JP7501328B2 - Electromagnetic Relay - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic relay.

A known hinge-type electromagnetic relay is one that has a U-shaped yoke with two magnetic pole ends (see Patent Document 1). The yoke also serves as a fixed iron core, with one of the two magnetic pole ends functioning as a hinge fulcrum for the movable iron piece and the other as an attraction surface for the movable iron piece.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-125200

In the electromagnetic relay disclosed in Reference 1, when the movable iron piece is attracted to the magnetic pole end that functions as the attraction surface of the movable iron piece, the magnetic pole end of the yoke and the movable iron piece come into surface contact, so the point between the magnetic pole end of the yoke and the movable iron piece is not stable.

The objective of the present invention is to stabilize the contact point between the yoke and the movable iron in an electromagnetic relay in which a magnetic pole end that attracts the movable iron is provided on a yoke.

An electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present invention includes a movable iron piece, an electromagnet section, and a biasing member. The electromagnet section rotates the movable iron piece by electromagnetic force. The electromagnet section includes a spool, a coil, a fixed iron core, and a yoke. The spool is cylindrical. The coil is wound around the spool. The fixed iron core is disposed inside the spool. The yoke is connected to the fixed iron core and surrounds at least a portion of the coil. The biasing member biases the movable iron piece in a direction away from the yoke. The fixed iron core includes a first magnetic pole end portion on which the pivot of the movable iron piece is provided. The yoke includes a second magnetic pole end portion that attracts the movable iron piece by electromagnetic force. The pivot of the movable iron piece is provided on the side of the first magnetic pole end portion farther from the second magnetic pole end portion. The second magnetic pole end portion includes an abutment portion that can abut against the movable iron piece. The abutment portion is provided on the side of the second magnetic pole end portion farther from the first magnetic pole end portion.

In this electromagnetic relay, the abutment portion that can abut against the movable iron is provided on the side of the second magnetic pole end farther from the first magnetic pole end, so that the abutment point between the movable iron and the abutment portion can be stabilized. Also, compared to when the abutment portion is provided on the side of the second magnetic pole end closer to the pivot point of the movable iron, a large load can be applied to the contact portion with a small attraction force. Also, since the contact area between the movable iron and the abutment portion is reduced, the movable iron is more likely to separate from the abutment portion when the electromagnetic relay is reset. Also, since the pivot point of the movable iron is provided on the side of the first magnetic pole end farther from the second magnetic pole end, the attraction force with which the first magnetic pole end attracts the movable iron acts in a direction that moves the movable iron closer to the yoke, which is advantageous for the operation of the electromagnetic relay.

The contact portion of the second magnetic pole end is at least one protrusion that protrudes toward the movable iron piece, and may make line or point contact with the movable iron piece when it comes into contact with the movable iron piece. In this case, the contact point between the movable iron piece and the yoke becomes more stable.

The movable iron may include at least one protrusion protruding toward the second pole end. The abutment portion of the second pole end may be in line or point contact with the protrusion of the movable iron when the abutment portion is in contact with the movable iron. In this case, the abutment portion between the movable iron and the yoke is more stable.

The second magnetic pole end may include a slope that slopes from the abutment portion toward the side closer to the first magnetic pole end. In this case, the abutment portion can be formed with a simple structure.

The pivot point of the movable iron piece may be located at a position protruding from the spool in the first direction. The abutment portion of the second magnetic pole end may be located at a position protruding in the first direction from the spool further than the pivot point of the movable iron piece. In this case, for example, the first magnetic pole end can be configured with a flat surface, so that the force of attraction of the first magnetic pole end to attract the movable iron piece is increased during operation of the electromagnetic relay.

The pivot point may protrude most from the spool at the first magnetic pole end. The first magnetic pole end may include a slope that slopes from the pivot point toward the side closer to the second magnetic pole end. In this case, for example, it is possible to position the pivot point higher than the abutment portion, so that when the movable iron piece rotates to press another member, the pressing position of the movable iron piece can be prevented from shifting.

