Electromagnetic relay

Abstract

To provide an electromagnetic relay that can effectively release moisture inside the electromagnetic relay to the outside while suppressing the intrusion of foreign matter and contaminants into the inside of the electromagnetic relay.SOLUTION: An electromagnetic relay includes a functional unit that performs electromagnetic relay processing, a flat plate on which the functional unit is placed, and a box-shaped case that fits with the plate to cover the functional unit, and the case has an air passage at a fitting portion that comes into contact with the plate when the case is fitted with the plate, and connects the inside of the electromagnetic relay in which the functional unit is located to the outside of the electromagnetic relay.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electromagnetic relay.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electromagnetic relay mounted on a vehicle or the like. In this electromagnetic relay, a vent is provided in a slit of a case member (base) through which a coil terminal or a contact terminal is inserted, and water vapor generated in the internal space of the electromagnetic relay is discharged from this vent, thereby suppressing an increase in moisture inside the electromagnetic relay.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The electromagnetic relay described in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which a vent is provided in a slit of a case member through which a terminal is inserted. For this reason, the installation location of the vent is limited, and the number of vents is reduced (four locations). In this vent structure, when trying to increase the vent area to improve the vent efficiency, there is a problem that each vent becomes large and foreign matters such as insects and dust easily enter the inside of the electromagnetic relay. Further, since a vent is provided in a slit of a case member through which a terminal is inserted, when a contaminant such as grease or silicone adheres to the terminal, it is conceivable that the adhered contaminant climbs along the terminal and easily enters the inside of the electromagnetic relay from the vent.

[0005] Foreign matters and contaminants that have entered the inside of such an electromagnetic relay may affect the function of the electromagnetic relay and cause problems such as contact failure. Therefore, there is room for further consideration regarding the formation of a vent route in the electromagnetic relay.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electromagnetic relay that can suppress the intrusion of foreign matter and contaminants into the interior of the electromagnetic relay and effectively release the moisture inside the electromagnetic relay to the outside.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the disclosed technology is an electromagnetic relay including a functional unit that executes electromagnetic relay processing, a flat plate-shaped plate on which the functional unit is placed, and a box-shaped case that covers and fits the functional unit by fitting with the plate. The case has a ventilation route that communicates the inside of the electromagnetic relay where the functional unit is located with the outside of the electromagnetic relay at a fitting portion that contacts the plate when fitted with the plate.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the electromagnetic relay of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of foreign matter and contaminants into the interior of the electromagnetic relay and effectively release the moisture inside the electromagnetic relay to the outside.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] In the electromagnetic relay according to the present disclosure, in a state where a case that covers a functional unit that executes electromagnetic relay processing is fitted to a plate on which the functional unit is placed, a ventilation route that connects the inside and the outside of the electromagnetic relay is provided on the joint surface between the plate and the case. Thereby, while preventing the intrusion of foreign matter and contaminants, the moisture inside the electromagnetic relay is easily released to the outside of the electromagnetic relay. Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a front view (a) and a side view (b) when the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is viewed from the surface. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A (a) and a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B (b) of the electromagnetic relay 1 in FIG. 1.

[0012] The electromagnetic relay 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a switch component that performs opening and closing operations of electrical contacts using electromagnetic force. This electromagnetic relay 1 includes a movable contact portion 10, a fixed contact portion 20, an electromagnetic coil 30, a plate 40, a case 50, load terminals 61 and 62, and coil terminals 71 and 72.

[0013] The movable contact portion 10 is a member, for example, having an L-shaped cross section formed of a flexible and conductive material. The movable contact portion 10 includes a movable contact 11 provided at one end and a ferromagnetic body 12 provided at a position facing the electromagnetic coil 30. The movable contact portion 10 is placed on one plane of the plate 40 with the other end fixed to the plate 40. Further, the movable contact portion 10 is electrically connected to a load terminal 61 provided to protrude on the other plane of the plate 40.

