electromagnetic contactor

Abstract

To hold a movable body of an electromagnetic contactor at a closed pole position with certainty.SOLUTION: An electromagnetic contactor 100 comprises: an opening / closing part 30 that includes a fixed electrode 31 and a movable electrode 32; a movable body 40 fixed to the movable electrode 32; a drive mechanism 50 that moves the movable body 40 by an electromagnetic force between a closed pole position where the movable electrode 32 is in contact with the fixed electrode 31 and an open pole position where the movable electrode 32 is separated from the fixed electrode 31; and a holding mechanism 60 that holds the movable body 40 at the closed pole position. A recessed part Q is formed on a lateral face of the movable body 40. The holding mechanism 60 includes: a holding body engaged with the recessed part Q by the movement of the movable body 40 to the closed pole position; and a release mechanism that releases the engagement of the holding body with the recessed part Q by separating the holding body from the movable body 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electromagnetic contactor that utilizes electromagnetic force to bring a movable electrode into contact with and separate from a fixed electrode. [Background technology]

[0002] Various electromagnetic contactors have been proposed in the past. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electric power switchgear that electromagnetically moves a movable shaft fixed to a movable electrode between a closed position where the movable electrode contacts a fixed electrode and an open position where the movable electrode is separated from the fixed electrode. The electric power switchgear of Patent Document 1 includes a yoke through which the movable shaft passes, a permanent magnet installed inside the yoke, and an armature fixed to the end of the movable shaft and located inside the yoke. The movable body is held in the closed position by attracting the armature to the yoke by the electromagnetic force of the magnetic circuit formed by the permanent magnet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-31087 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, a large permanent magnet is used to hold the movable body in the closed position, so there is a possibility that, for example, magnetic dust may be attracted to the permanent magnet or yoke. Therefore, for example, dust may get between the permanent magnet or yoke and the armature, resulting in a decrease in the holding force that holds the movable body in the closed position. In consideration of the above circumstances, one aspect of the present disclosure aims to reliably hold the movable body of an electromagnetic contactor in the closed position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, an electromagnetic contactor according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an opening / closing section including a fixed electrode and a movable electrode, a movable body fixed to the movable electrode, a drive mechanism that uses electromagnetic force to move the movable body between a closed position in which the movable electrode contacts the fixed electrode and an open position in which the movable electrode is separated from the fixed electrode, and a holding mechanism that holds the movable body in the closed position, wherein a recess is formed on a side of the movable body, and the holding mechanism includes a holding body that engages with the recess when the movable body moves to the closed position, and a release mechanism that releases the engagement of the holding body with the recess by separating the holding body from the movable body.

[0006] An electromagnetic contactor according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a first opening / closing unit and a second opening / closing unit, a drive mechanism, a holding mechanism, and an engagement portion, wherein each of the first opening / closing unit and the second opening / closing unit includes an opening / closing portion including a fixed electrode and a movable electrode, and a movable body fixed to the movable electrode, wherein the engagement portion is a continuous member spanning the movable body of the first opening / closing unit and the movable body of the second opening / closing unit, and a recess is formed on a side of the engagement portion, wherein the drive mechanism uses electromagnetic force to move the movable body in each of the first opening / closing unit and the second opening / closing unit between a closed position where the movable electrode contacts the fixed electrode and an open position where the movable electrode is separated from the fixed electrode, wherein the holding mechanism holds the movable body in each of the first opening / closing unit and the second opening / closing unit at the closed position, and wherein the holding mechanism includes a holder that engages with the recess when the movable body moves to the closed position, and a release mechanism that releases the engagement of the holder from the recess by separating the holder from the movable body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of an electromagnetic contactor according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a side view focusing on one switching unit in an open contact state. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a side view focusing on one switching unit in a closed state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a holding mechanism and an engaging portion in an open state. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a holding mechanism and an engaging portion in a closed state. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side view focusing on one switching unit in an open state in a comparative example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view focusing on one switching unit in a closed state in a comparative example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the main part of the electromagnetic contactor according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a rear view of a main part of an electromagnetic contactor according to a modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a rear view of a main part of an electromagnetic contactor according to a modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a rear view of a main part of an electromagnetic contactor according to a modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an engagement portion in a modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an engagement portion in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensions and scale of each element in each drawing may differ from those of the actual product. Furthermore, the embodiment described below is an exemplary embodiment that may be envisioned when carrying out the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment exemplified below.

[0009] A: First embodiment 1 is a front view of an electromagnetic contactor 100 according to a first embodiment. The electromagnetic contactor 100 of the first embodiment is an electric power switching device that switches between supplying and cutting off electric power to an electric motor such as a three-phase motor.

