DE102017006520A1 - Security, especially for a consumer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuse (6) for arrangement in an electrical supply line (5) of a consumer (4), wherein the fuse (6) comprises a securing element and a holder for the securing element. It is a means (8) for changing the characteristic and / or influencing the tripping characteristic for the fuse element provided.

Description

The invention relates to a fuse according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such fuses are used in particular in the power supply for an electrical consumer.

The electrical load is connected to the power supply via an electrical supply line with an electrical voltage source, for example with a battery. In the electrical supply line of the consumer, a fuse is arranged, wherein the fuse comprises a securing element and a holder for the securing element. The fuse is used to protect the voltage source and / or the connected consumer. In unfavorable situations and / or unfavorable conditions, however, conditions may arise in which the fuse can no longer react within the required time, so that the reliability is impaired. There is then the risk of impairment and / or destruction of the voltage source and / or the consumer, for example by a fire in the voltage source and / or in the supply line and / or in the consumer.

The invention has for its object to further develop the backup such that the reliability is improved.

This object is achieved in a generic fuse by the characterizing features of claim 1.

In the fuse according to the invention a means for changing the characteristic and / or influencing the tripping characteristic for the fuse element is provided. Advantageously, thereby the characteristic and / or the tripping characteristic of the fuse element of the respective situation and / or the respective state can be adapted, whereby an impairment and / or destruction of the voltage source and / or the consumer is met even under unfavorable conditions. Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a cost effective manner, the fuse element may be a fuse. The fuse may in turn comprise a fuse wire. Conveniently, the securing element can be configured as a component with end-side electrical connection elements. In particular, it may be advantageous for the component to be cylindrical, cuboidal, prismatic or the like, and / or the connection elements to be designed in the manner of connection caps. The holder may have a contact element for receiving the connection element and a connection to the electrical supply line. For ease of arrangement of the fuse element in the holder, the contact element resiliently, screwed o. The like. Be configured.

In a further refinement, the means for changing the characteristic curve and / or for influencing the tripping characteristic may comprise a heat source in thermal communication with the fuse element. As a result, the fuse element can be acted upon by thermal energy. In particular, the fuse can be acted upon by the introduced into the molten wire heat with thermal energy. For this purpose, the heat source may expediently comprise an electrical heating element arranged on the contact element. Thus, the reliability for the securing means is increased in a simple manner.

In another embodiment, the means for changing the characteristic and / or for influencing the tripping characteristic may comprise a heat source arranged in the fuse element. As a result, the fuse element can be acted upon by thermal energy. In particular, the fuse can be acted upon by the introduced into the molten wire heat with thermal energy. For this purpose, advantageously, the heat source comprise a built-in fuse element electric heating wire. Such a configuration is characterized by particular compactness.

In yet another embodiment, the means for changing the characteristic and / or for influencing the tripping characteristic comprise a cold source which is in thermal connection with the fuse element and / or arranged in the fuse element. As a result, the fuse element can be acted upon with cold. In particular, the fuse can be cooled by the introduced into the fuse wire cold.

The heat and / or cold source may be a Peltier element. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly sensitive change in the characteristic curve and / or influencing the tripping characteristic for the fuse element.

The fuse element may be operable as a shunt resistor. As a result, the electrical current flowing in the supply line can be determined on the basis of a measurement of the electrical voltage drop across the shunt resistor. For this purpose, a contacting element for measuring the electrical voltage drop across the shunt resistor can be in electrical contact with the connection element. Appropriately, the Contacting element in the region of the contact element and be arranged electrically isolated from the contact element. Thus, the functionality of the security element is extended without significant additional costs.

In a further embodiment, the state of the fuse element can be diagnosed on the basis of the voltage drop measured at the shunt resistor and / or the holder. In particular, depending on the measured voltage drop, the state of the fuse can be determined. For example, the quality of the securing thread of the fuse and / or the quality of the contacting by means of the contact elements can be determined hereby. Consequently, the securing means offers a further extension of the functionality without additional costs.

In order to take into account the prevailing in the fuse temperature for the change of the characteristic and / or influencing the tripping characteristic for the fuse element, a temperature sensor may be arranged on the fuse element and / or on the holder. Conveniently, the temperature sensor may be integrated in the holder. As a result, the temperature of the fuse element can be measured in a simple manner by means of the temperature sensor. In a cost effective and reliable manner, it may be appropriate that the temperature sensor as an NTC resistor, as a PTC sensor, as a semiconductor temperature sensor o. The like. Is configured.

For a particularly preferred embodiment of the fuse according to the invention is to be determined below.

