JP2010092778A - Surge absorber - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize cost reduction, downsizing, and high performance, and suppress a continuous flow by increasing an arc maintaining voltage. <P>SOLUTION: A surge absorber includes an insulating substrate 2, a box-like lid body 3 that is fixed onto the insulating substrate 2 and includes a plurality of internal spaces S mutually separated and which are filled with a discharge gas, and a plurality of absorber elements 5 constituted of a pair of discharge electrodes 4 which are formed on the insulating substrate 2 at each internal space S and opposedly arranged mutually separated by a discharge gap. These absorber elements 5 are electrically connected in series. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a surge absorber used for protecting various electronic devices from surges and preventing accidents.

  A surge absorber is connected to an input unit for obtaining a signal or power from the outside such as a communication line, a power line, an antenna, etc. in an electronic device such as a telephone, a modem, and a household electric appliance, for example, a lightning surge or static electricity entering from the outside. Used to prevent electronic devices from being destroyed by abnormal voltage.

  Also in the discharge type surge absorber, surface mounting (SMD) is progressing in recent years. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 are provided with an insulating base, an insulating hermetic cap that forms a box-shaped hermetic chamber filled with a discharge gas together with the insulating base, and both ends of the hermetic chamber. There has been proposed a chip-type surge absorber that includes a terminal electrode and a discharge electrode that is electrically connected to the terminal electrode and provided with a discharge gap in an airtight chamber.

  Further, Patent Document 3 forms a hermetic envelope in which a pair of external electrodes are fitted to both end openings of a casing made of an insulating material so as to enclose a discharge gas, and a surface is formed in the hermetic envelope. A chip type surge in which an insulating substrate having a pair of trigger discharge electrodes arranged opposite to each other with a minute discharge interval is arranged, and a pair of main discharge electrodes composed of leaf springs connected to external electrodes are arranged opposite to each other Absorbing elements have been proposed.

JP 2001-35633 A JP 2002-43020 A JP 2000-268934 A

The following problems remain in the conventional technology.
As described above, various types of surface mountable surge absorbers have been proposed, developed, and commercialized. However, in the market, they are downsized at a lower price, such as surge resistance, lifetime, and protection performance of electronic devices. Further improvement in performance is desired.
Conventionally, when used in a circuit to which a power supply voltage is applied, a discharge type surge absorber has a disadvantage that the arc sustaining voltage is low and discharge does not stop and there is a risk of continuity.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a surge absorber that can be reduced in size and performance at a lower cost and can suppress a continuity by increasing an arc maintenance voltage. With the goal.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems. That is, the surge absorber of the present invention includes an insulating substrate, a box-shaped lid body having a plurality of internal spaces fixed on the insulating substrate and isolated from each other, and in which a discharge gas is enclosed, and A plurality of absorber elements formed on a pair of discharge electrodes formed on the insulating substrate for each internal space and opposed to each other with a discharge gap therebetween, and the absorber elements are electrically connected in series. It is characterized by being connected to.

  In this surge absorber, a plurality of absorber elements each formed of a pair of discharge electrodes formed on an insulating substrate for each internal space and arranged to face each other with a discharge gap therebetween are electrically connected in series. The absorber elements in different internal spaces are connected in series, and the arc sustaining voltage can be increased. Thereby, a continuation can be suppressed and a lifetime can also be improved. Further, even if an unexpected overvoltage is applied and one absorber element is destroyed, the other absorber element arranged in another internal space is not affected and a short circuit can be prevented. Furthermore, a member such as a leaf spring that is expensive as in the prior art is unnecessary, and the cost can be reduced.

  The surge absorber of the present invention has a first internal space and a second internal space as the internal space, and the first discharge electrode, the second discharge electrode, and the third discharge are used as the discharge electrodes. An electrode, and the first discharge electrode and the second discharge electrode are arranged opposite to each other with a first discharge gap in the first internal space to form a first absorber element In addition, the second discharge electrode and the third discharge electrode are disposed to face each other with a second discharge gap in the second internal space to constitute a second absorber element. Features.

