Relay device

Abstract

A relay device (100) has a first conduction path (CP1) that passes through a fixed contact member (5) and an upper mobile contact member (4U) and a second conduction path (CP2) that passes through the fixed contact member (5) and a lower mobile contact member (4D), the electromagnetic repulsive force generated at the second conduction path (CP2) being greater than the electromagnetic repulsive force generated at the first conduction path (CP1). The first conduction path (CP1) and the second conduction path (CP2) may be connected to a common terminal part (5T) and may have different routing structures.

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 (abnormal 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 uses a short-circuit protection electromagnet to cut off the electric circuit, which may slow down the cutting off of the electric circuit.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a relay device that can more quickly interrupt an electric circuit when an overcurrent occurs.

[0006] A relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a first conductive path passing through a fixed contact member and a first movable contact member, and a second conductive path passing through the fixed contact member and a second movable contact member, and is configured so that the electromagnetic repulsion force generated in the second conductive path is greater than the electromagnetic repulsion force generated in the first conductive path.

[0007] The relay device described above can more quickly interrupt an electric circuit when an overcurrent occurs.

[0008] 1. A perspective view of an example configuration of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the relay device shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first actuator constituting the relay device shown in FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first support member constituting the relay device shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first support member constituting the relay device shown in FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second actuator constituting the relay device shown in FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a movable contact member and a fixed terminal member constituting the relay device shown in FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a front view and a right side view of a second support member, a third support member, a movable contact member, and a fixed terminal member constituting the relay device shown in FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the relay device shown in FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the relay device shown in FIG. 1.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the relay device shown in FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of main members constituting a relay device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the main members shown in FIG.

[0034] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an inner slide member constituting a relay device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a first support member constituting a relay device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a first support member constituting a

[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. Specifically, the upper view of Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the relay device 100 with the housing HS illustrated, and the lower view of Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the relay device 100 with the housing HS not illustrated. 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.

[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 8 and a lower case member 9 that constitute a housing HS. In the illustrated example, the upper case member 8 and the lower case member 9 are made of a non-magnetic metal such as austenitic stainless steel. Because the upper case member 8 and the lower case member 9 are made 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 8 and the lower case member 9 may be made of a magnetic metal or a synthetic resin.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2, the upper case member 8 has a rectangular cylindrical shape with a lid. Specifically, the upper case member 8 has a substantially rectangular cylindrical outer wall portion 8A and a top plate portion 8B that is continuous with the upper end (the end on the Z1 side) of the outer wall portion 8A. Two through holes 8H are formed in the outer wall portion 8A.

[0014] The two through holes 8H are configured to fit the plate-shaped terminal portions 5T of the fixed contact members 5. Specifically, the two through holes 8H include a left through hole 8HL into which the left terminal portion 5TL of the left fixed contact member 5L is fitted, and a right through hole 8HR into which the right terminal portion 5TR of the right fixed contact member 5R is fitted.

[0015] 2, the lower case member 9 has a rectangular cylindrical shape with a bottom. Specifically, the lower case member 9 has a substantially rectangular cylindrical outer wall portion 9A and a bottom plate portion 9B provided so as to be continuous with the lower end (the end on the Z2 side) of the outer wall portion 9A.

[0016] 2, the housing HS, which is composed of an upper case member 8 and a lower case member 9, houses a first support member 1, a biasing member 6, a shaft member 7, a first actuator AC1, a second actuator AC2, a spacer member SM, etc. The second actuator AC2 includes a second support member 2, a third support member 3, a movable contact member 4, and a fixed contact member 5. The first support member 1, the second support member 2, and the third support member 3 form a support member SP.

[0017] The first actuator AC1 is a device for moving the support member SP. 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. 3. Note that the first coil CL1 is shown in a simplified form in Fig. 3 for clarity.

[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, a cylindrical member 34, and an upper cylindrical member 41.

[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 tubular 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, as shown in Fig. 3 , the coil bobbin 32 includes a cylindrical portion 32C (see Fig. 9 which is a cross-sectional view of the relay device 100), an annular lower flange portion 32D, and an annular upper flange portion 32U, and 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 accommodating the upper cylindrical member 41. In the illustrated example, 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 that it can 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 that when it is magnetized, it can attract the first movable-side member MB1 (the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42) upward.

[0023] The cylindrical member 34 is a member for slidably accommodating the first movable member MB1 (lower bottomed cylindrical member 42). In the illustrated example, 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 and fixed in a lower recess 32SD (see FIG. 9) 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 a lower bottomed cylindrical member 42. Specifically, the first movable-side member MB1 is configured to be movable 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, the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is arranged so that when it becomes magnetized, it is attracted upward by the two-stage cylindrical member 33, which is also magnetized.

[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.

[0028] The first elastic member RS1 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.

[0029] Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, the first elastic member RS1 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 of the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42.

[0030] Next, the first support member 1 constituting the relay device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 . FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first support member 1 constituting the relay device 100. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 4 (the view above the block arrow) is an assembled perspective view of the first support member 1, and the lower view of FIG. 4 (the view below the block arrow) is an exploded perspective view of the first support member 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first support member 1 taken along an imaginary plane parallel to the YZ plane and including the cutting line L1 shown in the upper view of FIG. 1 , as viewed from the X1 side. Specifically, the left view of FIG. 5 is a view of the first support member 1 when it is in the first configuration, the center view of FIG. 5 is a view of the first support member 1 when it is changing from the first configuration to the second configuration, and the right view of FIG. 5 is a view of the first support member 1 when it is in the second configuration.

[0031] The first support member 1 is a member for supporting the second support member 2, the third support member 3, and the movable contact member 4. In the illustrated example, the first support member 1 includes a base member 10, a first link member 11L, a first fulcrum member 11S, a second link member 12L, a second fulcrum member 12S, a third fulcrum member 13S, a guide member 14, and a second elastic member RS2, as shown in FIG. 4 . The first link member 11L, the first fulcrum member 11S, the second link member 12L, the second fulcrum member 12S, the third fulcrum member 13S, and the guide member 14 constitute a link mechanism LM, which is an example of a switching mechanism SW that switches the configuration of the first support member 1. In the illustrated example, the link mechanism LM functions as a buckling mechanism. The buckling mechanism is configured to undergo large lateral deformation and vertical contraction as if buckling occurs when a predetermined load is applied laterally while loads are being applied from both above and below.

[0032] The base member 10 is a member disposed on the distal side of the first link member 11L (farther from the fixed contact member 5 than the proximal side). In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the base member 10 is a substantially U-shaped member when viewed from the front, and is disposed so that its upper surface contacts the first link member 11L and its lower surface contacts the base portion 14B of the guide member 14. A through-hole 10H through which the shaft member 7 is inserted is formed in the lower surface of the base member 10. The base member 10 is configured to be movable together with the guide member 14 along the extension direction of the shaft member 7 (the Z-axis direction).

[0033] More specifically, the base member 10 is an elastic member that is compressed between the first link member 11L and the base 14B of the guide member 14, and is configured to function 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 via the link mechanism LM, the third support member 3, and the second support member 2 in the compressed state. Note that although the base member 10 is shown in a state where it is not elastically deformed in reality, it is elastically deformed. The same applies to FIGS. 9 to 11.

[0034] The first fulcrum member 11S is a member that forms a rotation fulcrum of the first link member 11L. In the illustrated example, the first fulcrum member 11S is a cylindrical first pin PN1 that extends in the X-axis direction, as shown in FIG.

[0035] The second fulcrum member 12S is a member that forms a rotation fulcrum of the second link member 12L. In the illustrated example, the second fulcrum member 12S is a cylindrical second pin PN2 that extends in the X-axis direction, as shown in FIG.

