JP4697462B2 - Circuit breaker - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a circuit breaker that blocks an energization path of an electronic device.

In a case where a failure occurs during use in an electronic device, a device that cuts off power is necessary to protect the parts. For example, in an electrical system provided in a vehicle, when an abnormality occurs in a load such as a power window, a battery, a power conversion device, etc., and an overcurrent flows, the overcurrent flows continuously, whereby the battery, the power conversion device It is necessary to prevent each load such as from burning out.
In the circuit breaker described in Patent Document 1, when the ignition part is ignited, the heating material filled in the thermite case generates heat, and the retainer that fixes the compression spring is melted to extend the compression spring. Shows a circuit breaker that breaks the electrical connection by flipping up the thermite case.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-15648

  In the circuit breaker of Patent Document 1, the thermit case is joined to the bus bar with a low melting point metal and is electrically connected. When the ignition part is ignited, the heating material filled in the thermite case generates heat and melts the retainer that fixes the compression spring, so that the electrical connection is interrupted by jumping up the thermite case by the extension of the compression spring. . However, there is a possibility that the thermite case that is bounced up may come into contact with the bus bar, and there is a problem that the circuit that has been interrupted once becomes conductive.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. When the connection conductor once detached is securely fixed, the connection conductor comes into contact again and does not conduct. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a circuit breaker capable of realizing highly reliable circuit breaker performance, and having a simple structure, high productivity, and miniaturization.

  In order to solve the above problems, a circuit breaker according to the present invention includes a casing having electrical insulation, a first conductive member and a second conductive member fixed to the casing, and a first conductive member. A magnetic conductive member for connecting and electrically connecting the member and the second conductive member, a support member having one end fixed to the magnetic conductive member, and a housing for detachably holding the support member The fixing member, a fusible member that fills the gap between the supporting member and the fixing member, and softens or melts at a predetermined temperature or higher, a heating means that heats the fusible member, and a magnetic conductive member facing the casing The magnetic conductive member is attracted and fixed by the permanent magnet when the soluble member is softened or melted by the heating means and the support member is detached from the fixed member. Features.

  According to the present invention, the circuit can be interrupted by removing the magnetic conductive member for electrical connection when the circuit of the electronic device is interrupted and attracting and fixing it with the permanent magnet.

  According to the circuit breaker of the present invention, when it is necessary to break the circuit of the electronic device, the magnetic conductive member for electrical connection is detached and fixed by adsorption with a permanent magnet. Since the circuit can be reliably interrupted without contacting the member again, there is an effect that a simple and highly reliable one can be obtained.

Hereinafter, a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, a first conductive member 2 and a second conductive member 3 are attached to a casing 1 having electrical insulation, and the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 are connected to each other. A magnetic conductive member 4 is disposed so as to be electrically connected, and a support member 5 is fixed to the magnetic conductive member 4, and the other end of the support member 5 is a fixing member attached to the housing 1. 6 is held so as to be detachable via a solder material 7 which is a fusible member, and a wiring 8 for energization heating is connected to the fixing member 6, and a permanent magnet 9 is connected to the casing 1 with a magnetic conductive member A partition 1 s is provided between the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 and the support member 5.

Next, the operation of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, during normal operation of the electronic device, current flows from the first conductive member 2 through the magnetic conductive member 4 to the second conductive member 3. However, when any failure occurs in the load, power supply, electronic device, or the like, current flows from the wiring 8 through the fixing member 6, the solder material 7, and the support member 5 as energization paths, generating Joule heat and heating. As a result, the solder material 7 is softened or melted at a predetermined temperature (determined by the melting point and softening point of the solder material 7, for example, 150 to 300 ° C.) (fault diagnosis circuit for electronic equipment, current supply circuit to the wiring 8) Will be omitted). The solder material 7 is sufficiently softened or melted, and the force for holding the support member 5 is weakened, and the magnetic conductive member 4 is pulled by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 9 attached to the housing 1, and the normal position as shown in FIG. Is detached and adsorbed and fixed to the permanent magnet 9. Thereby, the electrical connection between the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 is released, and the circuit is interrupted. The detached magnetic conductive member 4 is securely fixed by the permanent magnet 9. The housing 1 has a partition between the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 and the support member 5 so that the support member 5 does not contact the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3. Separated by 1s.

  Here, as the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3, for example, a good conductor such as copper (Cu) or a copper alloy is used. As the support member 5, for example, it is desirable to use a stainless material or the like having a lower thermal conductivity than copper (Cu) or a copper alloy, and the magnetic conductive member 4 is a magnetic material or magnetic material such as nickel (Ni), for example. As long as it contains. In addition, the fixing member 6 is preferably made of a material having low conductivity than copper (Cu), such as nickel (Ni), which easily generates Joule heat when energized. Further, the fusible member needs to be a material that softens or melts due to temperature rise, and a low melting point metal containing solder material 7, such as tin (Sn) or lead (Pb), is used.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the magnetic conductive member 4 for electrical connection is securely fixed by the permanent magnet 9 after the magnetic conductive member 4 for electrical connection is detached. Since the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 are not brought into contact with each other and do not conduct, there is an effect that the circuit of the electronic device can be surely cut off.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a circuit breaker according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit breaker according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the magnetic conductive member 4 is composed of a composite material in which the conductive member 4a and the magnetic member 4b are bonded together. It is a point. The magnetic conductive member 4 has a two-layer structure of a conductive member 4a and a magnetic member 4b, the conductive member 4a side is in contact with the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3, and the magnetic member 4b side is The permanent magnet 9 is disposed opposite to the permanent magnet 9. As the conductive member 4a, a good conductor such as copper (Cu) or a copper alloy is used. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.

