EP0802553B1 - Schmelzsicherungskombination, Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung, und Schaltungsanordnung, die sie enthält - Google Patents

Schmelzsicherungskombination, Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung, und Schaltungsanordnung, die sie enthält Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0802553B1
EP0802553B1 EP19970106311 EP97106311A EP0802553B1 EP 0802553 B1 EP0802553 B1 EP 0802553B1 EP 19970106311 EP19970106311 EP 19970106311 EP 97106311 A EP97106311 A EP 97106311A EP 0802553 B1 EP0802553 B1 EP 0802553B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fuse
contacts
support
combination
elements
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19970106311
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0802553A3 (de
EP0802553A2 (de
Inventor
Jun Yasukuni
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Original Assignee
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd filed Critical Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Publication of EP0802553A2 publication Critical patent/EP0802553A2/de
Publication of EP0802553A3 publication Critical patent/EP0802553A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0802553B1 publication Critical patent/EP0802553B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H85/00—Protective devices in which the current flows through a part of fusible material and this current is interrupted by displacement of the fusible material when this current becomes excessive
    • H01H85/02—Details
    • H01H85/04—Fuses, i.e. expendable parts of the protective device, e.g. cartridges
    • H01H85/041—Fuses, i.e. expendable parts of the protective device, e.g. cartridges characterised by the type
    • H01H85/0411—Miniature fuses
    • H01H85/0415—Miniature fuses cartridge type
    • H01H85/0417—Miniature fuses cartridge type with parallel side contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H85/00—Protective devices in which the current flows through a part of fusible material and this current is interrupted by displacement of the fusible material when this current becomes excessive
    • H01H85/02—Details
    • H01H85/04—Fuses, i.e. expendable parts of the protective device, e.g. cartridges
    • H01H85/041—Fuses, i.e. expendable parts of the protective device, e.g. cartridges characterised by the type
    • H01H85/0411—Miniature fuses
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H85/00—Protective devices in which the current flows through a part of fusible material and this current is interrupted by displacement of the fusible material when this current becomes excessive
    • H01H85/02—Details
    • H01H85/04—Fuses, i.e. expendable parts of the protective device, e.g. cartridges
    • H01H85/041—Fuses, i.e. expendable parts of the protective device, e.g. cartridges characterised by the type
    • H01H85/0411—Miniature fuses
    • H01H2085/0412—Miniature fuses specially adapted for being mounted on a printed circuit board
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H85/00—Protective devices in which the current flows through a part of fusible material and this current is interrupted by displacement of the fusible material when this current becomes excessive
    • H01H85/02—Details
    • H01H85/04—Fuses, i.e. expendable parts of the protective device, e.g. cartridges
    • H01H85/05—Component parts thereof
    • H01H85/055—Fusible members
    • H01H2085/0555—Input terminal connected to a plurality of output terminals, e.g. multielectrode
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H85/00—Protective devices in which the current flows through a part of fusible material and this current is interrupted by displacement of the fusible material when this current becomes excessive
    • H01H85/02—Details
    • H01H85/20—Bases for supporting the fuse; Separate parts thereof
    • H01H2085/2085—Holders for mounting a fuse on a printed circuit
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H69/00—Apparatus or processes for the manufacture of emergency protective devices
    • H01H69/02—Manufacture of fuses

