The present disclosure relates to a switch that extends an arc by using an electromagnetic force to extinguish the arc.
Conventionally, there has been known a switch that extends an arc by using an electromagnetic force to extinguish the arc. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a switch including: a box-shaped case; a fixed contact including a fixed contact point; a movable contact including a movable contact point contactable with and separable from the fixed contact point; a magnet that generates a magnetic field around each contact point; and a yoke that guides a magnetic flux. The fixed contact, the movable contact, the magnet, and the yoke are accommodated in the case. Here, each component of the switch will be described with reference to a height direction, a width direction, and a depth direction of the case.
The movable contact is disposed on the lower side of the fixed contact and is movable in the height direction with respect to the fixed contact. The magnet is disposed apart from the movable contact in the width direction. The yoke includes a main yoke and an auxiliary yoke. The main yoke extends in the depth direction from a surface of the magnet facing a side opposite to the movable contact, and then extends in the width direction until the main yoke is located on both sides of the magnet and the movable contact in the depth direction. The auxiliary yoke is disposed between the movable contact and the magnet.
In the switch disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the main yoke forms a closed magnetic path inside the case. Therefore, an arc generated between the movable contact point and the fixed contact point when the movable contact point is separated from the fixed contact point can be extended in a direction away from each contact point. Further, in the switch disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the auxiliary yoke disposed between the movable contact and the magnet enables the magnetic flux to be guided toward each contact point to increase a magnetic flux density around each contact point, so that the arc can be quickly driven.
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2021-051978
In the switch disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the main yoke can extend the arc in a direction away from each contact point, but an effect of guiding the magnetic flux so as to extend the arc by using the auxiliary yoke has been insufficient because a gap or an insulator exists between a magnetic pole surface of the magnet and the auxiliary yoke.
The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a switch capable of extending an arc longer than conventional technologies.
In order to solve the above-stated problems and achieve the object, a switch according to the present disclosure comprises: a fixed contact including a fixed contact point; a movable contact including a movable contact point contactable with the fixed contact point, the movable contact being disposed to be movable in a first direction with respect to the fixed contact; and a magnetic field generating member disposed apart from the movable contact in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the magnetic field generating member including a first magnetic pole surface facing the movable contact and a second magnetic pole surface facing a side opposite to the movable contact. Further, a switch according to the present disclosure comprises: a main yoke including a first connection portion and a pair of arm portions, the first connection portion being connected to the second magnetic pole surface, extending from the second magnetic pole surface in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction, and projecting to one side and another side in the third direction farther than each of the magnetic field generating member and the movable contact, and the pair of arm portions extending in the second direction from both end portions of the first connection portion along the third direction and being disposed on both sides of the magnetic field generating member and the movable contact along the third direction; and an auxiliary yoke directly connected to the first magnetic pole surface.
The switch according to the present disclosure has an effect of being able to extend an arc longer than conventional technologies.
Hereinafter, a switch according to embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Hereinafter, when a direction of each component of the switch 1 is described, a direction in which the movable contact 3 is moved is defined as an X-axis direction, a direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction is defined as a Y-axis direction, and a direction orthogonal to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is defined as a Z-axis direction. Further, a positive direction in the X-axis direction is defined as an upper side, and a negative direction in the X-axis direction is defined as a lower side. The positive direction in the X-axis direction is a direction from the negative side to the positive side of the X-axis, and the negative direction in the X-axis direction is a direction from the positive side to the negative side of the X-axis. Further, a positive direction in the Y-axis direction is defined as a right side, and a negative direction in the Y-axis direction is defined as a left side. The positive direction in the Y-axis direction is a direction from the negative side to the positive side of the Y-axis, and the negative direction in the Y-axis direction is a direction from the positive side to the negative side of the Y-axis. Further, a positive direction in the Z-axis direction is defined as a front side, and a negative direction in the Z-axis direction is defined as a rear side. The positive direction in the Z-axis direction is a direction from the negative side to the positive side of the Z-axis, and the negative direction in the Z-axis direction is a direction from the positive side to the negative side of the Z-axis. In the present embodiment, the X-axis direction is a first direction, the Y-axis direction is a second direction, and the Z-axis direction is a third direction.
