JP7821997B2 - electromagnetic relay - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an electromagnetic relay.

Conventionally, electromagnetic relays have been known that include a fixed contact and a movable contact that moves relative to the fixed contact and can be brought into contact with or separated from the fixed contact, as disclosed in the following Patent Document 1.

In Patent Document 1, a terminal is provided that is electrically connected to the fixed contact and a terminal that is electrically connected to the movable contact, and each terminal is fixed to the body by being press-fitted into the body.

JP 2012-104277 A

However, terminal portions that are electrically connected to the fixed contacts and movable contacts are sometimes fixed to the body or other case using adhesive.

In this case, it is preferable to be able to more firmly fix the terminal portion to the case while preventing the adhesive from penetrating into the inside of the case and interfering with the operation of the electromagnetic relay.

The objective of this disclosure is to provide an electromagnetic relay that can more reliably prevent interference with operation while more firmly fixing the terminal portion.

The electromagnetic relay according to the present disclosure comprises a first contact, a second contact that can be brought into and out of contact with the first contact, a terminal portion that is electrically connected to the first contact and the second contact when the first contact and the second contact are in contact, and a case that has an insertion hole into which the terminal portion is inserted and that houses the first contact and the second contact, wherein the terminal portion has an insertion portion that is inserted into the insertion hole, has a tip portion that extends downward from the case, and a cross wall portion that is disposed within the case and bends from the tip portion, the insertion portion has a first surface and a second surface located on the back side of the first surface, the distance between the inner surface of the insertion hole facing the first surface and the first surface of the insertion portion is greater than the distance between the inner surface of the insertion hole facing the second surface and the second surface of the insertion portion, and the cross wall portion is bent from the tip portion in a direction from the second surface toward the first surface.
Another electromagnetic relay according to the present disclosure includes a first contact, a second contact that can be brought into and out of contact with the first contact, a terminal portion that is electrically connected to the first contact and the second contact when the first contact and the second contact are in contact with each other, and a case that has an insertion hole into which the terminal portion is inserted and that houses the first contact and the second contact, wherein the terminal portion has a tip portion that extends below the case and a cross wall portion that is positioned above the tip portion, bent from the tip portion, and inserted into the insertion hole, and the portion of the cross wall that is inserted into the insertion hole is located on a first surface and a back side of the first surface. and a second surface that faces the first surface, and at the exit of the insertion hole provided in the case, the distance between the inner surface of the insertion hole facing the first surface and the first surface of the insertion portion is greater than the distance between the inner surface of the insertion hole facing the second surface and the second surface of the insertion portion, and at the entrance of the insertion hole, the distance between the inner surface of the insertion hole facing the first surface and the first surface of the insertion portion is smaller than the distance between the inner surface of the insertion hole facing the second surface and the second surface of the insertion portion, and the cross wall portion is bent from the tip end in a direction from the first surface toward the second surface.

This disclosure makes it possible to obtain an electromagnetic relay that can more reliably prevent interference with operation while more firmly fixing the terminal portion.

1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an electromagnetic relay according to a first embodiment. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating an electromagnetic relay according to a first embodiment. 1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing an electromagnetic relay according to a first embodiment. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a state in which a contact device according to a first embodiment is attached to a base. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a fixed contact portion according to a first embodiment, FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a fixed contact portion according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 3C is a side view of the fixed contact portion according to the first embodiment. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a movable contact portion according to a first embodiment, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view seen from one direction, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view seen from another direction. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contact device according to the first embodiment, and is a back view schematically showing a state in which the contacts are in a second position. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contact device according to the first embodiment, and is a back view schematically showing a state in which the contacts are in a first position. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an auxiliary fixed contact and an auxiliary movable contactor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view showing an auxiliary fixed contact and an auxiliary movable contactor according to the first embodiment. 3 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which a terminal portion according to the first embodiment is fixed to a case with an adhesive. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the fixed contact portion according to the first embodiment is press-fitted into the inner wall of the case. FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an electromagnetic relay according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an electromagnetic relay according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing a contact device according to a second embodiment, in which the contacts are in a second position. FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing a contact device according to a second embodiment, in which the contacts are in a first position. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a fixed contact portion according to a second embodiment, in which FIG. 10A is a perspective view seen from one direction, FIG. 10B is a perspective view seen from another direction, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which a terminal portion according to a second embodiment is fixed to a case with an adhesive. 10 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example in which the fixed contact portion is press-fitted into the inner wall of the case. FIG. FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a first modified example in which the terminal portion is fixed to the case with an adhesive. FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a second modified example in which the terminal portion is fixed to the case with an adhesive.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the insertion direction of the terminal portion into the insertion hole will be referred to as the Z direction (vertical direction: first direction), the direction in which the fixed contact and the movable contact face each other will be referred to as the X direction (front-to-back direction: second direction), and the direction perpendicular to the X and Z directions will be referred to as the Y direction (width direction of the terminal portion: third direction).

The direction in which the tip of the terminal inserted into the insertion hole protrudes from the case will be referred to as the downward direction in the vertical direction, the side on which the fixed contacts are located will be referred to as the front in the front-to-back direction, and the side on which the movable contacts are located will be referred to as the rear in the front-to-back direction.

Furthermore, the following multiple embodiments include similar components. Therefore, in the following, these similar components will be given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

(First embodiment)
The electromagnetic relay 1 according to this embodiment is of a so-called normally open type, in which the contacts are off in the initial state, and includes an electromagnet device (drive unit) 20 located at the top and a contact device 30 located at the bottom, as shown in Fig. 2. The electromagnet device 20 and the contact device 30 are housed in a case 10 formed from a resin material in the shape of a hollow box. It is also possible to use a so-called normally closed type electromagnetic relay, in which the contacts are on in the initial state.

The case 10 comprises a base 110 and a cover 120, and has a substantially rectangular outer surface. The electromagnet device 20 and contact device 30 are housed within the internal space S1 of the case 10, which is formed when the cover 120 is attached to the base 110.

The shape of the outer surface of the case 10 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, and may be any shape.

The base 110 has a substantially rectangular plate-shaped base portion 111 that extends along a substantially horizontal plane (the XY plane intersecting the Z direction) (see Figure 3). The base 110 also has an upper peripheral wall 112 that extends upward from the periphery of the base portion 111, and a lower peripheral wall 113 that extends downward from the periphery of the base portion 111 (see Figure 2).

The electromagnet device 20 is placed on top of the upper peripheral wall 112, and the contact device 30 is housed in the space defined by the lower peripheral wall 113 (see Figures 2 and 4).

On the other hand, the cover 120 comprises an upper cover 121 that is generally box-shaped and opens downward, and a lower cover 122 that is generally box-shaped and opens upward. The upper cover 121 is attached to the base 110 from above, and the electromagnet device 20 is covered by this upper cover 121. The lower cover 122 is attached to the base 110 from below, and the contact device 30 is covered by this lower cover 122.

In this embodiment, the upper cover 121 is attached to the base 110 by engaging the engagement hole 121a formed at the lower end of the upper cover 121 with the engagement protrusion 110a formed on the side of the base 110 (see Figures 1 and 2). Similarly, the lower cover 122 is attached to the base 110 by engaging the engagement hole 122a formed at the upper end of the lower cover 122 with the engagement protrusion 110b formed on the side of the base 110.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the internal space S1 of the case 10 is divided into two, upper and lower, by the base portion 111 of the base 110. That is, the internal space S1 of the case 10 is divided into a space S2 formed above the base portion 111 and housing the electromagnet device 20, and a space S3 formed below the base portion 111 and housing the contact device 30 (see Figure 3).

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the base 110 is equipped with multiple (three in this embodiment) partition walls 114. Each partition wall 114 extends downward from the underside of the base portion 111, and both ends in the Y direction (width direction) are connected to the lower peripheral wall 113.

The space defined by the lower peripheral wall 113 is therefore divided by the three partition walls 114 into four spaces S4 aligned in the X direction (front-to-back direction). Each space S4 contains one pair of a fixed contact portion (first contact portion) 310 and a movable contact portion (second contact portion) 320 (see Figure 4).

As such, in this embodiment, the contact device 30 has four pairs of fixed contact portions 310 and movable contact portions 320 that pair with each other (have contacts that come into contact with and separate from each other).

The electromagnet device (drive unit) 20 is a device that generates electromagnetic force and includes a coil 210 that generates magnetic flux when current is applied, and a hollow cylindrical coil bobbin 220 around which the coil 210 is wound (see Figure 2).

The coil 210 can be, for example, a conductive wire. The coil bobbin 220 is made of resin, an insulating material, and has a through-hole 220a formed in the center of the coil bobbin 220 that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction (X direction) (see Figure 3). The coil bobbin 220 has a substantially cylindrical winding drum 221 around whose outer surface the coil 210 is wound, and a substantially circular front flange 222 connected to the front end of the winding drum 221 and protruding radially outward from the winding drum 221. The coil bobbin 220 also has a substantially circular rear flange 223 connected to the rear end of the winding drum 221 and protruding radially outward from the winding drum 221.

The electromagnet device 20 also includes an iron core (fixed member) 230 that is inserted into the cylindrical interior (insertion hole 220a) of the coil bobbin 220 and is magnetized (through which magnetic flux passes) by the energized coil 230.

The iron core 230 comprises a generally cylindrical shaft portion 231 extending in the X direction (front-rear direction), and a generally cylindrical head portion 232 formed with a larger diameter than the shaft portion 231 and connected to the front end of the shaft portion 231 (see Figure 3). In this embodiment, the shaft portion 231 is formed so that its outer diameter is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the insertion hole 220a formed in the coil bobbin 220, and the head portion 232 is formed so that its outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 220a.

The iron core 230 is positioned inside the coil bobbin 220 by inserting the tip (rear end) of the shaft portion 231 into the insertion hole 220a from the front. At this time, the iron core 230 is inserted into the insertion hole 220a of the coil bobbin 220 with the tip (rear end) of the shaft portion 231 protruding rearward beyond the rear flange portion 223 of the coil bobbin 220 and the front end of the head portion 232 protruding forward beyond the front flange portion 222 of the coil bobbin 220.

Furthermore, the electromagnet device 20 is equipped with an armature (movable member) 240 that is arranged opposite the head 232 of the iron core 230 in the front-to-rear direction (X direction).

The armature 240 is made of a conductive metal and is arranged so that it can swing in the front-to-back direction (X direction) relative to the head 232 of the iron core 230. In this embodiment, the armature 240 comprises a main body 241 that faces the head 232 of the iron core 230 in the front-to-back direction (X direction), and a card 242 that extends downward from the lower end of the center of the main body 241 in the Y direction (width direction) (see Figures 2 and 3). Note that the card 242 moves a moving body 330 (described below) in the front-to-back direction (X direction) as the armature 240 swings in the front-to-back direction (X direction).

The electromagnet device 20 also includes a yoke 250 that is arranged around the coil 210 wound around the winding drum 221. The yoke 250 is a generally plate-shaped member made of a magnetic material, and is generally L-shaped in side view (as viewed along the Y direction). That is, in this embodiment, the yoke 250 includes a horizontal wall portion 251 that is arranged to extend along a generally horizontal plane below the coil 210 wound around the winding drum 221, and a vertical wall portion 252 that extends upward from the rear end of the horizontal wall portion 251 (see Figure 3). Such a yoke 250 can be formed, for example, by bending a single plate.

