Current interruption element and discharge device

Abstract

An example of a current interruption element (9) disclosed in the present specification includes an interruption member (1) that melts when an overcurrent flows, an insulating tube (2) that contains the interruption member (1), two fixing members (3) arranged on both ends of the insulating tube (2) into which a power supply line (34) of the interruption member (1) is inserted, a joining member (5) that joins the insulating tube (2) and the fixed member (3), and two fixed terminals (4) that fix the power supply line (34) of the interruption member (1) to the fixed member (3) on the side of each fixing member (3) opposite the insulating tube (2).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to a current interrupting element, a manufacturing method for a current interrupting element, and a discharge device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a discharge device that generates ozone by discharging in a raw material gas containing oxygen. A large-capacity discharge device uses more than 100 discharge tubes as loads connected to a power source. In such a discharge device, a discharge tube may be damaged for some reason, causing an arc discharge between the discharge tube and a grounded metal electrode. The discharge device of Patent Document 1 has a cutoff function for each discharge tube in order to continue operation of the discharge device by disconnecting only the discharge tube in which an arc discharge has occurred between the discharge tube and the grounded metal electrode from the power source. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. WO2018 / 220735 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] FIG. 11 of Patent Document 1 discloses a typical high-voltage fuse. This high-voltage fuse has silica sand filled around the fuse element to forcibly extinguish the discharge. The silica sand absorbs the heat of the arc, thinning the arc plasma density, and increasing the voltage applied between the caps fixed to both ends of the fuse, thereby extinguishing the arc. When a dielectric tube constituting one discharge tube breaks down during operation of the discharge device and an arc discharge occurs between a high-voltage electrode formed in the dielectric tube and a grounded metal electrode, a large short-circuit current flows between the high-voltage electrode and the grounded metal electrode. The discharge device of Patent Document 1 separates the discharge tube through which the short-circuit current flows from the power source using a current interruption element different from the high-voltage fuse.

[0005] In the current interruption element of Patent Document 1, plate-shaped fixed electrodes are connected to both sides of a fusing element to which a fuse conductor that melts when an overcurrent flows is connected on both sides of an intermediate conductor, and the plate surface of each fixed electrode is fixed to a dielectric base by a fixing material. In the current interruption element of Patent Document 1, when an arc discharge occurs between the high-voltage electrode and the grounded metal electrode, the fuse conductor melts and the intermediate conductor falls into the dielectric tube, thereby isolating the discharge tube from the power source. In the discharge device of Patent Document 1, when a short-circuit current flows, the current interruption element melts the fuse conductor and the power source control reduces or stops the output of the power source, thereby extinguishing the arc discharge in the current interruption element to interrupt the large current and isolating the discharge tube that has undergone insulation breakdown, thereby continuing the operation of the discharge device.

[0006] However, the current interrupting element of Patent Document 1 includes an intermediate conductor, a fusing element having two fuse conductors, and two fixed electrodes connected to the fusing element. Therefore, the current interrupting element of Patent Document 1 has a large number of components, and further requires the formation of the fusing element and the assembly work of the current interrupting element inside the dielectric tube, resulting in problems in that the manufacturing process is complicated.

[0007] The technology disclosed in the present specification has an object to obtain a current interruption element that requires a small number of components and can be manufactured by a simple method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One example of a current interrupting element disclosed in the present specification includes an interrupting member that melts when an overcurrent flows, an insulating tube that contains the interrupting member, two fixing members that are disposed on both ends of the insulating tube and into which a power supply line of the interrupting member is inserted, a joining member that joins the insulating tube and the fixing member, and two fixing terminals that fix the power supply line of the interrupting member to the fixing member on the side of each fixing member opposite the insulating tube. At least one of the fixing members has at least one through hole into which the power supply line is not inserted. There are. Effect of the Invention

[0009] In one example of a current interrupting element disclosed in the present specification, a power supply line of an interrupting member surrounded by an insulating tube and a fixing member is fixed to the fixing member by a fixing terminal on the side of the fixing member opposite to the insulating tube. At least one of the fixing members has at least one through hole into which the power supply line is not inserted. Therefore, fewer parts are required and the manufacturing method can be simplified. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a current interruption element according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the blocking member of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a fixing member of FIG. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of the current interruption element according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of the current interruption element according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of the current interruption element according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a current interruption element according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a current interruption element according to a third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a diagram showing another fixing member in the current interrupting device of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a discharge device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] 12 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of the current interrupting element in FIG. 11. [Figure 12] 12 is a diagram showing an example of connection between the end plate and the ground metal electrode in FIG. 11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a current interruption element according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the interruption member of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the fixing member of FIG. 1. FIGS. 4 to 6 are diagrams explaining a manufacturing process of the current interruption element according to the first embodiment. A current interruption element 9 according to the first embodiment includes an interruption member 1 having a power supply line 34, an insulating tube 2 enclosing the interruption member 1, a fixing member 3 fixing both ends of the insulating tube 2, a fixed terminal 4 fixing the power supply line 34 of the interruption member 1 to the fixing member 3, and a joining member 5 joining the insulating tube 2 and the fixing member 3. The interruption member 1 is, for example, a fuse that melts when a preset overcurrent flows. As shown in FIG. 2, the interruption member 1 includes a fused conductor 32, a protective tube 31 that covers the fused conductor 32 and protects the fused conductor 32, an end member 33 fixed to an end of the protective tube 31, and a power supply line 34 connected to the fused conductor 32. The fixing member 3 has an insertion hole 38 into which the power supply line 34 is inserted and one or more through holes 6. FIG. 3 shows an example in which there are four through holes 6. FIG. 3 is also a diagram showing a side view of the current interrupting element 9 when the fixing member 3 on the left side of FIG. 1 is seen from the left, or the fixing member 3 on the right side of FIG. 1 is seen from the right. In FIG. 1, the fixing member 3 and the insulating tube 2 are shown in cross section along the dashed line indicated by AA in FIG. 3. In FIG. 2, the protective tube 31 is shown in cross section along the dashed line indicated by AA in FIG. 3.