[0036] The third fulcrum member 13S is a member that forms a rotation fulcrum for each of the first link member 11L and the second link member 12L. In the illustrated example, the third fulcrum member 13S is a cylindrical third pin PN3 that extends in the X-axis direction.

[0037] The first link member 11L is a member that is provided to rotate around the first fulcrum member 11S. In the illustrated example, the first link member 11L is a member that has a rounded rectangular end face, one end (lower end) of which is rotatably connected to the first pin PN1, and the other end (upper end) of which is rotatably connected to the third pin PN3.

[0038] The second link member 12L is a member that is provided to rotate around the second fulcrum member 12S. In the illustrated example, the second link member 12L is a member that has a generally gourd-shaped end face, and one end (upper end) is rotatably connected to the second pin PN2 and the other end (lower end) is rotatably connected to the third pin PN3. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , which are cross-sectional views of the relay device 100, the second link member 12L has one end (upper end) that faces the base 3B of the third support member 3 and can come into contact with or separate from the base 3B, and can support the third support member 3 by abutting against the base 3B.

[0039] The guide member 14 is a member that guides the movement of the first fulcrum member 11S and the second fulcrum member 12S along the Z-axis direction. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the guide member 14 is a member having a substantially U-shaped end face when viewed from the right side, and has a base 14B and a wall 14W. The wall 14W includes a rear wall 14WB and a front wall 14WF. A through hole 14H through which the shaft member 7 is inserted is formed in the base 14B.

[0040] The rear wall portion 14WB and the front wall portion 14WF are each formed with a first guide hole GH1 that guides the movement of the first pin PN1 along the Z-axis direction and a second guide hole GH2 that guides the movement of the second pin PN2 along the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the rear wall portion 14WB is formed with a first rear guide hole GH1B that guides the rear end of the first pin PN1 and a second rear guide hole GH2B that guides the rear end of the second pin PN2. Similarly, the front wall portion 14WF is formed with a first front guide hole GH1F that guides the front end of the first pin PN1 and a second front guide hole GH2F that guides the front end of the second pin PN2.

[0041] Thus, the first link member 11L is connected to the first fulcrum member 11S so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis RX1 along the first pin PN1, and the second link member 12L is connected to the second fulcrum member 12S so as to be rotatable about the second rotation axis RX2 along the second pin PN2. Furthermore, the first link member 11L and the second link member 12L are connected to each other so as to be rotatable about the third rotation axis RX3 along the third pin PN3.

[0042] The second elastic member RS2 is a member that generates a force that moves the first fulcrum member 11S (first pin PN1) and the second fulcrum member 12S (second pin PN2), which are movable along the Z-axis direction, away from each other. In the illustrated example, the second elastic member RS2 is a torsion spring that is arranged around the third pin PN3 so that one end is in contact with the first pin PN1 and the other end is in contact with the second pin PN2, and constitutes a part of the second actuator AC2.

[0043] The second elastic member RS2, which is a torsion spring arranged between the first fulcrum member 11S and the second fulcrum member 12S that constitute the link mechanism LM, can return the first support member 1, which is in the second form (see the right diagram in Figure 5), to the first form (see the left diagram in Figure 5).

[0044] With the above-described configuration, the first support member 1 can assume a first configuration (configuration shown in the left diagram of FIG. 5 ) when the link mechanism LM is extended in the Z-axis direction (when the buckling mechanism is buckled to the right), and a second configuration (configuration shown in the right diagram of FIG. 5 ) when the link mechanism LM is contracted in the Z-axis direction (when the buckling mechanism is buckled to the left). The distance AD1 between the first rotation axis RX1 and the second rotation axis RX2 in the first configuration (configuration shown in the left diagram of FIG. 5 ) is greater than the distance AD2 between the first rotation axis RX1 and the second rotation axis RX2 in the second configuration (configuration shown in the right diagram of FIG. 5 ). The configuration shown in the center diagram of FIG. 5 is an intermediate configuration when the first configuration changes to the second configuration or when the second configuration changes to the first configuration.

[0045] The link mechanism LM also has a rotation stopper ST that allows buckling toward the Y1 side (left side) while suppressing buckling toward the Y2 side (right side) when the first support member 1 is in the first configuration. In the illustrated example, the rotation stopper ST is configured by a right stopper portion 14S formed at the right end of the front wall portion 14WF of the guide member 14.

[0046] Specifically, the right stopper portion 14S contacts the first link member 11L when the first support member 1 is in the first form (the form shown in the left figure in Figure 5), and prevents the first link member 11L from rotating clockwise while allowing it to rotate counterclockwise around the first pin PN1 when viewed from the front.

[0047] Next, the second actuator AC2 constituting the relay device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the second actuator AC2 constituting the relay device 100. Specifically, the left diagram in Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the second actuator AC2 when viewed obliquely from above, and the right diagram in Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the second actuator AC2 when viewed obliquely from below.

[0048] The movable contact member 4 is a member configured to come into contact with the fixed contact member 5, 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, movable contacts 4C (front movable contact 4C1, rear movable contact 4C2, left movable contact 4C3, and right movable contact 4C4) that come into contact with the fixed contact member 5 are formed on the upper surface of the movable contact member 4 so as to protrude upward, as shown in the left diagram of Fig. 6.

[0049] 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 a main component. Specifically, the fixed contact member 5 is configured to include a left fixed contact member 5L and a right fixed contact member 5R. More specifically, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 6 , fixed contacts 5C (front fixed contact 5C1, rear fixed contact 5C2, left fixed contact 5C3, and right fixed contact 5C4) that come into contact with the movable contacts 4C (front movable contact 4C1, rear movable contact 4C2, left movable contact 4C3, and right movable contact 4C4) of the movable contact member 4 are formed on the lower surface of the fixed contact member 5 so as to protrude downward.

[0050] The second actuator AC2 is a device for moving the link mechanism LM that constitutes the first support member 1. In the illustrated example, the second actuator AC2 is an electromagnetic actuator (electromagnet) that includes a second fixed-side member FB2, a second movable-side member MB2, a second elastic member RS2 (see FIG. 4), and a third elastic member RS3.

[0051] 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 and fixed contact members 5 (a left fixed contact member 5L and a right fixed contact member 5R).

[0052] The second movable-side member MB2 is a member that functions as a mover of the second actuator AC2 and includes the second support member 2 (second upper support member 2U and second lower support member 2D) and the movable contact member 4 (upper movable contact member 4U and lower movable contact member 4D). Specifically, the second support member 2 and the movable contact member 4 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 repulsive force) sufficient to move the second movable-side member MB2 is generated. Furthermore, when the second upper support member 2U and the second lower support member 2D are each in the OFF position, it can be said that the second support member 2 is in the first position, and when the second upper support member 2U and the second lower support member 2D are each in the ON position, it can be said that the second support member 2 is in the second position.

[0053] Specifically, the second upper support member 2U is a member that supports the upper movable contact member 4U. In the illustrated example, the second upper support member 2U includes a substantially flat base portion 2UB and bent portions 2UW at the four corners of the base portion 2UB. The base portion 2UB also has through-holes 2UH through which the protrusions 4UP formed on the underside of the upper movable contact member 4U are inserted. The second upper support member 2U and the upper movable contact member 4U are joined to each other with an adhesive or the like so that they can move integrally. The second upper support member 2U is fixed to the third support member 3 via the four bent portions 2UW.