  As in the case of the first embodiment, when any failure occurs in the load, power supply, electronic device, or the like, the current flows from the wiring 8 to the fixing member 6, the solder material 7, and the support member 5 through the energization path. Then, Joule heat is generated and heated, so that the solder material 7 is softened or melted. The solder material 7 is sufficiently softened or melted, the force for holding the support member 5 is weakened, the magnetic conductive member 4 is pulled by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 9 attached to the housing 1, and the support member 5 is removed from the normal position. It is attracted and fixed to the permanent magnet 9. Thereby, the electrical connection between the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 is released, and the circuit is interrupted. The detached magnetic conductive member 4 is securely fixed by the permanent magnet 9.

  Thus, according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, after the magnetic conductive member 4 for electrical connection is detached, it is securely fixed by the permanent magnet 9, so that the magnetic conductive material is caused by vibration or the like. Needless to say, since the member 4 is brought into contact with the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 again and does not conduct, the circuit is surely cut off. In addition, since a composite material in which the conductive member 4a and the magnetic member 4b are bonded is used as the magnetic conductive member 4, the electrical resistance between the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 during normal energization. There is also an effect that heat loss of electric power can be reduced.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a circuit breaker according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, the circuit breaker according to the third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the support member 5 is composed of a composite material in which a low thermal conductive member 5b is joined to a metal member 5a. It is a point. The low heat conductive member 5 b side is fixed to the magnetic conductive member 4, and the metal member 5 a side is held by the fixing member 6 with the solder material 7. As the low thermal conductive member 5b, an inorganic material or an organic material having a thermal conductivity smaller than that of a metal is used. The thermal conductivity is 390 W / mK for copper (Cu), 237 W / mK for aluminum (Al), and 16 W / mK for stainless steel, whereas 10 W / mK for silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ ), which is an inorganic material, Glass is 1 W / mK, phenol resin which is an organic material is 0.15 W / mK, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is 0.31 W / mK. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.

  In the same manner as in the first and second embodiments, when any failure occurs in the load, the power source, the electronic device, or the like, the current is supplied from the wiring 8 to the fixing member 6, the solder material 7, and the support member 5. The solder material 7 is softened or melted by generating Joule heat and heating. The solder material 7 is sufficiently softened or melted, and the force for holding the support member 5 is weakened. The magnetic conductive member 4 is pulled by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 9 attached to the housing 1, and is detached from the normal position. 9 is adsorbed and fixed. Thereby, the electrical connection between the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 is released, and the circuit is interrupted. The detached magnetic conductive member 4 is securely fixed by the permanent magnet 9.

  Thus, according to the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, after the magnetic conductive member 4 for electrical connection has been detached, it is securely fixed by the permanent magnet 9, so that the magnetic Needless to say, since the member 4 is brought into contact with the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 again and does not conduct, the circuit is surely cut off. Since the composite member in which the low thermal conductive member 5b is joined to the metal member 5a is used as the support member 5, Joule heat generated in the fixing member 6 and the like by energization from the wiring 8 is difficult to be dissipated through the support member 5. Therefore, since the solder material 7 can be efficiently heated and softened or melted, there is an effect that the electric power necessary for interrupting the circuit can be reduced.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a circuit breaker according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 5, the circuit breaker according to the fourth embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the support member 5 is composed of a spring member 5c and a metal member 5a joined together. Is a point. One end of the spring material 5 c is attached to the magnetic conductive member 4, and the other end of the spring material 5 c is fixed to the support member 5. The magnetic conductive member 4 is pressed against the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 by the compressive force of the spring. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.
In the same manner as in the first and second embodiments, when any failure occurs in the load, the power source, the electronic device, or the like, the current is supplied from the wiring 8 to the fixing member 6, the solder material 7, and the support member 5. The solder material 7 is softened or melted by generating Joule heat and heating. The solder material 7 is sufficiently softened or melted, the force for holding the support member 5 is weakened, the magnetic conductive member 4 is pulled by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 9 attached to the housing 1, and the support member 5 is removed from the normal position. It is attracted and fixed to the permanent magnet 9. Thereby, the electrical connection between the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 is released, and the circuit is interrupted. The detached magnetic conductive member 4 is securely fixed by the permanent magnet 9.