According to the present invention, in an electromagnetic relay in which a magnetic pole end that attracts a movable iron piece is provided on a yoke, it is possible to stabilize the contact point between the yoke and the movable iron piece.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the periphery of the contact device. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electromagnet portion according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electromagnet portion according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electromagnet portion according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electromagnet portion according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electromagnet portion according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electromagnet portion according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electromagnet portion according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electromagnet portion according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electromagnet portion according to a modified example. FIG.

Below, an embodiment of an electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In order to make the description easier to understand, when referring to the drawings, the upper side in FIG. 1 will be referred to as "upper", the lower side as "lower", the left side as "left", the right side as "right", the front side of the page as "front", and the back side of the page as "rear". FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the inside of an electromagnetic relay 100 as seen from the front.

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electromagnetic relay 100. The electromagnetic relay 100 is a so-called hinge-type electromagnetic relay. The electromagnetic relay 100 includes a base 2, a contact device 3, an electromagnet section 4, a hinge spring 5, and a movable iron piece 11. The base 2 is formed of an insulating material such as resin. The base 2 supports the contact device 3 and the electromagnet section 4. The contact device 3 and the electromagnet section 4 are housed in a case (not shown) that is attached to the base 2.

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the contact device 3 and its periphery, viewed from the right. The contact device 3 includes a first fixed terminal 6, a second fixed terminal 7, a movable contact piece 8, a movable member 9, and a return spring 10. The first fixed terminal 6, the second fixed terminal 7, and the movable contact piece 8 are plate-shaped terminals, and are made of a conductive material such as copper.

The first fixed terminal 6 is a terminal having a substantially L-shape (see FIG. 1). The first fixed terminal 6 may be a terminal having a substantially U-shape. The first fixed terminal 6 is supported by the base 2.

The first fixed terminal 6 includes a first contact support portion 6a, a first fixed contact 6b, and an external connection portion 6c. The first contact support portion 6a extends in the left-right direction. The first fixed contact 6b is disposed on the first contact support portion 6a. In this embodiment, the first fixed contact 6b is separate from the first fixed terminal 6, but may be integrated with the first fixed terminal 6. The external connection portion 6c protrudes downward from the base 2 and is electrically connected to an external device (not shown).

The second fixed terminal 7 has the same shape as the first fixed terminal 6. The second fixed terminal 7 is supported by the base 2 at a position separated from the first fixed terminal 6 in the front-to-rear direction. The second fixed terminal 7 includes a second contact support portion 7a, a second fixed contact 7b, and an external connection portion 7c. Each configuration of the second fixed terminal 7 is similar to each configuration of the first fixed terminal 6, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The movable contact piece 8 extends in the front-rear direction. The movable contact piece 8 is fixed to the movable member 9. The movable contact piece 8 is disposed above the first fixed terminal 6 and the second fixed terminal 7. The movable contact piece 8 includes a first movable contact 8a and a second movable contact 8b. The first movable contact 8a is disposed opposite the first fixed contact 6b and can contact the first fixed contact 6b. The second movable contact 8b is disposed opposite the second fixed contact 7b and can contact the second fixed contact 7b. In this embodiment, the first movable contact 8a and the second movable contact 8b are separate from the movable contact piece 8, but may be integral with the movable contact piece 8.

The movable member 9 extends in the vertical direction. The movable member 9 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The vertical movement of the movable member 9 is guided by a recess 2a formed in the base 2. The movable member 9 is formed of an insulating material such as resin. In this embodiment, the movable contact piece 8 is fixed to the movable member 9 by insert molding. Therefore, as the movable member 9 moves in the vertical direction, the movable contact piece 8 moves integrally with the movable member 9.

The return spring 10 is disposed between the base 2 and the movable member 9, and biases the movable member 9 upward. The return spring 10 biases the movable iron piece 11, via the movable member 9, in a direction away from the yoke 44, which will be described later. The return spring 10 is disposed in the recess 2a of the base 2.

