DE102019101074B4 - Relay, arrangement and method for determining an armature position of a relay - Google Patents

Abstract

Relay (100) comprising:
a yoke (102) having a first coil (103) and a second coil (104);
an armature (107) which is arranged on the yoke (102) and between a closed position in which the armature (107) is pulled to the yoke (102) and an open position in which the armature (107) of the yoke (102) is spaced apart, can change;
a spring element (109) which has a first electrical contact (110) which can be brought into electrical connection with a second electrical contact (402);
the spring element (109) being mechanically coupled to the armature (107), the mechanical coupling transferring a movement of the armature (107) in the closing direction of the armature (107) and in the opening direction of the armature (107) to the spring element (109) is,
wherein the mechanical coupling comprises an actuating element (111) which is arranged between the armature (107) and the spring element (109), and wherein the mechanical coupling comprises an engaging element (113) which is arranged into an opening (112) of the Engage spring element (109).

Description

The present disclosure relates to a relay, an arrangement for determining an armature position of a relay and a method.

Relays can be used to switch safety-relevant lines. Relays with mechanically forcibly guided contacts can be used here. Such a relay can meet a standard, for example an EN 50205 standard. A contact position can be used to determine whether a contact set of a relay closes with a faulty contact position or not. A faulty contact position can be the welding of contacts. A complementary contact position of, for example, normally open or normally closed contacts can be ensured. Such relays can be used in safety switching devices in order to implement safety-relevant functions with a very low probability of failure, for example an emergency stop function. Such relays take up a lot of space compared to comparable standard relays.

Relay modules are versatile. Narrow relay modules have a small width, for example such a relay module can have a width of 3 mm to 3.5 mm. Only limited installation space is available in such a relay module.

The pamphlet AT 139 737 B discloses a polarized clapper armature relay.

The pamphlet DE 10 2012 106 922 A1 discloses a device for regulating the electromagnetic drive of a switching device.

It is the object of the present disclosure to show an improved concept for a relay.

This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying figures.

A relay in a relay module can comprise multiple coils which are arranged on a single yoke, for example a U-shaped yoke. By using a multi-coil relay as a transformer, the air gap and thus the armature position of the relay can be closed through a transmission behavior of a signal from a first coil to a second coil. For this purpose, the relay can have a mechanical coupling between the armature and a spring, so that the armature position can be determined reliably, even if the spring cannot exert normal restoring tension on the armature.

According to a first aspect, the object is achieved by a relay. The relay includes a yoke having a first coil and a second coil; an armature which is arranged on the yoke and can switch between a closed position in which the armature is pulled towards the yoke and an open position in which the armature is spaced apart from the yoke; a spring element having a first electrical contact which can be brought into electrical connection with a second electrical contact; wherein the spring element is mechanically coupled to the armature, wherein a movement of the armature in the closing direction of the armature and in the opening direction of the armature can be transmitted to the spring element by the mechanical coupling.

In the closed position, the armature can be attracted to the yoke. A current flows through the first coil and the second coil. This can be a control signal that is used to switch the relay. In the open position, no control signal is sent - the armature is not attracted by the yoke. The resetting from the closed position to the open position can be carried out by the spring element. During normal operation, the spring element exerts a force on the armature via the mechanical coupling which acts against the tightening direction, i.e. pushes the armature away from the yoke.

The spring element can be a contact spring and can have a first electrical contact. The first electrical contact can be a moving contact and can be arranged in the spring element. The first electrical contact is thus moved along with the spring movement. The second electrical contact can be a fixed contact. The second electrical contact can be mechanically connected to a housing of the relay, in particular fixed to the housing. If the armature is attracted by the yoke, the mechanical coupling transfers the movement to the spring element and the spring element is moved in the direction of the second electrical contact. In the closed position, the first electrical contact has an electrical connection with the second electrical contact. The mechanical coupling transmits a mechanical force from the armature to the spring element at at least one actuation point.

