Relay acoustical noise reduction system

摘要

A system for controlling a relay to reduce acoustic noise of connections and disconnections being made within the relay. An impact of closing and opening contacts in a relay may cause the acoustic noise. For instance, when a relay coil causes the contacts to come together for a connection, an acoustic noise may occur. When the relay coil causes the contacts to separate for breaking a connection, another acoustic noise may occur. Reduction of acoustic noise may be realized by controlling movement of the contacts. The present system may control current to the relay coil to slow the movement of contacts while closing and opening to reduce the acoustic noise.

主权项

1. A method for reducing contact noise in a relay, comprising:
restraining movement of one or more contacts relative to another one or more contacts of a relay upon a connection or disconnection of a source of current to a coil of the relay to reduce contact noise; and wherein: restraining movement of the one or more contacts relative to the other one or more other contacts upon the connection of the source of current comprises diverting a portion of an initial current destined for the coil for a first period of time; and restraining movement of the one or more contacts relative to the other one or more other contacts upon the disconnection of the source of current comprises continuing a portion of a final current to the coil for a second period of time.