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Title:
ELECTRIC RELAY STRUCTURE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/100506
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Electrical step relay structure of bistable type com prising a mechanical part and an electrical part; said mechanical part comprising push-button means that can be actuated by a user and said electrical part comprising coil means, capacitor means, resistor means and diode means operatively interconnected; said coil means comprising either two polarized coils connected to each other with a common terminal or a single polarized coil so that, when the push-button means are activated by the user to cause a switching or change-over of at least one contact, either one of the two coils is short-circuited or the two polarities of the single coil are mutually reversed, so as to provide a SET and RESET logic function; said relay structure being characterized in that it makes it possible to connect in common the change-over contact and the power supply.

Inventors:
ZAMPICININI GIORGIO (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2017/057495
Publication Date:
June 07, 2018
Filing Date:
November 29, 2017
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
VIMAR SPA (IT)
International Classes:
H01H47/22
Foreign References:
US3931551A1976-01-06
DE1911780A11969-10-09
US3174080A1965-03-16
DE4336328A11995-04-27
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
RASTELLI, Franco (IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1 . An electrical step relay structure of bistable type comprising a mechanical part and an electrical part; said mechanical part comprising push-button means that can be actuated by a user and said electrical part comprising coil means, capacitor means, resistor means and diode means operatively interconnected; said coil means comprising either two polarized coils connected to each other with a common terminal or a single polarized coil so that, when the push-button means are activated by the user to cause a switching or change-over of at least one contact, either one of the two coils is short-circuited or the two polarities of the single coil are mutually reversed, so as to provide a SET and RESET logic function; said diode means comprising diodes that impose a direction on the magnetic flow without changing the characteristic of short-circuiting the coil not involved in the change-over and an opposite direction if wishing to supply current in the opposite direction, excluding the short circuit imposed by the change-over contact; with said relay structure it being possible to connect in common the change-over contact and the power supply.

2. The electrical relay structure according to claim 1 , characterized in that said coil means comprise two polarized coils connected to each other by a common terminal so that when said push-button means are activated by said user to cause a change-over of at least one contact of said relay structure, one of said two coils is short-circuited.

3. The electrical relay structure according to claim 1 , characterized in that a single polarized coil has two polarities so that when said pushbutton means are activated by said user to cause a change-over of at least one contact of said relay structure, said two polarities of said single coil are mutually reversed.

4. The electrical relay structure according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises capacitors (C1 and C2) adapted to make the command pu lsed when the push-button (P) that performs the change-over is pressed; a resistor R1 adapted to determine discharge of the capacitors (C1 and C2), regulating the time between one command and the other; a capacitor C3 adapted to self-regulate and correct the pulse in alternating current as the relay changes over in 4 milliseconds and a wave at 50Hz is repeated every 20 milliseconds so that there are at least five completely different power situations to be managed.

5. The electrical relay structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized i n that it comprises a resistor (R2) adapted to form a transient current limiter preventing damaging the contacts both of the push-buttons and of the relay, and resistors (R3 and R4) adapted to regulate the current flowing through the coils (A and B) and determine the direct commands of S (set) and R (reset).

6. The electrical relay structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized i n that it comprises a term inal (P/U) combined with a slave device, adapted to provide five functions: step (P), Set (S), Reset (R), State indicator (LD) and repetition of the output contacts (U-U), with a single wire with voltage from 6Vac to 380Vac.

7. The electrical relay structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is connected in a control and command system of an electrical device having terminals P/U and S/R/U that on a single wire "listens" to ON and OFF commands and sends its state, whether it is switched on or switched off; said control system with direct and reverse magnetic flows using a single wire to perform several operations; with an electronic-free circuit said system al lowing five functions:

A) Step Function P

B) Set Function S

C) Reset Function R

D) Repetition of the output contacts U-U

E) Visual indication of the state LD.

8. The electrical relay structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is connected in a control and command system of an electrical device having a terminal S/R/U that allows a SET-RESET-INDICATOR and direct connection of the push- buttons; said solution R and I N D ICATO R in the same phase being possible as the relay is supplied with two current intensities according to the push-button pressed or to the INDICATOR by means of (R8-D7) and (R5-D10).

