ES2579934T3 - Electromagnetic relay assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

An electromagnetic relay (10) having a coil assembly (12), a rotating armature assembly (13), and a switch assembly (14) where the switch assembly (14) comprises a spring assembly of three springs ( 33), said spring assembly (33) comprising three stacked spring elements (40, 39, 38) and a longitudinal axis of spring assembly (105), wherein said spring assembly (33) is characterized by a first element of spring (40) comprising a first spring length, a first contact receiving opening (45), and a first elastically deformable terminal side end (53), the second spring element (39) comprising a second shortened spring length in relation to the first spring length, a second contact receiving opening (43), and a first C-shaped stackable spring portion (52) extending radially adjacent to the second contact receiving opening (43) , the third spring element (38) comprising a third spring length equal to the first spring length, a first C-shaped opening (42) to allow excessive spring travel, a third contact opening (41), a second C-shaped stackable button spring portion (52) extending between the first C-shaped opening (42) and the third contact receiving opening (41), and a second elastically deformable second terminal side end ( 53), the first C-shaped opening (42) extending symmetrically around the longitudinal axis of the spring assembly (105), the second spring element (39) being sandwiched between the first and third spring elements (40, 38) so that the first and second stackable button spring portions (52, 52) are uniformly stacked, and the first and third spring elements (40, 38) are spaced relative to each other by means of the second spring element interleaved (39) for actuation by an actuator element (22) of the switch assembly, the first and third spring elements (40, 38), thus spaced, can be reconfigured, by means of the actuator element (22) between (a) a closed position where the first and third spring elements (40, 38) are substantially flat along the first and third spring lengths and (b) an excessive travel position where the first and second elastically deformable terminal side ends ( 52, 53) are elastically deformed so that the first and third spring elements (40, 38) are not flat along the first and third spring lengths.

Description

Electromagnetic relay set.

5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The described invention relates generally to an electromagnetic relay assembly that incorporates a set of

10 uniquely configured armor. More particularly, the described invention relates to an electromagnetic relay assembly having a magnetically operable rotor assembly to linearly displace a switch actuator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE

15 In general, the function of an electromagnetic relay is to use a small amount of energy in the electromagnet to move armor that can switch a much larger amount of energy. As an example, the relay designer may want the electromagnet to be energized using 5 volts and 50 milliamps (250 milliwatts), while the armature can withstand 120 volts at 2 amps (240 watts). Relays are quite common in

20 appliances where there is an electronic control that turns on (or off) any application device such as a motor or a light. The present teachings are intended primarily for use as a set of unipolar electromagnetic relay for 120 amp step. It is contemplated, however, that the essence of the invention can be applied in multipolar relay assemblies, which have a unique construction and functionality as allowed by the teachings of the unipolar embodiment set forth in this description. Hereafter

25 will briefly describe several other electromagnetic relay assemblies that reflect the state of the art and described in United States patents.

US6,788,176B2 describes an electromagnetic relay according to the preamble of claim 1.

30 United Kingdom Patent No. 2,193,041 (patent ‘041), granted to the inventor Strack and the applicant Bach GmbH & Co., describes a relay. The '041 patent describes a relay comprising a contact spring (9) connected to a frame (7) by means of a connecting member (8) having a resilient spring pressure member (54), which in the position closed contact pushes against the contact spring (9) to exert a force on the contact spring (9). The connecting member (8) also has a lifting member (57), which in the position of

The closed contact is spaced from the contact spring (9) whereby the contact spring (9) pushes with its contact with a high pressure force against the fixed contact (10) but can be quickly lifted therefrom to prevent formation of Arc.

The reader should warn of the ‘041 patent, in particular, that this patent teaches a set of armor

Swivel (7) having an actuator element or spring pressure member (54) associated therewith. When current is passed through the coil assembly (1), the armature assembly (7) rotates and the actuator element

(54) works to press the contact spring (9) into engagement with an opposite fixed contact (10).

US Patent No. 6,046,660 (‘660 patent), which was granted to Gruner, describes a set of

45 interlocking magnetic relay with a linear motor. The ‘660 patent teaches a magnetic interlocking relay capable of transferring currents of more than 100 amps for use in regulating the transfer of electricity or in other applications that require switching currents of more than 100 amps. A relay motor assembly has an elongated coil reel with an axially extending cavity therein. An excitation coil is wrapped around the reel. A generally U-shaped ferromagnetic frame has a

50 core section disposed in and extending through the axially extending cavity in the elongated coil spool. Two contact sections generally extend perpendicular to the core section and rise above the motor assembly. An actuator assembly is magnetically coupled to the relay motor assembly. The actuator assembly is comprised of an actuator frame operatively coupled to a first and second ferromagnetic pole pieces generally U-shaped, and a permanent magnet. A

The contact bridge made of a copper sheet of conductive material is operatively coupled to the actuator assembly.

