Electromagnetic relay

Abstract

To provide an electromagnetic relay capable of suppressing restriking of an arc generated at a contact.SOLUTION: An electromagnetic relay includes a first fixed terminal, a second fixed terminal, a movable contact piece, a case, a magnet and a gas flow passage. The first fixed terminal includes a first fixed contact. The second fixed terminal includes a second fixed contact and is arranged spaced apart from the first fixed terminal. The movable contact piece includes a first movable contact facing the first fixed contact and a second movable contact facing the second fixed contact. The case includes a storage space storing the first fixed contact, the second fixed contact and the movable contact piece, a gas inflow space different from the storage space, and a side wall covering the storage space and the gas inflow space from a first direction. The magnet is arranged between the storage space and the gas inflow space and extends an arc generated between the first fixed contact and the first movable contact. The gas flow passage is provided between the side wall of the case and the magnet to communicate between the storage space and the gas inflow space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In an electromagnetic relay, an arc occurs at the contacts when a current is interrupted. If the temperature of the contacts rises due to this arc, the contacts may melt and generate high-temperature gas including metal vapor. If this high-temperature gas accumulates near the contacts, the insulation performance between the contacts may decrease and the arc may re-ignite. In order to prevent this re-ignition of the arc, the electromagnetic relay disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided in the case with an arc-extinguishing space that extinguishes the arc, a gas inflow space separate from the arc-extinguishing space, and a gas passage that releases high-temperature gas from the arc-extinguishing space to the gas inflow space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-24864 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the electromagnetic relay of Patent Document 1, the inlet and outlet of the gas passage are located near the contacts. Therefore, high-temperature gas easily passes through the gas passage and returns to the contacts. When the load capacity increases, the amount of high-temperature gas returning to the vicinity of the contacts also increases, which may cause the arc to re-ignite.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to suppress restrike of an arc occurring at a contact in an electromagnetic relay. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electromagnetic relay according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first fixed terminal, a second fixed terminal, a movable contact piece, a case, a magnet, and a gas flow path. The first fixed terminal includes a first fixed contact. The second fixed terminal includes a second fixed contact and is disposed away from the first fixed terminal. The movable contact piece includes a first movable contact facing the first fixed contact and a second movable contact facing the second fixed contact. The case includes an accommodation space in which the first fixed contact, the second fixed contact, and the movable contact piece are accommodated, a gas inflow space different from the accommodation space, and a side wall covering the accommodation space and the gas inflow space from a first direction. The magnet is disposed between the accommodation space and the gas inflow space, and extends an arc generated between the first fixed contact and the first movable contact. The gas flow path is provided between the side wall of the case and the magnet, and communicates the accommodation space with the gas inflow space.

[0007] In this electromagnetic relay, a gas flow path is provided between the side wall of the case and the magnet, which connects the storage space and the gas inflow space, so that high-temperature gas caused by the arc generated between the first fixed contact and the first movable contact can escape from the storage space to the gas inflow space. In addition, since the magnet is disposed between the storage space and the gas inflow space, the gas inflow space is located behind the magnet. This makes it difficult for high-temperature gas to return from the gas inflow space to the vicinity of the contact. This makes it possible to suppress the re-ignition of the arc generated between the first fixed contact and the first movable contact.

[0008] The magnet may extend the arc in the first direction. In this case, the arc is extended in a direction approaching the gas flow passage, so that high-temperature gas caused by the arc can be quickly released from the storage space to the gas inflow space.

[0009] The case may further include a magnet housing portion disposed away from the sidewall in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The gas flow path may be provided between the sidewall of the case and the magnet housing portion. In this case, by disposing the magnet in the magnet housing portion, it is possible to suppress the magnet from being affected by the arc.

[0010] The electromagnetic relay may further include a support member that supports the magnet. The gas flow path may be formed in the support member. In this case, the magnet can be supported by the support member, and the support member can also serve as the gas flow path.

[0011] The magnet accommodating portion includes an arc contact surface with which the arc contacts, and may be separate from the side wall of the case. In this case, the magnet accommodating portion can be formed of a material with better arc extinguishing performance than the side wall of the case, so that the arc can be quickly extinguished by the arc contact surface.

[0012] The magnet housing portion may be integral with the support member. In this case, the magnet housing portion and the support member can be formed of a material having excellent arc-extinguishing properties.

[0013] The magnet may be inserted into the magnet housing from a first direction, which makes it easier to assemble the magnet.

