of the fixed contact portion F1 and when the diameter of the fixed contact portion F1 is larger than the diameter of the movable contact portion M1.

[0140] The structures and materials of the fixed contact member 16 and the movable contact member 17 are similar to those of the first fixed contact member 16 and the first movable contact member 17 of the contact device 10 of the first embodiment, respectively, and therefore will not be described.

[0141] (2.4) Auxiliary contact device As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 and 17, the auxiliary contact device 30 includes a card 31, an auxiliary fixed contact member 32, an auxiliary movable contact member 33, an auxiliary fixed terminal 34, an auxiliary movable terminal 35, and an auxiliary movable spring 36.

[0142] The card 31 is fixed to the protrusion 225 of the armature 22. The card 31 moves up and down in response to the displacement of the armature 22. The card 31 is located relatively lower when the armature 22 is in the first position (see FIG. 13), and is located relatively upper when the armature 22 is in the second position (see FIG. 15).

[0143] The card 31 integrally includes a fixed portion 311, a protrusion 312, and a card wall portion 313.

[0144] The fixed portion 311 is a portion of the card 31 that is fixed to the protrusion 225 of the armature 22. The fixed portion 311 is tubular with an open rear face. The protrusion 225 is press-fitted into the fixed portion 311, whereby the card 31 is fixed to the armature 22.

[0145] The card wall portion 313 is in the shape of a rectangular plate. The card wall portion 313 is formed in the shape of a rectangular brim at the front end of the fixing portion 311.

[0146] The protrusion 312 protrudes forward from the front surface of the card wall portion 313 .

[0147] The auxiliary fixed terminal 34 integrally has a first piece 341, a second piece 342, and a terminal piece 340. The first piece 341 is a plate-like piece whose thickness direction is along the up-down direction, and is provided with the auxiliary fixed contact member 32. The second piece 342 is a plate-like piece that extends downward from the right end of the first piece 341 in an L-shape. The terminal piece 340 extends downward from the left end of the second piece 342.

[0148] The auxiliary movable terminal 35 integrally includes a connection piece 351 and a terminal piece 350. The connection piece 351 is a plate that is long in the vertical direction. The terminal piece 350 extends downward from the lower end of the connection piece 351.

[0149] The auxiliary movable spring 36 is in the form of a plate that is long in the left-right direction. The right end of the auxiliary movable spring 36 is fixed to the upper end of the connection piece 351 of the auxiliary movable terminal 35. The auxiliary movable contact member 33 is provided at the left end of the auxiliary movable spring 36. The auxiliary movable contact member 33 faces the auxiliary fixed contact member 32 in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the protrusion 312 of the card 31 is located below the auxiliary movable spring 36. In order to increase the spatial distance between the auxiliary fixed contact member 32 and a contact point P1 (see FIG. 17) between the auxiliary movable spring 36 and the protrusion 312 of the card 31, the auxiliary movable spring 36 is provided with a protrusion 361 that protrudes downward.

[0150] (2.5) Housing The housing 9 includes a first holding stand 94 , a second holding stand 95 , and a cover 99 .

[0151] 12, the first holding stand 94 is box-shaped with an open front. The first holding stand 94 holds the fixed terminal 11. The fixed terminal 11 is held by the first holding stand 94 such that the fixed piece 111 is located on the upper surface of the first holding stand 94 and the central piece 112 is along the rear surface of the first holding stand 94.

[0152] The first holding stand 94 is coupled to the bobbin 23 so as to accommodate the rear end of the bobbin 23 through the open front surface. In detail, as shown in Fig. 14, an engagement claw 238 provided at the rear end of the lower surface of the second flange portion 232 of the bobbin 23 is hooked into an engagement hole 941 provided at the front end of the lower wall of the first holding stand 94, and the first holding stand 94 is coupled to the bobbin 23.

