Electromagnetic Relay Freeze Prevention Using Positional Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for preventing electromagnetic relays from freezing require temperature sensors and voltage sensors, leading to increased size and cost.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that uses positional and date/time information to determine if an electromagnetic relay is likely to be frozen, and performs a freeze inhibiting process by repeatedly opening and closing the relay to prevent freezing without the need for temperature or voltage sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If temperature sensor and voltage sensor are added to detect relay freezing state, then the reliability of freeze detection is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic relay performs self-diagnosis by monitoring its own operating state. The control unit determines relay position based on the relay's inherent operational characteristics without requiring external sensors, allowing the system to serve its own detection needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical sensors (temperature sensor and voltage sensor) with an electronic control unit that uses logical judgment based on relay position information. This substitutes hardware detection mechanisms with software-based state analysis
2Reliability
If temperature sensor and voltage sensor are added to detect relay freezing state, then the reliability of freeze detection is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from separate physical sensors and integrates it into the control unit's logical processing. By removing the need for temperature sensor and voltage sensor hardware, the apparatus size is reduced while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is given multiple functions: it both controls the electromagnetic relay operation and determines its position state. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated detection hardware, reducing overall apparatus size
3Reliability
If freeze inhibiting process is performed by repeatedly opening and closing relay, then the effectiveness of freeze prevention is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The freeze inhibiting process uses periodic opening and closing operations of the relay at predetermined intervals. This periodic action generates vibrations that prevent ice formation without requiring continuous operation, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining freeze prevention effectiveness
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 prevents the electromagnetic relay from freezing or defrosts it without the need for additional sensors, reducing size and cost, and allowing for proactive prevention of freezing before it occurs.
Implementation Method 1
An electromagnetic relay switches in response to a movable terminal being displaced relative to a stationary terminal due to electromagnetic induction of an exciting coil
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A control unit (30) includes: an input portion (Tl) that receives the positional information of a vehicle (1); a calculation unit (40) that generates a control signal for controlling an electromagnetic relay (10); and an output portion (T4) that outputs the control signal to the electromagnetic relay (10). The calculation unit (40) determines whether a location region of the electromagnetic relay (10) is a relay-freeze region, the location region being identified by the positional information of the vehicle (1), and, when the location region of the electromagnetic relay (10) is a relay-freeze region, performs a freeze inhibiting process for preventing the electromagnetic relay (10) from being frozen or defrosting the electromagnetic relay (10) by opening and closing the electromagnetic relay (10) and causing the electromagnetic relay (10) to vibrate.