US3721927A

US3721927A - Bistable polarized electromagnetic relay

Info

Publication number: US3721927A
Application number: US00167567A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Hillenbrand; G Braumann; H Stocker
Original assignee: Siemens AG
Current assignee: Siemens AG
Priority date: 1971-07-30
Filing date: 1971-07-30
Publication date: 1973-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-20

Abstract

A bistable electromagnetic relay is disclosed including two movable armatures whose free ends occupy one of two stable states. The armatures cooperate with stationary counter poles to define air gaps. Permanent magnets including a flux return path longitudinal to the armature, through the air gaps and a magnetic core and a flux guide bow hold the armature stable in one of the no-current stable states. A field winding having a separate flux return path diagonal to the longitudinal permanent magnetic field in the region of the air gap is excited to change the state of the relay armatures.

Description

United States Patent [191 Braumann et al.

{ ]March 20, 1973 BISTABLE POLARIZED ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY [73] Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Berlin and Munich, Germany [22] Filed: July 30, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 167,567

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1935 Edwards", ..335/l79 2/1955 Bernstein ..335/179 as as 5s 51. 65

3,001,048 9/1961 Rhodes ..335/l79 3,253,095 5/1966 Richert .....335/l79 3,414,851 12/1968 Braumann.... ..,..335/l06 3,441,883 4/1969 Alletru ..335/l79 Primary Examiner-Harold Broome Attorneyl-larold J. Birch et al.

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT A bistable electromagnetic relay is disclosed including two movable armatures whose free ends occupy one of two stable states. The arrnatures cooperate with stationary counter poles to define air gaps. Permanent magnets including a flux return path longitudinal to the armature, through the air gaps and a magnetic core and a flux guide bow hold the armature stable in one of the no-current stable states. A field winding having a separate flux return path diagonal to the longitudinal permanent magnetic field in the region of the air gap is excited to change the state of the relay armatures.

20 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEBHARZOISIS SHEET 1 [IF 3 PATENTEDIMRZOISB I 721 SHEET 2 BF 3 Fig.3

Fig.4

PATEHTEDHARZ 01973 SHEET 3 BF 3 Fig.5

BISTABLE POLARIZED ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention is concerned with a bistable polarized electromagnetic relay for telecommunication installations including at least one permanent magnet providing its magnetic bias and the no-current adhesion of its movable iron parts in a stable respective end-position. In a particular embodiment the relay may include contacts encapsulated in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Known relays of the aforementioned type, as found in the telegraphy technology, possess almost without exception a magnetizable armature, usually constructed simultaneously as a section of the electrical contact mechanism of the relay, and two stationary magnetic counter poles and electric counter contacts, between which the armature moves in accordance with the polarizing direction of the electromagnetic control flux, to the limits of its two stable end positions. In relays of this construction, in which alternately only one of the two switching mechanisms can cooperate with the armature, the development of the contact apparatus of the relay is naturally restricted with respect to the number of contact sections, i.e., with respect to the type of switching arrangement which may be adopted. Moreover, there is the disadvantage with these known relays, that eithertheir switching speed or their contact pressure is adversely influenced, because the armature is to be saturated in its longitudinal direction by the control flux, which is to be much stronger than the permanent magnetic flux. The armature therefore must be established to be correspondingly large, in a size sufficient for the guidance of this control flux, i.e., in a size decisively influencing the switching speed. There is a further disadvantage with other known relays of the above-described type, in that they have a poor magnetic efficiency, because the permanent magnet flux and the control flux are connected magnetically in series, and a permanent magnet represents, as is well known, a very high magnetic resistance with a conductance on the order of magnitude of air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The purpose of the present invention is to remove the aforementioned disadvantages and to create a relay of the type described whose contact mechanism is abundantly variable, which further possesses a good magnetic efficiency with high contact pressure and fast switching speed and which is characterized in addition by an uncomplicated construction with as small as possible a number of single components.