[0054] The second lower support member 2D supports the lower movable contact member 4D. In the illustrated example, the lower movable contact member 4D is a generally plate-shaped member bent downward with a central portion 4DM concave. The second lower support member 2D also includes a base portion 2DB having a generally cross-shaped outer shape in a top view (plan view), a shaft portion 2DS extending along the X-axis direction from the Y1-side end (left end) of the base portion 2DB, and an operating portion 2DN extending downward from the Y2-side end (right end) of the base portion 2DB. The operating portion 2DN operates the link mechanism LM (buckling mechanism) and has a protrusion PR at its tip that contacts a contact portion 12C (see FIG. 4) on the right side of the rear end of the second link member 12L. The base portion 2DB is also formed with a through-hole 2DH through which a protrusion 4DP formed on the underside of the lower movable contact member 4D is inserted. The upper surface of the base 2DB is formed with a recess 2DQ that receives the protrusion 4UP (the protrusion 4UP that penetrates the through-hole 2UH of the second upper support member 2U) formed on the lower surface of the upper movable contact member 4U. A recess 2DR is formed in the center of the upper surface of the base 2DB to receive the center portion 4DM of the lower movable contact member 4D. The lower surface of the base 2DB is formed with a cylindrical protrusion 2DT that protrudes downward. The protrusion 2DT is used to hold the upper end of the compression coil spring serving as the third elastic member RS3. The shaft 2DS is inserted into a rounded rectangular through-hole 3H formed in the wall 3W of the third support member 3, and the operating portion 2DN is inserted into a rectangular through-hole 3K formed in the base 3B of the third support member 3. In this way, the second lower support member 2D is configured to swing around the central axis of the shaft 2DS.

[0055] The third support member 3 is a member that supports the second support member 2. In the illustrated example, the third support member 3 is configured to non-swingably support the second upper support member 2U and swingably support the second lower support member 2D. Specifically, the third support member 3 has a substantially rectangular plate-shaped base 3B and wall portions 3W (rear wall portion 3WB and front wall portion 3WF) extending from both ends (front end and rear end) of the base 3B toward the Z1 direction. The wall portion 3W also has a rounded rectangular through-hole 3H formed therein, through which the shaft portion 2DS of the second lower support member 2D is inserted. The wall portion 3W also has a rectangular through-hole 3J formed therein, through which a claw portion 14N (see FIG. 4 ) formed on the inner surface of the wall portion 14W of the guide member 14 is slidably inserted along the Z axis direction. The wall 3W is formed with a guide hole 3G through which a protrusion 14T (see FIG. 4) formed on the inner surface of the wall 14W of the guide member 14 is slidably inserted along the Z-axis direction. The base 3B is formed with a rectangular through-hole 3K through which the operating portion 2DN of the second lower support member 2D is inserted. A third elastic member RS3 is disposed between the upper surface of the base 3B of the third support member 3 and the lower surface of the base 2DB of the second lower support member 2D.

[0056] The third elastic member RS3 is a member that is compressed to generate a repulsive force (restoring force) when the second lower support member 2D swings around the shaft portion 2DS. In the illustrated example, the third elastic member RS3 is a compression coil spring disposed between the upper surface of the base portion 3B of the third support member 3 and the lower surface of the base portion 2DB of the second lower support member 2D, and constitutes a part of the second actuator AC2. Note that the third elastic member RS3 is typically configured so that the repulsive force (restoring force) is smaller than the electromagnetic repulsive force generated between the second lower support member 2D and the fixed contact member 5. This is because the electromagnetic repulsive force causes the connection between the second lower support member 2D and the fixed contact member 5 to be released.

[0057] Next, referring to FIG. 7 , the electromagnetic repulsive force generated between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram of the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 that constitute the relay device 100. Note that in FIG. 7 , the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 are in contact with each other. Specifically, the upper left diagram of FIG. 7 is a top view (plan view) of the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5, and the lower left diagram of FIG. 7 is a front cross-sectional view of the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 when a cross section in an imaginary plane parallel to the YZ plane including the cutting line L2 shown in the upper left diagram of FIG. 7 is viewed from the X1 side. Furthermore, the right diagram of FIG. 7 is a right cross-sectional view of the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 when a cross section in an imaginary plane parallel to the XZ plane including the cutting line L3 shown in the upper left diagram of FIG. 7 is viewed from the Y2 side.

[0058] When the movable contact 4C of the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact 5C of the fixed contact member 5 come into contact, the left terminal portion 5TL of the left fixed contact member 5L and the right terminal portion 5TR of the right fixed contact member 5R are connected via two conduction paths CP (a first conduction path CP1 and a second conduction path CP2). In the illustrated example, the first conduction path CP1 is configured so that current flows from the left terminal portion 5TL of the left fixed contact member 5L through the left fixed contact 5C3, the left movable contact 4C3, the right movable contact 4C4, and the right fixed contact 5C4 to the right terminal portion 5TR of the right fixed contact member 5R, as shown by the dashed line in the lower left diagram of FIG. 7 . In other words, the first conduction path CP1 is configured so that current always flows in the same direction (Y2 direction). As shown by the two-dot chain lines in the upper left and right views of FIG. 7 , the second conduction path CP2 is configured so that current flows from the left terminal portion 5TL of the left fixed contact member 5L through the front fixed contact 5C1, the front movable contact 4C1, the rear movable contact 4C2, and the rear fixed contact 5C2 to the right terminal portion 5TR of the right fixed contact member 5R. That is, the second conduction path CP2 is configured so that the current changes direction midway. Note that the second conduction path CP2 in the upper left view of FIG. 7 and the second conduction path CP2 in the right view of FIG. 7 are connected via points P1 and P2. The conduction path CP2 may also be configured so that current flows from the right terminal portion 5TR to the left terminal portion 5TL.

[0059] When a current flows between the left terminal portion 5TL and the right terminal portion 5TR, a Lorentz force, which is generated in proportion to the magnitude of the current, acts between the contacts to repel each other (electromagnetic repulsion), and the larger the current, the stronger the electromagnetic repulsion. The relay device 100 is configured to utilize this electromagnetic repulsion to interrupt the connection between the movable contact 4C and the fixed contact 5C when an abnormal current flows between the left terminal portion 5TL and the right terminal portion 5TR. Specifically, the relay device 100 is configured to maintain the connection between the movable contact 4C and the fixed contact 5C when a rush current flows (in a rush current state), and to interrupt the connection between the movable contact 4C and the fixed contact 5C when an abnormal current larger than the rush current flows (in an abnormal current state).

[0060] Therefore, the relay device 100 is configured so that the electromagnetic repulsive force generated in the second conduction path CP2 is greater than the electromagnetic repulsive force generated in the first conduction path CP1. This configuration is achieved by the fact that the second conduction path CP2 includes a folded portion ZN, which is the portion surrounded by a dashed line in the right diagram of Figure 7, while the first conduction path CP1 does not include a folded portion. Note that the folded portion ZN is two parallel portions of the conduction path, and the current flows in opposite directions in the two parallel portions.

[0061] With this configuration, the relay device 100 can make the electromagnetic repulsive force generated between the movable contact 4C and the fixed contact 5C in the second conduction path CP2 greater than the electromagnetic repulsive force generated between the movable contact 4C and the fixed contact 5C in the first conduction path CP1. Therefore, the relay device 100 can accelerate the timing at which the lower movable contact member 4D separates from the fixed contact member 5 compared to the timing at which the upper movable contact member 4U separates from the fixed contact member 5. Therefore, the relay device 100 can reliably separate the movable contact members 4 (the lower movable contact member 4D and the upper movable contact member 4U) from the fixed contact member 5 when an abnormal current flows. Furthermore, for example, as described below, when a rush current flows, the relay device 100 allows the lower movable contact member 4D to separate from the fixed contact member 5 while preventing the upper movable contact member 4U from separating from the fixed contact member 5, thereby maintaining the connection between the movable contact 4C and the fixed contact 5C.

