JP2016201245A - Contact device and electromagnetic relay using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contact device capable of reducing variation of the position of a fixed terminal, and an electromagnetic relay using the same.SOLUTION: Fixed terminals 31, 32 are electrically connected to a contact portion 2. A housing 4 is configured in a box-like shape and disposed to surround the contact portion 2, and opening holes 411, 412 through which the fixed terminals 31, 32 are passed are formed in a bottom plate 41. Insulating members 51 and 52 are configured in such an annular shape as to surround hollow portions 511 and 521, and joined to the peripheries of the opening holes 411 and 412 in the bottom plate 41. The fixed terminals 31, 32 are fixed to the insulating members 51, 52 so as to penetrate through the hollow portions 511, 521, and are held by a housing 4 via the insulating members 51, 52. Insulation securing portions 514 and 524 having electrical insulation properties are provided at positions of the surfaces of the insulating members 51, 52 at which housing-side joint portions 512 and 522 and terminal-side joint portions 513 and 523 are separated from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a contact device and an electromagnetic relay using the contact device, and more particularly relates to a contact device including a box-shaped casing surrounding a contact portion and an electromagnetic relay using the contact device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided a contact device in which an airtight (sealed) space is formed by a box-shaped housing (box-shaped sealed container) and a contact portion is accommodated in the airtight space. This type of contact device forms an airtight space with, for example, a ceramic housing in order to ensure insulation, airtightness, and heat resistance. However, a ceramic housing tends to shrink during sintering, and it is difficult to increase dimensional accuracy.

  On the other hand, a contact device (contact opening / closing) configured to form an airtight space by joining and integrating a ceramic plate holding a fixed terminal (fixed contact terminal) to an upper opening edge of a metal cylindrical flange. Device) has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes that by combining a plate-shaped ceramic (ceramic plate) and a metal cylindrical flange, a high dimensional accuracy can be ensured as compared with the case of using a box-shaped ceramic.

  Further, in the contact device (starter magnet switch) described in Patent Document 2, the fixed terminal (fixed contact) penetrates the side surface of the insulated contact case and is fixed with the insulated contact case interposed therebetween. Here, a conical through-hole for inserting and arranging the fixed terminal is formed on the side surface of the insulated contact case, and a heat-resistant insulating spacer made of a ceramic material is arranged in the through-hole. The fixed terminal is indirectly held by the insulating contact case by being inserted into the heat-resistant insulating spacer. Furthermore, according to the description of Patent Document 2, the insulating heat-resistant spacer has a conical shape, and the fixed terminals can be arranged concentrically only by tightening the fixed terminals.

International Publication No. 2011/115052 JP-A-8-22760

  However, in the contact device described in Patent Document 1, since the fixed terminal is directly held by the ceramic plate, the position of the fixed terminal may vary if the dimensional accuracy of the ceramic plate is low.

  In the contact device described in Patent Document 2, although the fixed terminal is indirectly held by the insulated contact case via the heat-resistant insulating spacer, the heat-resistant insulating spacer is formed in a conical shape. Are disposed in the conical through hole. Therefore, even with the configuration described in Patent Document 2, if the dimensional accuracy of the heat-resistant insulating spacer made of a ceramic material is low, the position of the fixed terminal may vary. Furthermore, in Patent Document 2, since the insulating contact case that indirectly holds the fixed terminal via the heat-resistant insulating spacer is made of resin, compared to the case where the fixed terminal is held in a metal case with high dimensional accuracy. The position of the fixed terminal may also vary.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said reason, and it aims at providing the contact device which can reduce the dispersion | variation in the position of a fixed terminal, and an electromagnetic relay using the same.

  The contact device according to the first aspect of the present invention has a contact portion, a fixed terminal electrically connected to the contact portion, a box-like shape arranged so as to surround the contact portion, and passes the fixed terminal. A housing in which an opening hole is formed in the bottom plate; and an insulating member that is annular and surrounds the hollow portion and is joined to the periphery of the opening hole in the bottom plate. The insulating member is fixed to the insulating member in a penetrating manner and is held by the casing via the insulating member. The insulating member is bonded to a casing-side joint portion to which the casing is joined and the fixed terminal. An insulation securing portion having electrical insulation is provided at a position separating the housing side joint from the terminal side joint on the surface of the insulating member. It is characterized by.

  In the contact device of the second form, in the first form, two or more opening holes are formed in the housing, and the fixed terminal and the insulating member are in one-to-one correspondence with the opening hole, respectively. The same number as the opening holes is provided so as to correspond.

  In a contact device of a third form, in the first or second form, the case is made of metal, and a metal case side spacer is provided between the insulating member and the bottom plate, and the case is provided. The body side joining portion is joined to the bottom plate via the housing side spacer.

  According to a fourth aspect of the contact device of the third aspect, at least the bottom plate and a portion other than the bottom plate are separate members.

  In any one of the first to fourth aspects, the contact device of the fifth aspect is provided with a metal terminal side spacer between the fixed terminal and the insulating member, and the fixed terminal is connected to the terminal side. It is characterized by being joined to the terminal side joint through a spacer.

  In any one of the first to fifth aspects of the contact device according to the sixth aspect, the housing-side joint is provided on one end surface of the insulating member in the penetrating direction, and the terminal-side joint is formed of the insulating member. It is provided in the other end surface of the penetration direction.

  In any one of the first to fifth aspects of the contact device of the seventh aspect, the housing side joint is provided on the outer surface of the insulating member, and the terminal side joint is provided on the inner surface of the insulating member. It is characterized by being.

  In any one of the first to fifth aspects of the contact device according to the eighth aspect, the housing side joint is provided on one end surface of the insulating member in the penetration direction, and the terminal side joint is the insulating member. It is provided on the inner surface.

  In any one of the first to fifth aspects of the contact device of the ninth aspect, the housing side joint is provided on the outer surface of the insulating member, and the terminal side joint is disposed in the penetration direction of the insulating member. It is provided on one end face.

  The contact device according to a tenth aspect is any one of the sixth, eighth, and ninth aspects, wherein the insulation securing portion is at least the housing side joint portion and the terminal side of both end surfaces of the insulating member in the penetration direction. One surface provided with any one of the joint portions includes a concave shape portion formed so as to surround the hollow portion, and the concave shape portion includes the housing side joint portion and the terminal side joint portion. Compared to a joint portion provided on the same surface as the concave shape portion, the insulating member has a shape recessed in a direction in which the dimension in the penetration direction becomes smaller.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the contact device of the tenth aspect, a bottom surface of the concave portion is provided with a convex portion formed so as to surround the hollow portion. Compared to a portion other than the convex shape portion on the bottom surface of the concave shape portion, the insulating member has a shape protruding in a direction in which the dimension in the penetration direction becomes larger.

  The contact device according to a twelfth aspect is characterized in that, in the eleventh aspect, a dimension of the convex portion in the penetration direction is smaller than a depth of the concave portion.

  In a contact device of a thirteenth aspect, in any one of the sixth, eighth, and ninth aspects, the insulation securing portion includes at least the housing side joint portion and the terminal side of both end surfaces in the penetration direction of the insulating member. One surface provided with any one of the joint portions includes a convex portion formed so as to surround the hollow portion, and the convex portion includes the housing-side joint portion and the terminal-side joint portion. Compared to a joint provided on the same plane as the convex portion, the insulating member has a shape protruding in a direction in which the dimension in the penetrating direction increases.

  The contact device of the fourteenth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, a plurality of the convex-shaped portions are provided concentrically surrounding the hollow portion.

  In the contact device of the fifteenth aspect, in any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, the insulation ensuring part is at least the housing side joint part and the terminal side joint part among both end surfaces of the insulation member in the penetration direction. And a pleated portion that is formed so as to surround the hollow portion, and the pleated portion is compared with a portion other than the pleated portion on the same plane as the pleated portion. The insulating member has a shape protruding in a direction in which the dimension in the penetration direction increases.

  In a sixteenth aspect of the contact device according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, the casing is joined in the state where the casing is bitten into the insulating member at the casing-side joint portion. And

  In the contact device of the seventeenth aspect according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, the fixed terminal is joined in the state where the fixed terminal bites into the insulating member at the terminal side joint portion. And

  The contact device of an eighteenth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to seventeenth aspects, a metal layer is formed on a surface of at least one of the housing side joint portion and the terminal side joint portion. To do.

  The electromagnetic relay according to the present invention includes the contact device according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects and an electromagnet device that drives the contact portion to open and close.

  In the present invention, since the fixed terminal is held by the casing via the annular insulating member, the fixed terminal is fixed by using a casing having a relatively high dimensional accuracy as compared with the case where the insulating casing is used. There is an advantage that variations in terminal positions can be reduced.

It is sectional drawing which shows the electromagnetic relay which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of a contact device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a main part of a contact device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing an insulating member according to Embodiment 1, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 4A. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of a contact device according to a modification of the first embodiment. 6A is a perspective view illustrating an insulating member according to a first configuration example of Embodiment 2, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 6A. 7A is a perspective view illustrating an insulating member according to a second configuration example of Embodiment 2, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 7A. 8A is a perspective view illustrating an insulating member according to a third configuration example of Embodiment 2, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 8A. 9A is a perspective view illustrating an insulating member according to a fourth configuration example of Embodiment 2, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 9A. 10A to 10D are cross-sectional views showing the main parts of an insulating member according to a modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional perspective view showing an insulating member according to a first configuration example of Embodiment 3, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a contact device according to the first configuration example of Embodiment 3. 12A and 12B are cross-sectional views showing the main parts of a contact device according to a second configuration example of Embodiment 3. FIG. 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views showing the main parts of a contact device according to a third configuration example of Embodiment 3. 10 is a perspective sectional view of an insulating member according to a fourth configuration example of Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional perspective view showing an insulating member according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the contact device according to the fourth embodiment. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a contact device according to Embodiment 5. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the housing | casing of the contact apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5. FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a main part of a contact device according to Embodiment 5. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the contact apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5. It is sectional drawing which shows the further another example of the contact apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5. FIG.

(Embodiment 1)
(1) Overall Overview As shown in FIG. 1, the contact device 1 of the present embodiment includes a contact portion 2, fixed terminals 31 and 32, a housing 4, and insulating members 51 and 52.

  The fixed terminals 31 and 32 are electrically connected to the contact portion 2. The casing 4 has a box shape and is disposed so as to surround the contact portion 2. Opening holes 411 and 412 through which the fixed terminals 31 and 32 are passed are formed in the bottom plate 41.

  The insulating members 51 and 52 are annular surrounding the hollow portions 511 and 521, and are joined around the opening holes 411 and 412 in the bottom plate 41.

  The fixed terminals 31 and 32 are fixed to the insulating members 51 and 52 so as to penetrate the hollow portions 511 and 521 in the penetrating direction, and are held by the housing 4 via the insulating members 51 and 52.

  Furthermore, the insulating members 51 and 52 have housing side joint portions 512 and 522 to which the housing 4 is joined, and terminal side joint portions 513 and 523 to which the fixed terminals 31 and 32 are joined. Here, insulation securing portions 514 and 524 having electrical insulation are provided on the surfaces of the insulating members 51 and 52 at positions separating the housing side joint portions 512 and 522 and the terminal side joint portions 513 and 523. ing.

