Relay

A housing includes a first mounting portion having a first through hole penetrating in a first direction and a second mounting portion having a second through hole penetrating in the first direction. The second mounting portion is disposed separately from the first mounting portion to one side in a second direction and is disposed closer to one side in a third direction than the first mounting portion. The first fixed terminal includes a first fastening portion that is exposed outside the housing closer to one side in the third direction than the first mounting portion. The second fixed terminal includes a second fastening portion that is exposed outside the housing closer to an opposite side in the third direction than the second mounting portion and that is disposed closer to the opposite side in the third direction than the first fastening portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-169239, filed Sep. 18, 2019. The contents of that application are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a relay.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, an electromagnetic relay that opens and closes an electric circuit is known. The electromagnetic relay described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2016-201286 includes a fixed terminal connected to an external terminal. The fixed terminal is arranged so as to protrude from a housing to the outside. The housing is provided with a mounting portion that is fixed to another member by a fixing member such as a screw.

SUMMARY

In recent years, miniaturization of relays has been required. In the conventional relay, the mounting portion is formed so as to protrude from the housing in order to secure a tool clearance. Therefore, the size of the relay becomes large in a direction in which the mounting portion protrudes.

An object of the present invention is to provide a relay capable of downsizing while securing a tool clearance when fixing a mounting portion of the relay to another member.

A relay according to one aspect of the present invention includes a housing, a first fixed terminal, and a second fixed terminal. The housing includes a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion. The first mounting portion has a first through hole penetrating in a first direction. The second mounting portion having a second through hole penetrating in the first direction. The second mounting portion is disposed separately from the first mounting portion to one side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and disposed closer to one side in a third direction than the first mounting portion. The third direction is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. The first fixed terminal includes a first fastening portion. The first fastening portion has a first screw insertion hole along the first direction and is exposed outside the housing closer to an opposite side in the third direction than the second mounting portion. The second fixed terminal includes a second fastening portion. The second fastening portion has a second screw insertion hole along the first direction and is exposed outside the housing closer to an opposite side in the third direction than the second mounting portion. The second fastening portion is disposed closer to the opposite side in the third direction than the first fastening portion. The housing includes a first side portion disposed at an opposite side in the second direction, a second side portion disposed at the one side in the second direction, a third side portion connected to the first side portion and the second side portion at the one side in the third direction, and a fourth side portion connected to the first side portion and the second side portion at the opposite side in the third direction. The first fastening portion is arranged without protruding beyond a boundary between the first side portion and the third side portion to the one side in the third direction at a height position of the first fastening in the first direction. The second fastening portion is arranged without protruding beyond a boundary between the second side portion and the fourth side portion at a height position of the second fastening portion in the first direction.

In this relay, the second fastening portion is disposed closer to the opposite side in the third direction than the second mounting portion and the first fastening portion. That is, the first fastening portion and the second fastening portion are arranged zigzag in the second direction. Accordingly, even when the first mounting portion is disposed at the one side in the third direction and the second mounting portion is disposed at the opposite side in the third direction as compared with the case where the first fastening portion and the second fastening portion are arranged side by side in the second direction, a tool clearance for fixing the first mounting portion and second fastening portion to another member can be secured. As a result, the housing can be downsized in the third direction. Further, in the case where the first fixed terminal and the second fixed terminal are plate-shaped terminals, even when widths of the first fixed terminal and the second fixed terminal are expanded in the third direction in order to improve a current carrying capacity of the relay, the housing can be downsized in the third direction while ensuring the tool clearance.

Further, since a space around the boundary between the first side portion near the first fastening portion and the third side portion is less likely to interfere with the first fastening portion, the space around the boundary between the first side portion and the third side portion can be effectively utilized. Similarly, since a space around the boundary the second side portion near the second fastening portion and the fourth side portion is less likely to interfere with the second fastening portion, the space around the boundary between the second side portion and the fourth side portion can be effectively utilized.

