Electromagnetic relay

Abstract

To reduce the heat effect on an electromagnetic relay via a coil terminal during soldering by solving a problem in which soldering a contact terminal requires a larger amount of heat than a coil terminal when the contact terminal has a larger cross-sectional area than the coil terminal.SOLUTION: A contact terminal is connected to a movable contact or a fixed contact and projects outward from a base. The tip of the contact terminal includes a plurality of terminal portions branched from each other. Each of the plurality of terminal portions has a cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of a coil terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] The electromagnetic relay includes a base, contact terminals, and coil terminals. A movable contact or a fixed contact is connected to the contact terminals. A coil is connected to the coil terminals. The contact terminals and the coil terminals protrude from the base. The contact terminals and the coil terminals are soldered to a circuit board. In a high-capacity relay, the contact terminals require a larger current-carrying capacity than the coil terminals. For this reason, the contact terminals have a larger cross-sectional area than the coil terminals, as in the electromagnetic relay disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-115248 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, when the contact terminal has a larger cross-sectional area than the coil terminal, soldering the contact terminal requires a larger amount of heat than soldering the coil terminal. Therefore, when soldering the contact terminal to the board, excessive heat is applied to the coil terminal. This can result in the electromagnetic relay being strongly affected by the heat via the coil terminal.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to reduce the thermal effect that an electromagnetic relay receives via a coil terminal during soldering. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a movable contact, a fixed contact, a coil, a base, a coil terminal, and a contact terminal. The fixed contact is disposed opposite the movable contact. The coil generates an electromagnetic force for moving the movable contact. The base supports the coil. The coil terminal is connected to the coil and protrudes outward from the base. The contact terminal is connected to the movable contact or the fixed contact and protrudes outward from the base. A tip of the contact terminal includes a plurality of terminal portions branched from each other. Each of the plurality of terminal portions has a cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the coil terminal.

[0007] In the electromagnetic relay according to this embodiment, the tip of the contact terminal branches into a plurality of terminal portions. Each of the plurality of terminal portions has a cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the coil terminal. Therefore, the contact terminal can be soldered at a low temperature. This reduces the thermal effect on the electromagnetic relay via the coil terminal during soldering. Note that "substantially equal" includes a range of cross-sectional areas in which the coil terminal and the contact terminal can be soldered with the same amount of heat.

[0008] At least one of the plurality of terminal portions may have a cross-sectional area that is 0.5 to 1.5 times the cross-sectional area of ​​the coil terminal. Each of the plurality of terminal portions may have a cross-sectional area that is 0.5 to 1.5 times the cross-sectional area of ​​the coil terminal.

[0009] The multiple terminal portions may include a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion. The second terminal portion may have a length different from that of the first terminal portion. The second terminal portion may have a cross-sectional area different from that of the first terminal portion. The tip of the contact terminal may include multiple slits disposed between the multiple terminal portions. The multiple slits may include a first slit and a second slit. The second slit may have a width different from that of the first slit.

[0010] The contact terminal may include a first terminal surface and a second terminal surface. The second terminal surface may be folded back relative to the first terminal surface and overlapped with the first terminal surface. Each of the first terminal surface and the second terminal surface may include a plurality of terminal portions and a plurality of slits. The plurality of slits may be disposed between the plurality of terminal portions. The slits of the first terminal surface and the slits of the second terminal surface may be disposed at positions where they do not overlap with each other. A gap may be provided between the first terminal surface and the second terminal surface. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the thermal effect that an electromagnetic relay receives via a coil terminal during soldering. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the electromagnetic relay according to the embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 4 is a front view of a first external terminal. [Figure 2B] FIG. 4 is a front view of the first coil terminal. [Figure 3A] 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2A. [Figure 3B] 2C is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a front view of a first external terminal according to a first modified example. [Figure 5A] FIG. 11 is a front view of a first external terminal according to a second modified example. [Figure 5B] 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 5A. [Figure 6A] FIG. 13 is a development view of a first external terminal according to a third modified example. [Figure 6B] FIG. 13 is a front view of a first external terminal according to a third modified example. [Figure 7] 6C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 6B. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a front view of a first external terminal according to a fourth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an electromagnetic relay 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electromagnetic relay 1 includes a housing 2, a fixed contact 3, a first contact terminal 4, a movable contact 5, a second contact terminal 6, and a drive unit 7. The housing 2 includes a base 8 and a case 9. The base 8 supports the first contact terminal 4, the second contact terminal 6, and the drive unit 7. The case 9 is attached to the base 8. The base 8 and the case 9 are made of, for example, resin. However, the base 8 and the case 9 may be made of a material other than resin.

