Thermal fuses and electrical equipment

Abstract

The present invention discloses a thermal fuse and an electrical device. The thermal fuse includes an insulating shell, a fixing seat, a conductive member, a first elastic member, a thermosensitive member, and a heat insulating member. A accommodating cavity is formed inside the insulating shell, and the accommodating cavity is provided with an opening; the fixing seat is connected to the insulating shell and seals the opening of the accommodating cavity, and the fixing seat is provided with a first pin and a second pin at intervals; the conductive member is provided in the accommodating cavity and is located on one side of the fixing seat, and the conductive member abuts against the first pin and the second pin respectively; the first elastic member is elastically compressed between the fixing seat and the conductive member, the thermosensitive member is provided in the accommodating cavity and is located at one end of the guide member away from the fixing seat, and the heat insulating member elastically abuts between the thermosensitive member and the conductive member. When the thermosensitive member is melted by heat, the first elastic member releases the elastic force to separate the conductive member from the first pin and the second pin. The technical solution of the present invention aims to improve the waterproof performance of the thermal fuse and expand the scope of use of the thermal fuse.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of thermal fuse devices, in particular to a thermal fuse and electrical equipment using the thermal fuse. Background Art

[0002] A thermal fuse protects electrical equipment by melting its fuse body using heat generated by the fuse itself when the current exceeds a specified value, thereby disconnecting the circuit. In related art, the thermal fuse housing is typically made of a conductive material. When the current does not exceed the specified value, the housing acts as a conductive medium, conducting the current from the first conductor to the second conductor, thus forming a loop. This simplifies the thermal fuse's structure. However, such thermal fuses are not waterproof, limiting their use. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a thermal fuse, aiming to improve the waterproof performance of the thermal fuse and expand the scope of use of the thermal fuse.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the thermal fuse proposed in the present invention comprises:

[0005] An insulating shell, wherein a receiving cavity is formed inside the insulating shell and the receiving cavity is provided with an opening;

[0006] a fixing seat connected to the insulating housing and sealing the opening of the accommodating cavity, wherein the fixing seat is provided with a first pin and a second pin at intervals;

[0007] A conductive member is provided in the accommodating cavity and located on one side of the fixing seat, and the conductive member abuts against the first pin and the second pin respectively;

[0008] a first elastic member, wherein the first elastic member is elastically compressed between the fixing seat and the conductive member;

[0009] a heat-sensitive element, the heat-sensitive element being disposed in the accommodating cavity and located at an end of the guide element away from the fixing seat; and

[0010] a heat insulating member elastically supported between the heat-sensitive member and the conductive member;

[0011] When the heat-sensitive element is melted by heat, the first elastic element releases its elastic force to separate the conductive element from the first pin and the second pin.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thermal fuse further includes a heat insulating member, and the heat insulating member is provided between the heat sensitive member and the conductive member.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thermal insulation member is a second elastic member.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the insulating shell is a cylinder with an open end, and the fixing seat and the cylinder are interference fit.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fixing base is made of plastic, and the first pin and the second pin are an integral structure with the fixing base.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, a positioning column is protruded from one end of the fixing base toward the conductive member, the positioning column is located between the first pin and the second pin, and one end of the first elastic member is sleeved on a side wall of the positioning column.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, a side wall of the positioning column is provided with a limiting platform, and an end portion of the first elastic member abuts against an end surface of the limiting platform.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the conductive member is a conductive tube with one end open, the open end of the conductive tube is in contact with the first pin and the second pin, and the end of the first elastic member away from the fixing seat is accommodated in the conductive copper and abuts against the bottom wall of the conductive tube.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer diameter of the end portion of the conductive tube away from the fixing seat gradually decreases, and one end of the thermal insulation member is sleeved on the outer surface of the conductive tube.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thermal fuse further includes a positioning member fixed to the inner wall surface of the accommodating cavity. The positioning member encloses and forms a positioning space, and the thermal sensitive member is fixed in the positioning space.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thermal fuse further comprises:

[0022] a first wire connected to the first pin; and

[0023] A second wire is connected to the second pin.

[0024] The present invention also provides an electrical device, which includes the thermal fuse.

