CA1250008A - Hinge type relay - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure A hinge type relay includes a yoke that supports an electromagnet. The yoke has an upwardly extending portion that is located adjacent the electromagnet. An armature capable of being magnetically attracted by the electromagnet when it is energized extends over the electromagnet. The armature has on one side of the electromagnet a flexibly supported movable contact and on the other side thereof a member of non-magnetic material. The latter extends downwardly toward the upwardly extending portion of the yoke, whereby the member is pivotably supported on the upwardly extending portion of the yoke, thereby forming a fulcrum for the armature. The armature is biased away from the electromagnet when the electromagnet is not energized.
By virtue of this construction, wiping of the fixed and movable contacts of the relay when they come together or separate from each other is achieved.

Description

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Title of the Invention H INGE TYPE RELAY
Field of the Invention This invention relates to a hinge type relay wherein when a fixed contact point contacts with a movable point or separates from it, both contact points are allowed to wipe.
Brief Description of the Drawings As i-t now will be necessary to refer to the drawings, these will firstly be briefly described as follows:
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a prior art hinge type relay;
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge type relay constituting a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is an elevation of the hinge type relay of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 shows in greater detail certain components of the hinge type relay of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge type relay constituting a second embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 6 is an elevation of the hinge type relay of Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 shows in greater detail certain components of the hinge type relay of Fig. 5.
Description of the Prior Art In a conventional hinge relay, since the fulcrum of the armature is at the upper portion of a yoke and both contacts do not wipe, an incomplete contact due ~o abrasion of the contacts occurs.
Fig. l is an example of a conventional hinge type relay. This relay includes an armature 1 which is inserted in and supported by the upper bent portion of a yoke 3 to which an electromagnet 2 is fixed. Armature 1 and the upper bent portion of yoke 3 are constructed and arranged such that armature 1 is capable of a rocking movement, armature 1 rocking with its fulcrum located .~ ~

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where it is inserted through the upper end 3a of the upper bent portion of yoke 3, the rocking action taking place as a result of energization and deenergization of electromagnet 2. In this case, a movable contact 5 of a movable plate 4 fixed to the armature only moves into contact with and separates from a fixed contact 6, and the contacts 5 and 6 do not wipe against each other.
Summary of the Invention The present invention in one aspect thereof provides a hinge type relay wherein, when the fixed and movable contacts perform a contacting or separating operation, both contacts act to wipe. The generated magnetic flux of the electromagnet is used efficiently without increasing the numbers of the constituent parts of the relay. This invention in one aspect is characterized by a hinge type relay wherein a downwardly bent supporting piece having a non-magnetic body is attached to one end of the armature of the hinge type relay, this supporting piece having a movable contact which acts elastically at the other end thereof. A
fulcrum portion pivotably supports the supporting piece of the non-magnetic body is provided at the lower portion of the upper bent portion of the yoke which supports the armature.
In a preferable embodiment of the hinge type of this invention, a cutaway portion is provided at the lower portion of the supporting piece of the non-magnatic body and the fulcrum portion of the yoke is provided as a projection at the lower side of the upper bent portion of the yoke so that the cutaway portion of the supporting piece of the non-magnetic body may be inserted and pivotably supported.
Further, in another preferable embodiment of the hinge type relay, a cutaway portion provided at the lower end portion of the supporting piece of the non-magnetic body is a semi-circular shape.
Furthermore, the hinge relay of another embodiment of this invention is characterized in the fact that another side of the movable contact plate of the ,f~

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non-magnetic body attached to the armature and possessing a movable contact at one side is bent downward from the armature, and the fulcrum which pivotably supports another side of the movable contact plate of the non-magnetic body is provided at the lower portion of the upper bent portion of the yoke which supports the armature.
Still further, in a preEerable embodiment of the hinge type relay, the fulcrum which pivotably supports the one side of the movable contact plate of the non-magnetic body is a projection formed at the lower outer surface of said upper bent portion.
An aspect of this invention is as follows:
A hinge type relay comprising a yoke, an electromagnet supported by said yoke, said yoke including an upwardly extending portion adjacent said electromagnet, an armature capable of being magnetically attracted by said electromagnet when said electromagnet is energized and extending over said electromagnet, said armature having on one side of said electromagnet a flexibly supported movable contact and on the other side of said electromagnet a member of non-magnetic material extending downwardly towards said upwardly extending portion of said yoke, said member being pivotably supported on said upwardly extending portion of said yoke and forming a fulcrum for said armature, and means for biasing said armature away from said electromagnet when said electromagnet is deenergized.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Fig. 2, Fig. 3, and Fig. 4, a preferred embodiment of this invention now will be described.
The numeral 11 designates a yoke to which is fixed an electromagnet, the yoke having an upwardly bent portion lla and a projection llb to which the lower end of a spring 20 may be secured. Projecting led~es llc are formed in upwardly bent portion lla at either side ~hereof.

