Electrical Equipment

Abstract

To provide an electric device in which parts inside a main body frame can be easily replaced. [Solution] The electrical device includes a first frame (31) and a second frame (41) that house electrical components by connecting the open ends of the frames facing each other in one direction, and a relative displacement suppression mechanism (80) that suppresses relative displacement between the connected first frame (31) and second frame (41). The relative displacement suppression mechanism (80) includes a first fixing portion (81) provided on a side wall of the first frame (31), a second fixing portion (85) provided on a side wall of the second frame (41) so as to overlap the first fixing portion (81) in the one direction, and a fixing member (90) that is movable between the first fixing portion (81) and the second fixing portion (85).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric device, and more particularly to a technique that is effective when applied to an electric device having a frame main body that houses a contact unit and an electromagnet unit. [Background technology]

[0002] The electromagnetic contactor as an electrical device includes a main body frame that houses a contact unit and an electromagnet unit. The main body frame includes a first frame and a second frame facing each other, and a connecting mechanism that connects the first frame and the second frame.

[0003] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose an electromagnetic contactor equipped with a snap-fit ​​mechanism as a connecting mechanism. The snap-fit ​​mechanism described in Patent Document 1 connects the first frame and the second frame by fitting a fitting portion provided on a hook portion of the first frame with a fitting protrusion provided on the second frame. Moreover, the snap-fit ​​mechanism described in Patent Document 2 connects the upper case and the lower case by fitting an engagement protrusion provided on the upper case into a socket provided in an elastic plate portion of the lower case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 177961 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-312159 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the case of an electromagnetic contactor, the electromagnetic coil may be replaced depending on the type of power source used by the customer. The snap-fit ​​mechanism described in Patent Document 1 is useful for replacing the electromagnetic coil because it can engage and disengage the engagement portion of the first frame with the engagement protrusion of the second frame.

[0006] However, in the snap-fit ​​mechanism described in Patent Document 1, the flexible protruding plate part of the first frame is bent outward using a tool with a flat (plate-shaped) tip, such as a flat-head screwdriver, to release the engagement between the engagement part of the flexible protruding plate part and the engagement protrusion part of the second frame, and it is time-consuming to bend the flexible protruding plate part with a tool. In addition, when bending the flexible protruding plate part outward, there is no stopper to regulate the amount of bending of the flexible protruding plate part, so there is a concern that the flexible protruding plate part may break depending on the amount of force used. In addition, the snap-fit ​​mechanism is provided in multiple places, and multiple snap-fit ​​mechanisms must be released simultaneously with a tool, which causes problems with workability.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems with the above-mentioned technology, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric device that allows easy replacement of parts within the main body frame. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, an electrical device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a contact unit, an electromagnet unit that drives the contact unit, and a main body frame that houses the contact unit and the electromagnet unit in a housing portion, the main body frame includes a first frame having a flexible plate portion protruding from an open end side, a second frame facing the first frame in a first direction to form a storage portion, and a snap-fit ​​mechanism connecting the first frame and the second frame; the snap-fit ​​mechanism has a fitted portion provided on the flexible protruding plate portion, and a fitting protrusion portion provided on a side wall of the second frame and fitted into the fitted portion, The mating portion and the mating protrusion portion are mated by bringing the first frame and the second frame closer together in the first direction, and the mating is released by displacing the first frame and the second frame relatively in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0009] An electrical device according to another aspect of the present invention comprises: The housing includes a first frame and a second frame that house electrical components by connecting the open ends of the first and second frames facing each other in one direction, and a relative displacement suppression mechanism that suppresses relative displacement between the connected first and second frames. The relative displacement suppression mechanism includes a first fixing portion provided on a side wall of the first frame, a second fixing portion provided on a side wall of the second frame so as to overlap the first fixing portion in the one direction, and a fixing member that is movable between the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric device that allows easy replacement of parts inside a main body frame. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an electromagnetic contactor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of an electromagnetic contactor. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4A] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a first frame and a second frame are connected to each other. FIG. [Figure 4B] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a first frame and a second frame are connected to each other. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first frame. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second frame. [Figure 7]4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first frame and the second frame are positioned by a positioning mechanism. FIG. [Figure 8A] FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating the connection between the first frame and the second frame. [Figure 8B] 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connection between a first frame and a second frame. FIG. [Figure 9A] FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating the connection between the first frame and the second frame. [Figure 9B] 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a connection between a first frame and a second frame. FIG. [Figure 10A] FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating release of the connection between the first frame and the second frame. [Figure 10B] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating release of the connection between the first frame and the second frame. FIG. [Figure 11A] FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating release of the connection between the first frame and the second frame. [Figure 11B] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating release of the connection between the first frame and the second frame. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an electromagnetic contactor including an electric device case according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of an electromagnetic contactor. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15A] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state of the first frame and the second frame in the Y direction. FIG. [Figure 15B] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state of the first frame and the second frame in the X direction. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first frame. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second frame. [Figure 18A] 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which a fixing member of the relative displacement suppression mechanism is attached to a first fixing portion of the first frame. FIG. [Figure 18B] 4 is a perspective view showing a first fixed portion and a second fixed portion of the relative displacement suppression mechanism. FIG. [Figure 18C] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a fixing member of the relative displacement suppression mechanism. [Figure 19A] 13 is a side view showing a state in which the relative displacement suppression mechanism is released from the relative displacement suppression. FIG. [Figure 19B] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the relative displacement suppression mechanism is released from the relative displacement suppression. FIG. [Figure 20A] 13 is a side view showing a state in which relative displacement is suppressed by the relative displacement suppression mechanism. FIG. [Figure 20B] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which relative displacement is suppressed by a relative displacement suppression mechanism. FIG. [Figure 21] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first frame and the second frame are positioned by a positioning mechanism. FIG. [Figure 22A] FIG. 4 is a front view taken along the X direction for explaining the connection between the first frame and the second frame. [Figure 22B] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the Y direction for explaining the connection between the first frame and the second frame. FIG. [Figure 23A] FIG. 4 is a front view taken along the X direction for explaining the connection between the first frame and the second frame. [Figure 23B] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the Y direction for explaining the connection between the first frame and the second frame. FIG. [Figure 24A] 13 is a front view taken along the X direction for explaining release of the connection between the first frame and the second frame. FIG. [Figure 24B] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the X direction for explaining release of the connection between the first frame and the second frame. FIG. [Figure 25A] 13 is a front view taken along the X direction for explaining release of the connection between the first frame and the second frame. FIG. [Figure 25B] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the X direction for explaining release of the connection between the first frame and the second frame. FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an electromagnetic contactor according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27A] 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which relative displacement is suppressed by a relative displacement suppression mechanism. FIG. [Figure 27B] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which relative displacement is suppressed by a relative displacement suppression mechanism. FIG. [Figure 28A] 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the relative displacement suppression mechanism is released from the relative displacement suppression. FIG. [Figure 28B] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the relative displacement suppression mechanism is released from the relative displacement suppression. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in all the drawings for explaining the embodiments of the invention, parts having the same functions are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof will be omitted. In addition, the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual ones. In addition, the following embodiments are merely examples of devices and methods for embodying the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the configuration is not limited to the following. In other words, the technical idea of ​​the present invention can be modified in various ways within the technical scope described in the claims. In addition, in the following embodiments, of the three mutually orthogonal directions in space, a second direction and a third direction that are mutually orthogonal in the same plane are defined as the X direction and the Y direction, respectively, and a first direction that is orthogonal to each of the second direction and the third direction is defined as the Z direction. In the following embodiments, the present invention will be described as being applied to an electromagnetic contactor as an electrical device. However, the present invention is not limited to the electromagnetic contactor of the following embodiment, and can be applied to other electrical devices.

[0013] [First embodiment] <Configuration of electromagnetic contactor> 1 and 2, an electromagnetic contactor 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a contact unit 10, an electromagnet unit 20 that drives the contact unit 10, and a main body frame 30 that houses the contact unit 10 and the electromagnet unit 20 in a storage section 30a. The contact unit 10 and the electromagnet unit 20 are stored in the storage section 30a of the main body frame 30 in series in the Z direction (first direction). This electromagnetic contactor 1 opens and closes a three-phase AC electric circuit.

[0014] <Contact unit> As shown in Figure 2, the contact unit 10 has a pair of fixed contacts 11 and 12, a bridge-shaped movable contact 13 arranged so as to be able to move toward and away from the pair of fixed contacts 11 and 12, and a movable contact support 14 that holds the movable contact 13. The pair of fixed contacts 11 and 12 extend in the X direction (second direction), have fixed contacts on one end, and have an external terminal portion on the other end. The pair of fixed contacts 11 and 12 are fixed to the main body frame 30 with their respective one ends facing each other and spaced apart in the X direction.

[0015] The movable contactor 13 extends in the X direction, and has movable contacts on one and the other ends. The movable contact on one end of the movable contactor 13 and the fixed contact of one of the fixed contactors 11 are arranged to face each other. The movable contact on the other end of the movable contactor 13 and the fixed contact of the other fixed contactor 12 are arranged to face each other. The movable contactor 13 is held by a movable contact support 14. The pair of fixed contactors 11 and 12 and the movable contactor 13 form a contact section, and three of these contact sections are arranged side by side in the Y direction corresponding to the three-phase AC electric circuit.

