CA1293011C - Electromagnetic switch - Google Patents

Electromagnetic switch

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Publication number
CA1293011C
CA1293011C CA 576677 CA576677A CA1293011C CA 1293011 C CA1293011 C CA 1293011C CA 576677 CA576677 CA 576677 CA 576677 A CA576677 A CA 576677A CA 1293011 C CA1293011 C CA 1293011C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
contact member
plunger
bobbin
casing
electromagnetic switch
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA 576677
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Yoshiteru Nakatake
Tsutom Kurita
Yoshimi Inohara
Mitsuru Uehara
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Honda Motor Co Ltd
Minebea AccessSolutions Inc
Original Assignee
Honda Motor Co Ltd
Honda Lock Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Honda Motor Co Ltd, Honda Lock Manufacturing Co Ltd filed Critical Honda Motor Co Ltd
Priority to CA 576677 priority Critical patent/CA1293011C/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1293011C publication Critical patent/CA1293011C/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

An electromagnetic switch including a casing in which are received a yoke, a bobbin, a coil, a plunger, and contacts. The plunger is formed of an electrically conductive material and the casing is formed of an insulating material. The casing comprises a square box-shaped body and a covering member fitted in an open end of the body. The yoke comprises a sheet member having a generally U-shaped section and having opposite end portions between which a portion of the covering member is interposed. The opposite end portions are formed in part into at least one pair of inwardly extending lugs force-fitted in the above portion of the covering member. The covering member has a recess formed in a side surface thereof opposed to the contacts. The covering member has a partition wall formed thereon and separating the contacts from leader ends of the coil.

Description

1~3~1~

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCH

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to electromagnetic switches which are used to close and open starting motor circuits for engines in automotive vehicles, and like circuits.
An electromagnetic switch of this kind has been proposed by Japanese Provisional Utility Model 10 Publication (Kokai) No. 61-18556 (hereinafter referred to as "Publication A"), which comprises a casing formed of an electrically conductive magnetic material and adapted to be fixed to a mounting structure such as a vehicle body, a bobbin wound with a coil, a plunger fitted in the bobbin for movement therein in response to energization of the coil to move a movable contact member into or out of contact with a pair of fixed contact members, yokes arranged at opposite axial ends of the bobbin and in contact with the casing, and an insulating plate member secured to an axial end of the plunger opposed to the movable contact member. The fixed contact members are rigidly fitted through a covering member, and each have a flat contact portion at its base end disposed for contact with the movable contact member, and a rod-shaped portion extending through the covering member and having an opposite outer end externally threaded for connection with a connecting member of an external circuit by means of a nut fitted on the threaded outer end.
~' 1~93~1~