The two fixed contacts 2 are disposed apart from each other in the Y-axis direction. The fixed contacts 2 and the movable contact 3 are provided along the X-axis direction. Each fixed contact 2 includes one fixed contact point 21, a fixed-side first surface 22 facing the movable contact 3, a fixed-side second surface 23 facing a side opposite to the movable contact 3, and one terminal screw 24. Hereinafter, the two fixed contacts 2 are referred to as a first fixed contact 2a and a second fixed contact 2b when being distinguished from each other. Further, the two fixed contact points 21 are referred to as a first fixed contact point 21a and a second fixed contact point 21b when being distinguished from each other.
The outer shape of the fixed contact 2 is not particularly limited, but is a shape in which circles having different diameters are continuous along the X-axis direction, and the diameter decreases as advancing toward the movable contact 3, in the present embodiment. The fixed contact point 21 is provided on the fixed-side first surface 22. The first fixed contact point 21a and the second fixed contact point 21b are provided apart from each other along the Y-axis direction. The terminal screw 24 is screwed into a screw hole opened in the fixed-side second surface 23. The terminal screw 24 is a screw for connecting an external terminal (not illustrated).
The movable contact 3 is disposed to be movable in the X-axis direction with respect to the fixed contacts 2. The movable contact 3 is disposed on the lower side of the fixed contacts 2. The shape of the movable contact 3 is not particularly limited, but is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape longer in the Y-axis direction than in the Z-axis direction, in the present embodiment. The movable contact 3 includes two movable contact points 31 contactable with and separable from the fixed contact points 21 of the individual fixed contacts 2, a movable-side first surface 32 facing the fixed contacts 2, and a movable-side second surface 33 facing a side opposite to the fixed contacts 2. The movable contact point 31 is provided on the movable-side first surface 32. At the center of the movable contact 3, a through hole 34 penetrating in the X-axis direction is formed. The through hole 34 penetrates the movable contact 3 from the movable-side first surface 32 to the movable-side second surface 33. A shaft (not illustrated) is inserted into the through hole 34. Hereinafter, the two movable contact points 31 are referred to as a first movable contact point 31a and a second movable contact point 31b when being distinguished from each other.
As illustrated in
Note that the fixed contact point 21 may be formed separately from the fixed contact 2 and connected to the fixed contact 2, or may be formed integrally with the fixed contact 2. Further, the movable contact point 31 may be formed separately from the movable contact 3 and connected to the movable contact 3, or may be formed integrally with the movable contact 3.
The two magnets 4 are disposed apart from each other in the Y-axis direction with the movable contact 3 Hereinafter, the two magnets 4 are interposed in between. referred to as a first magnet 4a and a second magnet 4b when being distinguished from each other. Each magnet 4 is disposed apart from the movable contact 3 in the Y-axis direction, and serves as a magnetic field generation means that generates a magnetic field around the movable contact point 31 and the fixed contact point 21. The magnet 4 is a permanent magnet, and attracts the main yoke 5 and the auxiliary yoke 6 with a magnetic force. As the magnet 4, for example, a ferrite magnet or a neodymium magnet is used. The magnet 4 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape.
Each magnet 4 includes a first magnetic pole surface 41 facing the movable contact 3 and a second magnetic pole surface 42 facing a side opposite to the movable contact 3. Polarities of the first magnetic pole surfaces 41 of the individual magnets 4 are identical to each other. The polarity of the first magnetic pole surface 41 is an N pole in the present embodiment. Polarities of the second magnetic pole surfaces 42 of the individual magnets 4 are identical to each other. The polarity of the second magnetic pole surface 42 is an S pole in the present embodiment.
