EP2645400B1 - Relay with force-guided contacts - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a relay with positively driven contacts, which has at least one opener and at least one closer.

Relays with positively driven contacts, which are also colloquially called safety relays, are mainly used in safety-related applications for switching electrical loads. Such safety relays have at least one opener and at least one closer and an actuator, which prevents the opener and closer can be closed simultaneously.

Such a safety relay is for example from the DE 198 47 831 C2 known. The known safety relay has a base body, which defines a ground plane, arranged on the body magnet system with coil, core and armature and at least one NO contact spring pair and at least one NC contact spring pair. The contact spring pairs are arranged perpendicular to the ground plane and are actuated by an actuating slide, in a direction parallel to the ground plane.

With the DE 3600856 A1 a safety relay is known which comprises a magnet system with coil, core and yoke, wherein the armature extends transversely to the coil longitudinal axis and drives an actuator of the relay switch, which extends parallel to the coil longitudinal axis.

Since miniaturization in safety-related applications, such. B. has taken place in safety-oriented automation systems, safety relays with a small space are desirable.

From the DE 43 00 594 A1 a safety relay is known, which should lead to a miniaturization of the entire relay with low power consumption. The safety relay has an H-armature whose longitudinal axis is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of a drive coil. Furthermore, a plurality of positively driven contact spring sets are provided, which are mutually abgeachte and can be operated by a common actuator. All contact spring sets are spatially separated from the H anchor and above the H anchor.

DE3336872 A1 discloses a relay according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention is based on the object to provide a relay with positively driven contacts, which allows a more compact, simpler and thus more cost-effective design than the known relay.

A core idea of the invention can be seen in that the armature of the magnet system acts as a spring contact carrier.

The above-mentioned technical problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, a relay with positively driven contacts is provided which has at least one opener and at least one closer. The opener has a movable Normally closed contact element and a normally closed solid contact element, while the closer comprises a movable closer contact element and a closer fixed contact element. The relay further includes a magnet system having a coil, a core and an armature. In addition, an actuator is provided which is movable perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the coil. The movable NC contact element is secured to the armature. The anchor thus also serves as a contact element carrier. The longitudinal axis of the armature extends in a switching state substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coil. The movable closer contact element extends at least in sections parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coil. The freely movable end of the movable NC contact element and the free end of the movable NO contact element are coupled to the actuator.

A compact and robust construction can be achieved in that the movable NC contact element is attached directly to the armature and extends along the longitudinal axis of the armature. Preferably, the movable NC contact element extends at least in sections parallel to the longitudinal axis of the armature and protrudes beyond this.

Fixed contact element is to be understood as a fixed contact element in contrast to the movable contact element. Switching state is understood to be a state of the relay in which the armature is either tightened or not energized, ie in which the coil is current-carrying or de-energized.

The maximum angle included by the longitudinal axis of the armature and the longitudinal axis of the coil is preferably 10 °. Preferably, in the tightened state of the anchor, the angle subtended by the longitudinal axis of the anchor and the longitudinal axis of the coil is 0 ° or nearly 0 °.

Conveniently, the movable NC contact element and the movable NO contact element each have a contact spring.

In order to achieve a compact relay structure and keep the number of items low, the movable NC contact element is designed as a return spring for the armature.

In order to enable a compact and space-saving design, the coil between the movable NC contact element and the movable closer contact element and the actuator is arranged laterally one end of the coil. In this way, a height of the relay can be achieved, which is essentially defined by the length of the actuator.

A compact design can also be achieved in that the movable NC contact element is attached to the opposite end of the free movable end of the core.

Preferably, the movable NC contact element is riveted to the armature and the core.

In order to electrically isolate the components of the relay from each other, a base body is provided, which has a first receiving area in which the magnet system is at least partially disposed, a second receiving area in which the shutter is at least partially disposed and a third receiving area in which the actuator is at least partially arranged. The main body is constructed of dielectric material, preferably plastic.

In order to enable a compact and stable mounting of the relay, the base body has at least a fourth receiving area, in which the opener fixed contact element is at least partially arranged.

In order to cover the second and third receiving area at least partially, a bottom plate may also be called the end plate.

Preferably, the opener is assigned to a signaling circuit and the closer to a load circuit. The signaling circuit may be a diagnostic circuit, which signals whether the closer is open or closed.

In order to allow a compact and simple construction of the relay, the anchor is designed as a hinged armature.

