Electromagnetic relay

Abstract

To improve a heat radiation property on a fixed terminal while suppressing increase in a size of an electromagnetic relay.SOLUTION: An electromagnetic relay comprises: a housing; a first fixed terminal; a moving contact piece; a drive device; and a first heat radiation member. The first fixed terminal protrudes to the outside of the housing from the inside of the housing. The moving contact piece is arranged in the housing. The moving contact piece is opposed to the first fixed terminal. The drive device moves the moving contact piece in a contacting direction and a separating direction. The first heat radiation member is arranged on the outside of the housing. The first heat radiation member is a separate body from the first fixed terminal. The first heat radiation member is connected to the first fixed terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] An electromagnetic relay includes a fixed terminal, a movable contact piece, and a housing. The fixed terminal protrudes from inside the housing to the outside of the housing. The movable contact piece is provided so as to be movable in a contact direction and a separation direction. The contact direction is the direction in which the movable contact piece contacts the fixed terminal. The separation direction is the direction in which the movable contact piece separates from the fixed terminal. When the movable contact piece contacts the fixed terminal, current flows through the fixed terminal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a large current flows in an electromagnetic relay, the amount of heat generated at the fixed terminal increases. Therefore, it is desired to improve the heat dissipation by increasing the surface area of the fixed terminal. However, if the fixed terminal becomes large in order to increase the surface area of the fixed terminal, the electromagnetic relay becomes large. The object of the present invention is to improve the heat dissipation at the fixed terminal while suppressing the increase in size of the electromagnetic relay.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present invention includes a housing, a first fixed terminal, a movable contact piece, a driving device, and a first heat radiating member. The first fixed terminal protrudes from inside the housing to the outside of the housing. The movable contact piece is disposed inside the housing. The movable contact piece faces the first fixed terminal. The driving device moves the movable contact piece in a contact direction and a separation direction. The contact direction is the direction in which the movable contact piece contacts the first fixed terminal. The separation direction is the direction in which the movable contact piece separates from the first fixed terminal. The first heat radiating member is disposed outside the housing. The first heat radiating member is separate from the first fixed terminal. The first heat radiating member is connected to the first fixed terminal.

[0006] In the electromagnetic relay according to this aspect, the surface area for radiating heat from the first fixed terminal is increased by the first heat radiating member. Thereby, the heat dissipation performance of the first fixed terminal is improved. Further, the first heat radiating member is disposed outside the housing. Therefore, an increase in the size of the electromagnetic relay is suppressed.

[0007] The first heat radiating member may have a bent shape. In this case, while disposing the first heat radiating member in a small space, the surface area for radiating heat from the first fixed terminal can be increased.

[0008] The first heat radiating member may be an auxiliary terminal through which the current from the first fixed terminal is shunted and energized. In this case, by shunting the current to the first heat radiating member, heat generation is dispersed between the first fixed terminal and the first heat radiating member. Thereby, heat generation at the first fixed terminal is suppressed.

[0009] The lower end of the first heat radiating member may be located below the lower end of the base. In this case, it becomes easier to connect the first heat radiating member to the substrate. The lower end of the first heat radiating member may be at the same height as the lower end of the first fixed terminal, or may be located below the lower end of the first fixed terminal. In this case, it becomes easier to connect the first heat radiating member to the substrate.

[0010] The first heat radiating member may be a heat radiating fin through which the current from the first fixed terminal is not energized. In this case, the degree of freedom in the shape of the first heat radiating member is improved.

[0011] The lower end of the first heat radiating member may be located above the lower end of the base. In this case, contact between the first heat radiating member and the substrate can be suppressed. The lower end of the first heat radiating member may be located above the lower end of the first fixed terminal. In this case, contact between the first heat radiating member and the substrate can be suppressed.

[0012] The electromagnetic relay may further include a second fixed terminal and a second heat radiating member. The second fixed terminal may protrude from inside the housing to the outside of the housing. The second heat radiating member may be disposed outside the housing. The second heat radiating member may be separate from the second fixed terminal. The second heat radiating member may be connected to the second fixed terminal. The first heat radiating member and the second heat radiating member may be disposed on the same side with respect to the first fixed terminal and the second fixed terminal.

