JP7760941B2 - electromagnetic relay - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic relay.

Patent Document 1 discloses an electromagnetic relay comprising a base, a contact device, an electromagnet device, a movable iron piece, and a hinge spring. The hinge spring is inserted between the base and the electromagnet device and engaged with a locking recess in the base. This positions the hinge spring relative to the base, and the movable iron piece is rotatably supported on the base via the hinge spring.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-348590

In the electromagnetic relay of Patent Document 1, a hinge spring with an attached armature is inserted between the base and the electromagnet device, and then assembled to the base. The hinge spring inserted between the base and the electromagnet device is engaged with a locking recess in the base and positioned on the base, but the hinge spring can sometimes be inserted too far, resulting in low positioning accuracy. If the hinge spring is inserted too far, it may interfere with the base and generate wear debris. One way to prevent the hinge spring from being inserted too far is to press the hinge spring against the base before assembling it to the base. However, this would result in a lack of dimensional accuracy for the base, and the hinge spring may not be inserted far enough to be engaged in the locking recess, making it impossible to assemble the hinge spring to the base.

The objective of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic relay that can improve the positioning accuracy of the hinge spring.

An electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a base, an electromagnet device, a movable iron piece, a hinge spring, and a locking portion. The electromagnet device is supported by the base. The electromagnet device includes a yoke arranged around a coil. The movable iron piece is arranged facing the electromagnet device. The hinge spring biases the movable iron piece in a direction away from the electromagnet device. The hinge spring is inserted from the insertion direction to be arranged between the base and the yoke. The locking portion is provided on either the base or the yoke and locks the hinge spring. The yoke includes at least one stopper portion. The at least one stopper portion is arranged in the insertion direction relative to the locking portion and limits movement of the hinge spring in the insertion direction.

In this electromagnetic relay, when the hinge spring is assembled to the base or yoke, at least one stopper portion restricts the movement of the hinge spring in the insertion direction. This prevents the hinge spring from being inserted too far when assembled to the base or yoke. As a result, the positioning accuracy of the hinge spring can be improved. Furthermore, at least one stopper portion is provided on the yoke. Therefore, compared to when at least one stopper portion is provided on a resin-molded base, for example, it is easier to achieve dimensional accuracy for the at least one stopper portion, and it is possible to suppress the generation of wear powder when the at least one stopper portion interferes with the hinge spring.

The hinge spring may be spaced apart from the stopper portion when engaged with the engagement portion. In this case, interference between the stopper portion and the hinge spring can be prevented.

The at least one stopper portion may include multiple stopper portions. The multiple stopper portions may include a first stopper portion and a second stopper portion spaced apart from the first stopper portion in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. In this case, the size of the stopper portion is prevented from increasing, and movement of the hinge spring in the insertion direction is more easily restricted.

The locking portion may be arranged alongside at least one stopper portion in the insertion direction. In this case, the positioning accuracy of the hinge spring can be further improved.

The stopper portion may have a protrusion shape. In this case, the stopper portion can be formed with a simple structure.

The stopper portion may have an arc shape. In this case, the contact area between the stopper portion and the hinge spring can be reduced, thereby suppressing the generation of wear debris when at least one stopper portion interferes with the hinge spring.

The locking portion may be provided on the yoke. In this case, it is easier to achieve dimensional accuracy for the locking portion and wear on the locking portion can be reduced compared to when at least the engagement portion is provided on the resin-molded base.

This invention provides an electromagnetic relay that can improve the positioning accuracy of the hinge spring.

FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the yoke and hinge spring. FIG. FIG. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the locking portion.

An embodiment of an electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the X1 direction will be described as the leftward direction, the X2 direction as the rightward direction, the Y1 direction as the forward direction, the Y2 direction as the rearward direction, the Z1 direction as the upward direction, and the Z2 direction as the downward direction. These directions are defined for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the orientation of the electromagnetic relay. In this embodiment, the Y1 direction, which is the forward direction, is an example of the insertion direction Y1.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electromagnetic relay 1 includes a base 2, a contact device 3, an electromagnet device 4, a movable iron piece 5, a hinge spring 6, and a card 7.

