Electromagnetic relays

Abstract

To provide an electromagnetic relay which allows improvement in positioning accuracy of a hinge spring.SOLUTION: An electromagnetic relay comprises a base, an electromagnet device, a movable iron piece, a hinge spring, and a locking part. The electromagnet device is supported by the base. The electromagnet device includes a yoke disposed around a coil. The movable iron piece is disposed so as to face the electromagnet device. The hinge spring energizes the movable iron piece in a direction away from the electromagnet device. When inserted into an insertion direction, the hinge spring is disposed between the base and the yoke. The locking part is provided on either the base or the yoke so as to lock the hinge spring. The yoke includes at least one stopper part. The stopper part is located in the insertion direction with respect to the locking part so as to restrict a movement of the hinge spring in the insertion direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electromagnetic relay including a base, a contact device, an electromagnet device, a movable iron piece, and a hinge spring. The hinge spring is inserted between the base and the electromagnet device and locked in a locking recess in the base. As a result, the hinge spring is positioned on the base, and the movable iron piece is rotatably supported on the base via the hinge spring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-348590 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the electromagnetic relay of Patent Document 1, a hinge spring with an assembled armature is inserted between a base and an electromagnet device, and the hinge spring is then assembled to the base. The hinge spring inserted between the base and the electromagnet device is engaged with a locking recess in the base and positioned on the base. However, the hinge spring may be inserted too far, resulting in low positioning accuracy. If the hinge spring is inserted too far, it may interfere with the base and generate wear powder. To prevent the hinge spring from being inserted too far, it may be possible to assemble the hinge spring to the base by pressing it against the base. However, this would result in a lack of dimensional accuracy for the base, and the hinge spring may not be inserted far enough to be engaged with the locking recess, making it impossible to assemble the hinge spring to the base.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic relay that can improve the positioning accuracy of a hinge spring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a base, an electromagnet device, a movable iron piece, a hinge spring, and a locking portion. The electromagnet device is supported by the base. The electromagnet device includes a yoke arranged around a coil. The movable iron piece is arranged facing the electromagnet device. The hinge spring biases the movable iron piece in a direction away from the electromagnet device. The hinge spring is inserted from the insertion direction to be arranged between the base and the yoke. The locking portion is provided on either the base or the yoke and locks the hinge spring. The yoke includes at least one stopper portion. The at least one stopper portion is arranged in the insertion direction relative to the locking portion and limits movement of the hinge spring in the insertion direction.

[0007] In this electromagnetic relay, when the hinge spring is attached to the base or the yoke, the movement of the hinge spring in the insertion direction is limited by at least one stopper portion. This prevents the hinge spring from being inserted too far when the hinge spring is attached to the base or the yoke. As a result, the positioning accuracy of the hinge spring can be improved. Furthermore, the at least one stopper portion is provided on the yoke. Therefore, compared to when the at least one stopper portion is provided on a resin-molded base, for example, it is easier to achieve dimensional accuracy for the at least one stopper portion, and it is possible to suppress the generation of wear powder when the at least one stopper portion interferes with the hinge spring.

[0008] The hinge spring may be spaced apart from the stopper portion when locked by the locking portion, which can prevent interference between the stopper portion and the hinge spring.

[0009] The at least one stopper portion may include a plurality of stopper portions. The plurality of stopper portions may include a first stopper portion and a second stopper portion spaced apart from the first stopper portion in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. In this case, the size of the stopper portion is prevented from increasing, and movement of the hinge spring in the insertion direction is more easily restricted.

[0010] The locking portion may be arranged next to at least one stopper portion in the insertion direction, which can further improve the positioning accuracy of the hinge spring.

[0011] The stopper portion may have a protrusion shape, in which case the stopper portion can be formed with a simple structure.

[0012] The stopper portion may have an arc shape, which reduces the contact area between the stopper portion and the hinge spring, thereby suppressing the generation of wear powder when at least one stopper portion interferes with the hinge spring.

[0013] The locking portion may be provided on the yoke. In this case, it is easier to achieve dimensional accuracy for the locking portion and wear on the locking portion can be reduced compared to when at least the engaging portion is provided on a resin-molded base.

