Perforated Fuse Link Structure for Faster Arc Extinction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuses do not effectively shorten the extinction time of electric arcs, leading to longer cut-off times and less compact, more expensive fuse designs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating perforations in the fuse blade covered by arc shields, which create cavities and channel the electric arc, allowing for faster progression and extinction, and using arc arresters made of elastic material to confine and extinguish the arc more quickly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If arc arresters are placed on the fusible blade to contain the electric arc, then the arc propagation is limited, but the arc extinction time is not reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fusible blade is segmented with perforations that divide the blade into multiple sections. These perforations create multiple arc paths and increase the surface area for arc extinction, allowing the arc to be extinguished more quickly while still being contained by the arc arresters.
Solution Approach 2:
The fusible blade incorporates perforations that create a porous structure. This porous structure increases the surface area available for arc extinction and facilitates faster arc propagation through the blade, reducing the overall extinction time while maintaining arc containment.
2Volume of moving object
If the fuse design is made more compact to reduce size and cost, then the economy improves, but the arc extinction performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the dimensional advantage of perforations extending through the blade thickness, creating three-dimensional arc paths. This allows compact fuse design while maintaining effective arc extinction performance through increased surface area and multiple extinction paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous structure created by perforations in the fusible blade increases the effective surface area for arc extinction without increasing the overall fuse volume. This enables compact fuse design while maintaining or improving arc extinction performance.
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 results in significantly shorter cut-off times for fuses, enabling more compact and economical designs while maintaining effective arc extinction.
Implementation Method 1
an electric arc is created, and the current continues to flow until the arc is extinguished. The electric arc, defined as a plasma state of matter, causes intense localized heating that promotes the melting of the fusible element.
Implementation Method 2
each perforation provides a cavity between the two arc protectors of the same pair
Implementation Method 3
In the event of an overcurrent, the temperature of the fusible link rises and exceeds the melting point at one or more points, causing it to melt at least partially, and the current flow is irreversibly interrupted.
Implementation Method 4
One or more fusible elements may be connected in parallel to the two terminals, depending on the fuse's rating. The fusible link includes, between the connections to the two poles, at least one intermediate section with a reduced cross-sectional area. This intermediate section is called a 'reduced section.' Each reduced section offers greater resistance to current flow than the rest of the link.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a fuse comprising at least one fuse link (4) in which a reduced section (46A) defining a plane (P4) transverse to the fuse link is provided. The fuse further includes arc barriers (6), which are made of a elastic material and are associated in pairs, each of the arc barriers of a single pair being located opposite the other on a respective main face of a single fuse link. Each arc barrier includes an inner face (66), oriented towards the fuse link, a front face (62), oriented towards the reduced section, and a rear face (64), oriented away from the reduced section. At least one perforation (80) is provided in the fuse link in the vicinity of the reduced section, each perforation being at least partially closed off by the inner faces (66) of the two arc barriers of a single pair, each perforation providing a cavity between the two arc barriers of a single pair.