[0016] <Electromagnet unit> 2, the electromagnet unit 20 has a fixed core 21, a movable core 22, an electromagnetic coil 23, and a return spring 26. The fixed core 21 and the movable core 22 are arranged such that their armature surfaces face each other. The electromagnetic coil 23 generates a magnetic field that attracts the fixed core 21 and the movable core 22 by electromagnetic force. The electromagnetic coil 23 has a winding 24 and a bobbin 25. The winding 24 passes between the central leg and the outer leg of each of the fixed core 21 and the movable core 22 and goes around the central leg. The bobbin 25 is wound with the winding 24. The bobbin 25 has a cylindrical portion on the inner diameter side into which the central legs of the fixed core 21 and the movable core 22 are inserted and on the outer diameter side of which the winding 24 is wound. The bobbin 25 also has flange portions that extend from both ends of the cylindrical portion to the outer diameter side in a flange-like shape. The electromagnetic coil 23 can be replaced according to the type of power source used by the customer.

[0017] The return spring 26 is a biasing means that biases the movable core 22 in a direction away from the fixed core 21. The return spring 26 is, for example, a coil spring provided between the upper surface of the bobbin 25 of the electromagnetic coil 23 and the movable core 22. The pair of fixed contacts 11 and 12 and the movable contact 13 are electrical contacts that switch between connecting and disconnecting a circuit by coming into contact with and separating from each other.

[0018] 2, the movable contactor 13 is fixed to one end of the movable contact support 14 in the Z direction. The other end of the movable contact support 14 in the Z direction is fixed to a rear surface portion of the movable core 22 on the opposite side to the leg portion side. The movable contactor 13 moves in the Z direction in conjunction with the movement of the movable core 22 in the Z direction. That is, the pair of fixed contactors 11 and 12 and the movable contactor 13 are separated in a released state in which the fixed core 21 and the movable core 22 are separated from each other, and are in contact in a closed state in which the fixed core 21 and the movable core 22 are in contact with each other. A contact spring (not shown) is provided on the side of the movable contact 13 opposite to the movable core 22 side.

[0019] <Main frame> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main body frame 30 includes a first frame 31 and a second frame 41 that face each other in the Z direction to form the storage section 30a, and a snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 that connects the first frame 31 and the second frame 41. The first frame 31 is a cylindrical body with one end of a square cylindrical outer circumferential wall having four side walls 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d open, and the other end opposite to the one end of the outer circumferential wall is closed by a bottom wall 31e. Similarly, the second frame 41 is a cylindrical body with one end of a square cylindrical outer circumferential wall having four side walls 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d open, and the other end opposite to the one end of the outer circumferential wall is closed by a bottom wall. The side walls 31a and 41a and the side walls 31b and 41b are located opposite each other in the X direction. The side walls 31c and 41c and the side walls 31d and 41d are located opposite each other in the Y direction.

[0020] The first frame 31 is provided with a primary side terminal portion electrically connected to one of the pair of fixed contacts 11 and 12, and a secondary side terminal portion electrically connected to the other of the pair of fixed contacts 11 and 12. A mounting plate portion 43 having mounting holes is provided at four corners on the bottom wall side of the second frame 41. The first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are formed of a thermoplastic insulating resin, such as a nylon-based resin, which has excellent heat resistance and insulating properties. In this first embodiment, the side that houses the contact unit 10 is the first frame 31 having the flexible protruding plate portion 51, and the side that houses the electromagnet unit 41 is the second frame 41 having the mating protrusion portion 55, but the opposite may be true, where the side that houses the electromagnet unit 41 is the first frame having the flexible protruding plate portion 51, and the side that houses the contact unit 10 is the second frame having the mating protrusion portion 55.

[0021] <Snap-fit ​​mechanism> As shown in Figures 3, 4A and 4B, the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 has a hook portion 53 having an engagement hole portion (opening) 52 as a fitting portion provided on the tip side of a flexible protruding plate portion 51 protruding from an open end of one of the first frames 31 and the second frames 41, and an engagement protrusion portion 55 provided on the other of the first frames 31 and the second frames 41, the second frame 41, and engaging with the engagement hole portion 52 of the flexible protruding plate portion 51. The flexible protruding plate portion 51 extends along the Z direction, has a base portion integrated with the first frame 31, and has a tip portion opposite the base portion protruding from the open end side of the first frame 31 (see FIG. 5). The tip portion of the flexible protruding plate portion 51 faces the outer surface of the outer peripheral side wall of the second frame 41.

[0022] The fitting hole 52 penetrates from the tip end of the flexible protruding plate 51 to the opposing front and back surfaces of the flexible protruding plate 51. The fitting protrusion 55 of the second frame 41 is fitted into the fitting hole 52 to be fitted. Note that, although the fitting hole 52 is used as the fitted portion in the first embodiment, a fitting recess may be used as the fitted portion. The mating hole portion 52 and the mating protrusion portion 55 are mated by bringing the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 closer to each other in the Z direction (first direction), and the mating is released by displacing the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 relatively in the X direction (second direction) perpendicular to the Z direction.

[0023] The flexible protruding plate portion 51 has a first inclined surface 51a that comes into contact with the fitting protrusion portion 55 and bends the flexible protruding plate portion 51 outward when the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are brought relatively close to each other in the Z direction and the fitting hole portion 52 and the fitting protrusion portion 55 are fitted together. That is, the flexible protruding plate portion 51 has the first inclined surface 51a in the Z direction in which the fitting hole portion 52 and the fitting protrusion portion 55 are fitted together. The first inclined surface 51a is inclined at an angle such that the thickness of the tip portion of the flexible protruding plate portion 51 gradually increases toward the base portion. The fitting protrusion 55 has a second inclined surface 55a that comes into contact with the inner surface of the fitting hole 52 to bend the flexible protruding plate 51 outward when the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are relatively displaced in the X direction perpendicular to the Z direction to release the fitting between the fitting hole 52 and the fitting protrusion 55. That is, the fitting protrusion 55 has the second inclined surface 55a in the X direction in which the fitting between the fitting hole 52 and the fitting protrusion 55 is released. The second inclined surface 55a is inclined at an angle such that the thickness of the fitting protrusion 55 gradually increases from the position where the flexible protruding plate 51 comes into contact.

[0024] The other of the first frame 31 and the second frame 41, the second frame 41 on which the fitting protrusion 55 is provided, has a third inclined surface 56 that contacts the tip side of the flexible protruding plate 51 to bend the flexible protruding plate 51 outward when the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are relatively displaced in the X direction perpendicular to the Z direction to release the fitting between the fitting hole 52 and the fitting protrusion 55. This third inclined surface 56 is provided on the outer surface side of the outer circumferential side wall of the second frame 41. That is, the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 has the third inclined surface 56 provided on the second frame 41. The third inclined surface 56 is inclined at an inclination in a direction in which the thickness gradually increases from the position where the flexible protruding plate 51 contacts toward the side wall surface.

[0025] 3 to 6, a total of four snap-fit ​​mechanisms 50 are provided, two on each side in the X direction, on portions of the outer peripheral side wall of the main frame 30 that are opposite to each other in the Y direction. That is, the flexible protruding plate portion 51, the first inclined surface 51a, and the hook portion 53 having the fitting hole portion 52 are provided spaced apart in the X direction on the outer surfaces of the two side walls 31c and 31d that are opposite to each other in the Y direction (third direction) of the first frame 31. Also, the fitting protrusion portion 55 having the second inclined surface 55a and the third inclined surface 56 are provided spaced apart in the X direction on the outer surfaces of the two side walls 41c and 41d that are opposite to each other in the Y direction of the second frame 41. The snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 may be provided on either one of the two side wall portions located on opposite sides of the main frame 30, but it is preferable to provide one or more on each of the side wall portions located on opposite sides of the main frame 30.

[0026] <Positioning mechanism> As shown in FIG. 7, the main body frame 30 further includes a positioning mechanism 70 that positions the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X direction. The positioning mechanism 70 has a flexible positioning plate 71 that protrudes from the open end of the first frame 31 and, when the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected, enters from the open end of the second frame 41 to face the inner surface of the outer circumferential side wall of the second frame 41. The flexible positioning plate 71 extends along the Z direction, has a base integrated with the first frame 31, and a tip side opposite to the base protrudes from the open end side of the first frame 31. When the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected, the tip side of the flexible positioning plate 71 enters from the open end of the second frame 41 to face the inner surface of the outer circumferential side wall of the second frame 41. In this first embodiment, a total of four flexible positioning plates 71 are provided on the two side walls 31a and 31b in the X direction of the first frame 31, two on each side, spaced apart in the Y direction. That is, the flexible positioning plates 71 are provided at the four corners of the first frame 31. When the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected to each other, the tip sides of the two flexible positioning plates 71 provided on the side wall 31a side of the first frame 31 face the inner surface of the side wall 41a of the second frame 41, and the two flexible positioning plates 71 arranged on the side wall 31b side of the first frame 31 face the inner surface of the side wall 41b of the second frame 41. The positioning mechanism 70 can position the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 by having the tip sides of the four flexible positioning plates 71 enter from the open end side of the second frame 41 and come into contact with the inner surface of the outer circumferential side wall of the second frame 41. The two flexible positioning plate portions 71 provided on the side wall 31a side of the first frame 31 have a resilient force that biases the inner surface of the side wall 41a of the second frame 41, and the two flexible positioning plate portions 71 provided on the side wall 31b side of the first frame 31 have a resilient force that biases the inner surface of the side wall 41b of the second frame 41. Although the flexible positioning plate portions 71 are provided on the side walls 31a and 31b, they may be provided on the side walls 31c and 31d.

[0027] <Connection of the first and second frames> Next, the connection between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 will be described with reference to Figs. 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B. First, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are arranged along the Z direction with their open ends facing each other.

