relay

Abstract

To avoid poor contact of a relay terminal contact caused by freezing in a low-temperature environment by using a simple structure that does not use a control device.SOLUTION: A relay includes a fixed terminal, a movable terminal, a cover that covers at least a part of the fixed terminal and the movable terminal, a frictional heat fixed plate and a frictional heat movable plate facing each other inside the cover, an elastic member that supports the frictional heat movable plate such that the movable plate can vibrate in the plane direction, and a heat deformation member arranged adjacent to the frictional heat movable plate, and when the temperature of the heat deformation member is equal to or higher than a first subzero threshold, a tip portion of the heat deformation member is arranged at a retracted position separated from the frictional heat movable plate, and when the temperature of the heat deformation member is less than the first threshold, as the heat deformation member deforms, the tip of the heat deformation member comes into contact with the frictional heat movable plate, and is arranged at a pressing position for pressing the frictional heat movable plate toward the frictional heat fixed plate, and frictional heat is generated between the frictional heat movable plate vibrating in the plane direction and the frictional heat fixed plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a relay mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A main relay mounted on a vehicle is, for example, connected between an electric load and a power source in each part of the vehicle, and is used as a switch for switching between supplying and cutting off power to the electric load. For example, a mechanical relay such as an electromagnetic relay is used as such a main relay. An electromagnetic relay performs switching by moving a movable terminal in a direction approaching or moving away from a fixed terminal by the electromagnetic induction action of an excitation coil (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-165406 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a conventional relay, in an extremely low temperature environment (for example, when the outside temperature is −30° C. to −10° C.), ice may form on the contact portion between the movable terminal and the fixed terminal inside the relay due to condensation water, which may cause the contact portion to have a poor contact. As a result, even if the relay is switched on, the relay does not conduct electricity, so that power is not supplied to the electrical loads in various parts of the vehicle, which may cause problems such as poor starting of the vehicle.

[0005] In this regard, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 describes a method for preventing the relay from freezing by having a control unit determine whether or not the inside of the relay is frozen based on the detection value of a temperature sensor, and then vibrating the relay housing or the frozen area to remove the freezing. However, the freezing removal method described in Patent Document 1 requires a vibration generating device and a control device for removing the freezing, which results in a complex device configuration for the relay, lacking versatility for existing vehicles, and also leading to increased costs.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent poor contact of relay terminal contacts caused by freezing in a low-temperature environment by using a simple structure that does not use a control device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a relay according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: A relay connected between a power source and an electrical load mounted on a vehicle, A fixed terminal having a contact portion; a movable terminal having a contact portion that can be moved toward or away from the contact portion of the fixed terminal; a cover that covers at least a portion of the fixed terminal and the movable terminal; A fixing plate for generating frictional heat provided inside the cover; a frictional heat movable plate disposed inside the cover and facing the frictional heat fixed plate; elastic members attached to both sides of the frictional heat movable plate in a planar direction and supporting the frictional heat movable plate so as to be vibrated in the planar direction; a thermal deformation member disposed adjacent to the frictional heat movable plate inside the cover; Equipped with When the temperature of the thermal deformation member is equal to or higher than a first threshold value below freezing point, the tip end of the thermal deformation member is disposed at a retreat position separated from the frictional heat movable plate, When the temperature of the thermal deformation member is less than the first threshold value, the thermal deformation member deforms, and the tip of the thermal deformation member comes into contact with the frictional heat movable plate and is positioned in a pressing position where it presses the frictional heat movable plate toward the frictional heat fixed plate, generating frictional heat between the frictional heat movable plate vibrating in the planar direction and the frictional heat fixed plate. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, poor contact of relay terminal contacts caused by freezing in a low-temperature environment can be avoided using a simple structure that does not use a control device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a main relay according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state of the main relay in a normal environment according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state of the main relay in a cryogenic environment according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing a state of a main relay in a cryogenic environment according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing a state of a main relay in a cryogenic environment according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which a frictional heat movable plate is supported by a plurality of pairs of springs so as to be vibrable in a plurality of directions in a main relay according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific dimensions, materials, numerical values, etc. shown in the embodiment are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0011] [1. Relay uses and installation locations] First, the use and installation location of a main relay according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle 1 equipped with a main relay 10 according to this embodiment.

[0012] 1, the vehicle 1 is, for example, an engine vehicle provided with an engine 4 as a drive source for running. Note that the vehicle 1 may be a hybrid vehicle provided with an engine and a motor as drive sources for running, or an electric vehicle provided with a motor as a drive source for running.

[0013] An engine room 3 is provided inside a front panel 2 at the front of a vehicle 1. Various devices (drive device, cooling device, air conditioner, power source, control device, sensors, etc.) such as an engine 4, a radiator 5, and a transmission (not shown) are installed in the engine room 3. Furthermore, a relay box 8 that houses a main relay 10 according to this embodiment is also installed in the engine room 3. In the example of FIG. 1, the relay box 8 is disposed on the upper left rear side in the engine room 3, but may be disposed in another location in the engine room 3. By installing the main relay 10 in the relay box 8 in the engine room 3, it is possible to prevent moisture, dust, etc. from entering the main relay 10.

[0014] The main relay 10 according to this embodiment is an example of a relay of the present invention. The main relay 10 is a switching device that is connected between an electric load 6 and a power source 7 and switches on and off (supply and cut off) the power supply from the power source 7 to the electric load 6. The main relay 10 is used, for example, to turn on and off the supply of power required for controlling various devices such as the engine 4 or the transmission.

[0015] The electrical load 6 is, for example, a control device (ECU: engine control unit) that controls the air-fuel ratio, ignition timing, electronically controlled throttle valve, etc. of the engine 4, a control device (TCU: transmission control unit) that controls the transmission, and other control devices that control various in-vehicle devices. The electrical load 6 may be a driving device such as a vehicle drive motor or other motor, or may be various in-vehicle electrical components that require electric power, such as an auxiliary machine, a cooling device, an air conditioning device, a sensor, a car navigation device, a display device, an audio device, an electric sliding door, etc.

[0016] The power source 7 is a battery that stores electric power to be supplied to the electric load 6. The power source 7 is configured as a battery mounted on the vehicle 1, for example, an auxiliary battery. However, the power source 7 is not limited to this example, and may be any of various batteries mounted on the vehicle 1, such as a main battery for a drive motor of a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, or an external power source.

[0017] [2. Basic structure of relay] Next, a basic configuration of the main relay 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the main relay 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the main relay 10 is, for example, a mechanical relay such as an electromagnetic relay. A mechanical relay is a relay having contacts that are mechanically close to or separated from each other. The main relay 10 shown in FIG. 2 is, for example, a four-pole electromagnetic relay having four external terminals. The electromagnetic relay performs switching by moving the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 in a direction to approach or separate from the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 due to the electromagnetic induction action of the excitation coil 11. This switches between the presence or absence of current flow between the power source 7 and the electric load 6, and power is supplied from the power source 7 to the electric load 6 (relay on) or cut off (relay off).

[0019] The main relay 10 includes an excitation coil 11 , a yoke 12 , an iron core 13 , a pair of coil terminals 14 , a base 15 , a spool 16 , a cover 17 , a stopper 18 , a fixed terminal 20 , and a movable terminal 30 .

