EP0593599B1 - Electromagnetic change-over relay - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP92/01529 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 10, 1994 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 10, 1994 PCT Filed Jul. 7, 1992 PCT Pub. No. WO93/01609 PCT Pub. Date Jan. 21, 1993.A relay having two coils which are arranged axially flush on a base body (1), wherein each coil has a winding (23, 33) and a core (14, 15) connected by means of a U-shaped yoke (12). A single armature (13) is supported on a center section of the yoke (12) such that it can be changed over between the inner ends of the two cores (14, 15). In addition, two contact springs (7, 8) are arranged between the two cores, on both sides of the same, parallel to the armature. The contact-making ends of the two contact springs rest on a common center contact element (61) in the quiescent state. Depending on which winding (23 or 33) is energized, a corresponding contact spring (7 or 8 respectively) is lifted off the center, contact element (61) and moved into contact with an outer contact element (51 or 52 respectively). The relay is advantageously suited as a pole-reversal relay for driving DC motors having a changing rotation direction (e.g., as found in motor vehicles).

Description

The invention relates to an electromagnetic switching relay, which has two separately controllable coils for switching at least one contact unit on an insulating base body. In particular, the invention relates to a polarity reversal relay for controlling electrical drives with reversible direction of rotation, such as DC motors for clockwise and counterclockwise rotation, as are used in motor vehicles.

In addition to the use of two separate relays, a pole-reversal relay is already known for the application mentioned (DE 38 43 359 C2), in which two complete relay blocks are arranged point-symmetrically on a common base body. The contact elements belonging to the respective relay blocks and actuated by the two armatures lie between the relay blocks and are at least partially assigned to both systems via fixed connections. Since this known system for each of the two relay blocks each has its own coil form, its own yoke and its own armature, all of which are accommodated on the base body, it requires a correspondingly high amount of individual parts, which in turn not only means increased production and assembly costs , but also requires an increased volume of the relay system.

DE 31 24 412 C1 also discloses a polarized small relay with two windings connected in series, in which a single armature is arranged and switchable in the middle between the two coil cores is. Apart from the fact that this relay requires a permanent magnet system, it is not suitable for the purposes mentioned above, since the armature itself, which serves as a contact element, can neither switch large currents nor enables the number of contact combinations required, for example, to reverse the motor.

From DE-B-10 36 914 a switching relay for transmission technology and electronics is known, in which two magnetic coils are arranged with their core axes aligned with one another on a base plate, between the mutually facing inner core ends of which an armature can be switched. However, this armature is mounted there far outside the coil area and carries contact elements at the ends facing away from the coils. In addition, the armature actuates further contact springs arranged outside the coil area via a lever device. However, the entire structure of the relay described there is very complicated and voluminous by today's standards, so that this construction is out of the question for use in a motor vehicle.

The aim of the invention is to provide an electromagnetic changeover relay which can be used in particular as a polarity reversal relay and which enables a compact structure with a few simple parts.

• einen isolierenden Grundkörper;
• zwei auf dem Grundkörper angeordnete, getrennt ansteuerbare Spulen mit je einer Wicklung und je einem Kern, welche zueinander im wesentlichen axial ausgerichtet sind, wobei zwischen den einander zugewandten inneren Kernenden ein Luftspalt gebildet ist;
• ein die äußeren Kernenden verbindendes Joch;
• mindestens einen an einem Mittelbereich des Joches gelagerten, in dem Luftspalt zwischen den inneren Kernenden angeordneten Anker;
• mindestens zwei, jeweils zwischen Anker und Spule angeordnete Kontaktfedern, die in der Nähe von der Anker-Lagerstelle befestigt sind und mit ihren freien, kontaktgebenden Enden jeweils durch den bzw. einen der Anker zwischen einer Ruheposition und einer Arbeitsposition umschaltbar sind; und
• mindestens zwei im Grundkörper verankerte, feststehende Gegenkontaktelemente, welche jeweils zumindest mit einer Kontaktfeder in mindestens einer von deren Schaltpositionen Kontakt geben.

According to the invention, this goal is achieved with a relay which has the following features:

• an insulating body;
• two separately controllable coils arranged on the base body, each with one winding and one core, which are essentially axially aligned with one another, an air gap being formed between the mutually facing inner core ends;
• a yoke connecting the outer core ends;
• at least one anchor mounted on a central region of the yoke and arranged in the air gap between the inner core ends;
• at least two contact springs, each arranged between the armature and the coil, which are fastened in the vicinity of the armature bearing point and, with their free, contacting ends, can each be switched between a rest position and a working position by the or one of the armatures; and
• at least two fixed mating contact elements anchored in the base body, each of which makes contact with at least one contact spring in at least one of its switching positions.

