H-bridge latching relay and use method thereof

Abstract

The H-bridge latching relay comprises an execution part and a control circuit, the execution part comprises an iron core and a coil, the coil is wound around the outer side of the iron core and electrically connected with the two ends of the control circuit, an armature capable of rotating around the left side is arranged at the upper end of the iron core, and the portion, above the iron core, of the armature is made of magnetic materials. The part, fixedly connected with the magnetic material, of the right side of the armature is a conductive material, a reset mechanism is arranged on the left side of the armature, and the control circuit changes the direction of a magnetic field generated on the iron core by changing the polarity of power sources at the two ends of the coil so as to generate repulsion or attraction to the magnetic material of the armature to enable the armature to rotate anticlockwise or clockwise. The rotation of the conductive material of the armature in two directions contacts with the contact mechanism on one side to generate different state information. Under the condition of considering economy and reliability, the problem that electric shock cannot be kept due to power loss of an existing relay coil is solved, and the reliability of industrial production is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of relays, and in particular to an H-bridge self-holding relay and a use method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Existing industrial control systems typically use PLC controllers, DO modules, and output relays to issue start and stop commands to equipment. If only set and reset function blocks are used in the PLC program without self-holding features designed into the control loop, the output relays will be unable to maintain continuous operation of the equipment if the PLC or DO module loses power or is damaged, potentially causing significant economic losses to industrial production. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a relay with self-holding capabilities to increase the reliability of industrial control systems.

[0003] Self-latching relays are also available in the prior art. For example, Chinese patent document CN117894636A discloses a self-latching relay. After the electromagnetic coil is de-energized, an elastic member provides a holding force that maintains the connection between the moving and stationary contacts. This eliminates the need for the electromagnetic coil to remain continuously energized, reducing the relay's power consumption and contributing to energy conservation and emissions reduction. This self-latching relay utilizes a dual-coil design: a set coil and a reset coil. This significantly increases manufacturing costs compared to conventional relays and is also larger in size. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an H-bridge self-holding relay and a method of using the same, which solves the problem that the existing relay coil cannot hold the electric shock when it loses power while taking into account economy and reliability, thereby improving industrial production reliability.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: An H-bridge self-holding relay includes an actuator and a control circuit. The actuator includes an iron core and a coil. The coil is wound around the outside of the iron core and electrically connected to both ends of the control circuit. An armature that can rotate around the left side is provided at the upper end of the iron core. The armature above the iron core is made of magnetic material. The right side of the armature fixedly connected to the magnetic material is made of conductive material. A reset mechanism is provided on the left side of the armature. The control circuit changes the direction of the magnetic field generated on the iron core by changing the polarity of the power supply at both ends of the coil, thereby generating repulsion or attraction on the magnetic material of the armature, causing the armature to rotate counterclockwise or clockwise. The rotation of the conductive material of the armature in both directions contacts a contact mechanism on the side to produce different status information.

[0006] The above-mentioned contact mechanism structure is: It includes a reset contact and buckle and a set contact and buckle that are symmetrically arranged up and down. The reset contact and buckle and the set contact and buckle are electrically connected to the first switch contact of the relay and the second switch contact of the relay respectively, and the conductive material of the armature is electrically connected to the common contact of the relay.

[0007] The armature is kept in a horizontal state in a natural state, and the right end of the conductive material extends between the reset contact and the buckle and the set contact and the buckle.

[0008] The above-mentioned reset mechanism includes a fixed rod rotatably connected to the left side of the armature, the fixed rod and the lower end of the iron core are connected to the base, the part extending from the left side of the armature is connected to the spring, and the lower end of the spring is fixed to the base.

[0009] A test dial is provided at the left end of the armature.

[0010] The above control circuit is an H-bridge control circuit. The two ends of the horizontal bar of the "H" in the H-bridge are respectively connected to the two ends of the coil, and the upper and lower ends of the H-bridge are respectively connected to the two levels of the DC power supply. The upper and lower four vertical arms separated by the horizontal bar of the H-bridge are connected in a diagonal form.