US Patent No. 6,246,306 (patent ‘306), which was granted to Gruner, describes an electromagnetic relay with pressure spring. The ‘306 patent teaches an electromagnetic relay that has a set of

engine with a reel fixed to a housing. A core is connected adjacently below the coil except one end of the core, which extends from the reel. One end of the armature magnetically engages the end of the core when the coil is energized. An actuator engages the frame and a plurality of central contact spring assemblies. The central contact spring assembly is comprised of a central contact spring that is not precurved and is ultrasonically welded onto a central contact terminal. A normally open spring is placed relatively parallel to a central contact spring. The normally open spring is ultrasonically welded onto a normally open terminal to form a normally open outer contact spring assembly. A normally closed outer contact spring is positioned vertically with respect to the central contact spring so that the

10 normally closed external contact spring assembly is in contact with the central contact spring assembly when the actuator is not acting on the central contact spring. The normally closed spring is ultrasonically welded onto a normally closed terminal to form a normally closed assembly. A pressure spring presses the central contact spring above the actuator when the actuator is not in use.

15 US Patent No. 6,252,478 (patent ‘478), which was granted to Gruner, describes an electromagnetic relay. The ‘478 patent teaches an electromagnetic relay that has a motor assembly with a reel attached to a frame. A core is disposed within the reel except one end of the core that extends from the reel. One end of the armature magnetically couples at the end of the core when the coil

20 is energized. An actuator engages the frame and a plurality of movable knife assemblies. The mobile blade assembly is comprised of a mobile blade ultrasonically welded onto a central contact terminal. A normally open blade is placed relatively parallel to a movable blade. The normally open blade is ultrasonically welded onto a normally open terminal to form a normally open contact assembly. A normally closed contact assembly is comprised of a third

25 contact rivet and a normally closed terminal. A normally closed contact assembly is positioned vertically with respect to the movable knife so that the normally closed contact assembly is in contact with the movable knife assembly when the actuator is not acting on the movable knife.

US Patent No. 6,320,485 (patent ‘485), which was granted to Gruner, describes a set of

30 electromagnetic relay with a linear motor. The ‘485 patent teaches an electromagnetic relay capable of transferring currents of more than 100 amps for use in regulating the transfer of electricity or in other applications that require switching currents of more than 100 amps. A relay motor assembly has an elongated coil reel with an axially extending cavity therein. An excitation coil is wrapped around the reel. A generally U-shaped ferromagnetic frame has a

35 core section disposed in and extending through the axially extending cavity in the elongated coil spool. Two contact sections generally extend perpendicular to the core section and rise above the motor assembly. An actuator assembly is magnetically coupled to the relay motor assembly. The actuator assembly is comprised of an actuator frame operatively coupled to a first and second ferromagnetic pole pieces generally U-shaped, and a permanent magnet. A

The contact bridge made of a copper sheet of conductive material is operatively coupled to the actuator assembly.

US Patent No. 6,563,409 (‘409 patent), which was granted to Gruner, describes a magnetic interlocking relay assembly. The '409 patent teaches an interlocking magnetic relay assembly comprising a relay motor with a first coil reel having a first excitation coil wound around it and a second coil reel having a second excitation coil wound around it, said first excitation coil and said second excitation coil being identical, said first excitation coil being electrically isolated from said second excitation coil; an actuator assembly magnetically coupled to said relay motor, said assembly having

50 actuator a first end and a second end; and one or two groups of contact bridge assemblies, each of said contact bridge assemblies comprising a contact bridge and a spring.

United Kingdom Patent No. 2,418,780 (‘780 patent), granted to the inventors Connell et al. and to the applicant BLP Components Limited, describes certain electrical contactors. The '780 patent describes an electric contactor 55 comprising a first electrically conductive cantilever arm (201) carrying a first contact (203) adjacent to its fixed end and a second contact (204) adjacent to its free end and a second arm electrically conductive cantilever (205) carrying a third contact (207) adjacent to its fixed end and a fourth contact (208) adjacent to its free end. The first and second contact arms are arranged in opposite alignment so that the fixed end of one arm is opposite the free end of the other arm, the first

contact (203) is aligned with the fourth contact (205) and the second contact (204) is aligned with a third contact (207).

A first terminal (206) is connected to the fixed end of the first arm (201), and a second terminal (202) is

5 connected to the fixed end of the second arm (205). The arrangement of the first and second arms (201, 205) is such that when the first and fourth contacts (203, 208) and the second and third contacts (204, 207) are closed, the current flowing between the first and second terminals (206, 202) through first and second arms (201, 205) produces an attractive force between the first and second arms (201, 205). The reader is directed in particular to Figures Nos 10-12, figures representing a rotating armature having actuator elements as in (122) and

10 (123) in Figure No. 10; and as in (234) in Figure No. 11.

