FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
SOLENOID DEVICE AND STARTER;
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A CORPORATION ORGANISED AND EXISTING UNDER
THE LAWS OF JAPAN, WHOSE ADDRESS IS 7-3, MARUNOUCHI 2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU,
TOKYO 1008310, JAPAN
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND
THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED
2
DESCRIPTION
Technical Field
[0001]
5 The present disclosure relates to a solenoid device and a
starter.
Background Art
[0002]
10 As is well known, in the case of a relay device that is connected
with an inductive load such as a coil and supplies a current to the
inductive load, a rapid and abrupt current change at a time of a current
cutoff may cause a large surge voltage to be generated at the contact
portion of the relay device and hence the contact portion of the relay
15 device may be broken. Accordingly, for example, a solenoid device
of a starter for starting an engine mounted in a vehicle such as an
automobile generally has a configuration in which a surge absorption
device for suppressing the foregoing surge voltage from being
generated is connected between the both terminals of the coil.
20 [0003]
Patent Document 1 discloses an electromagnetic relay having a
solenoid device. The solenoid device in the electromagnetic relay
disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured in such a way that a
mounting wall of a terminal mounting portion is erectly provided on
25 a flange portion of a resin bobbin around which a coil is wound, that
3
respective terminal holding portions for holding a pair of coil
terminals are provided at both the left and right sides of the mounting
wall, that an intermediate terminal holding portion for holding an
intermediate terminal is provided in the center of the mounting wall,
5 that the pair of coil terminals are held in the respective terminal
holding portions at the left and right sides, that the intermediate
terminal is held in the intermediate terminal holding portion, and
that each of a pair of surge absorption devices is disposed between
the intermediate terminal and each corresponding one of the pair of
10 coil terminals.
[0004]
The conventional solenoid device in the electromagnetic relay
disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured in such a way that as
the surge absorption device, a package of an axial-type surge
15 absorption device connected with a lead wire is utilized and that
the package of the surge absorption device is electrically connected
with the coil terminal by means of welding or the like.
[Prior Art Reference]
[Patent Document]
20 [0005]
[Patent Document 1] National Publication of International
Patent Application No. 2007-207495
Disclosure of the Invention
25 Problems to be Solved by the Invention
4
[0006]
In general, an axial-type surge absorption device is rather
large; thus, in order to connect the surge absorption device with
a pair of coil terminals through welding on a bobbin around which
5 a coil is wound, it is required to secure a rather large welding space.
Accordingly, because it is required that as described above, a rather
large welding space for connecting the surge absorption device with
the coil terminals through welding is secured, there has been a problem
that the conventional solenoid device disclosed in Patent Document
10 1 is upsized.
[0007]
Moreover, because an engine-starting starter provided with the
conventional solenoid device utilizes a solenoid device for which
as described above, it is required that a rather large welding space
15 for connecting the surge absorption device with the coil terminals
through welding is secured, there has been a problem that the starter
is upsized.
[0008]
The present disclosure is to disclose a technology for solving
20 the foregoing problems; the objective thereof is to provide a solenoid
device that realizes downsizing.
[0009]
In addition, the objective of the present disclosure is to
provide a starter that realizes downsizing.
25
5
Means for Solving the Problems
[0010]
A solenoid device disclosed in the present disclosure includes
a bobbin having a flange portion in at least one of end
5 portions thereof in an axial direction of a coil winding portion,
a coil being wound around the coil winding portion and
having a first coil terminal and a second coil terminal that are each
pulled out from the flange portion to the outside of the bobbin,
a positive electrode terminal fixed to the flange portion
10 and electrically connected with the first coil terminal, and
a negative electrode terminal fixed to the flange portion
and electrically connected with the second coil terminal; a first
terminal of a surge absorption device can be electrically connected
with the positive electrode terminal and a second terminal of the
15 surge absorption device can be electrically connected with the
negative electrode terminal. The solenoid device is characterized
in that there are further included
a fixed wall provided at an axis-direction endface of the
flange portion,
20 a supporting wall provided at the axis-direction endface
of the flange portion and facing the fixed wall via a space, and
a protruding portion provided in at least one of the
supporting wall and the fixed wall and protruding into the space,
in that the fixed wall and the supporting wall can hold the surge
25 absorption device at least part of which is disposed in the space,
6
and
in that based on elastic force of the supporting wall, the
protruding portion can apply pressing force to the held surge
absorption device toward the endface of the flange portion.
5 [0011]
A starter disclosed in the present disclosure includes
a relay device that is driven by an engine starting signal
so as to close a relay contact,
a solenoid device that has a coil to be energized by way
10 of the relay contact when the relay device is driven and a solenoid
switch that closes when the coil is energized,
a surge absorption device that absorbs a surge voltage
generated in the coil, and
a motor that is driven so as to start an engine, when the
15 solenoid switch closes. As the foregoing solenoid device, the
solenoid device according to any one of claims 1 through 7 is utilized.