In electromechanical distribution systems for an electrical voltage source, for example of battery systems, electrical loads with large electrical switches, for example by means of relay, contactor o. The like., Switched. In dangerous situations, which can result from accidents and / or incorrect operating conditions, the battery systems must be protected against battery burn and / or the systems connected outside the battery system against line and / or consumer fire. The protection can be done with known security elements.

The fuses must be operated safely as long as the energy source can supply sufficient energy. The unfavorable situations in energy systems, such as batteries, however, arise under conditions in which this no longer provides the required energy. This means that the fuses can no longer react within the required times. This causes enormous expenses in the subsequent systems.

The idea is to equip the fuse with a heat source. This means that one initiates targeted heat in the fuse wire. As a result, a heat accumulation in the fuse can be achieved even under unfavorable conditions, whereby a melting of the securing thread is achieved. Unfavorable condition means that the energy source can not provide the required energy. This measure directly influences the fuse characteristic. This influence has effects on the downstream systems. Alternatively, the fuse may also be equipped with a cold source for introducing cold into the fuse wire.

• – die Qualität des Sicherungsfadens der Schmelzsicherung,
• – die Qualität des Kontaktsystems der Schmelzsicherung

feststellbar ist.Furthermore, the fuse is also operated as a shunt resistor. This means you measure the voltage drop across this shunt resistor and can thereby determine the flowing electrical current. Depending on this current value, it is possible to infer the condition of the fuse

• - the quality of the safety fuse of the fuse,
• - the quality of the contact system of the fuse

is detectable.

• – Diagnosefähige Sicherung.
• – Sicherung als Shunt-Element.
• – Sicherung mit veränderbarer Kennlinie.

What is thus created is a fuse, in particular a high-current fuse, with a variable characteristic curve and / or diagnosis having the following properties:

• - Diagnostic fuse.
• - fuse as a shunt element.
• - Fuse with variable characteristic.

• – Externe elektrische Beheizung der Sicherung.
• – Auswechselbares Sicherungselement.
• – Verwendung des Sicherungselementes als Strommess-Shunt.

Also provided is a fuse holder for a fuse, in particular for a high-current fuse, having the following properties:

• - External electrical heating of the fuse.
• - Interchangeable security element.
• - Use of the fuse element as a current measuring shunt.

An important constraint of the solution according to the invention is that the fuse must trigger very rarely. If it comes to a triggering of the fuse, it is required that the fuse element can be replaced. The fuse holder for a replaceable fuse, in particular a high-current fuse, should be designed so that even over long periods of operation, especially with high currents, it is ensured that there are no critical contact resistance, the otherwise a massive Heating the arrangement cause, comes between the fuse element and the contacts of the fuse holder.

Another, as far as possible to be met boundary condition is that the actual, especially changeable, fuse element differs only slightly from the fuse element commonly used today. In particular, this should apply to the mechanical design, contacting, manufacture, etc.

The fuse function of the fuse element is identical to the function of a fuse according to the prior art with all the known properties. Among other things, these fuses have very long trip times at low overcurrents, for example, at 110% of the rated fuse current. In addition, the fuse element can be triggered by external heating via heating elements integrated in the contact elements of the fuse holder for triggering, i. H. to be melted. The heating elements are preferably activated when shutdown criteria are detected by monitoring devices, for example via a measurement of the load current.

In addition, the fuse element is designed to have a defined and known behavior of its electrical resistance. This can be determined by measuring the voltage drop across the fuse element flowing through the fuse current. In addition, a poor contact of the fuse element in the fuse holder can be detected in this way.

If an evaluation of the voltage drops with known fuse resistance is not sufficient, it is optionally possible to determine the temperature of the fuse element, for example via a temperature sensor integrated in the fuse holder.

• – Beeinflussung der Auslösecharakteristik einer Standard-Sicherung durch eine externe Beheizung und/oder auch Kühlung.
• – Überwachung der Übergangswiderstände der Sicherungskontaktierung über die Lebensdauer und/oder nach Sicherungsaustausch sowie gegebenenfalls Abschaltung des Strompfades bei kritischen Betriebszuständen.
• – Verwendung des bekannten ohmschen Widerstandes einer Sicherung als Mess-Shunt zur Messung des Laststroms. Optional erfolgt eine zusätzliche Messung der Sicherungstemperatur und das Unterbrechen des Strompfades bei kritischen Betriebszuständen, beispielsweise bei Überstrom o. dgl., durch Auslösen der Sicherung mittels der externen Beheizung.

