Patent Description:
A switching appliance such as a small contactor or a relay generally includes a main contact and an auxiliary contact, wherein the main contact is connected to a circuit and used to control the on-off of the circuit, the auxiliary contact is in linkage with the main contact, and the main contact can drive the auxiliary contact to actuate together while in operation. However, the existing auxiliary contact is usually installed on the top side of the switching appliance, such that the switching appliance is excessively high, making it difficult to install in a switch cabinet with insufficient height.

<CIT> discloses an electrical appliance according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

An objective of the present invention is to overcome the defects of the prior art and provide a switching appliance with a simple structure and high reliability.

To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
A switching appliance, comprising a first housing and a second housing installed on one side of the first housing and used to accommodate an auxiliary contact mechanism, wherein the first housing comprises a lower housing, and an upper housing disposed on the top side of the lower housing and used to accommodate a main contact mechanism; the auxiliary contact mechanism comprises a linkage member connected to the main contact mechanism; the side wall of the second housing is provided with a first through hole used to make way for the linkage member; the side wall of the upper housing close to the second housing is provided with a second through hole corresponding to the main contact mechanism inside the upper housing; a mounting leg that extends to the side surface of the side wall of the lower housing is arranged at the bottom of the second housing; a first clamping groove is formed in the side surface, facing the lower housing, of the mounting leg, and a second clamping groove which is opposite to the first clamping groove are formed in the side wall of the lower housing; the mounting leg is connected to the side wall of the lower housing through a connector; the first clamping groove and the second clamping groove are in position-limiting cooperation with two sides of the connector, respectively; and the connector is simultaneously inserted into the first clamping groove and the second clamping groove in a direction perpendicular to the linkage member to fix the second housing and the first housing.

Preferably, a positioning boss is arranged on the side wall outside the second housing; a positioning groove that cooperates with the positioning boss is formed in the side wall outside the first housing; and when the linkage member is inserted into the second through hole, the positioning boss is inserted into the positioning groove and then limited in position.

Preferably, the connector is strip-shaped, and has a "concave shape (a Chinese character " <IMG>")" or H-shaped section.

Preferably, in the case that the connector is in a shaped of a Chinese character " <IMG>", two limiting bars which are spaced from each other are arranged on the side surface of the connector; a limiting groove is formed between the two limiting bars; inner diameters of openings in the tops of the first clamping groove and the second clamping groove are respectively smaller than inner diameters of their respective bottoms; the first clamping groove and the second clamping groove are respectively communicated with the lower housing and the bottom of the mounting leg; when the connector is inserted into the first clamping groove and the second clamping groove from the bottom of the switching appliance, the two limiting bars slide along the bottoms of the first clamping groove and the second clamping groove respectively; and the openings in the top of the first clamping groove and the second clamping groove are respectively in position-limiting cooperation with the limiting groove.

Preferably, each of the two limiting bars has a triangular cross-section; the two limiting bars are, on their one sides close to each other, provided with first pushing surfaces inclined to the bottom surface of the limiting groove respectively; the inner diameters of the first clamping groove and the second clamping groove gradually shrink from the bottom to the top opening respectively, such that the side walls of the first clamping groove and the second clamping groove form second pushing surfaces that are opposite to the first pushing surfaces.

Preferably, a distance from the bottom of the limiting groove to the other side surface of the connector is smaller than the inner diameter of each of the top openings of the first clamping groove and the second clamping groove; a locking boss is arranged in the limiting groove; and the locking boss is in interference fit with the top openings of the first clamping groove and the second clamping groove respectively.

Preferably, a distance from the bottom of the limiting groove to the other side surface of the connector is smaller than the inner diameter of each of the top openings of the first clamping groove and the second clamping groove; a buckling structure is respectively arranged on the two limiting bars; and clamping grooves that cooperate with the two buckling structures are respectively formed in the inner wall of the first clamping groove and the inner wall of the second clamping groove.

Preferably, the second housing comprises a base in a semi-box shape, and the base is open toward one side of the first housing; a cover plate is arranged at an opening of the base; the cover plate is provided with a first through hole and a positioning boss; the auxiliary contact mechanism is installed in the base; a connecting column is arranged in the base in a width direction; and the cover plate is fixedly connected to the connecting column.

