Relay

Abstract

A relay includes an armature, a yoke configured to be electromagnetically coupled to the armature, and a bracket-shaped clamping spring. The armature lies at least partially flat on the yoke, and a receiving depression is partly formed in the armature. The bracket-shaped clamping spring surrounds the armature and the yoke on an end face such that the armature is fixed on the yoke. The bracket-shaped clamping spring has a first clamping limb arranged in the receiving depression of the armature, and a second clamping limb lying on the yoke. The first clamping limb has an angled tab which engages elastically into a recess formed in the receiving depression of the armature.

Claims

1. A relay, comprising: an armature; a yoke configured to be electromagnetically coupled to the armature, wherein the armature lies at least partially flat on the yoke, wherein a receiving depression is partly formed in the armature; and a bracket-shaped clamping spring which surrounds the armature and the yoke on an end face such that the armature is fixed on the yoke, wherein the bracket-shaped clamping spring has a first clamping limb which is arranged in the receiving depression and a second clamping limb which lies on the yoke, wherein the first clamping limb has an angled tab which engages elastically into a recess formed in the receiving depression of the armature.

2. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the armature has a web which at least partially bridges the recess or ends flush with the receiving depression.

3. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the bracket-shaped clamping spring comprises a connecting plate which connects the first clamping limb to the second clamping limb, and wherein the connecting plate lies on one or more of: an armature end face or a yoke end face.

4. The relay according to claim 1, wherein a receiving depth of the receiving depression is at least equal to or greater than a structural depth of the first clamping limb arranged in the receiving depression such that the bracket-shaped clamping spring is arranged on an armature side below a surface of the armature.

5. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the bracket-shaped clamping spring has a clamping direction which, upon electromagnetic activation of the yoke is aligned parallel to a direction of movement of the armature or encloses an acute angle with the direction of movement of the armature, and wherein the first clamping limb and the second clamping limb are at least partially aligned perpendicular to the clamping direction.

6. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the bracket-shaped clamping spring has a spring force which, when the bracket-shaped clamping spring is deflected, is proportional to a deflection distance of the bracket-shaped clamping spring, and wherein the bracket-shaped clamping spring is configured to prevent a relative movement of the armature without electromagnetic activation of the yoke.

7. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the angled tab is adapted to cause a compressive force on the armature and the second clamping limb via engagement in the recess, wherein the compressive force is transmitted on the second clamping limb via a bearing surface of the armature, wherein the bearing surface of the armature lies on the yoke, and a further transmission of the compressive force is via a yoke support surface of the second clamping limb, the yoke lies on the yoke support surface of the second clamping limb.

8. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the second clamping limb comprises a pre-tension acting in a direction of the yoke such that the second clamping limb presses against the yoke via the pre-tension.

9. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the bracket-shaped clamping spring is formed in one piece.

10. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the bracket-shaped clamping spring has a spring clip which is formed at the angled tab and at least partially lies on the yoke, and wherein the spring clip is adapted to act on the yoke with a spring force acting in a direction of the armature.

11. The relay according to claim 10, wherein the spring clip of the first clamping limb, the second clamping limb, an armature end face, and a yoke end face are physically separated.

12. The relay according to claim 10, wherein the bracket-shaped clamping spring has a further spring clip which is formed at the angled tab and is at least partially arranged at a distance from the first clamping limb or the second clamping limb.

13. The relay according to claim 10, wherein the spring clip is connected with the second clamping limb on the yoke side, in order to form a common flat surface of the spring clip and the second clamping limb, wherein the common flat surface of the spring clip lies on the yoke.

14. The relay according to claim 10, wherein the spring clip is arranged at least partially at an angle to the receiving depression or the yoke to increase a contact pressure with which the spring clip acts on the receiving depression or a yoke support surface, and wherein an overall height of the angled the spring clip in the receiving depression is less than or equal to a receiving depth of the receiving depression.