[0011] In a preferred solution, in the above H-bridge control circuit, the diagonal connections between the H-bridge and the two ends of the power supply are divided into two types: A1A2 and B1B2, and the diagonal endpoints of A1A2 or B1B2 are connected at the same time.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment, the above-mentioned coil is connected to the two-stage DC power supply through a current-limiting resistor. When the H-bridge is not connected, the electromagnetic force generated at the iron core after the DC power supply passes through the current-limiting resistor offsets the elastic force of the spring when the armature is in a horizontal state, so that the armature remains in a horizontal state.

[0013] In a preferred solution, when the armature is in a horizontal state, the spring is in a compressed state, and the electromagnetic force generated by the coil being connected to the DC power supply at two levels through the current-limiting resistor is a repulsive force.

[0014] To use the above H-bridge self-holding relay, the steps are as follows: Step 1. Install and deploy the relays. Connect the power contacts of the H-bridge self-latch relay to the DC24V control power supply. Connect the normally open contacts of the PLC DO channel, output relay, or button used to control the input device to the A1 and A2 contacts of the H-bridge self-latch relay. Connect the normally open contacts of the PLC DO channel, output relay, or button used to control the output device to the B1 and B2 contacts of the H-bridge self-latch relay. Connect contacts 11 and 14 of the H-bridge self-latch relay to the control circuit of the device to be controlled according to its functional requirements. This completes the installation and deployment of the relays. Step 2: Set. Use any method to turn on the H-bridge self-holding relays A1 and A2, including but not limited to PLC output and button turn-on. The relay armature rotates clockwise and fixes with the set contact and buckle. Relay contacts 11 and 14 are connected, and the equipment is put into operation through the contactor. When A1 and A2 are disconnected, the coil loses power and ends excitation, and the armature remains in contact with the set contact and buckle. Step 3. Reset; Use any method to turn on the H-bridge self-holding relays B1 and B2, including but not limited to PLC output, button turn-on, etc. The relay armature rotates clockwise and is fixed with the reset contact and buckle, the relay contacts 11 and 14 are disconnected, and the equipment stops running; when B1 and B2 are not connected, the coil loses power and ends excitation, and the armature still maintains contact with the reset contact and buckle.

[0015] The H-bridge self-holding relay and its use method mentioned in the present invention have the following beneficial effects: 1. The present invention increases the power-off holding capability of the relay, increases the functionality of the relay, and improves the reliability of the industrial control system; 2. Compared with the existing double-coil self-holding relay, it reduces a certain amount of economic cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments: Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the self-holding relay of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the H control circuit in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Among them: armature 1, test dial 2, reset contact and buckle 3, set contact and buckle 4, spring 5, fixing rod 6, iron core 7, coil 8, base 9, fuse 10, relay common contact 11, relay first switch contact 12, relay second switch contact 14. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The technical solution of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0019] Example 1: An H-bridge self-holding relay includes an actuator and a control circuit. The actuator includes an iron core 7 and a coil 8. The coil 8 is wound around the outside of the iron core 7 and electrically connected to both ends of the control circuit. The upper end of the iron core 7 is provided with an armature 1 that can rotate around the left side. The portion of the armature 1 above the iron core 7 is made of magnetic material. The right side of the armature 1 fixedly connected to the magnetic material is made of conductive material. A reset mechanism is provided on the left side of the armature 1. The control circuit changes the direction of the magnetic field generated on the iron core 7 by changing the power supply polarity at both ends of the coil 8, thereby generating repulsion or attraction on the magnetic material of the armature 1, causing the armature 1 to rotate counterclockwise or clockwise. The two directions of rotation of the conductive material of the armature 1 contact the contact mechanism on the side to produce different status information.

[0020] The above-mentioned contact mechanism structure is: It includes a reset contact and buckle 3 and a set contact and buckle 4 symmetrically arranged in the upper and lower parts. The reset contact and buckle 3 and the set contact and buckle 4 are electrically connected to the first switch contact 12 of the relay and the second switch contact 14 of the relay respectively. The conductive material of the armature 1 is electrically connected to the common contact 11 of the relay.