[0062] Here, referring to FIG. 8 , the movement of each component constituting the relay device 100 when an electromagnetic repulsive force is generated will be described. FIG. 8 is a front view and a right side view of the second support member 2, the third support member 3, the movable contact member 4, and the fixed contact member 5 constituting the relay device 100. Specifically, FIG. 8 shows five state diagrams (combinations of the front view and the right side view) of the relay device 100. The first state diagram (the first row) shows the positions of each component when the relay device 100 is in the ON state. The second state diagram (the second row) shows the positions of each component when the relay device 100 is in a rush current state. The third state diagram (the third row) shows the positions of each component when the relay device 100 is in an abnormal current state. The fourth state diagram (the fourth row) shows the positions of each component when the first support member 1 changes to the second configuration after the abnormal current state. The fifth state diagram (the fifth row) shows the positions of each component when the second lower support member 2D returns to its original position after the abnormal current state.

[0063] Specifically, when the relay device 100 enters a rush current state, the second lower support member 2D is moved toward the Z2 side (downward) by the electromagnetic repulsive force generated between the lower movable contact member 4D and the fixed contact member 5, as indicated by arrow AR1 in the second state diagram. That is, the front movable contact 4C1 and the front fixed contact 5C1 are released from contact. The same applies to the contact between the rear movable contact 4C2 and the rear fixed contact 5C2, which are not visible in FIG. 8 . At this time, the second lower support member 2D moves downward without swinging around the central axis of the shaft 2DS because the shaft 2DS is inserted into the rounded rectangular through-hole 3H formed in the wall 3W of the third support member 3. Therefore, the protrusion PR of the actuation portion 2DN does not push the contact portion 12C (see FIG. 4) of the second link member 12L toward the Y1 side, and does not change the first support member 1 from the first configuration (see the left diagram in FIG. 5) to the second configuration (see the right diagram in FIG. 5). Also, at this stage, the left movable contact 4C3 and the left fixed contact 5C3 are not released from contact, and the right movable contact 4C4 and the right fixed contact 5C4 are not released from contact. This is because the second upper support member 2U, which supports the upper movable contact member 4U having the left movable contact 4C3 and the right movable contact 4C4, is supported by the housing HS via the third support member 3, the guide member 14, and the shaft member 7.

[0064] On the other hand, when the relay device 100 is in an abnormal current state, a greater electromagnetic repulsive force is generated than in a rush current state, so that the second lower support member 2D is moved downward as in a rush current state, and then swings clockwise around the central axis of the shaft portion 2DS as shown by arrow AR2 in the third state diagram. As a result, the protrusion PR of the operating portion 2DN presses the contact portion 12C (see FIG. 4) of the second link member 12L toward the Y1 side, changing the first support member 11 from the first configuration (see the left diagram in FIG. 5) to the second configuration (see the right diagram in FIG. 5).

[0065] When the first support member 1 changes to the second configuration, the support of the third support member 3 by the first support member 1 (second link member 12L) is released, and the third support member 3 moves toward the Z2 side (downward) as indicated by arrow AR3 in the fourth state diagram. The upper movable contact member 4U, which is supported by the third support member 3 via the second upper support member 2U, also moves toward the Z2 side (downward) together with the third support member 3. In the illustrated example, the upper movable contact member 4U is also moved toward the Z2 side (downward) by the repulsive force (restoring force) of the biasing member 6. As a result, contact between the left movable contact 4C3 and the left fixed contact 5C3 and between the right movable contact 4C4 and the right fixed contact 5C4 are both released. In other words, contact between the movable contact 4C and the fixed contact 5C is completely released, and the electrical circuit is interrupted.

[0066] When the electrical circuit is interrupted, the overcurrent flowing through the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 is eliminated, and the electromagnetic repulsive force is also eliminated. As a result, the second lower support member 2D swings counterclockwise around the central axis of the shaft portion 2DS due to the repulsive force (restoring force) of the third elastic member RS3, as shown by arrow AR4 in the fifth state diagram, and returns to the position it was in before the abnormal current flowed through the electrical circuit. This state of the relay device 100 is also called the reset state.

[0067] In this way, the relay device 100 can use the electromagnetic repulsive force generated between the movable contact 4C and the fixed contact 5C to move each member that constitutes the second actuator AC2, and ultimately to move the link mechanism LM that constitutes the first support member 1.

[0068] 2, the biasing member 6, the shaft member 7, and the spacer member SM will be described. The biasing member 6 is a member that applies a force that moves 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 as shown in FIG. 2, and is arranged in the space formed by the upper case member 8 so that its upper end contacts the upper case member 8 and its lower end contacts a protrusion 4UT formed on the underside of the movable contact member 4.

[0069] Specifically, when the support member SP moves upward toward the ON position, the biasing member 6 is compressed between the upper case member 8 and the movable contact member 4 attached to the upper surface of the support member SP (second support member 2). Therefore, when the force moving the support member SP upward disappears, the biasing member 6 can push the support member SP (movable contact member 4) downward toward the OFF position by a repulsive force. However, the biasing member 6 may be omitted.

[0070] The shaft member 7 is a member for transmitting the force generated by the first actuator AC1 to the support member SP (first support member 1). In the illustrated example, the shaft member 7 is a member formed of a non-magnetic metal, and as shown in FIG. 3 , a lower end portion 7ED is fixed to the bottom plate portion of the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42, and an upper end portion 7EU is fixed to the support member SP (guide member 14 of the first support member 1). The shaft member 7 also has a central flange portion 7C and an upper flange portion 7U. The central flange portion 7C is configured to come into contact with the two-stage cylindrical member 33 when the shaft member 7 moves upward together with the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 by a predetermined distance. The upper flange portion 7U is configured to be able to press the support member SP (first support member 1) downward when the shaft member 7 moves downward together with the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42.

[0071] The spacer member SM is a member for determining the distance between the first actuator AC1 and the support member SP. Specifically, the spacer member SM is fixed to the lower case member 9 so as to determine the height position of the third support member 3 when the relay device 100 is in the OFF state.

[0072] Next, the operation of the relay device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 . FIGS. 9 to 11 are cross-sectional views of the relay device 100 taken along a virtual plane parallel to the YZ plane including the section line L4 shown in FIG. 1 , as viewed from the X1 side. Specifically, the left diagram of FIG. 9 illustrates the positions of the components when the relay device 100 is in the ON state, and the right diagram of FIG. 9 illustrates the positions of the components when a large current (e.g., rush current) flows through the electric circuit. The left diagram of FIG. 10 illustrates the positions of the components when an even larger current (abnormal current) flows through the electric circuit (when the relay device 100 is in an abnormal current state) and the first support member 1 is in the first configuration. The right diagram of FIG. 10 illustrates the positions of the components when the relay device 100 is in an abnormal current state and the first support member 1 is in the second configuration. The left diagram in FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the positions of each component when the relay device 100 is in the reset state, and the right diagram in FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the positions of each component when the relay device 100 is in the OFF state.

[0073] 9, 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 arrow AR5. At this time, the first elastic member RS1 is compressed between the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42.

[0074] 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 arrow AR6. At this time, the upper flange portion 7U of the shaft member 7 pushes up the first support member 1. As a result, the first support member 1 is moved upward, as indicated by arrow AR7, as the upper flange portion 7U rises. Furthermore, the base member 10 serving as a contact pressure applying member is moved upward as the upper flange portion 7U rises, and is compressed between the first link member 11L (see FIG. 4) and the base portion 14B of the guide member 14.

