electromagnetic contactor

Abstract

To provide an electromagnetic contactor with an a contact and a b contact in a line that supplies power to a load.SOLUTION: An electromagnetic contactor includes a contact support portion that is fixed to a movable electromagnet, moves to a first side and a second side in a first direction, and includes a first window and a second window having a first contactor and a second contactor, and penetrating in a second direction that intersects with the first direction, a first movable contact point installed in the first window, a first fixed contact point including a third plate portion and a fourth plate portion electrically connected to the third plate portion and provided on the first side of the third plate portion, a second fixed contact including a fifth plate portion and a sixth plate portion electrically connected to the fifth plate portion and provided closer to the first side than the fifth plate portion, a second movable contact point installed on the second window, and a third fixed contact point and a fourth fixed contact point contacting and separated from the second movable contact point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electromagnetic contactor. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electromagnetic contactor having an electromagnetic device consisting of a fixed iron core, a movable iron core, and an operating coil, and a movable frame connected to the movable iron core. Patent Document 1 also discloses that the electromagnetic contactor further comprises a movable contactor having movable contacts on both ends and an intermediate portion elastically held by the movable frame, and a fixed contactor having fixed contacts that make and break contact with the movable contact in response to the movement of the movable frame.

[0003] Patent document 2 discloses an electromagnetic switching device comprising a fixed iron core, a movable iron core, an operating coil, a crossbar attached to the movable iron core, a movable contactor held by the crossbar, and a fixed contactor having a fixed contact opposite the movable contact of the movable contactor.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a contact device to be attached to an electromagnetic contactor, and discloses an a-contact configuration and a b-contact configuration. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-006680 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-079946 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 02-137737 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the electromagnetic contactors as exemplified in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is conceivable to configure the contacts of the electric circuit that supplies power to the load as either an a-contact or a b-contact. In the electric circuit that supplies power to the load, the electric power that flows through the electric circuit is large, so it is desirable to configure it so that the arc that occurs when the contacts separate does not affect other electric circuits.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electromagnetic contactor that has an a-contact and a b-contact in an electric path that supplies power to a load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a contact support portion having a first window portion and a second window portion that penetrate in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, the contact support portion being fixed to the movable electromagnet, an operation coil, a movable electromagnet, and being attracted to the fixed electromagnet together with the movable electromagnet and moving to a first side in a first direction when power is supplied to the operation coil, and moving away from the fixed electromagnet together with the movable electromagnet and moving to a second side opposite to the first side in the first direction when power to the operation coil is cut off, the contact support portion having a first window portion and a second window portion that penetrate in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and a first plate portion that is installed in the first window portion and extends to a third side in the second direction relative to the first window portion. a first movable contact including a first contactor fixed to the second side of the first plate portion, a second plate portion extending to a fourth side opposite to the third side in the second direction with respect to the first window portion, and a second contactor fixed to the second side of the second plate portion; a first contact spring compressed in the first direction, an end on the first side fixed to the end on the first side of the first window portion, and an end on the second side pressing the first movable contact; a third contactor that comes into contact with or is separated from the first contactor; a third plate portion having the third contactor on the first side; a first fixed contact including a fourth plate portion provided on the first and third sides and connected to external wiring; a fourth contactor that comes into contact with or is separated from the second contactor; a fifth plate portion that has the fourth contactor on the first side; a sixth plate portion that is electrically connected to the fifth plate portion and is provided on the first and fourth sides of the fifth plate portion and connected to external wiring; a seventh plate portion that is installed in the second window portion and extends to the third side in the second direction relative to the second window portion; a fifth contactor fixed to the first side of the seventh plate portion; a second movable contact including an eighth plate portion extending in the first direction and a sixth contactor fixed to the first side of the eighth plate portion; a second contact spring compressed in the first direction, with an end on the second side fixed to the end on the second side of the second window portion and an end on the first side pressing the second movable contact; a seventh contactor coming into contact with or separated from the fifth contactor; a ninth plate portion extending in the second direction and having the seventh contactor on a surface on the second side at the fourth side, and to which external wiring is connected on the third side; an eighth contactor extending in the second direction and having an eighth plate portion coming into contact with or separated from the sixth contactor;and a fourth fixed contact including an eighth plate portion having the eighth contactor on the second-side surface of the third side and to which external wiring is connected on the fourth side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an electromagnetic contactor having an a-contact and a b-contact in an electric path that supplies power to a load. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the electromagnetic contactor according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the electromagnetic contactor according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the electromagnetic contactor according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the contact configuration of the electromagnetic contactor according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a view showing a contact support portion of the electromagnetic contactor according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the contact operation of the electromagnetic contactor according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the contact operation of the electromagnetic contactor according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the contact operation of the electromagnetic contactor according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the contact operation of the electromagnetic contactor according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of the electromagnetic contactor according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the spring receiver of the electromagnetic contactor according to this embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the movable contact of the electromagnetic contactor according to this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that, in the description of the specification and drawings relating to each embodiment, components having substantially the same or corresponding functional configurations may be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. Also, for ease of understanding, the scale of each part in the drawings may differ from the actual scale.

