Relay Bypass Mechanism for Manual Terminal Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Latching relays in electrical applications 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 decoupled from the electromagnetic control unit, allowing manual operation through moveable members with acute or obtuse angles to force the contact member between terminals, enabling connection or disconnection regardless of the relay's state, using actuators and supporting layers for efficient transition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latching relay is used to control terminal connections, then the relay can maintain contact position indefinitely without power, but the relay may fail to disconnect or connect terminals effectively when power is insufficient or during outages
Solution Approach 1:
A mechanical bypass mechanism is introduced as an intermediary system that can force the contact member between terminals independently of the electromagnetic control unit. This bypass mechanism includes moveable members with acute or obtuse angles that mechanically force the contact member to achieve reliable terminal connections or disconnections even when the relay control system fails during power outages or insufficient power conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the bypass mechanism uses moveable members with acute or obtuse angles to force the contact member, then manual control effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using the electromagnetic control unit to move the contact member, the bypass mechanism inverts the approach by using mechanically-operated members with acute or obtuse angles to directly force the contact member between terminals. This inversion allows manual operation to override the electromagnetic control system, providing effective control during power failures while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical 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
Enables reliable manual control of terminal connections and disconnections, ensuring energy systems can operate even if the latching relay fails, by providing a bidirectional bypass mechanism that does not rely on the relay's control unit, thus ensuring continuous functionality during power outages or insufficient power situations.
Implementation Method 1
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
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 1E~1F
AI summary
There is provided a switch device including a switch and a bypass mechanism and a method of manually operating the switch of the switch device. The switch includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a contact member that is 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 being either 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. Further provided are energy generation and/or storage systems that contain the switch device, as well as methods of controlling connection of these systems to a power grid and/or a load.