JP6062734B2 - relay - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a relay.

  For example, as a relay for a hybrid car, an electric vehicle, or a solar power generation device, a plurality of fixed terminals each having a fixed contact, a movable contact having a plurality of movable contacts respectively corresponding to each fixed contact, and a movable contact There is known a relay including a drive mechanism (for example, configured using an electromagnetic coil) that switches between an off state in which each movable contact and each fixed contact are not in contact with each other and an on state in which the contacts are in contact with each other.

  In such a relay, when a large current (for example, a current of 5000 amperes or more) flows through the movable contact in the ON state, a so-called electromagnetic repulsive force acting on the movable contact increases, and each movable contact and each fixed contact In some cases, the contact pressure between the movable contacts and the movable contacts may be separated from each other. Such a decrease in contact pressure or contact opening is not preferable because it may lead to welding between contacts due to abnormal heat generation. In addition, if the driving force of the drive mechanism (force that moves the movable contact of the movable contactor close to the fixed contact of the fixed terminal) is increased in order to prevent a decrease in contact pressure or contact opening, the drive mechanism becomes larger. After all it is not preferable. Conventionally, on the upper side of the movable contact (the side closer to the fixed terminal) or on the upper and lower sides of the movable contact in order to prevent a decrease in contact pressure and contact release while suppressing an increase in the size of the device A technique for providing a magnetic member on the side away from the fixed terminal has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1-3). When a magnetic member is provided on the upper side of the movable contact, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the movable contact is distorted, and an upward force (adsorption force) acts on the movable contact. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in contact pressure and occurrence of contact opening. If magnetic members are provided above and below the movable contact, the magnetic members on both sides are magnetized by the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the movable contact, and an upward force acts on the movable contact as well. In addition, it is possible to suppress a decrease in contact pressure and occurrence of contact opening.

JP 2010-10056 A JP 2011-3436 A JP 2011-23332 A

  In the relay, when the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact to interrupt the current, an arc may be generated between the contacts or on the surface of the fixed terminal. In a conventional relay provided with a magnetic member, an arc generated between one contact and the surface of a fixed terminal is connected to another arc between the other contacts and the surface of the fixed terminal via the magnetic member and is normal. There was a problem that it might not be possible to shut off.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can be realized as the following forms.

(1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a relay is provided. The relay is in contact with a plurality of fixed terminals each having a fixed contact, a movable contact having a plurality of movable contacts corresponding to each of the fixed contacts, and a surface of the movable contact on the fixed terminal side. A restricting portion for restricting movement of the movable contact toward the first direction approaching the fixed terminal, and the position of the restricting portion is a second opposite to the first direction and the first direction. A driving member that moves the movable contact in the first direction and the second direction by changing in the direction, an insulating first container joined to the plurality of fixed terminals, A second container that is joined to a first container and forms an airtight space in which the movable contact and each of the fixed contacts are accommodated together with the first container and the plurality of fixed terminals, and the airtight In space The magnetic member fixed to the restricting portion on the first direction side from the movable contact, and formed of an insulating material, and the fixed contact and the movable contact of the surface of the magnetic member are And a protective cover that covers at least a part of the first surface region constituted by a portion that can be directly viewed from each of the fixed contacts in a non-contact state. According to the relay of this form, when a current flows through the movable contact due to the presence of the magnetic member, an attracting force in a direction approaching the fixed terminal acts on the movable contact, so that the drive force of the drive mechanism is more than necessary. Therefore, the decrease in the contact pressure between the contacts and the occurrence of the contact separation can be suppressed. Further, since the magnetic member is fixed to the restricting portion, the distance between the magnetic member and the movable contact can be made extremely small, and the magnitude of the attractive force acting on the movable contact due to the presence of the magnetic member. Can be increased to more reliably suppress a decrease in contact pressure between contacts and occurrence of contact separation. In addition, the protective cover covers at least a part of the first surface region formed of a portion that can be directly viewed from each fixed contact in a state where the fixed contact and the movable contact are not in contact with each other on the surface of the magnetic member. When the current is interrupted, the arc generated between one contact and the surface of the fixed terminal is connected to the arc generated between the other contacts and the surface of the fixed terminal via the magnetic member, so that normal disconnection cannot be performed. It is possible to effectively suppress the possibility of occurrence.

(2) In the relay of the above aspect, the protective cover may cover all of the first surface area. According to the relay of this form, the arc generated between one contact or the surface of the fixed terminal at the time of interrupting the current is connected to the arc generated between other contacts or the surface of the fixed terminal via the magnetic member, and is normal. It is possible to more reliably suppress the possibility of occurrence of a situation in which blocking is impossible.

(3) In the relay of the above aspect, the protective cover is located in the airtight space in each fixed terminal in a state where the fixed contact and the movable contact are not in contact with each other on the surface of the magnetic member. You may cover all the 2nd surface area comprised by the part which can be seen directly from the arbitrary points on the surface. According to the relay of this form, the arc generated between one contact or the surface of the fixed terminal at the time of interrupting the current is connected to the arc generated between other contacts or the surface of the fixed terminal via the magnetic member, and is normal. It is possible to reliably avoid the occurrence of the situation where the blocking is impossible.

(4) In the relay according to the aspect described above, the protective cover is a surface configured by a portion that can be directly viewed from each of the fixed contacts in a state where the fixed contact and the movable contact are not in contact with each other, on the surface of the restriction portion. You may cover at least one part of an area | region. According to this form of relay, the arc generated between one contact and the surface of the fixed terminal at the time of interrupting the current is connected to the arc generated between other contacts and the surface of the fixed terminal via the restricting portion, and normal interruption It is possible to suppress the possibility of occurrence of a situation where it becomes impossible.

(5) In the relay of the above aspect, the protective cover may include a rotation restricting portion that restricts rotation of the movable contact within a plane perpendicular to the first direction. According to the relay of this form, compared with the case where a part for regulating the rotation of the movable contact is provided separately from the protective cover, the configuration is simplified by reducing the number of parts, the apparatus is downsized, and the manufacture is easy. And cost reduction can be realized.

(6) According to another aspect of the present invention, a relay is provided. The relay is in contact with a plurality of fixed terminals each having a fixed contact, a movable contact having a plurality of movable contacts corresponding to each of the fixed contacts, and a surface of the movable contact on the fixed terminal side. A restricting portion for restricting movement of the movable contact toward the first direction approaching the fixed terminal, and the position of the restricting portion is a second opposite to the first direction and the first direction. A driving member that moves the movable contact in the first direction and the second direction by changing in the direction, an insulating first container joined to the plurality of fixed terminals, A second container that is joined to a first container and forms an airtight space in which the movable contact and each of the fixed contacts are accommodated together with the first container and the plurality of fixed terminals, and the airtight In space The magnetic member is fixed to the restricting portion on the first direction side from the movable contact, and the magnetic member is insulated from each other and includes two fixed contacts in the first direction. It is comprised from the some magnetic body piece which has a part which cross | intersects a parallel plane, respectively. According to the relay of this form, when a current flows through the movable contact due to the presence of the magnetic member, an attracting force in a direction approaching the fixed terminal acts on the movable contact, so that the drive force of the drive mechanism is more than necessary. Therefore, the decrease in the contact pressure between the contacts and the occurrence of the contact separation can be suppressed. Further, since the magnetic member is fixed to the restricting portion, the distance between the magnetic member and the movable contact can be made extremely small, and the magnitude of the attractive force acting on the movable contact due to the presence of the magnetic member. Can be increased to more reliably suppress a decrease in contact pressure between contacts and occurrence of contact separation. Further, the magnetic member is composed of a plurality of magnetic pieces that are insulated from each other, and each magnetic piece includes two fixed contacts and has a portion that intersects a plane parallel to the first direction. When the current is interrupted, the arc generated between one contact and the surface of the fixed terminal and the arc generated between the other contacts and the surface of the fixed terminal are connected through the magnetic member, and normal interruption cannot be performed. Generation | occurrence | production can be avoided without providing components, such as a protective cover.

