JP6926738B2 - Electromagnetic relay - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic relay.

The electromagnetic relay disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a container having a closed space inside, a pair of fixed terminals electrically fixed to the container independently of each other, and a pair of fixed terminals provided in the closed space. It is provided with a plate-shaped movable contactor that faces each of the fixed terminals and is movable so as to approach or open from each of the pair of fixed terminals. A fixed contact is fixed to the tip of each of the pair of fixed terminals located in the closed space. Further, the movable contact is fixed with a pair of movable contacts arranged so as to face each of the pair of fixed contacts.

Japanese Patent No. 5559662

By the way, a gas having a high arc cooling effect (for example, hydrogen) is usually airtightly sealed in the closed space inside the container. In this case, if the container is damaged by the arc generated when the pair of fixed contacts and the pair of movable contacts are opened and closed, outside air may flow into the closed space and cause a gas explosion.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic relay capable of sealing the inflow of outside air into a closed space caused by the generation of an arc.

The electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present invention is
A box-shaped and insulating contact case with a closed space inside,
A pair of fixed terminals, each of which is electrically and independently fixed to the contact case and has a fixed contact arrangement surface in the enclosed space.
It is arranged in the closed space, has a first surface facing the fixed contact arrangement surface of the pair of fixed terminals, and the first surface is on the fixed contact arrangement surface of the pair of fixed terminals. On the other hand, a conductive plate-shaped movable contactor arranged so as to be movable in the contacting and disengaging directions, which approaches and separates from each other.
A pair of fixed contacts provided on the fixed contact arrangement surface of the pair of fixed terminals, respectively.
The pair of fixed contacts are provided on the first surface of the movable contact, face each of the pair of fixed contacts, and as the movable contact approaches the pair of fixed terminals. A pair of movable contacts arranged to be in contact with each of the above and to be separated from each of the pair of fixed contacts as the movable contact is separated from the pair of fixed terminals.
An arc generated when the pair of movable contacts contact or open with respect to the pair of fixed contacts while being arranged so as to face a part of the side wall extending in the contact / separation direction of the contact case. A permanent magnet that attracts to the side wall of the contact case,
With
The contact case is provided on the inner or outer surface of the side wall from which the arc is attracted, and has a sealing layer capable of sealing the inflow of outside air into the sealed space.

According to the electromagnetic relay of the above aspect, the contact case is provided on the inner or outer surface of the side wall from which the arc is attracted, and has a sealing layer capable of sealing the inflow of outside air into the closed space. With this sealing layer, for example, even if the side wall of the contact case is damaged due to the generation of an arc, the inflow of outside air into the closed space can be sealed.

The perspective view of the electromagnetic relay of one Embodiment of this invention. Sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. Top view of the electromagnetic relay housing of FIG. 1 with the housing removed. The side view of the state which removed the housing of the electromagnetic relay of FIG. The side view which shows the modification of the electromagnetic relay of FIG. Top view showing a modification of the contact case and the permanent magnet of the electromagnetic relay of FIG. 1. A cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 1 showing a modified example of the electromagnetic relay of FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, terms indicating a specific direction or position (for example, terms including "top", "bottom", "right", and "left") are used as necessary, but the use of these terms is used. Is for facilitating the understanding of the invention with reference to the drawings, and the meaning of those terms does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the following description is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or its use. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic, and the ratio of each dimension does not always match the actual one.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electromagnetic relay 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an insulating housing 1 and a pair of fixed terminals 31a and 31b fixed to the housing 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the electromagnetic relay 100 passes through the center of the pair of fixed terminals 31a and 31b and is symmetrical with respect to a plane CP extending in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the pair of fixed terminals 31a and 31b. It is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, a contact case 30 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is provided inside the housing 1. A closed space 70 is formed inside the contact case 30, and the electromagnetic relay 100 has a conductive plate shape provided in the closed space 70 so as to face a pair of fixed terminals 31a and 31b. The movable contact 32 of the above is provided. Further, the electromagnetic relay 100 has a movable contact 32 that faces each of the pair of fixed contacts 33a and 33b and the pair of fixed contacts 33a and 33b provided in the pair of fixed terminals 31a and 31b in the closed space 70. A pair of movable contacts 34a and 34b provided in the above are provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the electromagnetic relay 100 has a contact / separation direction in which a pair of movable contacts 34a and 34b contact and release from a pair of fixed contacts 33a and 33b (that is, a paper surface penetration direction in FIG. 3). It is provided with a permanent magnet arranged so as to face a part of the side walls 303 and 304 of the contact case 30 extending to. In this embodiment, as an example, a pair of permanent magnets 55a and 55b are provided, and the permanent magnets 55a and 55b are fixed to the cover 20.

