Three-Electrode Cut-Off Circuit for High-Current Fuse Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical cut-off devices struggle to efficiently interrupt high-intensity electrical currents with rapid response times, particularly in applications like electric vehicles and photovoltaic panels. Additionally, these devices often fail to open the circuit when currents are low or zero, and modifying the internal architecture of pyrotechnic circuit breakers can be industrially complex.
Innovation Solution
An electrical system comprising a circuit breaker, a fuse, and an electrical apparatus connected in series and parallel configurations. The electrical apparatus includes electrodes arranged to divert the electric current from the circuit breaker to the fuse only when the current exceeds a predefined threshold, preventing premature aging of the fuse and ensuring rapid circuit opening even at low or zero current conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fuse is connected in parallel with a pyrotechnic circuit breaker to ensure total interruption of current, then the cutting performance is improved, but the fuse may be permanently crossed by electric current leading to premature aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control device that activates before the fuse is permanently crossed by current. This control device detects the circuit breaker's triggered state and opens a bypass circuit in advance, preventing harmful current from flowing through the fuse and extending its service life while maintaining reliable cutting performance
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary between the circuit breaker and the fuse. It monitors the circuit breaker's state and controls the bypass circuit accordingly, ensuring that the fuse is only exposed to current when necessary for total interruption, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and service life
2Adaptability or versatility
If the internal architecture of a pyrotechnic circuit breaker is modified to enable opening at low or zero current, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the circuit opening function into two independent parts: the pyrotechnic circuit breaker for high-current interruption and a separate control device with bypass circuit for low/zero-current opening. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and manufactured independently, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The control device provides multi-functionality by handling both the activation of the bypass circuit and the enabling of low/zero-current opening capability. This universal approach avoids the need for complex modifications to the pyrotechnic circuit breaker's internal architecture while achieving the desired adaptability
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 system effectively interrupts high-intensity electrical currents with rapid response times, extends the service life of the fuse by preventing permanent current flow, and ensures reliable circuit opening across varying current conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a pyrotechnic charge (94) configured to, when triggered, sever an electrical conductor extending between the first terminal (6) and the second terminal (8)
Implementation Method 2
a fusible element (F1) connecting the first electrode (E1) to the second electrode (E2), the fusible element being configured to melt when the current passing through it exceeds said threshold value
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3
AI summary
Electrical device (10) comprising a body (30) defining a closed inner space, a first electrode (E1), a second electrode (E2) and a third electrode (E3), a free end of each electrode opening inside the inner space, the free ends of each electrode being arranged, inside the inner space, apart from one another and opposite the other electrodes, the electrical device being configured to: - prohibit the current from flowing between the first electrode and the third electrode when the electric current or the electric voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode remains below a predefined threshold value; - when the electric current or the electric voltage exceeds the threshold value, allow the current to flow between the first electrode and the third electrode.