Patent Publication Number: US-11049679-B2

Title: Contactor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a 35 U.S.C. §§ 371 national phase conversion of PCT/CN2016/103110, filed Oct. 24, 2016, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201610537744.6, filed Jul. 8, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The PCT International Application was published in the Chinese language. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the field of low-voltage apparatuses, and in particular, to a contactor. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In the prior art, auxiliary terminals and control terminals of most contactors tend to be in the same plane, and a large number of wires to be connected often cause a user to confuse the distribution relationship between single wires and the corresponding connection terminals in the contactors. In addition, due to various reasons (a control circuit diagram is improved, a control wire is damaged, etc.), the user needs to disassemble or assemble a control circuit when a main circuit is connected. Since the existing control circuit is generally located below the main circuit and is affected by a wire of the main circuit, it is inconvenient for the user to directly disassemble or assemble the control circuit, disassemble the wire of the main circuit, and then disassemble or assemble the control circuit. In addition, if the user needs more auxiliary contacts for logic control, then accessories need to be purchased for expansion installation on the contactor. However, there is a risk of poor matching between the accessories and the contactor (the installation is not in place, the structure is incorrect, etc.), which affects the on-off reliability of the auxiliary contacts of an accessory module. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An objective of the present invention is to overcome the defects of the prior art and provide a contactor which has a simple structure, and wiring areas can be distinguished apparently. 
     To fulfill the said objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution. 
     A contactor comprises a pedestal  2 , wherein the pedestal  2  is of a step structure having notches in two ends; the step structure comprises a first step  201  and a second step  202  from bottom to top and is covered with a cover body  3  having a matched shape; a part, which protrudes out of the second step  202 , at each of two ends of the first step  201  is provided with a first mounting groove in which a control terminal  21  and a power terminal  22  that are spaced apart from each other are mounted, and the cover body  3  is provided with a first wiring port  31  corresponding to the control terminal  21  and a second wiring port  32  corresponding to the power terminal  22 ; each of two ends of the second step  202  is provided with a second mounting groove in which an auxiliary terminal  23  is mounted, and the cover body  3  is provided with a third wiring port  33  which corresponds to the auxiliary terminal  23  mounted in the second mounting groove. 
     Preferably, the first wiring port  31  and the second wiring port  32  are formed in the corresponding cover body  3  in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the first step  201 ; the third wiring port  33  is formed in the cover body  3  in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the second step  202 . 
     Preferably, the control terminal  21  and the power terminal  22  are not aligned, such that the control terminals  21  located at two ends of the first step  201  are closer to or away from the middle part of the first step  201  relative to the respective power terminals  22  located on the same end; the first wiring port  31  corresponding to the control terminal  21  is also not aligned to the second wiring port  32  corresponding to the power terminal  22 . 
     Preferably, an assembling groove is formed in the middle of the first step  201 ; a contact support  24  is mounted in the assembling groove; the contact support  24  protrudes out of the top surface of the first step  201 ; the second step  202  is of an assembled structure and comprises a first assembling block  204  and a second assembling block  205  which can be assembled, wherein the first assembling block  204  and the second assembling block  205  are mounted on the first step  201  and are located on two sides of the contact support  24  and clamped with the contact support  24  respectively. 
     Preferably, a surface, which is in contact with the contact support  24 , of each of the first assembling block  204  and the second assembling block  205  is provided with a vertical limiting rib  202   a ; a limiting groove  24   a  which is matched with the limiting rib  202   a  is formed in two sides of the contact support  24  respectively. 
     Preferably, the middle part of the first step  201  extends towards the first assembling block  204  and the second assembling block  205  respectively to form positioning ribs  201   a  located on two sides of the contact support  24 ; each of the first assembling block  204  and the second assembling block  205  is provided with a positioning groove  202   b  which is matched with the corresponding positioning rib  201   a ; during the mounting process, the first assembling block  204  and the second assembling block  205  are pushed towards the contact support  24  along the positioning ribs  201   a  respectively through the positioning grooves  202   b  formed thereon, and are finally positioned on the first step  201 . 