[0012] The material of the protective tube 31 of the interrupting member 1 is glass, ceramic, an insulator, or the like. When the material of the protective tube 31 is glass, ceramic, or an insulator, the interrupting member 1 is generally called a glass tube fuse, a ceramic tube fuse, or an insulating tube fuse, respectively. Glass tube fuses and ceramic tube fuses are less expensive than insulating tube fuses. When the current interrupting element 9 is formed using a glass tube fuse, a ceramic tube fuse, or an insulating tube fuse, the current interrupting element 9 becomes less expensive than the high voltage fuse described above.

[0013] The insulating tube 2 is arranged so that the interrupting member 1 is inserted therein. With this structure, the current interrupting element 9 can contain within the insulating tube 2 any debris that would otherwise fly toward the insulating tube 2 due to an arc discharge that occurs when the interrupting member 1 melts due to an overcurrent, and can also prevent the fire from spreading to peripheral members arranged around the current interrupting element 9. The insulating tube 2 is, for example, a glass tube, a ceramic tube, or the like. That is, the material of the insulating tube 2 is glass, ceramic, or the like.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the outer diameter of the interrupting member 1 is preferably smaller than the inner diameter of the insulating tube 2, and the overall length is also preferably shorter than that of the insulating tube 2. Fig. 1 shows an example in which the interrupting member 1 is not in contact with the insulating tube 2, and a gap 41 is formed between the interrupting member 1 and the insulating tube 2. By adopting this structure, the current interrupting element 9 can suppress the impact on the insulating tube 2 when the interrupting member 1 is damaged by an arc discharge.

[0015] The outer diameter of the insulating tube 2 is preferably smaller than the inner diameter of the dielectric tube 10 from the viewpoint of the packing density of the dielectric tube 10 and the high-voltage electrode 12 arranged in the discharge device 20 described in embodiment 4. The inner diameter of the dielectric tube 10 is, for example, 16 to 18 mm and the thickness is 1 to 2 mm, while the outer diameter of the insulating tube 2 is preferably 10 to 15 mm and the thickness is preferably 1 to 2 mm from the viewpoint of durability.

[0016] The fixing member 3 is attached to both ends of the insulating tube 2, and the power supply line 34 of the interrupting member 1 is structured to pass through the approximate center of the fixing member 3. That is, the power supply line 34 of the interrupting member 1 is inserted into an insertion hole 38 formed in the approximate center of the fixing member 3. Here, the approximate center is not limited to the exact center, but includes an allowable error. The outer diameter of the fixing member 3 is preferably the same as the outer diameter of the insulating tube 2, but there is no problem if it is smaller than the inner diameter of the dielectric tube 10 in the discharge device 20. In addition, the material of the fixing member 3 is, for example, silver (Ag), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), stainless steel, etc. From the viewpoint of corrosion resistance and durability, the material of the fixing member 3 is preferably stainless steel. From the viewpoint of durability, the thickness of the fixing member 3 is preferably 0.5 to 3 mm.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 3, the fixing member 3 is formed with at least one through hole 6 into which the power supply line 34 is not inserted. By configuring the current interrupting element 9 in this manner, it is possible to prevent the insulating tube 2 from being damaged due to an increase in internal pressure caused by a temperature rise accompanying arc discharge. Note that while Fig. 3 shows an example in which four through holes 6 are provided, as described above, it is sufficient that one or more through holes 6 are formed, and the position at which the through holes 6 are formed is not particularly limited. From the viewpoints of suppressing an increase in internal pressure of the current interrupting element 9 and the durability of the fixing member 3, the diameter of the through hole 6 is preferably 2 to 6 mm, and more preferably 5 mm.

[0018] The fixed terminal 4 has a cylindrical shape and fixes the power supply line 34 of the interrupting member 1 and the fixed member 3. The material of the fixed terminal 4 is, for example, silver (Ag), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), stainless steel, etc. From the viewpoint of corrosion resistance and durability, the material of the fixed terminal 4 is preferably stainless steel. The inner diameter of the fixed terminal 4 is equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the power supply line 34 of the interrupting member 1, and is preferably 1 to 3 mm. The method of fixing the fixed terminal 4 and the power supply line 34 of the interrupting member 1 is crimping, brazing using a brazing material, soldering using solder, etc. The fixed terminal 4 is fixed to the power supply line 34 of the interrupting member 1 by crimping, brazing using a brazing material, soldering using solder, etc.

[0019] The joining member 5 is for joining the insulating tube 2 and the fixing member 3. The joining member 5 is, for example, a silicone-based adhesive, an epoxy resin-based adhesive, or the like.