The numeral 13 designates an armature, the armature having a projection 13a to which the upper end of spring 20 may be secured.
The numeral 14 designates a movable, flexible contact plate having an upper contact 15a and a lower contact 15b on the upper and the lower surfaces respectively of plate 1~. Contact plate 14 is securely fastened to armature 13 on the upper surface thereof by means of rivets 16.
Numeral 17 designates a supporting piece of non-magnetic material sandwiched between armature 13 a~d movable contact plate 14. Both ends of supporting piece 17 are bent downwardly and have semi-circular cutaway portions 17a that are adapted to be supported on ledges llc, whereby supporting piece 17, armature 13 and contact plate 14 are able to rock or pivot on upwardly bent portion lla of yoke 11.
Accordingly, armature 13 is provided with movable contacts 15a, 15b that are flexibly mounted adjacent one end of the armature and with a supporting piece 17 of non-magnetic material extending downwardly adjacent the other end thereof. Armature 13 is pivotably mounted on upper bent portion lla of yoke 11 by inserting the semi-circular cutaway portion 17a of supporting piece 17 over the projecting end llc of yoke 11.
The numeral 18 designates a relay base stand to which yoke 11 and electromagnet 12 are fixed and which has upper and lower fixed contacts 13a, l9b corresponding to the upper and lower movable contacts 15a, 15b of movable eontact plate 1~ and engageable thereby.
The numeral 20 designates a spring, one end of whieh is seeured to projeetion llb and the other end of which is secured to projection 13a, spring 20 thereby being tensioned between projections llb and 13a.
The operation of the hinge type relay of the above embodiment aeeording to this invention now will be deseribed.
When eleetromagnet 12 is not e~cited, armature 13 is, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 3, inclined to .
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6 ~2~ 0~3 the right under the tension of spring 20 wi-th the fulcrum of the armature being at the semi-circular cutaway portion 17a. The angle of inclination is limited by the engagement of movable contact 15a with fixed contact l9a. Further, referring to the inclined state to the right of armature 13, it will be seen that projection 13a is positioned in its lower position while movable contacts 15a, 15b of movable contact plate 14 are positioned in their upper position, lower movable contact 15b being separated Erom lower fixed contact 19b.
At this time, armature 13 is in a state wherein it is inclined outwardly from upper bent portion lla of yoke 11 by the distance A with the fulcrum at the semi-circular cutaway portion 17a of supporting piece 17.
When electromagnet 12 is excited by current, armature 13 is attracted to electromagnet 12, whereby the armature rockq to the left with the fulcrum at the cutaway ~ortion 17a of supporting piece 17. This movement to the dotted line position in Figure 3 is accomplished against the tension of spring 20.
Thus, when armature 13 rocks to the left, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 3, upper movable contact 15a Of movable contact plate 14 separates from upper fixed contact l9a and lower movable contact 15b of movable contact plate 14 contacts with lower fixed contact l9b, whereby an electric circuit (not shown) connected with both lower contacts 15b, l9b is switched to be closed.
Further, the a~orementioned projected distance A
gradually becomes smallex as a result of the rocking of armature 13, to the left and when armature 13 comes to a horizontal state, the projected distance A disappears.
Accordingly, armature 13 moves by the length of said projected distance A in the left direction in the figure. The transverse movement together with the rocking of armature 13 is shown in Fig. 4 in greater detail.