[0025] The thermal fuse of the present invention comprises an insulating housing having a housing cavity formed therein, and a fixed seat capable of sealing the opening of the housing cavity. A first elastic member, a conductive member, and a thermosensitive member are sequentially arranged within the housing cavity. When the thermosensitive member is solid, it occupies the space of the housing cavity, causing the first elastic member to be in an elastically compressed state. At this point, the conductive member can abut against the first and second pins to maintain the circuit in a conductive state. When the current in the circuit exceeds a specified value, the thermosensitive member in the housing cavity melts due to heat. At this point, the thermal insulation member moves toward the end away from the fixed seat, releasing the elastic force of the first elastic member and pushing the conductive member toward the end away from the fixed seat, separating the conductive member from the first and second pins and thus severing the circuit. Because the housing of the present invention is an insulating housing, the entire current circuit does not need to pass through the housing as a conductive medium. This allows the thermal fuse to have excellent insulation and waterproof properties, enabling use in humid environments and expanding the range of uses for the thermal fuse.

[0026] At the same time, since the first pin and the second pin are both fixed by the fixing seat, when the first pin and the second pin are respectively welded to the wires, the fixing seat can effectively isolate the heat generated by the welding from being directly conducted into the accommodating cavity, thereby avoiding the heat-sensitive parts from being affected before use, and improving the effectiveness of the thermal fuse during actual use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal fuse before the heat-sensitive element melts;

[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure after the heat-sensitive component melts.

[0030] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0031] Label name Label name 100 thermal fuse 30 Conductive parts 10 Insulation shell 40 first elastic member 11 Accommodation cavity 50 Thermal insulation 20 Fixed seat 60 Thermal parts 21 Positioning column 70 Positioning parts 211 Limit table 80 First wire 23 First pin 90 Second wire 25 Second pin

[0032] The purpose, features and advantages of the present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present invention (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the various components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0035] In the present invention, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "connection" and "fixation" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "fixation" can mean fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two elements or interaction between two elements, unless otherwise specified. Those skilled in the art will be able to understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0036] In addition, in the present invention, descriptions such as "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In addition, the meaning of "and / or" appearing throughout the text is to include three parallel solutions. Taking "A and / or B as an example", it includes solution A, or solution B, or solutions that meet both A and B. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but they must be based on the ability of ordinary technicians in this field to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is mutually contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0037] The present invention provides a thermal fuse 100 .

[0038] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment of the present invention, the thermal fuse 100 includes:

[0039] An insulating housing 10 , wherein a receiving cavity 11 is formed inside the insulating housing 10 ;

[0040] A fixing base 20 , which is connected to the insulating housing 10 and seals the opening of the accommodating cavity 11 , and is provided with a first pin 23 and a second pin 25 at intervals;

[0041] A conductive member 30 is provided in the accommodating cavity 11 and located on one side of the fixing seat 20 , and the conductive member 30 abuts against the first pin 23 and the second pin 25 respectively;

[0042] a first elastic member 40 , wherein the first elastic member 40 is elastically compressed between the fixing seat 20 and the conductive member 30 ;

[0043] a heat-sensitive member 60 , the heat-sensitive member 60 being disposed in the accommodating cavity 11 and located at an end of the guide member away from the fixing seat 20 ; and

[0044] A heat insulating member 50 , wherein the heat insulating member 50 is elastically supported between the heat sensitive member 60 and the conductive member 30 ;

[0045] When the heat-sensitive element 60 is melted by heat, the first elastic element 40 releases its elastic force to separate the conductive element 30 from the first pin 23 and the second pin 25 .

[0046] The thermal fuse 100 of the present invention comprises an insulating housing 10, which defines a housing cavity 11. A fixing base 20 seals the opening of the housing cavity 11. A first elastic member 40, a conductive member 30, a heat insulating member 50, and a thermally sensitive member 60 are sequentially disposed within the housing cavity 11. When the thermally sensitive member 60 is solid, it occupies space within the housing cavity 11, causing the first elastic member 40 to be elastically compressed. At this point, the conductive member 30 can abut against the first and second pins 23 and 25, thereby maintaining the circuit in a conductive state. When the current in the circuit exceeds a specified value, the thermally sensitive member 60 in the housing cavity 11 melts upon heating. At this point, the heat insulating member 50 moves toward the end away from the fixing base 20, releasing the elastic force of the first elastic member 40 and pushing the conductive member 30 toward the end away from the fixing base 20. This causes the conductive member 30 to separate from the first and second pins 23 and 25, thereby shutting off the current in the circuit. Since the shell in the technical solution of the present invention is an insulating shell 10, the entire current loop does not need to pass through the shell as a conductive medium, so that the thermal fuse 100 has good insulation and waterproof effects, can be used in humid environments, and expands the scope of use of the thermal fuse 100.

