An electromagnetic device includes a fixed iron core through which a first magnetic flux flows, a movable iron core that reciprocates to separate from the fixed iron core by a predetermined gap when a current applied to a coil, which generates the first magnetic flux, is stopped and move to the fixed iron core by an attractive force when the current is applied to the coil. The electromagnetic device also includes a permanent magnet that generates a second magnetic flux. The opposed surface of the fixed iron core and the opposed surface of the movable iron core may be opposed in a reciprocating direction of the movable iron core. The permanent magnet may be attached to the fixed iron core such that a magnetized surface of the permanent magnet is opposed and exposed to the opposed surface of the movable iron core.

Electromechanical switch includes first and second stationary contacts. Each of the first and second stationary contacts has a respective mating end. The electromechanical switch also includes a movable contact having first and second contact zones. The first and second contact zones are separate regions of the movable contact that are operable to be covered by the respective mating ends of the first and second stationary contacts, respectively. Each of the first and second contact zones has a mating surface and a corresponding recess that divides at least a portion of the mating surface. Each of the respective mating ends is configured to extend across the corresponding recess and engage the corresponding mating surface on opposite sides of the corresponding recess. The corresponding recess has a depth that extends only partially into the movable contact.

An electromagnetic device includes: a coil configured to generate a first magnetic flux; a fixed member, a movable member configured to reciprocate to separate from the fixed member by a predetermined gap when a current applied to the coil is stopped and move to the fixed member by an attractive force when the current is applied to the coil; and a permanent magnet configured to generate a second magnetic flux between the respective opposed surfaces of the fixed member and the movable member in the same direction as the first magnetic flux. The permanent magnet is attached to at least one of the fixed member and the movable member such that a magnetized surface of the permanent magnet is opposed and exposed to the opposed surface of the other one of the fixed member and the movable member.

An electromagnetic device includes: a coil configured to generate a first magnetic flux; a fixed member, a movable member configured to reciprocate to separate from the fixed member by a predetermined gap when a current applied to the coil is stopped and move to the fixed member by an attractive force when the current is applied to the coil; and a permanent magnet configured to generate a second magnetic flux between the respective opposed surfaces of the fixed member and the movable member in the same direction as the first magnetic flux. The permanent magnet is attached to at least one of the fixed member and the movable member such that a magnetized surface of the permanent magnet is opposed and exposed to the opposed surface of the other one of the fixed member and the movable member.

An electromagnetic device includes a coil, a fixed member, a movable member configured to reciprocate to separate from the fixed member by a predetermined gap when a current applied to the coil is stopped and move to the fixed member by an attractive force when the current is applied to the coil, and a permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is arranged at a position adjacent to the gap and separated from the fixed member and the movable member with a space interposed therebetween. A direction of a second magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet conforms to a direction of a first magnetic flux generated between the respective opposed surfaces of the fixed member and the movable member when the current is applied to the coil.

An electromagnetic device includes a coil, a fixed member, a movable member configured to reciprocate to separate from the fixed member by a predetermined gap when a current applied to the coil is stopped and move to the fixed member by an attractive force when the current is applied to the coil, and a permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is arranged at a position adjacent to the gap and separated from the fixed member and the movable member with a space interposed therebetween. A direction of a second magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet conforms to a direction of a first magnetic flux generated between the respective opposed surfaces of the fixed member and the movable member when the current is applied to the coil.

The invention relates to an electric switch that serves to switch on and/or off electric devices and for this purpose has a contact system in the switch housing. By means of a manual actuating element or a remotely controlled actuator, a switching operation can be effected.

A contactor includes a plurality of switches mechanically coupled to an actuator. The actuator is moveable between operational and tripped positions. Switches that are closed in the operational position are open in the tripped position, and vice versa. The actuator extends through a coil as a core. The coil moves the actuator when an input signal is applied to the coil. A first input circuit receives a power-up input signal to transition the contactor from a tripped position to an operational position. A second input circuit receives a trip signal to transition the contactor from the operational position to the tripped position. First and second switches, coupled to respective first and second ends of the coil, reverse the polarity of the coil each occurrence of the actuator being actuated in preparation for the coil to be energized and magnetically polarized in an opposite direction during a next subsequent actuation.

A contactor includes a plurality of switches mechanically coupled to an actuator. The actuator is moveable between operational and tripped positions. Switches that are closed in the operational position are open in the tripped position, and vice versa. The actuator extends through a coil as a core. The coil moves the actuator when an input signal is applied to the coil. A first input circuit receives a power-up input signal to transition the contactor from a tripped position to an operational position. A second input circuit receives a trip signal to transition the contactor from the operational position to the tripped position. First and second switches, coupled to respective first and second ends of the coil, reverse the polarity of the coil each occurrence of the actuator being actuated in preparation for the coil to be energized and magnetically polarized in an opposite direction during a next subsequent actuation.

A mains-operated handheld machine tool includes a tool housing, an electric drive motor arranged in the housing and configured to drive an associated tool insert, and a slide switch arranged, at least in a longitudinally displaceable fashion, on the tool housing and coupled to a sliding element configured to switch the drive motor on and off. The mains-operated handheld machine also includes a protection device with an electromechanical relay. The protection device is configured to prevent, by way of the electromechanical relay, uncontrolled restarting of the drive motor after an interruption to a corresponding power supply to the drive motor as a result of latching of the relay being canceled.