The mechanical coupling of the armature to the spring element serves, on the one hand, to transmit the tightening movement of the armature to the yoke to the spring element in order to bring the first electrical contact into electrical connection with the second electrical contact. On the other hand, the mechanical coupling serves to keep the anchor on a return to hinder in the open position, if the spring element cannot return completely to the starting position, for example due to welded contacts or some other misalignment. The armature can be connected to the spring element in a forced guidance, which contributes to a recognition of the armature position. This means that clear switching states are defined. If the contact of the relay is closed, the armature is in the working position. If the contact is welded or half-open, the armature is arranged with the working air gap slightly open. If the contact is safely open, ie according to EN 50205 a contact distance between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of more than 0.5 mm, the armature is open at the maximum working air gap.

In one embodiment, the spring element comprises a leaf spring. A leaf spring can have a compact design.

According to the invention, the mechanical coupling comprises an actuating element which is arranged between the armature and the spring element.

The actuating element can be fixed to the armature, in particular by means of a non-positive connection. The actuating element can be mechanically connected to the armature, in particular rigidly connected, for example encapsulated, glued or slipped on. The actuating element can, in interaction with formations of the housing of the relay, limit an armature movement, in particular limit a movement perpendicular to a tightening direction on the yoke. The actuating element can be connected to the spring element, in particular encompassing the spring element. The structurally implemented guidance of the actuating element in the spring element can contribute to reliably detecting a misalignment.

According to the invention, the mechanical coupling comprises an engagement element which is designed to engage in an opening of the spring element.

The engagement element can be a guide pin. The engagement element can be part of the actuation element. The spring element can have an opening. The opening can be formed on an edge of the spring element. The opening can be arranged at a freely selectable point around the spring element, in particular in the area of the first electrical contact. The engagement element can engage through the opening and thus fix the actuation element on the spring element in such a way that the actuation element is prevented from slipping. The opening can be slit-shaped. The engagement element can be joined through the opening during assembly and, in the joined state, ensure the positive guidance between the actuating element, the armature and the spring element by the driver.

In one embodiment, the engagement element comprises a driver which is set up to take along the spring element in the opening direction of the armature.

The driver can be a comb web. The driver can be designed as a projection on the engagement element. The driver and the engagement element can be designed in one piece or in several pieces. The driver can be inserted into an opening of the engagement element and protrude from this in order to grip around the spring element.

The driver can ensure that the armature and the spring element are constantly mechanically coupled to one another. This prevents the armature from being reset from the closed position to the open position if the spring element cannot follow this movement, for example when the first electrical contact is welded to the second electrical contact.

A misalignment of the spring element is thus transmitted to the armature and the armature is misaligned. The misalignment of the armature can be detected as described below and thus a misalignment of the spring element can be reliably detected. This means that incorrect contact behavior of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact can be reliably detected.

In one embodiment, the mechanical coupling is designed to apply a force to a first side of the spring element when the armature is brought into the closed position and to apply a force to the spring element by the driver on a second side opposite the first side when the armature should be brought into the open position.

The anchor can be brought from the closed position into the open position by the spring element. If the spring element is blocked, for example in the event of a misalignment, in particular if the first and second contacts are welded, the armature could switch between the open and the closed position as desired, for example when the housing of the relay is shaken or shaken. As a result of the mechanical coupling with the spring element, the armature can exert a force on the spring element, which means that the armature cannot return to the open position when the spring element is blocked.

In one embodiment, the opening of the spring element comprises a notch or a hole.

If the opening is a hole, the engagement element can engage through the hole and the driver can be attached to the engagement element during assembly from the opposite side in such a way that the engagement element can no longer slip back through the hole. If the opening is a notch, i.e. is arranged on the edge of the spring element, this can facilitate assembly, since the engagement element can be pushed laterally into the spring element. The notch can include an open side.

In one embodiment, the opening comprises a notch, the driver and the engagement element being in one piece and engaging in the notch.