According to the electromagnetic switch of Publication A, the aforementioned insulating member is interposed between the plunger and the movable contact member for the following reason: the movable and fixed contact members, which are usually formed of copper, are worn due to their repeated contacting actions to produce a considerable amount of fine chips or particles (particles of copper). These chips or particles are scattered and accumulated on peripheral parts, which causes leakage current to flow from the contact members to the mounting structure (vehicle body) through the plunger, yokes, and casing, particularly when the contacts are closed by the plunger receded into the bobbin due to energization of the coil. The insulating member serves to prevent the flow of leakage current.
However, the use of the insulating member does not only result in an increased number of component parts as well as in an increased number of man-hour ror assemblage, but also involves the problem that the it is necessary to provide a supplemental structure to obtain sufficient heat radiation of the hot contacts, especially the movable contact member, if an insulating member as aforementioned is employed.
Further, according to Publication A, if the electromagnetic switch is used to turn on and off an engine starting motor which consumes a large amount of current, the amount of fine chips or particles of copper produced is particularly large. The chips or particles are scattered and adheres to the movable contact member and the fixed contact members to degrade the insulation therebetween. To prevent this, a recess is formed in an upper end face of the plunger for collecting the chips or particles. However, since i'~934~11 the chips or particles are not only scattered to the contact members, but also even to leader ends of the coil which are exposed to the outside of the coil, so that after a long term use the chips or particles may form an additional contact between the opposite leader ends of the coil.
Further, according to Publication A, the electromagnetic switch is not always used in a fashion being uprightly mounted on a mounting structure, but may be mounted in an inverted fashion, depending upon the conditions of the mounting space. However, when the electromagnetic switch is thus invertedly mounted, the above-mentioned additional contact will be formed, since the conventional switch has no suitable place on which the chips or particles are accumulated.
Another disadvantage with Publication A is that the fixed contact members have a special configuration having the flat contact portion and the rod-shaped portion. To obtain the special configuration, for example, a copper bar is wrought such that one end of the bar is squashed and stamped into a flat shape, and the the other end threaded to form an external thread thereon, which takes much labor and time, resulting in a high manufacturing cost.
Another electromagnetic switch of this kind has been proposed by Japanese Provisional Utility Model Publication (Kokai) No. 61-16840 (hereinafter referred to as "Publication B"), which comprises a cylindrical bobbin, a coil wound around the bobbin, a plunger fitted in the bobbin for movement therein in response to energization of the coil, a movable contact member arranged for movement in response to the movement of the plunger, fixed contact members arranged for contact with the movable contact members, and a 4 1293~11 cylindrical casing accommodating the above-mentioned components and also serving as a magnetic path-forming yoke.
The electromagnetic switch according to Publication B essentially requires means for preventing rotation of the cylindrical bobbin relative to the cylindrical casing. Further, the electromagnetic switch is so constructed that when the coil is energized, the plunger downwardly moves into contact with the bottom surface of the casing whereby the movable contact member correspondingly moves into contact with the fixed contact members. Therefore, it also essentially requires means for preventing leakage current from flowing from the contacts to the casing through the plunger. Specifically, an insulating member as the leakage current-preventing means is interposed between the plunger and the movable contact member, or between the plunger and the casing.
Moreover, the electromagnetic switch according to Publication B structurally has limited resistance to vibrations. Therefore, in the case of mounting the switch in the body of an automotive vehicle, the switch has to be mounted at a location other than one where large vibrations may occur, thus being limited in mounting location.
Another electromagnetic switch of this kind has been proposed by Japanese Provisional Pa~ent Publication (Kokai) No. 61-91820 (hereinafter referred to as "Publication C"), which carries a fuse unit formed of a fuse casing and a blade fuse accommodated therein, the fuse casing bsing secured on top of a main casing of the switch by means of engagement of engaging protuberances formed on opposite lateral side edges of a covering member covering the main casing, lZ93~11 with respective engaging holes formed in opposite lateral side edges of the fuse casing. Further, the fuse casing in turn carries thereon a coupler for connecting the electromagnetic switch to connecting wires leading to load circuits. The coupler has a cover fitted over the fuse casing and engaged therewith by means of engagement of downwardly depending engaging pieces provided at opposite lateral side surfaces of the cover, with respective protuberances formed on opposite lateral side surfaces of the fuse casing.
The main casing has a pair of fixed contact members, one of which is to be connected to a power supply such as a car battery, and the other to a starting motor circuit, and a movable contact member being movable in response to movement of a plunger energized by a coil into and out of contact with the fixed contact members. The fuse casing has a coupling terminal formed integrally therewith and which couples the one fixed contact member connected to the power supply, to one end of the blade fuse, the other end of which is connected to load circuits which apply electrical loads on the automotive vehicle. The fuse casing also has another coupling terminal formed integrally therewith. The first-mentioned and another coupling terminals of the fuse casing are joined, respectively, to the one and the other fixed contact members of the main casing, by means of nuts threadedly fitted on externally threaded outer ends of the fixed contact members, to thus unite the fuse unit with the main casing of the electromagnetic switch.
According to Publication C, the coupling between the fuse casing and the cover of the coupler, and the coupling between the fuse casing and the covering - 6 - lZ93ยข11 member of the main casing are made by means of mere engagement of protuberances with engaging pieces, and that of probuberances with engaging pieces, respectively. Therefore, the assembly of the fuse unit and the electromagnetic switch is not perfectly resistant or proof against water. Moreover, since the two coupling terminals laterally project from the fuse casing, it is difficult to provide waterproof means for the assembly.
Further, according to Publication C, since the fuse casing of the fuse unit is formed integrally with the two coupling terminals, this integral formation requires a great number of man-hour to fabricate.
Besides, the provision of the another coupling terminal on the fuse casing invites an increase in the manufacturing cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the invention is to reduce the number of component parts of the electromagnetic switch as well as the number of man-hour for assembling same, and also to enhance the heat radiation of the contacts.
A second object of the invention is to prevent consumption of leakage current flowing from the contacts to the mounting structure and avoid formation of additional contact when the contacts are in an open state, due to production of chips or particles of the contacts-forming material caused by repeated closing and opening actions of the contacts.
A third object of the invention is to simplify the structure of the contacts and its peripheral parts and facilitate the connection with external circuits.