The lower end of the main body 241 of the armature 240 is attached to the front end of the horizontal wall 251 in the front-to-back direction (X direction) so that it can swing in the front-to-back direction (X direction). This allows the armature 240 to rotate in the front-to-back direction (X direction) around the part supported by the yoke 250.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electromagnet device 20 is provided with a hinge spring 260 attached across the armature 240 and the yoke 250, and the armature 240 is biased by this hinge spring 260 in a direction in which the main body 241 moves away from the head 232 of the iron core 230 (see Figure 3).

In addition, a through-hole 252a that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction (X direction) is formed in the vertical wall portion 252, and the tip (rear end) of the shaft portion 231 of the iron core 230 is inserted (press-fitted) into this through-hole 252a.

Furthermore, the electromagnet device 20 is provided with a pair of coil terminals 270 that are fixed to the coil bobbin 220 and to which both ends of the coil 210 are connected, respectively. The electromagnet device 20 is driven by passing electricity through the coil 210 via this pair of coil terminals 270.

Specifically, by passing current through the coil 210, the main body 241 of the armature 240 is attracted to the head 232 of the iron core 230, causing the armature 240 to rotate so that the main body 241 approaches the head 232 of the iron core 230. In other words, by passing current through the coil 210 via a pair of coil terminals 270, the main body 241 of the armature 240 rotates backward in the X direction (front-to-back direction). At this time, the card 242 connected to the main body 241 rotates forward in the X direction (front-to-back direction).

In this embodiment, the swing range of the armature 240 is set between an initial position where the main body 241 is positioned a predetermined distance forward from the head 232 of the iron core 230 (the position where the main body 241 is farthest from the head 232 of the iron core 230), and an abutment position where the main body 241 abuts against the head 232 of the iron core 230 (the position where the main body 241 is closest to the head 232 of the iron core 230).

Therefore, in this embodiment, when current is applied to the coil 210, the armature 240 moves to a contact position where the main body 241 contacts the head 232 of the iron core 230, and when current is stopped from being applied to the coil 210, the armature 240 returns to its initial position due to the biasing force of the hinge spring 260.

In this way, the armature 240 in this embodiment is positioned opposite the head 232 of the iron core 230 across a predetermined gap when the coil 210 is not energized, and when the coil 210 is energized, it swings so as to be attracted to the head 232 of the iron core 230.

By switching the drive state of this electromagnet device 20, it is possible to switch between electrical continuity and non-conduction between the fixed contact portion 310 and the movable contact portion 320, which are paired together (have contacts that move in and out of contact with each other).

In this embodiment, a contact device 30 is provided below the electromagnet device 20, which opens and closes the contacts depending on whether the coil 210 is energized or deenergized.

As described above, the contact device 30 has four pairs of fixed contact portions 310 and movable contact portions 320 (each having a contact that moves in and out of contact with the other) (see Figure 4).

In this embodiment, a set of fixed contact portions 310 and movable contact portions 320 having contacts that move toward and away from each other is composed of a pair of fixed contact portions 310 and one movable contact portion 320.

Specifically, two fixed contact portions 310 of the same shape are used as a pair of fixed contact portions 310. The two paired fixed contact portions 310 are fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10) with a space between them in the Y direction (width direction).

Each fixed contact portion 310 has a main body portion 312 on which one fixed contact 311 is formed (see FIG. 5). In this embodiment, the fixed contact 311 is formed on the main body portion 312 by inserting a member intended to serve as the fixed contact into an insertion hole 312c formed in the main body portion 312 in the plate thickness direction and then riveting the member (see FIG. 11). Note that the fixed contact 311 does not have to be formed on the main body portion 312 by riveting, and can be formed by various methods. For example, it is possible to dowel the main body portion 312 so that a protruding portion functions as the fixed contact. It is also possible to configure the main body portion 312 so that the movable contact 321 comes into contact with part of the flat surface of the main body portion 312, allowing part of the flat surface of the main body portion 312 to function as the fixed contact.

The fixed contact portion 310 is also provided with a terminal portion 313 that is connected to the lower end of the main body portion 312 and is fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10) with its tip protruding outward (downward) from the lower cover 122 (case 10).

In this embodiment, the lower cover 122 has an insertion hole 123 that penetrates in the Z direction (up and down direction). The tip (lower end) of the terminal portion 313 is inserted into this insertion hole 123 from above, and the fixed contact portion 310 is fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10) with the tip (lower end) of the terminal portion 313 protruding outward (downward) from the lower cover 122 (see Figures 11 and 12).

At this time, the fixed contact portion 310 is fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10) with the fixed contact 311 facing rearward in the X direction (front-to-back direction). In other words, the fixed contact portion 310 is fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10) with the surface 312a (rear surface: first surface: surface facing the movable contact 321) on the side where the fixed contact 311 of the main body portion 312 is formed facing rearward.

The fixed contact 311, main body 312, and terminal 313 can be formed from a conductive material such as a copper-based material.

On the other hand, one movable contact portion 320 has one movable contactor 322 formed with a pair of movable contacts 321 arranged side by side in the Y direction (width direction) (see Figure 4).

In this embodiment, the movable contact 321 is formed on the movable contactor 322 by inserting a member intended to become the movable contact into insertion holes 322d formed on both longitudinal sides of the approximately rectangular plate-shaped movable contactor 322 in the plate thickness direction and riveting the member (see Figure 11). Note that the formation of the movable contactor 321 on the movable contactor 322 does not have to be performed by riveting, and can be performed using various methods. For example, it is possible to perform dowel processing on the movable contactor 322, thereby allowing the protruding portion to function as the movable contact. Furthermore, by configuring the movable contactor 322 so that part of its flat surface comes into contact with the fixed contact 311, it is also possible to allow part of the flat surface of the movable contactor 322 to function as the movable contact.

Each movable contact portion 320 is positioned rearward in the X direction (front-to-back direction) relative to its paired fixed contact portions 310, with its thickness direction roughly aligned with the X direction (front-to-back direction) and its longitudinal direction roughly aligned with the Y direction (width direction) (see Figures 7 and 8). The movable contact portion 320 is positioned such that the movable contact 321 faces the fixed contact 311 in the X direction (front-to-back direction). Specifically, the movable contactor 322 is positioned such that the movable contact 321 formed on one side in the Y direction (width direction) faces the fixed contact 311 of the fixed contact portion 310 positioned on one side in the Y direction (width direction) in the X direction (front-to-back direction). Similarly, the movable contactor 322 is positioned such that the movable contact 321 formed on the other side in the Y direction (width direction) faces the fixed contact 311 of the fixed contact portion 310 positioned on the other side in the Y direction (width direction) in the X direction (front-to-back direction).

The movable contact 321 and the movable contactor 322 can be formed from a conductive material such as a copper-based material.

A set consisting of a pair of fixed contact portions 310 and one movable contact portion 320 configured in this way is housed in each of the four spaces S4 described above (see Figure 4).

Here, each movable contact portion 320 is arranged within space S4 so that it can move back and forth relative to the pair of fixed contact portions 310 in the same set in the X direction (front-to-back direction).

Specifically, the contact device 30 is equipped with a moving body 330 that reciprocates in the X direction (front-to-back direction) in response to the swing of the armature 240. Each movable contact portion 320 is held by this moving body 330, allowing each movable contact portion 320 to reciprocate in the X direction (front-to-back direction) relative to the pair of fixed contact portions 310 in the same set.

In this embodiment, the movable body 330 includes a holder portion 331 that opens downward, a cover portion 332 that covers the opening of the holder portion 331 from below, and a coil spring 333 that is held by the holder portion 331 and presses the movable contactor 322 forward (toward the fixed contact 311).

The holder section 331 comprises a top wall 3311 that is elongated in the X direction (front-to-back direction) and a plurality of partition walls 3312 that are connected to each other and extend downward from the underside of the top wall 3311 in the Y direction (width direction). Furthermore, the holder section 331 comprises peripheral walls 3313 that are connected to both ends of each partition wall 3312 in the Y direction (width direction) and extend in the X direction (front-to-back direction).

In this embodiment, the top wall 3311 is formed with two partition walls 3312 connected to both end edges in the X direction (front-to-back direction), and five partition walls 3312 formed between the two partition walls 3312, spaced apart in the X direction (front-to-back direction) (see Figure 4).

The two partition walls 3312 are arranged adjacent to each other with a predetermined distance between them (a gap large enough to accommodate the movable contact 322 and coil spring 333). Peripheral walls 3313 are connected to both ends in the Y direction (width direction) of the two partition walls 3312, extending toward the opposing partition wall 3312. The tips of the peripheral walls 3313 extending toward the opposing partition wall 3312 face each other with a gap in the X direction (front-to-back direction), and a gap large enough to insert the movable contact 322 is formed between the tips of the opposing peripheral walls 3313.

By doing so, a space S5 that is open downward and on both sides in the Y direction (width direction) is formed in the holder portion 331. This space S5 accommodates the central portion of the movable contact 322 in the Y direction (width direction) and the coil spring 333, and is a space defined below by the cover portion 332 when the cover portion 332 is assembled to the holder portion 331. In other words, the movable body 330 has a space S5 defined by the top wall 3311, partition wall 3312, peripheral wall 3313, and cover portion 332, with portions of both sides in the Y direction (width direction) open.

In this embodiment, the movable body 330 has four spaces S5 formed in a line in the X direction (front-rear direction), and each space S5 houses one coil spring 333. Furthermore, each space S5 houses one movable contactor 322 with the portions where the movable contact 321 is formed (both ends in the Y direction (width direction)) protruding outward from the space S5. At this time, the coil spring 333 urges the movable contactor 322 forward in the X direction (front-rear direction).

In this embodiment, a spring retainer 322a that protrudes rearward is formed in the center of the movable contactor 322 in the Y direction (width direction). The center of the movable contactor 322 in the Y direction (width direction) and the coil spring 333 are housed in space S5 with the coil spring 333 held by the spring retainer 322a.

In this embodiment, the spring retainer 322a is formed by doweling the movable contactor 322, but it is also possible to form the spring retainer 322a using other methods.

In addition, a protrusion 3313a is formed at the lower end of the peripheral wall 3313, which engages with a recess 322b formed at the lower end of the movable contactor 322. Engaging the protrusion 3313a with the recess 322b prevents the movable contactor 322 from coming off the moving body 330 (see Figures 6 to 8).

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the movable contactor 322 is held in a state in which it can move relative to the moving body 330 in the X direction (front-to-back direction). A recess 322c is formed at the upper end of the movable contactor 322 into which the top wall 3311 of the holder part 331 is inserted, and with the top wall 3311 inserted into the recess 322c, the movable contactor 322 moves relative to the moving body 330 in the X direction (front-to-back direction). In this way, in this embodiment, the movable contactor 322 moves relative to the moving body 330 in the X direction (front-to-back direction) while being guided by the top wall 3311.

This movable body 330 is disposed in the space defined by the lower peripheral wall 113 of the base 110, holding the movable contact 322 and coil spring 333. In this embodiment, a notch 114a is provided in the center in the Y direction (width direction) of each of the three partition walls 114 that divide the space defined by the lower peripheral wall 113 into four spaces S4. The movable body 330 is disposed in the space defined by the lower peripheral wall 113, with a portion of it housed in this notch 114a.