[0075] The third support member 3, which is supported by the second link member 12L of the link mechanism LM, is moved upward as the link mechanism LM rises, as indicated by arrow AR8. As a result, the movable contact member 4 comes into contact with the fixed contact member 5. Furthermore, when the movable contact member 4 is moved upward, the biasing member 6 is compressed between the movable contact member 4 and the upper case member 8.

[0076] In this way, when current is supplied to the first actuator AC1, the relay device 100 switches from the OFF state (see the right diagram in Figure 11) to the ON state (see the left diagram in Figure 9), and the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 are connected.

[0077] When a rush current flows when the relay device 100 is powered on, a relatively large electromagnetic repulsive force is generated between the movable contact 4C and the fixed contact 5C. Therefore, as shown in the third state diagram of FIG. 8 , the front movable contact 4C1 and the front fixed contact 5C1 are subjected to a force (electromagnetic repulsive force) that moves them away from each other. The same applies to the rear movable contact 4C2 and the rear fixed contact 5C2. As a result, the second lower support member 2D is moved toward the Z2 side (downward) as indicated by the arrow AR9 in the right diagram of FIG. 9 . In the illustrated example, the second lower support member 2D is moved toward the Z2 side (downward) by a distance DS1 without swinging around the center axis of the shaft portion 2DS because the shaft portion 2DS is inserted into the rounded rectangular through-hole 3H (see FIG. 6 ) formed in the wall portion 3W of the third support member 3. At this time, the protrusion PR at the tip of the operating portion 2DN of the second lower support member 2D is in contact with the contact portion 12C of the second link member 12L, but does not push the second link member 12L toward the Y1 side (left side).

[0078] On the other hand, if an overcurrent flows in the electric circuit due to a short circuit or the like, a stronger electromagnetic repulsive force is generated than when a rush current flows, and the second lower support member 2D is moved downward as in a rush current state, causing the shank 2DS to reach the lower limit of the through-hole 3H. Thereafter, as indicated by the arrow AR10 in the left diagram of Figure 10, the second lower support member 2D swings clockwise around the central axis of the shank 2DS that has reached the lower limit of the through-hole 3H.

[0079] When the second lower support member 2D swings clockwise, the link mechanism LM buckles to the left. Specifically, the second link member 12L, which was in contact with the protrusion PR of the actuation portion 2DN of the second lower support member 2D, is pushed to the left by the clockwise swinging second lower support member 2D, causing the third pin PN3 to move to the left as indicated by arrow AR11. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5 , the link mechanism LM buckles to the left as the first link member 11L rotates counterclockwise around the third pin PN3 and the second link member 12L rotates clockwise around the third pin PN3.

[0080] When the link mechanism LM buckles to the left, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 10 , the upper movable contact member 4U, which is continuously subjected to a downward force (repulsive force) from the biasing member 6, is moved downward by the biasing member 6 as indicated by arrow AR12. This is because the upward force from the first support member 1 that resists the downward force from the biasing member 6 disappears. The same applies to the second upper support member 2U that supports the upper movable contact member 4U, the third support member 3 that supports the second upper support member 2U, and the second lower support member 2D that is pivotally connected to the third support member 3. As a result, contact between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 is released, and the electrical circuit is interrupted. Note that the upper movable contact member 4U would be moved downward even if the biasing member 6 were omitted. This is because the upward force from the first support member 1 disappears. Furthermore, the third support member 3 that has moved downward comes into contact with the spacer member SM, stops moving, and remains at a position a predetermined distance away from the fixed contact member 5, so that the second link member 12L moves away from the lower surface of the third support member 3. Furthermore, the torsion spring serving as the second elastic member RS2 (see FIG. 4) is compressed between the first fulcrum member 11S (first pin PN1) and the second fulcrum member 12S (second pin PN2).

[0081] When the electrical circuit is interrupted, the overcurrent flowing through the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 is eliminated, and the electromagnetic repulsive force that tries to move the movable contact member 4 away from the fixed contact member 5 is also eliminated. Therefore, as shown by arrow AR13 in the left diagram of Figure 11, the second lower support member 2D moves upward due to the repulsive force (restoring force) of the third elastic member RS3, and further, as shown by arrow AR14, it swings counterclockwise around the central axis of the shaft portion 2DS.

[0082] In this way, when an overcurrent flows in the electric circuit, the relay device 100 switches from the ON state to the abnormal current state, and releases the connection between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5. Furthermore, the first support member 1 changes from the first form to the second form, and the second lower support member 2D moves downward and swings counterclockwise around the central axis of the shaft portion 2DS, and then moves upward and swings clockwise around the central axis of the shaft portion 2DS to return to its original position.

[0083] 11, 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 by arrow AR15, and the shaft member 7 fixed to the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is also moved downward.

[0084] When the shaft member 7 is moved downward, the base member 10 in contact with the lower surface of the upper flange portion 7U of the shaft member 7 is moved downward together with the shaft member 7.

[0085] When the base member 10 is moved downward, the second pin PN2, which is continuously subjected to an upward force (repulsive force) from the second elastic member RS2, is moved upward until the second link member 12L contacts the third support member 3, and the third pin PN3 is moved to the right as indicated by arrow AR16. As a result, the first support member 1, which is in the second configuration as shown in the left diagram of Fig. 11, switches to the first configuration as shown in the right diagram of Fig. 11. Therefore, the position of the first support member 1 in the right diagram of Fig. 11 is also referred to as a position that allows the first support member 1, which is in the second configuration, to switch to the first configuration.

[0086] 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 first support member 1, which was in the second configuration, switches to the first configuration. In other words, the relay device 100 returns to the OFF state.

[0087] Next, a relay device 100A, which is another example of the relay device 100, will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 . FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the main components constituting the relay device 100A (the first support member 1, the second support member 2 (the second lower support member 2D and the second upper support member 2U), the third support member 3, the movable contact member 4 (the lower movable contact member 4D and the upper movable contact member 4U), the biasing member 6, the shaft member 7, the second elastic member RS2, the third elastic member RS3, and the switching mechanism SW). Note that in FIG. 12 , the second lower support member 2D is illustrated transparently for ease of understanding. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the main components constituting the relay device 100A. Specifically, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the main components in a virtual plane parallel to the YZ plane including the cutting line L5 shown in FIG. 12 , as viewed from the X1 side. FIG. 13 also shows four state diagrams of the relay device 100A. Each state diagram is a combination of an upper diagram showing a cross section of the entire main components and a lower diagram showing an enlarged view of the area R1 surrounded by a dashed line in the upper diagram. The first state diagram on the far left shows the positions of the components when relay device 100A is in the ON state. The second state diagram, second from the left, shows the positions of the components when electromagnetic repulsion due to abnormal current occurs. The third state diagram, second from the right, shows the positions of the components when first support member 1 changes to the second form. The fourth state diagram, rightmost, shows the positions of the components when relay device 100A is in the OFF state.

[0088] 12, relay device 100A differs from relay device 100 in that it includes a ball plunger mechanism BP, which is a mechanism using a pushable locking portion (ball member BM), as a switching mechanism SW that switches the configuration of first support member 1. Relay device 100A also differs from relay device 100 in that first support member 1 includes an outer guide member 1G and an inner slide member 1E, as shown in FIG.

[0089] The outer guide member 1G is a component constituting part of the first support member 1 that is lifted by the shaft member 7 when power is supplied to the first actuator AC1. In the illustrated example, the outer guide member 1G is a substantially rectangular cylindrical member with a bottom, and is configured so that the inner slide member 1E can slide on its inner surface. Furthermore, notches 1GC are formed on the left and right sides of the outer guide member 1G to receive the protrusions PR of the pair of actuating portions 2DN of the second lower support member 2D. A second elastic member RS2 (compression coil spring) is disposed between the lower surface of the outer guide member 1G and the upper surface of the flange portion 7F of the shaft member 7.