  According to this configuration, since the fixed terminals 31 and 32 are held by the casing 4 via the annular insulating members 51 and 52, by using the casing 4 having a relatively high dimensional accuracy, an insulating property can be obtained. Compared with the case where a housing is used, variations in the positions of the fixed terminals 31 and 32 can be reduced. For example, a metal casing 4 may be used as the casing 4 with high dimensional accuracy. However, even in this case, the electrical insulation between the fixed terminals 31 and 32 and the casing 4 is the insulating member 51. , 52 can be secured.

  In addition, the insulating members 51 and 52 are joined around the opening holes 411 and 412 in the bottom plate 41 of the housing 4. Therefore, even if the dimensional accuracy of the insulating members 51 and 52 is low, the contact device 1 reduces the variation in the positions of the fixed terminals 31 and 32 by adjusting the joining position of the insulating members 51 and 52 with respect to the bottom plate 41. it can.

  Furthermore, insulation securing portions 514 and 524 having electrical insulation are provided on the surfaces of the insulating members 51 and 52 at positions separating the housing side joint portions 512 and 522 and the terminal side joint portions 513 and 523. Yes. Thereby, the creeping distance along the surface of the insulating members 51 and 52 between the housing 4 and the fixed terminals 31 and 32 is secured by the insulation securing portions 514 and 524. In short, since the insulation securing portions 514 and 524 are provided on the surfaces of the insulating members 51 and 52, the insulation performance between the housing 4 and the fixed terminals 31 and 32 is improved. 1 is improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a case where a pair (two) of opening holes 411 and 412 are formed in the housing 4 is taken as an example. The fixed terminals 31 and 32 and the insulating members 51 and 52 are provided in the same number (two) as the opening holes 411 and 412 so as to correspond to the opening holes 411 and 412 respectively. However, the number of opening holes, fixed terminals, and insulating members is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

  Hereinafter, the contact device 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail. The contact device 1 described below is only an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and the technical idea according to the present invention is not deviated from this embodiment. Various changes can be made in accordance with the design or the like as long as they are not.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the contact device 1 constitutes the electromagnetic relay 100 together with the electromagnet device 10 as shown in FIG. 1 will be described as an example. That is, the electromagnetic relay 100 includes the contact device 1 and the electromagnet device 10 that drives the contact unit 2 to open and close. However, the contact device 1 is not limited to the electromagnetic relay 100 but may be used for, for example, a breaker (breaker), a switch, or the like. In the present embodiment, the electromagnetic relay 100 is mounted on an electric vehicle (EV), and the contact portion 2 is electrically connected to a DC power supply path from a traveling battery to a load (for example, an inverter). And

(2) Configuration of Contact Device (2.1) Contact Unit The contact device 1 according to the present embodiment faces a pair of fixed contacts 311 and 321 and a pair of fixed contacts 311 and 321 as shown in FIG. A pair of movable contacts 81, 82 arranged as a contact portion 2 is provided.

  In the following, for the sake of explanation, the opposing direction of the fixed contacts 311 and 321 and the movable contacts 81 and 82 is defined as the vertical direction, and the fixed contacts 311 and 321 side is defined as the upper side when viewed from the movable contacts 81 and 82. Furthermore, the direction in which the pair of fixed contacts 311 and 321 are arranged is defined as the left and right direction, and the fixed contact 321 side is defined as the right side when viewed from the fixed contact 311. That is, in the following description, the upper, lower, left, and right in FIG. In the following description, a direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (a direction orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 1) will be described as the front-rear direction. However, these directions are not intended to limit the usage pattern of the contact device 1.

  One (first) fixed contact 311 is provided at the lower end of one (first) fixed terminal 31, and the other (second) fixed contact 321 is the other (second) fixed terminal. 32 is provided at the lower end. As a result, the pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32 are electrically connected to the pair of fixed contacts 311 and 321 in the contact portion 2. The pair of movable contacts 81 and 82 are provided on a plate-shaped movable contact 8 made of a conductive metal material. As a result, the pair of movable contacts 81 and 82 are electrically connected to each other via the movable contact 8.

(2.2) Fixed Terminals The pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32 are arranged in a line in the left-right direction. The pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32 are each formed of a conductive metal material, and function as terminals for connecting an external circuit (battery and load) to the contact portion (the pair of fixed contacts 311 and 321) 2. To do. In this embodiment, fixed terminals 31 and 32 formed of copper (Cu) are used as an example. However, the fixed terminals 31 and 32 are not intended to be made of copper, and the fixed terminals 31 and 32 are other than copper. It may be formed of a conductive material.

  Each of the pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32 is formed in a columnar shape having a circular cross section in a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction. Here, in each of the pair of fixed terminals 31, 32, the upper end side is made to have an enlarged diameter portion 313, 323 (see FIG. 2) having a larger outer diameter than the small diameter portions 312 and 322 (see FIG. 2) on the lower end side. Thus, the front view is configured to be T-shaped.

  Details will be described in the column “(2.4) Case” below, but the pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32 penetrates the opening holes 411 and 412 formed in the bottom plate 41 of the case 4. Is held in the housing 4.

(2.3) Movable contact The movable contact 8 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is long in the left-right direction, and both ends in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) are opposed to the lower ends of the pair of fixed terminals 31, 32. It arrange | positions under a pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32 so that it may make. In the movable contact 8, a pair of movable contacts 81, 82 is provided at a portion facing the lower end portions (fixed contacts 311, 321) of the pair of fixed terminals 31, 32.

  The movable contact 8 is held in a housing 4 by a holder 16 described later, and is driven in the vertical direction together with the holder 16 by an electromagnet device 10 disposed below the housing 4. The configuration of the holder 16 will be described in detail in the section “(3) Configuration of electromagnet device” below. As a result, the pair of movable contacts 81 and 82 provided on the movable contact 8 move between a closed position in contact with the corresponding fixed contacts 311 and 321 and an open position away from the fixed contacts 311 and 321, respectively. Will do.

  When both the movable contacts 81 and 82 are in the closed position, that is, when the contact portion 2 is closed (hereinafter referred to as “closed state”), the pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32 are short-circuited via the movable contact 8. . Therefore, the contact device 1 supplies the DC power from the battery to the load in the closed state by electrically connecting the fixed terminal 31 to one of the battery and the load and electrically connecting the fixed terminal 32 to the other. Form a road.

  The movable contacts 81 and 82 may be configured integrally with the movable contact 8 by, for example, driving a part of the movable contact 8, or may be a separate member from the movable contact 8. 8 may be fixed. Similarly, the fixed contacts 311 and 321 may be configured integrally with the fixed terminals 31 and 32, or may be formed of a member different from the fixed terminals 31 and 32 and fixed to the fixed terminals 31 and 32.

(2.4) Housing In this embodiment, the housing 4 is formed in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape (see FIG. 2) that is open at the lower surface and is long in the left-right direction, and is disposed so as to surround the contact portion 2. . The bottom plate 41 of the housing 4 has a rectangular plate shape, is positioned above the contact portion 2, and forms the upper surface of the housing 4. The casing 4 has a cylindrical portion 42 that extends downward from the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface of the bottom plate 41 in addition to the bottom plate 41. In other words, the cylindrical portion 42 has a rectangular cylindrical shape with an upper surface and a lower surface opened, and the upper surface is closed by the bottom plate 41. However, the housing 4 is only required to be formed in a box shape surrounding the contact portion 2 and is not limited to a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape as in the present embodiment, for example, a bottomed elliptic cylinder shape, a hollow polygonal column shape, or the like. There may be. That is, the box shape here means an overall shape having a storage space for the terminal portion 2 inside, and is not intended to be limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, if the casing 4 is a bottomed oval cylindrical shape, the cylindrical portion 42 has an oval cylindrical shape with an upper surface and a lower surface opened, and the upper surface is closed by an oval bottom plate 41.

  In addition, the lower surface of the cylindrical part 42 is block | closed with the yoke upper plate 11 of the electromagnet apparatus 10 mentioned later. Specifically, the cylindrical portion 42 has a lower end joined to the yoke upper plate 11 by, for example, welding. As a result, the contact portion 2 is accommodated in a space surrounded by the bottom plate 41 and the cylindrical portion 42 of the housing 4 and the yoke upper plate 11. The configuration of the electromagnet device 10 will be described in detail in the section “(3) Configuration of electromagnet device” below.

  In the present embodiment, the housing 4 is made of metal, but the bottom plate 41 and a portion other than the bottom plate 41 (tubular portion 42) are separate members. In short, the bottom plate 41 and the cylindrical portion 42 are both made of metal, but the bottom plate 41 is made of a member different from the cylindrical portion 42 and is joined to the cylindrical portion 42 to join the casing 4 together with the cylindrical portion 42. Configure. In the example of FIG. 1, the thickness dimension of the bottom plate 41 is set to be larger than the thickness dimension of the portion other than the bottom plate 41 (tubular portion 42), but both thickness dimensions may be the same.

  In the present embodiment, the bottom plate 41 made of 42 alloy (Fe-42Ni) is used as an example. However, the bottom plate 41 is not limited to 42 alloy, and the bottom plate 41 is made of, for example, Kovar, stainless steel (SUS304, etc.). ) Or the like. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical portion 42 formed of stainless steel (SUS304 or the like) is used as an example. However, the cylindrical portion 42 is not limited to stainless steel, and the cylindrical portion 42 is, for example, 42 alloy. (Fe-42Ni), Kovar, etc. may be used.

  The bottom plate 41 of the housing 4 is formed with a pair of opening holes 411 and 412 for allowing the pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32 to pass therethrough. The pair of opening holes 411 and 412 are each formed in a circular shape and penetrate the bottom plate 41 in the thickness direction (vertical direction). One (first) fixed terminal 31 is disposed in one (first) opening hole 411, and the other (second) fixed terminal 32 is disposed in the other (second) opening hole 412. Is done.

(2.5) Fixing Structure of Fixed Terminal Next, the fixing structure of the fixed terminals 31 and 32 to the housing 4 will be described in detail.

  In the present embodiment, since the pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32 adopts a common configuration, the following description will be given focusing on one (first) fixed terminal 31 unless otherwise specified. The other (second) fixed terminal 32 has the same configuration. That is, in the following description, the fixed terminal 31, the (first) opening hole 411, the (first) small diameter portion 312, and the (first) large diameter portion 313 are the fixed terminal 32 and (second), respectively. It can be read as an opening 412, a (second) small diameter portion 322, and a (second) large diameter portion 323. The (first) insulating member 51, the (first) terminal-side spacer 61, and the (first) housing-side spacer 71 are the (second) insulating member 52 and the (second) terminal-side spacer, respectively. 62, can be read as the (second) housing side spacer 72. Further, the (first) housing-side joint portion 512, the (first) terminal-side joint portion 513, and the (first) insulation securing portion 514 are the (second) housing-side joint portion 522, ) The terminal-side joint portion 523 and the (second) insulation securing portion 524 can be read. In the second and subsequent embodiments, the description will be given focusing on one (first) fixed terminal 31 unless otherwise noted, but the other (second) fixed terminal 32 has the same configuration. To do.

