JP7117497B2 - Electromagnet device and electromagnetic relay - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates generally to electromagnet devices and electromagnetic relays. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an electromagnet device including an armature that moves in response to excitation of an electromagnet, and an electromagnetic relay including the electromagnet device and a contact portion.

Patent Literature 1 describes an electromagnetic relay. This electromagnetic relay includes a base, a multipolar contact mechanism, a card as a moving body for switching contacts, an electromagnet block, a movable block for driving the card rotatably supported by the base and arranged opposite to the electromagnet block, and a cover case and the like.

The movable block consists of a resin-molded block body, an iron piece (armature) fitted and secured to the front surface of the block body, a permanent magnet attached to the center of the front surface of the iron piece, and a metal fulcrum shaft. ing. Contact switching is performed by the iron piece being attracted to or separated from the yoke (yoke) of the electromagnet block depending on whether the electromagnet block is energized or de-energized.

JP-A-2005-63940

By the way, in a magnetic circuit formed by an armature, a permanent magnet, and a yoke, an increase in magnetic flux leakage may reduce the magnetic efficiency. Therefore, reduction of leakage magnetic flux is desired.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electromagnet device and an electromagnetic relay capable of reducing leakage magnetic flux.

An electromagnet device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an electromagnet, an armature, a permanent magnet, and an auxiliary yoke. The electromagnet has a coil and a yoke. One magnetic pole of the permanent magnet faces the armature. The auxiliary yoke has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface faces the other magnetic pole of the permanent magnet and intersects the magnetic pole direction of the permanent magnet. The second surface faces the yoke side. The armature moves toward or away from the yoke when the electromagnet is excited. The second surface of the auxiliary yoke faces the yoke in at least a part of a movable range in which the armature moves according to the excitation.

An electromagnetic relay according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the electromagnet device described above and a contact portion. The contact portion has a fixed contact and a movable contact that is displaced between a closed position in contact with the fixed contact and an open position away from the fixed contact as the armature moves.

According to the present disclosure, there is an advantage that leakage magnetic flux can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electromagnetic relay provided with an electromagnet device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electromagnetic relay same as the above. FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the armature unit of the electromagnet device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the armature unit as seen from below. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the same armature unit. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an electromagnet of the same electromagnet device. 7A and 7B are right side views of the same electromagnetic relay, with FIG. 7A in a non-excited state and FIG. 7B in an excited state. 8A and 8B are left side views of the same electromagnetic relay, with FIG. 8A in a non-excited state and FIG. 8B in an excited state. 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. 9A is a diagram in a non-excited state, and FIG. 9B is a diagram in an excited state. FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram of a magnetic circuit in an electromagnet device of a comparative example, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram of a magnetic circuit in an electromagnet device of the same electromagnetic relay. 11A and 11B are perspective views of essential parts of the same electromagnetic relay. FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of a modification of the armature unit. 13A to 13C are conceptual diagrams when a plurality of electromagnetic relays are arranged close to each other.

(1) Overview The following embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present invention. The following embodiments can be modified in various ways according to design and the like, as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved. 1 to 13C described in the following embodiments are schematic diagrams, and the ratio of the size and thickness of each component in FIGS. 1 to 13C does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio. Not necessarily.

The directions of the electromagnet device 3 and the electromagnetic relay 1 of the present embodiment, up and down, left and right, and front and back, are hereinafter described using up and down, left and right, and front and back arrows shown in FIGS. defined and explained. These arrows are merely described for the purpose of assisting the explanation and are not substantial. Moreover, these directions are not meant to limit the directions in which the electromagnet device 3 and the electromagnetic relay 1 are used.

The electromagnet device 3 of this embodiment includes an electromagnet 5 and an armature unit 6, as shown in FIG. The armature unit 6 includes an armature 7, a permanent magnet 9, an auxiliary yoke Y1, and a holding portion 8, as shown in FIGS.

The electromagnet 5 has a coil 50 and a yoke 52, as shown in FIG. In the permanent magnet 9 , one magnetic pole (N pole in the example of FIG. 9A ) faces the armature 7 . The auxiliary yoke Y1 has a first surface Y11 (top surface) and a second surface Y12 (left side surface), as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. The first surface Y11 faces the other magnetic pole of the permanent magnet 9 (the S pole in the example of FIG. 9A) and intersects the magnetic pole direction of the permanent magnet 9 . Here, the magnetic pole direction is the direction in which the magnetic pole surface of the N pole and the magnetic pole surface of the S pole of the permanent magnet 9 are aligned, and is generally along the vertical direction. The second surface Y12 faces the yoke 52 side.

The armature 7 moves toward or away from the yoke 52 when the electromagnet 5 is excited, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. The second surface Y12 of the auxiliary yoke Y1 faces the yoke 52 in at least a part of the movable range in which the armature 7 moves according to the excitation of the electromagnet 5 . Here, as an example, when the electromagnet 5 is in a non-excited state and the left end of the armature 7 is in a state of being raised to the upper position as shown in FIG. A portion of the right surface of the projecting portion 520 of the iron 52 faces a region D2.

The electromagnetic relay 1 of this embodiment includes, for example, the electromagnet device 3 described above and two contact portions 2 . Each contact portion 2 has a fixed contact 21 and a movable contact 26 that is displaced between a closed position in contact with the fixed contact 21 and an open position away from the fixed contact 21 as the armature 7 moves. is doing.

According to this configuration, the second surface Y12 of the auxiliary yoke Y1 faces the yoke 52 in at least a part of the movable range in which the armature 7 moves according to the excitation of the electromagnet 5 . Therefore, the yoke 52, the second surface Y12 (left side surface) of the auxiliary yoke Y1, the first surface Y11 (upper surface) of the auxiliary yoke Y1, the magnetic pole surface of the other magnetic pole of the permanent magnet 9, and the magnetic pole surface of the permanent magnet 9 A magnetic circuit called the magnetic pole surface of Therefore, for example, compared to the case where the auxiliary yoke Y1 is not provided (see FIG. 10A), the flow of magnetic flux in the magnetic pole direction (vertical direction) passing through both magnetic pole faces of the permanent magnet 9 is reduced. can be transformed to be dominant (see FIG. 10B). As a result, it is possible to reduce the leakage of magnetic flux from the other magnetic pole surface of the permanent magnet 9 (in FIG. 9A, the magnetic pole surface of the S pole on the lower side of the permanent magnet 9).

As an example, the electromagnetic relay 1 of the present embodiment has a normally open contact that closes when the electromagnet 5 is excited and a normally closed contact that closes when the electromagnet 5 is not excited. is configured as a so-called safety relay that can detect Therefore, the number of contact portions 2 is two, that is, a first contact portion 2A corresponding to a normally open contact and a second contact portion 2B corresponding to a normally closed contact. However, the electromagnetic relay 1 is not limited to a safety relay, and the number of contact portions 2 may be one or three or more.

(2) Details (2.1) Overall Configuration Hereinafter, the electromagnetic relay 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11B. As shown in FIG. 1, the electromagnetic relay 1 includes two contact portions 2 (a first contact portion 2A and a second contact portion 2B), an electromagnet device 3, and a body 4 consisting of a cover 4A and a base 4B. I have. As described in the section "(1) Outline" above, the electromagnetic relay 1 is applied as a safety relay, for example. Specifically, in the electromagnetic relay 1, when the first contact portion 2A, which is a normally open contact, is welded, the contact between the second contact portion 2B, which is a normally closed contact, is 0 even if the electromagnet 5 is in a non-excited state. Preferably, they are arranged to be separated by 0.5 mm or more. Further, in the electromagnetic relay 1, when the second contact portion 2B, which is a normally closed contact, is welded, even if the electromagnet 5 is in an excited state, the first contact portion 2A, which is a normally open contact, is separated by 0.5 mm or more. It is preferably configured as follows. That is, when the first contact portion 2A is welded, the welding can be detected by the second contact portion 2B. When the second contact portion 2B is welded, the welding can be detected by the first contact portion 2A. As shown in FIG. 1, the electromagnetic relay 1 is formed in a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole.