15. The relay according to claim 10, wherein the spring clip is shaped in a U-shape with two spring bending sections, and wherein the two spring bending sections have a smaller curvature than respective bending sections formed at the first clamping limb and the second clamping limb.

16. The relay according to claim 1, wherein the bracket-shaped clamping spring has a curved connecting plate formed at the second clamping limb, and wherein the curved connecting plate has a curvature which lies at a convex contact surface on an armature end face or on a yoke end face.

17. The relay according to claim 16, wherein the curved connecting plate is welded to the yoke.

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 one example;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a relay in one example;

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

(5) FIG. 4 shows a relay in one example;

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

(7) FIG. 6 shows a relay in one example;

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

(9) FIG. 8 shows a relay in one example;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a relay in one example;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a relay in one example; and

(12) FIG. 11a, 11b, 11c show a bracket-shaped clamping spring in one example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the relay 100 with an armature 101 and a yoke 103, which can be electromagnetically coupled to the armature 101. The armature 101 lies at least partially flat on the yoke 103 and a receiving depression 105 is partly formed in the armature 101. The relay 100 furthermore comprises a bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 which surrounds the armature 101 and the yoke 103 on the end face in order to fix the armature 101 on the yoke 103. The bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a first clamping limb 109-1, which is arranged in the receiving depression 105, and a second clamping limb 109-2, which lies on the yoke 103. Furthermore, the first clamping limb 109-1 has an angled tab 111 which engages elastically in a recess 113 formed in the receiving depression 105 of the armature 101.

(14) The armature 101 has a web 115 which at least partially bridges the recess 113 and/or terminates flush with the receiving depression 105. The web 115 forms a closed, rectangular opening on the armature end face 119 through which the angled tab 111 passes. Furthermore, the recess 113 with the web 115 forms a further closed, rectangular opening in the receiving depression, through which the angled tab 111 passes. The receiving depression 105 is cuboid and has a homogeneous overall depth 123.

(15) The angled tab 111 can be S-shaped in order to overcome a difference in installation depth between the receiving depression 105 and the recess 113. The angled tab 111 can lie at least partially on the receiving depression 105 and a bottom surface of the recess 113.

(16) In one example, the angled tab 111 passes through the recess in such a way that the angled tab 111 does not contact a bottom surface and/or one of the side surfaces of the recess 113, in particular is arranged at a distance from them.

(17) Furthermore, the bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a connecting plate 117, which connects the first clamping limb 109-1 to the second clamping limb 109-2, and wherein the connecting plate 117 lies on an armature end face 119 and/or on a yoke end face 121. The connecting plate 117 is rectangular in shape and is arranged parallel and at a distance to the armature end face 119 and the yoke end face 121. Furthermore, the angled tab 111 is arranged at least partially perpendicular to the connecting plate.

(18) A receiving depth 123 of the receiving depression 105 is at least equal to or greater than a structural depth of the first clamping limb 109-1 arranged in the receiving depression 105 in order to arrange the bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 on the armature side below a surface 125 of the armature 101. The overall depth of the first clamping limb 109-1 can be determined by a material thickness and/or a shape of the first clamping limb 109-1.

(19) The bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a clamping direction 127 which, when the yoke 103 is activated electromagnetically, is aligned parallel to a direction of movement of the armature 101 or forms an acute angle with the direction of movement of the armature 101, and wherein the first clamping limb 109-1 and/or the second clamping limbs 109-2 are at least partially aligned perpendicular to the clamping direction 127.

(20) The bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 is adapted to prevent a relative movement of the armature 101 without electromagnetic activation of the yoke 103 and is also formed in one piece.