Advantage of the Invention
[0012]
20 The present disclosure makes it possible to obtain a solenoid
device that realizes downsizing.
[0013]
The present disclosure makes it possible to obtain a starter
that realizes downsizing.
25
7
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an engine-starting starter
provided with a solenoid device according to Embodiment 1;
5 FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating part of the solenoid
device according to Embodiment 1;
FIG. 3A is an explanatory view illustrating a procedure for
mounting a surge absorption device to a bobbin in the solenoid device
according to Embodiment 1;
10 FIG. 3B is an explanatory view illustrating the procedure for
mounting the surge absorption device to the bobbin in the solenoid
device according to Embodiment 1;
FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the state where the surge
absorption device has been mounted to the bobbin in the solenoid device
15 according to Embodiment 1;
FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating the state where the surge
absorption device has been mounted to the bobbin in the solenoid device
according to Embodiment 1;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating another example of
20 the electric connection between the surge absorption device and
respective connection terminal portions in the solenoid device
according to Embodiment 1;
FIG. 7 is a top view illustrating electric connection between
a surge absorption device and respective connection terminal portions
25 in a solenoid device according to Embodiment 2;
8
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the connection
terminal portion in the solenoid device according to Embodiment 2;
FIG. 9 is a top view illustrating electric connection between
a surge absorption device and respective connection terminal portions
5 in a solenoid device according to Embodiment 3; and
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the connection
terminal portion in the solenoid device according to Embodiment 3.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
10 [0015]
Each of respective solenoid devices according to
after-mentioned embodiments will be explained for the case where it
is utilized as a solenoid device of a starter to be mounted in a vehicle
such as an automobile; however, the present disclosure is not limited
15 thereto.
[0016]
Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an engine-starting starter
provided with a solenoid device according to Embodiment 1. A solenoid
20 device 1 is electrically connected with a battery 3 by way of a relay
device 2. The solenoid device 1 has a coil 5, a plunger 6 to be driven
by the coil 5, a solenoid switch 7, a diode 9 as a surge absorption
device, and an after-mentioned bobbin 10 around which the coil 5 is
wound and that is formed of a synthetic resin or the like.
25 [0017]
9
The solenoid switch 7 has a first fixed contact 711 connected
with a motor 8, a second fixed contact 712 connected with the positive
electrode of the battery 3, and a movable contact 72 that makes contact
with or departs from the first fixed contact 711 and the second fixed
5 contact 712. A first coil terminal 131 of the coil 5 is connected
with the positive electrode of the battery 3 by way of the relay device
2; a second coil terminal 132 thereof is connected with a ground
potential portion. An anode terminal 9a of the diode 9 as a surge
absorption device is connected with the second coil terminal 132;
10 a cathode terminal 9b thereof is connected with the first coil terminal
131.
[0018]
In the starter configured in such a manner as described above,
when the relay device 2 is driven by an engine starting signal, a
15 relay contact 4 closes; then, the battery 3 supplies a current to
the coil 5 of the solenoid device 1, so that a magnetic field is
generated in the coil 5. The magnetic field generated in the coil
5 drives the plunger 6; the movable contact 72 of the solenoid switch
7 that moves in conjunction with an action of the plunger 6 makes
20 contact with the first fixed contact 711 and the second fixed contact
712, so that the solenoid switch 7 closes.
[0019]
When the solenoid switch 7 closes, the battery 3 supplies a
current to the motor 8; then, the starter operates to start an engine.
25 When the engine has been started, the relay contact 4 opens and cuts
10
off the current flowing in the coil 5. In this situation, because
a surge voltage generated in the coil 5 is absorbed by the diode 9
as a surge absorption device, the relay contact 4 of the relay device
2 is protected from the surge voltage.
5 [0020]
Next, the configuration of the solenoid device 1 will be
explained. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating part of the
solenoid device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 4 is a side view
illustrating the state where the surge absorption device has been
10 mounted to the bobbin in the solenoid device according to Embodiment
1; FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating the state where the surge
absorption device has been mounted to the bobbin in the solenoid device
according to Embodiment 1.
[0021]
15 In FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the bobbin 10 made of a synthetic resin
has a coil winding portion 101 formed in the shape of a cylindrical
tube having a penetration hole in the central portion thereof, a first
flange portion 102 provided at one axis-direction end portion of the
coil winding portion 101, and a second flange portion 103 provided
20 at the other axis-direction end portion of the coil winding portion
101. Two notched portions 104 (in FIG. 2, only one of the notched
portions 104 is illustrated) for pulling out the first coil terminal
131 and the second coil terminal 132 to the outside of the bobbin
10 are provided in the first flange portion 102.