[0014] The fixed contact 3 is disposed in the housing 2. The fixed contact 3 is connected to a first contact terminal 4. The first contact terminal 4 includes an internal terminal 21 and a first external terminal 22. The internal terminal 21 is disposed in the housing 2. The fixed contact 3 is connected to the internal terminal 21. The first external terminal 22 is connected to the internal terminal 21. The first external terminal 22 protrudes from the base 8 to the outside of the housing 2. The first external terminal 22 may be separate from the internal terminal 21. Alternatively, the first external terminal 22 may be integrated with the internal terminal 21. In this embodiment, the direction in which the tip 10 of the first external terminal 22 protrudes to the outside of the electromagnetic relay 1 is defined as the downward direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the upward direction.

[0015] The movable contact 5 is disposed within the housing 2. The movable contact 5 is connected to a second contact terminal 6. The second contact terminal 6 includes a movable contact piece 23 and a second external terminal 24. The movable contact piece 23 is disposed within the housing 2. The movable contact 5 is connected to the movable contact piece 23. The second external terminal 24 is connected to the movable contact piece 23. The second external terminal 24 protrudes from the base 8 to the outside of the housing 2. The second external terminal 24 may be separate from the movable contact piece 23. Alternatively, the second external terminal 24 may be integral with the movable contact piece 23.

[0016] The drive unit 7 includes a coil 13, a bobbin 14, an iron core 15, a movable iron piece 16, a card 17, and a yoke 20. The coil 13 is wound around the bobbin 14. The coil 13 is connected to a first coil terminal 18 and a second coil terminal 19. The coil 13 generates an electromagnetic force for moving the movable contact 5. The first coil terminal 18 and the second coil terminal 19 protrude from the base 8 to the outside of the housing 2. The iron core 15 is disposed in the bobbin 14. The movable iron piece 16 is disposed facing the iron core 15. The movable iron piece 16 is movably supported by a magnetic force generated by the coil 13. The card 17 is movably supported by being pressed by the movable iron piece 16. The card 17 presses the movable contact piece 23 by being pressed by the movable iron piece 16.

[0017] In the electromagnetic relay 1 according to this embodiment, when the coil 13 is energized, the movable iron piece 16 is attracted to the iron core 15. As a result, the movable iron piece 16 presses the card 17, and the card 17 presses the movable contact piece 23 in a direction in which the movable contact 5 approaches the fixed contact 3. As a result, the movable contact 5 comes into contact with the fixed contact 3, and the electromagnetic relay 1 is closed.

[0018] When the current to the coil 13 is turned off, the coil 13 is demagnetized. Then, the elastic force of a return spring (not shown) causes the movable iron piece 16 to return to its original position. Also, the elastic force of the movable contact piece 23 causes the movable contact piece 23 to return to its original position. As a result, the movable contact 5 separates from the fixed contact 3, and the electromagnetic relay 1 is opened.

[0019] Next, the shapes of the first external terminal 22 and the first coil terminal 18 will be described. FIG. 2A is a front view of the first external terminal 22. FIG. 2B is a front view of the first coil terminal 18. As shown in FIG. 2A, the tip of the first external terminal 22 includes a plurality of terminal portions 31-34 branched from each other and a plurality of slits 41-43. The plurality of slits 41-43 are provided between the plurality of terminal portions 31-34. The plurality of slits 41-43 extend from the tip of the first external terminal 22 toward the base 8. The widths of the plurality of terminal portions 31-34 are the same. The widths W1-W4 of the plurality of terminal portions 31-34 are the same as the width W0 of the first coil terminal 18.

[0020] In detail, the multiple terminal portions 31-34 include a first terminal portion 31, a second terminal portion 32, a third terminal portion 33, and a fourth terminal portion 34. The multiple slits 41-43 include a first slit 41, a second slit 42, and a third slit 43. The first slit 41 is disposed between the first terminal portion 31 and the second terminal portion 32. The second slit 42 is disposed between the second terminal portion 32 and the third terminal portion 33. The third slit 43 is disposed between the third terminal portion 33 and the fourth terminal portion 34. The number of terminal portions is not limited to four. The number of terminal portions may be less than four or more than four.

[0021] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2B. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the thickness T1 of the terminal portions 31-34 is the same as the thickness T0 of the first coil terminal 18. Each of the terminal portions 31-34 has the same cross-sectional area as the first coil terminal 18. In detail, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first terminal portion 31 is the same as the cross-sectional area of ​​the first coil terminal 18. The cross-sectional area of ​​the second terminal portion 32 is the same as the cross-sectional area of ​​the first coil terminal 18. The cross-sectional area of ​​the third terminal portion 33 is the same as the cross-sectional area of ​​the first coil terminal 18. The cross-sectional area of ​​the fourth terminal portion 34 is the same as the cross-sectional area of ​​the first coil terminal 18.