[0013] In this case, the surface area for radiating heat from the second fixed terminal is increased by the second heat radiating member. Thereby, the heat dissipation performance of the second fixed terminal is improved. Further, the second heat radiating member is disposed outside the housing. Therefore, an increase in the size of the electromagnetic relay can be suppressed. Furthermore, the first heat radiating member and the second heat radiating member are disposed on the same side with respect to the first fixed terminal and the second fixed terminal. Thereby, the first heat radiating member and the second heat radiating member can be arranged compactly.

[0014] The first heat radiating member and the second heat radiating member may be disposed on opposite sides with respect to the first fixed terminal and the second fixed terminal. In this case, the heat dissipation performance from each of the first heat radiating member and the second heat radiating member can be improved.

[0015] The electromagnetic relay may further include a third heat radiating member. The third heat radiating member may be disposed outside the housing. The third heat radiating member may be separate from the first fixed terminal. The third heat radiating member may be connected to the first fixed terminal. The third heat radiating member may be separate from the first heat radiating member. In this case, the surface area for heat radiation is further increased by the first heat radiating member and the third heat radiating member.

[0016] The first fixed terminal may include a first surface and a second surface. The second surface may be located on the opposite side of the first surface. The first heat radiating member may be disposed facing the first surface. The third heat radiating member may be disposed facing the second surface. In this case, the layout of the first heat radiating member and the third heat radiating member becomes easy.

[0017] The third heat radiating member may overlap with the first member and be disposed facing the first surface. In this case, the first heat radiating member and the third heat radiating member can be arranged compactly.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, while suppressing the increase in size of the electromagnetic relay, the heat dissipation performance of the fixed terminal is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inside of the electromagnetic relay 1. FIGS. 3 and 4 are top views of the inside of the electromagnetic relay 1.

[0021] The electromagnetic relay 1 includes a contact device 2, a housing 3, and a drive device 4. The contact device 2 and the drive device 4 are arranged inside the housing 3. The housing 3 includes a base 11 and a case 12. In FIGS. 2 to 4, the case 12 is omitted. The base 11 supports the contact device 2 and the drive device 4.

[0022] In the following description, the direction from the base 11 toward the contact device 2 and the drive device 4 is defined as upward, and the opposite direction is defined as downward. The direction from the drive device 4 toward the contact device 2 is defined as forward, and the opposite direction is defined as backward. The direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction is defined as the left-right direction.

[0023] The contact device 2 includes a first fixed terminal 13, a second fixed terminal 14, a first movable contact piece 15, a second movable contact piece 16, and a moving member 17. The first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14 are formed of a conductive material such as copper. The first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14 each extend in the vertical direction.

[0024] The first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14 are arranged apart from each other in the left - right direction. The first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14 are fixed to the base 11. The first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14 protrude from inside the housing 3 to the outside of the housing 3. The first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14 protrude downward from the base 11.

[0025] The first fixed contact 21 and the third fixed contact 23 are connected to the first fixed terminal 13. The second fixed contact 22 and the fourth fixed contact 24 are connected to the second fixed terminal 14. The first to fourth fixed contacts 21 - 24 are formed of a conductive material such as silver or copper, for example.

[0026] The first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 extend in the left - right direction. The first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 are separate from each other. The first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 are formed of a conductive material such as copper, for example.

[0027] The first movable contact piece 15 is arranged facing the first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14. The first movable contact 25 and the second movable contact 26 are connected to the first movable contact piece 15. The first movable contact 25 is arranged facing the first fixed contact 21. The second movable contact 26 is arranged facing the second fixed contact 22.

[0028] The second movable contact piece 16 is arranged facing the first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14. The third movable contact 27 and the fourth movable contact 28 are connected to the second movable contact piece 16. The third movable contact 27 is arranged facing the third fixed contact 23. The fourth movable contact 28 is arranged facing the fourth fixed contact 24. The first to fourth movable contacts 25 - 28 are formed of a conductive material such as silver or copper, for example.