[0010] 1, the electromagnetic contactor 100 includes a support frame 10, three opening / closing units 20, a drive mechanism 50, and three holding mechanisms 60. FIGS. 2 and 3 are side views focusing on one opening / closing unit 20.

[0011] In the following description, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis are assumed to be orthogonal to each other. A direction along the X-axis is referred to as the X1 direction, and a direction opposite to the X1 direction is referred to as the X2 direction. Similarly, a direction along the Y-axis is referred to as the Y1 direction, and a direction opposite to the Y1 direction is referred to as the Y2 direction. The Y1 direction corresponds to the front of the electromagnetic contactor 100, and the Y2 direction corresponds to the rear of the electromagnetic contactor 100. Furthermore, a direction along the Z-axis is referred to as the Z1 direction, and a direction opposite to the Z1 direction is referred to as the Z2 direction. The Z1 direction corresponds to the downward vertical direction, and the Z2 direction corresponds to the upward vertical direction.

[0012] The support frame 10 in FIG. 1 is an insulating structure that supports three switching units 20. The three switching units 20 are arranged at intervals along the X-axis. Each of the three switching units 20 is a switching device corresponding to a phase of the electric motor. Each switching unit 20 includes a switching section 30 and a movable body 40.

[0013] 2 and 3, the opening / closing unit 30 is a structure including a fixed electrode 31 and a movable electrode 32. The fixed electrode 31 is a contact that is fixedly installed. The movable electrode 32 is a contact that is movable in the Z-axis direction (Z1, Z2) relative to the fixed electrode 31. The movable electrode 32 comes into contact with the fixed electrode 31 by moving in the Z2 direction (FIG. 3), and moves away from the fixed electrode 31 by moving in the Z1 direction (FIG. 2).

[0014] The opening / closing unit 30 of the first embodiment is a vacuum valve including a vacuum container 33 that houses a fixed electrode 31 and a movable electrode 32. That is, the electromagnetic contactor 100 of the first embodiment is a vacuum electromagnetic contactor that utilizes a vacuum valve. A connection terminal 11 for external connection is electrically connected to the fixed electrode 31, and a connection terminal 12 for external connection is electrically connected to the movable electrode 32.

[0015] The movable body 40 is a structure fixed to the movable electrode 32 and is movable along the Z axis. Specifically, the movable body 40 is connected to an end of the movable electrode 32 located in the Z1 direction. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the movable body 40 includes a connecting rod 41, an insulator 42, an operating rod 43, an operating spring 44, and an engaging portion 45.

[0016] The connecting rod 41 is a conductive rod-shaped member extending along the Z-axis. The Z2-direction end of the connecting rod 41 is connected to the movable electrode 32. The operating rod 43 is a conductive or insulating rod-shaped member extending along the Z-axis. The operating rod 43 is located in the Z1 direction relative to the connecting rod 41. The insulator 42 is an insulating structure interposed between the connecting rod 41 and the operating rod 43. Specifically, the Z1-direction end of the connecting rod 41 is connected to the upper surface of the insulator 42, and the Z2-direction end of the operating rod 43 is connected to the lower surface of the insulator 42. Therefore, the connecting rod 41 and the operating rod 43 are installed coaxially while being electrically insulated by the insulator 42. The central axes of the connecting rod 41 and the operating rod 43 correspond to the central axis A of the movable body 40. The central axis A is an axis parallel to the Z-axis. The direction of the central axis A of the movable body 40 may also be expressed as the direction of the Z-axis.

[0017] A flange 46 is formed on the operating rod 43 at a position spaced apart from the insulator 42. The flange 46 is an annular plate-like portion that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the operating rod 43. An operating spring 44 is installed between the upper surface of the flange 46 and the lower surface of the insulator 42. The operating rod 43 protrudes in the Z1 direction from the flange 46. An engaging portion 45 is installed on the operating rod 43 at a position spaced apart from the flange 46 in the Z1 direction. The engaging portion 45 is a member for holding (latching) the position of the movable body 40 on the Z axis. Details of the engaging portion 45 will be described later.

[0018] 1 is a mechanism that moves the movable body 40 in each of the three opening / closing units 20 in the direction of the Z axis (Z1, Z2) by electromagnetic force. Specifically, the driving mechanism 50 includes a rotating member 51, three operating levers 52, a breaking spring 53, and an electromagnetic mechanism 54. The breaking spring 53 and the electromagnetic mechanism 54 are installed in a space located in the Z1 direction with respect to the arrangement of the three opening / closing units 20.