The relay according to the invention therefore has only a single yoke that connects the outer ends of the coil cores, and, in a preferred embodiment, it only needs a single armature that can be switched between the inner core ends. This armature actuates contact springs, which are each arranged in the area between armature and coil, an overlap of the contact springs with the respective coil core being avoided, of course, by appropriate cross-sectional design of the springs. A particularly simple manufacture with particularly few parts is obtained if the two coil formers for receiving the windings are formed in one piece on the base body itself, so that both windings can also be applied to the base body in one operation. Subsequent alignment of the two systems with one another is therefore not necessary.

The mating contact elements, which are expediently accommodated in a contact chamber formed by the base body between the two coils, can be used for different purposes Applications are designed differently. In a preferred embodiment for use as a motor reversing relay, both contact springs, each fastened to a holding pin of the base body, rest on a common center contact element in the idle state, while when one or the other coil system is excited via the armature, one or the other contact spring is optionally connected to one is switched by two external contact elements, which external contact elements can in turn be connected to one another and provided with a common connecting pin. However, it would also be possible to provide separate mating contact elements for both contact springs, so that two insulated changeover contacts are formed.

In a preferred embodiment, the contact springs themselves can be non-positively fastened by plugging them onto their associated holding pins provided with connecting pins, with extensions being able to support the base body for the purpose of pretensioning. However, it is also possible to attach the contact springs directly to the armature by means of insulating intermediate layers and to connect them to corresponding connecting pins via flexible supply lines. An electrical connection of the two contact springs to create a bridge contact is also conceivable.

The above-described arrangement of a holding pin for a contact spring in the area between the armature and coil can influence the function of the relay insofar as via the contact spring with a holding pin serving as a connecting pin and the counter-contact element when the contact is closed, one through the iron circle of core, yoke and armature guided current loop can be formed, the magnetic field of which overlaps the excitation circuit of the coil. Depending on the direction of flow in this current loop, this can additionally generated magnetic flux to be directed in the same direction or in opposite directions to the excitation flux and thus strengthen or weaken the attraction force on the armature. A problem can arise, however, if a very high load current flows through a normally open contact when the armature is attracted and this load current holds the armature in its attracted state even after the excitation has been switched off, so that the armature can no longer fall off. In the case of a changeover relay with two coils lying in series, an intermediate armature and with connecting pins of contact springs on each side of the armature, compensation can be carried out in one direction at most by corresponding problems, so that the problem mentioned can occur with extremely high switching currents. For this reason, in a further constructive embodiment of the relay structure according to the invention, the possibility should be created that the loop effect of the holding pin arranged between armature, yoke and core can be switched off at least for certain applications with high switching currents.

For a relay according to the invention with retaining pins for the contact springs in the area of the armature mounting, an advantageous solution to the problem described is achieved in that the connecting pins of both contact springs are anchored in the area between the armature and the one coil in the base body, the one connecting pin as a holding pin for the one contact spring is used and the other is connected to the other contact spring by a bracket section that overlaps the armature. This other contact spring accordingly has a retaining pin which does not serve as a connecting pin or at least does not have to be used as such.

In an advantageous embodiment, however, it is also possible in this case also form the retaining pin of the other contact spring as a connecting pin. So this additional pin can be used instead of the opposite pin or in addition to this for guiding the load current. Thus, for applications in which the loop effect is desired, the holding pin can also be used as a connecting pin for both contact springs. If, on the other hand, it is desired that the loop effect is only partially effective, the retaining pin of this other contact spring can be connected in parallel to the separate connecting pin connected to it, so that half of the load current flows over both pins. The loop effect is then only about half of the loop current effect when the full load current is conducted via the relevant bearing pin.

In a preferred embodiment, a U-shaped connecting bracket is fastened across the armature with both ends in the base body, a first leg forming the connecting pin and a second leg forming a retaining pin for the contact spring connected to the connecting pin. This U-shaped connection bracket is expediently plugged into the base body, while the separate connection and retaining pin of the former contact spring can be embedded in the base body.

Another way to avoid an undesirable loop effect through the connections of the load current is that the pins of the contact springs anchored between the core, armature and yoke in the base body with the molded pins with them as well as the pins of the mating contact elements lead to the underside or connection level of the relay are, but that the contact springs themselves each below the core, so run between the core and the connection level of the relay. In this case, the load current always runs on one side of the magnetic circuit and does not cut through it in the form of a magnetically effective loop.

The undesirable effect of a current loop in the magnetic circuit of the relay due to the parts carrying the load current can also be avoided by a configuration in which the U-shaped yoke with its side legs is perpendicular to the base plane and with its central section lying parallel to the base plane above the two coils, the anchor being arranged approximately perpendicular to the base plane in the air gap between the inner core ends. This relay preferably has at least two contact springs, which are arranged between the armature and one of the coils and are hairpin-shaped in the vicinity of the armature bearing point, of which one connecting leg is anchored in the base body and forms a connecting pin perpendicular to the base plane, and of which the second pin Leg can be switched between a rest position and a working position by the anchor.