9. The electrical relay structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is connected in a control and command system of an electrical device applicable to an existing relay system implementing logic functions without any modifications or further passage of cables.

10. The electrical relay structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is connected in a control and command system for home automation that allows a plurality of devices to be controlled with a single action; said system allowing scenarios that are both pre-determined, Set and Reset, and scenarios that are programmable (SW) by the user without the use of software or electronic components; said control units not being supplied with power.

1 1 . The electrical relay structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is connected in a control and command system having term inals P/U and S/R/U combined with said control units, using a single wire without the support of any electronics or power supplies; said relay structure and said control units having no consumption.

12. The electrical relay structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said terminal (P/U) is adapted to connect said relay structure with an interface I/O to the Konnex, Dali bus.

13. The electrical relay structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, by connecting the contacts in common with the phase and adding the diodes (D4, D6, D6) this doubles the output contacts having a power output with the same voltage as the voltage that operates said relay and another that is potential free; by connecting said contacts in parallel, the output power is doubled.

14. The electrical relay structure according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it forms a device which is both actuator and logic, without requiring a power supply.

15. A control unit with magnetic memory, characterized in that it comprises an electrical relay structure, according to one or more of the preceding claims; said control unit implementing open-stop and close-stop without any power supply; said control unit comprising a circuit with RL3 and related components (C9-R16-R17-R18-D16-D17-D18-D19-Dz) that collect the reaction energy in the armature of a motor core by means of the "open" and "close" outputs, creating a neutral without being connected thereto.

Description:
ELECTRIC RELAY STRUCTURE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an electrical relay structure.

As is known, a relay is a device that, perceiving a variation occurring in a power supply or control circuit, determines a consequent variation of one or more controlled circuits allowing the use of a low power command signal to act on a controlled circuit even of much higher power.

The aforesaid relays can be considered as falling within three main categories, namely electrical, electromechanical and electronic, without considering thermal electrodes and/or the like.

An electrical relay is a relay in which the power supply circuit and the controlled circuits are solely electric; these electrical relays have numerous advantages, including that of not using delicate active electronic components, but only resistors, capacitors and diodes, which do not consume power either when activated or when in standby.

Moreover, an electrical relay is very silent and can operate directly at 220Vac and can be connected as a conventional three-wire electromechanical step relay.

Moreover, the electrical relay has "clean" mechanical contacts, with extremely high switching capacity and is practically immune to short-circuiting.

On the other hand, an electromechanical relay is an electrical relay consisting of an electromagnet sensitive to the variations of intensity of the power supply and that, acting on a soft metal moving armature, determines opening and closing of one or more contacts.

This electromechanical relay, although having a high degree of structural ruggedness and functioning well both for large and small switching currents, nonetheless has large dimensions, high operating noise level and high power consumption during change-over, i.e., when operating.

Finally, an electronic relay is a relay that uses solid state electronic components, such as silicon controlled transistors and diodes, is compact and is versatile and silent during operation.

However, the electronic relay is extremely sensitive to voltage surges and to high currents and, having a solid state final stage, it can, for example, "burn" if the load connected short-circuits.

Notwithstanding the problems of electronic relays cited above, current technology seems oriented towards their continuous development to the detriment not only of electromechanical relays, but also of electrical relays; this latter does not seem to be j ustified , in the l ight both of the noteworthy advantages cited above and of others still, of electrical relays, also in comparison with electronic relays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aim of the present invention is to provide a new and improved electrical relay structure, combining all the aforesaid advantages of electrical relays and substantially all those of electronic relays, but at the same time eliminating all the aforesaid problems of these latter.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide an electrical relay structure, of step type, extremely reliable, small, and silent, with no active electronic components and with a very small number of passive electrical components.

A further object of the present invention is that of providing an electrical step relay structure that also includes SET and RES ET functions without requiring external units for this purpose, such as in the home automation field.

A further object of the present invention is that of providing an electrical step relay structure that can be connected to a plurality of similar relays so as to form an assembly of relays all responding to a single command.

A further object of the present invention is that of providing an electrical step relay structure suitable to replace all the switches and diverter switches of conventional electrical systems, so as to be able to manage them through common push-buttons.

