EP0844638A1 - Bistable electromagnetic relay arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The structure has two L-shaped magnetic parts (1,2) which support a central permanent magnet (28) and two outer magnets and are magnetically coupled. Switches (9a,9b) are coupled to each outer magnet. An EM coil produces an electromagnetic flux which adds to the magnetic flux level from the two magnetic poles and passes across the switches in parallel, allowing switching. A magnetic rod extends along the length of the structure and the magnetic parts can pivot about the edge of the rod.

Description

The present invention relates to a relay arrangement electromagnetic bistable polarized comprising at least two instantaneous electromagnetic relay devices monostable each comprising a cylinder head in the form of a L with one wing carrying a relay coil core, one electrical contact unit, a mounted armature swivel between end contact positions free from the nucleus and separated from the latter and one of which constitutes the rest position and the other the position of work and actuation of said electrical contacts, and an excitation coil to cause pivoting of the armature, and means of interaction between the relay devices so that the excitement of a coil causes the attraction of a frame and the repulsion of the other.

Bistable relay arrangements of this type are already known from French Patent No. 1,527,178. In this known arrangement, the cylinder head, the core and the frame of each relay device constitutes a circuit magnetic which is independent of that of the other device. The means of interaction are of a nature mechanics of complex structure and include a fork fixed on the cylinder heads made in the form of a single piece and on which a hoop is hinged biased towards the coils by elastic rods and hoses hung on it. The hoop is placed in support on two cams mounted astride the upper edge of the two armature pallets with a cam having a shape allowing the hoop to drop out while the other carries a tooth capable of coming to hang on this one.

It is obvious that this complex mechanical structure which interconnects the two monostable relay devices so that the arrangement can function as a relay bistable causes considerable disadvantages like those of a high cost price and reliability and reduced operating speed.

The object of the present invention is to provide a bistable relay arrangement which overcomes disadvantages of the state of the art.

To achieve this goal, the bistable relay arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a permanent magnet placed between the two devices relay so that a magnetic pole is magnetically connected to the two cylinder heads of the relay devices and polar masses magnetically connect the other pole of the magnet to the two paddles, and that the circuits the two relay devices are established from way that the magnetic flux produced by a coil excited goes in series through the two paddles superimposed on the magnetic flux produced by the magnet permanent.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the cylinder heads in L with one wing carrying the core carrying a coil excitation, of the two relay devices, are axially aligned, leaving a predetermined interval, that a bar made of a material magnetic extends in the plane of the other two wings on full length of cylinder heads aligned at a gap predetermined ends thereof, preventing a passage of magnetic flux between the bar and the ends, that the two pallets are pivotally mounted on this bar and that two sets of polar masses are provided which magnetically connect the two core bearing wings of the cylinder heads relay devices and pallets, each set of polar masses being magnetically connected to a pole of the permanent magnet.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the sets of polar masses rest on a non-magnetic support placed on the wings not core carriers of relay devices and the bar of magnetic material.

According to yet another advantageous characteristic of the invention, each pallet is articulated, so swivel, at the lower longitudinal edge of the bar made of magnetic material which is far from the cylinder heads relay devices, at the inner edge of its internal face.

According to yet another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the arrangement comprises a device for safety in the form of a pendulum provided with a lever two arms, which is pivotally mounted in a parallel plane with non-core bearing wings, in the center between them, and the ends of the lever are connected respectively to the two pallets so that the repulsion movement of a core palette of relay device, with which it is associated, drives the movement of attraction from the other pallet towards its core.

The invention will be better understood and other aims, features, details and benefits of it will appear more clearly during the description explanatory which will follow made with reference to the drawings attached diagrams given only by way of example illustrating a single embodiment of the invention and wherein ;

Figure 1 is a perspective view, schematic and simplified, of a bistable relay arrangement according to the present invention, to explain the operation of this one by demonstrating the magnetic flux lines at the absence of excitation of the relay coils.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, but shows the magnetic flux lines in the case of the excitation of one of the two coils.