[0153] As shown in Figs. 12 to 14, the second holding stand 95 is box-shaped with an open rear surface. The second holding stand 95 holds the auxiliary fixed terminal 34 and the auxiliary movable terminal 35. In detail, the second piece 342 of the auxiliary fixed terminal 34 is inserted into a first holding groove 951 formed on the front surface of the second holding stand 95, so that the auxiliary fixed terminal 34 is held by the second holding stand 95. Also, the connection piece 351 of the auxiliary movable terminal 35 is inserted into a second holding groove 952 formed on the front surface of the second holding stand 95, so that the auxiliary movable terminal 35 is held by the second holding stand 95. As shown in Fig. 17, the second holding stand 95 has a wall portion 953 for increasing the spatial distance between the contact point P1 between the auxiliary movable spring 36 and the protrusion 312 of the card 31 and the auxiliary fixed contact member 32.

[0154] The second holding stand 95 is connected to the insulating member 28 by engaging the engagement claws on the underside of a pair of protrusions 284 (see Figure 12) that protrude forward from the front surface of the insulating member 28 into the engagement holes 954 provided on both the left and right ends of the rear end of the lower wall portion of the second holding stand 95.

[0155] The first holding base 94, the second holding base 95, the bobbin 23, and the insulating member 28 are fixed in a combined state by a resin member 96 (see Figs. 11 and 13). The resin member 96 is, for example, an adhesive. The first holding base 94, the second holding base 95, the bobbin 23, the insulating member 28, and the resin member 96 form a body 90 that holds the contact device 10, the electromagnet device 20, and the auxiliary contact device 30. From the front surface of the body 90, a pair of terminal pieces 110 of the fixed terminal 11, a pair of terminal pieces 150 of the movable spring 15, a terminal piece 260 of a pair of coil terminals 26, a terminal piece 340 of the auxiliary fixed terminal 34, and a terminal piece 350 of the auxiliary movable terminal 35 protrude forward.

[0156] 10 and 11, the cover 99 is in the shape of a hollow box with an open bottom. The cover 99 is attached to the body 90 so as to cover the contact device 10, the electromagnet device 20, and the auxiliary contact device 30.

[0157] 14, a cover wall portion 992 is provided on the lower surface of the upper wall of the cover 99. The cover wall portion 992 enables the auxiliary fixed contact member 32 and the auxiliary movable contact member 33 to be separated from the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1, and enables the spatial distance and the surface distance between the auxiliary fixed contact member 32 (or the auxiliary movable contact member 33) and the fixed contact portion F1 (or the movable contact portion M1) to be increased.

[0158] Also, as shown in FIG. 17, a first rib 993, a second rib 994, and a third rib 995 are provided on the upper surface at the front end of the cover 99, connecting the rear surface of the front wall of the cover 99 and the front surface of the cover wall portion 992.

[0159] The first rib 993 is provided between a contact point P1 between the auxiliary movable spring 36 and the protrusion 312 of the card 31, and the auxiliary fixed contact member 32. The first rib 993 faces a wall portion 953 of the second holding base 95 in the up-down direction.

[0160] The second rib 994 and the third rib 995 are provided on the left and right sides, respectively, of the upper end (the portion to which the auxiliary movable spring 36 is fixed) of the connection piece 351 of the auxiliary movable terminal 35.

[0161] For example, if the electromagnetic relay 100 falls to the ground with the upper or lower surface facing vertically downward, the auxiliary movable spring 36 may be bent and deformed in the vertical direction due to the impact of the fall. In response to this, in the electromagnetic relay 100, the cover 99 is provided with the first rib 993 and the second rib 994, so that when the auxiliary movable spring 36 is bent upward, at least one of the first rib 993 and the second rib 994 comes into contact with the auxiliary movable spring 36, preventing the auxiliary movable spring 36 from bending excessively upward. This suppresses deformation of the auxiliary movable spring 36. Note that, from the viewpoint of suppressing deformation of the auxiliary movable spring 36 when the electromagnetic relay 100 falls, it is sufficient for the electromagnetic relay 100 to include at least one of the first rib 993 and the second rib 994.

[0162] Furthermore, if the electromagnetic relay 100 is dropped to the ground with the right or left side facing vertically downward, the impact of the drop may cause the auxiliary movable terminal 35 to bend in the left-right direction. In response to this, in the electromagnetic relay 100, the cover 99 is provided with the second rib 994 and the third rib 995, so that when the auxiliary movable terminal 35 tries to bend in the left-right direction, the second rib 994 or the third rib 995 comes into contact with the auxiliary movable terminal 35, preventing the auxiliary movable terminal 35 from bending. This suppresses deformation of the auxiliary movable terminal 35.

