This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-090146, filed Jun. 2, 2022. The contents of that application are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
The present invention relates to an electromagnetic relay.
An electromagnetic relay includes a fixed terminal, a fixed contact, a movable contact, and a movable contact piece (see, for example, JP-A-2017-079109). The fixed contact is connected to the fixed terminal. The movable contact faces the fixed contact and is connected to the movable contact piece. The movable contact piece is movable between a closed position and an open position. When the movable contact piece is disposed at the closed position, the movable contact is in contact with the fixed contact. When the movable contact piece is at the open position, the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact.
In the above electromagnetic relay, when the movable contact separates from the fixed contact, the volume of the space between the movable contact and the fixed contact increases. A negative pressure is thereby generated in the space between the movable contact and the fixed contact. This negative pressure causes the air around the movable contact and the fixed contact to flow toward the movable contact and the fixed contact. If the air contains foreign matter such as abrasion powder, the foreign matter flows together with the air toward the movable contact and the fixed contact. If the foreign matter adheres to the movable contact or the fixed contact, the stability of the contact that exists between the movable contact and the fixed contact when the movable contact is disposed at the closed position decreases. An object of the present invention is to suppress adhesion of foreign matter to a contact in an electromagnetic relay.
An electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present invention includes a fixed terminal, a fixed contact, a movable contact, a movable contact piece, and a dust collecting mechanism. The fixed contact is connected to the fixed terminal. The movable contact faces the fixed contact. The movable contact piece is connected to the movable contact. The movable contact piece is movable between a closed position at which the movable contact is in contact with the fixed contact and an open position at which the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact. The dust collecting mechanism is disposed adjacent to the fixed contact and the movable contact. The dust collecting mechanism generates a second negative pressure greater than a first negative pressure generated between the fixed contact and the movable contact when the movable contact piece moves from the closed position to the open position.
In the electromagnetic relay according to the present aspect, when the movable contact piece moves from the closed position to the open position, the second negative pressure, which is larger than the first negative pressure generated between the fixed contact and the movable contact, is generated by the dust collecting mechanism. Therefore, air around the fixed contact and the movable contact is guided to the dust collecting mechanism. This prevents foreign matter contained in the air from adhering to the movable contact or the fixed contact.
The dust collecting mechanism may include a fixed portion and a movable portion. The fixed portion may include a first surface. The movable portion may include a second surface facing the first surface. The movable portion may be connected to the movable contact piece. When the movable contact piece moves from the closed position to the open position, a second volume change amount of a second space between the first surface and the second surface may be greater than a first volume change amount of a first space between the fixed contact and the movable contact. In this case, since the second volume change amount in the dust collecting mechanism is greater than the first volume change amount between the fixed contact and the movable contact, the dust collecting mechanism generates the second negative pressure larger than the first negative pressure.
The first surface may have a surface area greater than a surface area of the fixed contact. In this case, since the surface area of the first surface is greater than the surface area of the fixed contact, the second volume change amount becomes greater than the first volume change amount.
The second surface may have a surface area greater than a surface area of the movable contact. In this case, since the surface area of the second surface is greater than the surface area of the movable contact, the second volume change amount becomes greater than the first volume change amount.
The second surface may separate from the first surface before the movable contact separates from the fixed contact when the movable contact piece moves from the closed position to the open position. In this case, foreign matter is guided to the dust collecting mechanism before the movable contact separates from the fixed contact. As a result, a high dust collection effect can be obtained in the beginning of the movement of the movable contact piece from the closed position to the open position.
The second surface may separate from the first surface after the movable contact separates from the fixed contact when the movable contact piece moves from the closed position to the open position. In this case, after the movable contact separates from the fixed contact, foreign matter is guided to the dust collecting mechanism. As a result, a high dust collection effect is obtained at the final stage of movement of the movable contact piece from the closed position to the open position.
The fixed portion may be supported by an elastic member. The movable portion may be supported by an elastic member. In this case, the movable portion can be easily brought into contact with the fixed portion.
An electromagnetic relay according to an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In the following description, the direction in which the first fixed contact 10 and the first movable contact 12 face each other are defined as a moving direction (Z1, Z2). The movement direction (Z1, Z2) include a contact direction (Z1) and an open direction (Z2). The direction in which the movable contacts 12 and 13 approach the fixed contacts 10 and 11 is defined as the contact direction (Z1). The direction in which the movable contacts 12 and 13 separate from the fixed contacts 10 and 11 is defined as the open direction (Z2).
The direction in which the movable contact piece 8 extends is defined as the longitudinal direction (X1, X2). The longitudinal direction (X1, X2) is the direction perpendicular to the movement direction (Z1, Z2). The longitudinal direction (X1, X2) includes a first longitudinal direction (X1) and a second longitudinal direction (X2). The second longitudinal direction (X2) is opposite to the first longitudinal direction (X1). A direction from the second fixed contact 11 to the first fixed contact 10 is defined as the first longitudinal direction (X1). A direction from the first fixed contact 10 to the second fixed contact 11 is defined as the second longitudinal direction (X2).