(2.2) Contact Portion (2.2.1) Configuration of Contact Portion As shown in FIG. 1, the two contact portions 2 are composed of a first contact portion 2A and a second contact portion 2B. The first contact portion 2A corresponds to a normally open contact and is arranged at the right end on one surface 40 (upper surface) of the base 4B of the body 4. As shown in FIG. The second contact portion 2B corresponds to a normally closed contact and is arranged at the left end on one surface 40 (upper surface) of the base 4B of the body 4. As shown in FIG.

(2.2.2) First Contact Portion First, the first contact portion 2A will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. 7A is a right side view of the electromagnetic relay 1 with the electromagnet 5 in a non-excited state, and FIG. 7B is a right side view of the electromagnetic relay 1 with the electromagnet 5 in an excited state.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the first contact portion 2A includes a fixed terminal 20 having a fixed contact 21, a movable spring 25 having a movable contact 26 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a first movable contact 26A), and a movable spring. and a support terminal 27 that supports 25 . The fixed terminal 20 is formed in a generally L-shaped plate shape as a whole when viewed from the left-right direction. Also, the movable spring 25 and the support terminal 27 constitute a movable terminal, and are formed in a substantially L-shaped plate shape as a whole when viewed from the left-right direction.

Specifically, the fixed terminal 20 of the first contact portion 2A is made of a conductive material. The fixed terminal 20 has a fixed contact 21 , an upright portion 22 , an upper wall portion 23 and a terminal piece 24 . The standing portion 22, the upper wall portion 23, and the terminal piece 24 are formed by bending a plate-like member (for example, a copper alloy or the like). That is, the standing portion 22, the upper wall portion 23, and the terminal piece 24 are integrally formed.

The standing portion 22 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and is arranged so that its thickness direction extends along the front-rear direction. The upper wall portion 23 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape and protrudes rearward from the upper right end of the standing portion 22 . However, the upper wall portion 23 is slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. Specifically, when the first movable contact 26A and the fixed contact 21 are separated from each other in the open position, the upper wall portion 23 is slightly inclined away from the movable contact 26 toward the front. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the fixed contact 21 is attached to the lower surface of the upper wall portion 23 by an appropriate attachment method (for example, caulking, welding, or the like). The fixed contact 21 is made of, for example, a silver alloy. The terminal piece 24 is formed in a strip shape elongated in the vertical direction, extends downward from the lower portion of the erected portion 22 , and is led out of the housing 4 to the outside.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the fixed contact 21 is separate from the upper wall portion 23 and fixed by caulking or the like. good.

The movable spring 25 of the first contact portion 2A is a plate spring made of a conductive thin plate, and is formed to have a substantially L shape when viewed from the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the movable spring 25 is composed of a first movable contact 26A, a horizontal piece 251, and a projecting piece 253 (see FIG. 11A). The horizontal piece 251, the projecting piece 253, and the support terminal 27 are formed, for example, by bending a single plate member. That is, the movable spring 25 and the support terminal 27 are integrally formed.

The horizontal piece 251 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape elongated in the front-rear direction, and is arranged so that its thickness direction is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Here, the lateral piece 251 is also slightly inclined with respect to the support terminal 27 in design. When the first movable contact 26A and the fixed contact 21 are separated from each other in the open position, the horizontal piece 251 is slightly inclined away from the fixed contact 21 toward the front.

Further, the horizontal piece 251 has a stepped portion 254 near the first movable contact 26A. That is, the horizontal piece 251 is composed of a first portion 251A extending straight forward from the upper end of the support terminal 27 while tilting downward, a second portion 251B extending forward while tilting once upward, and a second portion 251B extending forward while tilting upward once. and a third portion 251C extending forward while being inclined. The first portion 251A and the third portion 251C are inclined substantially parallel. Further, the third portion 251C also inclines in parallel with the upper wall portion 23 to which the fixed contact 21 is attached when the first movable contact 26A and the fixed contact 21 are in contact with each other in the closed position. That is, the stepped portion 254 is formed by the height difference between the first portion 251A and the third portion 251C by the second portion 251B. Such a stepped portion 254 prevents abrasion powder generated when a first pressing portion 80A of a holding portion 8 made of a synthetic resin to be described later comes into contact with the movable spring 25 over and over again so as not to move toward the first movable contact 26A. It can be shielded and the scattering of abrasion powder can be suppressed.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the tip of the upper surface (part of the one surface 250) of the horizontal piece 251 (part of the one surface 250), that is, the upper surface of the third portion 251C, is attached by an appropriate mounting method (for example, crimping, welding, etc.). 1 movable contact 26A is attached. The first movable contact 26A is made of, for example, a silver alloy, and arranged to face the fixed contact 21 in the vertical direction. However, the positional relationship between the first movable contact 26A and the fixed contact 21 is such that the first movable contact 26A is on the lower side and the fixed contact 21 is on the upper side. When the first movable contact 26A and the fixed contact 21 are in contact with each other in the closed position, the third portion 251C to which the first movable contact 26A is attached is inclined parallel to the upper wall portion 23 to which the fixed contact 21 is attached. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the edge (corner) of one contact from hitting the other contact. In short, contact reliability can be improved by increasing the contact area.

The protruding piece 253 protrudes leftward from the left edge of the horizontal piece 251 near the tip (the tip of the first portion 251A). The projecting piece 253 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and its thickness direction is arranged along the vertical direction. The protruding piece 253 is a portion with which the second projection 802 of the first pressing portion 80A of the holding portion 8, which will be described later, contacts from above.

In this embodiment, as an example, the first movable contact 26A is separate from the horizontal piece 251 and fixed by caulking or the like. good.

The support terminal 27 of the first contact portion 2A is configured to support the movable spring 25 . The support terminal 27 has a terminal piece 270 that is led out from the housing 4 to the outside. The terminal piece 270 is formed in a strip shape elongated in the vertical direction.

The thickness dimension of the fixed terminal 20 is larger than the thickness dimension of the movable spring 25 and the support terminal 27 (for example, about twice as large) as shown in FIG. 7A. However, the thickness dimension of the terminal piece 270 of the support terminal 27 is approximately twice the thickness dimension of the movable spring 25 by bending a part of the plate-like member that constitutes the support terminal 27, and the thickness dimension of the terminal piece 270 is fixed. It is approximately equal to the thickness dimension of the plate-shaped member that constitutes the terminal 20 . Here, as shown in FIG. 11A, the terminal piece 270 is bent into a substantially U shape with the left side open when viewed from below.

In the first contact portion 2A configured in this way, when the electromagnet 5 is in the non-excited state, one surface 250 (upper surface) of the movable spring 25 is pushed from the first pressing portion 80A of the holding portion 8 as shown in FIG. 7A. I keep getting pressure. Therefore, the tip portion of the movable spring 25 is elastically deformed downward, and the first movable contact 26A is in the open position away from the fixed contact 21 .

Further, in the first contact portion 2A, when the electromagnet 5 is in the excited state, as shown in FIG. 7B, the pressure from the first pressing portion 80A of the holding portion 8 disappears. Therefore, the tip of the movable spring 25 is elastically restored upward, and the first movable contact 26A is in the closed position in contact with the fixed contact 21. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, the dimensional relationship is defined so that the first pressing portion 80A of the holding portion 8 does not come into contact with the one surface 250 of the movable spring 25 when the electromagnet 5 is in an excited state. there is That is, when the electromagnet 5 is in an excited state, a slight gap is formed between the first pressing portion 80A and the one surface 250 of the movable spring 25, and the pressing force from the first pressing portion 80A is eliminated. .

(2.2.3) Second Contact Portion Next, the second contact portion 2B will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. 8A is a left side view of the electromagnetic relay 1 with the electromagnet 5 in a non-excited state, and FIG. 8B is a left side view of the electromagnetic relay 1 with the electromagnet 5 in an excited state.

In this embodiment, the structure of the second contact portion 2B is generally the same as that of the first contact portion 2A. Therefore, in the following, for the sake of simplification of explanation, common reference numerals are assigned to common structures, and explanations thereof are appropriately omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the second contact portion 2B includes a fixed terminal 20 having a fixed contact 21, a movable spring 25 having a movable contact 26 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a second movable contact 26B), a movable spring and a support terminal 27 that supports 25 . The movable spring 25 and the support terminal 27 constitute a movable terminal. Also in the second contact portion 2B, the movable spring 25 and the support terminal 27 are integrally formed.