[0163] Although the third rib 995 is formed integrally with the right side wall of the cover 99, a gap may be provided between the third rib 995 and the right side wall of the cover 99.

[0164] (2.6) Operation of Electromagnetic Relays In the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, when the coil 21 is not energized, the spring force of the movable spring 15 causes the armature 22 to assume a first position in which it is separated from the iron core 24 (see FIG. 13). At this time, in the contact device 10, the movable contact portion M1 is separated from the fixed contact portion F1 (open state of the contact device 10). Therefore, the electric path (main electric path) between the fixed terminal 11 and the movable spring 15 is interrupted. On the other hand, in the auxiliary contact device 30, the auxiliary movable contact member 33 is positioned relatively downward due to the spring force of the auxiliary movable spring 36, and the auxiliary movable contact member 33 is in contact with the auxiliary fixed contact member 32. Therefore, an electric path (auxiliary electric path) is formed between the auxiliary fixed terminal 34 and the auxiliary movable terminal 35.

[0165] In the electromagnetic relay 100, when the coil 21 is energized and excited, the armature 22 is attracted to the iron core 24 by a magnetic force. As a result, the armature 22 is displaced to a second position (see FIG. 15) in which it approaches the iron core 24. At this time, in the contact device 10, the rear end of the movable part 151 of the movable spring 15 moves downward, and the movable contact part M1 comes into contact with the fixed contact part F1 (closed state of the contact device 10). As a result, an electric path (main electric path) is formed between the fixed terminal 11 and the movable spring 15. Meanwhile, in the auxiliary contact device 30, the protrusion 312 of the card 31 is displaced upward and comes into contact with the auxiliary movable spring 36 from below, pushing the auxiliary movable spring 36 upward. As a result, the auxiliary movable contact member 33 provided at the left end of the auxiliary movable spring 36 is separated from the auxiliary fixed contact member 32, and the electric path (auxiliary electric path) between the auxiliary fixed terminal 34 and the auxiliary movable terminal 35 is interrupted.

[0166] In the electromagnetic relay 100, when the current to the coil 21 is stopped, the iron core 24 is demagnetized, and the spring force of the movable spring 15 displaces the armature 22 from the second position to the first position. At this time, in the contact device 10, the rear end of the movable part 151 of the movable spring 15 moves upward, and the movable contact part M1 moves away from the fixed contact part F1 (open state of the contact device 10). Also, in the auxiliary contact device 30, the protrusion 312 of the card 31 moves downward and moves away from the auxiliary movable spring 36, and the spring force of the auxiliary movable spring 36 causes the auxiliary movable contact member 33 to contact the auxiliary fixed contact member 32 from above.

[0167] As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the electromagnetic relay 100 further includes an auxiliary member 98. The auxiliary member 98 is a substantially L-shaped plate and is held by a first holding base 94. A dummy member D1 is provided on the lower surface of the auxiliary member 98 so that the movable contact member 17 is positioned between the auxiliary member 98 and the fixed contact member 16. When the armature 22 is displaced from the second position to the first position and the movable contact portion M1 moves away from the fixed contact portion F1, the dummy member D1 comes into contact with the upper surface of the movable contact member 17 to prevent the movable contact member 17 from moving further upward. In this way, the dummy member D1 defines an open position which is the farthest position from the fixed contact portion F1 within the movement range of the movable contact portion M1.

[0168] (2.7) Details of contact device (main contact device) Even in the electromagnetic relay 100 of this embodiment, when current is flowing in the main circuit and the power supply to the coil 21 is cut off and the movable contact portion M1 moves away from the fixed contact portion F1, an arc A1 (see Figure 18) may occur between the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1.

[0169] 15, for example, when a current I2 flows from the fixed terminal 11 through the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1 toward the movable spring 15, a backward Lorentz force due to a leftward magnetic field generated by an upward current I21 flowing through the center piece 112 of the fixed terminal 11 and a backward Lorentz force due to a leftward magnetic field generated by a forward current I22 flowing through the movable portion 151 of the movable spring 15 act on an arc A1 (upward current) generated between the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1. Also, when a current in a direction opposite to the current I2 flows through the fixed terminal 11 and the movable spring 15, a backward Lorentz force acts on the arc A1 (downward current) generated between the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1. Therefore, between the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1, an arc A1 continues to be generated mainly between the rear end portion of the fixed contact portion F1 and the rear end portion of the movable contact portion M1, as shown in FIG.

