Electromagnetic relay

Abstract

The present disclosure addresses the problem of providing an electromagnetic relay that can be easily reduced in size. The electromagnetic relay (100) comprises: a case (7) having an opening (71) in the lower surface thereof; a base (1); a fixed terminal (2) having a terminal part (20) and a fixed contact (23); a movable contact (33); an electromagnet device (4); and an armature (5). The terminal part (20) includes a first portion (21) positioned above the lower surface of the base (1), and a first terminal (211) and second terminal (212) extending from the lower surface (21a) of the first portion (21) to below the lower surface of the base (1). The base (1) includes a base body (11) and a lower surface seal portion (12), which covers the lower surface (11a) of the base body (11) and is provided integrally with an opening edge (711) of the opening (71). In the lower surface (21a) of the first portion (21), a lower surface intermediate portion (21c) positioned between the first terminal (211) and the second terminal (212) is positioned at a position covered by the lower surface seal portion (12) in a state of being in contact with the lower surface seal portion (12).

Description

Electromagnetic relay

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electromagnetic relay, and more particularly to an electromagnetic relay in which a terminal portion of a fixed terminal having a fixed contact has two terminals.

[0002] A conventional electromagnetic relay (for example, the electromagnetic relay described in Patent Document 1) includes a base, a fixed terminal, a movable contact, an electromagnet device, and a contactor. The fixed terminal has a terminal portion protruding downward from the base and a fixed contact electrically connected to the terminal portion. The movable contact moves between a closed position in contact with the fixed contact and an open position not in contact with the fixed contact by the movement of the contactor. The electromagnet device is disposed on the base. The contactor is disposed on the electromagnet device and moves by the magnetic force generated by the electromagnet device.

[0003] The terminal portion of the fixed terminal includes a first portion located below the fixed contact, and a first terminal and a second terminal extending downward from the first portion. In other words, the first terminal and the second terminal are terminals branched from the first portion.

[0004] By the way, in a conventional electromagnetic relay, in order to prevent the space below the base and the space above the base from being connected through the space between the first terminal and the second terminal, a protrusion protruding toward the space between the first terminal and the second terminal is provided on the base. As a result, the base is likely to be enlarged, and consequently, the electromagnetic relay is likely to be enlarged.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-166955

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electromagnetic relay that is easy to miniaturize.

[0007] An electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a box-shaped case having an opening on its lower surface; a base integrally provided with the case so as to close the opening; a fixed terminal having a terminal portion that protrudes downward from the base in part, and a fixed contact that is electrically conductive with the terminal portion; a movable contact that moves between a closed position in contact with the fixed contact and an open position that does not contact the fixed contact; an electromagnet device disposed on the base; and an armature disposed on the electromagnet device, which moves the movable contact by moving due to the magnetic force generated by the electromagnet device. The terminal portion includes a first portion located above the lower surface of the base, and a first terminal and a second terminal that protrude downward from the lower surface of the first portion and extend below the lower surface of the base. The base includes a base body and a lower surface seal portion that covers the lower surface of the base body and is integrally provided with the opening edge of the opening of the case. Of the lower surface of the first portion, the intermediate lower surface portion located between the first terminal and the second terminal is positioned in a location where it is in contact with the lower surface seal portion and covered by the lower surface seal portion.

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electromagnetic relay according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the electromagnetic relay before the case is attached. Figure 3 is a front view of the internal structure of the electromagnetic relay shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a bottom view of the electromagnetic relay. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 4.

[0009] (Embodiment) An electromagnetic relay 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The electromagnetic relay 100 includes a case 7, a base 1, a fixed terminal 2, a movable contact 33, an electromagnet device 4, a contact 5, and a stopper 6. In the following, each component will be described using the front, back, left, right, up, and down directions shown in Figure 1. The directions shown in Figure 1 do not limit the orientation of the electromagnetic relay 100 when it is in use. The orientation of the electromagnetic relay 100 when it is in use can be changed as appropriate.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5, Case 7 is a rectangular box shape with an opening 71 on its bottom surface. Case 7 houses the base 1, a part of the fixed terminal 2, the movable contact 33, the electromagnet device 4, the armature 5, and the stopper 6.