In summary, the following features are thus given in the fuse according to the invention or the battery system according to the invention:

• - Influencing the tripping characteristic of a standard fuse by external heating and / or cooling.
• - Monitoring the contact resistance of the safety contact over the service life and / or after fuse replacement and, if necessary, switching off the current path in critical operating conditions.
• - Use of the known ohmic resistance of a fuse as a measuring shunt for measuring the load current. Optionally, an additional measurement of the fuse temperature and the interruption of the current path in critical operating conditions, such as overcurrent o. The like., By triggering the fuse by means of external heating.

• – Es kann eine bewährte Technik eingesetzt werden.
• – Niedrige elektrische Ströme, die lediglich minimal über dem Nennstrom liegen, können abgesichert werden.
• – Die Kennlinie der Sicherung „Strom über die Zeit” ist veränderbar.
• – Die Strommessung ist mit der Sicherung als Shunt-Element umsetzbar.
• – Die Diagnose der Sicherung ist mit dem Sicherungs-Shunt-Element umsetzbar.
• – Es ist ein deutlicher Kostenvorteil durch die einfache Technik erreicht.
• – Es ist ein deutlicher Kostenvorteil in den nachfolgenden Systemen gegeben.
• – Die Verkabelungen können deutlich in den Querschnitten verringert werden, was wiederum Kostenvorteile mit sich bringt.

The advantages achieved by the invention are in particular in the following:

• - A proven technique can be used.
• - Low electrical currents, which are only slightly above the rated current, can be protected.
• - The characteristic of the fuse "current over time" can be changed.
• - The current measurement can be implemented with the fuse as a shunt element.
• - The diagnosis of the fuse can be implemented with the fuse shunt element.
• - There is a significant cost advantage achieved through the simple technique.
• - There is a significant cost advantage in the following systems.
• - The wiring can be reduced significantly in the cross sections, which in turn brings cost advantages.

An embodiment of the invention with various developments and refinements is shown in the drawing and will be described in more detail below. Show it

1 a consumer system with a fuse in schematic view,

2 the fuse in front as well as in side view and

3 the electrical circuit arrangement for the fuse.

In 1 is a consumer system 1 with an electrical consumer 4 to see. The consumer 4 is via a supply line 5 with an electrical power source 2 in electrical connection. As an electrical voltage source 2 is an example of a battery 3 shown. Of course, it can be at the voltage source 2 also to the mains voltage o. The like. Act. In the supply line 5 is a fuse 6 arranged.

The closer embodiment of in 1 only schematically shown fuse 6 is in 2 shown. The fuse 6 includes a fuse element 6 ' and a holder 6 '' for the fuse element 6 ' , For the fuse element 6 ' is still a means 8th provided for changing the characteristic and / or influencing the tripping characteristic.

At the fuse element 6 ' it is in a further embodiment, a fuse. The fuse 6 ' has a fuse wire 7 on, like in the 1 can be seen schematically. The middle 8th for changing the characteristic includes one with the fuse element 6 ' in thermal connection 9 standing heat source 10 , This is the fuse element 6 ' by appropriate control of the agent 8th can be acted upon by thermal energy. And that is in particular the fuse 6 ' through the in the fuse wire 7 initiated heat can be acted upon by thermal energy. Thus, the fuse 6 ' even then functionally reliable to be operated, if in the battery 3 remaining energy would not be sufficient for this purpose. In particular, this is the backup 6 influenced in the manner of an acceleration, so that their missing and / or creeping off is prevented.

As further on the basis of 2 can be seen, is the fuse element 6 ' as a cylindrical component with end-side electrical connection elements 12 designed in the manner of connection caps. The holder 6 '' in turn has a resilient contact element 13 for receiving the connection element 12 as well as a connection 14 to the electrical supply line 5 on. With the help of the resilient contact element 13 is thus the security element 6 ' clamped in the holder 6 '' arranged so that the fuse element 6 ' is easily replaceable. The electrical voltage is thereby from the connection 14 over the contact element 13 on the bracket 6 '' to the connection element 12 of the fuse element 6 ' fed. If desired, the securing element 6 ' also screwed o. The like. In the holder 6 '' be attached.

The heat source 10 includes one on the bracket 6 '' or on the contact element 13 arranged electrical heating element 10 , The heating element 10 lies directly on the contact element 13 so that a good thermal connection 9 to the fuse element 6 ' is created. However, it is also conceivable that the means 8th for changing the characteristic and / or for influencing the tripping characteristic in the fuse element 6 ' arranged heat source 10 for acting on the fuse element 6 ' comprising heat energy. For example, this can be the heat source 10 one in the fuse element 6 ' incorporated electric heating wire, which is not shown.

