Apparatus and method for creating openings through metal oxide varistor coatings

Abstract

Disclosed are ways for creating openings through metal oxide varistor (MOV) coatings. In some embodiments, an assembly can include a cutting apparatus including a cutting device, a rotatable platform coupled with the cutting apparatus, and a plurality of metal oxide varistors (MOVs) coupled with the rotatable platform, wherein the cutting device is capable of being biased toward the rotatable platform to form an opening in a coating formed on each of the plurality of MOVs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments relate to the field of circuit protection devices, and more specifically, to apparatus and methods for creating openings through a metal oxide rheostat (MOV) coating. Background Technology

[0002] Overvoltage protection devices are used to protect electronic circuits and components from damage caused by overvoltage fault conditions. These overvoltage protection devices may include metal oxide rheostats (MOVs) connected between the circuit to be protected and ground. MOVs have current-voltage characteristics, which allows them to be used to protect such circuits from catastrophic voltage surges. An MOV typically consists of a ceramic disk (usually based on ZnO), an electrical contact layer as electrodes (e.g., Ag (silver) electrodes), and first and second metal leads connected to a first surface and a second surface, respectively, with the second surface opposite the first surface. In many cases, the MOV may also be provided with an insulating coating surrounding the ceramic disk and other materials. During manufacturing, windows are formed through the coating to provide access to the ceramic disk and / or other internal components of the MOV. However, this window opening process is done manually, which is labor-intensive and reduces production output.

[0003] This disclosure is made in respect of such and other deficiencies in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The summary is provided to present the chosen concept in a simplified manner, which will be further described in the detailed description below. The summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to assist in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] In one embodiment, the apparatus may include: a cutting device including a cutting means; a rotatable platform adjacent to the cutting device; and a plurality of metal oxide rheostats (MOVs) coupled to the rotatable platform, wherein the cutting means are biased toward the rotatable platform to form an opening in a coating provided on each of the plurality of MOVs.

[0006] In another embodiment, the system may include: a cutting device including a cutting means; a platform adjacent to the cutting device; and a plurality of metal oxide rheostats (MOVs) coupled to the platform, wherein the cutting means are biased toward the rotatable platform to form openings in coatings provided on each of the plurality of MOVs, and wherein the rotatable platform rotates relative to the cutting device.

[0007] In yet another embodiment, the method may include: providing a cutting apparatus including a cutting device, and mounting a platform near the cutting device, wherein a plurality of metal oxide rheostats (MOVs) are coupled to the platform. The method may also include rotating the platform and biasing the cutting device toward the platform to impact the coating on each of the plurality of MOVs. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the currently disclosed embodiments, which are designed for practical application of their principles, and wherein:

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] Figure 2 According to embodiments of this disclosure Figure 1 Top view of the assembly;

[0011] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a cutting apparatus for an assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a module including an MOV according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0013] Figure 5 This is a partial perspective view of an assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 6 This is a top perspective view of an opening formed by the coating through the MOV according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0015] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. They are representative only and not intended to depict specific parameters of this disclosure. The drawings are intended to depict exemplary embodiments of this disclosure and should therefore not be considered as limiting the scope. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

[0017] Furthermore, for clarity, certain elements in some figures may be omitted or not shown to scale. For clarity, cross-sectional views may be presented as "slices" or "near-view" cross-sectional views, omitting some background lines that are otherwise visible in a "true" cross-sectional view. Additionally, for clarity, some reference numerals may be omitted in some figures. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Assembly, apparatus, and method according to the present disclosure will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments are illustrated. The assemblies, apparatus, and methods may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be exhaustive and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0019] As will be described in more detail herein, embodiments of this disclosure provide an efficient method for opening windows in an MOV coating while maintaining consistency and without damaging the underlying MOV disk. In some embodiments, the assembly may include a cutting device adjacent to a rotatable platform, which supports multiple MOVs. Before positioning the MOVs and / or the platform near the cutting device, the MOV coating may be heated to soften the coating. Once softened, the punching force penetrating the MOV coating can be reduced to avoid damaging the MOV disk. In some embodiments, the cutting device may include a spring coupled to the punching blade of the cutting device to control the punching force. Thus, the embodiments described herein advantageously provide dimensional consistency, well-controlled punching force, and greater device throughput.