A compact and simple construction of the relay is also made possible in that advantageously the magnet system has a yoke and the core has a projection have, which act on current-carrying coil as a support for the anchor.

Fig. 1

eine Explosivdarstellung eines beispielhaften Sicherheitsrelais gemäß der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Darstellung des aus den in Fig. 1 gezeigten Einzelteilen aufgebauten Sicherheitsrelais mit abgenommener Kappe, und

Fig. 3

eine Längsschnittansicht des in Fig. 2 gezeigten Sicherheitsrelais entlang der Linie A-B, und zwar mit aufgesetzter Kappe.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

an exploded view of an exemplary safety relay according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the in Fig. 1 shown safety parts built-up with removed cap, and

Fig. 3

a longitudinal sectional view of in Fig. 2 shown safety relay along the line AB, with attached cap.

In the exploded view to Fig. 1 are the items of an exemplary safety relay 5, ie a relay with positive-guided contacts shown. The items are now - explained from top to bottom.

The exemplary safety relay 5 has a cap 10 and a diagnostic fixed contact carrier 20, which is part of a diagnostic contact designed as an opener. The exemplary diagnostic hard-contact carrier 20 has an elongate diagnostic pin 25 with a rectangular cross-section, to which a contact attachment section 28, which extends perpendicularly to the connection pin 25, connects via a connecting section 24. The connection portion 24, the upper portion of the diagnostic connector pin 25 and the Contact mounting areas 28 define a substantially rectangular mounting or holding portion 23. A diagnostic solid contact piece 27 may be attached to the contact mounting area 28. Diagnostic fixed contact piece 27 and diagnostic fixed contact carrier 20 form a normally closed contact element.

Furthermore, the safety relay 5 an actuator 30. The exemplary actuator 30 has a rectangular base portion 32, on one side of which a head portion 35 is formed which is adapted to engage a diagnostic contact spring 40. At the opposite end of the head portion 35 of the base portion 32, a recess 36 is provided, in which a load-contact spring 150 can engage. This is an exemplary way to forcibly force diagnostic contact spring 40 and load contact spring 150 by means of actuator 30.

The diagnostic contact spring 40 has a substantially planar and rectangular base portion 41 which can be attached, for example riveted, to an anchor 50. At one end of the base portion 41 is followed by a substantially rectangular shaped Rückstellfederbereich 47. The other, freely movable end of the diagnostic contact spring 40 is formed by two parallel, tongue-shaped projections 42. The projections 42 lie in a plane which is parallel but below the plane in which the base portion 41 lies. At each projection 42, a spring contact piece 44 and 46 is mounted. The two tongue-like projections 42 can in corresponding recesses of the head part 35th of the actuator 30 are introduced. Diagnostic contact spring 40 and spring contact pieces 44 and 46 together form a movable NC contact element which forms an opener of the safety relay 5 with the diagnosis fixed contact element.

The armature 50 is formed for example as a hinged armature and has a rectangular support portion 52 on which the base portion 41 of the diagnostic contact spring 40 can be attached. The hinged armature 50 has a front region 54, which is thinner in cross section than the carrier region 52. In this way, a clearance is created between the base portion 41 of the diagnostic contact spring 40 and the hinged armature 50, which allows a free movement of the freely movable end 42 of the diagnostic contact spring 40.

Furthermore, the safety relay 5 includes a magnet system, which in addition to the armature 50, preferably an L-shaped yoke 60, a bobbin 70, a coil 80 and a core 90 has.

The core 90 may have at one end a T-shaped bearing surface 92 in which on opposite sides in each case a shoulder 93 is formed for engagement with a base 120. On the front side of the support surface 92 of the return spring portion 47 of the diagnostic contact spring 40 can be attached, for example riveted. For assembly, the coil 80 can be pushed onto the bobbin 70 or wound up. The bobbin 70 has a flange 72 and a flange 74, which prevent the coil 80 from slipping from the bobbin 70. Will the Spool 80 pushed onto the bobbin 70, one of the two flanges 72 or 74 can be attached only to the bobbin 70 after the coil 80 has been pushed onto the bobbin 70. Now, the core 90 can be pushed into the bobbin 70 until the support surface 92 rests against the flange 72 of the bobbin 70. The core 90 then partially protrudes on the side of the flange 74, so that the L-shaped yoke 60, which has a corresponding opening 62, can be pushed onto the end of the core 90, as in the assembled state in Fig. 3 is shown. The yoke 60 further includes a support surface 64 which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coil 80 and can be aligned with the top of the support surface 92 of the core 90. A diagnostic pin 110 is connected to the diagnostic contact spring 40 via the L-shaped yoke 60. On the yoke 60, a shoulder 63 is further formed on opposite sides.