lZ93~ 11 A fourth object of the invention is to prevent dislocation of the bobbin relative to the casing of the electromagnetic switch, and enhance the resistance to vibrations.
A fifth object of the invention is to facilitate the coupling of the electromagnetic switch with a fuse unit, and also facilitate application of perfect waterproofing to the coupling.
A sixth object of the invention is to enhance the water resistance of the fuse unit per se.
According to the invention, there is provided an electromagnetic switch including:
a yoke formed of a magnetic material;
a bobbin received in the yoke;
a coil wound around the bobbin;
a plunger accommodated within the bobbin, the plunger being movable axially of the bobbin in response to energization of the coil;
a movable contact member being movable with movement of the plunger;
at least one fixed contact member with which the movable contact member is brought into and out of contact; and a casing in which are received the yoke, bobbin, coil, plunger, movable contact member and fixed contact member.
In a first aspect of the invention, the electromagnetic switch is characterized in that the plunger is formed of an electrically conductive material and the casing is formed of an insulating material.
In a second aspect of the invention, the casing comprises a square box-shaped body having a closed end and another open end, and a covering member fitted in 1~3~il the another open end of the body; and the yoke comprises a sheet member having a generally U-shaped section and having opposite end portions between which a portion of the covering member is interposed, the opposite end portions being formed in part into at least one pair of inwardly extending lugs, the lugs being force-fitted in the portion of the covering member.
In a third aspect of the invention, the casing comprises a body, and a covering member covering the body, the covering member having a recess formed a side surface thereof opposed to the contact means: and the covering member has a partition wall formed thereon and separating the contact means from the leader ends of the coil.
In a fourth aspect of the invention, the fixed contact member is formed of a sheet member bent in a U-shape, the sheet member having a pair of horizontal portions extending parallel with and being spaced from each other, and a vertical portion bridged between the horizontal portions, one of the horizontal portions being located at one side of the covering member remote from the plunger, the other of the horizontal portions being located at another side of the covering member close to the plunger, the one of the horizontal portions having a through hole formed therein, the one of the horizontal portions being connectible to a connecting terminal of an external circuit by a bolt fitted through the through hole and a nut threadedly fitted on the bolt, the other of the horizontal portions being disposed to be in and out of contact with the movable contact member.
In a fifth aspect of the invention, the electromagnetic switch also has a fuse unit including ~ 9 ~ 12~3~1~

a housing joined to the casing, a fuse mounted in the housing and connected between the one fixed contact member and at least one load circuit, and a coupling terminal connected between the one fixed contact member and the fuse, wherein:
at least one pair of engaging protuberances is formed on one of the housing of the fuse unit and the casing and projecting laterally therefrom, at least one pair of recesses being formed on the other of the housing of the fuse unit and the casing, the engaging protuberances elastically engaging in the recesses;
and the coupling terminal has a portion thereof interposed between the fuse unit and the casing, the one fixed contact member and the coupling terminal being fastened to the connecting terminal of the power supply by a bolt.
In a sixth aspect of the invention, the fuse unit is composed of a fuse holding frame accommodating the fuse and fitted to the casing, a removable cap covering the fuse holding frame, a sealing member interposed between the fuse holding frame and the cap, and a water-proofing agent filled in a space defined between the fuse unit and the casing.
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. l is an exploded perspective view of an electromagnetic switch according a first embodiment of the invention;

- lo- 1293Bll Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the electromagnetic switch of Fig. 1, which is in an assembled state;
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line III - III in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line IV - IV in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line V - V in Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line VI - VI in Fig. 2;
Fig. 7 is a side view, partly in section, of the electromagnetic switch of Fig. 3, which is in an inverted position;
Fig. 8 Is an exploded perspective view of a fixed contact member and its peripheral parts for connection to a power supply;
Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a fixed contact member for connection to a starting motor circuit;
Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the fixed contact members of Figs. 8 and 9;
Fig. 11 is a circuit diagram showing an example of an electrical cirucit including the electromagnetic switch of Fig 1 as a component part;
Fig. 12, is a side view, partly in section, of an electromagnetic switch according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 13, is a side view, partly in section, taken along line XIII - XIII in Fig. 12; and Fig. 14 is a side view, partly in section, taken along line XIV - XIV in Fig. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

