Arc path forming unit and direct current relay comprising same

Abstract

An arc path forming unit and a direct current relay are disclosed. An arc path forming unit according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a magnet frame extending in a longitudinal direction; and a plurality of main magnet units disposed in the width direction of the magnet frame. The surfaces, which face each other, of the main magnet units have the same polarity. Therefore, magnetic fields that repel each other are generated in a space between the respective main magnet units. An electromagnetic force in the direction oriented toward the outside of the arc path forming unit is formed by means of the magnetic fields. Thus, a generated arc can move in the direction of the electromagnetic force so as to be stably extinguished. As a result, various members positioned in the center of the direct current relay are prevented from being damaged by the arc.

1 . An arc path forming unit comprising:
 a magnet frame having an inner space, and comprising two pairs of surfaces facing each other and surrounding the inner space; and   main magnets accommodated in the inner space and coupled to any one pair of surfaces extending shorter among the two pairs of surfaces,   wherein a fixed contactor and a movable contactor configured to be brought into contact with or separated from the fixed contactor are accommodated in the inner space, and   wherein the main magnets coupled to the one pair of surfaces have facing surfaces, respectively, that face each other, and have a same polarity so as to form a discharge path of an arc generated when the fixed contactor and the movable contactor are separated from each other.   
     
     
         2 . The arc path forming unit of  claim 1 , wherein the main magnets comprise:
 a first main magnet coupled to any one of the one pair of surfaces; and   a second main magnet coupled to another one of the one pair of surfaces and disposed to face the first main magnet.   
     
     
         3 . The arc path forming unit of  claim 2 , wherein facing surfaces of the first main magnet and the second main magnet that face each other have a same polarity. 
     
     
         4 . The arc path forming unit of  claim 3 , wherein the facing surfaces of the first main magnet and the second main magnet that face each other have an N pole. 
     
     
         5 . The arc path forming unit of  claim 3 , further comprising sub magnets coupled to another pair of surfaces extending longer among the two pairs of surfaces of the magnet frame, and
 wherein facing surfaces of the sub magnets that face each other have a same polarity.   
     
     
         6 . The arc path forming unit of  claim 5 , wherein the facing surfaces of the sub magnets that face each other have a different polarity from the polarity of the facing surfaces of the first main magnet and the second main magnet. 
     
     
         7 . The arc path forming unit of  claim 3 , wherein arc discharge openings are formed through another pair of surfaces extending shorter among the two pairs of surfaces of the magnet frame, such that the inner space communicates with an outside of the magnet frame. 
     
     
         8 . The arc path forming unit of  claim 3 , wherein the first main magnet is provided in plurality, the plurality of first main magnets spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and
 wherein the second main magnet is provided in plurality, the plurality of second main magnets spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.   
     
     
         9 . The arc path forming unit of  claim 8 , wherein magnetization members are disposed between the plurality of first main magnets and between the plurality of second main magnets, respectively, such that the plurality of first main magnets and the magnetization member are connected to each other and the plurality of second main magnets and the magnetization member are connected to each other. 
     
     
         10 . A Direct Current (DC) relay comprising:
 a fixed contactor;   a movable contactor configured to be brought into contact with or separated from the fixed contactor;   an arc path forming unit having an inner space for accommodating the fixed contactor and the movable contactor, and configured to produce magnetic fields in the inner space so as to form a discharge path of an arc that is generated when the fixed contactor and the movable contactor are separated from each other; and   a frame part configured to accommodate the arc path forming unit,   wherein the arc path forming unit comprises:
 a magnet frame having an inner space, and comprising two pairs of surfaces facing each other and surrounding the inner space; and 
 main magnets accommodated in the inner space and coupled to any one pair of surfaces extending shorter among the two pairs of surfaces, 
   wherein a fixed contactor and a movable contactor configured to be brought into contact with or separated from the fixed contactor are accommodated in the inner space, and   wherein the main magnets coupled to the one pair of surfaces have facing surfaces, respectively, which face each other and have a same polarity so as to form the discharge path of the arc generated when the fixed contactor and the movable contactor are separated from each other.   
     
     
         11 . The direct current relay of  claim 10 , wherein the main magnets comprise:
 a first main magnet coupled to any one of the one pair of surfaces; and   a second main magnet coupled to another one of the one pair of surfaces and disposed to face the first main magnet,   wherein facing surfaces of the first main magnet and the second main magnet that face each other have a same polarity.   
     
     
         12 . The direct current relay of  claim 11 , wherein the arc path forming unit comprises sub magnets coupled to another pair of surfaces extending longer among the two pairs of surfaces of the frame part,
 wherein facing surfaces of the sub magnets that face each other have a same polarity, and   wherein the facing surfaces of the sub magnets that face each other have a different polarity from the polarity of the facing surfaces of the first main magnet and the second main magnet.   
     
     
         13 . The direct current relay of  claim 11 , wherein the first main magnet is provided in plurality, the plurality of first main magnets spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and
 wherein the second main magnet is provided in plurality, the plurality of second main magnets spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.   
     
     
         14 . The direct current relay of  claim 13 , wherein one of the plurality of first main magnets is shorter than another first main magnet, and
 wherein one of the plurality of second main magnets is shorter than another second main magnet.   
     
     
         15 . The direct current relay of  claim 13 , wherein magnetization members are disposed between the plurality of first main magnets and between the plurality of second main magnets, respectively, such that the plurality of first main magnets and the magnetization member are connected to each other and the plurality of second main magnets and the magnetization member are connected to each other. 
     
     
         16 . The direct current relay of  claim 11 , wherein the first main magnet and the second main magnet comprise opposing surfaces opposite to the facing surfaces, respectively, and coming in contact with the surfaces of the magnet frame, and
 wherein a main magnetic field is produced between the first main magnet and the second main magnet, and a sub magnetic field is produced between the facing surfaces and the opposing surfaces of the first main magnet and the second main magnet, such that the sub magnetic field strengthens the main magnetic field.