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electromagnet section 4. The electromagnet section 4 rotates the movable iron piece 11 by electromagnetic force. The electromagnet section 4 includes a spool 41, a coil 42, a fixed iron core 43, and a yoke 44. The spool 41 is cylindrical. The spool 41 includes a bobbin 41a and a pair of flanges 41b and 41c. The bobbin 41a extends in the vertical direction. The pair of flanges 41b and 41c have an outer diameter larger than that of the bobbin 41a. The flange 41b is disposed at the upper end of the bobbin 41a. The flange 41c is disposed at the lower end of the bobbin 41a. The coil 42 is wound around the outer periphery of the bobbin 41a of the spool 41.

The fixed core 43 is disposed inside the bobbin 41a. In this embodiment, the fixed core 43 is formed by stacking a plurality of plate members. The fixed core 43 includes a first magnetic pole end 43a. The first magnetic pole end 43a protrudes upward from the flange portion 41b of the spool 41. The first magnetic pole end 43a is formed at the upper end of the fixed core 43. The first magnetic pole end 43a includes a flat surface 43b and a corner portion 43c. The flat surface 43b faces upward and faces the movable iron piece 11. The flat surface 43b extends in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, and is separated from the movable iron piece 11 in the up-down direction except for the left end portion. The corner portion 43c is located at the left end of the flat surface 43b. The corner portion 43c extends in the front-rear direction and is in line contact with the movable iron piece 11. The corner portion 43c is the pivot point P of the movable iron piece 11.

The yoke 44 is connected to the fixed core 43. The yoke 44 surrounds at least a portion of the coil 42. The yoke 44 has an L-shaped bent shape. In detail, the yoke 44 includes a connecting portion 44a, a standing portion 44b, and a second magnetic pole end portion 44c. The connecting portion 44a is disposed in contact with the base 2. The fixed core 43 is fixed to the connecting portion 44a. The standing portion 44b extends upward from the right end of the connecting portion 44a. The standing portion 44b covers the right side of the coil 42.

The second magnetic pole end 44c is formed at the upper end of the standing portion 44b. The second magnetic pole end 44c attracts the movable iron piece 11 by the electromagnetic force of the electromagnet portion 4. The second magnetic pole end 44c is disposed below the movable iron piece 11.

The second magnetic pole end 44c includes an abutment portion 44d that can abut against the movable iron piece 11, and a slope 44e. The abutment portion 44d is provided on the side of the second magnetic pole end 44c that is farther from the first magnetic pole end 43a. In detail, the abutment portion 44d is provided on the outside farther from the first magnetic pole end 43a than the inner corner portion 44f that is closest to the first magnetic pole end 43a on the second magnetic pole end 44c. The abutment portion 44d is provided to the right of the inner corner portion 44f of the second magnetic pole end 44c. In this embodiment, the abutment portion 44d is provided at the position on the second magnetic pole end 44c that is farthest from the first magnetic pole end 43a in the left-right direction.

The abutment portion 44d protrudes most upward at the second magnetic pole end 44c. The abutment portion 44d is located higher than the first magnetic pole end 43a. The abutment portion 44d is disposed at a position that protrudes higher than the pivot point P relative to the spool 41. The abutment portion 44d has an R-shape. The abutment portion 44d extends in the front-rear direction. When the abutment portion 44d abuts against the movable iron piece 11, the abutment portion 44d makes line contact with the movable iron piece 11.

The inclined surface 44e is inclined from the pivot point P of the movable iron piece 11 toward the side closer to the second magnetic pole end 44c. The upper end of the inclined surface 44e is connected to the abutment portion 44d. In this embodiment, the inclined surface 44e is inclined downward to the left from the abutment portion 44d when viewed from the front.

The pivot point P is provided on the first magnetic pole end 43a on the side farthest from the second magnetic pole end 44c. The pivot point P is provided on the first magnetic pole end 43a on the outside of the inner corner 43d that is closest to the second magnetic pole end 44c. In this embodiment, the pivot point P is provided on the first magnetic pole end 43a at a position furthest from the second magnetic pole end 44c in the left-right direction. The pivot point P is located at a position that protrudes upward from the spool 41.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hinge spring 5 holds the movable iron piece 11 rotatably. The hinge spring 5 biases the movable iron piece 11 in a direction away from the second magnetic pole end 44c of the yoke 44. A portion of the hinge spring 5 is sandwiched between the spool 41 and the fixed iron core 43. The hinge spring 5 in this embodiment is an example of a biasing member.

