CN216215883U - Surge protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

The surge protection device includes a circuit board; a surge protection circuit formed on the circuit board, comprising a first input interface, a first output interface, a resistor electrically connected in series between the first input and output interfaces, a second input interface, a second output interface, and a Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS); and a trip assembly including a trip body movably disposed between first and second positions on a first surface of the circuit board; projecting a contact arm laterally from the trip body; a contact piece fixed to the trip body; and a spring pre-stressing the trip body toward its second position. In the first position, the contact pads are soldered to two contact portions disposed on the circuit board by a solder material, the TVS is electrically connected in parallel with the first and second output interfaces, and one contact portion is in thermal contact with the resistor. The trip body may be moved to its second position by a spring when at least one of the TVS and the resistor exceeds a threshold temperature that causes the solder to melt.

Description

Surge protection device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a surge protection device, in particular a surge protection device for information systems, for example for protecting telecommunication systems.

Background

Surge protection devices are used to protect sensitive electrical or electronic equipment from being supplied with excessive voltage and/or current. For example, voltage and/or current spikes may cause damage to equipment connected to the power grid. Thus, the surge protection device may employ a protection circuit configured to draw excess voltage and/or current.

A surge protection circuit for low voltage applications may include: the transient voltage suppressor comprises a first input interface, a first output interface electrically connected to the first input interface, a second output interface electrically connected to the second input interface, a first current limiting resistor electrically connected in series between the first input interface and the first output interface, a second current limiting resistor electrically connected in series between the second input interface and the second output interface, and a Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) electrically connected in parallel to the first output interface and the second output interface. When an excessive voltage higher than the breakdown voltage of the TVS is supplied to the input interface, the TVS becomes conductive, and thereby the excessive voltage is prevented from being supplied to the output interface.

When an excessive voltage is supplied to such a surge protection circuit, there may occur a case where the current limiting resistor and/or the transient voltage suppressor may generate heat, for example, when the excessive voltage is supplied for a long time or when the voltage is relatively high. In this context, DE 102015014468 a1 discloses monitoring the temperature of the TVS and the current limiting resistor by means of a sensor.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

One of the ideas of the present invention is to find an improved solution for surge protection devices, in particular to find a solution to prevent overheating of the surge protection circuit.

To this end, the utility model provides a surge protection device SPD.

According to the present invention, a Surge Protection Device (SPD), particularly for information systems, includes a circuit board and a Surge Protection Circuit (SPC) formed on the circuit board, the surge protection circuit including: the transient voltage suppressor includes a first input interface, a first output interface electrically connected to the first input interface, a first resistor electrically connected in series between the first input interface and the first output interface, a second input interface, a second output interface electrically connected to the second input interface, and a Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS). The TVS is connected in parallel to the first output interface and the second output interface and may be disconnected from the SPC, as will be explained below.

The SPD further includes a trip assembly, the trip assembly including: a trip body movably disposed between a first position and a second position on a first surface of a circuit board; a first contact arm laterally protruding from the trip body; a contact piece fixed to the trip body; and a spring pre-stressing the trip body toward the second position of the trip body. In the first position of the trip body, the contact pieces are soldered to the first contact portion and the second contact portion arranged on the first surface of the circuit board by a soldering material, wherein the transient voltage suppressor is electrically connected to the first output interface and the second output interface in parallel via the first contact portion and the second contact portion and the contact pieces soldered to the contact portions, and wherein one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion is in thermal contact with the first resistor. Thus, the trip body is held in its first position by a contact piece soldered to the contact portion. The contact pads form an electrical connection between the contact portions, wherein the first contact portion is electrically connected to the TVS and the second contact portion is electrically connected to a second connection line electrically connecting the second input interface and the second output interface. On the other hand, the TVS is electrically connected to a first connection line electrically connecting the first input interface and the first output interface. Thus, when the trip body is in its first position, the TVS is connected in parallel to the first output interface and the second output interface.

When at least one of the transient voltage suppressor and the first resistor exceeds a threshold temperature causing melting of the solder, the trip body is movable, e.g., linearly movable, by a spring to its second position in which the contact piece is arranged spaced apart from the first and second contact portions and the first contact arm is in contact with a first bypass terminal provided at the first surface of the circuit board to form a conductive connection between the first input interface and the first output interface bypassing the first resistor.

