EP2854151A1 - Elektromechanisches Relais - Google Patents

Elektromechanisches Relais Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2854151A1
EP2854151A1 EP14186545.1A EP14186545A EP2854151A1 EP 2854151 A1 EP2854151 A1 EP 2854151A1 EP 14186545 A EP14186545 A EP 14186545A EP 2854151 A1 EP2854151 A1 EP 2854151A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact element
membrane
contact
carrier
coil
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP14186545.1A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Diederik Jozef Luc Devenyn
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Niko NV
Original Assignee
Niko NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Niko NV filed Critical Niko NV
Publication of EP2854151A1 publication Critical patent/EP2854151A1/de
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
    • H01H50/54—Contact arrangements
    • H01H50/548—Contact arrangements for miniaturised relays
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
    • H01H50/44—Magnetic coils or windings
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/58—Electric connections to or between contacts; Terminals
    • H01H1/5805—Connections to printed circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/0036—Switches making use of microelectromechanical systems [MEMS]
    • H01H2001/0073—Solutions for avoiding the use of expensive silicon technologies in micromechanical switches
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
    • H01H50/005—Details of electromagnetic relays using micromechanics
    • H01H2050/007—Relays of the polarised type, e.g. the MEMS relay beam having a preferential magnetisation direction
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H51/00—Electromagnetic relays
    • H01H51/22—Polarised relays
    • H01H51/2209—Polarised relays with rectilinearly movable armature
    • H01H2051/2218—Polarised relays with rectilinearly movable armature having at least one movable permanent magnet
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H50/00—Details of electromagnetic relays
    • H01H50/02—Bases; Casings; Covers
    • H01H50/021—Bases; Casings; Covers structurally combining a relay and an electronic component, e.g. varistor, RC circuit

