Arc path forming unit and direct current relay comprising same

A direct current relay, comprising:

• a fixed contactor extending in one direction;
• a movable contactor configured to be brought into contact with or separated from the fixed contactor;
• and
• an arc path forming unit having an inner space for accommodating the fixed contactor and the movable contactor, and configured to produce a magnetic field in the inner space so as to form a discharge path of an arc generated when the fixed contactor and the movable contactor are separated from each other,
• wherein the arc path forming unit comprises:
• a magnet frame having an inner space, and comprising a plurality of surfaces surrounding the inner space;
• and
• a plurality of magnets coupled to the plurality of surfaces to form magnetic fields in the inner space,
• wherein the plurality of surfaces comprise:
• a first surface extending in one direction;
• and
• a second surface disposed to face the first surface and extending in the one direction,
• wherein the plurality of magnets comprise:
• a first magnet disposed on one of the first surface and the second surface;
• a second magnet disposed on a different surface of the first surface and the second surface from the one of the first surface and the second surface that the first magnet is disposed on;
• a third magnet disposed on the different surface with being spaced apart from the second magnet by a predetermined distance;
• and
• a fourth magnet disposed on the different surface between the second magnet and the third magnet, and
• wherein a first facing surface of the first magnet facing the different surface has a polarity equal to a polarity of a fourth facing surface of the fourth magnet facing the one of the first surface and the second surface that the first magnet is disposed on, and has a polarity different from a polarity of a second facing surface of the second magnet and a third facing surface of the third magnet both facing the first facing surface,
• wherein the first magnet, the second magnet, the third magnet, and the fourth magnet extend in the one direction,
• wherein the first magnet extends longer than the second magnet, the third magnet, and the fourth magnet, and
• wherein the first magnet fully overlaps the fourth magnet along the one direction, and partially overlaps the second magnet and the third magnet along the one direction.