Fuse Shielding Structure for Arc-Safe High-Current Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective elements for high voltage and high current applications are prone to large-scale arc discharge when a fuse element fuses, leading to insulating case breakdown, and lack a mechanism for overcurrent cutoff via a cutoff signal.
Innovation Solution
A protective element design featuring a fuse element, insulating case, shielding member, and heat-generating body that cuts the fuse element upon overheating, with a locking member and pressing means to control the shielding member's movement, allowing for overcurrent cutoff and signal-induced cutoff while minimizing arc discharge and reducing the size and weight of the insulating case.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a low resistance and high melting point metal such as copper is used as a material of the fuse element to suppress arc discharge, then arc discharge is suppressed, but the size and weight of the insulating case must be increased to accommodate the protective element
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding member is inserted into a groove formed in the insulating case, creating a nested structure where the shielding member fits within the insulating case. This nesting arrangement allows the shielding function to be integrated within the existing insulating case structure, eliminating the need to increase the insulating case size while still achieving arc discharge suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
A shielding member made of heat-resistant material is introduced as an intermediary component between the fuse element and the insulating case. This shielding member specifically addresses the arc discharge issue by providing localized protection, allowing the insulating case to maintain its original size and weight while still protecting against arc discharge effects.
2Temperature
If a strong and highly heat-resistant material such as ceramic is used as a material of the insulating case to withstand arc discharge, then heat resistance is improved, but the size of the insulating case is further increased
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire insulating case from heat-resistant ceramic material, the patent applies heat-resistant properties locally by introducing a shielding member made of heat-resistant material only in the specific region where arc discharge occurs. This localized approach provides the necessary heat resistance at the critical location while maintaining the original insulating case size.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding member with heat-resistant properties is nested within the insulating case, allowing the insulating case to maintain its original size and volume. The heat-resistant shielding member is positioned specifically to protect against arc discharge, providing localized thermal protection without requiring the entire insulating case to be made from heat-resistant material.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a shielding member is inserted into a groove formed in the insulating case to cut the fuse element, then arc discharge is suppressed, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a shield to suppress arc discharge, serves as a cutting element to sever the fuse element when activated, and provides structural support within the insulating case. By combining these functions into a single component, the patent reduces device complexity compared to having separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the shielding function and the cutting function into a single shielding member. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate shielding and cutting components, thereby reducing the overall device complexity while still achieving both arc discharge suppression and fuse element cutting capabilities.
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 effectively prevents large-scale arc discharge, enables overcurrent cutoff, and allows for signal-induced cutoff, achieving a compact and lightweight protective element for high voltage/high current applications.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-generating body that heats and softens the locking member or a fixing member fixing the locking member
Implementation Method 2
pressing means that press the shielding member in an insertion direction of the shielding member
Data Source
AI summary
A protective element includes: a fuse element including a first end portion and a second end portion; an insulating member having an opening or a separation part, the insulating member being disposed in a state proximal to or in contact with the fuse element; a shielding member movable in an insertion direction to be inserted into the opening or the separation part of the insulating member so as to divide the fuse element; a pressing member that press the shielding member; a locking member that is fixed between the insulting case and the shielding member, optionally using a fixing member, and suppresses movement of the shielding member; and a heat-generating body configured to heat the locking member or the fixing member.