The base 2 is made of an insulating material such as resin. The base 2 is formed so that its front-to-back dimension is larger than its left-to-right dimension. Note that the front-to-back and left-to-right dimensions of the base 2 may be approximately the same, or the left-to-right dimension may be larger than the front-to-back dimension.

The base 2 includes a bottom 21 and base side walls 22. The bottom 21 is generally rectangular when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The base side walls 22 extend upward from the outer edge of the bottom 21. The base side walls 22 include a front wall 22a, a left wall 22b, and a right wall 22c. The front wall 22a extends in a direction intersecting the front-to-back direction. The left wall 22b and the right wall 22c extend in a direction intersecting the left-to-right direction. The electromagnetic relay 1 includes a case (not shown) that is placed over the base 2 from above.

The contact device 3 is placed on the base 2. The contact device 3 is supported by the base 2. The contact device 3 is located in front of the electromagnet device 4.

The contact device 3 includes a first fixed terminal 8, a second fixed terminal 9, and a movable contact piece 10. The first fixed terminal 8, the second fixed terminal 9, and the movable contact piece 10 are plate-shaped terminals made of conductive material.

The first fixed terminal 8 is supported by the base 2. The first fixed terminal 8 passes through the bottom 21 of the base 2 in the vertical direction. The first fixed terminal 8 includes a first fixed contact 8a. The first fixed contact 8a is located on the rear surface of the first fixed terminal 8.

The second fixed terminal 9 is located behind the first fixed terminal 8. The second fixed terminal 9 is supported by the base 2. The second fixed terminal 9 passes through the bottom 21 of the base 2 in the vertical direction. The second fixed terminal 9 includes a second fixed contact 9a. The second fixed contact 9a is located on the front surface of the second fixed terminal 9.

The movable contact piece 10 is disposed between the first fixed terminal 8 and the second fixed terminal 9. The movable contact piece 10 is supported by the base 2. The movable contact piece 10 passes through the bottom 21 of the base 2 in the vertical direction. The movable contact piece 10 includes a first movable contact 10a and a second movable contact 10b. The first movable contact 10a is disposed opposite the first fixed contact 8a and is capable of contacting the first fixed contact 8a. The second movable contact 10b is disposed opposite the second fixed contact 9a and is capable of contacting the second fixed contact 9a.

The electromagnet device 4 moves the card 7 by electromagnetic force. The electromagnet device 4 is placed on the base 2. The electromagnet device 4 is supported by the base 2. The electromagnet device 4 is attached to the base 2 from the rear. The electromagnet device 4 includes a coil 41, a spool 42, an iron core 43, and a yoke 44.

The coil 41 is wound around the outer circumference of the spool 42. The spool 42 extends in the front-to-rear direction. The spool 42 includes a base portion 42a that is connected to the rear end of the base 2. The iron core 43 is cylindrical and is inserted into the inner circumference of the spool 42. The rear end of the iron core 43 is a magnetic pole face and is positioned opposite the movable iron piece 5 in the front-to-rear direction.

The yoke 44 is arranged around the coil 41. The yoke 44 has a curved shape. The yoke 44 is roughly L-shaped and is formed, for example, by press working.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the yoke 44 includes a first plate portion 44a, a second plate portion 44b, a stopper portion 44c, and a stopper portion 44d.

The first plate portion 44a is disposed forward of the coil 41 and spool 42. The first plate portion 44a extends in a direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction. The first plate portion 44a is fixed to the front end of the iron core 43.

The second plate portion 44b is bent rearward from the lower end of the first plate portion 44a. The second plate portion 44b is positioned below the coil 41. The second plate portion 44b extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. The second plate portion 44b faces the bottom 21 of the base 2 in the vertical direction. The second plate portion 44b is press-fitted into insertion grooves (not shown) formed in the left wall 22b and right wall 22c of the base 2. The insertion grooves extend in the front-to-rear direction. The electromagnet device 4 is assembled to the base 2 by inserting the second plate portion 44b into the insertion grooves from the rear of the base 2.