For example, when the resistor and TVS are supplied with an excessive voltage above a predefined threshold voltage, the TVS may become conductive to direct the voltage away from the output interface. In this case, the TVS and/or the resistor may become hot. Due to the current conducted by the contact portion and the contact pad, there is a temperature at the contact portion that is proportional to the temperature of the TVS. Due to the thermal coupling of the resistor with the at least one contact portion, a temperature proportional to the temperature of the first resistor is present at the contact portion. When the temperature at the contact portion is high enough to melt the solder, the mechanical connection between the contact piece and the contact portion is broken and the spring moves the trip body and the contact piece together to the second position. Therefore, the contact pieces are separated from the contact portions, and the electrical connection between the contact portions is interrupted. Thus, the TVS is disconnected from the SPC and prevented from being further heated, which reduces the risk of combustion. Similarly, when the trip body is moved to its second position, the conductive first contact arm moves into contact with the pair of first bypass terminals. The first resistor is arranged between the first bypass terminals. Thus, by electrically connecting the first shunt terminal via the first contact arm, a bridge portion is formed that shunts the first resistor. Thus, the first resistor is prevented from being further heated and the risk of burning is reduced. On the other hand, high voltage peaks may indeed damage the TVS and/or the first resistor, however they are usually only short term loads. Therefore, when the short-term load ends, the TVS and the resistor may be damaged. However, signals may still be transmitted from the first input to the first output interface via the bypass terminal and the first contact arm.

According to some embodiments, the SPD may further comprise a housing, wherein the circuit board is housed in the housing.

According to some embodiments, the housing may include a status window, and the trip assembly may further include a status indicator body connected to and movable by the trip body, the status indicator body including a first status indicator surface disposed to overlap the status window of the housing in the second position of the trip body. In particular, the status indicator body is mechanically connected to, e.g., fixed or attached to, the trip body. For example, the trip body and the status indicator body may be integrally formed, for example, from a plastic material. The first status indicator surface of the status indicator body is not visible through the status window of the housing when the trip body is in its first position. Optionally, the status indicator body may include a second status indicator surface that is visible through the status window when the trip body is in its first position. For example, the first status indicator surface and the second status indicator surface may have different colors or markings. Moving the first status indicator surface to a position overlapping the status window in the second position of the trip body advantageously provides a simple possibility for visually signaling the trip state of the SPD in which the TVS is disconnected from the SPD.

According to some embodiments, the status indicator body may be fixed to the first end portion of the trip body and may include an elastically deformable portion extending in a direction lateral to a direction of movement of the trip body, wherein a convex surface of the deformable portion is guided by the guide structure, and wherein, when the trip body moves along the direction of movement from its first position to its second position, the indicator body is further elastically bent lateral to the direction of movement of the trip body and the convex surface slides at the guide structure such that the first status indicator surface enters a position overlapping the status window. Thus, the status indicator body may be an arc-shaped flexible member supported at its convex side by a support, e.g. by a pin protruding from the circuit board. The first status indicator surface is also formed on the convex side of the status indicator body. Thereby, a mechanically simple solution is provided.

According to some embodiments, the SPD may further comprise: a first remote signal transmitting terminal; a second remote signal transmitting terminal; a contact pin protruding from a first surface of the circuit board and electrically contacting the second remote signal transmitting terminal; and a spring arm arranged at a first surface of the circuit board and in electrical contact with the first remote signal transmission terminal, wherein the trip assembly comprises a push rod protruding from a second end of the trip body, wherein in a first position of the trip body the push rod is in contact with the spring arm and holds the spring arm in a pre-stressed state in which the spring arm is electrically conductive and in mechanical contact with the contact pin and is pre-stressed in a direction away from the contact pin, and wherein in a second position of the trip body the push rod is abducted to the spring arm to move away from the contact pin. That is, a push rod, which may be integrally formed with the trip body, for example, presses the spring arm against the contact pin when the trip body is in its first position. When the trip body is moved to its second position, the spring arm is no longer held in its position and is bent away from the contact pin. Accordingly, the electrical connection between the first remote signal transmission terminal and the second remote signal transmission terminal is interrupted, which can be remotely detected.

According to some embodiments, the transient voltage suppressor and the first resistor may be arranged on the first surface of the circuit board such that a receiving gap is formed between the suppressor and the first resistor, wherein in its first position the trip body is arranged within the receiving gap with the intermediate portion in which the contact piece is arranged. Thus, the trip body may be disposed between the TVS and the first resistor at least in the first position thereof. Thus, a very compact arrangement of the TVS, the trip assembly and the first resistor is achieved.

According to some embodiments, the first contact portion and the second contact portion may protrude into the receiving gap. Since the TVS and the first resistor are arranged on the first surface on the opposite side of the gap, the thermal conductivity between the TVS and the contact portion and between the first resistor and the contact portion is further improved.

According to some embodiments, the first resistor is covered by a metal sheet in thermal contact with the first contact portion and the second contact portion. Therefore, the thermal conductivity between the first resistor and the contact portion is further improved.

