EP0393597B1 - Contact device - Google Patents
Contact device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0393597B1 EP0393597B1 EP90107277A EP90107277A EP0393597B1 EP 0393597 B1 EP0393597 B1 EP 0393597B1 EP 90107277 A EP90107277 A EP 90107277A EP 90107277 A EP90107277 A EP 90107277A EP 0393597 B1 EP0393597 B1 EP 0393597B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- contact
- contact arm
- contact device
- fixed
- support
- 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 - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H5/00—Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
- H01H50/54—Contact arrangements
- H01H50/541—Auxiliary contact devices
- H01H50/545—Self-contained, easily replaceable microswitches
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H11/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches
- H01H11/0006—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches for converting electric switches
- H01H11/0012—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches for converting electric switches for converting normally open to normally closed switches and vice versa
Definitions
- This invention relates to a contact device and more specifically to a contact device to be attached to an electromagnetic switch for increasing the number of contacts.
- An electromagnetic contactor such as an auxiliary relay, usually has auxiliary contacts. Occasionally, more auxiliary contacts are needed due to construction of a controlled circuit. In such a case, a separate contact device is attached to an electromagnetic contactor or an auxiliary relay to increase the number of the auxiliary contacts.
- Fig. 3 is a side-elevational view showing a conventional contact device 1 attached to a head portion of a conventional electromagnetic contactor 2.
- Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the contact device 1 of Fig. 3.
- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the electromagnetic contactor 2 of Fig. 3.
- frame hook portions 12 formed on a frame 11 of the contact device 1 are inserted in an engaging portion 21 of the electromagnetic contactor 2 to effect the desired connection.
- a contact support connector portion 13a of the contact device 1 is connected to a contact support 22 of the electromagnetic contactor 2.
- a contact support 13 of the contact device 1 is driven (upward and downward in the drawings) to thereby open and close a contact (not shown).
- a conventional a-contact is shown in Fig. 6.
- fixed a-contacts 14a are mounted within a frame 11.
- a conventional b-contact is shown in Fig. 7.
- fixed b-contacts 14b are mounted within the frame 11.
- the movable contact 15a (Fig. 6), 15b (Fig. 7) is supported on the contact support 13 through a contact spring 16.
- the movable contact 15a is provided in corresponding relation to the fixed contact 14a
- the movable contact 15b is provided in corresponding relation to the fixed contact 14b.
- the movable contact 15b is engageable with a distal end 14b1 of the U-shaped fixed b-contact 14b, which thus serves as a stopper for preventing the contact support 13 from becoming disengaged from the frame 11.
- Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a conventional b-contact construction which differs from that of Fig. 7 in that each fixed b-contact 14b is of a flat plate-like shape, and that a cover 17 is provided to serve as a stopper for preventing the contact support 13 from being disengaged from the frame 11.
- a fixed contact has a U-shaped cross-section, and a problem arises from this that since the width H of this U-shape is large, its dimension in a direction of movement of the contact support is large.
- the cover is provided as a stopper, the number of the component parts as well as the time required for assembly is increased, resulting in increased costs.
- a contact device having the features of the first part of claim 1 is known from DE-U-7 135 631.
- the contact device comprises fixed contacts fixed to a frame, a contact support mounted within said frame and being movable in its axial direction, and a movable contact mounted on said contact support through a contact spring, the contacts being opened and closed by the axial movement of said contact support, wherein a projecting piece is formed on an inner end of said contact support and projects from the opposite sides of said inner end; and the distance between the opposite ends of said projecting piece is greater than the distance between said fixed contacts.
- the projecting piece is formed on the inner end of the contact support, and therefore even in the case where the movable contact is arranged outwardly (the right side as shown in the drawings) of the fixed contacts, when the contact support supporting the movable contact is moved, the projecting piece formed on the inner end of the contact support is abutted against the rear surface of the fixed contacts, so that the contact support will not be disengaged from the frame.