[0019] The rotating member 51 is a structure that can rotate around a rotation axis R along the X axis, and includes a rotating plate 511 that extends in the Z1 direction relative to the rotation axis R. The rotating plate 511 is located in the Y1 direction (front side) relative to the blocking spring 53 and the electromagnetic mechanism 54.

[0020] The three operating levers 52 are plate-like members corresponding to the respective opening / closing units 20. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, each operating lever 52 is fixed to the upper surface of the rotating member 51 and protrudes from the rotating member 51 in the Y2 direction. A through-hole (not shown) is formed in each operating lever 52. The operating rod 43 of each opening / closing unit 20 is inserted into the through-hole of the operating lever 52 corresponding to that opening / closing unit 20. The operating lever 52 is interposed between the flange 46 of the operating rod 43 and the operating spring 44.

[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the interrupting spring 53 is a coil spring that biases the rotating plate 511 of the rotating member 51 in the Y1 direction. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support frame 10 has a flat back surface portion 13 that forms the back surface of the electromagnetic contactor 100. The interrupting spring 53 is located between the rotating plate 511 of the rotating member 51 and the back surface portion 13 of the support frame 10. The electromagnetic mechanism 54 is a mechanism that applies an electromagnetic force in the Y2 direction to the rotating plate 511 of the rotating member 51. Specifically, the electromagnetic mechanism 54 is formed, for example, by a solenoid having an electric wire wound around an iron core, and is located between the rotating plate 511 and the back surface portion 13, similar to the interrupting spring 53. When a magnetic field is generated by the operation of the electromagnetic mechanism 54, an electromagnetic force that attracts the rotating plate 511 of the rotating member 51 in the Y2 direction is generated.

[0022] In the above configuration, when the electromagnetic mechanism 54 is not operating, the rotating plate 511 is biased in the Y1 direction by the interrupting spring 53, and a rotational force in the R1 direction shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 acts on the rotating member 51. The rotational force of the rotating member 51 is transmitted to the operating lever 52 and presses the flange 46 of the operating rod 43 in the Z1 direction, causing the movable body 40 to move in the Z1 direction. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the electromagnetic contactor 100 is in a state in which the movable electrode 32 is separated from the fixed electrode 31 (hereinafter referred to as the "open state"). As described above, the interrupting spring 53 acts to interrupt the supply of power to the electric motor.

[0023] On the other hand, when the electromagnetic mechanism 54 is activated, an electromagnetic force acts on the rotating plate 511 in the Y2 direction. When the electromagnetic force in the Y2 direction by the electromagnetic mechanism 54 exceeds the biasing force in the Y1 direction by the cut-off spring 53, the rotating plate 511 rotates in the R2 direction, which is opposite to the R1 direction described above. That is, each operating lever 52 moves in the Z2 direction. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the movable body 40 moves in the Z2 direction, resulting in a state in which the movable electrode 32 contacts the fixed electrode 31 (hereinafter referred to as the "closed state").

[0024] 2 in which the movable electrode 32 is separated from the fixed electrode 31, and the closed position in FIG. 3 in which the movable electrode 32 is in contact with the fixed electrode 31. The drive mechanism 50 moves the movable body 40 between the closed position and the open position by electromagnetic force.

[0025] As illustrated in Fig. 1, three holding mechanisms 60 are arranged corresponding to each opening / closing unit 20. Specifically, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the holding mechanism 60 corresponding to each opening / closing unit 20 is located in the Y2 direction (back side) with respect to the engaging portion 45 of the opening / closing unit 20. The holding mechanism 60 is a mechanism that holds the movable body 40 in the closed position of Fig. 3. That is, when the movable body 40 moves in the Z2 direction from the open position of Fig. 2 and reaches the closed position, the holding mechanism 60 holds the movable body 40 in the closed position.

[0026] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the holding mechanism 60 and the engaging portion 45 in the open contact state of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the holding mechanism 60 and the engaging portion 45 in the closed contact state of Fig. 3. As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the holding mechanism 60 of the first embodiment includes a lock pin 61, a holding spring 62, and a release mechanism 63.

[0027] The lock pin 61 is a cylindrical structure that is long along the Y axis. The tip of the lock pin 61 is formed into a curved surface (e.g., a hemispherical shape). A flange 64 is formed at a position midway along the Y axis of the lock pin 61. The flange 64 is an annular plate-like portion that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the lock pin 61. A retaining spring 62 is installed between the release mechanism 63 and the flange 64. The retaining spring 62 is a coil spring that biases the lock pin 61 in the Y1 direction toward the movable body 40. The lock pin 61 is an example of a "retaining body," and the retaining spring 62 is an example of an "elastic body."