[0014] The magnet storage section may include an insertion opening that opens toward the first direction. The side wall of the case may include a through hole that penetrates in the first direction. The magnet may be stored in the magnet storage section via the insertion opening and the through hole. The support member may include a first cover portion that closes the insertion opening and a second cover portion that closes the through hole. The gas flow path may be provided between the first cover portion and the second cover portion. In this case, the support member can suppress the magnet from being affected by the arc, and the support member can also serve as the gas flow path.

[0015] The magnet housing may separate the housing space from the gas inflow space. In this case, the space within the case can be used efficiently, making it possible to reduce the size of the electromagnetic relay.

[0016] The magnet housing portion may extend in the second direction beyond the first fixed contact relative to the side wall of the case, whereby it becomes even more difficult for the high-temperature gas to return from the gas inflow space to the vicinity of the contact.

[0017] The electromagnetic relay may further include a drive device including a coil for moving the movable contact piece. The gas inflow space may be in communication with a space in which the drive device is disposed. In this case, it becomes even more difficult for the high-temperature gas to return from the gas inflow space to the vicinity of the contact. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, restrike of an arc occurring at a contact in an electromagnetic relay is suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electromagnetic relay with the cover removed. [Diagram 3] A partial cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay cut along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. [Figure 4] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electromagnetic relay taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of a magnet housing portion according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] An electromagnetic relay 1 according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the electromagnetic relay 1 includes a case 2, a contact device 3, and a drive device 4.

[0021] In the following description, the direction in which the contact device 3 and the drive device 4 are disposed relative to a base 21 of the case 2, which will be described later, is referred to as the upward direction (an example of the second direction), the opposite direction is referred to as the downward direction (an example of the first direction), the direction in which the contact device 3 is disposed relative to the drive device 4 is referred to as the forward direction, the opposite direction is referred to as the rearward direction, and the left-right direction on the paper surface of Fig. 3 is referred to as the left-right direction. However, these directions are defined for the sake of convenience of description, and do not limit the arrangement direction of the electromagnetic relay 1.

[0022] The case 2 is formed in a box shape. The case 2 is formed of an insulating material such as resin and includes a base 21 and a cover 22. The base 21 supports the contact device 3 and the drive device 4. The base 21 includes a bottom 21a and outer walls 21b to 21e. The bottom 21a extends in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The outer wall 21b extends upward from the front edge of the bottom 21a. The outer wall 21c extends upward from the rear edge of the bottom 21a. The outer wall 21d extends upward from the left edge of the bottom 21a. The outer wall 21e extends upward from the right edge of the bottom 21a. The cover 22 opens downward and is attached to the outer walls 21b to 21e of the base 21 so as to cover the bottom 21a of the base 21 from above. The contact device 3 and the drive device 4 are housed in the case 2.

[0023] 3, the contact device 3 includes a first fixed terminal 11, a second fixed terminal 12, and a movable contact piece 13. In the following description, the first fixed terminal 11 and the second fixed terminal 12 may be referred to as fixed terminals 11, 12.

[0024] The fixed terminals 11, 12 are made of a conductive material such as copper. The fixed terminals 11, 12 are plate-shaped terminals and extend in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The fixed terminals 11, 12 are supported by a bottom portion 21a of the base 21. In this embodiment, the fixed terminals 11, 12 are press-fitted and fixed to the bottom portion 21a of the base 21.

[0025] 3 and 4, the first fixed terminal 11 includes a first fixed contact 11a and a first external connection portion 11b. The first fixed contact 11a is disposed on the front surface of the first fixed terminal 11. The first fixed contact 11a is fixed to the first fixed terminal 11 by crimping. The first fixed contact 11a may be integral with the first fixed terminal 11. The first external connection portion 11b protrudes downward from the bottom portion 21a of the base 21, and is electrically connected to an external device (not shown).

[0026] The second fixed terminal 12 is disposed to the left of the first fixed terminal 11. The second fixed terminal 12 has a symmetrical shape to the first fixed terminal 11. The second fixed terminal 12 includes a second fixed contact 12a and a second external connection portion 12b. The second fixed contact 12a is disposed on the front surface of the second fixed terminal 12. The second fixed contact 12a is fixed to the second fixed terminal 12 by crimping. The second fixed contact 12a may be integral with the second fixed terminal 12. The second external connection portion 12b protrudes downward from the bottom portion 21a of the base 21 and is electrically connected to an external device (not shown).