The flange 74 of the bobbin 70 has a pivot bearing 76 into which a leg of an L-shaped pivot pin 79 can be inserted. The other leg of the pivot pin 79 can be inserted into a holding block 71. The holding block 71 has two bores 77 and 78, through which a respective coil connecting pin 102 or 100 can be performed.

The safety relay 5 also has a base 120, which has the function of an insulating body. The base 120, which is also referred to as the base body, is constructed of dielectric material, preferably plastic. The base 120 has a short side wall 121 and a side wall 121 opposite short side wall 122. Furthermore, the base 120 has two side sections 123a and 123b which are separated by a recess and which form a long side wall 123. The side wall 123 is opposite a long side wall 124. The narrow upper edge of the side walls 123 and 124 respectively forms a support surface 129, which extends to the short side wall 121 out. In the assembled state, the shoulders 93 of the core 90 rest on the contact surfaces 129, as shown in FIG Fig. 2 is shown.

Furthermore, the base 120 has a separating surface 125, which is laterally bounded by the side portions 123 a and 123 b, the short side wall 121, the long side wall 124 and a partition wall 126. The partition wall 126 is perpendicular to the separation surface 125. In this way, a first receiving area or a first chamber 130 is defined, in which in the mounted state, the magnet system is at least partially disposed. The narrow upper edge of the side portion 123a and the narrow upper edge of the long side wall 124 respectively form a bearing surface 123c which extends toward the partition wall 126. In the mounted state, the shoulders 63 of the yoke 60 rest on the support surfaces 123c, as shown in FIG Fig. 2 is shown.

Furthermore, the base 120 has a second receiving region 131, which lies below the separating surface 125 and only in Fig. 3 is visible. The second receiving area 131 extends substantially from the short side wall 121 to the partition wall 126, but not in the second Receiving area 131 protrudes. The parting surface 125, the short side wall 121, the long side wall 124, and a wall portion 128 extending downward perpendicularly from the parting surface 125 define the second receiving part 131 which is open to the short side wall 122 and the bottom.

The base 120 has a third receiving region 132, which runs perpendicular to the first receiving region 130 and to the second receiving region 131. The third receiving region 132 serves to receive or guide the actuator 30. Essentially, the third receiving region 132 is bounded by the side section 123a, in sections by the long side wall 124, the dividing wall 126 and by a partition wall 127 running parallel to the short side wall 122. The base 120 advantageously has a fourth receiving areas 133 and a fifth receiving area 134, which run parallel to the third receiving area 132 and in the mounted state receive the holding area 23 and the diagnostic connecting pin 25 of the diagnosis fixed contact carrier 20. The fifth receiving area 134 is formed in a corner of the base 120 and is bounded by the side portion 123 a and the side wall 122. The receiving area 134 is dimensioned so that the diagnostic pin 25 can be inserted therethrough. The fourth receiving area 133 is essentially bounded by the short side wall 122, the dividing wall 127 and by a portion of the long side wall 124. The cross section of the receiving region 133 is preferably slot-shaped.

The relay 5 further includes a load spring carrier 140 having a substantially rectangular base 142th

On the base 142, for example, two positioning pins 143 and 144 are formed, which extend perpendicular to the base 142. Furthermore, the load spring carrier 140 has a load connection pin 145, which runs advantageously perpendicular to the base 142 and in the opposite direction to the positioning pins 143 and 144. The load-spring carrier 140 serves as a carrier of a load-contact spring 150. The load-contact spring 150 has a rectangular support portion 155 which is attached to the underside of the base 142 of the load-spring support 140, for example riveted. The support portion 155 is adjoined by a transition portion 156, which forms an obtuse angle with the support portion 155. The transition section 156 is adjoined by a contact receiving area 157, which in turn forms an obtuse angle with the transition area 156. The contact receiving area 157 is thus in a plane which is parallel to and above the plane in which the support portion 155 is located. The contact receiving portion 157 merges into a tongue-shaped projection 158, which is inserted in the slot 36 of the actuator 30 during assembly of the relay 5. At the bottom of the contact receiving portion 157 of the load contact spring 150, an example circular contact piece 160 can be attached. The load spring carrier 140, the load contact spring 150 and the spring contact piece 160 form a movable closer contact element.