[0090] The inner slide member 1E is a member that constitutes another part of the first support member 1. In the illustrated example, it is a substantially rectangular columnar member formed to fit into the outer guide member 1G, with its upper end joined to the third support member 3 and its lower end provided with a ball plunger mechanism BP.

[0091] The ball plunger mechanism BP includes a pair of ball members BM arranged to be able to contact the protrusions PR of the pair of actuating portions 2DN of the second lower support member 2D. The ball members BM are arranged to be retractable along the Y-axis direction and are configured to be held by being hooked onto the lower edge of the notch portion 1GC of the outer guide member 1G when protruding outward. Furthermore, when the ball members BM are pressed inward by the protrusions PR of the actuating portions 2DN, they do not hook onto the lower edge of the notch portion 1GC but instead come into contact with the inner surface of the outer guide member 1G located further below. Therefore, the inner slide member 1E moves downward and penetrates deeper into the outer guide member 1G than when the ball members BM are hooked onto the lower edge of the notch portion 1GC. As a result, the third support member 3 supported by the inner slide member 1E, the second lower support member 2D supported by the third support member 3 via the third elastic member RS3, and the second upper support member 2U supported by the third support member 3 also move downward. The same applies to the movable contact member 4 supported by the second support member 2.

[0092] More specifically, when the relay device 100A is in the ON state, the shaft member 7 moves upward as indicated by the arrow AR21 in the first state diagram of FIG. 13 . The support members SP (first support member 1, second support member 2, and third support member 3), the movable contact member 4 (lower movable contact member 4D and upper movable contact member 4U), and the third elastic member RS3 are also pushed upward by the shaft member 7. Meanwhile, the biasing member 6 is compressed between the upper case member 8 (not shown) and the upper movable contact member 4U, generating a downward force as indicated by the arrow AR22. The biasing member 6 may be omitted. Because the ball member BM of the ball plunger mechanism BP is hooked on the edge of the cutout portion 1GC of the outer guide member 1G, the first support member 1 holds the inner slide member 1E with the lower surface of the inner slide member 1E separated from the bottom surface of the outer guide member 1G by a distance DS2. The configuration of the first support member 1 at this time is also called a first configuration.

[0093] When the relay device 100A enters an abnormal current state, a downward electromagnetic repulsive force acts on the lower movable contact member 4D, as indicated by arrow AR23 in the second state diagram. As a result, a pair of actuating portions 2DN of the second lower support member 2D, which are fixed to the lower movable contact member 4D, also move downward, as indicated by arrow AR24. The protrusions PR of the actuating portions 2DN then come into contact with the ball members BM of the ball plunger mechanism BP, pushing the ball members BM inward, as indicated by arrow AR25. For clarity, the compression coil springs that urge the ball members BM outward are not shown in FIG. 13 .

[0094] When the ball member BM is pushed inward, the engagement between the ball member BM and the outer guide member 1G is released, and the inner slide member 1E slides downward on the inner surface of the outer guide member 1G, as indicated by arrow AR26 in the third state diagram. This is because the upper end of the inner slide member 1E is in contact with the third support member 3, and the third support member 3 is subjected to a downward force due to the repulsive force (restoring force) of the third elastic member RS3. Specifically, the third support member 3 moves downward a distance DS3 until it contacts the spacer member SM (not shown), which functions as a support base. The inner slide member 1E, the second support member 2, and the movable contact member 4 also move downward a distance DS3. In other words, further downward movement of the support member SP (excluding the outer guide member 1G) is prevented by contact between the third support member 3 and the spacer member SM. Note that this configuration of the first support member 1 is also referred to as the second configuration.

[0095] Thereafter, when the relay device 100A is turned OFF, the shaft member 7 moves downward by a distance DS4, as indicated by the arrow AR27 in the fourth state diagram. The outer guide member 1G of the first support member 1, which had been pushed up by the shaft member 7, also moves downward by a distance DS4. The inner slide member 1E does not move downward because it is joined to the third support member 3. Therefore, the inner slide member 1E appears to slide upward relative to the outer guide member 1G, and the ball member BM protrudes outward at the cutout portion 1GC, as indicated by the arrow AR28. In other words, the first support member 1 switches from the second configuration to the first configuration.

[0096] In this way, relay device 100A utilizes the electromagnetic repulsive force generated between movable contact 4C and fixed contact 5C to move the components of second actuator AC2, and thereby move ball plunger mechanism BP of first support member 1. Specifically, when an overcurrent flows in the electric circuit, relay device 100A switches from the ON state to the abnormal current state, switches first support member 1 from the first configuration to the second configuration, and releases the connection between movable contact member 4 and fixed contact member 5. Furthermore, when the supply of current to first coil CL1 is stopped after the abnormal current state is resolved, relay device 100A switches to the reset state, and returns first support member 1, which was in the second configuration, to the first configuration.

[0097] Next, another example configuration of the switching mechanism SW will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the inner slide member 1E joined to the third support member 3. Specifically, the upper view of Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the inner slide member 1E having the ball plunger mechanism BP shown in Fig. 12, and the lower view of Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the inner slide member 1E having the snap-fit ​​mechanism SF.

[0098] In the example shown in the lower diagram of Figure 14, the snap-fit ​​mechanism SF includes cantilever-shaped elastic plate members CT formed on the left and right sides of the inner slide member 1E. The elastic plate members CT are sandwiched between a pair of slit-shaped cutouts SL, and a raised portion WG is provided near the tip of the outer surface. The raised portion WG corresponds to the ball member BM in the ball plunger mechanism BP and is configured to be pressed inward by the protrusion PR (see Figure 12) of the actuating portion 2DN of the second lower support member 2D. When not pressed in by the protrusion PR, the raised portion WG is configured to be hooked onto and held by the lower edge of the cutout portion 1GC (see Figure 12) of the outer guide member 1G. On the other hand, when the raised portion WG is pushed in by the convex portion PR, it does not get caught on the lower edge of the cutout portion 1GC, but slides downward along the inner surface of the outer guide member 1G located further below, and is configured to penetrate to a deeper position within the outer guide member 1G.

[0099] In this way, the inner slide member 1E having the snap-fit ​​mechanism SF can achieve the same effect as when the inner slide member 1E has the ball plunger mechanism BP. Specifically, the relay device 100A having the snap-fit ​​mechanism SF can use the electromagnetic repulsive force generated between the movable contact 4C and the fixed contact 5C to move the components constituting the second actuator AC2, thereby moving the snap-fit ​​mechanism SF constituting the first support member 1. More specifically, when an overcurrent flows in the electrical circuit, the relay device 100A switches from the ON state to the abnormal current state, switches the first support member 1 from the first configuration to the second configuration, and releases the connection between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5. Furthermore, 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 reset state, and returns the first support member 1 from the second configuration to the first configuration.

[0100] Next, referring to FIG. 15 , a first support member 1A, which is another example of the first support member 1, will be described. FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the first support member 1A. The first support member 1A includes a first lower support member 1D, a first upper support member 1U, an outer support member 15, an inner support member 16, a second elastic member RS2C (tension coil spring), and a second elastic member RS2T (torsion spring). For ease of understanding, FIG. 15 includes a bottom perspective view in addition to a top perspective view of the outer support member 15, and includes another perspective view of the first lower support member 1D viewed from a different angle. The second elastic member RS2C (tension coil spring) is illustrated in a simplified form.