[0170] In the contact device 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 19, the movable contact portion M1 is provided on the movable spring 15 so as to be adjacent to the first end portion 155 of the movable spring 15 (movable member). In addition, the first predetermined end portion M11 of the movable contact portion M1, which is closest to the first end portion 155 of the movable spring 15 in a top view, is located between the first end portion 155 of the movable spring 15 and the fixed contact portion F1 in a top view in the closed state. As a result, even if an arc A1 occurs between the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1, the vicinity of the first predetermined end portion M11 where the arc A1 mainly stays (continues to act) in the movable contact portion M1 is not in contact with the fixed contact portion F1, so that the movable contact portion M1 and the fixed contact portion F1 are unlikely to be welded together, and the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 are unlikely to be stuck together. In FIG. 19, the fixed terminal 11 located below the fixed contact portion F1 (the front side of the paper in FIG. 19) is shown by an imaginary line.

[0171] In addition, the arc has the characteristic of remaining at the edge portion, and since the movable contact portion M1 is located outside (rearward) of the fixed contact portion F1, the arc A1 remains in a form connecting the end portion (rear end) of the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1. In other words, in the contact device 10 of this embodiment, by shifting the end portion of the movable contact portion M1 outside (rear) the end portion of the fixed contact portion F1, the arc A1 is less likely to move to the movable spring 15. As a result, the movable spring 15 is less likely to melt, and the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first movable contact portion M1 are even less likely to stick to each other.

[0172] In addition, the arc A1 generated between the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1 when changing from the closed state to the open state may move on the surface of the movable contact portion M1 toward the first end portion 155 of the movable spring 15 and reach the movable spring 15 beyond the first predetermined end portion M11 of the movable contact portion M1. However, the fixed contact portion F1 is separated from the first end portion 155 of the movable spring 15 by a second distance L2 or more. The second distance L2 is the distance between the first predetermined end portion M11 of the movable contact portion M1 and the end portion F11 of the fixed contact portion F1 that is closest to the first predetermined end portion M11 in the top view in the closed state (see FIG. 19). Therefore, even if the arc A1 reaches the first end portion 155 of the movable spring 155 beyond the first predetermined end portion M11 of the movable contact portion M1 and melts the movable spring 15, the molten metal material is unlikely to reach the fixed contact portion F1. As a result, even though the movable contact portion M1 is provided adjacent to the first end portion 155 of the movable spring 15, sticking between the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1 is unlikely to occur.

[0173] From the viewpoint of reducing the possibility of sticking between the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1, the second distance L2 may be in the range of 1 / 20 to 1 / 2 of the first distance L1. The first distance L1 is the distance between the first predetermined end M11 of the movable contact portion M1 and the second predetermined end M12 of the movable contact portion M1 that is farthest from the first end 155 of the movable spring 15 in a top view (see FIG. 19).

[0174] In addition, in the closed state, the center of gravity G2 of the surface of the first movable contact portion M1 is preferably located between the center of gravity G1 of the surface of the first fixed contact portion F1 and the first end portion 155 of the movable spring 15 in a top view. In addition, the third distance L3 is preferably in a range of 1 / 20 to 1 / 2 of the first distance L1. The third distance L3 is the distance between the center of gravity G1 of the surface of the fixed contact portion F1 and the center of gravity G2 of the surface of the movable contact portion M1 in a top view in the closed state.

[0175] In the contact device 10 of this embodiment, a part of the arc A1 generated between the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1 can reach the movable spring 15 and melt the movable spring 15. Therefore, after repeated changes from the closed state to the open state, the surface of the portion of the movable contact portion M1 closest to the first end 155 of the movable spring 15 (near the first predetermined end M11) is covered with the material of the movable spring 15.