This is achieved in accordance with the invention in that the relay includes two movable stored magnetic armatures, whose free ends in the one of the two stable end positions of the armature form respectively a magnetic operational air gap with a stationary magnetic counter pole placed between them and comprised preferably of two parts coupled magnetically together. A permanent magnet and a field winding are coupled magnetically with the armatures over flux conducting components on the outer side opposite the operational air gap such that the permanent magnet flux and the control flux produced by the field winding have two separate magnetic return paths whereby the armatures are saturated on the one hand by the permanent magnet flux in their longitudinal direction, but on the other hand by the control flux diagonally to their longitudinal direction in the region of the operating air gap.

These measures assure that first of all, in contrast to known relays of the type mentioned in the beginning, the contact apparatus for practical purposes provides double the number of contact sections, because the two armatures activate simultaneously two contact mechanisms, which if necessary can be connected with each other electrically. With this functional enlargement of the contact mechanism, the region of application of the relay is also automatically widened significantly within the framework of complicated switching tasks, for example within the technology of telecommunications. Secondly, an optimal switching speed is achieved simultaneously with a high contact pressure, because the armatures are saturated in their longitudinal direction only by the relatively small permanent magnet flux and thus can have a correspondingly small mass, while the control flux saturating the armatures diagonally in the region of the operational air gap may be established to be large in the sense of a high contact pressure, without the danger of a magnetic saturation of the armatures. Through the independent magnetic return paths for the permanent magnet flux and the control flux there is in addition, with this invention, the

known great advantage of a clean separation of the two fluxes, which serves to achieve a much'easier proportioning and a near faultless magnetic method of opera tion of the relay.

In accordance with a further modification of the invention the flux conducting parts serving to couple the permanent magnet flux magnetically to the armatures are installed in the neighborhood of the storage place of the armatures, a great advantage is achieved in that the magnetic contact resistance between the permanent magnet and the armature is almost always equally large independent of its position, because the armature remains essentially unmoved in the region of its storage place, and the air gap for coupling between permanent magnet and armature remains also practically constant.

A particularly useful embodiment of the invention is achieved when, in accordance with another modified embodiment of the invention, a magnetic counter pole is used comprising two parts, and a magnetizable core is provided, which couples the aforementioned two parts of the magnetic counter pole magnetically with each other at its one end region, maintaining an electrical isolation, the core being enclosed in the part attached here by at least one field winding, and is connected magnetically at its other end with a flux conducting plate, which includes two perpendicular extensions opposite the armatures in the region of the operational air gap for the magnetic coupling of the field winding, and two further perpendicular extensions for the magnetic coupling of two permanent magnets to the armatures. This embodiment of the relay provides several important advantages, of which one consists in the fact that the field winding(s) and the permanent magnet(s) are quite widely separated from each other, so that a change in induction of the permanent magnet(s) through heat transfer, as could arise through thermal hardship on the field winding, is thoroughly avoided. The magnetic relationships of the relay and therewith its operational values remain therefore (advantageously) constant. Moreover, a straightforward production of the flux conducting components is guaranteed and the assembly of the individual parts of the relay is significantly simplified, because in place of several single components, only one is present and must be assembled.

In a further modification of the last described embodiment of the invention, the leg of the plate running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the field winding is provided with a hollow space of such extent that two stays are supported in its cross-section, sufficient for the conducting of the active magnetic flux to less than the magnetic saturation limit. This measure provides for the least possible reciprocal diffusion influence of closely adjacent relays of the type described as used for example in telephone systems. Specifically, by means of the hollow space the flux conducting cross section of the flux conducting plate is significantly reduced and undesired coupling with neighboring relays is thus eliminated.

In accordance with further modification of the invention, the leg of the plate running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the field winding is provided with a slit, beginning from the end bent toward the perpendicular extensions and extending at least over half the length of the leg, i.e., opening into the hollow space. The extensions thus have a certain resilience so that they lean against the components of the relay to be coupled to them, for example against a casing containing the armatures and the contact mechanism, thereby providing against certain tolerances in the components. The plate thus is always connected under mechanical bias or tension and thereby magnetically saturated.