The main yokes 5 are magnetic bodies and one main yoke 5 is directly connected to the second magnetic pole surface 42 of each magnet 4. Hereinafter, the two main yokes 5 are referred to as a first main yoke 5a and a second main yoke 5b when being distinguished from each other. For the main yoke 5, a magnetic material such as electromagnetic soft iron or an electrogalvanized steel plate is used. Each main yoke 5 includes: a first connection portion 51 that is directly connected to the second magnetic pole surface 42, extends in the Z-axis direction from the second magnetic pole surface 42, and projects farther than each of the magnet 4 and the movable contact 3 to one side and another side in the Z-axis direction. Further, each main yoke 5 includes: a pair of arm portions 52 extending in the Y-axis direction from both end portions of the first connection portion 51 along the Z-axis direction, and disposed on both sides of the magnet 4 and the movable contact 3 along the Z-axis direction.
The first connection portion 51 is formed in a plate shape wider than the magnet 4, the auxiliary yoke 6, and the movable contact 3 in the Z-axis direction. The first connection portion 51 is disposed at a position overlapping with the magnet 4, the auxiliary yoke 6, and the movable contact 3 in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.
The arm portion 52 is formed in a plate shape having a plate thickness identical to that of the first connection portion 51. The arm portion 52 is disposed apart from the magnet 4, the auxiliary yoke 6, and the movable contact 3 in the Z-axis direction, at a position overlapping with the magnet 4, the auxiliary yoke 6, and the movable contact 3 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The arm portion 52 of the first main yoke 5a is provided at a position overlapping, in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, with the first magnet 4a, a first auxiliary yoke 6a to be described later, and a portion of the movable contact 3 on the left side of the first centerline C1. The arm portion 52 of the second main yoke 5b is provided at a position overlapping, in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, with the second magnet 4b, a second auxiliary yoke 6b to be described later, and a portion of the movable contact 3 on the right side of the first centerline C1. The arm portion 52 of the first main yoke 5a and the arm portion 52 of the second main yoke 5b coincide in position with each other in the Z-axis direction. A gap is provided between a distal end portion of the arm portion 52 of the first main yoke 5a and a distal end portion of the arm portion 52 of the second main yoke 5b.
The auxiliary yokes 6 are magnetic bodies and one auxiliary yoke 6 is directly connected to the first magnetic pole surface 41 of each magnet 4. Hereinafter, the two auxiliary yokes 6 are referred to as the first auxiliary yoke 6a and the second auxiliary yoke 6b when being distinguished from each other. For the auxiliary yoke 6, a magnetic material such as electromagnetic soft iron or an electrogalvanized steel plate is used. The auxiliary yoke 6 is disposed between the magnet 4 and the movable contact 3. The auxiliary yoke 6 is disposed apart from the movable contact 3 in the Y-axis direction. Each auxiliary yoke 6 is formed in a plate shape wider than the first magnetic pole surface 41 in the Z-axis direction. The plate thickness of the main yoke 5 and the plate thickness of the auxiliary yoke 6 are identical to each other in the present embodiment.
Each auxiliary yoke 6 includes a second connection portion 61 directly connected to the first magnetic pole surface 41. Further, each auxiliary yoke 6 includes: a pair of extending portions 62 extending farther than the first magnetic pole surface 41 in the Z-axis direction from both end portions of the second connection portion 61 along the Z-axis direction, and extending so as to approach the movable contact 3 as advancing away from the second connection portion 61. Each extending portion 62 projects farther than the first magnetic pole surface 41 toward one side and another side in the Z-axis direction. Each extending portion 62 extends in a curved shape so as to approach the movable contact 3 as advancing toward the arm portion 52 from the first magnetic pole surface 41. Note that, each extending portion 62 may extend linearly so as to approach the movable contact 3 as advancing toward the arm portion 52 from the first magnetic pole surface 41.
As illustrated in
In a non-energized state in which the coil is not energized, the movable contact 3 is biased in a direction away from the fixed contacts 2 by a spring force of the spring, each movable contact point 31 is separated from a corresponding fixed contact point 21, and each movable contact point 31 and the corresponding fixed contact point 21 are electrically interrupted from each other. Whereas, in an energized state in which the coil is energized, the movable contact 3 is moved toward the fixed contacts 2 against the spring force of the spring with a magnetic force generated from the coil, each movable contact point 31 comes into contact with a corresponding fixed contact point 21, and each movable contact point 31 and the corresponding fixed contact point 21 are electrically conducted with each other. Then, when the state transitions from the conduction state to the interrupted state and each movable contact point 31 is separated from the corresponding fixed contact point 21, high-temperature arc discharge occurs between each movable contact point 31 and the corresponding fixed contact point 21 in accordance with circuit conditions. Hereinafter, the arc discharge is referred to as an arc.