[0012] <Magnetic contactor 1> First, an electromagnetic contactor 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front view of the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to this embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 3 is a diagram in which the housing of the electromagnetic contactor 1 is cut away to expose the inside of the electromagnetic contactor 1.

[0013] For convenience of explanation, a virtual three-dimensional coordinate system (XYZ Cartesian coordinate system) consisting of mutually orthogonal X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis (XYZ axes) may be set in the drawings. However, this coordinate system is defined for the purpose of explanation and does not limit the posture of the electromagnetic contactor 1, etc.

[0014] In this disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the X-axis direction is the direction in which input terminals 21, 22, 23, and 26 of the electromagnetic contactor 1 are aligned with one another. Similarly, the X-axis direction is the direction in which output terminals 31, 32, 33, and 36 of the electromagnetic contactor 1 are aligned with one another. Furthermore, the Y-axis direction is the direction in which input terminals 21, 22, 23, and 26 of the electromagnetic contactor 1 are aligned with output terminals 31, 32, 33, and 36, respectively. The Z-axis is perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis.

[0015] The electromagnetic contactor 1 switches between supplying and cutting off power supplied from a power source or the like to a load such as a motor in response to a control signal. The electromagnetic contactor 1 comprises an upper housing 11 and a lower housing 12. The upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 give the electromagnetic contactor 1 a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The electromagnetic contactor 1 is installed on a control panel or the like by attaching the bottom 12e of the lower housing 12 to, for example, a rail or the like.

[0016] The electromagnetic contactor 1 includes input terminals 21, 22, and 23 to which power is supplied from a power source. The electromagnetic contactor 1 also includes output terminals 31, 32, and 33 for supplying the power supplied to the input terminals 21, 22, and 23, respectively, to a load.

[0017] The input terminal 21 and the output terminal 31 are terminals for the main contact 51A for switching power. The input terminal 22 and the output terminal 32 are terminals for the main contact 52A for switching power. The input terminal 23 and the output terminal 33 are terminals for the main contact 53A for switching power.

[0018] The electromagnetic contactor 1 also includes an input terminal 26 and an output terminal 36 to which a display, a switch, a control device, etc. are connected. The input terminal 26 and the output terminal 36 are terminals for an auxiliary contact 56A for signal output.

[0019] Furthermore, the electromagnetic contactor 1 includes a coil terminal 41 and a coil terminal 42. The coil terminal 41 and the coil terminal 42 are terminals for supplying power to an operation coil 17, which will be described later.

[0020] Upper housing 11 has wall portions 11a between input terminal 21 and input terminal 22, between input terminal 22 and input terminal 23, and between input terminal 23 and input terminal 26. Similarly, wall portions 11a are provided between output terminal 31 and output terminal 32, between output terminal 32 and output terminal 33, and between output terminal 33 and output terminal 36. Wall portions 11a prevent arcs generated at main contact 51A, main contact 52A, main contact 53A, and auxiliary contact 56A from jumping to adjacent electrical paths and causing short circuits.

[0021] The electromagnetic contactor 1 includes a fixed electromagnet 15, a movable electromagnet 16, an operation coil 17, and a contact support portion 50. The fixed electromagnet 15 is fixed to the lower housing 12. The movable electromagnet 16 is movable relative to the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12.

[0022] The movable electromagnet 16 is pushed in the +Z direction by a return spring (not shown). Therefore, when no power is supplied to the operation coil 17, the movable electromagnet 16 moves to the +Z side. On the other hand, when power is supplied to the operation coil 17 via coil terminals 41 and 42, the movable electromagnet 16 is attracted to the fixed electromagnet 15. Therefore, when a predetermined amount of power is supplied to the operation coil 17, the movable electromagnet 16 moves to the -Z side, which is opposite to the +Z side.

[0023] The contact support part 50 is fixed to the movable electromagnet 16. The contact support part 50 moves together with the movable electromagnet 16. That is, when no power is supplied to the operation coil 17, the contact support part 50 moves to the +Z side together with the movable electromagnet 16. On the other hand, when a predetermined amount of power is supplied to the operation coil 17, the contact support part 50 moves to the -Z side, opposite to the +Z side, together with the movable electromagnet 16.

