Electrical Circuit Breaker

Abstract

To provide an electric circuit breaker device that can easily interrupt an electric circuit while suppressing an increase in power of a power source even when the number of parts to be cut (fuse elements) increases.SOLUTION: An electric circuit breaker device 900 including a storage portion 200, external connection terminals 910 on both sides, a fuse element 100 housed in the storage portion 200, and an arc-extinguishing material 290, includes: a power mechanism 500 configured to apply tensile force to an end 110 of the fuse element 100 to cause the fuse element 100 to be separated; and an electrical connection maintenance structure that maintains electrical connection between the fuse element 100 and the external connection terminal 910 until the fuse element 100 is separated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric circuit interruption device that can be used mainly in electric circuits of automobiles and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electrical circuit interruption devices have been used to protect electrical circuits mounted on automobiles and various electrical equipment connected to the electrical circuits. More specifically, when an abnormality occurs in the electrical circuit, the electrical circuit interruption device cuts off a part of the electrical circuit to physically interrupt the electrical circuit.

[0003] There are various types of electrical circuit interruption devices. For example, the electrical circuit interruption device of Patent Document 1 is an electrical circuit interruption device comprising a housing, a cut part (fuse element) that is arranged within the housing and forms part of an electrical circuit, a power source arranged on a first end side of the housing, and a movable body that moves within the housing between the first end and a second end opposite the first end, and as the movable body is moved from the first end towards the second end by the power source, a part of the movable body cuts the cut part to interrupt the electrical circuit.

[0004] Incidentally, in recent years, the voltage and current applied to electric circuits have tended to increase due to the high performance of automobiles and the like, and accordingly, multiple cut parts (fuse elements) may be used accordingly. However, since the moving body must cut multiple cut parts (fuse elements), the number of cut parts increases and the area of ​​the arc-extinguishing material housed inside that must be sheared increases. This requires an increase in the power required for the moving body to cut the cut parts, and as a result, the strength of the housing needs to be further improved so that it can withstand the increased power (such as the explosive force of gunpowder). In addition, this causes a problem that the housing becomes larger, leading to an increase in the size and price of the electric circuit breaker. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent application 2020-080298 DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an electrical circuit breaking device that can easily break an electrical circuit while preventing the power of the power source from increasing, even if the device can accommodate an increase in the number of parts to be cut (fuse elements). [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The electrical circuit breaking device of the present invention is an electrical circuit breaking device comprising a housing portion, external connection terminals on both sides, a fuse element housed in the housing portion, and an arc-extinguishing material, and is characterized in that it comprises a power mechanism configured to apply a tensile force to an end of the fuse element to cause the fuse element to break, and an electrical connection maintaining structure that maintains an electrical connection between the fuse element and the external connection terminals until the fuse element is broken.

[0008] According to the above features, since the fuse element is cut by applying a tensile force to the fuse element, and the electric circuit is interrupted, there is no need to shear the arc-extinguishing material together with the fuse element as in the conventional electric circuit interrupter. Even if a plurality of fuse elements are provided, the force for cutting the fuse element only increases, and the area of ​​the arc-extinguishing material to be sheared does not increase as in the conventional electric circuit interrupter. Therefore, the power of the power mechanism for generating the tensile force can be reduced compared to the conventional electric circuit interrupter. As a result, the electric circuit interrupter of the present invention can easily interrupt the electric circuit while preventing the power source from increasing, even if it is possible to accommodate an increase in the number of parts to be cut (fuse elements).

[0009] Furthermore, the electric connection maintaining structure allows the current flowing through the electric circuit to flow stably until the end of the fuse element begins to move and the arc generated by the breaking of the fuse element is extinguished.

[0010] The electrical circuit interruption device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a movable part connected to an end of the fuse element, the movable part being moved by a power mechanism, and the moved movable part applies a tensile force to the end of the fuse element to cut off the fuse element.

[0011] According to the above feature, power can be efficiently transmitted to the end of the fuse element by the movable part, and the fuse element can be efficiently cut off.

[0012] The electrical circuit breaker of the present invention is characterized in that the power mechanism includes a power source and a moving body that moves by power generated by the power source, and the moving body moves the movable part.

[0013] According to the above feature, the moving body can efficiently transmit power to the movable part, and the fuse element can efficiently be cut off.

[0014] The electrical circuit breaking device of the present invention is characterized in that before the moving body moves, the moving body is separated from the movable part, and after the moving body starts to move, the moving body abuts against the movable part, causing the movable part to move.

[0015] According to the above feature, the moving body can accelerate by utilizing the gap, and at the moment when the moving body abuts on the movable part, the moving body is in a state where it has sufficiently accelerated from its initial speed to near its maximum speed. Then, the sufficiently accelerated moving body can instantaneously move the movable part to the side, so that the fuse element connected to the movable part is also instantaneously disconnected, and the electric circuit can be interrupted more quickly.

[0016] The electrical circuit interruption device of the present invention is characterized in that the electrical connection maintenance structure includes opposing clamping plates, and the movable part includes a sliding part that is clamped on both sides by the clamping plates and remains electrically connected and can move between the clamping plates.

[0017] According to the above features, the electric current flowing through the electric circuit can flow reliably and stably via the clamping plate by the electrical connection maintaining structure until the end of the fuse element begins to move and the arc generated by the breaking of the fuse element is extinguished.

[0018] The electrical circuit breaking device of the present invention is characterized in that the sliding portion comprises a conductive portion electrically connectable to the clamping plates and an insulating portion adjacent to the conductive portion, and before the movable portion moves, the conductive portion is positioned between the clamping plates, and after the movable portion moves, the insulating portion is positioned between the clamping plates.

[0019] According to the above-mentioned features, an overcurrent (fault current) flowing from the external connection terminal and the clamping plate is blocked by the insulating portion, so that the arc that occurs immediately after the fuse element is cut can be quickly extinguished.

[0020] The electrical circuit breaker of the present invention is characterized in that the electrical connection maintaining structure is composed of a plastically deformable conductor, and the conductor is connected to the external connection terminal and the movable part.

[0021] According to the above feature, the electric current flowing through the electric circuit can flow reliably and stably due to the electrical connection maintaining structure made of a plastically deformable conductor until the end of the fuse element begins to move and the arc generated by the breaking of the fuse element is extinguished.

[0022] The electrical circuit interruption device of the present invention is characterized in that the accommodating section accommodates a tightening section for tightening the arc-extinguishing material, and the power mechanism causes the tightening section to move toward the periphery of the disconnected point of the fuse element, thereby tightening the arc-extinguishing material.

[0023] According to the above feature, when the fuse element is cut off to cut off an overcurrent, the arc that occurs around the cut point can be effectively extinguished by the arc-extinguishing material that is re-compacted by the fastening portion.

[0024] The electric circuit breaker of the present invention is characterized in that the fuse element has a narrow portion and a pulling auxiliary portion that concentrates the pulling force on the narrow portion to break it.

