Relay device

Abstract

A relay device (100) comprises: support members (SM) that support a movable contact member (4); a first actuator (AC1) that moves a first support member (1) among the support members (SM); and a second actuator (AC2) that moves a second support member (2) among the support members (SM). The second support member (2) is configured to be switchable by the second actuator (AC2) between a first arrangement in which the movable contact member (4) is in contact with a fixed contact member (5) and a second arrangement in which the movable contact member (4) is separated from the fixed contact member (5). The first actuator (AC1) is configured to be capable of moving the first support member (1) to a position that allows the second support member (2), which is in the second arrangement, to switch to the first arrangement.

Description

Relay Device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a relay device.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a circuit breaker (relay device) in which an electromagnet for short circuit protection is excited by an overcurrent (large current) caused by a short circuit or the like, thereby breaking an electric circuit (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 42-6099

[0004] However, this device requires manual operation to return the electrical circuit from a disconnected state to its original operable state, which may make it difficult for users to use.

[0005] It is therefore desirable to provide a relay device that is easier to use.

[0006] A relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a fixed contact member, a movable contact member, a support member supporting the movable contact member, a first actuator for moving a first support member of the support members, and a second actuator for moving a second support member of the support members, wherein the second support member is configured to be switchable by the second actuator between a first position when the movable contact member is in contact with the fixed contact member and a second position when the movable contact member is separated from the fixed contact member, and the first actuator is configured to move the first support member to a first position that allows the second support member in the second position to switch to the first position.

[0007] The relay device described above can improve ease of use.

[0008] 1. A perspective view of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1. An exploded perspective view of the relay device shown in FIG. 1. 2. An exploded perspective view of a first actuator constituting the relay device shown in FIG. 1. 3. An exploded perspective view of a second actuator and a support member constituting the relay device shown in FIG. 1. 4. A cross-sectional view of the relay device shown in FIG. 1. 5. A front view and a cross-sectional view of the relay device shown in FIG. 1. 6. A front view and a cross-sectional view of the relay device shown in FIG. 1. 7. A perspective view of the relay device shown in FIG. 1. 8. A perspective view of a relay device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 9. An exploded perspective view of a first actuator constituting the relay device shown in FIG. 10. 11. A perspective view of a second actuator constituting the relay device shown in FIG. 11. 12. An exploded perspective view of a support member constituting the relay device shown in FIG. 12. 13. A diagram showing movement of the support member moved by the second actuator constituting the relay device shown in FIG. 13. 14. A cross-sectional view of the relay device shown in FIG. 10. 15. A cross-sectional view of the relay device shown in FIG. 11. 16. A top view of a relay device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] A relay device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the relay device 100. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the relay device 100. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a first actuator AC1 constituting the relay device 100. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second actuator AC2 and a support member SM constituting the relay device 100. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the relay device 100 taken on an imaginary plane parallel to the YZ plane including the cutting line L1 shown in Fig. 1, as viewed from the X1 side.

[0010] In FIG. 1 , X1 represents one direction of the X axis constituting a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and X2 represents the other direction of the X axis. Furthermore, Y1 represents one direction of the Y axis constituting the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and Y2 represents the other direction of the Y axis. Similarly, Z1 represents one direction of the Z axis constituting the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and Z2 represents the other direction of the Z axis. In FIG. 1 , the X1 side of the relay device 100 corresponds to the front side (front face) of the relay device 100, and the X2 side of the relay device 100 corresponds to the rear side (back face) of the relay device 100. Furthermore, the Y1 side of the relay device 100 corresponds to the left side of the relay device 100, and the Y2 side of the relay device 100 corresponds to the right side of the relay device 100. Furthermore, the Z1 side of the relay device 100 corresponds to the top side of the relay device 100, and the Z2 side of the relay device 100 corresponds to the bottom side of the relay device 100. The same applies to other components in other figures. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, each of the components constituting the relay device 100, which will be described later, is made of any material such as metal, synthetic resin, ceramic, or a combination thereof.

[0011] The relay device 100 is a device that receives a power supply (current supply) from an external source to operate the movable contact member 4 inside and switch on / off an electrical circuit including the fixed contact member 5, and is also called a relay.

[0012] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , the relay device 100 includes an upper case member 10 and a lower case member 11 that constitute a housing HS. In the illustrated example, the upper case member 10 and the lower case member 11 are formed of a non-magnetic metal such as austenitic stainless steel. Because the upper case member 10 and the lower case member 11 are formed of a non-magnetic metal, they do not have a negative magnetic effect on the electromagnetic actuator and the like housed inside the housing HS. However, at least one of the upper case member 10 and the lower case member 11 may be formed of a magnetic metal or a synthetic resin.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2, the upper case member 10 has a rectangular cylindrical shape with a lid. Specifically, the upper case member 10 has a substantially rectangular cylindrical outer wall portion 10A and a top plate portion 10B that is continuous with the upper end (the end on the Z1 side) of the outer wall portion 10A. Two through holes 10H are formed in the top plate portion 10B.

[0014] The two through holes 10H are two-stage cylindrical holes configured to fit two-stage cylindrical fixed contact members 5. Specifically, the two through holes 10H include a left through hole 10HL into which the left fixed contact member 5L is fitted, and a right through hole 10HR into which the right fixed contact member 5R is fitted.

[0015] 2, the lower case member 11 has a rectangular cylindrical shape with a bottom. Specifically, the lower case member 11 has an outer peripheral wall portion 11A having a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape and a bottom plate portion 11B provided so as to be continuous with the lower end (the end on the Z2 side) of the outer peripheral wall portion 11A.

[0016] The housing HS, which is composed of an upper case member 10 and a lower case member 11, houses the biasing member 6, the shaft member 7, the first actuator AC1, the second actuator AC2, the support member SM, the spacer member SP, etc., as shown in FIG. 2.

[0017] The first actuator AC1 is a device for moving the support member SM. In the illustrated example, the first actuator AC1 is an electromagnetic actuator (electromagnet) including a first coil CL1, a first fixed-side member FB1, a first movable-side member MB1, and a first elastic member RS1, as shown in FIG.

[0018] The first fixed side member FB1 is a member that functions as a stator of the first actuator AC1, and includes a frame member 31, a coil bobbin 32, a two-stage cylindrical member 33, and a cylindrical member .

[0019] The frame member 31 is a member for holding the coil bobbin 32. In the illustrated example, the frame member 31 is a substantially rectangular frame-shaped member including a bottom plate portion 31D, a left side plate portion 31L, a right side plate portion 31R, and a top plate portion 31U, with a circular upper through-hole 31HU formed in the top plate portion 31U and a circular lower through-hole 31HD formed in the bottom plate portion 31D.

[0020] The coil bobbin 32 is a member around which the first coil CL1 is wound. In the illustrated example, the coil bobbin 32 includes a cylindrical portion 32C (see FIG. 5 ), an annular lower flange portion 32D, and an annular upper flange portion 32U, as shown in FIG. 3 , and as shown in FIG. 5 , a two-stage cylindrical member 33 is fitted and fixed in an upper recess 32SU, which is a two-stage cylindrical space, and a cylindrical member 34 is fitted and fixed in a lower recess 32SD, which is also a cylindrical space.

[0021] The two-stage cylindrical member 33 is a member for slidably accommodating a part of the first movable-side member MB1 (the upper cylindrical member 41). In the illustrated example, as shown in Fig. 5, the two-stage cylindrical member 33 is inserted into an upper through-hole 31HU formed in the top plate portion 31U of the frame member 31, and is fitted into and fixed in an upper recess 32SU formed in the coil bobbin 32.

[0022] The two-stage cylindrical member 33 is formed of a magnetic material so as to be magnetized when a current is supplied to the first coil CL1 to generate a magnetic field. In the illustrated example, the two-stage cylindrical member 33 is arranged so as to attract another part of the first movable-side member MB1 (the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42) upward when magnetized.

[0023] The cylindrical member 34 is a member for slidably accommodating another part (lower bottomed cylindrical member 42) of the first movable member MB1. In the illustrated example, as shown in Fig. 5, the cylindrical member 34 is inserted into a lower through-hole 31HD formed in the bottom plate portion 31D of the frame member 31, and is fitted into and fixed in a lower recess 32SD formed in the coil bobbin 32.

[0024] The first movable-side member MB1 is a member that functions as a mover of the first actuator AC1, and includes an upper cylindrical member 41 and a lower bottomed cylindrical member 42. Specifically, the first movable-side member MB1 is configured to be able to move between a position (OFF position) when no power is supplied to the first actuator AC1 and a position (ON position) when power is supplied to the first actuator AC1.

[0025] The upper cylindrical member 41 is a member that is slidably housed in the upper recess 33SU, which is a cylindrical space formed in the two-stage cylindrical member 33. In the illustrated example, the upper cylindrical member 41 is made of a synthetic resin such as nylon. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3 , the upper cylindrical member 41 is formed with a through-hole 41H through which the shaft member 7 is inserted.

[0026] The lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is a member slidably housed within the cylindrical member 34. In the illustrated example, the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is made of a magnetic material so that it can be magnetized when a current is supplied to the first coil CL1 and a magnetic field is generated. In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is arranged so that when it becomes magnetized, it is attracted upward by the similarly magnetized two-stage cylindrical member 33.

[0027] The first elastic member RS1 is a member for returning the first movable-side member MB1 from the ON position to the OFF position. In the illustrated example, the first elastic member RS1 is a compression coil spring as shown in Fig. 3, and includes a first upper elastic member RS1U and a first lower elastic member RS1D.

[0028] As shown in Figure 5, the first upper elastic member RS1U is compressed between the support member SM (first support member 1) and the upper cylindrical member 41 when the upper cylindrical member 41 moves upward toward the ON position, and is positioned so that when the force moving the upper cylindrical member 41 upward disappears, the repulsive force can push the upper cylindrical member 41 back downward toward the OFF position.

[0029] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the first upper elastic member RS1U is positioned within the upper recess 33SU formed in the two-stage cylindrical member 33 so that its upper end contacts the lower surface of the support member SM (base 1B of the first support member 1) and its lower end contacts the upper surface of the upper cylindrical member 41.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the first lower elastic member RS1D is compressed between the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 when the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 moves upward toward the ON position, and is positioned so that when the force moving the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 upward disappears, the repulsive force can push the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 back downward toward the OFF position.