[0027] The movable contact piece 13 is a plate-shaped terminal and is made of a conductive material such as copper. The movable contact piece 13 is disposed in front of the fixed terminals 11 and 12. The movable contact piece 13 is substantially T-shaped when viewed from the front-rear direction. The movable contact piece 13 includes a first movable contact 13a, a second movable contact 13b, a vertical extension portion 13c, and a horizontal extension portion 13d.

[0028] The first movable contact 13a and the second movable contact 13b are fixed to the movable contact piece 13 by crimping. The first movable contact 13a and the second movable contact 13b are arranged on the rear surface of the left-right extension portion 13d. The first movable contact 13a faces the first fixed contact 11a in the front-rear direction. The first movable contact 13a can contact the first fixed contact 11a. The second movable contact 13b is arranged away from the first movable contact 13a in the left direction. The second movable contact 13b faces the second fixed contact 12a in the front-rear direction. The second movable contact 13b can contact the second fixed contact 12a. The first movable contact 13a and the second movable contact 13b may be integral with the movable contact piece 13.

[0029] The vertical extension portion 13c extends in the vertical direction, and an upper portion of the vertical extension portion 13c is connected to the drive device 4. The horizontal extension portion 13d extends in the horizontal direction from a lower portion of the vertical extension portion 13c.

[0030] The driving device 4 is disposed above the contact device 3. The driving device 4 moves the movable contact piece 13 in a direction in which the first movable contact 13a approaches the first fixed contact 11a and in a direction in which the first movable contact 13a moves away from the first fixed contact 11a. The driving device 4 also moves the movable contact piece 13 in a direction in which the second movable contact 13b approaches the second fixed contact 12a and in a direction in which the second movable contact 13b moves away from the second fixed contact 12a. In this embodiment, the driving device 4 moves the movable contact piece 13 in the front-rear direction.

[0031] The driving device 4 includes a spool 41, a coil 42, a yoke 43, a movable iron piece 44, a resin member 45, a return spring 46, and a fixed iron core (not shown). The spool 41 is cylindrical and extends in the front-rear direction. The coil 42 is wound around the outer periphery of the spool 41. The yoke 43 has an L-shaped bent shape. The yoke 43 includes a connecting portion 43a and an extending portion 43b. The connecting portion 43a is disposed behind the spool 41 and is connected to the fixed iron core. The extending portion 43b extends forward from the upper end of the connecting portion 43a so as to cover the upper side of the coil 42.

[0032] The movable iron piece 44 is disposed in front of the fixed iron core. The movable iron piece 44 is rotatably supported by the yoke 43 at the front end of the extension portion 43b. The resin member 45 insulates the movable iron piece 44 from the movable contact piece 13. The resin member 45 connects the movable iron piece 44 to the movable contact piece 13. In detail, the movable iron piece 44 and the movable contact piece 13 are insert molded into the resin member 45. As a result, the resin member 45 and the movable contact piece 13 rotate integrally with the movable iron piece 44 in response to the rotation of the movable iron piece 44.

[0033] The return spring 46 is a coil spring and extends in the front-rear direction. The front end of the return spring 46 is connected to the movable iron piece 44, and the rear end is connected to the yoke 43. The return spring 46 urges the movable contact piece 13 forward via the movable iron piece 44 and the resin member 45. That is, the return spring 46 urges the movable contact piece 13 in a direction in which the first movable contact 13a moves away from the first fixed contact 11a, and in a direction in which the second movable contact 13b moves away from the second fixed contact 12a. The fixed iron core is disposed inside the spool 41 and penetrates the spool 41 in the front-rear direction.

[0034] Next, the operation of the electromagnetic relay 1 will be described. When no voltage is applied to the coil 42, as shown in FIG. 3, the first movable contact 13a is separated from the first fixed contact 11a by the elastic force of the return spring 46, and the second movable contact 13b is separated from the second fixed contact 12a. When a voltage is applied to the coil 42 and the coil 42 is excited, the movable iron piece 44 is attracted to the fixed iron core by the electromagnetic force, and the movable iron piece 44 rotates against the elastic force of the return spring 46. As a result, the movable contact piece 13 moves backward, and the first movable contact 13a contacts the first fixed contact 11a, and the second movable contact 13b contacts the second fixed contact 12a. When the application of the voltage to the coil 42 is stopped, the movable iron piece 44 rotates by the elastic force of the return spring 46. As a result, the movable contact piece 13 moves forward, the first movable contact 13a separates from the first fixed contact 11a, and the second movable contact 13b separates from the second fixed contact 12a.

