Multi-Phase Relay Terminal Layout for Lower Copper Use

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-phase electromagnetic relays face issues of high copper consumption, complex assembly, and high cost due to crossed lead-out structures and Z-shaped movable-static contact piece assemblies, leading to complications in insulation, spot-welding, and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

The design includes input and output terminals led out from opposite sides of the base in a non-crossed and spaced manner, with parallel arrangement and external connection ends, and a novel movable-static contact matching structure with parallel components, reducing copper consumption and simplifying assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the input terminal and output terminal are led out adjacent to each other from the base, then the wiring arrangement is compact, but the lead-out structures cross each other causing high copper consumption and complex assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase area utilizationVSAvoidcopper consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spatial arrangement dimension by leading input terminals from the first side wall and output terminals from the opposite second side wall of the base, rather than adjacent walls. This dimensional reconfiguration prevents crossing of lead-out structures and reduces copper consumption while maintaining compact footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of substance

If the lead-out structures are arranged to avoid crossing, then copper consumption is reduced, but the terminals require more space outside the base

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecopper consumptionVSAvoidterminal lead-out length
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the terminal arrangement by separating input terminals on one side wall from output terminals on the opposite side wall, allowing each to have its own dedicated lead-out path without crossing. This segmentation reduces total copper length while the bending arrangement manages the external terminal positioning efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the movable-static contact piece assembly forms a Z-shaped structure, then the contact switching function is achieved, but the copper consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact switching functionVSAvoidcopper consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of the Z-shaped movable-static contact piece assembly and replaces it with a simplified parallel arrangement where movable contact pieces directly connect to static contact pieces. This extraction removes the unnecessary Z-shaped copper routing while preserving the contact switching reliability through direct parallel connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Area of stationary object

If the lead-out structures cross inside the base, then the terminal arrangement is compact, but the insulation and spot-welding processes become complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase area utilizationVSAvoidassembly and spot-welding process
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the manufacturing complexity by changing the spatial dimension of lead-out structure arrangement. By leading input terminals from one side wall and output terminals from the opposite side wall, the lead-out structures run parallel without crossing, eliminating insulation and spot-welding complications while maintaining compact base area utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 reduces copper consumption, lowers costs, simplifies assembly, and ensures safe electrical insulation, while maintaining effective operation in high-voltage environments.

Implementation Method 1

a multi-phase electromagnetic relay includes a base, a plurality of lead-out structures led out from the inside out of the base and a plurality of movable-static contact matching structures installed inside the base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4358109B1Multi-phase electromagnetic relay
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 XIAMEN HONGFA ELECTRIC POWER CONTROLS CO LTD
  • EP4358109B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4358109B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4358109B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A multi-phase electromagnetic relay, comprising a plurality of paths of lead-out terminals and a plurality of movable and stationary contact matching structures (61, 62, 63), wherein each lead-out terminal separately comprises a wire inlet terminal (21, 22, 23) and a wire outlet terminal (31, 32, 33); a movable and stationary contact matching structure is matched between the wire inlet terminal and the wire outlet terminal in the same path; a plurality of wire inlet terminals are arranged at one side of the movable and stationary contact matching structure, and a plurality of wire outlet terminals are arranged at the other side of the movable and stationary contact matching structure; The plurality of wire inlet terminals are spaced apart from each other but are not staggered, the plurality of wire outlet terminals are spaced apart from each other but are not staggered, and the plurality of wire inlet terminals and the plurality of wire outlet terminals are spaced apart from each other but are not staggered; The external connection ends (211, 221, 231) of the plurality of wire inlet terminals and the external connection ends (311, 321, 331) of the plurality of wire outlet terminals all extend towards the same direction; and the external connection end of the wire inlet terminal and the external connection end of the wire outlet terminal in the same path are oppositely arranged at the two sides of the movable and stationary contact matching structure. According to the multi-phase electromagnetic relay, the lead-out terminals can be prevented from being arranged in a staggered mode, so that the problems of complex insulation and spot-welding are solved, and copper consumption can be reduced; moreover, the copper consumption of movable and stationary spring components in the relay can be reduced, so that the cost is reduced.