Multi-Contact Reed Structure for Adjustable Relay Contact Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing relay technologies with multi-contact structures face challenges in maintaining consistent contact gaps while allowing for adjustments and reducing friction and shavings, leading to potential arc formation and reduced reliability due to temperature rise.

Innovation Solution

A movable contact piece with a connecting piece that includes an elastic arm abutting against adjacent swing pieces, allowing adjustable contact gaps and reduced friction through flanged structures and V-shaped bends, ensuring consistent gap maintenance and minimizing shavings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the connecting piece is completely fixed to the movable contacts, then the contact gaps can remain consistent, but the contact gaps cannot be adjusted when needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact gap consistencyVSAvoidcontact gap adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting piece is designed with an elastic arm that can dynamically adjust its position and pressure on the swing piece. The elastic arm can be pressed to adjust contact gaps during assembly or operation, providing adaptability while maintaining consistency through its elastic restoring force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic arm allows changing the contact gap parameter by adjusting the pressure applied to the swing piece. By modifying the elastic arm's deflection or the force applied, the contact gap can be precisely tuned to meet different requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the push card tilts during operation, then the multiple contact gaps fluctuate, but completely fixing the connecting piece prevents adjustment for specific conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact gap stabilityVSAvoidadjustability for specific conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic arm provides dynamic compensation for push card tilt by adjusting its pressure on the swing piece. When tilt occurs, the elastic arm can deform to accommodate the change while maintaining stable contact gaps through its elastic properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic arm acts as a cushioning element that anticipates and compensates for push card tilt before it causes significant contact gap fluctuations. The elastic deformation absorbs the shock and maintains stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the elastic arm exerts pressure on the swing piece, then contact gaps can be adjusted, but friction and shavings increase leading to arc formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact gap adjustabilityVSAvoidfriction and shavings
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic arm is designed as a flexible component that distributes pressure over a larger area and reduces concentrated stress points. This flexibility minimizes friction and prevents material shavings while maintaining adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic arm allows precise control of pressure parameters on the swing piece. By optimizing the elastic arm's material properties and geometry, the pressure can be tuned to achieve adjustability while minimizing friction and shavings below threshold levels that cause arcing.

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

The solution ensures consistent contact gaps, reduces friction and shavings, prevents arc formation, and extends the service life of the relay by maintaining reliable contact performance under varying conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the connecting piece including a piece body and an elastic arm extending along the width direction of the body of the movable contact piece, the elastic arm abutting against remaining swing pieces other than the swing piece fixed with the connecting piece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4675664A1Multi-contact movable reed and electromagnetic relay
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 XIAMEN HONGFA ELECTRIC POWER CONTROLS CO LTD
  • EP4675664A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4675664A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4675664A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A multi-contact movable reed, comprising a body which is provided with two opposite surfaces, two opposite ends in the length direction of the body, and two opposite sides in the width direction thereof, wherein the part of the body close to a first end is a root, the body is provided with at least one slit in the length direction to form at least two swinging members capable of freely swinging relative to the root of the body; and a movable contact is fixed to the position of one surface of each swinging member close to a free end of the swinging member. The free end of at least one swinging member is provided with an extension portion. which extends in a direction away from the movable contact. A connecting piece is fixed to at least one swinging member, and the connecting piece comprises a piece body and an elastic arm extending in the width direction of the body of the moving reed, wherein the elastic arm abuts against the swinging member other than the swinging member to which the connecting piece is fixed; and by adjusting the value of pressure applied to the swinging member by the elastic arm, a contact gap between the movable contact on the swinging member and a corresponding fixed contact is adjusted.