Fusible cut-out

Abstract

The present invention provides a fuse having improved arc extinguishing performance while preventing an increase in the overall length of the fuse element. The fuse 500 includes a fuse element 100 including at least one fuse portion 120 between terminal portions 110 on both sides. The fuse element 100 includes a recessed curved portion 130 adjacent to the position of the fuse portion 120. An arc extinguishing material 140 is fixed in the recessed portion 131 of the curved portion 130.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fuse primarily used in automotive circuits and the like. Background Technology

[0002] Fuses are commonly used to protect circuits installed in vehicles and other similar devices, as well as various electrical equipment connected to those circuits. More specifically, in the event of an accidental overcurrent flowing through a circuit, the fusible portion of the fuse element melts due to the heat generated by the overcurrent, thus protecting various electrical devices from excessive current flowing through them.

[0003] Depending on the application, there are many types of fuses. However, in order to avoid the generation of an electric arc between the terminals on both sides after the fuse melts, a device is needed, such as increasing the distance between the terminals. The problem is that the total length of the fuse element increases. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Technical issues Therefore, the present invention provides a fuse that improves arc extinguishing performance while preventing an increase in the total length of the fusible element.

[0005] Solution to the problem The fuse according to the present invention is a fuse including a fusible element, the fusible element comprising at least one fusible portion between terminal portions on both sides. The fusible element includes a recessed bend adjacent to the fusible portion. An arc-extinguishing material is fixed in the recess of the bend.

[0006] Based on the above characteristics, the energy of the electric arc generated during the melting of the fused portion is absorbed by the concave portion of the bent portion. The arc-extinguishing material is consumed effectively, improving arc-extinguishing performance. Therefore, the distance between terminals can be shortened, and the overall length of the fusible element can be prevented from increasing.

[0007] Furthermore, in the fuse according to the invention, the arc-extinguishing material can be fixed only to the bend closest to the corresponding terminal portion.

[0008] Based on the above characteristics, the arc-extinguishing material is fixed only to the curved portion of the terminal closest to both sides, so that the arc-extinguishing performance can be maintained. At the same time, the number of locations where the arc-extinguishing material is installed can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the fuse can be reduced.

[0009] Furthermore, in the fuse according to the invention, the arc-extinguishing material may be silicone.

[0010] Based on the above characteristics, the fuse has high arc-extinguishing performance.

[0011] Beneficial effects of the invention As described above, the fuse according to the present invention can improve arc extinguishing performance while preventing an increase in the total length of the fuse element. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1(a) is an overall perspective view of the fuse element housed in the fuse according to the present invention; Figure 1(b) is an overall perspective view of the fuse. Figure 2(a) is a plan view of the fuse; Figure 2(b) is a side view of the fuse; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view along line AA shown in Figure 2(a); Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view along the BB line shown in Figure 2(b).

[0013] Reference Symbol List 100 Fuse Components 110 Terminal Section 120 Fuse Section 130 bend 131 recess 140 Arc-quenching material 500 Fuse Detailed Implementation Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is important to note that the shape, material, etc., of each component of the fuse in the embodiments described below are merely examples and not limiting. It is also important to note that the "vertical direction" described in this specification is a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the fuse element.

[0014] Figure 1(a) is an overall perspective view of the fuse element 100 housed in the fuse 500 according to the present invention. Figure 1(b) is an overall perspective view of the fuse 500. Furthermore, Figure 2(a) is a plan view of the fuse 500. Figure 2(b) is a side view of the fuse 500. Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view along line AA shown in Figure 2(a). Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view along the BB line shown in Figure 2(b).

[0015] As shown in Figure 1(a), the fuse element 100 is formed from a thin conductive plate made of copper or other alloy, and includes a pair of terminal portions 110, a plurality of fuse portions 120 located between the terminal portions 110, and a bent portion 130 adjacent to the fuse portions 120. The fuse portion 120 includes a narrow portion 122, which is part of the fuse element 100, having a narrower width and a small hole 121, further narrowing the width. When an accidental overcurrent flows through a circuit, the narrow portion 122 heats up and melts, causing the fuse portion 120 to interrupt the overcurrent.