(7) In the relay according to the above aspect, the plurality of magnetic body pieces are fixed to the restriction portion via one first magnetic piece that is directly fixed to the restriction portion, and the first magnetic piece. And one or a plurality of other magnetic body pieces. According to this form of relay, the magnetic member can be firmly fixed to the restricting portion.

  In addition, this invention can be implement | achieved in various aspects, for example, can be implement | achieved in aspects, such as a moving body, such as a relay provided with the relay, the manufacturing method of a relay, a relay, and a ship.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the electric circuit 1 provided with the relay 5 in 1st Example. It is an external appearance perspective view of the relay 5. FIG. It is an upper surface external view of the relay 5. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the relay 5. FIG. It is a cross-sectional perspective view of the relay 5. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detailed structure of the magnetic body member 130 periphery. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detailed structure of the magnetic body member 130 periphery. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detailed structure of the magnetic body member 130 periphery. It is a figure explaining the effect by existence of magnetic body member. It is sectional drawing of the relay 5a in the modification of 1st Example. It is a section perspective view of relay 5a in the modification of the 1st example. It is sectional drawing of the relay 5b in 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detailed structure of the magnetic body member 130b periphery in 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the magnetic body member 130c periphery in the 1st modification of 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the magnetic body member 130d periphery in the 2nd modification of 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the magnetic body member 130e periphery in the 3rd modification of 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the magnetic body member 130f periphery in the 4th modification of 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the magnetic body member 130g periphery in the 5th modification of 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the cross-sectional structure of the magnetic body member 130 periphery in a modification.

A. First embodiment:
A-1. Relay configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an electric circuit 1 including a relay 5 in the first embodiment. The electric circuit 1 of the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle such as a hybrid car or an electric vehicle. The electric circuit 1 includes a DC power supply (storage battery) 2, a relay 5, a current conversion device 3, and a motor 4 as a load. The current conversion device 3 has a function as an inverter and a converter. When power is supplied from the DC power supply 2 to the motor 4 (when the DC power supply 2 is discharged), the AC current converted by the current conversion device 3 is supplied to the motor 4 to drive the motor 4. In addition, the DC current converted by the current converter 3 is stored in the DC power supply 2 when charging the DC power supply 2 with the energy regenerated by the motor 4. The relay 5 is provided between the DC power supply 2 and the current converter 3 and performs on / off control of energization of a large DC current (for example, several tens to several hundreds of amperes). For example, when an abnormality occurs in the vehicle, the electrical connection between the DC power source 2 and the current converter 3 is interrupted by the relay 5.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the relay 5. FIG. 3 is a top external view of the relay 5. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the relay 5. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the relay 5. In each figure, XYZ axes are shown to specify directions. In this specification, in order to explain the configuration of the relay 5 in an easy-to-understand manner, for the sake of convenience, the Z-axis positive direction (the movable contact 58 of the movable contact 50 described later is a direction approaching the fixed contact 18 of the fixed terminal 10; Is a direction in which the Z-axis negative direction (the movable contact 58 of the movable contact 50 described later moves away from the fixed contact 18 of the fixed terminal 10), corresponds to the second direction in the claims. Is also referred to as a downward direction. Depending on the installation mode of the relay 5, the direction corresponding to each axis may change.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the relay 5 includes a relay main body 6 and a pair of permanent magnets 800 disposed so as to sandwich the relay main body 6 (more specifically, a fixed contact 18 and a movable contact 58 described later). Is provided. The relay main body 6 is accommodated in a resin case (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the relay main body 6 includes a pair of fixed terminals 10, a movable contact 50, a drive mechanism 90, a first container 20, a joining member 30, a base portion 32, An iron core container 80. In the present specification, the joining member 30, the base portion 32, and the iron core container 80 are collectively referred to as a second container 92.

  The fixed terminal 10 is a substantially cylindrical member having a bottom, and is formed of a conductive material (for example, a metal material containing copper). The fixed terminal 10 is arranged so that the center axis TL is in the Z-axis direction and the bottom is positioned on the lower side (Z-axis negative direction side). In this embodiment, the direction connecting the central axes TL of the pair of fixed terminals 10 is the Y-axis direction. The fixed terminal 10 has a connection port 12 for connecting each wiring of the electric circuit 1 (FIG. 1). Hereinafter, of the pair of fixed terminals 10, the side into which current flows when the DC power supply 2 supplies the motor 4 (when power is supplied) is also referred to as a positive fixed terminal 10 W, and the side from which current flows out is minus. Also referred to as fixed terminal 10X. The fixed terminal 10 has the fixed contact part 19 arrange | positioned under the bottom part. The fixed contact portion 19 may be formed of the same material as the other portions of the fixed terminal 10, or is formed of a material having higher heat resistance (for example, tungsten) in order to more effectively suppress damage caused by the arc. It may be. A fixed contact 18 is formed on an end face (lower end face) of the fixed contact portion 19 on the side facing the movable contact 50. On the upper side (Z-axis positive direction side) of the fixed terminal 10, a flange portion 13 is formed that extends radially outward from the substantially cylindrical main body portion.

  The first container 20 is a box-shaped member having a bottom, and is a member having excellent heat resistance formed of an insulating material (for example, ceramic such as alumina or zirconia). The first container 20 includes a bottom part 24 located on the upper side and a side part 22 that forms a side surface (a surface substantially parallel to the Z-axis direction) of the first container 20. The side (namely, lower side) facing the bottom 24 in the first container 20 is open. Two through holes 26 into which the two fixed terminals 10 are inserted are formed in the bottom 24 of the first container 20. In a state where the fixed terminal 10 is inserted into the through hole 26 of the first container 20, the flange portion 13 of each fixed terminal 10 is airtightly bonded to the outer surface (upper surface) of the bottom 24 of the first container 20. Has been. More specifically, the fixed terminal 10 is joined to the first container 20 with the following configuration. A diaphragm portion 17 for suppressing breakage of the joint portion between the fixed terminal 10 and the first container 20 is formed in a portion of the flange portion 13 of the fixed terminal 10 facing the bottom portion 24 of the first container 20. Yes. Diaphragm part 17 relieves the stress of the joined portion caused by the difference in thermal expansion due to the difference in material between fixed terminal 10 and first container 20. The diaphragm portion 17 has a cylindrical shape whose inner diameter is larger than that of the through hole 26, and is formed of an alloy such as Kovar. The diaphragm portion 17 is joined to the flange portion 13 of the fixed terminal 10 by brazing (for example, silver brazing). The diaphragm portion 17 is joined to the bottom portion 24 of the first container 20 by brazing. The diaphragm portion 17 and the fixed terminal 10 may be an integral member.