  The insulating member 51 is made of an insulating material and functions to ensure at least electrical insulation between the fixed terminal 31 and the housing 4. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the insulating member 51 is formed in an annular shape in which both the upper surface and the lower surface are flat, and has a hollow portion 511 that opens in a circular shape inside. In this embodiment, the insulating member 51 formed of ceramic such as aluminum oxide (alumina) is used as an example. However, the insulating member 51 is not intended to be made of ceramic, and the insulating member 51 is made of, for example, glass. It may be formed of an insulating material.

  The insulating member 51 is joined around the opening hole 411 in the bottom plate 41. The fixed terminal 31 is fixed to the insulating member 51 so as to penetrate the hollow portion 511 of the insulating member 51 in the penetrating direction. As a result, the fixed terminal 31 is indirectly held by the housing 4 via at least the insulating member 51. In the present embodiment, the “penetration direction” that is the direction in which the fixed terminal 31 penetrates the hollow portion 511 is the vertical direction.

  In the present embodiment, a housing side joint portion 512 that is joined to the housing 4 is provided on the lower surface of the insulating member 51, and a terminal side joint portion 513 that is joined to the fixed terminal 31 is provided on the upper surface of the insulating member 51. ing. The outer side surface and the inner side surface of the insulating member 51 constitute an insulation ensuring portion 514. The details of the insulating member 51 will be described in the following section “(2.6) Details of Insulating Member”.

  In the present embodiment, a metal terminal-side spacer 61 is provided between the fixed terminal 31 and the insulating member 51. The fixed terminal 31 is fixed to the insulating member 51 by being joined to the terminal side joint portion 513 of the insulating member 51 via the terminal side spacer 61. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the terminal-side spacer 61 is formed in an annular shape whose upper surface and lower surface are both flat. In this embodiment, the terminal side spacer 61 formed of 42 alloy (Fe-42Ni) is used as an example. However, the terminal side spacer 61 is not limited to 42 alloy, and the terminal side spacer 61 is, for example, It may be formed of Kovar or the like.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a metal casing-side spacer 71 is provided between the insulating member 51 and the bottom plate 41 of the casing 4. The casing side joint portion 512 of the insulating member 51 is fixed to the bottom plate 41 by being joined to the bottom plate 41 via the casing side spacer 71. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the housing-side spacer 71 is formed in an annular shape having both a top surface and a bottom surface that are flat. In the present embodiment, the case side spacer 71 formed of 42 alloy (Fe-42Ni) is used as an example. However, the case side spacer 71 is not limited to 42 alloy, and the case side spacer 71 is, for example, It may be formed of Kovar or the like.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the thickness dimension of the terminal side spacer 61 and the thickness dimension of the housing side spacer 71 are both set smaller than the thickness dimension of the insulating member 51.

  In short, in the contact device 1 of the present embodiment, the fixed terminal 31 is indirectly held on the bottom plate 41 of the housing 4 via the terminal side spacer 61, the insulating member 51, and the housing side spacer 71. The relationship among the fixed terminal 31, the terminal side spacer 61, the insulating member 51, the housing side spacer 71, and the bottom plate 41 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

  The housing side spacer 71, the insulating member 51, and the terminal side spacer 61 are arranged on the upper surface of the bottom plate 41 so as to be stacked in the order of the housing side spacer 71, the insulating member 51, and the terminal side spacer 61. Here, the housing-side spacer 71, the insulating member 51, and the terminal-side spacer 61 are arranged so that the central axis in a plane (horizontal plane) orthogonal to the vertical direction coincides with the opening hole 411.

  The fixed terminal 31 is disposed such that the small diameter portion 312 passes through the inside of the terminal side spacer 61, the insulating member 51, and the housing side spacer 71, and the enlarged diameter portion 313 overlaps the terminal side spacer 61. In this state, the lower end portion of the small diameter portion 312 of the fixed terminal 31 protrudes below the bottom plate 41 (inside the housing 4) through the opening hole 411.

  The fixed terminal 31 has the lower surface of the enlarged-diameter portion 313 bonded to the upper surface of the terminal side spacer 61 and the lower surface of the terminal side spacer 61 is bonded to the upper surface of the insulating member 51, thereby interposing the terminal side spacer 61. And indirectly joined to the insulating member 51. That is, the fixed terminal 31 is indirectly joined to the terminal side joint portion 513 provided on the upper surface of the insulating member 51 via the terminal side spacer 61. Further, the lower surface of the insulating member 51 is joined to the upper surface of the housing side spacer 71, and the lower surface of the housing side spacer 71 is joined around the opening hole 411 in the upper surface of the bottom plate 41, so that the insulating member 51 becomes the housing side spacer. It is indirectly joined to the housing (bottom plate 41) 4 through 71. That is, the case side joint portion 512 provided on the lower surface of the insulating member 51 is indirectly joined to the case 4 via the case side spacer 71.

  Here, as a method for joining the members, an appropriate method is selected according to the materials of the two members to be joined. In the present embodiment, as an example, the fixed terminal 31 made of copper and the terminal side spacer 61 made of 42 alloy are joined by brazing. Also, the joining of the terminal side spacer 61 and the ceramic insulating member 51 and the joining of the insulating member 51 and the housing side spacer 71 made of 42 alloy are also brazed. The case side spacer 71 and the 42 alloy bottom plate 41 are joined by welding. The bottom plate 41 and the stainless steel tubular portion 42 are joined by welding.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner diameter φ1 of the insulating member 51 is set larger than the outer diameter φ2 of the small diameter portion 312 of the fixed terminal 31 that penetrates the hollow portion 511, and the inner surface of the insulating member 51 A gap g <b> 1 (see FIG. 3) is formed between the outer surface of the fixed terminal 31. Further, the inner diameter φ3 of the opening hole 411 is set larger than the inner diameter φ1 of the insulating member 51 (φ3> φ1> φ2).

  Further, in the contact device 1 of the present embodiment, the fixed terminal 31 is hermetically joined to the insulating member 51 and the insulating member 51 is hermetically joined to the bottom plate 41 so that the internal space of the housing 4 becomes an airtight space. . More specifically, the fixed terminal 31 and the terminal side spacer 61 are hermetically joined, and the bottom plate 41 and the housing side spacer 71 are hermetically joined. Further, both the terminal side spacer 61 and the housing side spacer 71 are hermetically joined to the insulating member 51. The bottom plate 41 and the tubular portion 42 and the tubular portion 42 and the yoke upper plate 11 are also airtightly joined.

  It is desirable that an arc extinguishing gas containing, for example, hydrogen is sealed in the internal space of the housing 4. Thereby, even if the arc is generated when the contact portion 2 accommodated in the housing 4 is opened, the arc is rapidly cooled by the arc extinguishing gas and can be extinguished quickly. However, it is not an essential configuration that the arc extinguishing gas is enclosed in the housing 4.

  By the way, the manufacturing method of the contact device 1 described above includes a fixing step of fixing the fixing terminal 31 to the insulating member 51 so as to penetrate the hollow portion 511, and a bonding for bonding the insulating member 51 around the opening hole 411 in the bottom plate 41. It is preferable to include at least a process. In the joining step, the insulating member 51 is opened in the bottom plate 41 so that the fixed terminal 31 is held by the housing 4 via the insulating member 51 while adjusting the relative position of the fixed terminal 31 with respect to the housing 4. Join around the hole 411.

  That is, the fixing terminal 31 is fixed to the insulating member 51 by a method such as brazing (fixing step), and then the insulating member 51 is bonded to the casing 4 while adjusting the position of the fixing terminal 31 with respect to the casing 4 (bonding). Process). More specifically, in the fixing step, the fixed terminal 31 and the terminal side spacer 61 are joined, the terminal side spacer 61 and the terminal side joint portion 513 of the insulating member 51 are joined, and the housing side joint portion 512 of the insulating member 51. And the housing side spacer 71 are joined. As a result, the fixed terminal 31 is integrated with the terminal side spacer 61, the insulating member 51, and the housing side spacer 71. In the subsequent joining step, the insulating member 51 is joined to the housing 4 via the housing-side spacer 71 by joining the housing-side spacer 71 and the housing (bottom plate 41) 4.

  According to this manufacturing method, the step of fixing the fixed terminal 31 to the insulating member 51 (fixing step) and the step of bonding the insulating member 51 to the housing 4 (joining step) are separate steps. Therefore, when the insulating member 51 to which the fixed terminal 31 is fixed in advance is joined to the housing 4, the relative position between the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 is adjusted, so that the dimensional accuracy of the insulating member 51 is affected. Therefore, the fixed terminal 31 can be positioned with high accuracy.

  In addition, the shape of each part mentioned above is only an example, and can be changed suitably. For example, the insulating member 51, the terminal-side spacer 61, and the housing-side spacer 71 are not limited to an annular shape, and may be formed in, for example, a polygon (such as a pentagon or a hexagon). Similarly, the fixed terminal 31 and the opening hole 411 may have a polygonal cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the vertical direction.

(2.6) Details of Insulating Member Next, details of the insulating member 51 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

  The insulating member 51 is configured in an annular shape having a predetermined thickness. The insulating member 51 has chamfered corners between both end surfaces (the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502) in the thickness direction and the inner surface (surface surrounding the hollow portion 511) 503. Similarly, the insulating member 51 has chamfered corners between both end surfaces (the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502) in the thickness direction and the outer surface 504. The chamfering is not an essential component for the insulating member 51 and can be omitted as appropriate. In the drawings schematically showing the insulating member 51, such as FIG. 1, illustration of a fine shape such as chamfering is omitted as appropriate.

  The case side joint portion 512 is provided on one end surface (here, the lower surface 501) of the insulating member 51 in the vertical direction (penetration direction). The terminal-side bonding portion 513 is provided on the other end surface (here, the upper surface 502) of the insulating member 51 in the vertical direction (penetration direction). In other words, the insulating member 51 has a first joint surface (lower surface 501) and a second joint surface (upper surface 502) on both sides in the thickness direction, and the housing-side joint portion 512 and the second joint surface are provided on the first joint surface. A terminal side joint 513 is provided on the joint surface. In the present embodiment, as an example, except for the chamfered portion, substantially the whole surface of the first joint surface constitutes the housing side joint portion 512, and substantially the whole surface of the second joint surface constitutes the terminal side joint portion 513. In the diagrams showing the insulating member 51 (FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, etc.), the shaded (dot) region represents the housing side joint portion 512 or the terminal side joint portion 513.

  The insulation securing portion 514 is provided at a position on the surface of the insulating member 51 that separates the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513. That is, the insulation ensuring part 514 is provided in the range between the housing side joint part 512 and the terminal side joint part 513 on the surface of the insulating member 51. In the present embodiment, an insulation ensuring portion 514 is formed on each of the inner surface 503 and the outer surface 504 of the insulating member 51. That is, the housing side joint portion 512 provided on the lower surface (first joint surface) 501 of the insulating member 51 and the terminal side joint portion 513 provided on the upper surface (second joint surface) 502 of the insulating member 51 are insulated. On the surface of the member 51, it is separated by the insulation ensuring part 514. In this embodiment, as an example, substantially the entire inner side surface 503 and outer side surface 504 including the chamfered portion constitute an insulation ensuring portion 514.