As shown in FIG. 1, the movable iron piece 11 has a first end 11a connected to the hinge spring 5. The movable iron piece 11 has a second end 11b opposite to the first end 11a connected to the movable member 9. The first end 11a is located lower than the second end 11b. When viewed from the front, the movable iron piece 11 is inclined upward to the right from the first end 11a to the second end 11b. The movable iron piece 11 is composed of a plate-shaped member, and a part of it is located above the second magnetic pole end 44c. When the movable iron piece 11 rotates in response to an electromagnetic force, it rotates around the corner 43c of the fixed iron core 43 as the rotation fulcrum P. In detail, as shown in FIG. 3, the movable iron piece 11 is in contact with the corner 43c when no voltage is applied to the coil 42. When the movable iron piece 11 is attracted to the second magnetic pole end 44c by electromagnetic force, it rotates around the corner 43c as a fulcrum in a direction approaching the second magnetic pole end 44c. In FIG. 3, the state when the movable iron piece 11 is attracted to the second magnetic pole end 44c and contacts the contact portion 44d is shown by a two-dot chain line.

Next, the operation of the electromagnetic relay 100 will be described. When no voltage is applied to the coil 42, the movable contacts 8a and 8b are separated from the fixed contacts 6b and 7b by the elastic force of the hinge spring 5 and the return spring 10. When a voltage is applied to the coil 42 and it is excited, the movable iron piece 11 is attracted to the second magnetic pole end 44c by the electromagnetic force. As a result, the movable iron piece 11 rotates in a direction approaching the second magnetic pole end 44c with the corner 43c as the rotation fulcrum P against the elastic force of the hinge spring 5 and the return spring 10. As a result, the movable contact piece 8 moves in a direction approaching the fixed contacts 6b and 7b via the movable member 9, and the movable contacts 8a and 8b come into contact with the fixed contacts 6b and 7b. When the voltage application to the coil 42 is stopped, the elastic force of the hinge spring 5 and the return spring 10 causes the movable contact piece 8 to move away from the fixed contacts 6b and 7b via the movable member 9, and the movable contacts 8a and 8b are separated from the fixed contacts 6b and 7b.

In the above-mentioned electromagnetic relay 100, the abutment portion 44d that can abut against the movable iron piece 11 is provided on the side of the second magnetic pole end 44c far from the first magnetic pole end 43a, so that the abutment point between the movable iron piece 11 and the abutment portion 44d can be stabilized. In addition, since the abutment portion 44d attracts the movable iron piece 11 on the side of the second magnetic pole end 44c far from the pivot point P of the movable iron piece 11, the movable iron piece 11 can be attracted with a smaller attraction force than when the abutment portion 44d is provided on the side of the second magnetic pole end 44c close to the pivot point P of the movable iron piece 11. In addition, since the contact area between the movable iron piece 11 and the abutment portion 44d is reduced, the movable iron piece 11 is more likely to move away from the abutment portion 44d when the electromagnetic relay 100 is reset. In addition, the pivot point P of the movable iron piece 11 is located on the side of the first magnetic pole end 43a farther from the second magnetic pole end 44c, so the force of attraction of the first magnetic pole end 43a to the movable iron piece 11 acts in a direction that moves the movable iron piece 11 closer to the yoke 44, which is advantageous for the operation of the electromagnetic relay 100.

The above describes an embodiment of an electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

In the above embodiment, the fixed core 43 is formed by stacking multiple plate members, but the fixed core 43 may be composed of a single member. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the fixed core 43 may be integrated with the yoke 44.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the abutment portion 44d and the slope 44e of the second magnetic pole end 44c may be formed by shaving the second magnetic pole end 44c.