[0016] Furthermore, the bent portion 130 is formed by bending a portion of the fusible element 100 into a downwardly recessed shape and includes a recess 131. A fusible portion 120 is provided for the flat body portion 101 of the fusible element 100. The recess 131 of the bent portion 130 is recessed downward from the body portion 101.

[0017] As described above, the fusible element 100 includes a plurality of fusing portions 120 and a plurality of bent portions 130 at positions adjacent to the fusing portions 120 on a straight-extending main body 101. The fusing portions 120 are connected in series. Furthermore, the bent portions 130 extend across the main body 101 in the width direction between the fusing portions 120. The fusing portions 120 and the bent portions 130 are arranged alternately. Additionally, the fusible element 100 is provided with six fusing portions 120 and five bent portions 130. It is worth noting that the fusible element 100 is provided with, but is not limited to, six fusing portions 120. Any number of fusing portions 120 can be provided, such as one fusing portion 120 or two or more fusing portions 120.

[0018] It is worth noting that the shape of the fuse element 100 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1(a), and can have any shape, as long as the fuse element 100 includes fuse portions 120 connected in series and bent portions 130 at positions adjacent to the fuse portions 120. Furthermore, any number of fuse portions 120 and bent portions 130 can be provided. Moreover, the fuse portion 120 is not limited to the narrow portion 122 shown in FIG. 1(a), but can be arbitrarily configured, such as a fuse portion formed by locally thinning the thickness of the fuse element 100, as long as the fuse portion can heat up and melt when an unexpected overcurrent flows through the circuit.

[0019] Furthermore, the arc-extinguishing material 140 is fixed to the surface of the main body 101 between the terminal portion 110 and the fusible portion 120. Additionally, the arc-extinguishing material 140 is fixed in the recess 131 of the bent portion 130. This arc-extinguishing material 140 is an organosilicon (including polymers with a siloxane bond backbone composed of silicon and oxygen and including organic groups mainly composed of methyl (-CH3) bonded to silicon (Si)) coated and fixed to the surface of the recess 131. Since the arc-extinguishing material 140 is solid, it maintains close contact with the surface of the recess 131 and does not move away from it. The arc-extinguishing material 140 has high density and high arc-extinguishing performance. Notably, because the arc-extinguishing material is composed of organosilicon, the arc-extinguishing material 140 has high arc-extinguishing performance, and because the arc-extinguishing material 140 is an insulator, it can prevent carbonization caused by short-circuit current. Furthermore, the arc-extinguishing material 140 is composed of organosilicon, but is not limited to organosilicon. The arc-extinguishing material 140 can be formed from any material, as long as it is a solid material that can be fixed in the recess 131 and has an arc-extinguishing function.

[0020] Furthermore, when the fusible element 100 is housed in the receiving space 201 inside the insulating housing 200, the receiving space 201 may optionally be filled with an arc-extinguishing material 202. A granular material made of silica sand (SiO2) or similar materials may be used as the arc-extinguishing material 202. Moreover, since the arc-extinguishing material 140 is solid, it is a component with a density higher than that of the arc-extinguishing material 202. Because the arc-extinguishing material 140 has a higher density than the arc-extinguishing material 202, it can more effectively eliminate the generated arc, as described later. However, the receiving space 201 may optionally be filled with the arc-extinguishing material 202, so that the arc-extinguishing material 202 present around the fusible portion 120 extinguishes the arc, and further improves the arc-extinguishing performance. It is worth noting that although the entire receiving space 201 is filled with the arc-extinguishing material 202, only a portion of the arc-extinguishing material 202 is shown in the figure.