  Here, a metal layer 515 is formed on the surface of at least one of the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513. That is, a portion corresponding to at least one of the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 in the surface of the insulating member 51 made of nonmetal (here, ceramic) is metallized by metallization. ing. The metallization is performed, for example, by applying a metal paste to the surface of the insulating member 51 with a roller or a brush. In the present embodiment, metallization is performed on both the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 to form a metal layer 515. In this way, the insulating member 51 and the metal member (housing 4, fixed terminal 31) are obtained by metallizing the joint portion (at least one of the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513) of the insulating member 51. ) And bonding strength are increased.

  A portion of the surface of the insulating member 51 that is not metallized constitutes an insulation securing portion 514. Thereby, the insulation ensuring part 514 has electrical insulation, and the creeping distance along the surface of the insulating members 51 and 52 between the housing side joining part 512 and the terminal side joining part 513 is the insulation securing part 514. Secured by. Therefore, the creepage distance between the case side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 is approximately the same as the dimension (thickness dimension) of the insulating member 51 in the penetration direction (vertical direction).

  By using the insulating member 51 having such a configuration, the insulating member 51 is interposed between the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 in a state where the fixed terminal 31 is joined to the housing 4 via the insulating member 51. As a result, a creepage distance of the same degree as the thickness dimension of is secured.

(3) Configuration of Electromagnet Device As shown in FIG. 1, the electromagnet device 10 includes a stator 12, a mover 13, and an excitation coil 14. The electromagnet device 10 attracts the mover 13 to the stator 12 by the magnetic flux generated in the excitation coil 14 when the excitation coil 14 is energized, and moves the mover 13 from the second position (position shown in FIG. 1) to the first position. Move to.

  Here, in addition to the stator 12, the mover 13, and the exciting coil 14, the electromagnet device 10 includes a yoke 110 including a yoke upper plate 11, a shaft 15, a holder 16, a contact pressure spring 17, and a return. And a spring 18. The electromagnet device 10 may be made of synthetic resin and may have a coil bobbin around which the excitation coil 14 is wound.

  The stator 12 is a fixed iron core formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes downward from the central portion of the lower surface of the yoke upper plate 11, and an upper end portion of the stator 12 is fixed to the yoke upper plate 11.

  The mover 13 is a movable iron core formed in a columnar shape, and is arranged below the stator 12 so that the upper end surface thereof faces the lower end surface of the stator 12. The mover 13 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction. The first position where the upper end surface of the mover 13 is in contact with the lower end surface of the stator 12 and the second position where the upper end surface is separated from the lower end surface of the stator 12. Move between positions.

  The exciting coil 14 is disposed below the housing 4 in a direction in which the central axis direction coincides with the vertical direction, and the stator 12 and the movable element 13 are disposed inside thereof.

  The yoke 110 is disposed so as to surround the exciting coil 14, and together with the stator 12 and the mover 13, forms a magnetic circuit through which a magnetic flux generated when the exciting coil 14 is energized passes. Therefore, the yoke 110, the stator 12, and the mover 13 are all made of a magnetic material. The yoke upper plate 11 constitutes a part of the yoke 110 and is joined to the housing 4 so as to close the lower surface of the housing (tubular portion 42) 4 as described above.

  The return spring 18 is disposed inside the stator 12 and is a coil spring that urges the movable element 13 downward (second position).

  The shaft 15 is formed of a nonmagnetic material in a round bar shape extending in the vertical direction, and transmits the driving force generated in the electromagnet device 10 to the contact device 1 provided above the electromagnet device 10. The shaft 15 is inserted through a through hole 111 formed in the central portion of the yoke upper plate 11, and passes through the inside of the stator 12 and the return spring 18, and its lower end is fixed to the mover 13. Yes. The upper end of the shaft 15 is fixed to a holder 16 that holds the movable contact 8.

  The holder 16 has, for example, a rectangular cylindrical shape that is open on both sides in the left-right direction, and is combined with the movable contact 8 so that the movable contact 8 passes therethrough. The upper end portion of the shaft 15 is fixed to the holder 16. The contact pressure spring 17 is disposed between the upper surface of the lower plate of the holder 16 and the lower surface of the movable contact 8 and is a coil spring that biases the movable contact 8 upward.

  As a result, the driving force generated in the electromagnet device 10 is transmitted to the movable contact 8 by the shaft 15, and the movable contact 8 moves in the vertical direction as the movable element 13 moves in the vertical direction.

  The electromagnet device 10 may have a cylindrical body made of a nonmagnetic material and containing the stator 12 and the mover 13. The cylindrical body is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having an open upper surface, and an upper end portion (opening peripheral portion) is joined to the yoke upper plate 11. Thereby, the cylinder restricts the moving direction of the mover 13 in the vertical direction and defines the second position of the mover 13. Further, when the contact device 1 has an airtight structure (that is, when the internal space of the housing 4 is an airtight space), it is desirable that the cylinder is airtightly joined to the lower surface of the yoke upper plate 11. Thereby, even if the through-hole 111 is formed in the yoke upper board 11, the airtightness of an airtight space is securable.

(4) Operation of Electromagnetic Relay Next, the operation of the electromagnetic relay 100 including the contact device 1 and the electromagnet device 10 configured as described above will be briefly described.

  When the exciting coil 14 is not energized (non-energized), the mover 13 is positioned at the second position by the spring force of the return spring 18 because no magnetic attractive force is generated between the mover 13 and the stator 12. To do. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, since the holder 16 is pulled down together with the shaft 15, the movable contact 8 is restricted from moving upward, and the pair of movable contacts 81 and 82 are fixed to the pair. It is located at an open position away from the contacts 311 and 321. In this state, the contact device 1 is in a state in which the contact portion 2 is open (hereinafter referred to as “open state”), so that the pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32 are not conductive.

  On the other hand, when the exciting coil 14 is energized, the movable element 13 is attracted upward against the spring force of the return spring 18 and moves to the first position because a magnetic attractive force is generated between the movable element 13 and the stator 12. To do. At this time, since the holder 16 is pushed upward together with the shaft 15, the movement restriction of the movable contact 8 is released, and the pair of movable contacts 81 and 82 are closed to contact the pair of fixed contacts 311 and 321. To position. In this state, since the contact device 2 is in the closed state, the contact device 1 is electrically connected between the pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32.

  As described above, the electromagnet device 10 controls the attractive force acting on the movable element 13 by switching the energized state of the exciting coil 14 and moves the movable element 13 in the vertical direction. A driving force for switching between the open state and the closed state is generated.

(5) Effect According to the contact device 1 of the present embodiment described above, the fixed terminal 31 is held by the housing 4 via the annular insulating member 51. Therefore, the contact device 1 has an advantage that the variation in the position of the fixed terminal 31 can be reduced by using the casing 4 with relatively high dimensional accuracy, compared to the case of using an insulating casing.

  That is, as an insulating casing used for a contact device, a ceramic casing is generally used in order to ensure insulation, heat resistance, and if necessary, airtightness. In the embodiment, the housing 4 with high dimensional accuracy can be adopted by using the insulating member 51. For example, the metal casing 4 as described above has higher dimensional accuracy than a ceramic casing, and therefore, variation in the position of the fixed terminal 31 held by the casing 4 can be reduced.

  Moreover, the insulating member 51 is joined around the opening hole 411 in the bottom plate 41 of the housing 4. Therefore, even if the dimensional accuracy of the insulating member 51 is low, the contact device 1 can reduce variations in the position of the fixed terminal 31 by adjusting the joining position (attachment position) of the insulating member 51 to the bottom plate 41.

  Furthermore, the insulating member 51 has a housing side joint portion 512 to which the housing 4 is joined, and a terminal side joint portion 513 to which the fixed terminal 31 is joined. An insulation securing portion 514 having electrical insulation is provided on the surface of the insulating member 51 at a position separating the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513. As a result, the creepage distance along the surface of the insulating member 51 between the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 is ensured by the insulation securing portion 514. In short, by providing the insulation securing portion 514 on the surface of the insulating member 51, the insulation performance between the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 is improved, and the improvement of the insulation performance leads to the improvement of the withstand voltage of the contact device 1. There is an advantage.

  Furthermore, the insulating member 51 may be any shape and size that can ensure electrical insulation between the fixed terminal 31 and the housing 4. For this reason, even when ceramic is used for the insulating member 51, ceramic parts may be simple and small. Therefore, compared to the case where a ceramic casing is used, the cost of the mold and material can be reduced, and the yield can be reduced. It is possible to improve.

  The material of the insulating member 51 is not limited to aluminum oxide (alumina), but the use of aluminum oxide has the advantage that relatively high electrical insulation, arc resistance, and airtightness are realized. .

  Further, as in the present embodiment, the inner diameter of the insulating member 51 is such that a gap g1 is formed between the inner surface (inner peripheral surface) 503 of the insulating member 51 and the outer surface (outer peripheral surface) of the fixed terminal 31. φ1 is preferably set larger than the outer diameter φ2 of the fixed terminal 31. According to this configuration, there is room to adjust the position of the fixed terminal 31 inside the insulating member 51 (inside the hollow portion 511) within the range of the gap g1. Therefore, even if the dimensional accuracy of the insulating member 51 is low, the variation in the position of the fixed terminal 31 with respect to the housing 4 can be easily reduced. This configuration is not an essential configuration, and whether or not this configuration is adopted is arbitrary.

  Note that the contact device 1 reliably ensures electrical insulation between the fixed terminal 31 and the housing 4 by the configuration in which the gap g1 is formed between the inner surface 503 of the insulating member 51 and the outer surface of the fixed terminal 31. There is also an advantage of being able to do it. That is, in the contact device 1, scattered matter such as metal powder is scattered from the contact portion 2 as the contact portion 2 is opened and closed, and this scattered matter may adhere to the insulating member 51. However, the contact device 1 of the present embodiment has a gap g1 between the insulating member 51 and the fixed terminal 31, so that even if scattered matter adheres to the insulating member 51, the fixed terminal 31 and the housing 4 Insulation between them can be secured.

  Further, as in the present embodiment, two or more opening holes 411 and 412 are formed in the housing 4, and the fixed terminals 31 and 32 and the insulating members 51 and 52 are in one-to-one correspondence with the opening holes 411 and 412, respectively. It is preferable that the same number as the opening holes 411 and 412 is provided so as to correspond. According to this configuration, variation in the position of each of the pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32 with respect to the housing 4 is reduced, so that variation in distance between the pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32 is also reduced. In other words, there is an advantage that the dimensional accuracy of the distance between the pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32 is improved.

  In addition, when the contact device 1 has a plurality of specifications in which the distance between the pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32 is different depending on the rated insulation voltage or the like, the insulating members 51 and 52 have common parts over the plurality of specifications. There are advantages that can be used. That is, only by changing the distance between the pair of opening holes 411 and 412 formed in the housing 4, the distance between the pair of fixed terminals 31 and 32 is different while the insulating members 51 and 52 are common. Is feasible.

  Furthermore, as in the present embodiment, the housing 4 is preferably made of metal. According to this structure, compared with the case where the housing | casing 4 is formed with a nonmetallic material, there exists an advantage that the housing | casing 4 with a high dimensional accuracy can be implement | achieved by simple process. However, this configuration is not an essential configuration, and whether or not this configuration is adopted is arbitrary.

  When the housing 4 is made of metal, a metal housing-side spacer 71 is provided between the insulating member 51 and the bottom plate 41 as in the present embodiment, and the housing-side joining portion 512 of the insulating member 51 is The base plate 41 is preferably joined to the bottom plate 41 via a housing-side spacer 71. According to this configuration, compared to a configuration in which the insulating member 51 and the bottom plate 41 are directly joined, restrictions on the material of the bottom plate 41 are relaxed, and the degree of freedom in selecting the material of the bottom plate 41 is increased.