[0022] Each of the multiple terminal parts 31-34 does not have to have exactly the same cross-sectional area as the first coil terminal 18. Each of the multiple terminal parts 31-34 only needs to have a cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the first coil terminal 18. Substantially equal includes a range of cross-sectional areas in which the first coil terminal 18 and the first external terminal 22 can be soldered at the same temperature. For example, at least one of the multiple terminal parts 31-34 may have a cross-sectional area that is 0.5 times or more and 1.5 times or less than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first coil terminal 18. Each of the multiple terminal parts 31-34 may have a cross-sectional area that is 0.5 times or more and 1.5 times or less than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first coil terminal 18.

[0023] In the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the present embodiment described above, the tip of the first external terminal 22 branches into a plurality of terminal portions 31-34. Each of the plurality of terminal portions 31-34 has a cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the first coil terminal 18. Therefore, the first coil terminal 18 can be soldered at a low temperature similar to that of the first external terminal 22. Furthermore, the first coil terminal 18 can be soldered in a similar time to that of the first external terminal 22. This reduces the thermal effect that the electromagnetic relay 1 receives via the first coil terminal 18 during soldering.

[0024] The shape of the second coil terminal 19 is similar to that of the first coil terminal 18. The shape of the second external terminal 24 is similar to that of the first external terminal 22. Therefore, the second external terminal 24 can also provide the same effects as the first external terminal 22 described above.

[0025] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0026] For example, the configuration inside the housing 2 of the electromagnetic relay 1 is not limited to that of the above embodiment and may be modified. The number of movable contacts and the number of fixed contacts may each be one or more. The fixed contact 3 may be separate from the first contact terminal 4 or may be integrated with it. The movable contact 5 may be separate from the movable contact piece 23 or may be integrated with it. The configuration of the drive unit 7 is not limited to that of the above embodiment and may be modified.

[0027] The shapes of the first external terminal 22, the second external terminal 24, the first coil terminal 18, or the second coil terminal 19 are not limited to those in the above embodiment and may be modified. For example, FIG. 4 is a front view of the first external terminal 22 according to a first modified example. As shown in FIG. 4, some of the multiple terminal portions 31-34 may have a length different from the other terminal portions. For example, the length L2 of the second terminal portion 32 may be smaller than the length L1 of the first terminal portion 31. The length means the dimension in the direction in which the first external terminal 22 protrudes from the base 8.

[0028] 5A is a front view of the first external terminal 22 according to the second modification. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 5A. As shown in FIG. 5B, some of the terminals 31-33 may have a cross-sectional area different from the other terminals. For example, the cross-sectional area of ​​the third terminal 33 may be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first terminal 31. As shown in FIG. 5A, some of the terminals 31-33 may have a width different from the other terminals. For example, the width W3 of the third terminal 33 may be larger than the width W1 of the first terminal 31.

[0029] 5A, some of the slits 41, 42 may have a width different from the other slits. For example, the width W12 of the second slit 42 may be larger than the width W11 of the first slit 41.

[0030] Fig. 6A is a development view of the first external terminal 22 according to the third modified example. Fig. 6B is a front view of the first external terminal 22 according to the third modified example. As shown in Fig. 6A, the first external terminal 22 may include a first terminal surface 51 and a second terminal surface 52. As shown in Fig. 6B, the second terminal surface 52 may be folded back relative to the first terminal surface 51 and overlapped on the first terminal surface 51. Each of the first terminal surface 51 and the second terminal surface 52 may include a plurality of terminal portions 31-36 and a plurality of slits 41-44.

[0031] In detail, the first terminal surface 51 includes a first terminal portion 31, a second terminal portion 32, a third terminal portion 33, a first slit 41, and a second slit 42. The first slit 41 is disposed between the first terminal portion 31 and the second terminal portion 32. The second slit 42 is disposed between the second terminal portion 32 and the third terminal portion 33. The second terminal surface 52 includes a fourth terminal portion 34, a fifth terminal portion 35, a sixth terminal portion 36, a third slit 43, and a fourth slit 44. The third slit 43 is disposed between the fourth terminal portion 34 and the fifth terminal portion 35. The fourth slit 44 is disposed between the fifth terminal portion 35 and the sixth terminal portion 36.

[0032] When viewed from the direction in which the first terminal surface 51 and the second terminal surface 52 overlap each other, the slits 41, 42 of the first terminal surface 51 and the slits 43, 44 of the second terminal surface 52 are arranged at positions where they do not overlap each other. As shown in FIG. 6B, the slits 41, 42 of the first terminal surface 51 overlap the terminal portions 35, 36 of the second terminal surface 52. The slits 43, 44 of the second terminal surface 52 overlap the terminal portions 32, 33 of the first terminal surface 51. FIG. 7 is a DD cross-sectional view of FIG. 6B. As shown in FIG. 7, a gap G1 may be provided between the first terminal surface 51 and the second terminal surface 52.

