Relay

Abstract

A relay for assembling in terminal blocks includes an electromagnetic drive arrangement including an armature, an armature bearing spring, and a yoke. The armature is at least partially spaced from the yoke, is movably mounted, and is reduces the distance between the yoke and the armature under an effect of an electromagnetic force. The armature bearing spring applies a spring force counteracting the electromagnetic force. The yoke interacts electromagnetically with the armature to apply the electromagnetic force. A contact spring has a first contact surface and a contact arm, and the contact arm is spaced from the first contact surface and comes into contact with the first contact surface via a pressure force acting to establish an electrical connection between the first contact surface and the contact arm. An insulating element electrically isolates the armature from the contact arm and actuates the contact arm to produce the pressure force.

Claims

1. A relay for assembling in terminal blocks with a reduced installation space, comprising: an electromagnetic drive arrangement comprising an armature, an armature bearing spring, and a yoke, wherein the armature is at least partially spaced from the yoke, is movably mounted, and is configured to reduce a distance between the yoke and the armature under an effect of an electromagnetic force acting on the armature; wherein the armature bearing spring is configured to apply a spring force to the armature counteracting the electromagnetic force; wherein the yoke is configured to interact electromagnetically with the armature to apply the electromagnetic force to the armature; a contact spring comprising a first contact surface and a contact arm, wherein the contact arm is arranged at a distance from the first contact surface and configured to come into contact with the first contact surface via a pressure force acting on the contact arm such that an electrical connection is established between the first contact surface and the contact arm; and an insulating element which is arranged on the armature and lies on the contact arm, wherein the insulating element is configured to electrically isolate the armature from the contact arm and to actuate the contact arm to produce the pressure force which acts on the contact arm by moving the armature; wherein the armature, the insulating element, the contact arm, and the yoke are each arranged parallel to a support plane, and wherein the armature, the insulating element, and the contact arm are mounted such that the armature, the insulating element, and the contact arm are at least partially moveable perpendicularly with respect to the support plane.

2. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the contact arm is configured to elastically deform when the pressure force acts perpendicular to the support plane such that a spring tensioning force which counteracts the pressure force is generated.

3. The relay according to claim 2, wherein the contact arm is configured to separate the electrical connection of the contact arm with the first contact surface if the spring tensioning force is greater than the pressure force.

4. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the contact arm is arranged perpendicular to the insulating element.

5. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the yoke is U-shaped and comprises a first yoke leg and a second yoke leg, and wherein the armature is at least partially resiliently mounted on the first yoke leg via the armature bearing spring and is arranged at a distance from the second yoke leg, and wherein the first yoke leg and the second yoke leg are arranged in the support plane and the armature is arranged perpendicular to the first yoke leg or the second yoke leg.

6. The relay according to claim 5, wherein the armature is paramagnetic or ferromagnetic such that when the electromagnetic force acts, a distance between the armature and the second yoke leg is reduced along a perpendicular of the support plane by a movement of the armature towards the second yoke leg or by a deformation of the armature in a direction of the second yoke leg.

7. The relay according to claim 1, further comprising an electromagnetic coil and a coil carrier, wherein the electromagnetic coil is arranged with the coil carrier on the yoke, wherein the electromagnetic force is from a magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil, and wherein the yoke is configured to allow the magnetic field to penetrate the armature.

8. The relay according to claim 7, wherein the coil carrier comprises a recess parallel to the support plane in which the electromagnetic coil at least partially engages on the yoke to reduce a width perpendicular to the support plane.

9. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the contact spring comprises a second contact surface, and wherein the contact arm is arranged on the second contact surface and is configured to electrically separate the second contact surface from the contact arm under an effect of the pressure force.

10. The relay according to claim 9, wherein the contact arm is configured to restore the electrical connection of the contact arm to the second contact surface after the pressure force has subsided.

11. The relay according to claim 9, wherein the contact arm is oriented perpendicular to the armature in a position direction, the first contact surface being at a smaller distance from the insulating element than the second contact surface along the position direction.

12. The relay according to claim 1, further comprising a relay housing comprising a shell-shaped receiving niche configured to receive the electromagnetic drive arrangement with the insulating element and the contact spring, wherein the contact spring is arranged laterally next to the yoke to reduce a relay width of the relay.