(21) Furthermore, the angled tab 111 is adapted to cause a pressure force on the armature 101 and the second clamping limb 109-2 by engaging in the recess 113, wherein the pressure force is transmitted on the second clamping limb 109-2 by means of a transmission of the pressure force via a support surface of the armature 101, with which the armature 101 lies on the yoke 103, and a further transmission of the pressure force via a yoke support surface 129, with which the yoke 103 lies on the second clamping limb 109-2. The second clamping limb 109-2 has a pre-tension acting in the direction of the yoke 103, with which the second clamping limb 109-2 presses against the yoke 103.

(22) FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the relay 100 with an armature 101 and a yoke 103, which can be electromagnetically coupled to the armature 101. The armature 101 lies at least partially flat on the yoke 103 and a receiving depression 105 is partly formed in the armature 101. The relay 100 furthermore comprises a bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 which engages around the end face of the armature 101 and the yoke 103 in order to fix the armature 101 on the yoke 103. The bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a first clamping limb 109-1, which is arranged in the receiving depression 105, and a second clamping limb 109-2, which lies on the yoke 103. Furthermore, the first clamping limb 109-1 has an angled tab 111 which engages elastically into a recess 113 formed in the receiving depression 105 of the armature 101.

(23) Furthermore, the bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 comprises a spring clip 201 and a further spring clip 203, which are each formed at the angled bracket 111 and each lie at least partially on the yoke 103. The spring clips 201, 203 are adapted to act on the yoke 103 with a spring force acting in the direction of the armature 101. The spring clips 201, 203 are each arranged at least partially at a distance from the first clamping limb 109-1, the second clamping limb 109-2, an armature end face 119 and/or a yoke end face 121.

(24) The spring clip 201 is connected to the second clamping limb 109-2 on the yoke side in order to form a common support surface of the spring clip 201 and the second clamping limb 109-2, which lies flat on the yoke 103. Furthermore, the spring clip 201 is at least partially arranged at an angle to the receiving depression 105 and/or the yoke 103 in order to increase a contact pressure with which the spring clip 201 acts on the receiving depression 105 and/or a yoke support surface 129, wherein a structural height of the angled arrangement of the spring clip 201 in the receiving depression 105 is less than or equal to the receiving depth 123 of the receiving depression 105.

(25) The spring clip 201 has two flexible spring sections 205-1, 207-1, with which the spring clip 201 is U-shaped, and the two flexible spring sections 205-1, 207-1 each have a smaller curvature in respect to the bending sections 209-1, 209-2 formed at the first clamping limb 109-1 and the second clamping limb 109-2. Furthermore, the flexible spring section 205-1 has a smaller curvature than the spring bending section 207-1. The flexible spring sections 205-2, 207-2 of the further spring clip 203 are similar in shape and curvature to the corresponding flexible sections 205-1, 207-1 of the spring clip 201.

(26) The receiving depression 105 is open to the side. In this way, the bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 can be pushed laterally onto the armature 101 and/or the yoke 103, for example. For this purpose, the recess 113 in the armature 101 can be completely open, in particular not limited by a web 115, in order to enable the angled tab 111 to penetrate into the recess 113 during or after sliding the bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 onto the armature 101. Penetration of the angled tab 111 into the recess 113 can be realized with the web 115, if the angled tab 111 is passed under the web 115 after the bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has been pushed onto the armature 101 by means of deformation, in particular by bending.

(27) FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the relay 100 with an armature 101 and a yoke 103, which can be electromagnetically coupled to the armature 101. The armature 101 lies at least partially flat on the yoke 103 and a receiving depression 105 is partly formed in in the armature 101. The relay 100 furthermore comprises a bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 which engages around the end face of the armature 101 and the yoke 103 in order to fix the armature 101 on the yoke 103. The bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a first clamping limb 109-1, which is arranged in the receiving depression 105, and a second clamping limb 109-2, which lies on the yoke 103. Furthermore, the first clamping limb 109-1 has an angled tab 111 which engages elastically in a recess 113 formed in the receiving depression 105 of the armature 101.