Preferably, the mounting leg is arranged on one end of the bottom side wall of the base close to the first housing; two supporting legs which are respectively connected to the bottom side wall of the base to form a triangle are arranged on both sides of one end of the mounting leg away from the first housing; two parallel mounting legs are arranged outside the bottom side wall of the base; the side wall of the lower housing is provided with two second clamping grooves which are respectively arranged opposite to the first clamping grooves in the two mounting legs; and the two mounting legs are respectively connected to the corresponding second clamping grooves through the connector.

Preferably, the auxiliary contact mechanism comprises a movable contact support, a movable contact bridge installed on the contact support, and two contact plates respectively arranged on both sides of the contact support; one ends of the two contact plates are respectively opposite to two ends of the movable contact bridge, and the other ends of the two contact plates are respectively provided with a wiring mechanism used to fix a wire; one side of the movable contact bridge away from each contact plate is connected to the contact support through an overtravel spring; one end of the contact support is connected to the second housing through a return spring; the side surface of the contact support is connected to the linkage member; and the linkage member <NUM> is inserted into the first housing <NUM> in a width direction and then connected to the main contact mechanism, so that the first clamping groove <NUM> is aligned with the second clamping groove <NUM>.

According to the switching appliance provided by the present invention, when the second housing used to accommodate the auxiliary contact mechanism is assembled, the linkage member is inserted into the second through hole in a width direction and connected to the main contact mechanism, so that the first clamping groove <NUM> can be aligned with the second clamping groove <NUM>. The connector is then inserted into the first clamping groove and the second clamping groove in a direction perpendicular to the linkage member at the same time and limited in position. The assembling directions of the linkage member and the connector are set to perpendicular to each other, without any interference during assembly. Therefore, the switching appliance has the characteristics of convenience in assembly and simple structure.

The specific implementation of a switching appliance provided by the present invention will be further described below with reference to the embodiments given in <FIG>. The switching appliance provided by the present invention is not limited to the description of the following embodiments.

As shown in <FIG>, a switching appliance provided by the present invention comprises a first housing <NUM> and a second housing <NUM> installed on one side of the first housing <NUM> and used to accommodate an auxiliary contact mechanism, wherein the first housing <NUM> comprises a lower housing <NUM> used to accommodate an electromagnetic system, and an upper housing <NUM> disposed on the top side of the lower housing <NUM> and used to accommodate a main contact mechanism; the second housing <NUM> is correspondingly arranged on one side of the upper housing <NUM>; the auxiliary contact mechanism comprises a linkage member <NUM> connected to the main contact mechanism, and the linkage member <NUM> is parallel to a width direction of the second housing <NUM>; the side wall of the second housing <NUM> is provided with a first through hole <NUM> used to make way for the linkage member <NUM>; the side wall of the upper housing <NUM> close to the second housing <NUM> is provided with a second through hole <NUM> corresponding to the main contact mechanism inside the upper housing; a mounting leg <NUM> that extends to the side surface of the side wall of the lower housing <NUM> is arranged at the bottom of the second housing <NUM>, that is, the connector <NUM> is arranged perpendicularly to the linkage member <NUM>; a first clamping groove <NUM> is formed in the side surface, facing the lower housing <NUM>, of the mounting leg <NUM>, and a second clamping groove <NUM> which is opposite to the first clamping groove <NUM> is formed in the side wall of the lower housing <NUM>; the mounting leg <NUM> is connected to the side wall of the lower housing <NUM> through the connector <NUM> arranged parallel to a height direction; the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM> are in position-limiting cooperation with two sides of the connector <NUM>, respectively; the linkage member <NUM> is inserted into the second through hole <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> in a width direction and then connected to the main contact mechanism, such that the first clamping groove <NUM> is aligned with the second clamping groove <NUM>; and the connector <NUM> is simultaneously inserted into the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the linkage member <NUM> to fix the second housing <NUM> and the first housing <NUM>.