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electromechanical relay.
  • a known electromechanical relay typically comprises a coil that is mounted on a base made of, for example iron (yoke), an armature of magnetic material which is movable with respect to the base and a first contact element made out of electrically conductive material and connected to the armature.
  • the contact element is intended to establish or disconnect electrical contact with a second contact element, depending on whether the coil has been charged or not.
  • a magnetic field is generated for moving the armature in such a way that electrical contact between the first contact element and the second contact element is established or disconnected.
  • the present invention aims at providing an electromechanical relay which is rather small, and more specifically a compact relay that can form a relatively thin, flat unit.
  • an electromechanical relay comprises a carrier, a contact body, at least one first contact element and at least one coil for moving the contact body with respect the carrier.
  • the contact body is implemented as a flexible membrane in which or on which at least one second contact element is provided.
  • This flexible membrane is adapted to be moved as a result of a magnetic field generated by the at least one coil in order to disconnect or establish an electrical contact between the at least one second contact element and the at least one first contact element. During this movement the membrane will typically undergo an elastic deformation.
  • Embodiments of the invention are based inter alia on the inventive insight that implementing the contact body as a flexible membrane allows to obtain a compact movable contact body. In this way no springs or similar elements are necessary in order to movably mount the contact body with respect to the carrier and a compact relay can be obtained that can easily be integrated in an electronic circuit.
  • the at least one coil may preferably be provided in the carrier.
  • the carrier may be provided with a recess in which the coil can be placed.
  • electrically conductive tracks that are integrated into the carrier, in particular when the carrier is a PCB.
  • the conductive tracks can then be provided in a plurality of layers of the PCB (PCB track coil). In that way, the compact nature of the relay can be further enhanced.
  • the flexible membrane may preferably be fixed to the carrier.
  • the flexible membrane may typically be fixed along its circumference to the corresponding circumferential edge of the carrier. It is noted that the membrane does not need to be fastened to the carrier along the full circumference, but can, according to other embodiments, for example also be fastened only at individual points or zones of the carrier. More in general, the membrane may preferably be fastened in such a way that it is held along at least two opposite zones during an elastic deformation of the membrane as a result of the generation of a magnetic field by the at least one coil in order to disconnect or establish an electrical contact between the at least one second contact element and the at least one first contact element. In that way, the membrane can, for example, be fastened in two opposite points or in three points along the circumference. This fastening at three points will also ensure that the membrane is held in two opposite zones, although these zones do not have to coincide with the points of fastening.
  • the flexible membrane may extend over a recess in the carrier.
  • the at least one second electrical contact element may then preferably be provided at a bottom side of the flexible membrane facing the recess and the at least one first contact element may then preferably be positioned in the recess.
  • the at least one coil may then preferably be in or under the recess in the carrier, such that it can attract the flexible membrane in order to establish contact between the at least one second electrical contact element and the at least one first contact element.
  • the membrane is meant an elastic layer structure that may contain one or more layers.
  • the membrane may preferably have a thickness of less than 2 mm, and more preferably less than 1 mm.
  • the membrane may typically comprise at least one layer of an elastic synthetic material, such as an elastomer, polyamide, polyester or the like.
  • the membrane could also comprise a very thin layer of a relatively hard material, such as a PCB material.
  • a relatively hard membrane should preferably have a thickness of less than 0.5 mm, more preferably less than 0.1 mm.
  • a PCB FR4 material may, for example, be used with a thickness of 0.06 mm; at this thickness this material is flexible and can undergo minor elastic deformation.
  • the membrane may also comprise an electrically conductive layer, such as copper foil, and/or a magnetic conductive layer; see further.
  • a permanent magnet may be provided on or in the flexible membrane.
  • the permanent magnet and the at least one coil may be provided in such a way that the flexible membrane is movable as a result of charging the at least one coil to disconnect or establish an electrical contact between the at least one second contact element and the at least one first contact element.
  • at least one electrical winding may be provided on or in the flexible membrane. This at least one electrical winding and the at least one coil may be provided such that an electrical contact is disconnected or established between the at least one second contact element and the at least first contact element upon charging the electrical windings of the at least one coil.
  • a magnetic material e.g. soft steel or an alloy
  • the magnetic material may be provided into/onto the membrane in any suitable way known by a person skilled in the art, for example as a solid material, a powder or a coating.
  • the flexible membrane may comprise at least one electrically conductive part to form the at least one second contact element.
  • This electrically conductive part can, for example, be in the form of solid material (such as copper tracks), as a synthetic material to which microfibers are added, as a coating, etc.