[0020] Turn Figure 1-2 The following describes an assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The assembly 100 may include a cutting device 102, which includes a cutting means 104, which may be a stamping blade or other suitable component capable of penetrating the coating or layer 110 of the MOV 112. The cutting device 102 may be coupled to or integrally formed with a support structure 106. While not limiting, the support structure 106 may include a platform or table 108 positioned at approximately waist height for operator use.

[0021] The assembly 100 may also include a rotatable platform 114 extending beyond the tabletop 108. In some embodiments, the rotatable platform 114 may be fixed to a rotatable column 116 extending through an opening 118 in the tabletop 108. The rotatable platform 114 may include a plurality of base modules 120 coupled to a top surface 122. As shown, the base modules 120 may be arranged in a circular pattern around the center of the rotatable platform 114. Each of the base modules 120 may contain an MOV 112. In use, the rotatable platform 114 may be sequentially rotated to a position where each of the MOVs 112 is located below the cutting device 104, such that an opening 125 can be formed through the coating 110. The cutting device 102 may be biased (e.g., up / down) in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the top surface 122 of the rotatable platform 114 to engage each MOV.

[0022] In some embodiments, the coating 110 may be pre-softened by heating the MOV 112 and the coating 110 prior to cutting. For example, the rotatable platform 114, including the base module 120 and the MOV 112, may be heated in another area (e.g., a heating chamber) before being attached to the support structure 106. The rotatable platform 114 may then be transferred to the support structure 106 for processing by the cutting device 102. Alternatively, the rotatable platform 114, the base module 120, and the MOV 112 may be heated while being attached to the support structure 106. While not limiting, the coating 110 may withstand temperatures between 160°C and 220°C.

[0023] Turn now Figure 3 The example cutting device 104 will be described in more detail hereafter. As shown, the cutting device 104 may include a post 130 and a base 132, wherein the post 130 includes a free end 134 which includes one or more edges 136 operable to act on the coating 110 of the MOV 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the free end 134 of the post 130 may have a rectangular cross-section / section of a desired size. However, this disclosure is not limited to any particular shape or one or more dimensions of the post 130. As further shown, the base 132 may generally be a rectangular shape having one or more openings 138 for securing the cutting device 104 to the cutting apparatus 102 using, for example, screws or other fasteners (not shown).

[0024] Figure 4 An example base module 120 is shown in more detail. The base module 120 may include a lower portion 140 and an upper portion 142 extending from the lower portion. The lower portion 140 may include one or more openings 144 for securing the base module 120 to the rotatable platform 114. The upper portion 142 may include a recess 146 in a top surface 148 to receive an MOV 112 therein. It will be understood that different configurations and / or dimensions for the base module 120 are possible in other embodiments.

[0025] Figure 5A portion of the cutting apparatus 102 is shown in more detail. In some embodiments, the cutting apparatus 102 may include a top plate 150, a central plate 152, and a bottom plate 154, wherein the cutting device 104 may be directly coupled to the bottom plate 154. A biasing device 156 (e.g., a hydraulic device, a pneumatic device, a motor, etc.) may include a shaft 158 ​​coupled to the bottom plate 154. In use, the shaft 158 ​​may be biased upward and downward to allow the bottom plate 154 and the cutting device 104 to move relative to the rotatable platform 114. In some embodiments, one or more springs 160 (e.g., compression springs) may be provided to cushion the forces from the cutting device 104 when it engages the coating 110 of the MOV 112. It will be understood that different configurations for the cutting apparatus 102 are possible in other embodiments.

[0026] Figure 6 An example MOV 112 is shown after the formation of the opening 125 through the coating 110. As shown, the rectangular opening 125 provides access to the ceramic disk 160 of the MOV 112. The shape of the window 125 through the coating 110 can be easily modified as needed. While not limiting, the coating 110 can be an epoxy resin or similar insulator provided on the MOV 112 (except for a portion of the outwardly extending conductors 155 and 156).

[0027] Figure 7 An example method 200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure is illustrated. At block 201, method 200 may include providing a cutting apparatus including a cutting device. In some embodiments, the cutting device may be a stamping blade or other suitable component capable of penetrating the epoxy resin coating or layer of MOV 112.

[0028] At block 202, method 200 may include mounting a rotatable platform near a cutting device, wherein a plurality of MOVs are coupled to the rotatable platform. In some embodiments, the rotatable platform may be circular, and the MOVs may be coupled to the rotatable platform via corresponding base modules. In some embodiments, the rotatable platform and the cutting device may be coupled to a support structure.