A further object of the present invention is that of providing a step type electrical relay structure, which also includes memory capacity so as to be able to build, for example, small control units for motors for roller shutters and/or the like.

One more object of the present invention is that of providing an electrical step relay structure that can be manufactured with materials commonly available on the m arket, that req u i res al m ost no m a intenance and that is very economically competitive.

These and other objects, which wil l be more apparent below, are achieved by an electrical step relay structure of bistable type comprising a mechanical part and an electrical part; said mechanical part comprising pushbutton means that can be actuated by a user and said electrical part comprising coil means, capacitor means, resistor means and diode means operatively interconnected; said coil means comprising either two polarized coils connected to each other with a common terminal or a single polarized coil so that, when the push-button means are activated by the user to cause a switching or changeover of at least one contact, either one of the two coils is short-circuited or the two polarities of the single coil are mutually reversed, so as to provide a SET and RESET logic function; said relay structure being characterized in that it is thus possible to connect in common the change-over contact and the power supply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the subject-matter of the present invention shall be more apparent by exam ining the description of a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of indicative and non-limiting example in the appended drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates a detailed circuit diagram of an embodiment of the electrical relay structure in direct current, with two coils, according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a detailed circuit diagram of an embodiment of the electrical relay structure in alternating current, with two coils, according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 illustrates a detailed circuit diagram of an embodiment of the electrical relay structure in direct current, with a single coil, according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 illustrates a detailed circuit diagram of an embodiment of the electrical relay structure in alternating current, with a single coil, according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 illustrates a detailed circuit diagram of a further embodiment of the electrical relay structure in alternating current, with two coils, according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 illustrates a detailed circuit diagram of a further embodiment of the electrical relay structure, with two coils with diodes and supplementary output L, according to the present invention;

Fig. 7 illustrates a detailed circuit diagram of a further embodiment of the electrical relay structure, with two coils with diodes, supplementary output L and two capacitors, according to the present invention;

Fig. 8 illustrates a detailed circuit diagram of a further embodiment of the electrical relay structure, with one coil with diodes and supplementary output L, according to the present invention;

Fig. 9 illustrates a detailed circuit diagram of the preferred embodiment of the electrical relay structure according to the present invention, with reverse flows with multiple commands on a single wire directly at 220V, term inals S/R/U P/U R/U;

Fig. 10 illustrates a circuit diagram of the Step and Indicator Command; Fig. 1 1 illustrates a circuit diagram of the Reset and Indicator Command; Fig. 1 2 illustrates a circuit diagram of the Set Reset and Indicator Command;

Fig. 13 illustrates a circuit diagram of the Set and Reset Command; Fig. 14 illustrates a circuit diagram of the slave Device with connection P/U, Repetition commands and relay state output;

Fig. 15 illustrates a circuit diagram of the Relay Repetition Slave Device with a power 1700w + 1700w;

Fig. 1 6 illustrates a circuit diagram of the universal Set and Reset

Repeater;

Fig. 17 illustrates a circuit diagram of the centralized Commands with 6 devices for programming scenarios and viewing the state;

Fig. 1 8 illustrates a circuit diagram of the Adapter term inals P/U 4 channels to the Konnex, Dali buses, etc.;

Fig. 1 9 illustrates a circuit diagram of the universal Adapter for Dimmer and normal devices to the system of the invention;

Fig. 20 illustrates a circuit diagram of the simple centralized Reset for 6 devices with viewing the state of the system;

Fig. 21 illustrates a circuit diagram of the simple centralized Set and

Reset for 6 devices;

Fig. 22 illustrates a circuit diagram of the simple centralized Only Reset for 6 devices;

Fig. 23 illustrates a detailed circuit diagram of a further embodiment of the electrical relay structure, with multiple commands on a single wire directly at 220V and with terminals for managing scenarios;

Fig. 24 illustrates a detailed circuit diagram of a further embodiment of the electrical relay structure, with reverse flows with multiple commands on a single wire directly at 220V and terminals for managing scenarios;