The People's Republic of China patent No. 101335156 (patent ‘156), granted to the applicant Xiamen Hongfa Electroacoustic, describes an electromagnetic relay. Referring to the state of the art relay represented in Figure No. 1a, the reader will see there a magnetic interlocking relay of the technology or the state of the art

15 then existing comprising a magnetic circuit part, a contact part, a thrust part and a substrate part. More particularly, Figure 1 a is a structural schematic drawing of a typical high power magnetic interlocking relay comprising, a fixed spring part (71) and a mobile spring part mounted on the base (70). The thrust portion is a thrust block (73) two sides of which have grooves each. The magnetic circuit part comprises a mobile magnetizer part (74) that is in the form of an I, a

20 spindle (75), a fixed magnetizer part (76) and a coil part (77).

The I-shaped mobile magnetizer part rotates around the spindle (75), the left mobile magnetizer part (74a) and the right mobile magnetizer part (74b) fit with the left fixed magnetizer part (76a) and the part fixed magnetizer right (76b), so that the magnetic circuit part can work. He

The reader will thus notice that this patent teaches a rotating armature as in part (74), a rotating armor (74) comprising an actuator element as in (74a), actuator element (74a) that functions to direct force to the member (73) to open and close the contacts by means of a spring construction as in (72).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic relay assembly according to the appended claims. According to the embodiments, the electromagnetic relay assembly has certain means for damping the contact vibration between the contacts of the switching assembly. A further object of the present invention is to provide an armature assembly that has an axis of rotation and that rotates

35 under the influence of the magnetic field created or imparted from an electromagnetic coil assembly. The armature assembly linearly displaces a switch actuator to open and close the relay switch assembly. To achieve these and other immediately apparent objectives, the electromagnetic relay assembly of the present description comprises an electromagnetic coil assembly, an armature bridge assembly and a switch assembly as described in more detail hereafter.

The coil assembly essentially comprises a coil, a C-shaped cylinder head assembly, and a coil shaft. The coil is wound around the coil axis, and the cylinder head assembly comprises first and second cylinder head arms. Each cylinder head arm comprises an axial cylinder head portion that can be coaxially aligned with the coil shaft and together they form the back of the C-shaped cylinder head assembly. Each cylinder head arm

45 further comprises a cylinder head end, cylinder head ends that are coplanar and substantially parallel to the coil axis.

The reinforcement bridge assembly is rotatable around an orthogonally spaced axis of the coil axis and coplanar with the cylinder head ends. The reinforcement bridge assembly thus comprises a bridge rotation axis,

50 a bridge, and an actuator arm. The bridge comprises a midfield path relatively closer to the coil axis, a lateral field path relatively further away from the coil axis, and medium to lateral or lateral to midfield paths spaced longitudinally or axially (or transverse field paths ) that extend between the middle and lateral paths. The actuator arm can cooperate with the lateral field path through a first end thereof and extends laterally away from the field path

55 lateral.

The switch assembly essentially comprises switch terminals and a spring assembly between the switch terminals. The spring assembly is attached to a second end of the actuator arm. Cylinder head ends are received between the middle and lateral paths. As normal and perfectly established

in the art, the coil receives current and creates or imparts a magnetic field, magnetic field that can be directed through the bridge assembly by means of the cylinder head ends to impart the rotation of the bridge around the axis of bridge rotation and displace linearly the actuator arm. The movable actuator arm works to drive the spring assembly between an open contact position and a contact position

5 closed, closed contact position that allows current to pass through the switch assembly through the switch ends.

Certain peripheral characteristics of the essential electromagnetic relay assembly include certain means for improving excessive spring travel, means that work to increase the contact pressure between the 10 terminals of the switch when the spring assembly is in the closed position. The means for improving excessive spring travel also provide means for contact drying or contact cleaning by improved contact or increased contact pressure. In other words, the improved conduction path through the contact interface can work well to burn debris and / or debris that could otherwise perch on the contact surfaces. The means to improve the excessive travel of the

The spring can also work well to provide certain means to dampen the contact bounce or vibration between the first and second contacts when switching from the open position to the closed position.

Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements and advantages thereof, will be elucidated or apparent from the following description and the attached drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features of our invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the following brief description of the patent drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the electromagnetic relay assembly of the present invention with the switch assembly in an open position.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the electromagnetic relay assembly of the present invention with the switch assembly in a closed position.