  Further, the surge absorber according to the present invention is electrically connected to the discharge electrodes of the plurality of absorber elements connected in series and disposed at both ends, and the box-shaped lid and the insulating substrate. A pair of terminal electrodes formed on at least one of the outer surfaces, and at least one of the box-shaped lid and the insulating substrate electrically connected to the discharge electrodes other than the discharge electrodes connected to the terminal electrodes And an inspection electrode formed on the outer surface. That is, in this surge absorber, not only the terminal electrode but also a discharge electrode other than the discharge electrode connected to the terminal electrode is electrically connected to the box-shaped lid and the inspection substrate formed on the outer surface of the insulating substrate. Since the electrode is provided, the individual characteristics of each absorber element can be confirmed using the inspection electrode and the terminal electrode. Therefore, even when mounted on the circuit, the degree of deterioration of the component can be known, which is effective for component replacement.

The present invention has the following effects.
That is, according to the surge absorber according to the present invention, a plurality of absorber elements composed of a pair of discharge electrodes formed on an insulating substrate for each internal space and arranged to face each other with a discharge gap therebetween are electrically Since they are connected in series, a plurality of absorber elements in different internal spaces are connected in series, and the arc maintenance voltage can be increased. For this reason, the continuity can be suppressed and the life can be improved, and even if one of the absorber elements is destroyed, the other absorber element is not affected and a short circuit can be prevented. Therefore, the surge absorber according to the present invention is suitable as a surge absorber for power supply used in a circuit or the like to which a power supply voltage is applied.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a surge absorber according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the surge absorber 1 of this embodiment is a chip-type surge absorber, which is fixed on the insulating substrate 2 and separated from each other by a wall 3a. And a pair of box-shaped lid bodies 3 having a plurality of internal spaces S in which a discharge gas is sealed, and a pair of opposing spaces formed on the insulating substrate 2 for each internal space S with a discharge gap therebetween. And a plurality of absorber elements 5 constituted by the discharge electrodes 4.

More specifically, the surge absorber 1 has a first internal space S1 and a second internal space S2 as the internal space S, and the first discharge electrode 4A and the second discharge electrode are used as the discharge electrodes 4. 4B and a third discharge electrode 4C.
In addition, the first discharge electrode 4A and the second discharge electrode 4B are disposed to face each other with a first discharge gap in the first internal space S1 to constitute the first absorber element 5A. The second discharge electrode 4B and the third discharge electrode 4C are arranged to face each other with a second discharge gap in the second internal space S2 to constitute the second absorber element 5B. That is, the first absorber element 5A and the second absorber element 5B are electrically connected in series by the second discharge electrode 4B which is a common discharge electrode.

  The first discharge electrode 4 </ b> A includes a first main discharge electrode 7 </ b> A having a base end connected to one of the pair of terminal electrodes 6. The second discharge electrode 4B includes a second main discharge electrode 7B having one end opposed to the first main discharge electrode 7A in the first internal space S1. Further, the tip of the third discharge electrode 4C is disposed opposite to the other end of the second main discharge electrode 7B in the second internal space S2, and the base end is connected to the other of the pair of terminal electrodes 6. The third main discharge electrode 7C is provided. The first main discharge electrode 7A to the third main discharge electrode 7C function as a dispersed conductor that disperses the arc current.

Further, the first discharge electrode 4A and the second discharge electrode 4B each include a pair of first trigger electrodes 8A that are disposed to face each other with a first discharge gap in the first internal space S1. Yes. One of the first trigger electrodes 8A has a base end side formed in a laminated state on the first main discharge electrode 7A, and the other has a base end side laminated on the second main discharge electrode 7B. A film is formed.
In addition, the second discharge electrode 4B and the third discharge electrode 4C respectively include a pair of second trigger electrodes 8B disposed to face each other with a second discharge gap in the second internal space S2. Yes. One of the second trigger electrodes 8B has a base end side deposited on the second main discharge electrode 7B in a stacked state, and the other has a base end side stacked on the third main discharge electrode 7C. A film is formed.

