Electromagnetic relay

Abstract

This electromagnetic relay comprises a fixed terminal, a movable terminal, an electromagnet part, and a card. The movable terminal is disposed in a state of facing the fixed terminal. The electromagnet part includes a coil and an armature pole piece. The armature pole piece is operated by electromagnetic force generated from the coil. The card is movably disposed between the armature pole piece and the movable terminal. The card transmits the operation of the armature pole piece to the movable terminal. The card comprises a card body, a body wall, and a side wall. The card body extends in a card movement direction. The card body includes a first contact portion that comes into contact with the armature pole piece, and a second contact portion that comes into contact with the movable terminal. The body wall is disposed between the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The body wall extends from the card body in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction. The side wall protrudes from the body wall in the movement direction.

Description

Electromagnetic relay

[0001] The present invention relates to an electromagnetic relay.

[0002] Some electromagnetic relays include a contact portion, an electromagnet portion, and a card. The contact portion includes a fixed terminal and a movable terminal. A fixed contact is connected to the fixed terminal. A movable contact is connected to the movable terminal. The electromagnet portion includes a coil and an armature. A hinge spring is attached to the armature. When the coil is excited, the armature operates by the electromagnetic force of the coil. The card transmits the operation of the armature to the movable terminal. Thereby, the movable terminal operates. When the coil is demagnetized, the electromagnetic force of the coil disappears, and the movable terminal returns to its original position by its elastic force.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-175602

[0004] In recent years, high-capacity energization has been demanded for electromagnetic relays due to market requirements. Therefore, in order to stabilize the contact of the contacts, it is necessary to increase the driving force of the electromagnet portion to increase the contact force of the contacts. However, when the driving force of the electromagnet portion increases, the momentum of the card increases, so that the contacts may bounce after contact and generate multiple arcs. Thereby, the contacts are consumed early. Even at the time of return, due to the spring property of the movable terminal according to the driving force of the electromagnet portion, the movable terminal returns with momentum, so that the contacts may bounce and an arc may reoccur due to the re-contact of the contacts. An object of the present invention is to reduce the bounce of the movable terminal even when the contact force of the contacts increases in an electromagnetic relay.

[0005] An electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a fixed terminal, a movable terminal, an electromagnet section, and a card. The movable terminal is positioned opposite the fixed terminal. The electromagnet section includes a coil and an armature. The armature operates by an electromagnetic force generated from the coil. The card is movably positioned between the armature and the movable terminal. The card transmits the operation of the armature to the movable terminal. The card includes a card body, a body wall section, and a side wall section. The card body extends in the direction of movement of the card. The card body includes a first contact section that contacts the armature and a second contact section that contacts the movable terminal. The body wall section is positioned between the first and second contact sections. The body wall section extends from the card body in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement. The side wall section protrudes from the body wall section in the direction of movement.

[0006] In the electromagnetic relay according to this embodiment, the air resistance experienced by the card as it moves can be adjusted by the shape of the card's main body wall and side wall. This allows for control of the speed of the movable terminal, thereby reducing the bounce of the movable terminal.

[0007] The side walls may be arranged to surround the entire circumference of the card body. In this case, the air resistance experienced when the card moves will increase. This will slow down the movable terminals, thereby reducing their bounce.

[0008] The electromagnetic relay may further include a fixed contact and a movable contact. The fixed contact may be connected to a fixed terminal. The movable contact may be connected to a movable terminal. The movable contact may be positioned opposite the fixed contact. The length of the side wall from the main body wall may be greater than the contact gap between the movable contact and the fixed contact. In this case, the length of the side wall being greater than the contact gap makes it difficult for air in the space enclosed inside the side wall to escape from the side wall. As a result, the air resistance experienced when the card moves increases. This reduces the bounce of the movable terminal by slowing it down.

[0009] The length of the side wall from the main body wall may be greater than the thickness of the main body wall in the direction of movement. In this case, the longer side wall increases the air resistance the card experiences when it moves. This slows down the movable terminal, thereby reducing the bounce of the movable terminal.