[0014] The fixed contact portion 20 is a member, for example, having an I-shaped cross-section, formed of a conductive material. The fixed contact portion 20 includes a fixed contact 21 provided at one end. This fixed contact portion 20 is placed on one plane of the plate 40 with the other end fixed to the plate 40. Further, this fixed contact portion 20 is electrically connected to a load terminal 62 provided to protrude on the other plane of the plate 40.

[0015] The electromagnetic coil 30 is an electromagnet capable of generating a magnetic force by passing an electric current through a coil wound around a magnetic material. The electromagnetic coil 30 includes a core 31 provided at a position facing the ferromagnetic body 12 of the movable contact portion 10. This electromagnetic coil 30 is placed on one plane of the plate 40 with the other end fixed to the plate 40. Further, one end of this coil is electrically connected to a coil terminal 71 provided to protrude on the other plane of the plate 40, and the other end of the coil is electrically connected to a coil terminal 72 provided to protrude on the other plane of the plate 40.

[0016] The movable contact portion 10, the fixed contact portion 20, and the electromagnetic coil 30 described above constitute a functional unit that performs electromagnetic relay processing. In this functional unit, when the electromagnetic coil 30 is energized via the coil terminals 71 and 72, an attractive force directed toward the core 31 acts on the ferromagnetic body 12. Due to this attractive force, one end of the movable contact portion 10 bends toward one end side of the fixed contact portion 20, and the movable contact 11 and the fixed contact 21 come into contact. As a result, the movable contact portion 10 and the fixed contact portion 20 are electrically connected, and the load terminal 61 and the load terminal 62 are electrically connected.

[0017] The plate 40 is a flat plate-shaped member with a substantially rectangular top view, formed of a material having insulation such as resin. On the first plane (upper surface) of this plate 40, the movable contact portion 10, the fixed contact portion 20, and the electromagnetic coil 30 are placed. On the second plane (lower surface) of the plate 40, a load terminal 61, a load terminal 62, a coil terminal 71, and a coil terminal 72 are provided so as to enable electrical connection with other components. On the outer periphery of the first plane of the plate 40, a stepped portion 41 having a predetermined depth for fitting with the case 50 is formed.

[0018] The case 50 is a substantially box-shaped member with one surface opened, formed of a material having insulation such as resin. This case 50 has the role of confining the movable contact portion 10, the fixed contact portion 20, and the electromagnetic coil 30 in the internal space formed by the plate 40 and the case 50 by bringing the fitting portion 51 at the end of the opening surface into contact with the stepped portion 41 of the plate 40 and fitting with the plate 40. With this structure, contact between the movable contact portion 10, the fixed contact portion 20, and the electromagnetic coil 30 and foreign matter or contaminants can be prevented.

[0019] In addition to the above-described structure, the case 50 of the first embodiment further includes a ventilation route 52 for discharging moisture generated in the internal space (hereinafter referred to as "inside the electromagnetic relay 1") formed by the plate 40 and the case 50 to the outside. This ventilation route 52 is composed of a hole (ventilation port) formed by cutting out a part of the fitting portion 51 of the case 50 in a U shape and a cutout groove extending longer than the thickness of the plate 40 along the inner surface of the case 50 from this hole in a state where the case 50 is fitted to the plate 40. Due to the existence of this ventilation route 52, the inside of the electromagnetic relay 1 communicates with the outside of the electromagnetic relay 1 while protecting the functional unit that executes the electromagnetic relay process by the case 50 from foreign matter and contaminants, and the moisture generated inside the electromagnetic relay 1 can be discharged to the outside.