Another embodiment of the invention provides that the flux conducting components providing the magnetic coupling of the control flux and the permanent magnet flux are extended as two essentially U-shaped fiux conducting bows. This enables an arrangement of the field winding which differs from the examples described previously and which can be of use depending on the space available for installation of the relay.

In accordance with a further modification of the last described embodiment of the invention, the flux conducting U-shaped bow serving as the magnetic coupling of the control flux to the armatures can be constructed of two L-shaped flux conducting joints, which is technically more easily executed than the construction of the U-shaped bow from a single piece. This also enables the use of a separately wound field winding, as provided in another modification of the invention, which encloses the base stay of the U-shaped flux conducting bow.

In contrast, the other U-shapcd flux conducting bow can be constructed in accordance with a further modification of the invention so that a permanent magnet is fastened on each of the free ends of the legs of the U-shaped flux conducting bow carrying the permanent magnet flux.

In accordance with a further modification of the invention the permanent magnets are fastened to be movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the armatures. There results a most simple and yet effective way to adjust for the permanent magnet flux affecting the armatures, because with the displacement of the permanent magnets first of all the air gap between them and the armatures is changed and secondly the operative lever with respect to the swivel point of the armatures is changed.

In accordance with a further modification of the invention, the perpendicular extensions providing the magnetic coupling of the control flux and the permanent magnet flux, i.e., the U-shaped flux conducting bows, can be connected magnetically with each other, preferably through single piece construction in a common magnetizable plate. In the presence of two permanent magnets to some extent a magnetic parallel switching circuit thereby results, i.e., each permanent magnet has its own magnetic path over the appointed armature and a part of the flux conducting components. Such a magnetic parallel switching of the permanent magnets can be of advantage for example, should the two armatures be differently installed, for reasons yet to be mentioned. In contrast hereto there is, when the two named flux conducting components are not magnetically connected with each other, a magnetic series switching of two available permanent magnets, which for its part can have certain advantages, for example, a forced effect in the activation of the armatures, i.e., of the contact sections coupled mechanically with the armatures.

If, in accordance with a particularly useful embodiment of the invention, the armatures and, insofar as a two-part magnetic counter pole is used, its parts are installed symmetrically to the axis and opposite each other as in a mirror image, then this arrangement provides a clear, space saving method of construction of the relay and a simple, symmetrical formation of the fiux conducting components.

A space and cost saving method of construction of the relay is furthered when, in accordance with an example of the invention the armatures and/or the magnetic counterpole are utilized as electric conductors.

In reference to the contact mechanism of the relay, it can be realized in several variations.

Thus an exemplary embodiment of the invention provides that the armatures and/or the magnetic counter pole are constructed simultaneously as parts of the electrical contact device of the relay and are so equipped in their contact-making, coordinated areas preferably with contact material. The most simple form of the contact apparatus thereby results which first of all has a space-saving method of construction, and secondly a reduction of costs in the production of the relay, because in place of special contact components, components of the relay already present are utilized.

If, in accordance with a further modification of the invention the relay is conversely equipped with one or more separate electrical contact mechanisms which can be activated by the armatures, this then requires special contact components, but on the other hand results in the great advantage, that in addition to a simple operating or resting contact, complicated contact sequences can be built, so that the area of application of the relay is significantly widened.

The universality of the relay in reference to its contact mechanism is further improved when in accordance with a further modification of the invention the relay is equipped with two contact mechanisms of different contact type, which can be activated by an armature.

Further, the method of operation of the relay can be varied in still another way so that in accordance with another embodiment of the invention instead of a permanent magnet a component of identical dimensions made of soft-magnetic material is used. In this manner an armature, for example, and the contact mechanism belonging thereto can be operated polarized, whereas the other armature and its contact mechanism are activated with every control impulse regardless of polarity.