[0028] The release mechanism 63 is a mechanism that moves the lock pin 61 in the Y2 direction. Specifically, the release mechanism 63 is, for example, a pull-type solenoid that generates an electromagnetic force in the attraction direction by generating a magnetic field. When the release mechanism 63 is activated, an electromagnetic force is generated that urges the lock pin 61 in the Y2 direction. The electromagnetic force in the Y2 direction by the release mechanism 63 exceeds the urging force in the Y1 direction by the retention spring 62, so that the lock pin 61 moves in the Y2 direction. In other words, the release mechanism 63 moves the lock pin 61 in the Y2 direction against the urging force of the retention spring 62. As can be understood from the above explanation, the lock pin 61 is a plunger that is driven by the release mechanism 63.

[0029] The engaging portion 45 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped structure fixed to the operating rod 43. Specifically, the engaging portion 45 has an attachment hole 451 formed therein, which penetrates the engaging portion 45 along the Z axis. The engaging portion 45 is fixed to the operating rod 43 with the operating rod 43 penetrating through the attachment hole 451. For example, the engaging portion 45 is fixed to the operating rod 43 by coupling a thread groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the operating rod 43 with a thread groove formed on the inner circumferential surface of the attachment hole 451. Note that the engaging portion 45 may also be fixed to the operating rod 43 by a fastening member such as a nut.

[0030] 6 is a configuration diagram of the engaging portion 45. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, a recess Q is formed on a side surface (hereinafter referred to as the "holding surface") 452 of the engaging portion 45 that faces the lock pin 61. The recess Q is a circular depression formed to a size that allows the tip of the lock pin 61 to engage with it. Specifically, the recess Q is exemplified by a through-hole that extends from the holding surface 452 to the mounting hole 451, or a bottomed hole formed in the holding surface 452. Because the engaging portion 45 is an element of the movable body 40, it can also be expressed as the recess Q being formed on the side surface of the movable body 40.

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 6, a portion Q1 of the inner wall surface of the recess Q that is located in the Z2 direction is inclined at an angle α (α<90°) with respect to the Z axis. On the other hand, a portion Q2 of the inner wall surface of the recess Q that is located in the Z1 direction intersects with the Z axis at an angle β (β≦90°). In the first embodiment, the angle α is less than the angle β (α<β). For example, the angle β is 90°, and the angle α is greater than or equal to 80° and less than 90°. The portion Q1 is also referred to as the wall surface of the recess Q that faces the Z1 direction, and the portion Q2 is also referred to as the wall surface of the recess Q that faces the Z2 direction.

[0032] In the above configuration, when the electromagnetic mechanism 54 is actuated to rotate the rotating member 51 in the R2 direction, the operating lever 52 moves in the Z2 direction, and as a result, the movable body 40 moves in the Z2 direction, as described above. During the process in which the movable body 40 moves in the Z2 direction from the open position of FIG. 2 to the closed position of FIG. 3 (hereinafter referred to as the "closing process"), the release mechanism 63 does not operate. Therefore, the lock pin 61 is maintained in a state in which it is biased in the Y1 direction by the retaining spring 62. As illustrated in FIG. 4, during the closing process, the tip of the lock pin 61 contacts a region F (hereinafter referred to as the "contact surface") of the retaining surface 452 of the engaging portion 45 that is located in the Z2 direction relative to the recess Q. That is, the movable body 40 moves in the Z2 direction with the tip of the lock pin 61 in contact with the contact surface F. In other words, the lock pin 61 slides relative to the contact surface F. As described above, the movable body 40 of the first embodiment includes the contact surface F with which the lock pin 61 comes into contact during the closing process in which the movable body 40 moves from the open position to the closed position.

[0033] When the movable body 40 reaches the closed position through the closing process described above, the tip of the lock pin 61 moves from the contact surface F into the recessed portion Q. That is, the lock pin 61 moves in the Y1 direction due to the biasing force from the retaining spring 62. Even when the tip is positioned within the recessed portion Q, the retaining spring 62 biases the lock pin 61 in the Y1 direction. That is, the tip presses against the bottom surface of the recessed portion Q. As described above, the state in which the tip is positioned inside the recessed portion Q is the state in which the lock pin 61 is engaged with the recessed portion Q. As can be understood from the above explanation, the lock pin 61 engages with the recessed portion Q when the movable body 40 moves to the closed position.

