Magnet aided solenoid for an electrical switch

Abstract

A solenoid (12) is provided for an electrical switch. The solenoid (12) includes a coil (50) having a passageway extending therethrough along a central longitudinal axis (96). The solenoid (12) also includes a movable core (46) having a coil segment (100) and a magnet segment (102). The coil segment (100) is received within the passageway of the coil (50) such that the coil (50) extends around the coil segment (100). The magnet segment (102) includes a radially outer surface (103) relative to the central longitudinal axis (96) of the passageway of the coil (50). The movable core (46) is movable relative to the coil (50) along the central longitudinal axis (96) such that the coil segment (100) is movable within the passageway of the coil (50) along the central longitudinal axis (96).; A permanent magnet (54) extends around at least a portion of the radially outer surface (103) of the magnet segment (102) of the movable core (46). The movable core (46) is movable along the central longitudinal axis (96) relative to the permanent magnet (54).

Description

technical field [0001] The subject matter described and / or illustrated herein relates generally to electrical switches, and more particularly to solenoids for electrical switches. Background technique [0002] Electrical switches (eg, contactors, relays, etc.) exist today for opening and closing electrical circuits between various electrical devices. For example, electrical switches are sometimes used to electrically connect and disconnect electrical equipment to and from a power source. A typical electrical switch includes an actuator and one or more movable contacts connected to the actuator. Electric current is applied to the actuator to move the movable contact into or out of engagement with a stationary contact that is electrically connected to a corresponding structure in the electrical device. Depending on whether the movable contacts engage or disengage from the stationary contacts, an electrical circuit between electrical devices is thus completed or broken. [0...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

As the size of the coil, coil housing, and / or other ferromagnetic components increases, the solenoid and / or switch can become unacceptably large and / or heavy

Additionally, an increase in the amount of ferromagnetic material used to manufacture the coil, coil housing, and / or other ferromagnetic components can increase the cost of the solenoid and / or switch

Also, since the physical coupling between the coil and the movable core decreases as the size of the coil increases, at least some of the increased magnetic flux is wasted

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