Figures 3 and 4 are two schematic views and show two phases of assembling the arrangement of bistable relay according to figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5 is a top view of an arrangement of bistable relay according to the present invention.

Figure 6 is a rear view of the arrangement according to figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view along line VII-VII in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a sectional view along line VIII-VIII in Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a sectional view along line IX-IX in Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a sectional view along line X-X in Figure 5.

Referring to the figures, in particular to the figures simplified 1 and 2, it can be seen that an arrangement of bistable electro-magnetic relay polarized according to present invention includes, in the example shown, two instantaneous electromagnetic relay devices monostables 1 and 2 of the type described in the French patent N ° 1 527 178. Each relay device 1 and 2 includes an L-shaped cylinder head 3 including a wing indicated at 5 carries a magnetic core 6 on which is fitted a coil 7 which is shown only schematically on Figures 1 and 2 but is clearly visible in particular in Figures 9 and 10, as well as a movable frame 9 produced in the form of a pallet, the part of which lower is configured in V. This pallet is mounted swivel at the corner line of its face internal on the longitudinal external lower edge 11 of the wing 12 which does not carry the coil of the relay 3. But, differently from the relay device monostable classic according to the French patent above, in the case of relay arrangement bistable according to the present invention, the wing 12 of the cylinder head has a recess 15 which extends over the entire length of the wings of the cylinder heads aligned so that this wing is in fact constituted by the parts 16 which are formed by the wings of the L-profiles and by a bar-shaped part with cross section rectangular 17 which is separated by wing 16 in delimiting with the latter the longitudinal recess 15. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, the recess 15 of the wing 12 of the cylinder heads can be filled by inserting a magnetic strip 18 for reasons which are explained below.

As the figures show, in the arrangement of bistable relay according to the present invention, both cylinder heads 3 are axially aligned, leaving behind between them a slot 20.

According to the invention a plate 21 made of a material not magnetic is placed on the wings 12 of the relays elementaries 1 and 2 of the bar 17. On this plate 21 two sets of polar masses 23, 24 are placed respectively in contact with the wings 5 of the cylinder heads 3 of the two elementary relays and the two pallets 9 when these occupy their closed position, that is to say in contact with the ends of the cores 6. Each set of polar masses 23, 24 is formed by the superposition of two bars 25, 26 of section transverse rectangular. As shown in particular Figures 1 and 2, the polar ground bars 25, 26 extend parallel to the axis of the cylinder heads and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the slot 20 left between it. The lengths of bars 25 and 26 are chosen so that they are significantly lower than the distance between the two cores 6. According to a essential characteristic of the invention, a magnet permanent 28 in the shape of a U is placed on both polar mass sets 23 and 24 at the slot 20 between the cylinder heads so that the front faces of the magnet rests on the polar masses.

As shown in schematic figures 1 and 2, in the arrangement of a bistable relay according to the invention, the two pallets 9 are actuated by the excitation of coils 7 so as to be made to pivot alternately between a position attracted to their nucleus or repelled from it. To ensure this operation of the two pallets, the relay arrangement includes a pendulum device 30 which is not shown schematically in Figures 1 and 2, but includes a lever-shaped element 31 with two arms of equal lengths, pivotally mounted on a vertical axis 32, that is to say parallel to the wings 5 of the cylinder heads 3. The lever acts at its ends to the connecting means 33 on the pallets 9, at their end superior. So a movement of repulsion from a palette 9 causes the movement of attraction of the other. Thus the balance device constitutes a mechanism for security.

In Figures 1 and 2 we can still see that each pallet 9 is suitable for carrying three bent forks 35 of which only one is shown. Each fork 35 is fixed to the pallet 9 by a screw 36 and carries to the ends of each fork leg 37 a pin 38 actuation of a relay contact device 40, as seen in Figures 7 and 8. To allow adjustment in the vertical direction of the forks 35 on the pallets 9, the through holes through the forks, fixing screws 36, have shapes oblong (not shown). It should also be noted that the pallets 9 bear, on their contacting areas with the edge face of the bars 17 of the wing 12 of cylinder head and the polar mass assembly before 24, indicated by 41 and 42 respectively, a plastic film in kapton 43 which creates an artificial air gap to avoid collages that could cause irregularities pallet surfaces.

