Electromagnetic Relay Gas Passage Layout for Re-Arcing Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic relays suffer from re-arcing due to high temperature gas generated at the contacts, which can deteriorate insulation and cause further arcing, as the gas passages in current designs allow the gas to return to the contacts, reducing the effectiveness of arc suppression.
Innovation Solution
The electromagnetic relay design includes gas passages that extend in the longitudinal direction, with inlets and outlets positioned away from the contacts, and magnets that elongate arcs towards contact surfaces, guiding high temperature gas away from the contact area, thereby preventing re-arcing and reducing inlet consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the gas passage extends in the lateral direction with inlet and outlet near the contacts, then the gas passage structure is simple, but the high temperature gas returns to the contacts causing re-arcing
Solution Approach 1:
The gas passage is reoriented from lateral extension to longitudinal extension, changing the spatial dimension of gas flow. The inlet is positioned at the arc contact surface and the outlet extends in the longitudinal direction away from the contacts, preventing hot gas return while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The first inner wall is introduced as an intermediary structure between the fixed terminal and the longitudinal inner side surface. It creates a dedicated channel (gas passage) that guides hot gas away from the contacts, acting as a mediator to prevent direct contact between hot gas and contacts
2Reliability
If the magnet is positioned to elongate the arc, then arc extinction is improved, but the arc may contact surfaces that increase inlet consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The arc contact surface is specifically positioned on the lateral inner side surface at a location that receives the elongated arc. This localized design allows the arc to contact a controlled surface area, and the associated inlet is positioned to capture only the necessary gas flow, reducing overall inlet consumption while maintaining effective arc extinction
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 design effectively suppresses re-arcing by preventing high temperature gas from returning to the contacts, enhancing arc elongation and reducing inlet consumption, thus improving the reliability and efficiency of the relay.
Implementation Method 1
The Lorentz force acting on the arc by the magnet elongates the arc, and thereby rapidly extinguishes the arc.
Implementation Method 2
The high temperature gas generated at the contacts passes through the gas passage.
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnetic relay includes a first fixed terminal, a first fixed contact, a first movable contact, a case, a first inner wall, a first gas passage, and a first magnet. The case includes a first longitudinal inner side surface and a first lateral inner surface. The first lateral inner side surface includes a first central surface and a first arc contact surface. The first arc contact surface is located between the first central surface and the first longitudinal inner side surface in the lateral direction. The first gas passage includes a first inlet facing the first arc contact surface in the longitudinal direction. The first gas passage is disposed between the first inner wall and the first longitudinal inner side surface. The first magnet elongates an arc generated between the first fixed contact and the first movable contact toward the first arc contact surface.