- the projecting piece can be very thin, and therefore the dimension in the direction of movement of the contact is not increased.
- Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an a-contact device.
- Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a b-contact device.
- fixed contacts attached to a frame 11 have a flat plate-like shape.
- In an a-contact device there are provided fixed a-contacts 14a.
- In a b-contact device there are provided fixed b-contacts 14b.
- Each of movable contacts 15a and 15b is supported on a contact support 13 through a contact spring 16, and is provided at contact support windows 19-1 and 19-2, respectively.
- the movable contact 15a is disposed inwardly (the left side as shown in Fig. 1) of the fixed a-contact 14a. Therefore, when the contact support 13 moves in a right-hand direction, the movable contact 15a is brought into contact with the fixed a-contact 14a, so that the contact support 13 will not become disengaged from the frame 11.
- the movable contact 15b is disposed outwardly (the right side as shown in Fig. 1) of the fixed b-contact 14b. Therefore, when the contact support 13 is moved in a right-hand direction, the contact support 13 will tend to disengage from the frame 11. However, a projecting piece 18 formed on an inner end of the contact support 13 abuts against the rear surfaces of the fixed b-contacts 14b, thereby preventing the disengagement.
- the projecting piece is formed on the inner end of the contact support, and therefore the projecting piece performs the function of a stopper so that the contact support will not be disengaged from the frame. Further, there is no need to increase the number of the component parts and also no need to bend the fixed contact into a U-shaped cross-section, and therefore the cost of the material of the fixed contact is reduced to thus achieve a cost reduction. Further, since the fixed contact has a flat plate-like shape, its dimension in the direction of movement of the contact support is decreased, and an inexpensive, small-size contact device can be achieved.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
- Contacts (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to a contact device and more specifically to a contact device to be attached to an electromagnetic switch for increasing the number of contacts.
- An electromagnetic contactor, such as an auxiliary relay, usually has auxiliary contacts. Occasionally, more auxiliary contacts are needed due to construction of a controlled circuit. In such a case, a separate contact device is attached to an electromagnetic contactor or an auxiliary relay to increase the number of the auxiliary contacts.
- Fig. 3 is a side-elevational view showing a
conventional contact device 1 attached to a head portion of a conventionalelectromagnetic contactor 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of thecontact device 1 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of theelectromagnetic contactor 2 of Fig. 3. When the two are to be connected together,frame hook portions 12 formed on aframe 11 of thecontact device 1 are inserted in anengaging portion 21 of theelectromagnetic contactor 2 to effect the desired connection. At this time, a contactsupport connector portion 13a of thecontact device 1 is connected to acontact support 22 of theelectromagnetic contactor 2. Through the operation of thecontact support 22 of theelectromagnetic contactor 2, acontact support 13 of thecontact device 1 is driven (upward and downward in the drawings) to thereby open and close a contact (not shown). - A conventional a-contact is shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, fixed a-contacts 14a are mounted within a
frame 11. A conventional b-contact is shown in Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, fixed b-contacts 14b are mounted within theframe 11. Themovable contact 15a (Fig. 6), 15b (Fig. 7) is supported on thecontact support 13 through acontact spring 16. In the a-contact construction, themovable contact 15a is provided in corresponding relation to thefixed contact 14a, and in the b-contact construction, themovable contact 15b is provided in corresponding relation to thefixed contact 14b. - In such conventional contact devices, considering the disengagement of the
contact support 13 from theframe 11 when all the contacts are of a b-contact construction as shown in Fig. 7, themovable contact 15b is engageable with a distal end 14b₁ of the U-shaped fixed b-contact 14b, which thus serves as a stopper for preventing thecontact support 13 from becoming disengaged from theframe 11. - Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a conventional b-contact construction which differs from that of Fig. 7 in that each fixed b-
contact 14b is of a flat plate-like shape, and that acover 17 is provided to serve as a stopper for preventing thecontact support 13 from being disengaged from theframe 11. - As discussed above, conventional contact devices are shown in Figs. 6 - 8. The conventional contact device of a b-contact construction needs a stopper so that a contact support can not be disengaged from a frame. In Fig. 7, a fixed contact has a U-shaped cross-section, and a problem arises from this that since the width H of this U-shape is large, its dimension in a direction of movement of the contact support is large. With respect to the example shown in Fig. 8, since the cover is provided as a stopper, the number of the component parts as well as the time required for assembly is increased, resulting in increased costs.