If the opening is designed as a notch, i.e. if the spring element has a notch or indentation on the edge of the spring element, the engagement element and the driver can be made in one piece and pushed laterally into the spring element during assembly.

In one configuration, the first coil has a first connection and the second coil has a second connection, the first connection being set up to be connected to a signal transmitter and the second connection being set up to be connected to a measuring device.

The armature position can be detected via the first connection and the second connection, as described below.

• einem Signalgeber, der mit der ersten Spule elektrisch verbunden und eingerichtet ist, ein erstes Signal an die erste Spule auszusenden, und
• einer Messvorrichtung, die mit der zweiten Spule elektrisch verbunden und eingerichtet ist, ein zweites Signal an der zweiten Spule zu erfassen, wobei das zweite Signal ein Antwortsignal auf eine Anregung der ersten Spule mit dem ersten Signal ist,
• wobei die Anordnung eingerichtet ist, basierend auf dem zweiten Signal die Ankerstellung des Relais zu bestimmen.

According to a second aspect, the object is achieved by an arrangement for determining an armature position of a relay according to the first aspect, the first coil being arranged on a first section of the yoke and the second coil being arranged on a second section of the yoke, the armature of the relay is spaced from the yoke by an air gap, with:

• a signal generator which is electrically connected to the first coil and is set up to transmit a first signal to the first coil, and
• a measuring device which is electrically connected to the second coil and is set up to detect a second signal at the second coil, the second signal being a response signal to an excitation of the first coil with the first signal,
• wherein the arrangement is set up to determine the armature position of the relay based on the second signal.

The arrangement is used to determine an armature position of a relay. The yoke can be a U-shaped yoke. The first coil can be arranged on a first leg of the U-shaped yoke and the second coil on a second leg of the U-shaped yoke opposite the first leg. The armature can be spaced from at least one leg of the U-shaped yoke by an air gap.

The signal generator can be a signal generator. The signal transmitter can be a microcontroller.

The measuring device can be set up to detect the second signal transmitted from the first coil to the second coil on the second coil and from this to determine a transmission property from the first coil to the second coil and to determine a size of the air gap from the transmission property. The transmission property can be a change in the second signal compared to a second signal at a different point in time.

The magnetic transmission behavior between the first coil and the second coil of the relay can depend on the size of the air gap, i.e. the working air gap of the armature, in particular due to a reluctance of the magnetic circuit. With electrically separated coils, the relay has the arrangement of a transformer, the transmission behavior, i.e. the coupling factor, being variable between the first coil and the second coil and having a correlation to the air gap of the armature.

If the spring element is in a misalignment, the mechanical coupling transfers the misalignment to the armature, which corresponds to an armature misalignment. This anchor misalignment can be detected as described above. In this way it can be determined whether the relay has welded contacts or switches normally.

In one embodiment, the signal transmitter is set up to send out as a first signal a signal that is different from a control signal that controls the relay for attracting the armature.

In order to attract the armature of the relay during a normal function of the relay, a control signal can flow through the first coil and / or the second coil of the relay in order to attract the armature. The signal transmitter can be set up to transmit the first signal independently of the control signal. As a result, an independent security feature is generated which can also detect incorrect positions in the case of control signals that are inconspicuous in themselves.

In one embodiment, the signal transmitter is connected to a center contact of the first coil and / or the measuring device is connected to a center contact of the second coil.

Here, the electrical contact to the respective coil can be arranged between two end contacts of the respective coil.

In one embodiment, the first signal comprises a sinusoidal signal and the arrangement is set up to determine the armature position of the relay based on an amplitude shift of the frequency response of the second signal.

