Relay device

Abstract

A relay device (100) comprises: a fixed contact member (5); a movable contact member (4) that is movable along a Z-axis direction; a biasing member (6) that applies a force for moving the movable contact member (4) away from the fixed contact member (5); a separation assisting member (SB) that assists the movable contact member (4), which is in contact with the fixed contact member (5) against the force from the biasing member (6), in separating from the fixed contact member (5); and a third actuator (AC3) that moves the separation assisting member (SB). The third actuator (AC3) is configured to move the separation assisting member (SB) to assist the movable contact member (4) in separating from the fixed contact member (5) when an abnormal current flows through the electric circuit.

Description

Relay device

[0001] This disclosure relates to a relay device.

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a circuit breaker (relay device) in which a short-circuit protection electromagnet is excited by an overcurrent (large current) caused by a short circuit or the like to cut off an electric circuit (see Patent Document 1).

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

[0004] However, in this device, manual operation is required to return the state where the electric circuit is cut off to the original operable state, which may make it difficult for the user to use.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a more user-friendly relay device.

[0006] The relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a fixed contact member, a movable contact member movable along a first direction, a biasing member that applies a force to move the movable contact member away from the fixed contact member, a support member that supports the movable contact member, a separation assisting member that assists the movable contact member in separating from the fixed contact member against the force of the biasing member, a support actuator that moves the support member, and a separation assisting actuator that moves the separation assisting member. The support member is configured to automatically switch between a first form when the movable contact member is in contact with the fixed contact member against the force of the biasing member and a second form when the movable contact member moves away from the fixed contact member under the force of the biasing member. The separation assisting actuator is configured to move the separation assisting member to assist the movable contact member in separating from the fixed contact member when an abnormal current flows through the electric circuit or when the fixed contact member or the movable contact member reaches an abnormal temperature.

[0007] The above-described relay device can improve user-friendliness.

[0008] This is a perspective view of an example configuration of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This is an exploded perspective view of the relay device shown in Figure 1. This is an exploded perspective view of the first actuator constituting the relay device shown in Figure 1. This is a perspective view of the second actuator constituting the relay device shown in Figure 1. This is a perspective view of a support member constituting the relay device shown in Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view of the relay device shown in Figure 1. This is a front view and cross-sectional view of the relay device shown in Figure 1. This is a front view and cross-sectional view of the relay device shown in Figure 1. This is a perspective view of the relay device shown in Figure 1. This is an exploded perspective view of another example configuration of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This is an exploded perspective view of the first actuator constituting the relay device shown in Figure 10. This is a perspective view of the second actuator constituting the relay device shown in Figure 10. This is a perspective view of a support member constituting the relay device shown in Figure 10. This is a cross-sectional view of the support member shown in Figure 13. This is a front view and cross-sectional view of the relay device shown in Figure 10. This is a perspective view of the relay device shown in Figure 10. This is a perspective view of a part of another example configuration of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a perspective view of a separation assist member. This is a front view of the separation assist actuator. This is a rear view of the separation assist actuator. This is a plan view of the separation assist actuator. This is a plan view of the movable contact member, fixed contact member, biasing member, and movable side magnetic member. This is a plan view of the movable contact member, fixed contact member, biasing member, and movable magnetic member.

[0009] Hereinafter, a relay device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the relay device 100. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the relay device 100. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first actuator AC1 constituting the relay device 100. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the second actuator AC2 constituting the relay device 100. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the support member 1 constituting the relay device 100. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the relay device 100 as seen from the X1 side in a virtual plane parallel to the YZ plane including the cutting line L1 shown in Figure 1.

[0010] In Figure 1, X1 represents one direction of the X-axis in the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and X2 represents the other direction of the X-axis. Similarly, Y1 represents one direction of the Y-axis in the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and Y2 represents the other direction of the Y-axis. Likewise, Z1 represents one direction of the Z-axis in the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and Z2 represents the other direction of the Z-axis. In Figure 1, the X1 side of the relay device 100 corresponds to the front side of the relay device 100, and the X2 side of the relay device 100 corresponds to the rear side 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. Also, 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 component of the relay device 100 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 power (current supply) from an external source, operates the movable contact member 4 inside, and switches the on and off of an electrical circuit including the fixed contact member 5, and is also called a relay. In reality, the relay device 100 is composed of a separation auxiliary actuator (third actuator AC3, see Figure 18) which will be described later, but in Figures 2, 4, and 6 to 9, the separation auxiliary actuator (third actuator AC3) is omitted from the illustration for clarity.

[0012] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the relay device 100 is composed of an upper case member 8 and a lower case member 9 that constitute the 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. Since the upper case member 8 and the lower case member 9 are made of a non-magnetic metal, they do not have any adverse magnetic effects on electromagnetic actuators 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 Figure 2, the upper case member 8 has a covered rectangular cylindrical outer shape. Specifically, the upper case member 8 has a roughly rectangular cylindrical outer wall portion 8A and a top plate portion 8B that is provided so as to be continuous with the upper end (Z1 side end) of the outer wall portion 8A. Two through holes 8H are formed in the top plate portion 8B.

[0014] The two through holes 8H are configured so that the cylindrical terminal portions of the fixed contact member 5 are fitted into them. Specifically, the two through holes 8H include a rear through hole 8HB into which the terminal portion of the rear fixed contact member 5B is fitted, and a front through hole 8HF into which the front fixed contact member 5F is fitted.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the lower case member 9 has a bottomed rectangular cylindrical outer shape. Specifically, the lower case member 9 has a roughly rectangular cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 9A and a bottom plate portion 9B that is provided so as to be continuous with the lower end (Z2 side end) of the outer peripheral wall portion 9A.

[0016] The housing HS, composed of an upper case member 8 and a lower case member 9, houses a biasing member 6, a shaft member 7, a first actuator AC1, a second actuator AC2, and the like, as shown in Figure 2. The second actuator AC2 includes a movable magnetic member 2, a fixed magnetic member 3, a movable contact member 4, and a fixed contact member 5.

[0017] The first actuator AC1 is an example of a support actuator that moves the support member 1. In the illustrated example, the first actuator AC1 is an electromagnetic actuator (electromagnet) that includes 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 Figure 3.

[0018] The first fixed-side member FB1 is a member that functions as a stator for the first actuator AC1, and includes a frame member 31, a coil bobbin 32, a two-stage cylindrical member 33, and a cylindrical member 34.

[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 composed of a bottom plate portion 31D, a left plate portion 31L, a right plate portion 31R, and a top plate portion 31U. A circular upper through hole 31HU is formed in the top plate portion 31U, and a circular lower through hole 31HD is formed in the bottom plate portion 31D.

[0020] The coil bobbin 32 is the component around which the first coil CL1 is wound. In the illustrated example, as shown in Figure 3, the coil bobbin 32 is composed of a cylindrical tubular portion 32C (see Figure 6), an annular lower flange portion 32D, and an annular upper flange portion 32U. As shown in Figure 6, a two-stage cylindrical member 33 is fitted and fixed into the upper recess 32SU, which is a two-stage cylindrical space, and a cylindrical member 34 is fitted and fixed into the lower recess 32SD, which is a cylindrical space.

[0021] The two-stage cylindrical member 33 is a member for slidably housing a part of the first movable side member MB1 (the upper cylindrical member 41). In the illustrated example, as shown in Figure 6, the two-stage cylindrical member 33 is inserted through the upper through hole 31HU formed in the top plate portion 31U of the frame member 31 and is fitted and fixed into the upper recess 32SU formed in the coil bobbin 32.

[0022] Furthermore, the two-stage cylindrical member 33 is made of a magnetic material so that it can become magnetized when current is supplied to the first coil CL1 and a magnetic field is generated. In the illustrated example, the two-stage cylindrical member 33 is positioned so that when it becomes magnetized, it can pull another part of the first movable side member MB1 (the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42) upward.

[0023] The cylindrical member 34 is a member for slidably housing another part of the first movable side member MB1 (the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42). In the illustrated example, as shown in Figure 6, the cylindrical member 34 is inserted through the lower through hole 31HD formed in the bottom plate portion 31D of the frame member 31 and is fitted and fixed into the lower recess 32SD formed in the coil bobbin 32.

[0024] The first movable side member MB1 is a member that functions as a movable element 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 move between a position when no power is supplied to the first actuator AC1 (OFF position) and a position when power is supplied to the first actuator AC1 (ON position).

[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 Figure 3, the upper cylindrical member 41 has a through hole 41H through which the shaft member 7 is inserted.

[0026] The lower closed-bottom cylindrical member 42 is a member that is slidably housed within the cylindrical member 34. In the illustrated example, the lower closed-bottom cylindrical member 42 is made of a magnetic material so that it can become magnetized when current is supplied to the first coil CL1 and a magnetic field is generated. In the illustrated example, as shown in Figure 6, the lower closed-bottom cylindrical member 42 is positioned 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, which is in the ON position, to the OFF position. In the illustrated example, the first elastic member RS1 is a compression coil spring as shown in Figure 3, and includes a first upper elastic member RS1U and a first lower elastic member RS1D.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, the first upper elastic member RS1U is positioned such that when the upper cylindrical member 41 moves upward toward the ON position, it is compressed between the support member 1 (base member 10) and the upper cylindrical member 41, and when the force moving the upper cylindrical member 41 upward disappears, the repulsive force pushes the upper cylindrical member 41 downward toward the OFF position.

[0029] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the first upper elastic member RS1U is positioned within the upper recess 33SU formed in the two-stage cylindrical member 33, such that its upper end contacts the lower surface of the support member 1 (base member 10) and its lower end contacts the upper surface of the upper cylindrical member 41.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6, the first lower elastic member RS1D is positioned such that when the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 moves upward toward the ON position, it is compressed between the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42, and when the force moving the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 upward disappears, the repulsive force pushes the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 downward toward the OFF position.

[0031] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the first lower elastic member RS1D is positioned 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, such 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] Support member 1 is a member for supporting the movable contact member 4. In the illustrated example, as shown in Figure 5, support member 1 is composed of a base member 10, a first link member 11L, a first pivot member 11S, a second link member 12L, a second pivot member 12S, a third pivot member 13S, and a second elastic member RS2. The first link member 11L, the first pivot member 11S, the second link member 12L, the second pivot member 12S, and the third pivot member 13S constitute a link mechanism LM. In the illustrated example, the link mechanism LM functions as a buckling mechanism. The buckling mechanism is a mechanism configured to deform significantly in the lateral direction and contract in the vertical direction when a predetermined load is applied from the side while loads are applied from above and below, as if buckling had occurred.

[0033] The base member 10 is positioned distal to the first link member 11L. "Distal" refers to a position further from the fixed contact member 5 compared to the "proximal" position. In the illustrated example, the base member 10 is a roughly rectangular plate-shaped member, with its upper surface in contact with the first support member 11S and its lower surface in contact with the first upper elastic member RS1U. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, a through-hole 10H is formed in the center of the base member 10 through which the shaft member 7 is inserted. The base member 10 is configured to move along the extending direction (Z-axis direction) of the shaft member 7.