[0020] The set value of the overcurrent in the interrupter 1 is preferably set to a current value at which the fusible conductor 32 does not melt at a current value that flows steadily during normal operation of the discharge device 20 (hereinafter referred to as the steady current), but at which the fusible conductor 32 will certainly melt when an overcurrent equal to or greater than the steady current flows. This preset current value is referred to as the set current value as appropriate. The interrupter 1 is preferably a glass tube fuse, ceramic tube fuse, or insulated tube fuse having a power supply line 34. However, the interrupter 1 may also be a glass tube fuse, ceramic tube fuse, or insulated tube fuse without a power supply line to which the power supply line 34 is separately joined by soldering or the like.

[0021] Next, the operation of the current interrupting element 9 will be described. In the following, a case where a glass tube fuse is used as the interrupting member 1 will be described. Consider a case where an overcurrent flows through the current interrupting element 9 of the first embodiment. In this case, the temperature of the glass tube fuse rises suddenly, and the fused conductor 32 melts and evaporates. After the fused conductor 32 melts and evaporates, the glass tube fuse becomes in a high-temperature plasma state, and an arc discharge occurs in the glass tube fuse. If the overcurrent flowing through the glass tube fuse is an extremely large current value, more than ten times the set current value, the glass tube is broken due to an increase in the internal pressure of the glass tube caused by a steep temperature rise due to the arc discharge. However, in the current interrupting element 9 of the first embodiment, since the glass tube fuse is inserted into the insulating tube 2, among the fragments of the broken glass tube fuse, the fragments toward the insulating tube 2 side do not scatter outside the insulating tube 2. In addition, the current interrupting element 9 of the first embodiment can also contain the generated arc discharge inside the insulating tube 2, so that it can prevent the fire from spreading to the surroundings. Even if the glass tube fuse is broken, an arc discharge occurs inside the insulating tube 2. However, in the current interruption element 9 of embodiment 1, the pressure in the space enclosed by the insulating tube 2 does not increase due to the through holes 6 formed in the fixing members 3 fixed to both ends of the insulating tube 2, i.e., the high internal pressure increase caused by the arc discharge can be suppressed. Therefore, the pressure applied to the inner surface of the insulating tube 2 does not exceed the withstand pressure, and damage to the insulating tube 2 can be prevented.

[0022] In the current interrupting element 9 of the first embodiment, even if the glass tube fuse breaks, the broken pieces do not scatter outside the insulating tube 2, and the arc discharge can be contained inside the insulating tube 2, so that it is possible to suppress the arc discharge from spreading to the surroundings. Furthermore, since the current interrupting element 9 of the first embodiment can prevent the insulating tube 2 from breaking, it is possible to improve reliability while keeping the cost low. Note that the current interrupting element 9 of the first embodiment does not contain an arc-extinguishing agent that is used in high-voltage fuses to extinguish the arc discharge, so that the arc discharge is extinguished by the power supply connected to the discharge device detecting and stopping an overcurrent. The details of the arc-extinguishing operation of the arc discharge will be described later.

[0023] Next, a method for manufacturing the current interrupting element 9 of the first embodiment will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the interrupting member 1 having the power feeder 34 is inserted into the insulating tube 2 from its end, and the interrupting member 1 is arranged in the insulating tube 2 (interrupting member arrangement step). At this time, the position of the interrupting member 1 is preferably located approximately at the center of the insulating tube 2, but it is not necessarily required to be located approximately at the center. Next, the fixing members 3 are arranged at both ends of the insulating tube 2 in which the power feeder 34 of the interrupting member 1 is inserted and the interrupting member 1 is arranged (fixing member arrangement step). The power feeder 34 of the interrupting member 1 and the fixing member 3 are fixed to each other by the fixed terminal 4 on the side of each fixing member 3 opposite to the insulating tube 2 (power feeder fixing step). The fixing method in the interrupting member fixing step is, for example, to fix the fixed terminal 4 to the power feeder 34 by crimping, or to braze or solder the fixed terminal 4 and the power feeder 34. At this time, the power feeder 34 of the interrupting member 1 is inserted into the insertion hole 38 of the fixing member 3, and the fixed terminal 4 is in contact with the fixing member 3. Furthermore, it is preferable that the fixed terminal 4 is fixed to the power supply line 34 of the interrupter 1 while pressing the fixing member 3. Finally, the insulating tube 2 and the fixing member 3 are joined by a joining member 5 (fixing member joining step).

[0024] The current interruption element manufacturing method, which is a method for manufacturing the current interruption element 9 of embodiment 1, sequentially performs a interruption member arrangement step, a fixing member arrangement step, a power supply line fixing step, and a fixing member joining step, so that a highly reliable current interruption element 9 can be manufactured in a simple manner with few required parts and few manufacturing steps.

[0025] As described above, the current interrupting element 9 of the first embodiment includes the interrupting member 1 that melts when an overcurrent flows, the insulating tube 2 containing the interrupting member 1, two fixing members 3 into which the power feeder 34 of the interrupting member 1 is inserted and which are arranged on both ends of the insulating tube 2, a joining member 5 that joins the insulating tube 2 and the fixing member 3, and two fixed terminals 4 that fix the power feeder 34 of the interrupting member 1 to the fixing member 3 on the side of each fixing member 3 opposite the insulating tube 2. With this configuration, the current interrupting element 9 of the first embodiment requires fewer members and can be manufactured by a simple method, because the power feeder 34 of the interrupting member 1 surrounded by the insulating tube 2 and the fixing member 3 is fixed to the fixing member 3 by the fixed terminals 4 on the side of the fixing member 3 opposite the insulating tube 2.

