Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6765463
-
Patent Number
6,765,463
-
Date Filed
Thursday, May 30, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, July 20, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 335 124
- 335 202
- 335 132
- 336 192
- 336 198
- 029 622
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
The invention relates to a relay designed with integral parts to simplify assembly, reduce manufacturing costs, and increase strength. The relay has a coil base member. The coil base member has a base member and a coil member integrally connected. The base member has an upper side, side faces and a bottom surface. The coil member has inner sides. The coil base member has a side opening that extends from the inner sides of the coil member to the upper side of the base member and to the side faces and bottom surface of the base member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a relay and, more specifically, to a relay designed with integral parts to simplify assembly, reduce manufacturing costs, and increase strength.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
A relay is an electromagnetically actuated, electrical switch. Conventional relays commonly require a wide variety of components, many of which have similar features. As a result of the magnitude of components required in the conventional relay, the costs and assembly time associated with the manufacture of the conventional relay are extensive.
One example of a conventional relay is disclosed in DE 198 04 572 A1. The relay has a coil base member, a cover, a spring system and a magnet system. The coil base member is made of an electrically insulating material and comprises a base member connected to a coil member. The magnet system has a coil, a yoke and a tilting armature. The coil is a cylindrical hollow member with a rectangular internal cross section corresponding to a cross section of the yoke and has a collar at a free end. The spring system has at least one release spring, one switching spring and one operating spring. The release spring, switching spring and operating spring have an integral foot with a depth end stop, a locking device and at least one contact tongue of one-piece construction that may be inserted into insert slits in the base member. At least one armature spring is constructed in one piece with one of the springs and is arranged parallel thereto. A comb couples the tilting armature and the switching spring. The cover has stops for positioning the release and operating springs and for covering the relay.
Because the number of components and features used in the relay heightens cost, it is desirable to provide a relay having a limited amount of components to decrease manufacturing and assembly costs and increase overall strength.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first embodiment, a relay has a coil base member. The coil base member has a base member and a coil member integrally connected. The base member having an upper side, side faces and a bottom surface. The coil member having inner sides. The coil base member having a side opening that extends from the inner sides of the coil member to the upper side of the base member and to the side faces and bottom surface of the base member.
In an alternate embodiment, a relay has a coil base member and a magnet system. The coil base member has a base member and a coil member. The magnet system has a coil, a yoke and a tilting armature. The yoke has a yoke web, upper yoke cross-bars and lower yoke cross-bars. The tilting armature has an armature web, upper armature cross-bars and lower armature cross-bars. The titling armature and the yoke are formed such that the tilting armature and the yoke are mirror-inverted when in an installation position for installment in the coil base member.
In an alternate embodiment, a relay has a coil base member, a magnet system and a spring system. The coil base member has a base member and a coil member. The magnet system has a coil, a yoke and a tilting armature. The spring system has a release spring, a switching spring, and an operating spring each having an integral foot element having a locking device that fixes the foot element in the base member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a relay without a cover;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of a coil base member of the relay of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a perspective view of a yoke of the relay of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is a perspective view of a side remote from a spring of a tilting armature of the relay of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 5
is a perspective view of the tilting armature and the yoke of
FIGS. 3 and 4
in an installation position;
FIG. 6
is a perspective view of a comb of the relay of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 7
is a perspective view of a switching spring with two armature springs of the relay of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 8
is a perspective view of a release or operating spring of the relay of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 9
is a perspective view of a spring system with the switching spring and the operating spring of
FIGS. 7 and 8
;
FIG. 10
is a perspective view of the coil base member of
FIG. 2
with the yoke, the spring system and a coil;
FIG. 11
is a perspective view of the relay of
FIG. 1
with a cover shown without a top cover portion;
FIG. 12
is an internal perspective view of the cover of
FIG. 11
with stops;
FIG. 13
is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a relay without a cover;
FIG. 14
is a perspective view of a coil base member of the relay of
FIG. 13
;
FIG. 15
is a perspective view of a tilting armature or yoke of the relay of
FIG. 13
;
FIG. 16
is a perspective view of the yoke and the tilting armature of
FIG. 15
in an installation position;
FIG. 17
is a perspective view of a spring system with switching spring, tilting armature and operating springs of the relay of
FIG. 13
;
FIG. 18
is a perspective view of the coil base member of
FIG. 14
with the yoke, the spring system and a coil;
FIG. 19
is a perspective view of the relay of
FIG. 13
with a cover shown without a top cover portion; and
FIG. 20
is an internal perspective view of the cover of
FIG. 19
with stops.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1
shows a first embodiment of a relay having a coil base member
1
and a magnet system
2
connected to a spring system
3
by a comb
4
. Shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the coil base member
1
is made out of an electrically insulating material and comprises an integrally connected coil member
5
and a base member
6
. The coil member
5
is a substantially cylindrical hollow member with a substantially rectangular internal cross section corresponding to a cross section of a yoke
7
, shown in FIG.