It is ensured by the connection pins led out downwards that no current loop passing through the magnetic circuit of the relay is formed via the contact springs carrying the load current and their connections. This also eliminates a magnetic influence on the armature by the load current.

The hairpins bent contact springs can rest with their curvature on retaining pins, which in turn are fastened in the base body, but do not serve as connecting pins. But it is also possible to get by without such holding pins. In this case, the respective contact spring with its connecting leg in one Slot of the base body fastened by clamping. Furthermore, it is expedient to fold the connecting leg at least in the section forming the connecting pin, but possibly also in the section serving for clamping, in order to double the cross section in these areas.

Figur 1

ein erfindungsgemäß gestaltetes Relais mit einem anker in Draufsicht, teilweise geschnitten und mit einer teilweise perspektivisch angedeuteten Kontur des Jochs,

Figur 2

eine Darstellung der Einzelteile des Relais von Figur 1 vor der Montage, wobei wiederum der Grundkörper mit den Wicklungen und den Kontakten in Draufsicht, das Joch mit Anker und Kernen in perspektivischer Darstellung gezeigt sind,

Figur 3

eine Detaildarstellung des Ankers von Figur 1 mit einer Kontaktfeder in perspektivischer Schnittdarstellung,

Figur 4

eine perspektivische Darstellung des montierten Relais von der Anschlußseite gesehen,

Figur 5

ein Schaltschema für die Anwendung des erfindungsgemäßen Relais mit einem Motor,

Figur 6

eine Figur 1 entsprechende Darstellung mit einer abgewandelten Ausführung des Ankers und der Kontaktfedern,

Figur 7

ein gegenüber Figur 1 leicht abgewandeltes Relais mit zwei Ankern,

Figur 8 und 9

eine Einzelheit der Ankerlagerung des Relais nach den Figuren 1 bis 5 in zwei Schnittdarstellungen.

Figur 10

eine andere Ausführungsform des Umschaltrelais in Draufsicht, wobei die Wirkung der Stromschleife wahlweise vermieden ist,

Figur 11

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines etwa in der Mitte im Bereich des Ankers geschnittenen Relais gemäß Figur 10,

Figur 12

eine weitere Ausführungsform des Relais in perspektivischer Ansicht von der Unterseite,

Figur 13

eine stehende Ausführungsform des Relais in Seitenansicht, wobei die Kontaktfedern auf Haltestiften sitzen,

Figur 14

eine Figur 13 entsprechende Ansicht in einer abgewandelten Ausführungsform ohne Haltestifte,

Figur 15

einen Schnitt XV-XV durch das Relais von Figur 13 und

Figur 16

einen Schnitt XVI-XVI in dem Relais von Figur 14.

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Figure 1

a relay designed according to the invention with an anchor in plan view, partially cut and with a partially perspective contour of the yoke,

Figure 2

2 shows a representation of the individual parts of the relay from FIG. 1 before assembly, the base body with the windings and the contacts again being shown in a top view, the yoke with armature and cores in a perspective view,

Figure 3

2 shows a detailed illustration of the armature of FIG. 1 with a contact spring in a perspective sectional illustration,

Figure 4

a perspective view of the assembled relay seen from the connection side,

Figure 5

1 shows a circuit diagram for the application of the relay according to the invention with a motor,

Figure 6

1 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 1 with a modified design of the armature and the contact springs,

Figure 7

a slightly modified relay with two anchors compared to FIG. 1,

Figures 8 and 9

a detail of the armature bearing of the relay according to Figures 1 to 5 in two sectional views.

Figure 10

another embodiment of the switching relay in plan view, the effect of the current loop is optionally avoided,

Figure 11

10 shows a perspective view of a relay cut approximately in the middle in the region of the armature,

Figure 12

another embodiment of the relay in a perspective view from the bottom,

Figure 13

a standing embodiment of the relay in side view, with the contact springs sitting on holding pins,

Figure 14

FIG. 13 a view corresponding to FIG. 13 in a modified embodiment without holding pins,

Figure 15

a section XV-XV through the relay of Figure 13 and

Figure 16

a section XVI-XVI in the relay of Figure 14.

The relay shown in Figures 1 to 4 has a base body 1, which has two integrally connected coil bodies 2 and 3 and a contact space 4 formed between the two coil bodies. A winding 23 is applied to the bobbin 2 between two flanges 21 and 22, and a winding 33 is applied to the bobbin 3 between flanges 31 and 32. Two connecting pins 24 and 25 for the winding 23 are embedded in the coil flange 21, and two connecting pins 34 and 35 for the winding 33 are embedded in the coil flange 31. In this way, both windings can be controlled and excited separately. Since the two bobbins are in one piece parts of the base body, the two windings can be produced in one operation on a winding machine.