[0034] The first pivot member 11S is a member that forms the pivot point of the first link member 11L. In the illustrated example, as shown in Figure 5, the first pivot member 11S is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member and has a pair of cylindrical first pins PN1 extending in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the pair of first pins PN1 includes a first front pin PN1F that protrudes toward the X1 side (front side) and a first rear pin (not visible in Figure 5) that protrudes toward the X2 side (rear side). Furthermore, a through hole 11SH is formed in the central part of the first pivot member 11S through which the shaft member 7 is inserted. The first pivot member 11S is configured to move along the extending direction of the shaft member 7.

[0035] The first link member 11L is a member provided to rotate with respect to the first pivot member 11S. In the illustrated example, the first link member 11L is a substantially U-shaped member in plan view along the Z-axis direction, with a pair of one end (lower end) rotatably connected to a pair of first pins PN1, and a pair of other ends (upper end) rotatably connected to a pair of third pins PN3.

[0036] The second pivot member 12S is a member that forms the pivot point of the second link member 12L. In the illustrated example, as shown in Figure 5, the second pivot member 12S is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member and has a pair of cylindrical second pins PN2 extending in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the pair of second pins PN2 includes a second front pin PN2F that protrudes toward the X1 side (front side) and a second rear pin PN2B that protrudes toward the X2 side (rear side). Furthermore, a through hole 12SH is formed in the central part of the second pivot member 12S through which the shaft member 7 is inserted. The second pivot member 12S is configured to move along the extending direction of the shaft member 7.

[0037] The second link member 12L is a member provided to rotate with respect to the second pivot member 12S. In the illustrated example, the second link member 12L is a member that is substantially U-shaped in plan view, with a pair of one end (upper end) rotatably connected to a pair of second pins PN2, and a pair of the other end (lower end) rotatably connected to a pair of third pins PN3.

[0038] The third pivot member 13S is a member that forms the pivot point of the first link member 11L and the second link member 12L, respectively. In the illustrated example, the third pivot member 13S includes a pair of cylindrical third pins PN3 extending in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the pair of third pins PN3 includes a third front pin PN3F located on the X1 side (front side) and a third rear pin PN3B located on the X2 side (rear side).

[0039] Thus, the first link member 11L is connected to the first pivot member 11S so as to be rotatable around the first pivot axis RX1 along a pair of first pins PN1, and the second link member 12L is connected to the second pivot member 12S so as to be rotatable around the second pivot axis RX2 along a pair of second pins PN2. Furthermore, the first link member 11L and the second link member 12L are each connected so as to be rotatable around the third pivot axis RX3 along a pair of third pins PN3.

[0040] The second elastic member RS2 is a member that generates a force to move the first fulcrum member 11S and the second fulcrum member 12S, which are movable along the shaft member 7, away from each other. In the illustrated example, the second elastic member RS2 is a compression coil spring disposed between the upper surface of the first fulcrum member 11S and the lower surface of the second fulcrum member 12S, and forms part of the second actuator AC2.

[0041] With the above-described configuration, the support member 1 can take a first form (the form shown in the upper figure of FIG. 5) when the link mechanism LM extends in the Z-axis direction, and a second form (the form shown in the lower figure of FIG. 5) when the link mechanism LM contracts in the Z-axis direction (when the buckling mechanism buckles to the left).

[0042] The link mechanism LM has a rotation stopper SP that allows buckling to the Y1 side (left side) while suppressing buckling to the Y2 side (right side). In the illustrated example, the rotation stopper SP includes a lower stopper portion 11LS formed on the first link member 11L and an upper stopper portion 12LS formed on the second link member 12L.

[0043] Specifically, the lower stopper portion 11LS and the upper stopper portion 12LS contact each other when the support member 1 is in the first form (the form shown in the upper figure of FIG. 5), and suppress rotation of the second link member 12L in the direction of the broken-line arrow DR2 while allowing rotation in the direction of the broken-line arrow DR1 around the pair of third pins PN3.

[0044] The movable contact member 4 is a member configured to contact the fixed contact member 5, and is formed of a metal plate including a material such as copper, iron, or an alloy having them as a main component. In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 6, left and right movable contact portions 4L and 4R that contact the fixed contact member 5 project upward at both ends of the upper surface of the movable contact member 4. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a through-hole 4H through which the shaft member 7 is inserted is formed at the center of the movable contact member 4.

[0045] The fixed contact member 5 is a member configured to contact the movable contact member 4, and is made of a metal plate containing materials such as copper, iron, or alloys mainly composed of these materials. In the illustrated example, the fixed contact member 5 is configured to form a two-turn coil (second coil CL2), as shown in Figure 4. Specifically, the fixed contact member 5 is composed of a rear fixed contact member 5B that contacts one end of the movable contact member 4, and a front fixed contact member 5F that contacts the other end of the movable contact member 4. More specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the rear fixed contact member 5B has a rear plate-like portion 5PB, and a left fixed contact portion 5L that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the rear plate-like portion 5PB and contacts the left movable contact portion 4L of the movable contact member 4. Similarly, the front fixed contact member 5F has a front plate-like portion 5PF, and a right fixed contact portion 5R that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the front plate-like portion 5PF and contacts the right movable contact portion 4R of the movable contact member 4.

[0046] The second actuator AC2 is an example of a shape-changing actuator that changes the shape of the support member 1, and is configured to move the link mechanism LM that constitutes the support member 1. 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 (see Figure 5), as shown in Figure 4. The second actuator AC2 may also include a bimetal that operates when the movable contact member 4 or the fixed contact member 5 reaches an abnormal temperature.

[0047] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the second coil CL2, the second fixed-side member FB2, and the second movable-side member MB2, which constitute the second actuator AC2. Specifically, the upper left and upper right views of Figure 4 show the second actuator AC2 when it is not operating, and the lower left and lower right views of Figure 4 show the second actuator AC2 when it is operating. The black block arrows in the lower left and lower right views of Figure 4 indicate the direction of movement of the second movable-side member MB2. More specifically, the diagrams enclosed by dashed circles in the upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right views are perspective views of the second fixed-side member FB2 and the second movable-side member MB2, and other components are omitted from the illustration within the dashed circles.

[0048] The second coil CL2 is configured to generate a magnetic field when current is supplied. In the illustrated example, the second coil CL2 is a two-turn coil formed by the rear fixed contact member 5B and is made of a copper-based material. Note that the second coil CL2 may be formed of other conductive materials such as aluminum.

[0049] The second fixed-side member FB2 is a member that functions as a stator of the second actuator AC2 and includes the fixed-side magnetic member 3.

[0050] The second movable-side member MB2 is a member that functions as a mover of the second actuator AC2 and includes the movable-side magnetic member 2. Specifically, the movable-side magnetic member 2 as the second movable-side member MB2 is 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" means when a force (electromagnetic force) sufficient to move the second movable-side member MB2 is not generated.

[0051] In the illustrated example, the movable magnetic member 2 and the fixed magnetic member 3 are made of an iron-based material and are arranged to penetrate a portion of the second coil CL2 so that they can become magnetized when current is supplied to the second coil CL2 and a magnetic field is generated. Furthermore, the movable magnetic member 2 and the fixed magnetic member 3 are arranged so that they can attract each other when they become magnetized. Specifically, the movable magnetic member 2 is arranged to move along the Y-axis direction. With this arrangement, the distance between the movable magnetic member 2 and the fixed magnetic member 3 in the Y-axis direction is minimized in the ON position and maximized in the OFF position. Specifically, the upper left end 2EU of the movable magnetic member 2 is positioned to face the upper right end 3EU of the fixed magnetic member 3 in the Y-axis direction, and the lower left end 2ED of the movable magnetic member 2 is positioned to face the lower right end 3ED of the fixed magnetic member 3 in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, the distance between the upper left end 2EU and the upper right end 3EU in the Y-axis direction, and the distance between the lower left end 2ED and the lower right end 3ED in the Y-axis direction, are, for example, minimum in the ON position and maximum in the OFF position.

[0052] The second elastic member RS2, which is a compression coil spring positioned between the first pivot member 11S and the second pivot member 12S that constitute the link mechanism LM, can return the second movable side member MB2 (movable side magnetic member 2), which is in the ON position, to the OFF position.

[0053] 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 Figure 6, it is positioned within a recess 8S, which is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped space formed by the upper case member 8, with its upper end in contact with the ceiling surface of the first recess 8S1 formed on the ceiling surface 8C of the upper case member 8, and its lower end in contact with the upper surface of the movable contact member 4. The biasing member 6 is also positioned around a downwardly extending cylindrical projection 8P formed on the ceiling surface 8C of the upper case member 8.

[0054] Specifically, 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 1 when the support member 1 moves upward toward the ON position, and when the force moving the support member 1 upward disappears, the biasing member 6 is positioned such that it can push the support member 1 (movable contact member 4) downward toward the OFF position by a repulsive force.

[0055] The shaft member 7 is a member for transmitting the force generated by the first actuator AC1 to the support member 1. In the illustrated example, the shaft member 7 is made of a non-magnetic metal, and as shown in Figure 6, its lower end portion 7ED is fixed to the bottom plate portion 42B of the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42, and its upper end portion 7EU is slidably inserted into the second recess 8S2, which is a cylindrical space formed in the protrusion 8P of the upper case member 8. The shaft member 7 also has a lower flange portion 7D, a central flange portion 7C, 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 central flange portion 7C is configured to push the support member 1 (first pivot member 11S) downward when the shaft member 7 moves downward together with the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42. Furthermore, the upper flange portion 7U is configured to push down the movable contact member 4 when the shaft member 7 moves downward, together with the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42.

[0056] Next, the operation of the relay device 100 will be explained with reference to Figures 7, 8, and 9. Figures 7 and 8 are a front view and a cross-sectional view of the relay device 100, respectively. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the relay device 100. Specifically, the upper left and lower left views of Figure 7 show the positions of each component when the relay device 100 is in the OFF state (when no current is supplied to the first actuator AC1), and the upper right and lower right views of Figure 7 show the positions of each component when the relay device 100 is in the ON state (when current is supplied to the first actuator AC1). Furthermore, the upper left and lower left views of Figure 8 show the positions of each component when the relay device 100 is in an overcurrent state (when an overcurrent flows through the electrical circuit), and the upper right and lower right views of Figure 8 show the positions of each component when it is in the restored state (when the supply of current to the first actuator AC1 is stopped in the overcurrent state). Note that in the front view (upper left and upper right views of Figure 7 and upper left and upper right views of Figure 8), the upper case member 8 and the lower case member 9 are omitted for clarity. Also, the leftmost figure in Figure 9 shows the position of each component when the relay device 100 is in the OFF state, the second figure from the left in Figure 9 shows the position of each component when the relay device 100 is in the ON state, the second figure from the right in Figure 9 shows the position of each component when the relay device 100 is in an overcurrent state, and the rightmost figure in Figure 9 shows the position of each component when the relay device 100 is in the reset state. Note that in Figure 9, the upper case member 8 and the lower case member 9 are omitted for clarity.

[0057] As shown in the lower right of Figure 7, 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 attract each other. As a result, the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is moved upward as indicated by 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.