The shape of the second magnetic pole end 44c may be changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the second magnetic pole end 44c may extend outward from the rising portion 44b, or as shown in FIG. 7, the second magnetic pole end 44c may extend inward and outward from the rising portion 44b. Also, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the abutment portion 44d may be at least one protrusion 51 protruding toward the movable iron piece 11 at the second magnetic pole end 44c. In the example shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the second magnetic pole end 44c is composed of a flat surface and at least one protrusion 51 protruding from the flat surface. The at least one protrusion 51 is provided to the right of the inner corner portion 44f of the second magnetic pole end 44c. The at least one protrusion 51 may extend in the front-rear direction so as to be in line contact with the movable iron piece 11 when abutting against the movable iron piece 11. Alternatively, the at least one protrusion 51 may be in point contact with the movable iron piece 11 when abutting against the movable iron piece 11.

As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the movable iron piece 11 may include at least one protrusion 54 that protrudes toward the second magnetic pole end 44c. The at least one protrusion 54 contacts the second magnetic pole end 44c to the right of the inner corner 44f of the second magnetic pole end 44c. When the at least one protrusion 54 contacts the contact portion 44d of the second magnetic pole end 44c, the at least one protrusion 54 contacts the contact portion 44d of the second magnetic pole end 44c. Note that Fig. 10 shows an example in which the second magnetic pole end 44c is configured as a flat surface, and Fig. 11 shows a configuration in which the second magnetic pole end 44c includes a slope 44e.

In the above embodiment, the abutment portion 44d of the second magnetic pole end 44c is located above the first magnetic pole end 43a, but as shown in FIG. 12, the abutment portion 44d of the second magnetic pole end 44c may be located below the first magnetic pole end 43a. In this case, a slope 60 that slopes from the pivot point P of the movable iron piece 11 toward the second magnetic pole end 44c may be provided in the first magnetic pole end 43a so that the rotation of the movable iron piece 11 is not interfered with by the flat surface 43b. The slope 60 slopes downward to the right from the pivot point P when viewed from the front. In this configuration, when the movable iron piece 11 is in contact with the abutment portion 44d of the second magnetic pole end 44c, the movable iron piece 11 slopes downward to the right from the first end 11a toward the second end 11b.

In the above embodiment, the movable iron piece 11 is rotatably held by the hinge spring 5, but the movable iron piece 11 may be rotatably held by the spool 41, the fixed iron core 43, or another holding member. In this case, the return spring 10 may function as a biasing member, or another biasing member may be arranged to bias the movable iron piece 11 in a direction away from the yoke 44.

According to the present invention, in an electromagnetic relay in which a magnetic pole end that attracts a movable iron piece is provided on a yoke, it is possible to stabilize the contact point between the yoke and the movable iron piece.

4 Electromagnet portion 5 Hinge spring (an example of a biasing member)
11 Movable iron piece 41 Spool 42 Coil 43 Fixed iron core 43a First magnetic pole end 44 Yoke 44c Second magnetic pole end 44d Contact portion 44e Slope 51 Protrusion 54 Protrusion 60 Slope 100 Electromagnetic relay

Claims (5)