25 [0022]
11
The coil 5 is introduced to the outer circumferential surface
of the coil winding portion 101 through one of the notched portions
104 in the first flange portion 102 and is wound around the outer
circumferential surface of the coil winding portion 101; then, the
5 coil 5 is pulled out to the outside of the bobbin 10 through the other
one of the notched portions 104. The respective electric conductors
of the coil 5 pulled out through the two notched portions 104 form
the first coil terminal 131 and the second coil terminal 132, described
above.
10 [0023]
The axis-direction end portion of the first flange portion 102
has a ring-shaped flat portion 102a perpendicular to the axial
direction of the bobbin 10 and a cut-down surface portion 102b that
has been cut down from the flat portion 102a toward the coil 5 in
15 the axial direction of the bobbin 10. The cut-down surface portion
102b is formed by cutting down part of periphery of the outer
circumferential portion of the ring-shaped flat portion 102a.
[0024]
One end portion of a supporting wall 14 is fixed to the cut-down
20 surface portion 102b of the first flange portion 102; the supporting
wall 14 erects from the cut-down surface portion 102b in the axial
direction of the bobbin 10 and has a protruding portion 14a, at the
periphery of the free end thereof, that protrudes toward the radially
outside of the first flange portion 102. The protruding portion 14a
25 is provided on the wall surface, facing a fixed wall 15, of the
12
supporting wall 14 in such a way as to extend in parallel with the
surface of the cut-down surface portion 102b. The supporting wall
14 is formed of a material having elasticity, for example, a synthetic
resin having elasticity.
5 [0025]
The fixed wall 15 is provided in such a way that one end portion
thereof is fixed to the outer circumferential portion of the cut-down
surface portion 102b of the first flange portion 102 and in such a
way as to erect in the axial direction of the bobbin 10. The fixed
10 wall 15 faces the supporting wall 14 and the protruding portion 14a
of the supporting wall 14 via a space. The protruding portion 14a
is provided in such a way as to protrude into the space formed by
the supporting wall 14 and the fixed wall 15.
[0026]
15 It may be allowed that the supporting wall 14 and the fixed wall
15 are formed integrally with the first flange portion 102 by use
of a material the same as that of the first flange portion 102 or
that the supporting wall 14 and the fixed wall 15, formed separately
from the first flange portion 102, are provided in the first flange
20 portion 102 in such a manner as described above.
[0027]
A first protruding portion 105 for holding a positive electrode
terminal 11 and a second protruding portion 106 for holding a negative
electrode terminal 12 are provided in the flat portion 102a of the
25 first flange portion 102. The first protruding portion 105 and the
13
second protruding portion 106 are each provided in such a way as to
protrude from the flat portion 102a of the first flange portion 102
in the axial direction of the bobbin 10 and are arranged in such a
way as to face each other via the penetration hole in the bobbin 10.
5 The first protruding portion 105 and the second protruding portion
106 are each formed integrally with the first flange portion 102.
In addition, it may be allowed that the first protruding portion 105
and the second protruding portion 106, formed separately from the
first flange portion 102, are each provided in the flat portion 102a
10 of the first flange portion 102 in such a manner as described above.
[0028]
The positive electrode terminal 11 is inserted into the first
protruding portion 105 in the axial direction of the bobbin 10 and
is fixed to the flat portion 102a of the first flange portion 102
15 through the intermediary of the first protruding portion 105. The
negative electrode terminal 12 is inserted into the second protruding
portion 106 in the axial direction of the bobbin 10 and is fixed to
the flat portion 102a of the first flange portion 102 through the
intermediary of the second protruding portion 106.
20 [0029]
The positive electrode terminal 11 has a first extending portion
11a and a second extending portion 11b that each extend from the base
portion thereof inserted into the first protruding portion 105, along
the flat portion 102a of the first flange portion 102. The first
25 extending portion 11a and the second extending portion 11b are
14
extended out in such a way as to extend in respective directions
opposite to each other.
[0030]
Each of the first extending portion 11a and the second extending
5 portion 11b is pulled out through a notched portion provided in the
first protruding portion 105 to the outside of the first protruding
portion 105. The first extending portion 11a of the positive
electrode terminal 11 is electrically connected with the first coil
terminal 131 through welding, brazing, or the like. As well
10 illustrated in FIG. 5, the second extending portion 11b of the positive
electrode terminal 11 has a first connection terminal portion 11b1
that is disposed in such a way as to be bent from the second extending
portion 11b toward the radially outside of the first flange portion
102 and in such a way that the rear side thereof faces the cut-down
15 surface portion 102b. The rear side of the first connection terminal
portion 11b1 abuts on the surface of the cut-down surface portion
102b of the first flange portion 102.