[0021] Furthermore, regarding the fuse 500, when the fuse element 100 is housed in the housing 200, the terminal portion 110 of the fuse element 100 is connected and secured to a connection terminal 300 made of a conductive metal such as copper or a copper alloy. The fuse 500 is used to connect the connection terminal 300 to a circuit installed in a vehicle, etc. When an accidental overcurrent flows through the circuit, the fusing portion 120 in the fuse 500 heats up and melts to cut off the circuit.

[0022] Here, when the fuse 120 heats up and melts, high voltage is applied to the terminals 110 connected to both sides of the circuit. Therefore, an arc may be generated in the remaining unmelted portion of the main body 101 surrounding the fuse 120 due to a short-circuit current. However, since the bend 130 is located adjacent to the fuse 120, the arc I is guided to travel along the bend 130, as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown. Energy is consumed by the bend 130, which increases the physical distance, and further, the energy of arc I is effectively consumed by the arc-extinguishing material 140 in the recess 131 of the bend 130, and the arc is effectively extinguished. It is worth noting that since the bend 130 is formed by bending a portion of the fusible element 100, the bend 130 is a conductor and easily guides arc I.

[0023] On the other hand, in related technologies, to avoid arcing between the terminals on both sides after the fuse portion melts, a device such as increasing the distance between the terminals is required, and the total length of the fuse element increases. However, in the present invention, since the bend 130 is provided at a position adjacent to the fuse portion 120, and the arc-extinguishing material 140 is fixed in the recess 131 of the bend 130, the energy of the arc I during the melting of the fuse portion 120 is effectively consumed, and the arc-extinguishing performance is improved. Therefore, for the fuse 500 of the present invention, the distance between the terminals 110 on both sides can be shortened, and the total length of the fuse element 100 can be prevented from increasing. Furthermore, even when the fuse 500 includes multiple fuse portions 120, the space between the fuse portions 120 may be narrowed because the bend 130 can effectively eliminate the arc and prevent the total length of the fuse element 100 from increasing.

[0024] Furthermore, the arc-extinguishing material 140 is fixed and contained only in the recess 131 of the bend 130. That is, a portion of the arc-extinguishing material 140 will not overflow from the recess 131 and reach the main body 101. Therefore, the arc I is reliably guided to meander along the bend 130, and the energy is effectively consumed by the arc-extinguishing material 140 in the recess 131 of the bend 130. If a portion of the arc-extinguishing material 140 overflows from the recess 131 and protrudes into the main body 101, the arc-extinguishing material 140 overflowing from the recess 131 will be carbonized by heat during the melting of the melting portion 120 provided on the main body 101 and during arc extinguishing. As a result, it is possible that between the two sides of the main body 101 where the bend 130 is located, the arc I flows in a straight line via the carbonized portion of the arc-extinguishing material 140 with the shortest distance and will not detour to the bend 130.

[0025] Furthermore, the arc-extinguishing material 140 is fixed to each of the two bends 130 on both sides of the fusible element 100, but is not limited thereto. The arc-extinguishing material 140 can be fixed to any one of the bends 130, such as fixing the arc-extinguishing material 140 to only one of a plurality of bends 130, or fixing the arc-extinguishing material 140 to all bends 130. For example, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, when the arc-extinguishing materials 140 and 140' are fixed to two adjacent bends 130, the arc-extinguishing materials 140 and 140' are separated from each other and physically independent. If the arc-extinguishing materials 140 and 140' were physically continuous to straddle the melting section 120, the physically continuous arc-extinguishing materials 140 and 140' would be carbonized by the heat during the melting period of the melting section 120 and the arc-extinguishing period. Therefore, the arc-extinguishing materials 140 and 140' are separated from each other and physically independent to prevent carbonization.