[0031] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the first lower elastic member RS1D is arranged within the lower recess 33SD formed in the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and within the recess 42S formed in the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 so that its upper end contacts the lower surface of the two-stage cylindrical member 33 (the ceiling surface of the lower recess 33SD) and its lower end contacts the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 42B of the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42.

[0032] The support member SM is a member for supporting the movable contact member 4. In the illustrated example, the support member SM includes a first support member 1, a second support member 2, and a third support member 3.

[0033] The first support member 1 is configured to be able to support the second support member 2. In the illustrated example, the first support member 1 is formed of a non-magnetic metal and, as shown in FIG. 4 , has a flat base 1B extending along the XY plane, and a pair of arms 1A (a left arm 1AL and a right arm 1AR) extending from both ends (the left end and the right end) of the base 1B toward the Z1 side along the Z axis direction. The arms 1A are configured so that the support portion 1S, which is the tip end, can support the second support member 2. In addition, a through hole 1H through which a shaft member 7 is inserted, is formed in the base 1B.

[0034] The second support member 2 is configured to support the third support member 3. In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the second support member 2 is a generally E-shaped member in top view and has an outer edge portion 20, a front edge portion 21, a central portion 22, and a rear edge portion 23. Specifically, the second support member 2 includes a second left support member 2L and a second right support member 2R. The second left support member 2L has a left outer edge portion 20L, a left front edge portion 21L, a left central portion 22L, and a left rear edge portion 23L, and the second right support member 2R has a right outer edge portion 20R, a right front edge portion 21R, a right central portion 22R, and a right rear edge portion 23R. In addition, a recess RP is formed at the tip of each of the left central portion 22L and the right central portion 22R so that the shaft member 7 can be inserted therethrough.

[0035] The second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R are formed of a magnetic material and are arranged so that they can attract each other when magnetized.

[0036] The third support member 3 is configured to be able to support the movable contact member 4. Specifically, the third support member 3 is formed by injection molding a synthetic resin such as a liquid crystal polymer (LCP). In the illustrated example, the movable contact member 4 is embedded in the third support member 3 by insert molding, with a portion of the movable contact member 4 exposed.

[0037] In the illustrated example, the third support member 3 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped base 3B, an upper flange 3U protruding outward from the upper end of the base 3B, and a lower flange 3D protruding outward from the lower end of the base 3B. A circular opening 3K is formed on the upper surface of the base 3B for exposing a portion of the movable contact member 4. Specifically, the opening 3K includes a left opening 3KL for exposing the left contact portion 4L of the movable contact member 4 and a right opening 3KR for exposing the right contact portion 4R of the movable contact member 4. The base 3B also has a through-hole 3H through which the shaft member 7 is inserted and a horizontal through-hole 3T through which the left central portion 22L of the second left support member 2L and the right central portion 22R of the second right support member 2R are inserted.

[0038] The movable contact member 4 is configured to come into contact with the fixed contact members 5 and is formed of a metal plate containing a material such as copper, iron, or an alloy containing these as a main component. In the illustrated example, the movable contact member 4 is configured to form a two-turn coil (second coil CL2) as shown in FIG. 4 . Specifically, the movable contact member 4 includes a left contact portion 4L that contacts the left fixed contact member 5L, a right contact portion 4R that contacts the right fixed contact member 5R, and a coil portion 4C that connects the left contact portion 4L and the right contact portion 4R. Furthermore, a through hole 4H through which the shaft member 7 is inserted is formed in the center of the coil portion 4C.

[0039] The fixed contact member 5 is a member configured to come into contact with the movable contact member 4, and is formed of a metal plate containing a material such as copper, iron, or an alloy containing these as its main components. In the illustrated example, the fixed contact member 5 is a two-tiered cylindrical member that is fitted into a through-hole 10H formed in the top plate portion 10B of the upper case member 10, as shown in FIG. 2, and includes a left fixed contact member 5L and a right fixed contact member 5R.

[0040] The second actuator AC2 is a device for moving the second support member 2 that constitutes the support member SM. In the illustrated example, the second actuator AC2 is an electromagnetic actuator (electromagnet) that includes a second coil CL2, a second fixed-side member FB2, a second movable-side member MB2, and a second elastic member RS2, as shown in FIG.

[0041] The second coil CL2 is configured to generate a magnetic field when a current is supplied to it. In the illustrated example, the second coil CL2 is a two-turn coil formed by the movable contact member 4.

[0042] The second fixed side member FB2 is a member that functions as a stator of the second actuator AC2 and includes a third support member 3.

[0043] The second movable-side member MB2 functions as a mover of the second actuator AC2 and includes the second support members 2 (the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R). Specifically, the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R as the second movable-side member MB2 are configured to be movable between a position (OFF position) when the second actuator AC2 is not operating and a position (ON position) when the second actuator AC2 is operating. Note that "when the second actuator AC2 is not operating" refers to a state where no force (electromagnetic force) sufficient to move the second movable-side member MB2 is generated. Furthermore, when each of the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R is in the OFF position, the second support member 2 is in the first position, and when each of the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R is in the ON position, the second support member 2 is in the second position.

[0044] In the illustrated example, the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R are made of a magnetic material that becomes magnetized when a current is supplied to the second coil CL2 to generate a magnetic field. The second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R are arranged so that they can attract each other when they become magnetized. Specifically, the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R are arranged so that they can slide along the Y-axis direction within a horizontal through-hole 3T formed in the base 3B of the third support member 3. With this arrangement, the distance between the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R in the Y-axis direction is, for example, minimum in the ON position and maximum in the OFF position.

[0045] The second elastic member RS2 is a member for returning the second movable-side member MB2 (second support member 2) from the ON position to the OFF position. In the illustrated example, the second elastic member RS2 is a compression coil spring, and includes a second rear elastic member RS2B and a second front elastic member RS2F.

[0046] The second rear elastic member RS2B is arranged so that when the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R each move inward toward the ON position, the second rear elastic member RS2B is compressed between the left rear edge 23L of the second left support member 2L and the right rear edge 23R of the second right support member 2R, and when the force tending to move the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R inward disappears, the second rear elastic member RS2B can push the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R back outward toward the OFF position by a repulsive force. Note that in the illustrated example, "inward" means a direction toward the shaft member 7, and "outward" means a direction away from the shaft member 7.

[0047] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the second rear elastic member RS2B is attached at its left end to the left rear edge 23L of the second left support member 2L, and at its right end to the right rear edge 23R of the second right support member 2R, on the rear side of the base 3B of the third support member 3.

[0048] Similarly, the second front elastic member RS2F is compressed between the left front edge 21L of the second left support member 2L and the right front edge 21R of the second right support member 2R when each of the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R moves inward toward the ON position, and is positioned so that when the force tending to move each of the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R inward disappears, the repulsive force can push each of the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R outward toward the OFF position.

[0049] Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the second front elastic member RS2F is attached at its left end to the left front edge 21L of the second left support member 2L and at its right end to the right front edge 21R of the second right support member 2R on the front side of the base 3B of the third support member 3.

[0050] The biasing member 6 is a member that applies a force to move the movable contact member 4 away from the fixed contact member 5. In the illustrated example, the biasing member 6 is a compression coil spring, and as shown in Fig. 5, within the recess 10S, which is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped space formed by the upper case member 10, the biasing member 6 is arranged so that its upper end contacts the ceiling surface of a first recess 10S1 formed in the ceiling surface 10C of the upper case member 10 and its lower end contacts the upper surface of the support member SM (third support member 3). The biasing member 6 is also arranged around a cylindrical protrusion 10P that extends downward and is formed on the ceiling surface 10C of the upper case member 10.

[0051] Specifically, the biasing member 6 is compressed between the upper case member 10 and the support member SM (third support member 3) when the support member SM moves upward toward the ON position, and is positioned so that when the force moving the support member SM upward disappears, the repulsive force can push the support member SM back downward toward the OFF position.

[0052] The shaft member 7 is a member for transmitting the force generated by the first actuator AC1 to the support member SM. In the illustrated example, the shaft member 7 is a member formed of a non-magnetic metal. As shown in FIG. 5 , a lower end 7ED of the shaft member 7 is fixed to the bottom plate portion 42B of the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42, and an upper end 7EU of the shaft member 7 is slidably inserted into a second recess 10S2, which is a cylindrical space formed in the protrusion 10P of the upper case member 10. The shaft member 7 also has a lower flange portion 7D and an upper flange portion 7U. The lower flange portion 7D is configured to push the upper cylindrical member 41 upward when the shaft member 7 moves upward together with the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42. The upper flange portion 7U is configured to push the base portion 1B of the first support member 1 downward when the shaft member 7 moves downward together with the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42.

[0053] The spacer members SP are members for determining the distance between the first actuator AC1 and the support member SM, and include a rear spacer member SPB and a front spacer member SPF as shown in Fig. 2. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, the rear spacer member SPB is fixed to the top plate portion 31U of the frame member 31 so as to determine the shortest distance in the Z-axis direction between the third support member 3 and the top plate portion 31U of the frame member 31. The same applies to the front spacer member SPF.

[0054] Next, the operation of the relay device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. FIGS. 6 and 7 are a front view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of the relay device 100. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the relay device 100. Specifically, the upper left and lower left views of FIG. 6 are views showing the positions of the components when the relay device 100 is in an OFF state (when no current is supplied to the first actuator AC1), and the upper right and lower right views of FIG. 6 are views showing the positions of the components when the relay device 100 is in an ON state (when current is supplied to the first actuator AC1). The upper left and lower left views of FIG. 7 are views showing the positions of the components when the relay device 100 is in an abnormal current state (when an abnormal current such as an overcurrent flows through the movable contact member 4), and the upper right and lower right views of FIG. 7 are views showing the positions of the components when the relay device 100 is in a reset state (when the supply of current to the first actuator AC1 is stopped after the abnormal current state is resolved). In the front views (the upper left and upper right views of FIG. 6 and the upper left and upper right views of FIG. 7 ), the upper case member 10, the lower case member 11, the coil bobbin 32, the two-stage cylindrical member 33, the first coil CL1, and the spacer member SP are omitted for clarity. The leftmost view in FIG. 8 illustrates the positions of the components when the relay device 100 is in the OFF state, the second leftmost view in FIG. 8 illustrates the positions of the components when the relay device 100 is in the ON state, the second rightmost view in FIG. 8 illustrates the positions of the components when the relay device 100 is in an abnormal current state, and the rightmost view in FIG. 8 illustrates the positions of the components when the relay device 100 is in the reset state. In FIG. 8 , the movable contact member 4 (shown in the second leftmost view in FIG. 8 ), the fixed contact member 5, the upper case member 10, the lower case member 11, and the spacer member SP are omitted for clarity.