[0028] Next, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are moved relatively closer to each other in the Z direction, so that the first inclined surface 51a at the tip of the flexible protruding plate 51 comes into contact with the fitting protrusion 55. Then, by moving the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 further relatively closer to each other in the Z direction, the first inclined surface 51a at the tip side of the flexible protruding plate 51 moves while contacting the fitting protrusion 55, and the flexible protruding plate 51 is bent outward. After that, as shown in Figures 3, 4A, and 4B, the fitting protrusion 55 is fitted into the fitting hole 52 of the flexible protruding plate 51 and fitted, and the fitting hole 52 and the fitting protrusion 55 are locked by the elastic force of the flexible protruding plate 51. As a result, the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected and fixed to each other by the snap fit mechanism 50.

[0029] During the connection between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41, the tip side of the flexible positioning plate portion 71 of the first frame 31 enters from the open end side of the second frame 41 and comes into contact with the inner surface of the outer side wall of the second frame 41, thereby positioning the first frame 31 and the second frame 41. Furthermore, when the connection between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 is completed, the flexible positioning plate portion 71 biases the inner surface of the outer side wall of the second frame 41 with its own elastic force, thereby suppressing rattling (vibration) of the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X-direction.

[0030] <Disconnecting the first and second frames> Next, the release of the connection between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 will be described with reference to Figures 10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B. Note that Figures 10A and 11A show the side walls 31c and 41c of the first frame 31 and the second frame 41, respectively, similar to Figure 3.

[0031] First, from a state in which the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected by the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 (see Figs. 3, 4A and 4B), the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are displaced relatively in the X direction to bring the inner wall surface of the flexible protruding plate portion 51 into contact with the second inclined surface 55a of the fitting protrusion portion 55, and the flexible protruding plate portion 51 into contact with the third inclined surface 56. Then, by further displacing the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 relatively in the X direction, as shown in Figs. 10A and 10B, the inner wall surface of the flexible protruding plate portion 51 moves while being in contact with the second inclined surface 55a of the fitting protrusion portion 55, and the flexible protruding plate portion 51 moves while being in contact with the third inclined surface 56, so that the flexible protruding plate portion 51 is bent outward. Thereafter, the fitting protrusion portion 55 moves from inside to outside the fitting hole portion 52 of the flexible protruding plate portion 51. 11A and 11B, by moving the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 relatively apart in the Z direction, the engagement between the engagement hole 52 and the engagement protrusion 55 of the flexible protruding plate 51 is released. This releases the connection between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 by the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50. That is, the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 can release the connection between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 by relatively displacing the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X direction, so no tools are required.

[0032] Effect of the First Embodiment Next, the main effects of the first embodiment will be described. The electromagnetic contactor 1 according to the first embodiment includes a snap-fit ​​mechanism 50. As described above, the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 can release the engagement between the engagement hole 52 and the engagement protrusion 55 by relatively displacing the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X direction, so there is no need to use a tool to release the engagement as in the past, and there is no need to bend the flexible protruding plate 51 with a tool. Therefore, according to the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to the first embodiment, parts such as the electromagnetic coil 23 in the main body frame 30 can be easily replaced. In addition, since the engagement between the engagement hole 52 of the flexible protruding plate 51 and the engagement protrusion 55 can be released without using a tool, it is possible to eliminate the concern that the flexible protruding plate 51 may be broken due to the force applied when bending the flexible protruding plate 51 with a tool. Furthermore, by relatively displacing the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X direction, the engaged state of the four snap-fit ​​mechanisms 50 can be released almost simultaneously, which is easier to work with than when multiple snap-fit ​​mechanisms are released using a tool.

[0033] The electromagnetic contactor 1 according to the first embodiment further includes a positioning mechanism 70 that positions the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X direction. Therefore, according to the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to the first embodiment, when the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected, the positioning mechanism 70 can quickly position the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X direction, and the workability when connecting the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 with the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 can be improved.

[0034] Furthermore, the flexible positioning plate portion 71 of the positioning mechanism 70 has a resilient force that biases the inner surface of the outer side wall of the second frame 41 after the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected. Therefore, even if the first frame and the second frame are allowed to be relatively displaced in the X direction by the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50, the resilient force of the flexible positioning plate portion 71 can suppress rattling (vibration) of the first frame and the second frame in the X direction.

[0035] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 in which the first frame 31 is provided with the fitting hole 52 and the second frame 41 is provided with the fitting protrusion 55 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 of the above-mentioned first embodiment. For example, the present invention can be applied to a snap-fit ​​mechanism in which the first frame 31 is provided with the fitting protrusion 55 and the second frame 41 is provided with the fitting hole 52. That is, the present invention can be applied to an electromagnetic contactor equipped with a snap-fit ​​having a hook portion provided with a fitted portion on the tip side of a flexible protruding plate portion 51 protruding from an open end side of one of the first frame 31 and the second frame 41, and a fitting protrusion portion provided on the other frame and fitting with the fitted portion.

[0036] In the above-described first embodiment, two snap-fit ​​mechanisms 50 are provided on each of the two side walls 31c and 31d located opposite each other in the Y direction of the first frame 31. However, the number of snap-fit ​​mechanisms 50 is not limited to that in the above-described first embodiment. For example, one snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 may be provided on each of the two side walls 31c and 31d, or three or more snap-fit ​​mechanisms may be provided on each of the two side walls 31c and 31d. In the above-described first embodiment, the fitting hole portion 52 is used as the fitted portion of the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50, but the present invention is not limited to the fitting hole portion 52. For example, a fitting recess may be used as the fitted portion.

[0037] Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a case body of an electromagnetic contactor as a case for an electric device will be described. <Overall configuration of the electromagnetic contactor> 12 and 13, an electromagnetic contactor 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes, as an electric device, a contact unit 10 and an electromagnet unit 20 that drives the contact unit 10. The electromagnetic contactor 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention further includes, as an electric device case, a main body frame 30 that stores the contact unit 10 and the electromagnet unit 20 in a storage section 30a. The contact unit 10 and the electromagnet unit 20 are stored in the storage section 30a of the main body frame 30 and arranged in series in the Z direction (first direction). This electromagnetic contactor 1A opens and closes a three-phase AC electric circuit.

[0038] <Contact unit> As shown in Figure 13, the contact unit 10 has a pair of fixed contacts 11 and 12, a bridge-shaped movable contact 13 arranged so as to be able to move toward and away from the pair of fixed contacts 11 and 12, and a movable contact support 14 that holds the movable contact 13. The pair of fixed contacts 11 and 12 extend in the X direction (second direction), have fixed contacts on one end, and have an external terminal portion on the other end. The pair of fixed contacts 11 and 12 are fixed to the main body frame 30 with their respective one ends facing each other and spaced apart in the X direction.

[0039] The movable contactor 13 extends in the X direction, and has movable contacts on one and the other ends. The movable contact on one end of the movable contactor 13 and the fixed contact of one of the fixed contactors 11 are arranged to face each other. The movable contact on the other end of the movable contactor 13 and the fixed contact of the other fixed contactor 12 are arranged to face each other. The movable contactor 13 is held by a movable contact support 14. The pair of fixed contactors 11 and 12 and the movable contactor 13 form a contact section, and three of these contact sections are arranged side by side in the Y direction corresponding to the three-phase AC electric circuit.

[0040] <Electromagnet unit> 13, the electromagnet unit 20 has a fixed core 21, a movable core 22, an electromagnetic coil 23, and a return spring 26. The fixed core 21 and the movable core 22 are arranged such that their armature surfaces face each other. The electromagnetic coil 23 generates a magnetic field that attracts the fixed core 21 and the movable core 22 by electromagnetic force. The electromagnetic coil 23 has a winding 24 and a bobbin 25. The winding 24 passes between the central leg and the outer leg of each of the fixed core 21 and the movable core 22 and goes around the central leg. The bobbin 25 is wound with the winding 24. The bobbin 25 has a cylindrical portion on the inner diameter side into which the central legs of the fixed core 21 and the movable core 22 are inserted and on the outer diameter side of which the winding 24 is wound. The bobbin 25 also has flange portions that extend from both ends of the cylindrical portion to the outer diameter side in a flange-like shape. The electromagnetic coil 23 can be replaced according to the type of power source used by the customer.

[0041] The return spring 26 is a biasing means that biases the movable core 22 in a direction away from the fixed core 21. The return spring 26 is, for example, a coil spring provided between the upper surface of the bobbin 25 of the electromagnetic coil 23 and the movable core 22. The pair of fixed contacts 11 and 12 and the movable contact 13 are electrical contacts that switch between connecting and disconnecting a circuit by coming into contact with and separating from each other.

[0042] 13, the movable contact 13 is fixed to one end of the movable contact support 14 in the Z direction. The other end of the movable contact support 14 in the Z direction is fixed to a rear surface portion of the movable core 22 on the opposite side to the leg portion side. The movable contact 13 moves in the Z direction in conjunction with the movement of the movable core 22 in the Z direction. That is, the pair of fixed contacts 11 and 12 and the movable contact 13 are separated in a released state in which the fixed core 21 and the movable core 22 are separated from each other, and are in contact in a closed state in which the fixed core 21 and the movable core 22 are in contact with each other. A contact spring (not shown) is provided on the side of the movable contact 13 opposite to the movable core 22 side.

[0043] <Main frame> As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the main frame 30 includes a first frame 31 and a second frame 41 that face each other in the Z direction to form the storage section 30a, and a snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 that connects the first frame 31 and the second frame 41. The first frame 31 is a cylindrical body with one end of a square cylindrical outer circumferential wall having four side walls 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d open, and the other end opposite to the one end of the outer circumferential wall is closed by a bottom wall 31e. Similarly, the second frame 41 is a cylindrical body with one end of a square cylindrical outer circumferential wall having four side walls 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d open, and the other end opposite to the one end of the outer circumferential wall is closed by a bottom wall. The side walls 31a and 41a and the side walls 31b and 41b are located opposite each other in the X direction. The side walls 31c and 41c and the side walls 31d and 41d are located opposite each other in the Y direction.

