Emergency Power Relay Arc Suppression With Parallel Electronic Switch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emergency power supply systems for vehicles face issues such as high costs, damage from arc generation and increased internal resistance due to mechanical relays, and require additional heat sinks, while MOS-type electronic switches have limited current withstand capability and high costs.

Innovation Solution

An arc extinguishing control system using a relay in parallel with an electronic switch tube, combined with a reverse charging induction and feedback circuit, allows for rapid voltage jump response and delayed disconnection to prevent arcs, ensuring high current withstand capability without additional heat sinks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a mechanical relay is used as the master control switch, then the current withstand capability is high and no additional heat sink is required, but arc is generated when switched on or off under load, causing contact damage and increased internal resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent withstand capabilityVSAvoidarc generation

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An electronic switch tube is introduced as an intermediary component connected in parallel with the relay. The electronic switch tube has much faster switching speed (microseconds vs milliseconds) and can withstand voltage jumps, allowing it to quickly disconnect the circuit before the relay contacts separate, thereby preventing arc generation while the relay handles the heavy current

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical relay switching mechanism with a hybrid system where an electronic switch tube (semiconductor device) performs the actual switching operation. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact separation that causes arcs, while the relay provides the necessary current handling capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If a MOS-type electronic switch is used as the master control switch, then the connection and disconnection speed is rapid, but the current withstand capability is limited and additional heat sink is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection and disconnection speedVSAvoidcurrent withstand capability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the advantages of two different switching devices: the electronic switch tube provides rapid connection and disconnection speed, while the relay provides high current withstand capability. By connecting them in parallel, the system achieves both fast switching and high power handling without requiring a heat sink

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If the relay is disconnected immediately after successful startup, then the reverse charging current is minimized, but the voltage jump causes arc generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereverse charging currentVSAvoidarc generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic switch tube is designed to disconnect the circuit in advance (within microseconds) of the relay contacts separating. This preliminary action prevents the voltage jump that would otherwise cause arc generation, while still allowing the relay to remain connected long enough to minimize reverse charging current

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system improves safety and durability by preventing arc damage, reducing costs, and ensuring reliable operation of emergency power supplies in vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

the electronic switch tube can withstand the changes in voltage generated from the disconnection of the relay, and thus, the relay does not generate arcs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectArc suppression: Electric Arc

Data Source

PatentUS12483025B2Arc extinguishing control system and method for relay of emergency power supply

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 SHENZHEN GREPOW BATTERY CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are an arc extinguishing control system and method for a relay of an emergency power supply. A relay serves as a main switching circuit for controlling an emergency power supply, and electronic switching tubes are connected in parallel to two ends of the relay, so as to withstand a voltage jump when the relay is disconnected, and common problems of existing relays, such as arc damage and an internal resistance increase, are solved. When a heavy reverse charging current occurs after the vehicle is started, a reverse charging sensing circuit and a reverse charging feedback circuit are used, so that a reverse charging current is directly fed back to a control end of an electronic switching tube when a storage battery is reversely charged by a load, thereby realizing quick disconnection of the electronic switching tube.