(28) Furthermore, the bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a spring clip 201 which is formed at the angled tab 111 and at least partially lies on the yoke 103. The spring clip 201 is adapted to act on the yoke 103 with a spring force acting in the direction of the armature 101. Furthermore, the armature 101 has a depression 301 in which the yoke 103 or at least one limb of the yoke 103 is arranged. The spring clip 201 is arranged completely in the receiving depression 105 with respect to the receiving depth 123. The sections of the spring clip 201 which protrude beyond the armature 101 in the direction of a surface normal axis of the armature end face 119 also do not reach the receiving depth 123 with their overall height, so that the spring clip 201 advantageously does not increase the overall height of the relay 100 in the direction of the receiving depth 123.

(29) Furthermore, the angled tab 111 is adapted to effect a compressive force on the armature 101 and the second clamping limb 109-2 by engaging in the recess 113, wherein the compressive force is transmitted on the second clamping limb 109-2 by means of a transmission of the compressive force via a support surface 305 of the armature 101, with which the armature 101 lies on the yoke 103, and by a further transmission of the pressure force via a yoke support surface 129, with which the yoke 103 lies on the second clamping limb 109-2. The second clamping limb 109-2 has a pre-tension acting in the direction of the yoke 103, with which the second clamping limb 109-2 presses against the yoke 103.

(30) FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the relay 100 comprising an armature 101 and a yoke 103, which can be electromagnetically coupled to the armature 101. The armature 101 lies at least partially flat on the yoke 103 and a receiving depression 105 is partly formed in the armature 101. The relay 100 furthermore comprises a bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 which engages around the end face of the armature 101 and the yoke 103 in order to fix the armature 101 on the yoke 103. The bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 comprises a first clamping limb 109-1, which is arranged in the receiving depression 105, and a second clamping limb 109-2, which lies on the yoke 103. Furthermore, the first clamping limb 109-1 has an angled tab 111 which engages elastically in a recess 113 formed in the receiving depression 105 of the armature 101.

(31) Furthermore, the bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a spring clip 201 and a further spring clip 203, which are each formed at the angled bracket 111 and each lie at least partially on the yoke 103. The spring clips 201, 203 are adapted to act on the yoke 103 with a spring force acting in the direction of the armature 101. Furthermore, the armature 101 has a depression 301 in which the yoke 103 or at least one limb of the yoke 103 is arranged.

(32) On the yoke side, both the second clamping limb 109-2 and the spring clip 201 protrude beyond a yoke support surface 129. However, this does not lead to an increase in the overall depth of the relay 100 in the direction of the receiving depth 123, since an electromagnetic coil 401 is arranged on at least one yoke limb 303, which coil has an overall coil depth 403. The second clamping limb 109-2 and/or the spring clip 201 can be shaped to take advantage of the existing coil depth 403 with the respective bending sections 209-1 and 207-1, respectively, in order to apply a compressive force to the yoke 103 and/or armature 101 via a respective pretensioned bend by the yoke support surface 129.

(33) FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of the relay 100 comprising an armature 101 and a yoke 103. The armature 101 lies at least partially flat on the yoke 103 and a receiving depression 105 is partly formed in the armature 101. The relay 100 furthermore comprises a bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 which surrounds the end face of the armature 101 and the yoke 103 in order to fix the armature 101 on the yoke 103. The bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a second clamping limb 109-2, which lies on the yoke 103.

(34) The bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a plate-shaped yoke support section 501 which connects the spring clip 201 and the further spring clip 203 to the second clamping limb 109-2. The plate-shaped yoke support section 501 lies flat on the yoke support surface 129 and ends with one edge of the yoke limb 303. The electromagnetic coil 401 is also arranged on the yoke limb 303.

(35) The bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a clamping direction 127 which, when the yoke 103 is activated electromagnetically by means of the electromagnetic coil 401, is oriented parallel to a direction of movement of the armature 101 or forms an acute angle with the direction of movement of the armature 101. A joint line between the end face 119 of the armature 101 and the end face 121 of the yoke can form an axis of rotation for a deflection of the armature 101.