[0033] The multiple terminal portions 31-34 may have a cross-sectional area substantially equal to that of the first coil terminal 18. Alternatively, only a portion of the multiple terminal portions 31-34 may have a cross-sectional area substantially equal to that of the first coil terminal 18. The widths W1-W4 of the multiple terminal portions 31-34 may be different from the width W0 of the first coil terminal 18. The thicknesses T1 of the multiple terminal portions 31-34 may be different from the thickness T0 of the first coil terminal 18. The second external terminal 24 may also have a shape similar to that of the first external terminal 22 according to the above-mentioned first to third modified examples.

[0034] 8, spare solder 61-64 may be applied to each of the plurality of terminal portions 31-34. The spare solder 61-64 is applied at least from the lower ends of the plurality of terminal portions 31-34 to the upper ends of the slits 41-43. The spare solder 61-64 may be applied to the entirety of the plurality of terminal portions 31-34. Instead of the spare solder, plating may be applied to each of the plurality of terminal portions 31-34. The spare solder or plating may be applied to each of the terminal portions according to the above-described modified examples. [Industrial Applicability]

[0035] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the thermal effect that an electromagnetic relay receives via a coil terminal during soldering. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 Electromagnetic relay 3 Fixed contacts 4 First contact terminal 5 Movable contact 8. Base 13 Coil 18 First coil terminal 31 1st terminal section 32 2nd terminal section 41 First Slit 42 Second Slit 51 1st terminal surface 52 2nd terminal surface G1 Gap

Claims

1. A movable contact; a fixed contact disposed opposite the movable contact; a coil that generates an electromagnetic force for moving the movable contact; A base supporting the coil; a coil terminal connected to the coil and protruding from the base to the outside; a contact terminal connected to the movable contact or the fixed contact and protruding from the base to the outside; Equipped with The tip of the contact terminal includes a plurality of terminal portions branched from each other, Each of the plurality of terminal portions has a cross-sectional area substantially equal to a cross-sectional area of ​​the coil terminal, The plurality of terminal portions include A first terminal portion; A second terminal portion having a length different from that of the first terminal portion; Including, Electromagnetic relay.

2. A movable contact; a fixed contact disposed opposite the movable contact; a coil that generates an electromagnetic force for moving the movable contact; A base supporting the coil; a coil terminal connected to the coil and protruding from the base to the outside; a contact terminal connected to the movable contact or the fixed contact and protruding from the base to the outside; Equipped with The tip of the contact terminal includes a plurality of terminal portions branched from each other, Each of the plurality of terminal portions has a cross-sectional area substantially equal to a cross-sectional area of ​​the coil terminal, The plurality of terminal portions include A first terminal portion; A second terminal portion having a cross-sectional area different from that of the first terminal portion; Including, Electromagnetic relay.

3. A movable contact; a fixed contact disposed opposite the movable contact; a coil that generates an electromagnetic force for moving the movable contact; A base supporting the coil; a coil terminal connected to the coil and protruding from the base to the outside; a contact terminal connected to the movable contact or the fixed contact and protruding from the base to the outside; Equipped with The tip of the contact terminal includes a plurality of terminal portions branched from each other, Each of the plurality of terminal portions has a cross-sectional area substantially equal to a cross-sectional area of ​​the coil terminal, the tip of the contact terminal includes a plurality of slits disposed between the plurality of terminal portions, The plurality of slits are A first slit; a second slit having a width different from that of the first slit; Including, Electromagnetic relay.

4. A movable contact; a fixed contact disposed opposite the movable contact; a coil that generates an electromagnetic force for moving the movable contact; A base supporting the coil; a coil terminal connected to the coil and protruding from the base to the outside; a contact terminal connected to the movable contact or the fixed contact and protruding from the base to the outside; Equipped with The tip of the contact terminal includes a plurality of terminal portions branched from each other, Each of the plurality of terminal portions has a cross-sectional area substantially equal to a cross-sectional area of ​​the coil terminal, The contact terminal is A first terminal surface; a second terminal surface folded back over the first terminal surface and superimposed on the first terminal surface; Including, each of the first terminal surface and the second terminal surface includes the plurality of terminal portions and a plurality of slits disposed between the plurality of terminal portions; the slits on the first terminal surface and the slits on the second terminal surface are arranged at positions not overlapping with each other. Electromagnetic relay.

5. At least one of the plurality of terminal portions has a cross-sectional area that is 0.5 times or more and 1.5 times or less than a cross-sectional area of ​​the coil terminal.

5. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 1.

6. Each of the plurality of terminal portions has a cross-sectional area that is 0.5 to 1.5 times the cross-sectional area of ​​the coil terminal.

5. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 1.

7. A gap is provided between the first terminal surface and the second terminal surface.

5. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 4.

8. 8. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of terminal portions is pre-soldered or pre-plated.

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