Furthermore, the movable body 330 is provided with a protruding wall 3314 that is connected to the top surface of the top wall 3311 and protrudes upward. In this embodiment, the protruding wall 3314 is formed at the front end of the top wall 3311 in the X direction (front-to-back direction), and a space having an opening 3314a that opens upward is formed inside this protruding wall 3314 (see Figure 3).

The base portion 111 of the base 110 is formed with an opening 111a through which the protruding wall 3314 passes, so that when the moving body 330 is placed within the space defined by the lower peripheral wall 113, the tip of the protruding wall 3314 protrudes above the base portion 111. This allows the card 242 of the armature 240 to be inserted into the internal space of the protruding wall 3314. By inserting the card 242 of the armature 240 into the internal space of the protruding wall 3314 in this way, the moving body 330 moves in the front-to-back direction (X direction) as the armature 240 swings in the front-to-back direction (X direction).

The movable body 330 also has a pressing portion 3315 that is continuously provided so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the top wall 3311. In this embodiment, the pressing portion 3315 is formed at the rear end of the top wall 3311 in the X direction (front-rear direction).

The base 111 of the base 110 has an opening 111b formed therein through which the pressing portion 3315 passes, so that when the movable body 330 is placed in the space defined by the lower peripheral wall 113, the tip of the pressing wall 3315 protrudes above the base 111. This pressing portion 3315 is configured to move in the front-to-rear direction (X direction) as the movable body 330 moves, and presses the auxiliary movable contact portion 342 of the auxiliary contact portion 340, which will be described later.

As described above, in this embodiment, the contact device 30 includes an auxiliary contact portion 340. This auxiliary contact portion 340 is used, for example, to detect whether the fixed contact 311 and the movable contact 321, which can be moved in and out of contact with each other, are welded together.

The auxiliary contact portion 340 includes a pair of auxiliary fixed contact portion 341 and auxiliary movable contact portion 342, which have auxiliary contacts that come into and out of contact with each other.

In this embodiment, a set of auxiliary fixed contact portions 341 and auxiliary movable contact portions 342 having auxiliary contacts that move toward and away from each other is composed of a pair of auxiliary fixed contact portions 341 and one movable contact portion 342 (see Figures 9 and 10).

Specifically, two auxiliary fixed contact parts 341 having approximately the same shape are used as a pair of auxiliary fixed contact parts 341. The two paired auxiliary fixed contact parts 341 are fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10) with a space between them in the Y direction (width direction).

One auxiliary fixed contact portion 341 has a main body portion 341a on which one fixed contact 341c is formed. The auxiliary fixed contact 341c can be formed on this main body portion 341a using various methods, such as riveting.

The other auxiliary fixed contact portion 341 has a main body portion 341a to which the auxiliary movable contactor 342a of the auxiliary movable contact portion 342 is fixed. The auxiliary movable contactor 342a can also be fixed to this main body portion 341a using various methods, such as riveting.

In addition, each of the pair of auxiliary fixed contact portions 341 is connected to the lower end of the main body portion 341a and has an auxiliary terminal portion 341b that is fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10) with its tip protruding outward (downward) from the lower cover 122 (case 10).

In this embodiment, one auxiliary fixed contact portion 341 is fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10) with the surface on which the auxiliary fixed contact 341c is formed facing forward in the X direction (front-to-back direction). The other auxiliary fixed contact portion 341 is fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10) with the surface on which the auxiliary movable contactor 342a is fixed facing forward in the X direction (front-to-back direction).

The auxiliary fixed contact 341c, main body 341a, and auxiliary terminal 341b can be formed from a conductive material such as a copper-based material.

On the other hand, one auxiliary movable contact portion 342 has one auxiliary movable contactor 342a on which a pair of auxiliary movable contacts 342b are formed, arranged side by side in the Z direction (vertical direction). The auxiliary movable contacts 342b can be formed on the auxiliary movable contactor 342a using various methods, such as riveting. The auxiliary movable contacts 342b and the auxiliary movable contactor 342a can also be formed from a conductive material, such as a copper-based material.

In this embodiment, each auxiliary movable contactor 342a has a shape formed by bending a strip-shaped member elongated in the Y direction (width direction) in the X direction (front-to-back direction). One side in the Y direction (width direction) (the side bent away from the auxiliary fixed contact portion 341: the side facing the auxiliary fixed contact 341c) is branched into two, upper and lower, and one auxiliary movable contact 342b is formed on each of the branched plate-shaped portions. The auxiliary movable contacts 342b can also be formed on these plate-shaped portions using various methods, such as riveting.

The other side in the Y direction (width direction) that is not branched upward or downward (the side bent toward the auxiliary fixed contact portion 341: the side facing the main body portion 341a where the auxiliary fixed contact 341c is not formed) is fixed to the main body portion 341a of the other auxiliary fixed contact portion 341. At this time, the auxiliary movable contactor 342a is fixed to the main body portion 341a of the other auxiliary fixed contact portion 341 so that the side where the auxiliary movable contact 342b is formed can elastically deform in the X direction (front-to-back direction).

In this embodiment, the auxiliary contact portion 340 is configured so that when the auxiliary movable contactor 342a is in a free state, the auxiliary movable contactor 342b does not come into contact with the auxiliary fixed contactor 341c. Furthermore, when the auxiliary contact portion 340 is fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10), the auxiliary movable contactor 342a faces the pressing portion 3315 of the moving body 330 in the X direction (front-to-back direction).

At this time, as the pressing portion 3315 moves in the front-to-back direction (X direction), the auxiliary movable contactor 342a also moves in the front-to-back direction (X direction). The movement of the pressing portion 3315 switches between contact and separation between the auxiliary movable contact 342b and the auxiliary fixed contact 341c.

Specifically, when the coil 210 is not energized (when the energization of the coil 210 is stopped), the auxiliary movable contactor 342a is pressed rearward by the pressing portion 3315 located rearward in the X direction (front-to-back direction), so that the movable contact 342b of the auxiliary movable contactor 342a comes into contact with the fixed contact 341c of the auxiliary fixed contact portion 341.

On the other hand, when the coil 210 is energized, as the pressing portion 3315 moves forward in the X direction (front-to-back direction), the auxiliary movable contactor 342a moves forward in the X direction (front-to-back direction) due to its own elastic restoring force, and the movable contact 342b of the auxiliary movable contactor 342a moves away from the fixed contact 341c of the auxiliary fixed contact portion 341.

By positioning the auxiliary contact portion 340 and the pressing portion 3315 in this positional relationship, the auxiliary movable contact 342b and the auxiliary fixed contact 341c can be switched between separation and contact by switching the coil 210 between energized and de-energized.

Next, we will explain an example of the operation of the electromagnetic relay 10 (electromagnet device 20 and contact device 30) configured as described above.

First, when the coil 210 is not energized, the elastic force of the hinge spring 260 causes the main body 241 of the armature 240 to move in a direction away from the head 232 of the iron core 230. At this time, the card 242 of the armature 240 is positioned rearward in the X direction (front-to-back direction), and therefore the moving body 330 is also positioned rearward in the X direction (front-to-back direction). In other words, the movable contact 320 held by the moving body 330 is separated from the fixed contact 310, and the movable contact 321 is separated from the fixed contact 311 (see Figure 7).

When the coil 210 is energized from this OFF state, the main body 241 of the armature 240 is attracted backward (toward the iron core 230) by electromagnetic force and moves toward the head 232 of the iron core 230 against the elastic force of the hinge spring 260. As the main body 241 rotates backward (toward the iron core 230), the card 242 rotates forward, and as the card 242 rotates forward, the moving body 330 moves (slides) forward. As a result, the four movable contacts 320 held by the moving body 330 move forward toward their respective fixed contact portions 310, and the movable contacts 321 of each movable contact 322 come into contact with the fixed contact 311 of the fixed contact portion 310. In this way, a pair of fixed contact portions 310 in one group are electrically connected by one movable contact portion 320 in the same group (see Figure 8).

On the other hand, when the current to the coil 210 is stopped, the main body 241 of the armature 240 rotates forward (away from the iron core 230) due to the biasing force of the hinge spring 260, and returns to its initial position.

As the main body 241 rotates forward, the card 242 rotates backward, and as the card 242 rotates backward, the movable body 330 moves (slides) backward. As a result, the four movable contactors 320 held by the movable body 330 move backward, away from their respective fixed contact portions 310, and the movable contacts 321 of each movable contactor 322 move away from the fixed contacts 311 of the fixed contact portion 310. This releases the electrical connection between the pair of fixed contact portions 310, 310 in one group.

In this manner, in this embodiment, when the armature 240 is in the initial position, each set of contacts is in the second position where the movable contact 321 and the fixed contact 311 are separated from each other (see Figure 7). On the other hand, when the armature 240 is in the abutting position, each set of contacts is in the first position where the movable contact 321 and the fixed contact 311 are in contact with each other (see Figure 8).

Therefore, when the coil 210 is not energized, the pair of fixed contacts 310, 310 in each set are insulated from each other, and when the coil 210 is energized, the pair of fixed contacts 310, 310 in each set are conductive from each other. In this manner, in this embodiment, the movable contact (second contact) 321 is configured to be able to move back and forth relative to the fixed contact (first contact) 311 in the second direction (X direction: front-to-rear direction) between the first position and the second position.

When the coil 210 is not energized (when the energization of the coil 210 is stopped), the moving body 330 is positioned rearward in the X direction (front-rear direction). Therefore, the auxiliary movable contactor 342a is pressed rearward by the pressing portion 3315, and the movable contact 342b of the auxiliary movable contactor 342a is in contact with the fixed contact 341c of the auxiliary fixed contact portion 341. In other words, the pair of auxiliary fixed contact portions 341 are electrically connected by the auxiliary movable contact portion 341.

On the other hand, when the coil 210 is energized, the movable body 330 moves (slides) forward in the X direction (front-to-back direction). As such, when the movable body 330 moves (slides) forward in the X direction (front-to-back direction), the pressing portion 3315 also moves forward in the X direction (front-to-back direction), and the auxiliary movable contactor 342a moves forward in the X direction (front-to-back direction) due to its own elastic restoring force. As a result, the movable contact 342b of the auxiliary movable contactor 342a moves away from the fixed contact 341c of the auxiliary fixed contact portion 341, and the electrical connection between the pair of auxiliary fixed contact portions 341, 341 is released.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the auxiliary contact portion 340 is configured so that when the pair of fixed contact portions 310, 310 in each set is electrically connected, the pair of auxiliary fixed contact portions 341, 341 is insulated from each other. Furthermore, the auxiliary contact portion 340 is configured so that when the pair of fixed contact portions 310, 310 in each set is electrically insulated from each other, the pair of auxiliary fixed contact portions 341, 341 is electrically connected to each other.

Such an auxiliary contact portion 340 can be used, for example, to detect whether the fixed contact 311 and the movable contact 321, which can be moved together, are welded together.

Specifically, if the fixed contact 311 and the movable contact 321, which can be moved toward or away from each other, are not welded together, the movable body 330 can move to its initial position when the current to the coil 210 is stopped. Therefore, the auxiliary movable contactor 342a is pressed backward by the pressing portion 3315 formed on the movable body 330, and the movable contact 342b of the auxiliary movable contactor 342a comes into contact with the fixed contact 341c of the auxiliary fixed contact portion 341.

However, if the fixed contact 311 and the movable contact 321, which can be moved together, are welded together, the movable body 330 will not be able to move to its initial position even if the current to the coil 210 is stopped. As a result, the auxiliary movable contactor 342a is not pressed by the pressing portion 3315, and the movable contact 342b of the auxiliary movable contactor 342a remains separated from the fixed contact 341c of the auxiliary fixed contact portion 341.