[0029] At block 203, method 200 may include rotating the platform and biasing the cutting device toward the platform to act on the coating on each of the plurality of MOVs. More specifically, the cutting device may form an opening in the coating on each of the plurality of MOVs without damaging the disk located directly beneath the coating. In some embodiments, the cutting device is biased in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the top surface of the platform. In some embodiments, the plurality of MOVs are heated before forming an opening in the coating on each of the plurality of MOVs.

[0030] As used herein, elements or steps described in the singular and referred to by the words “a” or “an” are understood to not exclude multiple elements or steps unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, reference to “one embodiment” in this disclosure is not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the described features.

[0031] The use of the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and their variations herein, means to encompass the items listed thereafter and their equivalents, as well as any additional items. Therefore, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and their variations, are open-ended expressions and can be used interchangeably herein.

[0032] The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and / or” used in this article are open-ended expressions and function as both conjunctions and antonymous conjunctions in practice. For example, “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and / or C” mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together.

[0033] References in all directions (e.g., proximal, distal, above, below, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, rear, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are for identification purposes only to aid the reader's understanding of this disclosure. The references in these directions do not create any limitation, particularly regarding the location, orientation, or use of this disclosure. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and combined) should be interpreted broadly unless otherwise stated and may include intermediate links between elements and relative movement between elements. Similarly, connection references do not imply that two elements are directly connected and fixed to each other.

[0034] Furthermore, the designations (e.g., primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth, etc.) are not intended to suggest importance or priority, but are used to distinguish one feature from another. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes, and the dimensions, positions, order, and relative sizes reflected in the drawings may vary.

[0035] Furthermore, the terms "substantially" or "approximately" and the terms "approximately" or "probably" may be used interchangeably in some embodiments and can be described using any relative measurement acceptable to those skilled in the art. For example, these terms can be used as comparisons with reference parameters to indicate the error in providing the intended function. While not limiting, the error with reference parameters can be, for example, less than 1%, less than 3%, less than 5%, less than 10%, less than 15%, less than 20%, etc.

[0036] Although certain embodiments of this disclosure have been described herein, this disclosure is not limited thereto, as it is as broad as will be permitted in the art, and the specification can be read in the same manner. Therefore, the foregoing description should not be construed as limiting. Rather, it is merely an example of specific embodiments. Other modifications will be anticipated by those skilled in the art within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An assembly for creating an opening through the insulating coating of a metal oxide rheostat (MOV), comprising: Cutting equipment, including cutting devices; A rotatable platform is located adjacent to the cutting equipment; as well as A plurality of MOVs, wherein the cutting device is biased toward the rotatable platform to form an opening in the insulating coating formed on each of the plurality of MOVs. The rotatable platform includes multiple base modules coupled to its top surface. These base modules are arranged in a circular pattern around the center of the rotatable platform, and each base module is capable of supporting one MOV (Multi-Active Vehicle). In use, the rotatable platform is sequentially rotated to a position where each of the plurality of MOVs is located below the cutting device, so that the opening can be formed only through the insulating coating.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cutting device is a stamped blade, and wherein the cutting device is biased in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the top surface of the rotatable platform.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable platform and the cutting device are coupled to the support structure.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cutting device includes a base plate, and wherein the cutting device is coupled to the base plate.

5. The assembly according to claim 4 further includes one or more springs coupled to the base plate.

6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the cutting device comprises a column and a base, wherein the column includes a free end having one or more edges operable to act on the insulating coating of the MOV, and wherein the base is coupled to the base plate.

7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the free end of the column has a rectangular cross-section.

8. A method for creating an opening through an insulating coating of a metal oxide rheostat (MOV), comprising: A cutting device is provided, the cutting device including a cutting apparatus; The rotatable platform is installed near the cutting equipment; as well as The rotatable platform is rotated, and the cutting device is biased toward the rotatable platform to act on the insulating coating on each of the plurality of MOVs. The rotatable platform includes multiple base modules coupled to its top surface. These base modules are arranged in a circular pattern around the center of the rotatable platform, and each base module is capable of supporting one MOV (Multi-Active Vehicle). In use, the rotatable platform is sequentially rotated to a position where each of the plurality of MOVs is located below the cutting device, so that an opening can be formed only through the insulating coating.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising heating the plurality of MOVs before forming the opening in the insulating coating on each of the plurality of MOVs.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising coupling the rotatable platform and the cutting device to a support structure.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising biasing the cutting device in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the top surface of the rotatable platform.

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