Fail-Safe Thermistor Component for Minimum Conductivity Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electric components, such as ceramic components and thermistors, can fail due to mechanical loading, overcurrent, or material fatigue, leading to short circuits or contact separation, which can result in functional failure and safety-relevant disturbances, requiring complex solutions for control.
Innovation Solution
An electric component comprising a functional element and a fail-safe element, where the fail-safe element ensures minimum resistance or conductivity in case of the functional element's failure, either by interconnection in parallel to prevent high current flow or in series to manage short circuits, using materials like ceramic or PTC thermistors to maintain basic functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a functional element (PTC/NTC thermistor, ceramic component) is used for temperature sensing or current limiting, then the component can perform temperature regulation or inrush current limitation, but the component may fail due to mechanical loading, overcurrent, or material fatigue, leading to contact separation or short circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a fail-safe element that provides a backup conduction path before the functional element fails. This fail-safe element ensures that even if the functional element fails (contact separation or short circuit), the component can maintain a defined resistance value and continue to conduct current, thus cushioning against the harmful effects of failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by adding a fail-safe element that acts as a mediator between the functional element and the circuit. This fail-safe element has a defined resistance value that is higher than the functional element's resistance under normal conditions, allowing it to remain inactive during normal operation but become active when the functional element fails, thus mediating the transition from failure state to functional state.
2Reliability
If the functional element fails with contact separation, then the resistance becomes infinite or very high, but a minimum conductivity is required for design- or application-dictated reasons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the functional element and the fail-safe element into a single component structure. The fail-safe element is integrated alongside the functional element, sharing the same housing and electrical connections. This merging allows the component to maintain minimum conductivity upon failure without requiring additional external components or complex monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fail-safe element provides a self-service function by automatically taking over when the functional element fails. No external monitoring or control system is needed - the fail-safe element's higher resistance value ensures it remains inactive during normal operation but automatically becomes the active conduction path when the functional element fails, providing self-diagnosis and self-recovery.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the functional element fails with short circuit, then high current flow occurs causing damage, but a minimum resistance is needed to prevent damage from high current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the difference in resistance values between the functional element and the fail-safe element. The fail-safe element has a defined resistance value that is higher than the functional element's resistance under normal conditions. This parameter difference allows the fail-safe element to remain inactive during normal operation (when low resistance is needed for functionality) but become active when the functional element fails (providing the necessary resistance to limit current).
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The fail-safe element effectively prevents damage from high current flows or ensures minimum conductivity, delaying or moderating functional failure, and can indicate failures through resistance measurements, thus enhancing the reliability and safety of electric components.
Implementation Method 1
The fail safe element ensures a minimum resistance and/or a minimum conductivity of the component in the event of a failure of the functional element
Implementation Method 2
The functional element is a PTC thermistor (positive temperature coefficient element)
Implementation Method 3
The functional element is a PTC thermistor or an NTC thermistor (negative temperature coefficient element)
Data Source
AI summary
An electric component with a fail safe element is disclosed. In an embodiment a component includes a functional element and a fail safe element electrically interconnected therewith, wherein the fail safe element is configured to ensure a minimum resistance or a minimum conductivity of the component in the event of a failure of the functional element.