According to the switching appliance provided by the present invention, when the second housing <NUM> used to accommodate the auxiliary contact mechanism is assembled, the linkage member <NUM> is inserted into the second through hole <NUM> in a width direction and connected to the main contact mechanism. The connector <NUM> is then inserted into the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the linkage member <NUM> at the same time and then limited in position. The assembling directions of the linkage member <NUM> and the connector <NUM> are set to perpendicular to each other, without any interference during assembly. Therefore, the switching appliance has the characteristics of convenience in assembly and simple structure.

Further, a positioning boss <NUM> is arranged on the side wall outside the second housing <NUM>; a positioning groove <NUM> that cooperates with the positioning boss <NUM> is formed in the side wall outside the first housing <NUM>; and when the linkage member <NUM> is inserted into the second through hole <NUM>, the positioning boss <NUM> is inserted into the positioning groove <NUM> and then limited in position. The second housing <NUM> is prevented from moving when the connector <NUM> is inserted into the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM>, which can further reduce the difficulty in assembly and also play a limiting role between the second housing <NUM> and the first housing <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment of the connector <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the switching appliance provided by the present invention is a contactor. The contactor comprises a first housing <NUM> and a second housing <NUM> installed on one side of the first housing <NUM> and used to accommodate an auxiliary contact mechanism, wherein the first housing <NUM> comprises a lower housing <NUM> used to accommodate an electromagnetic system, and an upper housing <NUM> disposed on the top side of the lower housing <NUM> and used to accommodate a main contact mechanism; the second housing <NUM> is correspondingly arranged on one side of the upper housing <NUM>; a mounting leg <NUM> that extends to the side surface of the side wall of the lower housing <NUM> is arranged at the bottom of the second housing <NUM>; a first clamping groove <NUM> is formed in the side surface, facing the lower housing <NUM>, of the mounting leg <NUM>, and a second clamping groove <NUM> which is opposite to the first clamping groove <NUM> is formed in the side wall of the lower housing <NUM>; and the mounting leg <NUM> is connected to the side wall of the lower housing <NUM> through the connector <NUM>.

The connector <NUM> in this embodiment is strip-shaped, and has a "concaveshape (a Chinese character " <IMG>")" section, two limiting bars <NUM> which are spaced from each other are arranged on the side surface of the connector <NUM>; a limiting groove <NUM> is formed between the two limiting bars <NUM>; inner diameters of openings in the tops of the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM> are respectively smaller than inner diameters of their respective bottoms; the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM> are respectively communicated with the lower housing <NUM> and the bottom of the mounting leg <NUM>; when the connector <NUM> is inserted into the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM> from the bottom of the switching appliance, the two limiting bars <NUM> slide along the bottoms of the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM> respectively; and the openings in the top of the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM> are respectively in position-limiting cooperation with the limiting groove <NUM>. Of course, two limiting bars <NUM> may be respectively arranged on two side surfaces of the connector <NUM>, that is, the connector <NUM> may also have an H-shaped section. In addition, the connector <NUM> may also have other polygonal structures, which all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Further, each of the two limiting bars <NUM> has a triangular cross-section; the two limiting bars <NUM> are, on their one sides close to each other, provided with first pushing surfaces <NUM> inclined to the bottom surface of the limiting groove <NUM> respectively; the inner diameters of the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM> gradually shrink from the bottom to the top opening respectively, such that the side walls of the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM> form second pushing surfaces <NUM> that are opposite to the first pushing surfaces <NUM>.

Through the cooperation of an inclined first pushing surface <NUM> and a second pushing surface <NUM> opposite to the first pushing surface <NUM>, the two limiting bars <NUM> of the connector <NUM> can not only drive the mounting leg <NUM> and the lower housing <NUM> to approach each other, but also prevent the mounting leg <NUM> from moving laterally. Therefore, the second housing <NUM> is more reliably installed and fixed on the first housing <NUM>. Of course, each limiting bar <NUM> may also have a transverse section of a trapezoid shape or other polygonal shape as long as the inclined first pushing surface <NUM> is provided.