[0026] The manufacturing method of the current interrupting element of the first embodiment is a manufacturing method of a current interrupting element that manufactures a current interrupting element having a interrupting member that melts when an overcurrent flows. The manufacturing method of the current interrupting element of the first embodiment includes a interrupting member arranging step of arranging the interrupting member 1 in the insulating tube 2, a fixing member arranging step of inserting the power feeder 34 of the interrupting member 1 and arranging fixing members 3 at both ends of the insulating tube 2, a power feeder fixing step of fixing the power feeder 34 of the interrupting member and the fixing member 3 with a fixed terminal 4 on the side of each fixing member 3 opposite the insulating tube 2, and a fixing member joining step of joining the insulating tube 2 and the fixing member 3 with a joining member 5. Due to this configuration, the manufacturing method of the current interrupting element of the first embodiment can simply manufacture the current interrupting element 9 that requires fewer parts.

[0027] Embodiment 2 Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a current interruption element according to embodiment 2. A current interruption element 9 according to embodiment 2 is an example in which one of the power supply lines in the interrupting member 1 has a metal tension spring 7. Differences from current interruption element 9 according to embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

[0028] The current interrupting element 9 of the second embodiment includes a power feeder 34 that does not include a metal tension spring 7, and a power feeder 36 that includes a metal tension spring 7. That is, the current interrupting element 9 of the second embodiment includes a structure in which one end of the power feeder 36 that includes the tension spring 7 is connected to the end member 33 of the interrupting member 1, and the other end of the power feeder 36 that includes the tension spring 7 is connected to one of the fixed members 3 by the fixed terminal 4. FIG. 7 shows an example of a current interrupting element 9 in which the power feeder 34 is inserted into the insertion hole 38 of the left fixed member 3, and the power feeder 36 is inserted into the insertion hole 38 of the right fixed member 3. The tension spring 7 is disposed closer to the main body 37 of the end member 33 of the interrupting member 1 than the fixed member 3 into which the power feeder 36 is inserted, except for the power feeders 34 and 36. The power feeder 36 includes the power feeder 34, the power feeder 35a, the tension spring 7, and the power feeder 35b that are connected to the end member 33 of the interrupting member 1. The power feeder 35a, the tension spring 7, and the power feeder 35b are integral, and these three can be collectively called a variable-length power feeder or an elastic power feeder. The tension spring 7 is the variable-length portion of the variable-length power feeder or the elastic portion of the elastic power feeder, and the power feeders 35a and 35b are the non-variable-length portion of the variable-length power feeder or the non-elastic portion of the elastic power feeder. In FIG. 7, the power feeder 35b is inserted into the insertion hole 38 of the right fixing member 3, and the power feeder 35a and the power feeder 34 are fixed by the fixed terminal 4. The method of fixing the power feeder 35a and the power feeder 34 to the fixed terminal 4 includes crimping, brazing using a brazing material, soldering using solder, etc.

[0029] The material of the tension spring 7 is, for example, hard steel wire, stainless steel wire, etc. The material of the tension spring 7 is preferably stainless steel wire from the viewpoint of corrosion resistance and durability. Moreover, the total length of the tension spring 7 is preferably shorter than the total length of the insulating tube 2. The interrupting member 1 before the power feeder 36 is completed has the power feeder 34 as in the first embodiment. When the tension spring 7 is connected to the power feeder 34 of the interrupting member 1 via the power feeder 35a, it is connected in a state stretched from the initial state. That is, the tension spring 7 is subjected to a force in a contracting direction. With this structure, when an overcurrent flows through the current interrupting element 9 of the second embodiment, if the interrupting member 1 melts and an arc discharge occurs, and the interrupting member 1 is damaged due to an increase in internal pressure, the end member 33 of the interrupting member 1 connected to the power feeder 36 having the tension spring 7 is instantly drawn to the fixed member 3 into which the power feeder 36 is inserted by the elastic action of the tension spring 7. As a result, the distance between both ends of the body 37 of the interrupting member 1, i.e., the distance between the end member 33 to which the left-side power supply line 34 is connected and the end member 33 to which the right-side power supply line 36 is connected, becomes longer than the overall length of the body 37 of the interrupting member 1 before it was broken, facilitating automatic extinguishing of the arc discharge.

[0030] As described above, in the current interrupting element 9 of the second embodiment, one of the power feeders 36 in the interrupting member 1 has the metal tension spring 7, and the tension spring 7 is disposed on the side of the main body 37 of the interrupting member 1 other than the power feeders 34, 36, rather than the fixing member 3 into which the power feeder 36 is inserted. With this configuration, the current interrupting element 9 of the second embodiment has the tension spring 7 connected to one end of the interrupting member 1, so that when an arc discharge occurs, the elastic action of the tension spring 7 can increase the insulation distance, thereby facilitating automatic extinguishing of the arc discharge and enabling further improvement in reliability over the current interrupting element 9 of the first embodiment.

[0031] Embodiment 3 Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a current interruption element according to embodiment 3, and Fig. 9 is a diagram showing another fixing member in the current interruption element of Fig. 8. Current interruption element 9 of embodiment 3 is an example in which one fixing member 3 has a through-hole 6, and the other fixing member 8 does not have a through-hole 6. The following mainly describes the parts that differ from current interruption element 9 of embodiment 1.