[0010] The side wall protrudes from the main body wall toward the movable terminal. In this case, the air resistance experienced by the card as it moves toward the movable terminal increases. This slows down the movable terminal, thereby reducing its bounce.

[0011] The side wall portion may protrude from the main body wall portion toward the anode. In this case, the air resistance experienced by the card when moving toward the anode increases. This reduces the bounce of the movable terminal by slowing it down.

[0012] The side wall portion may include a first side wall portion and a second side wall portion. The first side wall portion may protrude from the main body wall portion toward the movable terminal. The second side wall portion may protrude from the main body wall portion toward the abutment. In this case, the air resistance experienced by the card when moving toward the movable terminal and when moving toward the abutment increases. This reduces the bounce of the movable terminal by slowing it down.

[0013] The distance between the card body and the first side wall may be different from the distance between the card body and the second side wall. In this case, the air resistance experienced when the card moves toward the movable terminal and the air resistance experienced when moving toward the abutment can be made different. By appropriately adjusting the speed of the movable terminal when the card moves toward the movable terminal and the speed of the movable terminal when the card moves toward the abutment, the bounce of the movable terminal can be reduced.

[0014] The electromagnetic relay may further include a case. The case may cover the fixed terminal, the movable terminal, the electromagnet, and the card. The case may include a case wall extending from the inner surface of the case. The case wall may be positioned opposite the main wall and the side wall in the direction of movement. In this case, the air resistance experienced by the main wall and the side wall as they move toward the case wall increases. This reduces the bounce of the movable terminal by slowing it down.

[0015] The electromagnetic relay may further include a base. The base may support the fixed terminal, the movable terminal, and the electromagnet from below. The base may include a base wall extending from the top surface of the base. The base wall may be positioned opposite the main body wall and the side wall in the direction of movement. In this case, the air resistance experienced by the main body wall and the side wall as they move toward the base wall increases. This reduces the bounce of the movable terminal by slowing it down.

[0016] According to the present invention, in an electromagnetic relay, even if the contact force of the contacts increases, the bounce of the movable terminal is reduced.

[0017] This is a perspective view of an electromagnetic relay according to an embodiment. This is a perspective view of an electromagnetic relay. This is a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay. This is a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay. This is a perspective view of a card. This is a perspective view of a card. This is a side view of a card. This is a top view of a card. This is a bottom view of a card. This is a front view of a card. This is a rear view of a card. This is a cross-sectional view of a card taken along line XII-XII in Figure 8. This is an enlarged perspective view of an electromagnetic relay with fixed terminals omitted. This is a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay. This is a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay according to a first modified example. This is a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay according to a second modified example. This is a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay according to a third modified example. This is a cross-sectional view of a card according to a fourth modified example. This is a cross-sectional view of a card according to a fifth modified example. This is a cross-sectional view of a card according to a sixth modified example.

[0018] Hereinafter, an electromagnetic relay according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of the electromagnetic relay 1. Figures 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of the electromagnetic relay 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the electromagnetic relay 1 includes a contact portion 2, an electromagnet portion 3, a base 4, a case 5, and a card 6.

[0019] Note that Case 5 is omitted in Figures 2 to 4. In the following explanation, the direction in which the contact portion 2, electromagnet portion 3, and card 6 are arranged relative to the base 4 is defined as upward, and the opposite direction is defined as downward. In the drawings, arrow Z1 indicates upward, and arrow Z2 indicates downward. However, these directional definitions are used for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the arrangement direction of the electromagnetic relay 1.

[0020] The contact section 2 includes a fixed terminal 11, a fixed contact 12, a movable terminal 13, and a movable contact 14. The fixed terminal 11 and the fixed contact 12 are made of a conductive material. The fixed contact 12 is connected to the fixed terminal 11. The fixed terminal 11 is supported by the base 4. The fixed terminal 11 extends upward from the base 4. The lower end of the fixed terminal 11 protrudes downward from the base 4 to the outside of the electromagnetic relay 1.