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electromagnetic relay that can improve the positioning accuracy of the hinge spring. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the yoke and hinge spring. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the locking portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An embodiment of an electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the X1 direction will be described as the leftward direction, the X2 direction as the rightward direction, the Y1 direction as the forward direction, the Y2 direction as the rearward direction, the Z1 direction as the upward direction, and the Z2 direction as the downward direction. These directions are defined for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the arrangement direction of the electromagnetic relay. In this embodiment, the Y1 direction as the forward direction is an example of the insertion direction Y1.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electromagnetic relay 1 includes a base 2, a contact device 3, an electromagnet device 4, a movable iron piece 5, a hinge spring 6, and a card .

[0018] The base 2 is made of an insulating material such as resin. The base 2 is formed so that the dimension in the front-to-rear direction is larger than the dimension in the left-to-right direction. Note that the dimensions of the base 2 in the front-to-rear direction and the left-to-right direction may be approximately the same, or the dimension in the left-to-right direction may be larger than the dimension in the front-to-rear direction.

[0019] The base 2 includes a bottom 21 and base side walls 22. The bottom 21 is generally rectangular when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The base side walls 22 extend upward from the outer edge of the bottom 21. The base side walls 22 include a front wall 22a, a left wall 22b, and a right wall 22c. The front wall 22a extends in a direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction. The left wall 22b and the right wall 22c extend in a direction intersecting the left-to-right direction. The electromagnetic relay 1 includes a case (not shown) that is placed over the base 2 from above.

[0020] The contact device 3 is placed on the base 2. The contact device 3 is supported by the base 2. The contact device 3 is disposed in front of the electromagnet device 4.

[0021] The contact device 3 includes a first fixed terminal 8, a second fixed terminal 9, and a movable contact piece 10. The first fixed terminal 8, the second fixed terminal 9, and the movable contact piece 10 are plate-shaped terminals made of a conductive material.

[0022] The first fixed terminal 8 is supported by the base 2. The first fixed terminal 8 passes through the bottom 21 of the base 2 in the vertical direction. The first fixed terminal 8 includes a first fixed contact 8a. The first fixed contact 8a is disposed on the rear surface of the first fixed terminal 8.

[0023] The second fixed terminal 9 is disposed behind the first fixed terminal 8. The second fixed terminal 9 is supported by the base 2. The second fixed terminal 9 passes through the bottom 21 of the base 2 in the vertical direction. The second fixed terminal 9 includes a second fixed contact 9a. The second fixed contact 9a is disposed on the front surface of the second fixed terminal 9.

[0024] The movable contact piece 10 is disposed between the first fixed terminal 8 and the second fixed terminal 9. The movable contact piece 10 is supported by the base 2. The movable contact piece 10 passes through the bottom 21 of the base 2 in the vertical direction. The movable contact piece 10 includes a first movable contact 10a and a second movable contact 10b. The first movable contact 10a is disposed opposite the first fixed contact 8a and is capable of contacting the first fixed contact 8a. The second movable contact 10b is disposed opposite the second fixed contact 9a and is capable of contacting the second fixed contact 9a.

[0025] The electromagnet device 4 moves the card 7 by electromagnetic force. The electromagnet device 4 is placed on the base 2. The electromagnet device 4 is supported by the base 2. The electromagnet device 4 is attached to the base 2 from the rear side thereof. The electromagnet device 4 includes a coil 41, a spool 42, an iron core 43, and a yoke 44.

[0026] The coil 41 is wound around the outer periphery of a spool 42. The spool 42 extends in the front-rear direction. The spool 42 includes a base portion 42a that is arranged to connect to the rear end of the base 2. The iron core 43 is cylindrical and is inserted into the inner periphery of the spool 42. The rear end of the iron core 43 is a magnetic pole face, and is arranged opposite the movable iron piece 5 in the front-rear direction.

[0027] The yoke 44 is disposed around the coil 41. The yoke 44 has a bent shape. The yoke 44 is substantially L-shaped and is formed by, for example, press working.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the yoke 44 includes a first plate portion 44a, a second plate portion 44b, a stopper portion 44c, and a stopper portion 44d.