  More specifically, in the configuration in which the insulating member 51 and the bottom plate 41 are directly joined, for example, if the insulating member 51 is made of ceramic and the bottom plate 41 is made of metal, the insulating member 51 and the bottom plate 41 are joined by brazing. The In the brazing process, since the insulating member 51 and the bottom plate 41 are placed in a high temperature environment, the bottom plate 41 is usually made of a metal material (42 alloy or the like) having a thermal expansion coefficient close to that of the insulating member (ceramic) 51. Kovar).

  On the other hand, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the insulating member 51 and the housing side spacer 71 are brazed, and therefore the housing side spacer 71 is formed of a metal material having a thermal expansion coefficient close to that of the insulating member 51. That's fine. Therefore, the contact device 1 of the present embodiment has an advantage that the configuration including the housing-side spacer 71 relaxes the restriction on the material of the bottom plate 41 and increases the degree of freedom in selecting the material of the bottom plate 41. However, this configuration is not an essential configuration, and whether or not this configuration is adopted is arbitrary.

  When the housing 4 is made of metal, it is preferable that at least the bottom plate 41 and a portion other than the bottom plate 41 (cylindrical portion 42) are separate members as in the present embodiment. . According to this configuration, only the bottom plate 41 that holds the fixed terminal 31 needs to be formed of a metal material (42 alloy or Kovar) having a thermal expansion coefficient close to that of the insulating member (ceramic) 51. Therefore, a portion of the housing 4 other than the bottom plate 41 (cylindrical portion 42) can be made of a material with good workability such as stainless steel (SUS304), and the entire housing 4 is formed of 42 alloy or Kovar. Compared to the case of drawing, the yield of drawing is improved. However, this configuration is not an essential configuration, and whether or not this configuration is adopted is arbitrary.

  Further, as in the present embodiment, a metal terminal side spacer 61 is provided between the fixed terminal 31 and the insulating member 51, and the fixed terminal 31 is a terminal of the insulating member 51 via the terminal side spacer 61. It is preferable to be joined to the side joining portion 513. According to this configuration, the degree of freedom of the material and shape of the fixed terminal 31 is increased as compared with the configuration in which the fixed terminal 31 and the insulating member 51 are directly joined. However, this configuration is not an essential configuration, and whether or not this configuration is adopted is arbitrary.

  Further, the housing side joint portion 512 is provided on one end surface (lower surface 501) in the penetrating direction (vertical direction) of the insulating member 51, and the terminal side joint portion 513 is provided on the other end surface (upper surface 502) in the penetrating direction of the insulating member 51. It is preferable that According to this configuration, since the inner side surface 503 and the outer side surface 504 of the insulating member 51 serve as the insulation securing portion 514, the creepage distance between the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 is the penetration direction (vertical direction). ) In the dimension (thickness dimension) of the insulating member 51. Therefore, the creepage distance between the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 can be increased while suppressing the size of the insulating member 51 in the plane orthogonal to the penetration direction. However, this configuration is not an essential configuration, and whether or not this configuration is adopted is arbitrary.

  Further, as in the present embodiment, it is preferable that at least one of the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 has a metal layer 515 formed on the surface. According to this configuration, for example, when the insulating member 51 is made of ceramic and the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 are made of metal, the bonding strength between the insulating member 51 and the housing 4 or the fixed terminal 31 is increased. That is, since the metal layer 515 is formed on the joint portion (at least one of the housing-side joint portion 512 and the terminal-side joint portion 513) of the insulating member 51, the insulating member 51 and the metal member (housing 4 and fixed terminal) are formed. Since the joining with 31) is realized by the joining of metals, the joining strength is improved. However, this configuration is not an essential configuration, and whether or not this configuration is adopted is arbitrary.

  Further, as in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the fixed terminal 31 is hermetically joined to the insulating member 51 and the insulating member 51 is hermetically joined to the bottom plate 41 so that the internal space of the housing 4 becomes an airtight space. . According to this structure, since the contact part 2 is accommodated in an airtight space, the contact device 1 can be used in various atmospheres. The contact device 1 can also improve the arc extinguishing performance by enclosing an arc extinguishing gas in the internal space of the housing 4. However, this configuration is not an essential configuration, and whether or not this configuration is adopted is arbitrary.

  The electromagnetic relay 100 according to the present embodiment includes the contact device 1 described above and an electromagnet device 10 that drives the contact unit 2 to open and close. Therefore, the electromagnetic relay 100 has an advantage that if the casing 4 having a relatively high dimensional accuracy is used for the contact device 1, the variation in the position of the fixed terminal 31 can be reduced as compared with the case where an insulating casing is used. is there.

(6) Modified Example As a modified example of the first embodiment, the terminal device spacer 61 (see FIG. 1) may be omitted from the contact device 1.

  In the contact device 1 of this modification, the fixed terminal 31 has an annular leg portion 314 that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the enlarged diameter portion 313 along the outer peripheral surface of the smaller diameter portion 312 as shown in FIG. doing. Here, the inner diameter of the leg 314 is set larger than the inner diameter of the insulating member 51 and smaller than the outer diameter of the insulating member 51.

  The fixed terminal 31 is configured such that the tip end (lower end) of the leg 314 is in contact with the terminal side joint 513 provided on the upper surface of the insulating member 51. It is directly fixed to the insulating member 51 by being directly bonded to the terminal side bonding portion 513. The fixed terminal 31 and the terminal side joint portion 513 of the insulating member 51 are joined by brazing.

  Further, in the present modification, the shape of the housing side spacer 71 is different from that of the first embodiment. In the present modification, the housing-side spacer 71 has a step between the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion so that the height from the bottom plate 41 is higher at the inner peripheral portion than at the outer peripheral portion, as shown in FIG. doing. The insulating member 51 is indirectly fixed to the housing 4 via the housing side spacer 71 in a state where the housing side joining portion 512 provided on the lower surface thereof is in contact with the inner peripheral portion of the upper surface of the housing side spacer 71. .

  According to the configuration of the present modification described above, since the terminal side spacer 61 is omitted, the number of parts of the contact device 1 can be reduced as compared with the configuration of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in this case, it is preferable that the fixed terminal 31 has the leg portion 314 as described above, and the distal end portion of the leg portion 314 is joined to the insulating member 51. Thereby, the terminal side joining part 513 is sufficient only in the part which the front-end | tip part of the leg part 314 contacts among the upper surfaces of the insulating member 51. FIG. That is, the area of the terminal-side joint 513 can be reduced compared to the case where the terminal-side spacer 61 and the fixed terminal 31 are in surface contact with the insulating member 51. As a result, the insulation distance (creeping distance) between the terminal-side joint portion 513 and the housing-side joint portion 512 can be increased, and the metallization range in the insulating member 51 can be kept small.

  The insulating material used for the insulating member 51 may be a ceramic other than the above-described aluminum oxide (alumina), such as aluminum nitride or silicon nitride. If aluminum nitride is used as the material of the insulating member 51, relatively high thermal conductivity and airtightness are realized, while if silicon nitride is used as the material of the insulating member 51, a relatively high thermal shock is achieved. Sexual and airtightness is realized. Further, the material of the insulating member 51 may be an insulating material other than ceramic and glass. For example, a synthetic resin such as an epoxy resin is used, so that the degree of freedom of the shape of the insulating member 51 is high and the cost is low. It also leads to

  Furthermore, it is only necessary that the insulating member 51 has electrical insulation at least in the insulation securing portion 514, and it is not an essential configuration that the entire insulating member 51 is formed of an insulating material. For example, the insulating member 51 may be configured by covering the surface of a conductive metal member with an insulating material, or the inside may be a cavity. When the surface is covered with an insulating material, for example, a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) thin film or a thin film such as a metal oxide film is used. The DLC thin film has the advantages of high chemical stability and high airtightness.

(Embodiment 2)
The contact device 1 according to the present embodiment is different from the contact device 1 of the first embodiment in that both end surfaces (the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502) in the penetrating direction (vertical direction) of the insulating member 51 are not flat. Hereinafter, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate. In the present embodiment, the configuration other than the insulating member 51 will be described on the assumption that the configuration of FIG. 5 described as a modification of the first embodiment is adopted, but the configuration of FIG. 1 is not limited thereto. It may be adopted.

  Below, the 1st-4th structural example is given and demonstrated as a specific example of the insulating member 51 of this embodiment.

(1) First Configuration Example In the insulating member 51 according to the first configuration example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the insulation securing portion 514 penetrates from the inner side surface 503 and the outer side surface 504 in the insulating member 51. It is provided over both end surfaces (the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502) in the direction (vertical direction). However, a housing-side joint portion 512 and a terminal-side joint portion 513 are provided on the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51, respectively. Therefore, the insulation ensuring part 514 is formed not on the entire surface of the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51 but only on a part excluding the housing side joint part 512 and the terminal side joint part 513. Here, of the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51, the portions where the metal layer 515 is formed on the surface constitute the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513, respectively, and the remaining portion is the insulation securing portion 514. Configure.

  In the first configuration example, the insulation securing portion 514 is a hollow portion on one surface where at least one of the housing-side joint portion 512 and the terminal-side joint portion 513 is provided among both end surfaces of the insulating member 51 in the penetrating direction. A concave portion 516 formed so as to surround 511 is included. The concave shape portion 516 has a direction in which the dimension in the penetrating direction of the insulating member 51 is smaller than the joint portion provided on the same surface as the concave shape portion 516 of the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513. It is a concave shape (to the reference plane S1 side). The reference plane S <b> 1 here is a virtual plane that passes through the center of the insulating member 51 in the penetration direction and is orthogonal to the penetration direction.

  That is, the concave portion 516 is formed on one surface of at least one of both end surfaces of the insulating member 51 in the penetrating direction and provided with either the housing-side joint portion 512 or the terminal-side joint portion 513. Yes. In the present embodiment, a housing side joint portion 512 and a terminal side joint portion 513 are provided on both end surfaces (the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502) in the penetration direction of the insulating member 51, respectively. Therefore, the recessed portions 516 are provided on both end surfaces (the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502) of the insulating member 51 in the penetration direction. In the present embodiment, the insulating member 51 is formed in an annular shape having a hollow portion 511 that opens in a circular shape inside. Therefore, the concave-shaped part 516 formed so as to surround the hollow part 511 has an annular shape in a plan view.

  Further, in the first configuration example, the concave shape portion 516 formed on the same surface as the housing side joint portion 512, that is, the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51, has a peripheral edge (inner peripheral edge) on the inner surface 503 side of the lower surface 501. ). In other words, as shown in FIG. 6B, the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51 is divided into an outer peripheral side and an inner peripheral side, and is formed so that the height from the reference surface S1 is one step lower on the inner peripheral side than the outer peripheral side. This lowered portion constitutes the concave portion 516. On the other hand, the concave portion 516 formed on the same surface as the terminal-side joint portion 513, that is, on the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51, is formed along the periphery (outer periphery) of the upper surface 502 on the outer surface 504 side. . In other words, as shown in FIG. 6B, the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51 is divided into an outer peripheral side and an inner peripheral side, and is formed such that the height from the reference surface S1 is one step lower on the outer peripheral side than the inner peripheral side. This lowered portion constitutes the concave portion 516. As a result, the housing side joint portion 512 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51, and the terminal side joint portion 513 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51. Therefore, the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 are substantially rectangular shapes surrounded by the lower surface 501, the upper surface 502, the inner side surface 503, and the outer side surface 504 in the cross section of the insulating member 51, as shown in FIG. 6B. Located on the diagonal of.