The first fastening portion may be disposed closer to the opposite side in the third direction than the third side portion. The second fastening portion may be disposed closer to the one side in the third direction than the fourth side portion. In this case, the space around the boundary between the first side portion and the third side portion and the space around the boundary between the second side portion and the fourth side portion can be effectively utilized.

The first fixed terminal and the second fixed terminal may be plate-shaped terminals. The first fastening portion may protrude from the first side portion. The second fastening portion may protrude from the second side portion. In this case, when using the plate-shaped fixed terminal, the housing can be downsized in the third direction while ensuring the tool clearance.

A virtual line connecting the first screw insertion hole and the second screw insertion hole may be inclined with respect to the third side portion and the fourth side portion as viewed from the first direction. In this case, the housing can be downsized in the third direction while ensuring the tool clearance.

The relay may further include a movable contact piece extending in the housing in the second direction and configured to contact the first fixed terminal and the second fixed terminal. A virtual line connecting the first screw insertion hole and the second screw insertion hole may be inclined with respect to the movable contact piece as viewed from the first direction. In this case, the housing can be downsized in the third direction while ensuring the tool clearance.

The relay may further include a connector connecting portion that is arranged to be exposed from the housing to the one side or the opposite side in the second direction. The connector connecting portion may be visible from between the first mounting portion and the first fastening portion or between the second mounting portion and the second fastening portion as viewed from the first direction. In this case, in the relay in which the connector can be visible from the first direction, the housing can be downsized in the third direction while ensuring the tool clearance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiment of a relay100according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. When referring to the drawings, an upper side inFIG. 3is referred to as “up (Z1)”, a lower side is referred to as “down (Z2)”, a left side is referred to as “left (X1)”, and a right side is referred to as “right (X2)” in order to facilitate understanding of the description. In addition, a front side of the paper surface ofFIG. 3is referred to as “front (Y1)”, and a back side of the paper surface ofFIG. 3is referred to as “back (Y2)”. An up-down direction Z is orthogonal to a left-right direction X. A front-back direction Y is orthogonal to the up-down direction Z and the left-right direction X. The up-down direction Z is an example of a first direction. The left-right direction X is an example of a second direction. The front-back direction Y is an example of a third direction.

Further, one side in the left-right direction X will be described as the right side (X1 side), and an opposite side in the left-right direction X will be described as the left side (X2 side). One side in the front-back direction Y will be described as the front side (Y1 side), and an opposite in the front-back direction Y will be described as the back side (Y2 side). These directions are defined for convenience of explanation, and do not limit an arrangement direction of the relay100.

The relay100includes a housing2, a contact device3, a drive device4, and a connector connecting portion5.

The housing2has a substantially rectangular box shape and is made of an insulating material. The contact device3and the drive device4are housed inside the housing2.

The housing2includes an upper portion2a, a lower portion2b, first to fourth side portions2cto2f, a first mounting portion21, and a second mounting portion22.

The upper portion2aand the lower portion2bhave a rectangular shape and extend along the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y. The first side portion2cand the second side portion2dextend along the front-back direction Y and the up-down direction Z, and connect the upper portion2aand the lower portion2b. The first side portion2cis arranged to the left side (X2 side) in the left-right direction X. The second side portion2dis arranged to the right side (X1 side) in the left-right direction X. The second side portion2dis arranged so as to face the first side portion2cin the left-right direction X.

The third side portion2eand the fourth side portion2fextend along the left-right direction X and the up-down direction Z, and connect the upper portion2aand the lower portion2b. The third side portion2eis arranged to the one side (Y1 side) in the front-back direction Y and is connected to the first side portion2cand the second side portion2d. The fourth side portion2fis arranged to the opposite side (Y2 side) in the front-back direction and is connected to the first side portion2cand the second side portion2d. The fourth side portion2fis arranged to face the third side portion2ein the front-back direction Y.

