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Relay dynamics simulation using Perl and QuickField Object Model - QuickField simulation example

Relay-plunger motion under electromagnetic and spring forces, with Perl integrating the motion equation and obtaining electromagnetic force at each position..

To combine the electromagnetic field analysis with the moving core dynamics both Perl and QuickField are used. Interaction between QuickField and Perl is performed using ActiveField application programming interface.

Engineering question

How to calculate the relay's plunger motion using QuickField and Perl?

Answer
Set up an axisymmetric QuickField DC Magnetics problem and replace the multi-turn coil with an equivalent total current. Use Perl (via win32com/ActiveField) to integrate the plunger's equation of motion, invoking QuickField at each step to get the electromagnetic force.

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Typical applications
electromagnetic relays, relay armatures, electromechanical switching devices

Relay dynamics simulation using Perl and QuickField Object Model

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Simulation problem

Problem Type
Axisymmetric problem of DC magnetics.

Geometry
Relay dynamics simulation The electromagnetic and spring forces act on the plunger. Both forces depend on the plunger position Coil Plunger Spring 20 mm x Ø 7.2 mm

Given
Current I = 400 Ampere*turns;
Plunger pull-out position xmax = 10 mm.
Plunger pull in position xmin = 6 mm.
Plunger weight m = 4.5 g;
Spring constant k = 4 N/m
Spring free position xspring.free = 15 mm.

Task
Relay-plunger motion under electromagnetic and spring forces, with Perl integrating the motion equation and obtaining electromagnetic force at each position..

Solution
The multi-turn winding is replaced with the equivalent total current.

The motion function can be found from second-order differential equation
m · d²x/dt² = f(x),
where m - is a plunger weight (kg),
x - is a plunger position (m)
f(x) - is the force acting on the plunger (N).
The force acting on the plunger is a sum of spring force fspring(x) = k·(xspring.free - x) and electromagnetic force.

The equations are solved in Perl. The dynamic link through win32com is used to invoke QuickField and calculate the electromagnetic force at each step.

The calculations are stopped when x=xmin (pull in position, plunger hits damper).
Perl to QuickField link The equations are solved in Perl. The dynamic link through COM is used to invoke QuickField and calculate the electromagnetic force at each step Perl QuickField Initial conditions x0 = xmax, v0 = 0 m/s Invoke QuickField to calculate Force(xi) vi+1 = vi + Force/mass*Δt xi+1 = xi + vi+1* Δt x>xmin ? true false EXIT

Results
The plunger hits initial position at 0.070 s.
Plunger position in meters vs time in seconds.

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