Specifically, the fixed terminal 20 of the second contact portion 2B is made of a conductive material. The fixed terminal 20 has a fixed contact 21 , an upright portion 22 , an upper wall portion 23 and a terminal piece 24 . As shown in FIG. 2, the fixed terminal 20 of the second contact portion 2B employs a structure that is plane-symmetrical to the fixed terminal 20 of the first contact portion 2A in the left-right direction. Also in the second contact portion 2B, the upper wall portion 23 is slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. Specifically, when the first movable contact 26B and the fixed contact 21 are in the open position, the upper wall portion 23 is slightly inclined away from the movable contact 26 toward the front.

The movable spring 25 of the second contact portion 2B is a plate spring made of a conductive thin plate, and is formed to have a substantially L shape when viewed in the left-right direction. The movable spring 25 is composed of a second movable contact 26B and a horizontal piece 251, as shown in FIG. 8A. That is, unlike the movable spring 25 of the first contact portion 2A, the movable spring 25 of the second contact portion 2B does not have the protrusion 253 .

Here, each movable contact 26 of the first contact portion 2A and the second contact portion 2B is configured to contact the fixed contact 21 with one contact. The first contact portion 2A corresponds to a normally open contact, and is assumed to be inserted into an electric circuit to which a load is connected, for example. is desirable. However, the movable contact 26B of the second contact portion 2B may be configured to contact the fixed contact 21 with two contacts. The second contact portion 2B corresponds to a normally closed contact and is assumed to be connected to a detection circuit for detecting an abnormality such as contact welding. Therefore, if the number of movable contacts 26B of the second contact portion 2B is set to two, even if a foreign object or the like adheres to one of the pair of second movable contacts 26B, the other contacts the fixed contact 21. , contact reliability is enhanced, and the detection circuit can more reliably detect abnormalities.

Also in the second contact portion 2B, similarly to the first contact portion 2A, the second movable contact 26B is arranged so as to face the fixed contact 21 in the vertical direction. The positional relationship between the second movable contact 26B and the fixed contact 21 is such that the second movable contact 26B is on the lower side and the fixed contact 21 is on the upper side.

In addition, the horizontal piece 251 of the second contact portion 2B is also slightly inclined with respect to the support terminal 27 in design. When the first movable contact 26B and the fixed contact 21 are in the open position, the horizontal piece 251 is slightly inclined away from the fixed contact 21 toward the front. The horizontal piece 251 has a stepped portion 254 near the second movable contact 26B.

In this embodiment, as an example, the fixed contact 21 of the second contact portion 2B is separate from the upper wall portion 23 and fixed by caulking or the like. It may be configured as follows. Further, the second movable contact 26B of the second contact portion 2B is separate from the horizontal piece 251 and fixed by caulking or the like. good.

In the second contact portion 2B configured in this way, when the electromagnet 5 is in an excited state, as shown in FIG. It continues to receive pressure from 80B. Therefore, the tip of the movable spring 25 is elastically deformed downward, and the second movable contact 26B is in the open position away from the fixed contact 21 .

In addition, in the second contact portion 2B, when the electromagnet 5 is in the non-excited state, as shown in FIG. 8A, the pressure from the second pressing portion 80B of the holding portion 8 disappears. Therefore, the tip portion of the movable spring 25 is elastically restored upward, and the second movable contact 26B is in the closed position in contact with the fixed contact 21 . In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the dimensional relationship is defined so that the second pressing portion 80B of the holding portion 8 does not contact the one surface 250 of the movable spring 25 when the electromagnet 5 is in the non-excited state. ing. In other words, when the electromagnet 5 is in the non-excited state, a slight gap is formed between the second pressing portion 80B and the one surface 250 of the movable spring 25, and the pressing force from the second pressing portion 80B disappears. there is

(2.3) Electromagnet Device (2.3.1) Configuration of Electromagnet Device The electromagnet device 3 includes an electromagnet 5 and an armature unit 6, as shown in FIG. In the electromagnet device 3, the armature 7 of the armature unit 6 moves according to the excitation/non-excitation of the electromagnet 5, and the open/closed states of the first contact portion 2A and the second contact portion 2B are switched. there is In the present embodiment, as an example, the armature 7 of the armature unit 6 rotates (oscillates) within a movable range around the rotation axis A1 (see FIG. 1) in accordance with the excitation/de-excitation of the electromagnet 5. . In addition, the “swing” referred to in the present embodiment means that both longitudinal end portions (right and left end portions) of the long armature unit 6 are aligned with the center portion (not strictly center) in the longitudinal direction. As a fulcrum, it is meant to move alternately up and down. That is, the armature unit 6 is, for example, a so-called seesaw type armature unit. However, the armature unit 6 is not limited to the seesaw type.

In addition, the rotating shaft A1 illustrated by the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 1 is only described for the purpose of assisting description, and does not involve the substance. In this embodiment, the central axis of the shaft portion 813 of the holding portion 8 (described later) of the armature unit 6 coincides with the rotation axis A1. The armature unit 6 rotates with respect to the base 4B of the body 4 according to the excitation/non-excitation of the electromagnet 5 in order to increase the stroke of the armature unit 6 while achieving miniaturization (particularly low profile). The movable contact 26 is displaced by swinging about A1.

(2.3.2) Electromagnet First, the electromagnet 5 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6. FIG. The electromagnet 5 has a coil 50, a yoke 52, and a pair of coil terminals 53, as shown in FIG.

The yoke 52 is a magnetic material and forms a magnetic path through which magnetic flux passes. The yoke 52 is formed in a generally U-shaped plate shape elongated in the left-right direction as a whole.

The coil 50 is configured by winding a conductive wire around a coil bobbin 51 . The coil bobbin 51 is made of an electrically insulating material such as a synthetic resin material. Also, the coil bobbin 51 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape elongated in the left-right direction. The coil bobbin 51 is arranged such that its axial direction coincides with the left-right direction. The axial direction of the coil bobbin 51 corresponds to the axial direction A2 of the coil 50 (see FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 6, the coil bobbin 51 has a through hole 510 penetrating in the left-right direction, and the yoke 52 is held so that the body portion of the yoke 52 extending in the left-right direction penetrates the through hole 510 . ing. A pair of projecting portions 520 extend forward from the left and right ends of the body portion of the yoke 52 (see FIG. 6). In short, the yoke 52 is provided so as to protrude from the coil 50 . The pair of protruding portions 520 protrude from both ends of the coil 50 in the axial direction A2 in a direction crossing the axial direction A2 (here, substantially orthogonally forward).

The coil bobbin 51 has substantially rectangular plate-shaped holding bases 511 provided below the pair of protrusions 520 at both ends in the left-right direction. Each holding table 511 is formed continuously from the lower edge of the through-hole 510 so that the upper surface thereof is flush with the bottom surface inside the through-hole 510 . The holding platform 511 preferably supports a pair of protrusions 520 .

A pair of coil terminals 53 are held by the coil bobbin 51 and connected to the coil 50 . Specifically, one of the pair of coil terminals 53 is electrically connected to one end of the conductor wire wound around the coil bobbin 51, and the other of the pair of coil terminals 53 is electrically connected to the other end of the conductor wire. It is connected. Furthermore, a rectangular parallelepiped terminal holding block 512 provided on the lower surface of the front end portion of each holding base 511 of the coil bobbin 51 holds the coil terminal 53 .

Each coil terminal 53 has a first terminal piece 531 elongated in the front-rear direction and held in a state of penetrating the corresponding terminal holding block 512 in the front-rear direction. The rear end of the first terminal piece 531 is bent downward and protrudes from the terminal holding block 512 , and the conducting wire wound around the coil bobbin 51 is connected to the conducting wire end exposed from the terminal holding block 512 . . Each coil terminal 53 further has a second terminal piece 532 extending downward from the front end of the first terminal piece 531 . The second terminal piece 532 is a part that is led out from the housing 4 to the outside.

In the electromagnet 5 configured as described above, when a voltage is applied across the coil 50 , that is, to the pair of coil terminals 53 , a current (coil current) flows through the coil 50 to excite the electromagnet 5 . When no coil current is flowing, the electromagnet 5 is in a de-energized state.

In the present embodiment, the pair of coil terminals 53 and the yoke 52 are integrally molded with the coil bobbin 51 . Therefore, workability is excellent when assembling the electromagnet 5 with respect to the base 4B of the body 4 .

