Relay Detection Assembly for Contact Conduction Status

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing relays lack a detection mechanism to quickly determine if contacts are conducted or stuck, making it difficult to identify and address issues promptly.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a detection assembly with an auxiliary moving contact bridge and auxiliary static contact bridge that can be connected or disconnected by a pushing mechanism, allowing for real-time detection of the conduction status between the moving and static contact bridges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no detection assembly is used in the relay, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect contact conduction status and identify stuck contacts deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact conduction detection capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection assembly is integrated into the existing relay structure by utilizing the moving contact bridge as a shared component. The auxiliary moving contact bridge is connected to the same pushing mechanism that actuates the main moving contact bridge, merging the detection function with the existing switching mechanism without requiring separate actuation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary moving contact bridge serves as an intermediary element that transfers the mechanical motion from the pushing mechanism to the auxiliary static contact bridge. This intermediary structure enables indirect detection of the contact conduction status through electrical connection changes, allowing detection without directly monitoring the main contact bridge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a detection assembly with auxiliary contact bridges is added, then the detection precision and response time improve, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact status detection accuracyVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pushing mechanism serves dual functions: it actuates the main moving contact bridge for circuit switching and simultaneously drives the auxiliary moving contact bridge for detection purposes. This multi-functionality allows the same mechanical actuator to control both the primary switching operation and the secondary detection function, reducing the need for additional components.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary contact bridge system creates a simplified copy of the main contact bridge mechanism. By replicating the essential motion and connection characteristics in a smaller, dedicated detection circuit, the system enables precise monitoring of contact status without requiring a complete duplicate of the main switching mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 and timely detection of contact conduction, improving the operational reliability and safety of the relay by determining the conduction status and position of the moving contact bridge.

Implementation Method 1

a pushing mechanism 104 connected with the moving contact bridge 103; an auxiliary moving contact bridge 106 connected with the pushing mechanism 104

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

capable of being connected or disconnected by a pushing mechanism, allowing for real-time detection of the conduction status between the moving and static contact bridges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3432337B1relay
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 BYD CO LTD
  • EP3432337B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3432337B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3432337B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention discloses a relay, comprising a housing, static contact bridges, a moving contact bridge, a pushing mechanism and a detection assembly. The static contact bridges is arranged on the housing, the moving contact bridge is movably arranged in the housing between a conduction position where the moving contact bridge is conducted with the static contact bridges and a disconnection position where the moving contact bridge is disconnected from the static contact bridges, and the pushing mechanism is connected with the moving contact bridge and used for pushing the moving contact bridge to move between the conduction position and the disconnection position; the detection assembly comprises an auxiliary moving contact bridge and an auxiliary static contact bridge, the auxiliary moving contact bridge is connected with the pushing mechanism, the auxiliary static contact bridge is arranged on the housing, the auxiliary moving contact bridge is connected with the auxiliary static contact bridge when the moving contact bridge is at the conduction position, and the auxiliary moving contact bridge is disconnected from the auxiliary static contact bridge when the moving contact bridge is at the disconnection position.