JPH1116466A - Temperature fuse, its manufacture, temperature fuse part using it, and battery and power supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance flexibility, make thinning possible, and make positioning of a welding point easy by sealing a pair of wire-shaped or plate-shaped conductor ends to an insulating plate with a sealing insulating plate, and housing a low melting point, fusible alloy fixed to the most end part of an exposed conductor in a space formed between both plates and a cover insulating plate connected to these plates. SOLUTION: A low melting point, fusible alloy 7 welded to the most end part 4 and coated with flux 8 is arranged in a space formed between an insulating plate 1 interposing the ends 5 of a pair of wire-shaped conductors 2, 3, sealing insulating plates 6, 6a, and a cover insulating plate 9. At least one of these three insulating plates is made of thermoplastic resin to make a fuse part flexible. By making at least one of the insulating plate 1 and the cover insulating plate 9 with ceramic having high heat conductivity and using no tubular ceramic insulating case, the fuse part is made thin. The use of Ni in the wire-shaped conductors 2, 3 as the base material is preferable, and thereby welding to an operation is made simple.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermal fuse used to prevent equipment damage due to excessive heating, a method of manufacturing the thermal fuse, a thermal fuse unit using the thermal fuse, a battery, and a power supply. Equipment and.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the technical development of secondary batteries has been remarkably progressed. In particular, secondary batteries that are small and can be used for a long time with a single charge as batteries used in devices such as mobile phones, PHSs, and notebook computers. Secondary batteries are being developed and put into practical use.
Specifically, development and commercialization of Ni-Cd batteries, Ni-H batteries, and Li-ion batteries have progressed, and smaller and longer-lasting secondary batteries have been developed.

However, as a battery becomes smaller and has a longer life, the risk of the battery being damaged or exploding due to heat generated by rapid discharge due to a short circuit between the positive and negative electrodes of the battery increases. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of the secondary battery, a thermal fuse that is disconnected due to heat generated during a short circuit is used. As this thermal fuse, a fuse using a low melting point fusible alloy is generally used. This low-melting-point fusible alloy is attached to a part of a battery or power supply that may generate heat by contacting it with an insulating layer. The molten alloy is melted to prevent the battery from being discharged or charged, thereby preventing abnormal heat generation of the battery and preventing thermal destruction of power supply equipment.

FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional thermal fuse using the above-mentioned low melting point fusible alloy. In FIG. 21, 71 and 72 are lead wires, 73 and 74 are polymer resin insulating adhesives, 75 and 76 are ceramic insulating cases, 77 is a thermal fuse element made of a low melting point fusible alloy, and 78 is a flux. Conventional thermal fuses
A low-melting-point fusible alloy was used as the thermal fuse element 77, and it had lead wires 71 and 72, and was sealed with ceramic insulating cases 75 and 76 and polymer resin insulating adhesives 73 and 74 while leaving a space in the case. Has a structure. The hermetic structure is used to prevent the low melting point fusible alloy 77 from leaking to the outside even when the thermal fuse operates. The manufacturing method is such that a low melting point fusible alloy 77 is welded to the lead wires 71 and 72, a flux 78 is applied to the surface of the low melting point fusible alloy 77, and the tubular ceramic insulating cases 75, 7
6, and both ends are sealed with a two-liquid curing type epoxy resin (polymer resin insulating adhesive) 74, 74.

[0005]

However, with the recent miniaturization of electronic devices, there are many demands for miniaturization and thinning of batteries and power supply devices, and miniaturization, thinning, and flexibility of thermal fuses have been demanded. Grant is required,
The conventional thermal fuse has the following problems.

A conventional thermal fuse using a tubular ceramic insulating case 75, 76 is not flexible enough to cope with the miniaturization and thinning of accessories accompanying the miniaturization and thinning of batteries and power supplies. There is.

[0007] With the miniaturization and thinning of accessories accompanying the miniaturization and thinning of batteries and power supplies, conventional thermal fuses using tubular ceramic insulating cases 75 and 76 are required when the thermal fuse operates. It is difficult to maintain the case strength and make the case thinner than 1 mm.

The use of the lead wires 71 and 72 makes it difficult to position a welding point when connecting terminals by welding.

The thermal fuse, the method of manufacturing the thermal fuse, the thermal fuse unit, the battery, and the power supply using the thermal fuse are required to have flexibility, a thin case of 1 mm, and easy positioning of a welding point. .

The present invention provides a thermal fuse having flexibility, a thin case as thin as 1 mm, easy positioning of a welding point, a manufacturing method capable of easily manufacturing the thermal fuse, and a temperature capable of manufacturing the thermal fuse at low cost. An object of the present invention is to provide a battery and a power supply device to which a fuse unit and its thermal fuse can be easily applied.

[0011]

In order to solve this problem, a thermal fuse according to the present invention comprises an insulating plate and an end of a pair of linear conductors or a pair of plate conductors. A low-melting-point fusible material fixed between a pair of linear conductors or a pair of plate-shaped conductors, with the sealing plate fixed to the insulation plate with the top end of the plate-shaped conductor exposed. An alloy and a cover insulating plate that is joined to the insulating plate and the sealing insulating plate and that forms a space for housing the low-melting-point fusible alloy between the insulating plate and the sealing insulating plate. ing.

Thus, a thermal fuse having flexibility, a thin case of 1 mm, and easy positioning of a welding point can be obtained.

In order to solve this problem, a method of manufacturing a thermal fuse according to the present invention comprises an insulating plate forming step of forming an insulating plate, and a pair of linear conductors or end portions of a pair of plate conductors. A sealing and fixing step of sealing and fixing the conductor or the pair of plate-shaped conductors to the insulating plate with the sealing insulating plate in a state where the end portions are exposed, and the end of the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate-shaped conductors Fixing the low melting point fusible alloy between the parts, bonding the cover insulating plate to the insulating plate and the sealing insulating plate, and bonding the insulating plate and the sealing insulating plate to the insulating plate for the cover And a space forming step of forming a space for accommodating the low melting point fusible alloy between the plate and the plate.

Thus, a method for manufacturing the thermal fuse, which can easily manufacture the thermal fuse, can be obtained.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal fuse unit having a plurality of thermal fuses, wherein adjacent thermal fuses are connected by a connecting member that connects insulating plates.

As a result, a thermal fuse section in which the thermal fuse can be manufactured at low cost is obtained.

According to the battery of the present invention for solving this problem, a pair of linear conductors or a pair of plate conductors is formed by a thermal fuse formed by using Ni metal, Fe metal, Cu metal or Ni alloy as a base material. It has a configuration to be used.