[0032] In the current interruption element 9 of the third embodiment, a fixing member 3 having a through hole 6 formed therein is attached to one end of an insulating tube 2, and a fixing member 8 having no through hole 6 formed therein is attached to the other end of the insulating tube 2. The outer diameter of the fixing member 8 is preferably the same as that of the insulating tube 2, similar to the fixing member 3. However, there is no problem if it is smaller than the inner diameter of the dielectric tube 10 in the discharge device 20 described in the fourth embodiment. Similarly to the fixing member 3, the material of the fixing member 8 is silver (Ag), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), stainless steel, etc. From the viewpoints of corrosion resistance and durability, the material of the fixing member 8 is preferably stainless steel. From the viewpoint of durability, the thickness of the fixing member 8 is also preferably 0.5 to 3 mm.

[0033] As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the fixing member 8 has an insertion hole 38 through which the power supply line 34 of the interrupting member 1 penetrates, but does not have a through hole 6 for suppressing an increase in the internal pressure of the current interrupting element 9 due to the above-mentioned arc discharge. When the current interrupting element 9 of the third embodiment is mounted in the discharge device 20 described in the fourth embodiment, the current interrupting element 9 is arranged so that the fixing member 8 faces the dielectric tube 10 inserted in the discharge device 20. With this structure, when an overcurrent flows through the current interrupting element 9 of the third embodiment, the interrupting member 1 melts and an arc discharge occurs, and the interrupting member 1 is damaged due to an increase in internal pressure. However, since the fixing member 8 is fixed to the insulating tube 2 on the dielectric tube 10 side of the discharge device 20, fragments of the interrupting member 1 do not pass through the fixing member 8, and therefore scattering of fragments into the dielectric tube due to the arc discharge can be prevented.

[0034] In the case of the current interruption element 9 of the first and second embodiments, the fixing member 3 having the through hole 6 is disposed on the dielectric tube 10 side of the discharge device 20, so that the diameter of the through hole 6 is appropriately set so that the dielectric tube 10 is not damaged by fragments of the interruption member 1. As described in the first embodiment, if the diameter of the through hole 6 is 2 to 6 mm, the dielectric tube 10 will not be damaged even if fragments of the interruption member 1 pass through the through hole 6. In order to reduce the size of the fragments of the interruption member 1 passing through the through hole 6 and to reduce the number of fragments passing through, it is desirable that the diameter of the through hole 6 in the fixing member 3 disposed on the dielectric tube 10 side of the discharge device 20 is smaller than the diameter of the through hole 6 in the fixing member 3 on the opposite side to the dielectric tube 10. In this way, most of the fragments of the interruption member 1 that would scatter outside the current interruption element 9 are released from the fixing member 3 on the opposite side to the dielectric tube, which has a large diameter of the through hole 6, and thus the size and number of fragments to the dielectric tube due to the arc discharge can be further reduced.

[0035] As described above, the current interrupting element 9 of the third embodiment includes one fixing member 3 having at least one through hole 6 into which the power feeder 34 is not inserted, and the other fixing member 8 having no through hole 6 into which the power feeder 34 is not inserted. With this configuration, when the fixing member 8 having no through hole 6 into which the power feeder 34 is not inserted is disposed on the dielectric tube 10 side of the discharge device 20, the current interrupting element 9 of the third embodiment can prevent fragments from being scattered into the dielectric tube 10 due to the arc discharge, thereby further improving the reliability of the current interrupting element 9.

[0036] Embodiment 4 Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a discharge device according to embodiment 4. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of the current interrupting element of Fig. 11, and Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of connection between the end plate and the grounded metal electrode of Fig. 11. Discharge device 20 of embodiment 4 is equipped with current interrupting element 9 of embodiments 1 to 3, and is a discharge device that generates highly oxidizing active species from a raw material gas by discharge.

[0037] The discharge device 20 of the fourth embodiment includes a high-voltage electrode 12 formed on the inner surface of a dielectric tube 10, a grounded metal electrode 14 facing the high-voltage electrode 12 across a gap 13 through which a raw material gas passes, a high-voltage power supply 18 that applies a high voltage between the high-voltage electrode 12 and the grounded metal electrode 14, and a power supply line 19 that is a main power supply line that connects the high-voltage power supply 18 and the high-voltage electrode 12 via a current interruption element 9. Note that, although only two dielectric tubes 10 are shown in Fig. 10 to explain the details of the dielectric tubes 10, more than 100 dielectric tubes 10 are installed inside the large-capacity discharge device 20.

[0038] For example, the dielectric tube 10 is made of a cylindrical glass tube, and the grounded metal electrode 14 is made of a pipe made of stainless steel. The dielectric tube 10 and the grounded metal electrode 14 are concentrically arranged with a spacer (not shown) interposed therebetween, and a narrow discharge gap, i.e., a gap 13, is formed between the dielectric tube 10 and the grounded metal electrode 14. One end (the right side of FIG. 10) of the dielectric tube 10 is sealed, and the other end (the left side of FIG. 10) is open. A high-voltage electrode 12 is arranged inside the dielectric tube 10. The high-voltage electrode 12 is made of a conductive film, such as a metal film, formed, for example, by deposition on the inner surface of the dielectric tube 10. The high-voltage electrode 12 is connected to the output end of a voltage application unit 15 in a high-voltage power supply 18 via a connection member 40 such as a metal wire, a current interruption element 9, and a power supply line 19. The other end of the voltage application unit 15 is grounded, and the container 66 of the discharge device 20 is also grounded. The portion where the power supply line 19 passes through the container 66, which is at ground potential, is insulated by a bushing 67.

