Electromagnetic Relay Facing Portion Contact Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electromagnetic relays, the electromagnetic repulsive force generated by current flow through C-shaped and inverted C-shaped contact conductors leads to uneven current distribution, causing the contacts to come out of contact with each other due to lack of pressure at certain points.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a facing portion on the fixed contact terminal that intersects the contact-making and breaking direction, creating a gap with the movable touch piece, allowing the Lorentz force to generate a pushing force that increases contact pressure between the movable and fixed contacts, preventing them from disconnecting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If C-shaped and inverted C-shaped contact conductors are used to generate electromagnetic repulsive force, then contact pressure is improved, but current distribution becomes uneven causing contacts to come out of contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by adding a facing portion that extends in a direction intersecting the contact-making and breaking direction. This facing portion creates a new current path dimension that was not present in the conventional C-shaped conductors, allowing electromagnetic repulsive force to be generated more uniformly across the contact surface rather than only at the ends.
Solution Approach 2:
The facing portion is strategically positioned to lie over specific regions of the movable touch piece in plan view, creating localized electromagnetic repulsive force where needed. This ensures that current flows through portions adjacent to the connecting shaft, generating local electromagnetic repulsive force to prevent contacts from coming out of contact at critical locations.
2Power
If current flows through the shortest path, then electrical conductivity is improved, but electromagnetic repulsive force becomes concentrated at ends causing contact separation
Solution Approach 1:
The current path is segmented into multiple sections by introducing the facing portion. Instead of a single continuous shortest path, the current is divided to flow through both the facing portion and the movable touch piece in series, creating multiple current flow sections that generate distributed electromagnetic repulsive force throughout the contact 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
This configuration ensures reliable contact between the movable and fixed contacts by evenly distributing the electromagnetic repulsive force, enhancing contact pressure and preventing disconnection, thus eliminating the need for additional design considerations like bus bars.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic repulsive force generated by the Lorentz force caused by the current Ip flowing through each of the contact conductors 115 and the movable contact 130
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electromagnetic relay including a case, a first fixed contact terminal including a first fixed contact, a second fixed contact terminal including a second fixed contact, and a movable touch piece including, on one surface of the movable touch piece, a first movable contact and a second movable contact configured to come into and out of contact in a contact-making and breaking direction. The first fixed contact terminal includes a facing portion disposed facing the other surface of the movable touch piece with a gap provided between the facing portion and the movable touch piece, and at least part of the facing portion lies over the movable touch piece in plan view in the contact-making and breaking direction.