Thus, a battery to which the thermal fuse can be easily applied is obtained. According to a power supply device of the present invention for solving this problem, a pair of linear conductors or a pair of plate conductors is made of a metal or an alloy containing Fe, Ni, or Cu as a main component, Thermal fuse in which a part or the whole of the surface of the material is formed of a film of any one of Cu, Bi, Sn, In, and Pb or an alloy in which two or more of Ni, Cu, Bi, Sn, In, and Pb are mixed. Is provided.

Thus, a power supply device to which the thermal fuse can be easily applied is obtained.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to the first aspect of the present invention, an insulating plate and an end of a pair of linear conductors or a pair of plate conductors are connected to a pair of linear conductors or a pair of plate conductors. A sealing insulating plate sealed and fixed to the insulating plate in a state where the outermost ends are exposed, a low melting point fusible alloy fixed between the outermost ends of a pair of linear conductors or a pair of plate-like conductors, A cover insulating plate which is joined to the plate and the sealing insulating plate, and forms a space for accommodating the low-melting-point fusible alloy between the insulating plate and the sealing insulating plate, This has the effect that the tubular ceramic insulating case is not used and the body case is made thinner.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, at least one of the insulating plate and the insulating plate for the cover is mainly made of a ceramic mainly composed of alumina or magnesia, silicon oxide or boron oxide. The component glass or silicon oxide or boron oxide is used as the main component, and the main body case can be easily assembled by thermal bonding by using a thermoplastic material for the other insulating plate. Having. In addition, since the use of ceramics has better thermal conductivity than plastics, it has the effect of being thin and having good thermal responsiveness.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, at least one of the insulating plate, the sealing insulating plate, and the cover insulating plate is made of ABS resin, SAN resin, polysan. It is formed of a thermoplastic resin containing any of phone resin, polycarbonate resin, noryl, vinyl chloride resin, polyethylene resin, polyester resin, polypropylene resin, polyamide resin, PPS resin, polyacetal, fluororesin, and polyester. This has the function of making the main body case flexible by thermoplasticity.

The invention described in claim 4 is the first to third aspects of the present invention.
In the invention according to any one of the above, the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate-shaped conductors are formed using Ni metal, Fe metal, Cu metal or Ni alloy as a base material, and a battery, This has the effect of simplifying welding to power supply equipment.

The invention described in claim 5 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3
In the invention described in any one of the above, the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate conductors is based on a metal or an alloy mainly containing Fe, Ni, or Cu, Part or whole Ni, Cu, Bi, Sn, In, Pb
And a film formed of an alloy obtained by mixing any one of these, and has an effect of improving the solder wettability of a pair of linear conductors or a pair of plate conductors.

[0025] The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5.
In the invention according to any one of the above, when the thickness of the insulating plate is t1, the thickness of the insulating plate for sealing is t2, and the diameter and length of the linear conductor are K and U, K × 1.5
.Ltoreq. (T1 + t2) and K.times.1.5.ltoreq.U, and has the effect of ensuring the terminal strength when the thermal fuse operates.

[0027] The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5.
In the invention described in any one of the above, the thickness and the vertical length of the insulating plate are t1 and b1, the thickness and the vertical length of the sealing insulating plate are t2 and b2, and the width of the plate-shaped conductor. , When the thickness and length are E, H and G, H × 1.2 ≦ (t1 + t2), E × 1.2 ≦ b1,
It is assumed that E × 1.2 ≦ b2 and G ≧ 0.3 mm, which has the effect of ensuring the terminal strength when the thermal fuse operates.

[0027] The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claims 1 to 7.
In the invention according to any one of the above, when the volume of the space formed between the insulating plate and the insulating plate for sealing and the insulating plate for the cover is V, and the volume of the low melting point fusible alloy is J, J.times.2.5.ltoreq.V, which has the effect of preventing leakage of the low melting point fusible alloy during operation of the thermal fuse.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there are provided the first to seventh aspects.
Wherein the thickness of the space is Z and the thickness of the low melting point fusible alloy is M, 0.02 m
m ≦ M ≦ Z ≦ 0.8 mm,
This has an effect that a gap required when the low-melting-point fusible alloy melts is formed in the vertical direction.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eighth or ninth aspect, at least one of the insulating plate and the cover insulating plate is recessed, and a gap in the main body case is formed. Can be easily secured and the thickness can be reduced.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the ends of the pair of linear conductors are U-shaped, S-shaped or U-shaped in the same plane. The terminal is bent into a combination of the shape and the S-shape, and has the effect of improving the external stress resistance of the terminal.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the ends of the pair of linear conductors are flattened in the same plane. This has the effect of improving the external stress resistance of the terminal.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the pair of plate-like conductors are formed into a partially cut or partially bent shape. This has the effect of improving the external stress resistance of the terminal.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate conductors are in contact with the insulating plate and the sealing insulating plate. The surface roughness of the part to be sealed is 0.5
μm or more and 50 μm or less,
This has the effect of improving the external stress resistance of the terminal.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, a plate-shaped conductor or a tubular conductor is fixed to the other end of the pair of linear conductors. There is an effect that positioning of welding is simplified, or connection to a lead wire is performed by caulking or the like.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of thermal fuses according to the first aspect are provided, and adjacent thermal fuses are connected by a connecting member for connecting an insulating plate. This has the effect that the product can be assembled in the specified steps.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of the thermal fuses according to the first aspect, and a lead frame having a plurality of plate-shaped connecting portions formed inside, and each of the thermal fuses is connected to each other. It is intended to be fixed to the part, and has the effect that the product can be assembled in a continuous process.

The invention according to claim 18 uses the thermal fuse according to claim 4 or 5, and has an effect that the thermal fuse is easily connected.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the thermal fuse according to the fourth or fifth aspect is used, and has an effect that the thermal fuse is easily connected.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an insulating plate forming step of forming an insulating plate, wherein the ends of the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate conductors are connected to the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate conductors. A sealing and fixing step of sealing and fixing the insulating plate to the insulating plate with the outermost end exposed, and a low melting point fusible alloy between the outermost ends of the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate-like conductors Bonding a cover insulating plate to an insulating plate and an insulating plate for sealing to form a low melting point alloy between the insulating plate and the insulating plate for sealing and the insulating plate for cover. And a space forming step of forming a space for accommodating the molten alloy, which has an effect that the thermal fuse according to claim 1 is easily manufactured.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1
Is an insulating plate, 2 and 3 are a pair of linear conductors, 4 is the extreme end of the linear conductor 2, 5 is an end of the linear conductor 2, 6, 6a are a pair of sealing insulating plates, and 7 is low. 8 is a flux and 9 is a cover insulating plate.