The arrangement direction of the pair of fixed terminals 31a and 31b (horizontal direction in FIG. 2) is the X direction, and the height direction of the electromagnetic relay 100 (vertical direction in FIG. 2) is the Z direction. Further, the direction orthogonal to the X and Z directions is defined as the Y direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 1 is composed of a case 10 and a cover 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, the case 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a hollow box shape, and has a rectangular opening 11 on one of the surfaces facing in the longitudinal direction thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cover 20 has a rectangular shape and is attached so as to cover the opening 11 of the case 10. Further, the cover 20 is provided with two circular terminal holes 21 arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction thereof, and a wall portion 22 arranged in the middle of the terminal holes 21 and extending along a plane CP. ing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the contact case 30 is a ceramic case 51 arranged so as to be adjacent to the cover 20 inside the housing 1 and a bottom side (that is, a lower side in the Z direction) of the case 10 of the ceramic case 51. A flange 52 extending from the end toward the bottom of the case 10 (that is, downward in the Z direction), a first yoke 53 arranged at the bottom end of the case 10 of the flange 52, and the center of the first yoke 53. It is composed of a bottomed cylinder 54 extending from the vicinity of the portion toward the bottom of the case 10. The ceramic case 51, the flange 52, and the first yoke 53 are integrated, and the first yoke 53 and the bottomed cylinder 54 are airtightly joined. As a result, a closed space 70 is formed inside the contact case 30. The closed space 70 is filled with a gas having a high arc cooling effect (for example, hydrogen or nitrogen).

The ceramic case 51 is insulating, has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a hollow box shape. A pair of terminal holes 511 arranged so as to face the terminal holes 21 of the cover 20 are provided on the surface of the ceramic case 51 facing the cover 20. A pair of fixed terminals 31a and 31b are inserted into each terminal hole 511 and are fixed by brazing, for example. Further, the surface of the ceramic case 51 facing the bottom of the case 10 (that is, the surface on the lower side in the Z direction) is an opening surface provided with an opening.

The flange 52 has a tubular shape (for example, a substantially square tubular shape) and extends from the edge portion of the opening surface of the ceramic case 51 toward the bottom portion of the case 10 (that is, downward in the Z direction). The surface of the flange 52 facing the cover 20 and the surface of the flange 52 facing the bottom of the case 10 are both open surfaces having openings.

The first yoke 53 has a plate shape, and is arranged at the bottom end side of the case 10 of the flange 52 so that the plate surface faces the bottom of the cover 20 and the case 10. A hole 531 is provided in the center of the first yoke 53. A movable shaft 35 is movably inserted into the hole 531.

The bottomed cylinder 54 has a circular or square shape, and extends from the vicinity of the center of the plate surface facing the bottom of the case 10 of the first yoke 53 toward the bottom of the case 10. A flange is provided at the end of the bottomed cylinder 54 on the first yoke 53 side to cover the hole 531 of the first yoke 53. Inside the bottomed cylinder 54, a substantially cylindrical rod-shaped movable shaft 35, a fixed iron core 57 fixed to the first yoke 53, and a tip portion of the movable shaft 35 on the bottom side of the case 10 (that is, downward in the Z direction). A movable iron core 58 fixed to the side end) is housed. A return spring 59 is provided between the fixed core 57 and the movable core 58 to urge the movable core 58 toward the bottom of the case 10 (that is, downward in the Z direction).

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the pair of fixed terminals 31a and 31b has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is electrically and independently fixed to the ceramic case 51 constituting the housing 1. The pair of fixed terminals 31a and 31b are arranged at intervals along the arrangement direction (that is, the X direction), and a part thereof is located in the closed space 70.

The end faces of the pair of fixed terminals 31a and 31b on the closed space 70 side (that is, the end faces of the lower ends in the Z direction) are each provided with fixed contact arrangement surfaces 311 extending along the XY plane. Fixed contacts 33a and 33b are provided on each fixed contact arrangement surface 311. The fixed contacts 33a and 33b may be formed integrally with the corresponding fixed terminals 31a and 31b, or may be formed separately from the corresponding fixed terminals 31a and 31b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the movable contact 32 has a first surface 321 extending along an XY plane facing the pair of fixed terminals 31a and 31b, and an XY opposite to the first surface 321 in the Z direction. It has a second surface 322 extending along a plane.

