Electromagnetic relays
The electromagnetic relay stabilizes the magnet using a flexible resin holder to prevent movement, ensuring operational reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- OMRON CORP
- Filing Date
- 2022-04-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
In conventional electromagnetic relays, the magnet is not fixed to the contact case or cover, leading to potential movement during impacts, which can adversely affect operation.
The magnet is held in place by a flexible magnet holding member made of resin, utilizing elastic deformation to prevent movement relative to the contact case.
Prevents magnet movement during impacts, maintaining relay operation stability while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost compared to sealing member fixation.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an electromagnetic relay.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, an electromagnetic relay that uses the magnetic force of a magnet to extend and extinguish an arc generated at a contact is known. The magnet is held by being adsorbed to a yoke fixed to a cover (see Patent Document 1).
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In the electromagnetic relay of Patent Document 1, the magnet is held by being adsorbed to the yoke. That is, the magnet is not fixed to the contact case or the cover. Therefore, when the electromagnetic relay is subjected to an impact, the magnet may move, which may adversely affect the operation of the electromagnetic relay.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic relay that can suppress movement of the magnet with respect to the contact case.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0007] In this electromagnetic relay, the magnet is held in place by the bending of the flexible portion of the magnet holder. In other words, the magnet is held in place by the elastic force generated by the elastic deformation caused by bending the flexible portion. This prevents the magnet from moving relative to the contact case. As a result, it is possible to prevent the magnet from moving when the electromagnetic relay is subjected to an impact, which could adversely affect the operation of the electromagnetic relay. Furthermore, compared to cases where the magnet is fixed with a sealing member, for example, the movement of the magnet can be suppressed with a simpler configuration, thus preventing an increase in the manufacturing cost of the electromagnetic relay.
[0008] The magnet holder may be fixed to the contact case. In this case, the magnet can be placed near the contact case.
[0009] The magnet holding member may be integrally formed with the contact case. In this case, the number of parts can be reduced.
[0010] The flexible portion of the magnet holding member may include a first wall extending from the outer surface of the contact case and a second wall extending from the inner surface of the contact case. The magnet may be sandwiched between the first wall and the second wall. In this case, the magnet can be held with a simple configuration.
[0011] The electromagnetic relay may further include an outer case positioned outside the contact case. The magnet holder may be fixed to the outer case. In this case, the outer case can be used to hold the magnet.
[0012] The magnet holding member may include a first wall extending from the inner surface of the outer case and a second wall extending from the inner surface of the outer case. The magnet may be sandwiched between the first wall and the second wall. In this case, the magnet can be held with a simple configuration.
[0013] The first movable contact may be positioned opposite the first fixed contact in a first direction that includes a contact direction in which the first movable contact approaches the first fixed contact and an opening direction in which the first movable contact moves away from the first fixed contact. The magnet may overlap with the first fixed terminal when viewed from the first direction. In this case, in an electromagnetic relay where the magnet and the first fixed terminal overlap when viewed from the first direction, movement of the magnet relative to the contact case can be suppressed.
[0014] The first movable contact may be positioned opposite the first fixed contact in a first direction that includes a contact direction in which the first movable contact approaches the first fixed contact and an opening direction in which the first movable contact moves away from the first fixed contact. The magnet holding member may clamp the magnet from the first direction. In this case, the magnet holding member can prevent the magnet from moving in the first direction.
[0015] The electromagnetic relay may further include a second fixed terminal. The second fixed terminal may be located away from the first fixed terminal. The second fixed terminal may include a second fixed contact. The movable contact piece may further include a second movable contact located opposite the second fixed contact.
[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electromagnetic relay that can suppress the movement of the magnet relative to the contact case. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0017] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the area around the first magnet. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the area around the first magnet. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the area around the first magnet, showing a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the electromagnetic relay 100 according to an aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. When referring to the drawings, the X1 direction is described as the left direction, the X2 direction as the right direction, the Y1 direction as the front direction, the Y2 direction as the rear direction, the Z1 direction as the upward direction, and the Z2 direction as the downward direction. Also, the X1 and X2 directions are described as the left - right direction, the Y1 and Y2 directions as the front - rear direction, and the Z1 and Z2 directions as the up - down direction. These directions are defined for convenience of explanation and do not limit the arrangement direction of the electromagnetic relay 100.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the electromagnetic relay 100 includes a case 2, a contact case 3, a contact device 4, and a drive device 5.