[0024] <Contact configuration of electromagnetic contactor 1> Next, a description will be given of the contact configuration of the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the contact configuration of the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to this embodiment.

[0025] The electromagnetic contactor 1 includes main contacts 51A, 52A, 53A, and auxiliary contact 56A. The main contacts 51A, 52A, 53A, and auxiliary contact 56A include movable contacts 51c, 52c, 53c, and 56c, respectively. The movable contacts 51c, 52c, 53c, and 56c are each held by a contact support 50 while being pressed in the Z-axis direction by a contact spring (see FIGS. 6 to 9). The contact spring is installed on the contact support 50 so as to be compressed in the Z-axis direction.

[0026] [Contact support part 50] 5 is a side view of the contact support part 50 of the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to this embodiment. The contact support part 50 has a window part 51h, a window part 52h, a window part 53h, and a window part 56h that penetrate in the Y-axis direction.

[0027] The contact support portion 50 holds the movable contact 51c of the main contact 51A in the window portion 51h. The contact support portion 50 has a protrusion 51a on the +Z side of the window portion 51h and a protrusion 51b on the -Z side. One of the protrusions 51a and 51b fixes one end of a contact spring 51s (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The other of the protrusions 51a and 51b is the contact target for the movable contact 51c. Furthermore, the contact support portion 50 has guide portions 51p that protrude in the X-axis direction from both sides of the window portion 51h in the X-axis direction. The guide portions 51p prevent a spring receiver 51r (see FIGS. 8 and 9), which will be described later, from coming off the window portion 51h.

[0028] The contact support portion 50 holds the movable contact 52c of the main contact 52A in the window portion 52h. The contact support portion 50 has a protrusion 52a on the +Z side of the window portion 52h and a protrusion 52b on the -Z side. Either the protrusion 52a or the protrusion 52b is attached to the contact spring 52s (see FIG. 6 or figure 7 1 and 2). The other of the protrusions 52a and 52b is the contact target for the movable contact 52c. Furthermore, the contact support part 50 has guide parts 52p that protrude in the X-axis direction from both sides of the window part 52h in the X-axis direction. The guide parts 52p prevent the spring receiver 52r from coming off the window part 52h.

[0029] The contact support portion 50 holds the movable contact 53c of the main contact 53A in the window portion 53h. The contact support portion 50 has a protrusion 53a on the +Z side of the window portion 53h and a protrusion 53b on the -Z side. One of the protrusions 53a and 53b secures one end of a contact spring. The other of the protrusions 53a and 53b is the contact target for the movable contact 53c. Furthermore, the contact support portion 50 has guide portions 53p that protrude in the X-axis direction from both sides of the window portion 53h in the X-axis direction. The guide portions 53p prevent the spring receiver 53r from coming off the window portion 53h.

[0030] The contact support portion 50 holds the movable contact 56c of the auxiliary contact 56A in the window portion 56h. The contact support portion 50 has a protrusion 56a on the +Z side of the window portion 56h and a protrusion 56b on the -Z side. One of the protrusions 56a and 56b secures one end of a contact spring. The other of the protrusions 56a and 56b is the contact target for the movable contact 56c. Furthermore, the contact support portion 50 has guide portions 56p that protrude in the X-axis direction from both sides of the window portion 56h in the X-axis direction. The guide portions 56p prevent the spring receiver 56r from coming off the window portion 56h.

[0031] [Main contact 51A] The main contact 51A includes an input-side fixed contact 21a and a movable contact 51c that constitute the input terminal 21, and an output-side fixed contact 31a that constitutes the output terminal 31. The main contact 51A also includes a contact spring 51s and a spring receiver 51r. The main contact 51A is a b-contact. The b-contact is connected when no power is supplied to the operation coil 17, and is disconnected when power is supplied to the operation coil 17. The b-contact is also called a break contact, a normally closed contact, or a normally closed (NC) contact.

[0032] [Main contact 52A] The main contact 52A includes an input-side fixed contact 22a and a movable contact 52c that constitute the input terminal 22, and an output-side fixed contact 32a that constitutes the output terminal 32. The main contact 52A also includes a contact spring 52s and a spring receiver 52r. The main contact 52A is an a-contact. The a-contact is a contact that is open when no power is supplied to the operation coil 17, and is closed when power is supplied to the operation coil 17. The a-contact is also called a make contact, a normally open contact, or a normally open (NO) contact.