(36) FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of the relay 100 comprising an armature 101 and a yoke 103. The armature 101 lies at least partially flat on the yoke 103 and a receiving depression 105 is partly formed in the armature 101. The relay 100 furthermore comprises a bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 which surrounds the end face of the armature 101 and the yoke 103 in order to fix the armature 101 on the yoke 103. The bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a first clamping limb 109-1 which lies on the armature 101. The armature 101 has a web 115 which at least partially bridges the recess 113 and/or terminates flush with the receiving depression 105.

(37) The spring clips 201, 203 are each arranged at least partially at a distance from the first clamping limb 109-1, the second clamping limb 109-2, an armature end face 119 and/or a yoke end face 121. Furthermore, the first clamping limb 109 1 has an angled tab 111 which engages elastically in the recess 113.

(38) Furthermore, the combination of armature 101, yoke 103 and bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 is arranged in a relay housing which closes the relay 100. In particular, the relay 100 is sealed with the housing so that the relay is protected from external influences, in particular from dust and moisture, which could impair the function of the mechanical and electrical components of the relay.

(39) FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of the relay 100 comprising an armature 101 and a yoke 103. The armature 101 lies at least partially flat on the yoke 103 and a receiving depression 105 is partly formed in the armature 101. The relay 100 furthermore comprises a bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 which surrounds the end face of the armature 101 and the yoke 103 in order to fix the armature 101 on the yoke 103. The bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a first clamping limb 109-1 which lies on the armature 101. The armature 101 has a web 115 which at least partially bridges the recess 113 and/or terminates flush with the receiving depression 105.

(40) The spring clips 201, 203 have, in the direction of a surface normal axis of the armature end face 119, an overall width that is larger than that of the first clamping limb 109-1 delimited by the connecting plate 117. In particular, the spring clips 201, 203 are arranged further away from the end face 119 of the armature 101 than the first clamping limb 109-1 and the connecting plate 117. However, the overall width of the spring clips 201, 203 is smaller than an overall width of the electromagnetic coil 401 on the yoke limb 303, so that by the overall width of the spring clips 201, 203 does a resulting overall width of the relay 100 is advantageously not increased. Furthermore, the first clamping limb 109-1 has an angled tab 111 which engages elastically in the recess 113. The recess 113 is at least partially delimited by the web 115.

(41) FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of the relay 100 comprising an armature 101 and

(42) a yoke 103. The armature 101 lies at least partially flat on the yoke 103, and a receiving depression 105 is partly formed in the armature 101. The relay 100 furthermore comprises a bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 which surrounds the end face of the armature 101 and the yoke 103 in order to fix the armature 101 on the yoke 103. The bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a first clamping limb 109-1 which lies on the armature 101. The armature 101 has a web 115 which at least partially bridges the recess 113 and/or terminates flush with the receiving depression 105.

(43) Furthermore, the bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a connecting plate 117 which connects the first clamping limb 109-1 to the second clamping limb 109-2. The connecting plate 117 lies on an armature end face 119 and/or on a yoke end face 121. The connecting plate 117 is rectangular in shape.

(44) FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of the relay 100 comprising an armature 101 and a yoke 103. The armature 101 lies at least partially flat on the yoke 103 and in the armature 101 a receiving depression 105 is partly formed. The relay 100 furthermore comprises a bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 which engages around the end face of the armature 101 and the yoke 103 in order to fix the armature 101 on the yoke 103. The bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a first clamping limb 109-1 which lies on the armature 101. The armature 101 has a web 115 which at least partially bridges the recess 113 and/or terminates flush with the receiving depression 105.

(45) The spring clips 201, 203 are each arranged at least partially at a distance from the first clamping limb 109-1, the second clamping limb 109-2, the armature end face 119. Furthermore, the first clamping limb 109-1 has an angled tab 111 which engages elastically in the recess 113.