[0020] The case 2 is a substantially rectangular box - type and is formed of an insulating material such as resin. The case 2 houses the contact case 3, the contact device 4, and the drive device 5. The case 2 is an example of an outer case.
[0021] The contact case 3 is disposed within the case 2. The contact case 3 is disposed above the drive device 5. The contact case 3 is a substantially rectangular box - type and is formed of an insulating material such as resin. The contact case 3 is formed of an insulating material such as resin, for example.
[0022] The contact case 3 includes an upper case 31, a lower case 32, a first terminal support portion 33, and a second terminal support portion 34. The upper case 31 is open downward. The upper case 31 is disposed above the lower case 32. The upper case 31 is separate from the lower case 32. The upper case 31 is fixed to the lower case 32 by, for example, snap - fit coupling. The lower case 32 is open upward. The upper part of the lower case 32 is covered by the upper case 31.
[0023] The first terminal support portion 33 and the second terminal support portion 34 are formed on the upper case 31. The first terminal support portion 33 protrudes rightward from the upper case 31. The first terminal support portion 33 is open rightward. The second terminal support portion 34 protrudes leftward from the upper case 31. The second terminal support portion 34 is open leftward.
[0024] The contact device 4 includes a first fixed terminal 6, a second fixed terminal 7, and a movable contact piece 8.
[0025] The first fixed terminal 6 and the second fixed terminal 7 are plate-like terminals and are formed of a conductive material. The first fixed terminal 6 and the second fixed terminal 7 extend in the left-right direction. The first fixed terminal 6 and the second fixed terminal 7 extend across the inside and outside of the contact case 3. The first fixed terminal 6 and the second fixed terminal 7 are arranged apart from each other in the left-right direction. The first fixed terminal 6 and the second fixed terminal 7 are held on the upper case 31 of the contact case 3.
[0026] The first fixed terminal 6 is press-fitted and fixed to the first terminal support portion 33. The first fixed terminal 6 protrudes outside from the right wall 2a of the case 2. The first fixed terminal 6 has a gap with respect to the right wall 2a of the case 2 and is not fixed to the case 2. Note that the first fixed terminal 6 may be configured to be held by the case 2.
[0027] The first fixed terminal 6 includes a first fixed contact 6a and a first external connection portion 6b. The first fixed contact 6a is housed in the contact case 3. The first fixed contact 6a is disposed on the lower surface of the first fixed terminal 6. The first external connection portion 6b is disposed outside the case 2. The first external connection portion 6b is connected to an external terminal (not shown) such as a bus bar.
[0028] The second fixing terminal 7 has a shape symmetrical to the first fixing terminal 6. The second fixing terminal 7 is located to the left of the first fixing terminal 6. The second fixing terminal 7 is press-fitted and fixed to the second terminal support portion 34. The second fixing terminal 7 protrudes outward from the left wall 2b of the case 2. The second fixing terminal 7 has a gap with respect to the left wall 2b of the case 2 and is not fixed to the case 2. However, the second fixing terminal 7 may also be configured to be held by the case 2.
[0029] The second fixed terminal 7 includes a second fixed contact 7a and a second external connection part 7b. The second fixed contact 7a is housed in the contact case 3. The second fixed contact 7a is located on the lower surface of the second fixed terminal 7. The second external connection part 7b is located outside the case 2. The second external connection part 7b is connected to an external terminal (not shown), such as a busbar.
[0030] The movable contact piece 8 is housed in the contact case 3. The movable contact piece 8 is a plate-shaped terminal that is elongated in one direction and is made of a conductive material. The movable contact piece 8 extends in the left-right direction. The movable contact piece 8 is movable in the up-down direction.
[0031] The movable contact piece 8 includes a first movable contact 8a and a second movable contact 8b. The first movable contact 8a and the second movable contact 8b are located on the upper surface of the movable contact piece 8. The first movable contact 8a is positioned opposite the first fixed contact 6a in a first direction which includes a contact direction in which the first movable contact 8a approaches the first fixed contact 6a and a separation direction in which the first movable contact 8a moves away from the first fixed contact 6a. In this embodiment, the vertical direction is an example of the first direction, the upward direction is an example of the contact direction, and the downward direction is an example of the separation direction. The second movable contact 8b is positioned opposite the second fixed contact 7a in the vertical direction.