' 7 ~LZ5~ )8 ~ rmature 13 shown by the solid line in Fig. 4 is in the position wherein lower movable contact 15b of movable contact plate 14 contacts with the fixed contact l9b. At this time armature 13 protrudes outwardly of upper bent portion lla of yoke 11 by a somewhat shorter proiected distance "a" than the initial projected distance A. After that, as the rocking or pivoting of the armature 13 continues and the armature becomes horizontal, armature 13 moves to the left as shown by the dotted line, that is, moves transversely in the direction of the fixed contacts l9a, 19b, whereby the projected distance "a" of armature 13 disappears.
Accordingly, lower movable contact lSb wipes in a direction shown by arrow B by the above projected distance "a" on the lower fixed contact l9b.
In order to assure adequate contact pressure between contacts 15b and l9b, movable contact plate 14 is flexible, and, being flexible, bends when contacts 15b and l9b engage. In this case, although lower movable contact 15b moves in a reverse direction to the B direction shown by the above arrow when contact plate 14 flexes, the distance of movement of lower movable contact 15b as a result of flexure of movable contact plate 14 is very small as compared to the distance of movement "a" in the B direction shown by arrow.
Accordingly, the former can be ignored.
When electromagnet 12 is deenergized, armature 13 is returned automatically to its initial state (Fig. 3 with the fulcrum at the semi-circular cutaway portion 17a of supporting piece 17. Movable contact 15b separates from lower fixed contact l9b, whereby the electric circuit connected with both lower contacts 15b, l9b is openedO Further, after lower movable contact 15b wipes contact l9b in the reverse direction against the B
direction shown by the arrow by the movement distance "a", it is separated from lower fixed contact l9b and armature 13 returns to the initial inclined state (Fig.
3). Thus, upper movable contact l5a of movable contact , ,;

~L~5~`08 plate 14 is urged into engagement with upper fixed contact l9a again.
Further, when upper movable contact 15a is urged against upper fixed contact l9a, upper movable contact 15a wipes on upper fixed contact l9a. In other words, upper movable contact 15a contacts with the upper fixed contact l9a before the projected distance to the outward of yoke 11 of armature 13 comes to its full distance A, and upper movable contact 15a wipes on the upper fixed contact l9a during rocking of the armature 13 from the position shown in solid outline in Fig. 4 to the position shown in solid outline in Fig. 3.
Further, when armature 13 rocks due to the excitation of electromagnet 12, upper movable contact 15a wipes on upper fixed contact l9a in the opposite direction to the wiping operation in the case where upper movable contact 15a is pressed against upper fixed contact l9a due to deenergization of electromagnet 12.
Further, when armature 13 rocks by virtue of excitation and deenergization of electromagnet 12, the generated magnetic flux of electromagnet 12 attracts armature 13 effectively and does not act to obstruct the rocking of armature 13. In other words, since supporting piece 17 which supports armature 13 on upper bent portion lla of yoke 11 is of non-magnetic material, the generated magnetic flux of electromagnet 12 does not act on supporting piece 17 and only acts on armature 13.
Another embodiment o~ this invention will be described referring to Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 as follows.
The construction of this embodiment is nearly the same as the first embodiment other than the movable contact plate, the supporting plate, the armature and part of the construction at the upper bent portion of the yoke. In Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the numeral 11' designates a yoke to which is fixed an electromagnet 12', the yoke having an upper bent portion ll'a bent upwardly and having a projection ll'b for securing one end of a spring thereto. At the lower outer surface of '' ' - :.- -' :
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upper bent portion ll'a, there is provided a projection ll'c, and a projected portion ll'd is formed at the lower side of upper bent portion ll'a.
The numeral 13' designates an armature which has a projection 13'a for securing the other end of a spring thereto.
The numeral 14' designates a flexible, non-magnetic movable contact plate to which upper and lower movable contacts 15'a and 15'b are fixedly secured at the upper and the lower surfaces thereof, movable contact plate 14' being secured to the upper surface of armature 13'.
At the end of movable contact plate 14' remote from contacts 15'a and 15'b a supporting piece 14'a bent downwardly is formed. Further, at the left and right sides of supporting piece 14'a a stopper piece 14'c having an inserting groove 14'b is provided.
Movable contact plate 14' secured to said armature 13' is provided with movable contact lS'a, 15'b at one end and has a supporting piece 14'a bent downwardly of the armature 13' at the other end. The armature 13' is pivotably supported by placing the lower end portion of supporting piece 14'a on the upper surface of projection ll'c. Accordingly, projection ll'c forms a fulcrum which pivotabiy supports the armature.
Further, the inserting groove 14'b of stopper piece 14'c of movable contact plate 14' is latchingly inserted into the projected portion ll'd of the yoke 11 so as to make the movable contact plate 14' pivotable.
The numeral 13 designates a relay base stand to which are fixed yoke 11' and electromagnet 12', and upper and lower fixed contacts l9'a, l9'b corresponding to the upper and lower movable contacts 15'a, 15'b are arranged thereon.
The numeral 20' designates a spring, one end of which is secured to projection ll'b for latching the spring of yoke 11' and the other end of which is secured to projection 13'a, the spring thereb~ being tensioned between both projections ll'b and 13'a.