According to some embodiments, the surge protection circuit may further comprise a ground potential interface to which the ground connection line is connected, and the surge protection component may be electrically connected in parallel between the first output interface and the second output interface and have a ground connection terminal electrically connected to the ground connection line. According to some embodiments, the surge protection component may be a gas discharge tube. In general, the surge protection component may be configured to electrically connect the first connection line and/or the second connection line to the ground connection line when a voltage higher than a breakdown voltage of the surge protection device is applied between the first connection line and the second connection line. Thus, surge protection is further improved.

According to some embodiments, the surge protection circuit may comprise a second resistor electrically connected in series between the second input interface and the second output interface, wherein the trip assembly comprises a second contact arm projecting laterally from the trip body, and wherein, in the second position of the trip body, the second contact arm contacts a second bypass contact disposed on the first surface of the circuit board to form a conductive connection between the second input terminal and the second output terminal that bypasses the second resistor. Alternatively, the second resistor together with the TVS and the first resistor may be disposed on the first surface of the circuit board. In particular, the second resistor may be disposed adjacent to the first resistor such that a receiving gap is formed between the TVS and the first and second resistors. Further optionally, both the first resistor and the second resistor may be covered by a metal sheet in contact with one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion.

Drawings

The utility model will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments depicted in the appended drawings.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the utility model, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the utility model and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the utility model. Other embodiments of the present invention and many of the intended advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a surge protection device according to an embodiment of the utility model, wherein the surge protection device is shown in a first state or operational state.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a circuit board of the surge protection device of fig. 1.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the tripping of the surge protection device of figure 1.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the housing of the surge protection device of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an arrangement of a transient voltage suppressor and a current limiting resistor on the circuit board of fig. 2, and a contact pad of the trip assembly of fig. 4 in a first state of SPC.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the surge protection device in a second or fault state.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates an arrangement of a transient voltage suppressor and a current limiting resistor on the circuit board of fig. 2, and a contact pad of the trip assembly of fig. 4 in a second state of SPC.

Fig. 8 schematically shows a configuration of a surge protection circuit of the surge protection device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally identical elements unless otherwise indicated.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 exemplarily shows a Surge Protection Device (SPD)100, which may be used, for example, in an information system, for example, to protect electronic equipment in a telecommunications or electronic network. The SPD 100 includes a Circuit Board (CB)2, a Surge Protection Circuit (SPC) 3 (fig. 8), and a trip assembly 4. As shown in fig. 1, the SPD 100 may include a housing 1. Optionally, the SPD may also include a remote signaling component 5.

The alternative housing 1 is shown by way of example in fig. 1 and 4 and generally defines an interior space 10. As exemplarily shown in fig. 1 and 4, the housing 1 may be formed by a block comprising a recess 12 defining or limiting the inner space 10. The housing 1 may also include a cover or lid (not shown) that covers the recess 12. Optionally, as best seen in fig. 1, the housing 1 may comprise a shaped receiving recess 14 at a bottom portion for attachment to a rail, for example to a so-called Din rail. Further optionally, the housing may comprise a status window 11. As exemplarily shown in fig. 1 and 4, the status window 11 may be formed at a top portion of the housing 1. Regardless of where it is formed, the status window 11 forms an opening through which the interior space 10 of the housing 1 is visible. The housing 1 may be formed of an electrically insulating material, such as a plastics material.

As shown in fig. 1, the circuit board 2 may be accommodated in an inner space 10 of the housing 1. The circuit board 2 comprises an area extension and comprises a first surface 2a and an opposite second surface (not visible in the figure). The Circuit Board (CB)2 is used to carry a trip assembly 4, which may be disposed, for example, on the first surface 2a, as exemplarily shown in fig. 1. Further, SPC 3 is formed on CB 2. For example, some or all of the circuit elements of the SPC 3 may be arranged on the first surface 2a, while connection lines, for example in the form of conductive paths, may be arranged on the second surface 2 b.

The wiring diagram for SPC 3 is schematically shown in fig. 8. As exemplarily shown in fig. 8, the SPC 3 includes a first input interface 31A, a first output interface 31B electrically connected to the first input interface 31A via a first connection line 31, a second input interface 32A, and a second output interface 32B electrically connected to the second input interface 32A via a second connection line 32. The first current limiting resistor 33 is electrically connected in series between the first input interface 31A and the first output interface 31B. Also, the first resistor 33 is connected between a pair of first bypass terminals 23, which may be electrically connected via a switch 33A, which may be actuated to close by the trip assembly 4. Fig. 8 shows the switch 33A in an open state. Thus, in the closed state of the switch 33A, an electrical connection bypassing the first resistor 33 is formed between the first input interface 31A and the first output interface 31B. Optionally, a second current limiting resistor 34 may be electrically connected in series between the second input interface 32A and the second output interface 32B. Similar to that described above for the first resistor 33, the second resistor 34 is connected between a pair of second bypass terminals 24, which may be electrically connected via a switch 34A that may be actuated to close by the trip assembly 4. Fig. 8 shows the switch 34A in an open state. Thus, in the closed state of the switch 34A, an electrical connection bypassing the second resistor 34 is formed between the second input interface 32A and the second output interface 32B. Optionally, the SPC 3 may further include a ground potential interface 36A, the ground connection line 36 being electrically connected to the ground connection terminal.