[0021] The movable terminal 13 and the movable contact 14 are made of a conductive material. The movable contact 14 is connected to the movable terminal 13. The movable terminal 13 is supported by the base 4. The movable terminal 13 extends upward from the base 4. The lower end of the movable terminal 13 protrudes downward from the base 4 to the outside of the electromagnetic relay 1. The movable terminal 13 is made of an elastic material. The movable terminal 13 is positioned between the fixed terminal 11 and the electromagnet 3. The movable terminal 13 is positioned opposite the fixed terminal 11. The movable contact 14 is positioned opposite the fixed contact 12. In the following description, the direction in which the movable contact 14 contacts the fixed contact 12 is defined as the contact direction X1. The direction in which the movable contact 14 moves away from the fixed contact 12 is defined as the separation direction X2.

[0022] The electromagnet unit 3 operates the movable terminal 13 by electromagnetic force. The electromagnet unit 3 is supported by the base 4. The electromagnet unit 3 includes a coil 15, a spool 16, an iron core 17, a yoke 18, and an armature 19. The coil 15 is wound around the spool 16. The coil 15 is connected to coil terminals 21 and 22. The coil terminals 21 and 22 are supported by the spool 16 or the base 4. As shown in Figure 3, the spool 16 includes holes 20 extending in the vertical directions Z1 and Z2. The iron core 17 is inserted into the holes 20 of the spool 16.

[0023] The yoke 18 has an L-shaped bend. The yoke 18 is connected to the iron core 17. The yoke 18 has a yoke bottom 23 and a yoke side 24. The yoke bottom 23 is located below the coil 15. The lower end of the iron core 17 is connected to the yoke bottom 23. The yoke side 24 is located to the side of the coil 15. The yoke side 24 extends in the vertical directions Z1 and Z2.

[0024] The armature 19 is rotatably supported at a support point 25 on the yoke side 24. The support point 25 is located at the upper end of the yoke side 24. The armature 19 operates by an electromagnetic force generated from the coil 15. The armature 19 includes an armature upper part 26 and an armature side part 27. The armature 19 has a bent shape between the armature upper part 26 and the armature side part 27. The armature upper part 26 is positioned above the iron core 17. The armature upper part 26 is positioned opposite the iron core 17. The armature side part 27 is positioned opposite the card 6. The armature side part 27 is positioned between the yoke side part 24 and the card 6.

[0025] A hinge spring 28 is attached to the anode 19 and the yoke 18. The hinge spring 28 is made of an elastic material. The hinge spring 28 is a leaf spring. The hinge spring 28 biases the anode 19 so that it does not separate from the yoke 18 at the support point 25.

[0026] The base 4 is made of an insulating material. The base 4 is made of resin. However, the base 4 may be made of a material other than resin. The base 4 supports the contact portion 2 and the electromagnet portion 3. The case 5 is attached to the base 4. The case 5 covers the fixed terminal 11, the movable terminal 13, the electromagnet portion 3, and the card 6.

[0027] Card 6 is positioned between the abutment 19 and the movable terminal 13. Card 6 is made of resin. Card 6 is insulating. Card 6 is connected to both the abutment 19 and the movable terminal 13. Card 6 transmits the operation of the abutment 19 to the movable terminal 13.

[0028] When the coil 15 is not energized, as shown in Figure 3, the upper part 26 of the abutment is separated from the iron core 17 by the elastic force of the movable terminal 13. Therefore, the card 6 is in the separated position shown in Figure 3. When the card 6 is in the separated position, the movable contact 14 is separated from the fixed contact 12.