13. The relay according to claim 12, wherein the first contact surface is on a base surface of the relay housing, and wherein in relation to the relay width, the contact arm is arranged at a distance above the first contact surface and the insulating element is arranged above or next to the contact arm.

14. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the contact arm comprises a contact section, a crank section, and a fastening section, wherein the first contact surface is arranged on the contact section, and wherein the contact section is connected to the fastening section via the crank section, and wherein the crank section is configured to position the contact section in relation to the fastening section offset along an axis which is perpendicular to the support plane.

15. The relay according to claim 14, wherein the contact arm comprises a receiving arm which is formed laterally on the contact section or the crank section, the receiving arm being configured to at least partially receive the insulating element to form a form-fit or force-fit connection with the insulating element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further examples are explained with reference to the accompanying figures. They show:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a relay in an example;

(3) FIGS. 2a, 2b show a relay in an example;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a relay in an example;

(5) FIGS. 4a, 4b show a relay in an example;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a relay in an example;

(7) FIGS. 6a, 6b show a relay in one example;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a relay in an example; and

(9) FIGS. 8a, 8b show a relay in an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a relay 100 for assembling in terminal blocks that have reduced installation space. The relay 100 comprises an electromagnetic drive arrangement 101, which comprises an armature 103, an armature bearing spring 105 and a yoke 107. The armature 103 is at least partially spaced from the yoke 107, is movably mounted and is adapted to reduce a distance between the yoke 107 and the armature 103 under the effect of an electromagnetic force acting on the armature 103.

(11) The armature bearing spring 105 is adapted to apply a spring force to the armature 103, which counteracts the electromagnetic force. Furthermore, the yoke 107 is adapted to interact electromagnetically with the armature 103 in order to apply the electromagnetic force to the armature 103.

(12) The relay 100 further comprises a contact spring 109 which comprises a first contact surface 111-1 and a contact arm 113. The contact arm 113 is arranged at a distance from the first contact surface 111-1 and is adapted to come to contact with the first contact surface 111 1 by means of a pressure force acting on the contact arm 113 in order to establish an electrical connection between the first contact surface 111-1 and the contact arm 113.

(13) The relay 100 furthermore comprises an insulating element 115 which is arranged on the armature 103 and lies on the contact arm 113. The insulating element 115 is adapted to electrically isolate the armature 103 from the contact arm 113 and to actuate the contact arm 113 in order to produce the pressure force acting on the contact arm 113 by moving the armature 103. The armature 103, the insulating element 115, the contact arm 113 and the yoke 107 are each arranged parallel to a support plane 117 and the armature 103, the insulating element 115 and the contact arm 113 are mounted in an at least partly moveable manner perpendicularly with respect to the support plane 117.

(14) The contact arm 113 is adapted to be elastically deformed perpendicular to the support plane 117 when the pressure force acts, in order to generate a spring tensioning force which counteracts the pressure force. Furthermore, the contact arm 113 is adapted to separate the electrical connection between the contact arm 113 and the first contact surface 111-1 if the spring tension force is greater than the pressure force. The contact arm 113 is arranged perpendicular to the insulating element 115.

(15) The yoke 107 is U-shaped and comprises a first yoke leg 119-1 and a second yoke leg 119-2, the armature 103 being resiliently mounted on the first yoke leg 119-1 by means of the armature bearing spring 105. The first yoke leg 119-1 and the second yoke leg 119-2 are arranged in the support plane 117 and the armature 103 is arranged perpendicular to the first yoke leg 119-1 and the second yoke leg 119-2.

(16) The relay 100 further comprises two electromagnetic coils 121-1, 121-2 and two coil carriers 123-1, 123-2. The electromagnetic coil 121-1 is arranged with the coil carrier 123-1 on the first yoke leg 119-1 and the further electromagnetic coil 121-2 is arranged with the further coil carrier 123-2 on the second yoke leg 119-2. The yoke 107 is adapted to penetrate the armature 103 with a magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil 121-1 in order to generate the electromagnetic force. The coil carriers 123-1, 123-2 each have a recess 125 parallel to the support plane 117, in which the respective electromagnetic coil 121-1, 121-2 engages on the respective yoke leg 119-1, 119-2, in order to reduce a width of the composite consisting of the respective yoke legs 119-1, 119-2, the respective electromagnetic coil 121-1, 121-2 and the respective coil carrier 123-1, 123-2 perpendicular to the support plane 117.

