Sealed Relay With Ring Contacts For Circuit Changeover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum switches are limited to making and breaking connections between conductors without the ability to change over circuit connections, which restricts their functionality in more complex electrical applications.
Innovation Solution
A sealed relay design that includes an insulating tube, movable member with ring-shaped contacts, and a double-structured bellows for vacuum sealing and electrical conduction, allowing for both making and breaking connections as well as changing over circuit connections by using ring-shaped contacts and a conducting bellows for efficient high-frequency current conduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a vacuum switch is designed simply to make and break connections between conductors, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability or versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The relay connect portions are designed to provide multiple functions: they serve as both connection points for making/breaking circuits and as connection points for changing over circuit connections. The movable member with multiple contacts (first, second, third, and fourth contacts) enables the single device to perform both simple make/break operations and complex changeover operations, achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate devices
2Area of moving object
If ring-shaped contacts are used instead of simple contacts, then the area of moving object is increased for improved high-frequency conduction, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple contact functions into a single movable member that carries multiple contacts (first, second, third, and fourth contacts). The ring-shaped contacts are integrated directly onto the movable member, combining the contact structure with the moving component. This merging approach increases contact area for improved high-frequency conduction while avoiding the need for separate contact components that would increase device complexity
3Quantity of substance
If a double-structured bellows is used for both vacuum sealing and electrical conduction, then the quantity of substance is reduced by eliminating separate conductive materials, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows is designed with a double structure where it simultaneously performs two functions: vacuum sealing (isolating the vacuum environment) and electrical conduction (providing a conductive path). This multi-functional bellows eliminates the need for separate conductive materials or components, reducing the quantity of substances required while integrating the conduction function into the existing sealing structure
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows employs a composite structure combining vacuum-sealing properties with electrical conduction properties. The double-structured design integrates materials or structural features that provide both airtight sealing and electrical conductivity, creating a composite solution that achieves both functions in a single component
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
Enables the sealed relay to change over circuit connections, increase contact area for improved high-frequency conduction, simplify circuit design, reduce the number of parts, and minimize the size and complexity of the operating mechanism, while eliminating the need for conductive materials in the movable rod.
Implementation Method 1
a bellows to seal an inside of the insulating tube airtightly
Implementation Method 2
the outer circumferential bellows is configured to have a property for electric conduction
Data Source
AI summary
Conventional example is arranged simply to turn a circuit on/off, and not to changeover connection.Sealed relay 1 comprises: insulating tube 2; first relay connect portion 4 attached to one end of insulating tube 2, and provided with first contact 3 on inside surface; second relay connect portion 5 disposed in confrontation with first relay connect portion 4 in insulating tube 2; movable member 7 disposed movably between first and second relay connect portions 4 and 5, and provided with second contact 6 contacting with first contact 3 when moved toward the first relay connect portion; and operating mechanism to move the movable member. Third relay connect portion 10 including third contact 9 is provided between the second and first relay connect portions. Movable member 7 includes a fourth contact contacting with the third contact when the first and second contacts are out of contact from each other.