lZ93~1i The invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
Figs. 1 through 11 show a first embodiment of the invention.
Referring first to Figs. 1 through 3, an electromagnetic switch 30 according to the first embodiment has a square casing 1 with an open upper side. Fitted in the casing 1 along a bottom and opposite sides thereof is a yoke 2 having a generally U-shaped section and accommodating a bobbin 3 with a pair of rectangular flanges 3A and 3B at its opposite ends. The bobbin 3 has an central hollow shaft portion wound with a coil 4. A plunger 6 is slidably fitted in the central hollow shaft portion and biased in one axial direction by a return spring 5.
A generally U-shaped movable contact member 7 is arranged opposite an upper end of the plunger 6 as viewed in Fig. 3, and kept in urging contact therewith by a spring 9 seated on a covering member 8 of the casing 1. The movable contact member 7 is disposed for contact with a pair of fixed contact members 10 and 11 mounted on the casing through the covering member 8, one of which is to be connected to a power supply, and the other to a first load circuit.
Another plate-shaped yoke 12 is interposed between the upper flange 3A and the covering member 8, through which the plunger 6 movably extends.
The upper end of the plunger 6 has an end face formed with an annular recess 6a, while the covering member 8 has a lower side surface formed with an annular recess 8a extending along the periphery of the movable contact member 7. Further, the covering member 8 has a downwardly pending partition wall 8b formed integrally therewith and separating the - 12 - lZ~3~1i contacts 14 formed by the movable and fixed contact members 7, 10 and 11 from leader ends 4a and 4b of the coil 4. The partition wall 8b downwardly extends to the yoke 2 interposed between the rest of the covering member 8 and the upper flange 3A of the bobbin 3.
The leader ends 4a, 4b of the coil 4 extend to the outside, respectively, through notches 3a and 3b formed in an outer peripheral edge of the upper flange 3A, as shown in Fig. 4. The upper flange 3A is further formed with fitting holes 3c and 3d at locations corresponding, respectively, to the notches 3a, 3b. Force fitted, respectively, in these fitting holes 3c, 3d are base ends of connecting terminals 13a and 13b to which are soldered the leader ends 4a, 4b of the coil 4. The yoke 2 is formed with clearance recesses 2a and 2b at locations corresponding, respectively, to the notches 3a, 3b, for preventing the leader ends 4a, 4b of the coil 4 from coming into contact with the yoke 2.
The connecting terminals 13a, 13b upwardly extend through the covering member 8 to be connected to a switch 37, hereinafter referred to, and grounded, respectively (Fig. 11).
As shown in Figs. 2 and 6, the covering member 3 has an upper side surface formed with terminal-accommodating recesses 15 and 16 with a partition 3c intervening therebetween, and in which are loosely fitted square nuts 17 and 18, respectively, on which are superimposed ends of the fixed contact members 10 and 11, respectively.
As shown in detail in Fig. 10, both the fixed contact members 10 and 11 each comprise a sheet member which has a generally U-shaped section. The fixed contact members 10 and 11 each have upper and lower ~ 13 - 1~93~ 11 horizontal portions lOa and lOb; lla and llb extending parallel with each other in a spaced and slightly offset manner, and a vertical portion lOc; llc bridged between the horizontal portions lOa and lOb; lla, llb.
The upper horizontal portions 10a and lla have respective through bores lOd and lld formed therethrough for inserting bolts therethrough. The lower horizontal portions lOb and llb have respective semicircular cut-outs lOe and lle formed therein for being brought into and out of contact with the peripheral edge of the movable contact member 1. As shown in Fig. 6, the lower horizontal portions 10b and llb are fitted through holes 8B, only one of which is shown, formed in the covering member 8 at its opposite sides. The lower horizontal portions 10b and llb have, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, respective lower end faces thereof formed with a suitable number of, e.g.
two in the first embodiment, engaging ribs lOf and llf downwardly projecting, which are formed by pressing and the like.
As will be understood from Fig. 8, the upper horizontal portion lOa of the fixed contact member 10 is clamped to an power supply-connecting terminal 20 and a coupling terminal 28 by a bolt 21, a washer 31, and a nut 17. The upper horizontal portion lla of the fixed contact member 11 is clamped to a load-connecting terminal 22 connected to the starting motor by a bolt 23 and a nut 18.
On the other hand, a fuse unit 40 is provided on an upper portion of the casing 1, which has a housing formed of a fuse mounting section 24 on which a blade fuse 24 is mounted, and a terminal holding frame 25 disposed adjacent the fuse mounting section 24. The terminal holding frame 25 has a bottom wall thereof 1293~1~