(17) The contact spring 109 comprises a second contact surface 111-2, and the contact arm 113 is arranged on the second contact surface 111-2 and is adapted to electrically separate the second contact surface 111-2 from the contact arm 113 under the effect of the pressure force. The contact arm 113 is also adapted to restore the electrical connection of the contact arm 113 to the second contact surface 111-2 after the pressure force has subsided. Furthermore, the contact arm 113 is oriented perpendicular to the armature 103 in a position direction 127, and the first contact surface 111-1 is at a smaller distance from the insulating element 115 along the bearing direction 127 than the second contact surface 111-2.

(18) The relay 100 further comprises a relay housing 129, which has a shell-shaped receiving recess 131 for receiving the electromagnetic drive arrangement 101 with the insulating element 115 and the contact spring 109. The contact spring 109 is arranged laterally next to the yoke 107 in order to reduce a relay width of the relay 100. With regard to the relay width, the first contact surface 111-1 is arranged on a base surface 133 of the relay housing 129, the contact arm 113 is arranged at a distance above the first contact surface 111-1, and the insulating element 115 is arranged above the contact arm 113.

(19) The contact arm 113 has a contact section 135, a crank section 137 and a fastening section 139, the first contact surface 111 1 being arranged below the contact section 135 and the second contact surface 111-2 being arranged above the contact section 135. The contact section 135 is connected to the fastening section 139 via the crank section 137 and the crank section 137 is adapted to position the contact section 135 offset with respect to the fastening section 139 along an axis which is parallel to the relay width and perpendicular to the support plane 117.

(20) Furthermore the contact arm 113 has a receiving arm 307, which is formed laterally on the contact section 135 and/or the crank section 137, and wherein the receiving arm 307 is adapted to at least partially receive the insulating element 115 in order to establish a form-fitting and/or force-fitting connection with the insulating element 115.

(21) The first contact surface 111-1 and the second contact surface 111-2 are each formed in one piece from an electrically conductive sheet metal blank which has round fastening points, in particular riveting points. The first contact surface 111-1 is L-shaped, with one end of the shorter leg being aligned with the contact arm 113. A switching contact connection 145-1 is formed on the longer leg, which protrudes from the relay housing 129 and is adapted to be inserted into a contact plug in order to apply an electrical signal to the first contact surface 111-1.

(22) The second contact surface 111-2 is shaped at an angle, a first angled leg 149 being aligned with the contact arm 113 and a further angled leg 150 being arranged at a distance and parallel to the contact arm 113. On the further angled leg 150, a further switching connection contact 145-3 is formed, which protrudes from the relay housing 129 and is adapted to be inserted into a contact plug in order to apply an electrical signal to the second contact surface 111-2.

(23) The second contact surface 111-2 also has an offset section 147 which connects the angled legs 149, 150 and is adapted to arrange the two angled legs 149, 150 offset along the relay width or perpendicular to the support plane 117. Correspondingly, the angled leg 149 is arranged above the contact arm 113 and the further angled leg 150 is arranged in one plane, in particular the support plane 117 with the first contact surface 111-1. Correspondingly, a number of the respective fastening points of the first contact surface 111-1 and the second contact surface 111-2 are arranged in the support plane 117.

(24) The relay 100 also has a further switch connection contact 145-2, which is arranged parallel to the switch connection contacts 145-1 and 145-3 and protrudes from the relay housing 129. The further switching connection contact 145-2 is electrically connected to the contact arm 113.

(25) The relay 100 also has two relay connection contacts 143-1, 143-2, which are electrically connected to the electromagnetic coils 121-1, 121-2 in order to apply an electrical signal to the electromagnetic coils 121-1, 121-2.

(26) FIG. 2a shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the relay 100, the cross-sectional plane running along the cutting plane 141 shown in FIG. 1. The relay 100 comprises a relay housing 129 which has a shell-shaped receiving niche 131 for receiving the electromagnetic drive arrangement 101 with the first yoke leg 119-1 and the second yoke leg 119-2.

(27) The electromagnetic coil 121-2 is arranged with the coil carrier 123-2 on the second yoke leg 119-2. The yoke 107 is adapted to penetrate the armature 103 with a magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil 121-1 in order to generate the electromagnetic force. The coil carrier 123-2 has a recess 125 parallel to the support plane 117, in which the electromagnetic coil 121-2 engages on the second yoke leg 119-2 in order to reduce an width perpendicular to the support plane 117.