Further, SPC 3 includes a Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS)35 that can be electrically connected and disconnected in parallel with first output interface 31B and second output interface 32B by a switch 35A. Fig. 8 shows the switch in the closed position. The trip assembly 4 is configured to open the switch 35A to disconnect the TVS 35 from the circuit 3. Optionally, the TVS 35 may also be connected in parallel between the first connection line 31 and the ground connection line 36 and/or between the second connection line 32 and the ground connection line 36, as exemplarily shown in fig. 8. The TVS 35 is a bidirectional suppressor and includes a predefined breakdown voltage. When a voltage higher than the breakdown voltage is applied between the first connection line 31 and the second connection line 32 and/or between the first connection line 31 or the second connection line 32 and the ground connection line 36, the TVS 35 becomes conductive and draws a current away from the first output interface 31B and the second output interface 32B via one of the connection lines 31, 32 or the ground connection line 36. To prevent possible bypassing of the TVS 35, a unidirectional diode 38 may be connected between the TV S35 and each of the conductors 31, 32, 36, as schematically illustrated in fig. 8.

The input interfaces 31A, 32A, the output interfaces 31B, 32B and the ground potential interface 36A may be exposed to the outside of the housing 1, or electrically connected to the connection terminals 13 integrated at the outer surface of the housing 1 (e.g., at the top side of the housing 1), as exemplarily shown.

As exemplarily shown in fig. 8, SPC 3 may further include a surge protection part 37 electrically connected in parallel between first output interface 31B and second output interface 32B. Fig. 8 exemplarily shows such a configuration in which a surge protection device 37 (which may be, for example, a gas discharge tube) is connected to a first connection line 31 between the first input interface 31A and the first bypass terminal 23 and a second connection line 31 between the second input interface 32A and the second bypass terminal 24. The surge protection part 37 has a ground connection terminal 37C electrically connected to the ground connection line 36 so that when an excessive voltage higher than a breakdown voltage of the surge protection part 37 is applied between the first connection line 31 and the second connection line 32, a corresponding current can be drawn to the ground connection line 36.

Referring again to fig. 1 and 2, the first resistor 33 and the optional second resistor 34 may be arranged on the first surface 2a of the CB2, in particular adjacent to each other or side by side as exemplarily shown in fig. 1 and 2. Alternatively, the TVS 35 may also be disposed on the first surface 2a of the CB 2. As exemplarily shown in fig. 1 and 2, the TVS 35 and the resistors 33, 34 may be arranged spaced apart from each other with respect to the first direction X1 such that a gap G is formed between the TVS 35 and the resistors 33, 34. This is shown in more detail in figure 5. The TVS 35 having a first contact terminal (not shown) may be connected to the first contact portion 21, which is disposed on the first surface 2a of the CB2 and extends into the gap G. The first resistor 33 and the second resistor 34 are in thermal contact with the second contact portion 22, which is provided on the first surface 2a of the CB2 and also extends into the gap G. For example, as exemplarily shown in fig. 5, the second contact portion 22 may be in mechanical contact with the metal sheet 6 covering the resistors 33, 34. The metal sheet 6 may also be arranged in contact with the CB2 without being in mechanical contact with one of the contact portions 21, 22, wherein the metal sheet reflects heat radiated from the resistors 33, 34 towards the contact portions 21, 22. Additionally or alternatively, the second contact portion 22 may be in mechanical contact with a non-conductive housing or casing of the first resistor 33 and/or the second resistor 34. Therefore, the metal sheet 6 is in thermal contact with the contact portions 21, 22, and thermal conductivity between the contact portions 21, 22 and the TVS 35 and the resistors 33, 34 is improved.

As further seen in fig. 1 and 2, the pair of first bypass terminals 23 and the optional pair of second bypass terminals 24 may be realized by conductive contact structures protruding from the first surface 2a of the CB 2. For example, the first bypass terminals 23 may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the first direction X1. Further, the first bypass terminal 23 may be disposed spaced apart from the contact portions 21, 22 with respect to a second direction X2 extending laterally to the first direction X1. Similarly, the second bypass terminals 24 may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the first direction X1, wherein the second bypass terminals 24 may be arranged further away from the contact portions 21, 22 in the second direction than the first bypass terminals 23, wherein the distance between the second bypass terminals 24 in the first direction is smaller than the distance between the first bypass terminals in the first direction, as exemplarily shown in fig. 1 and 2.

