Latch Relay Real-Time State Control via Supercapacitor Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional latch relays face challenges in ensuring real-time state control and safe shutdown in battery systems, particularly when power loss or coil failures occur, leading to unreliable circuit protection.
Innovation Solution
A latch relay design incorporating an off coil unit, an on coil unit, an additional control unit, and a current storage unit, where the current storage unit, potentially a supercapacitor, supplies stored current to the control unit to maintain or restore the normal operation state and ensure safe shutdown by opening the anode and cathode contacts in case of abnormal off coil operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a latch relay is used to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but reliability deteriorates when power loss or coil failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores current in advance in a capacitor during normal operation. When a failure occurs (power loss or coil failure), this pre-stored current is immediately discharged to activate the release coil, ensuring the relay can be reliably opened without requiring external power at the moment of failure. This preliminary energy storage resolves the contradiction by enabling failure response without continuous power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operating current to charge the capacitor during normal operation. When failure occurs, the stored current automatically activates the release mechanism without requiring external intervention or additional power sources. The relay essentially services its own failure response needs, maintaining reliability while keeping power consumption low during normal operation.
2Reliability
If monitoring is added to detect abnormal states, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a monitoring mechanism that detects whether the relay contacts are properly closed by measuring current flow through a shunt resistor. This feedback information is used to determine if abnormal conditions exist (such as contact welding or failure to close). When abnormality is detected, the system automatically activates the release coil to open the contacts, providing real-time control without requiring complex external monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the closing coil during normal operation, monitors the contact state through current measurement, detects abnormalities, and activates the release coil when needed. By making the control unit multi-functional, the patent achieves real-time monitoring and control without adding separate dedicated monitoring devices, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If a release coil is added to enable forced shutdown, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the release coil with the existing relay structure, positioning it adjacent to the contacts and integrating its control into the existing control unit. The release coil uses the same magnetic actuation principle as the closing coil but in the opposite direction. By merging the release function into the existing relay architecture rather than adding a completely separate shutdown mechanism, the patent achieves safe shutdown capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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
Enables real-time monitoring of normal operation states and rapid, safe control of circuits by forcibly turning off the latch relay when an unexpected error occurs, enhancing protection against power failures and ensuring circuit safety.
Implementation Method 1
a current storage unit storing current supplied from the on coil unit and supplying the stored current to the additional control unit
Implementation Method 2
The latch relay is configured by combining an electromagnet and a permanent magnet and when a contact is made by pulling an iron plate through magnetic force of the electromagnet
Implementation Method 3
the state is maintained through the magnetic force of the permanent magnet
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a technology that monitors a normal operation state through whether the flow of minute current is maintained in real time when a latch relay is turned on and allows the latch relay to be forcibly turned off through current prestored in a supercapacitor when an off operation of the latch relay is not normally performed.