  • the at least one first contact element may be provided between the at least one coil and the flexible membrane and the at least one second electrical contact element may be provided on a side of the flexible membrane facing the at least one coil. This may typically result in the most compact configuration. It is, however, also possible to provide the first and second contact elements on the other side of the flexible membrane.
  • the carrier may preferably be a thin plate, in particular a PCB, so that a thin device can be obtained. These plates may have any shape depending on the electronic device in which the relay is required. Preferably the carrier may have a thickness of less than 3 mm.
  • an additional function is given to the carrier, i.e. the formation of a mounting surface for electronic components, such as resistors, capacitors, chips, etc. Such measures can further contribute to the compactness of the relay unit and/or a circuit in which the relay is incorporated.
  • the at least one first and/or second electrical contact element may, for example, comprise a spring contact or a spheroid contact. More in general, the first and second electrical contact element may have any suitable shape and contact elements of different types or shapes may be combined in one relay.
  • the relay may, according to embodiments of the invention, comprise one coil, but may also, according to embodiments of the invention, comprise a plurality of coils.
  • the coils can be provided on top of and/or next to each other.
  • Each coil may preferably have an axis that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the carrier and/or the flexible membrane. This will allow the flexible membrane to easily be attracted or rejected.
  • the distance between the carrier and the flexible membrane, in the condition in which the at least one first contact element is removed from the at least one second contact element may preferably be less than 5 mm. In this way, the distance to be bridged can be limited.
  • each coil may be provided with a core of magnetic material. Furthermore, each coil may be surrounded by at least one element of magnetic material in order to form a magnetic circuit. If the core and the 'surroundings' (zone outside the core) comprise magnetic material, the magnetic flux obtained will be better and thus a higher level of attraction can be achieved.
  • the relay may comprise an additional carrier, at least one additional coil for moving the flexible membrane with respect to the additional carrier and at least one additional first contact element.
  • the flexible membrane may extend between the at least one first contact element and the at least one additional first contact element.
  • the flexible membrane may be provided with a second contact element on both sides.
  • the flexible membrane may be provided between the at least one coil and the at least one additional coil in such a way that the flexible membrane can be moved as a result of a magnetic field that is generated by the at least one coil and the at least one additional coil in order to alternately establish an electrical contact of the second contact element with the first contact element or with the additional first contact element.
  • Such a stacked version will allow more complex relay switches to be obtained in which second contact elements are provided on both sides of the flexible membrane.
  • a so-called bi-stable electromechanical relay may be formed, in which a flexible membrane is movable between a first and second position as a result of generating a first and second magnetic field, respectively, by the at least one coil.
  • at least one permanent magnet may be mounted on the carrier in such a way that the flexible membrane is held in the first position after removal of the first magnetic field.
  • At least two first contact elements and at least two coils may be provided, in which the at least two coils are provided such that, as a consequence of selectively charging one or more coils, the at least two first contact elements can selectively make contact with the at least one second contact element on the flexible membrane. In this way, an alternate switching relay can be obtained.
  • the at least one coil may be provided onto the membrane and the at least one permanent magnet may be mounted onto the carrier.
  • the direction of the current in the coil determines whether the membrane with the contact element is attracted or not. It is also possible to charge the coil with a current in the opposite direction in order to achieve a rejecting power.
  • the at least one permanent magnet may be located in or under the recess in the carrier.
  • a permanent magnet can be surrounded by at least one element of magnetic material in order to form a magnetic circuit.
  • the at least one coil may, for example, be formed as a number of electrical windings that are provided in a layer on or in the membrane.
  • a first embodiment of an electromechanical relay according to the invention is shown in figures 1A - 1B .
  • the electromechanical relay comprises a carrier 4 in the form of a multi-layer PCB structure, a contact body 3 in the form of a flexible membrane 31, a first contact element 2 and a coil 1 for moving the contact body 3 with respect to the carrier 4.
  • the contact body 3 is implemented as a flexible membrane 31 on which a second contact element 32 is provided.
  • the flexible membrane 31 is adapted to be moved as a result of a magnetic field generated by the coil 1, by providing a permanent magnet 33 on the flexible membrane 31.
  • the permanent magnet 33 may be an electrical winding; see also to the embodiment illustrated in figures 2A and 2B .
  • the coil 1 is inserted in a recess 5 in the carrier 4.
  • the flexible membrane 31 is provided such that above the coil 1 an open space 5 is present in which the flexible membrane 31 can move.
  • the second contact element 32 is connected to a contact path 35 by means of a conductive track 34.
  • the contact path 35 can then be connected with, for example an electronic switch, into which the relay function must be integrated.
  • the first contact element 2 is connected via a conductive track 21 and via 22 to a contact path 23.