[0058] The shaft member 7, fixed to the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42, is moved upward as the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 rises, 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 support member 1 (base member 10) and the upper cylindrical member 41.

[0059] The support member 1, supported by the first upper elastic member RS1U, is moved upward as the first upper elastic member RS1U rises, as indicated by block arrow AR4 (see also the second figure from the left in Figure 9). As a result, the movable contact member 4 attached to the upper surface of the support member 1 is also moved upward. Consequently, the movable contact member 4 (left movable contact portion 4L and right movable contact portion 4R) comes into contact with the fixed contact member 5 (left fixed contact portion 5L and right fixed contact portion 5R). 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.

[0060] Thus, when 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 electrical circuit due to a short circuit or the like, the second movable side member MB2 (movable side magnetic member 2) and the second fixed side member FB2 (fixed side magnetic member 3) are magnetized by the magnetic field generated by the post-fixed contact member 5B, which functions as the second coil CL2, and attract each other, as shown in the upper left diagram of Figure 8. As a result, the movable side magnetic member 2 is moved to the left, as indicated by the block arrow AR5 in the lower left diagram of Figure 8 (see also the second diagram from the right in Figure 9).

[0062] When the movable magnetic member 2 is moved to the left, the link mechanism LM buckles to the left. Specifically, the second link member 12L, which was in contact with the contact surface 2R of the movable magnetic member 2, is pushed to the left by the movable magnetic member 2 moving to the left, causing the pair of third pins PN3 to move to the left, as shown by block arrow AR6 (see also the second figure from the right in Figure 9). As a result, the first link member 11L rotates counterclockwise around the pair of third pins PN3, as shown by arrow AR7A, and the second link member 12L rotates clockwise around the pair of third pins PN3, as shown by arrow AR7C.

[0063] When the link mechanism LM buckles to the left, the movable contact member 4, which is continuously subjected to a downward force (repulsive force) from the biasing member 6, is moved downward by the biasing member 6, as shown by block arrow AR8 (see also the second figure from the right in Figure 9). This is because the upward force from the first actuator AC1, which was acting to counteract the downward force from the biasing member 6, disappears. As a result, contact between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 is released, and the electrical circuit is disconnected. In addition, the second elastic member RS2 is compressed between the first pivot member 11S and the second pivot member 12S.

[0064] When the electrical circuit is interrupted, the overcurrent flowing through the rear fixed contact member 5B, which acts as the second coil CL2, is eliminated, the magnetization of the movable magnetic member 2 and the fixed magnetic member 3 due to the magnetic field generated by the rear fixed contact member 5B is also eliminated, and the force (magnetic force) that attracts the movable magnetic member 2 and the fixed magnetic member 3 to each other is also eliminated.

[0065] Thus, when an overcurrent flows through the electrical circuit, the relay device 100 switches from the ON state to the overcurrent state, and the connection between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 is released.

[0066] Subsequently, when the supply of current to the first coil CL1 is stopped, as shown in the lower right of Figure 8, 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 eliminated, and the force (magnetic force) that attracts the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 to each other is also eliminated. As a result, the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42, which is continuously subjected to a downward force (repulsive force) from the first lower elastic member RS1D, is moved downward by the first lower elastic member RS1D, as indicated by the block arrow AR9, and the shaft member 7 fixed to the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is also moved downward.

[0067] When the shaft member 7 is moved downward, the first pivot member 11S, which is in contact with the lower surface of the central flange portion 7C of the shaft member 7, is moved downward together with the shaft member 7, as shown by block arrow AR10 (see also the rightmost diagram in Figure 9).

[0068] When the first pivot member 11S is moved downward, the second pivot member 12S, which is continuously receiving an upward force (repulsive force) from the second elastic member RS2, is moved upward by the second elastic member RS2 until it contacts the movable contact member 4, as indicated by the block arrow AR11. As a result, the support member 1 in the second form shown in the lower right of Figure 8 returns to the first form shown in the lower left of Figure 7. Specifically, the first link member 11L rotates clockwise around the pair of third pins PN3, as indicated by the arrow AR12C, and the second link member 12L rotates counterclockwise around the pair of third pins PN3, as indicated by the arrow AR12A. As a result, the pair of third pins PN3 move to the right as indicated by block arrow AR13 (see also the rightmost diagram in Figure 9), and the upper end of the first link member 11L and the lower end of the second link member 12L, which are connected to the pair of third pins PN3, also move to the right. Then, the movable magnetic member 2 comes into contact with the second link member 12L, which is moving to the right, at the contact surface 2R, and is pushed to the right by the second link member 12L, which is moving to the right, and is moved to the right as indicated by block arrow AR14 (see also the rightmost diagram in Figure 9). In other words, the movable magnetic member 2 is moved away from the fixed magnetic member 3 and returns to the state shown in the upper left diagram of Figure 7.

[0069] Thus, when the supply of current to the first coil CL1 is stopped during an overcurrent state, the relay device 100 switches from the overcurrent state to the recovery state, and the support member 1, which was in the second state, returns to the first state. In other words, the relay device 100 returns to the OFF state.

[0070] Next, another configuration example of the relay device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 17. Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the relay device 100 and corresponds to Figure 2. Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the first actuator AC1 that constitutes the relay device 100 and corresponds to Figure 3. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the second actuator AC2 that constitutes the relay device 100 and corresponds to Figure 4. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the support member 1 that constitutes the relay device 100 and corresponds to Figure 5. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the support member 1 when viewed from the X1 side in a virtual plane parallel to the YZ plane containing the cutting line L2 shown in Figure 13. Figures 15 and 16 are cross-sectional views of the relay device 100 and correspond to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 17 is a perspective view of the relay device 100 and corresponds to Figure 9. Although the relay device 100 actually includes a separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3, see Figure 18) as described later, the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) is omitted from Figures 10, 12, and 15 to 17 for clarity.

[0071] The relay device 100 shown in Figures 10 to 17 differs from the relay device 100 shown in Figure 2 in that the link mechanism LM has a guide member 14, the second elastic member RS2 is made of a torsion spring, and the base member 10 functions as an elastic member (contact pressure applying member), as shown in Figures 13 and 14. The upper part of Figure 13 is a perspective view of the support member 1, and the lower part of Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the support member 1. The left part of Figure 14 shows the support member 1 in its first form, the center part of Figure 14 shows the support member 1 changing from its first form to its second form, and the right part of Figure 14 shows the support member 1 in its second form. Furthermore, the upper left and lower left diagrams of Figure 15 show the positions of each component when the relay device 100 is in the OFF state, the upper right and lower right diagrams of Figure 15 show the positions of each component when the relay device 100 is in the ON state, the upper left and lower left diagrams of Figure 16 show the positions of each component when the relay device 100 is in an overcurrent state and the support member 1 is in the first configuration, the upper center and lower center diagrams of Figure 16 show the positions of each component when the relay device 100 is in an overcurrent state and the support member 1 is in the second configuration, and the upper right and lower right diagrams of Figure 16 show the positions of each component when the relay device 100 is in the reset state. Furthermore, the leftmost figure in Figure 17 shows the position of each component when the relay device 100 is in the OFF state, the second figure from the left in Figure 17 shows the position of each component when the relay device 100 is in the ON state, the third figure from the left in Figure 17 shows the position of each component when the relay device 100 is in an overcurrent state and the support member 1 is in the first configuration, the second figure from the right in Figure 17 shows the position of each component when the relay device 100 is in an overcurrent state and the support member 1 is in the second configuration, and the rightmost figure in Figure 17 shows the position of each component when the relay device 100 is in the reset state.

[0072] Specifically, as shown in Figure 13, the link mechanism LM includes a base member 10, a first link member 11L, a first support member 11S, a second link member 12L, a second support member 12S, a third support member 13S, and a guide member 14, and is configured to function as a buckling mechanism.

[0073] The base member 10 is positioned distal to the first link member 11L. In the illustrated example, as shown in Figure 13, the base member 10 is a substantially U-shaped member in front view, with its upper surface in contact with the first link member 11L and its lower surface in contact with the base 14B of the guide member 14. A through hole 10H is formed in the center of the base member 10 through which the shaft member 7 is inserted. The base member 10 is configured to move along the extending direction (Z-axis direction) of the shaft member 7.

[0074] More specifically, the base member 10 is an elastic member that is compressed between the first link member 11L and the base portion 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 when compressed.

[0075] The first pivot member 11S is a member that forms the pivot point of the first link member 11L. In the illustrated example, the first pivot member 11S is a cylindrical first pin PN1 extending in the X-axis direction, as shown in Figure 13.

[0076] The second pivot member 12S is a member that forms the pivot point of the second link member 12L. In the illustrated example, the second pivot member 12S is a cylindrical second pin PN2 extending in the X-axis direction, as shown in Figure 13.

[0077] The third pivot member 13S is a member that forms the pivot point of the first link member 11L and the second link member 12L, respectively. In the illustrated example, the third pivot member 13S is a cylindrical third pin PN3 extending in the X-axis direction.

[0078] The first link member 11L is a member provided to rotate with respect to the first pivot member 11S. In the illustrated example, the first link member 11L is a columnar member having a rounded rectangular end face, with one end (lower end) rotatably connected to the first pin PN1 and the other end (upper end) rotatably connected to the third pin PN3.

[0079] The second link member 12L is a member provided to rotate with respect to the second pivot member 12S. In the illustrated example, the second link member 12L is a columnar member having a roughly gourd-shaped end face, with one end (upper end) rotatably connected to the second pin PN2 and the other end (lower end) rotatably connected to the third pin PN3.

[0080] The guide member 14 is a member that guides the movement of the first pivot member 11S and the second pivot member 12S along the Z-axis direction. In the illustrated example, the guide member 14 is a plate-like member that is substantially U-shaped when viewed from the right side, and has a base portion 14B, a rear wall portion 14WB, and a front wall portion 14WF. A through hole 14H is formed in the base portion 14B through which the shaft member 7 is inserted.

[0081] The rear wall portion 14WB and the front wall portion 14WF are each formed with a first guide hole GH1 for guiding the movement of the first pin PN1 along the Z-axis direction, and a second guide hole GH2 for guiding 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 for guiding the rear end of the first pin PN1, and a second rear guide hole GH2B for guiding the rear end of the second pin PN2. Similarly, the front wall portion 14WF is formed with a first front guide hole GH1F for guiding the front end of the first pin PN1, and a second front guide hole GH2F for guiding the front end of the second pin PN2.

[0082] Thus, the first link member 11L is connected to the first pivot member 11S so as to be rotatable around the first pivot axis RX1 along the first pin PN1, and the second link member 12L is connected to the second pivot member 12S so as to be rotatable around the second pivot axis RX2 along the second pin PN2. Furthermore, the first link member 11L and the second link member 12L are each connected so as to be rotatable relative to each other around the third pivot axis RX3 along the third pin PN3.

[0083] The second elastic member RS2 is a member that generates a force that moves the first pivot member 11S (first pin PN1) and the second pivot 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 arranged around the third pin PN3 such that one end contacts the first pin PN1 and the other end contacts the second pin PN2, and constitutes part of the second actuator AC2.