[0029] The moving member 17 holds the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16. The moving member 17 is made of resin having electrical insulation properties. The moving member 17 is movable in the front-rear direction. The moving member 17 is movable between a closed position and an open position. In FIG. 3, the moving member 17 is located at the open position. When the moving member 17 is at the open position, the movable contacts 25 - 28 are separated from the fixed contacts 21 - 24 respectively. In FIG. 4, the moving member 17 is located at the closed position. When the moving member 17 is at the closed position, the movable contacts 25 - 28 contact the fixed contacts 21 - 24 respectively.

[0030] The drive device 4 moves the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 by electromagnetic force. The drive device 4 moves the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 in the contact direction and the separation direction. The contact direction is the direction in which the movable contacts 25 - 28 contact the fixed contacts 21 - 24. The separation direction is the direction in which the movable contacts 25 - 28 separate from the fixed contacts 21 - 24. In this embodiment, the contact direction is rearward and the separation direction is forward.

[0031] The drive device 4 includes a coil 31, a spool 32, a movable iron core 33, a fixed iron core 34, and a yoke 35. The coil 31 is wound around the spool 32. At least a part of the movable iron core 33 is disposed within the spool 32. The movable iron core 33 is provided movably in the front-rear direction. The fixed iron core 34 is disposed within the spool 32. The fixed iron core 34 is disposed facing the movable iron core 33. The coil 31 generates an electromagnetic force that moves the movable iron core 33 when energized.

[0032] The movable iron core 33 is connected to the moving member 17. The movable iron core 33 moves in the contact direction in response to the magnetic force generated from the coil 31. Along with the movement of the movable iron core 33, the moving member 17 moves to the closed position. The yoke 35 is disposed so as to surround the coil 31. The yoke 35 is disposed on the magnetic circuit formed by the coil 31.

[0033] The electromagnetic relay 1 includes a first return spring 36 and a second return spring 37. The first return spring 36 and the second return spring 37 are disposed between the moving member 17 and the driving device 4. The first return spring 36 and the second return spring 37 bias the moving member 17 in the separating direction.

[0034] Next, the operation of the electromagnetic relay 1 will be described. When the coil 31 is not energized, the driving device 4 is not excited. In this case, the moving member 17, together with the movable iron core 33, is pressed in the separating direction by the elastic forces of the return springs 36 and 37, and the moving member 17 is located at the open position shown in FIG. 3.

[0035] In this state, via the moving member 17, the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 are also pressed in the separating direction. Accordingly, when the moving member 17 is at the open position, the first movable contact 25 and the second movable contact 26 are separated from the first fixed contact 21 and the second fixed contact 22. Similarly, when the moving member 17 is at the open position, the third movable contact 27 and the fourth movable contact 28 are separated from the third fixed contact 23 and the fourth fixed contact 24.

[0036] When the coil 31 is energized, the driving device 4 is excited. In this case, due to the electromagnetic force of the coil 31, the movable iron core 33 moves in the contacting direction against the elastic forces of the return springs 36 and 37. Thereby, the moving member 17, the first movable contact piece 15, and the second movable contact piece 16 all move in the contacting direction. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, the moving member 17 moves to the closed position.

[0037] As a result, when the moving member 17 is at the closed position, the first movable contact 25 and the second movable contact 26 respectively contact the first fixed contact 21 and the second fixed contact 22. Similarly, when the moving member 17 is at the closed position, the third movable contact 27 and the fourth movable contact 28 respectively contact the third fixed contact 23 and the fourth fixed contact 24. Thereby, the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 are electrically connected to the first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14.

[0038] When the current to the coil 31 is stopped and demagnetized, the movable iron core 33 is pressed in the separating direction by the elastic forces of the return springs 36 and 37. Thereby, the moving member 17, the first movable contact piece 15, and the second movable contact piece 16 all move in the separating direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the moving member 17 moves to the open position.

[0039] As a result, when the moving member 17 is in the open position, the first movable contact 25 and the second movable contact 26 are separated from the first fixed contact 21 and the second fixed contact 22. Similarly, when the moving member 17 is in the open position, the third movable contact 27 and the fourth movable contact 28 are separated from the third fixed contact 23 and the fourth fixed contact 24.