[0029] When the coil 15 is energized, as shown in Figure 4, the upper part 26 of the axle is attracted to the iron core 17 by the electromagnetic force of the coil 15. As a result, the axle 19 rotates around the support point 25 of the yoke side 24 against the elastic force of the movable terminal 13. The card 6 is pressed against the axle side 27 in the contact direction X1 and moves to the contact position shown in Figure 4. The card 6 presses the movable terminal 13 in the contact direction X1 against the elastic force of the movable terminal 13. As a result, the movable contact 14 moves in the contact direction X1 and makes contact with the fixed contact 12.

[0030] When the coil 15 is demagnetized, the elastic force of the movable terminal 13 causes the upper part 26 of the axle to separate from the iron core 17. The card 6 moves in the separation direction X2 and returns to the separated position shown in Figure 3. As a result, the movable contact 14 separates from the fixed contact 12.

[0031] Next, card 6 will be described in detail. Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of card 6. Figure 7 is a side view of card 6. Figure 8 is a top view of card 6. Figure 9 is a bottom view of card 6. Figure 10 is a front view of card 6. Figure 11 is a rear view of card 6. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of card 6 taken along line XII-XII in Figure 8. As shown in Figures 5 to 12, card 6 includes a card body 31 and a resistance wall portion 32.

[0032] The card body 31 extends in the directions X1 and X2 of movement of the card 6. The directions X1 and X2 of movement of the card 6 include the contact direction X1 and the separation direction X2 described above. The card body 31 extends from the resistance wall portion 32 in the separation direction X2 and the contact direction X1. The card body 31 includes a first body 33, a second body 34, a first contact portion 35, and a second contact portion 36.

[0033] The first body 33 has a plate-like shape. The first body 33 extends from the resistance wall portion 32 toward the abutment 19. The second body 34 has a plate-like shape. The second body 34 extends from the resistance wall portion 32 toward the movable terminal 13. The first contact portion 35 is provided at the end of the first body 33. The first contact portion 35 faces the abutment 19 and makes contact with the abutment 19. The second contact portion 36 is provided at the end of the second body 34. The second contact portion 36 faces the movable terminal 13 and makes contact with the movable terminal 13.

[0034] The card body 31 includes a first connecting portion 37 and a second connecting portion 38. The first connecting portion 37 is provided at the end of the first body 33. The first connecting portion 37 is connected to the axle 19. The first connecting portion 37 includes projections 39 and 40. Figure 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the electromagnetic relay 1 with the fixed terminal 11 omitted. As shown in Figure 13, the axle side portion 27 includes recesses 41 and 42. The projections 39 and 40 of the first connecting portion 37 are respectively positioned within the recesses 41 and 42 of the axle side portion 27. As a result, the first connecting portion 37 is connected to the axle 19.

[0035] The second connecting portion 38 is provided at the end of the second main body 34. The second connecting portion 38 is connected to the movable terminal 13. The second connecting portion 38 includes projections 43 and 44. The movable terminal 13 includes recesses 45 and 46. The projections 43 and 44 of the second connecting portion 38 are positioned within the recesses 45 and 46 of the movable terminal 13, respectively. As a result, the second connecting portion 38 is connected to the movable terminal 13.

[0036] The resistance wall portion 32 generates air resistance on the card 6 when the card 6 moves. The resistance wall portion 32 has a box-like shape that opens in the directions of movement X1 and X2 of the card 6. The resistance wall portion 32 includes a main wall portion 51 and a side wall portion 52.

[0037] The main body wall 51 is positioned between the first contact portion 35 and the second contact portion 36 in the movement directions X1 and X2. The first body 33 extends from the main body wall 51 toward the abutment 19. The second body 34 extends from the main body wall 51 toward the movable terminal 13. The main body wall 51 has a plate-like shape. The main body wall 51 extends from the card body 31 in a direction perpendicular to the movement directions X1 and X2. Note that the statement that the main body wall 51 extends from the card body 31 in a direction perpendicular to the movement directions X1 and X2 does not mean that the main body wall 51 extends from the card body 31 in a direction that is perfectly perpendicular to the movement directions X1 and X2, but may also include cases where it is slightly inclined from a perfectly perpendicular direction. In detail, the main body wall 51 extends from the card body 31 in the vertical directions Z1 and Z2 and the horizontal directions Y1 and Y2. The lateral directions Y1 and Y2 are perpendicular to the movement directions X1 and X2 and the vertical directions Z1 and Z2. The lateral directions Y1 and Y2 include the first lateral direction Y1 and the second lateral direction Y2. The first lateral direction Y1 is one of the lateral directions Y1 and Y2, and the second lateral direction Y2 is in the opposite direction to the first lateral direction Y1.

