# US 12,113,354 B2 · Relay assembly with reverse connection protection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,113,354 B2 - Document ID: US12113354B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/781,180 - Filed: 2019-12-05 - Published: 2023-01-05 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-05 - Assignees: Suzhou Littelfuse OVS Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Suzhou Littelfuse OVS Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Yanqiu Jia; Dan Jin; Yu Wang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12113354B2 ## CPC - H02H 9/026: {Current limitation using PTC resistors, i.e. resistors with a large positive temperature coefficient} - H02H 11/002: {in case of inverted polarity or connection; with switching for obtaining correct connection} - H01H 50/021: {structurally combining a relay and an electronic component, e.g. varistor, RC circuit (auxiliary switch inserting resistor during closure H01H50/543)} - H01H 50/14: Terminal arrangements {(for coils H01H50/443)} - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## Abstract Disclosed are electrical relay assemblies including a positive temperature coefficient thermistor (PTC) for reverse connection protection. In some embodiments, a relay assembly includes a relay socket receiving a relay, a power source connected to the relay socket, and a positive temperature coefficient thermistor (PTC) connected between the relay socket and the power source. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A relay assembly, comprising: a relay socket receiving a relay, the relay socket comprising a plurality of openings each having a same size and a same shape; a power source connected to the relay socket; and a positive temperature coefficient thermistor (PTC) connected between the relay socket and the power source, wherein the PTC is directly connected to a positive side of the power source, wherein the relay is connected to the relay socket via a plurality of pins, and wherein the relay includes an integrated diode directly connected between two pins of the plurality of pins, and wherein a third pin of the plurality of pins is directly connected to a negative side of the power source. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The relay assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pins are symmetrical about an axis extending through the relay. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The relay assembly of claim 1, wherein the PTC is resettable. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The relay assembly of claim 1, wherein the PTC is a polymeric PTC. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The relay assembly of claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The relay assembly of claim 1, further comprising a component grid, wherein the relay socket includes a plurality of openings through the component grid. ### Claim 7 A relay protection circuit, comprising: a relay socket for receiving pins of a relay, the relay socket comprising a plurality of openings each having a same size and a same shape; a power source electrically connected to the relay socket; and a positive temperature coefficient thermistor (PTC) electrically connected between the relay socket and the power source, wherein the PTC is directly connected to a positive side of the power source, wherein the relay includes an integrated diode directly connected between two of the pins of the relay, and wherein a third pin of the plurality of pins is directly connected to a negative side of the power source. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The relay protection circuit of claim 7, wherein the PTC is resettable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The relay protection circuit of claim 7, wherein the PTC is a polymeric PTC. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The relay protection circuit of claim 7, wherein the power source is a battery. ### Claim 11 A relay assembly, comprising: a relay socket receiving pins of a relay, the relay socket comprising a plurality of openings each having a same size and a same shape; a power source electrically connected to the relay socket; and a positive temperature coefficient thermistor (PTC) electrically connected between the relay socket and the power source, wherein the PTC is directly connected to a positive side of the power source, wherein the relay includes an integrated diode directly connected between two pins of the plurality of pins, and wherein a third pin of the plurality of pins is directly connected to a negative side of the power source. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The relay assembly of claim 11, wherein the pins are symmetrical about an axis extending through the relay. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The relay assembly of claim 11, wherein the PTC is resettable. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The relay assembly of claim 11, wherein the PTC is a polymeric PTC. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The relay assembly of claim 11, wherein the power source is a battery. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The relay assembly of claim 11, further comprising a component grid disposed over a printed circuit board, wherein the relay socket includes a plurality of openings through the component grid, and wherein the printed circuit board includes a plurality of pin openings for receiving the pins. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The relay assembly of claim 11, wherein the integrated diode is a freewheeling diode.