(2.3.3) Armature Unit Next, the armature unit 6 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. The armature unit 6 moves (this embodiment It is a part that oscillates in form. The armature unit 6, as shown in FIG. 5, has an armature 7, a holding portion 8, a permanent magnet 9, and an auxiliary yoke Y1.

The armature 7 (armature) is a soft iron member, for example. The armature 7 is held by a holding portion 8 . The armature 7 as a whole is formed in a substantially U-shaped plate shape elongated in the left-right direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the armature 7 includes a body piece 73 elongated in the left-right direction and a pair of leg pieces integrally formed at both ends of the body piece 73 in the left-right direction. 70 and .

The trunk piece 73 is accommodated within the holding portion 8 . The trunk piece 73 has a rectangular plate shape and is arranged so that its thickness direction extends along the vertical direction. A pair of leg pieces 70 are formed to extend rearward from both ends of the body piece 73 . The pair of leg pieces 70 has a rectangular plate shape and is arranged so that its thickness direction extends along the vertical direction. A rear end portion of each leg piece 70 is arranged to protrude from the holding portion 8 . Also, the lower surface of each leg piece 70 is generally exposed from the holding portion 8 .

By the way, the armature 7 is arranged so that at least a part of the region faces the yoke 52 . In this embodiment, the lower surface of each leg piece 70 exposed from the holding portion 8 is a region facing the yoke 52 (the projecting portion 520 thereof). Hereinafter, the right leg piece 70 of the pair of leg pieces 70 will be referred to as the first leg piece 70A, and the region facing the right protrusion 520 of the yoke 52 will be referred to as the first region 71 (see FIG. 4). There is also Also, the left leg piece 70 of the pair of leg pieces 70 may be called a second leg piece 70B, and the region facing the left projection 520 of the yoke 52 may be called a second region 72 . The first region 71 and the second region 72 are respectively provided on both sides of the armature unit 6 extending in the direction away from the rotation axis A1 (horizontal direction).

The permanent magnet 9 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is flat in the vertical direction. A permanent magnet 9 is held by a holding portion 8 . The permanent magnets 9 are arranged so that the polarities on both sides in the vertical direction are different from each other. In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the permanent magnets 9 are arranged so that the N pole is on the upper side and the S pole is on the lower side. Hereinafter, the magnetic pole surface on the N pole side may be referred to as a first magnetic pole surface (upper surface) 91, and the magnetic pole surface on the S pole side may be referred to as a second magnetic pole surface (lower surface) 92 (see FIG. 5). The N pole of the permanent magnet 9 faces the armature 7 . That is, the first magnetic pole face 91 faces the armature piece 73 of the armature 7 .

The auxiliary yoke Y1 is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape with a small thickness in the vertical direction. The auxiliary yoke Y1 is a plate member made of electromagnetic soft iron specified in JIS C 2504, for example. The auxiliary yoke Y1 has a first surface Y11 (top surface) and a second surface Y12 (left side surface). The first surface Y<b>11 faces the second magnetic pole surface 92 on the S pole side of the permanent magnet 9 and intersects the magnetic pole direction of the permanent magnet 9 . The second surface Y12 is a surface of the yoke 52 that faces the left projection 520 side.

Here, the auxiliary yoke Y1 has substantially the same shape as the permanent magnet 9 and has substantially the same dimensions. Specifically, the dimensional relationship is defined so that the thickness dimension of the auxiliary yoke Y1 and the thickness dimension of the permanent magnet 9 are substantially equal. Further, the dimensional relationship is defined so that the areas of the upper and lower end faces of the auxiliary yoke Y1 are substantially equal to the areas of the upper and lower end faces of the permanent magnet 9, respectively.

The auxiliary yoke Y1 is arranged below the permanent magnet 9 . The auxiliary yoke Y1 is held by the holding portion 8 together with the permanent magnet 9 in a state where the upper surface thereof is substantially in surface contact with the lower surface of the permanent magnet 9. As shown in FIG. The auxiliary yoke Y1 and the permanent magnet 9 are arranged so that the auxiliary yoke Y1 is hidden when the permanent magnet 9 is viewed from above. In short, the permanent magnet 9 is arranged so as to cover the first surface Y11 of the auxiliary yoke Y1. The auxiliary yoke Y1 is preferably fixed to the lower surface of the permanent magnet 9 with an adhesive or the like during the manufacturing of the armature unit 6 until the permanent magnet 9 acquires magnetic force after the permanent magnet 9 is magnetized.

The holding portion 8 is elongated in the left-right direction and formed in a flat, substantially square tube shape. The holding portion 8 is made of, for example, an electrically insulating material such as a synthetic resin material. The holding portion 8 is configured to integrally hold the armature 7, the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1. Specifically, the holding portion 8 includes a first holding block 81 for holding the armature 7, a second holding block 82 for holding the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1, and a pair of pressing portions 80. ,have. The first holding block 81, the second holding block 82, and the pair of pressing portions 80 are integrally formed. The armature 7 and the permanent magnet 9 are in contact with each other inside the holding portion 8 (see FIGS. 9A and 9B). Since the holding portion 8 holds the armature 7, the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 integrally in this way, the positional deviation of the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 is suppressed while rotating together with the armature 7. (oscillate).

The first holding block 81 is formed in the shape of a flat rectangular tube elongated in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 4 , the first holding block 81 is open downward at both left and right ends of the bottom portion thereof, and covers the peripheral surface of the body piece 73 of the armature 7 while supporting the pair of leg pieces 70 of the armature 7 . holds the armature 7 so that the rear end of the protrudes from the first holding block 81 . In particular, the first region 71 and the second region 72 of the armature 7 are exposed through a first opening 811 at the right end and a second opening 812 at the left end, respectively, of the bottom of the first holding block 81 (see FIG. 4). .

The first holding block 81 is provided with first insertion pieces 810 protruding downward at both left and right ends thereof. In addition, the first holding block 81 has a shaft portion 813 projecting outward (forward and backward) at the center of the bottom in the left-right direction. A central axis of the shaft portion 813 corresponds to a rotation axis A1 along which the armature unit 6 swings with respect to the electromagnet 5 according to excitation/de-excitation of the electromagnet 5 . In other words, the shaft portion 813 is pivotally supported so that the armature unit 6 can swing with respect to the base 4B of the body 4 .

Further, the first holding block 81 has a separation portion 85 (see FIG. 11) that separates at least a part of the region of the armature 7 facing the yoke 52 from the yoke 52 when the armature 7 approaches the yoke 52 . 4, see FIGS. 9A and 9B). The spacing portion 85 contacts the yoke 52 when the armature 7 approaches the yoke 52 . The separation portion 85 is formed integrally and continuously when the holding portion 8 is formed by molding, and is made of a material having electrical insulation such as a synthetic resin material. This spacing portion 85 is provided to form a magnetic gap.

Specifically, the separating portion 85 is formed as a protruding piece that protrudes rightward from the left edge of the second opening 812 and extends long in the front-rear direction. In other words, the spacing portion 85 is configured to form a step downward with respect to the second region 72 of the armature 7 .

When the electromagnet 5 is switched from the excited state to the non-excited state, the spacing portion 85 configured in this way causes the second region 72 of the armature 7 and the left projection 520 of the yoke 52 to remain magnetized. To suppress deterioration of the open characteristic of the electromagnetic relay 1 due to difficulty in separation.

The second holding block 82 is integrated with the bottom of the first holding block 81 . The second holding block 82 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape with an open bottom surface. The second holding block 82 accommodates and holds the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 therein. As shown in FIG. 4, the second holding block 82 exposes the lower surface of the auxiliary yoke Y1 through its opened lower surface.

The second holding block 82 has a plurality of press-fit protrusions (not shown) on the inner surface of each of its left wall and rear wall. Each press-fit projection is formed in a rib-like shape extending in the vertical direction. When the armature unit 6 is manufactured, the press-fit projections can contact the side surfaces of the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 that are inserted into the second holding block 82 from below to press-fit and fix them. Therefore, the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 are prevented from falling easily from the second holding block 82 .

The second holding block 82 also has a window hole 820 penetrating in the front-rear direction in its front wall. The window hole 820 has a rectangular opening when viewed from the front. The window hole 820 is arranged at a position where the boundary surface where the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 contact each other can be visually observed from the side. Through the window hole 820, the appearance of the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 can be visually checked during manufacturing of the armature unit 6, manufacturing of the electromagnet device 3 (or during use), and the like. For example, the state of arrangement of the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 in the second holding block 82 and the surface state of the members of the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 can be confirmed.