Therefore, by providing an auxiliary contact portion 340 as in this embodiment, if current flows between the pair of auxiliary fixed contact portions 341, 341 when the coil 210 is not energized, it can be determined that the fixed contact 311 and the movable contact 321, which can be moved toward or away from each other, are not welded together.

On the other hand, when the coil 210 is not energized and no current flows between the pair of auxiliary fixed contacts 341, 341, it can be determined that the fixed contact 311 and the movable contact 321, which can be moved toward or away from each other, are welded together.

In this embodiment, the fixed contact portion 310 having the terminal portion 313 is more firmly fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10).

Specifically, the terminal portion 313 inserted into the insertion hole 123 of the lower cover 122 is fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10) with adhesive 125, thereby more firmly fixing the fixed contact portion 310 to the lower cover 122 (case 10) (see Figures 11 and 12).

In this embodiment, the tip of the terminal portion 313 is inserted from above into the insertion hole 123 of the lower cover 122, and with the tip of the terminal portion 313 protruding outward (downward) from the lower cover 122, adhesive 125 is applied from the outer surface 122b side of the lower cover 122.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, an adhesive storage space S6 in which adhesive 125 is stored is formed around the area where the insertion hole 123 is formed on the outer surface 122b of the lower cover 122.

As a result, the inner surface 123c of the lower cover 122, which defines the insertion hole 123 formed in the lower cover 122 so as to penetrate in the Z direction (up and down direction), is connected to the inner surface S6a of the adhesive storage space S6 on the outer opening 123a side. Furthermore, the inner surface 123c of the lower cover 122 is connected to the inner surface 122c of the lower cover 122 on the inner opening 123b side. In this way, in this embodiment, the inner surface S6a of the adhesive storage space S6 forms part of the outer surface 122b of the lower cover 122.

Then, with the tip of the terminal portion 313 protruding outward (downward) from the lower cover 122, adhesive 125 is applied and cured in the adhesive storage space S6 formed on the outer surface 122b of the lower cover 122. In other words, the terminal portion 313 is fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10) by the adhesive fixing portion 124 formed by the curing of the adhesive 125 applied in the adhesive storage space S6 formed on the outer surface 122b of the lower cover 122.

In this embodiment, even if a gap D1 is formed between the outer surface 313a of the terminal portion 313 inserted into the insertion hole 123 and the inner surface (case surface) 123c of the insertion hole 123 facing the outer surface 313a of the terminal portion 313, the terminal portion 313 can be more firmly fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10) while more reliably preventing the contact opening and closing action from being impeded.

In other words, when the fixed contact portion 310, which has a terminal portion 313 that forms a gap D1 between it and the insertion hole 123, is fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10) with adhesive 125, the adhesive 125 is prevented from penetrating into the inside of the lower cover 122 (case 10) through the gap D1 before hardening.

In this embodiment, the insertion hole 123 in the lower cover 122 is an approximately rectangular through-hole that is elongated in the Y direction (width direction). The fixed contact portion 310, in which the plate thickness (thickness in the X direction) of the terminal portion 313 is smaller than the width (length in the X direction) of the insertion hole 123 in the short direction, is fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10) with adhesive 125.

In this embodiment, the terminal portion 313 of the fixed contact portion 310 is connected to the lower end of the main body portion 312 on which the fixed contact 311 is formed, and includes a root portion 3131 extending in the Z direction (up and down direction). The terminal portion 313 also includes a cross wall portion 3132 connected to the lower end of the root portion 3131 and extending in a direction intersecting the Z direction (up and down direction), and a tip portion 3133 connected to the lower end of the cross wall portion 3132 and extending in the Z direction (up and down direction).

Here, the cross wall portion 3132 is a wall portion that extends in a second direction (X direction: front-to-rear direction: thickness direction of the main body portion 312) that intersects with a first direction (Z direction: up-down direction), which is the direction in which the terminal portion 313 is inserted into the insertion hole 123. In this embodiment, the cross wall portion 3132 is formed so as to be inclined obliquely, and the rear end of this cross wall portion 3132 in the X direction (front-to-rear direction) is connected to the lower end of the base portion 3131. And the front end of the cross wall portion 3132 in the X direction (front-to-rear direction) is connected to the upper end of the tip portion 3133.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the terminal portion 313 has a shape in which the tip portion 3133 is offset forward in the X direction (front-to-back direction) relative to the base portion 3131. Such a terminal portion 313 can be formed by bending a single plate-shaped member in the thickness direction.

The terminal portion 313 having this shape is inserted into the insertion hole 123 with at least a portion of the cross wall portion 3132 positioned within the insertion hole 123. In other words, when the terminal portion 313 in this embodiment is fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10), at least a portion of the cross wall portion 3132 is positioned within the insertion hole 123.

In this embodiment, the cross wall portion 3132 is fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10) and is arranged so that the entire portion, excluding the front end portion connected to the tip portion 3133, is positioned within the insertion hole 123. The front end portion connected to the tip portion 3133 of the cross wall portion 3132 is positioned within the adhesive storage space S6 formed on the outer surface 122b of the lower cover 122.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the portion of the base portion 3131 that connects to the cross wall portion 3132 and the portion of the cross wall portion 3132 that is positioned within the insertion hole 123 form the insertion portion 3134 that faces the inner surface 123c of the insertion hole 123 when the terminal portion 313 is inserted into the insertion hole 123.

The above-mentioned gap D1 is formed between the outer surface 3134a of this insertion portion 3134 and the inner surface 123c of the insertion hole 123.

In this embodiment, the width of the terminal portion 313 in the Y direction (width direction) is formed to be approximately the same as the width of the insertion hole 123 in the Y direction (width direction). In other words, no gap that would allow adhesive 125 to penetrate into space S3 is formed between the outer surface 3134a of the insertion portion 3134 and the inner surface 123c of the insertion hole 123, which face each other in the Y direction (width direction).

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cross wall portion 3132 is formed so that the portion of the cross wall portion 3132 that is placed within the insertion hole 123 intersects with a center line C1 that passes through the center of the insertion hole 123 in the X direction (front-to-back direction) and extends in the Z direction (up-down direction) when viewed along the Y direction (width direction).

In this manner, in this embodiment, at least a portion of the intersecting wall portion 3132 is disposed within the insertion hole 123, and when viewed along the third direction (Y direction) that intersects the first direction (Z direction) and the second direction (X direction), it passes through the center of the insertion hole 123 in the second direction and intersects with the center line C1 extending in the first direction.

This prevents the cross wall portion 3132 from being positioned in the insertion hole 123 in a state that is biased to one side in the X direction (front-to-back direction). In other words, when viewed along the Z direction (up-down direction), most of the insertion hole 123 is covered by the cross wall portion 3132.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the insertion portion 3134 of the terminal portion 313 is positioned within the insertion hole 123 so as to be fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10), the outer surface 3134a of the insertion portion 3134 facing the X direction (front-to-back direction) does not come into contact with the inner surface 123c of the insertion hole 123. In other words, a continuous gap D1 is formed on both sides of the insertion portion 3134 in the X direction (front-to-back direction), extending from the outer opening 123a to the inner opening 123b.

This gap D1 is defined on one side in the X direction (front-to-back direction) by the diagonally arranged cross wall portion 3132 (insertion portion 3134), so its width in the X direction (front-to-back direction) varies depending on its position in the Z direction (up-down direction).

For example, in gap D1 formed rearward of the insertion portion 3134 in the X direction (front-to-back direction), the width in the X direction (front-to-back direction) is smallest at the upper end of the cross wall portion 3132. On the other hand, in gap D1 formed forward of the insertion portion 3134 in the X direction (front-to-back direction), the width in the X direction (front-to-back direction) is smallest at the lower end of the insertion portion 3134 (the portion facing the outer opening 123a).

In this way, in this embodiment, the gap D1 is formed midway between the outer opening 123a and the inner opening 123b so that its width in the X direction (front-to-back direction) is at its smallest. This makes it possible to prevent the adhesive 125 from entering the interior (into the space S3 in which the contact device 30 is housed) by using the portion with the smallest width in the X direction (front-to-back direction).

In other words, the adhesive 125 applied to the adhesive storage space S6 is allowed to penetrate into the gap D1 at least on the outer opening 123a side of the insertion hole 123, but is prevented from penetrating beyond the point where the width of the gap D1 is smallest.

The minimum width of the gap D1 in the X direction (front-to-back direction) can be set appropriately taking into account the viscosity of the adhesive 125 used, etc.

As such, the electromagnetic relay 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with an inflow suppression section 40 that suppresses the inflow of adhesive 125 that has flowed into the gap D1. In this embodiment, the cross wall section 3132 formed on the terminal section 313 functions as the inflow suppression section 40 that suppresses the inflow of adhesive 125 that has flowed into the gap D1.

This makes it possible to prevent the adhesive 125 from penetrating into the terminal portion 313, even when a gap D1 is formed between the terminal portion 313 and the insertion hole 123. This more reliably prevents the contact opening and closing action from being impeded, while also allowing the terminal portion 313 to be more firmly fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10).

Therefore, there is no need to change the size of the insertion hole 123 depending on the thickness of the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313 fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10). As a result, the lower cover 122 (case 10) can be standardized. In other words, it is possible to fix the terminal portion 313 of contact portions of various thicknesses to the lower cover 122 (case 10) without replacing the lower cover 122 (case 10).

However, when using a terminal portion 313 that forms a gap D1 between itself and the insertion hole 123, as in this embodiment, the terminal portion 313 may become misaligned with respect to the lower cover 122 (case 10) when fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10).

For this reason, in this embodiment, when the terminal portion 313 is fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10), the terminal portion 313 is prevented from shifting position relative to the lower cover 122 (case 10).

Specifically, a positioning portion is provided on the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having a terminal portion 313 fixed to the lower cover 122 (case 10).

In this embodiment, an inner wall (vertical wall: wall portion) 115 is provided on the base 110 (case 10), and a press-fit space S7 is formed within the case 10 by the inner wall 115, the lower peripheral wall 113, the partition wall 114, and other vertical walls (wall portions).

The contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313 is provided with a press-fit protrusion 314, and the portion where this press-fit protrusion 314 is formed is press-fit into the press-fit space S7, thereby holding the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313 in place on the base 110. In this way, when the lower cover 122 is attached to the base 110, the insertion portion 3134 of the terminal portion 313 is positioned at a predetermined position within the insertion hole 123.

In this embodiment, the press-fit protrusion 314 is formed so as to protrude forward from the front surface of the main body portion 312. That is, the press-fit protrusion 314 is formed on the surface 312b (front surface: second surface: surface opposite the side facing the movable contact 321) opposite the surface 312a on which the fixed contact 311 is located in the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313.

In this way, even if the plate thickness of the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313 is changed, by adjusting the protrusion amount of the press-fit protrusion 314, the fixed contact 311 can be held in the same position on the base 110. As a result, there is no need to change the spring load of the hinge spring 260 depending on the plate thickness of the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313. Therefore, by simply changing the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313, it is possible to form various types of electromagnetic relays 1 with different current-carrying capacities.

In this embodiment, the press-fit protrusion 314 is formed by doweling the main body portion 312, but this method is not limited to this and the press-fit protrusion can be formed using various methods.