[0020] In FIGS. 1 and 2, an example is shown in which ventilation routes 52 are provided in two opposing side surfaces out of the four side surfaces of the case 50 having the fitting portion 51 on the sides. However, the number, position, and shape of the surfaces provided with the ventilation routes 52 are not limited to this. However, the moisture inside the electromagnetic relay 1 is the moisture occluded in the coating film (enamel) and resin member of the electromagnetic coil 30 due to the repeated heating when the electromagnetic coil 30 is energized and cooling when the energization is turned off. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a large number of ventilation routes 52 in the vicinity of the electromagnetic coil 30, or to make the area of the ventilation routes 52 larger than others. That is, ventilation for the electromagnetic coil 30 is given priority over ventilation of the movable contact portion 10 and the fixed contact portion 20. As a result, it becomes easier to release the moisture around the electromagnetic coil 30. On the other hand, in the vicinity of the movable contact portion 10 and the fixed contact portion 20, for the purpose of preventing the occurrence of contact failure due to foreign matter or contaminants, it is preferable to reduce the number of ventilation routes 52 to zero or make the area of the ventilation routes 52 smaller than others. Thereby, it is possible to suppress foreign matter and contaminants that have entered from the ventilation route 52 from reaching the contacts.

[0021] In addition, when adopting a structure in which ventilation routes 52 are provided to release moisture, it will give an opportunity for foreign matter and contaminants to enter from the ventilation routes 52. Among these, for contaminants such as grease and silicone attached to the load terminals 61 and 62 and the coil terminals 71 and 72, since the electromagnetic relay 1 does not provide ventilation routes 52 in the vicinity of these terminals, it is considered that the possibility of intrusion is almost non-existent. On the other hand, for foreign matter such as insects, it is desirable to take measures to make it difficult for them to enter the ventilation route 52. As a specific measure, it can be exemplified that the passage dimension (hole, groove) of at least one location of the ventilation route 52 is made narrower than the body height of a specific insect that may enter the electromagnetic relay 1 (for example, the body height of the chrysanthemum aphid: about 0.1 mm). This structure is effective in preventing the entry of aphids from the ventilation route 52.

[0022] As described above, the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first embodiment is provided with a ventilation route 52 for discharging moisture from the inside of the electromagnetic relay 1 in a state where the plate 40 and the case 50 are fitted, at the fitting portion 51 on the case 50 side. With this structure, the number of ventilation routes 52 can be increased, and the design and manufacture of the mold for the case 50 are easy. Furthermore, since no additional process is required in the manufacture of the electromagnetic relay 1, an electromagnetic relay 1 with good air permeability can be provided at low cost.

[0023] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 3 is a front view (a) and a side view (b) when the electromagnetic relay 2 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is viewed from the surface. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C (a) and a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D (b) of the electromagnetic relay 2 in FIG. 3.

[0024] The electromagnetic relay 2 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a switch component that performs an opening and closing operation of an electrical contact using electromagnetic force. This electromagnetic relay 2 includes a movable contact portion 10, a fixed contact portion 20, an electromagnetic coil 30, a plate 40a, a case 50a, load terminals 61 and 62, and coil terminals 71 and 72.

[0025] The electromagnetic relay 2 according to this second embodiment has a different configuration of the plate 40a and the case 50a compared to the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first embodiment described above. Hereinafter, the description of the functional unit including the movable contact portion 10, the fixed contact portion 20, and the electromagnetic coil 30, which have the same configuration, will be omitted, and the plate 40a and the case 50a with different configurations will be described.

[0026] The plate 40a is a flat plate-shaped member with a substantially rectangular top view, formed of a material having insulation properties such as resin. On the first plane (upper surface) of this plate 40a, the movable contact portion 10, the fixed contact portion 20, and the electromagnetic coil 30 are placed. On the second plane (lower surface) of the plate 40a, the load terminal 61, the load terminal 62, the coil terminal 71, and the coil terminal 72 are provided so as to enable electrical connection with other components. On the outer periphery of the first plane of the plate 40a, a stepped portion 41 having a predetermined depth for fitting with the case 50a is formed.

[0027] The case 50a is a substantially box-shaped member with one surface opened, formed of a material having insulation properties such as resin. This case 50a has a role of confining the movable contact portion 10, the fixed contact portion 20, and the electromagnetic coil 30 in the internal space formed by the plate 40a and the case 50a by bringing the fitting portion 51 at the end of the opening surface into contact with the stepped portion 41 of the plate 40a and fitting them together. With this structure, contact between the movable contact portion 10, the fixed contact portion 20, and the electromagnetic coil 30 and foreign substances or contaminants can be prevented.