[0039] High-voltage power supply 18 includes a voltage application unit 15, a power supply control unit 16, and an output voltage detection unit 17. The AC voltage generated by voltage application unit 15 is a high AC voltage sufficient to cause a discharge in gap 13 formed between dielectric tube 10, which has high-voltage electrode 12 formed on its inner surface, and grounded metal electrode 14, and the frequency of the AC voltage is a frequency that can cause a discharge through the dielectric tube, i.e., a frequency that can cause a silent discharge.

[0040] The voltage application unit 15 generates a high-frequency AC voltage, for example, a voltage of 3 to 7 kV and a frequency of 0.5 to 5 kHz. The output voltage detection unit 17 in the high-voltage power supply 18 is connected between the power supply line 19 and the ground, detects a drop in the output voltage based on a signal from the output voltage detection unit 17, and sends the detected signal to the power supply control unit 16. The power supply control unit 16 performs operation and stop control of the device, and monitors and controls the high-voltage power supply 18. The discharge device 20 outputs a high AC voltage from the high-voltage power supply 18 between the high-voltage electrode 12 and the grounded metal electrode 14, and generates active species in the gap 13. The raw material gas is dry air, oxygen gas, nitrogen gas, etc. The active species is, for example, ozone, O radicals, etc., when a gas containing oxygen is used as the raw material gas.

[0041] The pipe-shaped grounded metal electrode 14 made of stainless steel is joined to end plates 65 on both sides by welding or the like, and the end plates 65 are joined to a container 66 by welding or the like. The end plates 65 divide the container 66 into three chambers, the left and right in FIG. 10 being gas spaces, and the center being filled with cooling water 68. The cooling water 68 is configured to flow from a cooling water inlet 61 to a cooling water outlet 62. A source gas is introduced from a source gas inlet 63, and gas containing highly oxidizing active species generated by discharge while passing through the gap 13 is discharged from a gas outlet 64. The dielectric tube 10 is inserted into the inner cavity 42 of the pipe-shaped grounded metal electrode 14.

[0042] Next, the operation when a short circuit current occurs in the discharge device 20 will be described. When the dielectric tube 10 is damaged for some reason and a through hole occurs, the high voltage electrode 12 and the ground metal electrode 14 are electrically connected. As a result, the output side of the high voltage power supply 18 is short-circuited, the power supply output voltage drops to nearly zero, and at the same time, a large short-circuit current flows instantly through the part of the broken dielectric tube 10 where insulation has broken down, i.e., the part where a through hole has occurred. A large short-circuit current also flows through the current interruption element 9 attached to the dielectric tube 10 where insulation has broken down. As a result, the temperature of the interruption member 1 in the current interruption element 9 rises rapidly, and the fused conductor 32 of the interruption member 1 melts and evaporates. After the fused conductor 32 melts and evaporates, the inside of the interruption member 1 becomes a high-temperature plasma state, and an arc discharge occurs in the interruption member 1.

[0043] At this time, the voltage applied to the normal dielectric tube 10 also drops to near zero, and the discharge occurring in the gap 13 stops. When the output voltage of the high-voltage power supply 18 falls below a preset threshold, the output voltage detector 17 detects the drop in output voltage and sends the result to the power supply controller 16. The power supply controller 16 determines that a short circuit has occurred on the power supply output side because the output voltage has dropped below a preset threshold even though the power supply is in operation, that is, performs a short circuit determination. When the power supply controller 16 determines that a short circuit has occurred, it sends an operation stop command to the voltage application unit 15. As a result, the high-voltage power supply 18 stops, the power supply output voltage is reduced to zero, and the large short-circuit current flowing through the dielectric tube 10 that has undergone insulation breakdown is reduced to zero. The arc discharge occurring inside the current interruption element 9 is also extinguished as the large short-circuit current decreases.

[0044] After issuing the operation stop command, the power supply control unit 16 immediately sends an operation restart command to the voltage application unit 15, and the high voltage power supply 18 outputs the AC high voltage again. The time from the operation stop command to the operation restart command is set in advance. This time is, for example, about 1 to 60 seconds. Since the dielectric tube 10 that has experienced insulation breakdown is electrically isolated by the current interruption element 9, no current flows through it. The AC high voltage is applied again to the normal dielectric tube 10, causing discharge in the gap 13 between the normal dielectric tube 10 and the grounded metal electrode 14, and active species can be generated again in the gap 13.

[0045] 11 shows an example in which the power supply line 34 of the interrupting member 1 and the high-voltage electrode 12 are connected by a connecting member 40 such as a metal wire, but the connection method is not limited to this. When the current interrupting element 9 of the third embodiment is mounted on the discharge device 20, the power supply line 36 of the interrupting member 1 and the high-voltage electrode 12 are connected by a connecting member 40 such as a metal wire. The power supply line 34 or the power supply line 36 of the interrupting member 1 and the high-voltage electrode 12 may be connected by brazing material, solder, or the like.