Furthermore, the positioning portion formed on the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313 is not limited to a press-fit protrusion, but can also be, for example, a recess or slit that engages with a protrusion formed on the vertical wall (inner wall 115, etc.) of the base 110 (case 10).

Second Embodiment
The electromagnetic relay 1 according to this embodiment is also of a so-called normally open type, in which the contacts are initially off, like the electromagnetic relay 1 shown in the first embodiment. Note that this embodiment can also use a so-called normally closed type electromagnetic relay, in which the contacts are initially on.

As shown in Figures 14 to 16, the electromagnetic relay 1 of this embodiment includes an electromagnet device (drive unit) 20 located at the rear in the X direction (front-rear direction) and a contact device 30 located at the front. The electromagnet device 20 and contact device 30 are housed in a case 10 formed in the shape of a hollow box from a resin material.

The case 10 comprises a base 110 and a cover 120, and has a substantially rectangular outer surface. The electromagnet device 20 and contact device 30 are housed within the internal space S1 of the case 10, which is formed when the cover 120 is attached to the base 110.

The shape of the outer surface of the case 10 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, and may be any shape.

The base 110 has a substantially rectangular plate-shaped base portion 111 that extends along a substantially horizontal plane (the XY plane, which intersects with the Z direction). The base 110 also has an upper peripheral wall 112 that extends upward from the periphery of the base portion 111, and a partition wall 114 that rises upward from approximately the center in the X direction (front-to-back direction) (see Figures 14 to 16).

The electromagnet device 20 is located behind the partition wall 114, and the contact device 30 is located in front of the partition wall 114 (see Figures 14 to 16).

On the other hand, the cover 120 has a roughly box-like shape that opens downward, and this cover 120 is attached to the base 110 from above.

In this embodiment, the cover 120 is attached to the base 110 by engaging the engagement hole 120a formed at the bottom end of the cover 120 with the engagement protrusion 110a formed on the side of the base 110 (see Figures 14 to 16).

In this manner, in this embodiment, the internal space S1 of the case 10 is divided into two, front and rear, by the partition wall 114 of the base 110. That is, the internal space S1 of the case 10 is divided into a space S2 formed behind the partition wall 114 and housing the electromagnet device 20, and a space S3 formed in front of the partition wall 114 and housing the contact device 30 (see Figures 15 and 16).

In this embodiment, the contact device 30 has only one pair of fixed contact portion 310 and movable contact portion 320 (which have contacts that come into contact with and separate from each other).

The electromagnet device (drive unit) 20 is a device that generates electromagnetic force and includes a coil 210 that generates magnetic flux when current is applied, and a hollow cylindrical coil bobbin 220 around which the coil 210 is wound (see Figure 14).

The coil 210 can be, for example, a conductive wire. The coil bobbin 220 is made of resin, an insulating material, and has a through-hole formed in the center of the coil bobbin 220 that penetrates in the Z direction (up and down direction). The coil bobbin 220 has a substantially cylindrical winding drum portion around whose outer surface the coil 210 is wound, and a substantially circular upper flange portion 222 connected to the upper end of the winding drum portion and protruding radially outward from the winding drum portion. The coil bobbin 220 also has a substantially circular lower flange portion 223 connected to the lower end of the winding drum portion and protruding radially outward from the winding drum portion.

The electromagnet device 20 also includes an iron core (fixed member) 230 that is inserted into the cylindrical interior of the coil bobbin 220 and is magnetized (through which magnetic flux passes) by the energized coil 230.

The iron core 230 has a generally cylindrical shaft portion extending in the Z direction (vertical direction) and a generally cylindrical head portion 232 formed with a larger diameter than the shaft portion and connected to the upper end of the shaft portion (see Figure 14).

Furthermore, the electromagnet device 20 is equipped with an armature (movable member) 240 that is arranged to face the head 232 of the iron core 230 in the vertical direction (Z direction).

The armature 240 is made of a conductive metal and is arranged so that it can swing up and down (in the Z direction) relative to the head 232 of the iron core 230. In this embodiment, the armature 240 includes a horizontal wall portion 241 that faces the head 232 of the iron core 230 in the Z direction, and a vertical wall portion 242 that extends downward from the front end of the horizontal wall portion 241 in the X direction (front-to-back direction) (see Figures 15 and 16).

The electromagnet device 20 also includes a yoke 250 that is arranged around the coil 210 wound around the winding drum. The yoke 250 is a generally plate-shaped member made of a magnetic material, and is generally L-shaped in side view (viewed along the Y direction). That is, in this embodiment, the yoke 250 includes a vertical wall portion 251 that is arranged to extend along a generally vertical plane in front of the coil 210 wound around the winding drum, and a horizontal wall portion 252 that extends rearward from the lower end of the vertical wall portion 251 (see Figure 14). Such a yoke 250 can be formed, for example, by bending a single plate.

The horizontal wall portion 241 of the armature 240 is attached to the upper end of the vertical wall portion 251 so that it can swing up and down (Z direction). This allows the armature 240 to rotate up and down (Z direction) around the part supported by the yoke 250.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electromagnet device 20 is provided with a hinge spring 260 attached across the armature 240 and the yoke 250, and the armature 240 is biased by this hinge spring 260 in a direction in which the horizontal wall portion 241 moves away from the head 232 of the iron core 230 (see Figure 15).

Furthermore, the electromagnet device 20 is provided with a pair of coil terminals 270 that are fixed to the coil bobbin 220 and to which both ends of the coil 210 are connected, respectively. The electromagnet device 20 is driven by passing electricity through the coil 210 via this pair of coil terminals 270.

Specifically, by passing current through the coil 210, the horizontal wall portion 241 of the armature 240 is attracted to the head portion 232 of the iron core 230, causing the armature 240 to rotate so that the horizontal wall portion 241 approaches the head portion 232 of the iron core 230. In other words, by passing current through the coil 210 via a pair of coil terminals 270, the horizontal wall portion 241 of the armature 240 rotates downward in the Z direction (up-down direction). At this time, the vertical wall portion 242 connected to the horizontal wall portion 241 rotates forward in the X direction (front-to-back direction).

In this embodiment, the swing range of the armature 240 is set between an initial position where the horizontal wall portion 241 is positioned a predetermined distance above the head 232 of the iron core 230 (the position where the horizontal wall portion 241 is farthest from the head 232 of the iron core 230), and an abutment position where the horizontal wall portion 241 abuts against the head 232 of the iron core 230 (the position where the horizontal wall portion 241 is closest to the head 232 of the iron core 230).

Therefore, in this embodiment, when current is applied to the coil 210, the armature 240 moves to a contact position where the horizontal wall portion 241 contacts the head portion 232 of the iron core 230, and when current is stopped from being applied to the coil 210, the armature 240 returns to its initial position due to the biasing force of the hinge spring 260.

In this way, the armature 240 in this embodiment is positioned opposite the head 232 of the iron core 230 across a predetermined gap when the coil 210 is not energized, and when the coil 210 is energized, it swings so as to be attracted to the head 232 of the iron core 230.

By switching the drive state of this electromagnet device 20, it is possible to switch between electrical continuity and non-conduction between the fixed contact portion 310 and the movable contact portion 320, which are paired together (have contacts that move in and out of contact with each other).

In this embodiment, a contact device 30 is provided in front of the electromagnet device 20, which opens and closes the contacts depending on whether the coil 210 is energized or deenergized.

As described above, the contact device 30 has only one pair of fixed contact portion 310 and movable contact portion 320 (which have contacts that come into contact with and separate from each other) (see Figure 14).

In this embodiment, a set of fixed contact portions 310 and movable contact portions 320 having contacts that move toward and away from each other is composed of a pair of fixed contact portions 310 and one movable contact portion 320.

Specifically, two fixed contact portions 310 that are symmetrical with respect to the XZ plane are used as a pair of fixed contact portions 310. The two paired fixed contact portions 310 are fixed to the base 110 (case 10) with a space between them in the Y direction (width direction).

Each fixed contact portion 310 includes a main body portion 312 on which one fixed contact 311 is formed (see FIG. 17). In this embodiment, the fixed contact 311 is formed on the main body portion 312 by inserting a member intended to serve as the fixed contact into an insertion hole 312c formed through the main body portion 312 in the plate thickness direction and then riveting the member (see FIGS. 15 and 16). Note that the fixed contact 311 does not have to be formed on the main body portion 312 by riveting, and can be formed by various methods. For example, it is possible to dowel the main body portion 312, thereby creating a protruding portion that functions as the fixed contact. It is also possible to configure the main body portion 312 so that the movable contact 321 comes into contact with part of the flat surface of the main body portion 312, thereby allowing part of the flat surface of the main body portion 312 to function as the fixed contact.

The fixed contact portion 310 is also provided with a terminal portion 313 that is connected to the lower end of the main body portion 312 and is fixed to the base 110 (case 10) with its tip protruding outward (downward) from the base 110 (case 10).

In this embodiment, the base 110 is formed with an insertion hole 116 that penetrates in the Z direction (up and down direction). The tip (lower end) of the terminal portion 313 is inserted into this insertion hole 116 from above, and the fixed contact portion 310 is fixed to the base 110 (case 10) with the tip (lower end) of the terminal portion 313 protruding outward (downward) from the base 110 (see Figure 18).

At this time, the fixed contact portion 310 is fixed to the base 110 (case 10) with the fixed contact 311 facing rearward in the X direction (front-to-rear direction). In other words, the fixed contact portion 310 is fixed to the base 110 (case 10) with the surface 312a (rear surface: first surface: surface facing the movable contact 321) on the side where the fixed contact 311 of the main body portion 312 is formed facing rearward.

The fixed contact 311, main body 312, and terminal 313 can be formed from a conductive material such as a copper-based material.

On the other hand, one movable contact portion 320 has one movable contactor 322 formed with a pair of movable contacts 321 arranged side by side in the Y direction (width direction) (see Figure 14).

In this embodiment, the movable contact 321 is formed on the movable contactor 322 by inserting a member intended to become the movable contact into insertion holes 322d formed on both longitudinal sides of the approximately rectangular plate-shaped movable contactor 322 in the plate thickness direction and riveting the member (see Figures 15 and 16). Note that the formation of the movable contactor 321 on the movable contactor 322 does not have to be performed by riveting, and can be performed using various methods. For example, it is possible to perform dowel processing on the movable contactor 322, thereby allowing the protruding portion to function as the movable contact. Furthermore, it is also possible to have a portion of the flat surface of the movable contactor 322 function as the movable contact by configuring the movable contactor 322 so that part of the flat surface comes into contact with the fixed contact 311.

Each movable contact portion 320 is positioned rearward in the X direction (front-to-back direction) relative to its paired fixed contact portions 310, with its thickness direction roughly aligned with the X direction (front-to-back direction) and its longitudinal direction roughly aligned with the Y direction (width direction) (see Figure 14). The movable contact portion 320 is positioned with its movable contact 321 facing the fixed contact 311 in the X direction (front-to-back direction). Specifically, the movable contactor 322 is positioned such that the movable contact 321 formed on one side in the Y direction (width direction) faces the fixed contact 311 of the fixed contact portion 310 positioned on one side in the Y direction (width direction) in the X direction (front-to-back direction). Similarly, the movable contactor 322 is positioned such that the movable contact 321 formed on the other side in the Y direction (width direction) faces the fixed contact 311 of the fixed contact portion 310 positioned on the other side in the Y direction (width direction) in the X direction (front-to-back direction).