Next, with reference to
Further, in
Here, it is assumed that a direction of a current flowing through the movable contact 3 is a direction along the Y-axis direction from the first magnet 4a toward the second magnet 4b, and polarities of the first magnetic pole surfaces 41 of the magnets 4 are identical polarities of the N pole. In such a case, in each of the switches 1 and 1E, a magnetic flux generated from the magnet 4 flows toward the movable contact 3 and then toward the main yoke 5, and a magnetic field generated by the first magnet 4a and a magnetic field generated by the second magnet 4b are symmetrical about the first centerline C1 as a boundary. Then, since the Lorentz force in the direction of the arrow Y3 acts on an arc, the arc is driven along the direction of the arrow Y3. Specifically, an arc generated between the first movable contact point 31a and the first fixed contact point 21a is driven toward the left and front side with respect to the movable contact 3. Whereas, an arc generated between the second movable contact point 31b and the second fixed contact point 21b is driven toward the right and front side with respect to the movable contact 3.
In the switch 1E according to the comparative example illustrated in
In this regard, in the present embodiment illustrated in
Further, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary yoke 6 includes: the second connection portion 61 directly connected to the first magnetic pole surface 41; and the pair of extending portions 62 extending farther than the first magnetic pole surface 41 in the Z-axis direction from both end portions of the second connection portion 61 along the Z-axis direction, and extending so as to approach the movable contact 3 as advancing away from the second connection portion 61. As a result, the magnetic flux guided to the arc extinguishing space 8 further increases, and the magnetic flux density in the arc extinguishing space 8 can be further increased. Therefore, the arc can be extended longer than the conventional technologies.
Further, in the present embodiment, the switch 1 includes the auxiliary yokes 6 each disposed between the magnet 4 and the movable contact 3. Therefore, the magnetic flux can be guided toward the movable contact point 31 and the fixed contact point 21 to enhance a magnetic flux density around the movable contact point 31 and the fixed contact point 21, and the arc can be quickly driven in a direction away from the movable contact point 31 and the fixed contact point 21.
Note that, when the direction Y2 of the current flowing through the movable contact 3 is a direction opposite to the direction illustrated in
Note that, the magnetic field generation means is the magnet 4 in the present embodiment, but the magnetic field generating means is not particularly limited as long as the magnetic field can be generated. The magnetic field generation means may be, for example, a coil. Further, the polarity of the first magnetic pole surface 41 of each magnet 4 is the N pole in the present embodiment, but may be the S pole.
In the present embodiment, the auxiliary yoke 6 including the second connection portion 61 and the pair of extending portions 62 are used, but the auxiliary yoke 6 in which the pair of extending portions 62 are omitted may be used. When the pair of extending portions 62 are omitted, the auxiliary yoke 6 extends linearly along the Z-axis direction. When the pair of extending portions 62 are omitted, the auxiliary yoke 6 may or may not project farther than the first magnetic pole surface 41 toward one side and another side in the Z-axis direction.
Next, with reference to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Magnetic fields generated by the first magnet 4a are symmetrical about the second centerline C2 as a boundary. Magnetic fields generated by the second magnet 4b are symmetrical about the second centerline C2 as a boundary. Then, since the Lorentz force in the direction of the arrow Y3 acts on an arc, the arc is driven along the direction of the arrow Y3. Specifically, an arc generated between the first movable contact point 31a and the first fixed contact point 21a is driven toward the left and front side with respect to the movable contact 3. Whereas, the arc generated between the second movable contact point 31b and the second fixed contact point 21b is driven toward the right and rear side with respect to the movable contact 3.