Fig. 25 illustrates a detailed circuit diagram of a further embodiment of the electrical relay structure, with a single coil with multiple commands and indicator on a single wire directly at 220V and terminal P/U for scenarios;

Fig. 26 illustrates a detailed circuit diagram of a further embodiment of the electrical relay structure, with reverse flows with multiple commands on a single wire directly at 220V, with universal device with jumper setting;

Fig. 27 illustrates an example of connections between devices and control units, where it can be noted that the various com m ands and scenario programmer have no phase and are therefore not supplied with power;

Fig. 28 illustrates an example of circuit diagram of a control unit for roller shutters with auto-reset with the motor at its end of stroke, provided with the electrical relay structure according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With particular reference to the numerical sym bols of the aforesaid figures, the relay structure according to the invention comprises a mechanical part, not visible in the figures, and an electrical part.

The mechanical part comprises push-button means that can be actuated by a user and the electrical part comprises coil means, capacitor means, resistor means and diode means operatively interconnected.

The coil means comprise either two polarized coils connected to each other with a common terminal or a single polarized coil so that, when the pushbutton means are activated by the user to cause a switching or change-over of at least one contact, either one of the two coils is short-circuited or the two polarities of the single coil are mutually reversed, so as to provide a SET and RESET logic function.

According to the present invention it is possible to connect in common the change-over contact and the power supply with new functions and greater performances.

Figs. 1 , 2 and 5 illustrate embodiments in which the coil not involved in the change-over is short-circuited.

In Figs. 3 and 4 a relay with a single polarized coil is used, adding in the contact C-Rc the capacitor C4 and the resistor R7, permanently solving the problem of instability of the system when using the contacts that supply current to the coil involved in the change-over instead of short-circuiting it.

In the circuits of Figs. 3 and 4, in practice, in the case of false contact, the coil is always supplied forcing change-over to ON, it will never be disconnected from the system.

For the description of operation of the various diagrams, the names of the components (resistors, capacitors, diodes, etc.) are the same in each figure as they perform the same function.

The capacitors C1 and C2 make the command pulsed when the pushbutton P that performs the change-over is pressed.

R1 determines the discharge of the capacitors C1 and C2, regulating the time between one command and the other (from 0.1 to 15 sec).

C3 is extremely important because it self-regulates and corrects the pulse in alternating current as the relay changes over in 4 milliseconds and a wave at 50Hz is repeated every 20 milliseconds so that there are at least five completely different power situations to be managed.

The originality and the importance of the π diagram formed by the capacitors C1 -C2-C3, R1 , crucial for correct operation of the electrical relay in alternating current, must be noted.

R2 is a transient current limiter in order to prevent damaging the contacts both of the push-buttons and of the relay.

R3 and R4 regulate the current flowing through the coils A and B and determine the direct commands of S (set) and R (reset).

The diodes D1 , D2 and D3 are half wave rectifiers for alternating current

(Figs. 2, 4, 5); it must be noted that in direct current (Figs. 1 and 3) they are not present as the current is already rectified.

The change-over contact C-Rc-Sc memorizes and manages the state of the relay (if ON or OFF} by suitably directing the currents according to the previous command. The terminals U-U are the clean power output contacts to be used to command the loads (max 1 ,700 w).

The relays used are of the polarized or bistable type with two coils (Figs. 1 , 2 and 5) or one coil (Figs. 3 and 4).

The push-button P has the so-called "step" function (one pulse switches on and the other pulse switches off, etc.).

The push-button R has the Reset function (always switch off). The push- button S has the Set function (always switch on).

With particular reference to Figs. 6-8, the diodes D4, D5 and D6 impose a direction on the magnetic flow without changing the characteristic of short- circuiting the coil not involved in the change-over and an opposite direction if wishing to supply current in the opposite direction, excluding the short circuit imposed by the change-over contact.

The aforesaid characteristic makes it possible to have two separate output contacts, one linked to the power supply of the relay L (1700w) and the other U-U (1700w) the same as before. By connecting the contacts in parallel the power can be doubled to 3400w.

The system only operates in alternating current as it exploits the two positive and negative half-waves separately.

The diodes D4, D5 give a single direction to the current in the contacts Rc and Sc while the diode D6 prevents the current from reversing if the output contact L is used.