  • the contact path 23 can in turn be connected with, for example, the electronic switch into which the relay must be integrated.
  • Figure 1A illustrates the open position of the relay in a solid line and the closed position in a dotted line. In the closed position, the permanent magnet 33 is attracted as a result of the generation of a magnetic field by coil 1, as a result of which the flexible membrane 31 is elastically deformed and a contact is established between the first and second contact elements 2, 32.
  • this elastic deformation can be minimal and that the membrane is typically displaced to a maximum distance d max (see figure 1A ) that is smaller than 2 mm and may typically be between 0.3 mm and 1 mm.
  • the first contact element 2 may, for example, be connected to an intermediate plane of the carrier 4 via four conductive tracks 21, 24, 25, 26.
  • the flexible membrane is implemented as having a circular shape. Any other suitable shape may, however, be possible.
  • each coil 1 may be provided with a core of magnetic material. Furthermore, each coil may be surrounded by at least one element of magnetic material (not illustrated) in order to form a magnetic circuit.
  • This element may, for example, be formed by a hollow tube which is installed around the coil 1. In that way, the attractive force can be further enhanced.
  • FIGS 2A and 2B illustrate a second embodiment of a relay according to the invention, in which similar components are indicated with the same reference numbers as in figures 1A and 1B .
  • an electrical winding 36 is provided on the flexible membrane 31.
  • the flexible membrane 31 together with the second contact element 32 will move in the direction of the first contact element 2.
  • the first contact element 2 may be a spring contact that is inserted in the recess of the coil 1. This spring contact is connected to a contact path 23 via a conductive track 21 at the bottom side of the carrier 4.
  • the electrical winding 36 may, for example, be connected via conductive tracks 37, 38 on the top side or bottom side of the flexible membrane 31, respectively.
  • FIG 3 illustrates a third embodiment of a relay according to the invention in which a carrier 4 and an additional carrier 4' are mounted above each other.
  • the carrier 4 is provided with a recess 5 in which a coil 1 and a first contact element 2 are provided.
  • the additional carrier 4' is provided with a recess 5' in which a coil 1' and a first contact element 2' are provided.
  • the coil 1' can be omitted and coil 1 is able to attract or reject the flexible membrane 31 depending on the direction of the current.
  • the carriers 4, 4' are provided above each other whereby the recesses 5, 5' are facing each other and whereby a flexible membrane 31 is provided between the recesses 5 and 5'.
  • the flexible membrane 31 is at both its sides provided with a second contact element 32,32'. These second contact elements 32, 32' are intended to respectively make contact with the first contact elements 2, 2'. Furthermore, an electrical winding 36 is provided in the flexible membrane 31. According to an alternative embodiment, a permanent magnet 33 may be provided in the flexible membrane 31. Electrically conductive tracks 34, 34', 37 are provided for connecting respectively the second contact elements 32, 32' and the electrical winding 36.
  • the first contact elements 2, 2' are respectively connected via conductive tracks 21, 21', conductive passages 22, 22' and contact paths 23, 23' on respectively the top side and bottom side of the combined carrier 4, 4'. In that way, two relay functions may be provided by means of one flexible membrane 31.
  • a person skilled in the art will understand that more complex relay functions can be built in which the invention is implemented by, for example, providing a plurality of second contact elements 32 on the top side and/or bottom side of the flexible membrane 31 and by providing a plurality of first contact elements 2. Furthermore, a plurality of coils 1 can be provided next to each other below/above the flexible membrane 31.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth embodiment in which similar components are indicated with the same reference numbers as in figures 1A, 1B and 2A, 2B .
  • the flexible membrane 31 may be provided directly above two coils 1.
  • the coils 1 are provided next to each other in the carrier 4.
  • two permanent magnets 33 are provided which are intended to work together with the two coils 1.
  • a second contact element 32 is provided which is intended to work together with the first contact element 2.
  • the first contact element 2 is connected to a contact path 23 at the top side of the carrier 4 via a conductive track 21.
  • the second contact element 32 is connected to a contact path 35 at the top side of the carrier 4 via a conductive track 34 in an intermediate plane of the carrier 4 and a passage 39.
  • FIG. 1A - 1B , 2A - 2B and 3 can be implemented with a plurality of coils 1 next to each other in a plane parallel to the carrier 4 instead of with one coil 1.
  • a plurality of first and/or second contact elements 2, 32 can be provided.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a relay according to the invention in which similar components are indicated with the same reference numbers as in figure 1A .
  • the coil 1 is provided on the membrane 31 instead of in the carrier 4.
  • the coil 1 may be formed as a plurality of flat electrical windings provided as a single layer in, on or under the membrane 31.
  • a permanent magnet 33 may be provided in the carrier 4. If the coil 1 is charged in an appropriate manner, the flexible membrane 31 together with the second contact element 32 will move in the direction of the first contact element 2 in order to establish an electrical contact between the first and second contact element 2, 32.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Relay Circuits (AREA)
  • Electromagnets (AREA)
EP14186545.1A 2013-09-26 2014-09-26 Elektromechanisches Relais Ceased EP2854151A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE2013/0643A BE1021760B1 (nl) 2013-09-26 2013-09-26 Elektromechanisch relais

