Relay with a movable assembly having a dampening effect

A relay suitable for use in a motor vehicle comprising:

• a ferromagnetic core;
• an excitation coil surrounding said core;
• an armature assembly mounted so as to be movable relative to said core and comprising:
• an armature juxtaposed with said core and attracted toward said core from a position in which said armature forms a maximum gap with said core, said armature having a recess at an end thereof,
• a bent blade having one end formed as a fulcrum and engaged in said recess and an opposite end formed as a movable contact, a leaf spring having one end bearing upon said blade and overlying said blade, and means for anchoring said leaf spring at a location spaced from said end of said leaf spring to said armature,
• a coil spring acting upon an opposite end of said armature for drawing said armature into said position;
• and
• a pair of fixed contacts straddling said movable contact and selectively engaged by said movable contact upon excitation and de-excitation of said coil with pivoting of said blade about said fulcrum and damping of bounce by said movable contact with said leaf spring.