By the way, the second holding block 82 is arranged to be biased to the left side of the shaft portion 813 of the first holding block 81 . Therefore, the center of gravity of each of the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 housed inside the second holding block 82 is located leftwardly with respect to the rotation axis A1. Therefore, for example, compared to the case where the center of gravity of each of the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 is at substantially the same position so as to overlap the rotation axis A1, the oscillation of the armature unit 6 according to the excitation/de-excitation of the electromagnet 5 is reduced. can be performed with higher accuracy through the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1. In addition, for example, two sets of the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 are provided, and the two sets are arranged so as to be symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis A1. The armature unit 6 can be oscillated more accurately.

The pair of pressing portions 80 are provided integrally with the left and right end portions of the first holding block 81, respectively. Each pressing portion 80 is a portion that applies pressure to one surface 250 of the movable spring 25 to displace the movable contact 26 . Hereinafter, the pressing portion 80 projecting rightward from the right end portion of the first holding block 81 may be referred to as a first pressing portion 80A. Further, the pressing portion 80 projecting leftward from the left end portion of the first holding block 81 may be called a second pressing portion 80B.

Each pressing portion 80 is formed in an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first pressing portion 80A has downwardly convex first projections 801 and second projections 802 on its lower surface. The first projection 801 faces the horizontal piece 251 of the movable spring 25 of the first contact portion 2A, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The second protrusion 802 faces the protrusion 253 of the movable spring 25 of the first contact portion 2A, as shown in FIG. 11A. In short, the first pressing portion 80A contacts and presses the movable spring 25 via the first protrusion 801 and the second protrusion 802, thereby displacing the first movable contact 26A. As described above, since the first contact portion 2A corresponds to a normally open contact, the first pressing portion 80A contacts the movable spring 25 to apply pressure when the electromagnet 5 is in the non-excited state (FIG. 7A). reference).

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second pressing portion 80B has a downwardly projecting third projection 803 on its lower surface. The third protrusion 803 faces the lateral piece 251 of the movable spring 25 of the second contact portion 2B, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. In short, the second pressing portion 80B contacts and presses the movable spring 25 via the third protrusion 803, thereby displacing the second movable contact 26B. As described above, since the second contact portion 2B corresponds to a normally closed contact, the second pressing portion 80B contacts and presses the movable spring 25 when the electromagnet 5 is in an excited state (see FIG. 8B). ).

Further, each pressing portion 80 has a rectangular plate-shaped second insertion piece 804 at a position spaced apart from the first holding block 81 by a predetermined distance. The second insertion piece 804 is arranged so that its thickness direction extends along the left-right direction.

11A and 11B, each pressing portion 80 further has an L-shaped protrusion 805 projecting in a substantially L-shape from the lower surface thereof when viewed from below. Each L-shaped projection 805 is arranged outside the second insertion piece 804 of the corresponding pressing portion 80 in the left-right direction. Each L-shaped projection 805 is formed along the front edge of the lower surface of the corresponding pressing portion 80 and the outer edge in the left-right direction.

The amount of protrusion of the L-shaped protrusion 805 is smaller than the amount of protrusion of each of these protrusions so as not to hinder the contact between the first to third protrusions 801 to 803 and the movable spring 25 . A portion of the L-shaped projection 805 along the front edge is arranged so as to substantially face the stepped portion 254 of the movable spring 25 . Together with the stepped portion 254, the L-shaped projection 805 shields wear powder generated by the operation of the pressing portion 80 from moving toward the movable contact 26, thereby suppressing scattering of the wear powder.

In the armature unit 6 configured as described above, each pressing portion 80 presses the one surface 250 of the corresponding movable spring 25 to displace the movable contact 26 to the open position. Further, each pressing portion 80 displaces the movable contact 26 to the closed position by canceling the pressing force on the one surface 250 of the corresponding movable spring 25 . In particular, since the armature unit 6 is of a seesaw type, when one of the first pressing portion 80A and the second pressing portion 80B moves toward the one surface 250 of the corresponding movable spring 25, the other moves toward the corresponding one surface 250 of the movable spring 25. moving away from the one surface 250 of the movable spring 25 .

Here, in this embodiment, the auxiliary yoke Y1 is arranged such that the second surface Y12 faces the yoke 52 in at least a part of the movable range in which the armature 7 moves according to excitation/de-excitation. placed in The movable range is, for example, the range in which the armature 7 can be rotated (oscillated) from the position where the left end of the armature 7 shown in FIG. 9A is raised to the position where the left end of the armature 7 is sunk downward shown in FIG. 9B. Range.

The second surface Y12 of the auxiliary yoke Y1 faces the yoke 52 when the electromagnet 5 is de-energized. Specifically, when the left end of the armature 7 is lifted to the upper position as shown in FIG. of the right surface of the projection 520 on the left side of the region D2. The second surface Y12 faces the left projection 520 with the widest area D1 when the electromagnet 5 is not energized. As the electromagnet 5 switches from non-excited to excited and the left end of the armature 7 sinks downward, the area of the second surface Y12 facing the left protrusion 520 gradually decreases. Then, in a state where the electromagnet 5 is switched to excitation and the oscillation of the armature 7 is stabilized (see FIG. 9B), the second surface Y12 faces the protruding portion 520 side (that is, left side), It is out of the range facing the portion 520 .

(2.4) Body The body 4 is made of an electrically insulating material such as a synthetic resin material. As shown in FIG. 1, the body 4 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape that is elongated in the left-right direction as a whole and relatively low in height. The body 4 is composed of a cover 4A and a base 4B. In addition, in FIG. 1, the cover 4A is shown only by a chain double-dashed line in order to facilitate understanding of the internal configuration of the electromagnetic relay 1. As shown in FIG. The cover 4A has a rectangular box shape with an open bottom surface, and is attached so as to cover from above the base 4B on which the contact portion 2 and the electromagnet device 3 are assembled. The body 4 accommodates the contact portion 2 and the electromagnet device 3 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 4B has a flat, substantially rectangular plate shape as a whole. The base 4B is configured to hold the contact portion 2 and the electromagnet device 3 on its one surface 40 (upper surface) side. One surface 40 of the base 4B extends on a plane including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction in FIG. 1, and has a substantially rectangular outer shape when viewed from above. That is, the plane on which the one surface 40 of the base 4B extends is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The term “perpendicular” as used herein has a broader meaning than the geometrical “perpendicular”, and may not be strictly “perpendicular”, and may be substantially perpendicular (intersecting with each other at an angle of, for example, 90° ± 10°). good.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the base 4B has three accommodation portions 401 to 403 for accommodating a pair of the contact portions 2 and the electromagnet device 3 on one surface 40 side thereof. is doing. Hereinafter, the accommodating portion in which the first contact portion 2A is accommodated will be referred to as a first accommodating portion 401, and the accommodating portion in which the second contact portion 2B will be accommodated will be referred to as a second accommodating portion 402. As shown in FIG. Also, a housing portion in which the electromagnet device 3 is housed is called a third housing portion 403 . These accommodating portions are each formed as a recessed space.

The first accommodating portion 401 is arranged at the right end on the one surface 40 of the base 4B. The second housing portion 402 is arranged at the left end on the one surface 40 of the base 4B. The third accommodation portion 403 is arranged between the first accommodation portion 401 and the second accommodation portion 402 on the one surface 40 of the base 4B. In the third accommodating portion 403, the armature unit 6 of the electromagnet device 3 is accommodated on the front side and the electromagnet 5 of the electromagnet device 3 is accommodated on the rear side so as to be arranged side by side.

Therefore, the first contact portion 2A housed in the first housing portion 401 and the electromagnet 5 housed in the third housing portion 403 are located on a plane intersecting the vertical direction on the one surface 40 side of the base 4B (one surface 40 above). Similarly, the second contact portion 2B housed in the second housing portion 402 and the electromagnet 5 housed in the third housing portion 403 are located on a plane (here Then, they are lined up on one side 40). Therefore, miniaturization (particularly low profile) of the electromagnetic relay 1 is achieved.

Furthermore, the electromagnet 5 housed in the third housing portion 403 is arranged between the first contact portion 2A and the second contact portion 2B. Therefore, further miniaturization (particularly low profile) of the electromagnetic relay 1 is attempted.