A pair of movable contacts 34a and 34b are provided on the first surface 321 of the movable contactor 32. That is, the first surface 321 is a movable contact arrangement surface, and the pair of movable contacts 34a and 34b are electrically connected to each other by the movable contacts 32. The pair of movable contacts 34a and 34b are arranged so as to face each of the pair of fixed contacts 33a and 33b, respectively. The movable contacts 34a and 34b may be formed integrally with the movable contact 32, or may be formed separately from the movable contact 32.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a coil spring 50 that expands and contracts along the movable shaft 35 is provided on the bottom side (that is, the lower side in the Z direction) of the case 10 of the movable contactor 32.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electromagnet unit 40 includes an insulating spool 41, a coil 42 wound around the spool 41, and a coil terminal (not shown) fixed to the spool 41. There is. When a voltage is applied to the coil 42, the electromagnet portion 40 moves the movable shaft 35 up and down along the Z direction, and causes the movable contact 32 to move with respect to the fixed contact arrangement surfaces 311 of the pair of fixed terminals 31a and 31b. To approach or separate.

Further, inside the housing 1, a second yoke 44 having a substantially U shape in a cross section orthogonal to the plane CP is provided. The second yoke 44 is connected to the first yoke 53 and is arranged inside the case 10 so as to surround the electromagnet portion 40 together with the first yoke 53.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of permanent magnets 55 are arranged so as to face each of the pair of side walls of the contact case 30 extending in the arrangement direction (that is, the X direction) of the pair of fixed terminals 31a and 31b. The arc generated when the movable contacts 33a and 33b come into contact with or release from the pair of fixed contacts 31a and 31b is attracted to the side wall of the contact case 30.

Specifically, the pair of fixed contacts 33a and 33b and the pair of movable contacts 34a and 34b come into contact with each other, and a current flows from the fixed terminal 31b on the right side of FIG. 3 toward the fixed terminal 31a on the left side of FIG. It is assumed that the magnetic flux extends from the lower permanent magnet 55a toward the upper permanent magnet 55b in FIG. In this case, the arc generated between the fixed contact 33b on the right side and the corresponding movable contact 34b is attracted to the side wall 301 on the right side in FIG. 3 while approaching the permanent magnet 55b on the upper side by the Lorentz force, and is attracted to the side wall 301 on the left side in FIG. The arc generated between the fixed contact 33a and the corresponding movable contact 34a is attracted to the side wall 302 on the left side of FIG. 3 while approaching the lower permanent magnet 55a by the Lorentz force.

Next, the contact case 30 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Note that the housing 1 is omitted in FIGS. 3 and 4.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the contact case 30 has a contact / separation direction in which a pair of movable contacts 34a and 34b contact and release from a pair of fixed contacts 33a and 33b (that is, a paper penetration direction of FIG. 3). A sealing layer 80 provided on the outer surface of the side wall extending to) and capable of sealing the inflow of outside air into the sealed space 70, and a reinforcing layer 81 provided around the sealing layer 80. As an example, the sealing layer 80 and the reinforcing layer 81 are made of a conductive or insulating tape (for example, a ceramic tape or a resin adhesive tape).

Specifically, the sealing layer 80 is formed on the side walls 301 and 302 of the contact case 30 in which an arc generated when the pair of movable contacts 34a and 34b contact or open with respect to the pair of fixed contacts 33a and 33b is attracted. It is provided on each portion of the outer surface corresponding to the inner wall surface of the closed space 70. Further, the reinforcing layer 81 is connected to each sealing layer 80 provided on the outer surfaces of the side walls 301 and 302, respectively. That is, each sealing layer 80 and the reinforcing layer 81 are integrally provided over the entire outer surface of the side wall of the contact case 30.

In the electromagnetic relay 100, the contact case 30 is provided on the outer surfaces of the side walls 301 and 302 from which the arc is attracted, and has a sealing layer 80 capable of sealing the inflow of outside air into the sealed space 70. With this sealing layer 80, for example, even if the side walls 301 and 302 of the contact case 30 are damaged by the generation of an arc, the inflow of outside air into the sealed space 70 can be sealed.

Further, a contact case 30 is provided around the sealing layer 80, and a reinforcing layer 81 for reinforcing the sealing of the sealing layer 80 is provided. For example, even if the side walls 301 and 302 of the contact case 30 are cracked beyond the sealing layer 80 due to the generation of an arc, the reinforcing layer 81 allows the outside air to enter the sealed space 70 for the cracks exceeding the sealing layer 80. The inflow can be sealed.

