Flat electromagnetic relay

• US 5,038,123 A
• Filed: 06/15/1990
• Issued: 08/06/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Brandon, Christopher A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Broome, Harold
• Application Number:
  US07/539,288
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 335/128, 335/187, 335/202, 335/78, 335/80, 335/84, 335/129
• US Class Current: 335/128
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 50/026 Details concerning isolation between driving and switching circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 50/042 Different parts are assembled by insertion without extra mounting facilities like screws, in an isolated mounting part, e.g. stack mounting on a coil-support
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 50/26 Parts movable about a knife edge
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 50/60 moving contact being rigidly combined with movable part of magnetic circuit for polarised relays H01H51/2254, H01H51/2281
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 51/229 Blade-spring contacts alongside armature

Abstract

A flat electromagnetic relay comprises a lead frame having six stamped insert molded circuit leads, an armature frame pivotally supporting a balanced beam armature which carries two contact bars, a coil assembly and an electromagnetic frame having two diagonally arranged pole wings which are inside the armature frame adjacent opposite side ends of the armature. The armature is torsionally biased into a first operative position where the contact bar at one end shunts two circuit leads. When the coil is energized, the armature is pivoted to a second operative position where the contact bar at the other end shunts two other circuit leads.

Claims

1. A flat electromagnetic relay comprising;

a frame which includes a pair of circuit leads and a pair of energizing leads,

the pair of circuit leads having respective ones of a pair of stationary contacts which are next to each other,

an armature assembly which is pivotally mounted on the frame for movement between first and second operative positions,

the armature assembly including a movable contact bar which bridges the pair of contacts in the first operative position and which is spaced from the pair of contacts in the second operative position,

a coil assembly mounted on the frame and electrically connected to the pair of energizing leads,

an electromagnetic frame comprising a core leg which is inside a coil of the coil assembly and a wing which is adjacent one end of the armature assembly,

the coil assembly when energized positioning the armature assembly in one of the first and second operative positions, and

spring means biasing the armature assembly in another of the first and second operative positions.

2. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 1 wherein:

the coil assembly is mounted on the frame behind the armature assembly and electrically connected to the pair of energizing leads, and

the electromagnetic frame is U-shaped having one leg forming the core leg and another leg forming the wing.

3. A flat electromagnetic relay comprising;

a frame which includes a pair of circuit leads and a pair of energizing leads,

the pair of circuit leads having respective ones of a pair of stationary contacts which are next to each other,

an armature assembly which includes a support having side extensions which are secured to the frame and which include torsion webs which bias the armature assembly to a first operative position and which allow the armature assembly to pivot on the frame between the first operative position and a second operative position,

a coil assembly mounted on the frame and electrically connected to the pair of energizing leads,

an electromagnetic frame comprising a core leg which is inside a coil of the coil assembly and a wing which is disposed adjacent an end of the armature assembly,

the coil assembly when energized positioning the armature assembly in the second operative position against the bias of the torsion webs, and

the armature assembly further including a movable contact bar mounted on the support which bridges the pair of stationary contacts in one of the first and second operative positions and which is spaced from the pair of stationary contacts in another of the first and second operative positions.

4. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 3 wherein:

the support is a single flat strip of spring steel.

5. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 4 wherein:

the coil assembly is mounted on the frame behind the armature assembly and electrically connected to the pair of energizing leads, and

the electromagnetic frame is U-shaped having one leg forming the core leg and another leg forming the wing.

6. A flat electromagnetic relay comprising;

a frame which includes first and second pairs of circuit leads and a pair of energizing leads,

the first pair of circuit leads having respective ones of a first pair of stationary contacts which are next to each other,

the second pair of circuit leads having respective ones of a second pair of stationary contacts which are next to each other,

an armature assembly which includes a support having side extensions which are secured to the frame and which include torsion webs which bias the armature assembly to a first operative position and which allow the armature assembly to pivot on the frame between the first operative position and a second operative position,

a coil assembly mounted on the frame and electrically connected to the pair of energizing leads,

an electromagnetic frame comprising a core leg which is inside a coil of the coil assembly and diagonally arranged wings which are disposed adjacent opposite side ends of the armature assembly,

the coil assembly when energized positioning the armature assembly in the second operative position against the bias of the torsion webs, and

the armature assembly further including first and second movable contact bars mounted on respective leaf spring extensions at the opposite ends of the support,

the first movable contact bar bridging the first pair of contacts in the first operative position of the armature assembly and being spaced from the first pair of contacts in the second operative position,

the second movable contact bar bridging the second pair of contacts in the second operative position and being spaced from the second pair of contacts in the first operative position.

7. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 6 wherein:

the support is a single flat strip of spring steel.

8. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 6 wherein:

the coil assembly is mounted on the frame behind the armature assembly and electrically connected to the pair of energizing leads, and

the electromagnetic frame is generally C-shaped and comprises two U-shaped pieces, each piece having one leg forming the core leg and another leg forming one of the diagonally arranged wings, the core legs of the respective pieces being inserted into opposite ends of the coil.

9. A flat electromagnetic relay comprising;

a rigid thermoplastic lead frame which includes a pair of stamped circuit leads and a pair of stamped energizing leads which are insert molded in the lead frame,

the pair of circuit leads having respective ones of a pair of stationary contacts which are next to each other,

an armature frame mounted on the lead frame so that the pair of stationary contacts are in the armature frame,

an armature assembly which includes a flat support having side extensions which are secured to the armature frame and which include torsion webs which bias the armature assembly to a first operative position and which allow the armature assembly to pivot on the armature frame between the first operative position and a second operative position,

a coil assembly mounted on the frame and electrically connected to the pair of energizing leads,

an electromagnetic frame comprising a core leg which is inside a coil of the coil assembly and a wing which is inside the armature frame and disposed adjacent an end of the armature assembly,

the coil assembly when energized positioning the armature assembly in the second operative position against the bias of the torsion webs, and

the armature assembly further including a movable contact bar mounted on the flat support which bridges the pair of stationary contacts in one of the first and second operative positions and which is spaced from the pair of contacts in another of the first and second operative position.

10. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 9 wherein the lead frame is U-shaped, the pair of stamped circuit leads are carried in one leg of the U-shaped lead frame and the pair of stamped energizing leads are carried in the respective legs of the U-shaped frame.

11. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 10 wherein the electromagnetic frame has a second wing disposed adjacent an opposite end of the armature assembly and the lead frame includes a second pair of stamped circuit leads which are insert molded in the lead frame and carried in the other leg of the U-shaped lead frame, the second pair of stamped circuit leads having respective ones of a second pair of stationary contacts which are next to each other and which are disposed in the armature frame.

12. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 11 wherein the stamped leads are shaped to provide six male blade terminals projecting from an edge of the lead frame which are coplanar, identical in width and evenly spaced.

13. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 11 wherein the armature assembly has a second movable contact bar at the opposite end which bridges the second pair of stationary contacts in the said another of the first and second operative positions.

14. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 13 wherein the armature frame is disposed behind a bridge connecting the legs of the U-shaped frame and has opposite ends mounted on the respective legs of the U-shaped frame.

15. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 10 wherein the pair of stamped energizing leads have slotted ends overhanging the free ends of the legs of the U-shaped frame, the coil assembly is mounted on the U-shaped frame by means of slotted lugs at the opposite ends of the coil assembly which are mounted on the respective legs of the U-shaped frame and the coil assembly includes solder pins disposed in the slotted lugs which are engaged by the slotted ends of the stamped energizing circuit leads when the coil assembly is mounted on the U-shaped frame.

16. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 11 further comprising a case having a tray and an integrally hinged cover which cooperatively house the lead frame, armature frame, armature assembly and coil assembly when the cover is closed.

17. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 16 wherein the tray supports the lead frame and the integrally hinged cover holds the lead frame down when the cover is closed.

18. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 17 wherein one stamped circuit lead of each pair of stamped circuit leads and the pair of stamped energizing leads have extensions overhanging the legs of the U-shaped base which are exposed to the exterior of the flat electromagnetic relay when the cover is closed to provide probe contact points which allow for electrically testing the coil and one side of each switching circuit while the flat electromagnetic relay is installed.

19. A flat electromagnetic relay comprising:

a frame which includes first and second pairs of circuit leads and a pair of energizing leads,

the first pair of circuit leads having respective ones of a first pair of stationary contacts which are next to each other,

the second pair of circuit leads having respective ones of a second pair of stationary contacts which are next to each other,

an armature assembly which is pivotally mounted on the frame for movement between first and second operative positions,

the armature assembly further including first and second movable contact bars,

the first contact bar bridging the first pair of contacts in the first operative position of the armature assembly and being spaced from the first pair of contacts in the second operative position,

the second movable contact bar bridging the second pair of contacts in the second operative position and being spaced from the second pair of contacts in the first operative position,

a coil assembly mounted on the frame and electrically connected to the pair of energizing leads,

an electromagnetic frame comprising a core leg which is inside a coil of the coil assembly and diagonally arranged wings which are disposed adjacent opposite side ends of the armature assembly,

the coil assembly when energized positioning the armature assembly in one of the first and second operative positions, and

spring means biasing the armature assembly in another of the first and second operative positions.

20. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 19 wherein:

the electromagnetic frame is generally C-shaped and comprises two U-shaped pieces, each piece having one leg forming the core leg and another leg forming one of the diagonally arranged wings, the core legs of the respective pieces being inserted into opposite ends of the coil.

21. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 20 wherein:

the armature assembly includes a support having side extensions which are secured to the frame and which include torsion webs which form the spring means biasing the armature assembly in one of the first and second operative positions and which allow the armature assembly to pivot on the frame between the first and second operative positions.

22. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 21 wherein:

the support is a single flat strip of spring steel,

the coil assembly is mounted on the frame behind the armature assembly and electrically connected to the pair of energizing leads.

23. A flat electromagnetic relay comprising:

a frame which includes first and second pairs of stamped circuit leads and a pair of stamped energizing leads,

the first pair of stamped circuit leads having respective ones of a first pair of stationary contacts which are next to each other,

the second pair of stamped circuit leads having respective ones of a second pair of stationary contacts which are next to each other,

an armature assembly which is pivotally mounted on the frame for movement between first and second operative positions,

the armature assembly further including first and second movable contact bars,

the first contact bar bridging the first pair of contacts in the first operative position of the armature assembly and being spaced from the first pair of contacts in the second operative position,

the second movably contact bar bridging the second pair of contacts in the second operative position and being spaced from the second pair of contacts in the first operative position,

a coil assembly mounted on the frame and electrically connected to the pair of stamped energizing leads,

an electromagnetic frame comprising a core leg which is inside a coil of the coil assembly and diagonally arranged wings which are disposed adjacent opposite side ends of the armature assembly,

the coil assembly when energized positioning the armature assembly in one of the first and second operative positions, and

spring means biasing the armature assembly in another of the first and second operative positions.

24. The flat electromagnetic relay as defined in claim 23 wherein the stamped leads are shaped to provide six male blade terminals projecting from an edge of the frame which are coplanar, identical in width, and evenly spaced.