For the rest of the description, see in particular in FIGS. 5 to 10, which represent an example concrete realization of a relay arrangement electromagnetic bistable according to the present invention and whose principle of structure has just been described in based on Figures 1 and 2.

As Figures 7 and 8 clearly show, each elementary relay device 1, 2 includes three contact modules 40a, b, c which are susceptible to be secured removably from the cylinder head, below of it. The two modules 40a and 40b include each two contact units each constitute a change-over switch with movable contact 45 mounted at the free end of a flexible blade 46 of which the other end is fixedly mounted in the module and two fixed contacts, namely a break contact 47 and a working contact 48. Each module 40a, 40b is associated to a fork 35 so that each blade 46 is actuated by a control pin 38 of the fork. In the relay arrangement shown, the two modules 40c are part of the device for exciting the coils 7 and their two contact units have only one contact mobile 45 cooperating with a fixed rest contact 47.

Regarding the pivoting articulation device pallets on the cylinder head, we see that each pallet has upper bosses at its end and lower 50 for example formed by stamping and between which engages the edge of the cylinder head bar 17.

Furthermore, as can be clearly seen in Figure 5, the bottom bars 25 of each mass set polar 23, 24 protrude by their two ends beyond of the ends of the upper bars 26. Thanks to this configuration the two bars of each set can be selectively fixed on their supports, using screws 52 and 53 respectively.

With regard to the pendulum device 30, it is proven advantageous to provide at each end of the lever swivel 31 a male element in the shape of a spherical head 54 on which engages a female part 55 of shape conjugate mounted at the end of an axis 56 in length variable and fixed to the upper part of the pallet 9. The variation of the length of the axis 56 is obtained at using a 57 head screw which is likely to be screwed more or less deeply, axially, in the end of the axis. The screw passes through the pallet 9 and its head 58 is thus easily accessible from the face outside of the pallet.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation of the bistable relay arrangement according to the present invention will be described below. Figure 1 shows the relay arrangement in the idle state. Its coils 6 are not excited, that is to say unpowered and one of the pallets 9, designated by a is glued against the pole face of the core 6 of its actuating coil 7, while the other pallet 9b is in the pushed back state. The dashed dashed lines indicate the magnetic flux produced by the permanent magnet 28. The letters S and N denote the North and South poles, respectively. The flow F produced by the magnet 28 is divided into two partial flows Fa and Fb flowing respectively through the pallets 9a and 9b. The flow Fa passes from the north pole N of the magnet 28, through the left part of the front polar mass assembly 24, the closed pallet 9a, the core 6, the wing 5 of the cylinder head 3 of the elementary relay 1 and the left part of the rear pole mass 23 to reach the South pole of the magnet 28. The flow Fb passes from the North pole N through the right part of the set of front pole pieces 24, more precisely the lower bar 25, the air gap formed between the latter and the pushed-back pallet 9b, from the latter to the bar 17 at the magnetic hinge 10, in the bar 17 towards the glued pallet 9a, at the latter of the bar 17 in the area of the magnetic hinge, through the core 6 and the upper bar 26 of polar mass 23 to reach the south pole of the magnet. This magnetic flux Fb is of course much weaker than the flux Fa since it must pass through the air gap established by the pushed back pallet 9B.

Figure 2 shows the bistable relay arrangement at moment of excitation of coil 7 of relay elementary 1, the other coil not being excited. The excited coil 7 generates a magnetic flux presented in the form of a dotted arrow line designated by f. The excitation of the coil 7 produces a north pole N a the polar face of the nucleus 6. Since the pallet 9 also has magnetic polarity N, it is repelled by the force of repulsion as well created, as indicated by arrow R. Simultaneously with the repulsion movement of the pallet 9a occurs a movement of attraction of the pallet 9b towards the face pole of the core 6 of the other elementary relay 2 indicated by arrow A, under the effect of the flow electromagnetic f which, passing through the bar magnetic 17, reaches from pallet 9a to pallet 9b and from the latter and the corresponding nucleus 6 to the pole S through the set of polar mass 23. As the shows figure 2, the repulsion effect being exerted on the pallet 9a is further reinforced by the fact that the flow electromagnetic f also passes through the part of the pallet and forks, which protrude below the bar 17, which creates a force of attraction acting in the same pivoting direction as the force of repulsion R.