[0028] In addition to the respective structures described above, the plate 40a and the case 50a of the second embodiment further include grooves for forming a ventilation route for discharging moisture generated inside the electromagnetic relay 2 to the outside. The plate 40a is provided with a notch groove 42 (first groove) in a part of the stepped portion 41. The case 50a is provided with a notch groove 53 (second groove) that extends longer than the thickness of the plate 40a from the end of the opening surface in a part of the fitting portion 51. The notch groove 42 of the plate 40a and the notch groove 53 of the case 50a are aligned in the positions of the respective grooves in a state where the case 50a is fitted to the plate 40a, and a ventilation route is formed by the notch groove 42 and the notch groove 53. Due to the existence of this ventilation route, the inside of the electromagnetic relay 2 communicates with the outside of the electromagnetic relay 2 while protecting the functional unit that executes the electromagnetic relay process from foreign substances and contaminants by the case 50a, and the moisture generated inside the electromagnetic relay 2 can be discharged to the outside.

[0029] Of course, also in this electromagnetic relay 2, the number, position, and shape of the surfaces provided with the notch grooves 42 and 53 are not limited to those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Further, it is desirable to prioritize ventilation for the electromagnetic coil 30 over ventilation of the movable contact portion 10 and the fixed contact portion 20, or to make the passage dimension of at least one location of the ventilation route formed by the notch grooves 42 and 53 narrower than the body height of a specific insect.

[0030] As described above, the electromagnetic relay 2 according to the second embodiment forms a ventilation route for discharging moisture from the inside of the electromagnetic relay 2 in a state where the plate 40a and the case 50a are fitted together, by combining the notch groove 42 (first groove) provided in the stepped portion 41 on the plate 40a side and the notch groove 53 (second groove) provided in the fitting portion 51 on the case 50a side. By dividing the ventilation route into two grooves in this way, it is possible to suppress the complication of the molds for the plate 40a and the case 50a, and thus the production of each mold becomes easier.

[0031] <Third Embodiment> FIG. 5 is a front view (a) and a side view (b) when the electromagnetic relay 3 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is viewed from the surface. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E (a) and a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F (b) of the electromagnetic relay 3 in FIG. 5.

[0032] The electromagnetic relay 3 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is a switch component that performs an opening and closing operation of an electrical contact using electromagnetic force. This electromagnetic relay 3 includes a movable contact portion 10, a fixed contact portion 20, an electromagnetic coil 30, a plate 40b, a case 50b, load terminals 61 and 62, and coil terminals 71 and 72.

[0033] The electromagnetic relay 3 according to this third embodiment has a different configuration of the plate 40b and the case 50b compared to the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first embodiment described above. Hereinafter, the description of the functional unit including the movable contact portion 10, the fixed contact portion 20, and the electromagnetic coil 30, which have the same configuration, will be omitted, and the plate 40b and the case 50b with different configurations will be described.

[0034] The plate 40b is a flat plate-shaped member having a substantially rectangular upper surface view and formed of an insulating material such as resin. On the first plane (upper surface) of this plate 40b, the movable contact portion 10, the fixed contact portion 20, and the electromagnetic coil 30 are placed. On the second plane (lower surface) of the plate 40b, a load terminal 61, a load terminal 62, a coil terminal 71, and a coil terminal 72 are provided so as to enable electrical connection with other components. On the outer periphery of the first plane of the plate 40b, a step portion 41 having a predetermined depth for fitting with the case 50b is formed.

[0035] In addition to the above-described structure, the plate 40b of the third embodiment further includes a ventilation route 43 for discharging moisture generated inside the electromagnetic relay 3 formed by the plate 40b and the case 50b to the outside. This ventilation route 43 is composed of a groove formed by notching a part of the step portion 41 of the plate 40b in an L shape and a notch groove extending from this groove along the outer surface of the plate 40b to the first plane (upper surface) in a state where the case 50b is fitted to the plate 40b. Due to the presence of this ventilation route 43, the inside of the electromagnetic relay 3 communicates with the outside of the electromagnetic relay 3 while protecting the functional unit that executes the electromagnetic relay process from foreign substances and contaminants by the case 50b, and the moisture generated inside the electromagnetic relay 3 can be discharged to the outside.