The trip assembly 4 is illustratively shown in fig. 3 and includes a trip body 40, a first contact arm 41, an optional second contact arm 42, a contact plate 43, and a spring 44. Optionally, the trip assembly 4 may also include a status indicator body 45 and/or a push rod 46.

As schematically shown in fig. 3, the trip body 40 may extend along a body longitudinal direction between a first end portion 40A and an opposite second end portion 40B. For example, the trip body 40 may include a rectangular cross-section as shown in fig. 3, but is not limited thereto. The trip body 40 is advantageously made of an electrically insulating material, such as a plastic material.

The contact piece 43 is a conductive member fixed to the surface of the trip body 40. For example, the contact piece 43 may be a band-shaped member that extends at least partially around the perimeter of the trip body 40. As exemplarily shown in fig. 3, trip body 40 may include a recess 47 extending around three sides of a rectangular perimeter, or generally at least partially around the perimeter of trip body 40, with contact tabs 43 disposed within recess 47. For example, a contact tab may be adhesively secured to trip body 40 to clip contact tab 43 to trip body 40, or otherwise secured to the trip body. As exemplarily shown in fig. 3, the contact piece 43 may be disposed in the middle portion 40C of the trip body 40, i.e., anywhere between the first and second end portions 40A and 40B.

The first contact arm 41 projects laterally from the trip body 40, or generally extends laterally from the trip body 40. For example, as shown in fig. 3, the first contact arms 41 may protrude laterally from opposite sides of the trip body 40. The first contact arm 41 is made of a conductive material. As exemplarily shown in fig. 3, the first contact arm 41 may be disposed in the first end portion 40A of the trip body 40, particularly between the first end of the trip body 40 and the contact piece 43. Similarly, an optional second contact arm 42 may also project laterally from the trip body 40, or generally extend laterally from the trip body 40. For example, as shown in fig. 3, the second contact arms 42 may also project laterally from opposite sides of the trip body 40. As further shown in fig. 3, the second contact arm 42 may protrude from the trip body 40 by a length less than a length by which the first contact arm 41 protrudes from the trip body 40. The distance between the opposite ends of the first contact arm 41 may be equal to or greater than the distance between the first bypass terminals 23. The distance between the opposite ends of the second contact arm 42 may be equal to or greater than the distance between the second bypass terminals 24. The second contact arm 42 is made of a conductive material. As exemplarily shown in fig. 3, the second contact arm 42 may be disposed between the first contact arm 41 and the first end of the trip body 40. In other words, the distance between the contact piece 43 and the first contact arm 41 may be smaller than the distance between the contact piece 43 and the second contact arm 42.

The spring 44 serves to pre-stress the trip body 40 and move the trip body in a longitudinal direction of the trip body. For example, as shown in fig. 3, the spring 44 may be a coil spring disposed in contact with the second end portion 40B of the trip body 40.

An optional push rod 46 projects longitudinally from the second end portion 40B of the trip body 40, as exemplarily shown in fig. 3. For example, the pushrod 46 may include a circular cross-section, but is not limited thereto. As further shown in fig. 3, the coil spring 44 may be helically wound around the push rod 46. Alternatively, the push rod 46 may be integrally formed with the trip body 40, such as from a plastic material.

As exemplarily shown in fig. 3, the status indicator body 45 may be or may include an elastically deformable portion 45A which is bent to extend in a direction lateral to the longitudinal direction of the trip body 40. For example, the resiliently deformable portion 45A may be made of a plastic material and may comprise a thin (e.g. rectangular) cross-section. The status indicator body 45 is fixed to the trip body 40, for example, to a first end portion of the trip body 40, as exemplarily shown in fig. 3. Alternatively, the trip body 40 and the status indicator body 45 may be integrally formed. As further schematically shown in fig. 3, the status indicator body 45 includes a first status indicator surface 45a, and optionally a second status indicator surface 45b adjacent or proximate to the first status indicator surface 45 a. For example, the first status indicator surface 45a and the second status indicator surface 45b may have different colors. As exemplarily shown in fig. 3, the first status indicator surface 45A and the optional second status indicator surface 45b may be formed as part of a convex surface 45c of the elastically deformable portion 45A.

As shown in fig. 1, the trip assembly 4 is disposed on the first surface 2a of the CB 2. In particular, the trip body 40 is movable, in particular linearly movable, between a first position and a second position. For example, the trip body 40 may move in a moving direction extending along the second direction X2.