[0011] The base 1 is provided integrally with the case 7 so as to close the opening 71 of the case 7. As shown in Figure 5, the base 1 has a base body 11 and a lower sealing portion 12 that covers the lower surface 11a of the base body 11 and is provided integrally with the opening edge 711 of the opening 71 of the case 7. A fixing terminal 2, an electromagnet device 4, an armature 5, and a stopper 6 are attached to the base body 11. The base body 11 is a resin molded product.

[0012] The lower seal portion 12 is formed when a sealing material applied to the lower surface 11a of the base body 11 hardens to fill the gap between the opening edge 711 of the opening 71 of the case 7 and the base body 11. In this embodiment, the sealing material is epoxy resin. The sealing material may be made of the same material as the base body 11.

[0013] Figures 2 and 3 show the internal structure of the electromagnetic relay 100 before the case 7 is attached, that is, before the sealing material is applied. Therefore, only the base body 11 of the base 1 is shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0014] As shown in Figure 4, the lower surface 11a of the base body 11 includes a covered portion 11c that is covered by the lower surface seal portion 12 and an exposed portion 11d that is not covered by the lower surface seal portion 12. In other words, the lower surface seal portion 12 covers a part of the lower surface 11a of the base body 11. The lower surface seal portion 12 further covers the lower surface intermediate portion 21c of the lower surface 21a of the first portion 21 of the terminal portion 20 of the fixed terminal 2, which will be described later. The lower surface intermediate portion 21c is located above the portion of the covered portion 11c that is located around the lower surface intermediate portion 21c.

[0015] The base body 11 has a bottom wall portion 111 and a side wall portion 112 that is combined with the front end portion of the bottom wall portion 111. The bottom wall portion 111 and the side wall portion 112 are combined in an L-shape when viewed in the left-right direction.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the fixing terminal 2 is attached to the side surface 11b of the base body 11 (more specifically, the front surface of the side wall portion 112). As shown in Figure 5, the lower part of the side surface 11b of the base body 11 protrudes toward the first portion 21 of the fixing terminal 2 and has a partition wall 13 that separates the external space below the base 1 from the internal space between the base 1 and the case 7.

[0017] As shown in Figure 6, through holes 14 are provided in a portion of the upper part of the partition wall 13 in the left-right direction (two locations in this embodiment), which penetrate the partition wall 13 in the front-rear direction and communicate with the internal space on the rear side of the side wall portion 112. In this embodiment, the through holes 14 penetrate the portion of the side wall portion 112 above the partition wall 13 and the upper part of the partition wall 13.

[0018] As a result, the upper surface 13a of the partition wall 13 is lower in the portion where the through hole 14 is formed. The upper surface 13a includes the upper surface 14a that forms the lower end of the edge of the through hole 14.

[0019] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, the fixed terminal 2 has a terminal portion 20 that protrudes downward from the base 1 and a fixed contact 23 that is electrically conductive with the terminal portion 20.

[0020] In this embodiment, the terminal portion 20 of the fixed terminal 2 includes a first portion 21 located above the lower surface of the base 1 (more specifically, the lower surface 12a of the lower surface seal portion 12), a first terminal 211 and a second terminal 212 protruding downward from the lower surface 21a of the first portion 21 and extending below the lower surface of the base 1, and a second portion 22 positioned above the first portion 21 and provided with a fixed contact 23. In this embodiment, the second portion 22 extends to the rear from the upper end of the first portion 21. The first portion 21 has a side surface 21b facing the electromagnet device 4 side (i.e., the rear side). The second portion 22 has a lower surface 22a. The side surface 21b of the first portion 21 extends upward and then curves to connect to the lower surface 22a of the second portion 22.

[0021] The first portion 21 is electrically connected to the fixed contact 23 via the second portion 22. The lower surface 21a of the first portion 21 includes a lower intermediate portion 21c located between the first terminal 211 and the second terminal 212. The lower intermediate portion 21c is located in a position where it is in contact with the lower sealing portion 12 and covered by the lower sealing portion 12. More specifically, the lower intermediate portion 21c is located below the upper surface 13a (more specifically, the upper surface 14a) of the partition wall 13 on the side surface 11b of the base body 11 of the base 1. In this embodiment, the lower intermediate portion 21c is located at approximately the same vertical position as the lower surface of the partition wall 13 and the lower surface of the side wall portion 112 (more specifically, slightly above the lower surface of the partition wall 13 and the lower surface of the side wall portion 112).