[0025] According to the above feature, the pulling auxiliary portion can limit the separation location to any narrow portion as designed, and the arc generated at the time of separation can be efficiently extinguished. Effect of the Invention

[0026] As described above, the electrical circuit breaker of the present invention can easily break an electrical circuit while preventing the power of the power source from increasing even if the number of parts to be cut (fuse elements) is increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall perspective view of an electrical circuit breaker according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electrical circuit interruption device. [Diagram 3] 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a plan view showing a state in which a moving body has moved from the state shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Diagram 5] 3(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the fuse element is separated from the state shown in FIG. 3(a), and FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the moving body has moved from the state shown in FIG. 3(b). [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an overall exploded perspective view showing a power mechanism and an electrical connection maintaining structure of an electrical circuit breaker device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electrical circuit interruption device. [Figure 8] 7(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 7, and FIG. [Figure 9] 8 is a plan view showing a state in which a moving body has moved from the state shown in FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 10] 8(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the fuse element is separated from the state shown in FIG. 8(a), and FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the moving body has moved from the state shown in FIG. 8(b). [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an overall exploded perspective view showing an electrical circuit breaker according to the present invention in accordance with a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electrical circuit interruption device in an assembled state. [Figure 13] 12, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 12, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a plan view showing a state in which a moving body has moved from the state shown in FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 15] 13(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the fuse element is separated from the state shown in FIG. 13(a), and FIG. 13(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the moving body has moved from the state shown in FIG. 13(b). [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a plan view of an electrical circuit breaker according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of an electromagnetic coil tripping device of a power mechanism. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a power mechanism and a moving body of the electrical circuit breaker device. [Figure 19] 17 is a plan view showing the movable body having been moved from the state shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is an overall perspective view of an electrical circuit breaker according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line G-G of Figure 20. [Figure 22] 22 is a plan view showing a state in which a moving body has moved from the state shown in FIG. 21. FIG. [Figure 23] 23 is a plan view showing a state where the moving body has moved further from the state shown in FIG. 22. FIG. [Figure 24] 6(a) is a side view of a fuse element of the present invention relating to embodiment 6, (b) is a side view of a fuse element of the present invention relating to embodiment 7, and (c) is a side view of a fuse element of the present invention relating to embodiment 8. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a plan view of an electrical circuit breaker according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] 26 is a plan view showing a state in which a moving body has moved from the state shown in FIG. 25. FIG. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 100 Fuse Element 110 End 200 Storage Unit 290 Arc-extinguishing material 300 Moving part 3 900 Electrical Circuit Breaker 910 External connection terminal F Tensile force DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the shapes, materials, etc. of each member of the electrical circuit breaker device in the embodiments described below are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting.

[0030] <Embodiment 1> First, an electrical circuit interrupting device 900 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900, Fig. 3(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 2, and Fig. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 2.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, an electric circuit interruption device 900 includes external connection terminals 910 on both sides for electrically connecting to an external electric circuit. The electric circuit interruption device 900 includes a plurality of fuse elements 100 electrically connected to the external connection terminals 910 on both sides. Each fuse element 100 is formed from a single thin metal plate made of a metal conductor such as copper, and includes end portions 110 on both sides and a fusing portion 120 located between the end portions 110. As shown in Fig. 3(a), the fusing portion 120 is formed by opening a plurality of small holes 121 in a part of the fuse element 100 whose width is narrowed, and when an unintended overcurrent flows in an electric circuit or the like, the fusing portion 120 generates heat and melts to interrupt the overcurrent.

[0032] Further, two of each fuse element 100 are accommodated in each accommodation section 200. The accommodation section 200 has a cylindrical shape with openings 210 at both ends, and can be made of various materials such as ceramics and synthetic resins. Each fuse element 100 is accommodated inside the accommodation section 200, and the inside of the accommodation section 200 is filled with granular arc-extinguishing material 290. Note that the inside of the accommodation section 200 is filled with the granular arc-extinguishing material 290 without any gaps, but in the drawing, only a part of the arc-extinguishing material 290 is shown for ease of viewing.

[0033] Moreover, one opening 210 (left side in the drawing) of the accommodating section 200 is closed by a cap 920 which is a part of the external connection terminal 910. This cap 920 and the end 110 of the fuse element 100 are connected and fixed to each other. Furthermore, the end 110 of the fuse element 100 and the cap 920 of the external connection terminal 910 are electrically connected. On the other hand, the other opening 210 (right side in the drawing) of the accommodating section 200 is closed by an inner cap 930 which is a part of the external connection terminal 910. And, the end 110 of the fuse element 100 passes through an insertion hole 931 provided in the inner cap 930 and protrudes to the outside of the inner cap 930. The end 110 of the fuse element 100 is not connected and fixed to the insertion hole 931 of the inner cap 930, and the end 110 of the fuse element 100 can slide relative to the insertion hole 931 as described later.

[0034] In addition, a metallic outer cap 940 is fitted to the outside of the inner cap 930. This outer cap 940 is configured to be slidable to the side while being fitted to the outside of the inner cap 930, and even when sliding, the outer cap 940 and the inner cap 930 are in a state of being electrically connected to each other at their contact surfaces. The inner cap 930 and the outer cap 940 form an electrical connection maintaining structure that maintains the electrical connection between the fuse element 100 and the external connection terminal 910. In addition, the end 110 of the fuse element 100 passes through an insertion hole 941 provided in the outer cap 940 and protrudes to the outside of the outer cap 940. The end 110 of the fuse element 100 is connected and fixed to the insertion hole 941 of the outer cap 940, and is also electrically connected.

[0035] The end 110 of the fuse element 100 protruding outward from the outer cap 940 is connected and fixed to the movable part 300. This movable part 300 is a long metal plate material, and is electrically connected to the end 110 of each fuse element 100. The movable part 300 and the outer cap 940 are also connected and fixed, and are electrically connected to each other. When this movable part 300 moves laterally, the end 110 of each fuse element 100 and the outer cap 940 also move laterally together.

[0036] Next, the configuration of the power mechanism 500 will be described. The power mechanism 500 is a substantially cylindrical body formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and includes a storage section 510 capable of storing a moving body 600 therein, and a power source 501 is provided on a first end 511 side of the storage section 510. An insertion hole 502 is provided on a second end 512 side of the storage section 510, and a protruding section 610 of the moving body 600 is inserted through the insertion hole 502. The moving body 600 is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and includes a sliding section 620 that slides while abutting against the inner surface of the storage section 510, and a protruding section 610 that protrudes laterally from the sliding section 620. A recessed section 621 is provided in the sliding section 620, and is provided so as to face the power source 501. As will be described in more detail later, a power such as air pressure generated from a power source 501 is transmitted to the moving body 600, and the moving body 600 is configured to move within the accommodation section 510 from a first end 511 to a second end 512.

[0037] The electric circuit breaker 900 is attached to an electric circuit to be protected and used. Specifically, the external connection terminals 910 on both sides of the electric circuit breaker 900 are connected to a part of the electric circuit. Normally, the current I flowing from the electric circuit flows from the inner cap 930 of the external connection terminal 910 to the outer cap 940. Since the inner cap 930 and the outer cap 940 are firmly electrically connected, the current I flows reliably from the external connection terminal 910 to the outer cap 940. Since the outer cap 940 and the end 110 of the fuse element 100 are fixed, the current I flows from the outer cap 940 to the end 110 of the fuse element 100. Furthermore, the current I flows from one end 110 (on the right side in the drawing) of the fuse element 100 to the other end 110 (on the left side in the drawing), and from the other end 110 through the cap 920 to the external connection terminal 910.