     Preferably, fixing protrusions  204   a  which are configured to fix the second assembling block  205  are arranged on two sides of the first assembling block  204 ; two sides of the second assembling block  205  extend towards the first assembling block  204  to form two fixing arms  205   a ; a spacing between the two fixing arms  205   a  is equal to the size of the first assembling block  204 , and each fixing arm  205   a  is provided with a fixing hole  205   b  which is matched with the corresponding fixing protrusion  204   a ; during the mounting process, the second assembling block  205  is pushed towards the first assembling block  204  mounted on the first step  201 , such that the first assembling block  204  is clamped between the two fixing arms  205   a ; the first assembling block  204  and the second assembling block  205  are fixedly connected by clamping the fixing protrusions  204   a  into the fixing holes  205   b.    
     Preferably, one end of the control terminal  21  is plugged into the pedestal  2  and electrically connected to a coil  12  in a base  1 ; one end of the power terminal  22  is plugged into the pedestal  2  and matched with a first movable contact  241  on the contact support  24  in the pedestal  2 ; one end of the auxiliary terminal  23  is plugged into the pedestal  2  and matched with a second movable contact  242  on the contact support  24  in the pedestal  2 ; the other ends of the control terminal  21 , the power terminal  22  and the auxiliary terminal  23  are configured to be connected to external wires. 
     Preferably, each of the control terminal  21 , the power terminal  22  and the auxiliary terminal  23  comprises a conductive sheet and an elastic sheet, wherein one end of the conductive sheet is plugged into the pedestal  2 , and the other end of the conductive sheet is vertically arranged to be matched with the elastic sheet and configured to be connected to an external wire; the plug-in end of the conductive sheet of the control terminal  21  is arranged vertically; the plug-in end of the conductive sheet of the power terminal  22  is arranged horizontally and is provided with a first static contact  220  matched with the first movable contact  241 ; the plug-in end of the conductive sheet of the auxiliary terminal  23  is arranged horizontally and provided with a second static contact  230  matched with the second movable contact  242 ; one end of the elastic sheet is provided with a fixed end which is fixedly connected to the conductive sheet, and the other end of the elastic sheet is provided with a movable end; the movable end of the elastic sheet is provided with a through hole; the movable end sleeves the end part, which is matched with the elastic sheet, of the conductive sheet through the through hole formed thereon; two sidewalls at the end part of the conductive sheet form a wiring gap and a movable gap with two sidewalls of the through holes respectively; an external wire is clamped in the wiring gap between the movable end and the conductive sheet. 
     Preferably, the contactor further comprises a base  1 , wherein screw holes  14  are formed in four corners of a bottom plate of the base  1  and configured to mount the contactor in a use position; a magnetic yoke  11  and a coil  12  are mounted in the base  1 ; the pedestal  2  is stacked on the base  1 ; the sidewall of the base  1  is provided with a buckle  13  configured to fix the pedestal  2 ; the sidewall of the first step  201  of the pedestal  2  is provided with a clamping hole  201   c  which is matched with the buckle  13 ; the contact support  24  is mounted in the pedestal  2 ; the first movable contact  241  which can control a circuit related to the power terminal  22  to be switched on and the second movable contact  242  which can control a circuit related to the auxiliary terminal  23  to be switched on are mounted on the contact support  24 ; the second movable contact  241  is located above the first movable contact  242 . 
     According to the contactor of the present invention, by mounting the power terminals, the control terminals and the auxiliary terminals on the stepped pedestal in a layered manner, the power terminals and the control terminals are located on the same step and the auxiliary terminals are located on the upper step. Therefore, the structure is simple, and thus the wiring areas can be distinguished apparently. After the power terminals are wired, the wiring of the control terminals and the auxiliary terminals is not affected, which is convenient for identification and wiring. In the case that the product width does not increase, the number of auxiliary contacts that are attached to the product body is increased. A user does not need to purchase additional mounting accessories to expand the auxiliary contacts, thereby improving the cost performance of the product. Meanwhile, the auxiliary contacts of the product body are used instead of the mounting accessories to expand the auxiliary contacts, so as to avoid the risk that the accessories cannot be matched reliably with the contact body, thereby improving the on-off reliability of the auxiliary contacts. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic structural diagram of a contactor according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic structural diagram of a cover body according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a pedestal according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a contact support according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the contactor according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic structural diagram of a control terminal according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic structural diagram of a power terminal according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of an auxiliary terminal according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of the auxiliary terminal according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The specific embodiments of the contactor of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the embodiments given in  FIGS. 1 to 9 . The contactor of the present invention is not limited to the description of the following embodiments. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a contactor of the present invention comprises a pedestal  2 , wherein the pedestal  2  is of a step structure having notches in two ends. The step structure comprises a first step  201  and a second step  202  from bottom to top and is covered with a cover body  3  having a matched shape. A part, which protrudes out of the second step  202 , at each of two ends of the first step  201  is provided with a first mounting groove in which a control terminal  21  and a power terminal  22  that are spaced apart from each other are mounted, and the cover body  3  is provided with a first wiring port  31  corresponding to the control terminal  21  and a second wiring port  32  corresponding to the power terminal  22 . Each of two ends of the second step  202  is provided with a second mounting groove in which an auxiliary terminal  23  is mounted, and the cover body  3  is provided with a third wiring port  33  which corresponds to the auxiliary terminal  23  mounted in the second mounting groove. The pedestal and the cover body may be of an integrated structure or a detachable split structure. According to the contactor of the present invention, by mounting the power terminals, the control terminals and the auxiliary terminals on the stepped pedestal in a layered manner, the power terminals and the control terminals are located on the same step and the auxiliary terminals are located on the upper step. Therefore, the structure is simple, and thus the wiring areas can be distinguished apparently. After the power terminals are wired, the wiring of the control terminals and the auxiliary terminals is not affected, which is convenient for identification and wiring. In the case that the product width does not increase, the number of auxiliary contacts that are attached to the product body is increased. A user does not need to purchase additional mounting accessories to expand the auxiliary contacts, thereby improving the cost performance of the product. Meanwhile, the auxiliary contacts of the product body are used instead of the mounting accessories to expand the auxiliary contacts, so as to avoid the risk that the accessories cannot be matched reliably with the contact body, thereby improving the on-off reliability of the auxiliary contacts. Of course, it is also possible to arrange the power terminals, the control terminals and the auxiliary terminals on the three steps of the pedestal respectively, such that the control terminals are located above the power terminals, and the auxiliary terminals are located above the control terminals. In view of this, the structure of the present embodiment is simpler, more compact and reasonable. 
     Specifically, a control terminal  21  and three power terminals  22  which are spaced apart from each other are sequentially mounted in each of the first mounting grooves. A first insulation baffle  201   b  which has a partitioning function is arranged between the control terminal  21  and the power terminal  22  as well as between the power terminals  22  in the first mounting groove, respectively. Four auxiliary terminals  23  which are spaced apart from each other are mounted in each of the second mounting grooves. A second insulation baffle  202   c  which has a partitioning function is arranged between every two auxiliary terminals  23  in the second mounting groove. Each mounting groove is divided into a plurality of independent small grooves by means of the insulation baffles, such that each terminal is independently mounted in the corresponding small groove, without interfering with each other. Moreover, the first wiring port  31  and the second wiring port  32  are formed in the cover body  3  in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the first step  201 . The third wiring port  33  is formed in the cover body  3  in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the second step  202 . When the contactor is mounted, a base of the contactor is fixed at the use position by screws or guide rails. The bottom surface of the base is vertically attached to the use position, such that the top surface of the pedestal faces the user. The opening direction of each wiring port is perpendicular to the top surface of the pedestal, so that the wiring port also faces the user, which is convenient for identification and wiring. In addition, the control terminal  21  and the power terminal  22  are not aligned, such that the control terminals  21  located at two ends of the first step  201  are closer to or away from the middle part of the first step  201  relative to the respective power terminals  22  located on the same end; the first wiring port  31  corresponding to the control terminal  21  is also not aligned to the second wiring port  32  corresponding to the power terminal  22 . Since the two kinds of terminals located at the same level are not aligned, the two kinds of terminals are visually and intuitively distinguished, thereby preventing the user from confusing and misconnecting the wires, and improving the wiring convenience and accuracy. It is also possible to provide an identifier on the cover body to distinguish the first and second wiring ports. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , according to the assembling structure of the pedestal of the present invention, an assembling groove is formed in the middle of the integrated first step  201 . A contact support  24  is mounted in the assembling groove. The contact support  24  protrudes out of the top surface of the first step  201 . The second step  202  is of an assembled structure and comprises a first assembling block  204  and a second assembling block  205  which can be assembled, wherein the first assembling block  204  and the second assembling block  205  are mounted on the first step  201  and are located on two sides of the contact support  24  and clamped with the contact support  24  respectively. A surface, which is in contact with the contact support  24 , of each of the first assembling block  204  and the second assembling block  205  is provided with a vertical limiting rib  202   a  which is configured to limit and guide the action of the contact support  24 . A limiting groove  24   a  which is matched with the limiting rib  202   a  is formed in two sides of the contact support  24  respectively. The limiting ribs and the limiting grooves are configured to play limiting and guiding roles, such that the contact support clamped between the two assembling blocks can only move upwards and downwards along the limiting ribs, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of the action of the contact support. Further, the middle part of the first step  201  extends towards the first assembling block  204  and the second assembling block  205  respectively to form positioning ribs  201   a  located on two sides of the contact support  24 . Each of the first assembling block  204  and the second assembling block  205  is provided with a positioning groove  202   b  which is matched with the corresponding positioning rib  201   a . During the mounting process, the first assembling block  204  and the second assembling block  205  are pushed towards the contact support  24  along the positioning ribs  201   a  respectively through the positioning grooves  202   b  formed thereon, and are finally positioned on the first step  201 . The positioning and fixing structure is simple and reliable, and facilitates positioning the first and second assembling blocks on the first step and guiding the assembling there between, thereby improving the assembly efficiency and convenience. In addition, fixing protrusions  204   a  which are configured to fix the second assembling block  205  are arranged on two sides of the first assembling block  204 . Two sides of the second assembling block  205  extend towards the first assembling block  204  to form two fixing arms  205   a . A spacing between the two fixing arms  205   a  is equal to the size of the first assembling block  204 , and each fixing arm  205   a  is provided with a fixing hole  205   b  which is matched with the corresponding fixing protrusion  204   a . During the mounting process, the second assembling block  205  is pushed towards the first assembling block  204  mounted on the first step  201 , such that the first assembling block  204  is clamped between the two fixing arms  205   a . The first assembling block  204  and the second assembling block  205  are fixedly connected by clamping the fixing protrusions  204   a  into the fixing holes  205   b . The assembled fixing structure is simple and firm, thereby improving the assembly efficiency and reliability. In addition, the contact support  24  passes through a through hole  34  in the cover body  3  to form a penetrating part, and the first assembling block  204  and the second assembling block  205  extend upwards respectively to form extension parts that are located on two sides of the penetrating part of the contact support  24 . The penetrating part of the contact support  24  and the extension parts of the first assembling block  204  and the second assembling block  205  form a third step  203  on which an auxiliary device, such as an auxiliary module, a timer module or a communication module, of the contactor is mounted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the contactor of the present invention further comprises a base  1 . Screw holes  14  are formed in four corners of a bottom plate of the base  1  and configured to mount the contactor to a use position. A magnetic yoke  11  and a coil  12  are mounted in the base  1 . The pedestal  2  is stacked on the base  1 . The sidewall of the base  1  is provided with a buckle  13  configured to fix the pedestal  2 . The sidewall of the first step  201  of the pedestal  2  is provided with a clamping hole  201   c  which is matched with the buckle  13 . The contact support  24  is mounted in the pedestal  2 . The first movable contact  241  which can control a circuit related to the power terminal  22  to be switched on and the second movable contact  242  which can control a circuit related to the auxiliary terminal  23  to be switched on are mounted on the contact support  24 . The second movable contact  241  is located above the first movable contact  242 . 
     According to the structure of the control terminals, the power terminals and the auxiliary terminals of the present invention, one end of each control terminal  21  is plugged into the pedestal  2  and electrically connected to a coil  12  in the base  1 . One end of each power terminal  22  is plugged into the pedestal  2  and matched with a first movable contact  241  on the contact support  24  in the pedestal  2 , such that a circuit related to the power terminal  22  can be controlled to be switched on; one end of each auxiliary terminal  23  is plugged into the pedestal  2  and matched with a second movable contact  242  on the contact support  24  in the pedestal  2 , such that a circuit related to the auxiliary terminal  23  can be controlled to be switched on. The other ends of the control terminal  21 , the power terminal  22  and the auxiliary terminal  23  are configured to be connected to external wires. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , each control terminal  21  comprises a first conductive sheet  211  and a first elastic sheet  212 , wherein one end of the first conductive sheet  211  is plugged into the pedestal  2 , and the other end of the first conductive sheet  211  is vertically arranged to be matched with the first elastic sheet  212  and configured to be connected to an external wire. The plug-in end of the first conductive sheet  211  of the control terminal  21  is arranged vertically. One end of the first elastic sheet  212  is provided with a first fixed end  212   a  which is fixedly connected to the first conductive sheet  211 , and the other end of the first elastic sheet  212  is provided with a first movable end  212   b . The first movable end  212   b  of the first elastic sheet  212  is provided with a through hole. The first movable end  212   b  sleeves the end part, which is matched with the first elastic sheet  212 , of the first conductive sheet  211  through the through hole formed thereon. Two sidewalls at the end part of the first conductive sheet  211  form a first wiring gap  213  and a first movable gap  214  with two sidewalls of the through hole. An external wire is clamped in the first wiring gap  213  between the first movable end  212   b  and the first conductive sheet  211 . The control terminal has a flexible wiring structure and a plug-in mounting structure, and the wiring and assembly are simple and convenient, thereby improving the efficiency and convenience. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , each power terminal  22  of the present invention comprises a second conductive sheet  221  and a second elastic sheet  222 , wherein one end of the second conductive sheet  221  is plugged into the pedestal  2 , and the other end of the second conductive sheet  221  is vertically arranged to be matched with the second elastic sheet  222  and configured to be connected to an external wire. The plug-in end of the second conductive sheet  221  of the power terminal  22  is arranged horizontally and provided with a first static contact  220  matched with the first movable contact  241 . One end of the second elastic sheet  222  is provided with a second fixed end  222   a  which is fixedly connected to the second conductive sheet  221 , and the other end of the second elastic sheet  222  is provided with a second movable end  222   b . The second movable end  222   b  of the second elastic sheet  222  is provided with a through hole. The second movable end  222   b  sleeves the end part, which is matched with the second elastic sheet  222 , of the second conductive sheet  221  through the through hole formed thereon. Two sidewalls at the end part of the second conductive sheet  221  form a second wiring gap  223  and a second movable gap  224  with two sidewalls of the through hole. An external wire is clamped in the second wiring gap  223  between the second movable end  222   b  and the second conductive sheet  221 . The power terminal has a flexible wiring structure and a plug-in mounting structure, and the wiring and assembly are simple and convenient, thereby improving efficiency and convenience. The plug-in end of the second conductive sheet  221  is of a stepped plate structure, and a part, where the first static contact  220  is arranged, of the plug-in end of the second conductive sheet  221  on the top surface is higher than a part connected to a wiring terminal. By means of the stepped structure, the power terminal can be mounted more firmly. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , each auxiliary terminal  23  of the present invention comprises a third conductive sheet  231  and a third elastic sheet  232 , wherein one end of the third conductive sheet  231  is plugged into the pedestal  2 , and the other end of the third conductive sheet  231  is vertically arranged to be matched with the third elastic sheet  232  and configured to be connected to an external wire. The plug-in end of the third conductive sheet  231  of the auxiliary terminal  23  is arranged horizontally and provided with a second static contact  230  matched with the second movable contact  242 . One end of the third elastic sheet  232  is provided with a third fixed end  232   a  which is fixedly connected to the third conductive sheet  231 , and the other end of the third elastic sheet  232  is provided with a third movable end  232   b . The third movable end  232   b  of the third elastic sheet  232  is provided with a through hole. The third movable end  232   b  sleeves the end part, which is matched with the third elastic sheet  232 , of the third conductive sheet  231  through the through hole formed thereon. Two sidewalls at the end part of the third conductive sheet  231  form a third wiring gap  233  and a third movable gap  234  with two sidewalls of the through hole. An external wire is clamped in the third wiring gap  233  between the third movable end  232   b  and the third conductive sheet  231 . The auxiliary terminal has a flexible wiring structure and a plug-in mounting structure, and the wiring and assembly are simple and convenient, thereby improving efficiency and convenience.  FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of the auxiliary terminal, wherein the plug-in end of the third conductive sheet  231  of the auxiliary terminal  23  is of a stepped plate structure, and a part, where the second static contact  230  is arranged, of the plug-in end of the third conductive sheet  231  is higher than a part connected to a wiring terminal. By means of the stepped structure, the power terminal can be mounted more firmly.  FIG. 9  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, the plug-in end of the third conductive sheet  231  of the auxiliary terminal  23  is of a flat plate structure, and the top surface of the flat plate structure is provided with a second static contact  230 . By means of the flat plate structure, the mounting structure of the auxiliary terminal is simple. 
     The above content is a further detailed description of the present invention in connection with the specific preferred embodiments, and the specific embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these descriptions. It is apparent for those ordinary skilled in the art that several simple deductions or substitutions which are made without departing from the concept of the present invention should be considered to fall within the protection scope of the present invention.