[0033] [Main contact 53A] The main contact 53A includes an input-side fixed contact 23a and a movable contact 53c that constitute the input terminal 23, and an output-side fixed contact 33a that constitutes the output terminal 33. The main contact 53A also includes a contact spring (not shown) and a spring receiver 53r. The main contact 53A is an a-contact. The input-side fixed contact 23a has the same shape as the input-side fixed contact 22a. The output-side fixed contact 33a has the same shape as the output-side fixed contact 32a.

[0034] [Auxiliary contact 56A] The auxiliary contact 56A includes an input-side fixed contact 26a and a movable contact 56c that constitute the input terminal 26, and an output-side fixed contact 36a that constitutes the output terminal 36. The auxiliary contact 56A also includes a contact spring (not shown) and a spring receiver 56r. The auxiliary contact 56A is an a-contact. The input-side fixed contact 23a has the same shape as the input-side fixed contact 22a, except for the contactor portion. The output-side fixed contact 33a has the same shape as the output-side fixed contact 32a, except for the contactor portion.

[0035] (Spring holder) Spring bearings 51r, 52r, 53r, and 56r are parts of the same shape. Spring bearing 51r is installed in the opposite direction to spring bearing 52r, 53r, and 56 in the Z-axis direction. Note that in this specification, "same shape" does not necessarily mean "strictly the same shape," but rather "the same shape or a similar shape within standard manufacturing tolerances."

[0036] Since the spring bearings 51r, 52r, 53r, and 56r have the same shape, the shape of the spring bearing will be explained using the spring bearing 52r. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the spring bearing 52r of the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to this embodiment.

[0037] The spring receiver 52r holds and fixes the end of the contact spring 52s on the movable contact 52c side, and also prevents the contact spring 52s from falling off the window portion 52h.

[0038] The spring receiver 52r is formed of, for example, metal. The spring receiver 52r has a horizontal plate portion 52r1, a vertical plate portion 52r2, and a vertical plate portion 52r6. The horizontal plate portion 52r1 has a plate-like shape in the XY plane. The vertical plate portion 52r2 has a plate-like shape parallel to the ZX plane extending from the +Y side end of the horizontal plate portion 52r1 to the +Z side in the Z axis direction. The vertical plate portion 52r6 has a plate-like shape parallel to the ZX plane extending from the -Y side end of the horizontal plate portion 52r1 to the +Z side in the Z axis direction.

[0039] The horizontal plate portion 52r1 has a protrusion 52rp on its +Z side surface 52rS1. The protrusion 52rp holds the -Z side end of the contact spring 52s. The protrusion 52rp prevents the contact spring 52s from shifting in the X-axis or Y-axis direction. A -Z side surface 52rS2 of the horizontal plate portion 52r1 comes into contact with a surface 52cS1 (described later) of the movable contact 52c (see FIG. 12).

[0040] The vertical plate portion 52r2 has, at both ends in the X-axis direction, separation prevention portions 52r3 and 52r4 that protrude in the X-axis direction from the horizontal plate portion 52r1. In addition, the vertical plate portion 52r6 has, at both ends in the X-axis direction, separation prevention portions 52r7 and 52r8 that protrude in the X-axis direction from the horizontal plate portion 52r1.

[0041] The spring receiver 52r prevents the spring receiver 52r from coming off the window portion 52h by sandwiching the guide portion 52p of the window portion 52h between the separation prevention portion 52r3 and the separation prevention portion 52r7. The spring receiver 52r also prevents the spring receiver 52r from coming off the window portion 52h by sandwiching the guide portion 52p of the window portion 52h between the separation prevention portion 52r4 and the separation prevention portion 52r8.

[0042] By preventing the spring receiver 52r from coming off the window portion 52h, the spring receiver 52r prevents the contact spring 52s from dropping out of the window portion 52h.

[0043] (movable contact) The movable contact 51c, movable contact 52c, and movable contact 53c for the main contacts are components of the same shape. The installation orientation of the movable contact 51c is opposite to that of the movable contacts 52c and 53c in the Z-axis direction. The movable contact 56c for the auxiliary contact is a component of the same shape as the movable contacts 51c, 52c, and 53c for the main contacts, except for the shape of the contactor portion.

[0044] Since the movable contacts 51c, 52c, and 53c for the main contacts have the same shape, the shape of the movable contacts will be described using the movable contact 52c. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the movable contact 52c of the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to this embodiment.