an electromagnet unit including a movable iron piece, a cylindrical spool, a coil wound around the spool, a fixed iron core disposed inside the spool, and a yoke connected to the fixed iron core and surrounding at least a portion of the coil, the electromagnet unit rotating the movable iron piece by electromagnetic force;
a biasing member that biases the movable iron piece in a direction away from the yoke;
Equipped with
the fixed core includes a first magnetic pole end portion on which a pivot point of the movable iron piece is provided,
the yoke includes a second magnetic pole tip that attracts the movable iron piece by the electromagnetic force,
The pivot point is provided on the first magnetic pole end on a side farther from the second magnetic pole end,
the second magnetic pole end includes a contact portion that can contact the movable iron piece,
The abutment portion is provided on the second magnetic pole end portion on a side farther from the first magnetic pole end portion, and is at least one protrusion protruding toward the movable iron piece, and is in line contact or point contact with the movable iron piece when the abutment portion contacts the movable iron piece.
Electromagnetic relay. an electromagnet unit including a movable iron piece, a cylindrical spool, a coil wound around the spool, a fixed iron core disposed inside the spool, and a yoke connected to the fixed iron core and surrounding at least a portion of the coil, the electromagnet unit rotating the movable iron piece by electromagnetic force;
a biasing member that biases the movable iron piece in a direction away from the yoke;
Equipped with
the fixed core includes a first magnetic pole end portion on which a pivot point of the movable iron piece is provided,
the yoke includes a second magnetic pole tip that attracts the movable iron piece by the electromagnetic force,
The pivot point is provided on the first magnetic pole end on a side farther from the second magnetic pole end,
the second magnetic pole end includes a contact portion that can contact the movable iron piece,
the armature includes at least one protrusion protruding toward the second pole end,
The abutment portion of the second magnetic pole end is provided on a side of the second magnetic pole end farther from the first magnetic pole end, and when the abutment portion contacts the movable iron piece, the abutment portion comes into line contact or point contact with the protrusion of the movable iron piece.
Electromagnetic relay. an electromagnet unit including a movable iron piece, a cylindrical spool, a coil wound around the spool, a fixed iron core disposed inside the spool, and a yoke connected to the fixed iron core and surrounding at least a portion of the coil, the electromagnet unit rotating the movable iron piece by electromagnetic force;
a biasing member that biases the movable iron piece in a direction away from the yoke;
Equipped with
the fixed core includes a first magnetic pole end portion on which a pivot point of the movable iron piece is provided,
the yoke includes a second magnetic pole tip that attracts the movable iron piece by the electromagnetic force,
The pivot point is provided on the first magnetic pole end on a side farther from the second magnetic pole end,
the second magnetic pole tip includes a contact portion capable of contacting the movable iron piece, and a slope inclined from the contact portion toward a side closer to the first magnetic pole tip,
The abutment portion is provided on a side of the second magnetic pole end farther from the first magnetic pole end.
Electromagnetic relay. an electromagnet unit including a movable iron piece, a cylindrical spool, a coil wound around the spool, a fixed iron core disposed inside the spool, and a yoke connected to the fixed iron core and surrounding at least a portion of the coil, the electromagnet unit rotating the movable iron piece by electromagnetic force;
a biasing member that biases the movable iron piece in a direction away from the yoke;
Equipped with
the fixed core includes a first magnetic pole end portion on which a pivot point of the movable iron piece is provided,
the yoke includes a second magnetic pole tip that attracts the movable iron piece by the electromagnetic force,
The pivot point is disposed at a position protruding from the spool in a first direction and is provided on the first magnetic pole end on a side farther from the second magnetic pole end,
the second magnetic pole end includes a contact portion that can contact the movable iron piece,
The abutment portion is disposed at a position protruding in the first direction from the pivot point of the movable iron piece relative to the spool, and is provided on the second magnetic pole end portion on a side farther from the first magnetic pole end portion.
Electromagnetic relay. an electromagnet unit including a movable iron piece, a cylindrical spool, a coil wound around the spool, a fixed iron core disposed inside the spool, and a yoke connected to the fixed iron core and surrounding at least a portion of the coil, the electromagnet unit rotating the movable iron piece by electromagnetic force;
a biasing member that biases the movable iron piece in a direction away from the yoke;
Equipped with
the fixed core includes a first magnetic pole end portion on which a pivot point of the movable iron piece is provided,
the yoke includes a second magnetic pole tip that attracts the movable iron piece by the electromagnetic force,
the pivot point is provided on the first magnetic pole end on a side farthest from the second magnetic pole end and protrudes furthest from the spool,
the second magnetic pole end includes a contact portion that can contact the movable iron piece,
The abutment portion is provided on a side of the second magnetic pole end farther from the first magnetic pole end,
the first magnetic pole tip includes a slope inclined from the pivot point toward a side closer to the second magnetic pole tip,
Electromagnetic relay.

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