[0046] The above-mentioned high-voltage fuse is very expensive and has a large fuse size, so that the dielectric tubes 10, i.e., discharge tubes, on which the high-voltage electrodes 12 are formed cannot be loaded into the discharge device at a high density. In a discharge device that generates ozone, such as the discharge device of Patent Document 1, a typical voltage applied is 3 to 7 kV and a current is 0.2 to 1 A. Since the voltage applied to the discharge device is high in this way, unlike the current interruption element of Patent Document 1, when a fuse is applied to the discharge device, it is necessary to apply a high-voltage fuse. In this case, the high-voltage fuse is large in size, with an outer diameter of 20 to 40 mm in the fuse size and a length of 110 to 120 mm in the fuse size.

[0047] Here, consider reducing the outer diameter of the discharge tube. By reducing the outer diameter of the discharge tube, the loading density of the discharge tubes in the discharge device can be increased, so the size of the discharge device can be reduced when generating the same amount of ozone. For this reason, from the viewpoint of the low cost of the discharge device, there is a demand to reduce the outer diameter of the discharge tube in order to reduce the size of the discharge device. However, when a high-voltage fuse is used for each discharge tube, the outer diameter of the discharge tube cannot be reduced because the outer diameter of the high-voltage fuse is large, and the loading density of the discharge tubes in the discharge device cannot be increased. As a result, there is a problem that the cost cannot be reduced by reducing the size of the discharge device.

[0048] In contrast, the discharge device 20 of embodiment 4 is equipped with a current interruption element 9 of embodiments 1 to 3, and since the outer diameter of the current interruption element 9 can be made smaller than 20 mm, discharge tubes, i.e., dielectric tubes formed with high-voltage electrodes, can be loaded at a higher density than in a discharge device equipped with a high-voltage fuse.

[0049] In the discharge device 20 of embodiment 4, the insulating tube 2 of the current interruption element 9 is inserted into the dielectric tube 10, so that the discharge tubes, i.e., the dielectric tubes 10 each having a high-voltage electrode 12 formed thereon, can be loaded at a higher density than in a discharge device equipped with a high-voltage fuse.

[0050] The discharge device 20 of embodiment 4 is equipped with a current interruption element 9, and if it detects that the dielectric tube 10 has undergone insulation breakdown during operation, it stops output for a preset time and then controls it to start output again, thereby extinguishing the arc discharge in the current interruption element 9 to interrupt the large current and disconnecting the discharge tube that has undergone insulation breakdown, thereby enabling the operation of the discharge device 20 to continue.

[0051] As described above, the discharge device 20 of the fourth embodiment is a discharge device that generates active species with strong oxidizing power from the raw material gas by discharge. The discharge device 20 of the fourth embodiment includes the high-voltage electrode 12 formed on the inner surface of the dielectric tube 10, the grounded metal electrode 14 facing the high-voltage electrode 12 via the gap 13 through which the raw material gas passes, the high-voltage power supply 18 that applies a high voltage between the high-voltage electrode 12 and the grounded metal electrode 14, and the main power supply line (power supply line 19) that connects the high-voltage power supply 18 and the high-voltage electrode 12 via the current interruption element 9, and generates active species in the gap 13 where the discharge is occurring. The current interrupting element 9 includes an interrupting member 1 that melts when an overcurrent flows, an insulating tube 2 that contains the interrupting member 1, two fixing members 3 into which the power supply lines 34, 36 of the interrupting member 1 are inserted and that are arranged on both ends of the insulating tube 2, a joining member 5 that joins the insulating tube 2 to the fixing member 3, and two fixed terminals 4 that fix the power supply lines 34, 36 of the interrupting member 1 to the fixing member 3 on the side of each fixing member 3 opposite the insulating tube 2. With this configuration, the discharge device 20 of the fourth embodiment requires fewer members for the current interrupting element 9 and can be manufactured by a simple method, so that a discharge device that is more reliable than a discharge device that does not have the current interrupting element 9 of the present application can be easily realized.

[0052] Since discharge device 20 of embodiment 4 can easily realize a discharge device that is more reliable than a discharge device that does not include current interruption element 9 of the present application, a highly reliable discharge device can be realized at low cost.

[0053] In addition, although various exemplary embodiments and examples are described in this application, various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to application in a specific embodiment, but can be applied to the embodiments alone or in various combinations. Therefore, countless modifications not illustrated are expected within the scope of the technology disclosed in this specification. For example, this includes cases in which at least one component is modified, added, or omitted, and further cases in which at least one component is extracted and combined with components of other embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] Reference Signs List 1... interrupting member, 2... insulating tube, 3... fixing member, 4... fixed terminal, 5... joining member, 6... through hole, 7... tension spring, 8... fixing member, 9... current interrupting element, 10... dielectric tube, 12... high voltage electrode, 13... gap, 14... grounded metal electrode, 18... high voltage power source, 19... power supply line (main power supply line), 20... discharge device, 34... power supply line, 36... power supply line, 37... main body

Claims

1. An interrupter that melts down when an overcurrent flows; an insulating tube containing the interrupting member; two fixing members disposed at both ends of the insulating tube, into which the power supply wire of the interrupting member is inserted; a joining member that joins the insulating tube and the fixing member; and two fixed terminals for fixing the power supply line of the interrupter to the fixed member on the opposite side of the insulating tube in each of the fixed members, At least one of the fixing members has at least one through hole into which the power supply line is not inserted. Current interruption element.

