Electricity: electrothermally or thermally actuated switches – With separate distinct diverse art-type switching device – Fusible element device with other
Patent
1998-09-02
1999-08-24
Picard, Leo P.
Electricity: electrothermally or thermally actuated switches
With separate distinct diverse art-type switching device
Fusible element device with other
200 6143, 200 86R, H01H 8500, H01H 316
Patent
active
059429666
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a closing-edge fuse in accordance with the preamble of the main claim.
A closing-edge arrangement of the generic type is described in EP 234 523 B1. In this known arrangement, tapered insulating rings or annular insulating members are provided between the contact elements, causing the contact elements, which comprise insulating member and electrically conductive contact point, to be separated when even a minimal pressure is applied to these insulating bodies, hence triggering the switching operation. The known arrangement is extremely sensitive, and has therefore proven exceptionally effective in operation; however, it has the drawback that it is expensive to produce. Also, the use of the wedge elements between the contact elements requires a relatively large structural size, and providing the wedge elements limits the geometric configuration of the switching strip, since sharp-edged corners could themselves trigger a switching operation.
It is known from EP 01 03 726 A1 to design the contact elements as current-carrying pins with rounded ends, which pins are embedded in an insulating plastic material, the ends of the pins protruding beyond the plastic bodies. The plastic bodies are arranged in a resilient tube, but there is no contact element bed formed in this tube, but rather these plastic bodies are able to move freely in the tube.
The invention is based on the object of improving the arrangement of the generic type so that it can be produced more cost-effectively, allows small structural sines and such that the switching strip can be used to cover any desired geometric shape.
This object underlying the invention is achieved by the teaching of the main claim.
Advantageous refinements are explained in the subclaims.
In other words, what is proposed is a closing-edge fuse which comprises a chain of contacts and the accommodating medium, e.g. a rubber profile. The chain of contacts is constructed in such a way that it comprises spherical or roller like elements. These elements are mounted in a bed formed in the accommodating medium, a so-called contact element bed. This configuration avoids the separate tapered roll or tapered ring which has hitherto been required, this contact element bed being able to accommodate or surround the contact element over only half the side. This contact element bed is of resilient design and is on the side to which force is applied.
It is possible here, as in the prior art, for the individual contact elements to be connected to one another by an expander cord or, in accordance with DE 29 17 797 A1, by a wire-spring arrangement, and hence to be preloaded.
With this arrangement according to the invention, the switching is carried out by the fact that the balls, on the one hand, are incorporated in a fixed position in the ball bed and, on the other hand, that the bending radius in the centre axis of the chain of contacts formed by the contact elements is greater than the bending radius of the actual contact element bed. This results in different distances to produce contact separation. Furthermore, however, the switching in this new configuration is carried out as in the previously known design, i.e. when pressure is applied the resilient design of the ball bed creates axial force components which are distributed in all directions.
It is clear that the arrangement according to the invention results in a very small structural design and that the configuration of the closing-edge fuse is inexpensive, since the additionally required structural elements, namely the tapered roll etc., can be dispensed with. Balls are a mass-produced item which can be procured at low cost, and at the same time a very sensitive switch is achieved, since even very slight bending is sufficient to trigger the switching operation.
Furthermore, a very significant advantage of the arrangement according to the invention is that this design can be used to produce any desired geometric arrangement, i.e. closing-edge fuses with narrow radii, moulded parts, window gaskets, manual switche
REFERENCES:
patent: 3315050 (1967-04-01), Miller
patent: 3693026 (1972-09-01), Miller
patent: 4115952 (1978-09-01), French
patent: 4396814 (1983-08-01), Miller
patent: 4785143 (1988-11-01), Miller
patent: 4920241 (1990-04-01), Miller
patent: 5066835 (1991-11-01), Miller et al.
Haake Andre
Haake Oliver
Haake Patrick
Picard Leo P.
Vortman Anatoly
LandOfFree
Closing-edge-type fuse does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Closing-edge-type fuse, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Closing-edge-type fuse will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-470480