[0038] In this way, in normal operation, the current I flows through the electric circuit via the electric circuit interruption device 900. Note that, in normal operation, the power mechanism 500 is not operating and the moving body 600 is not moving. Therefore, the tip 611 of the protruding portion 610 of the moving body 600 is not in contact with the movable part 300 and is in a separated state. In addition, although a total of four fuse elements 100 are connected and fixed to the movable part 300 in Figs. 1 and 2, the present invention is not limited to this, and only one fuse element 100 may be connected and fixed to the movable part 300, or any number of fuse elements 100 greater than or equal to two may be connected and fixed to the movable part 300.

[0039] Here, for example, if a relatively high abnormal current flows in the electric circuit, the fusing portion 120 of the fuse element 100 of the electric circuit interruption device 900 heats up and melts quickly, so that the electric circuit can be interrupted immediately. On the other hand, for example, if a relatively low abnormal current flows in the electric circuit, it takes time for the fusing portion 120 of the fuse element 100 of the electric circuit interruption device 900 to heat up and melt, so that the electric circuit cannot be interrupted immediately, or the fusing portion 120 may not melt and the electric circuit cannot be interrupted.

[0040] In this case, an external monitoring device detects that a relatively low abnormal current has flowed, and inputs an abnormality signal to the power source 501 of the power mechanism 500 of the electric circuit breaker 900. When an abnormality signal is input from the external monitoring device, this power source 501, for example, explodes gunpowder inside the power source 501, and the air pressure caused by the explosion instantly pushes out and moves the moving body 600 within the housing part 510. Note that the power source 501 is not limited to a power source using gunpowder, and other known power sources may be used as long as they generate power to move the moving body 600. Also, although the external monitoring device detects that a relatively low abnormal current has flowed, and inputs an abnormality signal to the power source 501 of the power mechanism 500 of the electric circuit breaker 900, the present invention is not limited to this. Even if a relatively high abnormal current flows in the electric circuit, an external monitoring device may input an abnormality signal to the power mechanism 500 of the electric circuit interrupting device 900, in which case the fuse element 100 is further disconnected after the fusing portion 120 of the fuse element 100 of the electric circuit interrupting device 900 heats up and melts, so that the electric circuit can be interrupted more reliably and quickly. Also, the external monitoring device may input an abnormality signal to the power mechanism 500 of the electric circuit interrupting device 900 to disconnect the fuse element 100 not only when a relatively low abnormal current is detected, but also when a specific abnormal current to be interrupted flows.

[0041] Then, the gunpowder inside the power source 501 explodes, and the air pressure caused by the explosion is transmitted to the recessed portion 621 of the moving body 600. Then, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the moving body 600 is blown away by this air pressure from the first end portion 511 toward the second end portion 512, and moves instantly toward the second end portion 512 inside the storage portion 510. Note that Fig. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which the moving body 600 has moved from the state shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 5(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the fuse element 100 has been cut from the state shown in Fig. 3(a), and Fig. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the moving body 600 has moved from the state shown in Fig. 3(b).

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5(b), when the moving body 600 moves toward the second end 512, the tip 611 of the protruding portion 610 of the moving body 600 comes into contact with the movable portion 300. Then, the moving portion 300 is pressed by the moving body 600, and the entire moving portion 300 moves to the side. Then, since the ends 110 of the fuse element 100 are connected and fixed to the moving portion 300 on both sides of the moving portion 300, when the moving portion 300 moves to the side, the fuse element 100 connected to the moving portion 300 is pulled to the side. Then, the fuse element 100 is physically divided into left and right by this tensile force F, and the overcurrent I is cut off. As a result, even if a relatively low abnormal current flows, the electric circuit can be immediately cut off regardless of whether the fusing portion 120 is melted or not. In addition, since the tensile force F is concentrated on the fusion portion 120 where the width of the fuse element 100 is locally narrowed, the periphery of the fusion portion 120 is divided. In addition, the arc generated after the fuse element 100 is divided is effectively extinguished by the arc-extinguishing material 290.

[0043] In this way, according to the electric circuit breaker 900 of the present invention, since the fuse element 100 is cut by applying a tensile force to break the electric circuit, there is no need to shear the arc-extinguishing material 290 together with the fuse element 100. Therefore, compared to the case of cutting the cut-off portion and the arc-extinguishing material by a moving body as in the conventional electric circuit breaker, the force required to cut the fuse element 100 is small, and the power of the power mechanism that generates the tensile force can also be small. In particular, according to the electric circuit breaker 900 of the present invention, even if a plurality of fuse elements 100 are provided, the force to cut the fuse element 100 is only increased, and the area of ​​the arc-extinguishing material to be sheared is not increased as in the conventional electric circuit breaker, so the power of the power mechanism that generates the tensile force can be small compared to the conventional case. As a result, according to the electric circuit breaker 900 of the present invention, even if the cut-off portion (fuse element) can be increased, the power of the power source is prevented from increasing, and the electric circuit can be easily cut off.

[0044] In addition, when the fuse element 100 is pulled, the end 110 of the fuse element 100 slides in the insertion hole 931 of the inner cap 930 of the external connection terminal 910, so that the electrical connection between the fuse element 100 and the external connection terminal 910 is not stable. Furthermore, since the end 110 of the fuse element 100 is configured to be able to slide in the insertion hole 931 of the inner cap 930 of the external connection terminal 910, even before the fuse element 100 is pulled, the electrical connection between the end 110 of the fuse element 100 and the inner cap 930 of the external connection terminal 910 may not be stable.

[0045] However, as shown in Fig. 3(a), before the fuse element 100 is pulled, the outer cap 940 is firmly fitted to the outside of the inner cap 930 and firmly maintains a state of electrical and physical contact. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 5(b), even while the movable part 300 moves and the end 110 of the fuse element 100 slides, the outer cap 940 moves sideways together with the movable part 300, but the outer cap 940 and the inner cap 930 constituting the electrical connection maintaining structure firmly fit each other and maintain a state of electrical and physical contact. Therefore, until the end 110 of the fuse element 100 starts to move and the arc generated by the disconnection of the fuse element 100 is extinguished, the current I flows from the inner cap 930 of the external connection terminal 910 to the outer cap 940, and then flows to the fuse element 100 connected and fixed to the outer cap 940, and can flow stably in the electric circuit.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3(b), before the abnormal current flows and the power mechanism 500 operates, there is a gap X between the tip 611 of the moving body 600 and the movable part 300, and they are in a state of being separated from each other. Then, after the moving body 600 starts to move due to the power generated by the power source 501, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the tip 611 of the moving body 600 abuts against the movable part 300 to move the movable part 300. Therefore, the moving body 600 can accelerate by using the gap X, and at the moment when the moving body 600 abuts against the movable part 300, the moving body 600 is in a state of being sufficiently accelerated from the initial speed to near the maximum speed. Then, the sufficiently accelerated moving body 600 can instantly move the movable part 300 to the side, and the fuse element 100 connected to the movable part 300 is also instantly disconnected, and the electric circuit can be interrupted more quickly. In addition, before the power mechanism 500 operates, there is a gap X between the tip 611 of the moving body 600 and the movable part 300, and they are in a separated state, but this is not limited to the above. For example, even before the power mechanism 500 operates, there may be no gap X between the tip 611 of the moving body 600 and the movable part 300, and the tip 611 of the moving body 600 and the movable part 300 may be in contact with each other. By using the moving body 600, the power generated from the power source 501 can be efficiently transmitted to the movable part 300, and as a result, the fuse element 100 connected to the movable part 300 can be effectively and quickly cut off.