Finally, a version of the invention provides that the relay is equipped with two field windings effecting the activation of the armatures only by their coincidental energization. In this way, the activation of the armatures and therewith of the contact mechanism of the relay can be accomplished dependent upon two simultaneously present control impulses of specific magnitude, as is for example, of interest inthe control of individual coupling points in telephone systems.

A form of the relay which is easy to produce and especially inexpensive to assemble is provided when in accordance with an especially useful version of the invention, armatures formed as flat plates and counter pole plates of a two-part magnetic counter pole are fastened in a known manner to individual spring plates, preferably through electrical spot welding. These spring plates themselves are latched in pairs by means of clamps attaching them to a spacing piece determining the operational air gap between an armature and a counter pole plate, the piece being preferably of selfclarnping ceramic material. This method of a selfclamping latching of iron ring parts, known with magnetically activated switching systemsand tried in practice, provides simplified production of the armatures and magnetic counter poles and also a very quick and other by snap elements, and serves for the reception of as well as the mechanical stability of and simultaneously the protection of the relay. Of the individual parts of the relay, 2 denotes a contact cartridge, 3 its connection elements sticking out of the protectivehousing, 4 a field winding wound around a mandrel (not visible) between two

flanges

5 and 6 of the protective housing, 7 their connection elements and finally 8 denotes a flux conducting bow, which outside of the magnetic flux conduction serves simultaneously also for the mechanical securing of two permanent magnets, of which only the one visible is denoted by 9. All aforenamed components of the relay are locked self-clamping in the protective casing l in an economical assembly without screws or clamps or such and the whole arrangement offers a mechanically stable unit. Thus, by means of the clearly recognizable extension of various connection elements from the base of the relay, a simple electrical wiring of the relay on a perforated plate with printed or wired wiring can be achieved.

In FIG. 2 one can recognize more clearly the individual parts mentioned in the preceding; namely, the bottom part of a protective housing 10, which essentially has a chamber 11 with leading parts 12 and hollow spaces 13 for the reception and correctly positioned, self-clamping mechanical securing of a contact therefore inexpensive assembly of the separate parts of the relay. 7

The life span of the relay, especially of its contact mechanism, is significantly increased when in accordance with a further modification of the invention at least the contact mechanism of the relay is encapsulated in a casing filled preferably with inert gas. Thereby the. sensitive parts of the relay are protected first of all against a mechanical damage and secondly are isolated against harmful chemical assaults.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows an operational relay represented in perspective, partly cut away;

FIG. 2 shows single parts of the relay shown in FIG.

1, in a smaller, exploded representation; FIG. 3 shows the parts of a relay necessary for an understanding of the magnetic and electrical mode of operation, in the rest position, shown simplified, and partially cut away;

FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of FIG. 3 in the operating position;

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a relay following the method'of representation of FIG. 3, again in the rest position;

FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of FIG. 5 in the operating'position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In FIG. 1 the casing of plastic 1, not shown in detail, consists of several individual parts, latched to each cartridge 14 as well as two

flanges

15 and 16, between which a winding 17 is placed. The ends of the wires of this winding 17 are directed over exit channels 18 to connection elements 19, which can be unilaterally sunk in chambers 20 of the flange 16 and which protrude from the opposite side of the protective casing in a visible manner and provide the outside electrical connection of the winding. The previously mentioned contact cartridge 14 is of known construction with two contacts encapsulated in a nonoxidizing atmosphere in an unmagnetized flat protective tube 21 with a mount 22. The electrical connections exit the mount 22 gas-tight through compressed, pressurized glass beadings 23. The core 24 which penetrates the face of the protective tube 21 consists of magnetizable material and provides the magnetic connection between the contact cartridge 14 and the field winding 17. The non-visible end of this core 24 is magnetically coupled on the inside of the contact cartridge with the stationary magnetic counter pole plates and the outer visible part of the field winding 17 is enclosed therein. On the free end the core 24 has a graduation 25 for the magnetic connection of a corresponding nozzle 26o f a flux conducting bow 27. This flux conducting bow 27 is bent in the indicated manner and bifurcated by a slit 28, which provides the decoupling adapts of the magnetic fluxes of the two contact systems and adapts the two ends of this flux conducting bow to provide a resilient, magnetically saturated connection to various tolerances of component connections with the contact cartridge 14. The hollow 29 prevents an undesired high magnetic coupling of neighboring relays of the type described within a multiple arrangement. From the free ends of the flux conducting bow 27, the