[0047] At the same time, since the first pin 23 and the second pin 25 are both fixed by the fixing base 20, the thermal fuse 100 also includes a first wire 80 and a second wire 90, wherein the first wire 80 is connected to the end of the first lead away from the accommodating cavity 11, and the second wire 90 is connected to the end of the second pin 25 away from the accommodating cavity 11. When the first pin 23 and the second pin 25 are respectively welded to the first wire 80 and the first wire 80, the fixing base 20 can effectively isolate the heat generated by the welding from being directly transferred into the accommodating cavity 11, preventing the heat-sensitive element 60 from being affected before use, thereby improving the effectiveness of the thermal fuse 100 during actual use. Furthermore, by providing the fixing base 20, the first wire 80 and the second wire 90 can be arranged in the same direction, which can also save space occupied by the thermal fuse 100 and facilitate the connection between the first wire 80 and the first pin 23, and the second wire 90 and the second pin 25.

[0048] It should be noted that the insulating housing 10 of the thermal fuse 100 may be made of a plastic material, such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Plastic, a terpolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene), POM (Polyoxymethylene), PS (Polystyrene), PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), PC (Polycarbonate), or PET (polyethylene glycol terephthalate). However, the insulating housing 10 is not limited to plastic and may also be made of rubber, ceramic, or other materials.

[0049] The fixing base 20 and the insulating housing 10 can be fixed by adhesive, sleeve connection, or clamping, and the fixing method between the fixing base 20 and the insulating housing 10 is not limited here. It should be noted that the insulating housing 10 is generally a cylindrical structure with one end open, and the fixing base 20 is also a cylindrical structure that matches the cylindrical structure. In this way, the fixing base 20 can be directly sleeved on the open end of the insulating housing 10. In this way, the fixing base 20 and the insulating housing 10 can be fixed and the opening of the accommodating cavity 11 can be sealed.

[0050] The conductive member 30 can be made of a material with good electrical conductivity. For example, the conductive member 30 can be made of copper, copper alloy, iron, iron alloy, etc. The conductive member 30 can have a variety of shapes. For example, the conductive member 30 can be a U-shaped member, with both ends of the U-shaped member abutting against the first pin 23 and the second pin 25, and the end of the first elastic member 40 away from the fixing seat 20 elastically abutting between the two ends of the U-shaped member. The conductive member 30 can also be a cylindrical structure with one end open, wherein the open end is arranged toward the fixing seat 20, and the end surfaces of the open end abut against the first pin 23 and the second pin 25, and the end of the first elastic member 40 away from the fixing seat 20 is accommodated in a setting elastically abutting against the inner bottom wall of the fixing cylinder.

[0051] The first elastic member 40 is a spring, which can be a compression spring, a coil spring or a compression spring.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thermal fuse further includes a heat insulating member 50 , and the heat insulating member 50 is disposed between the heat sensitive member and the conductive member.

[0053] The thermal insulation member 50 can be a thermal insulation sheet, a thermal insulation block, or the like. Furthermore, the thermal insulation member 50 can also be a spring. By configuring the thermal insulation member 50 as a spring, the spring can apply an elastic force to the conductive member 30, forcing the conductive member 30 to tightly abut against the first pin 23 and the second pin 25, ensuring a secure contact between the conductive member 30 and the first pin 23 and the second pin 25. Furthermore, during the separation process, the spring can quickly separate the thermal-sensitive member 60 from the conductive member 30, preventing heat from the conductive member 30 from being directly transferred to the thermal-sensitive member 60.

[0054] It can be understood that when the thermal fuse 100 is working, current flows in through the first wire 80, flows to the conductive member 30 through the first pin 23, and then conducts the current to the second pin 25 through the conductive member 30, and then conducts the current to the second wire 90 through the second pin 25, so that the ground current forms a loop in the thermal fuse 100.