[0040] When a large current flows in the electromagnetic relay 1, the first and second fixed terminals 13, 14 and the first and second movable contact pieces 15, 16 become hot. As shown in FIG. 1, the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first heat radiating member 41 and a second heat radiating member 42 for improving the heat dissipation of the electromagnetic relay 1.

[0041] The first heat radiating member 41 and the second heat radiating member 42 are made of a metal with high thermal conductivity such as copper. The first heat radiating member 41 and the second heat radiating member 42 have conductivity. The first heat radiating member 41 and the second heat radiating member 42 are disposed outside the housing 3. The entire first heat radiating member 41 is disposed outside the housing 3. The entire second heat radiating member 42 is disposed outside the housing 3. The first heat radiating member 41 and the second heat radiating member 42 are disposed below the base 11.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the lower part of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the base 11 includes a plurality of legs 43 - 46. The plurality of legs 43 - 46 project downward from the bottom surface 47 of the base 11. As shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of legs 43 - 46 contact the substrate 100 to which the electromagnetic relay 1 is attached. The first heat radiating member 41 and the second heat radiating member 42 are disposed between the plurality of legs 43 - 46.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first fixed terminal 13 and the first heat dissipation member 41. As shown in FIG. 6, the first fixed terminal 13 includes a first surface 131, a second surface 132, a first side surface 133, and a second side surface 134. The first fixed contact 21 and the third fixed contact 23 are attached to the first surface 131. The second surface 132 is located on the opposite side of the first surface 131. The first surface 131 and the second surface 132 each have a larger surface area than the first side surface 133 and the second side surface 134.

[0044] The first heat dissipation member 41 is separate from the first fixed terminal 13. The first heat dissipation member 41 is connected to the first fixed terminal 13. The first heat dissipation member 41 is connected to the first fixed terminal 13 outside the housing 3. The first heat dissipation member 41 is disposed facing the first surface 131 of the first fixed terminal 13. The first heat dissipation member 41 is connected to the first surface 131. The first heat dissipation member 41 is connected to the first fixed terminal 13, for example, by welding or caulking. The first heat dissipation member 41 has a plate-like shape thinner than the first fixed terminal 13. The area of the horizontal cross section of the first heat dissipation member 41 is smaller than the area of the horizontal cross section of the first fixed terminal 13.

[0045] Specifically, the first heat dissipation member 41 includes a connection portion 51, a stepped portion 52, and a terminal portion 53. The first heat dissipation member 41 is bent between the connection portion 51 and the stepped portion 52. The first heat dissipation member 41 is bent between the stepped portion 52 and the terminal portion 53. The connection portion 51 extends in the vertical direction. The connection portion 51 is connected to the first fixed terminal 13. The stepped portion 52 extends in the front-rear direction from the connection portion 51. The terminal portion 53 extends downward from the stepped portion 52. The terminal portion 53 is connected to the substrate 100.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the upper end 54 of the first heat radiating member 41 is located below the bottom surface 47 of the base 11. The lower end 135 of the first fixed terminal 13 is located below the lower ends 431 and 441 of the legs 43 and 44. The lower end 55 of the first heat radiating member 41 is located below the lower ends 431 and 441 of the legs 43 and 44. The lower end 55 of the first heat radiating member 41 is located at the same height as the lower end 135 of the first fixed terminal 13. Alternatively, the lower end 55 of the first heat radiating member 41 may be located below the lower end 135 of the first fixed terminal 13. The first heat radiating member 41 is electrically connected to the substrate 100 together with the first fixed terminal 13. The first heat radiating member 41 functions as an auxiliary terminal through which the current from the first fixed terminal 13 is shunted and energized.

[0047] The second heat radiating member 42 is separate from the second fixed terminal 14. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the electromagnetic relay 1 as seen from below. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the second heat radiating member 42 is connected to the second fixed terminal 14. The second heat radiating member 42 is connected to the second fixed terminal 14 outside the housing 3. The second heat radiating member 42 is connected to the second fixed terminal 14, for example, by welding or caulking. The second heat radiating member 42 has the same shape as the first heat radiating member 41.