Furthermore, the relay 5 is a load fixed contact carrier 180 which has an approximately rectangular base 182 on which an example circular load contact piece 190 can be attached. At the base 182 of the load-Festkontaktträgers 180, a load pin 184 is formed, which is for example L-shaped. The L-shaped connecting pin 184 has a leg extending parallel to the base 182 and a leg extending perpendicular to the base 182, which forms the actual connecting pin. The load spring carrier 140, the load contact spring 150, and the load fixed contact carrier 180 are at least partially housed in the second receiving portion 131 of the base 120 in the assembled state, as shown in FIG Fig. 3 is shown. The load fixed contact carrier 180 and the fixed contact piece 190 form a closer fixed contact element. Closer fixed contact element and movable closer contact element together form the closer of the relay. 5

Furthermore, a closure plate 170 is provided, which covers the base 120 at least partially on the bottom side. The end plate 170 has a stop 172 which defines the holding block 71. In addition, a support wall 174 is integrally formed on the end plate 170, which laterally supports the load fixed contact carrier 180 and the load contact spring 150.

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the assembled safety relay 5, the items in Fig. 1 are shown, with the cap 10 is removed.

In Fig. 2 For example, the pedestal 120 is shown with the short side wall 121 and the side portions 123a and 123b forming the long side wall 123. The long side wall 124 is only slightly visible. Furthermore, the engaging in the bearing 79 and the holding block 71 pivot pin 79 is shown. The holding block 71 is pivoted and held in position by the stopper 72 and the side portion 123b. The coil pins 100 and 102 are held in position by the retaining block 71. In addition to the coil pins 100 and 102, the diagnostic pin 25 of the diagnostic hard-contact carrier 20 and the diagnostic pin 110 protrude from the underside of the end plate. On the right side of the end plate 170, the load pin 145 of the load spring contact carrier 140 and the load pin 184 of the load fixed contact carrier 180 protrude.

The magnet system, of which the solenoid 80, the L-shaped yoke 60 with the support surface 64, the bearing 76 of the bobbin, the T-shaped support surface 92 of the core 90 and the hinged armature 50 can be seen together with that on the hinged armature 50th fixed diagnostic contact spring at least partially positioned in the first receiving area 130. For this purpose, the shoulders 93 of the core 90 are supported on the bearing surfaces 129 of the side walls 123 and 124. On the opposite side of the base 120, the shoulders 63 of the yoke 60 abut on the bearing surfaces 123 c of the side portion 123 a and the side wall 124, whereby the magnet system is held in the receiving area 130.

The return spring region 47 of the diagnosis contact spring 40 is fastened to the rear side of the T-shaped support surface 92 of the core 90 facing the side wall 121. The side wall 121 facing the end of the hinged armature 50 is mounted on top of the T-shaped support surface 92. In currentless coil 80, ie in the de-energized state of the magnet system, which in Fig. 2 is represented, the contact spring 40 by means of the Rückstellfederbereichs 47 ensures that the hinged armature 50 is raised, so that forms a working air gap between the support surface 64 of the yoke 60 and the projection 54 of the hinged armature 50.

In the left corner of the base 120 is the receiving chamber 134, through which the diagnostic pin 25 is guided. The receiving area 134 positions and holds together with the receiving area 133 (in FIG Fig. 2 not to be seen) the diagnosis fixed contact carrier 20. The diagnosis connection pin 25 is adjoined by the connecting section 24, which is supported at the upper edge of the receiving region 134. The connecting portion 24 merges with the contact fixing portion 28 where the fixed contact piece 27 (in FIG Fig. 2 not visible) is attached. Also shown is the rectangular holding portion 23 of the diagnosis solid contact carrier 20, which is in the fourth receiving chamber 133 (in Fig. 2 not shown) is held. Shown further is the receiving area 132, in which the actuator 30 is movably guided. The receiving head 35 of the actuator 30 has recesses or holding portions, which are the freely movable projections 42 of the diagnostic contact spring 40th take. On the projections 42, the spring contact piece 44 and 46 are fixed, wherein only the spring contact piece 44 can be seen. In the de-energized state of the magnet system, as shown, the raised hinged armature 50 presses the spring contact pieces 44 and 46 against the fixed contact 27 secured to the contact mounting portion 28 so that the diagnostic contact is closed. As a result, the diagnostic contact operates as a normally closed contact.