  According to the first configuration example described above, the insulation ensuring portion 514 is provided from the inner side surface 503 and the outer side surface 504 of the insulating member 51 to both end surfaces (the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502) in the penetration direction (vertical direction). ing. Thereby, compared with the structure in which the insulation ensuring part 514 is provided only in the inner surface 503 and the outer surface 504 of the insulating member 51, the creepage distance between the housing side joint part 512 and the terminal side joint part 513 is increased. The insulation performance between the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 is improved.

  Moreover, the insulation ensuring part 514 surrounds the hollow part 511 on at least one of the two end faces in the penetration direction of the insulating member 51 where one of the housing side joint part 512 and the terminal side joint part 513 is provided. The formed concave portion 516 is included. Therefore, even when the insulating member 51 is in surface contact with the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31, a gap is formed between the bottom surface of the recessed portion 516 and the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 from coming into contact with the insulation ensuring portion 514 in the portion of the insulation ensuring portion 514 where the concave shape portion 516 is formed. Thereby, compared with the case where there is no concave shape part 516, the creeping distance between the housing | casing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 becomes long, and the insulation performance between the housing | casing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 improves. In addition, the volume of the insulating member 51 is smaller than when the concave portion 516 is not provided, and the insulating member 51 is secured while ensuring a creepage distance between the housing-side joint portion 512 and the terminal-side joint portion 513. It is possible to reduce the material required to manufacture one piece.

  Furthermore, since the concave-shaped part 516 is at a position that is one step lower than the casing-side joining part 512 or the terminal-side joining part 513 (the height from the reference plane S1 is low), the casing-side joining part 512 or the terminal-side joining part 516 When the part 513 is metalized, the metallization work becomes easy. In short, metallization is performed, for example, by applying a metal paste to the surface of the insulating member 51 with a roller or a brush. For the concave-shaped portion 516 that is lowered one step from the housing-side joint portion 512 or the terminal-side joint portion 513. Metal paste is difficult to adhere. Therefore, the work of forming the metal layer 515 on the surface of the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 is simplified.

  Further, as in the first configuration example, the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 are substantially surrounded by the lower surface 501, the upper surface 502, the inner side surface 503, and the outer side surface 504 in the cross section of the insulating member 51. It is preferable to be located at a rectangular diagonal. According to this configuration, the housing-side joint portion 512 and the terminal-side joint portion 513 are located between the housing-side joint portion 512 and the terminal-side joint portion 513 as compared with the case where both the housing-side joint portion 512 and the terminal-side joint portion 513 are on the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side. The creeping distance is increased, and the insulation performance between the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 is improved.

(2) Second Configuration Example As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the insulating member 51 according to the second configuration example is a (first) convex with respect to the insulating member 51 shown in the first configuration example. A shape portion 517 is added. Hereinafter, configurations similar to those of the first configuration example are denoted by common reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  The (first) convex portion 517 is formed on the bottom surface of the concave portion 516 so as to surround the hollow portion 511. The convex portion 517 has a direction in which the dimension in the penetrating direction (vertical direction) of the insulating member 51 is larger than the portion other than the convex portion 517 on the bottom surface of the concave portion 516 (on the side opposite to the reference surface S1). ) Projected shape.

  In the second configuration example, the convex-shaped portions 517 are respectively provided in the concave-shaped portions 516 formed on both end surfaces (the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502) of the insulating member 51 in the penetrating direction. In the present embodiment, the insulating member 51 is formed in an annular shape having a hollow portion 511 that opens in a circular shape inside. Therefore, the convex-shaped part 517 formed so that the hollow part 511 may be enclosed becomes a planar view annular shape.

  Furthermore, in the second configuration example, the convex portion 517 formed on the same surface as the housing side joint portion 512, that is, the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51, has a peripheral edge (inner peripheral edge) on the inner surface 503 side of the lower surface 501. ). Therefore, an annular groove is formed on the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51 between the housing side joint portion 512 and the convex portion 517. On the other hand, the convex portion 517 formed on the same surface as the terminal-side joint portion 513, that is, on the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51, is formed along the peripheral edge (outer peripheral edge) of the upper surface 502 on the outer surface 504 side. . Therefore, an annular groove is formed on the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51 between the terminal side joint portion 513 and the convex portion 517.

  Further, in the second configuration example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the dimension (height) H2 in the penetrating direction (vertical direction) of the convex portion 517 is set smaller than the depth H1 of the concave portion 516. (H1> H2). In other words, the convex portion 517 is set to a height that fits within the concave portion 516. Therefore, on the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51, the tip of the convex portion 517 is at a position lower than the housing-side joint portion 512 when viewed from the reference surface S <b> 1. Similarly, on the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51, the tip of the convex portion 517 is located at a position lower than the terminal side joint portion 513 when viewed from the reference surface S <b> 1.

  According to the second configuration example described above, since the convex portion 517 is formed on the bottom surface of the concave portion 516, the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 are formed on the surface of the insulating member 51. A convex portion 517 is interposed between the two. Thereby, even if the thickness dimension of the insulating member 51 is the same, the housing-side joint portion 512 and the terminal-side joint portion 513 are equivalent to the convex-shaped portion 517 as compared with the case where the bottom surface of the concave-shaped portion 516 is flat. As a result, the creeping distance between the casing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 is improved. Therefore, there is an advantage that the insulation performance between the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 is improved and the withstand voltage of the contact device 1 is improved while keeping the dimension (thickness dimension) of the insulating member 51 in the penetration direction small. In the second configuration example, the creepage distance between the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 is increased by about twice the height H2 of the convex portion 517.

  Further, as in the second configuration example, the dimension H2 in the penetrating direction of the convex portion 517 is preferably smaller than the depth H1 of the concave portion 516. According to this configuration, similarly to the first configuration example, even when the insulating member 51 is in surface contact with the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31, the creepage distance between the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 is long. Become. That is, even when the insulating member 51 is in surface contact with the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31, a gap is formed between the tip of the convex portion 517 and the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31. It can avoid that the housing | casing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 contact the insulation ensuring part 514. FIG. Thereby, compared with the case where the housing | casing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 contact the insulation ensuring part 514, the creeping distance between the housing | casing 4 and the stationary terminal 31 becomes long, and between the housing | casing 4 and the stationary terminal 31 is carried out. Insulation performance is improved. Further, similarly to the first configuration example, there is an advantage that when the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 are metalized, the work of metallization becomes easy.

(3) Third Configuration Example As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the insulating member 51 according to the third configuration example includes a plurality of (first) convex portions 517 concentrically surrounding the hollow portion 511. It differs from the second configuration example in that (two here) are provided. Hereinafter, the same configuration as the second configuration example is denoted by the same reference numeral, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In the third configuration example, two (first) convex portions 517 are provided on each of the concave portions 516 formed on both end surfaces (the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502) of the insulating member 51 in the penetrating direction. ing. In the present embodiment, the insulating member 51 is formed in an annular shape having a hollow portion 511 that opens in a circular shape inside. Therefore, the several convex-shaped part 517 provided concentrically surrounding the hollow part 511 is formed concentrically by planar view. Thereby, each of the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51 is formed in a corrugated shape by the plurality of convex portions 517.

  In the third configuration example, as shown in FIG. 8B, the dimension (height) H2 in the penetrating direction (vertical direction) of all the convex portions 517 is set smaller than the depth H1 of the concave portion 516. (H1> H2). In other words, all the convex shaped parts 517 are set to a height that fits within the concave shaped part 516.

  According to the third configuration example described above, since the plurality of convex-shaped portions 517 are formed concentrically on the bottom surface of the concave-shaped portion 516, on the surface of the insulating member 51, A plurality of convex portions 517 are interposed between the terminal-side joint portions 513. Thereby, compared with the case where there is only one convex portion 517, the creeping distance between the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 is further increased, and the space between the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 is increased. Insulation performance is improved.

  Further, as in the third configuration example, it is preferable that the dimension H2 in the penetrating direction of all the convex portions 517 is smaller than the depth H1 of the concave portion 516. According to this configuration, similarly to the second configuration example, even when the insulating member 51 is in surface contact with the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31, the creepage distance between the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 is long. Become. Further, similarly to the second configuration example, there is an advantage that when the metallization is performed on the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513, the metallization work becomes easy.

(4) Fourth Configuration Example As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the insulating member 51 according to the fourth configuration example is replaced with a concave portion 516 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B) (second). The second configuration example is different from the first configuration example in that a convex portion 518 is provided. Hereinafter, configurations similar to those of the first configuration example are denoted by common reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In the fourth configuration example, the insulation securing portion 514 has a hollow portion 511 on one surface provided with at least one of the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 among both end faces in the penetration direction of the insulating member 51. (Second) convex-shaped part 518 formed so that it may be enclosed. The convex shape portion 518 has a direction in which the dimension in the penetrating direction of the insulating member 51 is larger than the joint portion provided on the same surface as the convex shape portion 518 of the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513. It has a protruding shape (on the side opposite to the reference plane S1).

  That is, the convex portion 518 is formed on at least one surface of both end surfaces of the insulating member 51 in the penetrating direction, and is provided on one surface on which either the housing side joint portion 512 or the terminal side joint portion 513 is provided. Yes. In the present embodiment, a housing side joint portion 512 and a terminal side joint portion 513 are provided on both end surfaces (the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502) in the penetration direction of the insulating member 51, respectively. Therefore, the convex portions 518 are provided on both end surfaces (the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502) of the insulating member 51 in the penetration direction. In the present embodiment, the insulating member 51 is formed in an annular shape having a hollow portion 511 that opens in a circular shape inside. Therefore, the convex-shaped part 518 formed so that the hollow part 511 may be enclosed becomes a planar view annular shape.

  Furthermore, in the fourth configuration example, the convex portion 518 formed on the same surface as the housing side joint portion 512, that is, the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51, has a peripheral edge (inner peripheral edge) on the inner surface 503 side of the lower surface 501. ). In other words, as shown in FIG. 9B, the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51 is divided into an outer peripheral side and an inner peripheral side, and is formed so that the height from the reference plane S1 is one step higher on the inner peripheral side than the outer peripheral side. This raised portion constitutes the convex portion 518. On the other hand, the convex portion 518 formed on the same surface as the terminal side joint portion 513, that is, on the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51, is formed along the peripheral edge (outer peripheral edge) of the upper surface 502 on the outer surface 504 side. . In other words, as shown in FIG. 9B, the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51 is divided into an outer peripheral side and an inner peripheral side, and is formed such that the height from the reference surface S1 is one step higher on the outer peripheral side than the inner peripheral side. This raised portion constitutes the convex portion 518. As a result, the housing side joint portion 512 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51, and the terminal side joint portion 513 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 have a substantially rectangular shape surrounded by the lower surface 501, the upper surface 502, the inner side surface 503, and the outer side surface 504 in the cross section of the insulating member 51. Located on the diagonal of.

