Over-current Protection Device With Interlaced Groove Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermistors are not sensitive enough to variations in the electric field, making them inadequate for protecting secondary batteries and other applications that require activation at low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The design of an over-current protection device with interlaced groove patterns on electrode layers divides the resistance material into independent and parallel-connected units, enhancing sensitivity to electrical field changes and allowing activation at lower temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional thermistor structure is used, then the device is simple in structure, but the sensitivity to electric field variation is insufficient and activation temperature cannot be lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode layers are divided into multiple independent regions through groove patterns, transforming a single large electrode into multiple smaller electrodes. This segmentation increases the surface area and improves sensitivity to electric field variations while enabling lower activation temperatures through parallel connection of multiple resistance material units
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a spatial dimension by creating groove patterns on the electrode surfaces, transforming flat 2D electrodes into structured 3D surfaces with increased effective area. This dimensional enhancement allows for greater sensitivity without proportionally increasing overall device size
2Temperature
If conventional thermistor structure is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the activation temperature is too high for low-temperature applications
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the resistance material into multiple smaller units through groove patterning, each unit can be optimized to activate at lower temperatures. The parallel connection of these units maintains overall functionality while enabling low-temperature activation suitable for secondary battery protection
Solution Approach 2:
The groove patterns create local variations in the electrode structure, allowing different regions to have optimized characteristics for low-temperature activation. This local optimization enables the overall device to activate at lower temperatures while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
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
This design improves the sensitivity and lowers the activating temperature of the over-current protection device, providing more secure protection for electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
The resistance material has positive or negative temperature coefficient characteristic
Implementation Method 2
the first and second first groove patterns are configured to be interlaced such that when the first and second electrode layers are overlapped, the first and second first groove patterns form a plurality of independent regions, which divide the resistance material into a plurality of electrically isolated and parallel connected units
Data Source
AI summary
An over-current protection device comprises a resistance material with positive or negative temperature coefficient and an upper surface and a lower surface; a first electrode layer having a first groove, disposed on the upper surface; a first surface mount pad disposed on the upper surface; a second electrode layer disposed on the lower surface, electrically connecting to the first surface mount pad; a second surface mount pad disposed on the lower surface, electrically connecting to the first electrode layer; a second groove electrically separating the first surface mount pad from the first electrode layer; and a third groove electrically separating the second electrode layer from the second surface mount pad. The first groove divides the first electrode layer into two connected regions. The first and second surface mount pads are separated from each other and one end of the first groove connects to the second groove.