- A contact device having the features of the first part of
claim 1 is known from DE-U-7 135 631. - It is an object of the present invention to provide a contact device which does not increase the dimension of a stopper, provided for preventing the disengagement of a contact support, in a direction of movement of the contact support, and also does not cause increased costs.
- This object is solved by a contact device having the features of
claim 1. - The contact device comprises fixed contacts fixed to a frame, a contact support mounted within said frame and being movable in its axial direction, and a movable contact mounted on said contact support through a contact spring, the contacts being opened and closed by the axial movement of said contact support, wherein a projecting piece is formed on an inner end of said contact support and projects from the opposite sides of said inner end; and the distance between the opposite ends of said projecting piece is greater than the distance between said fixed contacts.
- In this construction, the projecting piece is formed on the inner end of the contact support, and therefore even in the case where the movable contact is arranged outwardly (the right side as shown in the drawings) of the fixed contacts, when the contact support supporting the movable contact is moved, the projecting piece formed on the inner end of the contact support is abutted against the rear surface of the fixed contacts, so that the contact support will not be disengaged from the frame. The projecting piece can be very thin, and therefore the dimension in the direction of movement of the contact is not increased.
-
- Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an a-contact device;
- Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a b-contact device according to the present invention;
- Fig. 3 is a side-elevational view, showing a contact device attached to an electromagnetic contactor in an overhung manner;
- Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the contact device of Fig. 3;
- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the electromagnetic contactor of Fig. 3;
- Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional a-contact device;
- Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional contact device; and
- Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of yet another conventional b-contact device.
- Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the claims.
- Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an a-contact device. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a b-contact device. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, fixed contacts attached to a
frame 11 have a flat plate-like shape. In an a-contact device, there are provided fixed a-contacts 14a. In a b-contact device, there are provided fixed b-contacts 14b. Each ofmovable contacts contact support 13 through acontact spring 16, and is provided at contact support windows 19-1 and 19-2, respectively. - In the a-contact device shown in Fig. 1, the
movable contact 15a is disposed inwardly (the left side as shown in Fig. 1) of the fixed a-contact 14a. Therefore, when thecontact support 13 moves in a right-hand direction, themovable contact 15a is brought into contact with the fixed a-contact 14a, so that thecontact support 13 will not become disengaged from theframe 11. - In the b-contact device shown in Fig. 2, the
movable contact 15b is disposed outwardly (the right side as shown in Fig. 1) of the fixed b-contact 14b. Therefore, when thecontact support 13 is moved in a right-hand direction, thecontact support 13 will tend to disengage from theframe 11. However, a projectingpiece 18 formed on an inner end of thecontact support 13 abuts against the rear surfaces of the fixed b-contacts 14b, thereby preventing the disengagement. - According to the present invention, the projecting piece is formed on the inner end of the contact support, and therefore the projecting piece performs the function of a stopper so that the contact support will not be disengaged from the frame. Further, there is no need to increase the number of the component parts and also no need to bend the fixed contact into a U-shaped cross-section, and therefore the cost of the material of the fixed contact is reduced to thus achieve a cost reduction. Further, since the fixed contact has a flat plate-like shape, its dimension in the direction of movement of the contact support is decreased, and an inexpensive, small-size contact device can be achieved.
