Parallel Circuit Interruption Device for Automotive Starter Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-current circuits in motor vehicles, such as starter motor circuits, often lack effective fuse protection due to the large fuse size required, which can lead to unnecessary circuit interruptions during events like collisions, causing inconvenience and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A circuit interruption device with an interruption element and a fuse element configured in parallel, where the interruption element includes an electrical conductor that can be severed by a current interrupter in response to a signal, allowing for controlled current flow and protection against shorts while enabling normal operation after a collision if no short is present.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large fuse is used to support high current in starter motor circuits, then the circuit can handle initial current surges, but the fuse provides little or no protection during low-current periods and may cause unnecessary circuit interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit protection function is segmented into two separate parallel paths: a fuse element for low-current protection and an electrical conductor for high-current operation. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and circuit availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between protection modes based on current conditions. The interruptible electrical conductor acts as a dynamic element that can be selectively opened by the current interrupter when collision is detected, allowing the system to adapt its protection level to the operational context.
2Reliability
If fuse protection is implemented in high-current circuits, then circuit shorts can be protected against, but the device must be replaced to restore the circuit after actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service through the resettable architecture. When collision is detected, the current interrupter opens the electrical conductor path rather than blowing a fuse, allowing the circuit to be restored by simply resetting the interrupter without replacing any components. This resolves the repair difficulty while maintaining short circuit protection through the parallel fuse element.
3Reliability
If the circuit is disabled whenever a vehicle collision occurs, then protection against collision-induced shorts is provided, but normal operation may be unnecessarily interrupted when no short occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The protection mechanism applies local quality by differentiating between collision types. The system provides full circuit protection only when both collision and short circuit are detected, while allowing normal operation when collision occurs without short. This localized application of protection resolves the contradiction between collision protection and vehicle operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from short circuit detection to control the activation of circuit interruption during collision. The current interrupter is activated only when feedback indicates both collision and short circuit conditions, preventing unnecessary interruption of normal operation while maintaining protection when needed.
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
Enables the normal restarting of an automotive engine after a collision by preventing unnecessary interruptions and allowing continued power to selected electrical loads, while ensuring protection against actual shorts in the battery circuit.
Implementation Method 1
a fuse element disposed between said first and second electrical connection portions in parallel with said electrical conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit interruption device (110) is provided in which an interruption element (112) and a fuse element (114) are configured electrically in parallel. The interruption element includes an electrical conductor and a current interrupter capable of severing the electrical conductor to eliminate its capacity to carry current. An exemplary embodiment of a circuit interruption device is capable of detecting an interrupt control signal and actuating in response to the signal.