Bi-stable Trip-free Relay with Push Arm Reset Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bi-stable trip-free relay configurations face challenges with high costs, excessive space requirements, and poor operating characteristics due to complex designs and multiple components.
Innovation Solution
A bi-stable trip-free relay configuration with a reduced parts count, featuring a support member, a bi-stable armature, and a push arm mechanism that allows for automatic resetting and manual tripping, while maintaining a compact design and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single housing compartment is used to mount all relay components, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay assembly is divided into multiple separate housing compartments, each dedicated to specific components or functions. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual compartments while maintaining overall system functionality and reducing assembly complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple components are used to achieve fully featured relay functionality, then reliability is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple relay components and functions are merged into an integrated assembly where elements work together in a compact configuration. The bi-stable armature mechanism combines manual trip, automatic reset, and open circuit features into a unified structure that achieves full functionality without requiring excessive space.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay assembly incorporates multi-functional elements that perform multiple operations. For example, the bi-stable armature serves both manual tripping and automatic resetting functions, while the push arm mechanism provides both trip-free operation and open circuit capability, reducing the overall component count and space requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a rigid linking member is used to transfer button force to the armature, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid linking member is replaced with a flexible push arm that transfers force from the button to the bi-stable armature. This flexible element simplifies the overall mechanism by eliminating complex rigid linkages while maintaining effective force transmission for manual resetting operation.
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 reduces manufacturing costs, minimizes space requirements, and improves operating characteristics by simplifying the design while maintaining essential features like automatic and manual reset capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a bi-stable armature forming a first bearing surface and carried by one of the support members for movement between first and second stable positions when force is applied to the first bearing surface
Implementation Method 2
one of the distal end and the push surface engages one of the first and second bearing surfaces and the other of the distal end and the push surface engages the other of the first and second bearing surfaces when the armature is in the second position and the operator is moved from the deactivated position toward the activated position thereby applying force to the first bearing surface
Data Source
AI summary
A relay reset assembly for use with a relay including first and second support members and a bi-stable armature forming an armature bearing surface and carried by the first support member for pivotal movement between first and second stable positions when force is applied to the armature bearing surface, the assembly for resetting the armature in the first position after the armature is tripped into the second position, the assembly comprising an operator forming an operator bearing surface and carried by one of the first and second support members for movement between an activated position and a deactivated position and a push arm forming first and second arm bearing surfaces, the push arm carried by the second support member and juxtaposed such that each of the first and second arm bearing surfaces is proximate one or the other of the operator and armature bearing surfaces wherein, one of the first and second arm bearing surfaces engages one of the operator and armature bearing surfaces and the other of the first and second arm bearing surfaces engages the other of the operator and armature bearing surfaces when the armature is in the second position and the operator is moved from the deactivated position toward the activated position thereby applying force to the armature bearing surface, the one of the first and second arm bearing surfaces disengaging the proximate one of the operator and armature bearing surfaces when the armature has moved to the first position.