[0035] Here, the case 2 further includes a side wall 23, an accommodation space 24, magnet accommodation sections 25, 26, and gas inflow spaces 27, 28. In this embodiment, the side wall 23 is formed by the bottom 21a of the base 21. The side wall 23 covers the accommodation space 24 and the gas inflow spaces 27, 28 from below. The side wall 23 includes through holes 23a, 23b. The through holes 23a, 23b are holes that penetrate the side wall 23 in the up-down direction. The through hole 23a is formed below the magnet accommodation section 25. The through hole 23b is formed below the magnet accommodation section 26.

[0036] The accommodation space 24 is provided between the base 21 and the cover 22. The accommodation space 24 is provided in the left-right direction between the magnet accommodation portion 25 and the magnet accommodation portion 26. The first fixed contact 11a, the second fixed contact 12a, and the movable contact piece 13 are accommodated in the accommodation space 24.

[0037] The magnet storage portion 25 is integrally formed with the base 21. The magnet storage portion 25 extends rearward and vertically from the outer wall 21b of the base 21. The magnet storage portion 25 is disposed upwardly away from the bottom 21a of the base 21. The magnet storage portion 25 is disposed to the right of the first fixed contact 11a and the first movable contact 13a. The magnet storage portion 25 is disposed between the storage space 24 and the gas inflow space 27. The magnet storage portion 25 divides the storage space 24 and the gas inflow space 27 in the left-right direction. The magnet storage portion 25 extends upwardly beyond the first fixed contact 11a and the first movable contact 13a with respect to the bottom 21a of the base 21. The magnet storage portion 25 extends upwardly beyond the first fixed terminal 11 with respect to the bottom 21a of the base 21.

[0038] The magnet accommodating portion 25 includes an insertion opening 25a and an arc contact surface 25b. The insertion opening 25a is formed at the lower end of the magnet accommodating portion 25 and opens downward. The insertion opening 25a is disposed above the bottom portion 21a of the base 21. The insertion opening 25a overlaps with the through hole 23a in the up-down direction. The arc contact surface 25b extends in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction. The arc generated between the first fixed contact 11a and the first movable contact 13a contacts the arc contact surface 25b.

[0039] The magnet accommodating portion 26 has a symmetrical shape to the magnet accommodating portion 25, and will be described briefly. The magnet accommodating portion 26 is disposed to the left of the second fixed contact 12a and the second movable contact 13b. The magnet accommodating portion 26 is disposed between the accommodating space 24 and the gas inflow space 27. The magnet accommodating portion 26 divides the accommodating space 24 and the gas inflow space 27 in the left-right direction. The magnet accommodating portion 25 includes an insertion opening 26a and an arc contact surface 26b.

[0040] The gas inlet spaces 27, 28 are provided between the base 21 and the cover 22. The gas inlet spaces 27, 28 are different from the accommodation space 24. The upper portions of the gas inlet spaces 27, 28 communicate with a space 30 in which the drive device 4 is disposed.

[0041] The gas inflow space 27 is disposed to the right of the accommodation space 24. The gas inflow space 27 is provided between the magnet accommodation portion 25 and the outer wall 21e of the base 21 in the left-right direction.

[0042] The gas inflow space 28 is disposed to the left of the accommodation space 24. The gas inflow space 28 is provided between the magnet accommodation portion 26 and the outer wall 21d of the base 21 in the left-right direction.

[0043] The electromagnetic relay 1 includes magnets 50, 51, support members 60, 61, and gas flow paths 70, 71. The magnets 50, 51 are, for example, rectangular permanent magnets. The magnet 50 is disposed between the accommodation space 24 and the gas inflow space 27. The magnet 50 is disposed to the right of the first fixed contact 11a and the first movable contact 13a. The magnet 50 is accommodated in the magnet accommodation section 25. The magnet 50 is inserted into the magnet accommodation section 25 from below. The magnet 50 is inserted into the magnet accommodation section 25 through the through hole 23a of the side wall 23 and the insertion port 25a of the magnet accommodation section 25. The magnet 50 is press-fitted and fixed in the magnet accommodation section 25. The magnet 50 is connected to a yoke 53 disposed to the right of the magnet 50 in the magnet accommodation section 25. The outer surface of the magnet 50 is covered by the magnet accommodation section 25 and the support member 60.