[0048] The first heat radiating member 41 and the second heat radiating member 42 are arranged in the same direction with respect to the first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14. That is, the first heat radiating member 41 is arranged in front of the first fixed terminal 13. The second heat radiating member 42 is arranged in front of the second fixed terminal 14. Alternatively, the first heat radiating member 41 may be arranged behind the first fixed terminal 13. The second heat radiating member 42 may be arranged behind the second fixed terminal 14.

[0049] In the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the present embodiment described above, the surface area for dissipating the heat from the first fixed terminal 13 is enlarged by the first heat dissipation member 41. Thereby, the heat dissipation performance of the first fixed terminal 13 is improved. The surface area for dissipating the heat from the second fixed terminal 14 is enlarged by the second heat dissipation member 42. Thereby, the heat dissipation performance of the second fixed terminal 14 is improved. Further, the first heat dissipation member 41 and the second heat dissipation member 42 are disposed outside the housing 3. Therefore, an increase in the size of the electromagnetic relay 1 can be suppressed.

[0050] Further, the current flowing through the first fixed terminal 13 is shunted to the first heat dissipation member 41. Thereby, the heat from the electromagnetic relay 1 is dispersed to the first fixed terminal 13 and the first heat dissipation member 41 and transmitted to the substrate 100. Thereby, the thermal influence on the substrate 100 is reduced. Further, by changing the ratio of the thicknesses of the first heat dissipation member 41 and the first fixed terminal 13, the temperature rise values of the first heat dissipation member 41 and the first fixed terminal 13 can be arbitrarily adjusted.

[0051] The first heat dissipation member 41 is connected to the first fixed terminal 13 outside the housing 3. Therefore, the first heat dissipation member 41 can be attached to the electromagnetic relay 1 in a retrofittable manner. Note that the second heat dissipation member 42 can also obtain the same effects as those of the first heat dissipation member 41 described above.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a side view showing the lower part of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first modification of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the electromagnetic relay 1 may further include a third heat dissipation member 48. The third heat dissipation member 48 is disposed outside the housing 3. The third heat dissipation member 48 is separate from the first fixed terminal 13. The third heat dissipation member 48 is connected to the first fixed terminal 13. The third heat dissipation member 48 is separate from the first heat dissipation member 41.

[0053] The third heat dissipation member 48 has the same shape as the first heat dissipation member 41. The third heat dissipation member 48 is disposed on the opposite side of the first heat dissipation member 41 with respect to the first fixed terminal 13. Specifically, the third heat dissipation member 48 is disposed facing the second surface 132. The third heat dissipation member 48 is connected to the second surface 132.

[0054] In the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first modification of the first embodiment, the heat dissipation property of the first fixed terminal 13 is further improved by the third heat dissipation member 48. Although not shown, a fourth heat dissipation member may be connected to the second fixed terminal 14. Similar to the connection of the first heat dissipation member 41 and the third heat dissipation member 48 to the first fixed terminal 13, the second heat dissipation member 42 and the fourth heat dissipation member may be connected to the second fixed terminal 14, respectively.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a side view showing the lower part of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the second modification of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the third heat dissipation member 48 may be arranged to overlap the first heat dissipation member 41 and face the first surface 131. The third heat dissipation member 48 may be arranged between the first heat dissipation member 41 and the first surface 131.

[0056] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the lower part of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the second embodiment includes a first heat dissipation member 61. The first heat dissipation member 61 according to the second embodiment is connected to the first fixed terminal 13 and is arranged outside the housing 3, similar to the first heat dissipation member 41 according to the first embodiment.

[0057] The lower end 611 of the first heat dissipation member 61 is located above the lower ends 431, 441 of the legs 43, 44. The lower end 611 of the first heat dissipation member 61 is located above the lower end 135 of the first fixed terminal 13. The first heat dissipation member 61 does not contact the substrate 100, and no current from the first fixed terminal 13 is passed through the first heat dissipation member 61. The first heat dissipation member 61 does not function as an auxiliary terminal, but functions as a heat dissipation fin for improving the heat dissipation property of the first fixed terminal 13.