[0034] Then, when the movable body 40 moves to the closed position, the electromagnetic mechanism 54 is stopped. Therefore, a biasing force in the Y1 direction is applied to the rotating member 51 from the interrupter spring 53, and as a result, the operating lever 52 presses the movable body 40 in the Z1 direction. In the above state, the lock pin 61 contacts a portion Q1 of the inner wall surface of the recess Q that is located in the Z2 direction. Therefore, movement of the movable body 40 in the Z1 direction is prevented. As can be understood from the above explanation, even when the electromagnetic mechanism 54 is stopped, the electromagnetic contactor 100 is maintained in the closed state.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the contact surface F of the engagement portion 45 is a plane inclined with respect to the central axis A of the movable body 40. FIG. 6 illustrates points P1 and P2. Points P1 and P2 are points on the contact surface F. On the Z axis, point P2 is located farther from the recess Q than point P1. Specifically, point P1 is an end of the contact surface F in the Z1 direction, and point P2 is an end of the contact surface F in the Z2 direction. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the contact surface F is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the central axis A such that the distance D1 between point P1 and the central axis A is greater than the distance D2 between point P2 and the central axis A (D1>D2). In other words, the contact surface F is an inclined surface whose distance from the central axis A increases as it approaches point P1 from point P2, the end point in the Z2 direction. Note that point P1 is an example of a "first point," and point P2 is an example of a "second point."

[0036] As described above, in the first embodiment, the contact surface F is inclined with respect to the central axis A. Therefore, in the closing process in which the movable body 40 moves from the open position to the closed position, the lock pin 61 slides on the contact surface F, gradually compressing the retaining spring 62. In other words, the closer the lock pin 61 gets to the recess Q, the greater the biasing force of the retaining spring 62 on the lock pin 61. Therefore, when the movable body 40 reaches the closed position, the lock pin 61 quickly and reliably engages with the recess Q. In other words, the time required for the lock pin 61 to engage with the recess Q is shortened.

[0037] In the first embodiment, the operating rod 43 and the engaging portion 45 are formed of different materials. Specifically, the engaging portion 45 is formed of a material that has a smaller coefficient of dynamic friction with respect to the lock pin 61 than the operating rod 43. It may also be expressed as the engaging portion 45 being formed of a material that has high slidability with respect to the lock pin 61. Slidability with respect to the lock pin 61 means the tendency of the lock pin 61 to slide smoothly (i.e., with low friction) against the contact surface F. Furthermore, the tip of the lock pin 61 and the portion other than the tip may be formed of different materials. For example, the tip of the lock pin 61 is formed of a material that has a smaller coefficient of dynamic friction than the other portions.

[0038] When the release mechanism 63 is activated in the closed state established by the above procedure, the lock pin 61 moves in the Y2 direction against the biasing force of the retention spring 62 in the Y1 direction. That is, the lock pin 61 is released from engagement with the recess Q of the engagement portion 45. As described above, the release mechanism 63 releases the engagement of the lock pin 61 with the recess Q by moving the lock pin 61 away from the movable body 40.

[0039] When the lock pin 61 is disengaged as described above, the rotating member 51 rotates in the R1 direction due to the biasing force of the interrupter spring 53. In conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member 51, the operating lever 52 presses the movable body 40 in the Z1 direction, causing the movable body 40 to move in the Z1 direction. Finally, the movable body 40 moves to the open position shown in FIG. 2 and stops there.

[0040] As described above, in the first embodiment, the lock pin 61 engages with the recess Q of the movable body 40 in the closed position, thereby holding the movable body 40 in the closed position. On the other hand, the release mechanism 63 separates the lock pin 61 from the movable body 40, thereby releasing the engagement of the lock pin 61 with the recess Q. That is, according to the first embodiment, the movable body 40 can be held in the closed position without requiring a permanent magnet. Therefore, a decrease in the holding force of the movable body 40 due to dust or the like attracted to the permanent magnet is suppressed, and as a result, the movable body 40 can be reliably held in the closed position.

[0041] In the first embodiment, the lock pin 61 is biased by the retaining spring 62 in the Y1 direction toward the movable body 40. Therefore, the engagement between the lock pin 61 and the recess Q can be maintained even if the release mechanism 63 does not generate an electromagnetic force in the Y1 direction on the lock pin 61, for example.

[0042] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the engagement portion 45 on which the lock pin 61 slides and the operating rod 43 are made of different materials. Therefore, by forming the engagement portion 45 from a material that has high slidability against the lock pin 61 (for example, a material with a small coefficient of dynamic friction), it is possible to allow the lock pin 61 to slide smoothly against the contact surface F of the engagement portion 45.