[0021] The armature 1 is kept horizontal in a natural state, and the right end of the conductive material extends between the reset contact and the buckle 3 and the set contact and the buckle 4 .

[0022] The above-mentioned reset mechanism includes a fixed rod 6 rotatably connected to the left side of the armature 1, the lower ends of the fixed rod 6 and the iron core 7 are connected to the base 9, the part extending from the left side of the armature 1 is connected to the spring 5, and the lower end of the spring 5 is fixed to the base 9.

[0023] A test dial 2 is provided at the left end of the armature 1 .

[0024] The above control circuit is an H-bridge control circuit. The two ends of the horizontal bar of "H" in the H-bridge are respectively connected to the two ends of the coil 8, and the upper and lower ends of the H-bridge are respectively connected to the two levels of the DC power supply. The upper and lower four vertical arms separated by the horizontal bar of the H-bridge are connected in a diagonal form.

[0025] The upper and lower four vertical arms bounded by the horizontal bar of the H-bridge are connected in a diagonal form to change the polarity of the coil at both ends and thus change the direction of the magnetic field of the iron core, thereby forming an attractive or repulsive force on the magnetic material of the armature to achieve the effect of setting or resetting. The upper and lower four vertical arms bounded by the horizontal bar of the H-bridge can be set with paired transistors or contacts of the output relay controlled by the PLC.

[0026] In a preferred solution, in the above H-bridge control circuit, the diagonal connections between the H-bridge and the two ends of the power supply are divided into two types: A1A2 and B1B2, and the diagonal endpoints of A1A2 or B1B2 are connected at the same time.

[0027] In the preferred embodiment, the coil 8 is connected to the DC power supply at two levels through a current-limiting resistor. When the H-bridge is not connected, the electromagnetic force generated at the iron core 7 by the DC power supply passing through the current-limiting resistor offsets the elastic force of the spring 5 when the armature 1 is in a horizontal state, so that the armature 1 remains in a horizontal state.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, when the armature 1 is in a horizontal state, the spring 5 is in a compressed state, and the electromagnetic force generated by the coil 8 being connected to the DC power supply at two levels through a current-limiting resistor is a repulsive force.

[0029] To use the above H-bridge self-holding relay, the steps are as follows: Step 1. Install and deploy the relays. Connect the power contacts of the H-bridge latching relay to the DC24V control power supply. Connect the normally open contacts of the PLC DO channel, output relay, or button used to control the device's entry into the relay to the A1 and A2 contacts of the H-bridge latching relay. Connect the normally open contacts of the PLC DO channel, output relay, or button used to control the device's exit from the relay to the B1 and B2 contacts of the H-bridge latching relay. Connect contacts 11 and 14 of the H-bridge latching relay to the control circuit of the device to be controlled according to its functional requirements, for example, to the A1 and A2 contacts of the start contactor of the device to be controlled. This completes the installation and deployment of the relays. Step 2, set; use any method to turn on the H-bridge self-holding relays A1 and A2, including but not limited to PLC output, button turn-on, etc., the relay armature 1 rotates clockwise to fix with the set contact and buckle 4, the relay contacts 11 and 14 are connected, and the equipment is put into operation through the contactor; when A1 and A2 are disconnected, the coil 8 loses power and ends excitation, and the armature 1 still maintains contact with the set contact and buckle 4; Step 3. Reset; Use any method to turn on the H-bridge self-holding relays B1 and B2, including but not limited to PLC output, button turn-on, etc., the relay armature 1 rotates clockwise and is fixed with the reset contact and buckle 3, the relay contacts 11 and 14 are disconnected, and the equipment stops running; when B1 and B2 are not connected, the coil 8 loses power and ends excitation, and the armature 1 still maintains contact with the reset contact and buckle 3.

[0030] Example 2: An H-bridge self-holding relay, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes an armature 1, a test dial 2, a reset contact and a buckle 3, a set contact and a buckle 4, a spring 5, a fixing rod 6, an iron core 7, a coil 8, a base 9, and a fuse 10.