Figure 3 is a representation of exploded view in perspective from above of the electromagnetic relay assembly of the present invention showing an optional housing cover.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a first terminal assembly of the switch assembly of the electromagnetic relay assembly.

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second terminal assembly of the switch assembly of the electromagnetic relay assembly.

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a coil assembly of the electromagnetic relay assembly of the present invention.

Figure No. 7 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of a rotor assembly of the armature assembly of the electromagnetic relay assembly.

Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the triumvirate spring assembly and a contact button of the switch assembly of the electromagnetic relay assembly.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side view representation of the triumvirate spring assembly, the contact buttons, and the armature arm of the present invention showing the contact buttons in a closed position with the triumvirate spring assembly in a substantially coplanar position.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side view representation of the triumvirate spring assembly, the contact buttons and the armature arm of the present invention showing the contact buttons in a closed position with the triumvirate spring assembly in a position. excessive travel to improve contact pressure between the contact buttons.

Figure No. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary side view representation of the joint in the triumvirate spring assembly and the upper contact button shown otherwise in Figure No. 10 representing the triumvirate spring assembly in the travel position excessive to improve the contact pressure between the contact buttons.

5 Figure 12 is a schematic representation of the flow of flow through the C-shaped core assembly and the rotor assembly of the electromagnetic relay assembly representing a diverted and divided field circulation through the rotor assembly.

10 Figure 13 is a side view representation of a switch terminal assembly operatively connected to a triumvirate spring assembly and a contact button, showing the first and second triumvirate spring assembly with C-shaped folds centrally located , and a third spring with a fold located at the end.

15 Figure No. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from Figure No. 13 depicting the fold located at the end of the third spring in greater detail.

Figure 15 is a schematic representation of a threshold current path directed through the relay terminals arranged adjacent to the rotating armature assembly and representing a magnetic field.

20 originated in the terminal of greater magnitude than a magnetic field originated in the armature to rotate the armature assembly towards a circuit opening position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the present invention concerns an electromagnetic relay assembly (10) as illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos. 1-3. The electromagnetic relay assembly (10) of The present invention essentially works to selectively allow current to pass through switch ends (11) as illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos. 1-5. To achieve these and other functions immediately apparent, the electromagnetic relay assembly (10) of the

The present invention preferably comprises an electromagnetic coil assembly (12) as illustrated in general and referenced in Figures Nos. 1-3, and 6; a rotating armature assembly (13) as illustrated in general and referenced in Figures Nos. 1-3; and a switch assembly (14) as illustrated in general and referenced in Figures Nos. 1-5.

The coil assembly (12) of the present invention preferably comprises a current conducting coil

(15) as illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos. 1-3, and 6; a C-shaped or cylinder head core assembly (16) as illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos. 3, 6, and 12; and a coil shaft (100) referred to in general and shown in Figures Nos. 1, 2, 6, and 12. It can be seen or understood from an inspection of the pointed figures that the current conducting coil (15) is wound around the coil axis 40 (100) and comprises first and second electromagnet drive ends (17) as illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos. 1-3, and 6. The cylinder head assembly or C-shaped core assembly (16) of the present invention is received axially within the coil (15) and preferably comprises first and second cylinder head arms (18), one of which is illustrated and referred to in Figures Nos. 1-3, and the two of which are illustrated and referenced in Figure No. 6. It can be seen from an inspection of Figure No. 6.

45 that each of the cylinder head arms (18) comprises an axial cylinder head portion (19) and a substantially flat cylinder head end (20), cylinder head ends (20) that are preferably parallel to the coil axis (100) such as reference is made and it is also represented in figure Nº 12.

It is contemplated that the rotating armature assembly (13) of the present invention can be described as

50 preferably comprises a rotor assembly (21) as generally illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos. 1-3, and 7; an actuator or actuator arm (22) as generally illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos. 1-3, 9, and 10; and an armature rotation axis (101) as depicted and referenced at one point in Figures Nos 1, 2, 12, and 15, and as a line in Figures Nos 3 and 7. The rotor assembly (21) preferably comprises first and second rotor magnets uniformly directed or polarized (23) as illustrated and

55 reference is made in Figures Nos 7 and 12; a rotor plate (25) as illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos. 1-3, 7, and 12; a rotor support (26) as illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos. 1-3, 7, and 12; a rotor housing (27) as illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos. 1-3, and 7; a return spring (28) as illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos. 3 and 7; a rotor pin (29) as illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos 1 and 3; and a rotor mount (30) as illustrated and made

reference in figures Nos 1 - 3.