[0031]
The negative electrode terminal 12 has an extending portion 12a
20 that extends from the base portion thereof inserted into the second
protruding portion 106, along the flat portion 102a of the first flange
portion 102. The extending portion 12a of the negative electrode
terminal 12 is pulled out through a notched portion provided in the
second protruding portion 106 to the outside of the second protruding
25 portion 106. The extending portion 12a of the negative electrode
15
terminal 12 is electrically connected with the second coil terminal
132 through welding, brazing, or the like. As well illustrated in
FIGS. 4 and 5, the extending portion 12a of the negative electrode
terminal 12 has a second connection terminal portion 12a1 that is
5 disposed in such a way as to be bent from the extending portion 12a
of the negative electrode terminal 12 toward the radially outside
of the first flange portion 102 and in such a way that the rear side
thereof faces the cut-down surface portion 102b. The rear side of
the second connection terminal portion 12a1 abuts on the surface of
10 the cut-down surface portion 102b of the first flange portion 102.
[0032]
The surface of the first connection terminal portion 11b1 in
the second extending portion 11b of the positive electrode terminal
11 and the surface of the second connection terminal portion 12a1
15 in the extending portion 12a of the negative electrode terminal 12
are arranged in such a way as to face each other via the space formed
between the supporting wall 14 and the fixed wall 15.
[0033]
Next, there will be explained a procedure for mounting the diode
20 9 as a surge absorption device to the bobbin 10 in the solenoid device
1. FIG. 3A is an explanatory view illustrating the procedure for
mounting a surge absorption device to the bobbin in the solenoid device
according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 3A illustrates the state where the
diode 9 as a surge absorption device has not been mounted to the bobbin
25 10. FIG. 3B is an explanatory view illustrating the procedure for
16
mounting the surge absorption device to the bobbin in the solenoid
device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 3B illustrates the state where
the diode 9 as a surge absorption device has been mounted to the bobbin
10.
5 [0034]
As illustrated in FIG. 3A, as the diode 9 as a surge absorption
device, a surface-mounting diode for board mounting or the like is
utilized. This diode 9 is configured, for example, as a rather thin
package whose front side and rear side are each formed in the shape
10 of a rectangle; an anode terminal 9a as a second terminal of the diode
9 and a cathode terminal 9b as a first terminal of the diode 9 are
provided in an exposed manner in the respective side-surface portions
at the short sides facing each other.
[0035]
15 As illustrated in FIG. 3A, before the diode 9 is mounted to the
bobbin 10, the first connection terminal portion 11b1 of the positive
electrode terminal 11 and the second connection terminal portion 12a1
of the negative electrode terminal 12 are exposed to the space between
the fixed wall 15 and the supporting wall 14 that are provided in
20 the bobbin 10. In order to mount the diode 9 being in the state
illustrated in FIG. 3A to the bobbin 10, a pair of long sides, facing
each other, of the diode 9 are made to correspond to the respective
wall surfaces, facing each other, of the fixed wall 15 and the
supporting wall 14, in such a way as to become parallel thereto; then,
25 from the upper end portions of the fixed wall 15 and the supporting
17
wall 14, the diode 9 is pressed toward the first flange portion 102
in the axial direction of the bobbin 10.
[0036]
Because when the diode 9 passes the protruding portion 14a
5 provided in the supporting wall 14, the side surface of the diode
9 presses the protruding portion 14a toward the radially inside of
the first flange portion 102, the supporting wall 14 having elasticity
is warped toward the radially inside of the first flange portion 102;
however, after the diose 9 has passed the protruding portion 14a,
10 the supporting wall 14 having elasticity is restored to the original
position. After passing the protruding portion 14a, the diode 9 is
placed on the surface of the first connection terminal portion 11b1
of the positive electrode terminal 11 and the surface of the second
connection terminal portion 12a1 of the negative electrode terminal
15 12, as illustrated in FIG. 3B.
[0037]
In the state illustrated in FIG. 3B, the diode 9 is held in the
space between the fixed wall 15 and the supporting wall 14; the cathode
terminal 9b of the diode 9 is electrically connected with the first
20 connection terminal portion 11b1 of the positive electrode terminal
11, and the anode terminal 9a of the diode 9 is electrically connected
with the second connection terminal portion 12a1 of the negative
electrode terminal 12. The height, from the cut-down surface portion
102b, of the position at which the protruding portion 14a is provided
25 in the supporting wall 14 is set to the one with which it is made
18
possible that a contact pressure is provided between the cathode
terminal 9b of the diode 9 and the first connection terminal portion
11b1 and maintains the electric connection therebetween and that a
contact pressure is provided between the anode terminal 9a of the
5 diode 9 and the second connection terminal portion 12a1 and maintains
the electric connection therebetween.
