Manual Relay Bypass Mechanism for Power-Outage Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Latching relays in electrical systems can fail to disconnect or connect terminals effectively, leading to operational failures in energy generation and storage systems, particularly during power outages or insufficient power conditions, necessitating a mechanism to bypass faulty relay operations.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical bypass mechanism that includes moveable members with angled surfaces to manually transition contact members between positions, allowing for bidirectional control of terminal connections independent of the relay's control unit, enabling connection or disconnection without electrical power or complex circuitry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a latching relay is used to maintain contact position without power, then energy consumption is reduced, but the relay may fail to disconnect or connect terminals effectively when power is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A mechanical bypass mechanism with moveable members acts as an intermediary to directly manipulate the contact member when the electromagnetic coil fails. The bypass mechanism includes first and second moveable members with angled surfaces that apply mechanical force to transition the contact member between positions, ensuring reliable operation independent of electrical power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic actuation system with a purely mechanical bypass mechanism. The moveable members with angled surfaces create mechanical advantage to force the contact member into desired positions without requiring electromagnetic fields, thus substituting mechanical action for electrical actuation when power is insufficient.
2Reliability
If a mechanical bypass mechanism is added to manually transition contact members, then reliability during power outages is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass mechanism is segmented into independent first and second moveable members, each capable of independently transitioning the contact member to a specific position. This segmentation allows the mechanism to provide bidirectional control (connect and disconnect) through separate, simpler components rather than a single complex actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using electrical power to actuate the relay, the invention inverts the approach by using manual mechanical force applied through the bypass mechanism to directly move the contact member. The angled surfaces of the moveable members convert small manual forces into the necessary actuation force, reversing the traditional electromagnetic actuation paradigm.
3Ease of operation
If bidirectional control of contact member is implemented through bypass mechanism, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass mechanism is designed with universal moveable members that can perform multiple functions: the first moveable member transitions the contact member to a first position, the second moveable member transitions it to a second position, and both can operate independently or in combination. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each operation direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass mechanism uses replicated components (first and second moveable members with similar angled surface geometries) to achieve bidirectional control. By copying the basic moveable member design, the mechanism simplifies manufacturing through standardization while maintaining full operational capability in both directions.
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 bypass mechanism ensures reliable operation of energy generation and storage systems by allowing manual control of terminal connections, even if the relay fails, ensuring continuous functionality during power outages or insufficient power situations.
Implementation Method 1
The bypass mechanism includes a first moveable member with a first surface configured to contact an edge of the contact member... the first moveable member applies force to the contact member to facilitate its transition from the first position to the second position
Implementation Method 2
Each of the relays may comprise a contact member that may be controlled by a control coil, such that when an electric current is passed through the control coil a magnetic field may be generated to activate a mechanism (e.g., an electromechanical mechanism such as an electromagnet)
Data Source
AI summary
Switch device including a switch and a bypass mechanism and a method of manually operating the switch. The switch includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a contact member configured to be in a first position and a second position and to form a connection between the first terminal and the second terminal when in the first position or in the second position, and a control unit configured to facilitate a transition of the contact member and to retain the contact member at the first position or at the second position in the absence of an external force. The bypass mechanism includes at least one moveable member having a first surface configured to contact the contact member at a first angle that is acute or obtuse. Energy generation and/or storage systems contain the switch device, and methods of controlling connection of these systems to a power grid and/or a load.