The end portion 5 of the linear conductor 2 is sandwiched between the insulating plate 1 and the sealing insulating plate 6 and is in a hermetically sealed state. Alloy 7 is welded. Similar processing is performed on the other linear conductor 3. The low melting point fusible alloy 7 is disposed in a closed space formed by the insulating plate 1, the pair of sealing insulating plates 6 and 6 a, and the cover insulating plate 9, and is coated with a flux 8. .

The insulating plate 1, the sealing insulating plate 6,
6a, cover insulating plate 9 is made of ABS resin, SAN
Resin, polysanfone resin, polycarbonate resin, Noryl, vinyl chloride resin, polyethylene resin, polyester resin, polypropylene resin, polyamide resin, PP
It can be formed of a thermoplastic resin containing any one of S resin, polyacetal, fluororesin, and polyester as a main component. The linear conductors 2 and 3 are made of Ni metal, 42Ni alloy, Cu metal coated with Sn, or Cu metal.
And further formed of Fe metal or the like coated with Sn. End 4 of linear conductor 2
In order to easily weld the low melting point fusible alloy 7, Sn,
It can be formed by coating an alloy of any one of Cu, Bi, In, and Pb or a mixture of two or more of them (the same applies to the end portion of the linear conductor 3). As the low-melting-point fusible alloy 7, an alloy mainly containing an alloy such as Sn, In, Bi, Pb, and Cd is generally known. In this case, a trial production was made of an alloy containing Sn, In, Bi, and Pb, which does not contain harmful Cd. The flux 8 is used to help the low melting point fusible alloy 7 change its shape spherically when it reaches the melting point.

A similar structure can be obtained by using the linear conductors 2 and 3 as plate conductors. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse using a plate-shaped conductor. In FIG. 2, 1
Reference numerals 1 and 12 denote a pair of plate-shaped conductors, 13 denotes an end portion of the plate-shaped conductor 11, 14 denotes an end of the plate-shaped conductor 11, 15, 15a denotes an insulating plate for sealing, 16 denotes a low melting point fusible alloy, Is a flux and 18 is a cover insulating plate. In FIG. 2, the plate-shaped conductors 11 and 12 can be manufactured similarly to the linear conductors 2 and 3 both structurally and materially.

Next, a method of manufacturing a thermal fuse will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG. 3 (A) to 3 (E) are partially cutaway views showing steps of manufacturing the thermal fuse of FIG. FIG.
In (A) to (E), 19 is an insulating plate, 20,
21 is a linear conductor; 22, 23 are ends of the linear conductors 20, 21; 24, 25 are end portions of the linear conductors 20, 21;
27 is an insulating plate for sealing, 28 is a low melting point fusible alloy, 2
9 is a flux, 30 is a hatched portion, and 31 is an insulating plate for a cover.

First, as shown in FIG. 3A, the end portions 22 and 23 of the linear conductors 20 and 21 are arranged on the insulating plate 19 formed in the insulating plate forming step. Next, FIG.
As shown in (B), the end portions 2 of the linear conductors 20 and 21
The sealing insulating plate 26 with the exposed portions 4 and 25 exposed,
27 is arranged and welded at the positions of the ends 22 and 23 (sealing and fixing step). The welding can be performed by bringing a hot plate heated near the softening point of the thermoplastic resin used for the insulating plate 19 and the sealing insulating plates 26 and 27 into contact with each other. Alternatively, the sealing insulating plates 26 and 27 may be brought into pressure contact with the insulating plate 19, frictionally vibrated by ultrasonic vibration, and welded by frictional heat. In addition, the linear conductors 20 and 21 are energized so that the end portions 22 and 23 generate heat by themselves, and the sealing insulating plates 26 and 27 are brought into pressure contact with the insulating plate 19 by resistance heating of the linear conductors. Can also be welded. The end portions 2 of the linear conductors 20 and 21 are welded.
2 and 23 are the insulating plate 19 and the sealing insulating plate 2
6 and 27. Here, if the sealing is insufficient, the sealing may be completely performed using an adhesive.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (C), the low melting point fusible alloy 28 is welded to the outermost ends 24, 25 of the linear conductors 20, 21 (low melting point fusible alloy fixing step). As a welding method, the end portions 24 and 25 of the linear conductors 20 and 21 are heated to a temperature higher than the melting point of the low-melting-point fusible alloy 28 and brought into contact with the low-melting-point fusible alloy 28. Next, as shown in FIG. 3D, a flux 29 is applied around the welded low-melting-point fusible alloy 28. Finally, cover insulating plate 31
Are arranged as shown in FIG.
It is welded to the shaded portion 30 so as to form a space (gap) for accommodating the low melting point fusible alloy between the sealing insulating plates 26 and 27 and the cover insulating plate 31 (space forming step). The welding can be performed by the method of bringing a heated hot plate into contact as described above. However, this time, since the low melting point fusible alloy 28 is in the space, welding using ultrasonic waves is preferable. Specifically, a horn having a shape capable of pressing the hatched portion 30 is prepared, and pressure is applied from above the cover insulating plate 31, and the cover insulating plate 3 is pressed by ultrasonic vibration.
A portion corresponding to the hatched portion 30 is frictionally vibrated and welded by frictional heat. According to this method, the generated heat is concentrated on the portion to be welded, and the welding can be performed with a small amount of heat energy. Therefore, the welding can be performed before the low melting point fusible alloy 28 is blown. Also, the cover insulating plate 31
A projection corresponding to the hatched portion 30 may be provided as an energy director so that the ultrasonic vibration is concentrated. This is shown in FIG.

FIG. 16A is a perspective view showing an energy director, and FIG. 16B is a sectional view of a portion A in FIG. 16A. In FIG. 16, reference numeral 79 denotes an energy director, and reference numeral 80 denotes a protrusion.