[0045] The movable contact 52c is formed of, for example, metal. The movable contact 52c includes a horizontal plate portion 52c1, horizontal plate portions 52c2 and 52c3, connection plate portions 52c4 and 52c5. The horizontal plate portion 52c1, the horizontal plate portions 52c2 and 52c3 have a plate shape parallel to the XY plane. The horizontal plate portions 52c2 and 52c3 are located on the +Z side in the +Z direction with respect to the horizontal plate portion 52c1. The +Y side end of the horizontal plate portion 52c1 and the -Y side end of the horizontal plate portion 52c2 are connected by the connection plate portion 52c4. Also, the -Y side end of the horizontal plate portion 52c1 and the +Y side end of the horizontal plate portion 52c3 are connected by the connection plate portion 52c5.

[0046] A spring receiver 52r is attached to the +Z side surface 52cS1 of the horizontal plate portion 52c1. Specifically, the surface 52rS2 of the spring receiver 52r is attached to the +Z side surface of the horizontal plate portion 52c1. Also, the -Z side surface 52cS2 of the horizontal plate portion 52c1 contacts the protrusion 52b of the window portion 52h.

[0047] <Operation of the a contact> The main contact 52A of the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to the present embodiment is an a contact. The operation of the a contact in the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to the present embodiment will be described using the main contact 52A. FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining the contact operation of the a contact of the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 shows the case where power is not supplied to the operation coil 17 of the electromagnetic contactor 1 (off state), and FIG. 7 shows the case where power is supplied to the operation coil 17 of the electromagnetic contactor 1 (on state). Note that since the main contact 53A is an a contact having the same configuration as the main contact 52A, the description thereof is omitted.

[0048] The input side fixed contact 22a of the main contact 52A will be described. The input side fixed contact 22a includes a contact 22ac and a plate portion 22a1. The contact 22ac contacts or separates from the contact 52cc. The plate portion 22a1 has a plate shape extending in the Y-axis direction. The plate portion 22a1 includes the contact 22ac on the -Y side of the +Z side surface 22aS. Also, wiring from the outside is connected to the +Y side of the plate portion 22a1, and power from the outside is supplied.

[0049] Next, the output-side fixed contact 32a of the main contact 52A will be described. The output-side fixed contact 32a includes a contactor 32ac and a plate portion 32a1. The contactor 32ac comes into contact with or is separated from the contactor 52cd. The plate portion 32a1 has a plate-like shape extending in the Y-axis direction. The plate portion 32a1 includes the contactor 32ac on the +Y side of the +Z-side surface 32aS. An external wiring is connected to the -Y side of the plate portion 32a1, and external power is supplied thereto.

[0050] (off state) The a-contact is interrupted in the OFF state, i.e., when no power is supplied to the operation coil 17 of the electromagnetic contactor 1. Therefore, in the OFF state, i.e., when no power is supplied to the operation coil 17 of the electromagnetic contactor 1, the movable contact 52c is separated from the input-side fixed contact 22a and the output-side fixed contact 32a. In other words, the contactor 22ac of the input-side fixed contact 22a is separated from the contactor 52cc of the movable contact 52c. In addition, the contactor 32ac of the output-side fixed contact 32a is separated from the contactor 52cd of the movable contact 52c.

[0051] In the OFF state, the movable contact 52c contacts the protrusion 52b of the contact support portion 50.

[0052] (On state) The a-contact is connected in the on-state, i.e., when power is being supplied to the operation coil 17 of the electromagnetic contactor 1. Therefore, in the on-state, i.e., when power is being supplied to the operation coil 17 of the electromagnetic contactor 1, the movable contact 52c comes into contact with the input-side fixed contact 22a and the output-side fixed contact 32a. In other words, the contactor 22ac of the input-side fixed contact 22a comes into contact with the contactor 52cc of the movable contact 52c. In addition, the contactor 32ac of the output-side fixed contact 32a comes into contact with the contactor 52cd of the movable contact 52c.

[0053] In the on state, the movable contact 52c separates from the protrusion 52b of the contact support 50. Then, the contact spring 52s presses the movable contact 52c toward the input-side fixed contact 22a and the output-side fixed contact 32a. By the contact spring 52s pressing the movable contact 52c toward the input-side fixed contact 22a and the output-side fixed contact 32a, the contact 52cc of the movable contact 52c can be pressed against the contact 22ac of the input-side fixed contact 22a with a predetermined force. Similarly, by the contact spring 52s pressing the movable contact 52c toward the input-side fixed contact 22a and the output-side fixed contact 32a, the contact 52cd of the movable contact 52c can be pressed against the contact 32ac of the output-side fixed contact 32a with a predetermined force.