[0022] The first terminal 211 and the second terminal 212 of the terminal portion 20 extend below the lower surface of the base 1 (more specifically, below the lower surface 12a of the lower surface seal portion 12). Here, the position where the first terminal 211 protrudes from the base 1 is different from the position where the second terminal 212 protrudes from the base 1. The first terminal 211 and the second terminal 212 have side surfaces 211b and 212b that face each other with a gap between them. The side surface 211b of the first terminal 211 and the side surface 212b of the second terminal 212 are connected via the lower intermediate portion 21c.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the movable contact 33 is positioned opposite the fixed contact 23. The movable contact 33 moves between a closed position, where it contacts the fixed contact 23, and an open position, where it does not contact the fixed contact 23, via the abutment 5. In this embodiment, the movable contact 33 moves within the region sandwiched between the lower surface of the stopper 6 and the upper surface of the fixed contact 23.

[0024] In this embodiment, the movable contact 33 is provided at one end of the movable contact 3, as shown in Figure 5. The movable contact 3 rotates as the axle 5 moves, causing the movable contact 33 to move. The movable contact 3 has a terminal portion 30 that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the base 1. When the movable contact 33 is in the closed position, in contact with the fixed contact 23, the terminal portion 30 of the movable contact 3 is electrically connected to the terminal portion 20 of the fixed contact 23.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the electromagnet device 4 is positioned on the base 1. The electromagnet device 4 includes a coil bobbin 41, a coil 42 wound around the coil bobbin 41, and an iron core 43 positioned inside the coil 42. The side surface 21b of the first portion 21 faces the electromagnet device 4 side (i.e., the rear side).

[0026] The electromagnet device 4 has a terminal portion 40 that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the base 1. By passing an electric current through the terminal portion 40 of the electromagnet device 4, the electromagnet device 4 generates a magnetic force, which moves the axle 5.

[0027] The abutment 5 is positioned on top of the electromagnet device 4. The lower surface of the abutment 5 faces the upper end of the iron core 43 with a gap between them. The abutment 5 is attracted by the magnetic force generated by the electromagnet device 4, moving the movable contact 33 to the closed position.

[0028] The stopper 6 is made of a metal material mainly composed of aluminum and is positioned above the movable contact 33. The stopper 6 restricts the upward movement of the movable contact 33 when the movable contact 33 moves from the closed position to the open position.

[0029] Next, a modified version of the electromagnetic relay 100 of the above-described embodiment will be explained. The modified versions shown below can be combined as appropriate.

[0030] The fixed terminal 2 does not have to be attached to the side surface 11b of the base body 11, and the terminal portion 20 may be provided so as to penetrate the base body 11. In this case, the base 1 does not have to have a partition wall 13.

[0031] The lower surface 11a of the base body 11 may be a covered portion 11c that is entirely covered by the lower surface sealing portion 12.

[0032] The structure of the fixed terminal 2 is not limited to the structure shown in Figure 2, etc. The side surface 21b of the first portion 21 does not have to be curved so as to extend upward and connect to the lower surface 22a of the second portion 22. For example, the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 may be continuous in a straight line.

[0033] (Summary) As described above in the embodiments and their modifications, the electromagnetic relay (100) of the first embodiment has the following configuration.