In the contact chamber 4, a U-shaped contact plate 5 is fastened by insertion, which forms two external contact elements 51 and 52 in one piece and is guided through the bottom of the base body with a connecting pin 53. Another contact plate 6 forms a center contact element 61 and a connecting pin 62 which is guided through the bottom of the base body. The external contact elements 51 and 52 are each provided with a contact piece, and the center contact element 61 is provided with two contact pieces. Furthermore, two contact springs 7 and 8, which consist of leaf spring material, are arranged in the contact chamber 4. Each contact spring is bent at an attachment end to form an adapter sleeve 71 or 81 and is attached with this adapter sleeve to a holding pin 9 or 10 with an extension serving as a connecting pin 9a or 10a. Contrary to the fastening ends, the contact springs each form contact-making ends 72 and 82, which are each provided with contact pieces on both sides and can be switched between the center contact element 61 and a respective counter-contact element 51 or 52.

Due to the non-positive fastening by means of the clamping sleeves 71 and 81, both contact springs 7 and 8 are biased towards the center contact element 61. Even with a switching movement of the contact springs, there is no rotation on the holding pins 9 or 10. In some cases, however, it could be necessary to fasten the contact springs on the holding pins by additional means, such as soldering or welding. In this case, the fastening end of the springs could also be shaped differently. In addition, the contact springs 7 and 8 each have an extension 73 and 83 at their connection end, which is supported on the base body, namely on the respective coil flange 22 and 32, and thus brings about the aforementioned preloading of the contact springs towards the center contact element 61. With this extension, the bias of the contact springs can be generated in any case during assembly, even if the springs are to be subsequently fixed to the connecting pin by welding or the like. As can be seen from Figure 3, the contact springs 7 and 8 have in their Middle part each have a circular section, e.g. B. 84, which is adapted to the rounding of the associated coil core and enables free movement of the contact spring above the coil core.

A yoke-armature assembly is placed on the bobbin provided with windings and contact elements, which is shown in perspective in FIG. 2 before assembly. A yoke 12 with two side sections 121 and 122 and an elongated central section 123 is pushed onto the two outer coil flanges 21 and 31. Before that, an armature 13 is mounted on the yoke 12, which has holding tabs 131 and 132 at its end of the bearing in an extension of its side edges. These retaining tabs are each bent into bearing notches 124 and 125 when the armature is mounted on the yoke middle section 123 and thus prevent the armature from falling out. Through a targeted deflection of the armature on both sides over an area that is larger than the subsequent switching movement, the mobility of the armature in its mounting is guaranteed.

The storage of the armature is expediently designed as shown in two detail sections of FIGS. 8 and 9. The inner wall 129 of the respective bearing notch 124, on which the retaining tab 131 rolls, is crowned. In addition, in the exemplary embodiment, the yoke section 130 facing the armature is also crowned, so that the armature can roll on it with its bearing edge. This section 130 can be embossed in whole or in part over the yoke width. In addition or as an alternative to this, the armature can also be crowned on its end face 139 facing the yoke.

After mounting the anchor, the yoke 12 is on the Basic body plugged on, so that the side legs 121 and 122 engage in corresponding recesses 26 and 36 of the flanges 21 and 31 and the armature projects into the contact space. To increase the positional stability of the contact chamber, centering pins 11 are also formed on the base body and engage in openings 128 when the yoke 12 is assembled. Thereafter, two cores 14 and 15 are pressed from the outer sides through recesses 126 and 127 of the yoke side legs 121 and 122 into axial recesses 27 and 37 of the two bobbins and by press fitting or in another way, for example, notching or welding, with the yoke connected. The working air gap to the two anchor surfaces is adjusted by pressing in the cores 14 and 15 with dimensional accuracy. The armature 13 is provided on each of its side faces with a bevel 133 in order to be parallel to the inner pole face 141 or 151 of the respective core when switching. Instead of the bevels 133 on the armature, it would also be conceivable to make the core pole surfaces 141 or 151 somewhat oblique or to arrange the coils with the respective cores slightly obliquely to one another.

Switch cams 134 are also formed on both sides of the armature and are used to actuate the contact springs 7 and 8. In the present example, the thickness of the armature between the two switching cams is chosen to be so small that the armature is decoupled with play between the two contact springs 7 and 8 when the latter both contact the center contact element 61 with their contacting ends 72 and 82. With a thicker armature and a corresponding spring preload, it would also be possible to have only one contact spring rest on the central contact element in the idle state and thus create, for example, a follow-up contact.