  The joining member 30 is a substantially annular member having openings at the lower end and the upper end, and is formed of, for example, a metal material. The base portion 32 is a substantially rectangular member, and is formed of a metal magnetic material such as iron. A through hole through which a shaft portion 60a of a rod 60 described later is inserted is formed in the approximate center of the base portion 32. The upper end portion (edge portion around the opening) of the joining member 30 is airtightly joined to the lower end portion (edge portion around the opening) of the first container 20 by brazing. Moreover, the lower end part of the joining member 30 is airtightly joined to the base part 32 by laser welding or the like. Note that a part of the side surface of the joining member 30 is bent in the Y-axis direction in the direction from the lower side to the upper side (Z-axis positive direction). By doing so, the joining member 30 as a whole can be easily elastically deformed along the Z-axis direction, and the stress generated by the thermal expansion difference between the joining member 30 and the first container 20 is relieved.

  The iron core container 80 is a cylindrical member having a bottom at the lower end and an opening at the upper end, and is formed of a nonmagnetic material. The upper end portion of the core container 80 is airtightly joined to the periphery of the through hole of the base portion 32 by laser welding or the like over the entire circumference.

  In this way, the above-described members (the fixed terminal 10, the first container 20, the joining member 30, the base portion 32, and the iron core container 80) are joined to each other in an airtight manner, thereby being fixed inside the relay main body 6. An airtight space 100 in which the fixed contact portion 19 (fixed contact 18) of the terminal 10 and the movable contact 50 are accommodated is formed. In the airtight space 100, for example, hydrogen or a gas mainly composed of hydrogen is sealed at an atmospheric pressure or higher (for example, 2 atm) in order to suppress heat generation of the fixed contact portion 19 and the movable contact 50 due to generation of an arc. . That is, after joining the above-described members, the inside of the hermetic space 100 is evacuated through the vent pipe 69 that connects the inside and the outside of the hermetic space 100, and then hydrogen is introduced into the hermetic space 100 through the vent pipe 69. The gas is sealed until a predetermined pressure is reached. After the gas such as hydrogen is sealed at a predetermined pressure, the ventilation pipe 69 is crimped so that the gas such as hydrogen does not leak out from the airtight space 100.

  The movable contact 50 is a substantially flat plate-like member, and is formed of a conductive material (for example, a metal material containing copper). The movable contact 50 includes a central portion 52 in which a through hole 55 into which a shaft portion 60a of a rod 60 described later is inserted, and a facing direction in which the pair of fixed terminals 10W and 10X are opposed to the central portion 52 (Y-axis direction). ) And a movable contact portion 57 extending. A movable contact 58 is formed at a portion of the movable contact portion 57 facing the fixed contact portion 19 of the fixed terminal 10. The movable contact 58 is a portion of the movable contact portion 57 that comes into contact with the fixed terminal 10 when the movable contact 50 moves upward (Z-axis positive direction).

  A recess is formed on the lower side (Z-axis negative direction) side of the movable contact 50. That is, in the cross section shown in FIG. 4, the thickness of the central portion 52 along the Z-axis direction is thinner than the thickness of the movable contact portion 57. A second magnetic member 140 made of a magnetic material such as iron or stainless steel is fixed to the concave portion of the movable contact 50. As a method of fixing the second magnetic member 140 to the movable contact 50, any known method such as a press-fitting method or a bonding method can be employed. In the vicinity of the center of the second magnetic member 140, a through hole through which a shaft portion 60a of the rod 60 described later passes is formed.

  The drive mechanism 90 moves the movable contact 50 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) to switch the relay 5 between the on state and the off state. The drive mechanism 90 includes a rod 60, a base portion 32, a fixed iron core 70, a movable iron core 72, an iron core container 80, a coil 44, a coil bobbin 42, a coil container 40, and a spring 64. The coil 44 is wound around a hollow cylindrical resin coil bobbin 42. The coil container 40 is a magnetic body, and is formed of a metal magnetic material such as iron, for example. The coil container 40 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and houses the coil 44 inside. The iron core container 80 has a bottomed cylindrical shape as described above, and a rubber 86 is disposed at the bottom. The fixed iron core 70 has a cylindrical shape, and a through hole 70h is formed from the upper end to the lower end. A part of the fixed iron core 70 is accommodated inside the iron core container 80. The fixed iron core 70 is fixed to the base portion 32 by welding or the like. The movable iron core 72 has a cylindrical shape, and a through hole 72h is formed from the upper end to the vicinity of the lower end. The movable iron core 72 is accommodated on the bottom of the iron core container 80 via a rubber 86. The upper end surface of the movable iron core 72 is disposed so as to face the lower end surface of the fixed iron core 70. When the coil 44 is energized, the movable iron core 72 is attracted to the fixed iron core 70 and moves upward. The spring 64 is disposed between the movable iron core 72 and the fixed iron core 70 and urges both the members 70 and 72 in directions away from each other. The rod 60 is a nonmagnetic material. The rod 60 has a columnar shaft portion 60a, a disc-shaped one end portion 60b provided at the upper end of the shaft portion 60a, and an arc-shaped other end portion 60c provided at the lower end of the shaft portion 60a. The shaft portion 60a is inserted through the movable contact 50 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (moving direction of the movable contact 50). The one end portion 60 b is disposed on the upper surface (side facing the fixed terminal 10) in the central portion 52 of the movable contact 50 in a state where no current is passed through the coil 44. The other end 60c is attached to the movable iron core 72 by welding or the like. The one end 60b abuts on the upper surface (the side facing the fixed terminal 10) of the movable contact 50 in a state where the drive mechanism 90 is not operating, and the movable contact 50 moves in the direction of the fixed terminal 10. To regulate. The one end 60b corresponds to a restricting portion in claims.

  An attachment member 67 for arranging the compression coil spring 62 is arranged on the shaft portion 60 a of the rod 60. One end of the compression coil spring 62 abuts on the mounting member 67, and the other end is on the lower surface of the movable contact 50 (more precisely, the surface of the second magnetic member 140 fixed to the movable contact 50). It is in contact. The compression coil spring 62 biases the movable contact 50 in the direction in which the movable contact 58 and the fixed contact 18 approach (Z-axis positive direction, upward direction).

A-2. Relay switching operation:
Next, switching operation between the ON state and the OFF state in the relay 5 will be described. When the coil 44 is energized and the drive mechanism 90 is operated, the movable iron core 72 is attracted to the fixed iron core 70. That is, the movable iron core 72 approaches the fixed iron core 70 against the urging force of the spring 64 and comes into contact with the fixed iron core 70. When the movable iron core 72 moves upward, the rod 60 fixed to the movable iron core 72 also moves upward. Thereby, the one end part 60b of the rod 60 also moves upward. As a result, the movable contact 58 of the movable contact 50 and the fixed contact 18 of the corresponding fixed terminal 10 come into contact with each other, the two fixed terminals 10W and 10X are electrically connected to each other via the movable contact 50, and the relay 5 is turned on. It becomes a state. The relay 5 in the on state electrically connects the DC power source 2 and the current converter 3 in the electric circuit (FIG. 1). The distance between the movable contact 58 and the fixed contact 18 of the corresponding fixed terminal 10 (inter-contact distance) is set shorter than the distance between the movable iron core 72 and the fixed iron core 70 (inter-core distance) by a predetermined distance. By doing so, the compression coil spring 62 is compressed after the movable contact 58 and the fixed contact 18 are contacted, and an appropriate contact pressure can be applied to the contact.