[0034] In other words, the electromagnetic relay (100) of the first embodiment comprises a case (7), a base (1), a fixed terminal (2), a movable contact (33), an electromagnet device (4), and an axle (5). The case (7) is box-shaped with an opening (71) on its lower surface. The base (1) is provided integrally with the case (7) so as to close the opening (71). The fixed terminal (2) has a terminal portion (20) that protrudes downward from the base (1) in part, and a fixed contact (23) that is electrically conductive with the terminal portion (20). The movable contact (33) moves between a closed position in contact with the fixed contact (23) and an open position not in contact with the fixed contact (23). The electromagnet device (4) is arranged on the base (1). The axle (5) is positioned on the electromagnet device (4) and moves by the magnetic force generated by the electromagnet device (4), thereby moving the movable contact (33). The terminal portion (20) includes a first portion (21) located above the lower surface of the base (1), and a first terminal (211) and a second terminal (212) that protrude downward from the lower surface (21a) of the first portion (21) and extend below the lower surface of the base (1). The base (1) includes a base body (11) and a lower surface seal portion (12) that covers the lower surface (11a) of the base body (11) and is provided integrally with the opening edge (711) of the opening (71) of the case (7). Of the lower surface (21a) of the first part (21), the lower intermediate portion (21c) located between the first terminal (211) and the second terminal (212) is positioned in a location where it is in contact with the lower sealing portion (12) and covered by the lower sealing portion (12).

[0035] In the first embodiment of the electromagnetic relay (100) having the above configuration, the lower intermediate portion (21c) located between the first terminal (211) and the second terminal (212) of the terminal portion (20) is positioned so as to be covered by the lower sealing portion (12) that covers the lower surface (11a) of the base body (11). Therefore, in the first embodiment of the electromagnetic relay (100), when applying sealing material to the lower surface (11a) and the lower intermediate portion (21c) of the base body (11) to form the lower sealing portion (12), the space enclosed by the lower intermediate portion (21c), the first terminal (211), and the second terminal (212) is less likely to communicate with the internal space between the base (1) and the case (7), thereby suppressing the penetration of the sealing material into the internal space. Therefore, in the first embodiment of the electromagnetic relay (100), in order to suppress the intrusion of the sealing material into the internal space, it is not necessary to provide a projection on the base body (11) that protrudes between the first terminal (211) and the second terminal (212) and closes the space surrounded by the lower intermediate portion (21c), the first terminal (211), and the second terminal (212), thus enabling miniaturization of the electromagnetic relay (100).

[0036] Furthermore, as described above in the embodiment and its modifications, the electromagnetic relay (100) of the second embodiment additionally includes the following configuration in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0037] In other words, in the electromagnetic relay (100) of the second embodiment, the first terminal (211) and the second terminal (212) have sides (211b, 212b) that face each other with a gap between them. The side (211b) of the first terminal (211) and the side (212b) of the second terminal (212) are connected via the lower intermediate portion (21c).

[0038] In the second embodiment of the electromagnetic relay (100) having the above configuration, the side surface (211b) of the first terminal (211), the middle part of the lower surface (21c), and the side surface (212b) of the second terminal (212) can be made into a simple structure, making it easy to make it compact.

[0039] Furthermore, as described above in the embodiments and their modifications, the electromagnetic relay (100) of the third embodiment additionally includes the following configuration in addition to the configuration of the first or second embodiment.

[0040] That is, in the electromagnetic relay (100) of the third aspect, the terminal portion (20) is attached to the side surface (11b) of the base body (11). The lower part of the side surface (11b) of the base body (11) protrudes toward the first part (21) and has a partition wall (13) that partitions the external space below the base (1) and the internal space between the base (1) and the case (7). The lower surface intermediate portion (21c) is located below the upper surface (13a) of the partition wall (13).

[0041] In the electromagnetic relay (100) of the third aspect having the above configuration, the lower surface intermediate portion (21c) located between the first terminal (211) and the second terminal (212) of the terminal portion (20) is located below the upper surface (13a) of the partition wall (13). Therefore, in the electromagnetic relay (100) of the third aspect, when applying a sealing material to the lower surface (11a) and the lower surface intermediate portion (21c) of the base body (11) to form the lower surface seal portion (12), the internal space above the upper surface (13a) of the partition wall (13) and the space surrounded by the lower surface intermediate portion (21c), the first terminal (211), and the second terminal (212) are less likely to communicate, and it is easy to suppress the sealing material from entering the internal space.

[0042] Also, as in the above-described embodiments and their modifications, the electromagnetic relay (100) of the fourth aspect additionally includes the following configuration in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to third aspects.

