EP0500024B1 - Pulse relay - Google Patents

Abstract

A bistable relay having at least one changeover contact and one make contact, which lies in the circuit of the components which are to be controlled or of the operating circuit which is to be controlled is characterised in that an RC circuit is connected to the connection of the changeover contact, that is to say to the moving switching arm of the same, and in that the outputs of the changeover contact are in each case connected to one of the two actuating coils of the relay in such a manner that, when the RC circuit is energised, the relay and hence the changeover contact and the make contact switch over. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a bistable relay with two coils for controlling and / or switching electrical components, the relay having the characteristic of a current impulse relay (remote switch) by at least one RC circuit consisting of a resistor and a capacitor, and wherein at least one changeover contact and a normally open contact, which is in the circuit of the components to be controlled or the working circuit to be controlled, are provided, and the two actuating coils move an armature which switches the normally open contact and the changeover contact, the RC circuit at the connection of the changeover contact, ie is connected to the movable switching arm thereof, and the outputs of the changeover contact are connected to the actuating coils of the relay in such a way that when the RC circuit is excited, the relay and thus the changeover contact and the make contact change over.

A bistable relay of this type is known from US-A-3 174 080. A similar relay is also described in DE-A-31 17 375 in connection with FIG. 3.

Bistable relays with two coils for controlling and / or switching electrical components are well known and are available from various suppliers. When one coil is excited, the relay is switched to a switching state and when the other coil is excited to a second switching state. These switching states last as long as the excited coil remains in the excited state.

The aim of the present invention is to convert a bistable relay known per se in such a way that it has the characteristic of a current impulse relay, the relay having relatively small dimensions and therefore being inexpensive to implement.

Furthermore, the bistable relay should be suitable for installation purposes in which switching signals in the low-voltage range of the same polarity are used to trigger electrical control and switching processes, without the installation being susceptible to interference or sensitive to interference radiation, the installation system according to the invention using the relay should also be suitable for partially explosion-proof and firedamp-protected areas.

In the relay according to US-A-3 174 080 there is no possibility to set the relay in one or the other known switching state by means of separate signals. For this reason, the possible application range of the relay according to US-A-3 174 080 is severely limited. This also applies to the relay according to DE-A-3 117 375.

It is therefore another part of the object of the present invention to provide a bistable relay of the type mentioned, which can be switched either with a switching pulse or a constant switching voltage and also offers the possibility of setting at least one desired switching state via a further input to become.

In order to achieve this as well, a bistable relay of the type mentioned at the outset is developed according to the invention in such a way that at least one further RC circuit is connected to one of the outputs of the changeover contact.

To trigger the switchover, it is only necessary to apply a switching pulse or a constant switching voltage to the first-mentioned RC circuit, which is connected to the movable switching arm of the alternating contact. This RC circuit then allows a current to flow through the winding of the excited coil, depending on the position of the movable switching arm of the changeover contact, until the bistable relay switches over, after which the current supply is interrupted. This occurs either because the control pulse, which only carries a certain amount of electrical energy, has already ended, or because the applied DC control voltage has led to a charging of the capacitor, after which this stops the further supply of current.

The RC circuit on the movable switching arm of the changeover contact is used for the switchover function. If a DC control voltage is then applied to the input of this RC circuit via a conventional switch, for example a push button, the switch or the push button can be operated manually and, as will be explained in more detail in connection with the description of the figures, the operation of the switch leads each time to switch the bistable relay and therefore to sequential switching on and off of the normally open contact and therefore to switching operations in the working circuit connected to this normally open contact.

At this point it should be mentioned that the normally open contact can be implemented as a normally closed or normally open contact or as a changeover contact. However, a plurality of such work contacts can also be provided for a bistable relay, and when using a plurality of work contacts, these can be formed as desired from make contacts, break contacts or changeover contacts and can also be different from one another.

Since the switching of the bistable relay is carried out by an operator due to the actuation of a switch or a pushbutton, the input of the assigned RC circuit is referred to below as the button input.

In addition to the arrangement discussed with an RC circuit which is connected to the movable switching arm of the changeover contact, it is possible to work via the further RC circuit or via the two further RC circuits which are each connected to one of the outputs of the changeover contact , put the relay in a desired switching state, ie so that the electrical circuit controlled by the relay is switched on or off. You can also omit the first-mentioned RC circuit attached to the movable switching arm of the changeover contact and only work with the two further RC circuits attached to the outputs of the changeover contact.

The other RC circuits can be controlled either by a control pulse or, analogously to the first-mentioned RC circuit, by applying a DC control voltage. One further RC circuit is assigned to a specific switching state of the relay or the normally open contact or the switched-on state or the switched-off state, while the other further RC circuit is assigned to the respective other state. The input of the other RC circuit is thus referred to as the switch-on input and the input of the second further RC circuit is referred to as the switch-off input.