3
. Shown in
FIG. 2
, the internal cross section comprises narrow inner sides
8
and has a collar
9
arranged at a free end. The collar
9
has a locating lug
40
.
Shown in
FIG. 2
, the base member
6
has side faces
12
, a stepped-up bottom surface
13
and an upper side
11
. The base member
6
has first, second and third insert slots
14
,
15
,
16
and contact pins
60
. The insert slots
14
,
15
,
16
have locking lugs
47
. A side opening
10
extends from the narrow inner sides
8
of the coil member
5
to the upper side
11
and to the side faces
12
as far as the bottom surface
13
. Adjacent to the side opening
10
is an extension receiving recess
31
.
Shown in
FIG. 1
, the magnet system
2
comprises a coil
28
, the yoke
7
and a tilting armature
20
. Shown in
FIG. 3
, the yoke
7
is substantially C-shaped and has a yoke web
21
integrally connected with upper and lower yoke cross-bars
23
,
24
. The upper and lower yoke cross-bars
23
,
24
project beyond the yoke web
21
. A first end of the upper yoke cross-bar
23
has a yoke step
27
that provides space for a fork
29
of the comb
4
. Extending beyond the yoke web
21
is an extension
30
. The extension
30
is formed to fit into the corresponding extension receiving recess
31
in the base member
6
, shown in
FIG. 2
, and secures the yoke
7
in an axial position in the coil member
5
.
Shown in
FIG. 4
, the tilting armature
20
is substantially C-shaped and has an armature web
22
integrally connected with upper and lower armature cross-bars
25
,
26
. The upper armature cross-bar
25
has first and second lengthwise steps
32
,
33
having first and second transverse steps
34
,
35
, respectively. The second transverse steps
35
have a transverse groove
36
provided for a hinge
37
of a comb fork
29
of the comb
4
. In addition, the first and second transverse steps
34
,
35
provide space for the comb fork
29
and for a first stop
38
of a cover
39
for attachment to the yoke
7
. While the thickness of the yoke
7
is constant, the cross section of the armature web
22
decreases continuously on a side remote from the yoke
7
towards the upper armature cross-bar
25
.
Shown in
FIGS. 1 and 5
, the yoke
7
and the tilting armature
20
are mirror-inverted in an installation position for insertion into the side opening
10
of the coil base member
1
from the side. Sufficient space is provided in the side opening
10
and at the stepped-up bottom surface
13
to accommodate movement of the tilting armature
20
. In contrast, the yoke
7
fits into the rectangular internal cross section of the coil member
5
with little additional space.
The extension
30
of the yoke
7
engages the extension receiving recess
31
, shown in
FIG. 2
, and secures the yoke
7
in the axial position in the coil member
5
. The resilient locating lug
40
arranged on the collar
9
positions the yoke
7
laterally and snaps into the yoke
7
when the yoke
7
reaches the installation position. The coil
28
is wound around the yoke
7
, guided by the collar
9
, to fix the yoke
7
in the installation position. The tilting armature
20
is guided by the edge of the side opening
10
and the lower armature cross-bar
26
as it is inserted in the base member
6
.