[0055] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment of the present invention, the fixing seat 20 and the cylinder are interference fit.

[0056] In the technical solution of one embodiment of the present invention, the outer diameter of the fixing base 20 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the insulating housing 10, so that the fixing base 20 and the insulating housing 10 form an interference fit. This ensures that the fixing base 20 and the insulating housing 10 are firmly fixed together and also increases the reliability of the sealing between the fixing base 20 and the insulating housing 10.

[0057] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the fixing base 20 is made of plastic, and the first pin 23 and the second pin 25 are integrally formed with the fixing base 20. The fixing base 20 is also made of an insulating material. For example, the fixing base 20 can be made of a plastic material with good insulation properties. The first pin 23 and the second pin 25 can be made of a metal material, such as copper, iron, or a copper alloy, as a conductive material. The first pin 23 and the second pin 25 can be integrally formed with the fixing base 20 during the molding process of the fixing base 20 by inserting the first pin 23 and the second pin 25. This not only reduces the assembly process between the first pin 23 and the second pin 25 and the fixing base 20, but also ensures the reliability of the fixing base 20 to the first pin 23 and the second pin 25. It should be noted that the first pin 23 and the second pin 25 both protrude from the ends of the fixing member. This facilitates the connection of the first pin 23 and the second pin 25 with the conductive member 30 or with a wire, ensuring the reliability of the connection and the continuity and reliability of the current flow.

[0058] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment of the present invention, a positioning column 21 is protruded from one end of the fixing seat 20 toward the conductive member 30, and the positioning column 21 is located between the first pin 23 and the second pin 25, and one end of the first elastic member 40 is sleeved on the side wall of the positioning column 21.

[0059] In the technical solution of one embodiment of the present invention, the positioning post 21 is integrally formed with the fixing base 20 and is also integrally molded by injection molding. The central axis of the positioning post 21 is collinear with the central axis of the fixing base 20. This allows the first spring to be centrally positioned, with the end of the first spring facing away from the fixing base 20 also centrally abutting the conductive member 30. Thus, when the first spring releases its elastic force, it smoothly pushes the conductive member 30 away from the fixing base 20, ensuring that the conductive member 30 is separated from the first pin 23 and the second pin 25, thereby shutting off the current.

[0060] Further, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment of the present invention, a limiting platform 211 is provided on the side wall of the positioning column 21 , and the end of the first elastic member 40 abuts against the end surface of the limiting platform 211 .

[0061] In the technical solution of one embodiment of the present invention, the provision of the step-limiting platform 211 can further reduce the extension of the first elastic member 40, ensuring that the first elastic member 40 has sufficient pushing force after the elastic force is released. Furthermore, the provision of the step-limiting platform 211 can also reduce the length of the first elastic member 40, saving costs.

[0062] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment of the present invention, the conductive member 30 is a conductive tube with an open end, and the opening of the conductive tube is arranged toward the fixing seat 20. The end of the first elastic member 40 away from the fixing seat 20 is accommodated in the conductive copper and abuts against the bottom wall of the conductive tube.

[0063] In the technical solution of one embodiment of the present invention, the conductive member 30 also has a cylindrical structure with one end open. The open end of the conductive member is positioned toward the fixed base 20, and the open end faces of the conductive member abut against the first pin 23 and the second pin 25. The end of the first elastic member 40, facing away from the fixed base 20, is housed within the cylindrical cavity and abuts against the bottom wall of the cylinder. This ensures contact between the first elastic member 40 and the conductive member 30, and the cylindrical conductive member 30 also radially limits the first elastic member 40, preventing radial movement of the first elastic member 40 when the elastic force is released.

[0064] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer diameter of the end of the conductive tube away from the fixing seat 20 gradually decreases, and one end of the thermal insulation member 50 is sleeved on the outer surface of the conductive tube.

[0065] In one embodiment of the present invention, the end of the conductive tube away from the fixing base 20 is tapered, with the end closer to the thermal insulator 50 being smaller. This allows the end of the thermal insulator 50 to fit over the outer surface of the tapered portion, facilitating the securement of the thermal insulator 50 to the conductive tube and improving the positioning of the thermal insulator 50.

[0066] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment of the present invention, the thermal fuse 100 further includes a positioning member 70 , which is fixed to the inner wall surface of the accommodating cavity 11 . The positioning member 70 encloses a positioning space, and the thermal sensitive member 60 is fixed in the positioning space.

