Electromagnetic drive and polarized relay

A polarized electromagnetic relay apparatus comprising:

• an electromagnetic yoke comprising a core and a yoke body, said yoke body having a central portion substantially parallel to said core, a first leg disposed at a first end of said central portion and second and third legs disposed at a second end of said central portion, said second and third legs extending substantially perpendicular to said central portion, wherein said second and third legs are of substantially smaller dimensions than said central portion;
• means disposed around said core for inducing a first magnetic polarity in said first leg and a second magnetic polarity, opposite said first magnetic polarity, in said second and third legs;
• said second and third legs being separated by a first end of said core so as to define a pair of working gaps therebetween;
• a movable block provided at said first end of said core comprising a permanent magnet in a generally C-like configuration said permanent magnet being parallel to said first leg and forward of said core, and having two magnetic pole pieces parallel to said core and extending rewardly toward said first leg and disposed within said working gaps, respectively;
• guiding means for guiding movement of said movable block so that said pole pieces are movable within said working gaps, respectively;
• and
• a contact mechanism having movable contacts mechanically coupled to said movable block.