It can be seen from an inspection of the pointed figures that the rotor support (26) is cooperatively connected or otherwise associated with a first end of the actuator arm (22), and that the rotor plate (25) and the rotor support (26) (or portions thereof) are preferably oriented parallel to each other by means of the rotor housing (27). In this aspect, it can also be seen that the first and second rotor magnets (23) are equally sized and extend between the rotor plate (25) and the rotor support (26) to simultaneously and equally space the plate of rotor (25) and the rotor support (26) and to also provide a guide path or path for the so-called Lorentz current or magnetic flux to be directed transversely

10 effectively through the rotor or bridge assembly (21) as schematically represented in Figure No. 12.

In this last aspect, it is contemplated that the reinforcement assembly (13) can be considered as a reinforcement bridge assembly, a bridge assembly comprising a bridge rotation axis (similar to the rotation axis of armor (101)) and a bridge in cooperative association with the arm of armor (22). In this context, the bridge can be considered or described as preferably comprising a middle path (similar to the rotor plate (25)), a side path (similar to the rotor support (26)), and middle to lateral or transverse paths spaced longitudinally or axially (similar to the first and second rotor magnets (23)). The armature arm (22) can be described as well as extending laterally away from the lateral path or rotor support (26)

20 to couple the switch assembly (14).

The rotor housing (27) essentially functions to receive, accommodate, and position the first and second rotor magnets (23), the rotor plate (25) and the rotor support (26) to form the bridge-like structure of the armor set (13). The rotor magnets (23) are uniformly directed so that the similar poles are

25 oriented to the same rotor structure. For example, it is contemplated that the north poles of the rotor magnets (23) may be oriented to the rotor support (26) (thereby being the south poles oriented to the rotor plate (25)) or that the south poles of the rotor magnets (23) can be oriented to the rotor support (26) (thus the north poles are oriented to the rotor support).

The rotor housing (27) may also comprise a pin receiving opening or bore for receiving the rotor pin (29) as can be seen in general from an inspection of Figures Nos. 3 and 7. The opening or Pin receiving hole of the rotor housing (27) allows rotation of the bridge or reinforcement assembly (13) around the axis of rotation of the reinforcement (101). The rotor pin (29), which extends through the pin receiving hole, can be axially anchored to a lower end thereof by means of

35 a relay housing (48) as illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos. 1-3, and which relay housing (48) is sized and shaped to receive, accommodate and position the coil assembly (12) , the armature assembly (13), and the switch assembly (14) as can easily be understood from an inspection of Figure No. 3. Furthermore, it can easily be understood from an inspection of Figure No. 3 that the Relay housing (48) may, but not necessarily, comprise or cooperate with a relay cover (49).

In this last aspect, it will be remembered that the armature assembly (13) of the present invention can be anchored

or mounted by means of the rotor mount (30). The rotor mount (30) can be cooperatively associated with the relay housing (48) (ie, anchored to the relay housing (48)) to axially fix the rotor pin (29), the fixed rotor mount (30 ) receiving and anchoring an upper end of the rotor pin (29) to allow relay users to effectively handle the electromagnetic relay assembly (10) of the present invention without the relay cover (49). The rotor mount (30) or the bridge mount or means for mounting the rotor assembly or the bridge assembly can be described as well as providing certain means to allow open-face handling of the electromagnetic relay assembly (10). It is contemplated, for example, that in certain scenarios a relay assembly without a cover provides a certain benefit. For example, the object relay set can be observed

50 more easily during test procedures. In any case, it is contemplated that the rotor mount (30) of the present invention allows coverless operation of the electromagnetic relay assembly (10) by otherwise fixing the armature assembly (13) to the relay housing (48).

The switch assembly (14) of the present relay assembly (10) preferably comprises a first set

Switch terminal 55 (31) as illustrated in general and referenced in Figures Nos. 1-4; and a second switch terminal assembly (32) as illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos 1-3, 5, 13, and 14; and a triumvirate spring assembly or three springs (33) as illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos. 1-3, 5, 8-11, 13, and 14. From an inspection of the pointed figures, it can be seen that the first switch terminal assembly (31) preferably comprises a first contact button (34) and a first

switch end as in (11). In addition, the second switch terminal assembly (32) preferably comprises a second switch end as in (11).

The triumvirate or three spring spring assembly (33) preferably comprises a longitudinal axis of assembly

5 (105) as shown in Figure 8 and a second contact button (37) as illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos. 1, 2, 9-11, 13, and 14; and a first spring element (38), a second spring element (39), and a third spring element (40) as further illustrated and referenced in Figures Nos. 5, 8-10, and 13. It can also be seen that the first spring (38) preferably comprises a first contact reception opening as in (41) and a first C-shaped opening as in (42) in Figure No.