In particular, the first contact portion 2A is arranged on one side (right side) of both ends of the coil 50 in the axial direction A2 of the coil 50, as shown in FIG. The second contact portion 2B is arranged on the other side (left side) of both ends of the coil 50 in the axial direction A2 of the coil 50, as shown in FIG. Such an arrangement can increase the stroke of the armature unit 6 when the electromagnet 5 is excited/de-energized. As shown in FIG. 2, the axial direction A2 of the coil 50 is arranged substantially along the plane on which the one surface 40 of the base 4B extends.

Between the first accommodation portion 401 and the third accommodation portion 403, a substantially rectangular plate-like first partition wall 41 is erected from one surface 40 of the base 4B. A substantially rectangular plate-shaped second partition wall 42 is erected from one surface 40 of the base 4B between the second housing portion 402 and the third housing portion 403 . The first partition wall 41 and the second partition wall 42 are arranged such that their thickness directions extend in the left-right direction. 1, the first partition wall 41 and the second partition wall 42 have notches 410 and 420 into which the corresponding pressing portions 80 are inserted.

In the third accommodating portion 403, a substantially rectangular plate-like third partition wall 43 for partitioning the electromagnet 5 and the armature unit 6 is erected from one surface 40 of the base 4B. The third partition wall 43 is arranged such that its thickness direction extends along the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the third partition wall 43 has a bearing hole 430 penetrating in the thickness direction at the center in the vertical and horizontal directions. On the other hand, the base 4B has a front wall 44 facing the third partition wall 43 via the armature unit 6 at substantially the center of the front edge in the left-right direction. The front wall 44 has a bearing hole 440 penetrating in the thickness direction. The bearing hole 440 is configured to receive the shaft portion 813 of the holding portion 8 together with the bearing hole 430 of the third partition wall 43 . A front wall 45 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the front wall 44 with cutouts 441 interposed therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the first receiving portion 401 and the second receiving portion 402 has, at its front end, a first slot portion 46 into which the standing portion 22 of the fixed terminal 20 is inserted. . The first slot portion 46 is provided on the upper surface of a rib 4010 having a predetermined thickness formed at the front end. The bottom of the first slot portion 46 is formed with an outlet (not shown) through which the terminal piece 24 of the fixed terminal 20 is inserted and led out of the housing 4 .

2, each of the first housing portion 401 and the second housing portion 402 has a second slot portion 47 at its rear end into which the support terminal 27 that supports the movable spring 25 is inserted. is doing. The second slot portion 47 is provided on the upper surface of a rib 4011 having a predetermined thickness formed at the rear end. The bottom of the second slot portion 47 is formed with an outlet (not shown) through which the terminal piece 270 of the support terminal 27 is inserted and led out of the housing 4 .

The third housing portion 403 has conductors for the second terminal pieces 532 of the pair of coil terminals 53 of the electromagnet 5 to be inserted and lead out to the outside of the body 4 at both left and right ends slightly in front of the third partition wall 43 . It has an outlet (not shown).

By the way, the coil terminal 53 of the present embodiment is provided on the side opposite to the armature 7 with respect to the yoke 52, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. Furthermore, the coil terminal 53 has a second terminal piece 532 extending in a direction away from the armature 7 (downward). Since the second terminal piece 532 is led out of the housing 4 through the lead-out port, the size of the electromagnet device 3 is reduced. In particular, each coil terminal 53 is provided so as to fit within the projected area of the projecting portion 520 of the yoke 52 when the electromagnet 5 is viewed in the vertical direction. Therefore, further miniaturization of the electromagnet device 3 is achieved.

(3) Description of Operation The operation of the electromagnetic relay 1 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B and 10A, 10B. As described above, for the permanent magnet 9, as an example, it is assumed that the polarity on the upper side is the N pole and the polarity on the lower side is the S pole (see FIGS. 9A and 9B).

First, the magnetic path when the electromagnet 5 is in the non-excited state will be described. The magnetic flux generated from the N pole of the permanent magnet 9 passes through the armature 7 and falls from the right end of the armature 7 to the projecting portion 520 on the right side of the yoke 52 (the magnetic path indicated by the dotted arrow B1 in FIG. 9A is reference). Then, the magnetic flux passes through the U-shaped yoke 52 and reaches the protrusion 520 on the left side of the yoke 52 (see the magnetic path indicated by the dotted arrow B2 in FIG. 9A). Here, as shown in FIG. 9A, a partial region D2 of the right surface of the left protrusion 520 faces a partial region D1 of the second surface Y12 of the auxiliary yoke Y1. Therefore, of the magnetic flux passing through the projecting portion 520, the magnetic flux passing through the region D1 of the second surface Y12 increases. Then, the magnetic flux bends in an arc within the auxiliary yoke Y1 toward the first surface Y11 of the auxiliary yoke Y1, and from the first surface Y11 toward the second magnetic pole surface 92 of the permanent magnet 9 on the S pole side.

As a result, the auxiliary yoke Y1 is attracted to the left protrusion 520 (see the magnetic path indicated by the solid arrow B3 in FIG. 9A). The entire armature unit 6 including the armature 7 is in a tilted state (hereinafter referred to as a first tilted state) in which the right end is sunk about the rotation axis A1 (see FIG. 1).

In the first tilted state, as shown in FIG. 9A, the second region 72 of the armature 7 is located away from (the left projection 520 of) the opposing yoke 52 . On the other hand, the first region 71 of the armature 7 is in contact with the opposing yoke 52 (the protrusion 520 on the right side thereof). In the first inclined state, the right first pressing portion 80A contacts and presses the movable spring 25 of the first contact portion 2A. Therefore, the first movable contact 26A is in the open position away from the fixed contact 21. As shown in FIG. On the other hand, the left second pressing portion 80B is separated upward from the movable spring 25 of the second contact portion 2B and is in a non-contact state. Therefore, the second movable contact 26B is in the closed position in contact with the fixed contact 21. As shown in FIG.

For example, when a switch (not shown) connected in series with the coil 50 is switched from an OFF state to an ON state from the non-excited state of the electromagnet 5 , a voltage is applied to the pair of coil terminals 53 to generate a coil current in the coil 50 . flows. Then, the electromagnet 5 is excited, and the polarity of the projecting portion 520 on the left side of the yoke 52 is reversed from the N pole to the S pole as shown in FIG. 9B. As a result, the left end of the armature 7 in contact with the upper, north pole of the permanent magnet 9 is attracted to the left protrusion 520 (see the magnetic path indicated by the dotted arrow B4 in FIG. 9B). That is, the armature 7 receives an attractive force from the yoke 52 due to the excitation of the electromagnet 5 and moves (oscillates) in a direction in which the second region 72 approaches the yoke 52 . In other words, the entire armature unit 6 including the armature 7 shifts from the first tilted state to a tilted state (hereinafter referred to as a second tilted state) in which the left end thereof is sunk by swinging about the rotation axis A1 (see FIG. 1). call).

In the second tilted state, the second region 72 of the armature 7 is located closer to (the projecting portion 520 on the left side of) the opposing yoke 52 than in the first tilting state. It is in a non-contact state. This is because the spaced portion 85 of the holding portion 8 prevents contact between the second region 72 and the projecting portion 520 (see FIG. 9B). On the other hand, the first region 71 of the armature 7 is located away from the opposing yoke 52 (the protrusion 520 on the right side thereof). In the second tilted state, contrary to the first tilted state, the right first pressing portion 80A is separated upward from the movable spring 25 of the first contact portion 2A and is in a non-contact state. Therefore, the first movable contact 26A is in the closed position in contact with the fixed contact 21. As shown in FIG. On the other hand, the left second pressing portion 80B contacts and presses the movable spring 25 of the second contact portion 2B. Therefore, the second movable contact 26B is in the open position away from the fixed contact 21 .