  The insulating substrate 2 and the box-shaped lid 3 are formed of a ceramic material such as alumina, mullite, corundum mullite, and are bonded to each other with a glass adhesive (glass paste).

The discharge gas sealed in the first internal space S1 and the second internal space S2 is an inert gas or the like, for example, He, Ar, Ne, Xe, Kr, SF ₆ , CO ₂ , C _3. F ₈ , C ₂ F ₆ , CF ₄ , H ₂ , the atmosphere, etc. and a mixed gas thereof are employed.
The first main discharge electrode 7A to the third main discharge electrode 7C are formed by, for example, screen-printing a conductive paste such as an Ag paste on the insulating substrate 2 in a rectangular shape, drying, and firing. It is. The base ends of the first main discharge electrode 7A and the third main discharge electrode 7C are formed up to the end face of the insulating substrate 2 and are electrically connected to the terminal electrode 6.

The first trigger electrode 8A and the second trigger electrode 8B are trigger films formed in a rectangular shape. These first trigger electrode 8A and the second trigger electrode 8B _{is, Ag / Pd, SnO 2,} Al, Ni, Cu, Ti, TiN, Ta, W, SiC, BaAl 4, Nb, Si, C, Ag , Ag / Pt, ITO, etc. are used to form a film with a predetermined film thickness by sputtering, printing, vapor deposition, ion plating, baking, or the like.
The gap between the pair of first trigger electrodes 8A (first discharge gap) and the gap between the pair of second trigger electrodes 8B (second discharge gap) are predetermined as discharge gaps that can trigger glow discharge. Set to distance.

  The pair of terminal electrodes 6 are formed by conductive paste such as Ag paste, Ni plating, solder plating, or the like. For example, a pair of terminal electrodes 6 is formed by applying and baking a conductive paste such as an Ag paste on both end surfaces of the insulating substrate 2 and the box-shaped lid 3 that are bonded to each other.

  The surge absorber 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of absorber elements 5 formed of a pair of discharge electrodes 4 formed on an insulating substrate 2 for each internal space S and arranged to face each other with a discharge gap therebetween. Since the absorber elements 5 in the separate internal spaces S are connected in series, the arc sustaining voltage can be increased. Thereby, a continuation can be suppressed and a lifetime can also be improved.

Moreover, even if an unexpected overvoltage is applied and one absorber element 5 is destroyed, the other absorber element 5 arranged in another internal space S is not affected, and a short circuit can be prevented. Furthermore, a member such as a leaf spring that is expensive as in the prior art is unnecessary, and the cost can be reduced.
Even if the discharge space is halved by separating the internal space S into two, the surge absorber 1 of this embodiment of the discharge type is more resistant to surge compared to other types of surge absorbers such as varistors. There is no problem in actual use.

  Next, a second embodiment of the surge absorber according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, in the following description of the embodiment, the same components described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that in the surge absorber 1 of the first embodiment, a pair of terminal electrodes 6 are formed on both end faces, whereas the surge absorber 21 of the second embodiment. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first pair of terminal electrodes 6 are arranged at both ends of the discharge electrodes 4 of the two absorber elements 5 connected in series as in the first embodiment. Are electrically connected to the discharge electrode 4A and the third discharge electrode 4C, but are electrically connected to a discharge electrode other than the discharge electrode 4 connected to the terminal electrode 6 (second discharge electrode 4B). The inspection electrode 26 is formed on both side surfaces of the box-shaped lid 3 and the insulating substrate 2.

That is, the surge absorber 21 of the second embodiment includes a pair of inspection electrodes 26 that are electrically connected to the second discharge electrode 24 </ b> B and formed on both sides of the box-shaped lid 3 and the insulating substrate 2. Yes. The second discharge electrode 24 </ b> B is formed in a substantially cross shape extending in the direction of both sides of the insulating substrate 2, and is connected to the inspection electrode 26 on both sides of the insulating substrate 2.
The inspection electrode 26 is made of the same material as the terminal electrode 6.