[0055] 6, when a current is supplied to the first coil CL1, the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 are magnetized by the magnetic field generated by the first coil CL1 and are attracted to each other. As a result, the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is moved upward as indicated by the block arrow AR1. At this time, the first lower elastic member RS1D is compressed between the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42.

[0056] As the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 rises, the shaft member 7 fixed to the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is moved upward, as indicated by block arrow AR2. At this time, the lower flange portion 7D of the shaft member 7 pushes up the upper cylindrical member 41 from below. As a result, the upper cylindrical member 41 is moved upward as the lower flange portion 7D rises, as indicated by block arrow AR3. At this time, the first upper elastic member RS1U is moved upward as the upper cylindrical member 41 rises, and is compressed between the base portion 1B of the first support member 1 and the upper cylindrical member 41.

[0057] As shown by the block arrow AR4 (see also the second diagram from the left in FIG. 8 ), the first support member 1 supported by the first upper elastic member RS1U is moved upward as the first upper elastic member RS1U rises, and as shown in the upper right diagram in FIG. 6 , the support portions 1S (left support portion 1SL and right support portion 1SR) which are the tip ends of the arms 1A (left arm portion 1AL and right arm portion 1AR) come into contact with the outer edge portions 20 (left outer edge portions 20L and right outer edge portions 20R) of the second support member 2. Note that, as shown in the upper left diagram in FIG. 6 , when the relay device 100 is in the OFF state, the support portions 1S of the first support member 1 and the outer edge portions 20 of the second support member 2 are not in contact with each other, but face each other with a gap GP in the Z-axis direction.

[0058] As shown in the lower right drawing of Figure 6, the central portion 22 (left central portion 22L and right central portion 22R) of the second support member 2, which has the outer edge portion 20 pushed up by the support portion 1S of the first support member 1, is inserted into the horizontal through-hole 3T of the third support member 3. Therefore, the third support member 3 is moved upward as the second support member 2 rises, and the movable contact member 4 embedded in the third support member 3 is also moved upward.

[0059] The movable contact member 4 is then moved upward until the left contact portion 4L contacts the left fixed contact member 5L and the right contact portion 4R contacts the right fixed contact member 5R. Specifically, as shown in the upper right diagram of Figure 6, the movable contact member 4 is moved upward until the gap in the Z-axis direction between the base portion 1B of the first support member 1 and the top plate portion 31U of the frame member 31 becomes a distance DS. At this time, the biasing member 6 is compressed between the upper case member 10 and the third support member 3.

[0060] In this way, when a current is supplied to the first actuator AC1, the relay device 100 switches from the OFF state to the ON state, and the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 are connected.

[0061] Subsequently, if an overcurrent flows through the movable contact member 4 due to a short circuit or the like, as shown in the upper left diagram of FIG. 7 , the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R are magnetized by the magnetic field generated by the movable contact member 4, which functions as the second coil CL2, and are attracted to each other. As a result, the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R are moved inward as indicated by the block arrows AR5. Specifically, the second left support member 2L is moved to the right, and the second right support member 2R is moved to the left. At this time, the second elastic members RS2 (the second rear elastic member RS2B and the second front elastic member RS2F) are compressed between the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R. Note that the position of the second support member 2 when the movable contact member 4 is in contact with the fixed contact member 5 against the force of the biasing member 6 is also referred to as the “first position.” The position of the second support member 2 when the movable contact member 4 moves away from the fixed contact member 5 due to the force of the biasing member 6 is also referred to as the “second position.” The position of the second support member 2 refers to, for example, the relative position with respect to the third support member 3.

[0062] When the distance WD (see the upper left diagram in Figure 7) between the left end of the second left support member 2L and the right end of the second right support member 2R becomes smaller than the distance between the left support part 1SL and the right support part 1SR, contact between the left outer edge part 20L of the second left support member 2L and the left support part 1SL of the first support member 1, and contact between the right outer edge part 20R of the second right support member 2R and the right support part 1SR of the first support member 1 are both released.

[0063] As a result, the third support member 3, which is continuously subjected to the downward force (repulsive force) from the biasing member 6, is moved downward by the biasing member 6, as indicated by the block arrow AR6. Furthermore, the first support member 1, which is continuously subjected to the upward force (repulsive force) from the first upper elastic member RS1U, is moved upward by the first upper elastic member RS1U, as indicated by the block arrow AR7. Specifically, as shown in the lower left diagram of FIG. 7 , the first support member 1 is moved upward until the upper surface of the base portion 1B of the first support member 1 comes into contact with the lower surface of the upper flange portion 7U of the shaft member 7. The distance between the base portion 1B of the first support member 1 and the top plate portion 31U of the frame member 31 in the Z-axis direction slightly increases to a distance DS1, as shown in the upper left diagram of FIG. 7 .

[0064] Furthermore, when the third support member 3 is moved downward, the movable contact member 4 embedded in the third support member 3 is also moved downward, and therefore contact between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 is released. As a result, the overcurrent flowing through the movable contact member 4 is eliminated, the magnetization of the second support member 2 due to the magnetic field generated by the movable contact member 4 is also eliminated, and the force (magnetic force) attracting the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R to each other is also eliminated.

[0065] In this way, when an overcurrent flows through the movable contact member 4, the relay device 100 switches from the ON state to the abnormal current state, and the connection between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 is released.

[0066] Thereafter, when the supply of current to the first coil CL1 is stopped, the magnetization of the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 due to the magnetic field generated by the first coil CL1 is canceled, and the force (magnetic force) attracting the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 to each other is also canceled. As a result, the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42, which is continuously subjected to the downward force (repulsive force) from the first lower elastic member RS1D, is moved downward by the first lower elastic member RS1D as shown by block arrow AR8 in the lower right diagram of Figure 7, and the shaft member 7 fixed to the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is also moved downward as shown by block arrow AR9.

[0067] When the shaft member 7 is moved downward, the lower surface of the upper flange portion 7U of the shaft member 7 comes into contact with the upper surface of the base portion 1B of the first support member 1, and the first support member 1 is moved downward together with the shaft member 7 as shown by the block arrow AR10. Note that the third support member 3 is not moved downward because its lower surface is in contact with the upper surface of the spacer member SP. The same applies to the second support member 2 fitted into the horizontal through-hole 3T of the third support member 3.

[0068] When the first support member 1 (the pair of arms 1A) that prevented the second support member 2 from moving outward is moved downward, the second support member 2, which continues to receive an outward force (repulsive force) from the second elastic member RS2, is moved outward by the second elastic member RS2 until it reaches the first position, as indicated by the block arrow AR11. Specifically, as shown in the upper left diagram of FIG. 6 , the second left support member 2L is moved leftward until its left outer edge 20L is positioned above the left support portion 1SL of the first support member 1. Similarly, as shown in the upper left diagram of FIG. 6 , the second right support member 2R is moved rightward until its right outer edge 20R is positioned above the right support portion 1SR of the first support member 1.

[0069] In this way, when the supply of current to the first coil CL1 is stopped after the abnormal current state is resolved, the relay device 100 switches to the recovery state, and the second support member 2, which was in the second position, switches to the first position. In other words, the relay device 100 returns to the OFF state.

[0070] Next, a relay device 100A, which is another example of the relay device 100, will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 15. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the relay device 100A. Specifically, the left view of FIG. 9 (the view to the left of the block arrow) is an exploded perspective view of the relay device 100A, and the right view of FIG. 9 (the view to the right of the block arrow) is an assembled perspective view of the relay device 100A. Note that, for ease of understanding, the upper case member 10 is omitted from FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the first actuator AC1 constituting the relay device 100A. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second actuator AC2 constituting the relay device 100A. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the support member SM constituting the relay device 100A. Note that, for ease of understanding, FIG. 12 includes a bottom perspective view as well as a top perspective view of the second support member 2, and includes another perspective view of the first lower support member 1D viewed from a different angle. FIG. 13 illustrates the movement of the second support member 2 and the third support member 3 driven by the second actuator AC2. Specifically, FIG. 13 illustrates five stages, progressing from top to bottom, with each stage represented by three horizontally arranged diagrams. The three diagrams include a right side view (left diagram) of the second support member 2, the third support member 3 (the third lower support member 3C and the third upper support member 3G), the movable contact member 4, the shaft member 7, the second actuator AC2, and the spacer member SP; a top view (center diagram) of the second support member 2 and the third support member 3 (the third lower support member 3C); and a cross-sectional view (right diagram) of the first support member 1, the second support member 2, and the second elastic member RS2. The cross-sectional view (right diagram) illustrates the cross section of each member on an imaginary plane parallel to the XY plane including the cutting line L2 shown in the right side view (left diagram), as viewed from the Z1 side. For clarity, the right side view (left view) omits the first support member 1, and the cross-sectional view (right view) omits the shaft member 7 and the spacer member SP. Figures 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views of the relay device 100A. Specifically, the left view of Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the relay device 100A taken along an imaginary plane parallel to the XZ plane and including the cutting line L3 shown in Figure 9 , as viewed from the Y2 side. The right view of Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the relay device 100A taken along an imaginary plane parallel to the YZ plane and including the cutting line L4 shown in Figure 9 , as viewed from the X1 side.15 are cross-sectional views of the relay device 100A taken along a virtual plane parallel to the YZ plane including the cutting line L4 shown in FIG. 9, viewed from the X1 side. Specifically, the left view of FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the relay device 100A when the relay device 100A is in an OFF state (when no current is supplied to the first actuator AC1). The center view of FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the relay device 100A when the relay device 100A is in an ON state (when current is supplied to the first actuator AC1). The right view of FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the relay device 100A when an abnormal current is flowing through the movable contact member 4 (when an abnormal current such as an overcurrent is flowing through the movable contact member 4).