[0031] The armature 1 adopts a T-shaped structure, comprising magnetic material and conductive material, with its left side connected to the test dial 2, which is fixed on the fixed rod 6 and can rotate up and down within a small range. It is connected to the spring 5. When the armature moves counterclockwise, the spring 5 is compressed, and when it moves clockwise, the spring 5 is stretched. When the armature 1 is in a horizontal position, the spring 5 is in a slightly compressed state, and its elastic force offsets the electromagnetic force between the armature 1 and the iron core 7. When the armature 1 rotates counterclockwise or clockwise and contacts the reset contact and buckle 3 or the set contact and buckle 4, the resistance applied by the buckle is greater than the spring force, and the armature 1 is fixed in this position; the test dial 2 has three gears, namely set, reset and intermediate states, and the gear adjustment can be achieved by manual toggling; the armature 1 is connected to the output contact of this relay 11; the reset contact and buckle 3 are connected to the output contact of this relay 12; The set contact and the buckle 4 are connected to the output contact of the relay 14; in addition to the physical structure, the relay adds an H-bridge structure, including DC24V+, DC24V- power supply contacts, A1, A2 and two pairs of input contacts B1, B2. When the power supply contact and the A1, A2 contacts are connected at the same time, the current of the coil 8 is extended to the bottom and flows in the upward direction to excite, generating a downward attraction force on the magnetic material of the armature 1, and the armature 1 can be fixed to the set contact and the buckle 4. When the power supply contact and the B1, B2 contacts are connected at the same time, the current of the coil 8 is extended to the top and flows in the downward direction to excite, generating an upward repulsive force on the magnetic material of the armature 1, and the armature 1 can be fixed to the reset contact and the buckle 3; when the power supply contact and the A1, A2 contacts and the B1, B2 contacts are connected at the same time, it is determined to be an erroneous operation, which will cause the fuse 10 to melt. At this time, the relay can only be controlled by the test dial 2.

[0032] One aspect of the present invention provides a method for using an H-bridge self-holding relay, comprising the following steps: S1 relay installation and deployment: Connect the power contacts of the H-bridge self-latching relay to the DC24V control power supply. Connect the normally open contacts of the PLC DO channel, output relay, or button used to activate the device to the A1 and A2 contacts of the H-bridge self-latching relay. Connect the normally open contacts of the PLC DO channel, output relay, or button used to exit the device to the B1 and B2 contacts of the H-bridge self-latching relay. Connect contacts 11 and 14 of the H-bridge self-latching relay to contacts A1 and A2 of the contactor to complete the relay installation and deployment.

[0033] S2 is set: Using any method, including but not limited to PLC output or pushbutton activation, the H-bridge latching relays A1 and A2 are turned on. Relay armature 1 rotates clockwise, securing it to the set contact and latch 4. Relay contacts 11 and 14 connect, and the equipment is put into operation via the contactor. When A1 and A2 are disconnected, coil 8 loses power and is no longer energized, but armature 1 remains in contact with the set contact and latch 4.

[0034] S3 reset: When H-bridge latching relays B1 and B2 are energized by any method, including but not limited to a PLC output or a pushbutton, relay armature 1 rotates clockwise, securing it with the reset contact and latch 3. Relay contacts 11 and 14 open, and the equipment stops operating. When B1 and B2 are disconnected, coil 8 loses power and ceases excitation, while armature 1 remains in contact with the reset contact and latch 3.

Claims

1. An H-bridge self-holding relay, characterized in that: The invention comprises an execution part and a control circuit, wherein the execution part comprises an iron core (7) and a coil (8), wherein the coil (8) is wound around the outside of the iron core (7) and is electrically connected to both ends of the control circuit, and an armature (1) which can rotate around the left side is provided at the upper end of the iron core (7), wherein the armature (1) is made of magnetic material above the iron core (7), and the right side of the armature (1) is fixedly connected to the magnetic material with a conductive material, and a reset mechanism is provided on the left side of the armature (1). The control circuit changes the polarity of the power supply at both ends of the coil (8) and thus changes the direction of the magnetic field generated on the iron core (7), thereby generating a repulsive or attractive force on the magnetic material of the armature (1) so that the armature (1) rotates counterclockwise or clockwise, and the conductive material of the armature (1) rotates in two directions in contact with a contact mechanism on the side to generate different state information.