  According to the fourth configuration example described above, the insulation securing portion 514 is provided with at least one of the housing-side joint portion 512 and the terminal-side joint portion 513 among both end surfaces of the insulating member 51 in the penetrating direction. In one surface, a convex portion 518 formed so as to surround the hollow portion 511 is included. Therefore, on the surface of the insulating member 51, the convex portion 518 is interposed between the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513. As a result, the creepage distance between the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 is increased by the amount corresponding to the convex shape portion 518 and the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 are compared with the case where the convex shape portion 518 is not provided. The insulation performance between the two is improved. In the fourth configuration example, the creeping distance between the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 is increased by about twice the height of the convex portion 518.

(5) Modifications The insulating member 51 of the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, as shown in FIGS. The insulation ensuring part 514 may be provided on both sides of the part 512 and the terminal side joint part 513). 10A to 10D are modifications of the first to fourth configuration examples, respectively.

  That is, in the example of FIG. 10A, the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51 is provided with concave-shaped portions 516 on both sides of the housing side joint portion 512, and the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51 is on both sides of the terminal side joint portion 513. Each has a concave portion 516.

  In the example of FIG. 10B, the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51 is provided with convex portions 517 on both sides of the housing side joint portion 512, and the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51 is provided on both sides of the terminal side joint portion 513. A convex portion 517 is provided.

  In the example of FIG. 10C, the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51 is provided with a plurality of convex portions 517 on both sides of the housing side joint portion 512, and the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51 has both sides of the terminal side joint portion 513. Each is provided with a plurality of convex portions 517.

  In the example of FIG. 10D, the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51 is provided with convex portions 518 on both sides of the housing side joint portion 512, and the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51 is provided on both sides of the terminal side joint portion 513. A convex portion 518 is provided. In other words, in the example of FIG. 10D, a plurality of convex portions 518 are provided concentrically surrounding the hollow portion 511 on each of both end faces in the penetration direction of the insulating member 51.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first to fourth configuration examples can be appropriately combined. For example, the first configuration example is applied to the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51 and the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51 is the second configuration example. It is also possible to apply this configuration.

  Other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 3)
The contact device 1 according to the present embodiment is an embodiment in that the housing side joint portion 512 is provided on the outer side surface 504 of the insulating member 51 and the terminal side joint portion 513 is provided on the inner side surface 503 of the insulating member 51. 1 is different from the first contact device 1. Hereinafter, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate. In the present embodiment, as a configuration other than the insulating member 51, a configuration in which the terminal side spacer 61 (see FIG. 1) and the housing side spacer 71 (see FIG. 1) are omitted from the contact device 1 of the first embodiment is adopted. It will be described on the assumption that

  In the present embodiment, the insulating member 51 is sealing glass for hermetically bonding (sealing) between the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 while ensuring electrical insulation. That is, the insulating member 51 is made of glass having a lower melting point than the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31, and is solidified from a molten state in a sealing process for joining the fixed terminal 31 to the housing 4. The fixed terminal 31 is joined to the housing 4. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the insulating member 51 is not metallized and there is no metal layer on the surface of the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513.

  Hereinafter, first to fourth configuration examples will be described as specific examples of the insulating member 51 of the present embodiment.

(1) First Configuration Example In the insulating member 51 according to the first configuration example, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the insulation securing portion 514 has both end surfaces in the penetrating direction (vertical direction) in the insulating member 51 ( The lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502) are provided. In the first configuration example, the insulating member 51 is provided so as to fill a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the opening hole 411 of the bottom plate 41 and the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 312 of the fixed terminal 31. That is, the insulating member 51 is attached to the housing 4 such that the outer surface 504 is in contact with the housing (bottom plate 41) 4 and the inner surface 503 is in contact with the fixed terminal 31.

  Here, a portion of the outer surface 504 of the insulating member 51 that contacts the housing (bottom plate 41) 4 forms the housing-side joint portion 512, and a portion of the inner surface 503 of the insulating member 51 that contacts the fixed terminal 31 is the terminal side. The joint portion 513 is configured. Of the outer side surface 504 and the inner side surface 503 of the insulating member 51, portions other than the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513, and the entire lower surface 501 and upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51 constitute the insulation securing portion 514. To do.

  According to the first configuration example described above, at least the entire surface of the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51 becomes the insulation securing portion 514. Accordingly, the creepage distance between the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 is equal to or greater than the thickness (width dimension) of the ring in the insulating member 51. Therefore, the creepage distance between the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 can be increased depending on the size of the insulating member 51 in the plane orthogonal to the penetration direction. Furthermore, in the first configuration example, a hermetic sealing technique of a general terminal can be used to hermetically bond (seal) the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 while ensuring electrical insulation. it can. In addition, since the terminal side spacer and the housing side spacer are omitted, the number of parts can be reduced.

(2) Second Configuration Example As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the insulating member 51 according to the second configuration example is such that at least one of the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 bites into the insulating member 51. This is different from the first configuration example. Hereinafter, configurations similar to those of the first configuration example are denoted by common reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12A, the housing 4 is joined at the housing-side joining portion 512 with the housing (bottom plate 41) 4 biting into the insulating member 51. In other words, a groove is formed on the outer surface 504 of the insulating member 51 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, and the periphery of the opening hole 411 in the bottom plate 41 is fitted into the groove so that the insulating member 51 and the housing 4 are fitted. And are joined. In this case, a portion of the outer side surface 504 of the insulating member 51 that is in contact with the housing (bottom plate 41) 4, that is, a groove portion constitutes the housing-side joint portion 512. According to this configuration, compared to the first configuration example, the bonding strength between the insulating member 51 and the housing 4, particularly the bonding strength in the penetration direction (vertical direction) is increased. Further, since the outer surface 504 of the insulating member 51 other than the groove portion constitutes the insulation securing portion 514, the entire surface of the outer surface 504 of the insulating member 51 is on the housing side compared to the case where the entire surface of the insulating member 51 is the housing-side joint portion 512. The creepage distance between the joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 is increased. Therefore, the insulation performance between the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 is improved.

  In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 12B, in addition to the above configuration (the configuration shown in FIG. 12A), the fixed terminal 31 is joined in a state where the fixed terminal 31 bites into the insulating member 51 at the terminal side joint portion 513. . In other words, a groove is formed on the inner surface 503 of the insulating member 51 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, and the flange 315 provided on the fixed terminal 31 is fitted into the groove so as to be fixed to the insulating member 51. The terminal 31 is joined. The flange portion 315 is formed so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 312 of the fixed terminal 31, and is provided over the entire circumference of the small diameter portion 312. In this case, a portion of the inner side surface 503 of the insulating member 51 that is in contact with the fixed terminal 31, that is, the entire surface of the inner side surface 503 of the insulating member 51 including the groove portion constitutes the terminal side joint portion 513. According to this configuration, compared to the first configuration example, the bonding strength between the insulating member 51 and the fixed terminal 31, particularly the bonding strength in the penetration direction (vertical direction) is increased.

  12A and 12B is merely an example, and it is sufficient that at least one of the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31 bites into the insulating member 51. For example, only the fixed terminal 31 bites into the insulating member 51. Also good. When the terminal-side spacer 61 (see FIG. 1) or the housing-side spacer 71 (see FIG. 1) is used, at least one of the terminal-side spacer 61 and the housing-side spacer 71 bites into the insulating member 51. May be.

(3) Third Configuration Example As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the insulating member 51 according to the third configuration example is used in the case 4 in which the thickness dimension of the bottom plate 41 is small (thin). This is different from the second configuration example. Hereinafter, the same configuration as the second configuration example is denoted by the same reference numeral, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In the example shown in FIG. 13A, the insulating member 51 has a shape in which the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502 are inclined so that the dimension (thickness dimension) in the penetrating direction (vertical direction) is smaller on the outer surface 504 side than on the inner surface 503 side. It is configured. In the example shown in FIG. 13A, as in the example of FIG. 12A, a groove is formed on the outer surface 504 of the insulating member 51 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, and the periphery of the opening hole 411 in the bottom plate 41 is formed in this groove. So that the insulating member 51 and the housing 4 are joined together. According to this structure, since the housing | casing 4 with the small thickness dimension of the baseplate 41 can be used, it contributes to size reduction of the contact apparatus 1. FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 13B, a peripheral wall 413 that protrudes downward from the periphery of the opening hole 411 in the bottom plate 41 is formed, and the housing 4 is joined to the insulating member 51 on the inner side surface of the peripheral wall 413. . The peripheral wall 413 is formed by drawing, for example. In this case, a portion of the outer side surface 504 of the insulating member 51 that is in contact with the peripheral wall 413 constitutes the housing side joint portion 512. According to this configuration, the casing-side joint portion 512 is in surface contact with the inner side surface of the peripheral wall 413, so that the bonding strength between the insulating member 51 and the casing 4 is higher than that in the above configuration (the configuration illustrated in FIG. 13A). Becomes higher. The housing 4 is not limited to the configuration in which the peripheral wall 413 protrudes downward, but may have a configuration in which the peripheral wall 413 protrudes upward.

(4) Fourth Configuration Example In the fourth configuration example, as shown in FIG. 14, the insulation ensuring portion 514 includes at least the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion of both end surfaces of the insulating member 51 in the penetrating direction. One surface where none of the 513 and 513 is provided includes a pleated portion 519 formed to surround the hollow portion 511. The pleated portion 519 has a shape protruding in a direction in which the dimension in the penetrating direction of the insulating member 51 is larger than a portion other than the pleated portion 519 on the same plane as the pleated portion 519.

  The shape of the pleated portion 519 is the same as the (first) convex shape portion 517 described in “(2) Second configuration example” in the second embodiment. In the fourth configuration example, the pleated portions 519 are respectively formed on both end surfaces (the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502) of the insulating member 51 in the penetrating direction. Further, in each of the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502, the pleated portion 519 is a hollow portion, similar to the (first) convex portion 517 described in “(3) Third configuration example” of the second embodiment. A plurality (five here) are provided concentrically around 511. Thereby, each of the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51 is formed in a corrugated shape by the plurality of pleated portions 519.

  According to the fourth configuration example described above, the insulation securing portion 514 includes the pleated portion 519 formed on at least one of the both end surfaces of the insulating member 51 in the penetration direction. Therefore, on the surface of the insulating member 51, a pleated portion 519 is interposed between the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513. As a result, the creepage distance between the housing side joint portion 512 and the terminal side joint portion 513 is increased by the amount of the pleat portion 519 as compared with the case without the pleat portion 519, and the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31. The insulation performance between the two is improved.

(5) Modifications The insulating member 51 of the present embodiment is not limited to the above configuration, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the fourth configuration example, the pleated portion 519 may be formed only on one of the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51, or only one may be formed.

