Relay Contact Layout With Arc Extinguishing Against Voltage Breakdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Relays with reed structures face high and low voltage breakdown risks due to close proximity between auxiliary and main contacts during arcing, compromising safety and stability.
Innovation Solution
The relay design includes auxiliary contacts outside the housing, spaced apart from stationary contacts, and arc extinguishing devices with magnetic members to prevent voltage breakdown and enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If auxiliary contacts are placed close to main contacts in a reed structure relay, then the structure is simple, but the risk of high and low voltage breakdown increases during arcing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stepped portion that creates a vertical height difference between the auxiliary contacts and stationary contacts. The auxiliary contacts are positioned on a lower level while stationary contacts are on a higher level, effectively using the vertical dimension to increase the electrical clearance without increasing horizontal space occupation. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining structural compactness while eliminating voltage breakdown risk through enhanced spatial separation in three dimensions.
2Reliability
If auxiliary contacts are spaced apart from stationary contacts to prevent voltage breakdown, then safety is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into distinct stepped portions at different height levels. The auxiliary contacts are mounted on a lower stepped portion while stationary contacts are mounted on a higher stepped portion. This segmentation of the housing structure allows for clear spatial separation of contacts with different voltage levels, preventing voltage breakdown while maintaining an organized and manufacturable structure.
3Reliability
If arc extinguishing devices are added to the relay, then arc extinguishing capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arc extinguishing function is merged with the existing housing structure by integrating arc extinguishing devices into the housing body. The housing is designed with receiving cavities that accommodate the arc extinguishing devices, and the overall structure is formed as an integrated unit through molding or assembly processes. This merging approach enhances arc extinguishing capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity by combining multiple functions into a unified structure.
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 design ensures safer and more reliable detection of operating states by preventing high and low voltage breakdown, improving working stability and safety through enhanced arc extinguishing.
Implementation Method 1
arc extinguishing devices with magnetic members to prevent voltage breakdown and enhance stability
Data Source
AI summary
A relay includes a housing, a contact assembly and an auxiliary contact assembly. The contact assembly includes the movable contacts adapted to move towards or away from the stationary contacts under the driving of the movable contact bridge. The auxiliary contact assembly includes an auxiliary contact bridge and auxiliary contacts. At least portion of each of the auxiliary contacts extends into the housing. The auxiliary contact bridge moves synchronously with the movable contact bridge to be selectively and electrically connected to the auxiliary contacts. The housing includes a top surface spaced apart from the stepped portion in the movement direction of the movable contact bridge or the auxiliary contact bridge. The stationary contacts are arranged on the top surface of the housing. The portion of each of the auxiliary contacts arranged outside the housing is arranged on each of the stepped portions.