10 8, as well as a slope or fold located at the end as in (70) in Figures Nos. 13 and 14. Particularly, the first C-shaped opening (42) is preferably concentric around the first contact receiving opening (41). The second spring (39) preferably comprises a second contact receiving opening as in (43) and a first C-shaped fold as in (44) in Figure No. 8. It can be seen from an inspection of Figure No. 8 that the first C-shaped fold (44) has a certain first radius of curvature. He

Third spring (40) preferably comprises a third contact receiving opening as in (45), a second C-shaped opening as in (46), and a second C-shaped fold as in (47).

It can also be seen that the second C-shaped opening is preferably concentric around the third contact receiving opening (45), and that the second C-shaped fold (47) has a certain second radius of curvature 20, second radius of curvature that is of greater magnitude than the first radius of curvature (of the first C-shaped fold (44)). The second spring (39) is sandwiched between the first and third springs (38) and (40) by means of the second contact button (37) as it is received or extended through the contact receiving openings (41), (43), and (45). The first C-shaped fold (44) is concentric (around a fold axis) within the second C-shaped fold (47). The first and second contact buttons (34) and (37) or contacts

25 is spatially oriented or juxtaposed adjacent to each other as generally shown in Figures Nos. 1, 2, 9, and 10. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the triumvirate spring assembly (33) is offset in a position of Open contact between the first and second switch ends (11) and attached to the (side end of the) armature arm as perhaps more clearly represented in Figures Nos 9 and 10.

30 It is contemplated that the first and second C-shaped openings (42) and (46), and the unevenness or bend located at the end (70) may work well to provide certain means to improve the excessive travel to increase the pressure of contact between the first and second contact buttons (34) and (37). In this aspect, the reader is also directed to Figures Nos. 9 and 10. From a comparative consideration of the pointed figures, it can be seen that the terminal side ends (53) of the spring assembly (33) can be operated beyond

35 of the flat portions of the spring assembly (33) immediately adjacent to the rod (51) of the contact button (37). The flat portions of the spring assembly (33) immediately (and radially) adjacent to the rod (51) of the contact button (37) thus form stackable button spring portions as in (52) in Figures Nos 8 and 11. A from an inspection of figures Nos. 8 and 11, it can be seen that the stackable button portions (52) are stacked on the contact button (37) and that the terminal side ends (53) of the first and third

40 springs (38) and (40) of the spring assembly (33) are elastically deformed as in (50) to allow such excessive travel. In other words, the material (preferably copper) of the spring elements having C-shaped openings is easier and elastically deformable than the ends of the C-shaped openings as in (50) in Figure No. 8. Particularly , the elastic deformation of the material adjacent to the ends (50) does not result in appreciable embrittlement of the lattice of underlying material (i.e. not imparted

Remarkably unwanted reticular dislocations) and thus the C-shaped opening structure or feature of the triumvirate spring assembly provides a robust means for improved excessive travel to further provide some added pressure between the contact buttons (34) and (37) to improve the driver contact (s) between them. The unevenness or bend located at the end (70) also provides a means for an improved excessive travel to increase the contact pressure and reduce the contact rebound of

50 contacts (34) and (37).

The conduction through the contact buttons (34) and (37) is thus improved by means of the excessive permitted and / or improved travel of the C-shaped opening as generally shown in Figure No. 10. It is contemplated that the improved contact and the resulting conduction provide certain means for improved contact drying 55, further allowing the means for contact drying or contact cleaning by means of the improved excessive travel. In this aspect, it is contemplated that the relay assembly (10) of the present invention inherently has an automatic cleaning feature as allowed by the C-shaped openings (42) and (46). Furthermore, it is contemplated that the C-shaped openings (42) and (46) (and the unevenness or bending (70)) can either provide certain means to reduce contact rebound or otherwise dampen the vibration of

contact between the contact buttons (34) and (37) when switching from an open contact state or open switch position (as generally shown in Figure No. 1) to a closed contact state or switch position closed (as shown in general in Figure 2).

5 From an inspection of Fig. 12, it can easily be understood that the core or cylinder head ends (20) are received without tightening between the rotor plate (25) and the rotor support (26), and that the shaft armor rotation

(101) is coplanar with the cylinder head ends (20), a rotation axis (101) that extends through the rotor pin

(29) (not specifically represented in Figure 20). As should be easily understood, the current conducting coil (15) functions to receive current and thereby creates a magnetic field as it is

10 also represents and is referred to in the vectors (102) in Figure No. 12. As can be seen from an inspection of the pointed figure, the magnetic field (102) is directed through the cylinder head ends (20 ) by the rotor assembly (essentially defined by the motor support (26), the rotor magnets (23), and the rotor plate (25)) to impart armature rotation or the bridge around the rotation axis of armor (101) by means of a magnetically induced torque.