It follows from the above that the tilting of the two pallets generated by the repulsion of the pallet 9a strengthens and accelerates due to the repulsion of one and the attraction of the other palette.

The magnetic flux lines Fa, Fb and f show that the pallets 9 and the bar 17 are drawn one towards each other in the area of their linear contact so that these areas in contact actually constitute magnetic hinges.

The structure of the bistable relay arrangement according to the present invention which has just been described in se referring to the figures, despite its compactness, allows a quick assembly while ensuring simple adjustment and easy contacts and component parts, as it will demonstrated below.

After assembly of the assembly formed by the cylinder heads 3, the coils 7, the pallets 9 and the support not magnetic 21 which could be produced in the form of a separate part, for example in brass or by overmolding on the cylinder head, we first adjust the contacts of work 45-48 of the different modules 40a and 40b. At this end, we first introduce at each end a strip 18 in the recess 15 of the wing 12 of the cylinder head. So, as shown in Figure 3, we get a classic monostable relay structure in which the electromagnetic flux closes through the cylinder head L-shaped, the pallet and the core. Exciting each coil selectively, the closing of the pallets. In this state of each palette, we do lower the forks 35, the screws 36 being loosened, until all movable contacts 45 at the end flexible blades 46 come into contact with the working contacts 48 under the effect of pins 38 to the end of the forks 35. Each establishment of contact could be indicated for example by ignition a warning light (not shown). Continuing this sliding motion still over a distance predetermined, contacts are required to be supported desired, i.e. a certain contact pressure.

After adjusting the working contacts with a appropriate support, we proceed to the assembly of the magnetic circuit, first of all by installing bottom polar bars 25 front and rear on the magnetic support 21 under the influence of the flux electromagnetic coils 17. The positioning of magnetic bars is optimized by applying them against, on the one hand, the cylinder heads 3 and, on the other hand, the pallets closed 9. Figure 4 illustrates this operation. After this positioning optimization, we fix the bars in these positions using screws 52. Then we pre-assembles the upper pole bars 26 and the permanent magnet 28, separately, and magnetizes this together. After the installation of short-circuit elements magnetic between the two bars 26, we put the assembly on the lower bars 25 and remove the magnetic short circuit elements. The position of bars is optimized by pushing them against the cylinder heads and pallets. The bars 26 are then fixed in this position by tightening the screws 53.

In the following operation, we set up the pendulum safety 30 and then adjusts the rest contacts, with appropriate support, contact modules 40.

To this end, in a first step, we provoke the closing one palette and repelling the other. We then proceeds to adjust the rest contacts 45-47 of the pallet pushed back, by unscrewing the head screw 57 by rotation of his head 58 until all of the contacts are closed, this closure was verifiable by the lighting of warning lights. Then we tilt the paddles to adjust the contacts rest of the contact units associated with the pallet now pushed back. If the rest contacts are all closed and therefore all indicator lights lit, we unscrew the screw 57 again at an angle appropriate to establish the desired support. If the rest contacts are not all established, we do turn screw 57 until all the indicators are lit and provides the desired support by still turn the screw to an appropriate angle. We understand easily that adjusting the contacts with the appropriate support consists in increasing the angle swivel the pallets and therefore reduce the support force exerted by the pallet forks on the flexible blades 46 carrying the elements of movable contact 45, via the pins of command 38.