[0176] In the contact device 10 of the present embodiment, the fixed contact portion F1 is provided at the center of the fixed piece 111 in the left-right direction, and the fixed terminal 11 has a through hole 113. Therefore, in the fixed piece 111, a current flows, for example, in the right direction, through the portion of the fixed piece 111 to the left of the fixed contact portion F1, and a current flows, for example, in the left direction, through the portion of the fixed piece 111 to the right of the fixed contact portion F1. Therefore, the Lorentz force acting on the arc A1 due to the current flowing through the fixed piece 111 is canceled out by a component of the current flowing through the portion of the fixed piece 111 to the right of the fixed contact portion F1 and a component of the current flowing through the portion to the left of the fixed piece 111. Therefore, in the contact device 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the movable contact portion M1 and the fixed contact portion F1 are centered with each other without shifting their positional relationship in the left-right direction.

[0177] (3) Modifications The above embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Below, the modified examples of the embodiment are listed. The above embodiment and the modified examples described below can be applied in appropriate combination.

[0178] (3.1) Variation 1 The contact device 10 of this modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 20. In the contact device 10 of this modified example, the description of the same configuration as that of the contact device 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment 1 may be omitted as appropriate.

[0179] In the contact device 10 of this modified example, the movable contactor 13 is located below the fixed terminal 11, and the movable contact portion M1 contacts the fixed contact portion F1 from below. The fixed terminal 11 is provided with the fixed contact portion F1 adjacent to the first end portion 115 of the fixed terminal 11. The fixed contact portion F1 has a predetermined end portion F101 that is closest to the first end portion 115 of the fixed terminal 11 in a top view. As shown in FIG. 20, in a closed state in which the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1 are in contact with each other, the predetermined end portion F101 is located between the first end portion 115 of the fixed terminal 11 and the movable contact portion M1 in a top view. In FIG. 20, the movable contactor 13 located below the movable contact portion M1 (the front side of the paper in FIG. 20) is shown by an imaginary line.

[0180] In other words, in the contact device 10 of this modified example, the fixed terminal 11 is formed long in one direction (front-rear direction), and the fixed contact portion F1 is provided adjacent to the end (first end 155) of the fixed terminal 11 in the extension direction. Then, the predetermined end F101 of the fixed contact portion F1, which is closest to the first end 155 of the fixed terminal 11 in a top view, is located between the first end 155 of the fixed terminal 11 and the movable contact portion M1 in a top view in the closed state. That is, in the contact device 10, the positional relationship between the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1 is shifted in the front-rear direction so that the predetermined end F101 of the fixed contact portion F1 (the tip of the fixed contact portion F1 in the extension direction of the fixed terminal 11) is located between the first end 155 of the fixed terminal 11 and the movable contact portion M1 in a top view in the closed state. This makes it difficult for the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1 to stick to each other.

[0181] As shown in FIG. 20, in the closed state, the center of gravity G1 of the surface of the fixed contact portion F1 is located between the center of gravity G2 of the surface of the movable contact portion M1 and the first end portion 115 of the fixed terminal 11 in top view.

[0182] In the contact device 10 of this modification, the fixed contact portion F1 is provided adjacent to one end (left end 116) of the fixed terminal 11 in the extending direction of the movable contactor 13 formed long in one direction (left-right direction). The end F102 of the fixed contact portion F1, which is closest to the one end (left end 116) of the fixed terminal 11 in a top view, is located between the one end (left end 116) of the fixed terminal 11 and the movable contact portion M1 in a top view in the closed state. That is, in the contact device 10, the positional relationship between the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1 is also shifted in the left-right direction so that the left end F102 of the fixed contact portion F1 (the tip of the fixed contact portion F1 in the extending direction of the movable contactor 13) is located between the left end 116 of the fixed terminal 11 and the movable contact portion M1 in a top view in the closed state. This makes it even more difficult for the fixed contact portion F1 and the movable contact portion M1 to stick to each other.

[0183] In short, the contact device 10 preferably has the following structure. That is, the contact device 10 includes a first contact portion (one of the fixed contact portion F1 or the movable contact portion M1), a second contact portion (the other of the fixed contact portion F1 or the movable contact portion M1), and a first member made of metal (the movable contactor 13, the movable spring 15, or the fixed terminal 11). The second contact portion is in contact with or separated from the first contact portion in the up-down direction. The first member is provided with the second contact portion adjacent to a first end portion (131, 151, or 116) of the first member. The second contact portion has a first predetermined end portion (M11 or F101) that is closest to the first end portion of the first member in a top view. The first predetermined end portion of the second contact portion is located between the first end portion of the first member and the first contact portion in a top view when the first contact portion and the second contact portion are in contact with each other in a closed state.