[0054] In FIGS. 6 and 7, the line EL indicates the position of the lowermost portion in the Z-axis direction near the contact support 50 of the wall portion 11a. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the positions of the contacts 22ac, 32ac, 52cc, and 52cd are at positions away from the line EL in both the on state and the off state. Therefore, the wall portion 11a can prevent an arc from jumping and short-circuiting to adjacent terminals.

[0055] <Operation of the b contact> The main contact 51A of the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to the present embodiment is a b contact. The operation of the b contact in the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to the present embodiment will be described using the main contact 51A. FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the contact operation of the b contact of the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 shows the case where no power is supplied to the coil terminals 41 and 42 of the electromagnetic contactor 1 (off state), and FIG. 9 shows the case where power is supplied to the coil terminals 41 and 42 of the electromagnetic contactor 1 (on state).

[0056] The input side fixed contact 21a of the main contact 51A will be described. The input side fixed contact 21a includes a contactor 21ac and plate portions 21a1, 21a2, and 21a3. The contactor 21ac is in contact with or separates from the contactor 51cc. The plate portion 21a1 has a plate-like shape extending in the Y-axis direction. The plate portion 21a1 is provided on the -Z side in the Z-axis direction and on the +Y side in the Y-axis direction with respect to the plate portion 21a3. An external wiring is connected to the +Y side of the plate portion 21a1, and external power is supplied thereto. The plate portion 21a3 has a plate-like shape extending in the Y-axis direction. The plate portion 21a3 includes a contactor 21ac on the -Z side surface 21aS. The plate portion 21a2 has a plate-like shape extending in the Z-axis direction. Plate portion 21a2 connects the −Y side end of plate portion 21a1 and the +Y side end of plate portion 21a3. Plate portion 21a2 electrically connects plate portion 21a1 and plate portion 21a3.

[0057] Next, the output side fixed contact 31a of the main contact 51A will be described. The output side fixed contact 31a includes a contactor 31ac and plate portions 31a1, 31a2, and 31a3. The contactor 31ac is in contact with or separates from the contactor 51cd. The plate portion 31a1 has a plate-like shape extending in the Y-axis direction. The plate portion 31a1 is provided on the -Z side in the Z-axis direction and the -Y side in the Y-axis direction with respect to the plate portion 31a3. An external wiring is connected to the -Y side of the plate portion 31a1 to supply power to the outside. The plate portion 31a3 has a plate-like shape extending in the Y-axis direction. The plate portion 31a3 includes a contactor 31ac on the -Z side surface 31aS. The plate portion 31a2 has a plate-like shape extending in the Z-axis direction. Plate portion 31a2 connects the +Y side end of plate portion 31a1 and the −Y side end of plate portion 31a3. Plate portion 31a2 electrically connects plate portion 31a1 and plate portion 31a3.

[0058] (off state) The b-contact is connected in the OFF state, i.e., when no power is supplied to the operation coil 17 of the electromagnetic contactor 1. Therefore, in the OFF state, i.e., when no power is supplied to the operation coil 17 of the electromagnetic contactor 1, the movable contact 51c comes into contact with the input-side fixed contact 21a and the output-side fixed contact 31a. In other words, the contactor 21ac of the input-side fixed contact 21a comes into contact with the contactor 51cc of the movable contact 51c. Furthermore, the contactor 31ac of the output-side fixed contact 31a comes into contact with the contactor 51cd of the movable contact 51c.

[0059] In the OFF state, the movable contact 51c is separated from the protrusion 51a of the contact support portion 50. The contact spring 51s presses the movable contact 51c toward the input-side fixed contact 21a and the output-side fixed contact 31a. When the contact spring 51s presses the movable contact 51c toward the input-side fixed contact 21a and the output-side fixed contact 31a, the contactor 51cc of the movable contact 51c can be pressed against the contactor 21ac of the input-side fixed contact 21a with a predetermined force. Similarly, when the contact spring 51s presses the movable contact 51c toward the input-side fixed contact 21a and the output-side fixed contact 31a, the contactor 51cd of the movable contact 51c can be pressed against the contactor 31ac of the output-side fixed contact 31a with a predetermined force.

[0060] (On state) The b-contact is interrupted in the ON state, i.e., when power is being supplied to the operation coil 17 of the electromagnetic contactor 1. Therefore, in the ON state, i.e., when power is being supplied to the operation coil 17 of the electromagnetic contactor 1, the movable contact 51c is separated from the input-side fixed contact 21a and the output-side fixed contact 31a. In other words, the contactor 21ac of the input-side fixed contact 21a is separated from the contactor 51cc of the movable contact 51c. In addition, the contactor 31ac of the output-side fixed contact 31a is separated from the contactor 51cd of the movable contact 51c.

