Overcurrent Protection Device Using Magnetic Shape-Memory Alloy Trigger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overcurrent protection devices often require multiple trigger elements and have complex designs, which can lead to reduced reliability and increased maintenance, while also being less flexible in adapting to different triggering behaviors.
Innovation Solution
A compact overcurrent protection device utilizing a single trigger element made of thermally and magnetically shape-shiftable material, such as a magnetic shape-memory alloy, that can deform in response to both thermal and magnetic stimuli, allowing for a unified short-circuit and overload protection mechanism with adjustable trigger characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple trigger elements are used for short-circuit and overload protection, then protection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines short-circuit protection and overload protection functions into a single trigger element made of magnetic shape-memory material. This unified trigger element responds to both thermal effects (overload) and magnetic effects (short-circuit) through phase transitions, eliminating the need for separate trigger elements while maintaining comprehensive protection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic shape-memory material trigger element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects thermal conditions for overload protection, responds to magnetic fields for short-circuit protection, and provides mechanical actuation for circuit interruption. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the protection device.
2Reliability
If multiple trigger elements are used, then different protection functions are achieved, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging short-circuit and overload protection into a single trigger element, the patent reduces the number of components that require maintenance. The unified magnetic shape-memory material trigger element eliminates interfaces and connections between multiple trigger elements, reducing potential failure points and simplifying maintenance procedures.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional trigger elements are used, then design is simple, but adaptability to different triggering behaviors is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables adaptation of triggering behavior by changing material parameters (composition, phase transition temperatures) and geometric parameters (dimensions, shape) of the magnetic shape-memory material trigger element. This allows the same basic design to be customized for different protection requirements without changing the fundamental structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of magnetic shape-memory materials provides a composite functionality that combines thermal response and magnetic response in a single material system. This material-level composite approach enables versatile triggering behavior while maintaining design simplicity at the component level.
4Device complexity
If a unified trigger element is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reaction time may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic shape-memory material utilizes rapid phase transitions (martensitic transformations) that occur on microsecond timescales. These phase transitions enable the trigger element to respond quickly to both thermal and magnetic stimuli, achieving fast reaction times despite the unified design. The phase transition mechanism provides inherent speed advantage over mechanical or thermal-only triggers.
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 solution enhances reliability, reduces the number of components, and enables flexible adaptation of triggering behavior, achieving rapid reaction times and a maintenance-free operation with a simple and adaptable design.
Implementation Method 1
at least one trigger element (16), which comprises at least one magnetically and thermally shape-shiftable material (18) and is configured in the trigger situation for a thermally-induced and/or magnetically-induced deformation
Implementation Method 2
at least one trigger element (16), which comprises at least one magnetically and thermally shape-shiftable material (18) and is configured in the trigger situation for a thermally-induced and/or magnetically-induced deformation
Data Source
AI summary
An overcurrent protection device for a circuit to be monitored, includes at least one trigger unit, which is configured for an interruption of the circuit in at least one trigger situation and which comprises at least one conductor section, which is configured for a conduction of a current to be monitored, at least one trigger element, which comprises at least one magnetically and thermally shape-shiftable material and is, in the trigger situation, configured for a thermally-induced and/or magnetically-induced deformation in dependence on a current that flows through the conductor section, and at least one actuation element, which is operatively connected with the trigger element and is configured for a transmission of at least one actuation movement and/or at least one actuation force to at least one interrupter switch.