An example circuit arrangement and method for actuating an electromagnetic drive system for electromechanical devices is disclosed, the example circuit arrangement including a mechanically locked end position, a control voltage source, a regulating and control circuit, a drive system, a transformer, a rectifier bridge a smoothing capacitor, and a main switching transistor, by means of which the drive system can be controlled in a characteristic pulse tracking system. In the example, the main switching transistor is connected in series to a primary branch of the transformer, the transformer is connected to the supply voltage, and the secondary winding of the transformer supplies the rectifier bridge, the output DC voltage of which is smoothed by the smoothing capacitor and added to the voltage of the control voltage source so as to result in a DC voltage feed having a chronological supply progression.

An air conditioner includes an outdoor unit, a relay circuit which includes a contact and a relay coil, and a control unit which causes a first voltage equal to or higher than an operating voltage or a second voltage lower than the operating voltage and equal to or higher than a retention voltage to be applied to the relay coil. One end portion of the contact is connected to an alternating-current power supply and the other end portion of the contact is connected to the outdoor unit. One end portion of the relay coil is connected to a power supply for driving the relay circuit. The control unit causes a second voltage to be applied to the relay coil after the contact is turned ON, and causes the first voltage to be applied to the relay coil at a predetermined constant period.

An air conditioner includes an outdoor unit, a relay circuit which includes a contact and a relay coil, and a control unit which causes a first voltage equal to or higher than an operating voltage or a second voltage lower than the operating voltage and equal to or higher than a retention voltage to be applied to the relay coil. One end portion of the contact is connected to an alternating-current power supply and the other end portion of the contact is connected to the outdoor unit. One end portion of the relay coil is connected to a power supply for driving the relay circuit. The control unit causes a second voltage to be applied to the relay coil after the contact is turned ON, and causes the first voltage to be applied to the relay coil at a predetermined constant period.

A low-side contactor coil drive circuit can include an input line and a first solid state switch having a first switch base, a first switch collector, and a first switch emitter. The first switch collector can be connected to the input line and the first switch emitter is connected to ground. The circuit can include a second solid state switch having a second switch base, a second switch collector, and a second switch emitter. The second switch emitter can be connected to the input line in parallel with the first switch collector. The second switch collector can be connected to the first switch base. The circuit can include a third solid state switch having a third switch gate, a third switch source, and a third switch drain. The third switch drain can be connected to the second switch base.

The present application discloses a contactor coil control circuit, including a switch control circuit, a drive circuit, a fast turn-off circuit, a diode D1, a first MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistor TR1 and a contactor coil. The fast turn-off circuit at least includes an MOS transistor TR2 or a triode; the cathode of the diode is connected to an input voltage VIN; the anode of the diode is connected to a first port of the fast turn-off circuit; a second port of the fast turn-off circuit is connected to the drain of the first MOS transistor; the source of the first MOS transistor is grounded; one end of the contactor coil L1 is connected to an input voltage, and the other end of the contactor coil is connected to the drain of the first MOS transistor; a third port of the fast turn-off circuit is connected to an output port of the drive circuit; an input port of the drive circuit is connected to a first output port of the switch control circuit; and a second output port of the switch control circuit is connected to the gate of the first MOS transistor. On the premise of turning off the contactor quickly, the coil control circuit is lower in loss, adopts a fewer of devices, and is lower in cost and smaller in volume.

The present application discloses a contactor coil control circuit, including a switch control circuit, a drive circuit, a fast turn-off circuit, a diode D1, a first MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistor TR1 and a contactor coil. The fast turn-off circuit at least includes an MOS transistor TR2 or a triode; the cathode of the diode is connected to an input voltage VIN; the anode of the diode is connected to a first port of the fast turn-off circuit; a second port of the fast turn-off circuit is connected to the drain of the first MOS transistor; the source of the first MOS transistor is grounded; one end of the contactor coil L1 is connected to an input voltage, and the other end of the contactor coil is connected to the drain of the first MOS transistor; a third port of the fast turn-off circuit is connected to an output port of the drive circuit; an input port of the drive circuit is connected to a first output port of the switch control circuit; and a second output port of the switch control circuit is connected to the gate of the first MOS transistor. On the premise of turning off the contactor quickly, the coil control circuit is lower in loss, adopts a fewer of devices, and is lower in cost and smaller in volume.

An example circuit arrangement and method for actuating an electromagnetic drive system for electromechanical devices is disclosed, the example circuit arrangement including a mechanically locked end position, a control voltage source, a regulating and control circuit, a drive system, a transformer, a rectifier bridge a smoothing capacitor, and a main switching transistor, by means of which the drive system can be controlled in a characteristic pulse tracking system. In the example, the main switching transistor is connected in series to a primary branch of the transformer, the transformer is connected to the supply voltage, and the secondary winding of the transformer supplies the rectifier bridge, the output DC voltage of which is smoothed by the smoothing capacitor and added to the voltage of the control voltage source so as to result in a DC voltage feed having a chronological supply progression.

A low-side contactor coil drive circuit can include an input line and a first solid state switch having a first switch base, a first switch collector, and a first switch emitter. The first switch collector can be connected to the input line and the first switch emitter is connected to ground. The circuit can include a second solid state switch having a second switch base, a second switch collector, and a second switch emitter. The second switch emitter can be connected to the input line in parallel with the first switch collector. The second switch collector can be connected to the first switch base. The circuit can include a third solid state switch having a third switch gate, a third switch source, and a third switch drain. The third switch drain can be connected to the second switch base.

An exemplary coil actuator for an associated switching device which can be actuated during its operation from an open position to a closed position to allow a current to flow therethrough and from the closed position to the open position to interrupt such flowing from flowing therethrough. The coil actuator includes a coil electromagnet arranged to move between a rest position and an actuating position, wherein movement from the rest position to the actuating position is suitable to cause the actuation of the switching device; and an electronic component arranged to count an operation time which is indicative of the duration of the actuation of the switching device.

An exemplary coil actuator for an associated switching device which can be actuated during its operation from an open position to a closed position to allow a current to flow therethrough and from the closed position to the open position to interrupt such flowing from flowing therethrough. The coil actuator includes a coil electromagnet arranged to move between a rest position and an actuating position, wherein movement from the rest position to the actuating position is suitable to cause the actuation of the switching device; and an electronic component arranged to count an operation time which is indicative of the duration of the actuation of the switching device.