The present embodiment can achieve the effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above. Further, in the present embodiment, since polarities of the first magnetic pole surfaces 41 of the magnets 4 are different from each other, the arc generated between the first movable contact point 31a and the first fixed contact point 21a and the arc generated between the second movable contact point 31b and the second fixed contact point 21b are driven in directions opposite to each other in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Therefore, since it is possible to prevent the two arcs from being connected to each other and from being short-circuited, it is possible to enhance the performance of extinguishing the arc and to enhance the circuit current interruption performance of the switch 1A.
Next, with reference to
As illustrated in
In the present embodiment, since the plate thickness T2 of the auxiliary yoke 6 is thinner than the plate thickness T1 of the main yoke 5, the auxiliary yoke 6 is likely to be magnetically saturated. Therefore, a magnetic flux generated from the magnet 4 easily leaks to the movable contact point 31 and the fixed contact point 21 via the auxiliary yoke 6, and a magnetic flux density around the movable contact point 31 and the fixed contact point 21 can be increased. As a result, the arc can be driven more quickly.
Note that, in the present embodiment, the plate thickness T2 of the auxiliary yoke 6 is made thinner than the plate thickness T1 of the main yoke 5 over the entire auxiliary yoke 6, but it suffices that the plate thickness of at least the extending portion 62 is thinner than the plate thickness of the arm portion 52. If the cross-sectional area of the auxiliary yoke 6 is made smaller than the cross-sectional area of the main yoke 5, magnetic saturation of the auxiliary yoke 6 can be easily generated. As an example, the present embodiment has shown a configuration in which the plate thickness T2 of the auxiliary yoke 6 is made thinner than the plate thickness T1 of the main yoke 5. Examples of the configuration in which the cross-sectional area of the auxiliary yoke 6 is made smaller than the cross-sectional area of the main yoke 5 include a configuration in which the length of the main yoke 5 along the X-axis direction and the length of the auxiliary yoke 6 along the X-axis direction are made different, and a configuration in which a notch is formed in the auxiliary yoke 6, in addition to the configuration in which the plate thickness T1 of the main yoke 5 and the plate thickness T2 of the auxiliary yoke 6 are made different as in the present embodiment. When the cross-sectional area of the auxiliary yoke 6 is made smaller than the cross-sectional area of the main yoke 5, it suffices that the cross-sectional area of at least the extending portion 62 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the arm portion 52.
Next, with reference to
As illustrated in
In the present embodiment, as illustrated in
Note that, the present embodiment has exemplified a case in which, as illustrated in
Next, a switch 1D according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
When an arc is generated between the movable contact point 31 and the fixed contact point 21 illustrated in
In this regard, in the present embodiment, since the insulating member 9 that thermally insulates the movable contact 3 from the auxiliary yoke 6 is provided between the movable contact 3 and the auxiliary yoke 6, contact between the arc and the auxiliary yoke 6 can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent deterioration in magnetic performance of the magnet 4 due to thermal demagnetization, and prevent thermal wear of the auxiliary yoke 6. Further, in the present embodiment, the insulating member 9 is also provided between the movable contact 3 and the arm portion 52. Therefore, contact between the arc and the arm portion 52 can be prevented, so that thermal wear of the arm portion 52 can be prevented.
Next, with reference to
As illustrated in
The extending portion 62 of the auxiliary yoke 6 extends so as to approach the movable contact 3 in the Y-axis direction as advancing away from the second connection portion 61. The extending portion 62 of the auxiliary yoke 6 extends away from the movable contact 3 in the Z-axis direction as advancing away from the second connection portion 61. The distal end 62a of the extending portion 62 of the auxiliary yoke 6 is at a position farthest from the movable contact 3 in the extending portion 62 in the Z-axis direction. As illustrated in
When an arc is generated between the movable contact point 31 and the fixed contact point 21 illustrated in
In this regard, in the present embodiment, the extending portion 62 of the auxiliary yoke 6 extends until the position in the Y-axis direction coincides with the center P1 of the movable contact point 31. Therefore, it is possible to prevent deterioration in the performance of extinguishing the arc by reducing contact between the arc generated between the first movable contact point 31a and the first fixed contact point 21a and the arc generated between the second movable contact point 31b and the second fixed contact point 21b, while ensuring the performance of sufficiently extending the arc.