formed with through holes 30a and 30b through which extend the connecting terminals 13a and 13b, and also formed with through holes, not shown, through which extend bifurcated tips 26a and 26b of an output terminal 26 which is connected via the blade fuse 21 to a second load circuit.
The output terminal 26 and the coupling terminal 28 are first mounted into the housing of the fuse unit 40 through the bottom wall thereof, and then the power supply-connecting terminal 20, the fixed contact member 10, and the coupling terminal 28 are clamped together by the nut 27, etc. as mentioned before.
Thus, the output terminal 26 and the coupling terminal 28 are interposed between the electromagnetic switch 30 and the fuse unit 40. The terminals 26, 28 are each formed in a separate body from the housing of the fuse unit 40, and formed of a bent electrically conductive sheet.
As shown in Fig. 8, the coupling terminal 28 and the output terminal 26 have respective horizontal intermediate portions 28c, 26d extending along the lower end wall of the housing of the fuse unit 40, and respective vertical connecting portions 28b and 26c extend continuously from ends of the horizontal portions. The respective connecting portions 28b and 26c are force fitted from the bottom side of the fuse unit 40 into holes, not shown, formed through a central partition wall of the fuse mounting section 29 of the fuse unit 40, as indicated by the two-dot chain lines in Fig. 3 showing the connecting portion 26c alone. The output terminal 26 has the other end with the bifurcated connecting portions 26a and 26b extending vertically and continuously therefrom, which are also force fitted into the through holes from the ~ ~30;11 bottom side of the fuse unit 40. The connecting portions 28b and 26c are thus connected to blades 24a and 24b of the blade fuse 24, together with connectors 2lA, only one of which is shown in Fig. 3. The coupling terminal 28 further has a vertical portion 28d extending from the other end of the intermediate horizontal portion 28c along a side wall of the fuse mounting section 29, and a connecting end portion 28e extending from the vertical portion 28d and connected to the fixed contact member 10 and the power supply-connecting terminal 20.
The lower end portion of the fuse unit 40 and the upper end portion of the cover member 8 form joining portions having corresponding shapes, so that the former is snugly fitted in the latter.
When the fuse unit 40 is mounted onto an electromagnetic switch 30, a pair of engaging protuberances 27A and a pair of engaging protuberances 27B (in Fig. 2) formed on opposite sides of the fuse mounting section 29 are elastically engaged in recesses lA and lB (in Fig. 1) formed in opposite inner walls of the square casing 1, as described later.
After thus mounting the fuse unit 40 onto the electromagnetic switch 30, an adhesive is filled as a waterproof agent into a space defined between the upper portion of the casing 1 and the fuse unit 40.
As shown in detail in Fig. 5, two pairs of lugs 2A and 2B, only one pair of which are shown, are formed on the U-shaped yoke 2 at opposite upper ends thereof, and are inserted into two pairs of grooves 8C
and 8D, only one pair of which are shown, formed in opposite side surfaces of the covering member 8. The lugs are caulked to firmly join the yoke 2 to the 1~93~11 covering member 8.
The manner of assembly of the electromagnetic switch according to the invention having the above-described construction is as follows. First, the connecting terminals 13a, 13b are force fitted into the upper flange 3A of the bobbin 3 wound with the coil 4. The yoke 12 is then mounted onto the upper flange 3A of the bobbin 3. The plunger 6 is then fitted into the bobbin 3, together with the return spring 5. Thus the yoke 2 accommodates the bobbin, the plunger and the return spring 5 put together as above.
In the meanwhile, the movable contact member 7 is mounted onto the lower side of the covering member 8, with the spring 9 interposed therebetween. Two nuts 17, 18 are mounted into the upper side of the covering member 8, and then the fixed contact members lO, 11 are engaged into the terminal-accommodating recesses 15, 16 such that the horizontal portions lOa, lla are positioned on the nuts 17, 18 and the fixed contact members lO, 11 are opposed to each other.
The thus assembled covering member 8, contact members, etc. are mounted onto the assembled yoke 2, plunger 6 etc. and the lugs 2A, 2B protruding from the opposite inner side walls of the yoke 2 are caulked to firmly join the yoke 2 and the covering member 8 together. On this occasion, the leader ends 4a, 4b of the coil 4 are pulled outward along the notches 3a, 3b of the flange 3A, and soldered to the base ends of the connecting terminals 13a, 13b.
Then, the output terminal 26 with the connector 21A is mounted onto the lower side of the fuse unit 40, followed by mounting the blade fuse 24 onto the fuse-mounting section 29 on the upper side of the fuse 1~93~

unit 40. With the above components in this assembled state, the engaging protuberances 27A, 27B formed on opposite sides of the fuse mounting portion 29 are elastically engaged with the upper end of the casing 1 while at the same time the connecting terminals 13a, 13b and the coupling terminal 28 are inserted into the terminal holding frame 30.
The yoke 2 and the covering member 8 thus assembled together is placed into the casing 1. Then, the power supply-connecting terminal 20 of the battery is superposed onto the coupling terminal 28 mounted in the casing 1, followed by fitting the bolt 27 through the through hole 20a of the power supply-connecting terminal 10, the through hole 28a of the coupling terminal 28, and the through hole lOg of the fixed contact member 10, to fasten them together with the nut 17 screwed onto the bolt 27. In the meanwhile, the connecting terminal 22 of the starting motor, is superposed onto the fixed contact member 11, followed by fitting the bolt 23 through the through hole 22a of the connecting terminal 22 and the through hole lla of the fixed contact member 11, to fasten them together with the nut 18 screwed onto the bolt 23.
Fig. 11 illustrates an example of a circuit formed by component parts of the electromagnetic switch provided with the fuse unit and load circuits for an automotive vehicle. When a main switch 33 (e.g. a key switch of the vehicle) is closed, electric power is supplied from the battery 35 to a load 34 or electrical device of the vehicle as a second load circuit through the blade fuse 24 and the bifurcated connecting portion 26b. Then, when a starting switch 37 of the vehicle is closed, the coil 4 is energized to move the plunger 6 downward as viewed in Fig. 3 - 18 - 1~93~11 against the biasing force of the return spring 5. The movable contact member 7 is accordingly moved downward by the biasing force of the spring 9 whereby connection between the movable contact member 7 and the two fixed contact members 10 and 11 is established, which permits electric power to be supplied from the battery 35 to the starting motor 25.
In the meanwhile, the bifurcated portion 26a is connected with an AC generator 39 as another second load circuit through a rectifier 38 to charge the battery 35 with output current from the AC generator 39.
After the electromagnetic switch 30 is repeatedly opened and closed over a long time, chips or particles produced at the contacts 14 are accumulated in the annular recess 6a formed in the upper end face of the plunger 6. Further, since the casing 1 is formed of an insulating material, when the coil 4 is energized to pull the plunger 6 into the bobbin 3 to bring the movable contact member 7 into contact with the fixed contact members 10, 11, no leakage current caused by the presence of chips or particles is allowed to flow from the contacts 14 to the mounting structure (vehicle body) through the plunger 6 and the yokes 2, 12.
Furthermore, since the chips or particles are blocked by the partition wall 8b, they are not scattered as far as the leader ends 4a, 4b of the coil 4. Further, as shown in Fig. 7, when the electromagnetic switch is invertedly mounted in use, the chips or particles produced at the contacts 14 are accumulated in the annular recess 8a of the covering member 8, and in this case as well, the chips or particles scattering toward the ends 4a, 4b of the 3Gi~