[0044] The first frame 31 is provided with a primary side terminal portion electrically connected to one of the pair of fixed contacts 11 and 12, and a secondary side terminal portion electrically connected to the other of the pair of fixed contacts 11 and 12. A mounting plate portion 43 having mounting holes is provided at four corners on the bottom wall side of the second frame 41. The first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are formed of a thermoplastic insulating resin, such as a nylon-based resin, which has excellent heat resistance and insulating properties. In this first embodiment, the side that houses the contact unit 10 is the first frame 31 having the flexible protruding plate portion 51, and the side that houses the electromagnet unit 20 is the second frame 41 having the mating protrusion portion 55, but the opposite may be true, where the side that houses the electromagnet unit 20 is the first frame having the flexible protruding plate portion 51, and the side that houses the contact unit 10 is the second frame having the mating protrusion portion 55.

[0045] <Snap-fit ​​mechanism> As shown in Figures 14, 15A and 15B, the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 has a hook portion 53 having an engagement hole portion (opening) 52 as a fitting portion provided on the tip side of a flexible protruding plate portion 51 protruding from an open end of one of the first frames 31 and the second frames 41, and an engagement protrusion portion 55 provided on the other of the first frames 31 and the second frames 41, and engaging with the engagement hole portion 52 of the flexible protruding plate portion 51. The flexible protruding plate portion 51 extends along the Z direction, has a base portion integrated with the first frame 31, and has a tip portion opposite the base portion protruding from the open end side of the first frame 31 (see FIG. 16). The tip portion of the flexible protruding plate portion 51 faces the outer surface of the outer peripheral side wall of the second frame 41.

[0046] The fitting hole 52 penetrates from the tip end of the flexible protruding plate 51 to the opposing front and back surfaces of the flexible protruding plate 51. The fitting protrusion 55 of the second frame 41 is fitted into the fitting hole 52. In the second embodiment, the fitting hole 52 is used as the fitted portion, but the fitted portion may be a fitting recess. The mating hole portion 52 and the mating protrusion portion 55 are mated by bringing the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 closer to each other in the Z direction (first direction), and the mating is released by displacing the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 relatively in the X direction (second direction) perpendicular to the Z direction.

[0047] The flexible protruding plate portion 51 has a first inclined surface 51a that comes into contact with the fitting protrusion portion 55 and bends the flexible protruding plate portion 51 outward when the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are brought relatively close to each other in the Z direction and the fitting hole portion 52 and the fitting protrusion portion 55 are fitted together. That is, the flexible protruding plate portion 51 has the first inclined surface 51a in the Z direction in which the fitting hole portion 52 and the fitting protrusion portion 55 are fitted together. The first inclined surface 51a is inclined at an angle such that the thickness of the tip portion of the flexible protruding plate portion 51 gradually increases toward the base portion. The fitting protrusion 55 has a second inclined surface 55a that comes into contact with the inner surface of the fitting hole 52 to bend the flexible protruding plate 51 outward when the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are relatively displaced in the X direction perpendicular to the Z direction to release the fitting between the fitting hole 52 and the fitting protrusion 55. That is, the fitting protrusion 55 has the second inclined surface 55a in the X direction in which the fitting between the fitting hole 52 and the fitting protrusion 55 is released. The second inclined surface 55a is inclined at an angle such that the thickness of the fitting protrusion 55 gradually increases from the position where the flexible protruding plate 51 comes into contact.

[0048] The other of the first frame 31 and the second frame 41, the second frame 41 on which the fitting protrusion 55 is provided, has a third inclined surface 56 that contacts the tip side of the flexible protruding plate 51 to bend the flexible protruding plate 51 outward when the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are relatively displaced in the X direction perpendicular to the Z direction to release the fitting between the fitting hole 52 and the fitting protrusion 55. This third inclined surface 56 is provided on the outer surface side of the outer circumferential side wall of the second frame 41. That is, the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 has the third inclined surface 56 provided on the second frame 41. The third inclined surface 56 is inclined at an inclination in a direction in which the thickness gradually increases from the position where the flexible protruding plate 51 contacts toward the side wall surface.

[0049] 14 to 17, a total of four snap-fit ​​mechanisms 50 are provided, two on each side in the X direction, on portions of the outer peripheral side wall of the main frame 30 that are opposite to each other in the Y direction. That is, the flexible protruding plate portion 51, the first inclined surface 51a, and the hook portion 53 having the fitting hole portion 52 are provided spaced apart in the X direction on the outer surfaces of the two side walls 31c and 31d that are opposite to each other in the Y direction (third direction) of the first frame 31. Also, the fitting protrusion portion 55 having the second inclined surface 55a and the third inclined surface 56 are provided spaced apart in the X direction on the outer surfaces of the two side walls 41c and 41d that are opposite to each other in the Y direction of the second frame 41. The snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 may be provided on either one of the two side wall portions located on opposite sides of the main frame 30, but it is preferable to provide one or more on each of the side wall portions located on opposite sides of the main frame 30.

[0050] <Relative displacement suppression mechanism> 12 and 14, the main body frame 30 further includes a relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 that suppresses relative displacement between the connected first frame 31 and second frame 41. The relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 of the second embodiment can suppress relative displacement (lateral deviation) in each of the X and Y directions in a two-dimensional plane perpendicular to the connection direction (Z direction) between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41. It can also suppress relative displacement (vertical deviation) in the Z direction.

[0051] 18A and 18B, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 includes a first fixing portion 81 provided on the side wall 31a of the first frame 31, a second fixing portion 85 provided on the side wall 41a of the second frame 41, and a fixing member 90 that can be detachably attached to the first fixing portion 81 and the second fixing portion 85. The relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 has a first state in which the fixing member 90 is fixed to both the first fixing portion 81 and the second fixing portion 85 as shown in Figs. 20A and 20B, and a second state in which the fixing member 90 is fixed to either the first fixing portion 81 or the second fixing portion 85 as shown in Figs. 19A and 20B, in which the fixing member 90 is fixed to the first fixing portion 81.

[0052] The first fixing portion 81 and the second fixing portion 85 are provided so as to overlap each other in the Z direction when the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected to each other. The fixing member 90, which will be described later in detail, moves from the first fixing portion 81 side toward the second fixing portion 85 side, and is connected and fixed across the first fixing portion 81 and the second fixing portion 85 (first state). In this second embodiment, as shown in Figs. 18A, 19A, and 19B, the fixing member 90 is detachably held on the first fixing portion 81 side (second state). Then, by moving the fixing member 90 in this held state (second state) from the first fixing portion 81 side toward the second fixing portion 85 side (moving from the state (second state) shown in Figs. 19A and 19B to the state (first state) shown in Figs. 20A and 20B), the relative displacement between the connected first frame 31 and the second frame 41 can be suppressed. Then, by moving the fixing member 90 in this relative displacement suppression state from the second fixed portion 85 side toward the first fixed portion 81 side (moving it from the state (first state) shown in Figures 20A and 20B to the state (second state) shown in Figures 19A and 19B), the suppression of relative displacement between the connected first frame 31 and second frame 41 can be released. The fixing member 90 slides across the first fixed portion 81 and the second fixed portion 85. In other words, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 can suppress and release the relative displacement between the connected first frame 31 and second frame 41 without using tools (tool-less). The first fixing portion 81 is formed by integral molding on the side wall 31a of the first frame 31. The second fixing portion 85 is formed by integral molding on the side wall 41a of the second frame 41.

[0053] 18B and 19B, the first fixing part 81 has a three-dimensional rectangular parallelepiped structure having a front part 81a, two side parts 81b located opposite each other in the Y direction, and two end parts 81c located opposite each other in the Z direction. The first fixing part 81 has a first piece insertion part 82 into which an insertion piece 92 described later is inserted, and a first arm insertion part 83 into which a flexible arm 93 described later is inserted. Each of the first piece insertion part 82 and the first arm insertion part 83 is formed by a through hole extending from one end part 81c side of the first fixing part 81 to the other end part 81c side. Two first piece insertion portions 82 are provided spaced apart from each other in the Y direction. The first arm insertion portions 83 are provided between the two first piece insertion portions 82 and spaced apart from each other in the Y direction.

[0054] 18B and 19B, the second fixing portion 85 has a three-dimensional rectangular parallelepiped structure having a front portion 85a, two side portions 85b located opposite each other in the Y direction, and two end portions 85c located opposite each other in the Z direction. The second fixing portion 85 has a second piece insertion portion 86 into which the insertion piece 92 is inserted, and a second arm insertion portion 87 into which the flexible arm 93 is inserted. Each of the second piece insertion portion 86 and the second arm insertion portion 87 is formed as a through hole extending from one end surface portion 85c side of the second fixing portion 85 to the other end surface portion 85c side.

[0055] Two second piece insertion portions 86 are provided spaced apart from each other in the Y direction. Two second arm insertion portions 87 are provided between the two second piece insertion portions 86 and spaced apart from each other in the Y direction. In the second embodiment, the insertion piece 92 is inserted from the first piece insertion portion 82 side toward the second piece insertion portion 86 side. In this case, the second piece insertion portion 86 may be configured as a recess having a bottom portion.

[0056] As shown in Figures 18B and 19B, the first fixing portion 81 and the second fixing portion 85 have the same size in their external shapes so that, when connecting the first frame 31 and the second frame 41, their respective front portions 81a and 85a are flush with each other in the Z direction, and their respective side wall portions 81b and 85b are flush with each other. 19B, the first piece insertion portion 82 and the second piece insertion portion 86 are configured to be positioned on a straight line in the Z direction when the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected. In other words, the first piece insertion portion 82 and the second piece insertion portion 86 are configured to overlap each other in the Z direction. Similarly, the first arm insertion portion 83 and the second arm insertion portion 87 are configured to be positioned on a straight line in the Z direction when the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected. In other words, the first arm insertion portion 83 and the second arm insertion portion 87 are configured to overlap each other in the Z direction.