[0020] The excitation coil 11 is wound around a bobbin or the like. When a current flows through the excitation coil 11, a magnetic flux is generated at the winding center and around the coil. The yoke 12 is a component made of a metal material such as iron, and is provided in a magnetic path to enhance the effect of an electromagnet. The yoke 12 is arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the excitation coil 11, and forms a magnetic circuit when the excitation coil 11 is energized. The iron core 13 is inserted axially inside the yoke 12 so as to pass through the winding center of the excitation coil 11. The excitation coil 11 is insulated from the yoke 12 and the iron core 13. The coil terminal 14 is a terminal for passing a current through the excitation coil 11. A pair of coil terminals 14 is provided side by side in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2, and the pair of coil terminals 14 are connected to both ends of the excitation coil 11, respectively.

[0021] The excitation coil 11, yoke 12, iron core 13, and coil terminal 14 are formed from a conductive metal material, and function as an electromagnet for moving the movable terminal 30 using the magnetic force generated by the electromagnetic induction effect.

[0022] The base 15 and the spool 16 function as support members for supporting an electromagnet consisting of the excitation coil 11, yoke 12, iron core 13, coil terminal 14, etc. The base 15 is provided below the iron core 13 and spool 16, and supports the yoke 12, iron core 13, and spool 16 from below. The base 15 also closes the opening of the cover 17. The spool 16 is disposed along the upper, lower, and inner circumferential side of the excitation coil 11, and fixes the excitation coil 11 to a predetermined position around the iron core 13.

[0023] The base 15, spool 16, and cover 17 are made of a non-conductive insulating material, such as resin, etc. By using the non-conductive base 15 and spool 16 to support conductive metal parts such as the excitation coil 11, yoke 12, iron core 13, coil terminal 14, fixed terminal 20, and movable terminal 30, it is possible to prevent short circuits between these metal parts.

[0024] The cover 17 is, for example, a cap that covers the upper side of the main relay 10 (for example, the portion above the base 15) and protects various components in the main relay 10. The exciting coil 11, the yoke 12, the iron core 13, the base 15, and the spool 16, as well as the upper portions of the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30, are housed inside the cover 17. Meanwhile, the lower portions (terminal portion 22, terminal portion 32) of the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30, and a pair of coil terminals 14 are exposed to the outside of the cover 17. These four-pole terminals are detachably connected to, for example, a connector (not shown) provided in the relay box 8. The stopper 18 is disposed above the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 and regulates the movable range of the movable terminal 30.

[0025] The fixed terminal 20 is disposed on one side of the main relay 10 (for example, the left side in FIG. 2). The movable terminal 30 is disposed on the other side of the main relay 10 (for example, the right side in FIG. 2). The fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30 are supported and fixed by a base 15. The fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30 are formed of a conductive material, for example, a metallic material such as copper, iron, or phosphor bronze. The fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30 form a part of an electric circuit for supplying electric power from the power source 7 to the electric load 6.

[0026] The fixed terminal 20 is a terminal that is fixedly installed inside the main relay 10 and does not have a moving part. The fixed terminal 20 in the illustrated example is integrally formed, for example, from a single metal part, but may be formed by combining a plurality of parts.

[0027] The fixed terminal 20 includes a base portion 21, a terminal portion 22, a flange portion 23, and a contact portion 26.

[0028] The base portion 21 is a portion that constitutes the main body of the fixed terminal 20. The base portion 21 is provided to extend in the vertical direction on one side (for example, the left side in FIG. 2) within the main relay 10. A terminal portion 22 is provided on the lower side of the base portion 21. The terminal portion 22 is provided to extend downward from the base portion 21 and is exposed to the outside of the cover 17, and is connected to the connector and the like. A flange portion 23 for mounting the contact portion 26 is provided on the upper side of the base portion 21. The flange portion 23 is provided, for example, by bending the upper end portion of the base portion 21 and extending horizontally.

[0029] A contact portion 26 is provided on the upper surface of the flange portion 23 of the fixed terminal 20. The contact portion 26 is disposed in a position facing a contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30, which will be described later. The contact portion 26 is a portion that serves as a contact point of the fixed terminal 20 with the movable terminal 30.

[0030] The movable terminal 30 includes a base portion 31, a terminal portion 32, and a movable portion 33. The movable portion 33 includes a leaf spring , a movable plate 35, and a contact portion .

[0031] The base portion 31 is a portion that constitutes the main body of the movable terminal 30. The base portion 31 is provided extending in the vertical direction on the other side of the main relay 10 (the side opposite to the base portion 21 of the fixed terminal 20; for example, the right side in FIG. 2). A terminal portion 32 is provided on the lower side of the base portion 31. The terminal portion 32 is provided extending downward from the base portion 31 and is exposed to the outside of the cover 17, and is connected to the connector or the like. A locking portion 31a that is curved, for example, into a hook shape is provided on the upper end of the base portion 31. The locking portion 31a locks by embracing one end of the movable plate 35 of the movable portion 33.

[0032] The movable part 33 is a movable member for opening and closing (i.e., turning the relay on or off) the switch of the main relay 10. The movable part 33 is disposed so as to extend in the left-right direction in an upper part inside the main relay 10. The movable part 33 is provided so as to be rotatable, for example, with the locking part 31a of the base part 31 as a fulcrum.

[0033] The movable portion 33 has a structure in which a movable plate 35 and a contact portion 36 are connected by a leaf spring 34. A base end of the leaf spring 34 is fixed to the locking portion 31a of the base portion 31. A tip end of the leaf spring 34 is a free end, and is disposed above the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20. The leaf spring 34 is formed of a metal material having low electrical resistance and a certain degree of rigidity, such as phosphor bronze.

[0034] The movable plate 35 is made of, for example, a flat metal plate thicker than the leaf spring 34, and is attached to the lower surface side of the leaf spring 34. One end of the movable plate 35 is locked by a locking portion 31a of the base portion 31. The movable plate 35 has a function of reinforcing the leaf spring 34 so that the leaf spring 34 does not bend too much when the movable portion 33 rotates.

[0035] A contact portion 36 is provided at a tip portion of the movable portion 33 (for example, a tip portion of the leaf spring 34). The contact portion 36 is disposed above the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 described above, in a position facing the contact portion 26. The contact portion 36 is a portion that becomes a contact point of the movable terminal 30 with the fixed terminal 20.

[0036] The contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 and the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 are preferably made of a heat-resistant metal material such as copper, for example. This makes it possible to prevent the contact portions 26 and 36 from burning when current is applied.

[0037] According to the main relay 10 configured as described above, the magnetic force of the electromagnet can be used to move the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 close to or away from the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20, thereby opening and closing the switch of the main relay 10 (i.e., turning the relay on or off).

[0038] Specifically, when the exciting coil 11 is not energized (when the relay is off), the exciting coil 11 does not have an electromagnetic induction effect, and no magnetic force is generated in the electromagnet consisting of the exciting coil 11, the yoke 12, the iron core 13, etc. Therefore, the movable part 33 of the movable terminal 30 is rotated upward by the biasing force of the leaf spring 34, and the contact part 36 of the movable terminal 30 and the contact part 26 of the fixed terminal 20 are separated and in a non-contact state (the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 2). As a result, the movable terminal 30 and the fixed terminal 20 are not energized, the switch of the main relay 10 is turned off, the electric load 6 and the power source 7 are electrically separated, and the power supply to the electric load 6 is cut off.

[0039] When the relay is turned off, the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 that has moved upward comes into contact with the stopper 18 disposed above the contact portion 36. As a result, the amount of upward movement of the contact portion 36 is restricted by the stopper 18.