(46) The bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a curved connecting plate 117 which is formed at the second clamping limb 109-2, and wherein the curved connecting plate 117 has a curvature 901 which lies with a convex contact surface on the armature end face 119 and/or on the yoke end face 121. Furthermore, the curved connecting plate 117 is fastened to the yoke 103 by means of a material connection, in particular is welded to the yoke 103. The bracket-shaped clamping spring can have a curvature 901, in particular a spoon-shaped shape, and can bear against the armature end face 119 with a convex surface.

(47) FIG. 10 shows a perspective illustration of the relay according to the example shown in FIG. 9. The spring clips 201, 203 are adapted to act on the yoke 103 with a spring force acting in the direction of the armature 101. Furthermore, the armature 101 has a depression 301 in which the yoke 103 or at least one limb of the yoke 103 is arranged. With the depression 301, a working gap can be formed between the yoke 103 and the armature 101, which gap becomes larger with increasing distance from the armature end face 119, so that the distance between the yoke 103 and the armature 101 increases. A support edge of the armature 101 on an edge between the armature end face 119 and the yoke end face 121 can be an axis of rotation of the armature 101 and/or the bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 when the relay 100 is actuated electromagnetically.

(48) FIG. 11 a shows a schematic plan view of the bracket-shaped clamping spring 107, which has a first clamping limb 109-1 and a second clamping limb 109-2. The spring clips 201, 203 are each arranged at least partially at a distance from the first clamping limb 109-1 and the second clamping limb 109-2. Furthermore, the first clamping limb 109 1 has an angled tab 111.

(49) Furthermore, the bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 has a connecting plate 117 which is formed at the second clamping limb 109-2. In one example, the connecting plate 117 is arranged at a distance from the angled tab 111, so that the angled tab 111 cannot be connected to the connecting plate 117 at a possible abutment point. Furthermore, the connecting plate 117 has a curvature 901 in the form of an at least partially lowered shape with a centrally arranged cylindrical depression, so that the connecting plate 117 lies on the armature end face with a convex surface on the armature face 119. The curvature 901 can extend in the direction of the first clamping limb 109-1 up to one end of the connecting plate 117, so that the connecting plate 117 has a curved edge profile.

(50) FIG. 11b shows a schematic profile view of the bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 according to the example shown in FIG. 11a. With the curvature 901, a contact surface of the connecting plate 117 on the armature end face or on the yoke end face can be reduced.

(51) Furthermore, the connecting plate 117 can be applied with a spring tension via the bending section 209-2 in order to press the end face against the armature and/or the yoke. With a reduction in the contact surface, a contact pressure can be increased accordingly with the same contact pressure of the connecting plate 117 against the armature and/or the yoke.

(52) Furthermore, the curvature 901 can form a mounting point for a connection of the bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 to the yoke and/or the armature. For example, the bulge 901 can serve as a guide for a welding device and/or to accommodate a welding means.

(53) FIG. 11c shows a schematic frontal view of the bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 according to the example shown in FIG. 11a. The curvature 901 has a semicircular termination in the direction of the second clamping limb 109-2, which delimits the curvature 901. The bracket-shaped clamping spring 107 can in particular be an armature bearing spring.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(54) 100 relay 101 armature 103 yoke 105 receiving depression 107 bracket-shaped spring clip 109-1 first clamp limb 109-2 second clamp limb 111 angled tab 113 recess 115 web 117 connecting plate 119 armature end face 121 yoke end face 123 recording depth 125 surface 127 clamping direction 129 yoke support surface 201 spring clip 203 further spring clip 205-1 spring bending section 205-2 spring bending section 207-1 spring bending section 207-2 spring bending section 209-1 bending section 209-2 bending section 301 depression 303 yoke limbs 305 contact surface 401 electromagnetic coil 403 coil depth 501 plate-shaped yoke support section 601 relay housing 901 curvature