[0038] The side wall portion 52 protrudes from the main body wall portion 51 in the contact direction X1. That is, the side wall portion 52 protrudes from the main body wall portion 51 toward the movable terminal 13. The side wall portion 52 is positioned away from the card body 31 in a direction perpendicular to the movement directions X1, X2. The side wall portion 52 is positioned away from the card body 31 in the vertical directions Z1, Z2 and the horizontal directions Y1, Y2. The side wall portion 52 surrounds the entire circumference of the card body 31. That is, the side wall portion 52 surrounds the card body 31 from the vertical directions Z1, Z2 and the horizontal directions Y1, Y2.

[0039] The side wall portion 52 includes an upper wall portion 53, a lower wall portion 54, a first lateral wall portion 55, and a second lateral wall portion 56. The upper wall portion 53 is positioned above the card body 31. The upper wall portion 53 protrudes from the main body wall portion 51 in the contact direction X1. The upper wall portion 53 extends in the lateral directions Y1 and Y2. The lower wall portion 54 is positioned below the card body 31. The lower wall portion 54 protrudes from the main body wall portion 51 in the contact direction X1. The lower wall portion 54 extends in the lateral directions Y1 and Y2. The distance from the card body 31 to the upper wall portion 53 is equal to the distance from the card body 31 to the lower wall portion 54. That is, the card body 31 is positioned at the center of the upper wall portion 53 and the lower wall portion 54 in the vertical directions Z1 and Z2.

[0040] The first side wall portion 55 is positioned away from the card body 31 in the first lateral direction Y1. The first side wall portion 55 protrudes from the main body wall portion 51 in the contact direction X1. The first side wall portion 55 extends in the vertical directions Z1 and Z2. The first side wall portion 55 is integrally connected to the upper wall portion 53 and the lower wall portion 54. The second side wall portion 56 is positioned away from the card body 31 in the second lateral direction Y2. The second side wall portion 56 protrudes from the main body wall portion 51 in the contact direction X1. The second side wall portion 56 extends in the vertical directions Z1 and Z2. The second side wall portion 56 is integrally connected to the upper wall portion 53 and the lower wall portion 54. The distance from the card body 31 to the first side wall portion 55 is equal to the distance from the card body 31 to the second side wall portion 56. In other words, the card body 31 is positioned at the center of the first horizontal wall portion 55 and the second horizontal wall portion 56 in the horizontal directions Y1 and Y2.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the length L1 of the side wall portion 52 from the main body wall portion 51 is larger than the contact gap G1 between the movable contact 14 and the fixed contact 12. The contact gap G1 is the distance between the movable contact 14 and the fixed contact 12 when the card 6 is in the separated position. As shown in FIG. 12, the length L1 of the side wall portion 52 from the main body wall portion 51 may be larger than the thickness T1 of the main body wall portion 51 in the moving directions X1 and X2. As shown in FIG. 12, the length L1 of the side wall portion 52 from the main body wall portion 51 may be 1 / 5 or more of the length L2 from the main body wall portion 51 to the second contact portion 36.

[0042] The card 6 includes a first upper rib 61, a second upper rib 62, a first lower rib 63, and a second lower rib 64. The first upper rib 61 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the first main body 33. The first upper rib 61 extends from the main body wall portion 51 toward the electrode 19. The second upper rib 62 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the second main body 34. The second upper rib 62 extends from the main body wall portion 51 toward the movable terminal 13. The first lower rib 63 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the first main body 33. The first lower rib 63 extends from the main body wall portion 51 toward the electrode 19. The second lower rib 64 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the second main body 34. The second lower rib 64 extends from the main body wall portion 51 toward the movable terminal 13.