[0040] On the other hand, when the exciting coil 11 is energized (when the relay is on), the electromagnet generates a magnetic force in a direction that moves the movable part 33 of the movable terminal 30 toward the fixed terminal 20 due to the electromagnetic induction effect of the exciting coil 11. This magnetic force acts to rotate the movable part 33 of the movable terminal 30 downward against the biasing force of the leaf spring 34. As a result, the movable part 33 of the movable terminal 30 moves downward toward the fixed terminal 20, and the contact part 36 of the movable terminal 30 and the contact part 26 of the fixed terminal 20 come into contact with each other (the state shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2). As a result, the movable terminal 30 and the fixed terminal 20 are energized, the switch of the main relay 10 is turned on, the electric load 6 and the power source 7 are electrically connected, and power is supplied to the electric load 6.

[0041] The leaf spring 34 of the movable terminal 30 is formed of a thin metal plate having a certain degree of flexibility and elasticity. Therefore, when the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 and the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 are in contact with each other during relay-on, the leaf spring 34 presses the contact portion 36 against the contact portion 26. This absorbs dimensional differences and installation errors between the contact portions 26, 36, and allows the contact portions 26, 36 to be in stable contact with each other.

[0042] [3. Background and purpose of anti-icing structure for relays] Next, the background and purpose of the anti-icing structure 50, which is a feature of the main relay 10 according to this embodiment, will be described.

[0043] As described above, by controlling the flow of current through the excitation coil 11, the main relay 10 moves the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 in a direction approaching or moving away from the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20, thereby switching the main relay 10 on and off.

[0044] In such a main relay 10, in a low-temperature environment (e.g., when the outside air temperature is below freezing) such as in a cold region or in the early morning, particularly in an extremely low-temperature environment (e.g., when the outside air temperature is −30° C. to −10° C.), freezing due to condensation water occurs on the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 and the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 (hereinafter, sometimes collectively referred to as the “relay terminal contacts”), which may cause a problem of poor contact between the relay terminal contacts. For example, in an extremely low-temperature environment where the outside air temperature and humidity change drastically, moisture in the air atmosphere (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the “internal atmosphere of the relay”) inside the cover 17 of the main relay 10 condenses and adheres to and freezes on the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 or the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30. As a result, a frozen layer is formed on the surfaces of the contact portions 26, 36 due to the freezing of the condensation water, which may cause poor contact between the contact portions 26, 36. As a result, even if the main relay 10 is switched on, the frost layer prevents the relay terminal contacts from conducting, so that no power is supplied to the electrical loads 6, such as the engine and motor control devices, which may result in problems such as poor starting.

[0045] In particular, in the main relay 10 having the structure shown in FIG. 2, the number of components of the fixed terminal 20 is smaller than that of the movable terminal 30, and the length of the components of the fixed terminal 20 is shorter than that of the movable terminal 30. Therefore, when the terminal portion 22 exposed to the outside of the cover 17 of the main relay 10 is exposed to the extremely low temperature outside air, the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 is likely to become colder than the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 due to the heat transfer from the terminal portion 22 through the base portion 21, and the possibility of freezing increases. Therefore, a frozen layer of condensed water is likely to form so as to cover the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20, which has become colder than the atmosphere inside the relay. As a result, poor contact occurs between the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 and the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30, making it difficult to properly function as a switch.

[0046] Here, specific examples of conditions and mechanisms for ice formation on relay terminal contacts will be described in more detail.

[0047] For example, when the vehicle 1 is started for the first time in an extremely low temperature environment, and then soaked (engine stopped) for a certain period of time, a layer of ice is formed on the relay terminal contacts, which is likely to cause poor contact. Under such driving conditions in an extremely low temperature environment, the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30 of the main relay 10 are cooled to an extremely low temperature by the wind generated when the vehicle 1 is running. Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the relay is heated by the heat of the engine 4 and has a higher temperature than the extremely low temperature of the outside air. Therefore, during the soak, the temperature T2 of the atmosphere inside the relay is higher than the temperature T1 of the relay terminal contacts (T2>T1), and a temperature difference ΔT1 (ΔT1=T2-T1) occurs between the temperature T1 of the relay terminal contacts and the temperature T2 of the atmosphere inside the relay. For example, in cold regions, the temperature difference ΔT1 may be 10°C or more.

[0048] Therefore, during the soak, if the temperature difference ΔT1 becomes equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold value (e.g., about 6°C), moisture in the atmosphere inside the relay condenses and adheres to the relay terminal contacts, and the condensed water is cooled and freezes, forming an ice layer on the surface of the relay terminal contacts. At this time, as described above, since the movable terminal 30 has many components and is structured to easily reduce the transfer of cooling heat due to the wind while traveling, the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 is more likely to freeze than the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30.

[0049] Due to the above-mentioned ice formation conditions and mechanisms, ice due to condensed water may form on the relay terminal contacts in an extremely low temperature environment, which may result in poor contact of the relay terminal contacts.

[0050] In order to solve this problem, the main relay 10 according to this embodiment uses an anti-freeze structure 50 that utilizes heat (cooling heat) in an extremely low temperature environment, and aims to prevent poor contact of the relay terminal contacts caused by freezing in an extremely low temperature environment.

[0051] The main relay 10 according to the present embodiment has an anti-icing structure 50 consisting of a simple mechanical structure that does not use a control device or the like, and is characterized in that the thermal deformation member 58 of the anti-icing structure is thermally deformed by utilizing the cooling heat in an extremely low temperature environment. That is, the anti-icing structure 50 according to the present embodiment causes frictional parts in the main relay 10 to rub against each other to generate frictional heat as a result of the thermal deformation member 58 being thermally deformed in an extremely low temperature environment. This frictional heat heats the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30, thereby preventing poor contact due to freezing of the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30. In this way, the anti-icing structure 50 according to the present embodiment prevents the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 and the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 (relay terminal contact) from freezing, thereby preventing the problem of poor contact of the relay terminal contact due to freezing.

[0052] [4. Anti-freeze structure for relays] Next, the configuration of the anti-icing structure 50 of the main relay 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state of the main relay 10 in a normal environment according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state of the main relay 10 in an extremely low temperature environment according to this embodiment.

[0053] 2 and 3, the main relay 10 according to this embodiment includes an anti-icing structure 50 as a measure to address the problem of poor contact due to freezing of the relay terminal contacts in an extremely low temperature environment as described above. The anti-icing structure 50 is designed to prevent poor contact of the relay terminal contacts by causing a thermal deformation member 58 to deform using cooling heat in an extremely low temperature environment, thereby generating frictional heat to heat the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30.

[0054] The anti-icing structure 50 of the main relay 10 according to this embodiment includes a fixed plate for frictional heat 52, a movable plate for frictional heat 54, a spring 56, and a thermal deformation member 58.

[0055] The fixed plate 52 for frictional heat (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the "fixed plate 52") is a fixed plate-like member for generating frictional heat inside the cover 17 of the main relay 10. The fixed plate 52 is fixedly installed at a predetermined position inside the cover 17. The movable plate 54 for frictional heat (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the "movable plate 54") is a movable plate-like member for generating frictional heat inside the cover 17 of the main relay 10. The movable plate 54 is installed at a predetermined position inside the cover 17 so as to be able to vibrate.