Claims (3)
- A contact device, comprising:
means (11) for housing the contact device;
a first contact portion (14a,14b) attached to a first contact arm, said first contact arm fixedly depending from said housing means (11) in a first direction;
a second contact portion (15a,15b) attached to a second contact arm, said second contact arm being alternately moveable within said housing means (11) in an engaging direction, perpendicular to said first direction so as to bring said second contact portion (15a,15b) into engaged relationship with said first contact portion (14a,14b) and a disengaging direction perpendicular to said first direction so as to bring said second contact portion (15a,15b) out of engaged relationship with said first contact portion (14a,14b); and
means (13) for supporting said second contact arm and movable with said second contact arm within said housing means (11) alternately in said engaging and disengaging directions, including a stopper (18) spaced from said second contact arm extending from said supporting means (13) in the first direction for stopping movement of said supporting means (13) within said housing means (11) to prevent disengagement of the supporting means (13) from the housing means (11),
characterized in that the stopper (18) engages said first contact arm of said first contact portion (14b), said second contact arm being located on said supporting means (13) so that said first contact arm extends between said second contact arm and said stopper (18). - The contact device of claim 1, further including means (16) for urging said second contact arm into engagement with said first contact arm.
- The contact device of claim 1, wherein said urging means (16) includes a spring connecting said second contact arm and said supporting means (13).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP46604/89U | 1989-04-20 | ||
JP1989046604U JPH02137737U (en) | 1989-04-20 | 1989-04-20 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0393597A2 EP0393597A2 (en) | 1990-10-24 |
EP0393597A3 EP0393597A3 (en) | 1991-11-21 |
EP0393597B1 true EP0393597B1 (en) | 1995-07-05 |
Family
ID=12751906
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP90107277A Expired - Lifetime EP0393597B1 (en) | 1989-04-20 | 1990-04-17 | Contact device |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0393597B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH02137737U (en) |
KR (1) | KR900017059A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69020621T2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN107026056A (en) * | 2017-05-09 | 2017-08-08 | 东莞市三友联众电器有限公司 | A kind of D.C. contactor with auxiliary contact |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT201600084041A1 (en) * | 2016-08-09 | 2018-02-09 | Gewiss Spa | AUXILIARY CONTACT STRUCTURE |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR1498480A (en) * | 1966-07-27 | 1967-10-20 | Cie Electromecanique | Advanced training in electrical contactors |
DE7135631U (en) * | 1971-09-20 | 1971-12-09 | Bbc Ag | Attachable auxiliary switch for contactors |
JPS57152479A (en) * | 1981-03-16 | 1982-09-20 | Toyo Soda Mfg Co Ltd | Production of gas diffusion electrode |
JPS58161889A (en) * | 1982-03-19 | 1983-09-26 | 株式会社東芝 | Method of fixing control rod guide tube , control rod and fuel supporting jig |
DE8805878U1 (en) * | 1988-05-03 | 1989-09-07 | Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München | Auxiliary switch attachment block |
-
1989
- 1989-04-20 JP JP1989046604U patent/JPH02137737U/ja active Pending
-
1990
- 1990-04-17 DE DE69020621T patent/DE69020621T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-04-17 EP EP90107277A patent/EP0393597B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-04-18 KR KR1019900005400A patent/KR900017059A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN107026056A (en) * | 2017-05-09 | 2017-08-08 | 东莞市三友联众电器有限公司 | A kind of D.C. contactor with auxiliary contact |
CN107026056B (en) * | 2017-05-09 | 2019-08-27 | 三友联众集团股份有限公司 | A kind of D.C. contactor with auxiliary contact |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH02137737U (en) | 1990-11-16 |
DE69020621D1 (en) | 1995-08-10 |
EP0393597A2 (en) | 1990-10-24 |
EP0393597A3 (en) | 1991-11-21 |
DE69020621T2 (en) | 1995-11-30 |
KR900017059A (en) | 1990-11-15 |
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