Further, the thickness of the bottom of the limiting groove <NUM>, i.e., a distance from the bottom of the limiting groove <NUM> to the other side surface of the connector <NUM> is smaller than an inner diameter of each of the top openings of the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM>; a locking boss <NUM> is arranged in the limiting groove <NUM>; and the locking boss <NUM> is in interference fit with the top openings of the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM> respectively.

Only one locking boss <NUM> needs to be arranged on the limiting groove <NUM> and can be in limited interference fit with the lower housing <NUM> and the mounting leg <NUM> at the same time, thereby achieving a simple structure and low cost. In addition, in the process of inserting the connector <NUM>, it is possible to avoid an excessive friction at the top openings of the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM> at the bottom of the limiting groove <NUM>, thereby avoiding the problem that the connector <NUM> is difficult to insert. Of course, the locking boss <NUM> may not be provided, i.e., the bottom of the limiting groove <NUM> may be directly in interference fit with the top openings of the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM> respectively, which all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

As another embodiment of the connector <NUM>, a buckling structure (not shown) may also be arranged on the connector <NUM>, so that after the connector <NUM> is inserted in place, it is respectively fixed to the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM> through the buckling structure. Specifically, a distance from the bottom of the limiting groove <NUM> to the other side surface of the connector <NUM> is smaller than the inner diameter of each of the top openings of the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM>; a buckling structure is respectively arranged on the two limiting bars <NUM>; and clamping grooves that cooperate with the two buckling structures are respectively formed in the inner wall of the first clamping groove <NUM> and the inner wall of the second clamping groove <NUM>, after the connector <NUM> is inserted in place, the two buckling structures are respectively buckled into the first clamping groove <NUM> and the second clamping groove <NUM>, which all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Referring to Embodiment <NUM> of the auxiliary contact mechanism shown in <FIG>, the switching appliance in this embodiment is a small contactor, and the auxiliary contact mechanism is a normally-opened contact point structure. The auxiliary contact mechanism comprises a movable contact support <NUM>, a movable contact bridge <NUM> installed on the contact support <NUM>, and two contact plates respectively arranged on both sides of the contact support <NUM>. In this embodiment, the contact plates are normally-opened contact plates <NUM>, wherein one ends of the two contact plates are respectively opposite to two ends of the movable contact bridge <NUM>, and the other ends of the two contact plates are respectively provided with a wiring mechanism <NUM> used to fix a wire; one side of the movable contact bridge <NUM> away from each contact plate is connected to the contact support <NUM> through an overtravel spring <NUM>; one end of the contact support <NUM> is connected to the second housing <NUM> through a return spring <NUM>; the side surface of the contact support <NUM> is connected to the linkage member <NUM>; and the wiring mechanism <NUM> comprises a wiring screw and a wire pressing plate, wherein the wiring screw is screwed to push the wire pressing plate to press the wire on the contact plate.

When the main contact mechanism actuates, the contact support <NUM> is driven by the linkage member <NUM> to move, so that the contact support <NUM> drives two ends of the movable contact bridge <NUM> to contact or be separated from the two contact plates, respectively. After the main contact mechanism actuates, the contact support <NUM> is driven by the return spring <NUM> to drive the movable contact bridge <NUM> to reset. When both ends of the movable contact bridge <NUM> are respectively in contact with the two contact plates, a passage is formed between the two contact plates.

Since the auxiliary contact mechanism in this embodiment is a normally-opened contact point structure, the return spring <NUM> drives the movable contact bridge <NUM> to be away from the two contact plates, such that the movable contact bridge <NUM> is separated from the two contact plates in a normal state. When the main contact mechanism actuates, two ends of the movable contact bridge <NUM> are driven by the linkage member <NUM> to contact the two contact plates respectively. A working principle of the main contact mechanism is similar to that of the auxiliary contact mechanism, but the main contact mechanism moves such that the movable contact bridge of the main contact mechanism is driven by the electromagnetic system.