Figs. 9-17 illustrate circuit diagrams that command the relay using a single wire and are electronic-free.

With these very simple circuits, strictly not supplied with power, all the functions of a true home automation system are obtained without the aid of any smart centralized unit.

Each relay "works alone" and comm unicates its state and listens to several commands using a single wire.

The diagram in Fig. 9 illustrates the circuit of the main device of the range, the term inals P/U -S/R/U-R/U have the characteristic of allowing commands to coexist in a single wire and, very importantly, the function U communicates the state of the relay directly at the voltage at which the system operates.

The resistor R8 with D7 and R7 with D12-D9 allow a negative half wave in the wire of the relay command in On, so that remote viewing of the state is obtained.

The terminal P/U is the most important, combined with the slave diagram in Fig. 14, it allows five functions to be obtained: Step (P), Set (S), Reset (R), State Indicator (LD) and repetition of the output contacts (U-U), with a single wire with voltage from 6Vac to 380Vac.

The monostable relay RL, by means of the diode D14 of Fig. 14, receives the negative half wave generated by the relay and switches the contacts CRL to SRL. The outputs U-U are activated and the push-button R is enabled, ready to perform the reset.

With the diode D13 the push-button P (step) is always connected to the positive half wave.

The terminal P/U is the one suitable to connect the relay with an interface

I/O to the Konnex, Dali bus, very widely used standard protocols in home automation for buildings.

In the diagrams of Figs. 1 0-1 3 two-way commands are obtained using normal Diodes.

Fig. 1 5 illustrates a relay RL that behaves like a slave and repeats precisely the power contacts of the relay without passing any more wires but using the same cable as the push-button (P/U). The LED LD returns the state of the relay.

The diagram in Fig. 17, with the terminal S/R/U, enters the heart of home automation creating the "scenarios", i.e. , with a single push-button several apparatuses are activated and deactivated simultaneously.

For example, in the evening all the lights can be switched off, the electric roller shutters can be closed and certain power sockets can be deactivated, all with a single gesture. It is also possible with LD to see the state of each device.

Two pairs of diodes in phase opposition are connected to the terminal

S/R/U, obtaining centralization of two fixed scenarios, with the push-button R, I can switch off everything and, with the push-button S, I can switch on everything, with U (indicator) I can see if something is switched on.

Instead, by means of the contacts SW1 and SW2 I can programme at will what to switch off (R), switch on (S) or not operate on a given device, then simply pushing the push-button A (scenario SW1 ) or push-button B (scenario SW2), which by acting in the relay RL executes the program of the SW.

The contacts have been split to avoid conflicts between the SET and RESET functions.

LD flashes to show that the command was carried out successfully.

The control unit for managing scenarios is not supplied with power and therefore has zero consumption; it is possible to make a very large number work together and therefore create an enormous amount of programs, as it has no power limits.

The diagram of Fig. 16 shows a repeating relay that, again with a single wire, resends commands to other devices when "listening" to the Set and Reset signals received from the device of Fig. 17.

Figs. 1 8-22 illustrate adapting control units with the system forming the subject matter of the present invention, which communicate the signals from and toward other devices present on the market.

In the diagram of Fig. 1 8, by means of the term inal P/U I transmit and receive the commands from a home automation bus system by using an electronic converter for Konnex or Dali.

The signal arrives from P/U and is separated with the diodes D1 3 and D14, goes to the respective optocouplers OP1 , which transmit the state of the system . OP2 receives from the home automation system the ON/OFF commands to be sent to the relays.

The optocouplers OP1 and OP2 guarantee a clean galvanic isolation of the two systems, in order to prevent conflicts of an electrical nature and problems of safety.

The diagram of Fig. 1 9 adapts to the present system all those filament and LED lamps that have their own dimmer device.

In constant current regulations the signal is sent to the zener diode Oz which energizes the monostable relay RL1 . The other term inal is instead suitable for all phase control regulators, both for 24Vdc and for 220Vac LEDs, self-regulating with the circuit R13-C7-R14-D16. The relay RL2 commands the dimmer. The diagrams in Figs. 20, 21 and 22 give an example of the simplicity of the centralized commands both with viewing of the state in diagram 20 and simple commands, in 21 and 22.