[0038]
In FIG. 3B, based on the elastic force of the supporting wall
14, the protruding portion 14a provided in the supporting wall 14
10 presses the diode 9 as a surge absorption device toward the endface
of the first flange portion 102, i.e., toward the cut-down surface
portion 102b.
[0039]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating another example of
15 the electric connection between the diode and the respective
connection terminal portions in the solenoid device according to
Embodiment 1. In the case where a current flowing in the diode 9 is
large or in the case where more stable electric connection is required,
the anode terminal 9a of the diode 9 is electrically connected with
20 the second connection terminal portion 12a1 of the negative electrode
terminal 12 by a soldering portion 16 as a bonding member based on
soldering; similarly, the cathode terminal 9b of the diode 9 is
electrically connected with the first connection terminal portion
11b1 of the positive electrode terminal 11 by a soldering portion
25 (unillustrated) as a bonding member based on soldering.
19
[0040]
In addition, it may be allowed that in the solenoid device
according to Embodiment 1, the protruding portion 14a is provided
in the wall surface, of the fixed wall 15, that faces the supporting
5 wall 14. Furthermore, it may be allowed that the respective
protruding portions 14a are provided in the wall surfaces, of the
supporting wall 14 and the fixed wall 15, that face each other.
[0041]
As described heretofore, in the solenoid device according to
10 Embodiment 1, a rather small surface-mounting surge absorption device
is placed on a bobbin; thus, it is made possible to provide a solenoid
device that facilitates mounting of the surge absorption device and
is downsized.
[0042]
15 In addition, the starter according to Embodiment 1 is configured
in such a way as to have a coil to be energized by way of a relay
device and a solenoid switch for driving a motor that starts an engine,
when the coil is energized, and in such a way as to utilize, as a
solenoid device, the solenoid device according to Embodiment 1,
20 described above. Embodiment 1 makes it possible to provide a
downsized starter.
[0043]
Embodiment 2
Next, a solenoid device according to Embodiment 2 will be
25 explained. FIG. 7 is a top view illustrating electric connection
20
between a surge absorption device and respective connection terminal
portions in a solenoid device according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 8 is
a perspective view illustrating the connection terminal portion in
the solenoid device according to Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 2,
5 electric connection between a diode as a surge absorption device and
a first connection terminal portion in the positive electrode terminal
and a second connection terminal portion in the negative electrode
terminal is made by use of elastic force of a coil spring. The
configurations other than those described below are the same as those
10 of the solenoid device according to Embodiment 1.
[0044]
In FIGS. 7 and 8, the second extending portion 11b of the positive
electrode terminal 11 has a bending portion 11b2 and a first connection
terminal portion 11b3. The bending portion 11b2 is bent from the
15 second extending portion 11b of the positive electrode terminal 11
toward the radially outside of the first flange portion 102, and the
rear side thereof abuts on the cut-down surface portion 102b. The
first connection terminal portion 11b3 is formed in such a way as
to be bent from the bending portion 11b2 toward the side opposite
20 to the cut-down surface portion 102b side and to erect in the axial
direction of the bobbin 10. A protruding portion 20 is provided in
the surface, at the diode 9 side, of the first connection terminal
portion 11b3. The protruding portion 20 is formed in such a way as
to be hammered out from the first connection terminal portion 11b3
25 through sheet metal machining or the like.
21
[0045]
The extending portion 12a of the negative electrode terminal
12 has a second connection terminal portion 12a2 that is bent toward
the radially outside of the first flange portion 102. The surface,
5 at the diode 9 side, of the second connection terminal portion 12a2
faces the surface, at the diode 9 side, of the first connection
terminal portion 11b3 and the surface of the protruding portion 20
via the space formed by the supporting wall 14 and the fixed wall
15. One end portion of a coil spring 18 is electrically connected
10 with and fixed to the surface, at the diode 9 side, of the second
connection terminal portion 12a2 of the negative electrode terminal
12. The other end of the coil spring 18 is a free end.
[0046]
In order to mount the diode 9 to the bobbin 10, a pair of long
15 sides, facing each other, of the diode 9 are made to correspond to
the respective wall surfaces, facing each other, of the fixed wall
15 and the supporting wall 14, in such a way as to become parallel
thereto; then, from the upper end portions of the fixed wall 15 and
the supporting wall 14, the diode 9 is pressed toward the first flange
20 portion 102 of the bobbin 10 in the axial direction of the bobbin
10. In this situation, the anode terminal 9a of the diode 9 abuts
on the free end of the coil spring 18 while compressing the coil spring
18; the cathode terminal 9b of the diode 9 abuts on the surface of
the protruding portion 20 in the first connection terminal portion
25 11b3 of the positive electrode terminal 11.