Definitions

  • This Application is directed to a fuse combination including a plurality of fuse elements on an insulative support, as well as a method of making the combination and its use in an electrical circuit.
  • Fuses 1 comprise fusible portions 2 which, in this case, are connected to a single unnumbered connector. Fuses 1 are stamped out of a conductive metal plate and, to predetermine the capacity of the fuses, fusible portions 2 are cut narrower than the remainder of the fuse. However, this is very difficult to do when stamping a metal plate, and thus is not entirely satisfactory. On the other hand, if a thinner metal plate is used, this will also cause the fusible portions to be thinner and permit control of the current flowing. However, the remainder of the fuses will also be thinner and will be difficult to connect to other terminals.
  • the present Invention is intended to provide a fuse combination which can be stamped from sheet metal and can be designed so that it will limit the circuit in which it is placed to a low current capacity.
  • this Invention includes contacts of sufficient strength and thickness so that they can readily be inserted into other terminals.
  • a fuse combination having a plurality of fuse elements arranged in a plane on an insulative support.
  • the fuse elements are generally elongated in shape and have first and second contacts with fusible portions therebetween.
  • the latter are of shallower depths than the former.
  • the fuse elements are arranged in parallel and spaced apart from each other.
  • a first band connects adjacent first contacts at their ends and, in a preferred form of the Invention, a second band connects the second contacts at their ends. In this way, the plurality of fuse elements is held in proper spaced relationship.
  • An insulative support generally complementary to the plane of the fuse elements, is also provided.
  • One dimension of the support is shorter than the distance between the ends of the fuse elements. In this way, the outer ends of the first and second contacts extend beyond the insulative support.
  • the support also is provided with cavities which correspond to the fusible portions of the fuse elements.
  • the fusible portions are placed on the support so that the fusible elements traverse the cavities.
  • the cavities are actually holes completely through the support. The fuse elements and the support are fixed together to complete the fuse combination.
  • the combination is then bent into a U-shape about an axis transverse to the elongated fuse elements and passing through the cavities or holes. It has been found particularly useful if the support is weakened along the foregoing axis in order to provide a bending hinge.
  • a cover preferably transparent, is placed over the fusible portions to protect them. Since the cover is transparent, if a fuse has melted, it can readily be determined by visual inspection. The combination, with the first and second contacts protruding beyond the support, can then be inserted into a complementary socket.
  • Metal plate 12 has first and second portions 12a with third portion 12b therebetween. Third portion 12b is preferably thinner than either of the other two portions. As shown in Figures 1 to 8, a plurality of fuse elements 11 is stamped out of metal plate 12. Each fuse element 11 consists of first and second contacts 16 and fusible portion 20. The ends of contacts 16 are attached to bands 13 by connecting portions 14.
  • Insulative support 15 is provided with openings 22 and locking projections 19. At hinge 23, support 15 is reduced in thickness to assist in bending. Fuse elements 11 are placed on support 15 so that locking projections 19 fit into notches 16a, thereby positioning fuse elements 11 as required. Projections 19 are higher than the thickness of contacts 16 and, as shown in Figure 6, they are bent over the edges of the contacts in order to secure them to the insulative support. This can be accomplished, for example, by heat and pressure. Thereafter, bands 13 are removed by cutting connecting portions 14 and discarded.
  • support 15 is then bent or folded about hinge 23 into the U-shape as shown in Figure 3.
  • cover 21 is placed over at least fusible portions 20 for protection. It is preferred that cover 21 be transparent so that, if a fuse has melted due to a current overload, it can be visually detected.
  • Fuse combination is shown, for example, in Figure 4 as it is about to be inserted into socket 17.
  • Socket 17 contains a plurality, corresponding to the plurality of fuse elements 11, of terminal chambers 25.
  • Busbar contacts 26 from, for example, a circuit board, extend up into the terminal chambers.
  • Fuse combination 29 is pressed downwardly (as shown in Figure 4) so that the outer walls of cover 21 fit into insertion walls 27. This properly positions fuse combination 29 and permits each of contacts 16 to enter its corresponding insertion opening 25a.
  • insulative support 15 is bent about hinge 23, cut out portions 28 are formed in which fusible portions 20 are located.
  • a branched fuse is provided. Fuse elements 31 are electrically connected by connecting piece 33 which, in turn, is joined to contact 32.
  • connecting piece 33 electrically uniting all of fuse elements 31. However, there are two contacts 32 for appropriate circuitry.
  • the present Invention has numerous advantages over the fuse combinations previously known. To predetermine the amount of current which the fuse will tolerate, it is necessary that the cross sections of the fusible portions of the fuse elements be carefully controlled. In accordance with the present Invention, this is accomplished by the provision of the metal plate having thick sections (which ultimately form the contacts) and a thin section (which ultimately forms the fusible portions).
  • the thicknesses of the fusible portions - and hence the maximum permitted current - can be easily controlled.
  • the manufacturing process is quite simple and a large number of fuse elements can be produced at once.
  • the thin portion of the metal plate can be readily and accurately formed by rolling or otherwise, thereby providing accurate control of the fusible portions and the current flowing therethrough.
  • the Invention is of particular value where low current capacities are required.
  • Bands are provided on the ends of the fuse elements. These are formed at the same time - and in the same operation - as the fuse elements themselves. They serve to hold the elements in position with respect to each other so that the entire plurality may be handled at the same time. Once they are placed on the support, the latter can be bent into its U-shape, thereby forming all of the fuses in one operation. Grouping the fuses in this manner saves space and permits the fuses to be used in constricted areas. In addition, the structure of the inventive fuse combination permits insertion vertically into the receiving sockets. This minimizes the area required for installation and removal.
  • the fusible portions are out of contact therewith. Thus, if a fusible portion melts, no smoke is generated, nor is any damage done to the support. Moreover, these openings allow dissipation of heat so that the substrate does not influence the melting of the fuse. This provides improved accuracy.
  • the provision of locking projections on the support and corresponding notches or holes in the contacts permits simple and foolproof attachment of the fuse elements.
  • the projections position the fuse elements as well as retain them in position. Since the height of the projections is greater than that of the contacts, it is possible - as by the application of heat and/or pressure - to distort the ends of the projections so that they overlie edges or portions of the contacts. Alternatively, when holes are used, enlarged ends of the projections allow the fuse elements to be "snapped" into position and held there.
  • bands 13 can be eliminated and the fuse elements placed on the support individually.
  • the support may first be bent and the fuse elements affixed thereafter.
  • the insulative support can be provided with two sets of projections, one for positioning the fuse elements and the other for locking them. Instead of locking projections, the fuse elements may be soldered directly to the support. Also, it is not essential that the fusible portions be suspended apart from the insulative support. They can lie flat thereon and still perform their function.
  • branching circuits may be formed having the fuses all connected to a single contact and, if desired, any number of fusible portions may be provided, depending upon individual requirements.

