Fuse Housing Labyrinth Walls for Outgassing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage fuse systems face challenges with arc energy management, leading to increased outgassing and reduced Open State Resistance (OSR) due to higher arc energy compared to lower voltage systems, resulting in potential current leakage and inadequate protection.
Innovation Solution
A fuse housing design featuring labyrinth walls with serpentine paths and narrower vent channels that direct and control outgassing materials, ensuring molten metal and carbonized plastic remain within the labyrinth walls while gases escape, maintaining high OSR ratings by reducing the temperature and physical effects of outgassing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-voltage fuse systems are used to protect circuits, then the interrupting capability and protection range are improved, but the arc energy increases leading to excessive outgassing and reduced Open State Resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse housing is divided into multiple functional zones: an arc containment chamber with labyrinthine walls that segment the outgassing path, and a separate venting chamber. This segmentation allows the arc energy to be contained and directed through a controlled path, preventing uncontrolled outgassing while maintaining high interrupting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A labyrinthine wall structure serves as an intermediary between the arc containment chamber and the external environment. This intermediary structure forces outgassing materials to travel through a serpentine path, cooling and condensing them before they can escape, thus reducing the harmful effects of outgassing while preserving the fuse's protective function.
2Reliability
If high-voltage fuse systems are used to protect circuits, then the interrupting capability is improved, but the arc energy increases leading to reduced Open State Resistance and potential current leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful outgassing materials are extracted and separated from the main arc containment chamber through dedicated vent channels in the labyrinthine walls. By taking out the hot gases and molten materials through controlled extraction paths, the Open State Resistance is maintained and current leakage is prevented.
Solution Approach 2:
The high arc energy that initially causes harmful outgassing is converted into a beneficial cooling mechanism. The labyrinthine walls utilize the thermal energy to create convection currents that draw outgassing materials through the serpentine path, where they cool and condense, ultimately protecting the Open State Resistance rather than degrading it.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional fuse housing designs are used, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the outgassing control and OSR maintenance are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The labyrinthine walls are implemented as thin-walled structures with integrated serpentine channels, combining the complexity of outgassing control with manufacturing efficiency. This approach allows sophisticated outgassing management through relatively simple molding processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving reliable OSR maintenance.
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 design effectively manages outgassing, maintaining high OSR ratings and preventing current leakage, thus ensuring reliable protection against overcurrent events in high-voltage systems.
Implementation Method 1
Outgassing materials consisting of gaseous material, molten metal, and carbonized plastic are sucked through the first and second labyrinth walls
Implementation Method 2
the molten metal and the carbonized plastic substantially remain in the first and second labyrinth walls while the gaseous material escapes through the first and second vent channels
Data Source
AI summary
A fuse housing for safe outgassing of a fuse is disclosed. The fuse housing features labyrinth walls disposed at opposing sides of the fuse housing. The labyrinth walls feature serpentine paths for the flow of outgassing material. At an end of the serpentine paths which is farthest away from a fuse element are vent channels. The vent channels are narrower in depth than that of the serpentine paths of the labyrinth walls, facilitating a suctioning effect during outgassing. Conductive material deposits along the serpentine paths so that the fuse maintains a high OSR rating. By directing and controlling the outflow of gases, the fuse housing is able to reduce the temperature of the gases produced. The fuse housing is also able to reduce the physical and observable effects of outgassing.