22
[0047]
Because when the diode 9 passes the protruding portion 14a
provided in the supporting wall 14, the side surface of the diode
9 presses the protruding portion 14a toward the radially inside of
5 the first flange portion 102, the supporting wall 14 is warped toward
the radially inside of the first flange portion 102; however, after
the diose 9 has passed the protruding portion 14a, the supporting
wall 14 is restored to the original position due to its elastic force.
The diode 9 that has passed the protruding portion 14a is held in
10 the space formed between the fixed wall 15 and the supporting wall
14 restored to the original position. In this situation, based on
its elastic force, the protruding portion 14a presses the held diode
9 toward the cut-down surface portion 102b, which is the endface of
the first flange portion 102.
15 [0048]
In this situation, the anode terminal 9a as the second terminal
of the diode 9 is electrically connected with the free end of the
coil spring 18 so as to be connected with the negative electrode
terminal 12 by way of the coil spring 18 and the second connection
20 terminal portion 12a2. The cathode terminal 9b as the first terminal
of the diode 9 is electrically connected with the protruding portion
20 provided in the first connection terminal portion 11b3 so as to
be connected with the positive electrode terminal 11 by way of the
protruding portion 20 and the first connection terminal portion 11b3.
25 [0049]
23
As explained heretofore, in the solenoid device according to
Embodiment 2, electric connection between the diode 9 as a surge
absorption device and the connection terminal portions is made by
use of the elastic force of the coil spring provided at the connection
5 terminal portion; therefore, it is made possible to provide a solenoid
device that facilitates mounting of the surge absorption device and
is downsized.
[0050]
In addition, the starter according to Embodiment 2 is configured
10 in such a way as to have a coil to be energized by way of a relay
device and a solenoid switch for driving a motor that starts an engine,
when the coil is energized, and in such a way as to utilize, as a
solenoid device, the solenoid device according to Embodiment 2,
described above. Embodiment 2 makes it possible to provide a
15 downsized starter.
[0051]
Embodiment 3
Next, a solenoid device according to Embodiment 3 will be
explained. FIG. 9 is a top view illustrating electric connection
20 between a surge absorption device and respective connection terminal
portions in a solenoid device according to Embodiment 3; FIG. 10 is
a perspective view illustrating the connection terminal portion in
the solenoid device according to Embodiment 3. In the solenoid device
according to Embodiment 3, electric connection between a diode as
25 a surge absorption device and a first connection terminal portion
24
in the positive electrode terminal and a second connection terminal
portion in the negative electrode terminal is made by use of elastic
force of a leaf spring portion. The configurations other than those
described below are the same as those of the solenoid device according
5 to Embodiment 1.
[0052]
In FIGS. 9 and 10, the second extending portion 11b of the
positive electrode terminal 11 has a bending portion 11b2 and a first
connection terminal portion 11b3. The bending portion 11b2 is bent
10 from the second extending portion 11b of the positive electrode
terminal 11 toward the radially outside of the first flange portion
102, and the rear side thereof abuts on the cut-down surface portion
102b. The first connection terminal portion 11b3 is bent and erects
from the bending portion 11b2 toward the side opposite to the cut-down
15 surface portion 102b side. The protruding portion 20 is provided in
the surface, at the diode 9 side, of the first connection terminal
portion 11b3. The protruding portion 20 is formed in such a way as
to be hammered out from the first connection terminal portion 11b3
through sheet metal machining or the like.
20 [0053]
The extending portion 12a of the negative electrode terminal
12 has a second connection terminal portion 12a2 that is bent toward
the radially outside of the first flange portion 102. The surface,
at the diode 9 side, of the second connection terminal portion 12a2
25 faces the surface, at the diode 9 side, of the first connection
25
terminal portion 11b3 and the surface of the protruding portion 20
via the space formed between the supporting wall 14 and the fixed
wall 15. A terminal 22 is bonded to the surface, at the diode 9 side,
of the second connection terminal portion 12a2 of the negative
5 electrode terminal 12 through welding, brazing, or the like, so that
the terminal 22 is electrically connected with the second connection
terminal portion 12a2. The terminal 22 has a leaf spring portion 23
formed integrally with the terminal 22 through sheet metal machining
or the like. The leaf spring portion 23 has elasticity and the free
10 end thereof protrudes toward the diode 9.
