Relay Operation State Maintaining Device Voltage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-voltage battery packs connected to electronic devices through relays continue to consume excess electricity and maintain a high-temperature state after transitioning from OFF to ON, leading to reduced relay lifespan and potential malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

A device that maintains the relay operation state using a second voltage value lower than the initial driving voltage, comprising a main switch, first and second switches, a comparator, and a third switch, which adjust voltages to control the relay's operating state efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a high voltage is continuously applied to the relay after transitioning from OFF to ON state, then the relay maintains its operational state reliably, but the relay consumes excessive electricity and generates high temperature, reducing its lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay operational state stabilityVSAvoidelectricity consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using a control circuit that periodically switches the relay between different voltage states. After the initial ON transition, the system alternates between applying full driving voltage and reduced maintaining voltage, thereby reducing average power consumption while ensuring the relay remains in its ON state through periodic reinforcement of the magnetic field.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If a high voltage is continuously applied to the relay after transitioning from OFF to ON state, then the relay maintains its operational state reliably, but the relay remains in a high-temperature state, reducing its lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay operational state stabilityVSAvoidrelay temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit implements periodic voltage application where the relay receives full driving voltage only during transition phases and maintains its state with reduced voltage during steady operation. This periodic reduction in voltage directly reduces the thermal load on the relay, preventing excessive temperature accumulation while maintaining operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Use of energy by moving object

If a voltage lower than the initial driving voltage is applied to maintain the relay state, then electricity consumption and temperature are reduced, but the complexity of the control circuit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectricity consumptionVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit employs self-service principles by using the relay's own operational state feedback to automatically regulate the voltage application. The circuit monitors whether the relay is in ON or OFF state and autonomously adjusts the voltage level without requiring external control signals, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving energy savings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution extends the relay's lifespan and reduces the risk of malfunctions by minimizing electricity consumption and temperature, while maintaining the relay's operational state effectively.

Implementation Method 1

the comparator configured to output the output voltage by comparing a reference voltage value with a voltage of a reference node

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage comparison: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentEP3719995B1Device for maintaining operation state of relay
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP3719995B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3719995B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3719995B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A device for maintaining an operation state of a relay with a second voltage value that is less than a first voltage value, the first voltage value being an initial driving voltage for the relay, includes: a main switch to output an output voltage to the relay by switching an input voltage according to a main operating voltage that varies according to an ON-OFF state of a first switch; the first switch to adjust the main operating voltage according to a first operating voltage that varies according to an ON-OFF state of a second switch; the second switch to control the first operating voltage according to an output voltage of a comparator; the comparator to output the output voltage by comparing a reference voltage value with a voltage of a reference node; and a third switch to control the voltage of the reference node according to an input signal.