Shown in
FIG. 9
, the spring system
3
has a release spring
17
, an operating spring
19
and a switching spring
18
. The release spring
17
, switching spring
18
and operating spring
19
are integrally connected by a substantially identically constructed foot element
42
. Each of the foot elements
42
has a contact tongue
43
integrally connected with the foot element
42
, punched buttons
45
and a locking device
46
. The foot elements
42
of the operating spring
19
and the release spring
17
are have a bent configuration. The foot element
42
of the switching spring
18
has an essentially straight configuration. Although the foot elements
42
are illustrated in the described configurations, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the configurations may be altered depending on the desired spacing of the contact tongues
43
. Positioned between the contact tongues
43
is a depth end stop
44
. The depth end stop
44
contacts a bottom surface of the insert slots
14
,
15
,
16
, and the punched buttons
45
and the locking device
46
engage with the locking lug
47
arranged in the insert slots
14
,
15
,
16
when a given depth is reached to fix the foot elements
42
in position.
Shown in
FIG. 7
, the switching spring
18
has armature springs
41
and a double-sided contact
48
. The armature springs
41
are constructed as spring arms and are arranged parallel to and at a distance from longitudinal sides of the switching spring
18
. The armature springs
41
and switching springs
18
together exhibit the width of the foot element
42
and are connected together in one piece thereby while remaining functionally independent. The armature springs
41
serve to reset the tilting armature
20
and at the same time act as a spring-side bearing for the comb
4
. To this end, the armature springs
41
are provided at free ends with spring forks
50
. Shown in
FIGS. 1 and 10
, the switching spring
18
is inserted into the insert slot
15
of the base member
6
.
Shown in
FIG. 8
, the release and operating springs
17
,
19
are of substantially identical construction and are narrower than the switching spring
18
. The release and operating springs
17
,
19
have a one sided contact
49
positioned at substantially the same level as the double-sided contact
48
. At a free end of the release and operating springs
17
,
19
is provided a stop lug
53
. The release and operating springs
17
,
19
are provided with a slight bend at a bend line
54
such that in the installation position the release and operating springs
17
,
19
are inclined towards the switching spring
18
to simplify mounting of a cover
39
. Shown in
FIGS. 1 and 10
, the release and operating springs
17
,
19
are inserted in a mirror-inverted manner into the insert slots
14
,
16
of the base member
6
.
Shown in
FIG. 1
, the comb
4
extends between the magnet system
2
and the spring system
3
. Shown in
FIG. 6
, at a first end of the comb
4
is a fork
29
provided with hinges
37
. At a second end of the comb
4
, the comb has spring-side hinges
51
and actuating lugs
52
. As shown in
FIG. 1
, the spring-side hinges
51
of the comb
4
may be fitted into the spring forks
50
of the armature springs
41
. The switching spring
18
is in pressure contact with the tilting armature
20
via the comb
4
and the actuating lugs
52
, shown in FIG.
11
.
Shown in
FIGS. 11 and 12
, the cover
39
has a top cover portion
59
and stops
38
,
55
,
56
,
57
,
58
attached thereto. The first stop
38
lies on a side of the upper yoke cross-bar
23
close to the tilting armature
20
. The second stop
55
adjoins the latter on the side remote from the tilting armature
20
. In this way, the cover
39
is securely positioned relative to the magnet system
2
and the spring systems
3
. The third stop
56
fixes the position of the release spring
17
such that when the one-sided contact
49
adjoins the double-sided contact
48
of the switching spring
18
when the tilting armature
20
is open, the circuit is closed. The fourth stop
57
positions the operating spring
19
. The stop lug
53
of operating spring
19
adjoins the side of the fourth stop
57
positioned remote from the tilting armature
20
when the tilting armature
20
is open. The one-sided contact
49
of the operating spring
19
is positioned remote from the double-sided contact
48
of the switching spring
18
by the contact gap. The fifth stops
58
also position the operating spring
19
by shortening the bending length thereof and increase the operating spring
19
stiffness. The stops
38
,
55
,
56
,
57
and spring system
3
are brought into the desired position by positioning the cover
39
on the relay, dispensing with complex individual adjustments of the release spring
17
, operating spring
19
and switching spring
18
.