coil 4 are blocked by the partition wall 8b.
Since the movable contact member 7 is always kept in contact with the plunger 6 by the spring 9, heat produced at the contacts 14 is sufficiently dissipated through the plunger 6.
The fixed contact members 10, 11 may be formed by bending a metal sheet into a generally U-shaped section. Therefore, it is quite easy to manufacture the fixed contact members 10, 11. Further, while conventional fixed contact members having a connecting threaded portion and a plate-shaped contact portion formed of copper formed integrally therewith, have the disadvantage that the threaded or bolt portion can be broken when terminals of connecting wires are fastened to the fixed contact members with nuts. However, according to the above described embodiment of the invention, since the connecting terminals 20, 22 are fastened to the flat upper surfaces of the horizontal portions lOa, lla of the U-shaped fixed contact members 10, 11 by the bolts 32, 27 and nuts 17, 18, the above disadvantage can be overcome.
Further, since the U-shaped fixed contact members 10, 11 are assembled to the covering member 8 from outside thereof, it is easy to effect the assemblage. Further, if engaging ribs lOf, llf are provided on the respective lower end faces of the lower horizontal portions lOb, llb of the U-shaped fixed contact members 10, 11, when the upper horizontal portions lOa, lla of the fixed contact members 10, 11 are inserted into the holes 8B of the covering member 8, the engaging ribs lOf,i llf are pressed against the bottom surfaces of the holes 8B, whereby the fixed contact members 10, 11 can be stably held in place within the covering member 8 without 1~93S~

being shaken.
The provisional assembly in which the square bobbin 3 is held between the covering member 8 and the yoke 2, and the lugs 2A, 2B of the yoke 2 have been caulked to firmly join the yoke 2 and the covering member 8 together is placed into the casing 1 made of resin. Thus, a rigid assembly is obtained with high vibration resistance, wherein the rotation of the bobbin 3 relative to the casing 1 is prevented.
Since the fuse unit 40 is coupled to the casing with the engaging protuberances 27A, 27B of the fuse unit 40 elastically engaged with the fitting recesses lA, lB of the casing 1, it is easy to firmly assemble the fuse unit into the electromagnetic switch.
Thereafter, a waterproofing agent may be poured into a space defined between the fuse unit 40 and the upper end of the casing 1. Thus, waterproofing of the electromagnetic switch can be easily carried out after assembly.
Since the output terminal 26 and the coupling terminal 28 are force fitted into the fuse unit, and the terminals are enclosed by the bottom of the fuse unit 40 and the covering member 8 of the electromagnetic switch 30, waterproofing can further be enhanced.
Figs. 12 and 14 show an electromagnetic switch according to a second embodiment of the invention. In the second embodiment, like reference numerals are used to designate component parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment, and description thereof is therefore omitted.
The leader ends of a coil 4 (only one 4a of which is shown) are connected to connecting terminals (only one 13a of which is shown) which upwardly 3~il project from a covering member 8 with their tips located below the level of the upper end of a cas.ing 1. The tips of the connecting terminals 13a are soldered to wires 42a of a connecting cord 42. The connecting cord 42 is clamped by a cord clamper 43, part of which is firmly held between a lateral side wall of the casing 1 and a holding portion 41 formed integrally with the casing 1.
Mounted on an upper end portion of the electromagnetic switch 30 is a fuse unit 40A, which comprises a fuse holding frame 45 having a square configuration in which a fuse mounting section 44 is formed on which is dismountably mounted a blade fuse 24, and a cap 46 removably fitted over the fuse 15 holding frame 45. One blade 24a of the blade fuse 24 is connected to a coupling terminal, not shown, via a connector 21A, while the other blade, not shown, of the blade fuse 24 is connected to an output terminal 26 via another connector, not shown. The output terminal 26 is connected to one or more load circuits, such as electric devices of an automotive vehicle.
As shown in Fig. 13, the fuse mounting frame 45 is fitted in an upper end of the casing 1, and engaging protuberances 45a are formed at a lower edge of the fuse holding frame 45. The engaging protuberances 45a are engaged in engaging recesses la formed in the casing 1 at portions slightly downward of the upper end edge thereof. A waterproof agent 4 such as epoxy resin is filled into a space defined between an outer periphery of the fuse holding frame 45 and the upper end of the casing 1.
Formed in an upper outer suface of the fuse holding frame 45 is an annular groove 45b in which a square O-ring 48 is fitted as a sealing member in 3~11 contact with an inner surface of the cap 46. The cap 46 has an inner ceiling surface thereof formed integrally with a boss 46B on which a spare fuse 49 for the blade fuse 24 is mounted. Integrally formed at opposite sides of the cover 46 are legs 46A and 46A
extending downwardly from an upper end of the cover 46 and having respective engaging claws at lower free ends thereof, as best shown in Fig. 14. The engaging claws of the legs 46A and 46A extend through engaging holes 45A and 45A formed in flanges integral with the fuse holding frame 45 at opposite sides thereof.
Since the waterproof agent 47 is filled in the space between the fuse holding frame 45 of the fuse unit 40 and the upper end of the casing l of the electromagnetic switch 30, the open upper end of the casing l or the lower end portion of the fuse unit 40, which is liable to intrusion of water from the outside, is completely sealed. Further, since the cap 46 covers the upper end portion of the fuse unit 40 via the O-ring 48, the fuse unit 40 is also completely sealed agaist water intrusion through the upper end thereof.