extensions

30 and 31 provide the magnetic connection between one pole of the field winding 17 and the non-visible two armatures on the inside of the contact cartridge 14 near the operational air gap, whereby these extensions lie saturated and under tension against the protective tube 21.

The

pieces

32 and 33 of these

extensions

30 and 31, in contrast, are bent at right angles and carry respectively a permanent magnet 34 (35), whose position can be adjusted in a certain region parallel to the longitudinal ,axis of the contact cartridge by means of two

clamp plates

36 and 37.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, a contact cartridge is shown including protective tube 38, mount 39 and connection elements 40, the cartridgebeing filled with inert gas. On the inside of this contact cartridge there are respectively two

armatures

41 and 42, built of magnetizable material along with magnetic

counter pole plates

43 and 44, which in the circuit of the relay in FIG. 3 form two magnetic

operating air gaps

45 and 46. The armatures as well as the counter pole plates are fastened in a known manner respectively to the

spring plates

47, 48, 49, and 50, preferably by electrical spot welding. The spring plates for their part are latched to

ceramic rollers

51 and 52 by means of self-clamping clamps, whereby the

armatures

41 and 42 are naturally connected movably with their

own spring plates

47 and 48. In addition,

contact tongues

53 and 54 are attached simultaneously to the

spring plates

47 and 48, carrying the

armatures

41 and 42 and operate together with

counter contacts

55 and 56 in the arrangement of the armatures shown in FIG. 4.

Counter contacts

55 and 56 are placed on the

counter pole plates

43 and 44 and are connected electrically thereover with the

spring plates

49 and 50. The mechanical securing of the aforenamed components in the contact cartridge is achieved by means of connection elements 40, into which the spring plates 47-50 are inserted and soldered or welded on the inside of the contact cartridge (not shown). The mechanical striations of the spring plates hold the components in their place. Further, a holding plate can be provided, also not shown, which is clamped over the ends of the

ceramic rollers

51 and 52 opposite the mount 38, and this holds the rollers at a defined interval from each other. Further, on the inside of the contact cartridge part of a magnetizable core 57 is present, which in a clearly recognizable way connects the two

counter pole plates

43 and 44 with each other and penetrates the protective gas-tight tube 38 opposite the mount 39.

Outside of the contact cartridge the previously mentioned core 57 is enclosed by a field winding (not visible) and eventually coupled magnetically at its free end opposite the mount 39 with a flux conducting bow 58, which is constructed after the manner of the bow shown in FIG. 2. This flux conducting bow 58 has two

extensions

59 and 60, which lie opposite the operating

air gaps

45 and 46 saturated and under mechanical tension against the protective tube 38 and in this way tends the one pole of the abovementioned field winding to the

operational air gaps

45 and 46. Further, the flux conducting bow 58 has two

extensions

61 and 62, to which two

permanent magnets

63 and 64 are fastened, which provide the magnetic bias and polarizing of the relay.

