Latching Relay Arc Suppression for High Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard latching relays have limited high voltage interrupting capacity, making them unsuitable for high voltage applications where safe and effective switching under load is required.
Innovation Solution
A latching relay design that includes a moveable plunger, a linkage system, and an arc extinguisher with vent holes, allowing for high current interrupting capacity by switching the plunger between two coils and using a linkage and arc quenching plates to manage contact states and arc suppression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permanent magnet and coil structure is used in a latching relay, then the relay can maintain contact state without power, but the high voltage interrupting capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the permanent magnet from the latching relay structure, extracting the component that limits high voltage performance. Instead of using a permanent magnet with a coil, the invention employs two separate coils (first coil and second coil) that can be independently activated to achieve latching functionality without the constraints of permanent magnet geometry and material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by using two independently controllable coils instead of a single coil system with a permanent magnet. This allows for flexible control of magnetic field strength and direction, enabling the relay to handle high voltage applications while maintaining contact state without power through alternative magnetic coupling mechanisms.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high voltage switching capability is implemented, then safe switching under load is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single coil function into two separate coils (first coil and second coil), each responsible for specific magnetic coupling tasks. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each coil's parameters and simplifies the control logic for achieving latching states, as each coil can be activated separately to produce the desired magnetic field configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a movable plunger as an intermediary component between the coils and the contacts. The plunger serves as a magnetic coupling element that can be positioned by the coils to achieve latching, providing a mechanical mediator that simplifies the direct electromagnetic interaction and enables high voltage switching through controlled magnetic field manipulation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If arc quenching mechanisms are added for high voltage applications, then arc suppression is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the arc quenching function with the existing housing structure by incorporating an arc extinguisher directly into the housing design. The arc extinguisher includes multiple arc quenching plates arranged to intercept and extinguish arcs between contacts, merging the arc suppression function with the structural housing rather than adding it as a separate complex subsystem.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the magnetic components, and incorporates the arc extinguisher function through integrated arc quenching plates. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated arc suppression components, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining effective arc quenching capability for high voltage applications.
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 reliable switching of high voltage contacts even under load, ensuring safe and effective operation in high voltage applications by maintaining contact states without power and facilitating arc quenching.
Implementation Method 1
a first coil (12), a second coil (14) and a common plunger (16) operatively connected between the first and second coils (12, 14) such that activation of the first coil (12) moves the plunger (16) in a first direction to a first position and activation of the second coil (14) moves the plunger (16) in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, to a second position
Implementation Method 2
an arc extinguisher positioned adjacent the pair of load contacts, the arc extinguisher adapted to facilitate quenching of an arc created between the pair of load contacts
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A latching relay (10) includes a first coil (12), a second coil (14) and a common plunger (16) operatively connected between the first and second coils such that activation of the first coil moves the plunger to a first position and activation of the second coil moves the plunger to a second position. The latching relay also includes a limit switch (24) having a common contact and first and second coil contacts. A position of the common contact is alternately switched between electrical connection to either the first or second coil contact based on a position of the plunger. The first and second coil contacts are electrically connected to the first and second coils, respectively such that when electrical power is applied to the common contact, the electrical power is alternately applied to either the first coil or the second coil depending on the position of the common contact.