(28) The armature 103 is arranged at a distance from the second yoke leg 119-2, so that a working gap 201 exists between the armature 103 and the second yoke leg 119-2. Under the effect of the electromagnetic force, the working gap 201 can be overcome by a movement of the armature 103, so that the armature 103 comes to rest on the second yoke leg 119-2. The relay connection contact 143-1 is also shown, which extends parallel to the support plane 117.

(29) FIG. 2b shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the relay 100, the cross-sectional plane running along the cutting plane 127 shown in FIG. 1. The relay 100 comprises a relay housing 129, which has a shell-shaped receiving recess 131 for receiving the electromagnetic drive arrangement 101 with the insulating element 115 and the contact spring 109. With regard to the relay width, the first contact surface 111-1 is on a base surface 133 of the relay housing 129, wherein the contact arm 113 is arranged at a distance above the first contact surface 111-1 and the insulating element 115 is arranged above the contact arm 113.

(30) The first contact surface 111-1 and the second contact surface 111-2 contact the contact arm 113 offset from one another. At contact surfaces of the first contact surface 111-1 and the second contact surface 111-2 with the contact arm 113 on the respective contact surface 111-1, 111-2 and on the contact arm 113 contact points 203-1, 203-2, 203-3, 203-4 are provided, which have an width in the direction of the relay width. Accordingly, an offset arrangement of the contact point 203-3 of the first contact surface 111-1 to the further contact point 203-4 of the second contact surface 111-2 an above each other arrangement of the contact point pairs 203-1, 203-3 and 203-2, 203-4 can be prevented. Correspondingly, the relay width is advantageously reduced with this arrangement of the contact points 203-1, 203-2, 203-3, 203-4.

(31) The contact arm 113 has a contact section 135, a crank section 137 and a fastening section 139, the first contact surface 111 1 being arranged below the contact section 135 and the second contact surface 111-2 being arranged above the contact section 135. The contact section 135 is connected to the fastening section 139 via the crank section 137 and the crank section 137 is adapted to position the contact section 135 offset with respect to the fastening section 139 along an axis which is parallel to the relay width and perpendicular to the support plane 117. Furthermore, the switching contact connection 145-2 is connected in an electrically conductive manner to the fastening section 139 of the contact arm 113 via a rivet connection 205.

(32) FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a relay 100 for assembling in terminal blocks with reduced installation space. The relay 100 comprises an electromagnetic drive arrangement 101, which comprises an armature 103, an armature bearing spring 105 and a yoke 107. The armature 103 is mounted movably at least partially at a distance from the yoke 107.

(33) The relay 100 further comprises a contact spring 109, which comprises a first contact surface 111-1, a second contact surface 111-2 and a contact arm 113. The contact arm 113 is arranged at a distance from the first contact surface 111-1. Furthermore, the relay comprises an insulating element 115 which is arranged on the armature 103 and lies on a receiving arm 307 of the contact arm 113. The insulating element 115 is adapted to electrically isolate the armature 103 from the contact arm 113 and to actuate the contact arm 113 via the receiving arm 307 in order to provide the pressure force acting on the contact arm 113 with a movement of the armature 103. The armature 103, the insulating element 115, the contact arm 113 and the yoke 107 are each arranged parallel to a support plane 117 and the armature 103, the insulating element 115 and the contact arm 113 are mounted in an at least partly movable manner perpendicularly with respect to the support plane 117.

(34) The yoke 107 is U-shaped and comprises a first yoke leg 119-1 and a second yoke leg 119-2, the armature 103 being resiliently mounted on the first yoke leg 119-1 by means of the armature bearing spring 105. The first yoke leg 119-1 and the second yoke leg 119-2 are arranged in the support plane 117 and the armature 103 is arranged perpendicular to the first yoke leg 119-1 and the second yoke leg 119-2.

(35) The relay 100 further comprises two electromagnetic coils 121-1, 121-2 and two coil carriers 123-1, 123-2. The electromagnetic coil 121-1 is arranged with the coil carrier 123-1 on the first yoke leg 119-1 and the further electromagnetic coil 121-2 is arranged with the further coil carrier 123-2 on the second yoke leg 119-2. The coil carriers 123-1, 123-2 each have a recess 125 parallel to the support plane 117, in which the respective electromagnetic coil 121-1, 121-2 engages on the respective yoke leg 119-1, 119-2, in order to reduce width perpendicular to the support plane 117.