The method of operation of the examples of the invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is as follows: I

FIG. 3 shows one of two stable switching positions of the relay in which the two

armatures

41 and 42 form respectively an operating air gap 45 (46) with the

counter pole plates

43 and 44 under the effect of the magnetic bias fluxes proceeding from the two

permanent magnets

63 and, 64. The armatures remain in this position until the winding (not shown) enclosing the core 57 is excited in the polarizing direction shown as fully extended arrows. The magnetic bias flux proceeding from the two

permanent magnets

63 and 64 closes, as indicated by dashed arrows, for the most part immediately over one part of the armatures and the extension 59/61, (60/62) and for the remaining part over the operating air gaps 45 (46), the core 57, the flux conducting bow 58 and the extensions 61 (62). Thereby, the electrical contact between the contact tongues 53/54 and the counter contacts 55/56 is understandably interrupted. If the winding enclosing the core 57 is now electrically excited, then the control flux created thereby closes over the flux conducting bow 58, the extension 59 (60) and the counter pole plates 43 (44), whereby it saturates the armature 41 (42) magnetically in the region of the operating air gap 45 (46) such that the existing magnetic bias flux is amplified and the armatures are moved into the other stable position shown in FIG. 4, whereby they close the electrical contacts between the parts 53/55 (54/56).

armatures remain nonetheless in the last position taken in accordance with FIG. 4, because the predominant part of the magnetic bias fluxes proceeding from the

permanent magnets

63 and 64 now close over the counter pole plate 43 (44), the core 57, the flux conducting bow 58 and the extension 61 (62). Only when current is again run through the winding, opposite the previous polarization direction, as shown by fully extended arrows, then the magnetic bias fluxes in the two operation air gaps are compensated and the armatures return under the influence of the control flux generated by the winding to the position shown in FIG. 3.

No operational essential is changed in this described method of operation, when in place of the indicated examples other versions of electrical contacts are provided. Thus, it is noted within the framework of the invention that in place of the indicated operating contacts, back contacts, alternating contacts or even combined, for example so-called sequence contacts can be placed, and that in the simplest case in place of separate contact components activated by the armatures also a direct contact between the armatures and the counter pole plates is possible. i

The relay shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 contains essentially the same components as the relay shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and differs there from practically only by a different magnetic cooling of the field winding and the permanent magnets. That is, while in the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4 a flux conducting how 58 is present and is so constructed that its extensions 59 through 62 are connected magnetically with each other, in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6 there exist two flux conducting bows separated from each other magnetically, on the one hand for the field winding and on the other hand for the permanent magnets. With the arrangements of FIGS. 3 and 4, therefore, in consequence of the magnetic connection between the extensions 59 through 62 of the flux conducting bow 58, the two

permanent magnets

63 and 64 are, so to speak, magnetically parallel, whereas in the arrangement of FIGS. 5 and 6 they are connected in series, as will be described in greater If the electrical excitation is now shut off, then the are led to electrical connection parts not further represented, whereby they simultaneously mechanically secure the components built into the contact cartridge. Of these

components

41 and 42 denote two magnetizable armatures, which with magnetic

counter pole plates

43 and 44 form two

operational air gaps

45 and 46, when they assume the position shown in FIG. 5.

The armatures and the counter contact plates are fastened to spring plates 47 through 50, which themselves are latched to

ceramic rollers

51 and 52 by means of self-clamping clamps. Contact

tongues

53 and 54, which are cut out of the spring plates 47 (48) cooperate with

electrical counter contacts

55 and 56,

producing contacts when the armatures assume the other of the two stable switching positions of the relay, shown in FIG. 6. A magnetizable core 57, diverting from the arrangement of FIGS. 3 and 4, provides only the magnetic coupling of the two

counter pole plates

43 and 44 within the contact cartridge but has no function outside of the contact cartridge. Part 65 is a flux conducting bow, U-shaped or formed from two L-shaped pieces, which is enclosed on a base bar of a non-visible field winding. In similar manner, a second flux conducting bow 66 is formed which carries on the ends of its legs two

permanent magnets

63 and 64.

The method of operation of this relay shown in FIGS.

and 6 corresponds essentially to that of the relay in FIGS. 3 and 4, so that to avoid repetition it will not be described again. Note, though, the different course of the magnetic bias flux, which is indicated by the dashed arrows. It is further evident that with this arrangement the two

permanent magnets

63 and 64 are connected magnetically in series, in contrast to the arrangement of FIGS. 3 and 4, since the two permanent magnets each lack their own magnetic return path.