[0047] <Embodiment 2> Next, an electric circuit breaker 900A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 8. Fig. 6 is an overall perspective view showing an exploded view of the power mechanism 500A and the electric connection maintaining structure of the electric circuit breaker 900A, Fig. 7 is a plan view of the electric circuit breaker 900A, Fig. 8(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in Fig. 7, and Fig. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along D-D in Fig. 7. The configuration of the electric circuit breaker 900A according to the second embodiment is different from that of the electric circuit breaker 900 according to the first embodiment in that the configuration of the electric connection maintaining structure and the movable part 300A include a sliding part 310A. However, the other configurations are basically the same as those of the electric circuit breaker 900 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a description of the same configurations will be omitted.

[0048] The movable part 300A has a plate-shaped slide part 310A, and a protrusion 311A ​​of the slide part 310A fits into a fixing hole 301A of the movable part 300A, so that the slide part 310A is firmly connected and fixed to the movable part 300A. The slide part 310A also has a metallic conductive part 312A and an insulating part 313A, and the conductive part 312A and the insulating part 313A are connected in an adjacent state. The movable part 300A and the conductive part 312A of the slide part 310A are electrically connected, but the movable part 300A and the insulating part 313A are electrically insulated from each other.

[0049] A pair of clamping plates 950A are fixed to the external connection terminal 910A. The clamping plates 950A are made of metal and clamp the sliding portion 310A so as to be able to slide. The clamping plates 950A are electrically connected to the conductive portion 312A of the sliding portion 310A and the external connection terminal 910A. The clamping plates 950A form an electrical connection maintaining structure that maintains the electrical connection between the fuse element 100A and the external connection terminal 910A.

[0050] An outer cap 940A is fitted to the outside of the inner cap 930A, and the outer cap 940A is configured to be able to slide sideways while being fitted to the outside of the inner cap 930. Since the outer cap 940A is made of an insulating material, the inner cap 930A and the outer cap 940A are not electrically connected. However, an end 110A of the fuse element 100A protruding to the outside of the outer cap 940A is connected and fixed to the movable part 300A, and the fuse element 100A and the movable part 300A are electrically connected.

[0051] The electric circuit breaker 900A is attached to an electric circuit to be protected and used. Specifically, the external connection terminals 910A on both sides of the electric circuit breaker 900A are connected to a part of the electric circuit. Normally, the electric current IA flowing from the electric circuit flows from the external connection terminals 910A to the clamping plate 950A as shown in FIG. 8(b). The clamping plate 950A and the conductive part 312A of the sliding part 310A are electrically connected, and the conductive part 312A and the movable part 300A are also electrically connected, so that the electric current IA flows reliably from the clamping plate 950A to the movable part 300A via the conductive part 312A. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the movable part 300A and the end 110A of the fuse element 100A are fixed, so that the electric current IA flows from the movable part 300A to the end 110A of the fuse element 100A. Furthermore, the current IA flows from one end 110A of the fuse element 100A to the other end 110A, and then flows from the other end 110A to the external connection terminal 910A via the cap 920A.

[0052] In this way, the current IA flows through the electric circuit via the electric circuit interruption device 900A. Note that, under normal circumstances, the power mechanism 500A is not operating and the moving body 600A is not moving. Therefore, the tip 611A of the protruding part 610A of the moving body 600A is not in contact with the insulating part 313A of the sliding part 310A of the movable part 300A and is separated therefrom.

[0053] Next, a case where an external monitoring device detects the flow of an abnormal current and inputs an abnormality signal to the power source 501A of the power mechanism 500A of the electrical circuit breaker 900A will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the moving body 600A has moved from the state shown in Figure 7, Figure 10(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the fuse element 100A has been disconnected from the state shown in Figure 8(a), and Figure 10(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the moving body 600A has moved from the state shown in Figure 8(b).

[0054] As shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10(b), when the moving body 600A moves toward the second end 512A by the power of the power source 501A, the tip 611A of the protruding portion 610A of the moving body 600A abuts against the slide portion 310A of the movable part 300A. Then, the movable part 300A is pressed by the moving body 600A, and the entire movable part 300A moves sideways. When the movable part 300A moves sideways, the end 110A of the fuse element 100A connected to the movable part 300A is pulled sideways. Then, the fuse element 100A is physically separated into left and right by this tensile force FA, and the overcurrent IA is interrupted.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8, before the fuse element 100A is pulled, the clamping plate 950A firmly clamps the conductive portion 312A of the sliding portion 310A of the movable portion 300A, firmly maintaining the electrically connected state between the fuse element 100A and the external connection terminal 910A. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8 to Fig. 10, even while the movable portion 300A moves and the end portion 110A of the fuse element 100A slides, the clamping plate 950A constituting the electrical connection maintaining structure firmly clamps the conductive portion 312A of the sliding portion 310A of the movable portion 300A, firmly maintaining the electrically connected state between the fuse element 100A and the external connection terminal 910A. Therefore, until the end 110A of the fuse element 100A begins to move and the arc generated by the breaking of the fuse element 100A is extinguished, the current IA flows from the external connection terminal 910A through the clamping plate 950A and the movable part 300A to the fuse element 100A, and can flow reliably and stably through the electrical circuit.

[0056] 10(b), after the fuse element 100 is cut off, the insulating portion 313A of the sliding portion 310A is replaced by the conductive portion 312A and is positioned and clamped between the clamping plates 950A. Therefore, the overcurrent IA (fault current) flowing from the external connection terminal 910A and the clamping plates 950A is cut off by the insulating portion 313A, so that the arc that occurs immediately after the fuse element 100 is cut off can be quickly extinguished. Note that the sliding portion 310A includes the conductive portion 312A and the insulating portion 313A, but is not limited thereto, and the sliding portion 310A may not include the insulating portion 313A and may be entirely composed of the conductive portion 312A.

[0057] <Embodiment 3> Next, an electric circuit breaker 900B of the present invention according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11 to Fig. 13. Fig. 11 is an overall perspective view showing an exploded view of the electric circuit breaker 900B, Fig. 12 is a plan view of the electric circuit breaker 900B in an assembled state, Fig. 13(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of Fig. 12, and Fig. 13(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of Fig. 12. The configuration of the electric circuit breaker 900B according to the third embodiment differs from that of the electric circuit breaker 900 according to the first embodiment in that the configuration of the electric connection maintaining structure is different and that the accommodating section 200B and the power mechanism 500B are integrated, but other configurations are basically the same as those of the electric circuit breaker 900 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a description of the same configurations will be omitted.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 11, the electrical circuit interrupter 900B is composed of a lower housing 980B and an upper housing 990B, and can be assembled with the fuse element 100B and the moving body 600B housed therein by stacking the lower housing 980B and the upper housing 990B vertically and fixing them together. Specifically, the fuse element 100B is housed inside by the housing section 200B surrounded by the lower housing 980B and the upper housing 990B from above and below. In the power mechanism 500B, the power source 501B is fixed to the first end 511B side, and the moving body 600B is housed inside by the housing section 510B surrounded by the lower housing 980B and the upper housing 990B from above and below. In this way, in the electrical circuit interrupter 900B, the lower housing 980B and the upper housing 990B can be stacked vertically so that the accommodating section 200B and the power mechanism 500B can be assembled in an integrated state, making it easy to assemble the electrical circuit interrupter 900B.