It should be noted at this point that a non-illustrated control circuit can be connected to the coil pins 100 and 102, which supplies the coil excitation current. To the diagnostic pins 25 and 110, an unillustrated diagnostic or signaling circuit can be connected, which signals whether the load contact is properly opened or closed. To the load pins 184 and 145, a load circuit (not shown) can be connected.

The base 120 is at least partially closed on the bottom side with the bottom plate 170.

Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section along the line AB of in Fig. 2 shown safety relay 5 with attached cap 10, where you look Fig. 2 must be imagined rotated by 150 ° clockwise.

Fig. 3 shows the insulating 120, also known as base, whose first receiving portion 130, second receiving portion 131, third receiving portion 132 and fourth receiving portion 133 are shown. The first receiving area 130 becomes Among other things, the upper portion of the short side wall 121, bounded by the separating surface 125 and the partition wall 126. The second receiving portion 131 is formed by, among other things, the lower portion of the side wall 121, the end plate 170, and the separating surface 125. End plate 170 and separating surface 125 are parallel to each other. The receiving area 131 is open to the third receiving area 132. The third receiving area 132 is limited, among other things, by the end plate 170, the partition wall 126 and the partition wall 127. Parallel to the third receiving area 132 extends the fourth receiving area 133, which is bounded on the bottom side by a bottom part which connects the dividing wall 127 and the short side wall 122. The receiving areas 132 and 134 are perpendicular to the receiving areas 130 and 131.

In the first receiving region 130, the magnet system is at least partially arranged. The magnet system comprises the coil 80, which is arranged on the bobbin 70 and is held in position by the flanges 72 and 74 of the bobbin 70. Within the bobbin 70, the core 90 is arranged, whose one end protrudes from the bobbin 70 and can extend to the partition wall 126. This end extends through the recess 62 of the yoke 60, which is disposed between the flange 74 and the partition 126. The bearing surface 64 of the yoke 60 extends above the coil 80 and extends substantially parallel to the coil axis. On the opposite side, the core 90 has the T-shaped bearing surface 92 which abuts the flange 72 of the bobbin 70 and extends perpendicularly beyond the coil 90. The longitudinal axis of the Coil 80, the longitudinal axis of the bobbin 70 and the longitudinal axis of the core 90 are substantially parallel to the separation surface 125 of the base 120th

The top of the support surface 64 of the yoke 60 and the top of the support surface 92 of the core 90 are each angled to the coil axis, so that the armature bearing surface 52 in all switching states a defined point of contact or an axis to the top of the support surface 64 of the yoke 60 and the top of Support surface 92 of the core 90 has. The hinged armature 50 is mounted with its one end on the support surface 92 of the core 90. At the hinged armature 50, the diagnostic contact spring 40 is riveted, for example in the region of the base portion 41. The Rückstellfederbereich 47 of the diagnostic contact spring 40 begins at the rear, mounted on the support surface 92 end of the hinged armature 50. This is bent for example 90 ° relative to the longitudinal axis of the armature 50 and attached to the sidewall 121 facing end face of the support surface 92 of the core 90 , The return spring portion 47 of the diagnostic contact spring 40 is shaped such that a bias voltage is established, which holds the hinged armature 50 in the illustrated, lifted position with currentless coil 80. In this position, which is the rest position of the safety relay 5, is located between the projection 54 of the hinged armature 50 and the bearing surface 64 of the yoke 60, an air gap. In the region of the projection 54 of the hinged armature 50, the base portion 41 of the diagnostic contact spring 40 merges into a freely movable end, which is formed by the two tongue-shaped projections 42. As in Fig. 1 shown, a spring contact piece is mounted on one of the tongue-shaped projections in each case. In Fig. 3 is only the spring contact piece 44 attached to the projection 42 visible. Conveniently, the projections 42 lie in a plane with the underside of the hinged armature 50. The projections 42 are gripped by the receiving head 35 of the actuator 30, which is movable in the third receiving portion 132 perpendicular to the coil axis. The actuator 30 extends to the second receiving area 131.