When the first signal is transmitted to the second coil, attenuation can occur in the Bode diagram over a frequency range depending on the size of the air gap, i.e. the second signal can have attenuation that is dependent on the air gap. A large air gap can cause greater damping than a small air gap. The damping can be proportional to the size of the air gap. A misalignment of the armature can thus be recognized from this damping. For this purpose, different attenuations can be assigned to different armature positions. Deviations in the attenuation when comparing the attenuation that has already been assigned can indicate a misalignment. The transmission properties of the relay in the frequency range can be used to identify the armature position.

In one embodiment, the first signal comprises a voltage jump, in particular a voltage pulse, and the arrangement is set up to determine the armature position of the relay based on a change in a step response.

The transmission properties of the relay in the time domain can be used to recognize the armature position. Depending on the air gap, the second signal can have a maximum of different magnitudes at a point in time which is also dependent on the air gap.

In one embodiment, the change in the step response includes a time shift and / or a change in amplitude of the second signal. The effects of the air gap on the response signal can occur as a time shift and as a damping of the step response. The size of the air gap and thus the armature position can be determined from one of the two properties alone or from a combination of both properties.

In one embodiment, the arrangement with the relay is arranged in a relay module, in particular a relay module with a width of 3.5 mm. This represents a flat structure and can thus be arranged in a space-saving manner. The determination of the armature position can represent a safety function of the relay module.

• Senden eines ersten Signals von einem Signalgeber an die erste Spule an einem ersten Abschnitt des Jochs des Relais;
• Erfassen eines zweiten Signals an der zweiten Spule an einem zweiten Abschnitt des Jochs durch eine Messvorrichtung, wobei das zweite Signal ein Antwortsignal auf eine Anregung der ersten Spule mit dem ersten Signal ist;
• Bestimmen der Ankerstellung des Relais basierend auf dem zweiten Signal.

According to a third aspect, the object is achieved by a method for determining an armature position of a relay according to the first aspect, with:

• Sending a first signal from a transducer to the first coil on a first portion of the yoke of the relay;
• Detecting a second signal at the second coil at a second portion of the yoke by a measuring device, wherein the second signal is a response signal to an excitation of the first coil with the first signal;
• Determining the armature position of the relay based on the second signal.

In one embodiment, sending the first signal includes sending a voltage jump, in particular a voltage pulse, and determining the armature position, determining a change in a step response, in particular an impulse response. The answer to a voltage jump can be a step response. The response to a voltage pulse can be an impulse response. The determination can additionally or alternatively also take place on the basis of further properties, such as an inductance.

In one embodiment, determining a change in the step response includes determining a time shift and / or determining a change in amplitude of the second signal.

In one embodiment, the length of time of the first signal is short compared to mechanical time constants of the relay. In this case, a lower power can be transmitted than when the first coil or the second coil is excited to attract the armature. In particular, the transmission behavior of the voltages on the coils is used. This means that the transmission behavior is measured without power, in relation to an excitation of the coils to attract the armature. This means that the first signal has a low power compared to the power required to attract the armature. Magnetic saturation effects can be excluded here. When the armature has not dropped out, that is to say in a possible incorrect position of the armature, the first coil and the second coil may not be energized by an operational excitation. The low power of the first signal can prevent unwanted tightening of the armature.

In one embodiment, sending the first signal includes sending a sinusoidal signal and determining the armature position includes determining an amplitude shift in the frequency response of the second signal.

In one embodiment, the determination of the armature position includes the determination of an amplification of the frequency response of the second signal. The gain of the second signal corresponds to the transmission-related attenuation. A negative gain corresponds to a damping.

In one embodiment, the sending of the first signal comprises the sending of a signal different from a control signal that controls the relay.

A maximum, i.e. a peak value, and the time of the step response, i.e. the point in time of the maximum, can be evaluated in the response signal in order to detect a misalignment of the armature. After applying a voltage jump to the first coil, the voltage on the second coil reaches a certain maximum and then goes back, in particular back to zero. The maximum depends on the size of the air gap. The maximum becomes smaller as the air gap increases and is therefore inversely proportional to the size of the air gap. The time at which the maximum is reached and the decay time of the second signal are also shifted in inverse proportion to the air gap.