[0059] Moreover, one external connection terminal 910B (on the left side in the drawing) has a connection plate 911B extending upward from the external connection terminal 910B, and the external connection terminal 910B is electrically connected to the connection plate 911B. The connection plate 911B of one external connection terminal 910B is electrically and physically connected and fixed to one end 110B of the fuse element 100B.

[0060] The other external connection terminal 910B (on the right side in the drawing) includes a metal conductor 970B. The conductor 970B includes a base end 971B fixed to the external connection terminal 910B, a curved plastic deformation portion 972B, and a tip end 973B connected and fixed to the movable portion 300B. The external connection terminal 910B and the conductor 970B are electrically connected, and the conductor 970B and the movable portion 300B are also electrically connected. Furthermore, the movable portion 300B is electrically and physically connected and fixed to the other end 110B of the fuse element 100B.

[0061] As described later, the plastic deformation portion 972B of the conductor portion 970B is a portion that can be plastically deformed when the movable portion 300B slides laterally. Therefore, the conductor portion 970B constitutes an electrical connection maintaining structure that maintains the electrical connection between the fuse element 100B and the external connection terminal 910B. Since the conductor portion 970B does not return to its original shape after plastic deformation, the movable portion 300B connected to the conductor portion 970B does not return to its original position before sliding.

[0062] The electric circuit breaker 900B is attached to an electric circuit to be protected and used. Specifically, the external connection terminals 910B on both sides of the electric circuit breaker 900B are connected to a part of the electric circuit. Normally, the current IB flowing from the electric circuit flows from the external connection terminals 910B to the conductor portion 970B as shown in FIG. 13(b). Since the conductor portion 970B and the movable portion 300B are electrically connected, the current IB flows reliably from the external connection terminals 910B to the movable portion 300B via the conductor portion 970B. Since the movable portion 300B and the end portion 110B of the fuse element 100B are fixed as shown in FIG. 13(a), the current IB flows from the movable portion 300B to the end portion 110B of the fuse element 100B. Then, the current IB flows from one end 110B of the fuse element 100B to the other end 110B, and then flows from the other end 110B to the external connection terminal 910B via the connection plate 911B.

[0063] In this way, the current IB flows through the electric circuit via the electric circuit breaker 900B. Note that, under normal circumstances, the power mechanism 500B is not operating and the moving body 600B is not moving. Therefore, the tip 611B of the protruding portion 610B of the moving body 600B is not in contact with the movable part 300B and is separated therefrom.

[0064] Next, a case where an external monitoring device detects the flow of an abnormal current and inputs an abnormality signal to the power source 501B of the power mechanism 500B of the electrical circuit breaker 900B will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 is a plan view showing a state in which the moving body 600B has moved from the state shown in Figure 12, Figure 15(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the fuse element 100B has been disconnected from the state shown in Figure 13(a), and Figure 15(b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the moving body 600B has moved from the state shown in Figure 13(b).

[0065] As shown in Figures 14 and 15(b), when the moving body 600B moves toward the second end 512B, the tip 611B of the protruding portion 610B of the moving body 600B comes into contact with the movable part 300B. The moving part 300B is then pressed by the moving body 600B, and the entire moving part 300B moves sideways. When the moving part 300B moves sideways, the end 110B of the fuse element 100B connected to the moving part 300B is pulled sideways. The fuse element 100B is then physically separated into left and right parts by this tensile force FB, thereby interrupting the overcurrent IB.

[0066] Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 13 to 15, while the movable part 300B moves and the end 110B of the fuse element 100B slides, the conductor part 970B constituting the electrical connection maintaining structure is plastically deformed, and the conductor part 970B maintains a state in which it is electrically and physically connected to the movable part 300B and the external connection terminal 910B. Therefore, until the end 110B of the fuse element 100B starts to move and the arc generated by the disconnection of the fuse element 100B is extinguished, the current IB flows from the external connection terminal 910B through the conductor part 970B and the movable part 300B to the fuse element 100B, and can flow stably in the electric circuit. Note that the conductor part 970B is in a plastically deformable form, but is not limited thereto. For example, the conductor part 970B may be made of any material as long as the conductor part 970B can be deformed so as to maintain the electrical connection between the external connection terminal 910B and the movable part 300B while the movable part 300B is moving.

[0067] <Embodiment 4> Next, an electrical circuit interrupting device 900C of the present invention according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 16 and Fig. 17. Fig. 16 is a plan view of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900C, Fig. 17 is an overall perspective view of an electromagnetic coil tripping device 800C of a power mechanism 500C, and Fig. 18 is an enlarged plan view of the power mechanism 500C and the moving body 600C of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900C. The configuration of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900C according to the fourth embodiment differs from that of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900B according to the third embodiment in the configurations of the power mechanism 500C and the moving body 600C, but the other configurations are basically the same as those of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900B according to the third embodiment, and therefore a description of the same configurations will be omitted.

[0068] The power mechanism 500C according to the fourth embodiment includes an electromagnetic coil tripping device 800C and a compression spring 540C instead of the power source 501B of the power mechanism 500B shown in the third embodiment. The electromagnetic coil tripping device 800C utilizes an existing principle that has been used conventionally, and the configuration of the electromagnetic coil tripping device 800C will be described in detail. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, the electromagnetic coil tripping device 800C includes a fixed core 810C, a coil 820C wound around the fixed core 810C, and an operating iron piece 830C. As shown in FIG. 16, one end 821C of the coil 820C is electrically connected to one external connection terminal 910C. The other end 822C of the coil 820C is electrically connected to the movable part 300C via a connector 960C.

[0069] 17 and 18, the operating iron piece 830C is supported on the base 801C by a rotating shaft 831C, and the operating iron piece 830C can rotate around the rotating shaft 831C. And, since an end 832C of the operating iron piece 830C is pulled by a tension spring 802C fixed to the base 801C, a tip 833C on the opposite side of the end 832C is spaced apart from the head 461C of the shaft 460C.

[0070] A shaft 460C is connected to the head 660C of the moving body 600C, and the shaft 460C is inserted through a through hole 551C of the first partition wall 550C of the storage section 510C and a through hole 561C of the second partition wall 560C. A compression spring 540C is fitted around the outer periphery of the shaft 460C, and the compression spring 540C is sandwiched between the first partition wall 550C and the head 660C of the moving body 600C and is in a compressed state. Therefore, a biasing force toward the second end 512C is applied to the moving body 600C by the compression spring 540C.

[0071] Further, the head 461C of the shaft 460C is engaged with a fixed plate 480C fixed to a second partition wall 560C of the housing section 510C. Specifically, the fixed plate 480C has a locking hole 481C narrower than the head 461C and an insertion hole 482C wider than the head 461C. The locking hole 481C and the insertion hole 482C are continuous, and as described below, the head 461C can be changed from a state in which the head 461C is engaged around the locking hole 481C to a state in which the head 461C moves to the insertion hole 482C and the head 461C passes downward through the insertion hole 482C and is released.