Referring to Embodiment <NUM> of the auxiliary contact mechanism shown in <FIG>, the auxiliary contact mechanism in this embodiment is a normally-closed contact structure, which is different from Embodiment <NUM> in that: in Embodiment <NUM>, the return spring <NUM> and the overtravel spring <NUM> are respectively located on the upper and lower sides of the movable contact bridge <NUM>, and the two contact plates are located below the movable contact bridge <NUM>; and
in this embodiment, the return spring <NUM> and the overtravel spring <NUM> are both located below the movable contact bridge <NUM>. In this embodiment, the two contact plates which are normally-closed contact plates <NUM> are located above the movable contact bridge <NUM>, and the return spring <NUM> drives the movable contact bridge <NUM> to contact the two contact plates. When the main contact mechanism actuates, two ends of the movable contact bridge <NUM> are driven by the linkage member <NUM> to be separated from the two contact plates respectively, and other working principles are the same as those of Embodiment <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment of the second housing <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the second housing <NUM> comprises a base <NUM> in a semi-box shape, and the base <NUM> is open toward one side of the first housing <NUM>; a cover plate <NUM> is arranged at an opening of the base <NUM>; the cover plate <NUM> is provided with a first through hole <NUM> and a positioning boss <NUM>; the auxiliary contact mechanism is installed in the base <NUM>; a connecting column <NUM> is arranged in the base <NUM> in a width direction; and the cover plate <NUM> is fixedly connected to the connecting column <NUM>. Two parallel mounting legs <NUM> are arranged outside the bottom side wall of the base <NUM>; the side wall of the lower housing <NUM> is provided with two second clamping grooves <NUM> which are respectively arranged opposite to the first clamping grooves <NUM> in the two mounting legs <NUM>; and the two mounting legs <NUM> are respectively connected to the corresponding second clamping grooves <NUM> through the connector <NUM>. Of course, the number of the mounting legs <NUM> may be one or more than three, as long as the number and position of the second clamping grooves <NUM> in the side wall of the lower housing <NUM> may correspond to those of the mounting legs <NUM>. In addition, a plurality of first clamping grooves <NUM> may also be formed in one mounting leg <NUM>, and a number of second clamping grooves <NUM> corresponding to the number of the first clamping grooves <NUM> may be formed in the side wall of the lower housing <NUM>, all of which fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, the mounting legs <NUM> are disposed on one end of the bottom side wall of the base <NUM> close to the first housing <NUM>, and two supporting legs <NUM> which are respectively connected to the bottom side wall of the base <NUM> to a triangle are arranged on both sides of one end of the mounting leg <NUM> away from the first housing <NUM>. The structural strength of the mounting legs <NUM> can be improved by the supporting legs <NUM>. Of course, the supporting legs <NUM> can also have other shapes, which all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claim 1:
A switching appliance, comprising a first housing (<NUM>) and a second housing (<NUM>) installed on one side of the first housing (<NUM>) and used to accommodate an auxiliary contact mechanism, wherein the first housing (<NUM>) comprises a lower housing (<NUM>), and an upper housing (<NUM>) disposed on the top side of the lower housing (<NUM>) and used to accommodate a main contact mechanism; the auxiliary contact mechanism comprises a linkage member (<NUM>) connected to the main contact mechanism; the side wall of the second housing (<NUM>) is provided with a first through hole (<NUM>) used to make way for the linkage member (<NUM>); the side wall of the upper housing (<NUM>) close to the second housing (<NUM>) is provided with a second through hole (<NUM>) corresponding to the main contact mechanism inside the upper housing; characterised in that a mounting leg (<NUM>) that extends to the side surface of the side wall of the lower housing (<NUM>) is arranged at the bottom of the second housing (<NUM>); a first clamping groove (<NUM>) is formed in the side surface, facing the lower housing (<NUM>), of the mounting leg (<NUM>), and a second clamping groove (<NUM>) which is opposite to the first clamping groove (<NUM>) are formed in the side wall of the lower housing (<NUM>); the mounting leg (<NUM>) is connected to the side wall of the lower housing (<NUM>) through a connector (<NUM>); the first clamping groove (<NUM>) and the second clamping groove (<NUM>) are in position-limiting cooperation with two sides of the connector (<NUM>), respectively; and the connector (<NUM>) is simultaneously inserted into the first clamping groove (<NUM>) and the second clamping groove (<NUM>) in a direction perpendicular to the linkage member (<NUM>) to fix the second housing (<NUM>) and the first housing (<NUM>).