Compact Fuse Cut-off Device for Voltage Surge Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fuse disconnect devices are too large for integration into overvoltage protection systems and lack sufficient mechanical resistance to lightning strikes, leading to mechanical deterioration and suboptimal arc voltage establishment, which hampers the rapid limitation of electric current.
Innovation Solution
A fuse disconnect device with two conductive fuse elements placed symmetrically around the median longitudinal axis, each held by an insulating support made of gas-producing material, which attracts electric arcs towards the center of the arc extinguishing chamber, reducing the passage gap section and enhancing mechanical resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional fuse disconnect devices are used, then the device can interrupt electric current, but the device size becomes too large for integration into overvoltage protection systems
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse element is divided into multiple segments (first fuse element and second fuse element) arranged in parallel between the same electrodes. This segmentation allows the device to maintain interrupting capacity while reducing the overall volume and enabling integration into compact overvoltage protection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single large fuse element to multiple smaller fuse elements arranged in a parallel configuration across different spatial dimensions. This dimensional reorganization reduces the device footprint while maintaining the electrical interrupting function, enabling integration into compact protection systems.
2Strength
If traditional fuse elements are used, then the device can be manufactured, but the mechanical resistance to lightning strikes is insufficient, leading to mechanical deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse element is segmented into multiple parallel elements, which distributes the mechanical stress and electrodynamic forces generated during lightning strikes. This segmentation enhances the overall mechanical resistance and durability of the device without significantly complicating the manufacturing process, as each segment can be manufactured using standard techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite structure combining multiple fuse elements with insulating supports and arc extinguishing chambers. This composite design enhances mechanical strength and resistance to lightning strikes while maintaining manufacturability through modular assembly of standardized components.
3Speed
If the passage gap between arc birth zone and arc extinction chamber is large, then the fuse element can be positioned, but the travel time of the arc is too long, hampering rapid electric current limitation
Solution Approach 1:
The arc path is segmented into multiple shorter segments by positioning multiple fuse elements in parallel with reduced passage gaps. This segmentation reduces the total arc travel distance and time, enabling faster electric current limitation while maintaining proper positioning of all fuse elements within the compact chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention reorganizes the arc extinction path by arranging multiple fuse elements in parallel across different spatial positions, effectively reducing the arc travel distance in the critical dimension. This dimensional optimization enables rapid current interruption without requiring excessively long passage gaps.
4Volume of moving object
If fuse elements are placed close to the center, then the device size is reduced, but the electric arcs may not attract effectively towards the center
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the problematic passage gap between the arc birth zone and the arc extinction chamber by directly positioning fuse elements within the chamber. This extraction of the unnecessary intermediate space enables effective arc attraction to the center while maintaining a compact chamber volume, as arcs now travel directly from the fuse element to the chamber center without traversing a long passage.
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 solution enables a compact fuse disconnect device with improved mechanical resistance to lightning strikes and faster arc voltage establishment, enhancing the efficiency of electric current interruption.
Implementation Method 1
held by an insulating support made of gas-producing material, which attracts electric arcs towards the center of the arc extinguishing chamber
Implementation Method 2
said at least two conductive fuse elements are placed on either side of the median longitudinal axis so that the electric arcs arising after the melting of said fuse elements attract each other mutually towards the center of the extinguishing chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
Figure 6A~7
AI summary
The device has an arc extinction chamber delimited by a lateral insulating wall (4) extending between radial conductive walls (10). The chamber has a fusible conducting element (3) extended between the radial walls through an interstice and rigidly maintained in the chamber by a maintaining unit. A section of the element in a plane perpendicular to a median longitudinal axis is elongated such that length of the section is three times higher than width. The element is formed of metal conductive sheet maintained on a support that is made of gasifier material and forms a part of the wall (4).