[0056] The material of the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 may be any material as long as it has thermal conductivity and can generate frictional heat. The material of the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 is preferably a material that has an appropriate friction coefficient to generate frictional heat and is not easily abraded. For example, the material of the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 may be a metal material such as iron or copper, or a resin material. By making the material of the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 a metal material, the friction resistance and heat transfer of the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54, which are metal plates, can be improved. In addition, the material of the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 may be a friction material such as an organic friction material or an inorganic friction material that combines a fiber base material and a resin base material, or other composite material. This allows the friction coefficient between the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 to be increased to a certain extent, making it possible to efficiently generate frictional heat.

[0057] Furthermore, the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 may be made of the same material or different materials. If the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are made of different materials, it is possible to prevent the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 from welding to each other when they rub against each other.

[0058] The fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are, for example, rectangular flat plates, and are arranged parallel to and facing each other. Of the front and back surfaces of the fixed plate 52, the surface facing the movable plate 54 serves as a friction surface. Similarly, of the front and back surfaces of the movable plate 54, the surface facing the fixed plate 52 also serves as a friction surface. The friction surface of the fixed plate 52 and the friction surface of the fixed plate 52 are flat surfaces arranged parallel to and facing each other (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 3, the friction surface of the fixed plate 52 and the friction surface of the movable plate 54 rub against each other, generating frictional heat due to friction between them (see FIG. 3).

[0059] The surface direction of the fixed plate 52 is a direction parallel to the friction surface of the fixed plate 52. Similarly, the surface direction of the movable plate 54 is a direction parallel to the friction surface of the movable plate 54. Since the friction surfaces of the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are parallel to each other, the surface directions of the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are also parallel to each other. In the example of FIG. 2, the surface directions of the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are parallel to the up-down direction of the main relay 10. In other words, the fixed plate 520 and the movable plate 54 are arranged parallel to the up-down direction and parallel to each other.

[0060] The fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 may have any shape as long as they are plate-like members having friction surfaces that can rub against each other. The fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 may have any shape other than the rectangular flat plate shape described above, such as a disk shape, an elliptical plate shape, a polygonal plate shape, a strip shape, or a block shape.

[0061] The fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are provided inside the cover 17 of the main relay 10. The fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 may be disposed at any position inside the cover 17. In order to efficiently heat the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30 by frictional heat, the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are preferably disposed adjacent to one or both of the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30.

[0062] In the example of Fig. 2, two sets of anti-freezing structures 50, 50 (combinations of a fixed plate 52, a movable plate 54, a spring 56, and a thermal deformation member 58) are provided on both the fixed terminal 20 side and the movable terminal 30 side inside the cover 17. Specifically, on one side inside the cover 17 (for example, the left side in Fig. 2), a set of the fixed plate 52, the movable plate 54, the spring 56, and the thermal deformation member 58 (first anti-freezing structure 50) is provided adjacent to the fixed terminal 20. Furthermore, on the other side inside the cover 17 (for example, the right side in Fig. 2), a set of the fixed plate 52, the movable plate 54, the spring 56, and the thermal deformation member 58 (second anti-freezing structure 50) is provided adjacent to the movable terminal 30. As a result, both the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30 can be heated simultaneously by the two sets of anti-freezing structures 50, 50.

[0063] The fixed plate 52 is fixedly attached to the inner surface of one side wall of the cover 17 and is arranged parallel to the up-down direction. The movable plate 54 is arranged inside the cover 17 facing the fixed plate 52. The fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are arranged parallel to each other. In a normal environment shown in FIG. 2, the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are arranged facing each other with a gap in the facing direction (for example, the left-right direction). Therefore, in a normal environment, the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are in a non-contact state where they are not in contact with each other. On the other hand, in an extremely low temperature environment shown in FIG. 3, the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are pressed in the facing direction (for example, the left-right direction) by the pressing force of a thermal deformation member 58 described later, and their friction surfaces come into surface contact with each other. Therefore, in an extremely low temperature environment, the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are in a contact state where they are in contact with each other.

[0064] The movable plate 54 is provided so as to be vibrable in the above-mentioned planar direction (a direction parallel to the friction surface: the vertical direction in the example of FIG. 2). A spring 56 is used to set the movable plate 54 so as to be vibrable.

[0065] The spring 56 is an example of an elastic member that supports the movable plate 54 so that it can vibrate. The spring 56 in the illustrated example is configured as a coil spring, but may be configured as other spring members such as a leaf spring or a rubber spring. The spring 56 has elasticity. The spring 56 is formed of a metal such as iron or copper, but may be formed of a material other than metal. Note that the elastic member may be configured of other elastic members such as rubber other than the spring 56 of FIG. 2.

[0066] At least a pair of springs 56, 56 are attached to one movable plate 54. The pair of springs 56, 56 are attached to both sides of the movable plate 54 in the planar direction (for example, the up-down direction). In the example of FIG. 2, one spring 56 is attached to the upper end surface of the movable plate 54, and the other spring 56 is attached to the lower end surface of the movable plate 54. The upper spring 56 is suspended between the upper end surface of the movable plate 54 and the inner surface of the upper wall of the cover 17. The lower spring 56 is suspended between the lower end surface of the movable plate 54 and the upper surface of the base 15. Note that multiple pairs of springs 56, 56 may be provided on both sides of the movable plate 54 in the planar direction.

[0067] In this way, both ends of the movable plate 54 in the planar direction are elastically supported by the pair of upper and lower springs 56, 56, so that the movable plate 54 can freely vibrate along its planar direction (for example, the up-down direction). Therefore, when external vibrations from a vibration source accompanying various operations of the vehicle 1 are transmitted to the main relay 10, the movable plate 54 also vibrates inside the main relay 10 in response to the external vibrations. Here, the external vibrations from the vibration source include, for example, vibrations generated by a drive source such as the engine 4 or motor of the vehicle 1, or vibrations caused by the running of the vehicle 1. By utilizing such external vibrations, the movable plate 54 can be vibrated in the planar direction without installing a separate vibration generating device, vibration control device, or the like.

[0068] Hereinafter, the direction in which the movable plate 54 vibrates among the surface directions of the movable plate 54 is referred to as the vibration direction. In the example of FIG. 2, the vibration direction of the movable plate 54 is the up-down direction of the main relay 10 (e.g., corresponds to the up-down direction of the vehicle 1). However, the vibration direction of the movable plate 54 is not limited to this example, and may be any direction such as the front-rear direction, left-right direction, up-down direction, or diagonal direction of the vehicle 1. Here, it is preferable that the vibration direction of the movable plate 54 is aligned with the vibration direction of the main vibration among the multiple types of external vibration that can be transmitted to the main relay 10. The main vibration is, for example, a vibration with a relatively large vibration energy, such as a vibration with the largest amplitude, a vibration with the highest frequency, or a vibration with the longest vibration duration among the multiple types of external vibration. For example, when the external vibration from the engine 4 is the main vibration with the largest vibration energy, it is preferable that the vibration direction of the movable plate 54 is aligned with the direction of the main external vibration from the engine 4. This allows the movable plate 54 to vibrate favorably, and frictional heat can be efficiently generated.

[0069] The direction in which the movable plate 54 can vibrate can be adjusted by adjusting the mounting position and mounting direction of the pair of springs 56, 56 relative to the movable plate 54. For example, in the example of Fig. 2, a pair of springs 56, 56 is mounted to both ends of the movable plate 54 in the up-down direction, so that the vibration direction of the movable plate 54 is the up-down direction. Alternatively, for example, by mounting a pair of springs 56, 56 to both ends of the movable plate 54 in the left-right or front-back direction, the vibration direction of the movable plate 54 can be set to the left-right or front-back direction.