  On the other hand, when the energization of the coil 44 is interrupted and the drive mechanism 90 becomes inoperative, the movable iron core 72 moves downward so as to be separated from the fixed iron core 70 mainly by the urging force of the spring 64. Accordingly, the movable contact 50 is pushed downward (in a direction away from the fixed contact 18) by being pushed by the one end 60b of the rod 60. Therefore, the movable contact 58 of the movable contact 50 and the corresponding fixed contact 18 of the fixed terminal 10 are in a non-contact state, the conduction between the two fixed terminals 10 is cut off, and the relay 5 is turned off. The relay 5 in the off state electrically cuts off the DC power source 2 and the current converter 3 in the electric circuit 1.

  As described above, the drive mechanism 90 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the movable contact 50 approaches the fixed terminal 10 and moves away from the fixed terminal 10 via the driving members (the rod 60, the compression coil spring 62, and the movable iron core 72). The relay 5 is switched between the off state and the on state. More specifically, the drive mechanism 90 moves the movable contact 50 via at least one of movement of the driving member (for example, movement of the rod 60) and deformation (for example, deformation of the compression coil spring 62). The relay 5 is switched between an off state and an on state.

  When the movable contact 58 is separated from the fixed contact 18, an arc may be generated between the contacts or on the surface of the fixed terminal 10. The generated arc is generated by the movable contact 58 and the fixed contact 18 of the relay main body 6. Is stretched along the Y-axis direction (the direction connecting the central axes TL of the fixed terminals 10) by the permanent magnet 800 placed so as to sandwich the arc, thereby facilitating arc extinction.

A-3. About magnetic material:
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the relay main body 6 includes a magnetic member 130 formed of a magnetic material such as iron or stainless steel at a position above the movable contact 50 in the airtight space 100. 6 to 8 are explanatory views showing a detailed configuration around the magnetic member 130. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view around the magnetic member 130 (XZ cross-sectional view orthogonal to the cross section shown in FIG. 4), and FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial cross-sectional perspective views around the magnetic member 130. FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram in which the protective cover 150 is omitted from FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the magnetic member 130 has a substantially flat plate shape and has a through hole 131 that penetrates along the Z-axis direction. The magnetic member 130 is fixed to the rod 60 by press-fitting one end 60 b of the rod 60 into the through hole 131. Therefore, the magnetic member 130 moves up and down integrally with the one end 60 b of the rod 60. In addition, as a method of fixing the magnetic member 130 to the rod 60, instead of the press-fitting method, for example, any other known method such as adhesion or welding may be adopted.

  In this embodiment, the projection of the magnetic member 130 on the first plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the Z-axis direction overlaps with the projection of the movable contact 50 on the first plane (XY plane). In addition, at least a part of the projection of the magnetic member 130 onto the second plane (YZ plane) including the central axis TL of the two fixed terminals 10 is located between the central axes TL of the two fixed terminals 10. To do.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the relay main body 6 includes a protective cover 150 formed of an insulating material. The protective cover 150 includes a substantially flat plate-shaped base portion 152 and side wall portions 154 extending from the four sides of the base portion 152 substantially perpendicular to the surface direction of the base portion 152. That is, the protective cover 150 has a substantially box shape with one surface opened. As the insulating material used for forming the protective cover 150, for example, a resin (melamine resin or nylon) or ceramic can be employed. For example, it is preferable to form the protective cover 150 with a melamine resin, since carbon is not generated even when an arc is applied to the protective cover 150, so that a decrease in insulation performance can be suppressed.

  The protective cover 150 is fixed to the magnetic member 130 by press-fitting the magnetic member 130 from the opening surface of the protective cover 150. Therefore, the protective cover 150 is fixed to the one end portion 60 b of the rod 60 via the magnetic member 130, and moves up and down together with the one end portion 60 b of the rod 60.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, among the four side wall portions 154 of the protective cover 150, the side wall portions 154 on the X axis positive direction side and the X axis negative direction side are higher than the other two side wall portions 154 ( The size along the Z-axis direction) is high. More specifically, in a state where the protective cover 150 is fixed to the magnetic member 130, the two high side wall portions 154 extend to the level of the movable contact 50. Therefore, the two side wall portions 154 of the protective cover 150 restrict the rotation of the movable contact 50 in the XY plane by interfering with the movable contact 50. As a method of fixing the protective cover 150 to the magnetic member 130, any other known method such as adhesion, welding, integral molding, and screwing may be employed instead of the press-fitting method. Further, the protective cover 150 may be fixed not to the magnetic member 130 but to other parts such as the one end 60 b of the rod 60 and the movable contact 50.

  The protective cover 150 includes an upper surface (Z-axis positive direction surface) of the magnetic member 130 and four side surfaces (X-axis positive direction surface, X-axis negative direction surface, Y-axis positive direction surface, and Y-axis negative direction surface). Covering. That is, the protective cover 150 is an arbitrary point on the surface located in the airtight space 100 of each fixed terminal 10 among the surfaces of the magnetic member 130 in a state where the fixed contact 18 and the movable contact 58 are not in contact with each other. It can be said that it covers all of the surface region (corresponding to the second surface region in the claims, hereinafter referred to as the second surface region) composed of the part that can be directly viewed from the side.

  In this embodiment, the protective cover 150 also covers the upper surface of the one end 60 b of the rod 60 exposed from the through hole 131 of the magnetic body member 130. That is, the protective cover 150 covers all of the surface area constituted by the portion that can be directly viewed from each fixed contact 18 in the surface of the one end portion 60b in a state where the fixed contact 18 and the movable contact 58 are not in contact with each other. I can say that.

  Since the relay 5 according to this embodiment includes the magnetic member 130 installed at a position above the movable contact 50, the contact pressure between the movable contact 58 and the fixed contact 18 is reduced as described below. In addition, the occurrence of separation between the movable contact 58 and the fixed contact 18 can be suppressed. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the effect due to the presence of the magnetic member 130. FIG. 9 schematically shows the rod 60, the movable contact 50 and the magnetic member 130. As shown in FIG. 9, when the relay 5 is on, a current flows through the movable contact 50. The direction of this current is assumed to be a direction from the back side toward the front side (Y-axis positive direction). When a current flows through the movable contact 50, a counterclockwise magnetic flux Ba is generated around this current. Here, when the magnetic member 130 is disposed above the movable contact 50, the magnetic flux Ba is attracted to the magnetic member 130 side. As a result, among the magnetic flux Ba passing through the movable contact 50, the magnetic flux density of the magnetic flux Ba facing leftward (X-axis positive direction) decreases, and the magnetic flux density of the magnetic flux Ba directed rightward (X-axis negative direction) increases. As the magnetic flux density of the rightward magnetic flux Ba increases, an upward Lorentz force Fp (also referred to as “adsorption force Fp”) is generated with respect to the current flowing through the movable contact 50. This attracting force Fp acts in the direction in which the movable contact 50 is moved upward, that is, in the direction of approaching the fixed contact 18 of the fixed terminal 10. Therefore, in the relay 5 of the present embodiment, for example, even when a large current (for example, a current of 5000 amperes or more) flows through the movable contact 50 and a large electromagnetic repulsive force acts on the movable contact 50, the drive mechanism 90 Without increasing the driving force (for example, the urging force of the coil spring 62) more than necessary, it is possible to suppress the decrease in contact pressure between the contacts and the occurrence of contact opening.