The operation of the relay will now be described in greater detail. Shown in
FIG. 1
, when the tilting armature
20
is open, the one-sided contact
49
of the release spring
17
contacts the double-sided contact
48
of the switching spring
18
. A closed-circuit current flows through the one-sided contact
48
and the double-sided contact
49
. After energisation of the coil
28
via the contact pins
60
, shown in
FIG. 2
, the tilting armature
20
picks up and transmits its movement via the hinge
37
, the comb
4
and the actuating lugs
52
, shown in
FIG. 11
, to the switching spring
18
. The movement of the tilting armature
20
causes the double-sided contact
48
of the switching spring
18
to separate from the one-sided contact
49
of the release spring
17
, which remains against the third stop
56
, opening the circuit.
After the contact gap has been overcome, the double-sided contact
48
of the switching spring
18
and the one-sided contact
49
of the operating spring
19
merge to close the circuit. In order to achieve sufficient contact pressure, the switching spring
18
and the operating spring
19
experience overtravel that causes the operating spring
19
to lift from the fourth stop
57
and rest against the fifth stop
58
. The bending length of the operating spring
19
is thereby reduced and the operating spring
19
contact force correspondingly is increased. In parallel with the switching spring
18
, the armature springs
41
are pretensioned via the spring-side hinge
51
. Once the coil
28
current has been switched off, the tilting armature
20
is displaced by the pretensioned armature springs
41
back into the open position. In this way, the open circuit is reopened and the closed circuit is closed.
A second embodiment of the relay is shown in
FIGS. 13
to
20
. The second embodiment of the relay functions in substantially the same manner and has substantially the same structure as the first embodiment of the relay shown in
FIGS. 1
to
12
. Similar components bear the same reference numerals, but with added accent. The components differing in detail from the first embodiment include yoke
7
′, tilting armature
20
′, comb
4
′, release springs
17
′, switching springs
18
′ and operating springs
19
′.
FIG. 13
shows a relay having a coil base member
1
′ and a magnet system
2
′ connected to a spring system
3
′ by a comb
4
′. Shown in
FIGS. 13 and 14
, the coil base member
1
′ is made out of an electrically insulating material and has an integrally connected coil member
5
′ and base member
6
′. The coil member
5
′ is a substantially cylindrical hollow member with a substantially rectangular internal cross section corresponding to the cross section of a yoke
7
′, shown in FIG.
15
. Shown in
FIG. 14
, the internal cross section comprises narrow inner sides
8
′ and has a collar
9
′ arranged at a free end. The collar
9
′ has a locating lug
40
′.
Shown in
FIG. 2
, the base member
6
′ has side faces
12
′, a stepped-up bottom surface
13
′ and an upper side
11
′. The base member
6
has first, second and third insert slots
14
′,
15
′,
16
′ and contact pins
60
′. A side opening
10
′ extends from the narrow inner sides
8
′ of the coil member
5
′ to the upper side
11
′ and to the side faces
12
′ as far as the bottom surface
13
′.
Shown in
FIG. 13
, the magnet system
2
′ comprises a coil
28
′, the yoke
7
′ and a tilting armature
20
′. Shown in
FIG. 15
, the yoke
7
′ and the tilting armature
20
′ are of substantially identical configuration. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that since the yoke
7
′ and the tilting armature
20
′ are of identical construction, the yoke
7
′ and tilting armature
20
′ have similar features, irrespective of functional requirements.
The cross section of the yoke
7
′ and of the tilting armature
20
′ is substantially constant. The yoke
7
′ is substantially C-shaped and has a yoke web
21
integrally connected with upper and lower yoke bars
23
′,
24
′. The tilting armature
20
′ is substantially C-shaped and has an armature web
22
integrally connected with upper and lower armature bars
25
′,
26
′. At the upper edge of the upper yoke or armature cross-bars
23
′,
25
′, there is provided a step
61
. An off-centre transverse yoke or armature groove
62
is provided in the upper yoke and armature cross-bars
23
′,
25
′. The armature groove
62
allows an armature-side end of a comb
4
′ to pass through the upper yoke cross-bar
23
′ and at the same time allows the armature-side end of the comb
4
′ to be acted upon by the upper armature cross-bar
25
′.