[0084] With the above configuration, the support member 1 can take two forms: a first form (shown in the left diagram of Figure 14) when the link mechanism LM is extended in the Z-axis direction (when the buckling mechanism is buckling to the right), and a second form (shown in the right diagram of Figure 14) when the link mechanism LM is contracted in the Z-axis direction (when the buckling mechanism is buckling to the left). The form shown in the center diagram of Figure 14 is an intermediate form when changing from the first form to the second form, or when changing from the second form to the first form.

[0085] Furthermore, the link mechanism LM has a rotation stopper SP that allows buckling to the Y1 side (left side) while suppressing further buckling to the Y2 side (right side) when the support member 1 is in the first configuration. In the illustrated example, the rotation stopper SP is composed of a right-side stopper portion 14S formed at the right end of the front wall portion 14WF of the guide member 14.

[0086] Specifically, the right-side stopper portion 14S contacts the first link member 11L when the support member 1 is in the first configuration (the configuration shown in the left diagram of Figure 14), and in a front view, it allows the first link member 11L to rotate counterclockwise around the first pin PN1 while suppressing clockwise rotation.

[0087] Next, the operation of the relay device 100 will be explained with reference to Figures 15, 16, and 17. As shown in the lower right 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 attract each other. As a result, the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is moved upward as indicated by 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.

[0088] The shaft member 7, fixed to the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42, is moved upward as the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 rises, 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 link mechanism LM is moved upward as the upper cylindrical member 41 rises. In addition, the base member 10, which acts as a contact pressure applying member, is moved upward as the upper cylindrical member 41 rises and is compressed between the first link member 11L and the base portion 14B of the guide member 14.

[0089] The movable contact member 4, supported by the second link member 12L of the link mechanism LM, is moved upward as the link mechanism LM rises, as indicated by block arrow AR4 (see also the second figure from the left in Figure 17). As a result, the movable contact member 4 (left movable contact portion 4L and right movable contact portion 4R) comes into contact with the fixed contact member 5 (left fixed contact portion 5L and right fixed contact portion 5R). 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.

[0090] Thus, when 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. Note that the first actuator AC1 shown in Figure 11 differs from the first actuator AC1 shown in Figure 3 in that the first upper elastic member RS1U is omitted, and the shaft member 7 does not have a central flange portion 7C and does not penetrate the support member 1.

[0091] Subsequently, if an overcurrent flows through the electrical circuit due to a short circuit or the like, the second movable side member MB2 (movable side magnetic member 2) and the second fixed side member FB2 (fixed side magnetic member 3) are magnetized by the magnetic field generated by the post-fixed contact member 5B, which functions as the second coil CL2, and attract each other, as shown in the upper left diagram of Figure 16. As a result, the movable side magnetic member 2 is moved to the left, as indicated by the block arrow AR5 in the lower left diagram of Figure 16 (see also the third diagram from the left in Figure 17).

[0092] When the movable magnetic member 2 is moved to the left, the link mechanism LM buckles to the left. Specifically, the second link member 12L, which was in contact with the contact surface 2R of the movable magnetic member 2, is pushed to the left by the movable magnetic member 2 moving to the left, causing the third pin PN3 to move to the left, as shown by block arrow AR6. As a result, 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, as shown by arrow AR7C (see also arrow AR8C in the lower center of Figure 16).

[0093] When the link mechanism LM buckles to the left, the movable contact member 4, which is continuously subjected to a downward force (repulsive force) from the biasing member 6, is moved downward by the biasing member 6, as shown by the block arrow AR9 in the lower center of Figure 16 (see also the second figure from the right in Figure 17). This is because the upward force from the first actuator AC1, which was acting to counteract the downward force from the biasing member 6, disappears. As a result, contact between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 is released, and the electrical circuit is disconnected. In addition, the torsion spring, which acts as the second elastic member RS2 (see Figure 13), is compressed between the first pivot member 11S (first pin PN1) and the second pivot member 12S (second pin PN2).

[0094] When the electrical circuit is interrupted, the overcurrent flowing through the rear fixed contact member 5B, which acts as the second coil CL2, is eliminated, the magnetization of the movable magnetic member 2 and the fixed magnetic member 3 due to the magnetic field generated by the rear fixed contact member 5B is also eliminated, and the force (magnetic force) that attracts the movable magnetic member 2 and the fixed magnetic member 3 to each other is also eliminated.

[0095] Thus, when an overcurrent flows through the electrical circuit, the relay device 100 switches from the ON state to the overcurrent state, and the connection between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 is released.

[0096] Subsequently, when the supply of current to the first coil CL1 is stopped, as shown in the lower right of Figure 16, 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 eliminated, and the force (magnetic force) that attracts the two-stage cylindrical member 33 and the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 to each other is also eliminated. As a result, the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42, which is continuously subjected to a downward force (repulsive force) from the first lower elastic member RS1D, is moved downward by the first lower elastic member RS1D, as indicated by the block arrow AR11, and the shaft member 7 fixed to the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42 is also moved downward.

[0097] When the shaft member 7 is moved downward, the base member 10, which is 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, as shown by block arrow AR12 (see also the rightmost diagram in Figure 17).

[0098] 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 movable contact member 4, as indicated by block arrow AR13, and the third pin PN3 is moved to the right, as indicated by block arrow AR14 in the lower right diagram of Figure 16. As a result, the support member 1, which is in the second form as shown in the lower right diagram of Figure 16, takes on the form shown in the lower left diagram of Figure 16. Furthermore, the third pin PN3 is moved to the right by the force from the second elastic member RS2, and the support member 1 returns to the first form as shown in the lower left diagram of Figure 15. Then, the movable magnetic member 2 comes into contact with the second link member 12L, which is moving to the right, at the contact surface 2R, and is pushed to the right by the second link member 12L, which is moving to the right, and is moved to the right, as indicated by block arrow AR15 in the lower left diagram of Figure 15. In other words, the movable magnetic member 2 is moved away from the fixed magnetic member 3, returning to the state shown in the upper left of Figure 15.

[0099] Thus, when the supply of current to the first coil CL1 is stopped during an overcurrent state, the relay device 100 switches from the overcurrent state to the recovery state, and the support member 1, which was in the second state, returns to the first state. In other words, the relay device 100 returns to the OFF state.

[0100] Next, with reference to Figure 18, yet another configuration example of the relay device 100 will be described. Figure 18 is a perspective view of the second actuator AC2 and the third actuator AC3 that constitute the relay device 100. Specifically, the upper part of Figure 18 (the figure above the block arrow) is an exploded perspective view of the second actuator AC2 and the third actuator AC3, and the lower part of Figure 18 (the figure below the block arrow) is an assembled perspective view of the second actuator AC2 and the third actuator AC3. Note that in the lower part of Figure 18, for clarity, the second movable side member MB2 (movable side magnetic member 2) and the second fixed side member FB2 (fixed side magnetic member 3) are omitted from the illustration.

[0101] Furthermore, in Figures 1 to 17, for clarity, some of the components constituting the third actuator AC3 (movable magnetic member 20 and fixed magnetic member 30) are omitted from the illustration, and the front fixed contact member 5F is shown not to form a coil (third coil CL3). However, the relay device 100 described with reference to Figures 1 to 17 is actually configured to include the third actuator AC3, which will be described later.

[0102] The relay device 100 shown in Figure 18 differs from the relay devices 100 shown in Figures 2 and 10, respectively, mainly in that the fixed contact member 5 has a plate-shaped terminal portion instead of a cylindrical terminal portion.

[0103] The third actuator AC3 is an example of a separation assist actuator that helps the movable contact member 4, which is in contact with the fixed contact member 5 against the force (elastic force) of the biasing member 6, to separate from the fixed contact member 5, and is configured to move the separation assist member SB. In the illustrated example, the third actuator AC3 is an electromagnetic actuator (electromagnet) comprising a third coil CL3, a third fixed-side member FB3, and a third movable-side member MB3. The third actuator AC3 may also be configured to include a bimetal that operates when the movable contact member 4 or the fixed contact member 5 reaches an abnormal temperature.

[0104] Figure 19 is a perspective view of the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) as the third movable member MB3. Specifically, the upper part of Figure 19 is a perspective view of the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) viewed from the upper right front, and the lower part of Figure 19 is a perspective view of the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) viewed from the upper left rear.

[0105] Figure 20 is a front view of the third coil CL3 (front fixed contact member 5F), the third fixed-side member FB3 (fixed-side magnetic member 30), and the third movable-side member MB3 (movable-side magnetic member 20), which constitute the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3). Specifically, the leftmost and second-to-left figures of Figure 20 show the third actuator AC3 when it is not operating, while the center figure, second-to-right figure, and rightmost figure of Figure 20 show the third actuator AC3 when it is operating. The black block arrows in the center figure, second-to-right figure, and rightmost figure of Figure 20 indicate the direction of movement of the third movable-side member MB3 (movable-side magnetic member 20). In addition, for clarity, the fixed contact members 5 (rear fixed contact member 5B and front fixed contact member 5F) are omitted from the figures in Figure 20, except for the leftmost figure.

[0106] Figure 21 is a rear view of the third coil CL3 (front fixed contact member 5F), the third fixed-side member FB3 (fixed-side magnetic member 30), and the third movable-side member MB3 (movable-side magnetic member 20) that constitute the third actuator AC3, and corresponds to Figure 20. Specifically, the leftmost and second-to-left figures in Figure 21 show the third actuator AC3 when it is not operating, while the center figure, second-to-right figure, and rightmost figure in Figure 21 show the third actuator AC3 when it is operating. The black block arrows in the center figure, second-to-right figure, and rightmost figure in Figure 21 indicate the direction of movement of the third movable-side member MB3 (movable-side magnetic member 20). For clarity, the fixed contact members 5 (rear fixed contact member 5B and front fixed contact member 5F) are omitted from the figures in Figure 21 except for the leftmost figure.

[0107] Furthermore, in Figures 20 and 21, to make the explanation easier to understand, the third coil CL3 (front fixed contact member 5F) is given a coarse dot pattern, the third movable side member MB3 (movable side magnetic member 20) and the third fixed side member FB3 (fixed side magnetic member 30) are given a fine dot pattern, and the left fixed contact portion 5L and the right fixed contact portion 5R are represented by dashed lines.

[0108] Specifically, the third coil CL3 is configured to generate a magnetic field when current is supplied to it. In the illustrated example, the third coil CL3 is a two-turn coil formed by a front fixed contact member 5F and is made of a copper-based material. The third coil CL3 may also be made of other conductive materials such as aluminum. More specifically, the third coil CL3 has a coil axis extending along the Z-axis direction, and parts of the third movable side member MB3 (movable side magnetic member 20) and the third fixed side member FB3 (fixed side magnetic member 30) are inserted into the inside of the third coil CL3.

[0109] The third fixed-side member FB3 is a member that functions as a stator for the third actuator AC3 and includes a fixed-side magnetic member 30. In the illustrated example, the fixed-side magnetic member 30 is a flat plate-shaped member made of an iron-based material and is fixed to the upper case member 8.