In one embodiment, when the first signal is sent, a signal is sent, the power of which is lower than the power of a control signal that controls the relay. Thus, the armature can be prevented from being attracted by the first signal. This decouples the actual function of the relay from the detection of the armature position.

• 1 eine perspektivische schematische Darstellung eines Relais gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 2 eine weitere schematische Darstellung des Relais gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 3a eine schematische Schnittdarstellung des Relais aus 2 entlang der Schnittkante B;
• 3b eine Vergrößerung des mit einem Kreis markierten Details aus 3a;
• 4a eine schematische Schnittdarstellung des Relais aus 2 entlang der Schnittkante A;
• 4b eine Vergrößerung des mit einem Kreis markierten Details aus 4a;
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung einer Anordnung mit einem Relais gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 6 Frequenzverläufe eines Antwortsignals gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 7 Antwortsignale im Zeitbereich gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel; und
• 8 ein Flussdiagramm für ein Verfahren gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel.

Further exemplary embodiments are explained with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

• 1 a perspective schematic representation of a relay according to an embodiment;
• 2 a further schematic representation of the relay according to an embodiment;
• 3a a schematic sectional view of the relay 2 along the cutting edge B;
• 3b an enlargement of the detail marked with a circle 3a ;
• 4a a schematic sectional view of the relay 2 along the cutting edge A;
• 4b an enlargement of the detail marked with a circle 4a ;
• 5 a schematic representation of an arrangement with a relay according to an embodiment;
• 6th Frequency curves of a response signal according to an embodiment;
• 7th Response signals in the time domain according to an embodiment; and
• 8th a flowchart for a method according to an embodiment.

1 shows a schematic and perspective representation of a relay 100 . The relay 100 is shown here without a cover, so that a housing 101 is open and in the case 101 lying components of the relay 100 are visible.

The relay 100 includes a yoke 102 . The yoke 102 is bent into a U-shape. In another embodiment, the yoke is 102 designed differently, for example L-shaped or W-shaped.

The relay 100 has a first coil 103 and a second coil 104 on. The first coil 103 is on a first section 105 arranged. The second coil 103 is on a second section 106 arranged. The first paragraph 105 represents a first leg of the yoke 102 and the second section 106 represents a second leg of the yoke 102 The first section 105 lies the second section 106 opposite to. The yoke 102 and the first coil 103 and the second coil 104 are thus arranged like a transformer.

The relay 100 has an anchor 107 on. The anchor 107 is from an air gap (in 1 not to be seen) from the yoke 102 Cut. In operation of the relay 100 an operating voltage is applied to the first coil 103 and to the second spool 104 applied, in particular by a control signal for controlling the relay 100 . As a result of the operating voltage, a current flows through the first coil 103 and the second coil 104 . This creates the yoke 102 magnetic and pulls the armature 107 on. In a further exemplary embodiment, a current flows only through the first coil 103 or the second coil 104 .

The relay 100 has a spring element 109 on. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the spring element is 109 a leaf spring. On the spring element 109 is a first electrical contact 110 arranged.

The relay 100 has an actuator 111 on. The actuator 111 serves to actuate the spring element 109 and provides a mechanical coupling of the armature 107 and des Spring element 109 represents. The actuator 111 is here set up against the spring element 109 to push when the anchor 107 is operated.

the 2 , 3a , 3b , 4a and 4b show more details of the relay 100 . 2 Fig. 3 is a plan view of the relay opened 100 the end 1 . the 3a and 3b are representations of the relay 100 along the section line B and the 4a and 4b are representations of the relay 100 along section line A. The 3b shows a detail of the 3a and the 4b shows a detail of the 4a .

The spring element 109 has an opening 112 on. The opening 112 is as a notch on one edge of the spring element 109 arranged. The actuator 111 is in the opening 112 introduced. In another embodiment, the opening is 112 a hole and not on the edge of the spring element 109 arranged. Here is the actuator 111 through the opening 112 put through.