Landscapes

  • Fuses (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Schmelzsicherungskombination mit einer Vielzahl von Sicherungselementen (11), die in einer Ebene angeordnet sind, und einem isolierenden Träger (15) dafür, wobei die Sicherungselemente erste Kontakte (16) an ersten Enden der Sicherungselemente aufweisen und zweite Kontakte (16) an zweiten Enden der Sicherungselemente, und schmelzfähige Teile (20) zwischen den ersten Kontakten und den zweiten Kontakten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die ersten Kontakte eine erste Tiefe haben, die zweiten Kontakte eine zweite Tiefe und die schmelzfähigen Teile eine dritte Tiefe, wobei die dritte Tiefe dünner ist als die erste Tiefe und die zweite Tiefe, wobei die Schmelzsicherungselemente parallel und im Abstand voneinander in der Ebene angeordnet sind, und
    daß der Träger im wesentlichen komplementär zur Ebene ist und eine Abmessung parallel zu der Ebene und kürzer als der Abstand zwischen den ersten Enden und den zweiten Enden hat, wobei der Träger mit Ausnehmungen (22) versehen ist, die den schmelzfähigen Teilen entsprechen, und wobei die Schmelzsicherungselemente auf dem Träger befestigt sind.
  2. Schmelzsicherungskombination nach Anspruch 1,
    wobei der Träger mit den darauf befestigten Schmelzsicherungselementen in eine U-Form gebogen ist.
  3. Schmelzsicherungskombination nach Anspruch 2,
    wobei mindestens Teile der schmelzfähigen Teile sich über jede der Ausnehmungen erstrecken.
  4. Schmelzsicherungskombination nach Anspruch 2,
    wobei die schmelzfähigen Teile eingeschlossen sind in eine transparente Umhüllung (21).
  5. Schmelzsicherungskombination nach Anspruch 1,
    mit einem ersten Band (13), welches nebeneinander liegende erste Enden verbindet, wodurch die Elemente in ihrem Abstandsverhältnis gehalten sind.
  6. Schmelzsicherungskombination nach Anspruch 5,
    wobei das erste Band von den ersten Enden getrennt werden kann, nachdem die schmelzfähigen Elemente auf dem Träger befestigt wurden.
  7. Schmelzsicherungskombination nach Anspruch 1,
    wobei die ersten Kontakte und die zweiten Kontakte mit gekerbten nebeneinanderliegenden Kanten (16a) versehen sind, wobei komplementäre Einheiten (19) auf dem Träger vorgesehen sind, welche an den Kerben anliegen, um die Schmelzsicherungselemente sicher auf dem Träger zu befestigen.
  8. Schmelzsicherungskombination nach Anspruch 1,
    wobei die ersten Kontakte und die zweiten Kontakte mit Löchern (19) durch sie hindurch versehen sind, wobei auf dem Träger aufrechtstehende Sperrvorsprünge vorgesehen sind, die durch die Löcher hindurchgreifen, wodurch die Schmelzsicherungselemente an dem Träger sicher befestigt sind.
  9. Verfahren zum Herstellen der Schmelzsicherungskombination gemäß Anspruch 1 aus dem Träger und einer Metallplatte mit einem ersten Teil (12a), einem zweiten Teil (12a) und einem dritten Teil (12b) dazwischen, wobei das Verfahren aufweist
    Ausbilden von Schmelzsicherungselementen aus der Platte, wobei der erste Teil und der zweite Teil jeweils die ersten Kontakte und die zweiten Kontakte darstellen, und der dritte Teil den schmelzfähigen Teil bildet,
    Plazieren der Schmelzsicherungselemente auf dem Träger, wobei die ersten Kontakte und die zweiten Kontakte aufrechtstehende komplementäre Einheiten auf dem Träger kontaktieren, wodurch die Schmelzsicherungselemente an dem Träger sicher befestigt sind, und
    Biegen des Trägers und der Schmelzsicherungselement in eine U-Form um eine Achse, die durch die Kavitäten hindurchgreift.
  10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9,
    wobei ein erstes Band vorgesehen ist, welches nebeneinanderliegende erste Enden verbindet und ein zweites Band, welches nebeneinanderliegende zweite Enden verbindet, wobei das Verfahren aufweist
    Trennen des ersten Bandes von den ersten Kontakten und des zweiten Bandes von den zweiten Kontakten nach der Plazierung.
  11. Schmelzsicherungskombination nach Anspruch 4,
    mit einem Sockel (17) mit einer Vielzahl von Einschuböffnungen (25a) in einer seiner ersten Flächen, wobei die ersten Kontakte in der Einschuböffnung und in elektrischem Kontakt mit Anschlüssen (18) darin liegen, und einer Einschubwandung (27) auf der Oberfläche und senkrecht dazu, wobei ein unterer Teil der transparenten Umhüllung in der Einschubwandung liegt.
  12. Schmelzsicherungskombination nach Anspruch 11,
    wobei die Anschlüsse auf der Schaltungsplatte befestigte Sammelschienen sind.
  13. Sicherungsschaltung mit einem Sockel für die Schmelzsicherungskombination nach einem der Ansprüche 11 oder 12 mit einer Vielzahl von Einschuböffnungen (25a), wobei die ersten Kontakte und die zweiten Kontakte in den Einschuböffnungen und in elektrischem Kontakt damit liegen, und mit Sammelschienenkontakten in der Anschlußkammer und in elektrischem Kontakt damit.
EP19970106311 1996-04-17 1997-04-16 Schmelzsicherungskombination, Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung, und Schaltungsanordnung, die sie enthält Expired - Lifetime EP0802553B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP9573796 1996-04-17
JP95737/96 1996-04-17
JP9573796A JPH09282999A (ja) 1996-04-17 1996-04-17 ヒューズ素子とその製造方法及びヒューズ装置