The first mounting portion21and the second mounting portion22are provided to fix the relay100to other members with a fixing member such as a screw. The first mounting portion21is provided so as to protrude to the left side from a lower portion of the back side of the first side portion2c. The first mounting portion21includes a first through hole21a. The first through hole21ais a hole that penetrates in the up-down direction Z. A collar member, for example, is press-fitted into the first through hole21a, and the first mounting portion21is fixed to another member by a fixing member such as a screw inserted into the first through hole21a.

The second mounting portion22is arranged with a space in the left-right direction X with respect to the first mounting portion21. In the present embodiment, the second mounting portion22is arranged apart from the first mounting portion21in the right side (X1 side). The second mounting portion22is disposed closer to the front side (Y1 side) than the first mounting portion21. In the present embodiment, the second mounting portion22is provided so as to protrude to the right side from the lower portion of the front side of the second side portion2d.

The second mounting portion22includes a second through hole22a. The second through hole22ais a hole that penetrates in the up-down direction Z. A collar member, for example, is press-fitted into the second through hole22a, and the second mounting portion22is fixed to another member by a fixing member such as a screw inserted into the second through hole22a.

The contact device3includes a first fixed terminal6, a second fixed terminal7, a movable contact piece10, and movable mechanism11.

The first fixed terminal6and the second fixed terminal7are plate-shaped terminals and extend in the left-right direction X. The first fixed terminal6and the second fixed terminal7extend both inside and outside the housing2. The first fixed terminal6and the second fixed terminal7are arranged apart from each other in the left-right direction X. The first fixed terminal6and the second fixed terminal7are made of a conductive material.

The first fixed terminal6includes a first fixed contact6aand a first fastening portion6b. The first fixed contact6ais arranged inside the housing2. The first fixed contact6ais provided separately from the first fixed terminal6. The first fixed contact6amay be integrated with the first fixed terminal6.

The first fastening portion6bis connected to an external terminal (not illustrated) such as a bus bar by screw fastening. The first fastening portion6bprotrudes outside the housing2. The first fastening portion6bis exposed outside the housing2closer to the front side (Y1 side) than the first mounting portion21. The first fastening portion6bin the present embodiment protrudes leftward from near the upper portion of the first side portion2cof the housing2. As viewed from the up-down direction Z, the first fastening portion6bis arranged apart from the first through hole21ain the front-back direction Y. The first fastening portion6bincludes a first screw insertion hole6c. The first screw insertion hole6cis a hole that penetrates in the up-down direction Z.

At a height position of the first fastening portion6bin the up-down direction Z, the first fastening portion6bis arranged without protruding beyond a boundary B1between the first side portion2cand the third side portion2eto the front side (Y1 side). In the present embodiment, the entire first fastening portion6bis arranged closer to the back side (Y2 side) than the boundary B1between the first side portion2cand the third side portion2e. The first fastening portion6bis arranged closer to the back side than the third side portion2e. The front end of the first fastening portion6bis positioned closer to the back side than the third side portion2e.

A first screw receiving member23provided in the housing2is arranged below the first fastening portion6b. The first screw receiving member23is arranged below the first fastening portion6band adjacent to the first fastening portion6b. A female screw member (not illustrated) that is screwed into a fixing member such as a screw is arranged inside the first screw receiving member23.

The second fixed terminal7includes a second fixed contact7aand a second fastening portion7b. The second fixed contact7ais arranged inside the housing2. The second fixed contact7ais provided separately from the second fixed terminal7. The second fixed contact7amay be integrated with the second fixed terminal7.