The diagram in Fig. 20 implements, in a very simple manner, the most widely used function in home automation, i.e. knowing if something (Indicator Light), or what (LD), is switched on and switching it off with a push-button (R).

It is very useful when leaving the house or going to bed, to know whether there are devices switched on without having to go around the house.

As can be noted, these "control units" are not supplied with power, are electronic-free and have unique constructional simplicity, and are therefore very rugged and reliable.

The relay with direct and reverse magnetic flows, of the type illustrated in the diagram of Fig. 9, combined with the control units of Figs. 1 7 and 20-22, effectively creates a new standard of com mand and control of electrical apparatus, greatly simplifying the circuits of electrical systems, also for home automation, but above all with no consumption either when active or when in standby.

Figs. 23-26 show variants of the diagram of Fig. 9, considering various combinations with the polarities of the diodes.

As the diodes D4, D5, D6 are present, it is possible to obtain multiple commands and functions using the same wire directly from 6Vac to 380Vac, exploiting the positive and negative half waves (Figs. 9, 23, 24, 25, 26) supplying direct current to the coils of the relay (D1 , D2, D3, D8, D1 1 , D12) or reverse (D1 , D9, D10) reversing the flows.

Function U/R: I obtain output of the state of the relay with indicator light and I can reset it.

Function S/R: I can perform both Set and Reset separately.

Function P/R: I can command the relay with step push-button and I can impose Reset.

Function P/U: I can command the relay with step push-button and have the state of the relay with indicator light. Function S/R/U: I can perform both Set and Reset separately and have the state of the relay.

The diagrams of Figs. 23 and 24 are the separation of the diagram of Fig. 26 into two devices, eliminating the jumpers J1 and J2.

Practically, the diagram in Figs. 26 and 9 enclose all the functions and performances given by this new relay structure.

Fig. 25 illustrates the circuit with which the main terminal P/U with relay with a single polarized coil is obtained.

Fig. 27 illustrates an example of connections between devices and control units with the system according to the present invention.

It must be noted that the various commands and scenario programmer have no phase and therefore are not supplied with power.

The relay structure forming the subject matter of the present invention is characterized by a particular π configuration, formed by the capacitors C1 -C2-C3, R1 , better visible in Fig. 2. With the addition of the capacitor C3 all the situations in alternating current of the dead centres of the sinusoid are solved, making the pulse from the push-button always certain and bounce-free.

Another advantageous characteristic consists of the presence of the contact C-Rc of the capacitor C4 and of the resistor R7, visible in the diagram of Fig. 3, which permanently solves the problem of instability of the system of the relays with a single polarized coil that operate with an open contact.

A further advantageous characteristic of the present invention is given by the fact of connecting the contacts in common with the phase and adding the diodes D4, D5, D6 so as to double the output contacts and have a power output with the same voltage as the voltage that operates the relay and another that is potential free. By connecting the contacts in parallel, the output power is doubled.

The reverse flow relay forming the subject matter of the present invention is a device which is both actuator and logic, without requiring a power supply.

I ns ide the device, with l i m ited d i m ensions (by way of exam p le:

Base=29mm, Height=15mm, Depth=32mm) both the power unit, up to 3400w on 220Vac, and the logic unit with magnetic type memory are housed.

With the method of direct and reverse magnetic flows it is possible to perform several operations using a single wire.

The present invention proposes a new concept for controll ing and commanding an electrical device with the terminals P/U and S/R/U that, on a single wire, "listens" to ON and OFF commands and sends its state (whether it is switched on or switched off).

With a very simple electronic-free circuit, visible in Fig. 14, five functions can be obtained from the P/U:

A) Step Function P

B) Set Function S

C) Reset Function R

D) Repetition of the output contacts U-U

E) Visual indication of the state LD

The term inal S/R/U , in the diagram of Fig. 12, is extremely sim ple:

SET-RESET-INDICATOR are obtained with one wire and the push-buttons can be connected practically directly. The solution R and INDICATOR in the same phase is made possible as the relay is supplied with two current intensities according to the push-button pressed or to the INDICATOR by means of R8-D7 and R5-D10.