Now compare FIGS. 10A and 10B. FIG. 10A shows a conceptual diagram of the magnetic circuit in the armature unit 6X of the comparative example in which the auxiliary yoke Y1 is not provided and the yoke 52. FIG. The armature unit 6X of the comparative example includes a permanent magnet 9X having a thickness dimension approximately twice as large as that of the permanent magnet 9 of the present embodiment instead of the auxiliary yoke Y1. On the other hand, FIG. 10B shows a conceptual diagram of the magnetic circuit in the armature unit 6 and the yoke 52 of this embodiment. 10A and 10B, illustration of the holding portion 8 and the like is omitted. In both FIGS. 10A and 10B, a portion of the magnetic flux when the electromagnet 5 is in a non-excited state is illustrated by arrow lines. The number and length of arrow lines in the figures are merely schematic. Compared to FIG. 10A showing the comparative example, FIG. 10B showing the armature unit 6 of the present embodiment shows the ratio of the magnetic flux passing through the projecting portion 520 to the magnetic flux passing through the magnetic pole surface on the S pole side of the permanent magnet 9. becomes larger.

In this way, in this embodiment, by providing the auxiliary yoke Y1, it is possible to reduce leakage of magnetic flux on the side of the other magnetic pole (S pole in FIG. 9A) of the permanent magnet 9 . In particular, since the second surface Y12 of the auxiliary yoke Y1 faces the protruding portion 520 at least during non-excitation, the magnetic flux between the protruding portion 520 and the second surface Y12 increases, thereby reducing magnetic flux leakage. be able to.

Moreover, since the size of the permanent magnet 9 is smaller than that of the permanent magnet 9X in the comparative example of FIG. 10A (here, approximately half as an example), the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. In particular, although the size of the permanent magnet 9 is approximately halved, the total magnetic flux as a whole is approximately halved. The attractive force between the yokes 52 can be provided substantially equivalent to the comparative example of FIG. 10A.

In addition, since the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 are located at a biased position with respect to the rotation axis A1, the rotation (oscillation) of the armature 7 in response to excitation/de-excitation is caused through the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1. It is possible to reduce the leakage of the magnetic flux while performing it with higher accuracy.

(4) Modifications Modifications of the above embodiment will be listed below. Modifications described below can be applied in combination as appropriate. In addition, below, the said embodiment may be called a "basic example."

(4.1) Modification 1
In the armature unit 6 of the basic example, the holding portion 8 has a configuration in which the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 are held by press fitting from below. However, the configuration of the holding portion 8 is not limited to the configuration of holding by press fitting. For example, FIG. 12 shows a modified example (modified example 1) of the armature unit 6 . In the armature unit 6 of this modified example, the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 are integrally molded with the holding portion 8. As shown in FIG. Specifically, the holding section 8 of this modified example includes a second holding block 82A having a structure different from that of the second holding block 82 of the basic example.

The second holding block 82A is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped box shape so as to enclose not only the front, rear, right and left surfaces of the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1, but also the lower surface of the auxiliary yoke Y1. The second holding block 82A has window holes 821 at each of its four corners to expose the permanent magnets 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1. The second holding block 82A also has a circular window hole 822 on its lower surface. The window hole 821 is arranged at a position where the boundary surface where the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 contact each other can be visually observed from the side. Through the window hole 821, the appearance of the permanent magnet 9 and the auxiliary yoke Y1 can be visually checked during manufacturing of the armature unit 6, manufacturing of the electromagnet device 3 (or during use), and the like.

According to this configuration, since the permanent magnet 9, the auxiliary yoke Y1, and the holding portion 8 are integrally molded, workability in assembling the armature unit 6 is excellent.

The holding portion 8 of this modification further includes L-shaped projections 805A and 805B having a structure different from that of the L-shaped projection 805 for suppressing scattering of abrasion powder in the holding portion 8 of the basic example. . The L-shaped protrusions 805A and 805B of this modified example are configured such that the amount of protrusion from the lower surface of the pressing portion 80 differs depending on the position.

Specifically, the L-shaped projection 805A formed on the right first pressing portion 80A has three parts. That is, the right L-shaped projection 805A includes a first wall W1 facing the first projection 801 in the front-rear direction, a second wall W2 facing the second projection 802 in the front-rear direction, and a third wall corresponding to the right end wall. and a wall W3. The amount of protrusion of the first wall W1 is slightly smaller than the amount of protrusion of the first protrusion 801, for example. On the other hand, the amount of protrusion of the second wall W2 and the amount of protrusion of the third wall W3 are substantially equal to each other, and both are larger than the amount of protrusion of the first wall W1. As an example, the vertical dimensions of the second wall W2 and the third wall W3 are both about three times the vertical dimension of the first wall W1.

On the other hand, the L-shaped projection 805B formed on the left second pressing portion 80B has a fourth wall W4 facing the third projection 803 in the front-rear direction, and a fifth wall W5 corresponding to the left end wall. is doing. The amount of protrusion of the fourth wall W4 is, for example, substantially equal to the amount of protrusion of the first wall W1. The projection amount of the fifth wall W5 is substantially equal to the projection amounts of the second wall W2 and the third wall W3.

In short, the right L-shaped projection 805A of this modification has a recess formed by the first to third walls W1-W3, and the left L-shaped projection 805B has a recess formed by the fourth wall W4 and the fifth wall W5. has a recess formed by The L-shaped protrusions 805A and 805B can avoid contact with the movable spring 25 in these recesses, and more efficiently suppress scattering of abrasion powder generated by the operation of the pressing portion 80 .

(4.2) Modification 2
In the basic example, the structure of the electromagnetic relay 1 alone has been described. A plurality of electromagnetic relays 1 may be applied. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C, relay systems 100A to 100C having a plurality of electromagnetic relays 1 may be configured.

FIG. 13A shows a relay system 100A. The relay system 100A includes two electromagnetic relays 1 (1A, 1B). FIG. 13A is a schematic diagram of two electromagnetic relays 1 viewed from above. The two electromagnetic relays 1 are arranged close to each other (side by side) according to the installation environment (dimensions of mounting substrates of the electromagnetic relays 1, etc.), requests, and the like. In the illustrated example, the two electromagnetic relays 1 are arranged such that the front surface of one electromagnetic relay 1A closely faces the back surface of the other electromagnetic relay 1B.

FIG. 13B shows relay system 100B. The relay system 100B includes three electromagnetic relays 1 (1A, 1B, 1C). FIG. 13B is a schematic diagram of three electromagnetic relays 1 viewed from above. The three electromagnetic relays 1 are arranged close to each other (side by side) according to the installation environment, demand, and the like. In the illustrated example, the three electromagnetic relays 1 are arranged such that the front surface of the electromagnetic relay 1A closely faces the rear surface of the electromagnetic relay 1B, and the front surface of the electromagnetic relay 1B closely faces the rear surface of the electromagnetic relay 1C. be.

FIG. 13C shows a relay system 100C. 100 C of relay systems are provided with the two electromagnetic relays 1 (1A, 1B) like 100A of relay systems. FIG. 13C is a schematic diagram of two electromagnetic relays 1 viewed from the side. In the illustrated example, the two electromagnetic relays 1 are arranged such that the upper surface of the electromagnetic relay 1A and the upper surface of the electromagnetic relay 1B are closely opposed to each other (top-to-surface alignment).

By the way, when a plurality of electromagnetic relays 1 are arranged close to each other, the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 9 of each electromagnetic relay 1 is not a little applied to other adjacent electromagnetic relays 1 as compared with the case where the electromagnetic relay 1 is used alone. may have an impact. It is considered that this is caused by leakage magnetic flux from the permanent magnet 9 . The electromagnetic relay 1B arranged in the center of the side-by-side relay system 100B is particularly likely to be affected by leakage magnetic flux. Specifically, there is a possibility that the attractive force between the permanent magnet 9 and the yoke 52 is reduced and the armature 7 is not properly oscillated.

On the other hand, as described in the basic example, each electromagnetic relay 1 is provided with the auxiliary yoke Y1, so that the leakage magnetic flux can be reduced, and as a result, the close arrangement as shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C is applied. In this case, a decrease in suction force can be suppressed.

(4.3) Other Modifications In the basic example, the permanent magnet 9 is arranged so that the N pole is on the upper side and the S pole is on the lower side, as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10B. . However, the permanent magnets 9 may be arranged with the north pole on the bottom and the south pole on the top.