[0044] The magnet 50 is disposed so that magnetic flux flows to the right near the first fixed contact 11a. The magnet 50 extends the arc A1 generated between the first fixed contact 11a and the first movable contact 13a downward. In detail, for example, when a current flows from the first movable contact 13a to the first fixed contact 11a, a downward Lorentz force acts on the arc A1, causing the arc A1 to extend downward. As the arc A1 extends downward, it extends in a direction approaching the arc contact surface 25b, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0045] The magnet 51 is disposed between the accommodation space 24 and the gas inflow space 28. The magnet 51 is disposed to the left of the second fixed contact 12a and the second movable contact 13b. The magnet 51 is accommodated in the magnet accommodation portion 26. The magnet 51 is inserted into the magnet accommodation portion 26 through the through hole 23b of the side wall 23 and the insertion opening 26a of the magnet accommodation portion 26. The magnet 50 is connected to a yoke 54 disposed to the left of the magnet 51 in the magnet accommodation portion 26.

[0046] The magnet 51 is disposed so that magnetic flux flows to the right near the second fixed contact 12a. The magnet 51 is disposed so that the opposite poles of the magnet 50 face each other. The magnet 51 extends the arc A2 generated between the second fixed contact 12a and the second movable contact 13b in an upward direction. In detail, for example, when a current flows from the second fixed contact 12a to the second movable contact 13b, an upward Lorentz force acts on the arc A2, causing the arc A2 to extend in an upward direction. As the arc A2 extends upward, it extends in a direction approaching the arc contact surface 25b as shown in FIG. 4.

[0047] The support member 60 is separate from the base 21. The support member 60 is fixed to the bottom 21a of the base 21 by, for example, press fitting. The support member 60 supports the magnet 50 from below. The support member 60 positions the magnet 50 in the up-down direction. The support member 60 prevents the magnet 50 from falling out of the magnet accommodating portion 25.

[0048] The support member 60 includes a first cover portion 60a, a second cover portion 60b, a pair of connecting portions 60c, and a through hole 60d.

[0049] The first cover portion 60a closes the insertion opening 25a of the magnet storage portion 25. The second cover portion 60b is disposed downwardly away from the first cover portion 60a. The second cover portion 60b closes the through hole 23a of the side wall 23. The pair of connecting portions 60c connect the first cover portion 60a and the second cover portion 60b. The pair of connecting portions 60c extend in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The connecting portions 60c extend from both ends of the first cover portion 60a in the front-rear direction toward the second cover portion 60b. The through hole 60d is a hole that penetrates in the left-right direction and is formed between the first cover portion 60a and the second cover portion 60b in the up-down direction. The through hole 60d is formed inside the connecting portion 60c.

[0050] The support member 61 supports the magnet 51 from below. The support member 61 includes a first cover portion 61a, a second cover portion 61b, a pair of connecting portions 61c, and a through hole 61d. The support member 61 has a similar configuration to the support member 60, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] The gas flow path 70 is provided between the side wall 23 of the case 2 and the magnet 50. The gas flow path 70 extends in the left-right direction and communicates the storage space 24 and the gas inflow space 27. The gas flow path 70 overlaps with the magnet 50 in the up-down direction. The gas flow path 70 is provided below the magnet 50. The gas flow path 70 is provided in the support member 60. The gas flow path 70 is provided between the first cover 60 portion a and the second cover portion 60b of the support member 60. In this embodiment, the gas flow path 70 is composed of a through hole 70a that penetrates between the magnet storage portion 25 and the side wall 23 in the left-right direction and a through hole 60d of the support member 60. The through hole 70a is formed so as to be connected to the through hole 60d of the support member 60 in the left-right direction.

[0052] The gas flow path 71 is provided between the side wall 23 of the case 2 and the magnet 51. The gas flow path 71 extends in the left-right direction and communicates the storage space 24 and the gas inflow space 28. The gas flow path 71 overlaps with the magnet 51 in the up-down direction. The gas flow path 71 is disposed below the magnet 51. The gas flow path 71 is provided in the support member 61. In this embodiment, the gas flow path 71 is configured by a through hole 71a that passes between the magnet storage portion 26 and the side wall 23 in the left-right direction, and a through hole 61d of the support member 61. The through hole 71a is disposed so as to be connected to the through hole 61d of the support member 61 in the left-right direction.

[0053] In the above-described electromagnetic relay 1, a gas flow path 70 that communicates the accommodation space 24 and the gas inflow space 27 is provided between the side wall 23 of the case 2 and the magnet 50, so that the high-temperature gas due to the arc A1 can escape from the accommodation space 24 to the gas inflow space 27. In addition, since the magnet 50 is disposed between the accommodation space 24 and the gas inflow space 27, the gas inflow space 27 is located behind the magnet 50. Therefore, the high-temperature gas is less likely to return from the gas inflow space 27 to the vicinity of the contact. This makes it possible to suppress the restrike of the arc A1 that occurs between the first fixed contact 11a and the first movable contact 13a.