Further, the sealing layer 80 and the reinforcing layer 81 are integrally provided over the entire circumference of the side wall of the contact case 30. As a result, the inflow of outside air into the closed space 70 can be more reliably sealed.

Further, the sealing layer 80 has a layer thickness larger than that of the reinforcing layer 81. As a result, the manufacturing cost can be reduced while making it possible to seal the inflow of outside air into the closed space 70.

In the present invention, the side walls 301 and 302 at which the arc of the contact case 30 is attracted may be provided with a sealing layer 80 capable of sealing the inflow of outside air into the sealed space 70. For example, FIG. As shown in, the reinforcing layer 81 may be omitted.

The sealing layer 80 and the reinforcing layer 81 are not limited to the outer surface facing the housing 1 of the side walls 301 and 302 to which the arc of the contact case 30 is attracted, respectively, and may be provided on the inner surface on the sealed space 70 side.

Further, the sealing layer 80 and the reinforcing layer 81 are not limited to being integrally formed, and may be formed separately.

Further, the sealing layer 80 and the reinforcing layer 81 may have the same layer thickness.

Further, the sealing layer 80 and the reinforcing layer 81 are not limited to the conductive or insulating tape, and may be made of a thermoplastic resin such as urethane.

The contact case 30 is not limited to a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may have a cylindrical shape, for example, as shown in FIG. Further, the contact case 30 is not limited to the case where the contact case 30 is composed of the ceramic case 51, the flange 52, the first yoke 53, and the bottomed tubular body 54, and has an arbitrary structure capable of forming a closed space 70 inside the contact case 30. Can be adopted. For example, instead of the ceramic case 51, a structure using a housing made of a heat-sealing resin may be adopted. That is, the contact case 30 can be configured with an arbitrary structure, shape, and size according to the design of the electromagnetic relay 100 and the like.

The permanent magnets 55a and 55b are not limited to the case where they are arranged so as to face each of the pair of side walls of the contact case 30 extending in the arrangement direction of the pair of fixed terminals 31a and 31b. For example, the pair of fixed terminals 31a and 31b are arranged so as to face the pair of side walls of the contact case 30 extending in the direction intersecting the arrangement direction (for example, in the orthogonal direction) (at the positions A and B shown in FIG. 6). You may. Further, at least one permanent magnets 55a and 55b may be provided, and for example, they may be arranged at any of the positions A to D shown in FIG. 6 facing a part of the side wall of the contact case 30. .. When the number and arrangement of permanent magnets change, the position of the side wall of the contact case 30 where the arc is attracted also changes.

Further, the permanent magnets 55a and 55b are not limited to the case where they are arranged outside the contact case 30, and may be arranged, for example, in the closed space 70 inside the contact case 30, or on the side wall of the contact case 30. It may be arranged inside.

As shown in FIG. 7, the electromagnetic relay 100 may further include a sealing portion 90 that covers the outer surface of the side wall of the contact case 30 and can seal the inflow of outside air into the sealed space 70. As a result, the inflow of outside air into the closed space 70 can be more reliably sealed. The sealing portion 90 can be made of, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as urethane.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, finally, various aspects of the present invention will be described.

The electromagnetic relay according to the first aspect of the present invention is
A box-shaped and insulating contact case with a closed space inside,
A pair of fixed terminals, each of which is electrically and independently fixed to the contact case and has a fixed contact arrangement surface in the enclosed space.
It is arranged in the closed space, has a first surface facing the fixed contact arrangement surface of the pair of fixed terminals, and the first surface is on the fixed contact arrangement surface of the pair of fixed terminals. On the other hand, a conductive plate-shaped movable contactor arranged so as to be movable in the contacting and disengaging directions, which approaches and separates from each other.
A pair of fixed contacts provided on the fixed contact arrangement surface of the pair of fixed terminals, respectively.
The pair of fixed contacts are provided on the first surface of the movable contact, face each of the pair of fixed contacts, and as the movable contact approaches the pair of fixed terminals. A pair of movable contacts arranged to be in contact with each of the above and to be separated from each of the pair of fixed contacts as the movable contact is separated from the pair of fixed terminals.
An arc generated when the pair of movable contacts contact or open with respect to the pair of fixed contacts while being arranged so as to face a part of the side wall extending in the contact / separation direction of the contact case. A permanent magnet that attracts to the side wall of the contact case,
With
The contact case is provided on the inner or outer surface of the side wall from which the arc is attracted, and has a sealing layer capable of sealing the inflow of outside air into the sealed space.