[0110] The third movable side member MB3 is a member that functions as a movable element of the third actuator AC3 and includes a movable side magnetic member 20. In the illustrated example, the movable side magnetic member 20 is a member made of an iron-based material and is arranged to move relative to the upper case member 8. Specifically, the movable side magnetic member 20 as the third movable side member MB3 is configured to move between a position when the third actuator AC3 is not operating (OFF position) and a position when the third actuator AC3 is operating (ON position). Note that "when the third actuator AC3 is not operating" means when there is no force (electromagnetic force) that can move the third movable side member MB3.

[0111] In the illustrated example, the movable magnetic member 20 and the fixed magnetic member 30 are arranged to pass through a portion of the third coil CL3 so that they can become magnetized when current is supplied to the third coil CL3 and a magnetic field is generated. Furthermore, the movable magnetic member 20 and the fixed magnetic member 30 are arranged so that they can attract each other when they become magnetized. Specifically, the movable magnetic member 20 is arranged to move along the Z-axis direction. With this arrangement, the distance between the movable magnetic member 20 and the fixed magnetic member 30 in the Z-axis direction is minimum in the ON position and maximum in the OFF position. Specifically, as shown in Figure 18, the end 20E of the movable magnetic member 20 is arranged to face the end 30E of the fixed magnetic member 30 in the Z-axis direction. The distance GP between the ends 20E and 30E in the Z-axis direction is, for example, minimum GP3 (zero) in the ON position and maximum GP4 in the OFF position, as shown in Figure 20.

[0112] More specifically, the movable magnetic member 20 functions as a separation assist member SB that helps the movable contact member 4, which is in contact with the fixed contact member 5 against the force of the biasing member 6, to separate from the fixed contact member 5.

[0113] In the illustrated example, the movable magnetic member 20 is made of an iron-based material and has a receiving portion 21, a contact portion 22, a connecting portion 23, and an opposing portion 24, as shown in Figure 19.

[0114] The receiving portion 21 is the part that receives the end of the biasing member 6. Specifically, the receiving portion 21 is a flat plate-shaped portion perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, and is configured to receive the upper end of the compression coil spring, which is the biasing member 6, at its lower surface (ceiling surface). Furthermore, when the third actuator AC3 is in the OFF position, the receiving portion 21 is sandwiched between the ceiling surface 8C of the upper case member 8 and the upper end of the biasing member 6. That is, the upper surface of the receiving portion 21 is pressed against the ceiling surface 8C of the upper case member 8 by the biasing force of the biasing member 6. Note that another member may be placed between the receiving portion 21 and the biasing member 6, or between the upper case member 8 and the receiving portion 21.

[0115] The contact portion 22 is the part that, when an abnormal current flows through the electrical circuit, or when the fixed contact member 5 or the movable contact member 4 reaches an abnormal temperature (hereinafter, when such a condition occurs, it will be referred to as "when an abnormal current occurs"), brings a part of it (for example, its lower end surface) into contact with the support member 1 or the movable contact member 4, and moves the movable contact member 4 away from the fixed contact member 5. In the illustrated example, the contact portion 22 is a flat plate-shaped part extending downward from the lower surface of the receiving portion 21, and its lower end surface is configured to contact the upper surface of the movable contact member 4. Specifically, the contact portion 22 includes a left contact portion 22L extending downward from the left end of the receiving portion 21, and a right contact portion 22R extending downward from the right end of the receiving portion 21.

[0116] The connecting portion 23 is the part that connects the receiving portion 21 and the opposing portion 24. In the illustrated example, the connecting portion 23 is a flat plate-shaped portion that extends forward from the front end of the receiving portion 21, and its front end is configured to be connected to the upper end of the opposing portion 24.

[0117] The opposing portion 24 is a portion positioned to face the end portion 30E of the fixed magnetic member 30 in the Z-axis direction. In the illustrated example, the opposing portion 24 is a flat plate-shaped portion extending along the Z-axis direction, with its upper end connected to the connecting portion 23, and is positioned so that the lower end surface, which becomes the end portion 20E of the movable magnetic member 20, and the end portion 30E of the fixed magnetic member 30 face each other with a predetermined distance GP between them in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the opposing portion 24 is configured such that when an abnormal current occurs, the magnetized movable magnetic member 20 and the fixed magnetic member 30 are attracted to each other, and the end portion 20E of the movable magnetic member 20 and the end portion 30E of the fixed magnetic member 30 come into contact.

[0118] More specifically, when the relay device 100 is ON, the distance GP between the end 20E of the movable magnetic member 20 and the end 30E of the fixed magnetic member 30 is value GP1, as shown in the second figure from the left in Figures 20 and 21.

[0119] When an abnormal current occurs, as shown in the center diagrams of Figures 20 and 21, the magnetized movable magnetic member 20 is attracted to the magnetized fixed magnetic member 30 and moves downward until the lower end surface of the contact portion 22 and the upper surface of the movable contact member 4 come into contact, as indicated by the block arrow AR21. In other words, the movable magnetic member 20 can collide the lower end surface of the contact portion 22 with the upper surface of the movable contact member 4 from above. Therefore, the movable magnetic member 20 can separate the movable contact member 4 from the fixed contact member 5, even if the movable contact member 4 (left movable contact portion 4L and right movable contact portion 4R) and the fixed contact member 5 (left fixed contact portion 5L and right fixed contact portion 5R) are welded together. At this time, the distance GP between the end 20E of the movable magnetic member 20 and the end 30E of the fixed magnetic member 30 becomes a value GP2 which is smaller than the value GP1 which is when the relay device 100 is ON.

[0120] Furthermore, since the upper end of the biasing member 6 is in contact with the receiving portion 21 of the movable magnetic member 20, when the movable magnetic member 20 moves downward, it is compressed between the lower surface (ceiling surface) of the receiving portion 21 and the upper surface of the movable contact member 4. In other words, the movable magnetic member 20 is moved to push the upper end of the biasing member 6 downward. The movable magnetic member 20 is also called a "push bar" based on this action of pushing the upper end of the biasing member 6 downward.

[0121] Subsequently, as shown in the second figure from the right in Figures 20 and 21, the magnetized movable magnetic member 20 is further attracted to the magnetized fixed magnetic member 30 and moves further downward until the end 20E of the movable magnetic member 20 and the end 30E of the fixed magnetic member 30 come into contact, as indicated by block arrow AR22.

[0122] Furthermore, since the upper surface of the movable contact member 4 is in contact with the contact portion 22 of the movable magnetic member 20, when the movable magnetic member 20 moves further downward, the movable contact member 4 moves downward together with the movable magnetic member 20.

[0123] At this time, the contact between the movable contact member 4 (left movable contact portion 4L and right movable contact portion 4R) and the fixed contact member 5 (left fixed contact portion 5L and right fixed contact portion 5R) is completely released, and the current flowing through the third coil CL3 is interrupted.

[0124] As a result, the magnetization of the movable magnetic member 20 and the fixed magnetic member 30 is released, and the magnetic attraction between the movable magnetic member 20 and the fixed magnetic member 30 disappears. Therefore, as shown in the rightmost diagram in Figures 20 and 21, the movable magnetic member 20 is pushed up by the repulsive force of the biasing member 6, which is compressed between the lower surface (ceiling surface) of the receiving portion 21 of the movable magnetic member 20 and the upper surface of the movable contact member 4, and moves upward so as to move away from the movable contact member 4 and the fixed magnetic member 30, as indicated by block arrow AR23. In the illustrated example, the movable magnetic member 20 moves upward until the distance GP between the movable magnetic member 20 and the fixed magnetic member 30 becomes value GP4. Conversely, the movable contact member 4 is pushed down by the repulsive force of the biasing member 6 and moves downward so as to move away from the fixed contact member 5 (left fixed contact portion 5L and right fixed contact portion 5R) and the movable magnetic member 20.

[0125] In this way, the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) can assist the movable contact member 4, which is in contact with the fixed contact member 5, in separating from the fixed contact member 5 against the force (elastic force) of the biasing member 6. In the illustrated example, the main force for pushing the movable contact member 4 away from the fixed contact member 5 is the force (repulsive force) of the biasing member 6.

[0126] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) is configured such that contact between the contact portion 22 and the movable contact member 4 occurs before contact between the movable magnetic member 20 and the fixed magnetic member 30. However, the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) may also be configured such that contact between the contact portion 22 and the movable contact member 4 and contact between the movable magnetic member 20 and the fixed magnetic member 30 occur substantially simultaneously.

[0127] Next, with reference to Figures 22 and 23, an example of the positional relationship between the movable contact member 4 and the contact portion 22 of the movable magnetic member 20 will be described. Figure 22 is a plan view of the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) as seen along the Z-axis direction. In Figure 22, for clarity, a coarse dot pattern is applied to the front fixed contact member 5F that constitutes the third coil CL3, and a fine dot pattern is applied to the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20).

[0128] Figure 23 is a plan view of the movable contact member 4, the fixed contact member 5, the biasing member 6, and the movable magnetic member 20. Specifically, Figure 23 corresponds to an enlarged view of the area R1 enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 22. In Figure 23, for the sake of clarity, only the outlines of the fixed contact member 5 and the movable magnetic member 20 are shown with dashed lines, and the contact surface CA between the movable contact member 4 and the movable magnetic member 20 (contact portion 22) is shown with a diagonal line pattern.

[0129] In the illustrated example, the contact surface CA includes the left contact surface CAL between the movable contact member 4 and the left contact portion 22L, and the right contact surface CAR between the movable contact member 4 and the right contact portion 22R.

[0130] Specifically, the left contact surface CAL and the right contact surface CAR are rectangular areas having a longer side extending in the X-axis direction and a shorter side extending in the Y-axis direction, and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the line segment SG1 connecting the center point CT1 of the roughly circular left movable contact portion 4L and the center point CT2 of the roughly circular right movable contact portion 4R in a plan view.

[0131] Furthermore, the left contact surface CAL is positioned at a distance GL1 from the midpoint CT3 of line segment SG1 in the Y-axis direction, and the right contact surface CAR is positioned at a distance GR1 from the midpoint CT3 of line segment SG1 in the Y-axis direction. In the illustrated example, the midpoint CT3 of line segment SG1 corresponds to the center point of the compression coil spring, which is a biasing member 6 having a substantially circular outer shape in plan view, and distances GL1 and GR1 are of the same magnitude. However, distances GL1 and GR1 may be of different magnitudes.

[0132] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the contact portion 22 is configured such that the area of ​​the left contact surface CAL and the area of ​​the right contact surface CAR are the same, but the area of ​​the left contact surface CAL and the area of ​​the right contact surface CAR may be different from each other.

[0133] Furthermore, although the contact portion 22 is configured such that the shape of both the left contact surface CAL and the right contact surface CAR in a plan view is rectangular, the shape of at least one of the left contact surface CAL and the right contact surface CAR in a plan view may be a shape other than a rectangle, such as a triangle, circle, ellipse, or polygon.