While the first-mentioned RC circuit, which is connected to the movable switching arm of the changeover contact, is usually operated manually by a button, the control pulse or the control voltage for the two further RC circuits (or only one of them, if only such a further circuit is provided is) usually triggered by a microprocessor controller or by an electronic circuit or one or more manual keyboard (s).

At this point, a brief description of an application example for the discussed variants should be useful.

One imagines, for example, a building in which the installation is carried out so that all switching on and off operations are carried out by means of the normally open contact of a bistable relay according to the invention. For example, all lamps in all rooms are switched on and off by the working contacts of such bistable relays. As a rule, the lamps are powered by the AC network and the normally open contact of the bistable relay is used instead of the normal light switch. Switching on and off are carried out by the users of the premises by means of a pressure switch which serves to control the key input, ie to control the RC circuit which is connected to the movable switching arm of the changeover contact.

At the end of the day, for example, if the boss or family man or cleaning woman wants to ensure that all lights in the building are switched off, a control pulse or a DC control voltage is applied to the switch-off input. This will turn off all the lights that are still on and all of the lights that are not on will remain off. I.e. in the case of those relays in which the normally open contacts are switched on, a switching operation is carried out in the switched-off state, while those relays which were already switched off remain switched off.

In the opposite case, for example, if you want to switch on all the lamps in the building at the beginning of the next day, this is done by applying a control pulse or a DC control voltage to the second additional RC circuit of each bistable relay, i.e. to the switch-on inputs.

These switch-on and / or switch-off control commands are triggered, for example, by an infrared remote control or by a separate input on a keyboard of a PC, or due to the special programming of a microprocessor or by operating a manual button.

It would be conceivable to operate the relay according to the invention with a single RC circuit connected to the movable switching arm of the changeover contact, this RC circuit being operated both by a pushbutton and could be controlled by signals from a PC or a remote control. In such a system, the first activation would lead to a first switchover of the bistable relay to one state, while the next activation will cause another switchover to the other state. However, for automatic control, for example via a PC, this is somewhat complicated, because the PC must always know the state of the switch in order to know what control is required in order to achieve a desired switching state. This is particularly complicated when preprogrammed switching states can be changed as desired using a manual pushbutton, since it is then no longer possible to rely on a predetermined sequence of switching operations. Therefore, it is probably easier to control a PC via the two additional RC circuits, since each input leads to a unique switching state.

For relays that are to be reversed both manually and automatically, it is advantageous to provide a total of three RC circuits.

For relays that are only to be controlled automatically or only switched on or off centrally in combination, the first RC circuit on the movable switching arm can be omitted. The control can also be done via a manual button.

It is also conceivable to use an RC circuit for the key input and only one further RC circuit. This would be useful, for example, if the lamps in a building are to be controlled manually, but also have to be switched off automatically in the evening.

Circumstances could also be devised in which it would make sense to provide only an automatic control in the switched-on state in addition to the manual button input. For example, in the event of an accident, all lamps should be switched on to adequately illuminate escape routes.

The bistable relay according to the invention thus enables both manual and automatic and remote-controlled control of electrical consumer components and circuits by means of manual buttons or electronic circuits.

In many cases, such switching processes could also be achieved using semiconductor switches, but this would have disadvantages. Apart from the fact that such semiconductor circuits are relatively expensive despite all the manufacturing advantages and in many cases serve to control a relay which then switches the actual consumer on or off (so that a relay would be necessary anyway), they also have the major disadvantage that they can react very sensitively to interference radiation, electromagnetic fields and rays, unless a not inconsiderable effort is made to protect them from such fields, rays and scattered radiation. In the case of semiconductor circuits, one has to fear that interference signals with the smallest energy can already lead to a switching process. This does not apply to the subject of the invention. It is namely necessary to supply the or each RC circuit with a certain amount of energy in order to trigger the switching process. Although this amount of energy is absolutely negligible from the point of view of energy costs, it is clearly above the interference energy caused by interference and usually absorbed by circuits. The signal-to-noise ratio of the bistable relays according to the invention is thus far better than with semiconductor circuits.

It has already been mentioned that the invention is also based on the object of producing the bistable relay with relatively small dimensions and, at a low price, on account of the material savings which this entails. In this context, the invention has a particular advantage. The use of the RC circuit or the RC circuits means that the amount of energy consumed during a switching operation is not only small, but is also limited to a small amount by the specific design of the RC circuit in connection with the relay. This means that a small relay can be misused in the sense that a small relay designed for 5 V operation can actually be controlled with 24 V.