[0054]
In order to mount the diode 9 to the bobbin 10, a pair of long
sides, facing each other, of the diode 9 are made to correspond to
the respective wall surfaces, facing each other, of the fixed wall
15 15 and the supporting wall 14, in such a way as to become parallel
thereto; then, from the upper end portions of the fixed wall 15 and
the supporting wall 14, the diode 9 is pressed toward the first flange
portion 102 of the bobbin 10 in the axial direction of the bobbin
10. In this situation, the anode terminal 9a of the diode 9 warps
20 the leaf spring portion 23 toward the second connection terminal
portion 12a2, while resting the elastic force thereof, so that the
anode terminal 9a abuts on the leaf spring portion 23. Concurrently,
the elastic force of the leaf spring portion 23 presses the cathode
terminal 9b of the diode 9 so that the cathode terminal 9b makes contact
25 with the protruding portion 20 provided in the first connection
26
terminal portion 11b3 of the positive electrode terminal 11.
[0055]
Because when the diode 9 passes the protruding portion 14a in
the supporting wall 14, the side surface of the diode 9 presses the
5 protruding portion 14a toward the radially inside of the first flange
portion 102, the supporting wall 14 is warped toward the radially
inside of the first flange portion 102; however, after the diose 9
has passed the protruding portion 14a, the supporting wall 14 is
restored to the original position due to its elastic force. After
10 passing the protruding portion 14a, the diode 9 is placed on the
surface of the cut-down surface portion 102b of the first flange
portion 102 under the condition that the anode terminal 9a is pressed
by the leaf spring portion 23 so as to make contact with it and to
be electrically connected with it and that the cathode terminal 9b
15 is pressed by the protruding portion 20 in the first connection
terminal portion 11b3 of the positive electrode terminal 11 so as
to make contact with it and to be electrically connected with it.
[0056]
The diode 9 that has passed the protruding portion 14a is held
20 in the space formed between the fixed wall 15 and the supporting wall
14 restored to the original position. In this situation, based on
its elastic force, the protruding portion 14a presses the held diode
9 toward the cut-down surface portion 102b, which is the endface of
the first flange portion 102.
25 [0057]
27
As explained heretofore, in the solenoid device according to
Embodiment 3, electric connection between the diode 9 as a surge
absorption device and the connection terminal portions is made by
use of the elastic force of the leaf spring portion of the terminal
5 provided at the connection terminal portion; therefore, it is made
possible to provide a solenoid device that facilitates mounting of
the surge absorption device and is downsized.
[0058]
In addition, the starter according to Embodiment 3 is configured
10 in such a way as to have a coil to be energized by way of a relay
device and a solenoid switch for driving a motor that starts an engine,
when the coil is energized, and in such a way as to utilize, as a
solenoid device, the solenoid device according to Embodiment 3,
described above. Embodiment 3 makes it possible to provide a
15 downsized starter.
[0059]
Each of the respective solenoid devices according to the
foregoing embodiments has been explained under the assumption that
a surge absorption device for absorbing a surge voltage generated
20 in the coil has already been mounted; however, because the foregoing
solenoid device is configured in such a way that a surge absorption
device can be mounted therein, it may be allowed that a user mounts
a surge absorption device to the solenoid device according to the
present disclosure.
25 [0060]
28
Although the present application is described above in terms
of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be
understood that the various features, aspects and functions described
in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their
5 applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are
described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various
combinations to one or more of the embodiments. Therefore, an
infinite number of unexemplified variant examples are conceivable
within the range of the technology disclosed in the present
10 application. For example, there are included the case where at least
one constituent element is modified, added, or omitted and the case
where at least one constituent element is extracted and then combined
with constituent elements of other embodiments.
15 Industrial Applicability
[0061]
A solenoid device according to the present disclosure can be
applied to the field of an electromagnetic relay and further to the
field of a vehicle such as an automobile having an engine starter
20 utilizing an electromagnetic relay.