[0057] 20B, the second fixing portion 85 has a first locked portion 88 to which a first locking protrusion 93a provided on the tip side of the flexible arm 93 is hooked utilizing the flexibility of the flexible arm 93. The first locked portions 88 are provided on the inner walls of each of the two second arm insertion portions 87, and are disposed adjacent to each other in the Y direction. 19B, the first fixing portion 81 has a second locked portion 84 to which a second locking protrusion 93b, which is provided on the flexible arm 93 at a distance from the first locking protrusion 93a, is hooked by utilizing the flexibility of the flexible arm 93. The second locked portions 84 are provided on the inner walls of each of the two first arm insertion portions 83, and are disposed adjacent to each other in the Y direction. 19B and 20B, the first locked portion 88 and the second locked portion 84 are configured to be positioned on a straight line in the Z direction when the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected together. In other words, the first locked portion 88 and the second locked portion 84 are configured to overlap each other in the Z direction.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18C, a fixing member 90 has a member body 91, and an insertion piece 92 and a flexible arm 93, each of which has a base portion fixed to the member body 91. The member body 91 has an upper wall portion 91a having a two-dimensional planar shape (rectangular shape) including a longitudinal direction (e.g., Y direction) and a lateral direction (e.g., X direction), a back wall portion 91b extending from one of two long sides located opposite each other in the lateral direction of the upper wall portion 91a in a direction perpendicular to the upper wall portion 91a (e.g., Z direction), and two side walls 91c extending along the back wall portion 91b from two short sides located opposite each other in the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion 91a. The member body 91 is open on the side opposite the upper wall portion 91a, and this open end side serves as an entrance and exit for the first fixing portion 81 and the second fixing portion 85. That is, when the fixing member 90 moves from the first fixing portion 81 side toward the second fixing portion 85 side, it slides on the front portions 81a, 85a and side portions 81b, 85b of the first fixing portion 81 and the second fixing portion 85, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 18A and 19B, when fixing member 90 is attached to first fixing portion 81, the longitudinal direction of fixing member 90 is the Y direction, and the lateral direction of fixing member 90 is the X direction.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 18C and Fig. 19B, the base (root) of the insertion piece 92 is connected to the upper wall portion 91a by integral molding, and extends from the base toward the open end side of the member body 91. The insertion piece 92 is inserted into each of the first piece insertion portion 82 of the first fixing portion 81 and the second piece insertion portion 86 of the second fixing portion 85 by moving the fixing member 90 from the first fixing portion 81 side toward the second fixing portion 85 side (moving from the state (second state) shown in Fig. 19A and Fig. 19B to the state (first state) shown in Fig. 20A and Fig. 20B). The insertion piece 92 inserted into each of the first piece insertion portion 82 and the second piece insertion portion 86 can suppress relative displacement between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in each of the X direction and the Y direction. The insertion piece 92 moves while sliding on the inner walls of each of the first piece insertion portion 82 and the second piece insertion portion 86. The insertion piece 92 has, for example, a plate shape that is wide in the longitudinal direction of the upper wall portion 91a.

[0060] 18C and 19B, the flexible arm 93 has a base portion connected to the upper wall portion 91a by integral molding, and extends from the base portion toward the open end side of the member main body 91. The flexible arm 93 has a first locking protrusion 93a provided at the tip side opposite the base portion, and a second locking protrusion 93b provided on the base side of the flexible arm 93, spaced apart from the first locking protrusion 93a in the extension direction of the flexible arm 93, and closer to the base portion than the first locking protrusion 93a.

[0061] As the fixing member 90 is moved from the first fixing portion 81 side to the second fixing portion 85 side (moved from the state (second state) shown in Figs. 19A and 19B to the state (first state) shown in Figs. 20A and 20B), the first locking protrusion 93a of the flexible arm 93 is hooked onto the first locked portion 88 of the second fixing portion 85 by the elastic force of the flexible arm 93 as shown in Figs. 20A and 20B, and an locked state with the first locked portion 88 is maintained. And, by maintaining this locked state, the insertion piece 92 is maintained in a state where it is inserted into each of the first piece insertion portion 82 of the first fixing portion 81 and the second piece insertion portion 86 of the second fixing portion 85. That is, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 moves the fixed member 90 from the first fixed portion 81 side toward the second fixed portion 85 side, and the first locking protrusion 93a of the flexible arm 93 is hooked to the first locked portion 88 of the second fixed portion 85 by the elastic force of the flexible arm 93 to establish a locked state, thereby maintaining a state in which the insertion piece 92 is inserted across both the first piece insertion portion 82 of the first fixed portion 81 and the second piece insertion portion 86 of the second fixed portion 85, and maintaining a first state in which the fixed member 90 is fixed to both the first fixed portion 81 and the second fixed portion 85. In other words, a state in which relative displacement between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in each of the X direction and the Y direction is suppressed is maintained.

[0062] As the fixing member 90 is moved from the second fixed portion 85 side toward the first fixed portion 81 side (from the state (first state) shown in Figs. 20A and 20B to the state (second state) shown in Figs. 19A and 19B), the second locking protrusion 93b of the flexible arm 93 is hooked onto the second locked portion 84 of the first fixed portion 81 by the elastic force of the flexible arm 93 as shown in Figs. 19A and 19B, and the locked state with the second locked portion 84 is maintained. And, by maintaining this locked state, the insertion piece 92 is maintained in a state removed (disengaged) from the second piece insertion portion 86 of the second fixed portion 85. That is, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 moves the fixed member 90 from the second fixed portion 85 side toward the first fixed portion 81 side, and hooks the second locking protrusion 93b of the flexible arm 93 onto the second locked portion 84 of the first fixed portion 81 with the elastic force of the flexible arm 93 to establish an locked state, thereby maintaining a state in which the insertion piece 92 is removed (disengaged) from the second piece insertion portion 86 of the second fixed portion 85, and maintaining a second state in which the fixed member 90 is fixed to the first fixed portion 81. In other words, a released state of the suppression of relative displacement between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in each of the X direction and the Y direction is maintained.

[0063] The flexible arm 93 has a resilient force that urges the first locking protrusion 93a toward the first locked portion 88, and urges the second locking protrusion 93b toward the second locked portion 84. The first locking protrusion 93a is urged toward the first locked portion 88 by the resilient force of the flexible arm 93, and an engaged state with the first locked portion 88 is maintained. The second locking protrusion 93b is urged toward the second locked portion 84 by the resilient force of the flexible arm 93, and an engaged state with the second locked portion 84 is maintained.

[0064] 18C and 19B, two of each of the insertion pieces 92, the first piece insertion portion 82 of the first fixing portion 81, and the second piece insertion portion 86 of the second fixing portion 85 are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the upper wall portion 91a. Also, two of each of the flexible arms 93, the first arm insertion portion 83 of the first fixing portion 81, and the second arm insertion portion 87 of the second fixing portion 85 are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the upper wall portion 91a. That is, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 of this first embodiment has two sets including an insertion piece 92, a first piece insertion portion 82, and a second piece insertion portion 86, and also has two sets including a flexible arm 93, a first arm insertion portion 83, and a second arm insertion portion 87.

[0065] The number of sets including the insertion piece 92, the first piece insertion portion 82, and the second piece insertion portion 86, and the number of sets including the flexible arm 93, the first arm insertion portion 83, and the second arm insertion portion 87 are not limited to the number of sets in the first embodiment, and may be, for example, one set, or may be three or more sets. Furthermore, the number of sets including the insertion piece 92, the first piece insertion portion 82, and the second piece insertion portion 86 and the number of sets including the flexible arm 93, the first arm insertion portion 83, and the second arm insertion portion 87 may be different.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 18A to Fig. 20B, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 further includes a positioning protrusion 95 provided on a side wall of the fixed member 90, and a stopper portion 96 provided on a side wall of the first frame 31, which is adapted to stop the movement of the first fixed portion 81 when the insertion piece 92 is removed from the second piece insertion portion 86 and the fixed member 90 is held by the first fixed portion 81. The relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 further includes a guide recess 97 provided on the side wall 41a of the second frame 41 so as to extend in the Z direction, and along which the positioning protrusion 95 moves. The stopper portion 96 is provided at the end of the guide recess 97, and is formed by a step between the first frame 31 and the guide recess 97. When the fixing member 90 is attached to the first fixing portion 81, the positioning protrusion 95 protrudes from the side wall 91c of the fixing member 90 towards the second frame 41 and faces the guide recess 97, moving in the extension direction of the guide recess 97.

[0067] <Suppression of relative displacement> Next, the suppression of relative displacement by the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 will be described. First, as shown in Fig. 19A and Fig. 19B, in a state where the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected, the fixing member 90 is slidably attached to the first fixing portion 81 side of the first main body frame 31 (second state). At this time, the second locking protrusion 93b of the flexible arm 93 is hooked on the second locked portion 84 of the first fixing portion 81 by the elastic force of the flexible arm 93, and the locked state between the second locking protrusion 93b of the flexible arm 93 and the second locked portion 84 of the first fixing portion 81 is maintained. Then, by maintaining this locked state, the fixing member 90 is held by the first fixing portion 81 in a state where the insertion piece 92 is inserted only into the first piece insertion portion 82 of the first fixing portion 81 and has come out of the second piece insertion portion 86 of the second fixing portion 85, that is, in a state where the inhibition of relative displacement (lateral displacement) in the X direction and the Y direction is released. The flexible arm 93 is inserted into the first arm insertion portion 83 of the first fixed part 81 and the second arm insertion portion 87 of the second fixed part 85. However, the first locking protrusion 93a of the flexible arm 93 is located between the first locked part 88 and the second locked part 84 and is not locked to the first locked part, so that the inhibition of relative displacement (vertical deviation) in the Z direction is released.