(36) The relay 100 further comprises a relay housing 129, which comprises a shell-shaped receiving niche 131 for receiving the electromagnetic drive arrangement 101 with the insulating element 115 and the contact spring 109. Furthermore, the contact arm 113 is oriented perpendicular to the armature 103 in a bearing direction 127, and the first contact surface 111-1 and the second contact surface 111-2 are oriented to one another along a common axis parallel to the support plane 117. Accordingly, there is a stacked arrangement of the spring contact switch 109 beginning with the first contact surface 111-1, which is arranged on a base surface 133 of the relay housing 129, the contact arm 113 lying on it or being spaced apart, and the second contact surface 111-2 lying on the contact arm 113 or being spaced apart.

(37) The contact arm 113 comprises a contact section 135, a crank section 137 and a fastening section 139, the first contact surface 111 1 being arranged below the contact section 135 and the second contact surface 111-2 being arranged above the contact section 135. The contact portion 135 is connected to the fastening portion 139 via the offset portion 137 and the offset portion 137 is adapted to position the contact section 135 offset with respect to the fastening section 139 along an axis which is parallel to the relay width and perpendicular to the support plane 117.

(38) Furthermore, the contact arm 113 comprises a receiving arm 307, which is formed laterally of the contact section 135 and/or the crank section 137, and the receiving arm 307 being adapted to at least partially receive the insulating element 115 in order to establish a form-fit and/or force-fit connection with the insulating element 115.

(39) The first contact surface 111-1 is L-shaped, one end of the shorter leg being aligned with the contact arm 113. A switching contact connection 145-1, which protrudes from the relay housing 129, is molded onto the longer leg. The second contact surface 111-2 is angled, in particular z-shaped, with a first angled leg 149 being aligned with the contact arm 113 and a further angled leg 150 being arranged at a distance parallel to the contact arm 113. A further switching connection contact 145-3 is molded onto the further angled leg 150.

(40) The second contact surface 111-2 also has an offset section 147 which connects the angled legs 149, 150 and is adapted to arrange the two angled legs 149, 150 offset along the overall relay width or perpendicular to the support plane 117. Correspondingly, the angled leg 149 is arranged above the contact arm 113 and the further angled leg 150 is arranged in one plane, in particular the support plane 117 with the first contact surface 111-1.

(41) The relay 100 also has a further switch connection contact 145-2, which is arranged parallel to the switch connection contacts 145-1 and 145-3 and protrudes from the relay housing 129. The further switching connection contact 145-2 is electrically connected to the contact arm 113.

(42) The relay 100 also has two relay connection contacts 143-1, 143-2, which are electrically connected to the electromagnetic coils 121-1, 121-2 in order to apply an electrical signal to the electromagnetic coils 121-1, 121-2.

(43) FIG. 4a shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the relay 100, the cross-sectional plane running along the cutting line 301 shown in FIG. 3. The relay 100 comprises a relay housing 129 which has a shell-shaped receiving recess 131 for receiving the electromagnetic drive arrangement 101 with the first yoke leg 119-1 and the second yoke leg 119-2.

(44) The armature 103 is arranged at a distance from the second yoke leg 119-2 and partially from the first yoke leg 119-1, so that the working gap 201 exists between the armature 103 and the second yoke leg 119-2. Under the effect of the electromagnetic force, the working gap 201 can be overcome by a movement of the armature 103, so that the armature 103 comes to rest on the second yoke leg 119-2.

(45) The first contact surface 111-1 and the second contact surface 111-2 contact the contact arm 113 congruently with one another. On contact surfaces of the first contact surface 111-1 and the second contact surface 111-2 with the contact arm 113, there are contact points 203-1, 203-2, 203-3, 203 provided on the respective contact surface 111-1, 111-2 and on the contact arm 113-4, which have a width in the direction of the relay width. Here, an width of the contact spring 109 falls below the relay width. The contact point pairs 203-1, 203-3 and 203-2, 203-4 have a common axis of symmetry 403.