[0071] As shown in FIG. 10 , the first actuator AC1 of the relay device 100A differs from the first actuator AC1 of the relay device 100 in that the shaft member 7 has a flange portion 7F and a hook portion 7K at the upper end 7EU. The flange portion 7F is positioned so that its upper surface contacts the lower surface of the first support member 1, and is configured to push up the support member SM when the shaft member 7 is raised by the first actuator AC1. The flange portion 7F also has four through holes 7H through which four support pins PN protruding from the upper surface of a substantially rectangular plate-shaped spacer member SP are inserted. The four support pins PN are configured to support the support member SM in the OFF state before the shaft member 7 is raised by the first actuator AC1. The hook portion 7K is configured to hook the lower end of a second elastic member RS2C (see FIG. 12 ) serving as a tension coil spring. Note that the second elastic member RS2C (tension coil spring) is illustrated in a simplified form in FIG. 12 . This is also true in other figures.

[0072] 9, the second actuator AC2 of the relay device 100A differs from the relay device 100 in that it includes a movable magnetic member 8 that functions as a mover and a fixed magnetic member 9 that functions as a stator. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the second actuator AC2 differs from the relay device 100 in that the second coil CL2 is formed by a fixed contact member 5. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the fixed contact member 5 includes a left fixed contact member 5L and a right fixed contact member 5R. The left views (upper left and lower left views) of FIG. 11 are perspective views of the movable magnetic member 8 and the fixed magnetic member 9, and the right views (upper right and lower right views) of FIG. 11 are perspective views of the left fixed contact member 5L, the right fixed contact member 5R, the movable magnetic member 8, and the fixed magnetic member 9. In addition, the upper diagram (upper left diagram and upper right diagram) of Figure 11 shows the state of each component when relay device 100A is in the ON state, and the lower diagram (lower left diagram and lower right diagram) of Figure 11 shows the state of each component when relay device 100A is in an abnormal current state (when an abnormal current such as an overcurrent flows through movable contact member 4).

[0073] 12, the second actuator AC2 of the relay device 100A has a second elastic member RS2. The second elastic member RS2 is a member for returning the second movable-side member MB2 (second support member 2) from the ON position to the OFF position. In the illustrated example, the second elastic member RS2 includes a second elastic member RS2T as a torsion spring and a second elastic member RS2C as a tension coil spring.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 11 , the left fixed contact member 5L and the right fixed contact member 5R each have a coil portion 5C (left coil portion 5CL and right coil portion 5CR) configured to form a two-turn coil (second coil CL2). The movable magnetic member 8 and the fixed magnetic member 9 are each substantially U-shaped in top view and configured to be magnetized when the relay device 100A is in an abnormal current state, causing the movable magnetic member 8 to be attracted to the fixed magnetic member 9 by a distance DS2 and come into contact with each other. In the illustrated example, the end 8E of the movable magnetic member 8 and the end 9E of the fixed magnetic member 9 come into contact. Specifically, the left rear end 8EL of the movable magnetic member 8 comes into contact with the left front end 9EL of the fixed magnetic member 9, and the right rear end 8ER of the movable magnetic member 8 comes into contact with the right front end 9ER of the fixed magnetic member 9. The movable magnetic member 8 has two generally U-shaped portions, one above the other, and is configured so that a contact portion 8T, which is one end (right rear end) of the lower generally U-shaped portion, can come into contact with a part of the support member SM. The lower and upper generally U-shaped portions are connected by a connecting portion 8C that extends in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0075] 9, the relay device 100A differs from the relay device 100 in that a part of the support member SM (the second support member 2) is rotated around the rotation axis RX by a second actuator AC2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the support member SM is configured to include a first support member 1 (a first lower support member 1D and a first upper support member 1U), a second support member 2, and a third support member 3 (a third lower support member 3C and a third upper support member 3G).

[0076] The first support member 1 is configured to support the second support member 2. In the illustrated example, it includes a first lower support member 1D and a first upper support member 1U. The first lower support member 1D has a flat base 1B extending along the XY plane and a rectangular cylindrical wall 1W extending from the base 1B to the Z1 side along the Z axis. A recess 1R for receiving the second elastic member RS2T is formed in the center of the base 1B, and a two-stage cylindrical cylindrical portion 1HD into which the third lower support member 3C is inserted is formed. A protrusion 1P is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 1HD, which engages with a groove 3CG formed on the outer circumferential surface of the substantially cylindrical third lower support member 3C. The recess 1R also has a first protrusion 1Q1 that can contact the first end E1 of the second elastic member RS2T and a second protrusion 1Q2 that can contact the second end E2 of the second elastic member RS2T. The first upper support member 1U is a flat plate-like member extending along the XY plane, and has a circular through-hole 1HU formed in the center, through which the cylindrical portion 2C of the second support member 2 is inserted. The first support member 1D also has a notch 1C for receiving the substantially U-shaped lower portion of the movable magnetic member 8, as shown in the right diagram of Fig. 9. Specifically, the first lower support member 1D has a lower notch 1CD, and the first upper support member 1U has an upper notch 1CU.

[0077] The second support member 2 is configured to support the third support member 3. In the illustrated example, the second support member 2 is a substantially two-stage cylindrical member as shown in FIG. 12 , and includes a cylindrical portion 2C and a flange portion 2F. A convex portion 2T protruding radially outward is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2C, and a concave portion 2Q capable of receiving a convex portion 3CP protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the third lower support member 3C is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2C. A convex portion 2V protruding downward is formed on the lower surface of the flange portion 2F. The convex portion 2V includes a first convex portion 2V1 that can contact a first end E1 of the second elastic member RS2T and a second convex portion 2V2 that can contact a second end E2 of the second elastic member RS2T.

[0078] The third support member 3 is configured to support the movable contact member 4. Specifically, the third support member 3 includes a third lower support member 3C and a third upper support member 3G. The third lower support member 3C is a substantially cylindrical member, and its outer circumferential surface is formed with a groove 3CG that engages with the protrusion 1P of the first support member 1 and a protrusion 3CP that can be inserted into the recess 2Q of the second support member 2. Furthermore, the upper surface of the third lower support member 3C is formed with a protrusion 3CT that is inserted into a first through-hole 3GH1 formed in the base 3GB of the third upper support member 3G. Furthermore, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 14 , a hook portion 3CK is provided on the ceiling surface of the substantially cylindrical internal space of the third lower support member 3C, to which the upper end of the second elastic member RS2C (tension coil spring) is hooked.

[0079] The third upper support member 3G is a generally U-shaped member in a front view and includes a base 3GB and wall portions 3GW (left wall portion 3GWL and right wall portion 3GWR) extending upward from both ends of the base 3GB. The base 3GB is formed with a first through-hole 3GH1 through which the protrusion 3CT of the third lower support member 3C is inserted. The left wall portion 3GWL and the right wall portion 3GWR are each formed with a second through-hole 3GH2 that engages with the protrusion 4P of the movable contact member 4. The third upper support member 3G is configured such that a third elastic member RS3 (compression coil spring) is disposed between the upper surface of the base 3GB and the lower surface of the movable contact member 4. The third elastic member RS3 (compression coil spring) functions as a contact pressure applying member that applies a force (contact pressure) pressing the movable contact member 4 against the fixed contact member 5.

[0080] As shown in the first row of Fig. 13, when the relay device 100A is in the OFF state, the lower surface of the convex portion 3CP of the third lower support member 3C rests on the upper surface 2S of the cylindrical portion 2C of the second support member 2 and is not within the concave portion 2Q of the second support member 2. Therefore, as shown in the left diagram of Fig. 14, the distance DP in the Z-axis direction between the upper surface 2S of the cylindrical portion 2C of the second support member 2 and the lower surface of the base portion 3GB of the third upper support member 3G is relatively large. The same is true for the distance between the upper surface 2S and the lower surface of the movable contact member 4.

[0081] 13, when the second support member 2 is lifted by the first actuator AC1, the relay device 100A enters the ON state, and the movable contact member 4 comes into contact with the fixed contact member 5 (not shown). Even when the second support member 2 is lifted by the first actuator AC1, the value of the distance DP does not change, so the third upper support member 3G rises by the amount that the second support member 2 has risen, and the movable contact member 4 also rises by the amount that the second support member 2 has risen.

[0082] Subsequently, when relay device 100A enters an abnormal current state, as indicated by block arrow AR22 in the third row of FIG. 13 , movable magnetic member 8 is attracted to fixed magnetic member 9 and moves toward X2, bringing end 8E into contact with end 9E. Also, movable magnetic member 8 moves toward X2, as indicated by block arrow AR23, bringing contact portion 8T into contact with protrusion 2T of second support member 2, causing second support member 2 to rotate counterclockwise in top view, as indicated by block arrow AR24. As a result, the rotational position of recess 2Q of second support member 2 coincides with the rotational position of protrusion 3CP of third lower support member 3C. Furthermore, because second support member 2 rotates counterclockwise in top view, as indicated by block arrow AR25, the first end E1 of second elastic member RS2T (torsion spring) is pushed toward second end E2 by first protrusion 2V1 of second support member 2, which is rotating counterclockwise. Therefore, the second elastic member RS2T (torsion spring) generates a restoring force that tends to move the first end E1 in a direction away from the second end E2.

[0083] Furthermore, when the rotational position of the recess 2Q of the second support member 2 coincides with the rotational position of the protrusion 3CP of the third lower support member 3C, the third lower support member 3C descends as indicated by the block arrow AR26 in the fourth row of FIG. 13 . This is because the protrusion 3CP is no longer supported by the upper surface 2S of the cylindrical portion 2C. Furthermore, the hook portion 3CK provided inside the third lower support member 3C is pulled downward by the restoring force of the second elastic member RS2C (tension coil spring). The second elastic member RS2C (tension coil spring) is in a tensioned state whether the relay device 100A is in the OFF state or the ON state. In other words, the second elastic member RS2C (tension coil spring) generates a restoring force when the relay device 100A is not in an abnormal current state. As a result, the third upper support member 3G supported by the third lower support member 3C descends, and the movable contact member 4 engaged with the third upper support member 3G is also pulled downward by the descending third upper support member 3G. As a result, the movable contact member 4 separates from the fixed contact member 5, the electrical circuit is interrupted, and the abnormal current disappears. In this state, the lower end 3CB of the third lower support member 3C is in contact with the upper end of the support pin PN of the spacer member SP.