[0068] Next, with the restraint of relative displacement released, the fixing member 90 is inserted toward the second fixing portion 85, and the fixing member 90 is moved from the first fixing portion 81 toward the second fixing portion 85, as shown in Figures 20A and 20B. This movement of the fixing member 90 (from the first fixing portion 81 side to the second fixing portion 85 side) moves the insertion piece 92 to the second piece insertion portion 86 of the second fixing portion 85, and the insertion piece 92 is inserted across the first piece insertion portion 82 of the first fixing portion 81 and the second piece insertion portion 86 of the second fixing portion 85.

[0069] Furthermore, due to this movement of the fixed member 90 (from the first fixed portion 81 side to the second fixed portion 85 side), the first locking protrusion 93a of the flexible arm 93 moves while contacting the first locked portion 88 of the second fixed portion 85, and the flexible arm 93 is bent outwardly on the side opposite the first locked portion 88. Then, due to this outward bending of the flexible arm 93, the first locking protrusion 93a climbs over the first locked portion 88. Then, the first locking protrusion 93a of the flexible arm 93 is hooked onto the first locked portion 88 by the elastic force of the flexible arm 93, and the locked state between the first locking protrusion 93a of the flexible arm 93 and the first locked portion 88 of the second fixed portion 85 is maintained. At this time, the upper wall portion 91a of the fixed member 90 abuts against the second locked portion 84 of the first fixed portion 81, stopping the movement of the fixed member 90 and positioning the first locking protrusion portion 93a and the first locked portion 88.

[0070] Furthermore, due to this movement of the fixed member 90 (from the first fixed portion 81 side to the second fixed portion 85 side), the second locking protrusion 93b of the flexible arm 93 moves while contacting the second locked portion 84 of the first fixed portion 81, and the flexible arm 93 is bent outwardly on the side opposite to the second locked portion 84. Then, due to this outward bending of the flexible arm 93, the second locking protrusion 93b climbs over the second locked portion 84. Then, the second locking protrusion 93b of the flexible arm 93 moves between the second locked portion 84 of the first fixed portion 81 and the first locked portion 88 of the second fixed portion 85, and the locked state between the second locking protrusion 93b of the flexible arm 93 and the second locked portion 84 of the first fixed portion 81 is released.

[0071] As a result, the insertion piece 92 inserted across the first piece insertion portion 82 and the second piece insertion portion 86 can suppress relative displacement (lateral displacement) between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X direction and the Y direction. Furthermore, the engagement between the first locking protrusion 93a of the flexible arm 93 and the first locked portion 88 of the second fixed portion 85 is maintained, so that the relative displacement (vertical displacement) in the Z direction between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 can also be suppressed. Furthermore, the first state in which the fixed member 90 is fixed to both the first fixed portion 81 and the second fixed member 85 can be maintained.

[0072] <Release of relative displacement suppression> Next, the release of the restraint of relative displacement by the relative displacement restraint mechanism 80 will be described. First, from a state in which relative displacement is suppressed (see FIGS. 20A and 20B), the fixing member 90 is moved from the second fixing portion 85 side toward the first fixing portion 81 side (see FIGS. 19A and 19B). This movement of the fixing member 90 moves the insertion piece 92 from the second piece insertion portion 86 side of the second fixing portion 85 to the first piece insertion portion 82 side of the first fixing portion 81, and the insertion piece 92 is removed from the second piece insertion portion 86 of the second fixing portion 85.

[0073] Furthermore, due to this movement of the fixed member 90 (from the second fixed portion 85 side to the first fixed portion 81 side), the first locking protrusion 93a of the flexible arm 93 moves while contacting the first locked portion 88 of the second fixed portion 85, and the flexible arm 93 is bent outwardly on the side opposite to the first locked portion 88. Then, due to this outward bending of the flexible arm 93, the first locking protrusion 93a climbs over the first locked portion 88. Then, the first locking protrusion 93a of the flexible arm 93 moves between the first locked portion 88 of the second fixed portion 85 and the second locked portion 84 of the first fixed portion 81, and the locked state between the first locking protrusion 93a of the flexible arm 93 and the first locked portion 88 of the second fixed portion 85 is released.

[0074] Furthermore, due to this movement of the fixed member 90 (from the second fixed portion 85 side to the first fixed portion 81 side), the second locking protrusion 93b of the flexible arm 93 moves while contacting the second locked portion 84 of the first fixed portion 81, and the flexible arm 93 is bent outwardly on the side opposite the second locked portion 84. Then, due to this outward bending of the flexible arm 93, the second locking protrusion 93b climbs over the second locked portion 84. Then, the second locking protrusion 93b of the flexible arm 93 is hooked onto the second locked portion 84 by the elastic force of the flexible arm 93, and the locked state between the second locking protrusion 93b of the flexible arm 93 and the second locked portion 84 of the first fixed portion 81 is maintained.

[0075] Furthermore, due to this movement of the fixing member 90 (from the second fixed portion 85 side to the first fixed portion 81 side), the positioning protrusion 95 of the fixing member 90 moves through the guide recess 97 of the second fixed portion 85, and the positioning protrusion 95 abuts against the stopper portion 96 of the first frame 31, stopping the movement of the fixing member 90 and positioning the second locking protrusion 93b and the second locked portion 84.

[0076] As a result, since the insertion piece 92 is removed from the second piece insertion portion 86, it is possible to release the restraint of the relative displacement (lateral displacement) in each of the X direction and the Y direction between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41. Also, since the engagement between the first engaging protrusion portion 93a of the flexible arm 93 and the first engaged portion 88 of the second fixed portion 85 is released, it is possible to release the restraint of the relative displacement (vertical displacement) in the Z direction between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41. Also, it is possible to maintain the second state in which the fixed member 90 is fixed to the first fixed member 81.

[0077] In addition, in order to make it easier for the second engaging protrusion 93b of the flexible arm 93 to get over the second engaged portion 84, the surface that comes into contact with the second engaged portion 84 has an R-shape. Further, in order to make it easier to get over the first locked portion 88, the first locking protrusion 93a of the flexible arm 93 has a tip surface that comes into contact with the first locked portion 88 that is inclined. Moreover, the fixing member 90 is formed from, for example, polyamide (PA) resin, which has excellent flexibility.

[0078] <Positioning mechanism> As shown in FIG. 21, the main body frame 30 further includes a positioning mechanism 70 that positions the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X direction. The positioning mechanism 70 has a flexible positioning plate 71 that protrudes from the open end of the first frame 31 and, when the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected, enters from the open end side of the second frame 41 to face the inner surface of the outer circumferential side wall of the second frame 41. The flexible positioning plate 71 extends along the Z direction, has a base integrated with the first frame 31, and a tip side opposite to the base protrudes from the open end side of the first frame 31. When the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected, the tip side of the flexible positioning plate 71 enters from the open end side of the second frame 41 to face the inner surface of the outer circumferential side wall of the second frame 41. In this first embodiment, a total of four flexible positioning plates 71 are provided on the two side walls 31a and 31b in the X direction of the first frame 31, two on each side, spaced apart in the Y direction. That is, the flexible positioning plates 71 are provided at the four corners of the first frame 31. When the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected to each other, the tip sides of the two flexible positioning plates 71 provided on the side wall 31a side of the first frame 31 face the inner surface of the side wall 41a of the second frame 41, and the two flexible positioning plates 71 arranged on the side wall 31b side of the first frame 31 face the inner surface of the side wall 41b of the second frame 41. The positioning mechanism 70 can position the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 by having the tip sides of the four flexible positioning plates 71 enter from the open end side of the second frame 41 and come into contact with the inner surface of the outer circumferential side wall of the second frame 41. The two flexible positioning plate portions 71 provided on the side wall 31a side of the first frame 31 have a resilient force that biases the inner surface of the side wall 41a of the second frame 41, and the two flexible positioning plate portions 71 provided on the side wall 31b side of the first frame 31 have a resilient force that biases the inner surface of the side wall 41b of the second frame 41. Although the flexible positioning plate portions 71 are provided on the side walls 31a and 31b, they may be provided on the side walls 31c and 31d.

[0079] <Connection of the first and second frames> Next, the connection between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 will be described with reference to Figures 22A, 22B, 23A, and 23B. Note that Figures 22A and 23A show the side walls 31c and 41c of the first frame 31 and the second frame 41, respectively, similar to Figure 14. First, as shown in FIGS. 22A and 11B, the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are arranged along the Z direction with their open ends facing each other.

[0080] Next, as shown in Fig. 23A and Fig. 23B, the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are moved relatively closer to each other in the Z direction, so that the first inclined surface 51a at the tip of the flexible protruding plate portion 51 comes into contact with the fitting protrusion portion 55. Then, by further moving the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 relatively closer to each other in the Z direction, the first inclined surface 51a at the tip side of the flexible protruding plate portion 51 moves while contacting the fitting protrusion portion 55, and the flexible protruding plate portion 51 is bent outward. After that, as shown in Fig. 14, Fig. 15A and Fig. 15B, the fitting protrusion portion 55 is fitted into the fitting hole portion 52 of the flexible protruding plate portion 51 and is fitted, and the fitting hole portion 52 and the fitting protrusion portion 55 are locked by the elastic force of the flexible protruding plate portion 51. As a result, the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected and fixed to each other by the snap fit mechanism 50.

