Electromagnetic Relay Spring Deformation Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic relays face challenges in ensuring reliable opening and closing operations of contacts, often resulting in plastic deformation of springs due to mechanical stress, which can lead to operational failures.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a housing with protrusions that prevent plastic deformation of springs by allowing elastic deformation, featuring a movable spring with a base end fixed to the housing and a tip end with a movable contact, and a fixed spring with a base end fixed to the housing and a tip end with a fixed contact, along with a protrusion on the cover that absorbs impact and maintains contact reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the contact structure is made robust to ensure reliable opening and closing operations, then the reliability improves, but the springs may undergo plastic deformation due to increased mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The housing includes a protrusion that extends toward the fixed contact from the opposite side, positioned to absorb impact forces before they can cause plastic deformation of the springs. This cushioning structure is built in advance to protect against potential impact damage, allowing the springs to undergo only elastic deformation during normal operation and abnormal events like drops.
2Ease of operation
If the spring structure allows elastic deformation for smooth operation, then the ease of operation improves, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential plastic deformation under mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion acts as an intermediary protective element between the external impact forces and the spring mechanism. It absorbs and dissipates impact energy, serving as a mediator that protects the springs from forces that would otherwise cause plastic deformation while allowing the springs to maintain their elastic deformation capability for smooth operation during normal use.
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 enhances the reliability of contact switching operations by preventing plastic deformation of springs, ensuring smooth and durable operation even under mechanical stress or impact, such as from the relay falling.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet; an actuator which is actuated in response to a magnetic action of the electromagnet
Implementation Method 2
the contact includes a movable spring having a base end fixed to a bottom of the housing and a tip end provided with a movable contact, and a fixed spring having a base end fixed to the bottom of the housing and a tip end provided with a fixed contact
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnetic relay includes a contact including a movable spring having a base end fixed to a bottom of a housing and a tip end provided with a movable contact, and a fixed spring having a base end fixed to the bottom of the housing and a tip end provided with a fixed contact. The movable contact is provided opposite to the fixed contact so as to come in contact with the fixed contact or move away therefrom. The housing has a protrusion protruding toward a side of the fixed contact opposite to a side facing the movable contact.