  Other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 4)
As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the contact device 1 according to the present embodiment is similar to the third embodiment in that the casing-side joint portion 512 is provided on one end surface (the lower surface 501) in the penetration direction of the insulating member 51. This is different from the contact device 1 of FIG. In the present embodiment, the configuration other than the insulating member 51 will be described on the assumption that the casing-side spacer 71 of FIG. 5 described as a modification of the first embodiment is employed. Hereinafter, the same configurations as those of the third embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In the contact device 1 of the present embodiment, the terminal-side joint portion 513 is provided on the inner surface 503 of the insulating member 51 as in the third embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51, the portion of the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51 other than the housing-side joint portion 512, and the outer surface 504 of the insulating member 51 Constitutes the insulation securing portion 514. Here, a plurality of pleats 519 are formed on the upper surface 502 of the insulating member 51 as in “(4) Fourth configuration example” of the third embodiment. Further, in the insulation securing portion 514 of the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51, a concave shape portion 516 is formed and the bottom surface of the concave shape portion 516 is formed as in “(3) Third configuration example” of the second embodiment. A plurality (two in this case) of (first) convex portions 517 are formed.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment described above, the housing side joint portion 512 is provided on the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51 and the terminal side joint portion 513 is provided on the inner side surface 503 of the insulating member 51. 51 can cope with various combinations of the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the housing-side joint portion 512 is provided on the lower surface 501 of the insulating member 51 and the terminal-side joint portion 513 is provided on the inner side surface 503 of the insulating member 51 is shown. The configurations of the first and second embodiments and the configuration of the third embodiment can be appropriately combined. That is, the housing side joint portion 512 may be provided on the outer surface 504 of the insulating member 51, and the terminal side joint portion 513 may be provided on one end surface (upper surface 502) in the penetrating direction of the insulating member 51. As a result, the insulating member 51 can cope with various combinations of the housing 4 and the fixed terminal 31.

  The configuration of the present embodiment can be applied in combination with the configuration described in the second embodiment and the configuration described in the third embodiment as appropriate.

  Other configurations and functions are the same as those of the third embodiment.

(Embodiment 5)
As shown in FIG. 16, the contact device 1 according to the present embodiment is a first embodiment in that the bottom plate 41 and a portion (cylindrical portion 42) other than the bottom plate 41 are configured as one member. This is different from the contact device 1 of FIG. Hereinafter, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In the present embodiment, the bottom plate 41 is formed so as to be continuous with the cylindrical portion 42 without a joint. Here, as an example, the case 4 made of 42 alloy (Fe-42Ni) is used. However, the case 4 is not limited to 42 alloy, and the case 4 is made of, for example, Kovar. It may be.

  The casing 4 is formed by drawing from a single metal plate, and is formed in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction with the lower surface opened as shown in FIG. The lower surface of the housing 4 is closed by the yoke upper plate 11. A pair of opening holes 411 and 412 are formed in a portion of the housing 4 which becomes the bottom plate 41. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the housing 4 may be formed in a box shape surrounding the contact portion 2, and is not limited to a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, a bottomed elliptic cylinder shape, It may be a hollow polygonal column. For example, if the casing 4 is an elliptical cylinder with a bottom, the portion of the casing 4 that becomes the bottom plate 41 has an elliptical shape.

  Further, in the example of FIG. 16, the contact device 1 omits the terminal side spacers 61 and 62 (see FIG. 1) and the housing side spacers 71 and 72 (see FIG. 1). Hereinafter, the fixed terminal 31, the opening hole 411, the small diameter portion 312, the large diameter portion 313, the (first) leg portion 314, and the insulating member 51 are respectively the fixed terminal 32, the opening hole 412, the small diameter portion 322, and the widening portion. The diameter portion 323, the (second) leg portion 324, and the insulating member 52 can be read.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, the contact device 1 shown in FIG. 16 has an annular shape that protrudes downward along the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 312 from the lower surface of the enlarged diameter portion 313 as in the second embodiment. A leg portion 314 is provided on the fixed terminal 31. Here, the inner diameter φ4 of the leg 314 is set larger than the inner diameter φ1 of the insulating member 51 and smaller than the outer diameter φ5 of the insulating member 51 (φ1 <φ4 <φ5). The outer diameter φ5 of the insulating member 51 is set larger than the inner diameter φ3 of the opening hole 411 (φ5> φ3).

  The fixed terminal 31 is insulated by directly joining the distal end portion (lower end portion) of the leg portion 314 to the insulating member 51 in a state where the distal end surface (lower end surface) of the leg portion 314 is in contact with the upper surface of the insulating member 51. Directly fixed to the member 51. The fixed terminal 31 and the insulating member 51 are joined by brazing.

  The insulating member 51 is directly fixed to the housing (bottom plate 41) 4 by directly bonding the lower surface thereof to the bottom plate 41 in a state where the lower surface thereof is in contact with the periphery of the opening hole 411 on the upper surface of the bottom plate 41. The insulating member 51 and the bottom plate 41 are joined by brazing. In the brazing process, since the insulating member 51 and the bottom plate 41 are placed in a high temperature environment, the bottom plate 41 is a metal material (42 alloy or Kovar) having a thermal expansion coefficient close to that of the insulating member (ceramic) 51. Formed with.

  According to the configuration described above, since the bottom plate 41 of the housing 4 and the portion other than the bottom plate 41 are formed as one member, the number of parts of the housing 4 is reduced compared to the case where these are separate members. can do. Further, the contact device 1 described above can further reduce the number of components by omitting the terminal side spacer and the housing side spacer. When the terminal side spacer is omitted, it is preferable that the fixed terminal 31 has the leg portion 314 as described above, and the tip end portion of the leg portion 314 is joined to the insulating member 51.

  By the way, the fact that the terminal side spacer and the case side spacer are omitted is not essential in the contact device 1 of the present embodiment, and each of the terminal side spacer and the case side spacer can be appropriately adopted as necessary. Hereinafter, the fixed terminal 31, the insulating member 51, the terminal-side spacer 61, and the housing-side spacer 71 can be read as the fixed terminal 32, the insulating member 52, the terminal-side spacer 62, and the housing-side spacer 72, respectively.

  FIG. 19 shows a contact device 1 in which a terminal-side spacer 61 is added to the configuration shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 19, as in the first embodiment, the leg portion 314 of the fixed terminal 31 is omitted, and a metal terminal-side spacer 61 is provided between the fixed terminal 31 and the insulating member 51 to fix the fixed terminal. 31 is joined to the insulating member 51 via the terminal-side spacer 61.

  FIG. 20 shows a contact device 1 in which a housing side spacer 71 is added to the configuration shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 20, similarly to the first embodiment, a metal housing side spacer 71 is provided between the insulating member 51 and the bottom plate 41, and the insulating member 51 is attached to the bottom plate 41 via the housing side spacer 71. It is joined.

  Moreover, the contact apparatus 1 may be provided with both the terminal side spacer 61 and the housing | casing side spacer 71 similarly to Embodiment 1 by combining the structure of FIG. 19 and the structure of FIG.

  The configuration of the present embodiment can be applied in appropriate combination with the configuration described in the second embodiment, the configuration described in the third embodiment, and the configuration described in the fourth embodiment.

  Other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Contact device 10 Electromagnet device 100 Electromagnetic relay 2 Contact part 31, 32 Fixed terminal 4 Case 41 Bottom plate 411, 412 Opening hole 51, 52 Insulation member 511, 521 Hollow part 512, 522 Case side joint 513, 523 Terminal side joint 514, 524 Insulation ensuring part 515 Metal layer 516 Concave part 517 (First) convex part 518 (Second) convex part 519 Folded part 61, 62 Terminal side spacer 71, 72 Housing side spacer

Claims (19)

A contact portion;
A fixed terminal electrically connected to the contact portion;
A box-shaped casing disposed so as to surround the contact portion, and an opening hole through which the fixed terminal passes is formed in a bottom plate;
An annular member surrounding the hollow portion, and an insulating member joined around the opening hole in the bottom plate,
The fixed terminal is fixed to the insulating member so as to penetrate the hollow portion in a penetrating direction, and is held by the casing via the insulating member,
The insulating member has a housing-side joint portion to which the housing is joined, and a terminal-side joint portion to which the fixed terminal is joined,
An insulation securing portion having electrical insulation is provided at a position separating the housing side joint portion and the terminal side joint portion on the surface of the insulating member. Two or more opening holes are formed in the housing,
The contact device according to claim 1, wherein the fixed terminal and the insulating member are provided in the same number as the opening hole so as to correspond to the opening hole on a one-to-one basis. The housing is made of metal,
A metal housing side spacer is provided between the insulating member and the bottom plate,
The contact device according to claim 1, wherein the housing-side joint is joined to the bottom plate via the housing-side spacer. The contact device according to claim 3, wherein at least the bottom plate and a portion other than the bottom plate are separate members in the housing. Between the fixed terminal and the insulating member, a metal terminal side spacer is provided,
The contact device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fixed terminal is joined to the terminal-side joint through the terminal-side spacer. The housing side joint is provided on one end surface of the insulating member in the penetrating direction,
The contact device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal-side joint is provided on the other end surface of the insulating member in the penetration direction. The housing side joint is provided on the outer surface of the insulating member,
The contact device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal side joint is provided on an inner surface of the insulating member. The housing side joint is provided on one end surface of the insulating member in the penetrating direction,
The contact device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal side joint is provided on an inner surface of the insulating member. The housing side joint is provided on the outer surface of the insulating member,
The contact device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the terminal side joint is provided on one end surface of the insulating member in the penetration direction. The insulation securing portion is formed so as to surround the hollow portion on at least one of the both end surfaces in the penetrating direction of the insulating member provided with either the housing side joint portion or the terminal side joint portion. Including a concave shaped part,
The concave shape portion has a direction in which the dimension in the penetration direction of the insulating member is smaller than a joint portion provided on the same surface as the concave shape portion of the housing side joint portion and the terminal side joint portion. The contact device according to claim 6, wherein the contact device has a concave shape. On the bottom surface of the concave-shaped part, a convex-shaped part formed so as to surround the hollow part is provided,
The said convex shape part is a shape which protruded in the direction where the dimension of the said penetration direction of the said insulating member becomes large compared with parts other than the said convex shape part in the bottom face of the said concave shape part. 10. The contact device according to 10. The contact device according to claim 11, wherein a dimension of the convex portion in the penetration direction is smaller than a depth of the concave portion. The insulation securing portion is formed so as to surround the hollow portion on at least one of the both end surfaces in the penetrating direction of the insulating member provided with either the housing side joint portion or the terminal side joint portion. Including a convex part
The convex shape portion has a direction in which the dimension in the penetration direction of the insulating member is larger than the joint portion provided on the same surface as the convex shape portion of the housing side joint portion and the terminal side joint portion. The contact device according to any one of claims 6, 8, and 9, wherein the contact device has a shape protruding into the shape. The contact device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein a plurality of the convex portions are provided concentrically surrounding the hollow portion. The insulation securing portion is formed so as to surround the hollow portion on at least one of the both end surfaces of the insulating member in the penetrating direction where neither the housing side joint portion nor the terminal side joint portion is provided. Including pleats,
The said pleat-like part is a shape which protruded in the direction where the dimension of the said penetration direction of the said insulating member becomes large compared with the site | parts other than the said pleat-like part in the same surface as the said pleat-like part. Item 10. The contact device according to any one of Items 7 to 9. The contact device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the housing is joined in a state where the housing is cut into the insulating member at the housing-side joining portion. The contact device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the fixed terminal is joined in a state where the fixed terminal bites into the insulating member at the terminal-side joining portion. 18. The contact device according to claim 1, wherein a metal layer is formed on a surface of at least one of the housing side joint and the terminal side joint. The contact device according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
An electromagnetic relay comprising: an electromagnet device that drives to open and close the contact portion.

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