15 The rotor support (26) thus works to linearly move the actuator arm (22), displaced actuator arm

(22) which functions to drive the triumvirate spring assembly (33) from an open position deflected by a preferred spring (as generally shown in Figure No. 1) to a closed position operated by a spring (as shown in general in figure Nº 2). The material construction of the relay assembly (10) (it is believed to be within the scope of those skilled in the art) and the closed position function essentially to allow 120 amp current to pass through the switch assembly (14) through the first and second contact buttons (34) and (37) and the switch ends (11). When the coil assembly (12) is currently inactive and the magnetic field is effectively removed, the return spring (28) can function well to improve the return of the triumvirate spring assembly (22) to the open position diverted by preferred spring 25 as shown in general in Figure No. 11. If a power failure condition occurs, it is contemplated that the electromagnetic relay (10) may also preferably comprise certain means for closed contact defect, the means for closed contact defect to force the first and second contact buttons (34) and (37) to be closed during said condition (s) of lack of current or short circuit. In this aspect, it is contemplated that the path followed by the Lorentz current or the magnetic field path is such

30 as shown in general in Figure No. 12 by the vector arrows (102).

It is further contemplated that the electromagnetic relay according to the present invention may comprise certain means for establishing by default an open contact position during threshold current conditions based on the terminals. In this sense, it is observed from the classical electromagnetic theory that the 35 current propagation charge carriers develop a magnetic field adjacent radially to the direction of the carrier current. Therefore, the reader is directed to Figure No. 15 which is a schematic representation of a threshold current path as in (71) that is routed through the relay terminals (31) and

(32) by the contact buttons (34) and (37). A magnetic force vector as in (103) is represented as originating in the terminal by the load carrying current flowing through the path (71). After reaching certain threshold amperage, the magnetic field generated through the terminals (31) and (32) will interact with the permanent magnets or rotor magnets (23) of the rotating armature assembly (13). The magnets (23) have an inherent magnetic field directed outwardly referred to in the vector arrow (104), whose force is of less magnitude than the force in the vector arrow (103). The difference in force between (104) and (103) as directed causes the rotating armature assembly (13) to rotate towards an open contact position as it is

45 schematically shown in Figure No. 5. This characteristic can be calibrated by the size and intensity of the magnets (23) and the distance between the armature and the fixed contacts.

Although the above descriptions contain a lot of specificity, this specificity should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention. For example, it can be said that the invention teaches or describes an electromagnetic relay assembly to allow current to pass through switch ends, electromagnetic relay assembly comprising a coil assembly, a rotating or bridge armature assembly, and a Switch assembly characterized by an inventive three spring spring assembly. The coil assembly comprises a coil, a coil axis, and a C-shaped core. The coil is wound around the coil axis (100), and the coil axis extends (100) through

55 of the core as in (60) in Figure No. 12. The core (60) comprises core ends (20), core ends (20) that are substantially parallel to the coil axis (100).

The bridge assembly comprises an axis of rotation as in (101) and a bridge as in (61) in Figures Nos 12 and 15; and a switch actuator with in (22). The bridge (61) comprises a middle field path (63) (is

that is, a path relatively closer to the core (60)), a lateral field path (64) (ie, a path relatively further away from the core (60)), and axially spaced transverse paths (65) to guide the field as in (102) between the middle and lateral field paths (63) and (64). The actuator arm (22) can cooperate with, and extends away from, the lateral path (64) (not specifically represented in the

5 figure Nº 12). The core ends (20) are preferably coplanar with the axis of rotation (101) and are received between the middle and lateral paths (63) and (64).

It is contemplated that the transverse paths (65) provide certain means of field deflection to transversely deflect the magnetic field (102) in relation to the coil axis (100) and magnetically induce a torque

10 of torque, magnetically induced torque that works to drive the switch actuator (22). Said field diversion means can also be described as comprising certain means of field division (having two paths opposite the axis as in (66) in Figure No. 12) to create a magnetic torque around the magnetic induced torque.

The switch assembly as in (14) can also cooperate with the actuator arm (22), actuator arm (22) which is essentially a coupling between the bridge assembly (61) and the switch assembly (14). The coil works to create or impart a magnetic field as represented vectorially in (102). The magnetic field (102) can be directed through the bridge assembly (61) by means of the core ends (20) to impart bridge rotation around the axis of rotation (101) by means of the induced torque

20 magnetically. Bridge rotation works to move the actuator arm (22), displaced actuator arm

(22) that physically opens and closes the switch assembly (14). As is more readily understood in the art, the closed switch assembly (14) allows current to pass through it.