Shown in
FIGS. 13 and 16
, the yoke
7
′ and the tilting armature
20
′ are mirror-inverted in a installation position for insertion into the side opening
10
′ of the coil base member
1
′ from the side. Shown in
FIGS. 13 and 14
, sufficient space is provided in the side opening
10
′ and at the stepped-up bottom surface
13
′ to accommodate movement of the tilting armature
20
′. In contrast, the yoke
7
′ fits into the rectangular internal cross section of the coil member
5
′ with little additional space.
The resilient locating lug
40
′ provided on the collar
9
′ positions the yoke
7
′ laterally and snaps into the yoke
7
′ when the yoke
7
′ reaches the installation position. The coil
28
′ is wound around the yoke
7
′, guided by the collar
9
′, to fix the yoke
7
′ in the installation. The tilting armature
20
′ is guided by the edge of the side opening
10
′ and the lower armature cross-bar
26
′ as it is inserted in the base member
6
′.
Shown in
FIG. 17
, the spring system
3
′ has a release spring
17
′, a switching spring
18
′ and an operating spring
19
′. The switching spring
18
′, the release spring
17
′ and the operating springs
19
′ are integrally connected by a substantially identically constructed foot element
42
′ and are preferably formed from the same die. Each of the foot elements
42
′ has a contact tongue
43
′ integrally connected with the foot element
42
and locking devices
46
′. Depending on the desired spacing of the contact tongues
43
′, the contact tongues
43
′ are formed to be either straight or bent. Positioned between the contact tongues
43
′ is a depth end stop
44
′. The release and operating springs
17
′,
19
′ are inserted with the foot elements
42
′ in a laterally reversed manner into the insert slots
14
′ and
16
′. The depth end stop
44
′ contacts a bottom surface of one of the insert slots
14
′,
15
′,
16
′ and the locking devices
46
′ automatically engage with the insert slots
14
′,
15
′,
16
′ when a given depth is reached to fix the foot elements
42
′ in place.
Shown in
FIG. 17
, the release and operating springs
17
′,
19
′ are of substantially identical construction and are narrower than the switching spring
18
′. The release and operating springs
17
′,
19
′ have a one-sided contact
49
′ positioned at substantially the same level as the double-sided contact
48
′. The release and operating springs
17
′,
19
′ are provided with a slight bend at a bend line
54
′ such that in the installation position the release and operating springs
17
′,
19
′ are inclined towards the switching spring
18
′ to simplify mounting of the cover
39
′. Spring arms
63
are arranged parallel to each of the longitudinal sides of the release and operating springs
17
′,
19
′. The spring arms
63
are integrally connected with the foot elements
42
.′
Shown in
FIG. 17
, the switching spring
18
′ has armature springs
41
′ and a double-sided contact
48
′. The armature springs
41
′ are constructed as integrally connected spring arms
63
and are formed by cutting free the spring arms
63
at the free end of the switching spring
18
′. The armature springs
41
′ are arranged parallel to and at a distance from longitudinal sides of the switching spring
18
′. The armature springs
41
′ and switching springs
18
′ together exhibit the width of the foot element
42
′ and are connected together in one piece thereby while remaining functionally independent. The armature springs
41
′ serve to reset the tilting armature
20
′ and at the same time act as a spring-side bearing for the comb
4
′. To this end, the armature springs
41
′ are provided at free ends with spring forks
50
′. Shown in
FIGS. 13 and 18
, the switching spring
18
′ is inserted into the insert slot
15
′ of the base member
6
′.
Shown in
FIGS. 13 and 19
, the comb
4
′ extends between the magnet system
2
and the spring system
3
. At a first end of the comb
4
′ is a first and second projection that engage the transverse groove
62
in the yoke
7
′ causing the comb
4
′ to be in pressure contact with the upper armature cross-bar
25
′ and the switching spring
18
′ as well as with the armature springs
41
′. At a second end of the comb
4
′, the comb has spring-side hinges
51
′ and actuating lugs
52
′. The spring-side hinges
51
′ of the comb
4
′ may be fitted into the spring forks
50
′ of the armature springs
41
′. The switching spring
18
′ is in pressure contact with the tilting armature
20
′ via the comb
4
′ and two actuating lugs
52
′.