[0043] Furthermore, the angle α of the portion Q1 of the inner wall surface of the recess Q that is located in the Z2 direction is smaller than the angle β of the portion Q2 of the inner wall surface that is located in the Z1 direction. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the angle α exceeds the angle β, for example, the engagement of the holder with the recess Q can be easily and reliably released by the release mechanism 63.

[0044] 7 and 8 (hereinafter referred to as "comparative example") are also conceivable as a structure for holding the movable body 40 in the closed position. The comparative electromagnetic contactor 100A includes an engaging protrusion 91, a rotating body 92, and a release mechanism 93 instead of the engaging portion 45 and the holding mechanism 60 in the first embodiment.

[0045] The engagement protrusion 91 is a structure fixed to the rotation member 51. A cylindrical roller 94 is installed at the tip of the engagement protrusion 91. The roller 94 is rotatable around a rotation axis along the X-axis.

[0046] The rotating body 92 is a structure supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis C along the X-axis. The rotating body 92 is biased in the C1 direction by an elastic body (not shown), such as a torsion spring. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, a recess 921 and a recess 922 are formed on the top surface of the rotating body 92. Each of the recess 921 and the recess 922 is a depression with which the roller 94 of the engaging protrusion 91 can engage.

[0047] In the open contact state illustrated in Fig. 7, the roller 94 of the engaging protrusion 91 engages with the recess 921 of the rotating body 92. When the rotating member 51 rotates in the R2 direction during the closing process, which transitions from the open contact state to the closed contact state, the rotating body 92 rotates in the C2 direction due to the pressing force of the engaging protrusion 91. Therefore, the roller 94 is disengaged from the recess 921, and further, the roller 94 moves into the recess 922. That is, in the closed contact state illustrated in Fig. 8, the roller 94 of the engaging protrusion 91 engages with the recess 922 of the rotating body 92. Therefore, the electromagnetic contactor 100A is maintained in the closed contact state even when the electromagnetic mechanism 54 is stopped.

[0048] The release mechanism 93 is a mechanism that presses the rotor 92 in the Y1 direction by electromagnetic force. When transitioning from the closed contact state of FIG. 8 to the open contact state of FIG. 7, the release mechanism 93 is activated. Pressed in the Y1 direction by the release mechanism 93, the rotor 92 rotates in the C2 direction. The rotation of the rotor 92 releases the engagement of the roller 94 with the recess 922, and the roller 94 moves into the recess 921. That is, in the open contact state, the roller 94 of the engagement protrusion 91 remains engaged with the recess 921.

[0049] In the comparative example described above, the movable body 40 can be held in the closed position without requiring a permanent magnet. However, the comparative example requires numerous components, such as the engaging protrusion 91 and the rotating body 92, to hold the movable body 40 in the closed position, resulting in a complex configuration of the electromagnetic contactor 100A. In contrast to the comparative example, in the first embodiment, the movable body 40 is held in the closed position by a simple configuration in which the lock pin 61 engages with a recess Q formed on the side surface of the movable body 40. Therefore, the configuration for holding the movable body 40 in the closed position in the electromagnetic contactor 100 is simpler than in the comparative example. Specifically, the number of components is reduced, resulting in reduced manufacturing costs and a simplified manufacturing process. Furthermore, the first embodiment does not require the space required for installing the engaging protrusion 91 and the rotating body 92 of the comparative example, which is advantageous in that the electromagnetic contactor 100 can be more easily miniaturized. For example, the depth dimension of the electromagnetic contactor 100 along the Z axis is reduced.

[0050] B: Second embodiment A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that, for elements in the following exemplary aspects that have the same functions as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment will be used, and detailed descriptions of each will be omitted as appropriate.

[0051] In the first embodiment described above, an example was given in which the holding mechanism 60 was individually installed for each opening / closing unit 20. In the second embodiment, one holding mechanism 60 is shared by three opening / closing units 20.

[0052] 9 is an explanatory diagram of the opening / closing unit 20 and the release mechanism 63 in the second embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a rear view of the opening / closing unit 20 as seen from the rear side. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the configuration of each of the three opening / closing units 20 is the same as that of the first embodiment, except for the configuration of the engagement portion 45. That is, each opening / closing unit 20 includes an opening / closing portion 30 including a fixed electrode 31 and a movable electrode 32, and a movable body 40 fixed to the movable electrode 32.

[0053] The engagement portion 45 in the second embodiment is continuous across the three opening / closing units 20. That is, the engagement portion 45 is an elongated member extending along the X-axis across the three opening / closing units 20. The engagement portion 45 is fixed to the operating rod 43 of each opening / closing unit 20. For example, the operating rod 43 of each opening / closing unit 20 is inserted into each of three mounting holes 451 formed in the engagement portion 45. One of the three opening / closing units 20 is an example of a "first opening / closing unit," and the other opening / closing unit 20 is an example of a "second opening / closing unit."