2. An interrupter that melts when an overcurrent flows; an insulating tube containing the interrupting member; two fixing members disposed at both ends of the insulating tube, into which the power supply wire of the interrupting member is inserted; a joining member that joins the insulating tube and the fixing member; and two fixed terminals for fixing the power supply line of the interrupter to the fixed member on the opposite side of the insulating tube in each of the fixed members, Each of the fixing members has at least one through hole into which the power supply line is not inserted. Current interruption element.

3. An interrupter that melts when an overcurrent flows; an insulating tube containing the interrupting member; two fixing members disposed at both ends of the insulating tube, into which the power supply wire of the interrupting member is inserted; a joining member that joins the insulating tube and the fixing member; and two fixed terminals for fixing the power supply line of the interrupter to the fixed member on the opposite side of the insulating tube in each of the fixed members, one of the fixing members has at least one through hole into which the power supply line is not inserted, and the other fixing member does not have a through hole into which the power supply line is not inserted; Current interruption element.

4. The interrupting member is not in contact with the insulating tube. The current interruption device according to claim 1 .

5. a length of the cutoff member in an extending direction other than the power supply line is shorter than a length of the insulating tube in the extending direction; The current interruption device according to claim 1 .

6. The length of the main body of the interrupter other than the power supply line in the extension direction is shorter than the length of the insulating tube in the extension direction. The current interruption device according to claim 4.

7. An interrupter that melts when an overcurrent flows; an insulating tube containing the interrupting member; two fixing members disposed at both ends of the insulating tube, into which the power supply wire of the interrupting member is inserted; a joining member that joins the insulating tube and the fixing member; and two fixed terminals for fixing the power supply line of the interrupter to the fixed member on the opposite side of the insulating tube in each of the fixed members, The one of the power supply lines in the interrupting member has a metal tension spring, the tension spring is disposed on a side of the interrupter closer to the main body than the fixing member into which the power supply line is inserted, the side being closer to the main body than the fixing member into which the power supply line is inserted. Current interruption element.

8. One of the power supply lines in the interrupting member has a metal tension spring, the tension spring is disposed on a side of the interrupter closer to the main body than the fixing member into which the power supply line is inserted, the side being closer to the main body than the fixing member into which the power supply line is inserted. The current interruption device according to claim 1 .

9. One of the power supply lines in the interrupting member has a metal tension spring, the tension spring is disposed on a side of the interrupter closer to the main body than the fixing member into which the power supply line is inserted, the side being closer to the main body than the fixing member into which the power supply line is inserted. The current interruption device according to claim 4.

10. One of the power supply lines in the interrupting member has a metal tension spring, the tension spring is disposed on a side of the interrupter closer to the main body than the fixing member into which the power supply line is inserted, the side being closer to the main body than the fixing member into which the power supply line is inserted. The current interruption device according to claim 5.

11. One of the power supply lines in the interrupting member has a metal tension spring, the tension spring is disposed on a side of the interrupter closer to the main body than the fixing member into which the power supply line is inserted, the side being closer to the main body than the fixing member into which the power supply line is inserted. The current interruption device according to claim 6.

12. The main body of the interrupter other than the power supply line is a glass tube fuse or a ceramic tube fuse. The current interruption device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 7.

13. The main body of the interrupter other than the power supply line is a glass tube fuse or a ceramic tube fuse. The current interruption device according to claim 4.

14. The main body of the interrupter other than the power supply line is a glass tube fuse or a ceramic tube fuse. The current interruption device according to claim 5.

15. The main body of the interrupter other than the power supply line is a glass tube fuse or a ceramic tube fuse. The current interruption device according to claim 6.

16. The main body of the interrupter other than the power supply line is a glass tube fuse or a ceramic tube fuse. The current interruption device according to claim 8.

17. The main body of the interrupter other than the power supply line is a glass tube fuse or a ceramic tube fuse. The current interruption device according to claim 9.

18. The main body of the interrupter other than the power supply line is a glass tube fuse or a ceramic tube fuse. The current interruption device according to claim 10.

19. The main body of the interrupter other than the power supply line is a glass tube fuse or a ceramic tube fuse. The current interruption device according to claim 11.

20. A discharge device that generates highly oxidizing active species from a raw material gas by discharge, A high voltage electrode formed on the inner surface of the dielectric tube; a grounded metal electrode facing the high voltage electrode across a gap through which the source gas passes; a high voltage power supply that applies a high voltage between the high voltage electrode and the grounded metal electrode; a main power supply line connecting the high voltage power supply and the high voltage electrode via the current interruption element according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 7; generating the active species in the gap where discharge is occurring; Discharge device.

21. The insulating tube of the current interrupting element is inserted into the dielectric tube.

21. The discharge device according to claim 20.

22. The high voltage power supply When it is detected that the dielectric tube has undergone insulation breakdown during operation, the output is stopped for a preset time and then controlled to start output again.

21. The discharge device according to claim 20.

23. The high voltage power supply When it is detected that the dielectric tube has undergone insulation breakdown during operation, the output is stopped for a preset time and then controlled to start output again.

22. The discharge device according to claim 21.

24. The active species is ozone.

21. The discharge device according to claim 20.

25. The method of claim 2, wherein the active species is ozone.

22. The discharge device according to claim 21.

26. The method of claim 2, wherein the active species is ozone.

23. The discharge device according to claim 22.

27. The method of claim 2, wherein the active species is ozone.

24. The discharge device according to claim 23.

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