The second fastening portion7bis connected to an external terminal (not illustrated) such as a bus bar by screw fastening. The second fastening portion7bprotrudes outside the housing2. The second fastening portion7bis exposed outside the housing2closer to the back side (Y2 side) than the second mounting portion22. The second fastening portion7bis disposed closer to the back side (Y2 side) than the first fastening portion6b. The second fastening portion7bin the present embodiment protrudes rightward from the vicinity of the upper portion of the second side portion2dof the housing2. The second fastening portion7bis exposed outside the housing2closer to the back side than the second mounting portion22and is disposed closer to the back side than the first fastening portion6b. As viewed from the up-down direction Z, the second fastening portion7bis arranged apart from the second through hole22ain the front back direction Y. The second fastening portion7bincludes a second screw insertion hole7c. The second screw insertion hole7cis a hole that penetrates in the up-down direction Z.

At a height portion of the second fastening portion7bin the up-down direction Z, the second fastening portion7bis arranged without protruding beyond a boundary B2between the second side portion2dand the fourth side portion2fto the back side (Y2 side). In the present embodiment, the entire second fastening portion7bis arranged closer to the front side (Y1 side) than the boundary B2between the second side portion2dand the fourth side portion2f. The second fastening portion7bis arranged closer to the front side (Y1 side) than the second side portion2d. The back end of the second fastening portion7bis positioned closer to the front side than the fourth side portion2f.

A second screw receiving member24provided in the housing2is arranged below the second fastening portion7b. The second screw receiving member24is arranged below the second fastening portion7band adjacent to the second fastening portion7b. A female screw member (not illustrated) that is screwed into a fixing member such as a screw is arranged inside the second screw receiving member24.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, a virtual line L connecting the first screw insertion hole6cand the second screw insertion hole7cis inclined with respect to the third side portion2eand the fourth side portion2fas viewed from the up-down direction Z. That is, the virtual line L extends in a direction intersecting with respect to the third side portion2eand the fourth side portion2fas viewed from the up-down direction Z. Further, the virtual line L is inclined with respect to the movable contact piece10as viewed from the up-down direction Z.

The movable contact piece10is a plate shape member that is long in one direction, and extends in the left-right direction X in the housing2. The movable contact piece10is made of a conductive material. The movable contact piece10is movable in a contact direction and a separation direction. The contact direction is a direction (upward inFIG. 3) in which the movable contact piece10approaches the first fixed contact6aand the second fixed contact7a. The separation direction is a direction (downward inFIG. 3) in which the movable contact piece10separates from the first fixed contact6aand the second fixed contact7a. Therefore, the contact direction and the separation direction are parallel to the up-down direction Z.

The movable contact piece10includes a movable contact10aand a movable contact10b. The movable contact10ais arranged at a position facing the first fixed contact6a. The movable contact10bis arranged at a position facing the second fixed contact7a. The movable contacts10a,10bare provided separately from the movable contact piece10. The movable contacts10a,10bmay be integrated with the movable contact piece10

The movable mechanism11includes a drive shaft12and a contact spring13. The drive shaft12extends in the up-down direction Z and penetrates the movable contact piece10in the up-down direction Z. The drive shaft12is provided so as to be movable in the contact direction and the separation direction. The contact spring13biases the movable contact piece10in the contact direction.

The drive device4moves the movable mechanism11in the contact direction and the separation direction by an electromagnetic force. The drive device4includes a coil31, a movable iron core32, a fixed iron core33, a yoke34, and a return spring35.

When a voltage is applied and the coil31excited, the coil31generates the electromagnetic force that moves the movable iron core32in the contact direction. The movable iron core32is coupled to the drive shaft12so as to be integrally movable. The fixed iron core33is arranged at a position facing the movable iron core32. The yoke34is arranged so as to surround the coil31. The return spring35is arranged between the movable iron core32and the fixed iron core33. The return spring35biases the movable iron core32in the separation direction.