In the case where the method is brought into contact with a hot plate, it can be manufactured by heating the shaded portion 30 while cooling the low melting point fusible alloy 28. The cooling method includes a method of cooling through the linear conductors 20 and 21 and a method of cooling through the insulating plate 19 and the cover insulating plate 31.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the thermal fuse comprises the insulating plates 1 and 10 and the end portions 5 of the pair of linear conductors 2 and 3 or the end portions of the pair of plate conductors 11 and 12. The sealing insulating plate 14 is fixed to the insulating plates 1 and 10 with the end portions 4 of the pair of linear conductors 2 and 3 or the end portions 13 of the pair of plate conductors 11 and 12 exposed. 6, 6a, 15, 15a, and between the end portions 4 of the pair of linear conductors 2, 3 or the end portions 13 of the pair of plate-like conductors 11, 12.
Low melting point fusible alloys 7 and 16 fixed between them, insulating plates 1 and 10, and sealing insulating plates 6, 6a, 15, 1;
Cover insulating plates 9, 18 which are joined to the insulating plates 5 and 5a and form spaces between the insulating plates 1 and 10 and the sealing insulating plates 6, 6a, 15 and 15a for accommodating the low melting point fusible alloys 7 and 16. Therefore, there is no need to use a tubular ceramic insulating case, and the main body case of the thermal fuse can be made thin.

The insulating plates 1 and 10, the sealing insulating plates 6, 6a, 15, 15a, and the cover insulating plates 9, 18 are made of ABS resin, SAN resin, polysanfone resin, polycarbonate resin, noryl, chloride, etc. Since it is made of a thermoplastic resin containing any one of vinyl resin, polyethylene resin, polyester resin, polypropylene resin, polyamide resin, PPS resin, polyacetal, fluorine resin and polyester, the heat of each resin The plasticity makes the main body case of the thermal fuse flexible.

Further, the linear conductors 2 and 3 are made of Ni metal, F
e metal, Cu metal or an alloy thereof, so that the battery of the thermal fuse can be
It can be easily attached to power supply equipment and the like.

Further, in order to easily weld the low melting point fusible alloy 7 to the end 4 of the linear conductor 2, Sn, Cu, B
Any one of i, In, and Pb or a mixed alloy thereof can be formed by coating (the same is applied to the end of the linear conductor 3). Solder wettability can be improved.

As the material of the insulating plates 1 and 10 or the material of the insulating plates 9 and 18 for the cover, a ceramic mainly composed of alumina or magnesia, which is a material having good heat conductivity, is used. 6a, 1
Other insulating plates, including 5, 15a, are made by using the thermoplastic or epoxy resin.
Similarly, it is possible to reduce the thickness, and it is possible to bring the case portion having better heat conductivity than plastic into contact with the heat source, so that the thermal response becomes faster. Further, the material of the insulating plates 1 and 10 or the insulating plates 9 and 18 for the cover may be used.
Using glass or ceramic whose main component is silicon oxide or boron oxide, and using the above-mentioned thermoplastic or epoxy resin for other insulating plates including insulating plates 6, 6a, 15, and 15a for sealing. Accordingly, it is also possible to reduce the thickness.Since the glass material of silicon oxide and boron oxide is contained in the material component, the airtightness is better than that of the alumina or magnesia, so that the material can be thinned. is there.

(Example 1, Comparative Example 1) The dimensions used in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are shown in FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the thermal fuse of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the thermal fuse of FIG. In FIG. 4, 32 is an insulating plate, 33 and 34 are a pair of linear conductors, 35 and 36 are a pair of sealing insulating plates, 37 is a low melting point fusible alloy, and 38 is a cover insulating plate. In the figure, 40 is an insulating plate, 41 is a linear conductor, 42 is a sealing insulating plate, 43 is a low melting point fusible alloy, and 44 is a cover insulating plate. 4 and 5, the insulating plates 32, 4
0 is a1 in the horizontal direction, b1 in the vertical direction, and t1 in the thickness.
The sealing insulating plates 35, 36 and 42 have a horizontal length of a2, a vertical length of b2, a thickness of t2, and the cover insulating plates 38 and 44 have a horizontal length of a3 and a vertical length of a2. The length in the direction is b3, the thickness is t3, the low-melting-point fusible alloys 37 and 43 have a length L, a diameter of a circular cross section φ, a linear conductor 33,
The diameter of 34, 41 is defined as K. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway view showing a modification of the thermal fuse of FIG. In FIG. 7, 50 is a linear conductor, and 51 is a sealing insulating plate. As shown in FIG. 7, the length when the linear conductor 50 covered with the sealing insulating plate 51 is bent is defined as U.

In the first embodiment, a1 = 11 mm and b1 = 5
mm, t1 = 0.4 mm, a2 = 2 mm, b2 = 3 m
m, t2 = 0.4 mm, a3 = 11 mm, b3 = 5 m
m, t3 = 0.2 mm, L = 5 mm, φ = 0.5 mm,
K = 0.5 mm, U = 2 mm, and K ×
1.5 = 0.75, (t1 + t2) = 0.4 + 0.4 =
0.8 mm, and satisfies the relationship of K × 1.5 ≦ (t1 + t2) and K × 1.5 ≦ U.

On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, a1 = 11 m
m, b1 = 5 mm, t1 = 0.2 mm, a2 = 2 mm,
b2 = 3 mm, t2 = 0.2 mm, a3 = 11 mm, b
3 = 5 mm, t3 = 0.2 mm, L = 5 mm, φ = 0.
5 mm, K = 0.5 mm, U = 2 mm, K × 1.5 = 0.75, (t1 + t2) = 0.2 +
0.2 = 0.4 mm, which satisfies the relationship of K × 1.5 ≦ U, but does not satisfy the relationship of K × 1.5 ≦ (t1 + t2).

Each of the three samples produced under the conditions of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1
A pressure cooker test was performed on 0 samples to evaluate the sealability. The test method is as follows. The test was performed under the conditions of a temperature of 121 ° C., a humidity of 100%, and a pressure of 2 atm. Non-defective and defective products are determined by observing the appearance.
Those with no change in appearance are judged as good, and those with obvious change in appearance, such as leakage of the contents of the thermal fuse, looseness or detachment of the terminals, are judged as defective. Example 1 after the pressure cooker test
In the case of No., the number of generated defects was 0 and 100% non-defective, and in the case of Comparative Example 1, the number of generated defects was 25 and 83% defective (17% non-defective).

Example 2, Comparative Example 2 In Example 2, a
1 = 11 mm, b1 = 5 mm, t1 = 0.5 mm, a2
= 1.5 mm, b2 = 3 mm, t2 = 0.5 mm, a3
= 11 mm, b3 = 5 mm, t3 = 0.2 mm, L = 5
mm, φ = 0.5mm, K = 0.5mm, U = 1.5m
m, K × 1.5 = 0.75, (t1 +
t2) = 0.5 + 0.5 = 1 mm, and K × 1.5 ≦
(T1 + t2) and the relationship of K × 1.5 ≦ U are satisfied.