~L25~3~0~3 The operation of the hinge type relay of the above embodiment according to this invention now will be described as follows.
When electromagnet 12' is not excited, the armature 13' is, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 6, inclined under the tension of spring 20' with the fulcrum at the lower end portion of supporting piece l~'a o~ movable contact plate 14'. The inclined state of the armature is limited by the fact that upper movable contact l5'a is urged against upper fixed contact l9'a. Further, referring to the inclined state o~ the armature to the right, it is in a state that projection 13'a securing one end of the spring is positioned at its lowest level, and movable contacts 15'a, 15'b of movable contact plate 14' are positioned at their highest level, while lower movable contact point 15'b is separated from lower fixed contact l9'b.
Further, at this time armature 13' is in a position where it is projected a distance A to the outside of upper bent portion ll'a of yoke 11'.
When electromagnet 12' is excited by current, armature 13 receives the exciting attractive force of electromagnet 12' and rocks to the left in Fig. 6 with the fulcrum at the lower end portion of supporting piece 14'a, this movement being against the elastic tension of spring 20'.
Thus, when the armature 13' rocks, to the position shown by the dotted line in Fig. 6, upper movable contact 15'a of the movable contact plate 14' is separated from the upper fixed contact l9'a and lower movable contact 15'b contacts with the lower fixed contact l9'b, whereby the electric circuit (not shown) connected with both lower contacts 15'b, 19'b is closed.
Further, the projected distance A of the armature 13' is gradually narrowed by the rocking of armature 13', and when armature 13' rocks to the horizontal state, the projected distance A disappears. Accordingly, armature 13' moves to the left in Fig. 6 by distance A, or the .. . -.

11 125~ )8 armature 13' moves transversely in the inner direction of upper bent portion ll'a of yoke 11'.
The transverse movement according to the rocking of armature 13' will be described in detail in connection with Fig. 7.
Armature 13' shown by the solid line in Fig. 7 represents a rocking state where lower movable contact 15'b of movable contact plate 14' contacts with fixed contact l9'b. At this time armature 13' is protruded to the outward of the upper bent portion ll'a of yoke 11' by a somewhat shorter projective distance "a" than the initial projective distance A. After that, when the rocking of armature 13' advances so that armature 13 becomes horizontal, armature 13' moves, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 7, to the left, i.e., armature 13' moves transversely in the direction of fixed contacts l9'a, l9'b, whereby the projected distance "a" of the armature 13' disappears.
Accordingly, lower movable contact 15'b wipes on lower fixed contact l9'b in the B direction shown by the arrow by an amount equal to the projected distance "a".
Further, in order to assure sufficient contact pressure, movable contact plate 14' is made flexible so that at the time of contact of the contacts, it may be flexed into a curve. As a result of this flexure of movable contact plate 14', lower movable contact 15'b moves in an opposite direction opposite to the direction of the arrow B. However, the movement distance of lower movable contact lS'b as a result of flexing of movable contact plate 14' is very small and can be disregarded.
When electromagnet 12' is deenergi~ed, armature 13' rocks to return to its initial state automatically under the influence of spring ?O' with the fulcrum at the lower end portion of supporting piece 14'a of movable contact plate 14', and lower movable contact 15'b is separated Erom lower fixed contact l9ib, whereby the electric circuit connected with both lower contacts 15'b, l9'b is opened. Further, after lower movable contact 15'b wipes in an opposite direction to the arrow ' 12 ~ 51~ O ~