[0084] When the electric circuit is interrupted, the magnetization of the movable-side magnetic member 8 and the fixed-side magnetic member 9 is canceled, and the magnetic force that attracts the movable-side magnetic member 8 and the fixed-side magnetic member 9 disappears. However, in this state, the second support member 2 does not return to its original rotational position because the recess 2Q of the second support member 2 and the protrusion 3CP of the third lower support member 3C are engaged with each other.

[0085] Subsequently, when the relay device 100A is turned OFF, the shaft member 7 descends, as indicated by the block arrow AR27 in the fifth row of FIG. 13 . The first support member 1 (not shown), which was supported by the flange portion 7F of the shaft member 7, also descends, and the second support member 2, which was supported by the first support member 1, also descends. Meanwhile, the third lower support member 3C does not descend. This is because the lower end 3CB of the third lower support member 3C is already in contact with the support pin PN of the spacer member SP. As a result, the protrusion 3CP of the third lower support member 3C exits the recess 2Q of the second support member 2, and the engagement between the protrusion 3CP and the recess 2Q is released. Therefore, the second support member 2 becomes rotatable relative to the third lower support member 3C.

[0086] In this state, the second support member 2 rotates clockwise in top view, as indicated by the block arrow AR28 in the fifth row of Fig. 13. This is because the first protrusion 2V1 of the second support member 2 is pressed in by the restoring force of the second elastic member RS2T (torsion spring). Note that the first end E1 of the second elastic member RS2T (torsion spring) moves in a direction away from the second end E2 until it comes into contact with the first protrusion 1Q1 formed in the recess 1R of the first lower support member 1D.

[0087] As a result, the second support member 2 rotates clockwise when viewed from above, as shown by the block arrow AR29, and the convex portion 2T of the second support member 2 pushes the contact portion 8T of the movable side magnetic member 8 toward the X1 side, moving the movable side magnetic member 8 toward the X1 side, as shown by the block arrow AR30.

[0088] In this way, the first actuator AC1 and the second actuator AC2 can move the first support member 1, the second support member 2, and the third support member 3 (the third lower support member 3C and the third upper support member 3G) that constitute the support member SM.

[0089] Next, the operation of the relay device 100A will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Specifically, as shown in the center diagram of Figure 15, when current is supplied to the first coil CL1, the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 are magnetized by the magnetic field generated by the first coil CL1 and are attracted to each other. As a result, the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is moved upward. At this time, the first elastic member RS1 is compressed between the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42.

[0090] The shaft member 7 fixed to the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is moved upward as the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 rises. At this time, the flange portion 7F of the shaft member 7 pushes up the first support member 1 (first lower support member 1D) from below. As a result, the first lower support member 1D is moved upward as the flange portion 7F rises.

[0091] When the first lower support member 1D moves upward, the second support member 2 supported by the first lower support member 1D, the third lower support member 3C supported by the second support member 2, the third upper support member 3G supported by the third lower support member 3C, and the movable contact member 4 supported by the third upper support member 3G also move upward.

[0092] The movable contact member 4 is then moved upward until it comes into contact with the fixed contact member 5. When the movable contact member 4 comes into contact with the fixed contact member 5 and the upward movement of the movable contact member 4 stops, the third elastic member RS3 (compression coil spring) is compressed between the movable contact member 4 and the base 3GB of the third upper support member 3G, which continues to rise.

[0093] In this way, when a current is supplied to the first actuator AC1, the relay device 100A switches from the OFF state to the ON state, and the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 are connected.

[0094] Subsequently, when an overcurrent flows through the movable contact member 4 due to a short circuit or the like, as shown in FIG. 11 , the movable-side magnetic member 8 and the fixed-side magnetic member 9 are magnetized by the magnetic field generated by the fixed contact member 5, which functions as the second coil CL2, and are attracted to each other. As a result, the movable-side magnetic member 8 is moved toward the X2 side, and the second support member 2 rotates around the rotation axis RX as the protrusion 2T is pressed by the contact portion 8T of the movable-side magnetic member 8, as shown in the third diagram of FIG. 13 . The position of the second support member 2 when the movable contact member 4 is in contact with the fixed contact member 5 is also referred to as the "first position." The position of the second support member 2 when the movable contact member 4 is separated from the fixed contact member 5 is also referred to as the "second position." The position of the second support member 2 refers to, for example, its relative position with respect to the third support member 3.

[0095] As shown in the third row of Figure 13, when the rotation of the second support member 2 causes the rotational position of the recess 2Q of the second support member 2 to coincide with the rotational position of the protrusion 3CP of the third lower support member 3C, the protrusion 3CP enters the recess 2Q as shown in the right diagram of Figure 15, and the third lower support member 3C descends until its lower end 3CB contacts the upper end of the support pin PN of the spacer member SP.

[0096] When the third lower support member 3C descends, the third upper support member 3G supported by the third lower support member 3C also descends, and the movable contact member 4 meshing with the third upper support member 3G also descends, releasing contact between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5. As a result, the overcurrent flowing through the movable contact member 4 is eliminated, the magnetization of the movable-side magnetic member 8 and the fixed-side magnetic member 9 due to the magnetic field generated by the movable contact member 4 is also eliminated, and the force (magnetic force) attracting the movable-side magnetic member 8 and the fixed-side magnetic member 9 to each other is also eliminated.

[0097] In this way, when an overcurrent flows through the movable contact member 4, the relay device 100A switches from the ON state to the abnormal current state, and the connection between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 is released.

[0098] Thereafter, when the supply of current to the first coil CL1 is stopped, the magnetization of the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 due to the magnetic field generated by the first coil CL1 is canceled, and the force (magnetic force) attracting the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 to each other is also canceled. As a result, the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42, which is continuously subjected to the downward force (repulsive force) from the first elastic member RS1, is moved downward by the first elastic member RS1, as shown in the left diagram of Figure 15, and the shaft member 7 fixed to the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is also moved downward.

[0099] When the shaft member 7 is moved downward, the first support member 1 (first lower support member 1D) placed on the flange portion 7F of the shaft member 7 is moved downward together with the shaft member 7. In addition, the second support member 2 supported by the first lower support member 1D is also moved downward together with the first lower support member 1D. Note that the third lower support member 3C is not moved downward because the lower surface of the lower end 3CB is in contact with the upper surface of the support pin PN of the spacer member SP.

[0100] When the second support member 2 is lowered without lowering the third lower support member 3C, the engagement between the convex portion 3CP of the third lower support member 3C and the concave portion 2Q of the second support member 2, which had prevented the second support member 2 from rotating, is released. Then, when the engagement between the convex portion 3CP and the concave portion 2Q is released, the second support member 2, which is continuously subjected to the force (repulsive force) of the second elastic member RS2T (torsion spring), is rotated by the second elastic member RS2T (torsion spring) until it assumes the first position, as shown in the fifth row of Figure 13. Specifically, the second support member 2 is rotated until the convex portion 3CP of the third lower support member 3C rests on the upper surface 2S of the cylindrical portion 2C of the second support member 2.

[0101] In this way, when the supply of current to the first coil CL1 is stopped after the abnormal current state is resolved, the relay device 100A switches to the recovery state, and the second support member 2, which was in the second position, switches to the first position. In other words, the relay device 100A returns to the OFF state.

[0102] With the above configuration, relay device 100A can achieve the same effects as those achieved by relay device 100. Specifically, relay device 100A can quickly interrupt the electric circuit when an overcurrent occurs, and can then stop the supply of power to first actuator AC1, thereby restoring relay device 100A to the same state as when it was in the OFF state.

[0103] Next, with reference to FIGS. 16 to 21 , a relay device 100B, which is yet another example of the relay device 100, will be described. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the relay device 100B. Specifically, the left view of FIG. 16 (the view to the left of the block arrow) is an exploded perspective view of the relay device 100B, and the right view of FIG. 16 (the view to the right of the block arrow) is an assembled perspective view of the relay device 100B. Note that the upper case member 10 is omitted from FIG. 16 for ease of understanding. FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the first actuator AC1 constituting the relay device 100B. FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the support member SM constituting the relay device 100B. Specifically, the left view of FIG. 18 is a top perspective view, and the right view of FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the second support member 2 and the third support member 3 moved by the second actuator AC2. Note that in FIG. 19 , each member is marked with a different pattern for clarity. Specifically, FIG. 19 is a right side view of the second support member 2, the third support member 3 (the third upper support member 3M, the third central support member 3N, and the third lower support member 3W), the movable contact member 4, the movable-side magnetic member 8, the fixed-side magnetic member 9, and the second elastic member RS2T. More specifically, the upper view of FIG. 19 shows the positions of the components when the relay device 100B is in an ON state (when a current is supplied to the first actuator AC1), and the lower view of FIG. 19 shows the positions of the components when the relay device 100B is in an abnormal current state (when an abnormal current such as an overcurrent flows through the movable contact member 4). FIGS. 20 and 21 are cross-sectional views of the relay device 100B. Specifically, FIGS. 20 and 21 are cross-sectional views of the relay device 100B taken along a virtual plane parallel to the XZ plane including the cutting line L5 shown in FIG. 16 , as viewed from the Y2 side. More specifically, Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of relay device 100B when it is in the ON state (when current is being supplied to first actuator AC1). The left diagram of Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of relay device 100B when it is in an abnormal current state (when an abnormal current such as an overcurrent flows through movable contact member 4). The center diagram of Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of relay device 100B when it is in the reset state (when the supply of current to first actuator AC1 is stopped after the abnormal current state is resolved).The right diagram in FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the relay device 100B when it is in the OFF state (when no current is supplied to the first actuator AC1).