The function of the relay results from the constructive design. In the idle state, both contact springs 7 and 8 rest with their contacting ends 72 and 82 on the center contact element 61. Depending on the excitation of a winding 23 or 33, the armature is attracted to the associated core 14 or 15, whereby it brings the associated contact spring 7 or 8 into contact with the corresponding external contact element 51 or 52. The respective other contact spring remains on the center contact element 61. When switching from one coil to the other, the armature passes through a central position in which both contact springs 7 and 8 simultaneously make contact with the central contact element 61 before the other contact spring is then switched on to the associated external contact element 52 or 51. If none of the windings is energized, the armature remains in the middle position and the contact springs 7 and 8 lie on the center contact element 61 with their pretension.

FIG. 5 shows a preferred circuit diagram for use as a polarity reversal relay for controlling a direct current motor M, the connections and the contact elements being designated as in FIGS. 1 to 4. The DC motor M is coupled to the pins 9a and 10a of the contact springs. The connection pins 53 and 62 of the mating contact elements 5 and 6 are connected to a current source (+ or -). When one of the windings 23 and 33 is energized, the armature actuates one of the contact springs 7 and 8 with a switching cam, the direct current motor M being connected to the second pole of the power source with the actuated contact spring via the make contact element 5, so that the motor starts up in one of the directions of rotation depending on the polarity.

When the excitation is switched off, both contact springs rest against the break contact element 6 and short-circuit the motor. This takes place after the shutdown process Generator current, a rapid braking of the motor with the advantage that the motor runs only slightly and largely maintains the desired position, for example on actuating functions. The reversal of the direction of motor rotation is achieved by alternately energizing the two windings 23 and 33, respectively. Since the connecting pins 25, 35 and 62 are connected to the same (ground) potential in the preferred application in a motor vehicle, they can also be short-circuited to one another in the relay. This is particularly easy in the construction shown, since the three pins are already in line.

The construction according to Figures 1 to 4 is chosen so that the main plane of the yoke is perpendicular to the connection plane and encloses the relay on three sides. But it would also be conceivable to rotate the relay with its installation plane by 90 ° around the coil axis, so that the yoke with its central section would lie above the coils and the contact space with respect to the installation plane. In FIG. 4, the connection pins are indicated with dashed lines for such an installation position, that is to say the connection pins 9b, 10b, 62a and 53a for the contact elements and the coil connection pins 24a, 25a, 34a and 35a. In any case, the relay is provided with a housing cap, not shown, and sealed on its underside, for example in a conventional manner with a base plate, the open columns of which are cast.

FIG. 6 shows a modified embodiment of the contact system in a representation corresponding to FIG. 1. In this case, contact springs 17 and 18 are each firmly connected to the armature in the vicinity of the bearing point via insulating intermediate layers 19. The contact springs are thus taken directly by the armature movement; the armature therefore does not require switching cams as in the previous exemplary embodiment. The contact springs 17 and 18 are Connected via flexible connecting lines, for example via strands 20, to the associated connecting pin 9a or 10a.

The fixed connection of the contact springs to the armature according to FIG. 6 has the result that when the armature is switched to one side, for example when the contact spring 18 is switched to the external contact element 52, the other contact spring, for example 17, with increased contact force to the center contact element 61 is pressed. This can be advantageous for certain applications.

Figure 6 shows a further modification compared to Figure 1 in the type of anchor bearing. In this case, the armature is held by a bearing plate 30 which surrounds the central section 123 in a U-shape. Bearing lugs 135 of the armature snap into corresponding recesses 38 in the bearing plate 30 and thus hold the armature. This type of anchor mounting can also be used in the embodiment of FIG. 1 or 7, regardless of the type of contact spring attachment. Likewise, the various installation positions mentioned above can be combined as desired with the type of anchor bearing or the contact spring attachment.

FIG. 7 shows, in a further modification of FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment with two armatures 137 and 138, which are arranged between the two coil formers 2 and 3 or the windings 23 and 33 and are mounted on a yoke 120. This yoke 120, like the rest of the relay structure, largely corresponds to the construction of FIG. 1; it only has two pairs of bearing notches 124 and 125 for the two anchors, in which the two anchors are mounted as in the first exemplary embodiment. An anchor bearing according to FIG. 6 would also be possible. The structure of the two anchors 137 and 138 itself corresponds to that of anchor 13. But there each armature actuates only one contact spring 7 or 8, each requires only one switching cam 134 on the side facing the contact spring. To avoid a short circuit across the two armatures and the yoke for the two otherwise separate contact systems, in this case at least one of the switching cams 134 must be made of insulating material. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, each armature independently actuates its own changeover contact, each with an inner contact element 57 or 58 and an outer contact element 67 or 68. In this case, of course, other contact configurations would also be conceivable.

