Authenticated Electromagnetic Relay With Switched Control Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic relays lack security features to prevent unauthorized energization and operation, which is a concern for applications like automobile locking/unlocking and engine starting devices.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetic relay with a control unit that analyzes external signals for permission before energizing, a power source switching unit to ensure continuous power supply to the control unit, and a latching mechanism using set and reset coils to control contact unit operations, ensuring secure energization only upon receiving authenticated signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a control unit with signal analysis capability is added to prevent unauthorized energization, then security capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A control unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the electromagnetic unit and the power source. This control unit receives signals from external devices, analyzes them to determine authenticity, and based on the analysis result, controls whether to supply power to the electromagnetic unit. This mediator approach enables security verification without directly modifying the electromagnetic unit itself, thus improving security while managing complexity through functional separation.
2Speed
If power is continuously supplied to the electromagnetic unit to maintain readiness, then response speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous power supply to the electromagnetic unit, the system uses periodic or on-demand power supply controlled by the control unit. The electromagnetic unit is energized only when the control unit receives and authenticates a valid signal from an external device. This periodic action approach maintains system readiness without continuous energy consumption, resolving the contradiction between response speed and energy usage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides enhanced security by preventing unauthorized energization, ensuring reliable power supply to the control unit, and eliminating the need for constant energization of the electromagnetic unit, thereby enhancing the security and reliability of the relay.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic unit (100) having an electromagnet (110)
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnetic relay exhibiting security capability that allows energization only upon receiving a relay energization-permitted instruction transmitted from the outside by a remote key or the like. The electromagnetic relay includes an electromagnetic unit having an electromagnet, and a contact unit for contacting or separating a movable contact and fixed contacts upon energization of the electromagnet. The electromagnetic relay is configured to include a control unit adapted to receive a signal from outside and after analyzing the received signal to determine based on the analysis result whether to energize the electromagnetic unit. A power source switching unit for supplying power to the control unit by selecting one or the other of, or switching between, power supplied to the electromagnetic unit and power supplied to the contact unit.