An arc path formation unit and a direct current relay are disclosed. The arc path formation unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of magnet parts. Each magnet part is arranged adjacent to a plurality of fixed contacts. Opposing surfaces of the plurality of magnet parts located adjacent to one fixed contact and facing each other, the opposing surfaces facing each other, and opposing surfaces of the magnet parts located adjacent to another fixed contact, the opposing surfaces facing each other, are configured to have the same polarity. Accordingly, electromagnetic forces formed in the fixed contacts are formed in a direction away from each other and away from a central portion. Accordingly, damage to each configuration of the arc path formation unit and the direct current relay caused by a generated arc can be minimized.

A base of a relay has a leg extending in a contact/separation direction between contacts, and the leg is configured to come into contact with a yoke when the base is incorporated into a case. The leg is spaced away from an upper part of an armature by a distance. This distance is determined so that an upper surface of the armature does not come into contact with the leg in a normal operation of the armature, but the upper surface of the armature comes into contact with a lower surface of the leg when the armature jumps up beyond a movable range thereof due to, for example, a strong impact applied to a vehicle on which the relay is mounted.

A base of a relay has a leg extending in a contact/separation direction between contacts, and the leg is configured to come into contact with a yoke when the base is incorporated into a case. The leg is spaced away from an upper part of an armature by a distance. This distance is determined so that an upper surface of the armature does not come into contact with the leg in a normal operation of the armature, but the upper surface of the armature comes into contact with a lower surface of the leg when the armature jumps up beyond a movable range thereof due to, for example, a strong impact applied to a vehicle on which the relay is mounted.

An electromagnetic relay includes a base, a fixed terminal, a fixed contact, a movable piece, a movable contact, a magnet, a base holder, and a case. The fixed terminal is supported by the base. The fixed contact is connected to the fixed terminal. The movable piece is supported by the base. The movable contact is connected to the movable piece and faces the fixed contact. The magnet exerts a Lorentz force on an arc generated between the fixed contact and the movable contact. The base holder is a separate body from the base. The base holder is attached to the base. The base holder is disposed in at least a direction in which the Lorentz force acts with respect to the base. The case is attached to the base holder.

An arc path forming unit and a direct current relay including same are illustrated. The arc path forming unit according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises multiple magnets. Each of the magnets is configured to form a magnetic field at a point where each stationary contact is located. Each of the magnets located adjacent to each stationary contact is configured such that the opposite surfaces thereof have different polarities. A current flowing through a stationary contact and a movable contact and a magnetic field formed by each of the magnets generate an electromagnetic force. The electromagnetic force travels in a direction away from the center of the direct current relay. Therefore, a generated arc travels in the direction of the electromagnetic force and is thus moved in a direction away from the center of the direct current relay. Accordingly, the direct current relay can be prevented from being damaged.

A switch includes a first fixed contactor, a second fixed contactor, a movable contactor, permanent magnets, and a yoke. The movable contactor extends in a first direction, includes a first movable contact at a first end portion, and is provided to be contactable with and separatable from the first fixed contactor in a second direction. The permanent magnets are arranged to sandwich the movable contactor, and to cause their surfaces facing the movable contactor in the third direction of the movable contactor to have the same polarity. The yoke surrounds a periphery of the movable contactor in the first direction and the third direction and is connected to surfaces of the permanent magnets on opposite sides of their surfaces facing the movable contactor. The yoke includes a protrusion protruding toward the movable contactor at a position facing the first end portion of the movable contactor in the first direction.

A switch includes a first fixed contactor, a second fixed contactor, a movable contactor, permanent magnets, and a yoke. The movable contactor extends in a first direction, includes a first movable contact at a first end portion, and is provided to be contactable with and separatable from the first fixed contactor in a second direction. The permanent magnets are arranged to sandwich the movable contactor, and to cause their surfaces facing the movable contactor in the third direction of the movable contactor to have the same polarity. The yoke surrounds a periphery of the movable contactor in the first direction and the third direction and is connected to surfaces of the permanent magnets on opposite sides of their surfaces facing the movable contactor. The yoke includes a protrusion protruding toward the movable contactor at a position facing the first end portion of the movable contactor in the first direction.

A switch includes: a first stationary contact having a first stationary contact point; a second stationary contact having a second stationary contact point; a movable contact having a first movable contact, and a second movable contact point; a first magnet pair defined by magnets having surfaces facing each other, the magnets of the first magnet pair being disposed with the first stationary contact point and the first movable contact point therebetween in such a manner that the magnets of the first magnet pair become farther from each other outwardly; and a second magnet pair defined by magnets having surfaces facing each other, the magnets of the second magnet pair being disposed with the second stationary contact point and the second movable contact point therebetween in such a manner that the magnets of the second magnet pair become farther from each other outwardly.

A switch includes: a first stationary contact having a first stationary contact point; a second stationary contact having a second stationary contact point; a movable contact having a first movable contact, and a second movable contact point; a first magnet pair defined by magnets having surfaces facing each other, the magnets of the first magnet pair being disposed with the first stationary contact point and the first movable contact point therebetween in such a manner that the magnets of the first magnet pair become farther from each other outwardly; and a second magnet pair defined by magnets having surfaces facing each other, the magnets of the second magnet pair being disposed with the second stationary contact point and the second movable contact point therebetween in such a manner that the magnets of the second magnet pair become farther from each other outwardly.

Disclosed are an arc path formation unit and a direct current relay including same. An arc path formation unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of magnet parts. The magnet parts, positioned adjacent to respective stationary contacts, are configured such that surfaces facing each other have different polarities. Also, some of the plurality of magnet parts are disposed at an incline relative to other magnet parts. Thus, magnetic field is formed by the plurality of magnet parts to obliquely pass by each of the stationary contacts. The electromagnetic force generated by the magnetic field is imparted in a direction away from the central region of a direct current relay. Accordingly, the generated arc moves in a direction away from the central region of the direct current relay, and thus damage to the direct current relay can be prevented.