Fig. 1 shows the SPD 100 in a first state or operational state, with the trip body 40 disposed in its first position. As shown in fig. 1, the trip body 40 may be pre-stressed toward its second position in the second direction X2 by a spring 44. The spring 44 may act on the second end portion 40B of the trip body and may be supported by a support structure 26 (e.g., in the form of a block) protruding from the first surface 2a of the CB, as exemplarily shown in fig. 1. In the first position of the trip body, the first contact arm 41 is spaced from the pair of first bypass terminals 23 and the optional second contact arm 42 is likewise spaced from the pair of second bypass terminals 24, which corresponds to the situation shown in fig. 8 in which switches 33A, 34A are open. Thus, the first contact arm 41 forms the switch 33A, and the second contact arm 42 forms the switch 34A. Further, the contact pieces 43 are welded to the first contact portion 21 and the second contact portion 22 by a welding material, for example, by a low temperature welding material. This situation is illustrated in fig. 5, in which the trip body 40 is omitted. Accordingly, in the first position of the trip body 40, the contact piece 43 electrically connects the first contact portion 21 and the second contact portion 22. This corresponds to the case shown in fig. 8 in which the switch 35A is closed. Therefore, the contact piece 43 forms the switch 35A and the TVS 35 via the first contact section 21 and the second contact section 22, and the contact piece 43 soldered to the contact section 21, the contact section 22 is electrically connected in parallel to the first output interface 31B and the second output interface 32B. As best seen in fig. 1, in the trip body's first position, trip body 40 may be disposed within G with its intermediate portion 40C or, generally, with the portion in which contact tab 43 is disposed.

When the trip assembly 4 is provided with the status indicator body 45, in the first position of the trip body 40, the first status indicator surface 45a is arranged so as to be invisible through the status window 11 of the housing 10. As exemplarily shown in fig. 1, optionally, the second status indicator surface 45b may be disposed to overlap the status window 11 so as to be visible from the outside of the housing when the trip body 40 is disposed in its first position. As further exemplarily shown in fig. 1, the convex surface 45c of the deformable portion 45A may be guided by contact with the guide structure 29. The guide structure 29 may be formed by a pin protruding from the first surface 2a of the CB2, as exemplarily shown in fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 1, the optional remote signaling assembly 5 may include a first remote signaling terminal 51, a second remote signaling terminal 52, a spring arm 53, and a contact pin 54. The first and second remote signal transmitting terminals 51 and 52 may be contact structures disposed on the CB2 (e.g., on the first surface 2a of the CB2 as exemplarily shown in fig. 1). For example, the first remote signal transmitting terminal 51 and the second remote signal transmitting terminal 52 may be arranged spaced apart from each other in the first direction X1. The spring arm 53 is realized as an elastically deformable member by, for example, a plate spring, and is formed of an electrically conductive material. As exemplarily shown in fig. 1, the spring arm 53 is disposed on the first surface 2a of the CB2 and is electrically connected to the first remote signal transmitting terminal 51. As further shown in fig. 1, the spring arm 53 may extend at least partially laterally to the push rod 46. The contact pins 54 protrude from the first surface 2a of the circuit board 2 and are electrically contacted with the second remote signal transmitting terminals 52. As shown in fig. 1, in the first position of the trip body 40, the push rod 46 contacts the spring arm 53 and holds the spring arm 53 in a pre-stressed state in which the spring arm 53 contacts the contact pin 54 but is pre-stressed in a direction away from the contact pin 54. Accordingly, the first remote signal transmitting terminal 51 and the second remote signal transmitting terminal 52 are electrically connected to each other through the spring arm 53. In fig. 8, a first remote signal transmission terminal 51 and a second remote signal transmission terminal 52 are symbolically shown. Further, a switch 5A is shown, which electrically connects or disconnects the first remote signal transmission terminal 51 and the second remote signal transmission terminal 52 to each other. The switch 5A may be formed by the contact pin 54 and the spring arm 53 in the SPD 100 exemplarily shown in fig. 1. In fig. 8, the switch 5A is shown in a closed state, which corresponds to the state shown in fig. 1, with the trip body 40 in its first position.