  Further, in the relay 5 in the present embodiment, since the magnetic member 130 is fixed to the one end portion 60b of the rod 60, the distance between the magnetic member 130 and the movable contact 50 can be extremely reduced, and the magnetic member The magnitude of the attractive force Fp acting on the movable contact 50 due to the presence of the member 130 can be increased to more reliably suppress the decrease in contact pressure between the contacts and the occurrence of contact separation.

  Further, in the relay 5 according to the present embodiment, the protective cover 150 made of an insulating material is in a state where the fixed contact 18 and the movable contact 58 are not in contact with each other, the fixed terminals 10 among the surfaces of the magnetic member 130. All of the second surface region composed of a portion that can be viewed directly from any point on the surface located in the hermetic space 100 is covered. Therefore, even when the extension direction of the arc generated between the contacts or at the surface of each fixed terminal 10 when the current is interrupted is close to each other (when the reverse direction is interrupted), between one contact or the surface of the fixed terminal 10 The arc generated in step 1 is connected to the arc generated between the other contacts or on the surface of the fixed terminal 10 via the magnetic member 130 disposed between the fixed terminals 10, and the normal interruption cannot be performed. It can be avoided reliably.

  Further, in the relay 5 of the present embodiment, the protective cover 150 is directly viewed from each fixed contact 18 among the surfaces of the one end portion 60b of the rod 60 in a state where the fixed contact 18 and the movable contact 58 are not in contact with each other. Covers all of the surface area made up of possible parts. Therefore, an arc generated between one contact and the surface of the fixed terminal 10 is connected to an arc generated between the other contact and the surface of the fixed terminal 10 via one end portion 60b of the rod 60, and normal interruption cannot be performed. Can be avoided.

  Further, in the relay 5 of the present embodiment, the two side wall portions 154 of the protective cover 150 function as a rotation restricting portion that restricts the rotation (rotation in the XY plane) of the movable contact 50 with respect to the rod 60. Therefore, compared with the case where a part for regulating the rotation of the movable contact 50 is provided separately from the protective cover 150, the configuration is simplified by reducing the number of parts, the apparatus is downsized, the manufacturing is facilitated, and the cost is reduced. Can be realized.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the relay 5a in a modification of the first embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the relay 5a in a modification of the first embodiment. The relay 5a in the modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 is mainly composed of the first container 20, the movable contact 50, and the joining member 30 in the relay body 6a in the first embodiment described above. It is different from the relay 5. Since the other configuration of the relay 5a of the modified example of the first embodiment is the same as that of the relay 5 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment are attached and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the relay 5 a according to the modification of the first embodiment, the relay body 6 a includes two first containers 20 corresponding to the two fixed terminals 10. Each first container 20 is a cylindrical member having a bottom. More specifically, the first container 20 includes a bottom part 24 positioned on the upper side and a side part 22 that forms a side surface (a surface substantially parallel to the Z-axis direction) of the first container 20. The side (namely, lower side) facing the bottom 24 in each first container 20 is open. One through hole 26 into which one fixed terminal 10 is inserted is formed in the bottom 24 of each first container 20. With the fixed terminal 10 corresponding to the through hole 26 of each first container 20 inserted, the flange portion 13 of each fixed terminal 10 is the outer surface (upper surface) of the bottom 24 of each first container 20. It is airtightly bonded.

  Two openings are formed in the upper end portion of the joining member 30. At the upper end portion of the joining member 30, the peripheral edge portion that defines each opening is airtightly joined to the end surface that defines the opening at the lower end portion of the corresponding first container 20, for example, by brazing. The first container 20 and the joining member 30 configured as described above, the fixed terminal 10, the base portion 32, and the iron core container 80 are airtightly joined to each other, so that the fixed contact portion 19 (the fixed contact) of the fixed terminal 10 is fixed. 18) and the airtight space 100 in which the movable contact 50 is accommodated are formed.

  The movable contact 50 has a central portion 52 and a movable contact portion 57 as in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the movable contact 58 is formed on the movable contact portion 57. However, in the modification of the first embodiment, the movable contact 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending upward from the movable contact portion 57. The extending portion 48 has a portion facing the fixed contact portion 19 of the fixed terminal 10 in the extending portion 48 (more specifically, fixed when the movable contact 50 moves upward (Z-axis positive direction). A movable contact 58 is formed at a portion of the extending portion 48 that contacts the terminal 10.

  The magnetic member 130 is provided at a position above the movable contact 50 in the airtight space 100, as in the first embodiment. The magnetic member 130 has a through hole 131 that penetrates along the Z-axis direction. One end portion 60b of the rod 60 is press-fitted, bonded, welded, or the like to the through hole 131 and fixed to the rod 60. Yes. Further, the protective cover 150 is an arbitrary point on the surface located in the airtight space 100 in each fixed terminal 10 among the surfaces of the magnetic member 130 in a state where the fixed contact 18 and the movable contact 58 are not in contact with each other. A surface region that covers all of the surface region (second surface region) that is configured to be viewed directly from the surface and is configured to be viewed directly from each fixed contact 18 in the surface of the one end portion 60 b of the rod 60. Covering everything. Therefore, the relay 5a in the modification of 1st Example has the same effect as the relay 5 in 1st Example mentioned above.

  Further, in the relay 5a according to the modification of the first embodiment, two first containers 20 are provided corresponding to the two fixed terminals 10, respectively. Compared with the case where this container is provided, the pressure resistance of the first container 20 can be improved, and the possibility of breakage of the relay 5a can be reduced. Further, in the relay 5a according to the modification of the first embodiment, the fixed contact 18 and the movable contact 58 are disposed inside the first container 20 in the airtight space 100, so that the first container 20 is a barrier. As a result, the possibility of electrical conduction between the pair of fixed terminals 10 due to the scattered particles of the fixed contact portion 19 and the movable contact 50 can be further reduced.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the relay 5b in the second embodiment. The relay 5b in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is different from the relay 5 in the first embodiment described above mainly in the configuration around the magnetic member 130b in the relay body 6b. Since the other configuration of the relay 5b of the second embodiment is the same as that of the relay 5 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment are given and description thereof is omitted.