Claims (23)

1. In an electromagnetic switch including:
a yoke formed of a magnetic material;
a bobbin received in said yoke;
a coil wound around said bobbin;
a plunger accommodated within said bobbin, said plunger being movable axially of said bobbin in response to energization of said coil;
a movable contact member being movable with movement of said plunger;
at least one fixed con-tact member with which said movable contact member is brought into and out of contact; and a casing in which are received said yoke, bobbin, coil, plunger, movable contact member and fixed contact member;
the improvement wherein said plunger is formed of an electrically conductive material and said casing is formed of an insulating material.
2. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing has a covering member, said fixed contact member being fixed to said covering member.
3. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said plunger has one end, said movable contact member being arranged in direct contact member with said one end of said plunger.
4. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, including urging means urging said movable contact member against said plunger.
5. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said yoke is fitted in said casing, said plunger being arranged such that said plunger abuts against said yoke when said movable contact member is brought into contact member with said fixed contact member.
6. In an electromagnetic switch including:
a yoke;
a bobbin received in said yoke;
a coil wound around said bobbin;
a plunger accommodated within said bobbin, said plunger being movable axially of said bobbin in response to energization of said coil;
a movable contact member being movable with movement of said plunger;
at least one fixed contact member with which said movable contact member is brought into and out of contact; and a casing in which are received said yoke, bobbin, coil, plunger, movable contact member and fixed contact member;
the improvement wherein:
said casing comprises a square box-shaped body having a closed end and another open end, and a covering member fitted in said another open end of said body; and said yoke comprises a sheet member having a generally U-shaped section and having opposite end portions between which a portion of said covering member is interposed, said opposite end portions being formed in part into at least one pair of inwardly extending lugs, said lugs being force-fitted in said portion of said covering member.
7. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in claim 6, wherein said portion of said covering member has at least one pair of grooves formed at opposite sides thereof, said lugs being fitted in said grooves and caulked.
8. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein said bobbin has a square peripheral portion fitted in said yoke.
9. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in claim 8, wherein said square peripheral portion of said bobbin includes a pair of rectangular flanges formed at opposite ends of said bobbin.
10. In an electromagnetic switch including:
a bobbin, a coil wound around said bobbin and having leader ends;
a plunger accommodated within said bobbin, said plunger being movable axially of said bobbin in response to energization of said coil;
contact means composed of a movable contact member, and at least one fixed contact member, said movable contact member being brought into and out of contact with said fixed contact in accordance with movement of said plunger; and a casing in which are received said coil, bobbin, plunger, and contact means;
the improvement wherein:
said casing comprises a body, and a covering member covering said body, said covering member having a recess formed in a side surface thereof opposed to said contact means; and said covering member has a partition wall formed thereon and separating said contact means from said leader ends of said coil.
11. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in claim 10, wherein said plunger has an end face opposed to said contact means, said end face having a recess formed therein.
12. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein said bobbin has an end face opposed to said covering member, said electromagnetic switch including a second yoke disposed on said end face of said bobbin, said partition wall extending from said covering member to said second yoke.
13. In an electromagnetic switch including:
a bobbin received in said yoke;
a coil wound around said bobbin;
a plunger accommodated within said bobbin, said plunger being movable axially of said bobbin in response to energization of said coil;
a movable contact member being movable with movement of said plunger;
at least one fixed contact member with which said movable contact member is brought into and out of contact; and a casing in which are received said bobbin, coil, plunger, movable contact member and fixed contact member, said casing having a body, and a covering member covering said body;
the improvement wherein said fixed contact member is formed of a sheet member bent in a U-shape, said sheet member having a pair of horizontal portions extending parallel with and being spaced from each other, and a vertical portion bridged between said horizontal portions, one of said horizontal portions being located at one side of said covering member remote from said plunger, the other of said horizontal portions being located at another side of said covering member close to said plunger, said one of said horizontal portions having a through hole formed therein, said one of said horizontal portions being connectible to a connecting terminal of an external circuit by a bolt fitted through said through hole and a nut threadedly fitted on said bolt, the other of said horizontal portions being disposed to be in and out of contact with said movable contact member.
14. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in claim 13, wherein said covering member has a hole formed therein, the other of said horizontal portions of said fixed contact member extending in part in said hole of said covering member and having a free end portion located outside said hole and opposed to said movable contact member.
15. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in claim 14, wherein said hole of said covering member has an inner wall, the other of said horizontal portions of said fixed contact member having at least one engaging rib formed thereon and disposed in urging contact with said inner wall of said hole.
16. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in any of claims 13 - 15, wherein said fixed contact member comprises a pair of fixed contact members arranged opposite each other.
17. In an electromagnetic switch including:
a bobbin;
a coil wound around said bobbin;
a plunger accommodated within said bobbin, said plunger being movable axially of said coil in response to energization of said coil;
a movable contact member being movable with movement of said plunger at least one fixed contact member with which said movable contact member is brought into and out of contact, one of said at least one fixed contact member being electrically connected to a connecting terminal of a power supply;

