Patent ID: 11120959

Abstract:
A hybrid relay (1) comprises an electromechanical part (10) with a movable contact (103), a solid state relay (11) and a control unit (2) for applying a drive signal (S′,S″) to the drivable coil (101) of the electromechanical part. A method for operating the hybrid relay comprises steps of determining a first minimum voltage (V1) for the drive signal above which the movable contact (103) starts to move away from an open position (Po) and a second minimum voltage (V2) for the drive signal above which the movable contact (103) reaches the closed position (Pc), and a step of shaping a waveform (W) for the drive signal comprising a portion (W1) consisting of a vertical segment jumping from zero to the first minimum voltage value, a portion (W2) wherein the voltage gradually increases from the first minimum value to the second minimum voltage value, and a portion (W3) consisting of another vertical segment jumping from the second minimum voltage value to an upper voltage boundary (Vsup).