When an excessive voltage higher than the breakdown voltage of the TVS 35 is applied between the first connection line 31A and the second connection line 32A, for example, via the first input interface 31A and the second input interface 32A, the TVS 35 becomes conductive, and a higher current flows through the first resistor 33 and/or the second resistor 34 and through the TVS 35. The current through the TVS 35 is conducted through the contact piece 43 and through the second contact portion 23 via the first contact portion 21, the solder that solders the contact piece 43 to the first contact portion 21 and the second contact portion 22. When the melting temperature of the solder is reached, this may cause the solder to melt. Likewise, when the first and/or second resistors 33, 34 are heated, the contact portions 21, 22 are heated due to the thermal contact with the resistors 33, 34, which may also cause the solder to heat and melt. When the solder melts, the mechanical connection between the contact portion 21, the contact portion 22 and the contact piece 43 is interrupted and the spring 44 moves the trip body to its second position shown in fig. 6. Generally, the trip body 40 is movable to a second position of the trip body by the spring 44 when at least one of the transient voltage suppressor 35 and the first resistor 33 exceeds a threshold temperature that causes the solder to melt. When the trip body 40 is in its second position, the SPD 100 is in a second state or fault state.

As can be seen in fig. 6, in the second position of the trip body 40, the first contact arm 41 is in contact with the first bypass terminal 23. Thus, in the second position of the trip body 40, the first contact arm 41 electrically connects the first bypass terminal 23, which corresponds to the closed state of the switch 33A in fig. 8. Similarly, in the second position of the trip body 40, the optional second contact arm 42 is in contact with the second bypass terminal 24. Thus, in the second position of the trip body 40, the second contact arm 42 electrically connects the second bypass terminal 24, which corresponds to the closed state of the switch 34A in fig. 8.

Further, as shown in fig. 6 and 7, in the second position of the trip body 40, the contact piece is arranged to be spaced apart from the first and second contact portions 21 and 22. For example, as schematically shown in fig. 7 (in which the trip body 40 is omitted), the trip body 40 may move the contact piece 43 out of the gap G so that the electrical connection between the first and second contact portions 21 and 22 is interrupted. This corresponds to the off state of the switch 35A in fig. 8. Accordingly, in the second position of the trip body 40, the TVS 35 is disconnected from the SPC 3.

As shown in fig. 6, when the trip body 40 is disposed in its second position, the first status indicator surface 45a is disposed to overlap the status window 11 of the housing such that it is visible from the exterior of the housing 1, while the second status indicator surface 45b preferably has cleared the status window 11. When the status indicator body 45 includes the elastically deformable portion 45A, as exemplarily shown in fig. 1, 3 and 6, when the trip body 40 moves from its first position to its second position along the movement direction, the elastically deformable portion 45A further elastically bends laterally to the movement direction of the trip body 40, and the convex surface 45c slides at the guide structure 29 such that the first status indicator surface 45A enters a position overlapping the status window 11.

As further seen in fig. 6, in the second position of the trip body 40, the push rod 46 moves away from the spring arm 53 and thereby gives way to the spring arm 53 such that the spring arm moves away from the contact pin 54. Accordingly, the electrical connection between the first remote signal transmitting terminal 51 and the second remote signal transmitting terminal 52 is interrupted. In fig. 8, this corresponds to the off state of the switch 5A.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the utility model and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the utility model and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

List of reference numerals

1 casing

2 Circuit Board

2a first surface of the circuit board

3 surge protection circuit

4 trip assembly

5 remote signalling assembly

5A switch

6 Metal sheet

10 inner space

11 status Window

12 recess

13 connecting terminal

14 shaped receiving recess

21 first contact part

22 second contact part

23 pair of first bypass terminals

24 pair of second bypass terminals

26 support structure

29 guide structure

31 first connecting line

31A first input interface

31B first output interface

32 second connecting line

32A second input interface

32B second output interface

33 first resistor

33A switch

34 second resistor

34A switch

35 transient voltage suppressor

35A switch

36 ground connection line

36A ground potential interface

37 Surge protection component

Ground connection terminal of 37C surge protection component

38 diode

40 trip body

First end portion of 40A trip body

40B second end portion of trip body

41 first contact arm

42 second contact arm

43 contact sheet

44 spring

45 status indicator body

Resilient portion of 45A status indicator body

45a first status indicator surface

45b second status indicator surface

45c convex surface

46 push rod

51 first remote signal transmitting terminal

52 second remote signal transmitting terminal

53 spring arm

54 contact pin

100 surge protection device

G gap

X1 first direction

Second direction of X2

Claims (11)