[0104] As shown in FIG. 17 , the first actuator AC1 of the relay device 100B differs from the first actuator AC1 of the relay device 100A in that the shaft member 7 has an upper flange portion 7U at its upper end portion 7EU but no hook portion. The upper flange portion 7U has a smaller diameter than the flange portion 7F of the relay device 100A, and its upper surface is positioned so as to contact the lower surface of the first support member 1, so that it can push up the support member SM when the shaft member 7 is raised by the first actuator AC1. The spacer member SP also has a substantially rectangular plate-shaped base portion SB and two support blocks BK in the shape of a rectangular pillar protruding from the upper surface of the base portion SB. The two support blocks BK are configured to support a portion of the support member SM (the third upper support member 3M) when the shaft member 7 is in the OFF state before the first actuator AC1 raises it.

[0105] Furthermore, the second actuator AC2 of the relay device 100B has the same configuration as the second actuator AC2 of the relay device 100A. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 16, the second actuator AC2 of the relay device 100B has a movable magnetic member 8 that functions as a mover and a fixed magnetic member 9 that functions as a stator, and the second coil CL2 is formed by the fixed contact member 5. The fixed contact member 5 has a left fixed contact member 5L and a right fixed contact member 5R.

[0106] 18, the second actuator AC2 of the relay device 100B has a second elastic member RS2. The second elastic member RS2 is a member for returning the second movable-side member MB2 (the second support member 2 and the third support member 3) from the ON position to the OFF position. In the illustrated example, the second elastic member RS2 includes a second elastic member RS2T as a torsion spring and a second elastic member RS2C as a compression coil spring.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 16 , the left fixed contact member 5L and the right fixed contact member 5R each have a coil portion 5C (left coil portion 5CL and right coil portion 5CR) configured to form a two-turn coil (second coil CL2). The movable-side magnetic member 8 and the fixed-side magnetic member 9 are each substantially U-shaped in top view and configured to be magnetized when the relay device 100B is in an abnormal current state, causing the movable-side magnetic member 8 to be attracted to the fixed-side magnetic member 9 and come into contact with each other. In the illustrated example, the end 8E of the movable-side magnetic member 8 and the end 9E of the fixed-side magnetic member 9 come into contact. Specifically, the left rear end 8EL of the movable-side magnetic member 8 comes into contact with the left front end 9EL of the fixed-side magnetic member 9, and the right rear end 8ER of the movable-side magnetic member 8 comes into contact with the right front end 9ER of the fixed-side magnetic member 9. The movable magnetic member 8 has two generally U-shaped portions, one above the other, and is configured so that a contact portion 8T, which is the end of the lower generally U-shaped portion, can come into contact with a part of the support member SM (the second support member 2). The lower and upper generally U-shaped portions are connected by a connecting portion 8C that extends in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0108] 19, the relay device 100B differs from the relay device 100A in that a part of the support member SM (the second support member 2) is slid toward the X2 side relative to the third support member 3 (the third central support member 3N) by the second actuator AC2. Specifically, the support member SM includes the first support member 1, the second support member 2, and the third support member 3 (the third upper support member 3M, the third central support member 3N, and the third lower support member 3W), as shown in FIG.

[0109] The first support member 1 is configured to support the second support member 2. In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 18 , the first support member 1 has a flat base 1B extending along the XY plane and a pair of wall portions 1W extending from both ends (left and right ends) of the base 1B toward the Z1 side along the Z axis direction. A through hole 1H through which the shaft member 7 is inserted is formed in the base 1B. Each of the pair of wall portions 1W is formed with a substantially rectangular guide hole 1G for guiding movement of the protrusion 2P of the second support member 2 along the X axis direction. Each of the pair of wall portions 1W is also formed with a support portion 1T for supporting the third central support member 3N. The first support member 1 is configured such that a third elastic member RS3 (compression coil spring) is disposed between the upper surface of the base 1B and the lower surface of the third lower support member 3W. The third elastic member RS3 (compression coil spring) functions as a contact pressure applying member that applies a force (contact pressure) to press the movable contact member 4 against the fixed contact member 5.

[0110] The second support member 2 is configured to support the third support member 3. In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 18 , the second support member 2 has a flat base 2B extending along the XY plane and a pair of wall portions 2W extending from both ends (left and right ends) of the base 2B toward the Z2 side along the Z axis direction. Furthermore, a convex portion 2P protruding inward is formed on the inner surface of each of the pair of wall portions 2W. The convex portion 2P is configured to be guided along the X axis direction by a guide hole 1G formed in the wall portion 1W of the first support member 1. Furthermore, the lower surface (ceiling surface) of the base 2B is formed with a recess 2U for receiving the upper half of the second elastic member RS2C (compression coil spring) and a convex portion 2K that fits into a recess 3NK formed in the upper surface of the third central support member 3N.

[0111] The third support member 3 is configured to support the movable contact member 4. Specifically, the third support member 3 includes a third upper support member 3M, a third central support member 3N, and a third lower support member 3W. The third upper support member 3M is a member configured to be able to swing around the swing axis PX and has a shaft portion 3MS extending along the swing axis PX, a base portion 3MB extending from the shaft portion 3MS in the radial direction of the swing axis PX, and a substantially flat plate-like portion 3MP extending from the tip of the base portion 3MB parallel to the swing axis PX. The third upper support member 3M is configured such that when there is no abnormal current state, the lower surface of the plate-like portion 3MP is supported by the upper surface of the second support member 2, and when there is an abnormal current state, support of the plate-like portion 3MP by the upper surface of the second support member 2 is released, allowing the third upper support member 3M to swing around the swing axis PX. The third upper support member 3M is configured so that the lower surface of the plate-shaped portion 3MP is supported by the upper end surface of the support block BK (see FIG. 17) of the spacer member SP during an abnormal current state. A second elastic member RS2T serving as a torsion spring is disposed around the shaft portion 3MS. The second elastic member RS2T (torsion spring) is configured so that its first end E1 contacts the protrusion 3MT formed on the third upper support member 3M and its second end E2 contacts the protrusion 3WT formed on the third lower support member 3W. In other words, the second elastic member RS2T (torsion spring) is disposed between the protrusions 3MT and 3WT and biases the third upper support member 3M in a direction that swings the third upper support member 3M clockwise when viewed from the right side.

[0112] The third central support member 3N is a substantially flat member having a base 3NB and protrusions 3NT extending outward from both ends (left and right ends) of the base 3NB. A recess 3NR is formed on the underside of the protrusion 3NT to receive the support portion 1T of the first support member 1. The upper surface of the base 3NB is formed with a recess 3NU to receive the lower half of the second elastic member RS2C (compression coil spring) and a recess 3NK into which the protrusion 2K formed on the underside of the second support member 2 is fitted. With this configuration, the protrusion 2K of the second support member 2 is slidably guided along the X-axis by the recess 3NK of the third central support member 3N. The second elastic member RS2C (compression coil spring) is sandwiched between the second support member 2 and the third central support member 3N and is compressible along the X-axis.

[0113] The third lower support member 3W has a flat base 3WB extending along the XY plane, a pair of arms 3WA extending from both ends (left and right ends) of the base 3WB toward the Z1 direction along the Z axis, and a pair of protrusions 3WS extending outward from both ends (left and right ends) of the base 3WB. The upper surfaces of the pair of protrusions 3WS are configured to contact the lower surfaces of the support portions 1T of the first support member 1. Therefore, the support portions 1T of the first support member 1 function as stoppers that restrict excessive movement of the third lower support member 3W toward the Z1 direction. Each of the pair of arms 3WA has a through-hole 3WH through which the shaft portion 3MS of the third upper support member 3M is inserted. The distal end of the arm 3WA has a protrusion 3WT that receives the second end E2 of the second elastic member RS2T (torsion spring). A protrusion 3WP extending toward the Z2 side along the Z-axis direction is formed on the underside of the base 3WB. The protrusion 3WP is used to fix the upper end of a third elastic member RS3 (compression coil spring) disposed between the base 3WB and the base 1B of the first support member 1.

[0114] 19, the movements of the second support member 2 and the third support member 3 moved by the second actuator AC2 will be described. As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 19, when the relay device 100B is in the ON state, the lower surface of the plate-shaped portion 3MP of the third upper support member 3M is placed on the upper surface of the second support member 2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, the lower surface of the plate-shaped portion 3MP is approximately parallel to the upper surface of the second support member 2, and the movable contact member 4 (left contact portion 4L) supported by the third upper support member 3M is in contact with the fixed contact member 5 (left fixed contact member 5L).

[0115] Subsequently, when the relay device 100B enters an abnormal current state, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 19 , the movable magnetic member 8 is attracted to the fixed magnetic member 9 and moves toward the X2 side, bringing the end 8E into contact with the end 9E. The movable magnetic member 8 also moves toward the X2 side as indicated by block arrow AR31, causing the second support member 2, which is in contact with the contact portion 8T, to move toward the X2 side as indicated by block arrow AR32. As a result, the support of the plate-shaped portion 3MP by the upper surface of the second support member 2 is released, and the plate-shaped portion 3MP swings clockwise around the swing axis PX due to the restoring force of the second elastic member RS2T (torsion spring), as indicated by arrow AR33. Specifically, the plate-shaped portion 3MP swings clockwise around the swing axis PX until it comes into contact with the upper surface of the base portion 3NB of the third central support member 3N. Furthermore, the movable contact member 4 fixed to the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 3MP swings clockwise around the swing axis PX together with the plate-shaped portion 3MP, resulting in the contact between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 being released.

[0116] Next, the operation of the relay device 100B will be described with reference to Figures 20 and 21. Specifically, as shown in Figure 20, when current is supplied to the first coil CL1, the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 are magnetized by the magnetic field generated by the first coil CL1 and are attracted to each other. As a result, the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is moved upward. At this time, the first elastic member RS1 is compressed between the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42.

[0117] The shaft member 7 fixed to the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is moved upward as the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 rises. At this time, the upper flange portion 7U of the shaft member 7 pushes up the first support member 1 from below. As a result, the first support member 1 is moved upward as the upper flange portion 7U rises.