(46) The receiving arm 307 comprises a recess into which a coupling element 401 of the insulating element 115 engages in order to realize a form-fit connection between the insulating element 115 and the contact arm 113. The insulating element 115 and the second contact surface 111-2 do not exceed a maximum height of the armature 103 in the direction of the relay height, so that the second contact surface 111-2 and the insulating element 115 do not increase the relay structural height.

(47) FIG. 4b shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the relay 100, the cross-sectional plane running along the section line 303 shown in FIG. 3. The relay 100 comprises a relay housing 129 which has a shell-shaped receiving niche 131 for receiving the electromagnetic drive arrangement 101 with the second yoke leg 119-2. The coupling element 401 is hemispherical in shape and engages in a recess in the receiving arm 307. The coupling element 401 and the recess of the receiving arm 307 each have a radius of 0.5 mm.

(48) The electromagnetic coil 121-2 is arranged on the coil carrier 123-2 and encloses the second yoke leg 119-2 in a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the relay connection contact 143-1 is shown, with which the electromagnetic coil 121-2 can be supplied with an electrical signal.

(49) FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of the relay 100 with a relay housing 129, which is in particular trough-shaped and open in the direction of the relay connection contacts 143-1, 143-2 and the switching contact connections 145-1, 145-2, 145-3. A side wall 505, which laterally closes off the relay housing 129, is also arranged on the relay housing 129. In the area of the switching connection contacts 145-1, 145-2, 145-3, the side wall 505 has a recess 501 with which in particular the insulation and leakage distances between relays 100 arranged next to one another in the area of the switching connection contacts 145-1, 145-2, 145-3 can be increased, in particular without increasing a respective relay width.

(50) The composite of relay housing 129 and side wall 505 is closed by the base plate 503, so that relay housing 129 with side wall 505 and base plate 503 has a closed interior. The abutting edges between the base plate 503 with the side wall 505 and the relay housing 129 can in particular be sealed in order to seal the relay housing 129 against dust, moisture or other environmental influences.

(51) Fastening elements 509-1, 509-2, 509-4 are formed on the relay housing 129 and a fastening element 509-3 is formed on the side wall 505. The fastening elements 509-1, 509-2, 509-3, 509-4 can in particular be latching lugs, barbs, snap-in connectors, clamp connectors and/or plug connectors. Furthermore, the fastening elements 509-1, 509-2, 509-3, 509-4 can be used to define a distance between the base plate 503 and a relay plug-in connector, so that after the relay 100 has been plugged into the relay plug-in connector, which is in particular a terminal block, a gap is formed between the relay housing 129 and the relay plug connector.

(52) The relay housing 129, the side wall 505 and the base plate 503, which is offset in particular with respect to the relay housing 129 and the side wall 505 in the direction of the interior of the relay housing 129, can form a trough on the connection contact side. This through can be filled with a flowable insulating material or sealing material in order to seal off the relay housing 129, the switching connection contacts 145-1, 145-2, 145-3 and/or the relay connection contacts 143-1, 143-2. The insulating or sealing material can harden after filling in order to produce a firm and/or elastic seal of the relay 100.

(53) The base plate 503 has contact receiving niches 513-1, 513-2, 513-3, 513-4, 513-5, into which the switching connection contacts 145-1, 145-2, 145-3 respectively the relay connection contacts 143-1, 143-2 engage. The side wall 505 also has an embossing 507. The relay housing 129 also has a form-fitting connector 511 which engages in a guide groove in the side wall 505 and connects the side wall 505 to the relay housing 129 in a form-fitting manner. The form-fit connection of the side wall 505 to the relay housing 129 by means of the form-fit connector 505 can in particular run around the circumference of the side wall 505. Furthermore, the form-fit connection can be sealed by introducing a sealant. The form-fit connector 511 is L-shaped and is formed in one piece with the relay housing 129.

(54) The relay 100 in particular has an overall relay length 515 which is defined along a line parallel to a connecting line of the switching connection contacts 145-1, 145-2, 145-3 and/or a longitudinal edge of the relay housing 129. The relay length 515 is in particular 28 mm. Furthermore, the relay has an overall relay height 517 which is defined along a further longitudinal edge of the relay housing 129 and in particular can enclose the fastening element 509-1. The overall relay height 517 is in particular 15 mm to 15.5 mm.