[0184] (3.2) Other Modifications In one modified example, the diameter of the movable contact portion M1 may be made larger than the diameter of the fixed contact portion F1, so that the first predetermined end portion M11 of the movable contact portion M1 is located between the first end portion 131 or 155 of the movable member (the movable contactor 13 or the movable spring 15) and the fixed contact portion F1 in a top view in the closed state. In this case, the center of gravity G2 of the surface of the movable contact portion M1 may overlap (coincide) with the center of gravity G1 of the surface of the fixed contact portion F1 in a top view in the closed state.

[0185] In one modification, the contact portion C1 (fixed contact portions F1, F2, movable contact portions M1, M2) is not limited to a disk shape and may have other shapes. For example, the contact portion C1 may be a plate-like shape having a rectangular shape when viewed from above, a flat lower surface 105, and an upper surface 106 that approaches the lower surface 105 and becomes thinner toward both left and right (or front and rear) ends 107, 108, as shown in Figs. 21A to 21 . In this case, the contact portion C1 may include a base member 101, a surface member 102, and a plated portion 103.

[0186] In one modified example, each of the first fixed contact portion F1, the first movable contact portion M1, the second fixed contact portion F2, and the second movable contact portion M2 does not necessarily have to have both the surface member 102 and the plated portion 103, and may have only one of them.

[0187] In one modified example, the structure of the electromagnetic relay 100 including the contact device 10 is not limited to the structures in the first and second embodiments, and any appropriate structure of the electromagnetic relay 100 may be adopted.

[0188] (4) Description As can be seen from the above embodiment and modifications, the following aspects are disclosed in this specification.

[0189] The contact device (10) of the first aspect includes a fixed contact portion (F1), a movable contact portion (M1), and a movable member (movable contactor 13; movable spring 15). The movable contact portion (M1) is in contact with or separated from the fixed contact portion (F1) in the up-down direction. The movable member is made of metal, and the movable contact portion (M1) is provided adjacent to a first end portion (131; 155) of the movable member. The movable contact portion (M1) has a first predetermined end portion (M11) that is closest to the first end portion (131; 155) of the movable member in a top view. The first predetermined end portion (M11) is located between the first end portion (131; 155) of the movable member and the fixed contact portion (F1) in a top view in a closed state in which the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) are in contact with each other.

[0190] According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) become stuck to each other.

[0191] In the contact device (10) of the second embodiment, the material of the portion of the movable contact portion (M1) that comes into contact with the fixed contact portion (F1) is different from the material of the movable member (movable contactor 13; movable spring 15) in the first embodiment.

[0192] According to this embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) become stuck to each other.

[0193] In the contact device (10) of the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, an arc generated between the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) when changing from a closed state to an open state moves on the surface of the movable contact portion (M1) toward the first end portion (131; 155). The open state is a state in which the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) are separated from each other.

[0194] According to this embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) become stuck to each other.

[0195] In the contact device (10) of the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, when in the closed state, the center of gravity (G2) of the surface of the movable contact portion (M1) is located between the center of gravity (G1) of the surface of the fixed contact portion (F1) and the first end (131; 155) of the movable member (movable contactor 13; movable spring 15) when viewed from above.

[0196] According to this embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) become stuck to each other.

[0197] In the contact device (10) of the fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the movable contact portion (M1) has a second predetermined end (M12) that is farthest from the first end (131; 155) of the movable member (movable contactor 13; movable spring 15) in a top view. In a closed state, in a top view, a distance (third distance L3) between the center of gravity (G1) of the surface of the fixed contact portion (F1) and the center of gravity (G2) of the surface of the movable contact portion (M1) is in a range of 1 / 20 to 1 / 2 of the distance (first distance L1) between the first predetermined end (M11) and the second predetermined end (M12) of the movable contact portion (M1).

[0198] According to this embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) become stuck to each other.