[0072] In addition, under normal circumstances, the electromagnetic coil tripping device 800C of the power mechanism 500C is not operating. Therefore, a force is applied to the moving body 600C by the compression spring 540C to bias the moving body 600C toward the second end 512C. However, since the head 461C of the shaft 460C fixed to the moving body 600C is engaged with the fixed plate 480C, the moving body 600C does not move toward the second end 512C. In addition, the tip 611C of the protruding portion 610C of the moving body 600C is not in contact with the movable part 300C and is separated therefrom.

[0073] Next, a manner in which the electrical circuit interruption device 900C interrupts an electrical circuit when an abnormality such as an overcurrent flows in the electrical circuit will be described with reference to Fig. 18 and Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a plan view in which the moving body 600C has moved from the state shown in Fig. 16.

[0074] An overcurrent flowing from the electric circuit to the external connection terminal 910C flows from the conductor 970C to the movable part 300C. Then, a part of the overcurrent flows from the movable part 300C to the coil 820C via the connector 960C. When the overcurrent flowing through the coil 820C exceeds a predetermined threshold, the magnetic field generated in the fixed iron core 810C attracts the operating iron piece 830C to the fixed iron core 810C. Since the attracting force at this time is stronger than the tensile force of the tension spring 802C, the operating iron piece 830C rotates toward the fixed iron core 810C around the rotating shaft 831C. Then, the tip 833C of the operating iron piece 830C abuts against the head 461C of the shaft 460C, moving the head 461C from the locking hole 481C to the insertion hole 482C.

[0075] When head 461C of shaft 460C is pulled out from insertion hole 482C toward through hole 561C, shaft 460C is disengaged from fixed plate 480C. Then, as shown in FIG 19, a force biasing movable body 600C toward second end 512C is applied by compression spring 540C, so that movable body 600C moves toward second end 512C.

[0076] When the moving body 600C moves toward the second end 512C, the tip 611C of the protruding portion 610C of the moving body 600C comes into contact with the movable part 300C. Then, the moving part 300C is pressed by the moving body 600C, and the entire moving part 300C moves sideways. When the moving part 300C moves sideways, the end 110C of the fuse element 100C connected to the moving part 300C is pulled sideways. Then, due to this tensile force FC, the fuse element 100C is physically separated into left and right, and the overcurrent is cut off. When the moving part 300C moves sideways, the connector 960C connected to the coil 820C comes off the moving part 300C, and the coil 820C and the moving part 300C are no longer electrically connected.

[0077] In this way, according to the electric circuit breaker 900C of the present invention, the fuse element 100C is cut by applying a tensile force to break the electric circuit, so that it is not necessary to shear the arc-extinguishing material 290C together with the fuse element 100C. Therefore, compared to the case of cutting the cut-off part and the arc-extinguishing material by a moving body as in the conventional electric circuit breaker, the force required to cut the fuse element 100C is small, and the power of the power mechanism that generates the tensile force can also be small. In particular, according to the electric circuit breaker 900C of the present invention, even if a plurality of fuse elements 100C are provided, the force to cut the fuse element 100C is only large, and the area of ​​the arc-extinguishing material to be sheared is not large as in the conventional electric circuit breaker, so the power of the power mechanism that generates the tensile force can be small compared to the conventional case. As a result, according to the electric circuit breaker 900C of the present invention, even if the cut-off part (fuse element) can be increased, the power of the power source is prevented from increasing, and the electric circuit can be easily interrupted.

[0078] <Embodiment 5> Next, an electrical circuit interrupting device 900D of the present invention according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 20 and Fig. 21. Fig. 20 is an overall perspective view of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900D, and Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G in Fig. 20. The configuration of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900D according to the fifth embodiment differs from that of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a fastening section 700D and in the shapes of the power mechanism 500D and the moving body 600D. However, the other configurations are basically the same as those of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a description of the same configurations will be omitted.

[0079] The power mechanism 500D has the same basic configuration as the power mechanism 500 of the electrical circuit breaker 900 according to the first embodiment, but has a different shape from the power mechanism 500 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, the power mechanism 500D is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and includes a housing section 510D capable of housing a moving body 600D therein, and a power source 501D is provided on the first end 511D side of the housing section 510D. In addition, an insertion hole 502D is provided on the second end 512D side of the housing section 510D, and the protruding portion 610D of the moving body 600D is inserted through the insertion hole 502D. Furthermore, an insertion hole 503D is provided on the second end 512D side of the housing section 510D, and the fastening portion 700D is inserted through the insertion hole 503D. The sliding portion 620D of the moving body 600D has a large width, and when the moving body 600D moves toward the second end portion 512D, the sliding portion 620D comes into contact with the fastening portion 700D and can move the fastening portion 700D.

[0080] The fastening portion 700D is a long rod-shaped body made of an insulator such as synthetic resin, and is accommodated in the accommodation portion 200D and disposed adjacent to the fuse element 100D. As shown in FIG. 21, the base end portion 710D of the fastening portion 700D extends through the insertion hole 921D of the cap 920 to the power mechanism 500D. The base end portion 710D passes through the insertion hole 503D of the power mechanism 500D and protrudes into the accommodation portion 510D. Meanwhile, the tip end portion 720D of the fastening portion 700D is adjacent to the periphery of the melting portion 120D of the fuse element 100D. The width of the fuse element 100D is narrowed around this melting portion 120D, so that the fuse element 100D is broken when the fuse element 100D is pulled, as described later.

[0081] In addition, under normal circumstances, the power mechanism 500D is not operating and the moving body 600D is not moving. Therefore, the tip 611D of the protruding part 610D of the moving body 600D is not in contact with the movable part 300D, and is separated by a distance L1. In addition, the sliding part 620D of the moving body 600D is not in contact with the base end part 710D of the fastening part 700D, and is separated by a distance L2.

[0082] Next, a case where an external monitoring device detects the flow of an abnormal current and inputs an abnormality signal to the power source 501D of the power mechanism 500D of the electrical circuit breaker device 900D will be described with reference to Fig. 22 and Fig. 23. Fig. 22 is a plan view showing a state where the moving body 600D has moved from the state shown in Fig. 21, and Fig. 23 is a plan view showing a state where the moving body 600D has further moved from the state shown in Fig. 22.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 22, when the moving body 600D moves toward the second end 512D, the tip 611D of the protruding portion 610D of the moving body 600D comes into contact with the movable portion 300D. Then, the moving portion 300D is pressed by the moving body 600D, and the entire moving portion 300D moves sideways. When the moving portion 300D moves sideways, the end 110D of the fuse element 100D connected to the moving portion 300D is pulled sideways. Then, the fuse element 100D is physically divided into left and right by this tensile force FD, and the overcurrent is cut off. The width of the fuse element 100D near the melting portion 120D is locally narrowed, forming a dividing portion 190D that is divided by the tensile force FD.

[0084] As shown in Fig. 21, the arc-extinguishing material 290D is filled in the storage portion 200D, and the arc-extinguishing material 290D is also filled securely around the fusion portion 120D before it is cut. However, as shown in Fig. 22, when the periphery of the fusion portion 120D is cut, a cavity that is not filled with the arc-extinguishing material 290D is formed around the cut point 190D. In the state shown in Fig. 22, the sliding portion 620D of the moving body 600D is not in contact with the base end portion 710D of the fastening portion 700D, and the fastening portion 700D is not moving.