2. An H-bridge self-holding relay according to claim 1, characterized in that: The contact mechanism structure is: The device comprises a reset contact and a buckle (3) and a set contact and a buckle (4) symmetrically arranged in an upper and lower direction, wherein the reset contact and the buckle (3) and the set contact and the buckle (4) are electrically connected to a first switch contact (12) of a relay and a second switch contact (14) of a relay respectively, and the conductive material of the armature (1) is electrically connected to a common contact (11) of the relay.

3. An H-bridge self-holding relay according to claim 2, characterized in that: The armature (1) maintains a horizontal state in a natural state, and the right end of the conductive material extends between the reset contact and the buckle (3) and the set contact and the buckle (4).

4. An H-bridge self-holding relay according to claim 2, characterized in that: The reset mechanism includes a fixed rod (6) rotatably connected to the left side of the armature (1), the lower ends of the fixed rod (6) and the iron core (7) are connected to the base (9), the portion extending from the left side of the armature (1) is connected to the spring (5), and the lower end of the spring (5) is fixed to the base (9).

5. An H-bridge self-holding relay according to claim 4, characterized in that: A test dial (2) is provided at the left end of the armature (1).

6. The H-bridge self-holding relay according to claim 2, characterized in that: The control circuit is an H-bridge control circuit, wherein the two ends of the horizontal bar of "H" in the H-bridge are respectively connected to the two ends of the coil (8), the upper and lower ends of the H-bridge are respectively connected to the two levels of the DC power supply, and the upper and lower four vertical arms bounded by the horizontal bar of the H-bridge are connected in a diagonal form.

7. An H-bridge self-holding relay according to claim 6, characterized in that: In the H-bridge control circuit, the diagonal connections between the H-bridge and the two ends of the power supply are divided into two types: A1A2 and B1B2, and the diagonal endpoints of A1A2 or B1B2 are connected at the same time.

8. The H-bridge self-holding relay according to claim 4, characterized in that: The coil (8) is connected to the DC power supply at two levels through a current limiting resistor. When the H bridge is not connected, the electromagnetic force generated at the iron core (7) by the DC power supply passing through the current limiting resistor offsets the elastic force of the spring (5) when the armature (1) is in a horizontal state, so that the armature (1) remains in a horizontal state.

9. An H-bridge self-holding relay according to claim 8, characterized in that: When the armature (1) is in a horizontal state, the spring (5) is in a compressed state, and the electromagnetic force generated by the coil (8) being connected to the DC power supply at two levels through a current-limiting resistor is a repulsive force.

10. A method for using the H-bridge self-holding relay according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The steps are: Step 1. Install and deploy the relays. Connect the power contacts of the H-bridge self-latch relay to the DC24V control power supply. Connect the normally open contacts of the PLC DO channel, output relay, or button used to control the input device to the A1 and A2 contacts of the H-bridge self-latch relay. Connect the normally open contacts of the PLC DO channel, output relay, or button used to control the output device to the B1 and B2 contacts of the H-bridge self-latch relay. Connect contacts 11 and 14 of the H-bridge self-latch relay to the control circuit of the device to be controlled according to its functional requirements. This completes the installation and deployment of the relays. Step 2, set; use any method to turn on the H-bridge self-holding relays A1 and A2, including but not limited to PLC output, button turn-on, etc., the relay armature (1) rotates clockwise and is fixed to the set contact and the buckle (4), the relay contacts 11 and 14 are connected, and the equipment is put into operation through the contactor; when A1 and A2 are not connected, the coil (8) loses power and ends excitation, and the armature (1) still maintains contact with the set contact and the buckle (4); Step 3, reset; use any method to turn on the H-bridge self-holding relays B1 and B2, including but not limited to PLC output, button turn-on, etc., the relay armature (1) rotates clockwise and is fixed with the reset contact and the buckle (3), the relay contacts 11 and 14 are disconnected, and the equipment stops running; when B1 and B2 are not connected, the coil (8) loses power and ends excitation, and the armature (1) still maintains contact with the reset contact and the buckle (3).

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