Stopper portion 44c and stopper portion 44d are each an example of at least one stopper. That is, in this embodiment, yoke 44 includes multiple stopper portions. Stopper portion 44c is an example of a first stopper portion. Stopper portion 44d is an example of a second stopper portion.

The stopper portions 44c and 44d limit the movement of the hinge spring 6 in the insertion direction Y1. The stopper portions 44c and 44d are positioned so that the front end of the hinge spring 6 can come into contact with them when the hinge spring 6 is assembled to the base 2 and yoke 44 in the insertion direction Y1.

The stopper portions 44c and 44d are formed on the underside of the second plate portion 44b. The stopper portions 44c and 44d are integral with the second plate portion 44b. The stopper portions 44c and 44d have a protruding shape. The stopper portions 44c and 44d protrude downward from the underside of the second plate portion 44b. The stopper portions 44c and 44d have an arc shape. The stopper portions 44c and 44d are formed in a circular shape when viewed from below.

Stopper portion 44d is positioned away from stopper portion 44c in a direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction. Stopper portions 44c and 44d are positioned side by side in the left-to-right direction with a gap between them. Stopper portions 44c and 44d are positioned in the insertion direction Y1 relative to locking portions 31 and 32, which will be described later. In other words, stopper portions 44c and 44d are positioned forward of locking portions 31 and 32.

Here, the electromagnetic relay 1 includes a locking portion 31 and a locking portion 32. That is, in this embodiment, the electromagnetic relay 1 includes multiple locking portions. The locking portions 31 and 32 are provided on either the base 2 or the yoke 44. In this embodiment, the locking portions 31 and 32 are provided on the second plate portion 44b of the yoke 44. The locking portions 31 and 32 are formed on the underside of the second plate portion 44b. The locking portions 31 and 32 lock the hinge spring 6. The locking portions 31 and 32 prevent the hinge spring 6 from coming loose. That is, the locking portions 31 and 32 restrict the hinge spring 6 from moving in the direction opposite the insertion direction Y1 (rearward in this case). The locking portions 31 and 32 may be configured to position the hinge spring 6. Note that the number of locking portions may be one, as long as it corresponds to the number of locking claws described below.

Latching portions 31 and 32 have a shape that is concave from bottom to top. Locking portions 31 and 32 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction with a gap between them. Locking portion 31 is arranged behind stopper portion 44c. Locking portion 31 is arranged side by side with stopper portion 44c in the front-to-back direction. Locking portion 32 is arranged behind stopper portion 44d. Locking portion 32 is arranged side by side with stopper portion 44d in the front-to-back direction.

The movable iron piece 5 is arranged facing the electromagnet device 4 in the front-to-rear direction. The movable iron piece 5 is arranged behind the iron core 43. The movable iron piece 5 is rotatably supported by the hinge spring 6. The movable iron piece 5 is in contact with the rear end of the yoke 44 and rotates around the rear end of the yoke 44 as a pivot point. The upper part of the movable iron piece 5 is connected to the card 7. The movable iron piece 5 includes a protrusion 5a. The protrusion 5a is a part that is attached to the hinge spring 6 and is, for example, a protrusion for crimping.

The hinge spring 6 is inserted in the insertion direction Y1 to be positioned between the base 2 and the yoke 44, and urges the movable iron piece 5 in a direction away from the electromagnet device 4. The hinge spring 6 is assembled to the base 2 and the yoke 44 in the insertion direction Y1. The hinge spring 6 urges the movable iron piece 5 in a direction away from the iron core 43.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the hinge spring 6 has a bent shape. The hinge spring 6 is generally L-shaped and is formed, for example, by press working. The hinge spring 6 is disposed rearward of the stopper portions 44c and 44d. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the hinge spring 6 is spaced apart from the stopper portions 44c and 44d when engaged with the engaging portion 31. In other words, the hinge spring 6 is spaced apart from the stopper portions 44c and 44d when assembled to the base 2 and yoke 44. The front end of the hinge spring 6 faces the stopper portions 44c and 44d in the front-to-rear direction.