[0032] The drive unit 5 is located inside the case 2. The drive unit 5 moves the movable contact piece 8 in the vertical direction. The drive unit 5 includes a movable mechanism 11, a coil 12, a movable iron core 13, a fixed iron core 14, yokes 15 and 16, and a return spring 17.
[0033] The movable mechanism 11 is connected to the movable contact piece 8. The movable mechanism 11 includes a holder 11a, a drive shaft 11b, and a contact spring 11c. The holder 11a holds the movable contact piece 8. The holder 11a moves integrally with the movable contact piece 8. The drive shaft 11b extends in the vertical direction. The drive shaft 11b is connected to the holder 11a so as to be vertically movable relative to the holder 11a. The contact spring 11c is positioned between the holder 11a and the drive shaft 11b. The contact spring 11c biases the movable contact piece 8 upward via the holder 11a.
[0034] When a voltage is applied to the coil 12 and it is energized, it generates an electromagnetic force that moves the movable core 13 upward. The movable core 13 is fixed to the drive shaft 11b so as to be integrally movable. The fixed core 14 is positioned above the movable core 13 and opposite it. The yokes 15 and 16 are arranged to surround the coil 12. The yoke 15 has a roughly U-shape and is connected to the fixed core 14. The yoke 16 is positioned below the coil 12 and is connected to the yoke 15. The return spring 17 biases the movable core 13 downward.
[0035] The operation of the electromagnetic relay 100 is the same as in the conventional design, so it will be explained briefly. Figure 1 shows the state in which the coil 12 is not energized. In this state, the first movable contact 8a is away from the first fixed contact 6a, and the second movable contact 8b is away from the second fixed contact 7a. When the coil 12 is energized, the movable iron core 13 is attracted to the fixed iron core 14 and moves upward together with the drive shaft 11b. As the drive shaft 11b moves, the movable contact piece 8 moves upward via the contact spring 11c, causing the first movable contact 8a to contact the first fixed contact 6a and the second movable contact 8b to contact the second fixed contact 7a. When the voltage application to the coil 12 is stopped, the drive shaft 11b moves downward together with the movable iron core 13 due to the biasing force of the return spring 17. As a result, the movable contact piece 8 moves downward, causing the first movable contact 8a to move away from the first fixed contact 6a and the second movable contact 8b to move away from the second fixed contact 7a.
[0036] The electromagnetic relay 100 further comprises a first magnet 40, a second magnet 50, a first magnet holding member 60, and a second magnet holding member (not shown). The first magnet 40 is an example of a magnet. The first magnet holding member 60 is an example of a magnet holding member.
[0037] The first magnet 40 and the second magnet 50 generate a magnetic field inside the contact case 3. The first magnet 40 and the second magnet 50 are permanent magnets. The first magnet 40 and the second magnet 50 have a rectangular parallelepiped shape.
[0038] The first magnet 40 is located inside the case 2. The first magnet 40 is located to the right of the contact case 3. The first magnet 40 is located in contact with the contact case 3. The first magnet 40 is located below the first fixed terminal 6 and overlaps with the first fixed terminal 6 when viewed from above. The first magnet 40 is located below the first terminal support portion 33 and overlaps with the first terminal support portion 33 when viewed from above. The first magnet 40 is held by the first magnet holding member 60. The first magnet 40 is press-fitted and fixed to the first magnet holding member 60.
[0039] The second magnet 50 is located inside the case 2. The second magnet 50 is located to the left of the contact case 3. The second magnet 50 is located in contact with the contact case 3. The second magnet 50 is located opposite the first magnet 40 in the left-right direction. The second magnet 50 is located below the second fixed terminal 7 and overlaps with the second fixed terminal 7 when viewed from above. The second magnet 50 is located below the second terminal support portion 34 and overlaps with the second terminal support portion 34 when viewed from above.
[0040] The first magnet holding member 60 is made of resin. The first magnet holding member 60 is fixed to the contact case 3. In this embodiment, the first magnet holding member 60 is integrally formed with the contact case 3. The first magnet holding member 60 is located on the right side of the contact case 3.
[0041] The first magnet holding member 60 includes a flexible portion 61 and support portions 62 and 63. The first magnet holding member 60 holds the first magnet 40 by the bending of the flexible portion 61. In this embodiment, the flexible portion 61 is capable of bending in the front-rear direction, and holds the first magnet 40 by clamping it from the front-rear direction.