[0054] A recess Q is formed on the side surface (specifically, the back surface) of the engaging portion 45. Specifically, the recess Q is formed at a position corresponding to the central opening / closing unit 20 of the three opening / closing units 20 on the X axis. For example, the recess Q is formed at the midpoint of the engaging portion 45 in the direction of the X axis.

[0055] One holding mechanism 60 is installed at a position corresponding to the recess Q of the engaging portion 45. Specifically, the holding mechanism 60 is installed near the central one of the three opening / closing units 20. Note that in Fig. 9 and the subsequent drawings, the holding mechanism 60 is actually located on the front side of the engaging portion 45, but the outline of the holding mechanism 60 is shown by a dashed line for convenience.

[0056] The configuration of the holding mechanism 60 is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, the holding mechanism 60 includes a lock pin 61, a holding spring 62, and a release mechanism 63. The lock pin 61 engages with the recess Q when the movable body 40 moves to the closed position. The holding spring 62 biases the lock pin 61 in the Y1 direction. Furthermore, the release mechanism 63 releases the engagement of the lock pin 61 with the recess Q by moving the lock pin 61 away from the movable body 40 in the Y2 direction.

[0057] The configuration of the drive mechanism 50 is the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, the drive mechanism 50 moves the movable body 40 of each opening / closing unit 20 between a closed position and an open position by electromagnetic force.

[0058] The second embodiment also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, one holding mechanism 60 is shared to hold the movable bodies 40 of multiple opening and closing units 20 in the closed position. Therefore, compared to the first embodiment in which a holding mechanism 60 is provided for each opening and closing unit 20, there is an advantage that the configuration of the electromagnetic contactor 100 is simplified (for example, the number of parts is reduced). On the other hand, according to the first embodiment in which a holding mechanism 60 is provided individually for each opening and closing unit 20, there is an advantage that the movable bodies 40 of each opening and closing unit 20 can be reliably held in the closed position.

[0059] C: Modified Example Specific modified embodiments that can be added to each of the embodiments exemplified above are exemplified below. Two or more embodiments arbitrarily selected from the following examples may be combined as appropriate within the scope of not being mutually contradictory.

[0060] (1) In the first embodiment, a configuration in which a pair of a holding mechanism 60 and an engaging portion 45 is provided for all opening / closing units 20 has been exemplified. Even in a configuration in which the engaging portion 45 is not continuous across the multiple opening / closing units 20, the movement of each movable body 40 is linked to the movement of the multiple opening / closing units 20 via the drive mechanism 50. Therefore, a pair of a holding mechanism 60 and an engaging portion 45 may be provided for only some of the three opening / closing units 20. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10 , a configuration in which a holding mechanism 60 and an engaging portion 45 are provided for only one central opening / closing unit 20 among the three opening / closing units 20 is envisioned. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 11 , a configuration in which a holding mechanism 60 and an engaging portion 45 are provided for only two end opening / closing units 20 among the three opening / closing units 20 is envisioned. Note that, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 , in an opening / closing unit 20 in which an engaging portion 45 is not provided, the operating rod 43 does not protrude in the Z1 direction from the flange 46. That is, a flange 46 is formed at the end of the operating rod 43 in the Z1 direction.

[0061] (2) In the second embodiment, a configuration in which one holding mechanism 60 is provided for three opening / closing units 20 has been exemplified, but the number of holding mechanisms 60 is not limited to this example. For example, in a configuration in which an engaging portion 45 is provided continuously across three opening / closing units 20, a configuration in which two holding mechanisms 60 are provided corresponding to the opening / closing units 20 at both ends, as exemplified in FIG. 12, is also conceivable. The configurations of the second embodiment (FIG. 9) and FIG. 12 described above are collectively expressed as configurations in which the number of holding mechanisms 60 is less than the number of opening / closing units 20. Note that in a configuration in which the engaging portion 45 is provided continuously across three opening / closing units 20 as exemplified in FIG. 9 or FIG. 12, a configuration in which the same number of holding mechanisms 60 as the number of opening / closing units 20 is provided is also conceivable.

[0062] (3) In the above-described embodiments, the recess Q is formed in the engagement portion 45 attached to the operating rod 43, but a configuration in which the recess Q with which the lock pin 61 engages is formed on the side surface of the operating rod 43 itself is also envisioned. In other words, the engagement portion 45 separate from the operating rod 43 is not an essential requirement of the present disclosure. As can be understood from the above examples, the specific aspects of the present disclosure are comprehensively expressed as a configuration in which the recess Q is formed on the side surface of the movable body 40, and include both a configuration in which the recess Q is formed in the engagement portion 45 separate from the operating rod 43 and a configuration in which the recess Q is formed in the operating rod 43 itself.