  In the relay 5b in the second embodiment, the magnetic member 130b is provided at a position above the movable contact 50 in the airtight space 100, as in the first embodiment. However, in 2nd Example, the relay main body 6b does not have the protective cover which covers the surface of the magnetic body member 130b.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a detailed configuration around the magnetic member 130b in the second embodiment. FIG. 13A shows a planar configuration (upper surface configuration) around the magnetic member 130b, and FIG. 13B shows a cross-sectional configuration around the magnetic member 130b (B in FIG. 13A). -B cross-sectional structure). The magnetic member 130b in the second embodiment is composed of a first magnetic piece 134 and a second magnetic piece 135 that are insulated from each other. That is, the first magnetic body piece 134 and the second magnetic body piece 135 are arranged at intervals along the Y-axis direction, and the first magnetic body piece 134, the second magnetic body piece 135, and the like. An insulating portion 139 made of an insulating material (for example, a resin material) is disposed between the two. The insulating part 139 is joined to the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135 by a joining method such as adhesion or integral injection molding. The insulating portion 139 has a through hole 131 that penetrates along the Z-axis direction, and is fixed to the rod 60 by press-fitting one end portion 60 b of the rod 60 into the through hole 131. Therefore, the magnetic body member 130b (the first magnetic body piece 134 and the second magnetic body piece 135) is indirectly fixed to the one end 60b of the rod 60 via the insulating portion 139. As a method of fixing the insulating portion 139 to the rod 60, any other known method such as adhesion may be employed instead of the method of press-fitting. Thus, the magnetic member 130b in the second embodiment is such that the central band-like portion along the Y-axis direction in the magnetic member 130 in the first example shown in FIG. It is a configuration.

  In the magnetic member 130b of the second embodiment configured as described above, each of the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135 includes the two fixed contacts 18 and the vertical direction (Z It has a portion that intersects a plane parallel to the axial direction (ie, the YZ plane). Specifically, these portions are the portions of the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135 that are hatched in FIG. This means that, for one fixed contact 18, the second magnetic piece 135 is located closer to the first magnetic piece 134, and for the other fixed contact 18, This means that the first magnetic piece 134 is located closer to the magnetic piece 135.

  Thus, in the relay 5b of the second embodiment, the magnetic member 130b is composed of the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135 that are insulated from each other. Each of the piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135 includes a portion that includes two fixed contacts 18 and intersects a plane parallel to the vertical direction. For this reason, in the relay 5b of the second embodiment, for example, when the currents are interrupted, when the extending directions of the arcs generated between the contacts or on the surface of each fixed terminal 10 are close to each other (when the reverse direction is interrupted), The arc generated between the contacts and the surface of the fixed terminal 10 may hit a magnetic piece closer to the contact (for example, the first magnetic piece 134), and the arc generated between the other contacts and the surface of the fixed terminal 10 may be Although there is a possibility of hitting a magnetic piece closer to the contact (for example, the second magnetic piece 135), the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135 are insulated from each other. Can be avoided without providing a part such as a protective cover.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration around the magnetic member 130c in the first modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 14A shows a planar configuration (upper surface configuration) around the magnetic member 130c, and FIG. 14B shows a cross-sectional configuration around the magnetic member 130c (C in FIG. 14A). -C cross-sectional structure). The magnetic member 130c in the first modification of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 14 is different in cross-sectional configuration from the magnetic member 130b in the second embodiment described above.

  In the first modification of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14B, the insulating portion 139 has both end surfaces along the Y-axis direction (the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece). 135 is provided with a convex portion 141 on an end surface facing 135. Further, each of the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135 has a concave portion 142 on an end face (end face facing the insulating portion 139) along the Y-axis direction. By fitting the convex portion 141 of the insulating portion 139 with the respective concave portion 142 of the first magnetic body piece 134 and the second magnetic body piece 135, the first magnetic body piece 134 and the second magnetic body piece 135 is joined to the insulating portion 139.

  In the first modification of the second embodiment, the magnetic member 130c includes a first magnetic piece 134 and a second magnetic piece 135 that are insulated from each other, as in the second embodiment described above. Since each of the first magnetic body piece 134 and the second magnetic body piece 135 includes two fixed contacts 18 and has a portion that intersects a plane parallel to the vertical direction, The arc generated between the contacts and the surface of the fixed terminal 10 is connected to the arc generated between the other contacts and the surface of the fixed terminal 10 via the magnetic member 130c, and normal interruption cannot be performed. It can be avoided. In the first modification of the second embodiment, the first magnetic piece 134, the second magnetic piece 135, and the insulating portion 139 can be easily and firmly joined.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing the configuration around the magnetic member 130d in the second modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 15A shows a planar configuration (upper surface configuration) around the magnetic member 130d, and FIG. 15B shows a sectional configuration around the magnetic member 130d (D in FIG. 15A). -D cross-sectional structure). The magnetic member 130d in the second modification of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 15 is different from the magnetic member 130b in the second embodiment in the planar configuration.

  In the second modification of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15A, the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135 are on the side facing the insulating portion 139 and on the opposite side. A notch portion 144 is provided at the edge portion. The notch 144 is located near the center of the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135 along the X-axis direction. The planar shape of the insulating portion 139 is a shape that matches the notch portion 144 of the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135. That is, the width of the insulating portion 139 along the Y-axis direction is large near the center along the X-axis direction (the portion where the through hole 131 is formed), and is small at other portions.

  In the second modification of the second embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment described above, the magnetic member 130d is composed of the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135 that are insulated from each other. Since each of the first magnetic body piece 134 and the second magnetic body piece 135 includes two fixed contacts 18 and has a portion that intersects a plane parallel to the vertical direction, The arc generated between the contacts and the surface of the fixed terminal 10 is connected to the arc generated between the other contacts and the surface of the fixed terminal 10 via the magnetic member 130d, and normal interruption cannot be performed. It can be avoided. In the second modification of the second embodiment, since the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135 have the cutout portion 144, a region where the through hole 131 is formed in the insulating portion 139 is secured. In addition, the magnetic member 130d can be made larger in size (projected area on the XY plane) while avoiding interference and extreme approach between the magnetic member 130d and the fixed terminal 10, and the magnetic member 130d can be made larger. The magnitude of the attractive force Fp acting on the movable contact 50 due to the presence can be increased, and the decrease in contact pressure between the contacts and the occurrence of contact separation can be more reliably suppressed.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration around the magnetic member 130e in a third modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 16A shows a planar configuration (upper surface configuration) around the magnetic member 130e, and FIG. 16B shows a cross-sectional configuration around the magnetic member 130e (E in FIG. 16A). -E cross-sectional structure). The magnetic member 130e in the third modification of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 16 is different from the magnetic member 130b in the second embodiment in the planar configuration.

  In the third modification of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16A, the planar shape of the first magnetic body piece 134 is a substantially convex shape, and the planar shape of the second magnetic body piece 135. Is a substantially concave shape that fits into the substantially convex shape of the first magnetic piece 134 via the insulating portion 139. The through hole 131 is not formed in the insulating portion 139 but in the first magnetic piece 134. Therefore, the first magnetic piece 134 is directly fixed to the one end 60b of the rod 60, and the second magnetic piece 135 is connected to the one end of the rod 60 via the insulating portion 139 and the first magnetic piece 134. It is fixed to 60b.