[0070] In addition, it is preferable that the friction surface of the fixed plate 52 and the friction surface of the movable plate 54 have surface properties that easily generate frictional heat. If the surface roughness of the friction surface is too large, the vibration of the movable plate 54 stops due to the frictional force between the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54, and frictional heat is not generated between the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54. On the other hand, if the surface roughness of the friction surface is too small, it becomes difficult to efficiently generate frictional heat even if the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are rubbed against each other. Therefore, it is preferable to appropriately adjust the surface roughness of the friction surface of the fixed plate 52 and the friction surface of the movable plate 54 so that the vibration of the movable plate 54 relative to the fixed plate 52 can be continued and frictional heat can be suitably generated between them.

[0071] In this way, the anti-icing structure 50 according to this embodiment is a structure in which the movable plate 54, which vibrates in a predetermined vibration direction, rubs against the fixed plate 52, which is fixedly disposed, to generate frictional heat between the frictional surfaces of the two. For this reason, it is preferable that the area of ​​the frictional surface of the fixed plate 52 is larger than the area of ​​the frictional surface of the movable plate 54, and that the length of the vibration direction of the fixed plate 52 is longer than the length of the vibration direction of the movable plate 54 (for example, the vertical direction in FIG. 2). This allows the entire frictional surface of the vibrating movable plate 54 to continue to rub against the frictional surface of the fixed plate 52.

[0072] The thermal deformation member 58 has a function of switching between generation and non-generation of frictional heat by the anti-icing structure 50. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, under normal conditions, the thermal deformation member 58 does not press the movable plate 54, thereby separating the movable plate 54 from the fixed plate 52, releasing the friction between the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54, and stopping the generation of frictional heat. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 3, under an extremely low temperature environment, the thermal deformation member 58 presses the movable plate 54 against the fixed plate 52, causing friction between the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54, thereby generating frictional heat.

[0073] The thermal deformation member 58 is, for example, a plate-shaped metal member. The thermal deformation member 58 is disposed adjacent to the movable plate 54 inside the cover 17 of the main relay 10. The thermal deformation member 58 is disposed on the opposite side of the fixed plate 52 with the movable plate 54 interposed therebetween. In this embodiment, two thermal deformation members 58, 58 are provided on both the left and right sides of the main relay 10, and each thermal deformation member 58 is attached to the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30. Specifically, the thermal deformation member 58 on one side (for example, the left side in FIG. 2) is fixed to the base portion 21 of the fixed terminal 20. The thermal deformation member 58 on the other side (for example, the right side in FIG. 2) is fixed to the base portion 31 of the movable terminal 30. Here, the entire thermal deformation member 58 is not fixed to the fixed terminal 20 or the movable terminal 30, but only a part of the thermal deformation member 58 (the base end portion on one side) is fixed to the fixed terminal 20 or the movable terminal 30. The other end 58a of the thermal deformation member 58 is not fixed to the fixed terminal 20 or the movable terminal 30 and is freely deformable.

[0074] The thermal deformation member 58 is a member that undergoes autonomous thermal deformation in response to its own temperature T. The thermal deformation member 58 is formed of a metal material that has the property of undergoing thermal deformation in response to temperature T, such as a bimetal or a shape memory alloy. The bimetal is a plate-shaped metal member formed by bonding two metal plates with different thermal expansion coefficients. The bimetal has the property of curving in a predetermined direction in response to temperature changes due to the difference in thermal expansion between the two metal plates. That is, as the temperature of the bimetal increases, the metal plate with the larger thermal expansion coefficient extends more than the metal plate with the smaller thermal expansion coefficient. For this reason, the bimetal is curved and deformed so that the metal plate with the larger thermal expansion coefficient is on the outside and the metal plate with the smaller thermal expansion coefficient is on the inside. The shape memory alloy is an alloy that has the property of recovering to its original shape even if it is deformed at a predetermined temperature (transformation point) or higher.

[0075] In this way, by forming the thermal deformation member 58 from a bimetal or a shape memory alloy, the thermal deformation member 58 can be thermally deformed so as to be curved in a predetermined direction according to the temperature T of the thermal deformation member 58. This allows the temperature T of the thermal deformation member 58 to be adjusted to a predetermined threshold T AUsing the (first threshold value) as a reference, the shape of the thermal deformation member 58 can be deformed into either a curved shape that is curved in a predetermined direction, or a linear shape that extends linearly.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 2, under normal circumstances, when the temperature T of the thermal deformation member 58 is equal to or lower than the threshold T A In the above cases, the thermal deformation member 58 is thermally deformed so that the tip 58a of the thermal deformation member 58 extends straight in the vertical direction. As a result, the shape of the thermal deformation member 58 becomes a straight line extending straight in the vertical direction. As a result, the tip 58a of the thermal deformation member 58 is disposed at a retracted position away from the movable plate 54 and is in a non-contact state with the movable plate 54. In this way, when the tip 58a of the thermal deformation member 58 is disposed at the retracted position, the thermal deformation member 58 does not press the movable plate 54 toward the fixed plate 52. Therefore, the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are disposed apart from each other with a gap in the left-right direction. Therefore, even if the movable plate 54 vibrates in the surface direction (for example, the vertical direction), friction does not occur between the movable plate 54 and the fixed plate 52, and frictional heat is not generated.

[0077] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, in an extremely low temperature environment, when the temperature T of the thermal deformation member 58 is lower than the threshold T A If the difference is less than 1 / 100, the thermal deformation member 58 is thermally deformed so that the tip 58a of the thermal deformation member 58 is warped toward the movable plate 54. As a result, the shape of the thermal deformation member 58 is curved toward the movable plate 54. As a result, the tip 58a of the thermal deformation member 58 is disposed at a pressing position where it abuts against the movable plate 54 and presses the movable plate 54 toward the fixed plate 52, and is in contact with the movable plate 54. As a result, the movable plate 54 is pressed by the thermal deformation member 58 and moves in the left-right direction toward the fixed plate 52, and the friction surface of the movable plate 54 and the friction surface of the fixed plate 52 come into surface contact. Therefore, the movable plate 54 vibrating in the surface direction (for example, the up-down direction) and the fixed fixed plate 52 are rubbed in the surface direction, and frictional heat is generated between the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54.

[0078] The threshold value T of the temperature T that is the reference for the thermal deformation of the thermal deformation member 58 is AThe first threshold value is preferably set to a predetermined temperature below the freezing point at which the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 and the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 may freeze. A The threshold value T may be appropriately adjusted to an appropriate temperature depending on the material, shape, and deformation characteristics of the thermal deformation member 58, the relative positions of the thermal deformation member 58, the movable plate 54, and the fixed plate 52, the temperature environment in which the vehicle 1 is used, and the like. A is preferably set to a predetermined temperature within a range of less than 0° C. and not less than −10° C., and can be set to, for example, about −6° C. As described above, when the temperature difference ΔT1 between the temperature T1 of the relay terminal contact and the temperature T2 of the atmosphere inside the relay becomes 6° C. or more, it is considered that the relay terminal contact is likely to freeze. A It is preferable to set the temperature at about -6°C.

[0079] As a result, when there is a risk of a frozen layer resulting from condensed water forming on the relay terminal contacts in an extremely low temperature environment, the thermal deformation member 58 is thermally deformed by the cooling heat, and the tip portion 58a of the thermal deformation member 58 moves autonomously from the retracted position to the pressing position. This allows friction between the vibrating movable plate 54 and the fixed plate 52 to generate frictional heat.