The movable contact 321 and the movable contactor 322 can be formed from a conductive material such as a copper-based material.

A set consisting of a pair of fixed contact portions 310 and one movable contact portion 320 configured in this way is housed within the space S3 described above (see Figures 15 and 16).

Here, the movable contact portion 320 is arranged within the space S3 so that it can swing relative to the pair of fixed contact portions 310 in the X direction (front-to-back direction).

Specifically, the contact device 30 is equipped with a moving body 330 that swings in the X direction (front-to-back direction) in conjunction with the swing of the armature 240. The moving contact portion 320 is held by this moving body 330, allowing the moving contact portion 320 to swing in the X direction (front-to-back direction) relative to the pair of fixed contact portions 310.

In this embodiment, the movable body 330 is formed from an insulating resin material and includes a holder portion 331 whose upper portion is connected to the vertical wall portion 242 of the armature 240, a movable plate 334 connected to the lower portion of the holder portion 331, and a movable spring 335 that connects the movable plate 334 to the movable contactor 322.

Next, we will explain an example of the operation of the electromagnetic relay 10 (electromagnet device 20 and contact device 30) configured as described above.

First, when the coil 210 is not energized, the elastic force of the hinge spring 260 causes the horizontal wall portion 241 of the armature 240 to move in a direction away from the head portion 232 of the iron core 230. At this time, the vertical wall portion 242 of the armature 240 is positioned rearward in the X direction (front-to-back direction), and therefore the movable body 330 is also positioned rearward in the X direction (front-to-back direction). In other words, the movable contact portion 320 held by the movable body 330 is separated from the fixed contact portion 310, and the movable contact 321 is separated from the fixed contact 311 (see Figure 15).

When the coil 210 is energized from this OFF state, the horizontal wall portion 241 of the armature 240 is attracted downward (toward the iron core 230) by electromagnetic force and moves toward the head portion 232 of the iron core 230 against the elastic force of the hinge spring 260. As the horizontal wall portion 241 rotates downward (toward the iron core 230), the vertical wall portion 242 rotates forward, and as the vertical wall portion 242 rotates forward, the moving body 330 rotates forward. As a result, the moving contact 320 held by the moving body 330 rotates forward toward the fixed contact portion 310, and the moving contact 321 of the moving contact 322 contacts the fixed contact 311 of the fixed contact portion 310. In this way, the pair of fixed contact portions 310 are electrically connected by the moving contact portion 320 (see Figure 16).

On the other hand, when the current to the coil 210 is stopped, the horizontal wall portion 241 of the armature 240 rotates upward (away from the iron core 230) due to the biasing force of the hinge spring 260, returning to its initial position.

As the horizontal wall portion 241 rotates upward, the vertical wall portion 242 rotates rearward, and as the vertical wall portion 242 rotates rearward, the moving body 330 rotates rearward. As a result, the movable contactor 320 held by the moving body 330 rotates rearward away from the fixed contact portion 310, and the movable contact 321 of the movable contactor 322 moves away from the fixed contact 311 of the fixed contact portion 310. This releases the electrical connection between the pair of fixed contact portions 310, 310.

In this manner, in this embodiment, when the armature 240 is in the initial position, it is in the second position where the movable contact 321 and the fixed contact 311 are separated from each other (see Figure 15). On the other hand, when the armature 240 is in the abutting position, it is in the first position where the movable contact 321 and the fixed contact 311 are in contact (see Figure 16).

Therefore, when the coil 210 is not energized, the pair of fixed contacts 310, 310 are insulated from each other, and when the coil 210 is energized, the pair of fixed contacts 310, 310 are conductive from each other. In this manner, in this embodiment, the movable contact (second contact) 321 is configured to be able to move back and forth (rotate) relative to the fixed contact (first contact) 311 in the second direction (X direction: front-to-rear direction) between the first position and the second position.

In this embodiment, too, the fixed contact portion 310 having the terminal portion 313 is more firmly fixed to the base 110 (case 10).

Specifically, the terminal portion 313 inserted into the insertion hole 116 of the base 110 is fixed to the base 110 (case 10) with adhesive 118, thereby more firmly fixing the fixed contact portion 310 to the base 110 (case 10) (see Figure 18).

In this embodiment, too, the tip of the terminal portion 313 is inserted from above into the insertion hole 116 of the base 110, and with the tip of the terminal portion 313 protruding outward (downward) from the base 110, adhesive 118 is applied from the outer surface 110b side of the base 110.

Furthermore, an adhesive storage space S6 for storing adhesive 118 is formed around the area where the insertion hole 116 is formed on the outer surface 110b of the base 110.

As a result, the inner surface 116c of the base 110, which defines the insertion hole 116 formed in the base 110 so as to penetrate in the Z direction (up and down direction), is connected to the inner surface S6a of the adhesive containing space S6 on the outer opening 116a side. Furthermore, the inner surface 116c of the base 110 is connected to the inner surface 110c of the base 110 on the inner opening 116b side. In this way, in this embodiment, the inner surface S6a of the adhesive containing space S6 forms part of the outer surface 110b of the base 110.

Then, with the tip of the terminal portion 313 protruding outward (downward) from the base 110, adhesive 118 is applied and cured in the adhesive containing space S6 formed on the outer surface 110b of the base 110. In other words, the terminal portion 313 is fixed to the base 110 (case 10) by the adhesive fixing portion 117 formed by the curing of the adhesive 118 applied in the adhesive containing space S6 formed on the outer surface 110b of the base 110.

Even in this embodiment, even if a gap D1 is formed between the outer surface 313a of the terminal portion 313 inserted into the insertion hole 116 and the inner surface (case surface) 116c of the insertion hole 116 facing the outer surface 313a of the terminal portion 313, the terminal portion 313 can be more firmly fixed to the base 110 (case 10) while more reliably preventing the contact opening and closing action from being impeded.

In other words, when the fixed contact portion 310, which has a terminal portion 313 that forms a gap D1 between it and the insertion hole 116, is fixed to the base 110 (case 10) with adhesive 118, the adhesive 118 is prevented from penetrating into the inside of the base 110 (case 10) through the gap D1 before hardening.

In this embodiment, the insertion hole 116 of the base 110 is an approximately rectangular through-hole that is elongated in the Y direction (width direction). The example also shows a case in which the fixed contact portion 310, whose terminal portion 313 has a thickness (thickness in the X direction) that is smaller than the width (length in the X direction) of the insertion hole 116 in the short direction, is fixed to the base 110 (case 10) with adhesive 118.

In this embodiment, the terminal portion 313 of the fixed contact portion 310 is connected to the lower end of the main body portion 312 on which the fixed contact 311 is formed, and includes a root portion 3131 extending in the Z direction (up and down direction). The terminal portion 313 also includes a cross wall portion 3132 connected to the lower end of the root portion 3131 and extending in a direction intersecting the Z direction (up and down direction), and a tip portion 3133 connected to the lower end of the cross wall portion 3132 and extending in the Z direction (up and down direction).

Here, the cross wall portion 3132 is a wall portion that extends in a second direction (X direction: front-to-rear direction: thickness direction of the main body portion 312) that intersects with a first direction (Z direction: up-down direction), which is the direction in which the terminal portion 313 is inserted into the insertion hole 116. In this embodiment, the cross wall portion 3132 is formed to extend in a substantially horizontal direction, and the front end of this cross wall portion 3132 in the X direction (front-to-rear direction) is connected to the lower end of the base portion 3131. The rear end of the cross wall portion 3132 in the X direction (front-to-rear direction) is connected to the upper end of the tip portion 3133.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the terminal portion 313 has a shape in which the tip portion 3133 is offset rearward in the X direction (front-to-back direction) relative to the base portion 3131. Such a terminal portion 313 can be formed by bending a single plate-shaped member in the thickness direction.

The tip 3133 of the terminal portion 313 having this shape is designed to be inserted into the insertion hole 116. Therefore, in this embodiment, the portion of the tip 3133 that is placed inside the insertion hole 116 forms the insertion portion 3134 that faces the inner surface 116c of the insertion hole 116 when the terminal portion 313 is inserted into the insertion hole 116.

The above-mentioned gap D1 is formed between the outer surface 3134a of the insertion portion 3134 and the inner surface 116c of the insertion hole 116.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal portion 313 is inserted into the insertion hole 116 with the tip portion 3133 positioned rearward in the X direction (front-to-back direction) within the insertion hole 116.

In other words, the terminal portion 313 is inserted into the insertion hole 116 so that the distance between the outer surface 3134a of the insertion portion 3134 and the inner surface 116c of the insertion hole 116 is different on one side and the other side in a second direction (X direction: front-to-rear direction: thickness direction of the main body portion 312) that intersects with a first direction (Z direction: up-down direction) in which the terminal portion 313 is inserted into the insertion hole 116.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, no gap is formed between the outer surface 3134a facing the rear of the insertion portion 3314 and the inner surface 116c facing the front of the insertion hole 116, allowing the adhesive 118 to penetrate into the space S3.

In this manner, in this embodiment, a gap D1 through which adhesive 118 can penetrate is formed only forward of the insertion portion 3134.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the insertion portion 3134 of the terminal portion 313 is positioned within the insertion hole 116 so as to be fixed to the base 110 (case 10), the outer surface 3134a of the insertion portion 3134 facing the front in the X direction (front-to-back direction) does not abut against the inner surface 116c of the insertion hole 116. In other words, a continuous gap D1 is formed on the front side of the insertion portion 3134 in the X direction (front-to-back direction), stretching from the outer opening 116a to the inner opening 116b.

The gap D1 formed forward of the insertion portion 3134 is closed by the cross wall portion 3132. Specifically, in this embodiment, the cross wall portion 3132 of the terminal portion 313 is placed on the inner surface 110c of the base 110, which is connected to the inner surface 116c of the insertion hole 116. This prevents a gap from forming between the outer surfaces of the cross wall portion 3132 and the inner surface 110c of the base 110, which face each other in the Z direction (up and down direction), and prevents the adhesive 118 from penetrating as far as the base portion 3131.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the cross wall portion 3312 is positioned to cover the inner opening 116b of the insertion hole 116 and faces the inner surface 110c of the base 110 (case 10), which is connected to the inner surface 116c of the insertion hole 116.

In this embodiment, too, the width of the terminal portion 313 in the Y direction (width direction) is formed to be approximately the same as the width of the insertion hole 116 in the Y direction (width direction). In other words, no gap that would allow adhesive 118 to penetrate into space S3 is formed between the outer surface 3134a of the insertion portion 3134 and the inner surface 116c of the insertion hole 116, which face each other in the Y direction (width direction).

In this manner, in this embodiment, the gap D1 formed forward of the insertion portion 3134 is blocked by the cross wall portion 3132. This makes it possible to prevent the adhesive 118 from entering the interior (into the space S3 in which the contact device 30 is housed) by the cross wall portion 3132 and the base 110, which face each other in the Z direction (up and down direction).

In other words, the adhesive 118 applied to the adhesive storage space S6 is allowed to penetrate into the gap D1 formed between the insertion hole 116 and the inner surface 116c, but is prevented from penetrating into the area where the outer surface of the cross wall portion 3132 faces the inner surface 110c of the base 110.

If a gap is formed between the outer surface of the intersecting wall portion 3132 and the inner surface 110c of the base 110, the size of the gap can be set appropriately taking into account the viscosity of the adhesive 118 used, etc.