Another advantage of the design according to the invention is that the control of the bistable relay by means of contactor low voltage leads to the fact that, due to the low energy consumption, this type of control can also be used in potentially explosive areas, where normally only relatively expensive installation options are available. It is also advantageous in the case of relays according to the invention that the respective switchover is always carried out by a key pulse without reversing the polarity on the key pulse generator (key).

The frequency of the possible switching of the relay is essentially dependent on the discharge resistance which is parallel to the capacitor. The resistance of the coils can also be used as a discharge resistor. In practice, however, switching can be carried out with a frequency which is so high that it does not imply any restriction in the practical application of the invention.

The switching of the relay depends on its specific design, the capacitor, the resistance, the voltage level and the current. As already mentioned, the relay is mostly operated with low contactor voltage, but higher voltages are possible if the components are designed accordingly. It is also essential that no spark is generated when the relay (pushbutton element) is activated. The normally open contact can be used, for example, to directly control electrical consumers or to control further relay modules.

A number of advantageous developments are possible, which are described in more detail in the subclaims.

The arrangement according to claim 7 is particularly important, according to which each RC circuit has a plurality of switching inputs, so that further switching inputs separated by diodes can be attached to the switching-off, switching-on and key inputs.

The possibility according to claim 8 is also important, according to which a light-emitting diode and a series resistor are provided for the detection of the switching state.

The RC circuits can be designed according to various principles, which are specified, for example, in claims 10 to 13.

For many installation purposes, the embodiment according to claim 14 is particularly advantageous, according to which the bistable relay is combined with a power supply. According to claim 15, the power supply unit can consist, for example, of a transformer and a bridge rectifier, the transformer supplying the mains voltage low voltage is transformed down and the bridge rectifier then rectifies and smoothes them. In this way, the low DC control voltage, which is required for operating the key input and, if applicable, the switch-on input and / or the switch-off input, is also generated by the network, so that a separate DC voltage supply is not necessary. This control voltage can also be conducted via the make contact, for example if the bistable relay according to the invention is used to control the field winding of a load relay, as stated in claim 16.

Such a load relay could then actuate a switch in the circuit from the mains supply to a consumer. Another light-emitting diode with resistor enables the excitation status of the load relay to be checked. The possibilities according to claims 14 to 18 are particularly suitable for installation in an installation box, specified in claim 19, so that a conventional installation can be converted to an installation using the bistable relays according to the invention without extreme effort. The necessary control DC power lines can namely be created with such a small cross-section that they can be guided invisibly below or above a wallpaper or around door frames or along skirting boards with the least effort, and without wall slots first having to be cut.

Fig. 1

einen schematischen Schaltplan eines erfindungsgemäßen bistabilen Relais mit einer RC Schaltung,

Fig. 2

eine Weiterbildung der Anordnung gemäß Fig. 1 mit zwei weiteren RC Schaltungen, wobei die RC Schaltungen gegenüber der RC Schaltung der Fig. 1 etwas anders ausgelegt sind,

Fig. 3

zeigt eine weitere Entwicklung der Erfindung, wobei jede RC Schaltung mehrere Eingänge aufweist,

Fig. 4

zeigt ein bistabiles Relais mit integriertem Netzeil und Lastschaltung entsprechend der Erfindung,

Fig. 5

zeigt ein Beispiel für den Anschluß mehrerer Baugruppen nach der Fig. 4 an einer Steuerzentrale,

Fig. 6

zeigt die Blockschaltung einer Hausinstallation unter Anwendung von Relaisbaugruppen nach Fig. 4 entsprechend der Erfindung, und

Fig. 7

zeigt eine Schaltung ähnlich der Fig. 3, jedoch für eine Gleichstromlastschaltung mit einer Schaltstellungserkennung.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1

1 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a bistable relay according to the invention with an RC circuit,

Fig. 2

1 with two further RC circuits, the RC circuits being designed somewhat differently from the RC circuit of FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

shows a further development of the invention, wherein each RC circuit has multiple inputs,

Fig. 4

shows a bistable relay with integrated power supply and load circuit according to the invention,

Fig. 5

4 shows an example for the connection of several modules according to FIG. 4 to a control center,

Fig. 6

shows the block circuit of a house installation using relay modules according to FIG. 4 according to the invention, and

Fig. 7

shows a circuit similar to FIG. 3, but for a DC load circuit with a switch position detection.