[0134] This configuration allows the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) to easily separate the movable contact member 4 from the fixed contact member 5 compared to the case where the contact portion 22 is in contact with the midpoint CT3 of the line segment SG1 (a point corresponding to the center point of the biasing member 6 and the central axis of the shaft member 7). This is because when the movable contact member 4 is pushed away from the fixed contact member 5, the movable contact member 4 can be rotated around an axis VA parallel to the X-axis (an axis perpendicular to the line segment SG1 at the midpoint CT3). In other words, when the movable contact member 4 is pushed away from the fixed contact member 5, the movable contact member 4 can be tilted (twisted) around axis VA. Specifically, if the contact between the movable contact member 4 and the right contact portion 22R occurs earlier than the contact between the movable contact member 4 and the left contact portion 22L, the portion of the movable contact member 4 to the right of axis VA moves downward before the portion to the left.

[0135] Next, with reference to Figure 24, another example of the positional relationship between the movable contact member 4 and the contact portion 22 of the movable magnetic member 20 will be described. Figure 24 is a plan view of the movable contact member 4, the fixed contact member 5, the biasing member 6, and the movable magnetic member 20, and corresponds to Figure 23. In Figure 24, for the sake of clarity, only the outlines of the fixed contact member 5 and the movable magnetic member 20 are shown with dashed lines, and the contact surface CA between the movable contact member 4 and the movable magnetic member 20 (contact portion 22) is shown with a diagonal line pattern.

[0136] The left contact surface CAL and the right contact surface CAR in Figure 24 differ from those in Figure 23 in that they do not straddle the line segment SG1. Specifically, the left contact surface CAL is positioned a distance GL2 forward of the line segment SG1, and the right contact surface CAR is positioned a distance GR2 forward of the line segment SG1. Note that distances GL2 and GR2 are the same size. However, distances GL2 and GR2 may be different sizes.

[0137] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the contact portion 22 is configured such that the area of ​​the left contact surface CAL and the area of ​​the right contact surface CAR are the same, but the area of ​​the left contact surface CAL and the area of ​​the right contact surface CAR may be different from each other.

[0138] Furthermore, the contact portion 22 is configured such that the shape of both the left contact surface CAL and the right contact surface CAR in a plan view is rectangular. However, the shape of at least one of the left contact surface CAL and the right contact surface CAR in a plan view may be a shape other than a rectangle, such as a triangle, circle, ellipse, or polygon. Also, the contact portion 22 may be configured such that at least one of the left contact surface CAL and the right contact surface CAR is positioned behind the line segment SG1.

[0139] With this configuration, the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) can separate the movable contact member 4 from the fixed contact member 5 more easily than when the contact portion 22 is brought into contact with the movable contact member 4 so as to straddle the line segment SG1 as shown in Figure 23. This is because when the movable contact member 4 is pushed away from the fixed contact member 5, the movable contact member 4 can be rotated not only around the axis VA but also around the line segment SG1. In other words, when the movable contact member 4 is pushed away from the fixed contact member 5, the movable contact member 4 can be tilted (twisted) around both the axis VA and the line segment SG1. Specifically, if the contact between the movable contact member 4 and the right contact portion 22R is faster than the contact between the movable contact member 4 and the left contact portion 22L, the part of the movable contact member 4 to the right of the axis VA moves downward before the part to the left, and the part in front of the line segment SG1 moves downward before the part behind it.

[0140] As described above, the relay device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figure 2, includes a fixed contact member 5, a movable contact member 4 that can move along a first direction (Z-axis direction), a biasing member 6 that applies a force to move the movable contact member 4 away from the fixed contact member 5, a support member 1 that supports the movable contact member 4, a first actuator AC1 that moves the support member 1, and a second actuator AC2 that moves a part of the support member 1. The support member 1 is configured to be able to be switched automatically, rather than manually, by the second actuator AC2 between a first form (the form shown in the upper part of Figure 5) when the movable contact member 4 is in contact with the fixed contact member 5 against the force of the biasing member 6, and a second form (the form shown in the lower part of Figure 5) when the movable contact member 4 moves away from the fixed contact member 5 in response to the force of the biasing member 6. The first actuator AC1 is configured to be able to move the support member 1 to a first position (the position shown in the upper right part of Figure 8) that allows the support member 1, which is in the second form, to switch to the first form.

[0141] This configuration enables high-speed interruption of the electrical circuit in the event of an overcurrent caused by a short circuit or the like, and then restores the relay device 100 to the same state as when it was OFF by stopping the power supply to the first actuator AC1. In other words, this configuration has the effect of enabling high-speed interruption of the electrical circuit while also enabling the relay device 100 to self-reset. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of improving the ease of use of the relay device 100.

[0142] Furthermore, preferably, as shown in Figure 8, the distance DS2 between the distal end of the support member 1 (the lower surface of the base member 10) and the fixed contact member 5 (the left fixed contact portion 5L and the right fixed contact portion 5R) when the support member 1 is in the first position is greater than the distance DS1 between the distal end of the support member 1 and the fixed contact member 5 when the support member 1 is not in the first position.

[0143] This configuration has the effect of providing the necessary space for the support member 1 to switch from the second form to the first form without placing an excessive load on the support member 1 located between the fixed contact member 5 and the first actuator AC1. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of making it easier to realize the self-reset function of the relay device 100.

[0144] Preferably, as shown in Figure 8, the first actuator AC1 is configured to move the support member 1 to a first position (the position shown in the lower right of Figure 8) when the power supply is stopped.

[0145] This configuration has the effect of enabling the relay device 100 to self-reset simply by turning off the first actuator AC1.

[0146] Furthermore, the support member 1 preferably includes a link mechanism LM (buckling mechanism) as shown in Figure 5, which comprises a first pivot member 11S movable along a first direction (Z-axis direction), a second pivot member 12S movable along the first direction, a first link member 11L whose one end (lower end) is rotatably attached to the first pivot member 11S around a first pivot axis RX1, and a second link member 12L whose one end (upper end) is rotatably attached to the second pivot member 12S around a second pivot axis RX2 and whose other end (lower end) is rotatably attached to the other end (upper end) of the first link member 11L around a third pivot axis RX3. Furthermore, the distance AD1 between the first rotation axis RX1 and the second rotation axis RX2 in the first configuration (the configuration shown in the upper diagram of Figure 5) is configured to be greater than the distance AD2 between the first rotation axis RX1 and the second rotation axis RX2 in the second configuration (the configuration shown in the lower diagram of Figure 5). The same applies to the example shown in Figure 14.

[0147] This configuration has the effect of easily switching between the first and second forms of the support member 1 by utilizing the link mechanism LM as a buckling mechanism. Furthermore, this configuration has the effect of achieving the appropriate pressing force by the movable contact member 4 (support member 1 in the first form) against the fixed contact member 5 when the relay device 100 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0148] Furthermore, the relay device 100 preferably includes a shaft member 7 extending along a first direction (Z-axis direction), as shown in Figure 6. The first pivot member 11S and the second pivot member 12S are slidably mounted on the shaft member 7 along the first direction. The first actuator AC1 is configured to move the second pivot member 12S in the first direction by moving the shaft member 7 in a first direction (Z2 direction, downward) that moves the movable contact member 4 away from the fixed contact member 5, as shown in the lower right diagram of Figure 8.

[0149] This configuration has the effect of facilitating the switching of the support member 1 from the second form to the first form without placing an excessive load on the second support member 12S located between the fixed contact member 5 and the first support member 11S. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of making it easier to realize the self-return function of the relay device 100.

[0150] Furthermore, the support member 1 is preferably a mechanism (buckling mechanism) configured to deform as if buckling in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (Y1 direction, leftward), as shown in Figure 5, and has a rotation stopper SP that suppresses deformation (buckling) in the opposite direction (Y2 direction, rightward). Specifically, as shown in the upper left of Figure 7, the first link member 11L and the second link member 12L are connected via the third pivot member 13S so as to be rotatable with respect to each other around the third pivot axis RX3. Furthermore, when viewed from the axial direction of the third rotation axis RX3, the support member 1 is configured such that in the first embodiment (the embodiment shown in the upper left diagram of Figure 7), the third rotation axis RX3 is positioned on one side (Y2 side, right side) of the imaginary line VL connecting the first rotation axis RX1 and the second rotation axis RX2, and also has a rotation stopper SP that suppresses the rotation of the first link member 11L and the second link member 12L around the third rotation axis RX3 so that the third rotation axis RX3 moves away from the imaginary line VL in the first embodiment.

[0151] This configuration has the effect of making the self-return of the relay device 100 more reliable by deformation (buckling) of the link mechanism LM using the biasing force provided by the biasing member 6.

[0152] Furthermore, the support member 1 preferably includes, as shown in Figure 13, a guide member 14 that guides the movement of the first support member 11S and the second support member 12S along the first direction (Z-axis direction), and an elastic member (second elastic member RS2) that biases the first support member 11S and the second support member 12S to move away from each other in the second configuration (the configuration shown in the right-hand diagram of Figure 14). In the example shown in Figure 13, the elastic member (second elastic member RS2) is a torsion spring.

[0153] This configuration enables the link mechanism LM to return to the first configuration shown in the left configuration of Figure 14, via the configuration shown in the center configuration of Figure 14, from the second configuration shown in the right configuration of Figure 14. In other words, this configuration enables the third rotation axis RX3 to move from the left side of the virtual line VL, across the virtual line VL, to the right side of the virtual line VL. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of making the self-return of the relay device 100 by deformation (buckling) of the link mechanism LM using the biasing force of the biasing member 6 more reliable.

[0154] Furthermore, when viewed from the axial direction of the third rotation axis RX3, the rotation stopper SP is preferably located on one side (Y2 side, right side) of the imaginary line VL in the first form of the support member 1 (the form shown in the left diagram of Figure 14). Alternatively, the rotation stopper SP may be located on the other side (Y1 side, left side) of the imaginary line VL in the first form of the support member 1 (the form shown in the upper left diagram of Figure 7).

[0155] This configuration can prevent the third drive shaft RX3 from moving excessively to the right of the virtual line VL. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of making the self-return of the relay device 100 by deformation (buckling) of the link mechanism LM using the biasing force of the biasing member 6 more reliable.

[0156] Furthermore, the support member 1 preferably has a base member 10 as a contact pressure applying member that applies a force to the first link member 11L in a direction (Z1 direction, upward) that brings the movable contact member 4 closer to the fixed contact member 5, as shown in Figure 13. The guide member 14 is movable relative to the movable contact member 4, and the base member 10 is positioned between the first link member 11L and the guide member 14 (base portion 14B).

[0157] This configuration has the effect of increasing the contact pressure (contact pressure) between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 by biasing the first link member 11L and the second link member 12L upward with the repulsive force of the base member 10, which acts as a contact pressure applying member (elastic member), when the relay device 100 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0158] Furthermore, the guide member 14 preferably has a first guide hole GH1 through which the first pivot member 11S is inserted so as to be movable along the first direction (Z-axis direction), and a second guide hole GH2 through which the second pivot member 12S is inserted so as to be movable along the first direction, as shown in Figure 13. The length HT2 of the second guide hole GH2 along the first direction is longer than the length HT1 of the first guide hole GH1 along the first direction.

