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US 5,402,302 AGranted
Supply circuit for electromagnetic relays
AssigneeValeo Electronique
InventorJean-Louis Boucheron
Life of this patent
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AssigneeValeo Electronique
InventorJean-Louis Boucheron
Estimating the term…
An electromagnetic relay, which may be associated with further relays, has a supply circuit which includes means for generating a holding voltage for holding the relay contacts closed. This voltage generating means is activated and de-activated by receipt of an appropriate command signal for respectively closing and opening the relay contacts. The supply circuit includes a chopping circuit for chopping the highest unidirectional voltage available on the circuit, according to a cyclic ratio which is predetermined so as to provide a holding condition for the relay contacts at an intermediate voltage lower than the said highest available voltage, and with a low current. It also includes a circuit for generating a controlled closing voltage during the transition from the open to the closed position of the relay contacts. The invention is applicable especially to batteries of relays for use in motor vehicles.
A supply circuit, for at least one electromagnetic relay having a relay coil and a pair of relay contracts associated with the coil for movement between a closed position and an open position, the supply circuit having input means for receiving an opening command signal for the opening of said relay and a closing command signal for closing said relay, the supply circuit being arranged to be activated by said closing command signal and deactivated by said opening command signal, wherein the supply circuit comprises a chopping circuit having means for connection to a source of a unidirectional supply voltage, and being arranged to chop said supply voltage according to a predetermined cyclic ratio, for supplying said relay at an intermediate voltage lower than the voltage necessary to ensure initial closing of the relay contacts, and with a low current, said cyclic ratio, intermediate voltage and low current being a predetermined holding voltage to hold the relay contacts closed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.