Shown in
FIGS. 19 and 20
, the cover
39
′ has a top cover portion
59
′ and stops
38
′,
55
′,
56
′,
57
′,
58
′ attached thereto. The first stop
38
′ lies on the side of the upper yoke cross-bar
23
′ close to the tilting armature
20
′ in the area of the transverse groove
62
in the tilting armature
20
′. The second stops
55
′ adjoin the ends thereof on a side remote from the tilting armature
20
′. In this way, the cover
39
′ is securely positioned relative to the magnet and spring systems
2
′ and
3
′. The third stop
56
′ fixes the position of the release spring
17
′ such that when the one-sided contact
49
′ adjoins the double-sided contact
48
′ of the switching spring
18
′ when the tilting armature
20
′ is open, the circuit is closed. The fourth stops
57
′ positions the operating spring
19
′ that adjoins the side of the fourth stops
57
′ remote from the armature when the tilting armature
20
′ is open. The one-sided contact
49
′ of the operating spring
19
′ is positioned remote from the double-sided contact
48
′ of the switching spring
18
′ by the contact gap. The fifth stops
58
′ of the operating spring
19
′ shortens the bending length of the operating spring
19
′ and increases the operating spring
19
′ stiffness. The stops
38
′,
55
′,
56
′,
57
′,
58
′ and the spring system
3
′ are brought into the desired position by positioning the cover
39
′ on the relay, dispensing with complex individual adjustments of the release spring
17
′, operating spring
19
′ and switching spring
18
′.
The second embodiment of the relay functions in substantially the same manner as the relay of the first embodiment, such that the description of the functioning of the second embodiment will be understood to be substantially the same as the first embodiment by those skilled in the art.
In comparison to separately produced base and coil members, the present one-piece construction of the first and second embodiments of the relay are distinguished by low manufacturing and assembly costs and relatively high strength. Some of the advantages of the first and second embodiments of the relay are described hereafter.
The side opening of the coil base member simplifies production thereof and allows lateral mounting of the yoke and the tilting armature. Moreover, the omission of the side wall of the coil member provides more space for the cross section of the coil and/or for the cross section of the yoke and tilting armature. This increases the force of the magnet system.
The side opening of the coil base member also allows use of a one-piece yoke, which is inserted into the coil base member from the side prior to winding of the coil and enclosed and fixed in position by winding.
The side opening is so designed that the opening cross section required for lateral insertion of yoke and tilting armature and for the tilting movement thereof is provided.
The resilient locating lug on the collar at the edge of the side opening effects automatic lateral fixing of the yoke during insertion thereof into the coil base member.
An advantageous configuration of the invention consists in the fact that the insert slots are arranged spacedly one behind the other in the base member. In this way, a neat spring system is obtained, which is suitable for a uniform spring configuration.
The C-shape of the yoke, consisting of a yoke web and upper and lower yoke cross-bars makes it possible for the yoke web thereof to function as a coil core and for the yoke cross-bars thereof to project laterally beyond the coil at both ends. The C-shape of the tilting armature and the mirror-inverted arrangement thereof allows the armature web to effect the tilting movement in front of and the upper and lower armature cross-bars thereof to effect the same respectively above and beneath the coil. Due to the mirror-inverted arrangement of yoke and tilting armature, large-area contact of the cross-bars occurs, with optimum magnetic flux.
An advantageous further development of the invention consists in the fact that the cross section of the armature web decreases continuously on its side remote from the yoke towards the upper armature cross-bar and the cross section of the upper armature cross-bar decreases in stepped manner towards its upper end. Due to the cross-sectional reduction towards the upper end of the tilting armature, the rotary moment of inertia thereof reduces, whereby the closing speed and vibrational insensitivity thereof are increased.
Because a last step of the upper armature cross-bar comprises a transverse groove at its two ends, into which corresponding hinges of the comb may be snapped or fitted, simple comb mounting and precise comb guidance are achieved.
For quick winding of the coil, it is advantageous for the lower cross-bar of the yoke to comprise an extension projecting beyond the yoke web thereof, which engages in a corresponding extension receiving recess in the coil base member. In this way, the magnet system is able to meet the demands made of it by manufacture.