Important at this point is to point out that both the hinged armature 50, as well as the diagnostic contact spring 40 perform double functions. Thus, the hinged armature 50 functions not only as a classic anchor, but also as a support for the diagnostic contact spring 40. The diagnostic contact spring acts on the one hand, in a classical manner as a contact spring and beyond as a return spring for the armature 50th As in Fig. 3 As can be seen, a compact and robust construction can be achieved in that the movable diagnostic contact spring 40 is attached at least in sections directly to the hinged armature 50 and extends along the longitudinal axis of the armature 50. Preferably, the movable diagnostic contact spring 40 extends at least in sections parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hinged armature 50, wherein the projection 42 protrudes beyond this.

The diagnoser fixed contact carrier 20 belonging to the opener is held in the base 120 by means of the holding section 23 introduced into the fourth receiving region 133. The contact attachment portion 28 of the diagnostic solid contact carrier 20 is perpendicular to the holding portion 23 and parallel to the coil axis and extends to about to the partition 126. At the contact attachment portion 28, the fixed contact piece 27 is attached.

In the second receiving area 131, the load contact of the safety relay 5, which is operated as a make contact, is arranged. The load contact has the load spring carrier 140 with the base 142, on the underside of the support portion 155 of the load contact spring 150 is attached. The load spring contact carrier 140 is disposed in the left portion of the second accommodating portion 131. The positioning pin 142 positions the load spring support 140 within the socket 120. The support portion 155 and the base 142 are substantially parallel to the coil axis. Adjoining the carrier section 155 is the transition section 156, which in turn is adjoined by the contact receiving region 157 of the load contact spring 150. The contact receiving area 157 extends substantially parallel to the support portion 155, but has a greater distance to the end plate 170 in contrast to this. The load spring carrier 140 and the load contact spring 150 are held in position by the support wall 174 of the end plate 170. At the bottom of the contact receiving portion 157, the spring contact piece 160 is mounted in the recess 159. Below the contact receiving area 157 of the base 182 having load fixed contact carrier 180 is arranged, on the upper side of the fixed contact piece 190 is mounted in the corresponding recess 183. Fixed contact 190 and spring contact piece 160 are aligned. The contact-receiving area 157 is followed by the tongue-shaped projection 158 which extends into the third receiving area 132 and through the slot 36 of the actuator 30 extends. The projection 158 and the contact receiving area 157 preferably run substantially parallel to the coil axis when the coil 80 is de-energized.

It should be noted that the load contact arranged in the receiving region 131 is isolated from the overlying magnet system.

From the end plate 170, from left to right, the load pin 145 of the load spring carrier 140, the load pin 184, the coil pins 100 and 102, the diagnostic pin 110, and the diagnostic pin 25 of the diagnosis solid contact carrier 20 protrude.

Due to the special construction of the safety relay 5, in which the longitudinal axis of the coil 80, the longitudinal axis of the spool core 90, the longitudinal axis of the hinged armature 50, the longitudinal axis of the diagnostic contact spring 40, the longitudinal axis of the load contact spring 150, the longitudinal axis of the load spring carrier 140 and the longitudinal axis of the load-spring contact carrier 180 are substantially parallel to one another, a compact design with low overall height can be achieved. Characterized in that the magnet system between the diagnostic Kontaktfder 40 and the load-contact spring 150 and the actuator 30 is arranged laterally adjacent to the magnet system, a height can be achieved, which corresponds approximately to the length of the actuator 30.

The operation of the safety relay 5 will be explained briefly below. Basically, the operation of a safety relay is known.

With de-energized coil 80, as shown, the hinged armature 50 and thus the actuator 30 is raised. Consequently, the diagnostic contact via the spring contact pieces 44 and 46 and the fixed contact piece 27 is closed and the load contact is opened, since the spring contact piece 160 and the fixed contact piece 190 do not touch.

If an exciting current is now conducted through the coil 80 via the coil connection pins 100 and 102, a magnetic field, which pulls the hinged armature 50 in the direction of the contact surface 64 and thus closes the magnetic circuit, builds up in a manner known per se. The movement of the hinged armature 50, the freely movable end 42 of the diagnostic contact spring 40 and thus the actuator 30 is moved toward the end plate 170. Thereby, the spring contact pieces 44 and 46 and the fixed contact piece 27 are separated and the opener is opened. Depending on the implementation, in a current-carrying coil 80, the longitudinal axis of the hinged armature and thus the longitudinal axis of the diagnostic contact spring 40 parallel or nearly parallel to the coil longitudinal axis. At the same time, the actuator 30 also presses the contact receiving portion 157 of the load contact spring 150 toward the end plate 170, so that the spring contact piece 160 comes into contact with the fixed contact piece 190 of the load fixed contact carrier 180. As a result, the load contact and a load circuit connected to the load contacts 145 and 184 are closed.