3a and 3b show a sectional view of the relay 100 . It can be seen here that the actuating element 111 an engagement element 113 with one driver 114 having. In the embodiment shown, the actuating element 111 , the engagement element 113 and the driver 114 designed in one piece. In a further exemplary embodiment, the actuating element is 111 , the engagement element 113 and the driver 114 individual components that are connected to one another or are fixed to one another.

The engagement element 113 protrudes through the opening 112 of the spring element 109 through. The driver 114 extends parallel to the actuating element 111 and substantially perpendicular to the engagement element 113 so that the spring element 109 in the direction in which the spring element 109 is movable mechanically in both directions on the armature 107 is coupled.

In 4a is the air gap 401 shown. In the 4a and 4b are the first electrical contact 110 and a second electrical contact 402 shown. The first electrical contact 110 is in the spring element 109 arranged and movable. The second electrical contact 402 is on the housing 101 arranged and fixed.

Will be the anchor 107 through the yoke 102 attracted, the movement by the actuator is 111 on the spring element 109 transferred and the first electrical contact 110 becomes in electrical connection with the second electrical contact 402 brought. This put the relay in a closed state 100 represent, ie the relay 100 heads and the anchor 107 is in the closed position. In the 4a and 4b is the open state of the relay 100 shown in which the anchor 107 from the yoke 102 is spaced and is in the open position. The first electrical contact is accordingly 110 and the second electrical contact 402 separated from each other, ie the relay 100 locks.

In the area of the opening 112 of the spring element 109 is through the driver 114 , the engagement element 113 and the actuator 111 a double-T-shaped structure formed through the opening 112 engages and the spring element 109 grasped from both sides. In 4a and 4b is an axis 403 drawn by the engagement element 113 runs. From this axis 403 extends the driver 114 perpendicular by more than the radius of the opening 112 .

5 shows an arrangement 500 with the relay 100 in a schematic representation.

To check the anchor position, the arrangement shows 500 a signal transmitter 501 on. The signal transmitter 501 is a microcontroller. In a further exemplary embodiment, the signal transmitter is 501 a computer or other device used to generate a signal.

The signal transmitter 501 is with the first coil 103 electrically connected. The signal transmitter 501 is at a center contact of the first coil 501 connected. In a further exemplary embodiment, the signal transmitter is 501 at a different point to the first spool 103 connected.

The signal transmitter 501 can generate a first signal. The power of the first signal is significantly less than the operational power of the relay 100 , in particular, the voltage of the first signal is so low that it is ensured that the anchor 107 by the voltage of the first signal is not attracted, even if the air gap 401 has an already reduced maximum distance.

The order 500 has a measuring device 502 on. The measuring device 502 is with the second coil 104 electrically connected. The measuring device 502 is at a center contact of the second coil 104 connected. In a further exemplary embodiment, the measuring device is 502 at a different point to the second spool 104 connected.

The measuring device 502 is set up voltages on the second coil 104 to eat. In a further exemplary embodiment, the measuring device is 502 set up another Signal property, in particular a current, to measure additionally or alternatively.

Due to the arrangement of the first coil 103 on the first section 105 and the second coil 104 on the second section 106 , when the first signal is applied to the first coil 103 transmit a signal to the second coil electromagnetically. This represents a response signal which forms a second signal.

The measuring device 502 is set up to record and evaluate this response signal. In a further exemplary embodiment, the arrangement comprises 500 a separate evaluation device for evaluating the response signal or the response signal is forwarded to an external device for evaluation. In one embodiment, the signal generators are 501 and the measuring device 502 Part of a microcontroller.

The response signal represents the second signal. The second signal corresponds to that due to the electromagnetic properties of the relay 100 , especially the size of the air gap 401 , changed first signal.