Finally, it should also be mentioned that in the embodiments, the holding or connecting pins for the contact springs and for the coil windings are injected into the base body and are thus already positioned in the correct position without additional effort.

The relay shown in Figures 10 and 11 has a largely similar structure to the relay of Figure 1, with the same reference numerals designating the same parts; to this extent a description is unnecessary.

If the two retaining pins 9 and 10 are now also used in the relay as connecting pins for the two contact springs, in such a way that the switching current flows through one or the other retaining pin, the current loop formed in this way in the iron circuit can cause very high switching currents such a strong additional magnetic field is generated by the core, yoke and armature that under certain circumstances the armature in the circuit in question no longer drops even after the excitation is switched off. For this reason, an additional connection pin 110 is provided in the area between the armature 13 and the coil winding 33, which connects the armature via a bracket section 111 overlaps and is connected to the retaining pin 9 of the contact spring 7. In the construction shown, the connecting pin 110 forms with the bracket section 111 and the holding pin 9 a U-shaped connecting bracket, which is fastened in the base body by insertion. However, it would also be conceivable to attach a connecting pin 110 and a holding pin 9 as well as the holding and connecting pin 10 and 10a in the base body by embedding and to bend a bracket section 111 over the anchor and to weld or otherwise fasten it to the opposite part.

With this arrangement of both connections in the area of one coil, the load loop effect is compensated on this side. While the magnetic circuit of the other coil is already free of a load loop.

When the relay is used as a polarity reversal relay, the switching current I flows in the two contact springs and in their connecting pins in the opposite direction. Since the two connecting pins 10a and 110 lie on one side of the armature in the iron circuit of the winding 33, their respective current loop effects essentially cancel each other out, while in the iron circuit of the winding 23 there is no current loop effect as long as the holding pin 9 does not carry the switching current. However, if a current loop effect is to be produced in a targeted manner, the holding pin 9 can also be used as a connecting pin instead of the pin 110. It is particularly conceivable to connect both pins 9 and 110 in parallel outside the relay and thus to conduct half of the switching current through each of the pins. This current division results in a loop effect of approximately 50% compared to the full loop effect, which can be advantageous in certain load cases, for example lamp loads.

The relay shown in Figure 12 in turn has in principle the same structure as that of Figure 1 with a base body 1, which carries the windings 23 and 33 with their pins 24, 25 and 34, 35 and the yoke 12 and the armature 13. As the view of the relay from below shows on the connection side, only a contact space 104 is designed in the lower region of the base body 1 so that it is open to the underside. The mating contact elements 52 and 61 with their connecting pins 53 and 62 are inserted into the base body from below. In addition, contact springs 107 and 108 are designed so that they can be attached from below to the retaining pins 9 and 10 with the connecting pins 9a and 10a. The contact springs thus extend below the coil cores 14 and 15, so that the load circuit from the connecting pins 9a and 10a via the contact springs 107 and 108 to the mating contact elements 51, 52 and 61 does not penetrate the magnetic circuit.

The relays shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 each have a structure similar to FIG. 1, the same reference numerals being assigned to the same parts.

In the contact space 4, whose base 301 formed by the base body 1 defines the base level of the relay, two free-standing external contact elements 351 and 352 and a center contact element 361 are fastened, their associated connecting pins 353 and 362 being guided through the base 301 perpendicular to the base plane. As can be seen in FIGS. 15 and 16, the center contact element 361 is inserted into a slot 302 of the base body from the front side visible in FIG. 13, while the external contact element 351, like the external contact element 352 not visible in FIG. 16, is in each case from the opposite rear side a corresponding base body slot 303 is inserted. The two external contact elements 351 and 352 could also be connected to a common counter-contact element and provided with a single pin.

In the contact space 4 between the two coil flanges 22 and 32 there are also two contact springs 307 or. 308 arranged, which are each switchable between an external contact element 351 or 352 and the center contact element 361. These two contact springs 307 and 308 are bent in a hairpin shape and thus form an approximately perpendicular to the base plane connecting leg 309 and 310, which is then guided outwards in a connecting pin 311 and 312, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 13, the bending section 313 or 314 of the contact springs is in each case designed as an adapter sleeve and is fitted onto a holding pin 315 or 316. These retaining pins are anchored in the base body, but are not designed as connecting pins.

In the embodiment of FIG. 14, contact springs 317 and 317 are provided, which are also bent in the shape of a hairpin and each form a connecting leg 319 or 320 with integrally formed connecting pins 321 or 322. The bending area 323 or 324 is made simpler in this case since there are no retaining pins. In this case, the contact springs 317 and 318 are fastened by clamping in fastening slots 304 and 305 of the base body. In order to obtain a stable attachment, the connecting legs 319 and 320 are each folded in the longitudinal direction or transversely, so that the double cross section of the spring plate comes into effect. The connecting legs 309 and 310 in FIG. 13 are also folded; at least in the area of the connecting pins 311 and 312, such a folding is very expedient in order to achieve the desired stability.