As shown in
The first fixed terminal 6, the second fixed terminal 7, the movable contact piece 8, the first fixed contact 10, the second fixed contact 11, the first movable contact 12, and the second movable contact 13 are made of an electrically conductive material. For example, the first fixed terminal 6, the second fixed terminal 7, and the movable contact piece 8 are made of a metal known as a terminal material such as a copper-based metal. However, the first fixed terminal 6, the second fixed terminal 7, and the movable contact piece 8 may be made of materials different from these materials. The first fixed contact the second fixed contact 11, the first movable contact 12, and the second movable contact 13 are made of metal known as a contact material such as copper-based metal or silver-based metal.
The first fixed terminal 6 and the second fixed terminal 7 are disposed apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (X1, X2). The first fixed terminal 6 and the second fixed terminal 7 protrude from inside the case 2 to the outside of the case 2. The first fixed contact 10 is connected to the first fixed terminal 6. The second fixed contact 11 is connected to the second fixed terminal 7. The first fixed contact 10 and the second fixed contact 11 are disposed inside the case 2.
The movable contact piece 8, the first movable contact 12, and the second movable contact 13 are disposed inside the case 2. The first movable contact 12 and the second movable contact 13 are connected to the movable contact piece 8. The first movable contact 12 faces the first fixed contact 10. The second movable contact 13 faces the second fixed contact 11. The first movable contact 12 is disposed apart from the second movable contact 13 in the longitudinal direction (X1, X2).
The movable contact piece 8 is movable in the movement direction (Z1, Z2). The movable contact piece 8 is movable between an open position shown in
The movable mechanism 9 supports the movable contact piece 8. The movable mechanism 9 includes a drive shaft 15 and a contact spring 16. The drive shaft 15 is connected to the movable contact piece 8. The drive shaft 15 extends in the movement direction (Z1, Z2) and extends through the movable contact piece 8 in the movement direction (Z1, Z2). The drive shaft 15 is movable in the movement direction (Z1, Z2). The contact spring 16 biases the movable contact piece 8 in the contact direction (Z1).
As shown in
In the electromagnetic relay 1, when the coil 21 is energized, the magnetic force of the coil 21 attracts the movable iron core 23 to the fixed core 24. Thereby, the movable iron core 23 and the drive shaft 15 move in the contact direction (Z1) against the biasing force of the return spring 26. Thereby, the movable contact piece 8 moves to the closed position shown in
After the movable contacts 12 and 13 initially make contact with the fixed contacts 10 and 11, the contact spring 16 is compressed by further movement of the drive shaft 15 in the contact direction (Z1). The distance that the drive shaft 15 moves further in the contact direction (Z1) from the position when the movable contacts 12 and 13 initially contact the fixed contacts 10 and 11 is defined as a contact follow.
When the coil 21 is de-energized, the movable iron core 23 and the drive shaft move in the open direction (Z2) by the biasing force of the return spring 26. As a result, the movable contact piece 8 returns to the open position shown in
As described above, when the movable contacts 12 and 13 separate from the fixed contacts 10 and 11, the volume of the space between the movable contacts 12 and 13 and the fixed contacts 10 and 11 increases. Thereby, a negative pressure is generated in the space between the movable contacts 12 and 13 and the fixed contacts 10 and 11. Due to this negative pressure, when the air around the movable contacts 12 and 13 and the fixed contacts 10 and 11 flows toward the movable contacts 12 and 13 and the fixed contacts 10 and 11, foreign matter that may be contained within the case can flow together with the air toward the movable contacts 12 and 13 and the fixed contacts 10 and 11. The electromagnetic relay 1 according to the present embodiment includes a dust collecting mechanism 30 for suppressing adhesion of foreign matter to the movable contacts 12 and 13 and the fixed contacts 10 and 11.
Specifically, the dust collecting mechanism 30 includes a first fixed portion 31, a second fixed portion 32, and a movable portion 33. The first fixed portion 31 is fixedly disposed in the case 2. The first fixed portion 31 is disposed adjacent to the first fixed terminal 6. The first fixed portion 31 is disposed in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first fixed contact 10. The first fixed portion 31 is not electrically connected to the first fixed terminal 6. The first fixed portion 31 is made of resin, for example. Alternatively, the first fixed portion 31 may be made of metal. The first fixed portion 31 includes a first surface 34. The first surface 34 has a flat shape.
The second fixed portion 32 is fixedly disposed in the case 2. The second fixed portion 32 is disposed adjacent to the second fixed terminal 7. The second fixed portion 32 is disposed in the longitudinal direction (X1, X2) with respect to the second fixed contact 11. The second fixed portion 32 is not electrically connected to the second fixed terminal 7. The second fixed portion 32 is made of resin, for example. Alternatively, the second fixed portion 32 may be made of metal. The second fixed portion 32 includes a third surface 35. The third surface 35 has a flat shape.