[0043] In the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the embodiment described above, as shown by the dashed arrows A1 and A2 in FIG. 14, when the card 6 moves, air enters the space surrounded by the card body 31, the main body wall portion 51, and the side wall portion 52, thereby increasing the air resistance received by the card 6. As a result, the movable terminal 13 is decelerated, thereby reducing the bounce of the movable terminal 13. Also, the insulation distance between the electrode 19 and the movable terminal 13 in the card 6 increases. Thereby, the insulation between the contact portion 2 and the electromagnet portion 3 is improved.

[0044] As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0045] The configuration of the electromagnetic relay 1 is not limited to that of the above embodiment and may be modified. For example, the fixed terminal 11 and the movable terminal 13 may be arranged opposite to each other. In that case, the contact direction X1 and the separation direction X2 may be opposite to those of the above embodiment. The shape of the base 4 or the case 5 is not limited to that of the above embodiment and may be modified.

[0046] The shape of card 6 is not limited to that of the embodiment described above and may be changed. For example, Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay 1 according to the first modified example. As shown in Figure 15, the side wall portion 52 may protrude from the main body wall portion 51 toward the armature 19. That is, the side wall portion 52 may protrude from the main body wall portion 51 in the separation direction X2.

[0047] Case 5 may include a case wall 65. The case wall 65 may extend from the inner surface of case 5. The case wall 65 may be positioned above the card body 31. The case wall 65 may be positioned opposite the resistance wall 32 in the movement directions X1, X2. The case wall 65 may be positioned between the resistance wall 32 and the abutment 19. In this case, the air resistance experienced by the card 6 when it moves is increased by the case wall 65 and the resistance wall 32. This reduces the bounce of the movable terminal 13. The length L3 in the vertical directions Z1, Z2 of the portion of the case wall 65 that faces the resistance wall 32 may be 1 / 2 or more of the length L4 of the resistance wall 32 from the card body 31 in the vertical directions Z1, Z2. The thickness of the case wall 65 may be greater than the thickness of the main body wall 51. In this case, the case wall 65 can be made stronger against the air coming from the card 13.

[0048] The base 4 may include a base wall portion 66. The base wall portion 66 may extend upward from the upper surface of the base 4. The base wall portion 66 may be disposed facing the resistance wall portion 32 in the moving directions X1 and X2. The base wall portion 66 may be disposed between the resistance wall portion 32 and the contact terminal 19. In this case, the air resistance received when the card 6 moves is increased by the base wall portion 66 and the resistance wall portion 32. Thereby, the bounce of the movable terminal 13 is reduced. Note that the length L5 in the vertical directions Z1 and Z2 of the portion where the base wall portion 66 faces the main body wall portion 51 may be 1 / 2 or more of the length L4 of the resistance wall portion 32 from the card main body 31 in the vertical directions Z1 and Z2. In the first modification, the case wall portion 65 may be omitted. In the first modification, the base wall portion 66 may be omitted. The thickness of the base wall portion 66 may be larger than the thickness of the main body wall portion 51. In this case, the base wall portion 66 can be made strong against the air from the card 13.

[0049] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the second modification. As shown in FIG. 16, in the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the above-described embodiment, a case wall portion 67 similar to that in the first modification may be provided. The case wall portion 67 may be disposed between the resistance wall portion 32 and the movable terminal 13. Also, in the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the above-described embodiment, a base wall portion 68 similar to that in the first modification may be provided. The base wall portion 68 may be disposed between the resistance wall portion 32 and the movable terminal 13. Note that in the second modification, the case wall portion 67 may be omitted. In the second modification, the base wall portion 68 may be omitted.