1 shows a bistable relay 10, which consists of two coils 12 and 14 with a common armature 16 which can optionally be actuated by the two coils 12 and 14. If the coil 12 is energized, the armature 16 moves downward, but when the coil 14 is excited, the armature moves in the upward direction in FIG. 1. The bistable relay is also equipped with a normally open contact 18 and with a changeover contact 20. The working contact 18 can also consist of an alternating contact or of several individual contacts. A relay of the type just described is a commercially available component and can be purchased, for example, from Siemens under the name of small relay V23042 B1201 B1015V. A small relay is available under this name, which is normally designed for a control voltage of 5 V. However, the present invention makes it possible to control this relay designed for 5 V with, for example, 24 V, without this type of control damaging the relay. The circuit according to the invention of this relay, which is known per se, is now explained in more detail below.

The relay has a total of at least 9 terminals, which are labeled 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 here. According to the invention, the terminal 22 is first connected to the terminal 38 and these two terminals are grounded. The earth clamp is marked with the letter A. The terminal 24 is connected to the terminal 32 of the changeover contact 20 while the terminal 30 of the changeover contact 20 is connected to the coil terminal 36. In this example, the movable switching arm 40 of the changeover contact 20, which is electrically connected to the terminal 34, is controlled via an RC circuit which consists of the capacitor 42 and a resistor 44. The capacitor 42 is applied to the terminal 34 and connected to the one lead of the resistor 44 at a further terminal 46. The other lead of resistor 44 is connected at 48 to the connecting line between terminals 38 and 22. This RC circuit 42, 44 is controlled by a keying pulse from a voltage source with 24 V in this example.

In this example, the relay 10 is used to switch off a lamp 52 which is supplied by the AC network. For this purpose, the L ₁ conductor of the network is connected to the terminal, while the MP conductor leads to the lamp 52. The other terminal of the lamp 52 is connected to the terminal B, which is internally connected to the terminal 28 of the normally open contact 18.

The circuit described so far works as follows:
By closing the switch 50, the terminal 46 is supplied with 24 V voltage, as a result of which the capacitor 42 is charged in a flash and a current flows through the coil 14 via the terminal 34, via the switching arm 40 and via the terminal 30, which current causes the armature 16 attracts and closes the normally open contact 18 so that the lamp 52 lights up because a current of L ₁ flows through the lamp 52 to the MP conductor via the terminal B, the terminal 28, the switching arm of the normally open contact 18, the terminal 26 and the terminal G . The current flowing through the coil 14 flows via the terminal A to ground. The charging of the capacitor is ended after a short time, so that no more current flows through the coil 14 because the capacitor is fully charged, ie is in saturation.

The tightening of the armature, ie the encircling of the relay, also has the consequence that the movable switching arm 40 of the changeover contact 20 has been moved into the position shown by the broken line. Since the capacitor 42 is fully charged, no current flows through the terminal 32, so that the coil 12 is not energized. If the switch 50 is still closed, for example because a person is still pressing it, this has no effect on the switching state of the Relay; only a small current flows through resistor 44 to ground. If, on the other hand, the person has released the switch 50 so that it is opened again, the capacitor 42 discharges via the resistor 44 and the coil 12.

If the switch 50 is actuated again, the capacitor 42 is recharged and a current flows through the movable switching arm 40 of the changeover contact 20 and the terminal 32 through the coil 12, so that the relay switches again. As a result, the normally open contact 18 is opened, the lamp 42 goes out and the switching arm of the changeover contact 20 jumps back to the terminal 30. If the switch 50 remains closed again, a small current flows back to ground via the resistor 44. If the switch 50 is released, the capacitor 42 discharges this time via the resistor 44 and the coil 14.

Of course, the switch 50 does not have to be pressed by one person. Another control circuit could, for example, apply a switching pulse to terminal D, which causes the relay to switch in the same way. The duration of the pulse is unlimited upwards, but downwards an adequate energy supply of the coil to be excited must be ensured. This minimum length of the switching pulse can be, for example, approximately 70 to 100 msec. This is absolutely sufficient for all conventional processes.

It should be noted that this minimum length of the switching pulse is advantageous. While semiconductor control circuits are sensitive to interference, radiation, etc., which arise from switching large loads, the relay according to the invention is very insensitive to such interference, because the associated with it Recorded interference energy would not be sufficient to switch the relay.

Another special feature of the circuit according to FIG. 1 should now be pointed out, namely the two freewheeling diodes 54 and 56, which are parallel to the respective coils 12 and 14, respectively. The freewheeling diodes are polarized so that they do not let any current through when the respective coil is energized, but they prevent inductive voltages from occurring during the switching processes and greatly impairing the service life of the switching contacts due to arcing, etc. Furthermore, the freewheeling diodes prevent the generation of high-frequency interference radiation, which is always undesirable.

FIG. 2 again shows the basic design as already shown in FIG. 1, but with two further RC circuits and an additional monitoring circuit that can be used optionally.

As in all of the following figures, the same reference symbols refer to the same components as in the FIG. 1 embodiment.