[0101] Specifically, the first support member 1A includes a first lower support member 1D and a first upper support member 1U. The first lower support member 1D includes a flat base 1B extending along the XY plane and a rectangular cylindrical wall 1W extending from the base 1B toward the Z1 side along the Z-axis direction. The base 1B has a recess 1R formed in its center for receiving the second elastic member RS2T, and a two-stage cylindrical cylindrical portion 1HD through which the shaft member 7 is inserted. The inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 1HD is formed with a protrusion 1P that engages with a groove 16G formed in the outer circumferential surface of the substantially cylindrical inner support member 16. The recess 1R includes a first protrusion 1Q1 that can contact a first end E1 of the second elastic member RS2T and a second protrusion 1Q2 that can contact a 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, with a circular through-hole 1HU formed in the center. The first support member 1A also has a notch 1C for receiving the operating portion 2DN of the second lower support member 2D. Specifically, the first lower support member 1D has a lower notch 1CD, and the first upper support member 1U has an upper notch 1CU.

[0102] The outer support member 15 is a component of the rotation mechanism RM and is configured to support the inner support member 16. In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 15 , the outer support member 15 is a substantially two-stage cylindrical member having a tubular portion 15C and a flange portion 15F. A convex portion 15T protruding radially outward is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 15C, and a concave portion 15Q capable of receiving a convex portion 16P protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the inner support member 16. Furthermore, a convex portion 15V protruding downward is formed on the lower surface of the flange portion 15F. The convex portion 15V includes a first convex portion 15V1 capable of contacting a first end E1 of the second elastic member RS2T and a second convex portion 15V2 capable of contacting a second end E2 of the second elastic member RS2T.

[0103] The inner support member 16 is a component of the rotation mechanism RM and is configured to support the third support member 3. Specifically, the inner support member 16 is a substantially cylindrical member, and on its outer circumferential surface, a groove 16G that engages with the protrusion 1P of the first support member 1 and a protrusion 16P that can be inserted into the recess 15Q of the outer support member 15 are formed. Furthermore, on the upper surface of the inner support member 16, a protrusion 16T that is inserted into a through-hole (not shown) formed in the base 3B of the third support member 3 is formed. Furthermore, on the ceiling surface of the substantially cylindrical internal space of the inner support member 16, a hook portion (not shown) is provided to hook the upper end of the second elastic member RS2C (tension coil spring).

[0104] FIG. 16 illustrates the movement of the outer support member 15 and the inner support member 16 driven by the second actuator AC2. Specifically, FIG. 16 illustrates four stages, progressing from top to bottom, with each stage represented by three horizontally aligned diagrams. The three diagrams include a right side view (left diagram) of the outer support member 15, the inner support member 16, the shaft member 7, the second actuator AC2 (the actuating portion 2DN of the second lower support member 2D), and the spacer member SM; a top view (center diagram) of the outer support member 15 and the inner support member 16; and a cross-sectional view (right diagram) of the first lower support member 1D, the outer support member 15, and the second elastic member RS2T. 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 L6 shown in the right side view (left diagram), as viewed from the Z1 side. For clarity, the first support member 1 is omitted from the right side view (left figure), and the shaft member 7 and spacer member SM are omitted from the cross-sectional view (right figure).

[0105] The first actuator AC1 that moves the first support member 1A differs from the first actuator AC1 (see FIG. 3 ) that moves the first support member 1 in that the shaft member 7 has a flange portion 7M and a hook portion 7K at the upper end 7EU. The flange portion 7M is positioned so that its upper surface contacts the lower surface of the first lower support member 1D, and is configured to push up the support member SP (first support member 1A) when the shaft member 7 is raised by the first actuator AC1. The flange portion 7M also has a through-hole through which a support pin PN protruding from the upper surface of the spacer member SM is inserted. The support pin PN is configured to support the support member SP (first support member 1A) 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. 15 ) serving as a tension coil spring.

[0106] When the relay device 100 is in the OFF state, the lower surface of the convex portion 16P of the inner support member 16 rests on the upper surface 15S of the cylindrical portion 15C of the outer support member 15, and is not within the concave portion 15Q of the outer support member 15. The configuration of the first support member 1A at this time is also referred to as the first configuration.

[0107] Thereafter, as shown in the first row of FIG. 16, when the outer support member 15 is lifted by the first actuator AC1, the relay device 100 is turned on and the movable contact member 4 comes into contact with the fixed contact member 5.

[0108] 16 , when the relay device 100 enters an abnormal current state, the operating portion 2DN of the second lower support member 2D swings around the central axis of the shaft portion 2DS, bringing the protrusion PR into contact with the protrusion 15T of the outer support member 15 and causing the outer support member 15 to rotate counterclockwise in top view, as indicated by arrow AR32. As a result, the rotational position of the recess 15Q of the outer support member 15 coincides with the rotational position of the protrusion 16P of the inner support member 16. Furthermore, because the outer support member 15 rotates counterclockwise in top view, as indicated by arrow AR33, the first end E1 of the second elastic member RS2T (torsion spring) is pushed closer to the second end E2 by the first protrusion 15V1 of the outer support member 15, 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.

[0109] When the rotational position of the recess 15Q of the outer support member 15 coincides with the rotational position of the protrusion 16P of the inner support member 16, the inner support member 16 descends, as indicated by the third arrow AR34 in FIG. 16 . This is because the protrusion 16P is no longer supported by the upper surface 15S of the cylindrical portion 15C. Furthermore, the hook portion (not shown) provided inside the inner support member 16 is pulled downward by the restoring force of the second elastic member RS2C (tension coil spring). The configuration of the first support member 1A at this time is also referred to as the second configuration. As a result, the third support member 3 supported by the inner support member 16 descends, and further, the movable contact member 4 supported by the third support member 3 also descends along with the descending third support member 3. 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 16B of the inner support member 16 is in contact with the upper end of the support pin PN of the spacer member SM. Note that in this state, even if the operating portion 2DN of the second lower support member 2D returns to its original position, the outer support member 15 does not return to its original rotational position because the recessed portion 15Q of the outer support member 15 and the protruding portion 16P of the inner support member 16 are engaged with each other.

[0110] Subsequently, when the relay device 100 is turned OFF, the shaft member 7 descends, as indicated by the arrow AR35 in the fourth row of FIG. 16 . The first lower support member 1D (not shown), which was supported by the flange portion 7F of the shaft member 7, also descends, and the outer support member 15, which was supported by the first lower support member 1D, also descends. Meanwhile, the inner support member 16 does not descend. This is because the lower end 16B of the inner support member 16 is already in contact with the support pin PN of the spacer member SM. As a result, the convex portion 16P of the inner support member 16 exits the concave portion 15Q of the outer support member 15, and the engagement between the convex portion 16P and the concave portion 15Q is released. Therefore, the outer support member 15 becomes rotatable relative to the inner support member 16.

[0111] In this state, the outer support member 15 rotates clockwise in top view, as indicated by the arrow AR36 in the fourth row of Fig. 16. This is because the first protrusion 15V1 of the outer support member 15 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 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.

[0112] As a result, the outer support member 15 rotates clockwise in top view as indicated by arrow AR37, and returns to the rotational position it had before the abnormal current started flowing.

[0113] In this way, the first actuator AC1 and the second actuator AC2 can move the first support member 1A, the outer support member 15, and the inner support member 16 that constitute the support member SP.