[0067] In the technical solution of one embodiment of the present invention, the positioning member 70 can be made of metal, for example, iron or copper. Metal has excellent thermal conductivity and can quickly sense temperature changes in the accommodating cavity 11 and quickly transmit the heat to the thermosensitive element 60 in contact with the positioning member 70, causing the thermosensitive element 60 to melt rapidly when a certain temperature is reached. The positioning member 70 can be U-shaped, with the two ends and the bottom of the U-shaped member enclosing a positioning space, wherein the two ends of the U-shaped member are positioned toward the conductive element 30, and the thermosensitive element 60 is fixed to the bottom of the U-shaped member. The positioning member 70 can also be a cylindrical structure with one end open, wherein the open end is positioned toward the fixing seat 20, and the side of the positioning member 70 away from the open end abuts the bottom wall of the accommodating cavity 11. By providing the positioning member 70 to position the thermosensitive element 60, deformation of the thermosensitive element 60 during assembly can be effectively prevented. It can be understood that after the thermosensitive element melts, the end of the thermal insulation member 50 away from the conductive element 30 abuts the positioning member 70.

[0068] The present invention also provides an electrical device including a thermal fuse 100. The specific structure of the thermal fuse 100 is similar to that of the above-mentioned embodiments. Since the present electrical device utilizes all of the technical solutions of all of the above-mentioned embodiments, it at least has all of the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above-mentioned embodiments, and therefore, no further description is given here. The electrical device may be an air conditioner, a water heater, a soybean milk maker, an electric rice cooker, or the like. Of course, the electrical device is not limited to the above-mentioned electrical devices and may be any other type of electrical device.

[0069] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural transformations made by using the contents of the present description and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect application in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A thermal fuse, characterized in that: include: An insulating shell, wherein a receiving cavity is formed inside the insulating shell and the receiving cavity is provided with an opening; a fixing base connected to the insulating housing and sealing the opening of the accommodating cavity, wherein the fixing base is provided with a first pin and a second pin at intervals; A conductive member is provided in the accommodating cavity and is located on one side of the fixing seat. The conductive member is a conductive tube with one end open, and the open end of the conductive tube is in contact with the first pin and the second pin; a first elastic member, one end of which abuts against the fixing seat, and the other end of which is accommodated in the conductive cylinder and abuts against the bottom wall of the conductive cylinder, the first elastic member being elastically compressed between the fixing seat and the conductive member; and a positioning member, wherein the positioning member is formed with a positioning space and an open end; a heat-sensitive element, the heat-sensitive element being disposed in the positioning space via an open end, the side of the positioning element facing away from the open end being in contact with the bottom wall of the accommodating cavity, so as to fix the heat-sensitive element to an end of the accommodating cavity away from the fixing seat; a heat insulating member disposed between the heat sensitive member and the conductive member; When the heat-sensitive element is melted by heat, the first elastic element releases its elastic force to separate the conductive element from the first pin and the second pin.

2. The thermal fuse according to claim 1, wherein: The heat insulating member is a second elastic member.

3. The thermal fuse according to claim 1, wherein: The insulating shell is a cylinder with one end open, and the fixing seat and the cylinder are in interference fit.

4. The thermal fuse according to claim 3, wherein: The fixing base is made of plastic, and the first pin and the second pin are an integral structure with the fixing base.

5. The thermal fuse according to claim 4, wherein: A positioning column is protruded from one end of the fixing base facing the conductive member. The positioning column is located between the first pin and the second pin. One end of the first elastic member is sleeved on the side wall of the positioning column.

6. The thermal fuse according to claim 5, wherein: A limiting platform is provided on the side wall of the positioning column, and the end of the first elastic member abuts against the end surface of the limiting platform.

7. The thermal fuse according to claim 1, wherein The outer diameter of the end portion of the conductive tube away from the fixing seat gradually decreases, and one end of the heat insulating member is sleeved on the outer surface of the conductive tube.

8. The thermal fuse according to claim 1, wherein: The thermal fuse further comprises: a first wire connected to the first pin; and A second wire is connected to the second pin.

9. An electrical device, characterized in that: Comprising the thermal fuse according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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