Electromagnetic Relay Armature with Deformable Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electromagnetic relays face difficulties in adjusting operation characteristics such as minimum on-current and contact pressure due to the rigidity of armature members, making it challenging to optimize their performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a plastically deformable connector piece made of non-magnetic material between the armature member and the card, allowing for adjustments in operation characteristics by bending the connector piece to alter the contact pressure and on-current requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the armature member is made rigid to ensure structural strength, then the structural strength is improved, but the ease of adjusting operation characteristics deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The armature is divided into two distinct parts: a rigid armature member made of magnetic material and a flexible connector piece made of plastically deformable non-magnetic material. This segmentation allows the rigid armature member to maintain structural strength while the flexible connector piece enables easy adjustment of operation characteristics through plastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector piece acts as an intermediary element between the armature member and the card. It transmits the magnetic force from the armature member to the card while allowing for adjustment of the transmission characteristics through plastic deformation, thus mediating between the rigid structural component and the operational component.
2Force
If the armature member is made thick to increase magnetic force, then the magnetic force is improved, but the ease of adjusting operation characteristics deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The armature structure is segmented into a thick armature member that generates strong magnetic force and a thin connector piece that is easily deformable. This allows the magnetic force generation function to be separated from the adjustment function, enabling both strong magnetic force and easy adjustment of operation characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the armature have different local qualities: the armature member is made thick and rigid for strong magnetic force, while the connector piece is made thin and plastically deformable for easy adjustment. This local differentiation of material properties and dimensions allows simultaneous optimization of magnetic force and adjustability.
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 easy adjustment of operation characteristics by deforming the connector piece, reducing the minimum on-current and contact pressure as needed, while minimizing the required electric power for switching the contact points.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic relay that brings a movable contact point into contact with or out of contact with a fixed contact point by rotationally driving an armature connected to the movable contact point through the use of a magnetic force of an electromagnet
Implementation Method 2
The armature 2 includes two pairs of fixed magnetic pole portions 21a which are respectively provided at the upper and lower end portions thereof... Each of the armature members 21 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. One thickness-direction surface of each of the armature members 21 is magnetically attached to the pole of each of the permanent magnets 22
Data Source
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AI summary
An electromagnetic relay includes an electromagnet; an armature driven by a magnetic force of the electromagnet and configured to rotate with respect to the electromagnet; a card configured to linearly move when pressed by the armature; a movable contact point moving together with the card; a fixed contact point with which the movable contact point comes into contact or out of contact in response to rotation of the armature; and a housing for storing the electromagnet, the armature, the card, the movable contact point and the fixed contact point, the electromagnet and the fixed contact point being fixed to the housing. The armature includes at least one armature member made of a magnetic material and a connector piece made of a plastically deformable material, the connector piece being arranged between the armature member and the card.