[0118] When the first support member 1 moves upward, the third lower support member 3W supported by the first support member 1 via the third elastic member RS3, the third central support member 3N supported by the first support member 1, the second support member 2 supported by the third central support member 3N, the third upper support member 3M supported by the second support member 2 and the third lower support member 3W, and the movable contact member 4 supported by the third upper support member 3M also move upward.

[0119] The movable contact member 4 is then moved upward until it comes into contact with the fixed contact member 5. When the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 come into contact, the third elastic member RS3 (compression coil spring) is compressed between the base 1B of the first support member 1 and the base 3WB of the third lower support member 3W. This is because the third lower support member 3W stops the upward movement, but the first support member 1 continues the upward movement until the repulsive force of the third elastic member RS3 (compression coil spring) reaches a predetermined magnitude.

[0120] In this way, when a current is supplied to the first actuator AC1, the relay device 100B switches from the OFF state to the ON state, and the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 are connected.

[0121] Subsequently, when an overcurrent flows through the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 21 , the movable-side magnetic member 8 and the fixed-side magnetic member 9 are magnetized by the magnetic field generated by the fixed contact member 5, which functions as the second coil CL2, and are attracted to each other. As a result, the movable-side magnetic member 8 is moved toward the X2 side, and the second support member 2 is pushed toward the X2 side by the contact portion 8T (see FIG. 19 ) of the movable-side magnetic member 8, as indicated by the block arrow AR34. The position of the second support member 2 when the movable contact member 4 is in contact with the fixed contact member 5 is also referred to as the "first position." The position of the second support member 2 when the movable contact member 4 separates from the fixed contact member 5 in response to the occurrence of an overcurrent is also referred to as the "second position." The position of the second support member 2 refers to, for example, its relative position with respect to the third support member 3.

[0122] As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 21 , when the second support member 2 moves and the support of the plate-shaped portion 3MP of the third upper support member 3M by the upper surface of the second support member 2 is released, the third upper support member 3M swings as indicated by the block arrow AR35. Specifically, the third upper support member 3M swings clockwise around the swing axis PX until it contacts the upper surface of the third central support member 3N. The second elastic member RS2T (torsion spring) shown in FIG. 18 opens its first end E1 in a direction away from the second end E2 due to a restoring force, causing the third upper support member 3M to swing clockwise. The second elastic member RS2C (compression coil spring) is compressed between the second support member 2 and the third central support member 3N, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 21 . Therefore, the second elastic member RS2C (compression coil spring) generates a restoring force that pushes the second support member 2 back toward the X1 side.

[0123] When the third upper support member 3M swings, the movable contact member 4 supported by the third upper support member 3M also swings, and contact between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 is released. As a result, the overcurrent flowing through the movable contact member 4 is eliminated, the magnetization of the movable-side magnetic member 8 and the fixed-side magnetic member 9 due to the magnetic field generated by the movable contact member 4 is also eliminated, and the force (magnetic force) attracting the movable-side magnetic member 8 and the fixed-side magnetic member 9 to each other is also eliminated.

[0124] In this way, when an overcurrent flows through the movable contact member 4, the relay device 100 switches from the ON state to the abnormal current state, and the connection between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 is released.

[0125] 21 , when the supply of current to the first coil CL1 is stopped, the magnetization of the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 due to the magnetic field generated by the first coil CL1 is canceled, and the force (magnetic force) attracting the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 to each other is also canceled. As a result, the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42, which is continuously subjected to the downward force (repulsive force) from the first elastic member RS1, is moved downward by the first elastic member RS1, and the shaft member 7 fixed to the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is also moved downward.

[0126] When the shaft member 7 is moved downward, the first support member 1, which is placed on the upper flange portion 7U of the shaft member 7, is moved downward together with the shaft member 7. The third elastic member RS3, the third lower support member 3W, the third central support member 3N, the third upper support member 3M, and the second support member 2 are also moved downward together with the first support member 1. At this time, the third upper support member 3M swings counterclockwise around the swing axis PX as indicated by the block arrow AR36 while descending. This is because the shaft portion 3MS (see FIG. 18 ) of the third upper support member 3M descends, but the tip of the plate-shaped portion 3MP is supported by the upper end surface of the support block BK of the spacer member SP and does not descend much. In other words, the plate-shaped portion 3MP, which is supported by the upper end surface of the support block BK, swings counterclockwise in appearance as the shaft portion 3MS descends, returning to its original position (the position shown in FIG. 20 ).

[0127] When the plate-shaped portion 3MP swings counterclockwise around the swing axis PX, the engagement between the plate-shaped portion 3MP and the second support member 2, which had prevented the second support member 2 from moving toward the X1 side, is released. Then, when the engagement between the plate-shaped portion 3MP and the second support member 2 is released, the second support member 2, which is continuously subjected to the force (repulsive force) of the second elastic member RS2C (compression coil spring), is moved toward the X1 side, as shown by block arrow AR37. Specifically, the second support member 2 is moved toward the X1 side by the second elastic member RS2C (compression coil spring) until it reaches the first position. In other words, the second support member 2 is moved toward the X1 side until the plate-shaped portion 3MP of the third upper support member 3M rests on the upper surface of the second support member 2, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 21 .

[0128] In this way, when the supply of current to the first coil CL1 is stopped after the abnormal current state is resolved, the relay device 100B switches to the recovery state, and the second support member 2, which was in the second position, switches to the first position. In other words, the relay device 100A returns to the OFF state.

[0129] With the above configuration, relay device 100B can achieve the same effects as those achieved by relay device 100 and relay device 100A. Specifically, relay device 100B can quickly interrupt the electric circuit when an overcurrent occurs, and then stop the supply of power to first actuator AC1, thereby restoring relay device 100B to the same state as when it was in the OFF state.

[0130] Next, a relay device 100C, which is yet another example of the relay device 100, will be described with reference to Fig. 22. Fig. 22 is a top view of the first support member 1, second support member 2, third support member 3, and movable magnetic member 8 that constitute the relay device 100C. Specifically, Fig. 22 includes a top view of a portion below the center of the connecting portion 8C of the movable magnetic member 8, and a cross-sectional view of the connecting portion 8C.

[0131] The relay device 100C differs from the relay device 100A in that the second support member 2 is configured to be able to slide on the first support member 1 along the X-axis direction, whereas the relay device 100A is configured so that the second support member 2 can rotate on the first support member 1 around the rotation axis RX.

[0132] Specifically, in the relay device 100C, similarly to the case of the relay device 100A, the movable-side magnetic member 8 and the fixed-side magnetic member 9 are each magnetized when the relay device 100C is in an abnormal current state. The movable-side magnetic member 8 is attracted to the fixed-side magnetic member 9 by a distance DS3, and they come into contact with each other.

[0133] Thereafter, when the movable-side magnetic member 8 is attracted to the fixed-side magnetic member 9 and moves toward the X2 side, the movable-side magnetic member 8 brings the contact portion 8T into contact with the second support member 2, as indicated by block arrow AR41, and moves the second support member 2 toward the X2 side, as indicated by block arrow AR42. As a result, the position of the recess 2Q of the second support member 2 and the position of the protrusion 3CP of the third lower support member 3C coincide with each other. In other words, support of the protrusion 3CP by the upper surface 2S of the second support member 2 is released. Then, when support of the protrusion 3CP by the upper surface 2S is released, the third lower support member 3C falls under its own weight and moves downward.

[0134] The subsequent behavior of relay device 100C is the same as that of relay device 100A. Specifically, when second support member 2 descends, third upper support member 3G, which was supported by third lower support member 3C, also descends, and further, movable contact member 4, which is engaged with third upper support member 3G, is pulled downward by the descending third upper support member 3G. As a result, movable contact member 4 separates from fixed contact member 5, the electrical circuit is interrupted, and the abnormal current disappears.

[0135] In this way, similar to relay device 100A, relay device 100C can quickly break the electric circuit when an abnormal current such as an overcurrent or a short-circuit current occurs without relying on a command from an external device. Furthermore, relay device 100C can then return the state of relay device 100C to the same state as when it was in the OFF state by stopping the supply of power to first actuator AC1.

[0136] As described above, as shown in FIG. 2 , the relay device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the fixed contact member 5, the movable contact member 4, the support member SM that supports the movable contact member 4, a first actuator AC1 that moves the first support member 1 of the support member SM, and a second actuator AC2 that moves the second support member 2 of the support member SM. The second support member 2 is configured to be switchable by the second actuator AC2 between a first position (the position shown in the upper right diagram in FIG. 6 ) when the movable contact member 4 is in contact with the fixed contact member 5 and a second position (the position shown in the upper left diagram in FIG. 7 ) when the movable contact member 4 is separated from the fixed contact member 5. The first actuator AC1 is configured to move the first support member 1 to a first position (the position shown in the upper right diagram in FIG. 7 ) that allows the second support member 2, which is in the second position, to switch to the first position.

[0137] This configuration realizes high-speed interruption of the electric circuit when an overcurrent occurs due to a short circuit or the like, and can then return the relay device 100 to the same state as when it was in the OFF state by stopping the supply of power to the first actuator AC1. In other words, this configuration has the effect of realizing high-speed interruption of the electric circuit and self-recovery of the relay device 100. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of improving the ease of use of the relay device 100.

[0138] Furthermore, when the first support member 1 is in the first position (the position shown in the upper right diagram of FIG. 7 ), it is desirable that it be farther from the fixed contact member 5 than the second support member 2. That is, the distance HT1 between the first support member 1 and the fixed contact member 5 when in the first position (see the upper right diagram of FIG. 7 ) is greater than the distance HT2 between the first support member 1 and the fixed contact member 5 when not in the first position (see the upper left diagram of FIG. 7 ).

[0139] This configuration provides the advantage of being able to provide the space necessary for the second support member 2 to switch from the second position to the first position without applying an excessive load to the second support member 2 located between the fixed contact member 5 and the first actuator AC1, thereby enabling the relay device 100 to more easily self-reset.

[0140] Furthermore, the first support member 1 preferably has a support portion 1S capable of supporting the second support member 2. The support portion 1S is configured to support the second support member 2 from below (the Z2 side) when the second support member 2 is in the first position (the position shown in the upper right diagram in FIG. 6 ), and not to support the second support member 2 from below (the Z2 side) when the second support member 2 is in the second position (the position shown in the upper left diagram in FIG. 7 ).