It is also advantageous for the yoke and a the tilting armature to be of identical construction. The identical nature of the yoke and tilting armature is of considerable significance with regard to reducing relay manufacturing costs. Only one die and one inventory item are necessary for both.
An advantageous further development of the invention consists in the fact that the upper yoke or armature cross-bar comprises an off-centre transverse groove and, at its upper edge facing away from the contact side, a step. The step in the upper cross-bar reduces the rotary moment of inertia thereof, whereby the closing speed and vibrational sensitivity of the tilting armature are increased.
The transverse groove serves to guide the comb at its end remote from the spring. The off-centre arrangement of the transverse grooves has the effect that they are not aligned in the installation position, but instead are staggered, so simultaneously allowing the tilting armature to act on the comb and the yoke to guide the comb.
Locking devices are provided on the foot elements of the springs that lock automatically together with the insert slots when the foot elements are inserted therein and fix the position of the springs. In this way, mounting of the springs is simplified. They have merely to be inserted into the insert slots in the base member as far as the depth end stop. Locking and thus positional fixing of the springs then occur automatically.
The release and operating springs are inclined towards the switching spring located therebetween in the installation position. In this way, among other things mounting of the cover is simplified.
A simple spring system structure is achieved in that the switching spring preferably comprises an armature spring parallel with each outer side. The armature springs are connected with the switching spring via the foot element. In this way, three independent springs are arranged on the foot element of the switching spring.
It is particularly advantageous that the armature springs serve to reset the tilting armature and at the same time act as a spring-side bearing for the comb. Moreover, mounting of the comb on the spring arms has the advantage over conventional mounting in the switching spring of a larger distance between the bearings and the switching contacts. In this way, the risk of contact disturbance by plastics abrasion is reduced. The two armature springs also offer advantages in the case of a bipolar variant of the relay.
It is also advantageous that contact tongues are arranged in each of the edge areas of the ends remote from the springs of the foot elements and have depth end stops located therebetween. In this way, exact positioning of the foot elements and, thus, of the springs is ensured. The operating spring and the armature springs are also made with one die. This provides significant manufacturing advantages. The individual springs differ inter alia in the number and construction of contact tongues and contacts as well as in the cutting-free of two armature springs, which is effected subsequently.
The cover comprises first and second stops on the inside of its top for lengthwise fixing thereof to the yoke and third, fourth and fifth stops for defining and fixing the lengthwise position of the release, switching and operating springs and for increasing the spring stiffness of the latter. By fixing the cover to the yoke, no cover-related tolerances arise between magnet and spring system. In contrast to springs with separately adjusted break contact pressure, contact spacing and overtravel, the manufacturing and assembly costs are reduced decisively in the case of the solution according to the invention. This merely requires setting in place of the cover, whereby all the stops reach the desired position. By the precise, accurate adjustment, effected automatically during mounting of the cover, of the switching contact values determining service life, the service life of the relay is markedly increased.
While the present invention has been described in relation to the illustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated and understood that modifications may be made without departing from the true sprint and scope of the invention. For example, both relays may also be constructed with two or more contacts and a plurality of spring systems to obtain substantially similar results.
Claims
- 1. A relay comprising:a coil base member having a base member with an upper side, side faces and a bottom surface and a coil member with inner sides, the base member and coil member being integrally connected; and the coil base member having a continuous opening in the side of the coil member and one of the side surfaces of the base member, the opening partially defined by the inner sides of the coil member mid extending the length of the coil member to the bottom surface of the base member wherein the opening is configured to receive a yoke and tilting armature therein.
- 2. The relay of claim 1 wherein the coil base member has an extension receiving recess in the base member aligned with the opening to receive an extension formed on the yoke.
- 3. The relay of claim 1, wherein the coil member has a collar having a locating lug adjacent to the opening for positioning a yoke.
- 4. The relay of claim 1, wherein the base member has three or more insert slots positioned parallel to each other.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
01115209 |
Jun 2001 |
EP |
|
US Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
5790004 |
Matsuoka et al. |
Aug 1998 |
A |
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
19804572 |
Aug 1999 |
DE |