[0080] [5. Relay operation] Next, the operation of the main relay 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

[0081] (1) Under normal conditions (temperature T of thermal deformation member 58 ≧ threshold T A ) First, the state and operation of the main relay 10 in a normal environment (for example, when the outside air temperature is above -10°C) will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state of the main relay 10 in a normal environment according to this embodiment. In the state shown in Fig. 2, the tip 58a of the thermal deformation member 58 is, for example, extended straight upward and disposed at a retracted position.

[0082] 2, under normal circumstances, the outside air temperature and the temperature T2 of the atmosphere inside the relay are relatively high, so that the temperature difference ΔT1 between the temperature T1 of the relay terminal contact and the temperature T2 of the atmosphere inside the relay is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (e.g., about 6°C). Therefore, no condensation occurs inside the main relay 10, and the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20, which is the relay terminal contact, does not freeze. Therefore, no special anti-freezing measures are required.

[0083] Therefore, under the normal environment in Fig. 2, the main relay 10 operates in the same manner as a general main relay to turn the relay on or off. Specifically, when the relay is off as shown in Fig. 2, the movable part 33 of the movable terminal 30 is disposed in a spaced position (position shown by a solid line in Fig. 2) spaced upward from the contact part 26 of the fixed terminal 20, and the contact part 36 of the movable terminal 30 and the contact part 26 of the fixed terminal 20 are not in contact with each other. Therefore, no current flows between the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30, and the power supply from the power source 7 to the electric load 6 is cut off.

[0084] When the relay is turned on, the exciting coil 11 is energized. Then, due to the electromagnetic induction of the electromagnet, the movable portion 33 of the movable terminal 30 rotates downward toward the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 and is disposed at the contact position (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2), and the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 comes into close contact with the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20. As a result, the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30 are energized, and power is supplied from the power source 7 to the electric load 6.

[0085] In either case of relay-off or relay-on under such a normal environment, the temperature T of the thermal deformation member 58 is equal to or lower than the threshold T A As a result, the tip 58a of the thermal deformation member 58 extends straight upward and is disposed in the retracted position. Therefore, the thermal deformation member 58 does not press the movable plate 54, and the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are in a non-contact state. Therefore, even if the movable plate 54 vibrates in the vertical direction, frictional heat is not generated between the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54.

[0086] (2) In an extremely low temperature environment (temperature T of the thermal deformation member 58 < threshold T A ) Next, the state and operation of the main relay 10 in an extremely low temperature environment (for example, when the outside air temperature is −30° to −10° C.) will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state of the main relay 10 in an extremely low temperature environment according to this embodiment. In the state shown in Fig. 3, the tip 58a of the thermal deformation member 58 is deformed so as to be curved toward the movable plate 54, and is disposed at a pressing position where it presses the movable plate 54.

[0087] In an extremely low temperature environment, the temperature difference ΔT1 between the temperature T1 of the relay terminal contact and the temperature T2 of the atmosphere inside the relay may be less than a predetermined threshold value (for example, about 6° C.). In this case, the temperature difference ΔT1 may cause condensation water to be generated inside the main relay 10, and the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 may freeze. If the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 freezes, even if the movable portion 33 of the movable terminal 30 rotates downward when the relay is turned on, a layer of ice is present between the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 and the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20, so that both contact portions 26, 36 cannot conduct electricity. Therefore, in an extremely low temperature environment, it is required that the anti-freezing structure 50 according to this embodiment generates frictional heat to heat the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 and the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30, thereby suppressing freezing.

[0088] In the anti-icing structure 50 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in the above-mentioned extremely low temperature environment, cooling heat is transferred to the thermal deformation member 58, and the temperature T of the thermal deformation member 58 becomes lower than the threshold T A When the temperature drops below this level, the thermal deformation member 58 deforms autonomously. Then, the tip 58a of the thermal deformation member 58 is positioned at a pressing position curved laterally toward the movable plate 54. As a result, the tip 58a of the thermal deformation member 58 comes into contact with the movable plate 54 vibrating in the planar direction of the movable plate 54 (e.g., the up-down direction) and presses the movable plate 54 toward the fixed plate 52. As a result, the vibrating movable plate 54 and the fixed plate 52 come into surface contact and their frictional surfaces rub against each other, generating frictional heat between the movable plate 54 and the fixed plate 52.

[0089] Then, the generated frictional heat is transferred to the base portion 21 of the fixed terminal 20 and the base portion 31 of the movable terminal 30 through the fixed plate 52, the movable plate 54, and the thermal deformation member 58, which are in contact with each other. Furthermore, the frictional heat is transferred inside the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30 from the base portions 21, 31 to the contact portions 26, 36. The transfer of the frictional heat heats up the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 and the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 (relay terminal contact). As a result, condensation and freezing of the relay terminal contact can be suppressed, so that poor contact of the relay terminal contact can be avoided when the relay is on, and the movable terminal 30 and the fixed terminal 20 can be suitably energized.

[0090] As described above, according to this embodiment, in a normal environment where the relay terminal contacts are not frozen (FIG. 2), the temperature T of the thermal deformation member 58 is equal to or lower than the threshold value T A (First threshold) or more (T ≧ T A Therefore, the tip 58a of the thermally deformable member 58 has a linear shape that extends straight in the vertical direction, and is disposed in a retracted position where it does not press the movable plate 54. As a result, the vibrating movable plate 54 and the fixed plate 52 do not come into contact with each other, and therefore no frictional heat is generated between them.

[0091] On the other hand, in an extremely low temperature environment (FIG. 3) where the relay terminal contacts may freeze, the thermal deformation member 58 is cooled by the cooling heat transmitted through the fixed terminal 20, the movable terminal 30, etc. As a result, the temperature T of the thermal deformation member 58 becomes lower than the threshold T A When it becomes less than (T <T A ), the tip 58a of the thermally deformable member 58 is curved toward the movable plate 54 and is disposed at a pressing position where it comes into contact with the movable plate 54 and presses the movable plate 54 toward the fixed plate 52. As a result, the vibrating movable plate 54 rubs against the fixed plate 52, generating frictional heat between the movable plate 54 and the fixed plate 52, and the relay terminal contacts are heated by the transfer of the frictional heat.

[0092] In this way, the thermal deformation member 58 thermally deforms in accordance with its own temperature T, so that the thermal deformation member 58 functions as a switch that automatically switches between generation and non-generation of frictional heat. Therefore, before the relay terminal contacts freeze in an extremely low temperature environment, the relay terminal contacts can be automatically heated by frictional heat. This makes it possible to prevent the relay terminal contacts from freezing, and to prevent poor contact of the relay terminal contacts.

[0093] For example, in an extremely low temperature environment such as in a cold region, the temperature difference ΔT1 between the temperature T1 of the relay terminal contacts (contact parts 26, 36, etc.) while the vehicle 1 is running and the temperature T2 of the atmosphere inside the relay may be 10° or more. However, according to this embodiment, the relay terminal contacts can be suitably heated by the frictional heat generated by the anti-icing structure 50. Therefore, the temperature difference ΔT1 between the temperature T1 of the relay terminal contacts and the temperature T2 of the atmosphere inside the relay can be suppressed within a predetermined threshold value (e.g., 6°), so that condensation and icing on the relay terminal contacts can be suitably suppressed. Therefore, even in an extremely low temperature environment, when the relay is on, the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30 can be suitably energized.