[0081] During the connection between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41, the tip side of the flexible positioning plate portion 71 of the first frame 31 enters from the open end side of the second frame 41 and comes into contact with the inner surface of the outer side wall of the second frame 41, thereby positioning the first frame 31 and the second frame 41. Furthermore, when the connection between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 is completed, the flexible positioning plate portion 71 biases the inner surface of the outer side wall of the second frame 41 with its own elastic force, thereby suppressing rattling (vibration) of the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X-direction.

[0082] <Disconnecting the first and second frames> Next, the release of the connection between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 will be described with reference to Figures 24A, 24B, 25A, and 25B. Note that Figures 24A and 25A show the side walls 31c and 41c of the first frame 31 and the second frame 41, respectively, similar to Figure 14.

[0083] First, from a state in which the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected by the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 (see Figs. 14, 15A, and 15B), the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are displaced relatively in the X direction to bring the inner wall surface of the flexible protruding plate portion 51 into contact with the second inclined surface 55a of the fitting protrusion portion 55, and the flexible protruding plate portion 51 into contact with the third inclined surface 56. Then, by further displacing the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 relatively in the X direction, as shown in Figs. 24A and 24B, the inner wall surface of the flexible protruding plate portion 51 moves while being in contact with the second inclined surface 55a of the fitting protrusion portion 55, and the flexible protruding plate portion 51 moves while being in contact with the third inclined surface 56, so that the flexible protruding plate portion 51 is bent outward. Thereafter, the fitting protrusion portion 55 moves from inside to outside the fitting hole portion 52 of the flexible protruding plate portion 51. Then, by moving the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 relatively apart in the Z direction, the engagement between the engagement hole 52 and the engagement protrusion 55 of the flexible protruding plate 51 is released, as shown in Figures 25A and 25B. This releases the connection between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 by the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50. That is, the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 can release the connection between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 by relatively displacing the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X direction, so no tools are required.

[0084] [Effects of the second embodiment] Next, the main effects of the second embodiment will be described. The electromagnetic contactor 1A according to the second embodiment includes a snap-fit ​​mechanism 50. As described above, the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 can release the engagement between the engagement hole 52 and the engagement protrusion 55 by relatively displacing the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X direction, so there is no need to use a tool to release the engagement as in the past, and there is no need to bend the flexible protruding plate 51 with a tool. Therefore, according to the electromagnetic contactor 1A according to the second embodiment, parts such as the electromagnetic coil 23 in the main body frame 30 can be easily replaced. In addition, since the engagement between the engagement hole 52 of the flexible protruding plate 51 and the engagement protrusion 55 can be released without using a tool, it is possible to eliminate the concern that the flexible protruding plate 51 may be broken due to the force applied when bending the flexible protruding plate 51 with a tool. Furthermore, by relatively displacing the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X direction, the engaged state of the four snap-fit ​​mechanisms 50 can be released almost simultaneously, which is easier to work with than when multiple snap-fit ​​mechanisms are released using a tool.

[0085] The electromagnetic contactor 1A according to the second embodiment further includes a positioning mechanism 70 that positions the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X direction. Therefore, according to the electromagnetic contactor 1A according to the second embodiment, when the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected, the positioning mechanism 70 can quickly position the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X direction, and the workability can be improved when connecting the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 with the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50. Furthermore, the flexible positioning plate portion 71 of the positioning mechanism 70 has a resilient force that biases the inner surface of the outer side wall of the second frame 41 after the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected. Therefore, even if the first frame and the second frame are allowed to be relatively displaced in the X direction by the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50, the resilient force of the flexible positioning plate portion 71 can suppress rattling (vibration) of the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 in the X direction.

[0086] The main body frame 30 of the second embodiment is provided with a relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 that suppresses relative displacement between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41. This relative displacement movement mechanism 80 can suppress and release the relative displacement between the connected first frame 31 and second frame 41 without using tools (tool-less). Therefore, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 of the second embodiment makes it easy to replace parts such as the electromagnetic coil 23 (electrical part) in the main body frame 30. Moreover, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 is configured to insert the insertion pieces 92 into the first piece insertion portion 82 of the first fixed portion 81 and the second piece insertion portion 86 of the second fixed portion 85 by moving the fixed member 90 from the first fixed portion 81 side to the second fixed portion 85 side. Therefore, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 of the second embodiment can suppress relative displacement in each of the X direction and the Y direction between the connected first frame 31 and second frame 41.

[0087] Moreover, this relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 is configured to move the fixed member 90 from the first fixed portion 81 side toward the second fixed portion 85 side, and to hook the first locking protrusion 93a of the flexible arm 93 onto the first locked portion 88 of the second fixed portion 85 by the elastic force of the flexible arm 93 to establish an locked state, thereby maintaining a state in which the insertion piece 92 is inserted across the first piece insertion portion 82 of the first fixed portion 81 and the second piece insertion portion 86 of the second fixed portion 85. Therefore, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 of the first embodiment can suppress relative displacement in the Z direction between the connected first frame 31 and second frame 41. Here, in the main body frame 30 of the second embodiment, the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 are connected and fixed by a snap-fit ​​mechanism 50. In such a case, the suppression of relative displacement in the Z direction by the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 is supplementary, but in a main body frame (electrical device case) without a connecting mechanism such as the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50, the suppression of relative displacement in the Z direction by the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 of the second embodiment is effective.

[0088] Furthermore, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 of the second embodiment is configured to move the fixed member 90 from the second fixed portion 85 side toward the first fixed portion 81 side, and use the elastic force of the flexible arm 93 to hook the second locking protrusion 93b of the flexible arm 93 onto the second locked portion 84 of the first fixed portion 81 to establish an locked state, thereby maintaining the state in which the insertion piece 92 is removed from the second piece insertion portion 86 of the second fixed portion 85. Therefore, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 of the second embodiment can increase the retention strength of the fixed member 90 attached to the first fixed portion 81. Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80, the insertion piece 92 that suppresses the relative displacement and the flexible arm 93 that holds the fixing member 90 to the first fixing portion 81 and the second fixing portion 85 are separate structures, so that the fixing member 90 can be made thick, thereby increasing the strength of the fixing member 90 itself. Furthermore, since the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 can suppress the relative displacement between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 which are connected, it is possible to provide a more reliable electromagnetic contactor 1A.

[0089] In the above-mentioned second embodiment, the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 in which the first frame 31 is provided with the fitting hole 52 and the second frame 41 is provided with the fitting protrusion 55 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 of the above-mentioned first embodiment. For example, the present invention can be applied to a snap-fit ​​mechanism in which the first frame 31 is provided with the fitting protrusion 55 and the second frame 41 is provided with the fitting hole 52. That is, the present invention can be applied to an electromagnetic contactor equipped with a snap-fit ​​having a hook portion provided with a fitted portion on the tip side of a flexible protruding plate portion 51 protruding from an open end side of one of the first frame 31 and the second frame 41, and a fitting protrusion portion provided on the other frame and fitting with the fitted portion.

[0090] In the above-described second embodiment, two snap-fit ​​mechanisms 50 are provided on each of the two side walls 31c and 31d that are located opposite each other in the Y direction of the first frame 31. However, the number of snap-fit ​​mechanisms 50 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, one snap-fit ​​mechanism 50 may be provided on each of the two side walls 31c and 31d, or three or more snap-fit ​​mechanisms may be provided on each of the two side walls 31c and 31d. In the above-described second embodiment, the fitting hole portion 52 is used as the fitted portion of the snap-fit ​​mechanism 50, but the present invention is not limited to the fitting hole portion 52. For example, a fitting recess may be used as the fitted portion.

[0091] In the above-described second embodiment, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 is provided over one of the side walls 31a and 41a of the two side walls 31a and 31b, 41a and 41b located in the X direction of the first frame 31 and the second frame 41. However, the position where the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 is provided is not limited to the above-described second embodiment. For example, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 may be provided over one of the side walls 31c and 41c of the two side walls located in the Y direction of the first frame 31 and the second frame 41. Even in this case, it is possible to suppress the relative displacement (positional deviation) of the connected first frame 31 and second frame 41 in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction. Also, in the above-described second embodiment, a case has been described in which in the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80, the insertion piece 92 is inserted into the first piece insertion portion 82, and the second locking protrusion 93b is hooked onto the second locked portion 84 by the elastic force of the flexible arm 93 to establish an locked state, thereby maintaining the second state in which the fixing member 90 is fixed to the first fixing portion 81. However, the present invention is not limited to the second state of the second embodiment, and can also be applied to a case in which the fixing member 90 is maintained in the second state in which it is fixed to the first fixing portion 81.

[0092] Third Embodiment An electromagnetic contactor 1B according to the third embodiment of the present invention has a configuration basically similar to that of the electromagnetic contactor 1A according to the second embodiment described above, but differs in the configuration of the relative displacement suppression mechanism. That is, as shown in Fig. 26, the electromagnetic contactor 1B according to the third embodiment includes a relative displacement suppression mechanism 60 instead of the relative displacement suppression mechanism 80 of the electromagnetic contactor 1A shown in Fig. 12. The other configurations are similar to those of the second embodiment described above.

[0093] 26 and 27A, the main body frame 30 is provided with a relative displacement suppression mechanism 60 that suppresses relative displacement between the connected first frame 31 and second frame 41. The relative displacement suppression mechanism 60 of the third embodiment can suppress relative displacement (lateral deviation) in each of the X direction and Y direction in a two-dimensional plane perpendicular to the connection direction (Z direction) between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41. It can also suppress relative displacement (vertical deviation) in the Z direction. 27A and 27B, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 60 has a first fixing portion 61 provided on the first frame 31, a second fixing portion 62 provided on the second frame 41, and a fixing member 63 that can be detachably attached and fixed to the first fixing portion 61 and the second fixing portion 62. As shown in Fig. 27A and 27B, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 60 has a first state in which the fixing member 63 is fixed to both the first fixing portion 61 and the second fixing portion 62, and a second state in which the fixing member 63 is fixed to either the first fixing portion 61 or the second fixing portion 62, for example, a second state in which the fixing member 63 is fixed to the second fixing member 62, as shown in Fig. 28A and 28B.