(55) FIG. 6a shows a schematic side view of the relay according to the example shown in FIG. 5. A relay width 601 is defined via a width of the relay housing 129 and via a width of the side wall 505. The overall relay width 601 is in particular 3 mm. The relay housing 129 has a fastening element 509-1, which is formed in one piece with the relay housing 129. The switch contact connection 145-1 lies on the base area 133 of the relay 100.

(56) FIG. 6b shows a schematic perspective view of the side wall 505 with the bottom wall 503. The recess 501 forms a step which closes off with side walls and which protrudes into the interior of the relay housing 129. The bottom wall 503 is attached to the side wall 505 perpendicularly. The side wall 505 also has an indentation 507. The fastening element 509-2 is attached to the side wall 505 in a plane in one plane. The base plate 503 has contact receiving niches 513-1, 513-2, 513-3, 513-4, 513-5, with which switching connection contacts and/or relay contacts of the relay can be led to the outside.

(57) FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a relay 100 according to the example shown in FIG. 3. The contact arm 113 has a receiving arm 307 which is formed laterally on the contact section 135 and/or the crank section 137. The receiving arm 307 has an opening 701 which is adapted to at least partially receive the insulating element 115 in order to form a form-fit and/or force-fit connection with the insulating element 115. The insulating element 115 can at least partially penetrate the, in particular elongated hole-shaped opening 701. The opening 701 can be formed, for example, by an embossing in the receiving arm 307.

(58) The coil carriers 123-1 and the further coil carrier 123-2 are connected to one another via a connecting element 707. The coil carriers 123-1, 123-2 can be formed in one piece with the connecting element 707.

(59) FIG. 8a shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the relay 100 according to the example shown in FIG. 7, the cross-sectional plane running along the section line 703 shown in FIG. 7. The receiving arm 307 has an opening 701 into which a coupling element 401 of the insulating element 115 engages in order to realize a form-fit connection between the insulating element 115 and the receiving arm 307. The coupling element 401 is cylindrical and/or conically shaped and is adapted to pass through the opening 701 in order to realize a force and/or form-fit connection between the insulating element 115 and the receiving arm 307. After the coupling element 401 has been inserted into the opening 701, in particular such that the coupling element 401 penetrates the opening 701, the coupling element 401 protrudes in the direction of the relay housing 129. The coupling element 401 can be anchored in the opening 701 by means of a snap-in connection in order to prevent the connection between the insulating element 115 and the receiving arm 307 from being released. The protrusion can be in a range from 0.05 to 0.5 mm.

(60) FIG. 8b shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the relay 100, the cross-sectional plane running along the cutting line 705 shown in FIG. 7. The coupling element 401 has a cross-section which tapers in the direction of the insulating element 115. The coupling element 401 can in particular be conical, trapezoidal, pyramid-shaped or pin-shaped in order to engage in the opening 701 in a form-fitting manner. The opening 701 of the receiving arm 307 has a radius in a range of 0.1 to 1 mm in a contact area with the opening 701.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(61) 100 relay 101 electromagnetic drive assembly 103 armature 105 armature bearing spring 107 yoke 109 contact spring 111-1 first contact surface 111-2 second contact surface 113 contact arm 115 insulating element 117 Support plane 119-1 first yoke leg 119-2 second yoke leg 121-1 electromagnetic coil 121-2 electromagnetic coil 123-1 coil carrier 123-2 coil carrier 125 recess 127 position direction 129 relay housing 131 receiving niche 133 base area 135 contact section 137 crank section 139 fastening section 141 cutting plane 143-1 relay connection contact 143-2 relay connection contact 145-1 switching contact connection 145-2 switching contact connection 145-3 switching contact connection 147 offset section 201 working gap 203-1 contact point 203-2 contact point 203-3 contact point 203-4 contact point 205 riveted connection 301 cutting plane 303 cutting plane 307 support arm 401 coupling element 403 axis of symmetry 501 recess 503 base plate 505 side wall 507 embossing 509-1 fastening element 509-2 fastening element 509-3 fastening element 509-4 fastening element 509-5 fastening element 511 form-fitting connector 513-1 receiving niche 513-2 receiving niche 513-3 receiving niche 513-4 receiving niche 513-5 receiving niche 515 relay length 517 relay height 601 relay width 701 opening 703 section plane 705 section plane 707 connector