According to the electromagnetic relay of the first aspect, for example, even if the side wall of the contact case is damaged due to the generation of an arc, the inflow of outside air into the enclosed space can be sealed.

The electromagnetic relay according to the second aspect of the present invention is
The contact case is connected to the sealing layer, and a reinforcing layer is provided to reinforce the sealing of the sealing layer.

According to the electromagnetic relay of the second aspect, for example, even if the side wall of the contact case is cracked beyond the sealing layer due to the generation of an arc, the inflow of outside air into the sealed space can be sealed.

The electromagnetic relay according to the third aspect of the present invention is
The sealing layer and the reinforcing layer are integrally provided over the entire circumference of the side wall of the contact case.

According to the electromagnetic relay of the third aspect, the inflow of outside air into the enclosed space can be more reliably sealed.

The electromagnetic relay according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is
The sealing layer has a layer thickness larger than that of the reinforcing layer.

According to the electromagnetic relay of the fourth aspect, the manufacturing cost can be reduced while making it possible to seal the inflow of outside air into the enclosed space.

The electromagnetic relay according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is
A sealing portion that covers the outer surface of the side wall and can seal the inflow of outside air into the sealed space is further provided.

According to the electromagnetic relay of the fifth aspect, the inflow of outside air into the enclosed space can be more reliably sealed.

The electromagnetic relay according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is
The sealing layer is made of a conductive or insulating tape.

According to the electromagnetic relay of the sixth aspect, even if the side wall of the contact case is damaged due to the generation of an arc, for example, the inflow of outside air into the enclosed space can be sealed.

By appropriately combining any of the various embodiments or modifications, the effects of each can be achieved. In addition, it is possible to combine embodiments or examples, or between embodiments and examples, and it is also possible to combine features in different embodiments or examples.

The electromagnetic relay of the present invention can be applied to, for example, an automobile.

1 Housing 10 Case 11 Opening 20 Cover 21 Terminal hole 22 Wall 30 Contact case 301, 302, 303, 304 Side wall 31a, 31b Fixed terminal 311 Fixed contact arrangement surface 32 Movable contact 321 First surface 322 Second surface 33a, 33b Fixed contacts 34a, 34b Movable contacts 35 Movable shaft 40 Electromagnet 41 Spool 42 Coil 44 Second yoke 50 Coil spring 51 Ceramic case 511 Terminal hole 52 Flange 53 First yoke 531 Hole 54 Bottomed cylinder 55a, 55b Permanent magnet 57 Fixed iron core 58 Movable iron core 59 Return spring 70 Sealed space 80 Sealing layer 81 Reinforcing layer 90 Sealing part 100 Electromagnetic relay

Claims (6)

A box-shaped and insulating contact case with a closed space inside,
A pair of fixed terminals, each of which is electrically and independently fixed to the contact case and has a fixed contact arrangement surface in the enclosed space.
It is arranged in the closed space, has a first surface facing the fixed contact arrangement surface of the pair of fixed terminals, and the first surface is on the fixed contact arrangement surface of the pair of fixed terminals. On the other hand, a conductive plate-shaped movable contactor arranged so as to be movable in the contacting and disengaging directions, which approaches and separates from each other.
A pair of fixed contacts provided on the fixed contact arrangement surface of the pair of fixed terminals, respectively.
The pair of fixed contacts are provided on the first surface of the movable contact, face each of the pair of fixed contacts, and as the movable contact approaches the pair of fixed terminals. A pair of movable contacts arranged to be in contact with each of the above and to be separated from each of the pair of fixed contacts as the movable contact is separated from the pair of fixed terminals.
An arc generated when the pair of movable contacts contact or open with respect to the pair of fixed contacts while being arranged so as to face a part of the side wall extending in the contact / separation direction of the contact case. A permanent magnet that attracts to the side wall of the contact case,
With
An electromagnetic relay in which the contact case is provided on the inner or outer surface of the side wall from which the arc is attracted and has a sealing layer capable of sealing the inflow of outside air into the sealed space.
The housing in which the contact case is provided and
A sealing portion provided inside the housing, which covers the outer surface of the side wall and can seal the inflow of outside air into the sealed space.
Equipped with an electromagnetic relay. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1, wherein the contact case is connected to the sealing layer, and a reinforcing layer for reinforcing the sealing of the sealing layer is provided. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 2, wherein the sealing layer and the reinforcing layer are integrally provided over the entire circumference of the side wall of the contact case. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sealing layer has a layer thickness larger than that of the reinforcing layer. The electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the sealing layer is made of a conductive or insulating tape. The electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sealing portion is made of a thermoplastic resin.

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