[0042] The flexible portion 61 includes a first wall 61a and a second wall 61b. The first wall 61a and the second wall 61b extend from the outer surface of the contact case 3. The first wall 61a and the second wall 61b extend to the right from the right wall of the lower case 32 of the contact case 3. The first wall 61a and the second wall 61b extend in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction.
[0043] The first wall 61a and the second wall 61b are capable of bending in the front-rear direction. The first wall 61a and the second wall 61b are positioned opposite each other in the front-rear direction. The distance from the rear surface of the first wall 61a to the front surface of the second wall 61b is smaller than the dimension of the first magnet 40 in the front-rear direction.
[0044] The first magnet 40 is inserted, for example, from above between the first wall 61a and the second wall 61b. The first magnet 40 is held by the elastic force generated by the elastic deformation of the first wall 61a and the second wall 61b of the flexible portion 61. Specifically, when the first magnet 40 is held by the first magnet holding member 60, the first wall 61a is bent forward and the second wall 61b is bent backward. That is, when the first magnet 40 is held by the first magnet holding member 60, the first wall 61a and the second wall 61b are bent in a direction away from each other. As a result, the first magnet 40 is sandwiched in the front-rear direction by the first wall 61a and the second wall 61b, and the first magnet 40 is fixed to the contact case 3.
[0045] Supports 62 and 63 support the lower surface of the first magnet 40. Support 62 is connected to the first wall 61a. Support 63 is connected to the second wall 61b. Supports 62 and 63 are separated in the front-rear direction. Support 62 may be separated from the first wall 61a. Support 63 may be separated from the second wall 61b. Supports 62 and 63 may have a shape that supports the right side of the first magnet 40.
[0046] The second magnet holder has a shape symmetrical to the first magnet holder member 60. The second magnet holder is located on the left side of the contact case 3. The second magnet holder holds the second magnet 50. The second magnet holder has the same configuration as the first magnet holder member 60, so its description is omitted.
[0047] In this electromagnetic relay 100, the first magnet 40 is held by the bending of the flexible portion 61 of the first magnet holding member 60. That is, the first magnet 40 is held by the elastic force generated by bending and elastically deforming the flexible portion 61. This prevents the first magnet 40 from moving relative to the contact case 3. As a result, it is possible to prevent the first magnet 40 from moving when the electromagnetic relay 100 is subjected to an impact, thereby preventing adverse effects on the operation of the electromagnetic relay 100. Furthermore, compared to, for example, the case in which the first magnet 40 is fixed with a sealing member, the movement of the first magnet 40 can be suppressed with a simpler configuration, thus preventing an increase in the manufacturing cost of the electromagnetic relay 100.
[0048] Although an embodiment of an electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0049] The configuration of the contact case 3 may be changed. The contact case 3 may be composed of a single component. The configuration of the contact device 4 may be changed. For example, the first fixed terminal 6 and the second fixed terminal 7 may be cylindrical terminals. The configuration of the drive device 5 may be changed. The drive device 5 may be configured to push the movable iron core 13 downwards. In this case, the movable contact piece 8 is positioned above the first fixed terminal 6 and the second fixed terminal 7.
[0050] The electromagnetic relay 100 may further include a yoke connected to the first magnet 40 and the second magnet 50.
[0051] The first magnet holding member 60 may be composed of a separate component from the contact case 3. The support portions 62 and 63 may be omitted. The first magnet holding member 60 may include a support portion that supports the central lower surface of the first magnet 40 in the front-rear direction.
[0052] In the above embodiment, the first magnet 40 was held by the bending of the flexible portion 61 in the front-rear direction. However, the direction in which the flexible portion 61 bends is not particularly limited. For example, the flexible portion 61 may be configured to hold the first magnet 40 by bending in the up-down direction or the left-right direction. Alternatively, the first magnet 40 may be sandwiched between two members. For example, the first magnet 40 may be sandwiched from above and below by an upper case 31 and a lower case 32. In this case, the first wall 61a of the flexible portion 61 may be placed on the upper case 31, and the second wall 61b of the flexible portion 61 may be placed on the lower case 32, so that the first magnet 40 is sandwiched from above and below by the first wall 61a and the second wall 61b.