[0029] The first plate portion 44a is disposed in front of the coil 41 and the spool 42. The first plate portion 44a extends in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction. The first plate portion 44a is fixed to the front end of the iron core 43.

[0030] The second plate portion 44b is bent rearward from the lower end of the first plate portion 44a. The second plate portion 44b is disposed below the coil 41. The second plate portion 44b extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. The second plate portion 44b faces the bottom portion 21 of the base 2 in the vertical direction. The second plate portion 44b is press-fitted into insertion grooves (not shown) formed in the left wall 22b and right wall 22c of the base 2. The insertion grooves extend in the front-rear direction. The electromagnet device 4 is assembled to the base 2 by inserting the second plate portion 44b into the insertion grooves from the rear of the base 2.

[0031] Each of stopper portion 44c and stopper portion 44d is an example of at least one stopper. That is, in this embodiment, yoke 44 includes multiple stopper portions. Stopper portion 44c is an example of a first stopper portion. Stopper portion 44d is an example of a second stopper portion.

[0032] The stopper portions 44c and 44d limit the movement of the hinge spring 6 in the insertion direction Y1. The stopper portions 44c and 44d are disposed at positions where the front end of the hinge spring 6 can come into contact with them when the hinge spring 6 is assembled to the base 2 and the yoke 44 from the insertion direction Y1.

[0033] The stopper portions 44c, 44d are formed on the lower surface of the second plate portion 44b. The stopper portions 44c, 44d are integral with the second plate portion 44b. The stopper portions 44c, 44d have a protruding shape. The stopper portions 44c, 44d protrude downward from the lower surface of the second plate portion 44b. The stopper portions 44c, 44d have an arc shape. The stopper portions 44c, 44d are formed in a circular shape when viewed from below.

[0034] The stopper portion 44d is disposed away from the stopper portion 44c in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction. The stopper portions 44c and 44d are disposed side by side in the left-right direction with a gap between them. The stopper portions 44c and 44d are disposed in the insertion direction Y1 with respect to the locking portions 31 and 32, which will be described later. In other words, the stopper portions 44c and 44d are disposed forward of the locking portions 31 and 32.

[0035] Here, the electromagnetic relay 1 includes a locking portion 31 and a locking portion 32. That is, in this embodiment, the electromagnetic relay 1 includes a plurality of locking portions. The locking portions 31 and 32 are provided on either the base 2 or the yoke 44. In this embodiment, the locking portions 31 and 32 are provided on the second plate portion 44b of the yoke 44. The locking portions 31 and 32 are formed on the lower surface of the second plate portion 44b. The locking portions 31 and 32 lock the hinge spring 6. The locking portions 31 and 32 prevent the hinge spring 6 from coming off. That is, the locking portions 31 and 32 restrict the hinge spring 6 from moving in the direction opposite to the insertion direction Y1 (rearward in this case). The locking portions 31 and 32 may be configured to have a function of positioning the hinge spring 6. The number of locking portions may be one, as long as it corresponds to the number of locking claws described below.

[0036] The locking portions 31, 32 have a shape that is recessed from bottom to top. The locking portions 31 and 32 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction with a gap between them. The locking portion 31 is arranged behind the stopper portion 44c. The locking portion 31 is arranged side by side with the stopper portion 44c in the front-rear direction. The locking portion 32 is arranged behind the stopper portion 44d. The locking portion 32 is arranged side by side with the stopper portion 44d in the front-rear direction.

[0037] The movable iron piece 5 is arranged facing the electromagnet device 4 in the front-rear direction. The movable iron piece 5 is arranged behind the iron core 43. The movable iron piece 5 is rotatably supported by the hinge spring 6. The movable iron piece 5 is in contact with the rear end of the yoke 44 and rotates around the rear end of the yoke 44 as a rotation fulcrum. The upper part of the movable iron piece 5 is connected to the card 7. The movable iron piece 5 includes a protrusion 5a. The protrusion 5a is a part that is attached to the hinge spring 6, and is, for example, a protrusion for crimping.