Claims (16)

Bistable electromagnetic relay arrangement polarized comprising at least two relay devices monostable instantaneous electromagnetic including each an L-shaped cylinder head with a wing carrying a relay coil core, at least one contact unit electric, a pallet-shaped frame mounted swivel between end contact positions free from the nucleus and separated from the latter and one of which constitutes the rest position and the other the position of work and actuation of said electrical contacts, and an excitation coil to cause pivoting of the frame and means of interaction between the relay devices so that the excitement of a coil causes the attraction of a pallet and the repulsion of the other, characterized in that it includes a permanent magnet (28) disposed between the two devices relay (1, 2) so that a magnetic pole is magnetically connected by polar masses (23) to the two relay heads and earths (3) poles (24) magnetically connect the other pole of the magnet with the two paddles (9), and in that the circuits the two relay devices (1, 2) are established so that the magnetic flux (f) produced by an energized coil (7) passes in series through the two pallets (9) superimposed on the magnetic flux (Fa, Fb) produced by the permanent magnet (28). Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that that the L-shaped cylinder heads (3), one wing (5) of which bears the core (6) carrying an excitation coil (7), both relay devices (1, 2), are axially aligned in leaving a predetermined interval between them (20), that a bar of magnetic material (17) extends in the plane of the other two wings (16) over the entire length of cylinder heads aligned, at a predetermined distance (15) of the ends thereof, and in that both pallets (9) are pivotally mounted on the edge longitudinal lower exterior (11) of this bar (17). Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that that the articulation between the aforementioned bar (17) and the pallets (9) is made in the form of a hinge magnetic. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polar mass assemblies (23, 24) rest on a non-magnetic support (21) placed on the non-core bearing wings (16) of the relay (1, 2) and the bar of magnetic material (17). Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device for safety (30) in the form of a pendulum provided with a lever (31) with two arms each connected to a pallet (9) and mounted pivoting so that the repulsive movement of a pallet (9) of its core the relay device drives the movement of attraction of the other pallet (9) towards its core (6). Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that that each end of the two-arm lever (31) carries a spherical head (54) engaging in a cavity (55) of complementary shape mounted at the end of a axis (56 whose length is variable and which is fixed to the corresponding pallet (9). Arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that that the length of the connecting pin (56) is variable to using a screw (57) coaxial with the axis and capable of to be screwed more or less deeply into the face front of the free end of the axis (56), this last crossing the pallet so as to be can be operated from the outside. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical contact units mentioned above are grouped in contact modules (40, a, b), which can be fitted removably under the cylinder heads (3) of the arrangement. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pallet (9) carries at least one support (35, 37) of an element (38) for controlling a movable contact (45) of a contact unit (47, 48). Arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the support (35, 37) is adjustable in position on the pallet, using an adjustment screw (36). Arrangement according to one of the claims previous, characterized in that its tilting is evoked by the repulsion of a palette of the face pole of its core (6) carrying the excitation coil. Arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that it includes slider elements (18) capable of being introduced into the recess (15) between the magnetic bar (17) and the ends of the breech wings (16), which have a shape complementary to that of the recess so that at the introduced state, the excitation of the coil (7) produces a magnetic flux passing through the core (6), the pallet (9), the bar (17), the strip (18) and the cylinder head (3). Arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in what working contacts contact modules (40a, 40b), associated with a pallet (9) are adjustable, with appropriate support, in the closed state of the pallet, after the introduction of the strip (18) in the recess (15), by adjustment, using the screw of adjustment (36), of the support of the control element (35) on the strip (9). Arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the polar mass sets (23, 24) comprise each of the lower (25) and upper (26) bars and that the lower bars (25, 26) are susceptible to be selectively positioned in their position for application against cylinder heads (3) and pallets closed (9), after fitting the strips (18) in the cylinder heads (3) and the excitation of the coils (7) of the relay devices (1, 2). Arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that the upper pole bars (26) and the permanent magnet (28) are pre-assembled, magnetized and placed on the lower pole bars (25), and that the upper bars (26) are selectively positionable by pushing them against cylinder heads (3) and closed pallets (9), crimps (18) not being present in the recesses (15). Arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that the rest contacts of the contact modules (40, 40a, 40b, 40c) are adjustable, with support suitable for varying the length of the axis (56) of the balance device 30, by rotation of the adjusting screws (57).

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