direction B on lower fixed contact l9'b by the movement distance "a", it is separated from the lower fixed contact l9'b and armature 13' is protruded to the outward of upper bent portion ll'a of yoke 11' by the projected distance A. Also upper movable contact 15'a of movable contact plate 14' is pressed against upper fixed contact l9'a again.
When upper movable contact 15'a is pressed against upper fixed contact l9'a, upper movable contact 15'a wipes on upper fixed contact l9'a. In other words, upper movable contact 15'a contacts with upper fixed contact l9'a before armature 13' moves to the solid line position of Fig. 6, and upper movable contact 15'a wipes on upper fixed contact l9'a during the rocking of armature 13' before the projected distance of armature 13' becomes A.
Further, when armature 13' rocks due to excitation of electromagnet 12', upper movable contact 15'a wipes on upper fixed contact l9'a in the reverse direction to the direction of the wiping operation at the time when upper movable contact point 15'a is pressed against fixed contact l9'a.
Furthermore, when armature 13' rocks due to the energization and deenergization o~ electromagnet 12', the generated magnetic flux of electromagnet 12' attracts armature 13' effectively and does not act to obstruct the rocking of armature 13'. In other words, since supporting piece 14'a of movable contact plate 14' which supports armature 13' is a non-magnetic body, the generated magnetic flux of electromagnet 12' does not exert any action on supporting piece 14'a and rocks armature 13'.
Still further, stopper piece 14'c formed in movable contact plate 14' acts to prevent any accidental displacement of armature 13'. In other words, since inserting groove 14'b of stopper piece 14'c is inserted into projected portion ll'd of yoke 11' to permit pivoting movement, when armature 13' rocXs, the lower .~ .

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end of supporting piece 14'a of movable contact plate 14' is prevented from lateral movement.
Further, in movable contact plate 14' a supporting piece 14'a and a stopper piece 14'c are bent formed, but the construction is not conflned to this. The main point is that in order to pivotably support movable contact plate 14' and armature 13' on the upper bent portion of the yoke, the bent formed portion is provided at another side.
The hinge type relay of this invention is thus composed and operated and the following effect can be obtained.
In other words, when the movable contact contacts with the fixed contact or separates from it, it wipes on the fixed contact at the same time. Accordingly, various kinds of foreign matter such as oxides, sulfides, carbides, dust and the like which generate at the relay contacts can be removed, thereby making it possible to keep the electric resistance at the relay contacts low. Therefore, it is possible to provide a durable relay.
Further, since the supporting piece which supports the armature to the yoke is a non-magnetic body, the magnetic force of the electromagnet rocks the armature efficiently and does not exert any effect which inhibits the fluctuation of the armature through said supporting piece. Accordingly, there is no fear of keeping the magnet between the armature and yoke and is possible to provide a hinge type relay having a sufficient rocking mechanism of the armature with a comparatively small magnet.
Further, this hinge type relay has such effect as being able to be prepared at low cost with comparatively simple constitution wherein a non-magnetic movable con~act plate is only bendingly formed without any increase of the number of constituted parts.

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Claims (5)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A hinge type relay comprising a yoke, an electromagnet supported by said yoke, said yoke including an upwardly extending portion adjacent said electromagnet, an armature capable of being magnetically attracted by said electromagnet when said electromagnet is energized and extending over said electromagnet, said armature having on one side of said electromagnet a flexibly supported movable contact and on the other side of said electromagnet a member of non-magnetic material extending downwardly towards said upwardly extending portion of said yoke, said member being pivotably supported on said upwardly extending portion of said yoke and forming a fulcrum for said armature, and means for biasing said armature away from said electromagnet when said electromagnet is deenergized.

2. A hinge type relay according to claim 1 wherein said upwardly extending portion of said yoke includes a protruding member on which said member is seated and said member includes recesses into which said upwardly extending portion of said yoke is inserted.

3. A hinge type relay according to claim 2 wherein said recesses are semi-circular.

4. A hinge type relay according to claim 1 wherein said member includes recesses into which said upwardly extending portion of said yoke is inserted.

5. A hinge type relay according to claim 4 wherein said recesses are semi-circular.