The very simple circuit diagrams of Figs. 10-16 allow logic functions to be implemented on an existing relay system without any modifications or further passage of cables.

The diagrams illustrated in Figs. 17, 20, 21 and 22 allow scenarios that are both pre-determined (Set and Reset) and scenarios programmable SW by the user without the use of software or electronic components and these control units are not supplied with power and can in theory be provided in any number.

With the term inals P/U and S/R/U com bined with the control units illustrated in Figs. 17, 20, 21 and 22 and only push-buttons (Figs. 10-14) with the diagrams illustrated in Fig. 27, a new system has been devised, using a single wire without the support of any electronics or power supplies. The electrical diagram illustrated in Fig. 28 represents an example of control unit for roller shutters with auto-reset with the motor at its end of stroke.

With the relay forming the subject matter of the present invention, by using the term inals set and reset it is possible, as shown in this diagram provided by way of example, to obtain a control unit for roller shutters in a very simple manner and without power supply.

When the key A is pressed a relay is activated, supplying current to the "open" output, when A is pressed again, it is deactivated.

The same occurs for the key C, which supplies current to the "close" output.

The terminals Ac and Cc are centralizing, Ac always open and Cc always close.

A very important function is performed by the relay RL3 with C9-R16-R17- R18-D16-D17-D18-D19-Z.

When the motor reaches its end of stroke, as the roller shutter is fully closed or opened, the relay RL3 gives the control unit, discharging C9, a pulse of 500 milliseconds to the resets, thereby resetting the outputs, which otherwise would continue to be supplied with voltage until A or C is pressed, deactivating them.

The control unit with magnetic memory implements open-stop and close- stop command without any power supply.

The circuit with RL3 and its components C9-R16-R17-R18-D16-D17-D18- D19-Dz collect the reaction energy in the armature of the motor core by means of the "open" and "close" outputs, creating a neutral without being connected thereto.

The relay and the control units according to the present invention have zero consumption, wh ich in the past was im possible, due to the fact that everyone uses active electronics which must necessarily be powered.

In practice, it has been seen how the invention achieves the intended aim and objects.

In fact, a relay structure with two command coils has been provided using a single wire and without the use of electronics, strictly not supplied with power, so as to obtain all the desired functions with an effective home automation system without the aid of any smart or centralized unit.

The relay structure forming the subject matter of the present invention is characterized in that the change-over contact and the power supply of the relay have been connected in common.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the relay structure forming the subject matter of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 2, formed by the capacitors C1 -C2-C3, R1 . The addition of the capacitor C3 solves all the situations in alternating current of the dead centres of the sinusoid, making the pulse from the push-button always certain and bounce-free.

A further advantageous aspect of the present invention consists in (P/U) that allows at least the following five functions to be obtained: step (P), Set (S), Reset (R), state indicator (LD) and repetition of the output command (U-U), with a single wire with a voltage from 6 Vac to 380 Vac.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the relay can be connected with an interface I/O to a Konnex, Dali bus with standard protocols widely used in home automation for buildings.

A further advantage of the present invention consists in the fact that, with a single push-button, several apparatus can be activated simultaneously, so as to create scenarios susceptible to be managed by a central control unit not supplied with electricity and therefore with no consumption, which can be associated, where desired, with a plurality of similar control units so as to create practically any number of programs, and thus create a new command and control standard of electrical apparatus, greatly sim plifying the circuits of electrical systems, also domestic, with no consumption either in active state or in standby state.

A further advantage of the present invention consists in the fact that the system in which the relay is inserted has no problems of instability, even when the contacts supplying current to the coil involved in the change-over are energized. By means of the relay structure forming the subject matter of the present invention it is possible to double the output contacts, in particular with a power output with the same voltage as the voltage that operates the relay and another output that is potential free and in which it is also possible to double the output power simply by connecting the contacts in parallel.

A further advantage of the present invention consists in the fact that it allows, in an existing relay system, the implementation of desired logic functions without any modifications or further passage of cables.

Naturally, the materials used and the dimensions can be any, according to requirements.