Relay Control Apparatus for Arc Suppression via Zero Crossing Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Relays experience the arc phenomenon when turned on or off at inappropriate times due to wide-ranging turn-on and turn-off delay parameters, leading to reliability issues and performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus and method that detect input voltage and current, adjust turn-on and turn-off times based on zero crossing points and delay calculations to compensate for delays, using a voltage detector, current detector, driver, and controller to ensure precise timing and avoid arc phenomena.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If relay is turned on or off using conventional timing control, then the relay operation is simple, but the arc phenomenon occurs causing reliability degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus measures the actual turn-on delay and turn-off delay of the relay by detecting the real turn-on time point and real turn-off time point, then feeds back these delay values to adjust the initial turn-on time point and initial turn-off time point. This closed-loop feedback mechanism compensates for the wide-ranging delay parameters, ensuring the relay operates at the correct time points and suppresses the arc phenomenon, thereby improving reliability without requiring overly complex control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus performs preliminary measurement of the relay's turn-on delay and turn-off delay characteristics before actual operation. By obtaining the actual delay values in advance through detection circuits and calculating units, the system can pre-adjust the initial turn-on time point and initial turn-off time point to account for these delays. This preliminary action ensures that the relay is actually turned on at the voltage zero crossing point and turned off at the current zero crossing point, preventing arc phenomena before they occur.
2Reliability
If relay turn-on and turn-off time points are not precisely controlled, then the control system is simple, but the arc phenomenon causes carbonization or connection point breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus replaces conventional mechanical or simple electronic timing control with a precision control system that uses detection circuits to measure actual relay operation times. By substituting the simple timing mechanism with a system that detects voltage and current waveforms, calculates actual delay values, and dynamically adjusts timing, the system achieves high precision turn-on and turn-off control. This substitution eliminates the arc phenomenon by ensuring operation at exact zero crossing points, preventing carbonization and connection point breakage.
3Productivity
If the relay is turned on at high input voltage or turned off at high current, then the control is simpler, but the arc phenomenon occurs reducing system performance
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus dynamically changes the timing parameters (initial turn-on time point and initial turn-off time point) based on the actual relay delay characteristics and the voltage/current waveform parameters. By adjusting these parameters to account for the wide-ranging delay values, the system ensures the relay is turned on at the voltage zero crossing point and turned off at the current zero crossing point. This parameter adjustment eliminates the harmful arc phenomenon while maintaining optimal system performance and productivity.
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
Effectively suppresses the arc phenomenon, enhancing the reliability and performance of the relay and the overall system by ensuring accurate turn-on and turn-off times.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage detector, configured for detecting an input voltage of the relay
Implementation Method 2
a current detector, coupled to the relay, detecting a current flowing through the relay
Implementation Method 3
relay is commonly used as a switch, which is capable for controlling the power transmission path to be turned on or turned off by electromagnetic effects
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus for a relay and controlling method thereof. The controlling method includes: detecting an input voltage of the relay and a current flowing through the relay; obtaining a voltage zero crossing point information according to the input voltage and a reference voltage value; turning on the relay at an initial turn-on time point according to the voltage zero crossing point information, and obtaining a real turn-on time point of the relay according to the current flowing through the relay; obtaining a turn-on delay of the relay according to the initial turn-on time point and the real turn-on time point, and adjusting the initial turn-on time point to obtain a compensated turn-on time point according to the turn-on delay.