The movable portion 33 is connected to the movable contact piece 8. The movable portion 33 moves together with the movable contact piece 8. Alternatively, the movable portion 33 may be connected to the drive shaft 15. In that case, the movable portion 33 moves together with the drive shaft 15. The movable portion 33 is made of resin, for example. Alternatively, the movable portion 33 may be made of metal. The movable portion 33 includes a second surface 36, a fourth surface 37, and a support portion 38. The second surface 36 faces the first surface 34 in the movement direction (Z1, Z2). The second surface 36 has a flat shape. The fourth surface 37 faces the third surface 35 in the movement direction (Z1, Z2). The fourth surface 37 has a flat shape.
As shown in
With the movable contact piece 8 at the closed position, as shown in
As shown in
V2b−V2a>V1b−V1a (1)
That is, when the movable contact piece 8 moves from the closed position to the open position, the second volume change amount (V2b−V2a) of the second space 42 is greater than the first volume change amount (V1b−V1a) of the first space 41. As a result, the dust collecting mechanism 30 generates the second negative pressure in the second space 42 that is greater than the first negative pressure generated in the first space 41 when the movable contact piece 8 moves from the closed position to the open position.
Similarly, as shown in
V4b−V4a>V3b−V3a (2)
That is, when the movable contact piece 8 moves from the closed position to the open position, the fourth volume change amount (V4b−V4a) of the fourth space 44 is greater than the third volume change amount (V3b−V3a) of the third space 43. As a result, the dust collecting mechanism 30 generates the fourth negative pressure in the fourth space 44 that is greater than the third negative pressure generated in the third space 43 when the movable contact piece 8 moves from the closed position to the open position.
In the electromagnetic relay 1 according to the present embodiment described above, the second negative pressure that is greater than the first negative pressure generated between the first fixed contact 10 and the first movable contact 12 is generated by the dust collecting mechanism 30 when the movable contact piece 8 moves from the closed position to the open position. Also, the fourth negative pressure that is greater than the third negative pressure generated between the second fixed contact 11 and the second movable contact 13 is generated. Therefore, air around the first fixed contact 10 and the first movable contact 12 is guided to the dust collecting mechanism 30. Also, air around the second fixed contact 11 and the second movable contact 13 is guided to the dust collecting mechanism 30. This prevents foreign matter contained in the air from adhering to the first and second movable contacts 12 and 13 or the first and second fixed contacts 10 and 11.
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.
The electromagnetic relay 1 according to the above embodiment is a so-called plunger type electromagnetic relay. However, the electromagnetic relay 1 is not limited to the plunger type, and may be of another type such as a hinge type.
The structure of the drive device 4 is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be modified. For example, in the above embodiment, the drive device 4 is disposed in the open direction (Z2) of the contact device 3. However, the drive device 4 may also be disposed in the longitudinal direction (X1, X2) or the lateral direction (Y1, Y2) with respect to the contact device 3. The open direction (Z2) and the contact direction (Z1) may be directions opposite to those in the above embodiment.
The structure of the contact device 3 is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be modified. For example, the first fixed contact 10 may be provided separately from or integral with the first fixed terminal 6. The second fixed contact 11 may be provided separately from or integral with the second fixed terminal 7. The first movable contact 12 may be provided separately from or integral with the movable contact piece 8. The second movable contact 13 may be provided separately from or integral with the movable contact piece 8. The number of fixed contacts is not limited to two, and may be one or more than two. The number of movable contacts is not limited to two, and may be one or more than two.
The structure of the dust collecting mechanism 30 is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be modified. For example, in the above embodiments, the first surface 34 and the second surface 36, the third surface 35 and the fourth surface 37 are disposed in the longitudinal direction (X1, X2) with respect to the movable contact piece 8. However, as in a first modification shown in
In the above embodiments, the first and third surfaces 34 and 35 are disposed with respect to the first and second fixed contacts 10 and 11, respectively. Further, the second and fourth surfaces 36 and 37 are disposed with respect to the first and second movable contacts 12 and 13, respectively. However, as in a second modification shown in
In the above embodiments, the second surface 36 is not in contact with the first surface 34 and is spaced apart from the first surface 34 when the movable contact piece 8 is at the closed position. However, the second surface 36 may be in contact with the first surface 34 with the movable contact piece 8 at the closed position. In this case, at the same time when the first and second movable contacts 12 and 13 separate from the first and second fixed contacts 10 and 11, the second and fourth surfaces 36 and 37 may separate from the first and third surfaces 34 and 35.
Alternatively, the second and fourth surfaces 36 and 37 may separate from the first and third surfaces 34 and 35 before the first and second movable contacts 12 and 13 separate from the first and second fixed contacts 10 and 11.
Alternatively, when the movable contact piece 8 moves from the closed position to the open position, after the first and second movable contacts 12 and 13 separate from the first and second fixed contacts 10 and 11, the second and fourth surfaces 36 and 37 may be separate from the first and third surfaces 34 and 35.
In
The first elastic portion 51 and the second elastic portion 52 may be provided in the contact device 3 according to the above embodiment or the first to third modifications.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2022-090146 | Jun 2022 | JP | national |