The hinge spring 6 includes a first portion 6a, a second portion 6b, a through hole 6c, and locking claws 6d and 6e. The first portion 6a extends in a direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction and is located at the rear of the movable iron piece 5. The second portion 6b bends forward from the lower end of the first portion 6a.

The second portion 6b extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. The second portion 6b is disposed between the bottom 21 of the base 2 and the second plate portion 44b of the yoke 44. The second portion 6b is inserted between the bottom 21 of the base 2 and the second plate portion 44b of the yoke 44 from the insertion direction Y1. The front end of the second portion 6b faces the stopper portions 44c and 44d in the front-to-rear direction. When the locking claw 6d is locked with the locking portion 31 and the locking claw 6e is locked with the locking claw 6e, the second portion 6b is separated from the stopper portions 44c and 44d. The front end of the second portion 6b can come into contact with the stopper portions 44c and 44d when the hinge spring 6 is assembled to the base 2 and the yoke 44 from the insertion direction Y1.

The through-hole 6c penetrates the first portion 6a in the front-to-rear direction. The through-hole 6c is a hole for crimping and fixing the protrusion 5a of the movable iron piece 5.

Latching claws 6d and 6e are formed on the second portion 6b. The rear ends of the latching claws 6d and 6e are raised so that they are positioned higher than the front ends. The latching claw 6d is latched to the latching portion 31. The latching claw 6e is latched to the latching portion 32. While multiple latching claws 6d and 6e are provided in this embodiment, only one latching claw may be provided, for example, in the center of the second portion 6b in the left-right direction.

The card 7 is made of an insulating material such as resin. The card 7 is positioned above the electromagnet device 4. The card 7 is supported by the base 2 so that it can move in the front-to-rear direction. The rear end of the card 7 is connected to the movable iron piece 5. As the movable iron piece 5 rotates, the card 7 moves in the front-to-rear direction along a pair of guide portions 23 formed on the base 2. The pair of guide portions 23 extend in the front-to-rear direction, along which the card 7 slides. The front end of the card 7 is positioned opposite the movable contact piece 10 in the front-to-rear direction and can press against the movable contact piece 10.

When the coil 41 is not energized, the card 7 is pressed by the movable iron piece 5 in a direction away from the movable contact piece 10 by the biasing force of the hinge spring 6, and the card 7 is separated from the movable contact piece 10. At this time, the second fixed contact 9a is in contact with the second movable contact piece 10b.

When a voltage is applied to the coil 41, it becomes magnetized, and the movable iron piece 5 is attracted to the iron core 43 and rotates. As the movable iron piece 5 rotates, the card 7 is pressed against the movable iron piece 5 and moves forward along the pair of guide portions 23. This presses the movable contact piece 10 forward, causing the second movable contact 10b to separate from the second fixed contact 9a and the first movable contact 10a to contact the first fixed contact 8a.

Next, the manufacturing process for the electromagnetic relay 1 will be described, particularly the process for assembling the electromagnet device 4 and hinge spring 6 to the base 2. The manufacturing process for the electromagnetic relay 1 includes a first process, a second process, and a third process. In the first process, the base 2, the electromagnet device 4, and the hinge spring 6 to which the movable iron piece 5 is attached are prepared. Note that in a separate process, the coil 41, spool 42, iron core 43, and yoke 44 are attached to the electromagnet device 4. In a separate process, the hinge spring 6 is crimped and fixed to the movable iron piece 5.

The second step is to assemble the electromagnet device 4 to the base 2. Specifically, the second plate portion 44b of the yoke 44 of the electromagnet device 4 is inserted into the insertion groove of the base 2 from the rear of the base 2, and the electromagnet device 4 is assembled to the base 2.

