Relay Circuit Current Divider Resistor Capacitor Contact Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing relay circuits face increased production costs and complexity due to the need for multiple resistors in series to maintain a current equal to or above the minimum requirement, which can lead to contact failures when the relay is in an on state.
Innovation Solution
A relay circuit incorporating a current divider with a resistor and capacitor connected in series, which temporarily increases the current through the contact to meet the minimum requirement without continuously feeding the minimum requirement current, thereby reducing the likelihood of contact failures and simplifying the circuit configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple resistors are connected in series to maintain current equal to or above the minimum requirement, then the relay is less likely to have contact failure, but the circuit configuration becomes complicated and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the circuit parameters by using a capacitor to create transient current behavior. When the relay contacts close, the capacitor initially acts as a short circuit, allowing high inrush current to flow through the contacts to break oxide films. As the capacitor charges, the current automatically decreases to a lower steady-state value, eliminating the need for multiple resistors to limit current continuously.
2Reliability
If current equal to or larger than the minimum requirement current is continuously fed through the relay contact, then contact failure is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the capacitor's charging and discharging cycles. During each relay activation, the capacitor provides a periodic high-current pulse to clean the contacts, then allows current to drop to minimal levels during the off state. This periodic high-current action maintains contact reliability without requiring continuous high current flow, significantly reducing overall power consumption.
3Reliability
If multiple resistors are connected in series to regulate current, then the relay is less likely to have contact failure, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the current-limiting function from the resistor network and transfers it to the capacitor's inherent electrical properties. Instead of using multiple resistors to continuously limit current, the capacitor naturally limits current through its charging behavior, eliminating the need for multiple resistor components and reducing production costs while maintaining contact reliability.
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 solution effectively reduces the likelihood of contact failures in the relay while minimizing power consumption and production costs by using a resistor-capacitor series circuit to manage current flow, especially when the relay is in an on state.
Implementation Method 1
The current divider includes a resistor and a capacitor connected in series and grounded
Implementation Method 2
The current divider includes a resistor and a capacitor connected in series and grounded
Implementation Method 3
The mechanical relay includes a coil and a contact that is configured to switch on and off a supply of power to a load that is configured to operate with power supplied from a direct-current power supply through conduction of the coil
Data Source
AI summary
A relay circuit includes a relay and a current divider. The relay includes a coil and a contact. The contact is configured to switches on and off a supply of power to a load that is configured to operate with power supplied from a direct-current power supply through conduction of the coil. The current divider is connected between the contact and the load and configured to split a current supplied from the power supply to the load. The current divider incudes a resistor and a capacitor connected in series and grounded.