The contact springs are each shown broken off in FIGS. 13 and 14 in the region of the connecting legs in order to make the fixed contact elements behind them visible. Otherwise, the shape of the contact springs can be seen from FIGS. 15 and 16. From this it can also be seen how the contact springs are adapted in their contours to the coil core 14 or 15 so as not to impair the air gap between the respective core and an armature 13 to be described. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the contact springs with their connecting legs are each inserted into lateral slots 306 from the front side shown in FIG. 13 or FIG. 14. However, an embodiment would also be conceivable in which the contact springs as well as the fixed counter-contact elements are inserted into corresponding openings in the floor 301 from above perpendicular to the base plane. The coil connection pins 24 and 25 or 34 and 35 are each embedded in a coil flange 2 or 3 and bent perpendicularly to the base plane on the invisible rear side of FIG. 13 or FIG. 2.

Since the contact springs arranged between the armature and the coil are led out vertically downward with their associated connecting leg, they do not form a load current loop which would penetrate the iron circuit of the core, yoke and armature. In this way it is ensured that even a high load current does not adversely affect the attraction behavior or fall behavior of the armature. This also applies to the case of FIG. 13, where the holding pins 315 and 316 are also anchored in the base body. Because these retaining pins only serve to hold the contact springs and have no connection elements, so that they also do not carry the load current. Since the pins 311 and 312 or 321 and 322 directly on the respective Contact spring are molded, can also ensure a low-resistance current transfer from the contact springs to the respective connection points in a conductor track.

Claims (29)

1. Electromagnetic changeover relay, which has the following features:

   - an insulating base body (1);

   - two coils which are arranged on the base body (1), can be driven separately and each have a winding (23, 33) and a core (14, 15), which are aligned essentially axially with respect to one another, an air gap being formed between the mutually facing inner core ends (141, 151);

   - a yoke (12; 120) which connects the outer core ends;

   - at least one armature (13; 137, 138) which is supported on a central region of the yoke (12; 120) and is arranged in the air gap between the inner core ends (141, 151);

   - at least two contact springs (7, 8; 17, 18) which are each arranged between the armature (13; 137, 138) and coil and are mounted in the vicinity of the armature supporting point, and whose free, contact-making ends (72, 82) can each be changed over, by the armature or one of the armatures, between a quiescent position and an operating position; and