[0036] Of course, also in this electromagnetic relay 3, the number, position, and shape of the surfaces provided with the ventilation route 43 are not limited to those in FIGS. 5 and 6. Also, it is desirable to give priority to ventilation for the electromagnetic coil 30 over ventilation for the movable contact portion 10 and the fixed contact portion 20, or to make the passage dimension of at least one location of the ventilation route 43 narrower than the body height of a specific insect.

[0037] As described above, the electromagnetic relay 3 according to the third embodiment is provided with a ventilation route 43 for discharging moisture from inside the electromagnetic relay 3 in a state where the plate 40b and the case 50b are fitted together, at the stepped portion 41 of the plate 40b. By providing the ventilation route 43 on the side of the plate 40b which has higher mechanical strength (greater thickness) than the case 50b as in this structure, it is possible to avoid a decrease in mechanical characteristics.

[0038] <Other Embodiments> FIG. 7 is a front view of the electromagnetic relay 4 according to Application Example 1 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure as seen from the surface. The electromagnetic relay 4 of Application Example 1 illustrated in FIG. 7 has a structure in which the case 50 of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first embodiment is replaced with a case 50c.

[0039] The case 50c is provided with a ventilation route 54 for discharging moisture generated inside the electromagnetic relay 4 to the outside. This ventilation route 54, similar to the ventilation route 52 of the electromagnetic relay 1, in a state where the case 50c is fitted to the plate 40, is composed of a hole formed by notching a part of the fitting portion 51 of the case 50c in a U-shape, and a linear notch groove provided on the inner surface of the case 50c from this hole. However, the length of the notch groove is different between the electromagnetic relay 1 and the electromagnetic relay 4.

[0040] Specifically, in the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first embodiment, a ventilation route 52 is formed that connects the inside and the outside of the electromagnetic relay 1 at the shortest distance and is perpendicular to the first plane (upper surface) of the plate 40. In contrast, the ventilation route 54 of the electromagnetic relay 4 of Application Example 1 is formed in a shape that connects the inside and the outside of the electromagnetic relay 4 at an arbitrary angle with respect to the first plane of the plate 40. Note that the angle of the ventilation route 54 is not particularly limited.

[0041] Due to the above-described shape, the distance of the ventilation route 54 of the electromagnetic relay 4 in Application Example 1 becomes longer than the distance of the ventilation route 52 of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first embodiment. Thereby, in the electromagnetic relay 4 of Application Example 1, the intrusion of foreign matters and contaminants into the electromagnetic relay 4 can be further suppressed as compared with the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 8 is a front view of the electromagnetic relay 5 according to Application Example 2 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from the surface. The electromagnetic relay 5 of Application Example 2 illustrated in FIG. 8 has a structure in which the case 50 of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the above-described first embodiment is replaced with a case 50d.

[0043] The case 50d is provided with a ventilation route 55 for discharging the moisture generated inside the electromagnetic relay 5 to the outside. This ventilation route 55, similar to the ventilation route 52 of the electromagnetic relay 1, in a state where the case 50d is fitted to the plate 40, is composed of a hole formed by notching a part of the fitting portion 51 of the case 50d in a U-shape, and a notch groove provided on the inner surface of the case 50d from this hole. However, the shape of the notch groove is different between the electromagnetic relay 1 and the electromagnetic relay 5.

[0044] Specifically, in the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first embodiment, a ventilation route 52 having a shape that connects the inside and the outside of the electromagnetic relay 1 by a straight path is formed. On the other hand, the electromagnetic relay 5 of Application Example 2 forms a ventilation route 55 having a shape that connects the inside and the outside of the electromagnetic relay 5 by a non-straight path. Note that the ventilation route 55 is not limited to the U-shaped bent shape illustrated in FIG. 8, and various non-straight paths such as a crank shape and a curved shape can be adopted.