  In the third modification of the second embodiment, as in the second embodiment described above, the magnetic member 130e is composed of a first magnetic piece 134 and a second magnetic piece 135 that are insulated from each other. Since each of the first magnetic body piece 134 and the second magnetic body piece 135 includes two fixed contacts 18 and has a portion that intersects a plane parallel to the vertical direction, The arc generated between the contacts and the surface of the fixed terminal 10 is connected to the arc generated between the other contacts and the surface of the fixed terminal 10 via the magnetic member 130e, and the normal interruption cannot be performed. It can be avoided. In the third modification of the second embodiment, since the first magnetic piece 134 is directly fixed to the one end 60b of the rod 60, the magnetic member 130e can be easily attached to the one end 60b of the rod 60. And can be firmly fixed.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration around a magnetic member 130f in a fourth modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 17A shows a planar configuration (upper surface configuration) around the magnetic member 130f, and FIG. 17B shows a cross-sectional configuration around the magnetic member 130f (F in FIG. 17A). -F cross-sectional structure). The magnetic member 130f in the fourth modification of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 17 is different from the magnetic member 130b in the second embodiment described above in the planar configuration.

  In the fourth modification of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17A, the magnetic member 130f includes a first magnetic piece 134, a second magnetic piece 135, and a third magnetic piece. 136. The third magnetic piece 136 is joined to the insulating portion 139 in a state of being inserted into a through hole formed near the center of the insulating portion 139. Therefore, the third magnetic piece 136 is insulated from the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135. The third magnetic piece 136 has a through hole 131, and is directly fixed to the rod 60 by press-fitting one end portion 60 b of the rod 60 into the through hole 131. The first magnetic body piece 134 and the second magnetic body piece 135 are fixed to the one end portion 60 b of the rod 60 via the third magnetic body piece 136 and the insulating portion 139.

  In the fourth modification of the second embodiment, the magnetic member 130f is composed of a first magnetic piece 134, a second magnetic piece 135, and a third magnetic piece 136 that are insulated from each other. Each of the first magnetic piece 134, the second magnetic piece 135, and the third magnetic piece 136 includes two fixed contacts 18 and has a portion that intersects a plane parallel to the vertical direction. Therefore, the arc generated between one contact and the surface of the fixed terminal 10 is connected to the arc generated between the other contact and the surface of the fixed terminal 10 via the magnetic member 130f, and normal interruption cannot be performed. Can be avoided. Further, in the fourth modification of the second embodiment, the third magnetic piece 136 is directly fixed to the one end 60 b of the rod 60, so that the magnetic member 130 f is strong against the one end 60 b of the rod 60. Can be fixed to.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration around the magnetic member 130g in the fifth modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 18A shows a planar configuration (upper surface configuration) around the magnetic member 130g, and FIG. 18B shows a cross-sectional configuration around the magnetic member 130g (G in FIG. 18A). -G cross-sectional structure). The magnetic member 130g in the fifth modification of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 18 is different from the magnetic member 130b in the second embodiment described above in the planar configuration and the cross-sectional configuration.

  In the fifth modification of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18B, the first magnetic piece 134 is composed of a base portion 145 and a thin-walled portion 146 that is thinner than the base portion 145. A through hole 147 is formed in the thin portion 146. The second magnetic piece 135 has the same configuration. The insulating portion 139 includes a cylindrical portion 161 having a through hole 131 and an extending portion 162 extending in the direction parallel to the XY plane from the vicinity of the center of the cylindrical portion 161 in the height direction (Z-axis direction). The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 161 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the through hole 147 of the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135. The first magnetic body piece 134, the second magnetic body piece 135, and the insulating portion 139 are such that the cylindrical portion 161 of the insulating portion 139 is in the through hole 147 of the first magnetic body piece 134 and the second magnetic body piece 135. Are combined and integrated so that the thin portions 146 of the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135 face each other through the extending portion 162 of the insulating portion 139. Therefore, the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135 are insulated from each other by the insulating portion 139.

  In the fifth modification of the second embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment described above, the magnetic member 130g is composed of a first magnetic piece 134 and a second magnetic piece 135 that are insulated from each other. Since each of the first magnetic body piece 134 and the second magnetic body piece 135 includes two fixed contacts 18 and has a portion that intersects a plane parallel to the vertical direction, The arc generated between the contacts and the surface of the fixed terminal 10 is connected to the arc generated between the other contacts and the surface of the fixed terminal 10 via the magnetic member 130g, and the normal interruption cannot be performed. It can be avoided. In the fifth modification of the second embodiment, the first magnetic piece 134 and the second magnetic piece 135 and the insulating portion 139 can be easily and firmly joined.

C. Other variations:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be realized in various forms without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the invention can be realized as the following modifications. is there.

C1. Modification 1:
In the said Example, the structure of the electric circuit 1 in which the relay 5 is used is an example to the last, and can be variously deformed. For example, the electric circuit 1 may further include a capacitor and a fuse. In the above embodiment, the relay 5 is used for the electric circuit 1 mounted in a hybrid car or an electric vehicle. However, the relay 5 can be used for other purposes (for example, for a solar power generation device). is there.

C2. Modification 2:
The configuration of the relay 5 in the above embodiment is merely an example and can be variously modified. For example, in the above embodiment, the magnetic member 130 has a flat plate shape, but the magnetic member 130 can be deformed into an arbitrary shape. However, it is preferable that the magnetic body member 130 has a flat plate shape because a magnetic flux bias around the movable contact 50 can be effectively generated. Further, the projection of the magnetic member 130 on the first plane (XY plane) does not necessarily need to overlap the projection of the movable contact 50 on the first plane. However, when the projection of the magnetic member 130 on the first plane (XY plane) overlaps with the projection of the movable contact 50 on the first plane, the adsorption acting on the movable contact 50 due to the presence of the magnetic member 130. This is preferable because the magnitude of the force Fp is larger and the direction of the adsorption force Fp can be made closer to the upper direction. In addition, at least a part of the projection of the magnetic member 130 onto the second plane including the central axis TL of each fixed terminal 10 is not necessarily located between the central axes TL of each fixed terminal 10. However, when at least a part of the projection of the magnetic member 130 onto the second plane including the central axis TL of each fixed terminal 10 is located between the central axes TL of each fixed terminal 10, it is movable due to the presence of the magnetic member 130. This is preferable because the magnitude of the suction force Fp acting on the contact 50 can be increased and the direction of the suction force Fp can be made closer to the upward direction.

  In the above embodiment, a mechanism for moving the movable iron core 72 by magnetic force is used as the drive mechanism 90. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other mechanisms for moving the movable contact 50 may be used. Good. For example, a mechanism may be employed in which the movable contact 50 is provided with a lift portion that can be extended and retracted from the outside, and the movable contact 50 is moved by expansion and contraction of the lift portion. Also in this case, by providing the magnetic body member 130 so as not to be mechanically connected to the lift portion as the driving member, it is possible to more effectively suppress the decrease in the contact pressure between the contacts and the occurrence of the contact opening. Can do. Further, in the driving mechanism 90 of the above embodiment, the one end 60 b of the rod 60 may be joined to the movable contact 50. Thus, the movable contact 50 can be moved in conjunction with the movement of the movable iron core 72 without providing the spring 62. In the above embodiment, it is not always necessary to use the springs 62 corresponding to the number of the movable contacts 58, and one spring 62 may be used in common for each movable contact 58. Further, instead of the spring 62 in the above-described embodiment, various spring members such as a disc spring and a leaf spring, and other elastically deformable members such as rubber may be employed. Moreover, in the said Example, the shape of each member, the joining position between each member, and the joining method can be set arbitrarily. In the above embodiment, the second magnetic member 140 can be omitted.