[0094] The first fixed portion 61 and the second fixed portion 62 have guide rails 61a, 62a extending in the Z direction, and the respective guide rails 61a, 62a are arranged on a straight line by connecting the first frame 31 and the second frame 41. The fixed member 63 has a sliding piece 63a that slides on the respective guide rails 61a, 62a of the first fixed portion 61 and the second fixed portion 62. The fixed member 63 moves across the first fixed portion 61 and the second fixed portion 62 by the sliding piece 63a sliding on the guide rails 61a, 62a. The fixed member 63 is slidably held on the second fixed portion 62 by inserting the sliding piece 63a into the guide rail 62a from one end of the first fixed portion 61 or the second fixed portion 62. 28A and 28B, in the third embodiment, the sliding piece 63a of the fixed member 63 is inserted into the guide rail 62a of the second fixed part 62 from the end of the second fixed part 62 opposite to the first fixed part 61 side, thereby holding the fixed member 63 in the second fixed part 62. By further moving the fixed member 63 upward from this state and inserting the sliding piece 63a of the fixed member 63 into the guide rail 61a of the first fixed part 61, the fixed member 63 is held by the first fixed part 61 and the second fixed part 62, as shown in FIGS.

[0095] As shown in FIGS. 27B and 17B, the sliding piece 63a is aligned with the end 61a of the guide rails 61a and 62a. 1 ,62a 1 The locking projection 63a locks onto the 1 As shown in FIG. 27B, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 60 has the locking protrusion 63a of the sliding piece 63a. 1 The end 61a of the guide rail 61a of the first fixing portion 61 1 28B, the locking protrusion 63a of the sliding piece 63 is locked to both the first locking portion 61 and the second locking portion 62, thereby maintaining the first state in which the locking member 63 is locked to both the first locking portion 61 and the second locking portion 62. 1 The end 62a of the guide rail 62a of the second fixing portion 62 1 By engaging with the second fixing portion 62, the fixing member 63 is maintained in a second state in which the fixing member 63 is fixed to the second fixing portion 62. In contrast to the third embodiment, when the sliding piece 63a of the fixed member 63 is inserted into the guide rail 61a of the first fixed part 61 from the end of the first fixed part 61 opposite to the second fixed part 62 side, the locking protrusion 63a of the sliding piece 63a is 1 When the fixing member 63 is engaged with the end of the guide rail 61a of the first fixing portion 61, the fixing member 63 is held in the second state in which it is fixed to the first fixing portion 61.

[0096] As shown in Figs. 27A and 27B, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 60 can suppress the relative displacement in the X direction between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 by setting the fixing member 63 to a state (first state) in which the first fixing portion 61 and the second fixing portion 62 hold the fixing member 63. As shown in Figs. 28A and 28B, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 60 can release the suppression of the relative displacement in the X direction between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 by setting the fixing member 63 to a state (second state) in which the second fixing portion 62 holds the fixing member 63 only. That is, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 60 can suppress and release the relative displacement between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 that are connected without using a tool (tool-less). Therefore, in the relative displacement suppression mechanism 60 of the third embodiment, parts such as the electromagnetic coil 23 (electrical part) in the main body frame 30 can be easily replaced, as in the first embodiment described above.

[0097] Moreover, this relative displacement suppression mechanism 60 is configured to be fixed to each of the first fixed portion 61 and the second fixed portion 62 by moving the fixing member 63 from the second fixed portion 63 side to the first fixed portion 61 side. Therefore, the relative displacement suppression mechanism 60 of this third embodiment can also suppress relative displacement in each of the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction between the connected first frame 31 and second frame 41. Furthermore, since the relative displacement suppression mechanism 60 can suppress the relative displacement between the first frame 31 and the second frame 41 which are connected, it is possible to provide a more reliable electromagnetic contactor 1B.

[0098] While the present invention has been specifically described above based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1 Magnetic contactor 10 Contact unit 11,12 Fixed contact 13 Movable contact 14 Movable contact support 20 Electromagnet Unit 21 Fixed core 22 Movable core 23 Electromagnetic Coil 24 Windings 25 Bobbin 26 Return spring 30 Main frame 30a Storage section 31 1st Frame 31a,31b,31c,31d side wall 31e bottom wall 41 2nd Frame 41a,41b,41c,41d Side wall 43 Mounting plate 50 Snap-fit ​​mechanism 51 Flexible protruding plate part 51a 1st slope 52 Fitting hole 53 Hook part 55 Fitting protrusion 55a 2nd slope 56 Third slope 60 Relative displacement suppression mechanism 61 1st fixed part 61a Guide rail 61a 1 End 62 Second fixed part 62a Guide rail 62a 1 End 63 Fixing member 63a Slider 63a 1 Locking protrusion 70 Positioning mechanism 71 Flexible positioning plate 80 Relative displacement suppression mechanism 81 1st fixed part 82 First piece insertion part 83 First arm insertion part 84 Second locked part 85 Second fixed part 86 Second piece insertion part 87 Second arm insertion part 88 1st locked part 90 Fixing member (fixing piece) 91 Main body of material 91a Upper wall (top plate) 91b Back wall part 91c Side wall part 92 Insert 93 Flexible Arm 93a First locking protrusion 93b Second locking protrusion 95 Positioning protrusion 96 Stopper part 97 Guide recess

Claims

1. a first frame and a second frame that house electrical components by connecting the open ends of the first frame and the second frame facing each other in one direction; a relative displacement suppression mechanism that suppresses relative displacement between the first frame and the second frame that are connected to each other, The relative displacement suppression mechanism includes: a first fixing portion provided on a side wall of the first frame; a second fixing portion provided on a side wall of the second frame so as to overlap with the first fixing portion in the one direction; a fixing member that slides in an arrangement direction of the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion and is movable across the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion on the outer sides of the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion, a first state in which the fixing member is fixed to both the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion, and a second state in which the fixing member is fixed to either the first fixing portion or the second fixing portion, The first fixing portion has a first piece insertion portion of a through hole, The second fixing portion has a second piece insertion portion of the through hole, The fixing member has a member body and an insertion piece having a base portion fixed to the member body, The relative displacement suppression mechanism includes: An electrical device characterized in that the insertion piece is inserted across both the first piece insertion portion and the second piece insertion portion by moving the fixing member from the first fixed portion side toward the second fixed portion side.

2. The electrical device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the first state, the relative displacement suppression mechanism suppresses relative displacement between the first frame and the second frame in a direction perpendicular to the one direction, and in the second state, releases the relative displacement.

3. The electrical device according to claim 1 , wherein the relative displacement suppression mechanism includes a plurality of sets each including the first piece insertion portion, the second piece insertion portion, and the insertion piece.

4. The second fixing portion has a first locked portion, the fixing member has a flexible arm having a first engaging protrusion on a tip side thereof, The electrical device described in claim 1, characterized in that the relative displacement suppression mechanism maintains the first state by inserting the insertion piece into each of the first piece insertion portion and the second piece insertion portion, and hooking the first locking protrusion portion onto the first locked portion to maintain the locked state.

5. The electrical device according to claim 4 , wherein the first engaging protrusion is biased against the first engaged portion by a resilient force of the flexible arm.

6. The electrical device according to claim 4 , wherein the relative displacement suppression mechanism includes a plurality of pairs of the flexible arm provided with the first locking protrusion and the first locked portion.

7. The first fixing portion has a second locked portion, the flexible arm has a second locking protrusion provided at a distance from the first locking protrusion in an extension direction of the flexible arm, The electrical device described in claim 4, characterized in that the relative displacement suppression mechanism maintains the second state by inserting the insertion piece into the first piece insertion portion and hooking the second engaging protrusion portion onto the second engaged portion using the elastic force of the flexible arm to establish an engaged state.

8. The electrical device according to claim 7 , wherein the relative displacement suppression mechanism includes a plurality of pairs of the second locked portion and the second locking protrusion portion.

9. The electrical device according to claim 7, characterized in that the relative displacement suppression mechanism maintains the second state by utilizing the elastic force of the flexible arm to hook the first engaging protrusion onto the second engaged portion to establish an engaged state.

10. The relative displacement suppression mechanism includes: a positioning protrusion provided on a side wall of the fixing member; The electrical device according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper portion provided on a side wall of the front first frame, the stopper portion being abutted by the positioning protrusion portion in the second state to stop movement of the fixing member when the fixing member moves from the second fixing portion side toward the first fixing portion side.

11. the relative displacement suppression mechanism further includes a guide portion that is provided on a side wall of the second frame and extends in the one direction, and along which the positioning protrusion moves, The electrical device according to claim 10, wherein the stopper portion is provided at an end of the guide portion.

12. each of the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion has a guide rail extending in the one direction and arranged on a straight line by connecting the first frame and the second frame; the fixed member has a sliding piece that slides on the guide rail of each of the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion, 3. The electric device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding piece moves across the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion by sliding on each of the guide rails.

13. The sliding piece has a locking projection that locks onto an end of the guide rail, 13. The electrical device according to claim 12, characterized in that the locking protrusion of the sliding piece locks onto an end of the guide rail of the first fixed part to maintain the first state, and locks onto an end of the guide rail of the second fixed part to maintain the second state.

Images