Description of Reference Numerals
[0062]
1: solenoid device
25 2: relay device
29
3: battery
4: relay contact
5: coil
131: first coil terminal
5 132: second coil terminal
6: plunger
7: solenoid switch
711: first fixed contact
712: second fixed contact
10 72: movable contact
8: motor
9: diode
9a: anode terminal
9b: cathode terminal
15 10: bobbin
101: coil winding portion
102: first flange portion
102a: flat portion
102b: cut-down surface portion
20 103: second flange portion
104: notched portion
105: first protruding portion
106: second protruding portion
11: positive electrode terminal
25 11a: first extending portion
30
11b: second extending portion
11b1, 11b3: first connection terminal portion
12a1, 12a2: second connection terminal portion
11b2: bending portion
5 12: negative electrode terminal
12a: extending portion
131: first coil terminal
132: second coil terminal
14: supporting wall
10 14a: protruding portion
15: fixed wall
16: soldering portion
18: coil spring
20: protruding portion
15 22: terminal
23: leaf spring portion

We Claim:
1. A solenoid device comprising:
a bobbin having a flange portion in at least one of end portions
thereof in an axial direction of a coil winding portion;
5 a coil being wound around the coil winding portion and having
a first coil terminal and a second coil terminal that are each pulled
out from the flange portion to the outside of the bobbin;
a positive electrode terminal fixed to the flange portion and
electrically connected with the first coil terminal; and
10 a negative electrode terminal fixed to the flange portion and
electrically connected with the second coil terminal,
wherein a first terminal of a surge absorption device can be
electrically connected with the positive electrode terminal and a
second terminal of the surge absorption device can be electrically
15 connected with the negative electrode terminal,
wherein there are further comprised
a fixed wall provided at an axis-direction endface of the
flange portion,
a supporting wall provided at the axis-direction endface
20 of the flange portion and facing the fixed wall via a space, and
a protruding portion provided in at least one of the
supporting wall and the fixed wall and protruding into the space,
wherein the fixed wall and the supporting wall can hold the surge
absorption device at least part of which is disposed in the space,
25 and
32
wherein based on elastic force of the supporting wall, the
protruding portion can apply pressing force to the held surge
absorption device toward the endface of the flange portion.
5 2. The solenoid device according to claim 1, further comprising a
first connection terminal portion provided in the flange portion and
electrically connected with the positive electrode terminal and a
second connection terminal portion provided in the flange portion
and electrically connected with the negative electrode terminal,
10 wherein the first connection terminal portion can be
electrically connected with the first terminal of the held surge
absorption device, based on the pressing force, and
wherein the second connection terminal portion can be
electrically connected with the second terminal of the held surge
15 absorption device, based on the pressing force.
3. The solenoid device according to claim 1, further comprising a
first connection terminal portion provided in the flange portion and
electrically connected with the positive electrode terminal and a
20 second connection terminal portion provided in the flange portion
and electrically connected with the negative electrode terminal,
wherein the first connection terminal portion can be
electrically connected with the first terminal of the held surge
absorption device, through a bonding member, and
25 wherein the second connection terminal portion can be
33
electrically connected with the second terminal of the held surge
absorption device, through a bonding member.
4. The solenoid device according to claim 1, further comprising a
5 first connection terminal portion provided in the flange portion and
electrically connected with the positive electrode terminal, a second
connection terminal portion provided in the flange portion and
electrically connected with the negative electrode terminal, and a
coil spring electrically connected with at least one of the first
10 connection terminal portion and the second connection terminal
portion,
wherein at least one of electric connection between the first
connection terminal portion and the first terminal of the surge
absorption device and electric connection between the second
15 connection terminal portion and the second terminal of the surge
absorption device can be made through the coil spring, and
wherein each of the respective electric connections can be
maintained based on elastic force of the coil spring.
20 5. The solenoid device according to claim 1, further comprising a
first connection terminal portion provided in the flange portion and
electrically connected with the positive electrode terminal, a second
connection terminal portion provided in the flange portion and
electrically connected with the negative electrode terminal, and a
25 leaf spring portion electrically connected with at least one of the
34
first connection terminal portion and the second connection terminal
portion,
wherein at least one of electric connection between the first
connection terminal portion and the first terminal of the surge
5 absorption device and electric connection between the second
connection terminal portion and the second terminal of the surge
absorption device can be made through the leaf spring portion, and
wherein each of the respective electric connections can be
maintained based on elastic force of the leaf spring portion.
10
6. The solenoid device according to any one of claims 2 through 5,
wherein the flange portion has a flat portion extending in such
a way as to be perpendicular to an axial direction and a cut-down
surface that has been cut down from the flat portion toward the coil,
15 and
wherein the first connection terminal portion and the second
connection terminal portion are each arranged on the cut-down surface.
7. The solenoid device according to claim 6,
20 wherein the positive electrode terminal has an extending portion
that extends along the flat portion of the flange portion,
wherein the negative electrode terminal has an extending portion
that extends along the flat portion of the flange portion,
wherein the first connection terminal portion is electrically
25 connected with the extending portion of the positive electrode
35
terminal, and
wherein the second connection terminal portion is electrically
connected with the extending portion of the negative electrode
terminal.
5
8. A starter comprising:
a relay device that is driven by an engine starting signal so
as to close a relay contact;
a solenoid device that has a coil to be energized by way of the
10 relay contact when the relay device is driven and a solenoid switch
that closes when the coil is energized;
a surge absorption device that absorbs a surge voltage generated
in the coil; and
a motor that is driven so as to start an engine, when the solenoid
15 switch closes, and
wherein as the solenoid device, the solenoid device according
to any one of claims 1 through 7 is utilized.