As such, the electromagnetic relay 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with an inflow suppression section 40 that suppresses the inflow of adhesive 118 that has flowed into the gap D1. In this embodiment, the cross wall section 3132 formed on the terminal section 313 functions as the inflow suppression section 40 that suppresses the inflow of adhesive 118 that has flowed into the gap D1.

This makes it possible to prevent the adhesive 118 from penetrating into the terminal portion 313, even when a gap D1 is formed between the terminal portion 313 and the insertion hole 116. This more reliably prevents the contact point from being obstructed, while also more firmly securing the terminal portion 313 to the base 110 (case 10).

Therefore, there is no need to change the size of the insertion hole 116 depending on the thickness of the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313 fixed to the base 110 (case 10). As a result, the base 110 (case 10) can be standardized. In other words, it is possible to fix the terminal portion 313 of contact portions of various thicknesses to the base 110 (case 10) without replacing the base 110 (case 10).

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the terminal portion 313 is fixed to the base 110 (case 10), the terminal portion 313 is prevented from shifting in position relative to the base 110 (case 10).

Specifically, a positioning portion is provided on the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having a terminal portion 313 fixed to the base 110 (case 10).

In this embodiment, an inner wall (vertical wall: wall portion) 115 is provided on the base 110 (case 10), and a press-fit space S7 is formed within the case 10 by this inner wall 115 and vertical walls (wall portions) such as the upper peripheral wall 112.

The contact part (fixed contact part 310) having the terminal part 313 is provided with a press-fit protrusion 314, and the part where this press-fit protrusion 314 is formed is press-fit into the press-fit space S7, so that the contact part (fixed contact part 310) having the terminal part 313 is held in the base 110. In this way, when the contact part (fixed contact part 310) having the terminal part 313 is held in the base 110, the insertion part 3134 of the terminal part 313 is positioned in a predetermined position within the insertion hole 116.

In this embodiment, the press-fit protrusion 314 is formed so as to protrude rearward from the rear surface of the main body portion 312. That is, the press-fit protrusion 314 is formed on the surface 312a (rear surface: first surface: surface facing the movable contact 321) on which the fixed contact 311 is located in the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313.

In this embodiment, the press-fit protrusion 314 is formed by doweling the main body portion 312, but this method is not limited to this and the press-fit protrusion can be formed using various methods.

Furthermore, the positioning portion formed on the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313 is not limited to a press-fit protrusion, but can also be, for example, a recess or slit that engages with a protrusion formed on the vertical wall (inner wall 115, etc.) of the base 110 (case 10).

In this embodiment, the press-fit protrusion 314 is formed on the surface 312a (rear surface: first surface: surface facing the movable contact 321) on which the fixed contact 311 is located in the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313, but it is also possible to form it as in the first embodiment above.

That is, the press-fit protrusion 314 can be formed to protrude forward from the front surface of the main body portion 312 (see Figure 19). In Figure 19, the press-fit protrusion 314 is formed on the surface 312b (front surface: second surface: surface opposite the side facing the movable contact 321) opposite the surface 312a on which the fixed contact 311 is located in the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313.

In this way, even if the plate thickness of the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313 is changed, by adjusting the protrusion amount of the press-fit protrusion 314, the fixed contact 311 can be held in the same position on the base 110. As a result, there is no need to change the spring load of the hinge spring 260 depending on the plate thickness of the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313. Therefore, by simply changing the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313, it is possible to form various types of electromagnetic relays 1 with different current-carrying capacities.

Furthermore, when using a fixed contact portion 310 in which the plate thickness (thickness in the X direction) of the terminal portion 313 is greater than the width in the short direction (length in the X direction) of the insertion hole 123, it can be fixed to the base 110 (case 10) with adhesive 118 by configuring it as shown in Figure 20.

Specifically, the terminal portion 313 comprises a wide portion 3135 located on the base side, and a narrow portion 3136 connected to the tip side of the wide portion 3135 and narrower than the wide portion 3135. In this case, the plate thickness (thickness in the X direction) of the narrow portion 3136 is smaller than the width in the short direction of the insertion hole 116 (length in the X direction).

The narrow portion 3136 of the terminal portion 313, which has this shape, is designed to be inserted into the insertion hole 116. Therefore, in Figure 20, the portion of the narrow portion 3136 that is placed inside the insertion hole 116 forms the insertion portion 3134 that faces the inner surface 116c of the insertion hole 116 when the terminal portion 313 is inserted into the insertion hole 116.

A gap D1 is formed between the outer surface 3134a of the insertion portion 3134 and the inner surface 116c of the insertion hole 116.

Furthermore, in Figure 20, the narrow portion 3136 is inserted into the insertion hole 116 so that it is positioned on the rear side in the X direction (front-to-back direction) within the insertion hole 116.

In other words, the narrow width portion 3136 is inserted into the insertion hole 116 so that the distance between the outer surface 3134a of the insertion portion 3134 and the inner surface 116c of the insertion hole 116 is different on one side and the other side in a second direction (X direction: front-to-rear direction: thickness direction of the main body portion 312) that intersects with a first direction (Z direction: up-down direction) in which the terminal portion 313 is inserted into the insertion hole 116.

Furthermore, in Figure 20, no gap is formed between the outer surface 3134a facing the rear of the insertion portion 3314 and the inner surface 116c facing the front of the insertion hole 116, allowing the adhesive 118 to penetrate into the space S3.

As shown in Figure 20, a gap D1 through which adhesive 118 can enter is formed only forward of the insertion portion 3134.

Furthermore, in Figure 20, when the insertion portion 3134 of the narrow width portion 3136 is positioned within the insertion hole 116 so as to be fixed to the base 110 (case 10), the outer surface 3134a of the insertion portion 3134 facing the front in the X direction (front-to-back direction) does not abut against the inner surface 116c of the insertion hole 116. In other words, a continuous gap D1 is formed on the front side of the insertion portion 3134 in the X direction (front-to-back direction), stretching from the outer opening 116a to the inner opening 116b.

The gap D1 formed forward of the insertion portion 3134 is closed by the outer surface 3135a of the wide portion 3135, which is connected to and intersects the outer surface 3136a of the narrow portion 3136. Specifically, the front end of the wide portion 3135 is placed on the inner surface 110c of the base 110, which is connected to the inner surface 116c of the insertion hole 116. This prevents a gap from forming between the outer surface 3135a of the wide portion 3135 and the inner surface 110c of the base 110, which are opposed in the Z direction (up and down direction), and prevents the adhesive 118 from penetrating to the base side.

As shown in Figure 20, the wide portion 3135 is positioned to cover the inner opening 116b of the insertion hole 116 and faces the inner surface 110c of the base 110 (case 10), which is connected to the inner surface 116c of the insertion hole 116.

Note that, as shown in Figure 20, the width of the terminal portion 313 in the Y direction (width direction) is formed to be approximately the same as the width of the insertion hole 116 in the Y direction (width direction). In other words, no gap that would allow adhesive 118 to penetrate into space S3 is formed between the outer surface 3134a of the insertion portion 3134 and the inner surface 116c of the insertion hole 116, which face each other in the Y direction (width direction).

As shown in Figure 20, the gap D1 formed in front of the insertion portion 3134 is blocked by the wide portion 3135. This makes it possible to prevent the adhesive 118 from entering the interior (into the space S3 in which the contact device 30 is housed) by the wide portion 3135 and the base 110, which face each other in the Z direction (up and down direction).

In other words, the adhesive 118 applied to the adhesive storage space S6 is allowed to penetrate into the gap D1 formed between the insertion hole 116 and the inner surface 116c, but is prevented from penetrating into the area where the outer surface 3135a of the wide portion 3135 faces the inner surface 110c of the base 110.

If a gap is formed between the outer surface 3135a of the wide portion 3135 and the inner surface 110c of the base 110, the size of the gap can be set appropriately taking into account the viscosity of the adhesive 118 used, etc.

As such, the electromagnetic relay 1 shown in Figure 20 is equipped with an inflow suppression portion 40 that suppresses the inflow of adhesive 118 that has flowed into gap D1. In Figure 20, the outer surface 3135a of the wide portion 3135 formed on the terminal portion 313 functions as an inflow suppression portion 40 that suppresses the inflow of adhesive 118 that has flowed into gap D1.

Note that while Figure 20 illustrates a straight-type fixed contact portion 310 in which the terminal portion 313 is not bent, it is also possible to use a fixed contact portion 310 in which the terminal portion 313 is bent.

The configuration shown in Figure 20 can also be applied to the electromagnetic relay 1 shown in the first embodiment above.

Furthermore, when a fixed contact portion 310 is used in which the terminal portion 313 is a straight type that is not bent and the plate thickness (thickness in the X direction) of the terminal portion 313 is smaller than the width in the short direction (length in the X direction) of the insertion hole 123, it can be fixed to the base 110 (case 10) with adhesive 118 by configuring it as shown in Figure 21.

Specifically, the terminal portion 313 is inserted into the insertion hole 116 so that it is positioned on the front side in the X direction (front-to-back direction) within the insertion hole 116.

In other words, the terminal portion 313 is inserted into the insertion hole 116 so that the distance between the outer surface 3134a of the insertion portion 3134 and the inner surface 116c of the insertion hole 116 is different on one side and the other side in a second direction (X direction: front-to-rear direction: thickness direction of the main body portion 312) that intersects with a first direction (Z direction: up-down direction) in which the terminal portion 313 is inserted into the insertion hole 116.

Furthermore, in Figure 21, no gap is formed between the outer surface 3134a facing the front of the insertion portion 3314 and the inner surface 116c facing the rear of the insertion hole 116, allowing the adhesive 118 to penetrate into the space S3.

As shown in Figure 21, a gap D1 through which adhesive 118 can penetrate is formed only behind the insertion portion 3134. In this case, a continuous gap D1 is formed behind the insertion portion 3134 in the X direction (front-to-back direction), spanning from the outer opening 116a to the inner opening 116b.

When the cover (second case) 120 is attached to the base (first case) 110, the tip (bottom end) of the inner wall 126 formed on the cover 120 is inserted into the gap D1. That is, the cover (second case) 120 in Figure 21 is formed with an inner wall 126 that is positioned in a position corresponding to the insertion hole 116 when the cover (second case) 120 is fixed to the base (first case) 110.

The tip (lower end) of the inner wall 126 inserted into the gap D1 functions as an inflow suppression section 40 that suppresses the inflow of adhesive 118 that has flowed into the gap D1.

This makes it possible to prevent the adhesive 118 from penetrating into the interior, even when using a straight-type fixed contact portion 310 having a terminal portion 313 that forms a gap D1 between it and the insertion hole 116. This more reliably prevents the contact/separation action from being impeded, while also more firmly fixing the terminal portion 313 to the base 110 (case 10).

Therefore, there is no need to change the size of the insertion hole 116 depending on the thickness of the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313 fixed to the base 110 (case 10). As a result, the base 110 (case 10) can be standardized. In other words, it is possible to fix the terminal portion 313 of contact portions of various thicknesses to the base 110 (case 10) without replacing the base 110 (case 10).

Note that when using the configuration shown in Figure 21, the cover 120 must be replaced depending on the thickness of the contact portion (fixed contact portion 310) having the terminal portion 313 fixed to the base 110 (case 10).

Also, in Figure 21, when the terminal portion 313 is fixed to the base 110 (case 10), the terminal portion 313 is prevented from shifting in position relative to the base 110 (case 10).