[0199] In the contact device (10) of the sixth aspect, in the fifth aspect, the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) are each disk-shaped. In the closed state, the distance (third distance L3) between the center of the surface of the fixed contact portion (F1) and the center of the surface of the movable contact portion (M1) is in the range of 1 / 20 to 1 / 2 the diameter of the movable contact portion (M1) in top view.

[0200] According to this embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) become stuck to each other.

[0201] In the seventh aspect of the contact device (10), in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the movable contact portion (M1) has a second predetermined end (M12) that is farthest from a first end (131; 155) of the movable member (movable contactor 13; movable spring 15) in a top view. In a closed state, a distance (second distance L2) between an end (F11) of the fixed contact portion (F1) that is closest to the first predetermined end and the first predetermined end (M11) of the movable contact portion (M1) in a top view is in a range of 1 / 20 to 1 / 2 of the distance (first distance L1) between the first predetermined end (M11) and the second predetermined end (M12) of the movable contact portion (M1).

[0202] According to this embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) become stuck to each other.

[0203] In the contact device (10) of the eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect, the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) are each disk-shaped. In the closed state, the distance (second distance L2) between the first predetermined end (M11) of the movable contact portion (M1) and the end (F11) of the fixed contact portion (F1) closest to the first predetermined end (M11) is in the range of 1 / 20 to 1 / 2 the diameter of the movable contact portion (M1) in a top view.

[0204] According to this embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) become stuck to each other.

[0205] In the contact device (10) of the ninth aspect, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) are each disk-shaped. The diameter of the movable contact portion (M1) is larger than the diameter of the fixed contact portion (F1).

[0206] According to this embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) become stuck to each other. Also, compared to the case where the diameter of the movable contact portion (M1) is the same as that of the fixed contact portion (F1) and the case where the diameter of the fixed contact portion (F1) is larger than that of the movable contact portion (M1), it is possible to reduce the amount of displacement of the fixed contact member (16) toward the inside of the movable contact member (17).

[0207] The contact device (10) of the tenth aspect is any one of the first to ninth aspects, and further includes a second fixed contact portion (F2) and a second movable contact portion (M2) in addition to the first movable contact portion (M1) which is the movable contact portion (M1). The second fixed contact portion (F2) is provided alongside the first fixed contact portion (F1) which is the fixed contact portion (F1). The second movable contact portion (M2) is in contact with or separated from the second fixed contact portion (F2) in the up-down direction. The second movable contact portion (M2) is provided adjacent to a second end portion of the movable member (movable contactor 13) that is away from the first end portion (131; 155). The distance (L10) between the center of gravity (G1) of the surface of the first fixed contact portion (F1) and the center of gravity (G3) of the surface of the second fixed contact portion (F2) is smaller than the distance (L20) between the center of gravity (G2) of the surface of the first movable contact portion (M1) and the center of gravity (G4) of the surface of the second movable contact portion (M2).

[0208] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce the possibility of adhesion between the first fixed contact portion (F1) and the first movable contact portion (M1), and between the second fixed contact portion (F2) and the second movable contact portion (M2).

[0209] In the eleventh aspect of the contact device (10), in any one of the first to tenth aspects, the surface of the portion of the movable contact portion (M1) closest to the first end (131; 155) is covered with the material of the movable member (movable contactor 13; movable spring 15).

[0210] According to this embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) become stuck to each other.

[0211] A contact device (10) of a twelfth aspect includes a fixed contact portion (F1), a movable contact portion (M1), and a fixed terminal (11). The movable contact portion (M1) is in contact with or separated from the fixed contact portion (F1) in the up-down direction. The fixed terminal (11) is made of metal, and the fixed contact portion (F1) is provided adjacent to a first end portion (115) of the fixed terminal (11). The fixed contact portion (F1) has a predetermined end portion (F101) that is closest to the first end portion (115) of the fixed terminal (11) in a top view. The predetermined end portion (F101) is located between the first end portion (115) of the fixed terminal (11) and the movable contact portion (M1) in a top view when the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) are in contact with each other in a closed state.