[0038] The hinge spring 6 is inserted from the insertion direction Y1 to be disposed between the base 2 and the yoke 44, and urges the movable iron piece 5 in a direction away from the electromagnet device 4. The hinge spring 6 is assembled to the base 2 and the yoke 44 from the insertion direction Y1. The hinge spring 6 urges the movable iron piece 5 in a direction away from the iron core 43.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the hinge spring 6 has a bent shape. The hinge spring 6 is substantially L-shaped and is formed, for example, by press working. The hinge spring 6 is disposed behind the stopper portions 44c, 44d. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the hinge spring 6 is spaced apart from the stopper portions 44c, 44d when engaged with the engaging portion 31. That is, the hinge spring 6 is spaced apart from the stopper portions 44c, 44d when assembled to the base 2 and the yoke 44. The front end of the hinge spring 6 faces the stopper portions 44c, 44d in the front-rear direction.

[0040] The hinge spring 6 includes a first portion 6a, a second portion 6b, a through hole 6c, and locking claws 6d and 6e. The first portion 6a extends in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction and is disposed at the rear of the movable iron piece 5. The second portion 6b is bent forward from the lower end of the first portion 6a.

[0041] The second portion 6b extends in a direction intersecting the up-down direction. The second portion 6b is disposed between the bottom 21 of the base 2 and the second plate portion 44b of the yoke 44. The second portion 6b is inserted between the bottom 21 of the base 2 and the second plate portion 44b of the yoke 44 from the insertion direction Y1. The front end of the second portion 6b faces the stopper portions 44c and 44d in the front-rear direction. When the locking claw 6d is locked with the locking portion 31 and the locking claw 6e is locked with the locking claw 6e, the second portion 6b is separated from the stopper portions 44c and 44d. The front end of the second portion 6b can come into contact with the stopper portions 44c and 44d when the hinge spring 6 is assembled to the base 2 and the yoke 44 from the insertion direction Y1.

[0042] The through-hole 6c penetrates the first portion 6a in the front-rear direction and is a hole for fixing the protrusion 5a of the movable iron piece 5 by caulking.

[0043] The locking claws 6d, 6e are formed on the second portion 6b. The locking claws 6d, 6e are cut and raised so that their rear ends are positioned higher than their front ends. The locking claw 6d is locked to the locking portion 31. The locking claw 6e is locked to the locking portion 32. In this embodiment, a plurality of locking claws 6d, 6e are provided, but only one locking claw may be provided, for example, in the center of the second portion 6b in the left-right direction.

[0044] The card 7 is made of an insulating material such as resin. The card 7 is placed above the electromagnet device 4. The card 7 is supported by the base 2 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The rear end of the card 7 is connected to the movable iron piece 5. As the movable iron piece 5 rotates, the card 7 moves in the front-rear direction along a pair of guide portions 23 formed on the base 2. The pair of guide portions 23 extend in the front-rear direction, and the card 7 slides along them. The front end of the card 7 is placed opposite the movable contact piece 10 in the front-rear direction, and is able to press against the movable contact piece 10.

[0045] When the coil 41 is not excited, the card 7 is pressed by the movable iron piece 5 in a direction away from the movable contact piece 10 by the biasing force of the hinge spring 6, and the card 7 is in a state where it is separated from the movable contact piece 10. At this time, the second fixed contact 9a is in contact with the second movable contact 10b.

[0046] When a voltage is applied to the coil 41 and it is excited, the movable iron piece 5 is attracted to the iron core 43 and rotates. As the movable iron piece 5 rotates, the card 7 is pressed against the movable iron piece 5 and moves forward along the pair of guide portions 23. This presses the movable contact piece 10 forward, causing the second movable contact 10b to separate from the second fixed contact 9a and the first movable contact 10a to contact the first fixed contact 8a.

[0047] Next, the manufacturing process of the electromagnetic relay 1, particularly the process of assembling the electromagnet device 4 and the hinge spring 6 to the base 2, will be described. The manufacturing process of the electromagnetic relay 1 includes a first process, a second process, and a third process. In the first process, the base 2, the electromagnet device 4, and the hinge spring 6 to which the movable iron piece 5 is attached are prepared. Note that in a separate process, the coil 41, the spool 42, the iron core 43, and the yoke 44 are attached to the electromagnet device 4. In a separate process, the hinge spring 6 is fixed to the movable iron piece 5 by crimping.