[0061] In the ON state, the movable contact 51c comes into contact with the protrusion 51a of the contact support portion 50.

[0062] 8 and 9, line EL indicates the position of the lowest part of wall 11a in the Z-axis direction near contact support 50 (see end 11ae in FIG. 3). In FIGS. 8 and 9, contacts 21ac, 31ac, 51cc, and 51cd are located away from line EL in the on and off states. Therefore, wall 11a can prevent arcs from jumping to adjacent terminals and causing short circuits.

[0063] <Actions and Effects> According to the electromagnetic contactor 1 of this embodiment, an electric circuit that supplies power to a load can be provided with the a-contact and the b-contact. Furthermore, according to the electromagnetic contactor 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the influence on other electric circuits of the arc that occurs when the contacts separate.

[0064] Furthermore, with the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the electrode portions exposed to the outside of the terminals. Fig. 10 is a side view of the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to this embodiment, as seen from the output terminal side. With the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the portions of the output-side fixed contacts 31a, 32a, 33a, and 36a that are exposed to the outside, for example.

[0065] For example, when the fixed contact is formed in a U-shape as in the contact device disclosed in Patent Document 3, the contactor is located inside the U-shape, so after joining the contactor to the plate-shaped member bent into an L-shape, another bending process is required. This increases the number of manufacturing processes and increases manufacturing costs. In addition, the U-shaped bent portion is exposed to the outside, so the exposed portion of the terminal increases.

[0066] According to the electromagnetic contactor 1 of this embodiment, the input side fixed contact 21a and the output side fixed contact 31a can be joined to the contactors after bending, which reduces the number of manufacturing steps and reduces manufacturing costs. Also, since the electromagnetic contactor 1 does not have any U-shaped bent portions, it is possible to reduce the portions exposed to the outside (see FIG. 10).

[0067] Furthermore, according to the electromagnetic contactor 1 of this embodiment, the window portion of the contact support portion 50 is provided with protrusions on both sides in the Z direction, for example, protrusions 51a and 51b on the window portion 51h, so that by using one of the protrusions to fix the contact spring, the number of spring receivers can be reduced.

[0068] Furthermore, for example, while conventionally a window portion for the a-contact and a window portion for the b-contact were required, the electromagnetic contactor 1 according to this embodiment can realize both the a-contact and the b-contact in the same window portion of the contact support part 50, thereby reducing the number of windows. By reducing the number of windows, the strength of the contact support part 50 can be increased.

[0069] The Z-axis direction is an example of a first direction, the Y-axis direction is an example of a second direction intersecting the first direction, the -Z side is an example of the first side, the +Z side is an example of the second side, the +Y side is an example of the third side, and the -Y side is an example of the fourth side. Furthermore, the window 51h is an example of a first window, the protrusion 51a is an example of a first protrusion, the protrusion 51b is an example of a second protrusion, the window 52h is an example of a second window, the protrusion 52a is an example of a third protrusion, and the protrusion 52b is an example of a fourth protrusion. Furthermore, the contact spring 51s is an example of a first contact spring, the contact spring 52s is an example of a second contact spring, the spring receiver 51r is an example of a first spring receiver, and the spring receiver 52r is an example of a second spring receiver.

[0070] The movable contact 51c is an example of a first movable contact, the horizontal plate portion 51c2 is an example of a first plate portion, the contactor 51cc is an example of a first contactor, the horizontal plate portion 51c3 is an example of a second plate portion, and the contactor 51cd is an example of a second contactor. The input-side fixed contact 21a is an example of a first fixed contact, the contactor 21ac is an example of a third contactor, the plate portion 21a3 is an example of a third plate portion, and the plate portion 21a1 is an example of a fourth plate portion. The output-side fixed contact 31a is an example of a second fixed contact, the contactor 31ac is an example of a fourth contactor, the plate portion 31a3 is an example of a fifth plate portion, and the plate portion 31a1 is an example of a sixth plate portion.

[0071] The movable contact 52c is an example of a second movable contact, the horizontal plate portion 52c2 is an example of a seventh plate portion, the contactor 52cc is an example of a fifth contactor, the horizontal plate portion 52c3 is an example of an eighth plate portion, and 52cd is an example of a sixth contactor. The input side fixed contact 22a is an example of a third fixed contact, the contactor 22ac is an example of a seventh contactor, and the plate portion 22a1 is an example of a ninth plate portion. The output side fixed contact 32a is an example of a fourth fixed contact, the contactor 32ac is an example of an eighth contactor, and the plate portion 32a1 is an example of a tenth plate portion.