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0802553A2 EP0802553A2 (de) 1997-10-22
EP0802553A3 EP0802553A3 (de) 1997-10-29
EP0802553B1 true EP0802553B1 (de) 1999-06-23

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ID=14145806

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19970106311 Expired - Lifetime EP0802553B1 (de) 1996-04-17 1997-04-16 Schmelzsicherungskombination, Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung, und Schaltungsanordnung, die sie enthält

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0802553B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH09282999A (de)
DE (1) DE69700288T2 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7983024B2 (en) 2007-04-24 2011-07-19 Littelfuse, Inc. Fuse card system for automotive circuit protection

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0939967B1 (de) * 1996-11-22 2002-01-23 Audio Ohm di Tonani Caterina E.C. S.N.C. Stromverteilungsvorrichtung
JPH10199396A (ja) * 1997-01-13 1998-07-31 Taiheiyo Seiko Kk 多極型ヒューズ素子およびこの素子を使用した多極型ヒューズ
FR2773911B1 (fr) * 1998-01-20 2000-03-17 Renault Dispositif de connexion a fusibles
ES2150856B1 (es) * 1998-06-18 2001-06-16 Mecanismos Aux Es Ind S L Elemento fusible con distribucion de potencia incorporado.
US6642834B1 (en) 1999-03-04 2003-11-04 Littelfuse, Inc. High voltage automotive use
JP2003037920A (ja) * 2001-07-24 2003-02-07 Sumitomo Wiring Syst Ltd 電気接続箱
US6878004B2 (en) 2002-03-04 2005-04-12 Littelfuse, Inc. Multi-element fuse array
WO2005053993A2 (en) 2003-11-26 2005-06-16 Littelfuse, Inc. Vehicle electrical protection device and system employing same
WO2006032060A2 (en) 2004-09-15 2006-03-23 Littelfuse, Inc. High voltage/high current fuse
JP4870999B2 (ja) * 2006-02-20 2012-02-08 太平洋精工株式会社 多極ヒューズ

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4349802A (en) * 1981-01-08 1982-09-14 Mcgraw-Edison Company Current limiting fuse having transverse parallel weak spots
US4498068A (en) * 1982-12-13 1985-02-05 Mcgraw-Edison Company Magnetic arc extinguished fusible elements
GB2195064A (en) * 1986-09-10 1988-03-23 Salplex Ltd Fuseboards
IT208434Z2 (it) * 1986-11-17 1988-05-28 Codognese Meccanotec Zoccolo adattatore per fusibili alama.

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7983024B2 (en) 2007-04-24 2011-07-19 Littelfuse, Inc. Fuse card system for automotive circuit protection

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0802553A3 (de) 1997-10-29
DE69700288T2 (de) 2000-01-20
JPH09282999A (ja) 1997-10-31
DE69700288D1 (de) 1999-07-29
EP0802553A2 (de) 1997-10-22

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