In the basic example, the auxiliary yoke Y1 has substantially the same shape and dimensions as the permanent magnet 9, but is not particularly limited. For example, the dimensional relationship may be defined such that the thickness dimension of the auxiliary yoke Y1 is different from the thickness dimension of the permanent magnet 9. FIG. For example, the auxiliary yoke Y1 may have a donut shape with a through hole in the center. Also, the dimensional relationship may be defined such that the areas of the upper and lower end faces of the auxiliary yoke Y1 are different from the areas of the upper and lower end faces of the permanent magnet 9, respectively. However, in consideration of efficiently reducing leakage magnetic flux and reducing the height of the electromagnet device 3 as a whole, the auxiliary yoke Y1 preferably has the structure of the basic example.

In the basic example, the permanent magnet 9 is arranged so as to cover the entire area of the first surface Y11 of the auxiliary yoke Y1, but it may cover only a partial area of the first surface Y11. However, considering the efficient reduction of leakage magnetic flux, the basic example is preferable.

In the basic example, the second surface Y12 of the auxiliary yoke Y1 is configured to be out of the range facing the yoke 52 when the electromagnet 5 is excited. However, at least a part of the second surface Y12 of the auxiliary yoke Y1 may face the yoke 52 not only when the electromagnet 5 is not energized but also when it is energized. However, in this case, the configuration of the basic example is desirable because there is a possibility that the armature 7 will be difficult to separate from the yoke 52 due to residual magnetization when switching from excitation to non-excitation.

In the basic example, the stepped portion 254 for suppressing scattering of abrasion powder in each movable spring 25 has a structure recessed downward with respect to the third portion 251C. However, for example, the stepped portion 254 may have a structure that protrudes upward with respect to the third portion 251C.

In a basic example, the first pressing portion 80A has two projections, a first projection 801 and a second projection 802, and is configured to contact the movable spring 25 with these projections. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the first pressing portion 80A has only one projection like the second pressing portion 80B, and is configured to contact the movable spring 25 with the projection. good too.

In the basic example, the armature unit 6 is rotatably supported with respect to the base 4B by fitting the shaft portions 813 of the holding portion 8 into the bearing holes 430 and 440 of the base 4B. do not have. The holding portion 8 may be provided with a bearing hole, and the base 4B may be provided with a shaft portion that fits into the bearing hole of the holding portion 8 .

(5) Advantages As described above, the electromagnet device (3) according to the first aspect includes an electromagnet (5), an armature (7), a permanent magnet (9), an auxiliary yoke (Y1), Prepare. The electromagnet (5) has a coil (50) and a yoke (52). In the permanent magnet (9), one magnetic pole (one of the S pole and the N pole) faces the armature (7). The auxiliary yoke (Y1) has a first surface (Y11) and a second surface (Y12). The first surface (Y11) faces the other magnetic pole (the other of the S pole and the N pole) of the permanent magnet (9) and intersects the magnetic pole direction of the permanent magnet (9). The second surface (Y12) faces the yoke (52) side. The armature (7) moves toward or away from the yoke (52) when the electromagnet (5) is energized. The second surface (Y12) of the auxiliary yoke (Y1) faces the yoke (52) in at least a part of the movable range in which the armature (7) moves according to the excitation. According to the first aspect, it is possible to reduce leakage of magnetic flux on the other magnetic pole side of the permanent magnet (9).

Regarding the electromagnet device (3) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the yoke (52) protrudes from one end of the coil (50) in the axial direction (A2) in a direction crossing the axial direction (A2). It preferably has a protrusion (520) that The second surface (Y12) of the auxiliary yoke (Y1) preferably faces the projecting portion (520) in at least the partial range. According to the second aspect, since the flow of magnetic flux between the projecting portion (520) and the second surface (Y12) of the auxiliary yoke (Y1) is dominant, it is possible to further reduce magnetic flux leakage.

Regarding the electromagnet device (3) according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the armature (7) is movable about the rotation axis (A1) with respect to the electromagnet (5) in response to the excitation. It is preferable to rotate within the range. It is preferable that the permanent magnet (9) is positioned offset with respect to the axis of rotation (A1). According to the third aspect, the rotation (oscillation) of the armature (7) in response to the excitation of the electromagnet (5) can be performed with higher accuracy through the permanent magnet (9) and the auxiliary yoke (Y1).

Regarding the electromagnet device (3) according to the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, it is preferable that the auxiliary yoke (Y1) is at a position offset with respect to the rotation axis (A1). According to the fourth aspect, the rotation (oscillation) of the armature (7) in response to the excitation of the electromagnet (5) is more accurately performed through the permanent magnet (9) and the auxiliary yoke (Y1), and the magnetic flux is Leakage can be reduced.

The electromagnet device (3) according to the fifth aspect preferably further comprises a holding portion (8) in any one of the first to fourth aspects. The holding part (8) preferably holds the armature (7), the permanent magnet (9) and the auxiliary yoke (Y1) together. According to the fifth aspect, the permanent magnet (9) and the auxiliary yoke (Y1) can be rotated (oscillated) together with the armature (7) while suppressing the positional deviation of the permanent magnet (9) and the auxiliary yoke (Y1).

Regarding the electromagnet device (3) according to the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the permanent magnet (9) covers the first surface (Y11) of the auxiliary yoke (Y1). is preferably arranged. According to the sixth aspect, it is possible to more effectively reduce magnetic flux leakage on the other magnetic pole side of the permanent magnet (9).

Regarding the electromagnet device (3) according to the seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the second surface (Y12) of the auxiliary yoke (Y1) has a It is preferable to face the yoke (52). According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to reduce magnetic flux leakage during non-excitation.

Regarding the electromagnet device (3) according to the eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the second surface (Y12) of the auxiliary yoke (Y1) is such that when the electromagnet (5) is excited, Preferably, it is out of the range facing the yoke (52). According to the eighth aspect, for example, it is possible to prevent the armature (7) from becoming difficult to separate from the yoke (52) when switching from excitation to non-excitation.

An electromagnetic relay (1) according to a ninth aspect comprises the electromagnet device (3) according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, and a contact portion (2). The contact portion (2) includes a fixed contact (21), and between a closed position in which the fixed contact (21) contacts with movement of the armature (7) and an open position away from the fixed contact (21). a movable contact (26) displaced at . According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to provide the electromagnetic relay (1) including the electromagnet device (3) capable of reducing magnetic flux leakage.

The configurations according to the second to eighth aspects are not essential to the electromagnet device (3), and can be omitted as appropriate.

1 Electromagnetic Relay 2 Contact Part 21 Fixed Contact 26 Movable Contact 3 Electromagnet Device 5 Electromagnet 50 Coil 52 Yoke 520 Protruding Part 7 Armature 8 Holding Part 9 Permanent Magnet A1 Rotational Axis A2 Axial Y1 Auxiliary Yoke Y11 First Surface Y12 Second surface

Claims (9)

an electromagnet having a coil and a yoke;
an armature;
a permanent magnet with one magnetic pole facing the armature;
an auxiliary yoke having a first surface facing the other magnetic pole of the permanent magnet and crossing the magnetic pole direction of the permanent magnet and a second surface facing the yoke;
with
When the electromagnet is excited, the armature moves toward or away from the yoke,
The second surface of the auxiliary yoke faces the yoke in at least a part of a movable range in which the armature moves in response to the excitation.
electromagnet device. the yoke has a projecting portion projecting in a direction intersecting the axial direction from one axial end of the coil;
wherein the second surface of the auxiliary yoke faces the projecting portion in the at least partial range;
The electromagnet device according to claim 1. The armature rotates within the movable range about the rotation axis with respect to the electromagnet in response to the excitation,
wherein the permanent magnet is offset with respect to the axis of rotation;
The electromagnet device according to claim 1 or 2. wherein the auxiliary yoke is offset with respect to the rotation axis;
The electromagnet device according to claim 3. further comprising a holding portion that holds the armature, the permanent magnet, and the auxiliary yoke together;
The electromagnet device according to any one of claims 1-4. the permanent magnet is arranged to cover the first surface of the auxiliary yoke;
The electromagnet device according to any one of claims 1-5. the second surface of the auxiliary yoke faces the yoke when the electromagnet is at least de-energized;
The electromagnet device according to any one of claims 1-6. The second surface of the auxiliary yoke is out of the range facing the yoke when the electromagnet is energized.
The electromagnet device according to any one of claims 1-7. an electromagnet device according to any one of claims 1 to 8;
a contact portion having a fixed contact and a movable contact that is displaced between a closed position in contact with the fixed contact and an open position away from the fixed contact as the armature moves;
comprising
electromagnetic relay.

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