The third step is to assemble the hinge spring 6 to the base 2 and yoke 44. Specifically, the second portion 6b of the hinge spring 6, to which the movable iron piece 5 is assembled, is inserted in the insertion direction Y1 between the bottom portion 21 of the base 2 and the second plate portion 44b of the yoke 44. At this time, the second portion 6b of the hinge spring 6 is pushed in the insertion direction Y1 until the locking claw 6d is locked by the locking portion 31 and the locking claw 6e is locked by the locking portion 32. This completes the assembly of the hinge spring 6 to the base 2 and yoke 44.

In the electromagnetic relay 1 described above, when the hinge spring 6 is assembled to the base 2 and yoke 44, the movement of the hinge spring 6 in the insertion direction Y1 is restricted by the stopper portions 44c and 44d. Specifically, if the hinge spring 6 is pushed too far in the insertion direction Y1 in the third step described above, the second portion 6b of the hinge spring 6 comes into contact with the stopper portions 44c and 44d, restricting the movement of the hinge spring 6 in the insertion direction Y1. This prevents the hinge spring 6 from moving too far in the insertion direction Y1 when assembled to the base 2 and yoke 44. As a result, the positioning accuracy of the hinge spring 6 can be improved.

Furthermore, the stopper portions 44c, 44d are provided on the yoke 44. Therefore, compared to, for example, providing structures equivalent to the stopper portions 44c, 44d on the resin-molded base 2, it is easier to achieve dimensional accuracy for the stopper portions 44c, 44d, and it is possible to suppress the generation of wear powder when the stopper portions 44c, 44d interfere with the hinge spring 6.

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 spirit of the invention.

The configuration of the contact device 3 and the electromagnet device 4 may be modified. For example, the second fixed terminal 9 and the second movable contact 10b may be omitted. The shape of the card 7 may be modified.

The shape and number of stopper portions 44c, 44d may be changed. For example, stopper portion 44d may be omitted and placed at the center of the second plate portion 44b of the yoke 44 in the left-right direction. In this case, stopper portion 44c may have an elongated shape. Furthermore, at least a portion of the stopper portions 44c, 44d that face the front end of the second portion 6b may be formed linearly. For example, stopper portions 44c, 44d may be formed rectangular when viewed from below.

In the above embodiment, the locking portions 31, 32 were provided on the yoke 44, but as shown in Figure 6, the locking portions 31, 32 may also be provided on the bottom portion 21 of the base 2. In this case, the locking claws 6d, 6e of the hinge spring 6 are cut and raised so that their respective rear ends are positioned lower than their respective front ends.

1 Electromagnetic relay 2 Base 4 Electromagnet device 5 Movable iron piece 6 Hinge springs 31, 32 Locking portion 41 Coil 44 Yoke 44c, 44d Stopper portion

Claims (7)

With the base,
an electromagnetic device including a coil and a yoke disposed around the coil and supported by the base;
a movable iron piece disposed opposite the electromagnet device;
a hinge spring that is inserted from an insertion direction to be disposed between the base and the yoke and biases the movable iron piece in a direction away from the electromagnet device;
a locking portion provided on either the base or the yoke, which locks the hinge spring;
Equipped with
the yoke includes at least one stopper portion disposed in the insertion direction relative to the locking portion and limiting movement of the hinge spring in the insertion direction.
Electromagnetic relay.
The hinge spring is separated from the stopper portion when locked by the locking portion.
2. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1.
the at least one stopper portion includes a plurality of stopper portions,
The plurality of stopper portions include a first stopper portion and a second stopper portion spaced apart from the first stopper portion in a direction intersecting the insertion direction.
3. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 1 or 2.
The locking portion is arranged next to the at least one stopper portion in the insertion direction.
4. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 1.
The stopper portion has a protrusion shape.
5. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 1.
The stopper portion has an arc shape.
6. An electromagnetic relay according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The locking portion is provided on the yoke.
7. An electromagnetic relay according to claim 1.