a casing in which are received said bobbin, coil, plunger, movable contact member, and fixed contact member;
and a fuse unit including a housing joined to said casing, a fuse mounted in said housing and connected between said one fixed contact member and at least one load circuit, and a coupling terminal connected between said one fixed contact member and said fuse;
the improvement wherein:
at least one pair of engaging protuberances is formed on one of said housing of said fuse unit and said casing and projecting laterally therefrom, at least one pair of recesses being formed on the other of said housing of said fuse unit and said casing, said engaging protuberances elastically engaging in said recesses;
said coupling terminal having a portion thereof interposed between said fuse unit and said casing, said one fixed contact member and said coupling terminal being fastened to said connecting terminal of said power supply by a bolt.
18. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in claim 17, wherein said coupling terminal is a member formed in a separate body from said fuse housing.
19. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in claim 18, wherein said housing of said fuse unit and said casing have respective joining portions corresponding in shape to each other, and being fitted with each other.
20. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in claim 19, wherein said coupling terminal comprises a bent sheet member having a horizontal intermediate portion extending along a lower end wall of said housing of said fuse unit, a vertical end portion extending from one end of said intermediate portion and force fitted through a hole formed through said lower end wall, a vertical portion extending along a side wall of said housing from another end of said intermediate portion, and a connecting end portion extending from said vertical portion and connected to said fixed contact member and said connecting terminal of said power supply.
21. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in any of claims 17, 18, and 20, including a waterproof agent filled in a space defined between said housing and said casing.
22. In an electromagnetic switch including:
a coil;
a plunger being movable in response to energization of said coil;
a movable contact member being movable with movement of said plunger;
at least one fixed contact member with which said movable contact member is brought into and out of contact, one of said at least one fixed contact member being connectible to a power supply;
a casing in which are received said plunger, movable contact member and fixed contact member; and a fuse unit joined with said casing and having a fuse connected between said one fixed contact member and at least one load circuit;
the improvement wherein said fuse unit is composed of a fuse holding frame accommodating said fuse and fitted to said casing, a removable cap covering said fuse holding frame, a sealing member interposed between said fuse holding frame and said cap, and a water-proofing agent filled in a space defined between said fuse unit and said casing.
23. An electromagnetic switch as claimed in claim 22, wherein said cap has a space defined therein for mounting a spare blade fuse.
CA 576677 1988-09-07 1988-09-07 Electromagnetic switch Expired CA1293011C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 576677 CA1293011C (en) 1988-09-07 1988-09-07 Electromagnetic switch

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 576677 CA1293011C (en) 1988-09-07 1988-09-07 Electromagnetic switch

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1293011C true CA1293011C (en) 1991-12-10

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 576677 Expired CA1293011C (en) 1988-09-07 1988-09-07 Electromagnetic switch

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1293011C (en)

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