[0085] Next, as shown in FIG. 23, when the moving body 600D moves further toward the second end 512D, the sliding portion 620D of the moving body 600D comes into contact with the base end 710D of the fastening portion 700D. Then, the fastening portion 700D is pushed by the sliding portion 620D and moves, and the tip portion 720D of the fastening portion 700D moves toward the periphery of the decoupling portion 190D. Therefore, the arc-extinguishing material 290D around the tip portion 720D of the fastening portion 700D is pushed out so as to fill the cavity around the decoupling portion 190D, and the arc-extinguishing material 290D is compacted again around the decoupling portion 190D. As a result, when the fuse element 100D is decoupled to cut off the overcurrent, the arc generated around the decoupling portion 190D can be effectively extinguished by the re-compacted arc-extinguishing material 290D.

[0086] 21, the timing and distance of movement of the fastening portion 700D can be appropriately changed. This allows the timing, force, and amount of fastening of the arc-extinguishing material 290D around the decoupling point 190D to be adjusted, so that the arc can be extinguished more efficiently. Although the power source 501D is used as the power for moving the moving body 600D, the present invention is not limited thereto, and instead of the power source 501D, the power mechanism 500D may include the electromagnetic coil tripping device 800C and the compression spring 540C shown in the fourth embodiment.

[0087] <Embodiment 6> Next, a fuse element 100E of an electrical circuit interrupting device 900E of the present invention according to embodiment 6 will be described with reference to Fig. 24(a). Fig. 24(a) is a side view of the fuse element 100E. The configuration of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900E according to embodiment 6 differs from that of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900 according to embodiment 1 in that the fuse element 100E has a different configuration. However, other configurations are basically the same as those of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900 according to embodiment 1, and therefore a description of the same configurations will be omitted.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 24(a), the fuse element 100E does not include the melting portion 120 of the fuse element 100 according to the first embodiment. By not including the melting portion 120, the resistance of the fuse element 100E can be reduced, and power loss can be suppressed to a low level. Specifically, the fuse element 100E is formed from a single thin metal plate made of a metal conductor such as copper, and includes end portions 110E on both sides. The fuse element 100E does not have a function of cutting off the overcurrent by melting the melting portion 120 when an overcurrent flows, as in the fuse element 100 according to the first embodiment. However, when an abnormal current flows, the movable portion 300E moves laterally, and the end portion 110E connected to the movable portion 300E is pulled laterally, so that the fuse element 100E can be cut off at any point and cut off the overcurrent. Furthermore, a cut 101E may be provided at any location on the fuse element 100E to arbitrarily form a narrow portion 102E that is more vulnerable to external forces than other portions. By providing the narrow portion 102E, the force exerted when the end portion 110E is pulled to the side can be concentrated at the narrow portion 102E to cause the fuse element to break, so that the breaking point can be limited to a specific location as designed. This allows the arc that occurs when the fuse element breaks to be efficiently extinguished.

[0089] <Embodiment 7> Next, the fuse element 100F of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900F of the present invention according to the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 24(b). Fig. 24(b) is a side view of the fuse element 100F. The configuration of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900F according to the seventh embodiment differs from that of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900 according to the first embodiment in that the fuse element 100F is different. However, the other configurations are basically the same as those of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a description of the same configurations will be omitted.

[0090] As shown in Fig. 24(b), the fuse element 100F is formed from a single thin metal plate made of a metal conductor such as copper, and includes end portions 110F on both sides, a plurality of narrow portions (melting portions) 120F located between the end portions 110F, and pulling auxiliary portions 150F on both sides of the central narrow portion 120F. The narrow portion 120F is formed by drilling a plurality of small holes 121F in a part of the fuse element 100F that has a narrow width, and when an unintended overcurrent flows in an electric circuit or the like, the narrow portion 120F generates heat and melts to cut off the overcurrent. Furthermore, the tip 151F of the pulling auxiliary portion 150F is connected so as to be adjacent to the central narrow portion 120F. An end 152F of one of the pulling assist parts 150F is fixed to a part of the housing part 200F in which the fuse element 100F is housed, and an end 152F of the other pulling assist part 150F is fixed to the movable part 300F.

[0091] When an abnormal current flows, the movable part 300F moves sideways and the end part 110F connected to the movable part 300F is pulled sideways, causing the vicinity of the central narrow part 120F of the fuse element 100F to be cut off, thereby interrupting the overcurrent. At that time, the central narrow part 120F is pulled to both sides by the pulling auxiliary parts 150F on both sides, so that the pulling force is concentrated on the central narrow part 120F rather than the other narrow parts 120F, and the central narrow part 120F can be cut off preferentially. This allows the central narrow part 120F to be limited as the cutting point as designed, and the arc generated when cutting off can be efficiently extinguished. Although the central narrow portion 120F is defined as the dividing portion, this is not limiting, and if auxiliary pulling portions 150F are provided on both sides of the narrow portion 120F at any position, the narrow portion 120F at that position can be defined as the dividing portion.

[0092] <Embodiment 8> Next, a fuse element 100G of an electrical circuit interrupting device 900G of the present invention according to embodiment 8 will be described with reference to Fig. 24(c). Fig. 24(c) is a side view of the fuse element 100G. The configuration of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900G according to embodiment 8 differs from that of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900 according to embodiment 1 in that the fuse element 100G is different. However, other configurations are basically the same as those of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900 according to embodiment 1, and therefore a description of the same configurations will be omitted.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 24(c), the fuse element 100G is formed from a single thin metal plate made of a metal conductor such as copper, and includes end portions 110G on both sides and a plurality of narrow portions (melting portions) 120G located between the end portions 110G. The narrow portions 120G are formed by drilling a plurality of small holes 121G in a part of the fuse element 100G that has a narrow width, and when an unintended overcurrent flows in an electric circuit or the like, the narrow portions 120G generate heat and melt, thereby cutting off the overcurrent. Furthermore, pulling auxiliary portions 150G are attached to both sides of the central narrow portion 120G. The pulling auxiliary portions 150G are inorganic string-like bodies, and the ends 151G of the pulling auxiliary portions 150G are connected so as to be adjacent to the central narrow portion 120G. An end 152G of one of the pulling auxiliary parts 150G is fixed to a part of the housing part 200G in which the fuse element 100G is housed, and an end 152G of the other of the pulling auxiliary parts 150G is fixed to the movable part 300G. The pulling auxiliary part 150G is in a taut state so as not to bend, and is made of a material that does not stretch when the fuse element 100G is pulled.

[0094] When an abnormal current flows, the movable part 300G moves sideways and the end part 110G connected to the movable part 300G is pulled sideways, so that the vicinity of the central narrow part 120G of the fuse element 100G is cut off, and the overcurrent can be interrupted. At that time, the central narrow part 120G is pulled on both sides by the pulling auxiliary parts 150G on both sides, so that the pulling force is concentrated on the central narrow part 120G rather than the other narrow parts 120G, and the narrow part 120G can be cut off preferentially. This allows the central narrow part 120G to be limited as the cutting point as designed, and the arc generated at the time of cutting can be efficiently extinguished. Note that the central narrow part 120G is limited as the cutting point, but this is not limited thereto, and if the pulling auxiliary parts 150G are provided on both sides of the narrow part 120G at any position, the narrow part 120G at that position can be limited as the cutting point. Furthermore, the auxiliary pulling portion 150G is not limited to an inorganic string-like body, and may be made of any material and have any shape as long as it is configured to be able to pull both sides of the narrow portion 120G at any location.

