Bistable Electric Relay with SET and RESET Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing relay technologies, particularly electronic relays, are prone to noise, high power consumption, and sensitivity to voltage peaks and shorts, while electromechanical and electric relays have drawbacks such as large size and high noise, leading to a biased development towards electronic relays at the expense of other types.
Innovation Solution
A step-by-step electric relay structure combining mechanical and electric components, using push-button operated coil, capacitor, and diode configurations to provide SET and RESET functions without active electronic components, allowing for a small, noiseless, and reliable operation with minimal maintenance, capable of replacing conventional breakers and switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If electronic relays are used, then size is reduced and operation is noiseless, but sensitivity to voltage peaks and high currents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay is divided into two distinct modules: an electronic control unit for signal processing and a power supply unit with electromagnetic actuator for power switching. This segmentation allows the electronic portion to remain small and sensitive while the power portion handles high currents robustly, resolving the contradiction between size reduction and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A capacitor is introduced as an intermediary energy storage element between the control signal and the power switching mechanism. The capacitor accumulates energy from the control signal and releases it to drive the electromagnetic actuator, protecting the electronic components from direct exposure to high currents and voltage peaks while maintaining responsive operation.
2Strength
If electromechanical relays are used, then structural strength is good and switching capability is high, but size becomes large and operating noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional fully mechanical relay structure is replaced with a hybrid system where the control function is performed electronically. Only the final power switching stage uses an electromagnetic actuator, which is more compact than fully mechanical designs while maintaining structural strength and switching capability.
3Reliability
If electric relays with many passive components are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple passive components (capacitors, resistors, diodes) are merged into integrated circuit configurations within the electronic control unit. This consolidation maintains the necessary reliability functions while significantly reducing the overall component count and device complexity compared to discrete component implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: signal conditioning, timing control, and protection against voltage peaks. By making this single unit multi-functional, the need for separate dedicated components for each function is eliminated, reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability.
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 enables a compact, reliable, and noiseless electric relay with integrated SET and RESET functions, operating efficiently at 220 Vac, capable of handling high power loads and reducing maintenance needs, while being economically competitive.
Implementation Method 1
said electric part comprising coil means, capacitor means, diode means and resistor means operatively interconnected to one another
Implementation Method 2
said electric part comprising coil means, capacitor means, diode means and resistor means operatively interconnected to one another
Implementation Method 3
said electric part comprising coil means, capacitor means, diode means and resistor means operatively interconnected to one another
Data Source
AI summary
A step-by-step electric relay structure of a bistable type, comprising a mechanical part and an electric part, the mechanical part comprising push-button means to be operated by a user and the electric part comprising coil means, capacitor means, resistor means and diode means operatively interconnected to one another, the coil means comprising either two coils coupled in parallel to one another or a single coil polarized or biased with two polarities, thereby, as the push-button means are operated by the user to provide a switching or exchanging of at least a contact of the relay structure, either one of the two coils is shorted or the two polarities of the single coil are mutually reversed, thereby providing the electric relay structure with a logic SET function and a logic RESET function.