The connector connecting portion5is provided to supply driving power to the coil31, and is connected to the drive device4. The connector connecting portion5is arranged to be exposed from the housing2to the right side (X1 side) or the left side (X2 side), and is arranged to be visible from between the first mounting portion21and the first fastening portion6bor between the second mounting portion22and the second fastening portion7bas viewed from the up-down direction Z. In the present embodiment, the connector connecting portion5is arranged to be exposed from housing2to the right side (X1 side). The connector connecting portion5protrudes outward from the vicinity of the center of the second side portion2dof the housing2. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the connector connecting portion5is visible from between the second mounting portion22and the second fastening portion7bas viewed from the up-down direction Z.

In the relay100having configured as described above, the second fastening portion7bis disposed closer to the back side (Y2) than the second mounting portion22and the first fastening portion6b. That is, the first fastening portion6band the second fastening portion7bare arranged zigzag in the left-right direction X. Accordingly, even when the first mounting portion21is disposed at the front side (Y1 side) and the second mounting portion22is disposed at the back side (Y2 side) as compared with the case where the first fastening portion6band the second fastening portion7bare arranged side by side in the left-right direction X, a tool clearance for fixing the first mounting portion21and second mounting portion22to another member can be secured. As a result, the housing2can be downsized in the front-back direction Y

Further, even when widths of the first fixed terminal6and the second fixed terminal7are expanded in the front-back direction Y in order to improve a current carrying capacity of the relay100, the housing2can be downsized in the front-back direction while ensuring the tool clearance.

Further, since the first fastening portion6bis disposed closer to the back side (Y2 side) than the third side portion2e, for example, a space around the boundary B1can be effectively utilized as compared with the case where the first fastening portion6bprotrudes to the front side (Y1 side) more than the third side portion2e. Similarly, since the second fastening portion7bis disposed closer to the front side (Y1 side) than the fourth side portion2f, a space around the boundary B2can be effectively utilized.

While the embodiment of the electromagnetic relay according to one aspect of the present invention has been described, the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto, and various types of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept of the invention.

In the above-described embodiment, the first fixed terminal6and the second fixed terminal7are configured by plate-shaped terminals, but as illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, for example, the first fixed terminal6and the second fixed terminal7may be configured by cylindrical terminals. The first fixed terminal6and the second fixed terminal7protrude to outside from the upper portion2aof the housing2. As viewed from the up-down direction Z, at least a part of the first mounting portion21may overlap the first fixed terminal6in the front-back direction Y and the second fixed terminal7in the left-right direction X. As viewed from the up-down direction Z, at least a part of the second mounting portion22may overlap the first fixed terminal6in the left-right direction X and the second fixed terminal in the front-back direction Y. The first mounting portion21may be provided in a bottom of a recess2gformed by recessing from the upper portion2atoward the lower portion2bnear the boundary between the first side portion2cand the fourth side portion2f. Similarly, the second mounting portion22may be provided in a bottom of a recess2hby formed by recessing from the upper portion2atoward the lower portion2bnear the boundary between the second side portion2dand the third side portion2e.

In the above-described embodiment, the first side portion2cand the second side portion2dare extended along the front-back direction Y and the up-down direction Z, and the third side portion2eand the fourth side portion2fare extended along the left-right direction X and the up-down direction Z. However, shapes of the first to fourth side portions2cto2fare not limited to those in the above embodiment. The first to fourth side portions2cto2fmay be curved in an arc shape or may be inclined in a predetermined direction.

The connector connecting portion5is not limited to the above embodiment. The drive device4and the connector connecting portion5may be connected via a harness. Further, the arrangement of the connector connecting portion5is not limited to the above embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the one side in the front-back direction is described as the front side (Y1 side), the opposite side is the back side (Y2 side), the one side in the left-right direction X is the right side (X2 side), and the opposite side is the left side (X1 side). However, the one side in the front-back direction Y may be the back side (Y1 side), the opposite side may be the front side (Y2 side), the one side in the left-right direction X may be the left side (X2 side), and the opposite side may be the right side (X1 side). In this case, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the relay100has a configuration in which the configuration of the relay100illustrated inFIG. 2is reversed in the front-back direction Y and the left-right direction X.