[0054] Furthermore, since the arc A1 is extended in a direction approaching the gas flow passage 70, the high-temperature gas can be quickly released from the accommodation space 24 to the gas inflow space 27.

[0055] Since the magnet 50 is covered by the magnet housing portion 25 and the first cover portion 60a of the support member 61, the magnet 50 can be prevented from being affected by the arc A1.

[0056] The magnet accommodating portion 25 separates the accommodating space 24 from the gas inflow space 27, and extends upward from the first fixed contact 11a relative to the side wall 23 of the case 2, so that the high-temperature gas is less likely to return from the gas inflow space 27 to the vicinity of the contact. In addition, the gas inflow space 27 is connected to the space 30 in which the drive unit 4 is disposed, so that the high-temperature gas is less likely to return from the gas inflow space 27 to the vicinity of the contact.

[0057] Furthermore, for example, when a current flows from the second movable contact 13b to the second fixed contact 12a, the arc A2 extends downward, and the gas flow path 71 allows the high-temperature gas generated by the arc A2 to escape from the storage space 24 to the gas inflow space 27.

[0058] 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.

[0059] The configurations of the contact device 3 and the driving device 4 may be changed. For example, the first external connection portion 11b of the first fixed terminal 11 may protrude from the outer wall 21e of the base 21. The driving device 4 may have a plunger type structure.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the magnet storage section 25 is integral with the base 21, but as shown in FIG. 5, the magnet storage section 25 may be separate from the base 21. That is, the magnet storage section 25 may be separate from the side wall 23. The magnet storage section 25 and the support member 60 may be integrally formed from a material different from that of the base 21. For example, the stone storage section 25 and the support member 60 may be integrally formed from a material having better arc-extinguishing performance than the base 21. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 Electromagnetic relay 2 Cases 4. Drive unit 11 1st fixed terminal 11a 1st fixed contact 12 Second fixed terminal 12a 2nd fixed contact 23 Side wall 24 Containment Space 25 Magnet housing 25b Arc contact surface 27 Gas inlet space 50 Magnet 60 Support member 70 Gas flow path

Claims

1. a first fixed terminal including a first fixed contact; a second fixed terminal including a second fixed contact and spaced apart from the first fixed terminal; a movable contact piece including a first movable contact facing the first fixed contact and a second movable contact facing the second fixed contact; a case including an accommodation space in which the first fixed contact, the second fixed contact, and the movable contact piece are accommodated, a gas inflow space different from the accommodation space, and a sidewall covering the accommodation space and the gas inflow space from a first direction; a magnet disposed between the accommodation space and the gas inlet space, the magnet extending an arc generated between the first fixed contact and the first movable contact; a gas flow passage provided between the side wall of the case and the magnet, the gas flow passage communicating the accommodation space with the gas inflow space; A drive device including a coil for moving the movable contact piece; Equipped with The gas inflow space is in communication with a space in which the drive device is disposed. Electromagnetic relay.

2. The magnet extends the arc in the first direction.

2. An electromagnetic relay as claimed in claim 1.

3. The case further includes a magnet receiving portion disposed away from the side wall in a second direction opposite to the first direction, The gas flow path is provided between the side wall of the case and the magnet housing portion.

3. An electromagnetic relay as claimed in claim 2.

4. A support member for supporting the magnet is further provided. The gas flow path is provided in the support member.

4. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 3.

5. The magnet accommodating portion includes an arc contact surface with which the arc contacts, and is separate from the side wall of the case.

5. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 4.

6. The magnet housing is integral with the support member.

6. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 5.

7. The magnet is inserted into the magnet housing from the first direction.

5. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 4.

8. The magnet housing portion includes an insertion port that opens toward the first direction, the side wall of the case includes a through hole penetrating in the first direction, The magnet is accommodated in the magnet accommodating portion through the through hole and the insertion opening, the support member includes a first cover portion that closes the insertion opening and a second cover portion that closes the through hole, The gas flow path is provided between the first cover portion and the second cover portion.

8. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 7.

9. The magnet storage section divides the storage space and the gas inflow space.

9. An electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 3 to 8.

10. The magnet accommodating portion extends in the second direction further than the first fixed contact with respect to the side wall of the case.

10. An electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 3 to 9.

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