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2854151A1 true EP2854151A1 (de) 2015-04-01

Family

ID=49596014

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP14186545.1A Ceased EP2854151A1 (de) 2013-09-26 2014-09-26 Elektromechanisches Relais

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2854151A1 (de)
BE (1) BE1021760B1 (de)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4535312A (en) * 1982-09-08 1985-08-13 International Standard Electric Corporation Electrical contact units
JPH0676716A (ja) * 1992-08-27 1994-03-18 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> 電磁駆動リレー
US5742012A (en) * 1995-08-16 1998-04-21 Krone Aktiengesellschaft Switching field
DE19813128A1 (de) * 1998-03-25 1999-09-30 Kuhnke Gmbh Kg H Elektromagnetisches Relais
DE19823987A1 (de) * 1998-05-29 1999-12-02 Thomas Frank Elektrodynamisches Mikrorelais mit permanent magnetischer Erregung
US20030174038A1 (en) * 2002-03-13 2003-09-18 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Flex circuit relay
WO2007104528A1 (de) * 2006-03-10 2007-09-20 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. Schalteranordnung mit einer mehrzahl von matrixförmig angeordneten schaltern und verfahren zum schalten von matrixförmig angeordneten schaltern

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4535312A (en) * 1982-09-08 1985-08-13 International Standard Electric Corporation Electrical contact units
JPH0676716A (ja) * 1992-08-27 1994-03-18 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> 電磁駆動リレー
US5742012A (en) * 1995-08-16 1998-04-21 Krone Aktiengesellschaft Switching field
DE19813128A1 (de) * 1998-03-25 1999-09-30 Kuhnke Gmbh Kg H Elektromagnetisches Relais
DE19823987A1 (de) * 1998-05-29 1999-12-02 Thomas Frank Elektrodynamisches Mikrorelais mit permanent magnetischer Erregung
US20030174038A1 (en) * 2002-03-13 2003-09-18 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Flex circuit relay
WO2007104528A1 (de) * 2006-03-10 2007-09-20 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. Schalteranordnung mit einer mehrzahl von matrixförmig angeordneten schaltern und verfahren zum schalten von matrixförmig angeordneten schaltern

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE1021760B1 (nl) 2016-01-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN102891039B (zh) 继电器
JP5659426B2 (ja) 振動発生装置
US9768674B2 (en) Printed-circuit board coil and motor
CN105493220A (zh) 电磁继电器
EP2264874A3 (de) Elektrische maschine
KR100320217B1 (ko) 리니어 모터의 고정자 떨림 방지구조
JP2011167589A (ja) 往復振動発生器
EP1365498A3 (de) Linearer Schwingspulenbetätiger, diesen Betätiger enthaltende Vorrichtung, sowie Verfahren zu Herstellung
WO2011019489A3 (en) Miniature magnetic switch structures
WO2012058323A1 (en) Multi integrated switching device structures
JP2006174583A (ja) リニアモータ
US8237527B2 (en) Bistable permanent magnetic actuator
US20100176665A1 (en) Vibration Motor
JP2013126337A (ja) 発電装置
DE112016005271B4 (de) Elektromagnetisches relais
EP2854151A1 (de) Elektromechanisches Relais
JP2012199112A (ja) 電磁継電器および接点装置
JP2011217534A (ja) リニア駆動装置の可動子及び固定子
JP5128890B2 (ja) 剥離治具及び剥離装置
EP2854150B1 (de) Elektromechanisches Relais
KR100311409B1 (ko) 리니어 모터의 고정자 충돌 방지구조
US11437901B2 (en) Electromagnetic energy converter
CN221499804U (zh) 用于具有载体和设置在载体上的磁体的高架输送机的磁体盖和高架输送机组件
KR101513879B1 (ko) 자기 렌즈형 엑츄에이터
CN103035446A (zh) 机电继电器及其制造方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20140926

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

R17P Request for examination filed (corrected)

Effective date: 20150911

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20160211

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN REFUSED

18R Application refused

Effective date: 20170513