[0095] <Embodiment 9> Next, an electrical circuit interrupting device 900H of the present invention according to a ninth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 25 and Fig. 26. Fig. 25 is a plan view of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900H, and Fig. 26 is a plan view showing a state in which the moving body 600H has moved from the state shown in Fig. 25. The configuration of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900H according to the ninth embodiment differs from that of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900B according to the third embodiment in the configuration of the conductor part 970H constituting the electrical connection maintaining structure and the configuration of the movable part 300H, but the other configurations are basically the same as those of the electrical circuit interrupting device 900B according to the third embodiment, and therefore a description of the same configurations will be omitted.

[0096] 25, a metal conductor part 970H made of an electric wire has a base end 971H connected to the other external connection terminal 910H (on the right side in the drawing) and a tip end 973H electrically and physically connected and fixed to an end 110H of the fuse element 100H. Also, the movable part 300H is physically connected to the end 110H of each fuse element 100H, but is not electrically connected to the end 110H of each fuse element 100H because the movable part 300H is made of an insulator such as resin.

[0097] As described later, the conductor portion 970H made of an electric wire is deformable so as to bend when the movable portion 300H slides laterally, and therefore constitutes an electrical connection maintaining structure that maintains the electrical connection between the fuse element 100H and the external connection terminal 910H.

[0098] Next, with reference to FIG. 26, a case will be described where an external monitoring device detects the flow of an abnormal current and inputs an abnormality signal to the power source 501H of the power mechanism 500H of the electrical circuit breaker device 900H.

[0099] As shown in Fig. 26, when the moving body 600H moves toward the second end 512H, the tip 611H of the protruding portion 610H of the moving body 600H comes into contact with the movable part 300H. The movable part 300H is then pressed by the moving body 600H, and the entire movable part 300H moves sideways. When the movable part 300H moves sideways, the end 110H of the fuse element 100H connected to the movable part 300H is pulled sideways. The fuse element 100H is then physically separated into left and right parts by this tensile force FH, thereby interrupting the overcurrent.

[0100] Furthermore, while the movable part 300H moves and the end 110H of the fuse element 100H slides, the conductor part 970H constituting the electrical connection maintaining structure bends, but the conductor part 970H maintains a state in which it is electrically and physically connected to the end 110H of the fuse element 100H and the external connection terminal 910H. Therefore, until the end 110H of the fuse element 100H starts to move and the arc generated by the disconnection of the fuse element 100H is extinguished, the current flows from the external connection terminal 910H to the fuse element 100H via the conductor part 970H, and can flow stably in the electric circuit.

[0101] The movable part 300H is made of an insulator such as resin, but is not limited thereto, and may be made of a conductor such as metal. Whether the movable part 300H is an insulator or a conductor, the end 110H of each fuse element 100H can be pulled simultaneously and with an equal tensile force, so that each fuse element 100H can be efficiently cut off. The conductor part 970H is made of a flexible wire, but is not limited thereto, and may be any form such as a flexible bus bar, as long as the conductor part 970H can be deformed so as to maintain the electrical connection between the external connection terminal 910H and the end 110H of the fuse element 100H until the end 110H of the fuse element 100H is pulled and cut off.

[0102] Furthermore, the electrical circuit breaker of the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various modifications and combinations are possible within the scope of the claims and the scope of the embodiments, and these modifications and combinations are also included in the scope of the rights.

Claims

1. A housing portion and external connection terminals on both sides; An electrical circuit interrupter comprising a fuse element accommodated in the accommodation portion and an arc-extinguishing material, a power mechanism configured to apply a pulling force to an end of the fuse element to cause the fuse element to sever; and an electrical connection maintaining structure that maintains an electrical connection between the fuse element and the external connection terminal until the fuse element is disconnected; a movable part connected to an end of the fuse element; The power mechanism includes a power source and a moving body that moves by power generated by the power source, The moving body moves the movable part, a tensile force is applied to an end of the fuse element by the moved movable part, thereby cutting off the fuse element; Before the moving body moves, the moving body is separated from the movable part, 13. An electrical circuit breaking device, comprising: a movable body that, after the movable body starts to move, comes into contact with the movable portion, causing the movable portion to move.

2. A housing portion and external connection terminals on both sides; An electrical circuit interrupter comprising a fuse element accommodated in the accommodation portion and an arc-extinguishing material, a power mechanism configured to apply a pulling force to an end of the fuse element to cause the fuse element to sever; and an electrical connection maintaining structure that maintains an electrical connection between the fuse element and the external connection terminal until the fuse element is disconnected; a movable part connected to an end of the fuse element; The electrical connection maintaining structure includes opposing clamping plates, the movable portion includes a slide portion that is sandwiched by the clamping plates from both sides and electrically connected thereto and that is movable between the clamping plates, The movable part is moved by the power mechanism, an electric circuit interrupting device, characterized in that the moved movable part applies a tensile force to an end of the fuse element, thereby cutting off the fuse element.

3. The slide portion includes a conductive portion that can be electrically connected to the clamping plate and an insulating portion adjacent to the conductive portion, 3. The electrical circuit interrupter according to claim 2, wherein before the movable part moves, the conductive part is positioned between the clamping plates, and after the movable part moves, the insulating part is positioned between the clamping plates.

4. A housing portion and external connection terminals on both sides; An electrical circuit interrupter comprising a fuse element accommodated in the accommodation portion and an arc-extinguishing material, a power mechanism configured to apply a pulling force to an end of the fuse element to cause the fuse element to sever; and an electrical connection maintaining structure that maintains an electrical connection between the fuse element and the external connection terminal until the fuse element is disconnected; a movable part connected to an end of the fuse element; the electrical connection maintaining structure is made of a plastically deformable conductor; the conductor is connected to the external connection terminal and the movable portion, The movable part is moved by the power mechanism, an electric circuit interrupting device, characterized in that the moved movable part applies a tensile force to an end of the fuse element, thereby cutting off the fuse element.

5. A housing portion and external connection terminals on both sides; An electrical circuit interrupter comprising a fuse element accommodated in the accommodation portion and an arc-extinguishing material, a power mechanism configured to apply a pulling force to an end of the fuse element to cause the fuse element to sever; and an electrical connection maintaining structure that maintains an electrical connection between the fuse element and the external connection terminal until the fuse element is cut off; The accommodation portion accommodates a fastening portion for fastening the arc-extinguishing material, the power mechanism causes the clamping portion to move toward the periphery of the disconnected portion of the fuse element, thereby clamping the arc-extinguishing material.

6. A movable part is connected to an end of the fuse element, The movable part is moved by a power mechanism, 6. The electrical circuit interrupting device according to claim 5, wherein the moved movable portion applies a tensile force to an end of the fuse element, thereby cutting off the fuse element.

7. The power mechanism includes a power source and a moving body that moves by power generated by the power source, The electrical circuit breaker according to claim 6 , wherein the moving body moves the movable portion.

8. Before the moving body moves, the moving body is separated from the movable part, 8. The electrical circuit breaker according to claim 7, wherein after the moving body starts to move, the moving body comes into contact with the movable portion, causing the movable portion to move.

9. The fuse element includes a narrow portion, 9. The electrical circuit breaker according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary pulling portion for concentrating the pulling force on the narrow portion to break it.

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