The compact design of the relay 5 results from the fact that In particular, the diagnostic contact spring 40, the coil 80, the armature 50 and the load contact spring 150 are sandwiched to each other.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

5

safety relay

10

cap

20

Diagnostic fixed contact carrier

23

holding section

24

connecting portion

25

Diagnostic pin

27

Fixed contact piece

28

Contact fastening area

30

actuator

35

Up head

36

slot

40

Diagnostic contact spring

41

base section

42

free movable end, 2 tongue-shaped projections

44, 46

Spring contact pieces

47

Return spring range

50

hinged armature

52

support region

54

head Start

60

L-shaped yoke

64

bearing surface

62

recess

63

shoulder

70

bobbins

72

flange

74

flange

71

swivel holding block

76

camp

77, 78

crossings

79

pintle

80

Kitchen sink

90

core

92

T-shaped bearing surface

93

shoulder

100, 102

Coil pins

110

Diagnostic pin

120

Base, insulator, body

121

short sidewall

122

short sidewall

123

long sidewall

123a

side portion

123b

side portion

123c

bearing surface

124

long sidewall

125

interface

126

partition wall

127

partition wall

128

wall section

129

bearing surface

130

first receiving area, chamber

131

second reception area, chamber

132

third reception area, chamber

133, 134

fourth and fifth recording area

140

Last spring support

142

Floor space

143, 144

positioning pins

145

Load pin

150

Last-contact spring

155

support section

156

Transition section

157

Contact receiving area

158

tongue-shaped projection

159

recess

160

Spring contact piece

170

End or bottom plate

172

attack

174

retaining wall

180

Last fixed contact carrier

182

Floor space

183

recess

184

Load pin

190

Fixed contact piece

Claims (13)

1. A relay (5) with force-guided contacts, comprising:

   - at least one normally closed contact including a movable break contact element (40, 44, 46) and a fixed break contact element (20, 27);

   - at least one normally open contact including a movable make contact element (140, 150, 160) and a fixed make contact element (180, 190);

   - a magnetic system including a coil (80), a core (90), and an armature (50);

   - an actuator (30) which is movable perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the coil (80);

   - wherein in one switching state, the longitudinal axis of the armature (50) extends substantially in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coil (80);

   - wherein the movable break contact element (40, 44, 46) is attached to the armature (50) and extends along the longitudinal axis of the armature;

   - wherein the movable make contact element (140, 150, 160) extends in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coil (80), at least in sections thereof; and

   - wherein the freely movable end (42) of the movable break contact element (40, 44, 46) and the freely movable end (158) of the movable make contact element (150) are coupled to the actuator (30);

   characterized in that the movable break contact element (40, 44, 46) is directly attached to the armature (50).
2. The relay according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the movable break contact element (40, 44, 46) and the movable make contact element (140, 150, 160) include a contact spring (40; 150).
3. The relay according to claim 2, characterized in that the movable break contact element (40, 44, 46, 47) is in form of a return spring for the armature (50).
4. The relay according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coil (80) is arranged between the movable break contact element (40, 44, 46) and the movable make contact element (140, 150, 160), and that the actuator (30) is arranged laterally to a front end of the coil (80).
5. The relay according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that one end (47) of the movable break contact element (40, 44, 46) is attached to the core (90, 92).
6. The relay according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a main body (120) having a first accommodation space (130) within which the magnetic system is arranged, at least partially, a second accommodation space (131) within which the normally open contact is arranged, at least partially, and a third accommodation space (132) within which the actuator (30) is arranged, at least partially.
7. The relay according to claim 6, characterized in that the main body (120) has at least one fourth accommodation space (133, 134) within which the fixed break contact element (20, 27) is arranged, at least partially.
8. The relay according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by an end plate (170) which at least partially covers the second and third accommodation spaces (131, 132).
9. The relay according to any of claims 6 to 8, characterized by a housing cap (10).
10. The relay according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the normally closed contact is associated with a signaling circuit and the normally open contact is associated with a load circuit.
11. The relay according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the armature (50) is a tilting armature.
12. The relay according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic system includes a yoke (60) and the core (90) includes a projection (92), which act as a support for the armature (50).
13. The relay according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable break contact element (40) extends in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the armature (50), at least in sections thereof, and protrudes beyond the armature.

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