[0072] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive, and the above-described embodiments may be omitted, substituted, or modified in various ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

[0073] For example, according to the electromagnetic contactor 1 of this embodiment, the main contacts include two a-contacts and one b-contact, but the number of a-contacts and the number of b-contacts are not limited to the above and may be selected as appropriate. Also, which contacts are to be a-contacts and which are to be b-contacts may be selected as appropriate. Furthermore, the main contacts may be only a-contacts, or only b-contacts. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 Magnetic contactor 11 Upper case 11a Wall 12 Lower housing 21, 22, 23 Input terminals 21a, 22a, 23a Input side fixed contacts 21ac, 22ac contacts 21a1, 21a3 plate part 31, 32, 33 Output terminals 31a, 32a, 33a Output side fixed contact 31ac, 32ac contacts 31a1, 31a3 plate part 41, 42 Coil terminals 50 Contact support part 51A, 52A, 53A main contacts 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b protrusion 51c, 52c, 53c movable contact 51cc, 51cd, 52cc, 52cd contacts 51h, 52h, 53h Window 51c2, 51c3, 52c2, 52c3 Horizontal plate part 51p, 52p, 53p Guide section 51r, 52r, 53r spring holder 51s, 52s contact spring 56A auxiliary contact

Claims

1. A fixed electromagnet; An operating coil; A movable electromagnet; a contact support part that is fixed to the movable electromagnet, that is attracted to the fixed electromagnet together with the movable electromagnet and moves to a first side in a first direction when power is supplied to the operation coil, and that separates from the fixed electromagnet together with the movable electromagnet and moves to a second side opposite to the first side in the first direction when power to the operation coil is cut off, and that has a first window part and a second window part that penetrate in a second direction that intersects with the first direction; a first movable contact that is installed in the first window and includes a first plate portion that extends to a third side in the second direction relative to the first window portion, a first contactor that is fixed to the second side of the first plate portion, a second plate portion that extends to a fourth side opposite to the third side in the second direction relative to the first window portion, and a second contactor that is fixed to the second side of the second plate portion; a first contact spring that is compressed in the first direction, the first end of which is fixed to the first end of the first window portion, and the second end of which presses the first movable contact; a first fixed contact including: a third contactor that comes into contact with or is separated from the first contactor; a third plate portion that has the third contactor on the first side; and a fourth plate portion that is electrically connected to the third plate portion, is provided on the first side and the third side of the third plate portion, and is connected to external wiring; a second fixed contact including a fourth contactor that comes into contact with or is separated from the second contactor, a fifth plate portion that includes the fourth contactor on the first side, and a sixth plate portion that is electrically connected to the fifth plate portion, is provided on the first side and the fourth side of the fifth plate portion, and is connected to external wiring; a second movable contact that is installed in the second window and includes a seventh plate portion that extends to the third side in the second direction relative to the second window portion, a fifth contactor that is fixed to the first side of the seventh plate portion, an eighth plate portion that extends to the fourth side in the second direction relative to the second window portion, and a sixth contactor that is fixed to the first side of the eighth plate portion; a second contact spring that is compressed in the first direction, has an end on the second side fixed to the end on the second side of the second window portion, and has an end on the first side pressing against the second movable contact; a third fixed contact including: a seventh contactor that comes into contact with or is separated from the fifth contactor; and a ninth plate portion that extends in the second direction, has the seventh contactor on a surface on the second side of the fourth side, and has external wiring connected to the third side; a fourth fixed contact including an eighth contactor that comes into contact with or is separated from the sixth contactor, and a tenth plate portion that extends in the second direction, has the eighth contactor on a surface on the second side of the third side, and has an external wiring connected to the fourth side; Equipped with the first window portion further includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion at both ends in the first direction, the second window portion further includes a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion at both ends in the first direction, the first protrusion comes into contact with the first movable contact when the contact support portion moves to the first side; the second protrusion fixes the first end of the first contact spring; the third protrusion fixes the second end of the second contact spring; the fourth protrusion comes into contact with the second movable contact when the contact support portion moves to the second side; Magnetic contactor.

2. The shape of the second movable contact is the same as the shape of the first movable contact. The electromagnetic contactor according to claim 1 .

3. a first spring receiver between the first movable contact and the first contact spring; 3. The electromagnetic contactor according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a second spring receiver is further provided between the second movable contact and the second contact spring; 3. The electromagnetic contactor according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a first spring receiver between the first movable contact and the first contact spring; a second spring receiver between the second movable contact and the second contact spring; The shape of the second spring bearing is the same as the shape of the first spring bearing.

3. The electromagnetic contactor according to claim 1 or 2.

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