[0159] This configuration allows the movement of the first support member 11S in the Z-axis direction through the first guide hole GH1, thereby utilizing the repulsive force of the base member 10 as a contact pressure applying member (elastic member). Furthermore, this configuration allows the movement of the second support member 12S in the Z-axis direction through the second guide hole GH2, thereby enabling deformation between the first and second forms of the support member 1. As a result, this configuration has the effect of making high-speed interruption of the electrical circuit and self-recovery of the relay device 100 more reliable.

[0160] Furthermore, the second actuator AC2 preferably has a second movable side member MB2 (movable side magnetic member 2) that moves the link mechanism LM, as shown in Figure 4. And, as shown in the upper left view of Figure 7, when viewed from the axial direction of the third rotation axis RX3, the second movable side member MB2 (movable side magnetic member 2) is positioned on one side (Y2 side, right side) of the imaginary line VL connecting the first rotation axis RX1 and the second rotation axis RX2 in the first embodiment (the embodiment shown in the upper left view of Figure 7).

[0161] This configuration allows the second actuator AC2 to apply an operating force to the support member 1 (link mechanism LM) in the first configuration from a direction (Y-axis direction) that intersects with the operating direction (Z-axis direction) of the first actuator AC1. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of efficiently changing the support member 1 (link mechanism LM) in the first configuration to the second orientation.

[0162] Furthermore, the first actuator AC1 is preferably an electromagnetic actuator comprising a first movable side member MB1, a first fixed side member FB1, a first coil CL1, and a first elastic member RS1, as shown in Figure 3. The shaft member 7 is fixed to the first movable side member MB1. Specifically, the lower end portion 7ED of the shaft member 7 is fixed to the bottom plate portion 42B of the lower bottomed cylindrical member 42, as shown in Figure 6.

[0163] This configuration has the effect of simplifying the structure of the first actuator AC1.

[0164] Furthermore, the first actuator AC1 preferably moves the support member 1 to the first position (the position shown in the lower right diagram of Figure 8) when the supply of current to the first coil CL1 is stopped, as shown in the lower right diagram of Figure 8.

[0165] This configuration has the effect of enabling the relay device 100 to self-reset simply by stopping the supply of current to the first coil CL1 of the first actuator AC1.

[0166] Furthermore, the second actuator AC2 preferably moves the second movable side member MB2 (movable side magnetic member 2) so that when an abnormal current occurs, the support member 1, which is in the first form (the form shown in the lower right of Figure 7), switches to the second form (the form shown in the lower left of Figure 8). Note that the change of the support member 1 from the first form to the second form when the movable contact member 4 reaches an abnormal temperature may be realized using an actuator including a bimetal.

[0167] This configuration has the effect of quickly shutting off the electrical circuit without receiving a command from an external device when an abnormal current such as an overcurrent or short circuit occurs, or when an abnormal temperature occurs.

[0168] Furthermore, the second actuator AC2 is preferably an electromagnetic actuator comprising a second movable side member MB2, a second fixed side member FB2, a second coil CL2, and a second elastic member RS2, as shown in Figure 4.

[0169] In this configuration, when an abnormal current (large current) flows through the second coil CL2, the support member 1 is switched from the first form to the second form. After the abnormal current (large current) disappears, the support member 1 is switched back from the second form to the first form by the repulsive force of the second elastic member RS2. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of reliably switching the form of the support member 1.

[0170] Furthermore, the movable contact member 4 preferably has a through hole 4H through which the shaft member 7 is inserted, as shown in Figure 2. The biasing member 6 is arranged around the shaft member 7.

[0171] This configuration allows for the integration of the space for housing the biasing member 6 and the space for housing the shaft member 7, thereby improving the space efficiency within the housing HS.

[0172] Furthermore, the second coil CL2 is preferably formed by a part of the fixed contact member 5, as shown in Figure 4. Specifically, the second coil CL2 is a two-turn coil formed by a part of the rear fixed contact member 5B. The second coil CL2 may also be formed by a part of the movable contact member 4.

[0173] This configuration has the advantage of simplifying the structure of the relay device 100 compared to the case where the second coil CL2 is formed by a member other than the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5.

[0174] Furthermore, the second movable side member MB2 (contact surface 2R of the movable side magnetic member 2) is preferably configured to contact the second link member 12L, as shown in Figure 6. The second movable side member MB2 (contact surface 2R of the movable side magnetic member 2) may also be configured to contact the first link member 11L.

[0175] This configuration has the advantage of simplifying the structure of the relay device 100 compared to a configuration in which the second movable side member MB2 and the link mechanism LM are indirectly in contact.

[0176] Furthermore, the link mechanism LM may be composed of multiple bent plate materials.

[0177] This configuration has the effect of improving the ease of manufacturing the relay device 100 compared to cases where other processing is required for manufacturing the components that make up the link mechanism LM.

[0178] Furthermore, as described above, the relay device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figure 18, includes a fixed contact member 5, a movable contact member 4 that can move along a first direction (Z-axis direction), a biasing member 6 that applies a force to move the movable contact member 4 away from the fixed contact member 5, a support member 1 (see Figure 2) that supports the movable contact member 4, a separation assisting member SB (movable magnetic member 20) that assists the movable contact member 4, which is in contact with the fixed contact member 5 against the force of the biasing member 6, to separate from the fixed contact member 5, a support actuator (first actuator AC1, see Figure 2) that moves the support member 1, and a separation assisting actuator (third actuator AC3) that moves the separation assisting member SB (movable magnetic member 20). Furthermore, the support member 1 is configured to be able to automatically switch between a first configuration (shown in the upper diagram of Figure 5) when the movable contact member 4 is in contact with the fixed contact member 5 against the force of the biasing member 6, and a second configuration (shown in the lower diagram of Figure 5) when the movable contact member 4 separates from the fixed contact member 5 due to the force of the biasing member 6, rather than manually. In addition, the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) is configured to assist in separating the movable contact member 4 from the fixed contact member 5 by moving the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) when an abnormal current occurs.

[0179] In the illustrated example, the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) is positioned to always be in contact with the biasing member 6, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 18. However, it may also be positioned to only come into contact with the biasing member 6 when an abnormal current occurs, that is, to not come into contact with the biasing member 6 until an abnormal current occurs. Furthermore, although the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) is positioned to be in direct contact with the biasing member 6, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 18, it may also be positioned to be indirectly in contact with the biasing member 6 via another member.

[0180] In the illustrated example, the support actuator (first actuator AC1) is configured to push up the movable contact member 4 to bring it into contact with the fixed contact member 5, but it may also be configured to pull down the movable contact member 4 to bring it into contact with the fixed contact member 5.

[0181] This configuration allows a force to be applied directly or indirectly to the support member 1 or the movable contact member 4 by moving the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) using a separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) that operates when an abnormal current occurs. Therefore, this configuration facilitates the separation of the movable contact member 4, which is in contact with the fixed contact member 5, from the fixed contact member 5 when an abnormal current occurs, thereby enabling high-speed interruption of the electrical circuit and improving the ease of use of the relay device 100. Furthermore, this configuration can increase (improve) the separation speed, which is the speed at which the movable contact member 4 moves away from the fixed contact member 5. In other words, this configuration can increase (improve) the interruption speed of the electrical circuit.

[0182] Furthermore, the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) may be configured to assist in separating the movable contact member 4 from the fixed contact member 5 by moving the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) to bring the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) into contact with the movable contact member 4 or the support member 1.

[0183] This configuration allows the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) to be struck (collided) against the support member 1 or the movable contact member 4 when an abnormal current occurs, for example. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of reliably separating (peeling off) the movable contact member 4 from the fixed contact member 5, even when the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 are welded together.

[0184] Furthermore, the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) may be configured to increase the force exerted by the biasing member 6 by moving the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) to compress the biasing member 6.

[0185] In this configuration, for example, when an abnormal current occurs, the compression coil spring acting as the biasing member 6 can be further compressed by lowering the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) that receives the upper end of the biasing member 6. Therefore, this configuration can increase the repulsive force of the biasing member 6 (the force that moves the movable contact member 4 away from the fixed contact member 5) when an abnormal current occurs, and consequently, it has the effect of reliably separating the movable contact member 4 from the fixed contact member 5.

[0186] Furthermore, the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) may have a receiving portion 21 that receives the end (upper end) of the biasing member 6, and a contact portion 22 that contacts the movable contact member 4 or the support member 1, as shown in Figure 19.

[0187] This configuration allows, for example, when an abnormal current occurs, the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) to strike (collide) against the support member 1 or the movable contact member 4, while simultaneously further compressing the compression coil spring acting as the biasing member 6. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of more reliably separating the movable contact member 4 from the fixed contact member 5 when an abnormal current occurs.

[0188] Furthermore, the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) may be an electromagnetic actuator comprising a separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) as a movable side member (third movable side member MB3), a fixed side magnetic member 30 as a fixed side member (third fixed side member FB3), and a coil (third coil CL3), as shown in Figure 18. In this case, the coil (third coil CL3) may be formed from a part of the movable contact member 4 or a part of the fixed contact member 5. The separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) may be arranged to be movable within the coil (third coil CL3).

[0189] This configuration allows the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) to be operated using abnormal current, thus eliminating the need for a separate drive source to operate the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3). Therefore, this configuration has the effect of simplifying the structure of the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3). Furthermore, because this configuration allows the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) to be operated using abnormal current, it has the effect of being operated at the appropriate timing without delay. In addition, this configuration has the effect of preventing the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) from operating erroneously when no abnormal current is present.

[0190] Furthermore, the fixed contact member 5 may include a first fixed contact member (front fixed contact member 5F) having a first fixed contact portion (left fixed contact portion 5L), as shown in Figure 18, and a second fixed contact member (rear fixed contact member 5B) having a second fixed contact portion (right fixed contact portion 5R). Also, the movable contact member 4 may include a first movable contact portion (left movable contact portion 4L) that contacts the first fixed contact portion (left fixed contact portion 5L), as shown in Figure 18, and a second movable contact portion (right movable contact portion 4R) that contacts the second fixed contact portion (right fixed contact portion 5R). Furthermore, the separation auxiliary member SB (movable side magnetic member 20) may have a contact portion 22 that contacts the movable contact member 4, as shown in Figure 19. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 23, the contact portion 22 may be positioned to contact the movable contact member 4 at a position away from the midpoint CT3 of the line segment SG1 connecting the center point CT1 of the first movable contact portion (left movable contact portion 4L) and the center point CT2 of the second movable contact portion (right movable contact portion 4R) in a plan view along the first direction (Z-axis direction). The contact portion 22 may also be positioned to contact the support member 1. In this case, the contact portion 22 may be positioned to contact the movable contact member 4, or it may be positioned not to contact the movable contact member 4.

[0191] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the contact portion 22 is arranged to contact the movable contact member 4 at two locations, the left contact surface CAL and the right contact surface CAR, as shown in Figure 23. However, it may also be arranged to contact the movable contact member 4 at one location, or at three or more locations. Also, although the left contact portion 22L and the right contact portion 22R are arranged to contact the movable contact member 4 simultaneously, they may be configured to contact the movable contact member 4 at different timings. The same applies when they are arranged to contact the movable contact member 4 at three or more locations.