[0114] In this way, the relay device 100 including the first support member 1A can achieve the same effect as when the relay device 100 includes the first support member 1. Specifically, the relay device 100 including the first support member 1A can use the electromagnetic repulsive force generated between the movable contact 4C and the fixed contact 5C to move the components constituting the second actuator AC2, and thereby move the outer support member 15 constituting the first support member 1A. More specifically, when an overcurrent flows in the electric circuit, the relay device 100 switches from the ON state to the abnormal current state, switches the first support member 1A from the first configuration to the second configuration, and releases the connection between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5. Furthermore, 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 reset state, and returns the first support member 1A from the second configuration to the first configuration.

[0115] As described above, the relay device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has a first conduction path CP1 passing through the fixed contact member 5 and the first movable contact member (upper movable contact member 4U), and a second conduction path CP2 passing through the fixed contact member 5 and the second movable contact member (lower movable contact member 4D), as shown in FIG. 7, and is configured so that the electromagnetic repulsive force (second electromagnetic repulsive force) generated in the second conduction path CP2 is greater than the electromagnetic repulsive force (first electromagnetic repulsive force) generated in the first conduction path CP1.

[0116] This configuration, when an overcurrent occurs due to a short circuit or the like, can interrupt the electrical circuit by utilizing the electromagnetic repulsive force that moves the movable contact 4C away from the fixed contact 5C, thereby achieving faster interruption of the electrical circuit than when using an electromagnet (coil). Furthermore, this configuration utilizes the difference in the magnitude of the electromagnetic repulsive force to differentiate the conditions under which the lower movable contact member 4D separates from the fixed contact member 5 and the conditions under which the upper movable contact member 4U separates from the fixed contact member 5. Therefore, this configuration has the advantage of maintaining contact between the fixed contact member 5 and the upper movable contact member 4U even when the lower movable contact member 4D separates from the fixed contact member 5. Therefore, this configuration has the advantage of preventing the electrical circuit connection from becoming unstable when a rush current smaller than an overcurrent occurs, for example, by making the force pressing the upper movable contact member 4U against the fixed contact member 5 greater than the first electromagnetic repulsive force. The force (contact pressure) pressing the upper movable contact member 4U against the fixed contact member 5 is realized by, for example, the base member 10 (see FIG. 4 ). Furthermore, this configuration utilizes the difference in magnitude of the electromagnetic repulsive force to make the timing at which the lower movable contact member 4D separates from the fixed contact member 5 earlier than the timing at which the upper movable contact member 4U separates from the fixed contact member 5. Therefore, this configuration concentrates the generation of the arc on one conduction path (first conduction path CP1), thereby forming a contact for arc consumption and thereby extending the life of the relay device 100. This is because the arc occurs at the contact that separates the latest among the four contacts.

[0117] Moreover, the first conductive path CP1 and the second conductive path CP2 are preferably connected to a common terminal portion 5T as shown in FIG. 7, and have different wiring structures.

[0118] This configuration has the advantage that by differentiating the routing structures of the two conduction paths CP, it is easy to set electromagnetic repulsive forces of different magnitudes. This configuration also has the advantage that two conduction paths CP that generate electromagnetic repulsive forces of different magnitudes can be realized while preventing the conduction paths CP from becoming complicated. This configuration also has the advantage that a parallel circuit can be realized with the first conduction path CP1 and the second conduction path CP2, so that even if the second conduction path CP2 is interrupted, the connection of the first conduction path CP1 can be maintained.

[0119] Moreover, the second conductive path CP2 preferably includes a folded portion ZN as shown in FIG.

[0120] This configuration has the advantage that it is easier to increase the magnitude of the electromagnetic repulsive force generated in the second conduction path CP2 compared to a configuration that does not include the folded portion ZN. In addition, this configuration has the advantage that it is possible to realize two conduction paths CP that generate electromagnetic repulsive forces of different magnitudes while preventing the conduction path CP from becoming excessively long.

[0121] 2, the relay device 100 preferably includes a support member SP (first support member 1) that supports the first movable contact member (upper movable contact member 4U) and the second movable contact member (lower movable contact member 4D), a first actuator AC1 that moves the support member SP (first support member 1), and an operating unit 2DN that moves together with the second movable contact member (lower movable contact member 4D). The support member SP (first support member 1) includes a switching mechanism SW that can switch between a first configuration when the first movable contact member (upper movable contact member 4U) and the second movable contact member (lower movable contact member 4D) are in contact with the fixed contact member 5 and a second configuration when the first movable contact member (upper movable contact member 4U) and the second movable contact member (lower movable contact member 4D) are separated from the fixed contact member 5. The switching mechanism SW is provided between the fixed contact member 5 and the first actuator AC1. The switching mechanism SW is configured to switch the configuration of the support member SP (first support member 1) from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to the movement of the actuation portion 2DN.

[0122] This configuration has the effect of realizing high-speed interruption of the electric circuit when an overcurrent occurs due to a short circuit, etc. Specifically, this configuration has the effect of being able to separate the movable contact 4C from the fixed contact 5C by the operating portion 2DN of the second lower support member 2D, separately from the movement of the support member SP by the first actuator AC1, thereby making it possible to quickly interrupt the electric circuit by utilizing the electromagnetic repulsive force caused by an abnormal current that is larger than the rush current.

[0123] In addition, the first actuator AC1 is preferably configured to be able to move the support member SP (first support member 1) in the second form to a position that allows the support member SP (first support member 1) to switch to the first form.

[0124] 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.

[0125] The switching mechanism SW may also be a link mechanism LM as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Alternatively, the switching mechanism SW may be a rotation mechanism RM as shown in Figures 15 and 16. In these configurations, the biasing member 6 may be omitted.

[0126] This configuration has the advantage that the configuration of the first support member 1 can be switched between the first configuration and the second configuration by utilizing a buckling mechanism or the like, and therefore has the advantage that the electrical circuit can be quickly and reliably interrupted when an overcurrent occurs due to a short circuit or the like.

[0127] The switching mechanism SW may also be a mechanism using a pushable locking portion. For example, the switching mechanism SW may be a ball plunger mechanism BP using a pushable ball member BM as shown in Fig. 12, or a snap-fit ​​mechanism SF using a pushable elastic plate portion CT as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 14.

[0128] This configuration brings about the effect that the configuration of the first support member 1 can be switched between the first configuration and the second configuration using a structure simpler than that of the link mechanism LM.

[0129] 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.

[0130] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-105581 filed on June 28, 2024, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-105588 filed on June 28, 2024. The entire contents of this Japanese patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0131]

Claims

1. A relay device comprising: a first conductive path passing through a fixed contact member and a first movable contact member; and a second conductive path passing through the fixed contact member and a second movable contact member; and configured so that the electromagnetic repulsive force generated in the second conductive path is greater than the electromagnetic repulsive force generated in the first conductive path.

2. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive path and the second conductive path are connected to a common terminal portion and have different routing structures.

3. The relay device according to claim 2, wherein the second conductive path includes a folded portion.

4. A relay device as described in claim 3, comprising: a support member that supports the first movable contact member and the second movable contact member; a first actuator that moves the support member; and an operating part that moves together with the second movable contact member, wherein the support member has a switching mechanism that can switch between a first form when the first movable contact member and the second movable contact member are in contact with the fixed contact member and a second form when the first movable contact member and the second movable contact member are separated from the fixed contact member, and is provided between the fixed contact member and the first actuator, and the switching mechanism is configured to switch the form of the support member from the first form to the second form in accordance with the movement of the operating part.

5. The relay device according to claim 4, wherein the first actuator is configured to be able to move the support member from the second configuration to a position that allows the support member to switch to the first configuration.

6. The relay device according to claim 5, wherein the switching mechanism is a link mechanism or a rotary mechanism.

7. The relay device according to claim 5, wherein the switching mechanism is a mechanism using a pushable locking portion.

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