In addition to this version of the invention, other embodiments of the described relay system are possible which lie within the scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A bistable polarized electromagnetic relay having at least one permanent magnet for providing magnetic bias and no-current adhesion of the movable relay contact parts, the relay comprising:

a pair of movable, magnetizable armatures having longitudinal and diagonal stable positions, said relay being closed in one of said positions, each said armature having a pivot end and a free end, said free end cooperating with a stationary magnetic pole to form an air gap,

at least one flux conducting component,

first means for magnetically coupling said permanent magnet to said armatures forming first flux paths, said first flux paths being longitudinal of said armatures and including said flux conducting component and a flux return path,

field winding means, and

second means for magnetically coupling said field windings to said armatures to form, with a second flux return path over said flux conducting component, a second flux path, said second means being constructed and arranged so that control flux from said field winding means proceeds diagonally relative to said first flux path in said armatures in the region of said air gap.

2. The relay of claim 1, wherein the flux conducting component 61/62, 66 providing the magnetic coupling of the permanent magnet to the armature is placed near the pivot end of the

armatures

41, 42.

3. The relay of claim 1 further comprising a magnetizable core including said stationary magnetic poles for maintaining magnetic coupling to said poles, while maintaining electrical isolation, said core being at least partially enclosed by said field winding means,

said flux conducting component comprising a flux conducting plate connected at one end to the other end of said core, said plate including at the other end thereofa first pair of extensions opposite the free end of the first and second armatures in the region of their associated operating air gaps,

and a second pair of extensions for the magnetic coupling of said permanent magnet to the respective armatures. 4. The relay of claim 3, wherein the flux conducting plate 27 includes a leg parallel to the longitudinal axis of the field winding 17, said leg including a hollow space dividing the leg into two bars having a cross-sec-- tional dimension sufficient for the conductance of the magnetic operating flux to a value less than the magnetic saturation limit.

5. The relay of claim 4, wherein the leg of the flux conducting plate 27 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the field winding l7'includes a slit running from said other end of the plate to said hollow space, the bars extending the length of the leg, each bar carrying one of each of said first and second pairs of extensions.

6. The relay of claim 1 including at least a second permanent magnet magnetically coupled in a third flux path with said armatures and wherein the flux conducting components establishing the flux paths of the control flux and the permanent magnet flux to the said armatures comprises two essentially U-shaped flux conducting bows.

7. The relay of claim 6, wherein the U-shaped flux conducting bow 65 establishing the magnetic coupling of the control flux to the

armatures

41, 42 comprises two L-shaped flux conducting joints.

8. The relay of claim 6, wherein the base stay of the U-shaped flux conducting bow 65 includes a base stay enclosed by at least one field winding.

9. The relay of claim 6, wherein a said

permanent magnet

63, 64 is fastened respectively on each of the free ends of the legs of the U-shaped first flux path conducting bow 66 providing the magnetic coupling of the permanent magnet flux to the armature.

10. The relay of claim 3, wherein the

permanent magnets

34, 35 are fastened movably in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the

armatures

36, 37.

11. The relay of claim 3, including a flux conducting plate adjacent said operating air gaps, carrying said permanent magnets adjacent said armatures and magnetically coupling and providing in part a common path to the said permanent magnet flux and said control flux.

12. The relay of claim 11, wherein the armatures and associated magnetic poles are placed opposite each other as in a mirror image and symmetric with respect to a longitudinal axis of the relay.

13. The relay of claim 9, wherein a pair of

permanent magnets

34, 35 are fastened movably in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the

armatures

36, 37.

14. The relay of claim 12, wherein the armatures and the magnetic poles include in their contact-making, coordinating regions electrically conductive contact material whereby they serve as electrical conductors.

