Relay Base Monitoring for Predictive Replacement Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing relay systems experience downtime due to unplanned failures, which are costly and time-consuming to address, as identifying and replacing faulty components requires significant effort and can lead to production stoppages.

Innovation Solution

A base with a detection device that monitors parameters such as switching cycles of electrical components, allowing for predictive maintenance by estimating the remaining lifespan and issuing alerts when replacement is necessary, thereby minimizing downtime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If relay components are replaced only after failure, then replacement costs are minimized, but system downtime and productivity loss increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoiddowntime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The detection device monitors parameters such as switching cycles and operational status of relay components in real-time, enabling early identification of degradation trends before actual failure occurs. This preliminary detection allows maintenance to be scheduled proactively, preventing unplanned downtime and ensuring system availability is maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If relay components are replaced at regular intervals, then system reliability is maintained, but replacement costs increase for components that may still be functional

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidmaintenance costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The detection device provides continuous feedback on the actual operational status and parameter values of relay components. This feedback mechanism enables condition-based maintenance decisions, where components are replaced only when monitoring data indicates degradation beyond acceptable thresholds, optimizing the balance between reliability and maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If detection devices are integrated into the base, then component monitoring capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter detection accuracyVSAvoidbase structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection device is designed as a multi-functional integrated component that monitors multiple parameters (switching cycles, operational status, electrical characteristics) simultaneously. By combining these monitoring functions into a single integrated device within the base, the patent enhances measurement precision while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity compared to multiple separate monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4169052B1Base for an electric/electronic component
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 COMATRELECO AG
  • EP4169052B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4169052B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a base (100), more particularly a relay base, comprising more particularly a mounting region (180) for detachably mounting the base (100) on a top-hat rail (500); a receptacle for an electric and/or electronic component (200), more particularly a relay or a contactor, wherein the base (100) comprises at least two electronic connections (110, 111) for the electric and/or electronic component (200), and wherein the base (100) comprises at least two terminal contacts (102, 103), connected to one of the electronic connections each. The base (100) further comprises a detection device (130) for detecting a first value of a parameter of the electric and/or electronic component (200). The invention further relates to a method for determining a parameter of an electric and/or electronic component (200) on a base (100), in which method a first value of the parameter is detected by a detection device (130) in the base (100).