[0050] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the third modification. As shown in FIG. 17, the side wall portion 52 may include a first horizontal wall portion 55 and a second horizontal wall portion 56. The first horizontal wall portion 55 may project from the main body wall portion 51 toward the movable terminal 13. The second horizontal wall portion 56 may project from the main body wall portion 51 toward the contact terminal 19.

[0051] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the card 6 according to the fourth modified example. As shown in Figure 18, the distance L6 between the card body 31 and the first side wall portion 55 in the vertical directions Z1 and Z2 may be different from the distance L7 between the card body 31 and the second side wall portion 56 in the vertical directions Z1 and Z2. For example, as shown in Figure 18, the distance L6 between the card body 31 and the first side wall portion 55 in the vertical directions Z1 and Z2 may be smaller than the distance L7 between the card body 31 and the second side wall portion 56 in the vertical directions Z1 and Z2. Alternatively, conversely, the distance L6 between the card body 31 and the first side wall portion 55 in the vertical directions Z1 and Z2 may be larger than the distance L7 between the card body 31 and the second side wall portion 56 in the vertical directions Z1 and Z2.

[0052] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the card 6 according to the fifth modified example. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of the card 6 according to the sixth modified example. As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the side wall portion 52 may be positioned inside the outer edge 51A of the main body wall portion 51. In this way, the shape of the resistance wall portion 32 can be used to adjust the amount of air resistance the card 6 experiences when it moves. That is, the distance L8 from the card body 31 to the side wall portion 52 can be used to adjust the amount of air resistance the card 6 experiences when it moves.

[0053] According to the present invention, in an electromagnetic relay, even if the contact force of the contacts increases, the bounce of the movable terminal is reduced.

[0054] 3: Electromagnet section, 4: Base, 5: Case, 6: Card, 11: Fixed terminal, 12: Fixed contact, 13: Movable terminal, 14: Movable contact, 15: Coil, 19: Affix, 31: Card body, 35: First contact section, 36: Second contact section, 51: Body wall section, 52: Side wall section, 55: First side wall section, 56: Second side wall section, 65: Case wall section, 66: Base wall section

Claims

1. An electromagnetic relay comprising: a fixed terminal; a movable terminal positioned opposite the fixed terminal; an electromagnet section including a coil and an armature that operates by an electromagnetic force generated from the coil; and a card movably positioned between the armature and the movable terminal and transmitting the operation of the armature to the movable terminal, wherein the card includes: a card body extending in the direction of movement of the card and including a first contact portion that contacts the armature and a second contact portion that contacts the movable terminal; a body wall portion positioned between the first contact portion and the second contact portion and extending from the card body in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement; and a side wall portion projecting from the body wall portion in the direction of movement.

2. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, wherein the side wall portion is arranged to surround the entire circumference of the card body.

3. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, further comprising: a fixed contact connected to the fixed terminal; and a movable contact connected to the movable terminal and positioned opposite the fixed contact, wherein the length of the side wall portion from the main body wall portion is greater than the contact gap between the movable contact portion and the fixed contact portion.

4. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, wherein the length of the side wall portion from the main body wall portion is greater than the thickness of the main body wall portion in the direction of movement.

5. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, wherein the side wall portion protrudes from the main body wall portion toward the movable terminal.

6. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, wherein the side wall portion protrudes from the main body wall portion toward the armature.

7. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, wherein the side wall portion includes a first side wall portion protruding from the main body wall portion toward the movable terminal, and a second side wall portion protruding from the main body wall portion toward the armature.

8. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 7, wherein the distance between the card body and the first side wall is different from the distance between the card body and the second side wall.

9. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, further comprising a case that covers the fixed terminal, the movable terminal, the electromagnet portion, and the card, wherein the case includes a case wall portion extending from the inner surface of the case, and the case wall portion is arranged to face the main body wall portion and the side wall portion in the direction of movement.

10. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, further comprising a base that supports the fixed terminal, the movable terminal, and the electromagnet, wherein the base includes a base wall portion extending from the upper surface of the base, and the base wall portion is arranged to face the main body wall portion and the side wall portion in the direction of movement.

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