Fusible link

• US 4,652,848 A
• Filed: 06/06/1986
• Issued: 03/24/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Hundrieser, Dieter H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Broome, Harold
• Application Number:
  US06/871,280
• Time in Patent Office: 291 Days
• Field of Search: 337/297, 337/405, 337/402, 337/403, 337/404, 337/232, 337/4, 337/152, 337/153, 337/166, 361/104, 361/402, 219/517, 219/523
• US Class Current: 337/297
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/046 Fuses formed as printed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0293 Individual printed conductors which are adapted for modification, e.g. fusable or breakable conductors, printed switches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/0305 Solder used for other purposes than connections between PCB or components, e.g. for filling vias or for programmable patterns
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10181 Fuse
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/4038 Through-connections; Vertical interconnect access [VIA] connections H05K3/403, H05K3/42 take precedence

Abstract

A fusible link for an electrical circuit consists of a length of fusible material which closely fits an aperture through a ceramic printed circuit board. Ends of the fusible element electrically contact respective electrical leads on opposed surfaces of the board. A resistive film forming part of the electrical circuit is located close to the fusible link site so that when overvoltage conditions exist the resistive film heats the circuit board until eventually the fusible material melts, flows out of the aperture and the electrical circuit is broken. The fusible link is soldered and/or swaged into position and projects beyond the surface of the circuit board so that when the solder melts, surface tension forces tend to pull the solder out of the aperture.

Claims

1. An electrical circuit having a fusible link, the fusible link formed at an aperture through a printed circuit board, the link being a length of fusible alloy having a close fit within said aperture wherein one end of said fusible alloy length is electrically connected to a circuit lead on one side of the board and the other end of said length is electrically connected to a circuit lead on the opposite side of the board, and a resistive film located adjacent said link and, together with said link and said circuit leads, being connected into said circuit, said resistive film adapted to heat the fusible alloy to its melting point when the circuit is subjected to an overvoltage condition.

2. A circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the circuit board is made of a ceramic material having a high thermal capacity.

3. A circuit as claimed in claim 1 in which the fusible alloy length is swaged into position within the aperture whereby the fusible alloy length is a close fit within the aperture.

4. A circuit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the length of fusible alloy projects beyond the aperture at opposed surfaces of the circuit board.

5. A circuit as claimed in claim 4 wherein the extended projection of the fusible alloy length beyond the circuit board surface is such that on melting of the fusible alloy, surface tension forces within the fusible alloy tend to draw melted fusible alloy outside the aperture into a ball and so further draw fusible alloy from inside the aperture.

6. A circuit as claimed in claim 5 wherein the aperture is a circular hole.

7. A circuit as claimed in claim 6 wherein the aperture tapers from one surface of the board to the opposed surface thereof.

8. A circuit as claimed in claim 5 wherein the fusible alloy is 60/40 tin/lead solder.