[0048] In the second step, the electromagnet device 4 is assembled to the base 2. Specifically, the second plate portion 44b of the yoke 44 of the electromagnet device 4 is inserted into the insertion groove of the base 2 from the rear of the base 2, and the electromagnet device 4 is assembled to the base 2.

[0049] In the third step, the hinge spring 6 is assembled to the base 2 and the yoke 44. Specifically, the second portion 6b of the hinge spring 6, to which the movable iron piece 5 is assembled, is inserted from the insertion direction Y1 between the bottom portion 21 of the base 2 and the second plate portion 44b of the yoke 44. At this time, the second portion 6b of the hinge spring 6 is pushed in the insertion direction Y1 until the locking claw 6d is locked by the locking portion 31 and the locking claw 6e is locked by the locking portion 32. This completes the assembly of the hinge spring 6 to the base 2 and the yoke 44.

[0050] In the above-described electromagnetic relay 1, when the hinge spring 6 is assembled to the base 2 and the yoke 44, the movement of the hinge spring 6 in the insertion direction Y1 is limited by the stopper portions 44c and 44d. Specifically, if the hinge spring 6 is pushed too far in the insertion direction Y1 in the third step described above, the second portion 6b of the hinge spring 6 comes into contact with the stopper portions 44c and 44d, thereby limiting the movement of the hinge spring 6 in the insertion direction Y1. This prevents the hinge spring 6 from moving too far in the insertion direction Y1 when the hinge spring 6 is assembled to the base 2 and the yoke 44. As a result, the positioning accuracy of the hinge spring 6 can be improved.

[0051] The stopper portions 44c, 44d are provided on the yoke 44. Therefore, compared to when structures corresponding to the stopper portions 44c, 44d are provided on the resin-molded base 2, for example, it is easier to achieve dimensional accuracy for the stopper portions 44c, 44d, and it is possible to suppress the generation of wear powder when the stopper portions 44c, 44d interfere with the hinge spring 6.

[0052] The above describes an embodiment of an electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention.

[0053] The configurations of the contact device 3 and the electromagnet device 4 may be changed. For example, the second fixed terminal 9 and the second movable contact 10b may be omitted. The shape of the card 7 may be changed.

[0054] The shape and number of the stopper portions 44c, 44d may be changed. For example, the stopper portion 44d may be omitted, and the stopper portion 44c may be disposed at the center of the second plate portion 44b of the yoke 44 in the left-right direction. In this case, the stopper portion 44c may have an elongated shape. Furthermore, at least a portion of the stopper portions 44c, 44d that face the front end of the second portion 6b may be formed in a linear shape. For example, the stopper portions 44c, 44d may be formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from below.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the locking portions 31, 32 are provided on the yoke 44, but as shown in Fig. 6, the locking portions 31, 32 may be provided on the bottom portion 21 of the base 2. In this case, the locking claws 6d, 6e of the hinge spring 6 are cut and raised so that their rear ends are positioned lower than their front ends. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 Electromagnetic relay 2. Bass 4 Electromagnetic device 5 moving iron 6 Hinge spring 31, 32 Locking portion 41 Coil 44 York 44c, 44d Stopper part

Claims

1. With the base, an electromagnetic device including a coil and a yoke disposed around the coil and supported by the base; a movable iron piece disposed opposite the electromagnet device; a hinge spring that is inserted from an insertion direction to be disposed between the base and the yoke and biases the movable iron piece in a direction away from the electromagnet device; a locking portion provided on either the base or the yoke, which locks the hinge spring; Equipped with the yoke includes at least one stopper portion disposed in the insertion direction relative to the locking portion and configured to limit movement of the hinge spring in the insertion direction. Electromagnetic relay.

2. The hinge spring is separated from the stopper portion when locked by the locking portion.

2. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1.

3. the at least one stopper portion includes a plurality of stopper portions, The plurality of stopper portions include a first stopper portion and a second stopper portion spaced apart from the first stopper portion in a direction intersecting the insertion direction.

3. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The locking portion is arranged next to the at least one stopper portion in the insertion direction.

4. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 1.

5. The stopper portion has a protrusion shape.

5. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 1.

6. The stopper portion has an arc shape.

6. An electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The locking portion is provided on the yoke.

7. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 1.

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