   - at least two stationary mating contact elements (5, 6; 57, 58, 67, 68), which are anchored in the base body (1) and each make contact with at least one contact spring (7, 8) in at least one of their switching positions.
2. Relay according to Claim 1, characterized in that a single armature (13) is provided between the two contact springs (7, 8).
3. Relay according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mating contact elements (5, 6) comprise a centre contact element (61) which is arranged in front of the free armature end and two outer contact elements (51, 52) which are opposite said centre contact element (61), it being possible to change over each contact spring (7, 8), with its contact-making end (72, 82), between the centre contact element (61) and one of the outer contact elements (51, 52).
4. Relay according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mating contact elements comprise two separate inner contact elements (57, 58) which are arranged in front of the free armature end and two outer contact elements (67, 68) which are in each case opposite said inner contact elements (57, 58), it being possible to change over each contact spring, with its contact-making end, in each case between an inner contact element and an outer contact element.
5. Relay according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, in the quiescent state, the armature (13) is located in a decoupled manner between the two contact springs (7, 8) which rest on a mating contact element (61).
6. Relay according to one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the outer contact elements (51, 52) are connected to one another and have at least one common connecting pin (53).
7. Relay according to Claim 1, characterized in that the two armatures (137, 138) are arranged parallel to one another between the two inner core ends (141, 151), each of which operates one of the contact springs (7, 8) independently.
8. Relay according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the two contact springs (7, 8) are in each case mounted by means of their mounting end on a retaining pin (9,10) which is anchored in the base body (1) and can in each case be operated by means of a switching cam (134) which is connected to the or to an armature.
9. Relay according to Claim 8, characterized in that the contact springs (7, 8) which are in each case formed from a spring strip are mounted by means of their mounting end, in the form of a clamping sleeve (71, 81), on the retaining pin (9, 10).
10. Relay according to Claim 9, characterized in that the contact springs (7, 8) are in each case prestressed towards the associated armature via a projection (73, 83) which is integrally formed on their mounting end and is supported in the base body.
11. Relay according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the contact springs (17, 18) are in each case mounted in an insulated manner on a flat side of the armature (13).
12. Relay according to Claim 11, characterized in that the contact springs (17, 18) are in each case electrically connected via a flexible supply lead (20) to a connecting pin (9a, 10a) which is anchored in the base body.
13. Relay according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the base body integrally forms two coil formers (2, 3) on which the windings (23, 33) are fitted and into which the cores (14, 15) are inserted, and in that the base body forms a contact space (4) between the coil formers (2, 3).
14. Relay according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the armature (13, 137, 138) has external retaining flaps (131, 132) on its supporting end, which retaining flaps (131, 132) are bent into supporting notches (124, 125), such that they surround the centre section (123) of the yoke (12) on both sides.
15. Relay according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the armature (13) has external supporting elements, preferably latching tabs (135), on its supporting end, which supporting elements interlock with corresponding supporting elements, preferably recesses (301), in a supporting plate (30) which engages around the yoke.
16. Relay according to one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the U-shaped yoke (12; 120), with its main planes, is at right angles to the base plane of the relay, and in that the connecting elements (9, 10, 53, 62; 24, 25, 34, 35) for the contacts and the coil windings are in each case anchored in the base body parallel to the yoke planes.
17. Relay according to Claim 16, wherein the retaining pin (9; 209) for a contact spring being located inside the iron circuit which is formed by the yoke, armature and core, and the mating contact element being located with at least a connecting section outside this iron circuit, characterized in that a connecting pin (110; 210) for the contact springs (7; 207) is anchored in the base body (1; 201) on the side of the armature (13; 213) or of the yoke (12; 212) opposite the contact spring, and is conductively connected to the contact spring via a bracket section (111; 211) which engages over the armature or over the yoke respectively.
18. Relay according to Claim 17, characterized in that the connecting pins (10a, 110) of two contact springs (7, 8) are anchored in the base body (1) in the region between the armature (13) and the one coil (33), the one connecting pin (10a) being used as a retaining pin (10) for the one contact spring (8) and the other being conductively connected to the other contact spring (7) by means of a bracket section (111) which engages over the armature (13).
19. Relay according to Claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the retaining pin (9) of the other contact spring (7) is additionally constructed as a connecting pin (9a).
20. Relay according to one of Claims 17 to 19, characterized in that a U-shaped connecting bracket (110, 11, 9; 210, 211, 209) is mounted in the base body (1; 201) by means of its two ends, such that it engages over the armature (13; 213), a first limb forming the connecting pin (110; 210) and a second limb forming a retaining pin (9; 209) for the contact spring (7; 207).
21. Relay according to Claim 20, characterized in that the U-shaped connecting bracket (9, 110, 111; 209, 210, 211) is mounted in the base body such that it can be plugged in.
22. Relay according to Claim 16, characterized in that the retaining pins (9, 10), which are arranged between core (14, 15), yoke (12) and armature (13), for the contact springs (107, 108) are passed to the underneath of the relay, as connecting pins (9a, 10a), in the same way as the connecting pins of the mating contact elements (51, 52, 61), and in that the contact springs (107, 108) are mounted in the region of the underneath of the relay and in each case run underneath the coil core (14, 15).
23. Relay according to one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the side limbs of the U-shaped yoke (12; 120) and the armature or armatures (13, 137, 138) are at right angles to the base plane of the relay, and in that a centre section of the yoke (123) lies parallel to the base plane of the relay, above the coils, the connecting elements (9′, 10′, 53′, 62′, 24′, 25′, 34′, 35′) of the relay being anchored in the base body at right angles to the centre section of the yoke (123).
24. Relay according to Claim 23, characterized by at least two contact springs (307, 308; 317, 318) which are in each case arranged between the armature (13) and one of the coils and are curved in the shape of a hairpin in the vicinity of the armature supporting point, of which contact springs (307, 308; 317, 318) in each case one connecting limb (309, 310; 319, 320) is anchored in the base body (1) and forms a connecting pin at right angles to the base plane, and of which contact springs (307, 308; 317, 318) in each case the second limb can be changed over by the armature between a quiescent position and an operating position.
25. Relay according to Claim 24, characterized in that the contact springs (307, 308) are in each case supported by means of their curved region on a supporting pin (315, 316) which is mounted in the base body parallel to the base plane.
26. Relay according to Claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the connecting limb (309, 310; 319, 320) of each contact spring (307, 308; 317, 318) is mounted in a slot of the base body by clamping.
27. Relay according to one of Claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the connecting limb (309, 310; 319, 320) of one contact spring is in each case folded, at least over a part of its length.
28. Relay according to Claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the connecting limbs of the contact springs and of the mating contact elements are inserted into laterally open plug-in slots (302, 303, 306), parallel to the base plane.
29. Relay according to Claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the connecting limbs of the contact springs and/or of the mating contact elements are inserted into laterally closed plug-in slots, at right angles to the base plane.

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