[0094] Moreover, according to this embodiment, the thermal deformation member 58 undergoes autonomous thermal deformation in response to its own temperature T, and the position of its tip 58a is automatically changed between the retracted position and the pressing position. Moreover, the movable plate 54 can be vibrated using external vibrations transmitted from a vibration source of the vehicle 1 to the main relay 10 as an energy source to generate frictional heat. Therefore, the relay terminal contacts can be automatically heated using the anti-icing structure 50, which has a low-cost and simple configuration, without using a separate heating device, vibration generating device, control device, etc.

[0095] In addition, in an extremely low temperature environment, it is preferable that the thermal deformation member 58 presses the movable plate 54 against the fixed plate 52 with an appropriate pressing force that does not stop the vibration of the movable plate 54. This allows the vibrating movable plate 54 and the fixed plate 52 to rub against each other continuously, thereby generating sufficient frictional heat.

[0096] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the thermal deformation member 58 presses the movable plate 54 against the fixed plate 52, the tip 58a of the thermal deformation member 58 also abuts against the movable plate 54. Therefore, frictional heat can also be generated between the vibrating fixed plate 52 and the thermal deformation member 58. However, since the contact area between the movable plate 54 and the fixed plate 52 is larger than the contact area between the movable plate 54 and the thermal deformation member 58, the latter can generate more frictional heat.

[0097] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, in normal environments other than cryogenic environments or in high-temperature environments, the thermal deformation member 58 does not press the movable plate 54, so the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54 are not in contact with each other, and frictional heat is not generated between them. Therefore, in an environment where freezing does not occur, unnecessary heating of the relay terminal contacts due to frictional heat can be automatically prevented. Therefore, in a high-temperature environment where heat damage is severe, such as an area where the maximum temperature in summer is about 40°C or higher, the main relay 10 can be prevented from becoming too hot.

[0098] 6. Other embodiments Next, a main relay 10 according to second to fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0099] 2 and 3, in the cover 17 of the main relay 10, the movable plate 54 and the fixed plate 52 are disposed on the cover 17 side (outside), and the thermal deformation member 58 is disposed on the fixed terminal 20 or movable terminal 30 side (inside). This allows the movable plate 54 and the fixed plate 52, which require a larger installation space than the thermal deformation member 58, to be disposed on the cover 17 side, which has more space for installation. This increases the degree of freedom in the shapes, arrangement, etc. of the fixed plate 52 and the movable plate 54, and alleviates restrictions on the installation space.

[0100] However, the arrangement of the anti-icing structure 50 is not limited to the example of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. For example, the arrangement of the anti-icing structure 50 may be changed as in a second embodiment shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state of the main relay in an extremely low temperature environment according to the second embodiment.

[0101] 4, in an anti-icing structure 50 according to the second embodiment, inside the cover 17 of the main relay 10, a movable plate 54 and a fixed plate 52 are arranged on the fixed terminal 20 or movable terminal 30 side (inner side), and a thermal deformation member 58 is arranged on the cover 17 side (outer side). The thermal deformation members 58 are attached to the inner surfaces of both side walls of the cover 17, respectively, and the fixed plates 52 are attached to the base portion 21 of the fixed terminal 20 and the base portion 31 of the movable terminal 30, respectively.

[0102] With such an arrangement of the anti-freezing structure 50 according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the thermal deformation member 58 thermally deformed in an extremely low temperature environment presses the movable plate 54 toward the fixed plate 52, and frictional heat can be suitably generated between the movable plate 54 and the fixed plate 52. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the fixed plate 52 is in surface contact with the fixed terminal 20 or the movable terminal 30 over a wide area, so that frictional heat generated by friction between the movable plate 54 and the fixed plate 52, which is the main source of frictional heat, can be directly and efficiently transferred from the fixed plate 52 to the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30. Therefore, the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 and the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 can be heated more efficiently by the frictional heat.

[0103] 2 and 3, two anti-icing structures 50 (combinations of fixed plate 52, movable plate 54, spring 56 and thermal deformation member 58) are provided inside cover 17 of main relay 10 on both the fixed terminal 20 side (left side) and the movable terminal 30 side (right side). As a result, both fixed terminal 20 and movable terminal 30 can be heated simultaneously by the two anti-icing structures 50, so that freezing of fixed terminal 20 and movable terminal 30 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0104] However, the number of anti-icing structures 50 is not limited to that of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. For example, the number of anti-icing structures 50 may be changed as in a third embodiment shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state of the main relay in an extremely low temperature environment according to the third embodiment.

[0105] In the anti-icing structure 50 according to the third embodiment, inside the cover 17 of the main relay 10, one set of anti-icing structures 50 (a combination of a fixed plate 52, a movable plate 54, a spring 56, and a thermal deformation member 58) is provided only on either the fixed terminal 20 side (left side) or the movable terminal 30 side (right side). In particular, as shown in FIG. 5, it is preferable that one set of anti-icing structures 50 is provided only on the fixed terminal 20 side (left side). The fixed terminal 20 has fewer components and is shorter in length than the movable terminal 30. For this reason, cooling heat due to wind during traveling or the like is easily transferred from the terminal portion 22 of the fixed terminal 20 to the contact portion 26, and the contact portion 26 is easily frozen. Therefore, by providing the anti-icing structure 50 on the fixed terminal 20 side as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to more reliably suppress freezing of the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20, which is easily frozen.

[0106] According to the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the movable plate 54 is supported by a pair of upper and lower springs 56, 56 so as to be vibrated in one of the planar directions (the up-down direction). The vibration direction of the movable plate 54 is aligned with the direction of the main external vibration. This makes it possible to efficiently use the vibration energy of the main external vibration to vibrate the movable plate 54 in the direction of the external vibration, thereby efficiently generating frictional heat.

[0107] However, the vibration direction of the movable plate 54 is not limited to the example of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. For example, as in a fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 6, a plurality of pairs of elastic members (e.g., springs 56) may be attached to the movable plate 54 to support the movable plate 54 so that the movable plate 54 can vibrate in two or more different directions. Fig. 6 is a side view showing a state in which the movable plate 54 is supported by a plurality of pairs of springs 56, 56 in a main relay 10 according to the fourth embodiment so that the movable plate 54 can vibrate in a plurality of directions.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 6, according to the fourth embodiment, the movable plate 54 is supported so as to be vibrated in a first direction (e.g., vertical direction) among the surface directions of the movable plate 54 and in a second direction (e.g., horizontal direction) intersecting the first direction. Specifically, a pair of springs 56A, 56A (first elastic members) are attached to the upper and lower end faces of the movable plate 54. Furthermore, two pairs of springs 56B, 56B (second elastic members) are attached to the left and right end faces of the movable plate 54, which are relatively longer than the upper and lower end faces. The springs 56A, 56A are suspended between the upper end face and the lower end face of the movable plate 54, the inner surface of the upper wall of the cover 17, and the upper surface of the base 15, respectively. The springs 56B, 56B are suspended between the left end face and the right end face of the movable plate 54, and the inner surface of the side wall of the cover 17, respectively.

[0109] In this way, according to the fourth embodiment, the movable plate 54 is elastically supported in two directions, for example, up and down and left and right, using multiple pairs of springs 56A, 56A, 56B, 56B. This allows the movable plate 54 to vibrate suitably in the two vibration directions. Therefore, when external vibrations in multiple directions are transmitted from various vibration sources of the vehicle 1 to the main relay 10, the movable plate 54 can be vibrated two-dimensionally in accordance with the external vibrations in the multiple directions, thereby efficiently generating frictional heat.