Furthermore, the agent can 8th for changing the characteristic and / or influencing the tripping characteristic also with the fuse element 6 ' in thermal connection 9 include standing cold source. The fuse element 6 ' is then acted upon with cold, and that is the fuse 6 ' through the in the fuse wire 7 introduced cold coolable. This is the backup 6 influenced in the manner of a delay, so that their premature release is prevented. As a source of heat and / or cold for the agent 8th for changing the characteristic and / or for influencing the tripping characteristic, a Peltier element is particularly suitable. A Peltier element can be operated in the desired manner for heating and / or for cooling.

Furthermore, the fuse element 6 ' operable as a shunt resistor. This is the one in the supply line 5 flowing electric current based on a measurement 11 the electrical voltage drop across the shunt resistor 6 ' determined. For measurement 11 the electrical voltage drop across the shunt resistor 6 ' is a contacting element 15 with the connection element 12 in electrical contact. How closer in 2 can be seen, is the contacting element 15 in the region of the contact element 13 as well as with respect to the contact element 13 arranged electrically isolated by the contacting element 15 through a breakthrough 16 in the contact element 13 and spaced from the contact element 13 passed through.

Based on the shunt resistor 6 ' and / or the holder 6 '' measured voltage drop is further the state of the fuse element 6 ' diagnosable. In particular, depending on the measured voltage drop, the state of the fuse 6 ' namely, the quality of the security thread 7 the fuse 6 ' and / or the quality of the contact elements 13 the fuse 6 ' determined.

Finally, a temperature sensor 17 on the fuse element 6 ' be arranged so that by means of the temperature sensor 17 the temperature of the fuse element 6 ' is measurable. Taking into account the current temperature of the fuse element 6 ' is then a sensitive control of the agent 8th for changing the characteristic and / or influencing the tripping characteristic allows. Preferably, the temperature sensor 17 on the bracket 6 '' arranged, for example in the holder 6 '' integrated. The temperature sensor 17 may be configured as an NTC resistor, a PTC sensor, a semiconductor temperature sensor, or the like.

Below is a more detailed description of the fuse 6 and how they work.

As in 2 can be seen is the fuse (Si) 6 ' preferably as a cylindrical component with the electrical connection caps 12 formed at the two ends of the device, and similar to a known fuse having a diameter of about 5 mm and a length of about 20 mm. If desired, the fuse can also be designed as a cuboidal component having a rectangular cross-section of, for example, 50 mm × 50 mm and a length of, for example, 100 mm. Of course, the fuse can also have any other suitable design, for example, a prismatic shape, with appropriate dimensions. The melting wire 7 of the fuse element 6 ' is in its electrical resistance R _Si (see 3 ) in order to use it as a measuring shunt for current measurement.

The fuse holder 6 '' consists of metallic, springy contact elements 13 with connections (A1, A2) 14 to the load circuit (load current I _L ), wherein the contact elements 13 the fuse element (Si) 6 ' at the connection caps 12 embrace and so the electrical contact between fuse holder 6 '' and fuse element 6 ' similar to the fuse holder for the known fuses described above. At both contact elements 13 are electrical heating elements (He1, He2) 10 fastened, for example, are electrically connected in series. The fuse holder 6 '' contains two additional contacting elements 15 , which also have the connection caps 12 of the fuse element 6 ' touch. These contacting elements 15 are spatially in the area of the contact elements 13 arranged, but are electrically insulated against these. Via the connections As1, As2 of the contacting elements 15 can in the sense of a sense connection, the voltage drop across the actual fuse element 6 ' be measured. Optional is still in the fuse holder 6 '' a temperature sensor (Ts) 17 , for example, designed as an NTC, integrated over which the temperature of the fuse element 6 ' can be detected.

The electrical diagram for the fuse 6 is in 3 shown in more detail. The load current I _L flows through the connection (A1) 14 through the resistor R _K1 , which determines the electrical contact resistance between the first contact element 13 and the fuse element 6 ' represented by the resistance R _{Si of} the fuse element 6 ' and then through the resistor R _K2 , which determines the electrical contact resistance between the second contact element 13 and the fuse element 6 ' represents, to the connection (A2) 14 , At the terminals As1 and As2, the voltage drop U _Si over the fuse element 6 ' be measured. With a known resistance R _Si , the load current I _L can thus be determined. In a further computing step, the contact resistance R _K1 and R _{K2 of} the contacting can then be determined from the total voltage drop U _Ges . With the optional temperature sensor (Ts) 17 can change the temperature of the fuse element 6 ' or a temperature increase can be determined by the flowing load current I _L. For this purpose, the resistance R _TS at the terminals Ts1 and Ts2 of the temperature sensor 17 measured.

The invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiment. Rather, it also encompasses all expert developments within the scope of the invention defined by the claims. Thus, the invention in any electrical consumer systems in home automation, in motor vehicles, in household appliances, in machine tools o. The like. Be used as well as in battery systems in which heat energy is generated, use.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

consumer system

2

(electrical) voltage source

3

battery

4

consumer

5

supply line

6

fuse

6 '

Fuse element / fuse / shunt resistor

6 ''

Bracket (for securing element) / fuse holder

7

Fuse wire / safety thread

8th

Means for changing the characteristic and / or for influencing the tripping characteristic

9

thermal connection

10

Heat source / heater

11

Measurement of the voltage drop (at the shunt resistor)

12

Connection element (on securing element) / connection cap

13

Contact element (on the holder)

14

Connection (to the bracket)

15

contacting

16

Breakthrough (in the contact element)

17

temperature sensor

Claims (9)

Fuse for placement in an electrical supply line ( 5 ) of a consumer ( 4 ) comprising a securing element ( 6 ' ) and a holder ( 6 '' ) for the security element ( 6 ' ), characterized in that a means ( 8th ) for changing the characteristic and / or for influencing the tripping characteristic for the fuse element ( 6 ' ) is provided. Fuse according to claim 1, characterized in that it is in the fuse element ( 6 ' ) to a fuse, in particular a melting wire ( 7 ), is that preferably the securing element ( 6 ' ) as a, in particular cylindrical, cuboid, prismatic o. The like., Component with end-side electrical connection elements ( 12 ), in particular in the form of connection caps, is designed, and that further preferably the holder ( 6 '' ), in particular resilient, screwed o. The like., Contact element ( 13 ) for receiving the connection element ( 12 ) as well as a connection ( 14 ) to the electrical supply line ( 5 ) having. Fuse according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means ( 8th ) for changing the characteristic and / or for influencing the tripping characteristic with the fuse element ( 6 ' ) in thermal connection ( 9 ) standing heat source ( 10 ) such that the securing element ( 6 ' ) can be acted upon with thermal energy, in particular that the fuse ( 6 ' ) through into the fuse wire ( 7 ) introduced heat can be acted upon with thermal energy, and that preferably the heat source ( 10 ) on the contact element ( 13 ) arranged electrical heating element ( 10 ). A fuse according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the means ( 8th ) for changing the characteristic and / or for influencing the tripping characteristic in the fuse element ( 6 ' ) arranged heat source ( 10 ) such that the securing element ( 6 ' ) can be acted upon with thermal energy, in particular that the fuse ( 6 ' ) through into the fuse wire ( 7 ) introduced heat can be acted upon with thermal energy, and that preferably the heat source ( 10 ) one in the fuse element ( 6 ' ) includes built-in electric heating wire. A fuse according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the means ( 8th ) for changing the characteristic and / or for influencing the tripping characteristic with the fuse element ( 6 ' ) in thermal connection ( 9 ) and / or in the security element ( 6 ' ) arranged cold source, such that the securing element ( 6 ' ) can be acted upon with cold, in particular that the fuse ( 6 ' ) through into the fuse wire ( 7 ) introduced cold is cool. Fuse according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is at the heat and / or cold source ( 10 ) is a Peltier element. Fuse according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the securing element ( 6 ' ) is operable as a shunt resistor such that the in the supply line ( 5 ) flowing electrical current based on a measurement ( 11 ) of the electrical voltage drop across the shunt resistor ( 6 ' ) can be determined that preferably a contacting element ( 15 ) for measurement ( 11 ) of the electrical voltage drop across the shunt resistor ( 6 ' ) with the connection element ( 12 ) is in electrical contact, and that further preferably the contacting element ( 15 ) in the region of the contact element ( 13 ) as well as with respect to the contact element ( 13 ) is arranged electrically isolated. Fuse according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that on the basis of the shunt resistor ( 6 ' ) and / or the holder ( 6 '' ) measured voltage drop, the state of the fuse element ( 6 ' ) is diagnosable, in particular that depending on the measured voltage drop, the state of the fuse ( 6 ' ), such as the quality of the security thread ( 7 ) of the fuse ( 6 ' ) and / or the quality of the contacting by means of the contact elements ( 13 ), can be determined. Fuse according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a temperature sensor ( 17 ) on the fuse element ( 6 ' ) and / or on the holder ( 6 '' ) is arranged, in particular in the holder ( 6 '' ) is integrated, such that by means of the temperature sensor ( 17 ) the temperature of the fuse element ( 6 ' ) is measurable, and that preferably the temperature sensor ( 17 ) as an NTC resistor, a PTC sensor, a semiconductor temperature sensor, or the like.

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