On the other hand, in Comparative Example 2, a1 = 11 m
m, b1 = 5 mm, t1 = 0.5 mm, a2 = 0.5 m
m, b2 = 3 mm, t2 = 0.5 mm, a3 = 11 m
m, b3 = 5 mm, t3 = 0.2 mm, L = 5 mm, φ
= 0.5 mm, K = 0.5 mm, U = 0.5 mm, K × 1.5 = 0.75, (t1 + t2) =
0.5 + 0.5 = 1 mm, and K × 1.5 ≦ (t1 +
The relationship of t2) is satisfied, but the relationship of K × 1.5 ≦ U is not satisfied.

Each of the three samples produced under the conditions of Example 2 and Comparative Example 2
A pressure cooker test was performed on 0 samples to evaluate the sealability. The test method is the same as in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. After the pressure cooker test, in the case of Example 2, the number of generated defects was 0 and 10
0% non-defective product, and the number of defectives generated in the case of Comparative Example 2 is 2
8 was 93% defective (7% good).

Example 3 and Comparative Example 3 Next, the linear conductors 2 and 3 as shown in FIG.
The case where the low-melting-point fusible alloy is replaced with plates 1 and 12 and formed into a plate shape will be described. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a plate-shaped conductor and a plate-shaped thermal fuse made of a low-melting-point fusible alloy. 6, reference numeral 45 denotes an insulating plate, 46 denotes a plate-shaped conductor, 47 denotes a sealing insulating plate, 48 denotes a low-melting-point fusible alloy, and 49 denotes a cover insulating plate. As shown in FIG. 6, the vertical width of the plate-shaped conductor 46 is defined as E, the thickness thereof is defined as H, the thickness of the low melting point fusible alloy 48 is defined as T, the vertical width is defined as W, and the length is defined as W. Is defined as L (L is not shown). FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse using a plate-shaped conductor. As shown in FIG. 8, the length of the plate-shaped conductor 52 covered with the sealing insulating plate 53 is defined as G.

In the third embodiment, a1 = 11 mm and b1 = 5
mm, t1 = 0.2 mm, a2 = 2 mm, b2 = 4 m
m, t2 = 0.2 mm, a3 = 11 mm, b3 = 5 m
m, t3 = 0.2 mm, L = 5 mm, T = 0.2 mm,
W = 1 mm, E = 3 mm, H = 0.25 mm, G = 2 m
m, H × 1.2 = 0.3, (t1 + t
2) = 0.4 mm, E × 1.2 = 3.6, and H ×
1.2 ≦ (t1 + t2), E × 1.2 ≦ b1, E × 1.
Both the relations of 2 ≦ b2 and 0.3 mm ≦ G are satisfied.

On the other hand, in Comparative Example 3, a1 = 11 m
m, b1 = 5 mm, t1 = 0.2 mm, a2 = 2 mm,
b2 = 4 mm, t2 = 0.2 mm, a3 = 11 mm, b
3 = 5 mm, t3 = 0.2 mm, L = 5 mm, T = 0.
2 mm, W = 1 mm, E = 3 mm, H = 0.5 mm, G
= 2 mm, H × 1.2 = 0.6, (t
1 + t2) = 0.4 mm, E × 1.2 = 3.6,
E × 1.2 ≦ b1, E × 1.2 ≦ b2 and 0.3 mm
Although all of the relations of ≦ G are satisfied, H ×
The relationship of 1.2 ≦ (t1 + t2) is not satisfied.

Each of the three samples produced under the conditions of Example 3 and Comparative Example 3
A pressure cooker test was performed on 0 samples to evaluate the sealability. The test method is the same as in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. After the pressure cooker test, in the case of Example 3, the number of defectives generated was 0 and 1
In the case of Comparative Example 3, the number of defectives generated was 21 and 70% defective (30% non-defective).

Example 4 and Comparative Example 4 In Example 4, a
1 = 11 mm, b1 = 5 mm, t1 = 0.2 mm, a2
= 2 mm, b2 = 4 mm, t2 = 0.2 mm, a3 = 1
1 mm, b3 = 5 mm, t3 = 0.2 mm, L = 5 m
m, T = 0.2 mm, W = 1 mm, E = 3 mm, H =
0.15 mm, G = 2 mm, and H × 1.
2 = 0.18, (t1 + t2) = 0.4 mm, E × 1.
2 = 3.6, H × 1.2 ≦ (t1 + t2), E ×
1.2 ≦ b1, E × 1.2 ≦ b2 and 0.3 mm ≦ G
All of the relationships are satisfied.

On the other hand, in Comparative Example 4, a1 = 11 m
m, b1 = 5 mm, t1 = 0.2 mm, a2 = 2 mm,
b2 = 3 mm, t2 = 0.2 mm, a3 = 11 mm, b
3 = 5 mm, t3 = 0.2 mm, L = 5 mm, T = 0.
2 mm, W = 1 mm, E = 3 mm, H = 0.15 mm,
G = 2 mm, H × 1.2 = 0.18,
(T1 + t2) = 0.4 mm, E × 1.2 = 3.6, and all of the relations of H × 1.2 ≦ (t1 + t2), E × 1.2 ≦ b1 and 0.3 mm ≦ G are satisfied. However, the relationship of E × 1.2 ≦ b2 is not satisfied.

Each 3 prepared under the conditions of Example 4 and Comparative Example 4
A pressure cooker test was performed on 0 samples. The test method is the same as in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1.

After the pressure cooker test, in the case of Example 4, the number of defectives occurred was 0, which is 100% good, and in the case of Comparative Example 4, the number of defectives was 12, 40% defective (60% good). Met.

Example 5 and Comparative Example 5 In Example 5, a
1 = 11 mm, b1 = 5 mm, t1 = 0.2 mm, a2
= 0.5 mm, b2 = 4 mm, t2 = 0.2 mm, a3
= 11 mm, b3 = 5 mm, t3 = 0.2 mm, L = 5
mm, T = 0.2 mm, W = 1 mm, E = 3 mm, H =
0.1 mm, G = 0.5 mm, and H ×
1.2 = 0.12, (t1 + t2) = 0.4 mm, Ex
1.2 = 3.6, H × 1.2 ≦ (t1 + t2),
E × 1.2 ≦ b1, E × 1.2 ≦ b2 and 0.3 mm
<G is satisfied.