[0043] That is, in the electromagnetic relay (100) of the fourth aspect, the lower surface (11a) of the base body (11) includes a covered portion (11c) covered by the lower surface seal portion (12) and an exposed portion (11d) not covered by the lower surface seal portion (12). The lower surface intermediate portion (21c) is located above a portion of the covered portion (11c) located around the lower surface intermediate portion (21c).

[0044] In the electromagnetic relay (100) of the fourth aspect having the above configuration, when applying a sealing material to the lower surface (11a) and the lower surface intermediate portion (21c) of the base body (11) to form the lower surface seal portion (12), the sealing material is likely to wrap around the lower surface intermediate portion (21c).

[0045] Also, like the above-described embodiments and their modifications, the electromagnetic relay (100) of the fifth aspect additionally includes the following configuration in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0046] That is, in the electromagnetic relay (100) of the fifth aspect, the terminal portion (20) is disposed above the first portion (21) and further includes a second portion (22) provided with a fixed contact (23). The fixed contact (23) and the first portion (21) are electrically connected via the second portion (22). The first portion (21) has a side surface (21b) facing the electromagnet device (4) side. The second portion (22) has a bottom surface (22a). The side surface (21b) of the first portion (21) is bent so as to extend upward and then connect to the bottom surface (22a) of the second portion (22).

[0047] In the electromagnetic relay (100) of the fifth aspect having the above configuration, since the second portion (22) is bent toward the electromagnet device (4) side with respect to the first portion (21), the lengths of the first portion (21) and the second portion (22) in the direction in which the first portion (21) extends can be suppressed, and the electromagnetic relay (100) can be easily miniaturized.

[0048] As described above, the present disclosure has been described based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and their modifications, and appropriate design changes are possible within the intended scope of the present disclosure.

[0049] 100 Electromagnetic relay 1 Base 11 Base body 11a Bottom surface 11b Side surface 11c Covered portion 11d Exposed portion 12 Bottom seal portion 12a Bottom surface 13 Partition wall 13a Top surface 2 Fixed terminal 20 Terminal portion 21 First portion 21a Bottom surface 21b Side surface 21c Middle bottom portion 211 First terminal 211b Side surface 212 Second terminal 212b Side surface 22 Second portion 22a Bottom surface 23 Fixed contact 33 Movable contact 4 Electromagnet device 5 Connecting pole 6 Stopper 7 Case 71 Opening 711 Opening edge

Claims

1. A box-shaped case having an opening on its bottom surface; a base integrally provided with the case so as to close the opening; a fixed terminal having a terminal portion that protrudes downward from the base in part, and a fixed contact that is electrically conductive with the terminal portion; a movable contact that moves between a closed position in contact with the fixed contact and an open position that does not contact the fixed contact; an electromagnet device disposed on the base; and an axle disposed on the electromagnet device, which moves the movable contact by moving due to the magnetic force generated by the electromagnet device; wherein the terminal portion includes a first portion located above the bottom surface of the base, and a first terminal and a second terminal that protrude downward from the bottom surface of the first portion and extend below the bottom surface of the base; wherein the base includes a base body and a bottom seal portion that covers the bottom surface of the base body and is integrally provided with the opening edge of the opening of the case; An electromagnetic relay in which the lower surface of the first portion, specifically the intermediate portion of the lower surface located between the first terminal and the second terminal, is in contact with the lower surface seal portion and is covered by the lower surface seal portion.

2. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal have sides facing each other with a gap between them, and the sides of the first terminal and the sides of the second terminal are connected via the lower intermediate portion.

3. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, wherein the terminal portion is attached to the side surface of the base body, the lower part of the side surface of the base body protrudes toward the first portion and has a partition wall that separates the external space below the base from the internal space between the base and the case, and the middle portion of the lower surface is located below the upper surface of the partition wall.

4. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the base body includes a covered portion covered by the lower surface seal and an exposed portion not covered by the lower surface seal, and the lower intermediate portion is located above the portion of the covered portion that is located around the lower intermediate portion.

5. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, wherein the terminal portion includes a second portion located above the first portion and provided with the fixed contact, the fixed contact and the first portion are electrically conductive through the second portion, the first portion has a side facing the electromagnet device, and the second portion has a bottom surface, the side of the first portion extends upward and then curves to connect to the bottom surface of the second portion.

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