Next, with reference to
As illustrated in
The center P2 of the movable contact 3 and the centers P1 of the movable contact points 31 coincide in position with each other in the Z-axis direction. The center P2 of the movable contact 3 and the centers P1 of the movable contact points 31 are shifted in position in the Y-axis direction. The center P2 of the movable contact 3 is located between the centers P1 of the two movable contact points 31 in the Y-axis direction. Specifically, the center P2 of the movable contact 3 is located intermediate the centers P1 of the two movable contact points 31 in the Y-axis direction. The center P2 of the movable contact 3 is located at a position farther away from the magnet 4, the first connection portion 51, and the second connection portion 61 than the center P1 of the movable contact point 31 in the Y-axis direction. The first centerline C1 is a virtual straight line extending along the Z-axis direction through the center P2 of the movable contact 3.
The separation wall 63 extends in the Z-axis direction from the insulating member 9 toward the movable contact 3. The number of the separation walls 63 is four in the present embodiment, but at least one is sufficient. The four separation walls 63 are referred to as a first separation wall 63a, a second separation wall 63b, a third separation wall 63c, and a fourth separation wall 63d when being distinguished from each other. The separation wall 63 is provided between the extending portion 62 of the auxiliary yoke 6 and the center P2 of the movable contact 3 in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the separation wall 63 is provided between the extending portion 62 of the auxiliary yoke 6 and the first centerline C1 in the Y-axis direction. The separation walls 63 are provided, one between each extending portion 62 and the first centerline C1 in the Y-axis direction.
Two separation walls 63 are provided between one extending portion 62 of the first auxiliary yoke 6a and one extending portion 62 of the second auxiliary yoke 6b in the Y-axis direction. The first separation wall 63a and the second separation wall 63b are provided between one extending portion 62 of the first auxiliary yoke 6a and one extending portion 62 of the second auxiliary yoke 6b. The first separation wall 63a and the second separation wall 63b are disposed apart from each other in the Y-axis direction. The first separation wall 63a and the second separation wall 63b are formed independently of each other in the present embodiment, but may be integrated. In other words, one separation wall 63 may be provided between one extending portion 62 of the first auxiliary yoke 6a and one extending portion 62 of the second auxiliary yoke 6b, and this separation wall 63 may include two wall portions separated from each other in the Y-axis direction and extending in the z-axis direction toward the movable contact 3.
Two separation walls 63 are provided between another extending portion 62 of the first auxiliary yoke 6a and another extending portion 62 of the second auxiliary yoke 6b in the Y-axis direction. The third separation wall 63c and the fourth separation wall 63d are provided between another extending portion 62 of the first auxiliary yoke 6a and another extending portion 62 of the second auxiliary yoke 6b. The third separation wall 63c and the fourth separation wall 63d are disposed apart from each other in the Y-axis direction. The third separation wall 63c and the fourth separation wall 63d are formed independently of each other in the present embodiment, but may be integrated. In other words, one separation wall 63 may be provided between another extending portion 62 of the first auxiliary yoke 6a and another extending portion 62 of the second auxiliary yoke 6b, and this separation wall 63 may include two wall portions separated from each other in the Y-axis direction and extending in the Z-axis direction toward the movable contact 3. Note that, in the example of
When an arc is generated between the movable contact point 31 and the fixed contact point 21 illustrated in
In this regard, in the present embodiment, the separation walls 63 extending in the Z-axis direction from the insulating member 9 toward the movable contact 3 are provided in portions of the insulating member 9 located between the extending portions 62 and the center P2 of the movable contact 3 in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the arc extended up to the vicinity of the distal end 62a of the extending portion 62 of the first auxiliary yoke 6a and the arc extended up to the vicinity of the distal end 62a of the extending portion 62 of the second auxiliary yoke 6b are separated from each other. In this state, it is possible to maintain a state in which the arc is extended up to the arc extinguishing space 8 (not illustrated in
Next, with reference to
As illustrated in
The insulating wall 64 extends in the Z-axis direction from the insulating member 9 toward the movable contact 3. The number of the insulating walls 64 is two in the present embodiment, but at least one is sufficient. The two insulating walls 64 are referred to as a first insulating wall 64a and a second insulating wall 64b when being distinguished from each other. The position of the insulating wall 64 in the Y-axis direction coincides with the center P2 of the movable contact 3. In other words, the position of the insulating wall 64 in the Y-axis direction coincides with the position of the first centerline C1. The insulating walls 64 are provided, one on each of one side and another side of the movable contact 3 in the Z-axis direction.