On the other hand, in Comparative Example 5, a1 = 11 m
m, b1 = 5 mm, t1 = 0.2 mm, a2 = 0.2 m
m, b2 = 4 mm, t2 = 0.2 mm, a3 = 11 m
m, b3 = 5 mm, t3 = 0.2 mm, L = 5 mm, T
= 0.2 mm, W = 1 mm, E = 3 mm, H = 0.1 m
m, G = 0.2 mm, and H × 1.2 =
0.12, (t1 + t2) = 0.4 mm, E × 1.2 =
3.6, H × 1.2 ≦ (t1 + t2), E × 1.
Both the relations of 2 ≦ b1 and E × 1.2 ≦ b2 are satisfied, but the relation of 0.3 mm ≦ G is not satisfied.

Each of the three samples produced under the conditions of Example 5 and Comparative Example 5
A pressure cooker test was performed on 0 samples. The test method is the same as in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1.

After the pressure cooker test, in the case of Example 5, the number of defectives occurred was 0, which is 100% non-defective, and in the case of Comparative Example 5, the number of defectives was 29, which was 97% defective (3% non-defective). Met.

(Example 6, Comparative Example 6)
(B), (C) is an exploded view showing a thermal fuse according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, 54 is an insulating plate, 55 and 56 are sealing insulating plates, 57 is a cover insulating plate, and 58 is a gap (space). In FIG. 9, an insulating plate 54 and a sealing insulating plate 55,
The volume of a gap (portion shown by a horizontal line) 58 surrounded by 56 and the cover insulating plate 57 is defined as V, the horizontal length as X, the vertical length as Y, and the thickness as Z. , The volume of the low melting point fusible alloy disposed inside the gap 58 is defined as J, and the thickness is defined as M (J is not shown).

In the sixth embodiment, a1 = 11 mm and b1 = 5
mm, t1 = 0.2 mm, a2 = 2 mm, b2 = Y =
1.56 mm, t2 = Z = 0.5 mm, a3 = 11 m
m, b3 = 5 mm, t3 = 0.2 mm, L = 5 mm, W
= 1 mm, E = 1 mm, H = 0.15 mm, G = 2 m
m, V = 4.4 mm ³ , X = 7 mm, J = 0.8 mm ³ ,
M = 0.2 mm, J × 2.5 = 2, and the condition of J × 2.5 ≦ V is satisfied.

On the other hand, in Comparative Example 6, a1 = 11 m
m, b1 = 5 mm, t1 = 0.2 mm, a2 = 2 mm,
b2 = Y = 1.6 mm, t2 = Z = 0.2 mm, a3 =
11 mm, b3 = 5 mm, t3 = 0.2 mm, L = 5 m
m, W = 1 mm, E = 1 mm, H = 0.15 mm, G =
2 mm, V = 1.8 mm ³ , X = 7 mm, J = 0.8 m
m ³ , M = 0.2 mm, J × 2.5 =
2, which does not satisfy the condition of J × 2.5 ≦ V.

Each 3 prepared under the conditions of Example 6 and Comparative Example 6
A fusing test was performed on 0 samples. The test method is to connect the electrodes of the sample to a continuity checker,
The temperature of the atmosphere is raised so that the temperature rises at a rate of 1 ° C per minute, and the temperature at which conduction is lost is defined as the fusing temperature. Judge as good. After the fusing test, in the case of Example 6, the number of generated defects was 0, which is 100% non-defective, and in the case of Comparative Example 6, the number of defectives was 3, which was 10% defective (90%).
Good product).

The sample of Example 6 has a thickness of 0.02 mm ≦ M ≦
Prototypes are manufactured in the dimension range of Z ≦ 0.8. M is 0.02
If it is less than mm, the production and handling of the low melting point fusible alloy becomes difficult due to being too thin, and a trial production was not possible.
When Z is 0.8 mm or more, the thickness of the product is 1.
Since it is about 5 mm, there is no difference from a product using a tubular ceramic which is a conventional method. The thickness of the sample of Example 6 was measured to be 0.5 to 1.0 mm, and could be set as the temperature fuse 87 of the battery in FIG. 17 described later.

Example 7, Comparative Example 7 In Example 7, a
1 = 11 mm, b1 = 5 mm, t1 = 0.2 mm, a2
= 2 mm, b2 = Y = 3.2 mm, t2 = Z = 0.2 m
m, a3 = 11 mm, b3 = 5 mm, t3 = 0.2 m
m, L = 5 mm, W = 1 mm, E = 1 mm, H = 0.1
5 mm, G = 2 mm, V = 3.6 mm ³ , X = 7 mm,
J = 0.4 mm ³ and M = 0.1 mm are set,
J × 2.5 = 1, which satisfies the condition of J × 2.5 ≦ V.

On the other hand, in Comparative Example 7, as in Comparative Example 6, a1 = 11 mm, b1 = 5 mm, and t1 = 0.2
mm, a2 = 2 mm, b2 = Y = 1.6 mm, t2 = Z
= 0.2 mm, a3 = 11 mm, b3 = 5 mm, t3 =
0.2 mm, L = 5 mm, W = 1 mm, E = 1 mm, H
= 0.15 mm, G = 2 mm, V = 1.8 mm ³ , X =
7 mm, J = 0.8 mm ³ , M = 0.2 mm, J × 2.5 = 2, and does not satisfy the condition of J × 2.5 ≦ V.

Each of the three samples produced under the conditions of Example 7 and Comparative Example 7
A fusing test was performed on 0 samples. The test method is the same as in Example 6 and Comparative Example 6. After the fusing test, in the case of Example 7, the number of generated defects was 0 and 100.
%, And in the case of Comparative Example 7, the number of defectives occurred was 3 and 10% defective (90% non-defective).

The sample of Example 7 was 0.02 mm ≦ M ≦
Prototypes are manufactured in the dimension range of Z ≦ 0.8. M is 0.02
If it is less than mm, the production and handling of the low melting point fusible alloy becomes difficult due to being too thin, and a trial production was not possible.
When Z is 0.8 mm or more, the thickness of the product is 1.
Since it is about 5 mm, there is no difference from a product using a tubular ceramic which is a conventional method. The thickness of the sample of Example 7 was measured to be 0.5 to 1.0 mm, and could be set as the temperature fuse 87 of the battery in FIG. 17 described later.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In FIG. 10, 1 is an insulating plate, 59
Is a concave portion of the insulating plate 1. By providing such a concave portion 59, the space V having the volume of the sixth and seventh embodiments can be easily secured. Although the concave portion is provided in the insulating plate this time, the concave portion may be provided by drawing the cover insulating plate side.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 1 denotes an insulating plate,
Reference numeral 3 denotes a linear conductor, 6 denotes a sealing insulating plate, 7 denotes a low melting point fusible alloy, and 60 denotes an end portion of the linear conductor 2. As shown in FIG. 11, the end 60 of the linear conductor 2 is
(The same applies to the end of the linear conductor 3). Thus, when a tensile stress is applied to the linear conductors 2 and 3 from the outside, the sealed portions are hardly removed. further,
Since the welding of the low-melting-point fusible alloy 7 is performed in a planar portion,
The welding positioning becomes easy.