[0192] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the contact portion 22 is configured such that the area of ​​the left contact surface CAL and the area of ​​the right contact surface CAR are the same, as shown in Figure 23. However, the contact portion may be configured such that the areas of the left contact surface CAL and the right contact surface CAR are different from each other. In other words, in the illustrated example, the contact portion 22 is configured such that the left contact surface CAL and the right contact surface CAR are symmetrical with respect to the biasing member 6, as shown in Figure 23. However, it may be configured to be asymmetrical with respect to the biasing member 6, asymmetrical front to back, and asymmetrical left to right.

[0193] This configuration allows for a twisting motion in the movement of the movable contact member 4 when it separates from the fixed contact member 5. In other words, this configuration allows for a tilting of the movable contact member 4's position when it separates from the fixed contact member 5. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of making it easier to separate the movable contact member 4 from the fixed contact member 5. Furthermore, this configuration has the effect of enabling cleaning of the contact surface between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5. Note that cleaning of the contact surface includes, for example, the removal of dust and other particles adhering to the contact surface. This is because the movable contact member 4 can slide on the fixed contact member 5 when it separates from the fixed contact member 5.

[0194] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 24, the contact portion 22 may be positioned to contact the movable contact member 4 or the support member 1 at a location away from the line segment SG1 connecting the center point CT1 of the first movable contact portion (left movable contact portion 4L) and the center point CT2 of the second movable contact portion (right movable contact portion 4R) in a plan view along the first direction (Z-axis direction).

[0195] In the illustrated example, the contact portion 22 is positioned such that the left contact surface CAL and the right contact surface CAR are both the same distance forward from the line segment SG1, as shown in Figure 24. However, they may also be positioned the same distance backward from the line segment SG1. Furthermore, the contact portion 22 may be positioned such that the left contact surface CAL and the right contact surface CAR are different distances from the line segment SG1. Also, the contact portion 22 may be positioned so that one of the left contact surface CAL and the right contact surface CAR is the forward part of the line segment SG1, and the other of the left contact surface CAL and the right contact surface CAR is the backward part of the line segment SG1. In addition, in the example shown in Figure 24, the contact portion 22 may be positioned to contact the movable contact member 4 at one point, or it may be positioned to contact the movable contact member 4 at three or more points.

[0196] This configuration has the effect of making it easier to further separate the movable contact member 4 from the fixed contact member 5. Furthermore, this configuration has the effect of enabling cleaning of the contact surface between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5.

[0197] Furthermore, the relay device 100 may also include a shape-changing actuator (second actuator AC2) that moves a part of the support member 1 (see Figure 2) to change the shape of the support member 1, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 18. The shape-changing actuator (second actuator AC2) may be configured to move a part of the support member 1 so that when an abnormal current occurs, the support member 1, which is in the first shape (the shape shown in the upper diagram of Figure 5), switches to the second shape (the shape shown in the lower diagram of Figure 5). In addition, the support actuator (first actuator AC1) shown in Figure 3 may be configured to move the support member 1 to a first position (the position shown in the upper right diagram of Figure 8) that allows the support member 1, which is in the second shape (the shape shown in the lower diagram of Figure 5), to switch to the first shape (the shape shown in the upper diagram of Figure 5).

[0198] This configuration enables high-speed interruption of the electrical circuit when an abnormal current occurs, and then restores the relay device 100 to the same state as when it was OFF by stopping the power supply to the first actuator AC1. In other words, this configuration has the effect of enabling self-recovery of the relay device 100 while achieving high-speed interruption of the electrical circuit. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of improving the ease of use of the relay device 100.

[0199] Furthermore, the shape-changing actuator (second actuator AC2) may be configured to move a part of the support member 1 so that the support member 1, which is in the first configuration (the configuration shown in the upper diagram of Figure 5), switches to the second configuration (the configuration shown in the lower diagram of Figure 5) before the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) moves the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) when an abnormal current occurs. In other words, the shape-changing actuator (second actuator AC2) may be configured to operate earlier than the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3).

[0200] Specifically, the operating timing of the shape-changing actuator (second actuator AC2) (the time from when an abnormal current occurs until the second actuator AC2 operates) is achieved by appropriately selecting the number of turns, material, and cross-sectional area of ​​the second coil CL2. Similarly, the operating timing of the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) (the time from when an abnormal current occurs until the third actuator AC3 operates) is achieved by appropriately selecting the number of turns, material, and cross-sectional area of ​​the third coil CL3.

[0201] This configuration ensures that the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) is lowered by the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) after the shape-changing actuator (second actuator AC2) has switched the shape of the support member 1 from the first shape to the second shape. In other words, this configuration prevents the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) from lowering before the shape of the support member 1 has switched to the second shape, which would cause the upward force from the shape-changing actuator (second actuator AC2) and the downward force from the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) to partially cancel each other out.

[0202] However, the shape-changing actuator (second actuator AC2) may be configured to operate slower than the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3). This is to maximize the repulsive force (restoring force) of the compression coil spring, which acts as a biasing member 6 and is compressed between the movable contact member 4 and the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) when an abnormal current occurs, and consequently, to maximize the force that pushes the movable contact member 4 away from the fixed contact member 5.

[0203] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the support member 1 may be configured such that the distance DS2 between the distal end of the support member 1 (the lower surface of the base member 10) and the fixed contact member 5 when it is in the first position (the position shown in the upper right of Figure 8) is greater than the distance DS1 between the distal end of the support member 1 and the fixed contact member 5 when it is not in the first position.

[0204] This configuration has the effect of providing the necessary space for the support member 1 to switch from the second form to the first form without placing an excessive load on the support member 1 located between the fixed contact member 5 and the first actuator AC1. Therefore, this configuration has the effect of making it easier to realize the self-reset function of the relay device 100.

[0205] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, the support member 1 may have a contact pressure applying member (base member 10) that applies a force (upward force) to the movable contact member 4 in a direction that presses the movable contact member 4 against the fixed contact member 5 when in the first configuration. In this case, the force applied by the contact pressure applying member (base member 10) may be greater than the force applied by the biasing member 6.

[0206] This configuration has the effect of increasing the contact pressure between the movable contact member 4 and the fixed contact member 5 by biasing the movable contact member 4 upward with the repulsive force of the base member 10, which acts as a contact pressure applying member (elastic member), when the relay device 100 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0207] Furthermore, the direction of movement (downward) of the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) moved by the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) may be the same as the direction (downward) in which the biasing member 6 moves the movable contact member 4 away from the fixed contact member 5.

[0208] This configuration has the effect of simplifying the structure of the separation assist actuator (third actuator AC3) compared to the case where the direction of movement of the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) and the direction in which the biasing member 6 moves away from the fixed contact member 5 (downward) are different. In other words, when a mechanism that changes the direction of force is interposed between the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) and the movable contact member 4, the direction of movement of the separation assist member SB (movable magnetic member 20) and the direction in which the biasing member 6 moves away from the fixed contact member 5 (downward) do not have to be the same.

[0209] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications and substitutions can be applied to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, each of the features described with reference to the embodiments described above may be combined as appropriate, as long as they do not conflict technically.

[0210] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-175315, filed on 4 October 2024, and the entire contents of that Japanese Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0211]

Claims

1. A relay device comprising: a fixed contact member; a movable contact member that can move along a first direction; a biasing member that applies a force to move the movable contact member away from the fixed contact member; a support member that supports the movable contact member; a separation assisting member that assists the movable contact member, which is in contact with the fixed contact member against the force of the biasing member, to separate from the fixed contact member; a support actuator that moves the support member; and a separation assisting actuator that moves the separation assisting member, wherein the support member is configured to automatically switch between a first state in which the movable contact member is in contact with the fixed contact member against the force of the biasing member and a second state in which the movable contact member separates from the fixed contact member in response to the force of the biasing member; and the separation assisting actuator is configured to move the separation assisting member to assist the movable contact member to separate from the fixed contact member when an abnormal current flows through the electrical circuit or when the fixed contact member or the movable contact member reaches an abnormal temperature.

2. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the separation assist actuator is configured to assist the movable contact member in separating from the fixed contact member by moving the separation assist member and bringing the separation assist member into contact with the movable contact member or the support member.

3. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the separation assist actuator is configured to increase the force exerted by the biasing member by moving the separation assist member and compressing the biasing member.

4. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the separation assisting member has a receiving portion for receiving the end of the biasing member and a contact portion for contacting the movable contact member or the support member.

5. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the separation assist actuator is an electromagnetic actuator comprising a separation assist member as a movable side member, a fixed side member and a coil, the coil is formed from a part of the movable contact member or a part of the fixed contact member, and the separation assist member is arranged to be movable within the coil.

6. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the fixed contact member includes a first fixed contact member having a first fixed contact portion and a second fixed contact member having a second fixed contact portion; the movable contact member includes a first movable contact portion that contacts the first fixed contact portion and a second movable contact portion that contacts the second fixed contact portion; the separation auxiliary member has a contact portion that contacts the movable contact member or the support member; and the contact portion is arranged to contact the movable contact member or the support member at a position away from the midpoint of the line segment connecting the center point of the first movable contact portion and the center point of the second movable contact portion in a plan view along the first direction.

7. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the fixed contact member includes a first fixed contact member having a first fixed contact portion and a second fixed contact member having a second fixed contact portion; the movable contact member includes a first movable contact portion that contacts the first fixed contact portion and a second movable contact portion that contacts the second fixed contact portion; the separation auxiliary member has a contact portion that contacts the movable contact member or the support member; and the contact portion is arranged to contact the movable contact member or the support member at a position away from the line segment connecting the center point of the first movable contact portion and the center point of the second movable contact portion in a plan view along the first direction.

8. A relay device according to claim 1, comprising a shape-changing actuator that moves a part of the support member to change the shape of the support member, wherein the shape-changing actuator is configured to move a part of the support member so that the support member, which is in the first shape, switches to the second shape when an abnormal current flows through the electrical circuit or when the fixed contact member or the movable contact member reaches an abnormal temperature, and the support actuator is configured to move the support member to a first position that allows the support member, which is in the second shape, to switch to the first shape.

9. The relay device according to claim 8, wherein the configuration change actuator is configured to move a part of the support member so that the support member, which is in the first configuration, switches to the second configuration when an abnormal current flows through the electrical circuit or when the fixed contact member or the movable contact member reaches an abnormal temperature, before the separation assist actuator moves the separation assist member.

10. The relay device according to claim 8, wherein the distance between the distal end of the support member and the fixed contact member when the support member is in the first position is greater than the distance between the distal end of the support member and the fixed contact member when the support member is not in the first position.

11. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the support member has a contact pressure applying member that applies a force to the movable contact member in a direction that presses the movable contact member against the fixed contact member when in the first embodiment, and the force applied by the contact pressure applying member is greater than the force applied by the biasing member.

12. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the direction of movement of the separation assist member, which is moved by the separation assist actuator, is the same as the direction in which the biasing member moves the movable contact member away from the fixed contact member.

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