2, the further RC circuit consisting of the capacitor 58 and the resistor 60, which has the input terminal C, is connected to the terminal 30. The third RC circuit, which consists of the capacitor 62 and the resistor 64, is connected in an identical manner to the further terminal 32 of the changeover contact 20 and has the input terminal. The RC circuit 58, 60 represents a "switch-on" which, by applying a voltage to the terminal C, always results in the normally open contact 18 being switched on. The mode of operation corresponds entirely to the described mode of operation of the first RC circuit 42, 44 when the Relay from the switching state of the changeover contact 20 drawn with a solid line to the switching state shown with a dashed line. The third RC circuit 62, 64 represents a "switch-off" which, when a control voltage is applied to the terminal E, leads to the opening of the normally open contact 18, the movable leg 40 of the changeover contact 20 again being brought into the position shown by the solid line.

By means of these two further RC circuits, the relay according to the invention can be conveniently switched on and off by an electronic control. If, for example, this electronic circuit is in the form of a PC, an existing lamp (for example corresponding to lamp 52 in FIG. 1) can be switched on by applying a switching pulse to terminal C and can be switched on again by applying a further switching pulse terminal E can be switched off. Such a controller could of course only work with terminal D, but this is more complicated, especially if several switching relays are to be actuated at the same time in order to achieve a certain effect, for example switching off all the lamps in a building at the same time, as the desired occurrence Off state is only achieved if the respective consumer was previously all switched on. For use with electronic controls, it is therefore desirable that a certain input terminal is assigned to each switching state.

In this example, one might think to omit the first RC circuit 42, 44. As a rule, however, this does not make sense, since terminal D can be used for manual or local actuation.

A control lamp can be provided to show the switching status, which should be connected to terminal F. The terminal F is namely connected via the resistor 66, for example. To the switched output G of the load circuit, so that the resistor 66 works, for example, together with the filament of the control lamp or with an LED as a voltage distributor and ensures that the control lamp or the LED gets the right tension.

Although the load circuit is described as a single-phase AC circuit in the examples described so far, the load circuit can be designed as desired. For example, the load circuit could also be a DC circuit, for example with a 24 or 12 V operating voltage. In this case, the monitoring circuit for the switching state of the relay can be implemented by means of an LED 68 which is connected to the terminal 38 and is connected to the switched output line of the load circuit via a series resistor 70. Here, too, the resistor 70 functions as a current and voltage limitation for the LED 68. A further possibility would be to attach the monitoring circuit to further working contacts of the relay, if there are any.

FIG. 2 shows a modified arrangement of FIG. 1, in which the three resistors 44, 60 and 64 are each connected in parallel to the respective capacitor 42, 58 and 62. Such a circuit arrangement is also possible in principle in the previous embodiment of FIG. 1. This parallel connection does not change the operation of the bistable relay, ie the switching thereof, but the capacitors 42, 58 and 62 discharge now directly through the respective resistor 44, 60, 64. However, this modified circuit arrangement leads to different values for the capacitors and resistors. In the case of a 5 V small relay that is controlled with 24 V, capacitors 42, 58, 62 with a capacitance of 1 F at a nominal voltage of 24 V or more are advantageously used. Resistors 44, 60 and 64 each have a resistance of 11 kOhm.

Fig. 3 largely corresponds to the embodiment of Fig. 2, but shows that the switching on and off of several inputs separated by means of diodes is possible. For example, relay 10 can be switched on by one of the inputs C1, C2, C3, C4 ... Cn. The provision of several such inputs is particularly advantageous if one links several such switching relays to one another and the control circuit or circuits of different combinations of switching states should or should be determined.

FIG. 4 shows a relay assembly 98 which can be used, for example, in a conventional circuit box. This module is controlled by a low-voltage voltage source and is used to control larger loads such as fan heaters, incandescent lamps, electric motors, which are controlled by protective low voltage.

This assembly contains the following basic parts, namely: a voltage supply which is identified by 100, a bistable relay circuit, for example as shown in FIG. 2 and here identified by reference numeral 102, and by a load relay part 104 which is provided by the normally open contact 18 of the bistable relay is controlled.

The two conventional power lines L1 and MP are applied to the input terminals of the voltage supply part 100. This voltage supply consists of a transformer 106, which transforms the input voltage down, for example from 220 V to 24 V. This alternating voltage is then applied to a bridge rectifier 108, the output of which is smoothed and stabilized by means of the capacitor 110, serves to supply the bistable relay part 102 with voltage. The normally open contact 18 of the bistable relay 10 serves to supply power to the excitation winding of the load relay 112 of the load relay part 104. When the normally open contact 18 is closed, the coil of the load relay 112 is thus activated and the switch 114 associated therewith, which is in the circuit of the consumer, here in the form of a Lamp 42 is arranged closed. This circuit is in turn connected to the network conductors MP and L1. The switches shown at terminals C, D, and E can be designed in different ways. For example, they can be replaced with all electronically evaluated circuits, so that control via remote control or from a PC is possible. The switch shown at terminal D, or else the switch shown at terminals C and E can also be manual switches. A particular advantage of the present invention, however, is that the inputs C, D and E can be controlled from several different command transmitters and in this case the bistable relay part 102 would have to be replaced with the circuit according to FIG. 3.