[0063] (4) In each of the above-described embodiments, the recess Q has a circular shape in a plan view, but the specific shape of the recess Q is not limited to the above examples. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the recess Q may have a rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0064] 14, a groove-shaped recess Q may be formed parallel to the X-axis. In a configuration in which the engagement portion 45 is continuous across multiple opening / closing units 20 as illustrated in FIG. 9 or 12, a groove-shaped recess Q may be formed extending along the X-axis so as to be continuous across multiple opening / closing units 20.

[0065] (5) The holder that engages with the recess Q is not limited to the cylindrical lock pin 61 exemplified in the above-described embodiments. The holder may be any element whose shape and size are selected according to the recess Q so as to engage with the recess Q. For example, assuming a configuration in which a groove-like recess Q along the X-axis is formed in the engaging portion 45 as shown in FIG. 14, a flat holder that is parallel to the XY plane is preferably used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 100...electromagnetic contactor, 10...support frame, 11, 12...connection terminal, 20...opening / closing unit, 30...opening / closing portion, 31...fixed electrode, 32...movable electrode, 33...vacuum vessel, 40...movable body, 41...connecting rod, 42...insulator, 43...operating rod, 44...operating spring, 45...engaging portion, 451...mounting hole, 452...holding surface, 46...flange, F...contact surface, Q...recess, 50...drive mechanism, 51...rotating member, 52...operating lever, 53...breaker spring, 54...electromagnetic mechanism, 60...holding mechanism, 61...lock pin, 62...holding spring, 63...release mechanism, 64...flange.

Claims

1. an opening / closing section including a fixed electrode and a movable electrode; a movable body fixed to the movable electrode; a drive mechanism that uses electromagnetic force to move the movable body between a closed position where the movable electrode is in contact with the fixed electrode and an open position where the movable electrode is separated from the fixed electrode; a holding mechanism that holds the movable body at the closed position, A recess is formed on the side surface of the movable body, The holding mechanism includes: a holder that engages with the recess when the movable body moves to the closed position; an elastic body that biases the holding body in a first direction toward the movable body; a release mechanism that releases engagement of the holder with the recess by moving the holder in a second direction opposite to the first direction to separate the holder from the movable body, the movable body includes a contact surface with which the holding body comes into contact when the movable body moves from the open position to the closed position, The contact surface is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the central axis so that a distance between a first point on the contact surface and a central axis of the movable body is greater than a distance between a second point on the contact surface that is located farther from the recess in the direction of the central axis than the first point and the central axis. Magnetic contactor.

2. an opening / closing section including a fixed electrode and a movable electrode; a movable body fixed to the movable electrode; a drive mechanism that uses electromagnetic force to move the movable body between a closed position where the movable electrode is in contact with the fixed electrode and an open position where the movable electrode is separated from the fixed electrode; a holding mechanism that holds the movable body at the closed position, A recess is formed on the side surface of the movable body, The holding mechanism includes: a holder that engages with the recess when the movable body moves to the closed position; a release mechanism that releases the engagement of the holding body with the recess by moving the holding body away from the movable body, The movable body is a rod-shaped connecting rod connected to the movable electrode; A rod-shaped operating rod; an insulator interposed between the connecting rod and the operating rod; an engaging portion fixed to the operating rod and having the recessed portion formed therein; The operating rod and the engaging portion are formed of different materials. Magnetic contactor.

3. an opening / closing section including a fixed electrode and a movable electrode; a movable body fixed to the movable electrode; a drive mechanism that uses electromagnetic force to move the movable body between a closed position where the movable electrode is in contact with the fixed electrode and an open position where the movable electrode is separated from the fixed electrode; a holding mechanism that holds the movable body at the closed position, A recess is formed on the side surface of the movable body, The holding mechanism includes: a holder that engages with the recess when the movable body moves to the closed position; a release mechanism that releases the engagement of the holding body with the recess by moving the holding body away from the movable body, The angle at which a portion of the inner wall surface of the recess that is close to the movable electrode is inclined with respect to the central axis of the movable body is smaller than the angle at which a portion of the inner wall surface of the recess that is farther from the movable electrode is inclined with respect to the central axis. Magnetic contactor.

4. The opening and closing unit is a vacuum valve including a vacuum vessel that houses the fixed electrode and the movable electrode. The electromagnetic contactor according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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