1. A surge protection device (100), characterized in that the surge protection device comprises:

a circuit board (2);

a surge protection circuit (3) formed on the circuit board (2), the surge protection circuit comprising a first input interface (31A), a first output interface (31B) electrically connected to the first input interface (31A), a first resistor (33) electrically connected in series between the first input interface (31A) and the first output interface (31B), a second input interface (32A), a second output interface (32B) electrically connected to the second input interface (32A), and a transient voltage suppressor (35); and

a trip assembly (4) comprising: a trip body (40) movably disposed between a first position and a second position on a first surface (2a) of the circuit board (2); a first contact arm (41) projecting laterally from the trip body (40); a contact piece (43) fixed to the trip body (40); and a spring (44) pre-stressing the trip body (40) toward its second position;

wherein, in a first position of the trip body (40), the contact pieces (43) are soldered to first and second contact portions (21, 22) arranged on a first surface (2a) of the circuit board (2) by a soldering material, wherein the transient voltage suppressor (35) is electrically connected in parallel to the first and second output interfaces (31B, 32B) via the first and second contact portions (21, 22) and the contact pieces (43) soldered to the contact portions (21, 22), and wherein one of the first and second contact portions (21, 22) is in thermal contact with the first resistor (33); and

wherein, when at least one of the transient voltage suppressor (35) and the first resistor (33) exceeds a threshold temperature causing melting of the welding material, the trip body (40) is movable by the spring (44) to a second position of the trip body, wherein in the second position the contact piece (43) is arranged spaced apart from the first and second contact portions (21, 22) and the first contact arm (41) is in contact with a first bypass terminal (23) provided at the first surface (2a) of the circuit board (2) to form an electrically conductive connection between the first input interface (31A) and the first output interface (31B) bypassing the first resistor (33).

2. A surge protection device (100) according to claim 1, further comprising:

a housing (1) comprising a status window (11);

wherein the circuit board (2) is accommodated in the housing; and is

Wherein the trip assembly (4) further comprises a status indicator body (45) connected to and movable by the trip body (40), the status indicator body (45) comprising a first status indicator surface (45a) arranged to overlap a status window (11) of the housing (1) in the second position of the trip body (40).

3. A surge protection device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the status indicator body (45) is fixed to a first end portion (40A) of the trip body (40), and includes an elastically deformable portion (45A) extending in a direction lateral to a moving direction of the trip body (40), wherein the convex surface (45c) of the deformable portion (45A) is guided by a guide structure (29), and wherein when said trip body (40) moves along said direction of motion from a first position of the trip body to a second position of the trip body, the status indicator body (45) is further elastically bent laterally to a movement direction of the trip body (40), and said convex surface (45c) slides at said guide structure (29), bringing the first status indicator surface (45a) into a position overlapping the status window (11).

4. A surge protection device (100) according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first remote signal transmission terminal (51);

a second remote signal transmission terminal (52);

a contact pin (54) protruding from a first surface (2a) of the circuit board (2) and in electrical contact with the second remote signal transmitting terminal (52); and

a spring arm (53) arranged at a first surface (2a) of the circuit board (2) and in electrical contact with the first remote signal transmitting terminal (51);

wherein the trip assembly (4) includes a push rod (46) protruding from a second end portion (40A) of the trip body (40);

wherein, in a first position of the trip body (40), the push rod (46) is in contact with and holds the spring arm (53) in a pre-stressed state in which the spring arm (53) is in contact with the contact pin (54) and is pre-stressed in a direction away from the contact pin (54); and is

Wherein in the second position of the trip body (40), the push rod (46) gives way to the spring arm (53) to move away from the contact pin (54).

5. Surge protection device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the transient voltage suppressor (35) and the first resistor (33) are arranged on the first surface (2a) of the circuit board (2) such that a receiving gap (G) is formed between the suppressor (35) and the first resistor (33), wherein in its first position the trip body (40) is arranged within the receiving gap (G) with an intermediate portion (40C) in which the contact piece (43) is arranged.

6. A surge protection device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the first and second contact portions (21, 22) protrude into the receiving gap (G).

7. A surge protection device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first resistor (33) is covered by a metal sheet (6) which is in thermal contact with the first and second contact portions (21, 22).

8. A surge protection device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the surge protection circuit (3) comprises: a ground potential interface (36A) to which a ground connection line (36) is connected; and a surge protection component (37) electrically connected in parallel between the first and second output interfaces (31B, 32B) and having a ground connection terminal (37C) electrically connected to a ground connection line (36).

9. A surge protection device (100) according to claim 8, wherein the surge protection member (37) is a gas discharge tube.

10. The surge protection device (100) of claim 1 wherein the surge protection circuit (3) comprises a second resistor (34) electrically connected in series between the second input interface (32A) and the second output interface (32B), wherein the trip assembly (4) comprises a second contact arm (42) projecting laterally from the trip body (40), and wherein, in the second position of the trip body (40), the second contact arm (42) contacts a second bypass contact (24) provided on the first surface (2A) of the circuit board (2) to form a conductive connection between the second input interface (32A) and the second output interface (32B) that bypasses the second resistor (34).

11. A surge protection device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the surge protection device is a surge protection device for information systems.

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