The changes in the second signal compared to the first signal, but also compared to different second signals, also depends on the type of the first signal.

6th shows a diagram 600 with three frequency curves 601 , 602 , 603 . the 6th shows part of a Bode diagram showing the frequency properties of three different second signals at the second coil 104 describes. The first signal was the same first signal in all three cases, in particular a sinusoidal signal. A gain of the signal is plotted on the ordinate axis and the frequency on the abscissa axis. The gain represents the extent to which the second signal was attenuated during transmission. The gain is plotted here in dB.

The first frequency curve 601 shows a low attenuation compared to the other frequency curves. The second frequency curve 602 has a middle and the third frequency curve 603 shows the strongest attenuation of the three frequency curves 601 , 602 , 603 on.

The first frequency curve 601 can be assigned to a small air gap, ie an armature position that corresponds to a working position of the armature. The third frequency curve 603 , has the strongest attenuation and can therefore be assigned to a large air gap, ie an anchor in the rest position. The second frequency profile 202 has a medium attenuation. The air gap is medium in size and indicates an armature position between the working position and the rest position.

In addition to the absolute value of the damping, the ratio of damping values at different frequencies, for example at 10 Hz and at 1 Hz, is a characteristic feature of the air gap. For this purpose, the attenuation values at the respective frequency levels are set in relation to one another. For example, the value of the gain at a frequency of 10 Hz is divided by the value of the gain at 1 Hz. In further exemplary embodiments, the size of the air gap 401 determined only from the absolute values of the damping or only from the relative damping values.

7th shows a course of several voltages against time. Here, a level of the voltage is plotted on the ordinate axis and the time on the abscissa axis. A signal 701 is the first signal and represents a voltage jump, in particular a short voltage pulse. The first signal starts at a point in time T0 and then reaches a constant voltage level before dropping back to zero (not in 7th shown).

A plurality of response signals 702 are in 7th shown, each a maximum 703 shortly after the point in time T0 at staggered points in time. Depending on the size of the air gap 401 change the time of the maximum 703 and the voltage spike of the second signal. A high maximum 703 corresponds to a small air gap 401 and a lower maximum 703 a larger air gap 401 . The further the maximum 703 is removed from the point in time TO, ie the longer it is until the maximum is reached 703 lasts, the smaller the air gap 401 . The decay time of the second signals also depends on the size of the air gap 401 addicted. The longer the cooldown, the smaller the air gap and vice versa.

The measuring device 502 determined from the too 6th or. 7th described properties of the second signal the armature position. In particular, the respective size of the property, ie attenuation of the frequency response in the case of a sinusoidal signal as the first signal or point in time and / or height of the maximum 703 of the second signal in the event of a voltage jump in the first signal, in a comparison with stored reference values, and the armature position is derived from the result of the comparison.

8th shows a flow chart 800 for a method according to an embodiment.

In step 801 is from the signal generator 501 a first signal to the first coil 103 sent. The first signal is a sinusoidal signal. In a further exemplary embodiment, the first signal is a voltage jump, in particular a voltage pulse, or another signal.

The first signal is constant in several successive repetitions of the method. The first signal can also be a combination of different signals arranged at different times.

In step 802 is from the measuring device 502 the second signal is detected. A second signal is recorded for each first signal. The second signal has a characteristic that is dependent on the electromagnetic characteristic of the relay 100 , especially the size of the air gap 401 , depends, for example on the above 6th and 7th described.

In step 803 the armature position is determined on the basis of the second signal received. If the first signal is a sinusoidal curve, a damping of the frequency curve can be used to deduce the armature position, such as 6th described. If the first signal is a voltage jump, the armature position can be deduced from the temporal properties of the second signal, such as 7th described.

For this purpose, the course of the second signal can be compared with previous courses of previously recorded second signals or with a reference value from a memory.