The sealing performance is maintained by setting the surface roughness of the portion to be sealed by contacting the insulating plate 1 and the sealing insulating plate 6 with the linear conductors 2 and 3 to 0.5 μm to 50 μm. When a tensile stress is applied to the linear conductors 2 and 3 from the outside in this state, the sealed portion becomes difficult to come off. When the surface roughness is less than 0.5 μm, there is no difference in the tensile strength as compared with the case where the surface is not exposed, and 5
If the thickness exceeds 0 μm, air may be caught in the sealing with the insulating plate 1 and the sealing insulating plate 6 and the sealing may be insufficient, which is not preferable as a thermal fuse.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 10 denotes an insulating plate,
Reference numerals 1 and 12 denote plate conductors, 13 denotes an end portion of the plate conductor 11, 1
4 is an end of the plate-like conductor 11, 15 is a sealing insulating plate,
16 is a low melting point fusible alloy, 61 is a hole, and 62 and 63 are notches. As shown in FIG. 12, the end portion 14 of the plate-shaped conductor 11 has a hole 61 or a notch 62, 63.
Drilled or notched (plate-like conductor 12
Is the same). Thus, when a tensile stress is applied to the plate-shaped conductors 11 and 12 from the outside, the sealed portions are hardly removed. Further, heat applied when welding the low-melting-point fusible alloy 16 is less likely to escape from the outermost end 13 of the plate-shaped conductor 11 via the end portion 14, so that the welding heat balance is improved.

The sealing performance is maintained by setting the surface roughness of the portion of the plate-shaped conductors 11 and 12 to be sealed in contact with the insulating plate 10 and the sealing insulating plate 15 to 0.5 μm to 50 μm. When a tensile stress is applied to the plate-shaped conductors 11 and 12 from the outside in this state, the sealed portions are not easily removed. When the surface roughness is less than 0.5 μm, there is no difference in the tensile strength as compared with the case where the surface is not exposed, and when the surface roughness exceeds 50 μm, air is used when sealing with the insulating plate 10 and the sealing insulating plate 15. Is not preferable as a thermal fuse because the sealing may be insufficient in some cases.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 1 denotes an insulating plate,
3 is a linear conductor, 9 is an insulating plate for a cover, 64 is a plate-like conductor, 65 is an external terminal of the linear conductor 3, 66 is a tubular conductor,
67 is an external terminal of the linear conductor 2 and 68 is a hole terminal of the tubular conductor 66.

As shown in FIG. 13, the linear conductor 3 is welded to the plate conductor 64 at the position of the external terminal 65. Thereby, the external terminal of the thermal fuse manufactured by the linear conductor 2 can be formed in a plate shape. The linear conductor 2 is crimped to the tubular conductor 66 at the position of the external terminal 67. Thereby, the external terminal of the thermal fuse manufactured by the linear conductor 2 can be a tubular crimp terminal.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing a thermal fuse section according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. FIG.
4, reference numerals 1a to 1e denote insulating plates, and 69 denotes a connecting member for connecting adjacent insulating plates (for example, insulating plates 1b and 1c). As shown in FIG. 14, by connecting the insulating plates 1a to 1e of the thermal fuse with the connecting member 69, the thermal fuse can be continuously assembled on one line.

(Embodiment 7) FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram showing a thermal fuse section according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. FIG.
5, 1a to 1e are insulating plates, 9a to 9e are insulating plates for a cover, 70 is a lead frame, 70
A and 70B are vertical plates of the lead frame 70, 70a and 70B.
b is a connecting portion for connecting the thermal fuse to the lead frame 70.

As shown in FIG. 15, by connecting the thermal fuses using the connection portions 70a and 70b (five in FIG. 15) of the lead frame, several to several tens of batches can be assembled. Alternatively, the thermal fuse can be assembled continuously in one line.

(Eighth Embodiment) FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a battery according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention with the lid opened.

In FIG. 17, reference numeral 81 denotes a secondary battery; 82, an electric circuit pack for controlling the input and output of the secondary battery 81;
83 is a conductor for wiring, 84 is a case for protecting the secondary battery 81, 85 is a cover for protecting the secondary battery 81 and its peripheral circuits, 86 is for input and output control of the secondary battery 81 Terminals 87 for inputting and outputting from the electric circuit to the outside, and 87 are the thermal fuses according to the first to fifth embodiments.

As shown in FIG.
Are electrically and mechanically connected to the electrodes of the main body of the secondary battery 81 via conductors 83, and the terminals 8 taken out from the input / output control electric circuit pack 82 of the secondary battery 81
9 is connected in series. Here, as described above,
Since the thermal fuses according to the first to fifth embodiments can be made thin with a plate-like outer shape, they can be housed in a narrow gap of about 1 to 2 mm between the main body of the secondary battery 81 and the cover 85 where heat is to be detected. . Further, since the thermal fuses according to the first to fifth embodiments can be designed so that the front and rear insulator areas are equal while having a plate shape, the thermal fuse can be assembled without distinguishing the front and rear surfaces when assembling. It is possible.

(Embodiment 9) FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a power supply device according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention. In FIG. 18, reference numeral 101 denotes a power supply case for both a battery pack and
Is a power supply case, 103 is a charging electrode terminal, 104 is AC
-DC conversion circuit section, 105 is an AC power cord, 106,
107 is a thermal fuse according to the first to fifth embodiments.

In the power supply device shown in FIG.
A temperature fuse 107 that is attached to or attached to the DC conversion circuit unit 104 and a temperature fuse 106 that is attached to the battery pack / connection power supply case 101 closest to the battery pack are connected to the charging electrode terminals 103 and A.
It is electrically connected to the C-DC conversion circuit unit 104. Here, since the thermal fuses 106 and 107 have a plate-like outer shape and can be made thin, they can be accommodated in a narrow gap of about 1 to 2 mm in a portion where temperature due to abnormal heat generation is to be detected.
Further, since the thermal fuses 106 and 107 can be designed so that the front and rear insulator areas are equal while having a plate shape, it is possible to assemble without distinguishing the front and back during assembly.