One insulating wall 64 is provided between one extending portion 62 of the first auxiliary yoke 6a and one extending portion 62 of the second auxiliary yoke 6b in the Y-axis direction. The first insulating wall 64a is provided between one extending portion 62 of the first auxiliary yoke 6a and one extending portion 62 of the second auxiliary yoke 6b. One insulating wall. 64 is provided between another extending portion 62 of the first auxiliary yoke 6a and another extending portion 62 of the second auxiliary yoke 6b in the Y-axis direction. The second insulating wall 64b is provided between another extending portion 62 of the first auxiliary yoke 6a and another extending portion 62 of the second auxiliary yoke 6b. The two insulating walls 64 are provided at symmetrical positions in the z-axis direction with respect to the center P2 of the movable contact 3. Note that, in the example of
When an arc is generated between the movable contact point 31 and the fixed contact point 21 illustrated in
In this regard, in the present embodiment, the insulating walls 64 extending in the Z-axis direction from the insulating member 9 toward the movable contact 3 are provided in portions of the insulating member 9 coinciding with the center P2 of the movable contact 3 in the Y-axis direction. As a result, even when the arc is extended up to the distal end 62a of the extending portion 62 of the auxiliary yoke 6, the insulating wall 64 is located between the arc extended up to the distal end 62a of the extending portion 62 of the first auxiliary yoke 6a and the arc extended up to the distal end 62a of the extending portion 62 of the second auxiliary yoke 6b. Therefore, the arc extended up to the distal end 62a of the extending portion 62 of the first auxiliary yoke 6a and the arc extended up to the distal end 62a of the extending portion 62 of the second auxiliary yoke 6b are separated from each other. In this state, it is possible to maintain a state in which the arc is extended up to the arc extinguishing space 8 (not illustrated in
Note that, in the seventh embodiment described above, it is possible to maintain a state in which the arc generated between the first movable contact point 31a and the first fixed contact point 21a and the arc generated between the second movable contact point 31b and the second fixed contact point 21b are separated from each other, and are extended up to the vicinities of the distal ends 62a of the extending portions 62 of the auxiliary yokes 6. Whereas, in the present embodiment, since the insulating wall 64 is at a position that does not hinder movement of the arc in the Z-axis direction, there is a possibility that the arc is extended up to a position beyond the extending portion 62 of the auxiliary yoke 6. However, it is possible to maintain a state in which the arc generated between the first movable contact point 31a and the first fixed contact point 21a and the arc generated between the second movable contact point 31b and the second fixed contact point 21b are separated from each other, with a simpler configuration than the seventh embodiment described above. Which one of the configurations of the seventh and eighth embodiments described above is adopted or whether the configurations of both the seventh and eighth embodiments described above are used in combination may simply be appropriately selected in consideration of performance required for a product, the shape of the insulating member 9, and the like.
The configurations illustrated in the above embodiment illustrate one example and can be combined with another known technique, and it is also possible to combine embodiments with each other and omit or change a part of the configuration without departing from the subject matter of the present disclosure. In each of the embodiments described above, a two-point contact structure including two fixed contact points 21 and two movable contact points 31 has been adopted, but a one-point contact structure including one fixed contact point 21 and one movable contact point 31 may be adapted. In the case of the one-point contact structure, one magnet 4, one main yoke 5, and one auxiliary yoke 6 are provided.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2021-192248 | Nov 2021 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2022/038412 | 10/14/2022 | WO |