[0026] In addition, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, when three or more bends 130 are adjacent to the fusion section 120, the arc-extinguishing material 140 may not be fixed to the bends 130 located between the bends 130 to which the arc-extinguishing material 140 is fixed. Figure 3 The recess 131 of the bent portion 130a). Even if the fusible portion 120 adjacent to the bent portion 130a melts, the arc-extinguishing material 140 is fixed to the bent portion 130, which is also present between the fusible portion 120 and the terminal portion 110. Therefore, the energy is consumed by the arc-extinguishing material 140 of the bent portion 130, and the arc is extinguished.

[0027] It is worth noting that in the fuse 500, if the fuse portion 120 to be melted can be specified in advance, the location where an arc will be generated can also be specified, and the arc-extinguishing material 140 can be optimally arranged in a specific bend 130. However, depending on the state of the circuit connected to the fuse 500, it is impossible to determine which fuse portion 120 will melt, and therefore it is impossible to specify the location where an arc will be generated. Therefore, it is also difficult to optimally arrange the arc-extinguishing material 140.

[0028] Therefore, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the arc-extinguishing material 140 can be fixed only to the bends 130b and 130c of the terminal portions 110 closest to both sides (that is, the arc-extinguishing material 140 is not fixed to the bends 130 except for the bends 130b and 130c). Even if the fuse 120 melts and an arc is generated at any position between the terminal portions 110 on both sides, the arc generated between the terminal portions 110 on both sides is effectively eliminated by the arc-extinguishing material 140 of the two bends (130b and 130c) on both sides, because the two bends (130b and 130c) to which the arc-extinguishing material 140 is fixed exist between the terminal portions 110 on both sides. For example, even if the fusible portion 120 (i.e., the fusible portion 120 near the approximate center of the fusible element 100) of the terminal portion 110 far from both sides melts, the arc traveling toward the terminal portion 110 is effectively extinguished by the arc-extinguishing material 140 at the multiple bends (130b and 130c) before reaching the terminal portion 110. Therefore, the arc-extinguishing material 140 may not be provided for the bends 130 near the fusible portions 120 far from both sides of the terminal portion 110. As described above, the arc-extinguishing material 140 is fixed only to the bends (130b and 130c) of the terminal portion 110 closest to both sides, so that the arc-extinguishing performance is maintained, while the number of locations where the arc-extinguishing material 140 is installed can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the fuse 500 can be reduced.

[0029] It is worth noting that the arc-extinguishing material 140 may also be optionally fixed to the main body portion 101 located between the terminal portion 110 and the fusible portion 120 adjacent to the terminal portion 110, so that the arc can be effectively extinguished even if an arc is generated near the terminal portion 110. Furthermore, although the curved portion 130 is recessed downward from the fusible portion 120 of the main body portion 101, the curved portion 130 is not limited to this and may also be recessed upward from the fusible portion 120 of the main body portion 101. Furthermore, although the arc-extinguishing material 140 is fixed to the entire recess 131 of the curved portion 130 in the width direction, the arc-extinguishing material is not limited to this and may also be partially fixed to the recess 131. Furthermore, although the curved portion 130 is curved into a semi-circle in the side view, the curved portion 130 is not limited to this and may also be curved into any shape in the side view, such as a roughly triangular or quadrilateral shape, as long as the shape is recessed to form the recess 131.

[0030] It is worth noting that the fuse of the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, but can be modified and combined in various ways within the scope of the claims and the embodiments, and these modifications and combinations are also included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A fuse, comprising a fusible element, said fusible element including at least two or more fusible portions between terminal portions on both sides; wherein, The fusible element includes at least three or more recessed bends, each bend being located adjacent to the fusible portion; as well as The arc-extinguishing material is fixed in the recess of the bend by applying it only to the surface of the recess.

2. The fuse according to claim 1, wherein, The arc-extinguishing material fixed in the recess of the curved portion is only fixed and contained in the recess, and will not overflow the recess to reach the flat body of the fuse element.

3. The fuse according to claim 1, wherein, The arc-extinguishing material is fixed only to the curved portion closest to the corresponding terminal.

4. The fuse according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The arc-quenching material is organosilicon.

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