[0212] According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the fixed contact portion (F1) and the movable contact portion (M1) become stuck to each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0213] 10 Contact device (main contact device) 11 Fixed terminal 115 First end 13 Movable contact (movable part) 131 First end 15 Movable spring (movable part) 155 First end F1 Fixed contact part (1st fixed contact part) F11 end F101 Predetermined end F2 2nd fixed contact part M1 Movable contact part (1st movable contact part) M11 first predetermined end M12 2nd predetermined end M2 2nd movable contact part G1 center of gravity G2 center of gravity G3 center of gravity G4 center of gravity L1 distance (first distance) L2 Distance (Second Distance) L3 Distance (Third Distance) L10 distance L20 distance

Claims

1. A fixed contact portion; a movable contact portion that comes into contact with or is separated from the fixed contact portion in a vertical direction; a metal movable member having the movable contact portion provided adjacent to a first end portion thereof, the movable contact portion has a first predetermined end portion closest to the first end portion of the movable member in a top view, the first predetermined end is located between the first end of the movable member and the fixed contact portion in a top view when the fixed contact portion and the movable contact portion are in contact with each other in a closed state. Contact device.

2. The material of the portion of the movable contact portion that comes into contact with the fixed contact portion is different from the material of the movable member. The contact device according to claim 1 .

3. an arc generated between the fixed contact portion and the movable contact portion when the fixed contact portion and the movable contact portion change from the closed state to an open state in which the fixed contact portion and the movable contact portion are separated from each other moves on a surface of the movable contact portion toward the first end portion; The contact device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. In the closed state, a center of gravity of a surface of the movable contact portion is located between a center of gravity of a surface of the fixed contact portion and the first end portion of the movable member in a top view. The contact device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the movable contact portion has a second predetermined end portion that is farthest from the first end portion of the movable member in a top view, In the closed state, when viewed from above, a distance between a center of gravity of a surface of the fixed contact portion and a center of gravity of a surface of the movable contact portion is in a range of 1 / 20 to 1 / 2 of a distance between the first predetermined end and the second predetermined end of the movable contact portion. The contact device according to claim 4.

6. The fixed contact portion and the movable contact portion are each disk-shaped, In the closed state, a distance between a center of a surface of the fixed contact portion and a center of a surface of the movable contact portion is in a range of 1 / 20 to 1 / 2 of a diameter of the movable contact portion when viewed from above. The contact device according to claim 5 .

7. the movable contact portion has a second predetermined end portion that is farthest from the first end portion of the movable member in a top view, In the closed state, when viewed from above, a distance between an end of the fixed contact portion closest to the first predetermined end and the first predetermined end of the movable contact portion is in a range of 1 / 20 to 1 / 2 of a distance between the first predetermined end and the second predetermined end of the movable contact portion. The contact device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The fixed contact portion and the movable contact portion are each disk-shaped, In the closed state, a distance between the first predetermined end of the movable contact portion and an end of the fixed contact portion that is closest to the first predetermined end is in a range of 1 / 20 to 1 / 2 of a diameter of the movable contact portion, in a top view. The contact device according to claim 7.

9. The fixed contact portion and the movable contact portion are each disk-shaped, The diameter of the movable contact portion is larger than the diameter of the fixed contact portion. The contact device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. a second fixed contact portion provided alongside the first fixed contact portion, which is the fixed contact portion; In addition to the first movable contact portion, which is the movable contact portion, a second movable contact portion that is in contact with or separated from the second fixed contact portion in the vertical direction is further provided, The second movable contact portion is provided adjacent to a second end portion of the movable member, the second end portion being spaced from the first end portion, a distance between a center of gravity of a surface of the first fixed contact portion and a center of gravity of a surface of the second fixed contact portion is smaller than a distance between a center of gravity of a surface of the first movable contact portion and a center of gravity of a surface of the second movable contact portion; The contact device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. a surface of the movable contact portion closest to the first end portion is covered with the material of the movable member; The contact device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A fixed contact portion; a movable contact portion that comes into contact with or is separated from the fixed contact portion in a vertical direction; a fixed terminal made of metal, the fixed contact portion being provided adjacent to a first end portion, the fixed contact portion has a predetermined end portion closest to the first end portion of the fixed terminal in a top view, the predetermined end is located between the first end of the fixed terminal and the movable contact portion in a top view when the fixed contact portion and the movable contact portion are in contact with each other in a closed state. Contact device.

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