15. The relay of claim 1 including an electrical contact coupled to the fixed ends of the armatures, the electrical state of the contact being determined by the latest end position of the armature.

l6. The relay of claim 15, including two contact mechanisms of different contact types which can be activated by an armature.

17. The relay of claim 1, including a soft magnet defining a third flux path with one of said armatures, said pole piece and the flux conducting component.

18. The relayof claim 1, further including a second field winding, the activation of the armature being effected only in response to coincidental energization of both windings.

19. The relay of claim 3, including a spring plate attached to each of said armatures and said associated stationary poles, the pairs of spring plates carrying said first armature and pole and said second armature and pole being attached to first and second spacing pieces, respectively, thereby establishing the first and second air gaps.

20. The relay of claim 3, including contact tongues attached to said first and said second armatures, and counter contacts attached to said pole pieces, at'least said contact tongues and counter contacts being encapsulated in a protective casing filled with inert gas.

Claims

1. A bistable polarized electromagnetic relay having at least one permanent magnet for providing magnetic bias and no-current adhesion of the movable relay contact parts, the relay comprising: a pair of movable, magnetizable armatures having longitudinal and diagonal stable positions, said relay being closed in one of said positions, each said armature having a pivot end and a free end, said free end cooperating with a stationary magnetic pole to form an air gap, at least one flux conducting component, first means for magnetically coupling said permanent magnet to said armatures forming first flux paths, said first flux paths being longitudinal of said armatures and including said flux conducting component and a flux return path, field winding means, and second means for magnetically coupling said field windings to said armatures to form, with a second flux return path over said flux conducting component, a second flux path, said second means being constructed and arranged so that control flux from said field winding means proceeds diagonally relative to said first flux path in said armatures in the region of said air gap.

2. The relay of claim 1, wherein the flux conducting component 61/62, 66 providing the magnetic coupling of the permanent magnet to the armature is placed near the pivot end of the armatures 41, 42.

3. The relay of claim 1 further comprising a magnetizable core including said stationary magnetic poles for maintaining magnetic coupling to said poles, while maintaining electrical isolation, said core being at least partially enclosed by said field winding means, said flux conducting component comprising a flux conducting plate connected at one end to the other end of said core, said plate including at the other end thereof a first pair of extensions opposite the free end of the first and second armatures in the region of their associated operating air gaps, and a second pair of extensions for the magnetic coupling of said permanent magnet to the respective armatures.

4. The relay of claim 3, wherein the flux conducting plate 27 includes a leg parallel to the longitudinal axis of the field winding 17, said leg including a hollow space dividing the leg into two bars having a cross-sectional dimension sufficient for the conductance of the magnetic operating flux to a value less than the magnetic saturation limit.

5. The relay of claim 4, wherein the leg of the flux conducting plate 27 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the field winding 17 includes a slit running from said other end of the plate to said hollow space, the bars extending the length of the leg, each bar carrying one of each of said first and second pairs of extensions.

7. The relay of claim 6, wherein the U-shaped flux conducting bow 65 establishing the magnetic coupling of the control flux to the armatures 41, 42 comprises two L-shaped flux conducting joints.

9. The relay of claim 6, wherein a said permanent magnet 63, 64 is fastened respectively on each of the free ends of the legs of the U-shaped first flux path conducting bow 66 providing the magnetic coupling of the permanent magnet flux to the armature.

10. The relay of claim 3, wherein the permanent magnets 34, 35 are fastened movably in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the armatures 36, 37.

13. The relay of claim 9, wherein a pair of permanent magnets 34, 35 are fastened movably in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the armatures 36, 37.

16. The relay of claim 15, including two contact mechanisms of different contact types which can be activated by an armature.

18. The relay of claim 1, further including a second field winding, the activation of the armature being effected only in response to coincidental energization of both windings.

20. The relay of claim 3, including contact tongues attached to said first and said second armatures, and counter contacts attached to said pole pieces, at least said contact tongues and counter contacts being encapsulated in a protective casing filled with inert gas.