If, for example, the consumer represents a lamp 52, which 1. should be switched on in the dark, 2. when motion is detected, 3. if desired by manual actuation of a switch and 4. at certain times of the day, instead of terminal C, terminals C1, C2, C3 and C4 used according to FIG. 4.

4 also shows an additional control lamp in the form of a further LED 116, which indicates the switching state of the load relay 112. The LED 116 is closed via a resistor 118 for current or voltage limitation parallel to the field winding of the column 120 of the load relay 112. The load relay 112 also has a free-wheeling diode 122, which has the same function as the free-wheeling diodes 54, 56 of the bistable relay 10.

FIG. 5 now shows how different relay modules, for example according to FIG. 4, can be combined to form an entire system.

The installation example shows ten individual bistable relays M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U and V, which are connected to a control center 124. Each of the bistable relays is provided with several separate inputs, i.e. 3, but for the purpose of illustration, the terminals E1, E2, E3 and D1, D2, D3 have been interchanged in the order as shown at the top in FIG. 5 with the aid of a sketch. The control center is shown here as a key with the reference number 124.

Line 126 is a DC control line connected to the D1 terminal of each relay. Each relay has a push button 50, corresponding to the push button or switch 50 of FIG. 1. By depressing one or more of the buttons 50 in FIG. 5, the corresponding relay or the corresponding relays are switched over, ie switched on or off , depending on which switching status prevailed before.

The control center 124 also has a button 128 which is connected via a line 130 to the terminal E1 of all relays M to V. By closing the key 128 all relays or relay modules M to V are switched on, so that all consumers switched by the relays can be switched on at the same time.

Similarly, switch 132 is connected via line 134 to terminal C1 of each relay or assembly M through V. By closing switch 132, all relays can thus be switched off together. For example, if you leave the house and close switch 132, all the lights go out.

Switch 136 is connected via line 138 to terminals E2 of relays M, O, P, Q, T and V. By closing this switch, it is therefore possible to switch on only those consumers which are controlled by the relays mentioned. For example, it could be all of the lighting on the ground floor. Similarly, switch 140 is connected to relays N, R, S, T, U and V via line 142. By closing the switch 140, those loads which are controlled by the relays or by the relay modules N, R, S, T, U and V are thus switched off at the same time. This function would be useful, for example, if homeowners want to leave one evening but still want lights to stay on in strategic places.

The switch 144, which is connected via the line 146 to the key inputs D2 of all relays, enables a total control of all relay modules by means of a surge circuit. It would be, for example conceivable to equip a house with a Burglar alarm, after which after triggering the Burglar alarm, the switch 144 is actuated periodically in order to periodically switch all the lamps in the house on and off in order to give an optical intrusion warning.

The specified uses of the individual switches represent only a few possibilities, the invention is particularly impressive due to the variety of installation options that are provided.

It should also be emphasized that the control center 124 can be implemented as a programmable microprocessor, and in this case the switches 128, 132, 134, 140 and 144 are not formed by physical switches, but in the form of switched outputs of the microprocessor or microcomputer . These outputs can be implemented as serial interfaces, for example.

Finally, FIG. 6 shows how a relay module 102 according to FIG. 4 can be integrated in a house installation system.

As usual, the house is connected to the grid by means of a utility connection box with the reference number 150. The current flows from the house connection box into the electrical system via meters in the main distribution box 152, to which fuse elements and protective circuits 154 are connected. The alternating current flows via the individual fuses or contactors in the fuse box 154 to the individual consumers 52 via respective relay modules 102 (only one shown), each of which corresponds to part 102 of FIG. 4. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the DC power supply is not integrated in the relay module, but is in a control center, which can stand next to the securing elements, for example. A separate DC control line 156 is thus provided, which leads from a common power supply 100 to the individual relay modules 102. This line can also be made very small because the power consumption is in the milliampere range.