[0058] Specifically, the first heat dissipation member 61 includes a first fin 62, a second fin 63, and a connection portion 64. The first fin 62 extends in the front-rear direction from the first fixed terminal 13. The first fin 62 has a plate-like shape. The first fin 62 is disposed below the bottom surface 47 of the base 11. The second fin 63 extends in the front-rear direction from the second fixed terminal 14. The second fin 63 has a plate-like shape. The second fin 63 is disposed below the first fin 62. The second fin 63 is located above the lower ends 431, 441 of the legs 43, 44. The connection portion 64 is located between the first fin 62 and the second fin 63. The connection portion 64 is connected to the first fixed terminal 13.

[0059] The first heat dissipation member 61 has a bent shape between the first fin 62 and the connection portion 64. The first heat dissipation member 61 has a bent shape between the second fin 63 and the connection portion 64. The first heat dissipation member 61 is connected to the second surface 132 of the first fixed terminal 13. However, the first heat dissipation member 61 may be connected to the first surface 131 of the first fixed terminal 13. Although not shown, in the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a second heat dissipation member similar to the first heat dissipation member 61 is connected to the second fixed terminal 14.

[0060] In the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the heat dissipation performance of the electromagnetic relay 1 is improved by the first heat dissipation member 61, and the size increase of the electromagnetic relay 1 is suppressed.

[0061] FIG. 11 is a side view showing the lower part of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first modification of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the electromagnetic relay 1 may further include a third heat dissipation member 65. The third heat dissipation member 65 has a shape similar to that of the first heat dissipation member 61. The third heat dissipation member 65 is connected to the first surface 131 of the first fixed terminal 13, and the first heat dissipation member 61 is connected to the second surface 132.

[0062] In the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first modification of the second embodiment, the heat dissipation property of the first fixed terminal 13 is further improved by the third heat dissipation member 65. Although not shown, a fourth heat dissipation member may be connected to the second fixed terminal 14. The second heat dissipation member and the fourth heat dissipation member may be connected to the second fixed terminal 14 in the same manner as the first heat dissipation member 61 and the third heat dissipation member 65 are attached to the first fixed terminal 13, respectively.

[0063] FIG. 12 is a side view showing the lower part of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the second modification of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the first heat dissipation member 61 may further include a third fin 66 and a fourth fin 67. The third fin 66 and the fourth fin 67 extend in the front-rear direction from the first fixed terminal 13. The third fin 66 and the fourth fin 67 are disposed between the first fin 62 and the second fin 63. The third heat dissipation member 65 has the same shape as the first heat dissipation member 61.

[0064] In the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the second modification of the second embodiment, the heat dissipation property of the first fixed terminal 13 is further improved by the third fin 66 and the fourth fin 67. Although not shown, the second heat dissipation member has the same shape as the first heat dissipation member 61. The fourth heat dissipation member has the same shape as the third heat dissipation member 65.

[0065] FIG. 13 is a side view showing the lower part of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the third modification of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the lower end 611 of the first heat dissipation member 61 may be located at the same height as the lower ends 431, 441 of the legs 43, 44. The lower end 611 of the first heat dissipation member 61 may be located at the same height as the lower end 135 of the first fixed terminal 13. The first heat dissipation member 61 contacts the substrate 100 but may be configured not to be energized.

[0066] As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0067] The structures of the contact device 2 and the drive device 4 are not limited to those of the above-described embodiment and may be modified. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the electromagnetic relay 1 is a so-called plunger type, but in other types of electromagnetic relays such as hinge types, the heat dissipation member described above may be provided.

[0068] The shapes or arrangements of the first fixed terminal 13, the second fixed terminal 14, the first movable contact piece 15, and the second movable contact piece 16 may be changed. For example, the first movable contact piece 15 and the second movable contact piece 16 may be integrated. That is, the first to fourth movable contacts 25-28 may be connected to an integrated movable contact piece. Alternatively, the second movable contact piece 16, the third and fourth movable contacts 27, 28, and the third and fourth fixed contacts 23, 24 may be omitted.