  In the above embodiment, the one end 60 b of the rod 60 may function as the magnetic member 130. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration around the magnetic member 130 in a modified example. In the modification shown in FIG. 19, one end portion 60b of the rod 60 is made of a magnetic material, and the shaft portion 60a of the rod 60 is made of a nonmagnetic material. One end 60 b of the rod 60 is covered with a protective cover 150. In the modified example shown in FIG. 19 as well, the one end portion 60b of the rod 60 functions as the magnetic member 130, so that the contact force of the drive mechanism 90 is not increased more than necessary. It is possible to suppress a decrease in contact pressure between them and the occurrence of contact separation, and an arc generated between one contact and the surface of the fixed terminal 10 is fixed between the other contacts and fixed via one end 60b of the rod 60. It is possible to avoid the occurrence of a situation where the arc is generated on the surface of the terminal 10 and cannot be normally cut off.

  In the above embodiment, the generated arc is stretched by the permanent magnet 800 along the Y-axis direction (the direction connecting the central axes TL of the fixed terminals 10) to promote arc extinction. The arc is moved by the permanent magnet 800 along the X-axis direction (direction approximately perpendicular to both the direction connecting the central axes TL of the fixed terminals 10 and the direction in which the movable contact 58 approaches the fixed contact 18). It may be stretched to promote arc extinction.

  Note that, regardless of whether the arc stretching direction is the Y-axis direction or the X-axis direction, the protective cover 150 of the above-described embodiment is such that the spatter that melts and scatters the contact material due to the heat generated after the arc is generated with the rod 60. It is possible to prevent the relay 5 from being hindered by entering between the magnetic member 130 or between the magnetic member 130 and the movable contact 50.

C3. Modification 3:
In the first embodiment (and its modifications, the same applies hereinafter), the protective cover 150 is directly viewed from any point on the surface of the magnetic member 130 located in the airtight space 100 of each fixed terminal 10. It is good also as covering at least one part of the surface area (2nd surface area) comprised by the part which can be formed. Even in this case, it is possible to suppress the possibility of occurrence of a situation in which an arc generated between the contacts or on the surface of each fixed terminal 10 is connected through the magnetic member 130 and cannot be normally shut off. . Alternatively, the protective cover 150 does not cover the entire second surface region, but the surface region is configured by a portion of the surface of the magnetic member 130 that can be directly viewed from each fixed contact 18 (first claim in claims). (Hereinafter, referred to as a first surface region). Of the surface of the magnetic member 130, the first surface region constituted by a portion that can be directly viewed from each fixed contact 18 is a portion where an arc generated between each contact is easily contacted. By covering all with the protective cover 150, the possibility of the occurrence of the above situation can be effectively suppressed. Alternatively, the protective cover 150 may cover at least a part of the first surface region. Even if it does in this way, the possibility of generation | occurrence | production of the said situation can be suppressed. Alternatively, the protective cover 150 may cover all of the first surface area and may cover all of the second surface area. In this way, it is possible to reliably suppress the possibility of occurrence of a situation in which arcs generated between the contacts or on the surfaces of the fixed terminals 10 are connected via the magnetic member 130 and cannot be normally shut off. it can.

  In the first embodiment, the protective cover 150 does not necessarily have to cover the surface of the one end 60 b of the rod 60.

C4. Modification 4:
In the second embodiment (and its modifications, the same applies hereinafter), the magnetic member 130 may be composed of three or more magnetic pieces that are insulated from each other. Also in this case, if each magnetic piece includes two fixed contacts 18 and has a portion intersecting with a plane parallel to the vertical direction, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a situation where normal interruption cannot be performed. . In the second embodiment, the relay 5 may have a protective cover that covers the surface of the magnetic member 130 as in the first embodiment. In this case, the protective cover may cover all of the second surface region of the magnetic member 130 as in the first embodiment, or covers at least a part of the second surface region. It is good. Alternatively, the protective cover may cover the entire first surface area of the magnetic member 130 or may cover at least a part of the first surface area. Alternatively, the protective cover may cover all of the first surface area and may cover all of the second surface area.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electric circuit 2 ... DC power supply 3 ... Current converter 4 ... Motor 5 ... Relay 6 ... Relay body 10 ... Fixed terminal 12 ... Connection port 13 ... Flange part 17 ... Diaphragm part 18 ... Fixed contact 19 ... Fixed contact part 20 ... 1st container 22 ... side part 24 ... bottom part 26 ... through-hole 30 ... joining member 32 ... base part 40 ... container for coil 42 ... coil bobbin 44 ... coil 48 ... extending | stretching part 50 ... movable contact element 52 ... center part 55 ... penetration Hole 57: movable contact portion 58 ... movable contact 60 ... rod 60a ... shaft portion 60b ... one end portion 60c ... other end portion 62 ... compression coil spring 64 ... spring 67 ... mounting member 69 ... vent pipe 70 ... fixed iron core 70h ... through hole 72 ... movable iron core 72h ... through hole 80 ... iron core container 86 ... rubber 90 ... drive mechanism 92 ... second container 100 ... airtight space 130 ... magnetic body member 13 ... through hole 134 ... first magnetic piece 135 ... second magnetic piece 136 ... third magnetic piece 139 ... insulating portion 140 ... second magnetic member 141 ... convex portion 142 ... concave portion 144 ... notch Part 145 ... Base part 146 ... Thin part 147 ... Through hole 150 ... Protective cover 152 ... Base part 154 ... Side wall part 161 ... Cylindrical part 162 ... Extension part 800 ... Permanent magnet

Claims (5)

A plurality of fixed terminals each having a fixed contact, a movable contact having a plurality of movable contacts corresponding to each of the fixed contacts, and the fixed terminal by contacting the surface of the movable contact on the fixed terminal side A restricting portion for restricting the movement of the movable contact toward the approaching first direction, and changing the position of the restricting portion to the first direction and the second direction opposite to the first direction; A driving member for moving the movable contact in the first direction and the second direction, an insulating first container joined to the plurality of fixed terminals, and the first container. And a second container that forms an airtight space in which the movable contact and each of the fixed contacts are accommodated together with the first container and the plurality of fixed terminals.
A magnetic member fixed to the restricting portion on the first direction side from the movable contact in the airtight space;
At least a first surface region formed of an insulating material and configured by a portion that can be directly viewed from each of the fixed contacts in a state where the fixed contact and the movable contact are not in contact with each other in the surface of the magnetic member. A relay comprising a protective cover covering a part. The relay according to claim 1,
The relay, wherein the protective cover covers all of the first surface area. The relay according to claim 2,
The protective cover can be viewed directly from any point on the surface located in the airtight space of each fixed terminal in a state where the fixed contact and the movable contact are not in contact with each other on the surface of the magnetic member. A relay, characterized in that it covers all of the second surface area composed of parts. In the relay according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The protective cover covers at least a part of a surface region constituted by a portion that can be directly viewed from each fixed contact in a state where the fixed contact and the movable contact are not in contact with each other, on the surface of the restricting portion. Characteristic relay. In the relay according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The relay according to claim 1, wherein the protective cover includes a rotation restricting portion that restricts rotation of the movable contact in a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

Images