A control element 158, which receives its power supply from the power pack 100 via line 160, controls the relay module (102) via line 162. The controls that can be used can be different. For example, they can consist of any number of keyboards, motion detectors, brightness controls, sensor dimmers, twilight switches, light barriers, temperature switches, timers, infrared remote controls. Several different controls can be connected to each relay assembly 102. The power supply unit 100 can also be integrated into the relay module (s), just as in the example in FIG. 4. In a modified embodiment, the control center 124 could be provided, for example next to the fuse elements 154, which are connected via several lines (for example corresponding to the lines) 130, 134, 138, 142, 146 of FIG. 4) is connected to the individual relay modules 102. The various control elements could then optionally be connected to the control center, which in this case best comprises a microcomputer which evaluates the sensor signals and sends the corresponding switching signals to the relay modules 102. When implementing the control center on a microcomputer basis, various commands, time controls and possibly links of relay modules can be entered for different purposes using a keyboard. In some cases, for example with a sensor element that should switch on the lamp when a minimum light intensity in a room is reached, it makes sense to to connect this sensor element directly to the assigned relay module or to integrate it into it.

It is also possible to take into account the result of electronic evaluation circuits in the sense that individual relay modules 1 and 2 are switched on the basis of such results.

Some further possibilities for using the system according to the invention will now be described.

First of all, FIG. 7 shows a circuit similar to FIG. 3, but which in this case is intended as a DC load circuit. With such a direct current load circuit, it is important to be able to recognize the switch position not only with the LED 68 located near the bistable relay 10, but also at a location remote from the relay, usually at the location where the switch-on terminals D and C are arranged. With the circuit of FIG. 7 this additional switching position detection is achieved by means of only one additional wire, as will be explained in more detail below.

If the special circuit of FIG. 7 were not provided, one would have to lead two wires out of the relay component.

The circuit according to FIG. 7 uses a transistor 166 in order to lead a negative voltage to the terminal H, which is arranged away from the component, but only if a positive voltage is applied to the terminal G. Such a positive voltage is only available at terminal G if the bistable relay has assumed the corresponding switch position. As can be seen, the transistor 166 is connected with its emitter to a part of the assembly carrying a negative voltage and the base of the Transistor 166 is driven by series resistor 164. The negative voltage at the emitter of NPN transistor 166 is led out to terminal H via a single wire when the transistor is driven via series resistor 164 in the presence of a positive voltage at terminal G. A display device, for example an LED, can then be used between the terminal H and any other suitable terminal at the location of the desired switch position detection (possibly with a corresponding series resistor. This particular circuit can of course also be used in the circuit according to FIG. 4) instead of the two wires that are required there to drive the LED 116.

Another special feature of the present invention can be seen in the circuit of FIG. 4. Resistor 118 would actually be more conveniently positioned immediately before or after LED 116. Terminal F can then be used as a control terminal to control relay 120 with a simple on / off switch or with key impulses. If, for example, an automatic roller shutter is to be moved up or down, one can take a module according to FIG. 4 for moving up and a second module according to FIG. 4 for driving down. The key inputs E, D and C of the two modules can be via Diodes are linked together so that the roller shutters can be moved up or down completely by means of tactile pulses. The switches that are attached to the terminals F can then be used to control an intermediate position of the respective roller shutter, ie a middle position between completely up or completely down.

Another peculiarity of the system according to the invention has general validity, i.e. in all embodiments, is that even in the event of a fault in one or more of the provided inputs, any input that is still functional can continue to be used.

This advantage can be briefly explained using an example. Imagine that a lamp in a room can be switched on and off either by a push button (input D) in the respective room or from the control center using a microprocessor (inputs C or E), and that the key entrance in the room, for example due to wallpaper paste or the like. gets stuck (i.e. input D is not functional), the lamp can still be switched on and off via the microprocessor (i.e. via inputs C and E).

The faulty input, in this case the stuck button, does not cause any faults if the resistance of the RC control circuit is chosen to be sufficiently high, typically in the range from 1.2 kΩ. With such a dimensioning of the resistances of the RC circuit, holding the corresponding buttons also does not lead to any unwanted interference.

It should finally be mentioned that, although the construction system described here has been mainly explained in connection with building installations, the concept according to the invention can also be used successfully in completely different areas, for example in shipbuilding or vehicle installations.

Claims (23)