  Thus, according to the fourth embodiment, as in the second embodiment, after the magnetic conductive member 4 for electrical connection has been detached, it is securely fixed by the permanent magnet 9, so that the magnetic Needless to say, since the member 4 is brought into contact with the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 again and does not conduct, the circuit is surely cut off. Since the spring material 5c is attached to the low thermal conductive member of the support member 5, the degree of contact between the magnetic conductive member 4 and the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 during normal energization due to the compressive force of the spring. The electrical resistance can be reduced by reducing the contact resistance, and the heat loss of power can be reduced.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a circuit breaker according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 6, the circuit breaker according to the fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that the fourth embodiment uses an extension spring as the spring material 5 c and uses a compression force. In the fifth embodiment, a compression spring is used as the spring material 5c, and an extension force is used. One end of the pair of spring members 5 c is attached to the magnetic conductive member 4, and the other end of the spring members 5 c is fixed to the support member 5. The magnetic conductive member 4 is pressed against the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 by the extension force of the spring. The metal member 5a is held by a fixing member 6 by a solder material 7, and the fixing member 6 is provided with a wiring 8 for energization. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.
In the same manner as in the first and second embodiments, when any failure occurs in the load, the power source, the electronic device, or the like, the current is supplied from the wiring 8 to the fixing member 6, the solder material 7, and the support member 5. The solder material 7 is softened or melted by generating Joule heat and heating. The solder material 7 is sufficiently softened or melted, and the force for holding the support member 5 is weakened. The magnetic conductive member 4 is pulled by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 9 attached to the housing 1, and is detached from the normal position. 9 is adsorbed and fixed. Thereby, the electrical connection between the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 is released, and the circuit is interrupted. The detached magnetic conductive member 4 is securely fixed by the permanent magnet 9.

  Thus, according to the fifth embodiment, as in the second embodiment, after the magnetic conductive member 4 for electrical connection is detached, it is securely attracted and fixed by the permanent magnet 9, so that vibration or the like Needless to say, the magnetic conductive member 4 is brought into contact with the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 again and does not conduct, so that the circuit is surely cut off. Further, since the spring member 5c is attached to the support member 5, the magnetic conductive member 4, the first conductive member 2, and the second conductive member are normally energized by the extension force of the spring, as in the fourth embodiment. 3 is increased, and the electrical resistance can be reduced by reducing the contact resistance, and the heat loss of electric power can be reduced. Further, by using a pair of spring materials, the contact between the magnetic conductive member 4 and the first conductive member 2 and the second conductive member 3 can be further stabilized, and electrical conduction with low contact resistance can be obtained. There is an effect.

  In the second to fifth embodiments of the present invention, the case where nickel (Ni) having ferromagnetism is used as the magnetic member 4b has been described. However, in addition to nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and cobalt (Co) are used. A metal and an alloy thereof, or a magnetic material such as ferrite which is an oxide of iron (Fe), or an organic material containing these magnetic materials may be attached to the conductive member 4a, and the same effect There is expected.

  In the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, the case where a solder material containing tin (Sn) or lead (Pb) is used as the soluble member has been described. However, a low melting point metal such as indium (In) is used. It may be a solder material of an alloy with indium (In), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), or lead (Pb), and may be any material that softens or melts as the temperature rises, and is based on a thermoplastic resin. Even if it is made of a material such as a conductive adhesive, the same effect is expected.

  In the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, as the heating means for softening or melting the fusible member, a direct heating type method in which the support member or the like is energized and heated by its Joule heat has been described. The same effect can be expected even if an indirectly heated method of heating a soluble member with a heater is used.

  In the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, the configuration in which the support member is inserted into the fixed member and the fusible member is disposed in the gap between the support member and the fixed member has been described. However, even if the support member is fixed to the fixing member by the soluble member, the same effect can be obtained.

  In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing after operation of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a circuit breaker according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a circuit breaker according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a circuit breaker according to Embodiment 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a circuit breaker according to a fifth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Housing 2 First Conductive Member 3 Second Conductive Member 4 Magnetic Conductive Member 4a Conductive Member 4b Magnetic Member 5 Support Member 5a Metal Member 5b Low Thermal Conductive Member 6 Fixing Member 7 Solder Material 9 Permanent Magnet 10 Spring Material

Claims (5)

A casing having electrical insulation;
A first conductive member and a second conductive member fixed to the housing;
A magnetic conductive member for connecting and electrically conducting the first conductive member and the second conductive member;
A support member having one end fixed to the magnetic conductive member;
A fixing member attached to the housing for detachably holding the support member;
A fusible member that is filled in a gap between the support member and the fixing member and softens or melts at a predetermined temperature or higher;
Heating means for heating the soluble member;
A permanent magnet attached to the housing opposite to the magnetic conductive member,
When the soluble member is softened or melted by the heating means and the support member is detached from the fixing member, the magnetic conductive member is attracted and fixed by the permanent magnet. Circuit breaker.   2. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic conductive member is composed of a composite material of a conductive member and a magnetic member.   3. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the support member is made of a composite material in which an inorganic material or an organic material member is joined to a metal member.   The circuit breaker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support member is configured by a metal member joined to a spring material.   The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the fusible member is a solder material.

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