Fuse Fire-Extinguishing Pads for Higher Breaking Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuses face challenges in maximizing breaking capacity without increasing cost, size, or form factor, as they can rupture due to electrical arcs during overcurrent conditions, potentially causing damage to surrounding components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of fire extinguishing pads within the fuse body, composed of a polymeric substrate with microcapsules filled with an arc-quenching liquid, which are activated upon an overcurrent condition to quench electrical arcs and prevent rupture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fuse design is used, then the fuse structure is simple and cost-effective, but the breaking capacity is limited due to rupture from electrical arcs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fire extinguishing pads as an intermediary substance between the fusible element and the fuse body walls. These pads contain microcapsules filled with arc-quenching liquid that releases upon activation, acting as a mediator to suppress electrical arcs and prevent rupture, thereby resolving the contradiction between limited breaking capacity and simple structure
Solution Approach 2:
The fire extinguishing pads are constructed from composite materials consisting of a polymeric substrate embedded with microcapsules containing arc-quenching liquid. This composite structure combines the structural integrity of the polymer with the arc-quenching properties of the liquid, enabling the fuse to achieve higher breaking capacity while maintaining a relatively simple overall design
2Reliability
If fire extinguishing pads with microcapsules are added to increase breaking capacity, then arc quenching effectiveness improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-quenching liquid is pre-encapsulated in microcapsules and embedded in the polymeric substrate before the fuse assembly is completed. This preliminary preparation allows the arc-quenching functionality to be built-in during manufacturing, simplifying the overall production process while ensuring reliable arc suppression when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in physical parameters of the microcapsules (such as wall strength, size, and composition) and the polymeric substrate to optimize both the arc-quenching effectiveness and manufacturability. By adjusting these parameters, the design achieves high reliability while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes
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
Significantly increases the breaking capacity of the fuse while maintaining a compact design and reducing material costs, minimizing damage to surrounding components by effectively mitigating electrical arcs.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of microcapsules filled with an arc-quenching liquid
Implementation Method 2
the fire extinguishing pad formed of a polymeric substrate and a plurality of microcapsules embedded in the polymeric substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A high breaking capacity fuse including an electrically insulating fuse body, a fusible element extending through the fuse body, an electrically conductive first terminal connected to a first end of the fusible element, an electrically conductive second terminal connected to a second end of the fusible element, and a first fire extinguishing pad and a second fire extinguishing disposed within the fuse body and sandwiching the fusible element therebetween, each of the first and second fire extinguishing pads formed of a polymeric substrate and a plurality of microcapsules embedded in the polymeric substrate, the plurality of microcapsules filled with an arc-quenching liquid.