  Thus, in the surge absorber 21 of the second embodiment, the inspection is formed on both sides of the box-shaped lid 3 and the insulating substrate 2 that are electrically connected not only to the terminal electrode 6 but also to the second discharge electrode 24B. Since the first electrode 26 is provided, the individual characteristics of the first absorber element 5A and the second absorber element 5B can be confirmed using one of the inspection electrode 26 and the terminal electrode 6. Therefore, even when mounted on the circuit, the degree of deterioration of the component can be known, which is effective for component replacement.

  The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in each of the above embodiments, absorber elements are provided in two internal spaces and connected in series with each other, but three or more internal spaces isolated from each other are provided, and an absorber element is provided in each internal space. Three or more absorber elements may be electrically connected in series.
Moreover, in each said embodiment, although 1st internal space and 2nd internal space are made into the same internal space, you may set to internal space of a mutually different volume. Moreover, although the same main discharge electrode and trigger electrode are employ | adopted with the 1st absorber element and the 2nd absorber element, you may employ | adopt the main discharge electrode and trigger electrode from which material and size mutually differ. .

  For example, when the same material is used, if the operating voltage of the first absorber element and the second absorber element are the same, V1, and the arc sustaining voltage is Arc1, the operating voltage of the present invention in series is V1 × 2 and the arc maintenance voltage is Arc1 × 2. On the other hand, when different trigger materials are used, assuming that the operating voltage and arc sustaining voltage of the first absorber element are V1 and Arc1, and the operating voltage and arc maintaining voltage of the second absorber element are V2 and Arc2, The operating voltage of the present invention is V1 + V2 ≠ V1 × 2, and the arc sustaining voltage is Arc1 + Arc2 ≠ Arc1 × 2, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of the value. The main discharge electrode can be a combination of materials suitable for the trigger material.

In 1st Embodiment of the surge absorber which concerns on this invention, it is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a surge absorber. It is AA arrow sectional drawing of FIG. In 2nd Embodiment of the surge absorber which concerns on this invention, it is a cross-sectional view which shows a surge absorber. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a perspective view which shows a surge absorber.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,21 ... Surge absorber, 2 ... Insulating substrate, 3 ... Box-shaped cover body, 4 ... Discharge electrode, 4A ... 1st discharge electrode, 4B, 24B ... 2nd discharge electrode, 4C ... 3rd discharge electrode 5 ... Absorber element, 5A ... First absorber element, 5B ... Second absorber element, 6 ... Terminal electrode, 26 ... Inspection electrode, 8A ... First trigger electrode, 8B ... Second trigger electrode, S ... internal space, S1 ... first internal space, S2 ... second internal space

Claims (3)

An insulating substrate;
A box-like lid body having a plurality of internal spaces fixed on the insulating substrate and isolated from each other, and in which discharge gas is sealed;
A plurality of absorber elements composed of a pair of discharge electrodes formed on the insulating substrate for each internal space and arranged to face each other with a discharge gap therebetween,
A surge absorber characterized in that these absorber elements are electrically connected in series. The surge absorber according to claim 1,
The internal space has a first internal space and a second internal space,
The discharge electrode comprises a first discharge electrode, a second discharge electrode, and a third discharge electrode,
The first discharge electrode and the second discharge electrode are disposed to face each other with a first discharge gap in the first internal space to constitute a first absorber element, and the second discharge electrode The surge absorber is characterized in that the second discharge electrode and the third discharge electrode are arranged opposite to each other with a second discharge gap in the second internal space to constitute a second absorber element. The surge absorber according to claim 1 or 2,
The discharge electrodes of the plurality of absorber elements connected in series are electrically connected to those disposed at both ends, and formed on at least one outer surface of the box-shaped lid and the insulating substrate. A pair of terminal electrodes;
An inspection electrode that is electrically connected to the discharge electrode other than the discharge electrode connected to the terminal electrode and formed on at least one outer surface of the box-shaped lid portion and the insulating substrate. Surge absorber characterized by

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