[0141] This configuration has the advantage that the arrangement of the second support member 2 can be easily switched by changing the position of the first support member 1. In addition, this configuration has the advantage that an appropriate pressing force by the movable contact member 4 against the fixed contact member 5 can be achieved when the relay device 100 is switched from an OFF state to an ON state. This is because, as shown in the upper right diagram of Figure 6 , the first support member 1, the second support member 2, the third support member 3, and the movable contact member 4 are overlapped in order from bottom to top in the Z-axis direction, and the movable contact member 4 is pressed against the fixed contact member 5.

[0142] Furthermore, the relay device 100 preferably includes a shaft member 7 as shown in Fig. 2. The first actuator AC1 is configured to move the support member SM (first support member 1, second support member 2, and third support member 3) and the movable contact member 4 in the first direction by moving the shaft member 7 in a first direction (Z1 direction, upward) that moves the movable contact member 4 closer to the fixed contact member 5, as shown in the upper right diagram of Fig. 6, and conversely, to move the first support member 1 in a second direction (Z2 direction, downward) that moves the movable contact member 4 away from the fixed contact member 5, as shown in the upper right diagram of Fig. 7.

[0143] This configuration brings about the advantage that the first actuator AC1 can easily switch the relay device 100 between the ON state and the OFF state, as well as switch the relay device 100 from the abnormal current state to the recovery state.

[0144] 4, the first support member 1 preferably has a base 1B and arms 1A extending from both ends (left and right ends) of the base 1B. The support 1S is formed at the end (upper end) of the arms 1A.

[0145] This configuration has the effect of ensuring that the movable contact member 4 can be reliably separated from the fixed contact member 5 when the relay device 100 is in an abnormal current state, by allowing the second support member 2 in the second position to be accommodated within the space sandwiched between a pair of arm portions 1A.

[0146] The first actuator AC1 is preferably an electromagnetic actuator including a first movable member MB1, a first fixed member FB1, a first coil CL1, and a first elastic member RS1, as shown in Fig. 3. The shaft member 7 is fixed to the first movable member MB1. Specifically, a lower end 7ED of the shaft member 7 is fixed to the bottom plate portion 42B of the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0147] This configuration has the effect of simplifying the structure of the first actuator AC1.

[0148] Furthermore, the first actuator AC1 preferably moves the first support member 1 to the first position (the position shown in the upper right diagram of FIG. 7) when the supply of current to the first coil CL1 is stopped, as shown in the upper right diagram of FIG.

[0149] This configuration brings about the effect that the relay device 100 can be self-restored simply by stopping the supply of current to the first coil CL1 of the first actuator AC1.

[0150] Furthermore, the second actuator AC2 is preferably configured to move the second support member 2 so that the second support member 2, which is in the first position (the position shown in the upper right diagram in FIG. 6 ), switches to the second position (the position shown in the upper left diagram in FIG. 7 ) when an abnormal current flows in the electric circuit or when the fixed contact member 5 or the movable contact member 4 reaches an abnormal temperature. Specifically, the second actuator AC2 is an electromagnetic actuator that operates when an abnormal current flows in the electric circuit, or an actuator including a bimetal that operates when the fixed contact member 5 or the movable contact member 4 reaches an abnormal temperature.

[0151] This configuration has the advantage of being able to quickly shut off the electrical circuit without relying on commands from an external device when an abnormal current such as an overcurrent or short-circuit current occurs, or when an abnormal temperature occurs.

[0152] 4, the second actuator AC2 is preferably an electromagnetic actuator including a second movable member MB2, a second fixed member FB2, a second coil CL2, and a second elastic member RS2. The second movable member MB2 is the second support member 2, and the second coil CL2 is the movable contact member 4.

[0153] This configuration switches the second support member 2 from the first arrangement to the second arrangement when an abnormal current (large current) flows through the second coil CL2, and then, when the abnormal current (large current) disappears, the repulsive force of the second elastic member RS2 switches the second support member 2 from the second arrangement to the first arrangement. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of reliably switching the arrangement of the second support member 2.

[0154] 4, the support member SM preferably includes a third support member 3 serving as a second fixed-side member FB2 to which a movable contact member 4 serving as the second coil CL2 is fixed. The second support member 2 serving as the second movable-side member MB2 is a pair of magnetic members (a second left support member 2L and a second right support member 2R) that are slidable within the second coil CL2. The second elastic member RS2 is disposed between the pair of magnetic members (the second left support member 2L and the second right support member 2R) as shown in FIG.

[0155] This configuration brings about the effect of simplifying the structure of the relay device 100 compared to when the second coil CL2 is formed by a member separate from the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5.

[0156] In addition, the second coil CL2 as the movable contact member 4 is preferably wound around the second support member 2 (central portion 22) as the second movable side member MB2, as shown in the second diagram from the left in Figure 8.

[0157] This configuration has the effect of increasing the space efficiency of the space within the housing HS, by integrating the space for accommodating the second support member 2 (central portion 22) and the space for accommodating the movable contact member 4.

[0158] 4, the third support member 3 preferably has a through-hole 3H through which the shaft member 7 (see FIG. 2) is inserted. The biasing member 6 preferably is disposed around the shaft member 7 as shown in FIG. 6.

[0159] This configuration makes it possible to integrate the space for accommodating the biasing member 6 and the space for accommodating the shaft member 7, thereby providing the effect of improving the space efficiency within the housing HS.

[0160] 13, the second support member 2 may be a rotary member that switches between contact and separation between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5. In the example shown in FIG.

[0161] This configuration has the advantage of being able to quickly shut off the electrical circuit without relying on commands from an external device when an abnormal current such as an overcurrent or short-circuit current occurs, or when an abnormal temperature occurs.

[0162] The support member SM may also include a third support member 3 that supports the movable contact member 4. The second support member 2 may be configured to support the third support member 3 when the second support member 2 is in the first position, and not to support the third support member 3 when the second support member 2 is in the second position, as shown in Fig. 15, 21, or 22.

[0163] This configuration allows the positional relationship between the second support member 2 and the third support member 3 to be changed without a command from an external device when an abnormal current such as an overcurrent or a short-circuit current occurs, or when an abnormal temperature occurs, thereby providing the effect of quickly interrupting the electric circuit.

[0164] 19, the second support member 2 may be a sliding member that switches between contact and separation between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5. In the example shown in FIG.

[0165] This configuration has the advantage of being able to quickly shut off the electrical circuit without relying on commands from an external device when an abnormal current such as an overcurrent or short-circuit current occurs, or when an abnormal temperature occurs.

[0166] In addition, a biasing member 6 may be provided to apply a force to move the movable contact member 4 away from the fixed contact member 5 .

[0167] This configuration has the advantage of being able to more quickly shut off the electrical circuit when an abnormal current such as an overcurrent or a short-circuit current occurs, or when an abnormal temperature occurs, compared to when the biasing member 6 is not provided.

[0168] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications and substitutions may be applied to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the features described with reference to the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate unless technically inconsistent.

[0169] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-105581, filed on June 28, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0170]

Claims

1. A relay device comprising: a fixed contact member; a movable movable contact member; a support member supporting the movable contact member; a first actuator for moving a first support member of the support members; and a second actuator for moving a second support member of the support members, wherein the second support member is configured to be switchable by the second actuator between a first position when the movable contact member is in contact with the fixed contact member and a second position when the movable contact member is separated from the fixed contact member, and the first actuator is configured to move the first support member to a first position that allows the second support member, which is in the second position, to switch to the first position.

2. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the first support member and the fixed contact member when in the first position is greater than the distance between the first support member and the fixed contact member when not in the first position.

3. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the first support member has a support portion capable of supporting the second support member, and the support portion supports the second support member when the second support member is in the first position, and does not support the second support member when the second support member is in the second position.

4. A relay device as described in claim 1, comprising an axial member, wherein the first actuator is configured to move the support member and the movable contact member in the first direction by moving the axial member in a first direction that brings the movable contact member closer to the fixed contact member, and to move the first support member in the second direction by moving the axial member in a second direction that moves the movable contact member away from the fixed contact member.

5. The relay device according to claim 3, wherein the first support member has a base and arms extending from both ends of the base, and the support is formed at the end of the arms.

6. The relay device according to claim 4, wherein the first actuator is an electromagnetic actuator comprising a first movable member, a first fixed member, a first coil, and a first elastic member, and the shaft member is fixed to the first movable member.

7. The relay device according to claim 6, wherein the first actuator moves the first support member to the first position when the supply of current to the first coil is stopped.

8. A relay device as described in claim 1, wherein the second actuator moves the second support member so that the second support member, which is in the first position, switches to the second position when an abnormal current flows in the electric circuit or when the fixed contact member or the movable contact member reaches an abnormal temperature.

9. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the second actuator is an electromagnetic actuator including a second movable-side member, a second fixed-side member, a second coil, and a second elastic member, the second movable-side member being the second support member, and the second coil being the movable contact member.

10. A relay device as described in claim 9, wherein the support member includes a third support member as the second fixed-side member to which the movable contact member as the second coil is fixed, the second support member as the second movable-side member is a pair of magnetic members that can slide within the second coil, and the second elastic member is disposed between the pair of magnetic members.

11. The relay device according to claim 9, wherein the second coil serving as the movable contact member is wound around the second support member serving as the second movable-side member.

12. A relay device as described in claim 10, comprising: an axial member; and an urging member that applies a force to move the movable contact member away from the fixed contact member, wherein the third support member has a through hole through which the axial member is inserted, and the urging member is arranged around the axial member.

13. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the second support member is a rotating member that switches between contact and separation between the movable contact member and the fixed contact member.

14. The relay device according to claim 13, wherein the support member includes a third support member that supports the movable contact member, and the second support member supports the third support member when the second support member is in the first position, and does not support the third support member when the second support member is in the second position.

15. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the second support member is a sliding member that switches between contact and separation between the movable contact member and the fixed contact member.

16. The relay device according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member that applies a force to move the movable contact member away from the fixed contact member.

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