List of reference symbols

100

relay

101

casing

102

yoke

103

first coil

104

second coil

105

first section

106

second part

107

anchor

109

Spring element

110

first electrical contact

111

Actuator

112

opening

113

Engagement element

114

Carrier

401

Air gap

402

second electrical contact

403

axis

500

arrangement

501

Signal transmitter

502

Measuring device

600

diagram

601-603

Frequency curve

701

signal

702

Response signals

703

maximum

800

flow chart

801-803

Process step

T0

time

Claims (13)

Relay (100) comprising: a yoke (102) having a first coil (103) and a second coil (104); an armature (107) which is arranged on the yoke (102) and between a closed position in which the armature (107) is pulled to the yoke (102) and an open position in which the armature (107) of the yoke (102) is spaced apart, can change; a spring element (109) which has a first electrical contact (110) which can be brought into electrical connection with a second electrical contact (402); the spring element (109) being mechanically coupled to the armature (107), the mechanical coupling transferring a movement of the armature (107) in the closing direction of the armature (107) and in the opening direction of the armature (107) to the spring element (109) is, wherein the mechanical coupling comprises an actuating element (111) which is arranged between the armature (107) and the spring element (109), and wherein the mechanical coupling comprises an engaging element (113) which is arranged into an opening (112) of the Engage spring element (109). Relay (100) Claim 1 , wherein the spring element (109) comprises a leaf spring. Relay (100) Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the engagement element (113) comprises a driver (114) which is set up to entrain the spring element (109) in the opening direction of the armature (107). Relay (100) Claim 3 , wherein the mechanical coupling is set up to apply a force on a first side of the spring element (109) when the armature (107) is in the closed position Position is brought and on a second side opposite the first side to apply a force to the spring element (109) by the driver (114) when the armature (107) is brought into the open position. Relay (100) after one of the Claims 1 until 4th wherein the opening (112) of the spring element (109) comprises a notch or a hole. Relay (100) Claim 4 or 5 wherein the opening (112) comprises a notch and the driver (114) and the engaging element (113) are integral and engage in the notch. Relay (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first coil (103) has a first connection and the second coil (104) has a second connection, the first connection being configured to be connected to a signal transmitter (501) and the second connection is set up to be connected to a measuring device (502). Arrangement (500) for determining an armature position of a relay (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7th , wherein the first coil (103) on a first portion (105) of the yoke (102) and the second coil (104) on a second portion (106) of the yoke (102) are arranged, wherein the armature (107) of the relay (100) is spaced apart from the yoke (102) by an air gap (401), with: a signal transmitter (501) which is electrically connected to the first coil (103) and is set up to send a first signal to the first coil (103) and a measuring device (502) which is electrically connected to the second coil (104) and is set up to detect a second signal at the second coil (104), the second signal being a response signal to an excitation of the first coil (104 ) with the first signal, the arrangement (500) being set up to determine the armature position of the relay (100) based on the second signal. Arrangement (500) according to Claim 8 wherein the signal generator (501) is set up to send out as a first signal a signal different from a control signal that controls the relay (100) for attracting the armature (107). Arrangement (500) according to one of the Claims 8 or 9 wherein the first signal comprises a sinusoidal signal and the arrangement (500) is set up to determine the armature position of the relay (100) based on an amplitude shift of the frequency response of the second signal. Arrangement (500) according to one of the Claims 8 or 9 , wherein the first signal comprises a voltage pulse and the arrangement (500) is set up to determine the armature position of the relay (100) based on a change in a step response. Method for determining an armature position of a relay (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7th comprising: sending (801) a first signal from a signal generator (501) to the first coil (103) on a first portion (105) of the yoke (102) of the relay (100); Detecting (802) a second signal at the second coil (104) at a second section (106) of the yoke (102) by a measuring device (502), the second signal being a response signal to an excitation of the first coil (103) with the first signal is; Determining (803) the armature position of the relay (100) based on the second signal. Procedure according to Claim 12 , the temporal length of the first signal being short compared to mechanical time constants of the relay (100).

Images