[0110] 6, one movable plate 54 is vibrated in a plurality of vibration directions in correspondence with one fixed plate 52, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, although not shown, a plurality of movable plates (such as a first movable plate vibrating in a first direction and a second movable plate vibrating in a second direction) may be provided in correspondence with one fixed plate, and the plurality of movable plates may be rubbed against one fixed plate at the same time to generate frictional heat.

[0111] [7. Summary] As described above, according to this embodiment, A relay (main relay 10) connected between a power source 7 mounted on a vehicle 1 and an electrical load 6, A fixed terminal 20 having a contact portion 26; a movable terminal 30 having a contact portion 36 arranged so as to be capable of approaching or being separated from the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20; a cover 17 that covers at least a part of the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30; A fixing plate for frictional heat 52 provided inside the cover 17; a frictional heat movable plate 54 disposed opposite the frictional heat fixed plate 52 inside the cover 17; Elastic members (springs 56) are attached to both sides of the surface direction of the frictional heat movable plate 54 (i.e., a direction parallel to the friction surface of the frictional heat movable plate 54) and support the frictional heat movable plate 54 so that it can vibrate in the surface direction; a thermal deformation member 58 disposed adjacent to the frictional heat movable plate 54 inside the cover 17; Equipped with The temperature T of the thermal deformation member 58 is a first threshold T A In the above case (for example, under normal conditions), the tip portion 58a of the thermal deformation member 58 is disposed at a retracted position separated from the frictional heat movable plate 54, The temperature T of the thermal deformation member 58 is the first threshold T AWhen the temperature is less than this (for example, in an extremely low temperature environment), the thermal deformation member 58 deforms, and the tip portion 58a of the thermal deformation member 58 comes into contact with the frictional heat movable plate 54 and is positioned at a pressing position where it presses the frictional heat movable plate 54 towards the frictional heat fixed plate 52, thereby generating frictional heat between the frictional heat movable plate 54 vibrating in the planar direction and the frictional heat fixed plate 52, thereby providing a relay.

[0112] As a result, in a cryogenic environment, when the contact portion 26 of the fixed terminal 20 and the contact portion 36 of the movable terminal 30 (relay terminal contact) may freeze, the thermal deformation member 58 is deformed autonomously by the cooling heat, and the frictional heat movable plate 54 is pressed toward the frictional heat fixed plate 52. As a result, frictional heat is generated between the frictional heat movable plate 54 and the frictional heat fixed plate 52, which vibrate in the planar direction. Then, the frictional heat is transferred to the relay terminal contacts of the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30 through the thermal deformation member 58, and the relay terminal contacts can be heated. Therefore, condensation and freezing of the relay terminal contacts can be suppressed, and poor contact between the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30 can be avoided. Therefore, poor contact of the relay terminal contacts caused by freezing in a cryogenic environment can be avoided by using a simple anti-freezing structure 50 that does not use a control device.

[0113] When the tip end of the thermal deformation member 58 is disposed at the retracted position, the frictional heat fixed plate 52 and the frictional heat movable plate 54 may be disposed spaced apart from each other. As a result, the frictional heat fixed plate 52 and the frictional heat movable plate 54 do not come into contact with each other, so that no frictional heat is generated even if the frictional heat movable plate 54 vibrates. Therefore, in a normal environment where the relay terminal contacts do not freeze, it is possible to prevent unnecessary generation of frictional heat.

[0114] The frictional heat fixed plate 52 , the frictional heat movable plate 54 and the thermal deformation member 58 may be provided inside the cover 17 on both the fixed terminal 20 side and the movable terminal 30 side. This allows frictional heat to be generated on both the fixed terminal 20 side and the movable terminal 30 side, and both the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30 can be heated simultaneously, so that freezing of the fixed terminal 20 and the movable terminal 30 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0115] The frictional heat fixed plate 52 , the frictional heat movable plate 54 and the thermal deformation member 58 may be provided on the fixed terminal 20 side inside the cover 17 . This allows frictional heat to be generated on the side of the fixed terminal 20 which is prone to freezing, and allows the fixed terminal 20 to be heated intensively, so that freezing of the fixed terminal 20 can be more reliably prevented.

[0116] The elastic member (spring 56) is A pair of first elastic members (springs 56A) that support the frictional heat movable plate 54 so as to be vibrated in a first direction among the planar directions; a pair of second elastic members (springs 56B) that support the frictional heat movable plate 54 so as to be vibrated in a second direction among the planar directions; The above may be included. As a result, when external vibrations in multiple directions are transmitted from a vibration source of the vehicle 1 to the main relay 10, the frictional heat movable plate 54 can be vibrated in the multiple directions, thereby efficiently generating frictional heat.

[0117] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the attached drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that such examples also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0118] For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the relay is applied to the main relay 10 for turning on and off the power supply to the control devices of various devices mounted on the vehicle 1, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The relay of the present invention can be suitably applied to various relays installed in the engine room 3 other than the above example of the main relay 10, and can also be applied to other relays installed in various places of the vehicle 1 (for example, the passenger compartment, the trunk room, under the floor, etc.) other than the engine room 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1 vehicle 6 Electrical Load 7 Power 8 Relay Box 10. Main Relay 20 Fixed terminal 26 Contact part 30 Movable terminal 33 Moving parts 34 Leaf Spring 35 Movable plate 36 Contact part 50 Anti-freeze structure 52 Fixed plate for frictional heat 54 Movable plate for frictional heat 56, 56A, 56B Springs 58 Thermal deformation components 58a Tip

Claims

1. A relay connected between a power source and an electrical load mounted on a vehicle, A fixed terminal having a contact portion; a movable terminal having a contact portion that can be moved toward or away from the contact portion of the fixed terminal; a cover that covers at least a portion of the fixed terminal and the movable terminal; A fixing plate for generating frictional heat provided inside the cover; a frictional heat movable plate disposed inside the cover and facing the frictional heat fixed plate; elastic members attached to both sides of the frictional heat movable plate in a planar direction and supporting the frictional heat movable plate so as to be vibrated in the planar direction; a thermal deformation member disposed adjacent to the frictional heat movable plate inside the cover; Equipped with When the temperature of the thermal deformation member is equal to or higher than a first threshold value below freezing point, a tip end portion of the thermal deformation member is disposed at a retracted position separated from the frictional heat movable plate, When the temperature of the thermal deformation member is less than the first threshold value, the thermal deformation member deforms, and the tip of the thermal deformation member abuts against the frictional heat movable plate and is positioned in a pressing position where it presses the frictional heat movable plate toward the frictional heat fixed plate, generating frictional heat between the frictional heat movable plate vibrating in the planar direction and the frictional heat fixed plate.

2. 2. The relay according to claim 1, wherein when the tip end of the thermal deformation member is disposed at the retracted position, the frictional heat fixed plate and the frictional heat movable plate are disposed spaced apart from each other.

3. 3. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the frictional heat fixed plate, the frictional heat movable plate and the thermal deformation member are provided inside the cover on both the fixed terminal side and the movable terminal side.

4. 3. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the frictional heat fixed plate, the frictional heat movable plate and the thermal deformation member are provided inside the cover on a side of the fixed terminal.

5. The elastic member is a pair of first elastic members that support the frictional heat movable plate so that the frictional heat movable plate can vibrate in a first direction among the planar directions; a pair of second elastic members that support the frictional heat movable plate so that the frictional heat movable plate can vibrate in a second direction among the planar directions; The relay according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:

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