Relay Proximity Plate Current Direction for Contact Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional relays face challenges in maintaining contact between movable and fixed contacts during large-current energization due to the increasing electromagnetic repulsive force, leading to potential separation issues.

Innovation Solution

The relay design incorporates a configuration where the direction of current in stator proximity plates matches or opposes the direction of current in movable element proximity plates, generating an inter-plate attraction or repulsive force to counteract the electromagnetic repulsive force, ensuring contact stability through Lorentz forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the coil is energized to close the electric circuit, then the movable contacts come into contact with the fixed contacts, but the electromagnetic repulsive force causes separation between the movable contacts and fixed contacts during large-current energization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact stabilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic repulsive force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the counterweight principle by introducing an inter-plate attraction force that acts in opposition to the electromagnetic repulsive force. The attraction force is generated between the stator proximity plate portion and movable element proximity plate portion through current flow, creating a counterbalancing effect that prevents contact separation during large-current energization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the inter-plate attraction force as an intermediary mechanism to maintain contact stability. This attraction force, generated between the proximity plate portions, serves as a mediating force that counteracts the harmful electromagnetic repulsive force and ensures reliable contact closure without requiring excessive contact pressure spring force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a larger contact pressure spring is used to counteract the electromagnetic repulsive force, then contact stability improves, but the relay size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact stabilityVSAvoidrelay size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical contact pressure spring system with an electromechanical system that generates inter-plate attraction force through current flow. This substitution allows the attraction force to assist the contact pressure spring in maintaining contact stability, enabling the use of a smaller spring and reducing the overall relay size while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the system by introducing current flow through the proximity plate portions, which generates electromagnetic attraction force. This parameter change (from mechanical-only to electromechanical) enables dynamic force generation that counteracts the repulsive force, allowing for a more compact relay design with reduced spring dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively restricts separation between movable and fixed contacts during large-current energization, allowing for a smaller contact pressure spring and a reduced relay size, while maintaining reliable contact operation.

Implementation Method 1

A direction of current flowing in the stator proximity plate portions is set to be same as a direction of current flowing in the movable element proximity plate portion to generate an inter-plate attraction force for attracting the movable element proximity plate portion onto the stator proximity plate portions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

a movable member attracted by an electromagnetic force of a coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9013253B2Relay

Publication Date: 2015.04.21 ANDEN CORP

AI summary

A relay includes two stators each having a fixed contact, and a movable element having movable contacts. Each of the stators includes a stator proximity plate portion adjacent to the movable element, and the movable element includes a movable element proximity plate portion adjacent to the stators. A direction of current flowing in the stator proximity plate portions is set to be same as a direction of current flowing in the movable element proximity plate portion to generate an inter-plate attraction force for attracting the movable element proximity plate portion onto the stator proximity plate portions. The movable element proximity plate portion is biased by the inter-plate attraction force toward a direction for bringing the movable contacts into contact with the fixed contacts.