[0053] The first magnet holding member 60 may have a shape that guides the first magnet 40. For example, in the above embodiment, at least one of the first wall 61a and the second wall 61b of the flexible portion 61 may have a shape that guides the first magnet 40 in the left-right direction. Also, the inner surface of the tip of the first wall 61a and / or the inner surface of the tip of the second wall 61b may be formed in a tapered shape. In this case, when placing the first magnet 40 in the first magnet holding member 60, it becomes easier to insert the magnet between the first wall 61a and the second wall 61b.
[0054] The first magnet holding member 60 may be fixed to a member other than the contact case 3. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the first magnet holding member 60 may be fixed to the case 2 (an example of an outer case). The first magnet holding member 60 may be integrally formed with the case 2. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the first wall 61a and the second wall 61b extend to the left from the inner surface of the case 2, and the first magnet 40 is held between the first wall 61a and the second wall 61b from above and below.
[0055] The arrangement of the first magnet 40 may be changed. The present invention may also be applied to an electromagnetic relay in which the first magnet 40 is positioned in front of or behind the contact case 3. For example, if the first magnet 40 is positioned in front of the contact case 3, the first magnet holding member 60 may be positioned on the front wall of the contact case 3. [Explanation of symbols]
[0056] 2 cases (an example of an outer case) 3 Contact Case 6 1st fixed terminal 6a 1st fixed contact 7 Second fixed terminal 7a 2nd fixed contact 40. First Magnet (An Example of a Magnet) 60. First magnet holding member (an example of a magnet holding member) 6 1 a. First wall 6 1 b Second wall 100 Electromagnetic relay
Claims
1. A first fixed terminal including a first fixed contact, A movable contact piece including a first movable contact positioned opposite the first fixed contact, A contact case housing the first fixed contact and the movable contact piece, A magnet that generates a magnetic field is placed inside the contact case, A resin magnet holding member that includes a flexible portion, the flexible portion holding the magnet by bending, Equipped with, The flexible portion of the magnet holding member includes a first wall extending from the outer surface of the contact case and a second wall extending from the outer surface of the contact case. The magnet is sandwiched between the first wall and the second wall. Electromagnetic relay.
2. The magnet holding member is fixed to the contact case. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1.
3. The magnet holding member is integrally formed with the contact case. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 2.
4. A first fixed terminal including a first fixed contact, A movable contact piece including a first movable contact positioned opposite the first fixed contact, A contact case housing the first fixed contact and the movable contact piece, A magnet that generates a magnetic field is placed inside the contact case, A resin magnet holding member that includes a flexible portion, the flexible portion holding the magnet by bending, An outer case positioned outside the aforementioned contact case, Equipped with, The magnet holding member includes a first wall extending from the inner surface of the outer case and a second wall extending from the inner surface of the outer case. The magnet is sandwiched between the first wall and the second wall. Electromagnetic relay.
5. A first fixed terminal including a first fixed contact, A movable contact piece including a first movable contact positioned opposite the first fixed contact, A contact case housing the first fixed contact and the movable contact piece, A magnet that generates a magnetic field is placed inside the contact case, A resin magnet holding member that includes a flexible portion, the flexible portion holding the magnet by bending, Equipped with, The first movable contact is positioned opposite the first fixed contact in a first direction that includes a contact direction in which the first movable contact approaches the first fixed contact and a separation direction in which the first movable contact moves away from the first fixed contact. The magnet, when viewed from the first direction, overlaps with the first fixed terminal. Electromagnetic relay.
6. A first fixed terminal including a first fixed contact, A movable contact piece including a first movable contact positioned opposite the first fixed contact, A contact case housing the first fixed contact and the movable contact piece, A magnet that generates a magnetic field is placed inside the contact case, A resin magnet holding member that includes a flexible portion, the flexible portion holding the magnet by bending, Equipped with, The first movable contact is positioned opposite the first fixed contact in a first direction that includes a contact direction in which the first movable contact approaches the first fixed contact and a separation direction in which the first movable contact moves away from the first fixed contact. The magnet holding member clamps the magnet from the first direction. Electromagnetic relay.
7. The second fixed terminal includes a second fixed contact and is further located away from the first fixed terminal, The movable contact piece further includes a second movable contact positioned opposite the second fixed contact, An electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 6.