Protection element

• US 8,648,688 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2010
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dexerials Corporation
• Original Assignee: Dexerials Corporation
• Inventors: Kimura, Yuji, Suzuki, Kazuaki
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMAS, BRADLEY H
• Application Number:
  US13/145,465
• Publication Number:
  US 20110279219A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,489 Days
• Field of Search: 337/297, 337/182, 337/183, 337/153, 296/23
• US Class Current: 337/297
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/5805 Connections to printed circuits for slide switches H01H15/005; for tumbler switches H01H23/006
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2037/768 characterised by the composition of the fusible material
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 37/08 Indicators; Distinguishing marks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 37/761 with a fusible element forming part of the switched circuit H01H37/767 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49107 Fuse making

Abstract

A protection element is provided which is capable of stably retaining a flux on a soluble conductor at a predetermined position and is capable of checking a retention state of the flux, enabling a speedy blowout of the soluble conductor in the event of an abnormality. This protection element includes: a soluble conductor 13 which is disposed on an insulation baseboard 11 and is connected to an electric power supply path of a device targeted to be protected, to cause a blowout by means of a predetermined abnormal electric power; a flux 19 which is coated onto a surface of the soluble conductor 13; and an insulation cover 14 which is mounted on the baseboard 11 with the soluble conductor 13 being covered therewith. The insulation cover 14 is provided with an opening porting 20 made of a through hole which is opposite to the soluble conductor 13. The flux 19 comes into contact with a peripheral edge part of the opening portion 20, retaining the flux 19 at a predetermined position on the soluble conductor 13.

Claims

1. A protection element for protecting a device to be protected, the protection element comprising:

an insulation baseboard;

a pair of electrodes provided at both ends of a top face of the insulation baseboard;

a low-melting metal conductor which is disposed on the insulation baseboard, and which is adapted to be connected to an electric power supply path of the device to be protected, wherein the low-melting metal conductor is adapted to cause a blowout by means of a predetermined abnormal electric power, and the protection element is adapted to allow the low-melting metal conductor to blow out and shut off a current path thereof if the abnormal electric power is supplied to the device to be protected;

an insulation cover which is mounted on the baseboard so as to cover the low-melting metal conductor with a predetermined space therebetween; and

a flux which is coated onto a surface of the low-melting metal conductor and is positioned in the space,

wherein;

the insulation cover mounted on the insulation baseboard is formed in a box shape which opens at one side face part;

an opening portion comprising a through hole is formed in the insulation cover opposite to the low-melting metal conductor;

the opening portion comprises a concentrically circular opening portion of a large diameter which is formed at a center part of the insulation cover and is arranged face-to-face opposite to a center part of the low-melting metal conductor;

the opening portion is covered with a transparent film;

the opening portion is formed so that a projection position for the insulation baseboard surrounds the center part of the low-melting metal conductor;

the flux is arranged to be in contact with a peripheral edge part of the opening portion and is retained at the peripheral edge part due to its wettability and surface tension; and

the flux is provided on the low-melting metal conductor so as to be retained at a predetermined position in the space.

2. A protection element for protecting a device to be protected, the protection element comprising:

an insulation baseboard;

a pair of electrodes provided at both ends of a top face of the insulation baseboard;

a low-melting metal conductor which is disposed on the insulation baseboard, and which is adapted to be connected to an electric power supply path of the device to be protected, wherein the low-melting metal conductor is adapted to cause a blowout by means of a predetermined abnormal electric power, and the protection element is adapted to allow the low-melting metal conductor to blow out and shut off a current path thereof if the abnormal electric power is supplied to the device to be protected;

an insulation cover which is mounted on the baseboard so as to cover the low-melting metal conductor with a predetermined space therebetween; and

a flux which is coated onto a surface of the low-melting metal conductor and is positioned in the space,

wherein;

the insulation cover mounted on the insulation baseboard is formed in a box shape which opens at one side face part;

an opening portion comprising a through hole is formed in the insulation cover opposite to the low-melting metal conductor;

the flux is arranged to be in contact with a peripheral edge part of the opening portion and is retained at the peripheral edge part due to its wettability and surface tension;

the flux is provided on the low-melting metal conductor so as to be retained at a predetermined position in the space;

the opening portion comprises a plurality of opening portions in the insulation cover, and is arranged face-to-face opposite to a center part of the low-melting metal conductor;

the plurality of opening portions are covered with a transparent film; and

the plurality of opening portions are formed so that a projection position for the insulation baseboard surrounds the center part of the low-melting metal conductor.