[0069] The first fixed contact 21 and the third fixed contact 23 may be integrated with the first fixed terminal 13. The first fixed contact 21 and the third fixed contact 23 may be omitted. The second fixed contact 22 and the fourth fixed contact 24 may be integrated with the second fixed terminal 14. The second fixed contact 22 and the fourth fixed contact 24 may be omitted.

[0070] The first movable contact 25 and the second movable contact 26 may be integrated with the first movable contact piece 15. The first movable contact 25 and the second movable contact 26 may be omitted. The third movable contact 27 and the fourth movable contact 28 may be integrated with the second movable contact piece 16. The third movable contact 27 and the fourth movable contact 28 may be omitted.

[0071] In the above-described first embodiment, the first heat dissipation member 41 and the second heat dissipation member 42 are arranged on the same side with respect to the first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14. However, the first heat dissipation member 41 and the second heat dissipation member 42 may be arranged on opposite sides with respect to the first fixed terminal 13 and the second fixed terminal 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the first heat dissipation member 41 may be arranged behind the first fixed terminal 13, and the second heat dissipation member 42 may be arranged in front of the second fixed terminal 14. Alternatively, the first heat dissipation member 41 may be arranged in front of the first fixed terminal 13, and the second heat dissipation member 42 may be arranged behind the second fixed terminal 14. The first heat dissipation member 61 and the second heat dissipation member according to the second embodiment may be arranged in the same manner as described above.

Industrial Applicability

[0072] According to the present invention, while suppressing the increase in size of the electromagnetic relay, the heat dissipation performance at the fixed terminals is improved.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0073] 3: Housing, 4: Driving device, 13: First fixed terminal, 14: Second fixed terminal, 15: First movable contact piece, 41: First heat dissipation member, 42: Second heat dissipation member, 65: Third heat dissipation member, 131: First surface, 132: Second surface

Claims

1. A housing, a first fixed terminal protruding from inside the housing to the outside of the housing, a movable contact piece disposed inside the housing and facing the first fixed terminal, a driving device that moves the movable contact piece in a contact direction and a separation direction, the contact direction being the direction in which the movable contact piece contacts the first fixed terminal, and the separation direction being the direction in which the movable contact piece separates from the first fixed terminal, a first heat dissipation member disposed outside the housing, separate from the first fixed terminal and connected to the first fixed terminal, comprising, the first heat dissipation member is an auxiliary terminal through which the current from the first fixed terminal is shunted and energized, an electromagnetic relay.

2. The first heat dissipation member has a bent shape. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1.

3. The lower end of the first heat dissipation member is located below the lower end of the housing. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The lower end of the first heat dissipation member is at the same height as the lower end of the first fixed terminal or is located below the lower end of the first fixed terminal. The electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a second fixed terminal protruding from inside the housing to the outside of the housing, a second heat dissipation member disposed outside the housing, separate from the second fixed terminal and connected to the second fixed terminal, further comprising, the first heat dissipation member and the second heat dissipation member are disposed on the same side with respect to the first fixed terminal and the second fixed terminal. The electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. a second fixed terminal protruding from inside the housing to the outside of the housing, a second heat dissipation member disposed outside the housing, separate from the second fixed terminal and connected to the second fixed terminal, further comprising, the first heat dissipation member and the second heat dissipation member are disposed on opposite sides with respect to the first fixed terminal and the second fixed terminal. The electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. further comprising a third heat dissipation member disposed outside the housing, separate from the first fixed terminal, connected to the first fixed terminal, and separate from the first heat dissipation member. The electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The first fixed terminal includes a first surface, a second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface, and the first heat dissipation member is disposed facing the first surface. ​ The third heat radiating member is disposed to face the second surface. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 7. **Claim 9** The first fixed terminal includes a first surface and a second surface located on the side opposite to the first surface. The first heat radiating member is disposed to face the first surface. The third heat radiating member overlaps the first heat radiating member and is disposed to face the first surface. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 7. ​

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