Specifically, a positioning portion is provided on the inner wall 126 formed on the cover 120. In Figure 21, a press-fit protrusion 126a is formed as a positioning portion so as to protrude forward from the front surface of the inner wall 126. Note that while Figure 21 shows an example in which the press-fit protrusion 126a is formed on the inner wall 126 that functions as the inflow suppression portion 40, it is also possible to form the press-fit protrusion 126a on an inner wall 126 that is provided separately from the inner wall 126 that functions as the inflow suppression portion 40. Furthermore, the positioning portion formed on the inner wall 126 is not limited to the press-fit protrusion 126a, and may be a recess, slit, etc.

The configuration shown in Figure 21 can also be applied to the electromagnetic relay 1 shown in the first embodiment above. In this case, the lower cover 122 serves as the first case, and the base 110 serves as the second case.

[Actions and Effects]
The following describes the characteristic configurations of the electromagnetic relays shown in the above-described embodiments and their modifications, and the effects obtained thereby.

(1) The electromagnetic relay according to this embodiment includes a first contact, a second contact that moves relative to the first contact and can be brought into and out of contact with the first contact, and a case that houses the first and second contacts. The electromagnetic relay also includes a terminal that is electrically connected to the first and second contacts when the first and second contacts are in contact with each other, an insertion hole formed in the case and into which the terminal is inserted, and an adhesive fixing portion that is formed by hardening an adhesive applied to the outer surface of the case and fixes the terminal to the case. The electromagnetic relay also includes a gap that is formed between the outer surface of the terminal and the surface of the case facing the outer surface of the terminal when the terminal is inserted into the insertion hole, and an inflow suppression portion that suppresses adhesive that has flowed into the gap from flowing inward.

In this way, by fixing the terminal portion to the case using adhesive, the terminal portion can be fixed to the case more firmly.

Furthermore, by providing an inflow prevention section that prevents adhesive that has flowed into the gap from flowing inside, unhardened adhesive is prevented from entering the inside of the case, making it possible to more reliably prevent interference with the contact opening and closing operations.

In other words, it is possible to obtain an electromagnetic relay that can more reliably prevent interference with operation while more firmly fixing the terminal section.

Furthermore, even if a gap is formed between the outer surface of the terminal and the surface of the case facing the outer surface of the terminal, by preventing the adhesive from penetrating into the inside of the case before hardening, it is possible to fix contact parts of various thicknesses to the case without having to replace the case to which the terminal part is fixed.

(2) Furthermore, in the electromagnetic relay described in (1) above, the terminal portion may include a cross wall portion extending in a second direction that crosses a first direction in which the terminal portion is inserted into the insertion hole. This cross wall portion may then serve as the inflow suppression portion.

In this way, the above effect can be achieved simply by deforming the shape of the terminal portion, making it easier to obtain an electromagnetic relay that can more reliably prevent interference with operation while more firmly fixing the terminal portion.

For example, by appropriately setting the size of the cross wall portion according to the thickness of the terminal portion, it becomes possible to fix contact portions of various thicknesses to the case without having to replace the case to which the terminal portion is fixed.

(3) Furthermore, in the electromagnetic relay of (2) above, the intersecting wall portion may include a wall portion that is at least partially disposed within the insertion hole and that, when viewed along a third direction that intersects the first and second directions, passes through the center of the insertion hole in the second direction and intersects with a center line extending in the first direction.

This prevents the cross wall portion from being positioned in the insertion hole in a state that is biased to one side in the second direction. As a result, it is possible to increase the area in which the cross wall portion exists within the insertion hole in a plan view of the insertion hole, making it possible to more reliably prevent adhesive from entering.

(4) Furthermore, in the electromagnetic relay described in (2) or (3) above, the cross wall portion may be arranged to cover the inner opening of the insertion hole and may include a wall portion facing the inner surface of the case that is connected to the inner surface of the insertion hole.

This allows the inner opening of the insertion hole to be covered by the cross wall portion, more reliably preventing adhesive from penetrating inside.

(5) Furthermore, in any one of the electromagnetic relays (1) to (4) above, the terminal portion may include a wide portion located on the base side and a narrow portion connected to the tip side of the wide portion and narrower than the wide portion. The outer surface of the wide portion connected to the outer surface of the narrow portion in a state intersecting the outer surface of the narrow portion may serve as the inflow suppression portion.

This allows the terminal part to be more firmly fixed to the case while more reliably preventing the contact's closing and opening action from being impeded, even when using a contact part whose plate thickness is greater than the width of the insertion hole. This means that it is possible to accommodate electromagnetic relays that handle large currents without having to replace the case to which the terminal part is fixed.

(6) Furthermore, in any one of the electromagnetic relays (1) to (5) above, the terminal portion may have an insertion portion that faces the inner surface of the insertion hole when the terminal portion is inserted into the insertion hole. The distance between the outer surface of the insertion portion and the inner surface of the insertion hole may be different on one side and the other side of a second direction that intersects with a first direction in which the terminal portion is inserted into the insertion hole.

This allows the inflow suppression section to be formed only on the side where the distance between the outer surface of the insertion section and the inner surface of the insertion hole is wider, making it easier to obtain an electromagnetic relay that can more reliably prevent interference with operation while more firmly fixing the terminal section.

(7) Furthermore, any one of the electromagnetic relays described above in (1) to (6) may be provided with a first contact portion having a first contact and a second contact portion having a second contact. At least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion may have a terminal portion, and the contact portion having the terminal portion may have a contact portion formed with a positioning portion that prevents the contact portion from shifting in position.

This makes it possible to prevent the terminal, whose thickness is smaller than the width of the insertion hole, from shifting position when it is fixed to the case. It also makes it possible to prevent adhesive from seeping in due to the terminal being shifted position.

(8) In the electromagnetic relay of (7) above, the positioning portion may be a press-fit protrusion.

This makes it easier to form the positioning portion.

(9) Furthermore, in the electromagnetic relay of (8) above, the press-fit protrusion may be formed on the surface of the contact portion having the terminal portion opposite the surface on which the first contact or the second contact is located.

In this way, even if the plate thickness of the contact part having the terminal part is changed, the fixed contact can be held in the case in the same position by adjusting the protrusion amount of the press-fit protrusion. As a result, there is no need to change the spring load of the hinge spring depending on the plate thickness of the contact part having the terminal part, making it easier to accommodate terminals of various plate thicknesses.

(10) In addition, in any one of the electromagnetic relays described above in (1) to (9), the case may include a first case to which the terminal portion is fixed, and a second case fixed to the first case. The second case may have an inner wall formed thereon that is positioned corresponding to the insertion hole when the second case is fixed to the first case. The inner wall formed on the second case may serve as the inflow suppression portion.

This makes it possible to fix contacts of various thicknesses to the case without having to replace the case to which the terminal is fixed, even when using straight-type fixed contacts with unbent terminals.

(11) Furthermore, in the electromagnetic relay described in (11) above, the second case may have an inner wall on which a positioning portion is formed that can abut against a contact portion having a terminal portion when the second case is fixed to the first case.

This makes it possible to prevent the position of a straight-type fixed contact part, whose plate thickness is smaller than the width of the insertion hole, from shifting when the contact part is fixed to the case. It also makes it possible to prevent adhesive from seeping in due to the contact part being shifted.

[others]
The electromagnetic relay according to the present disclosure has been described above, but it is not limited to this description, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements are possible.

For example, it is possible to appropriately combine the configurations shown in the above embodiments and their modified examples.

In addition, in the above embodiments and their modified examples, the contact portion having a terminal portion is exemplified as a fixed contact portion, but the contact portion having a terminal portion may be a movable contact portion, or both the fixed contact portion and the movable contact portion may be contact portions having terminal portions.

Furthermore, while the above embodiments and their modified examples illustrate terminal portions having one cross wall portion, the terminal portion may also have multiple cross wall portions.

Furthermore, in the above embodiments and their modified examples, the outer surface of the insertion part facing in the front-to-rear direction is exemplified as not abutting the inner surface of the insertion hole, but it is also possible to configure it so that a portion of the outer surface of the insertion part facing in the front-to-rear direction abuts the inner surface of the insertion hole.

Furthermore, the number of fixed contact portions and movable contact portions is not limited to those shown in the above embodiments and their variations, and various numbers are possible.

In addition, the drive unit, contact device, and other detailed specifications (shape, size, layout, etc.) can also be changed as appropriate.

1 Electromagnetic relay 10 Case 123 Insertion hole 123c Inner surface 124 Adhesive fixing portion (hardened adhesive 125: sealing portion)
125 Adhesive 311 Fixed contact (first contact)
313 Terminal portion (contact portion on which a positioning portion 314 for suppressing misalignment is formed)
3132 Intersecting wall portion 3134 Insertion portion 314 Press-fit protrusion (positioning portion)
321 Movable contact (second contact)
40 Inflow suppressing part C1 Center line D1 Gap X Front-rear direction (second direction)
Y width direction (third direction)
Z Vertical direction (first direction)

Claims (5)

A first contact point;
a second contact point that can be brought into contact with and separated from the first contact point;
a terminal portion electrically connected to the first contact point and the second contact point when the first contact point and the second contact point are in contact with each other;
a case having an insertion hole into which the terminal portion is inserted and accommodating the first contact and the second contact;
Equipped with
The terminal portion is
a tip portion having an insertion portion to be inserted into the insertion hole and extending downward from the case;
a cross wall portion disposed in the case and bent from the tip portion;
and
The insertion portion is
The first page and
a second surface located on the back side of the first surface;
and
At an outer opening of the insertion hole located outside the case, a distance between an inner surface of the insertion hole facing the first surface and the first surface of the insertion portion is larger than a distance between an inner surface of the insertion hole facing the second surface and the second surface of the insertion portion,
The intersecting wall portion is bent from the tip portion in a direction from the second surface toward the first surface.
Electromagnetic relay. an adhesive applied to the case and the insertion portion so as to contact each other;
The cross wall portion passes through a position overlapping with the insertion hole.
2. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1. a gap is formed between an inner surface of the insertion hole facing the first surface and the first surface of the insertion portion;
2. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 1. an adhesive applied to the case and the insertion portion so as to contact each other;
The cross wall portion passes through a position overlapping with the insertion hole,
the gap is located between the cross wall and the adhesive;
4. The electromagnetic relay according to claim 3. A first contact point;
a second contact point that can be brought into contact with and separated from the first contact point;
a terminal portion electrically connected to the first contact point and the second contact point when the first contact point and the second contact point are in contact with each other;
a case having an insertion hole into which the terminal portion is inserted and accommodating the first contact and the second contact;
Equipped with
The terminal portion is
a tip portion extending downward from the case;
a cross wall portion positioned above the tip portion, bent from the tip portion, and inserted into the insertion hole;
and
The insertion portion, which is a portion inserted into the insertion hole of the cross wall portion,
The first page and
a second surface located on the back side of the first surface;
and
At an outlet of the insertion hole provided in the case, a distance between an inner surface of the insertion hole facing the first surface and the first surface of the insertion portion is larger than a distance between an inner surface of the insertion hole facing the second surface and the second surface of the insertion portion,
At an entrance of the insertion hole, a distance between an inner surface of the insertion hole facing the first surface and the first surface of the insertion portion is smaller than a distance between an inner surface of the insertion hole facing the second surface and the second surface of the insertion portion,
The intersecting wall portion is bent from the tip portion in a direction from the first surface toward the second surface.
Electromagnetic relay.