1. Bistable relay (10) having two actuating coils (12, 14) for the controlling and/or switching of electrical components (52; 104), wherein, through at least one RC circuit (44, 42) comprising a resistor and a capacitor, the relay (10) has the characteristic of a latching relay (remote control switch), wherein there are provided at least one change-over contact (20) and one working contact (18) which lies in the current circuit of the component to be controlled or of the working circuit to be controlled, and wherein the two actuating coils move an armature (16) which switches over the working contact (18) and the change-over contact (20), with the RC circuit (44, 42) being connected to the connection (34) of the change-over contact (20), i.e. to the movable switching arm of the latter, and wherein the outputs (30, 32) of the alternating contact are connected to the actuating coils (12, 14) of the relay in such a way that on exciting the RC circuit the relay, and thus the change-over contact (20) and the working contact (18) switch over, characterised in that at least one further RC circuit (60, 58; 64, 62) is connected to one of the outputs (30 or 32) of the alternating contact (20).
2. Bistable relay in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that in addition to the first named RC circuit (44, 42) connected to the movable switching arm of the change-over contact (20), or in place of this RC circuit (44, 42), a respective RC circuit (60, 58; 64, 62) is connected to the two outputs of the change-over contact (20).
3. Bistable relay in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the two coils (12, 14) are jointly connected to or are connectable to earth at the ends (22, 38) which lie remote from the change-over contact (20).
4. Bistable relay in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the or each RC circuit (44, 42; 60, 88; 64, 62) has a plurality of inputs (D1 - Dn; C1 - Cn; E1 - En) which are preferably separated from one another, for example by means of a diode or a plurality of diodes.
5. Bistable relay in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a luminescent diode (68) and a protective resistor (70) are provided for switch position recognition of the working contact (18).
6. Bistable relay in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the working contact (18) is formed as an opening contact, or as a closing contact, or as a change-over contact.
7. Bistable relay in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the capacitor (42) is connected to the movable switching arm of the change-over contact (20) and the resistor (44) is connected between the earth line and the side of the capacitor opposite to the switching arm, i.e. the side where the corresponding signal can be fed in to change over the relay.
8. Bistable relay in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that for the further RC circuit, or for the two further RC circuits, the capacitor (58, 62) is connected to the associated output (30, 32) of the change-over contact (20) and the resistor (60, 64) is connected between the earth line and the side of the capacitor (58, 62) opposite to the switching arm, i.e. the side where the corresponding signal can be fed in to change over the relay.
9. Bistable relay in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the capacitor (42) of the first named RC circuit (44, 42) is connected to the movable switching arm of the change-over contact (20) and the resistor (44) is connected across the capacitor, i.e. parallel to the latter.
10. Bistable relay in accordance with claim 9, characterised in that with the further RC circuit, or with the two further RC circuits, the capacitor (58, 62) is connected to the associated output (30, 32) of the change-over contact (20) and the resistor (60, 64) is connected across the capacitor (58, 62), i.e. parallel to the latter.
11. Bistable relay in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is combined with a power supply (100) for its own supply of current.
12. Bistable relay in accordance with claim 11, characterised in that the supply of current comprises a transformer (106) operated with mains voltage and a bridge rectifier (128), the two outputs of which are connected to the earth line and to the working contact, with the output voltage of the bridge rectifier preferably being smoothed.
13. Bistable relay in accordance with claim 11 or claim 12, characterised in that the working contact (18) controls the excitation circuit of a load relay (112).
14. Bistable relay in accordance with claim 16, characterised in that the load relay (120) controls a switch (114) for a load lying in the current circuit of the mains.
15. Bistable relay in accordance with claim 13 or 14, characterised by a further luminescent diode (116) with protective resistor (118) for monitoring the state of excitation of the load relay.
16. Bistable relay in accordance with one of the claims 11 to 15, characterised in that parts (100; 112; 114; 116; 118) of the relay, with the power supply associated therewith are integrated into an installation socket, or are decentrally arranged.
17. Bistable relay in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a remote control receiver is attached to the first named RC circuit (44, 42) or to at least one of the further RC circuits (44, 42; 60, 88; 64, 62) and is controllable by a remote control transmitter, for example from an infrared remote control transmitter and applies the required voltage or switching pulses to the RC circuit.
18. Bistable relay in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first named RC circuit (44, 42) and/or the further RC circuit (60; 88; 64, 62) is or are connected to a microprocessor control.
19. Bistable relay in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the respective change-over takes place by trigger pulses of the same polarity at the first named RC circuit (44, 42).
20. Bistable relay in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the RC circuits (44, 42; 60, 68; 64, 62) are so laid out, in particular through the choice of the resistor, that with faulty connection of one or two of the inputs (C, D, E) caused by breakdown each still operable input can still be utilised.
21. Bistable relay in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that with a DC load circuit (Fig. 7) a switch position recognition means is provided.
22. Bistable relay in accordance with claim 21, characterised in that the switch position recognition means comprises a transistor connected with an emitter to a part carrying negative potential, with the base of the transistor being connected via a protective resistor (164) to the positive voltage of the switched working contact (18) and with the collector of the transistor being connected to an output terminal (H), for example to the connection of an LED showing the switch position.
23. Bistable relay (10) in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 22, characterised in that a diode (54, 56) is connected parallel to each of the two actuating coils (12, 14) and the diodes are in each case so poled that they do not transmit any current on excitation of the respective actuating coil.

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