The switch assembly (14) comprises certain spring means to improve excessive spring travel,

25 said means for improving the closed switch position by increasing the contact pressure between the contact buttons (34) and (37). The spring means for improving excessive spring travel further provide contact drying means, and vibration damping means. The contact drying means are contemplated to automatically clean the switch assembly (14) effectively, and the vibration damping means function to dampen the contact vibration when switched.

30 of the switch positions open to closed. Thus, it can be said that the spring means for improving the excessive spring travel improve the closed switch position by increasing the contact pressure between the contacts, maintaining a contact interface free of debris, and damping the contact vibration when the contacts are closed. .

Although the invention has been described by reference to various embodiments, it is not intended that the novel device or relay be limited thereto, but that the intention is that modifications thereof be included that fall within the broad scope and spirit of the preceding description and attached drawings. For example, the foregoing descriptions support an electromagnetic relay assembly primarily intended for use as a unipolar relay assembly for a 120 amp step. However, it is contemplated that the essence of the

The invention can be applied in multipolar relay assemblies, which have a unique construction and functionality in their own right, but are allowed by the teachings of the unipolar embodiment set forth in this description.

Claims (7)

1. An electromagnetic relay (10) having a coil assembly (12), a rotating armature assembly (13), and a switch assembly (14) where the switch assembly (14) comprises a spring assembly of 5 three springs (33), said spring assembly (33) comprising three stacked spring elements (40, 39, 38) and a longitudinal axis of spring assembly (105), wherein said spring assembly (33) is characterized by a first spring element (40) comprising a first spring length, a first contact receiving opening (45), and a first elastically deformable terminal side end (53), the second spring element (39) comprising a second length of a shortened spring in relation to the first spring length, a second contact receiving opening (43), and a first C-shaped stackable spring portion (52) extending radially adjacent to the second opening of receipt of account cto (43), the third spring element (38) comprising a third spring length equal to the first spring length, a first C-shaped opening (42) to allow excessive spring travel, a third contact opening (41), a second C-shaped stackable spring portion (52) extending between the first C-shaped opening (42) and the third contact receiving opening (41), and a second end elastically deformable terminal side (53), the first C-shaped opening (42) extending symmetrically around the longitudinal axis of the spring assembly (105), the second spring element (39) being sandwiched between the first and third spring elements (40, 38) so that the first and second stackable button spring portions (52, 52) are uniformly stacked, and the first and third spring elements (40, 38) are spaced apart in relation to each other by middle of the second eleme interleaved spring (39) for actuation by an actuator element (22) of the switch assembly, the first and third spring elements (40, 38), thus spaced, can be reconfigured, by means of the actuator element (22) between (a) a closed position where the first and third spring elements (40, 38) are substantially flat along the first and third spring lengths and (b) an excessive travel position where the first and second terminal side ends Elastically deformable (52, 53) are elastically deformed so that the first and third spring elements (40, 38) are not flat along the first and third spring lengths. 2. The electromagnetic relay (10) according to claim 1, wherein the terminal side ends (53, 53) extend obliquely in relation to the stackable button portions (52) in adjacency 30 lateral to the first and third respective contact receiving openings (45, 51) when they are in the excessive travel position. 3. The electromagnetic relay (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first spring element (40) comprises a second C-shaped opening (46) to allow excessive travel, and a third portion 35 of stackable button spring (52) extending between the second C-shaped opening (46) and the first contact receiving opening (45), the second C-shaped opening (46) being symmetric about the axis longitudinal spring assembly (105), the first, second and third stackable button spring portions (52) being uniformly stacked. The electromagnetic relay (10) according to claim 3, wherein the first and second terminal side ends (53, 53) are actuated in parallel with each other by the actuator element (22) of the switch assembly (14). 5. The electromagnetic relay (10) according to claim 1, wherein the three spring assembly 45 springs (33) define means to improve excessive spring travel and improve closed switch position. 6. The electromagnetic relay (10) according to claim 1, wherein the three spring assembly Springs (33) defines contact drying means, said means for cleaning the switch assembly (14). fifty 7. The electromagnetic relay (10) according to claim 1, wherein the three spring spring assembly (33) defines means for damping contact vibration when switching from open to closed switch positions. The electromagnetic relay (10) according to claim 1, wherein the rotating armature assembly (13) is characterized by bridge mounting means to allow open-face handling of the electromagnetic relay (10), the defined bridge mounting means by a rotor mounting element (30), the rotor mounting element (30) receiving a rotor pin (29) from the rotating armature assembly (13). 9. The electromagnetic relay (10) according to claim 5, wherein a selection terminal side end (53) selected from the group consisting of the first and second terminal side ends (53) comprises a slope located at the end ( 70), defining the unevenness located at the end (70) means for 5 improve excessive spring travel and improve closed switch position.