[0045] Due to the above-described shape, the distance of the ventilation route 55 of the electromagnetic relay 5 in Application Example 2 becomes longer than the distance of the ventilation route 52 of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first embodiment. As a result, in the electromagnetic relay 5 of Application Example 2, the intrusion of foreign matter and contaminants into the inside of the electromagnetic relay 5 can be further suppressed as compared with the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first embodiment. Further, since the ventilation route 55 is bent in the middle, by appropriately adjusting this bending interval according to the body length of an insect (for example, the body length of the green rice leafhopper: about 0.7 mm), the defensive power against the intrusion of insects into the inside of the electromagnetic relay 5 can be enhanced.

[0046] Note that the method of forming the ventilation route according to the above-described Application Example 1 and Application Example 2 is also applicable to the electromagnetic relay 2 according to the second embodiment and the electromagnetic relay 3 according to the third embodiment. That is, the notch groove 42 of the plate 40a and the notch groove 53 of the case 50a in the electromagnetic relay 2 may be formed linearly or non-linearly at an angle with respect to the first plane of the plate 40a. Further, the ventilation route 43 provided in the stepped portion 41 of the plate 40b in the electromagnetic relay 3 may be formed linearly or non-linearly at an angle with respect to the first plane of the plate 40b.

[0047] <Effect> As described above, according to the structure of the electromagnetic relay according to each embodiment of the present disclosure, since a groove is formed on the contact surface between the plate and the case, it becomes easy to adjust the opening size and the opening area, and a fine convex mold for the ventilation route is not required. Further, since the ventilation route is provided at a position away from the terminal, it is possible to suppress foreign matter and contaminants from entering through the terminal and reaching the contact point. Furthermore, since a large number of ventilation routes can be arranged dispersedly, it becomes easy to effectively discharge the moisture inside the electromagnetic relay to the outside.

Industrial Applicability

[0048] The electromagnetic relay of the present disclosure can be used when it is desired to effectively discharge the moisture inside the electromagnetic relay to the outside.

Explanation of Signs

[0049] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 electromagnetic relays 10 movable contact part 11 movable contact 12 ferromagnetic body 20 fixed contact part 21 fixed contact 30 electromagnetic coil 31 core 40, 40a, 40b plates 41 step part 42 notch groove 43 ventilation route 50, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d cases 51 fitting part 52, 54, 55 ventilation routes 53 notch groove 61, 62 load terminals 71, 72 coil terminals

Claims

1. An electromagnetic relay, comprising: a functional unit that executes electromagnetic relay processing; a flat plate-shaped plate on which the functional unit is placed; a box-shaped case that covers and covers the functional unit by fitting with the plate, wherein the case has a ventilation route that communicates the inside of the electromagnetic relay where the functional unit is located with the outside of the electromagnetic relay in a fitting portion that contacts the plate when fitted with the plate.

2. An electromagnetic relay, comprising: a functional unit that executes electromagnetic relay processing; a flat plate-shaped plate on which the functional unit is placed; a box-shaped case that covers and covers the functional unit by fitting with the plate, wherein the plate has a first groove, the case has a second groove, and when the plate and the case are fitted together, a ventilation route that communicates the inside of the electromagnetic relay where the functional unit is located with the outside of the electromagnetic relay is formed by aligning the first groove and the second groove.

3. An electromagnetic relay, comprising: a functional unit that executes electromagnetic relay processing; a flat plate-shaped plate on which the functional unit is placed; a box-shaped case that covers and covers the functional unit by fitting with the plate, wherein the plate has a ventilation route that communicates the inside of the electromagnetic relay where the functional unit is located with the outside of the electromagnetic relay in a step portion that contacts the case when fitted with the case.

4. The electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ventilation route is formed at a distance longer than the shortest distance between the inside and the outside of the electromagnetic relay.

5. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 4, wherein the ventilation route is formed by a non-linear path.

6. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 4, wherein the ventilation route is provided preferentially in the vicinity of the electromagnetic coil constituting the functional unit.

7. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 4, wherein at least one passage dimension of the ventilation route is less than 0.1 mm.

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