(Embodiment 10) FIG. 19 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention. In FIG. 19, reference numeral 91 denotes an insulating plate, 92 denotes a pair of linear conductors, 93 denotes a sealing insulating plate, 94 denotes a low melting point fusible alloy, and 95 denotes a cover insulating plate.

In the thermal fuse shown in FIG. 19, a pair of linear conductors 92 are arranged in parallel on an insulating plate 91, and the insulating plate 91 is formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
And a pair of parallel linear conductors 92 are sealed by the sealing insulating plate 93. Next, a low melting point fusible alloy 94 is welded between the pair of linear conductors 92 on the insulating plate 91. A flux is applied around the low melting point fusible alloy 94, and the low melting point fusible alloy 94 and its surrounding space are sealed with a cover insulating plate 95. The construction method is the same as that of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 19, a pair of linear conductors 92
Are arranged in parallel, the lead wires are aligned in one direction. As a result, the degree of freedom in arranging the thermal fuse at a portion where heat generation is to be detected is improved. For example, it is possible to mount the wiring on a printed board without bending the wiring.

(Embodiment 11) FIG. 20 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse according to Embodiment 11 of the present invention. 20, reference numeral 96 denotes an insulating plate, 97 denotes a pair of plate-shaped conductors, 98 denotes a low-melting-point fusible alloy, 99 denotes a sealing insulating plate, and 100 denotes a cover insulating plate.

In the thermal fuse shown in FIG. 20, a pair of plate-like conductors 97 are arranged in parallel on an insulating plate 96, and the insulating plate 96 is formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
And a pair of parallel plate-like conductors 97 are sealed by the sealing insulating plate 99. Next, a low melting point fusible alloy 98 is welded between the pair of plate-like conductors 97 on the insulating plate 96. A flux is applied around the low melting point fusible alloy 98, and the low melting point fusible alloy 98 and its surrounding space are sealed with a cover insulating plate 100. The construction method is the same as that of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 20, a pair of plate-like conductors 97
Are arranged in parallel, the lead wires are aligned in one direction. As a result, the degree of freedom in arranging the thermal fuse at a portion where heat generation is to be detected is improved. For example, it becomes easy to arrange the main body case inside a coil wire that generates heat like a power transformer.

[0107]

As described above, according to the thermal fuse according to the first aspect of the present invention, the insulating plate and the ends of the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate conductors are connected to the pair of linear conductors or the pair of linear conductors. A sealing insulating plate sealed and fixed to an insulating plate in a state where the end of the plate-shaped conductor is exposed, and a low melting point fixed between the end of a pair of linear conductors or a pair of plate-shaped conductors. By having a molten alloy and a cover insulating plate joined to the insulating plate and the sealing insulating plate and forming a space for accommodating the low melting point fusible alloy between the insulating plate and the sealing insulating plate. Therefore, there is no need to use a tubular ceramic insulating case, and an advantageous effect that the thickness of the thermal fuse body case can be reduced can be obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, at least one of the insulating plate and the cover insulating plate is made of a ceramic, silicon oxide or silicon oxide containing alumina or magnesia as a main component. Advantageously, the main body case can be easily assembled by thermal bonding by using a thermoplastic material for the other insulating plate, because the glass mainly composed of boron oxide or the ceramic mainly composed of silicon oxide or boron oxide is used. Effects can be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 1, at least one of the insulating plate, the sealing insulating plate, and the cover insulating plate is made of an ABS resin, a SAN resin, a polysanphone resin, a polycarbonate resin, a noril, a vinyl chloride resin, Made of a thermoplastic resin containing polyethylene resin, polyester resin, polypropylene resin, polyamide resin, PPS resin, polyacetal, fluorine resin or polyester as a main component, the thermal fuse body case is flexible by thermoplasticity. The advantageous effect that it can be obtained is obtained.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate conductors is made of Ni metal, Fe
Forming a metal, a Cu metal, or a Ni alloy as a base material has an advantageous effect that welding to a battery or a power supply device can be simplified.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate conductors is made of Fe, Ni, C
The base material is a metal or alloy containing any one of u as a main component, and a part or the whole of the surface of the base material is Ni, Cu, Bi,
By forming the film with any one of Sn, In, and Pb or an alloy of a mixture thereof, the solder wettability of a pair of linear conductors or a pair of plate conductors can be improved,
An advantageous effect that soldering of a pair of linear conductors or a pair of plate conductors is facilitated is obtained.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 6,
In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, when the thickness of the insulating plate is t1, the thickness of the sealing insulating plate is t2, and the diameter and length of the linear conductor are K and U, K × 1.5 ≦ (t1 + t2) and K × 1.5 ≦ U
Accordingly, the terminal strength when the thermal fuse operates can be ensured, and the advantageous effect that the number of defective products can be reduced to zero can be obtained.

Further, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the thickness of the insulating plate and the length in the vertical direction are t1 and b.
1. When the thickness and vertical length of the insulating plate for sealing are t2 and b2, and the width, thickness and length of the plate-like conductor are E, H and G, H × 1.2 ≦ (T1 + t
2), E × 1.2 ≦ b1, E × 1.2 ≦ b2 and G ≧
When the thickness is 0.3 mm, the terminal strength when the thermal fuse operates can be ensured, and an advantageous effect that defective products can be eliminated can be obtained.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 8,
In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a volume of a space formed between the insulating plate and the insulating plate for sealing and the insulating plate for the cover is set to V, and a volume of the low melting point fusible alloy is set to V. When J is satisfied, since J × 2.5 ≦ V, it is possible to prevent leakage of the low-melting-point fusible alloy during the operation of the thermal fuse. The effect is obtained.

Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, when the thickness of the space is Z and the thickness of the low melting point fusible alloy is M, 0.02 mm ≦ M ≦ Z ≦ 0.8 mm. Thereby, the gap required when the low-melting-point fusible alloy melts can be taken in the vertical direction, so that the thickness can be reduced to, for example, 1 mm or less, and the size and thickness of the battery pack can be reduced. This has the advantageous effect of being able to perform.

Further, according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, according to the eighth or ninth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the insulating plate and the cover insulating plate is recessed to form a gap in the main body case. Has an advantageous effect that it can be easily secured and the thickness can be reduced.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of any one of the first to ninth aspects, the ends of the pair of linear conductors are U-shaped and S-shaped in the same plane. By bending into a shape of a combination of a U-shape and a S-shape, an advantageous effect that the external stress resistance of the terminal can be improved by a frictional force is obtained.

Further, according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the ends of the pair of linear conductors are flattened in the same plane. Thereby, the external stress resistance of the terminal can be improved by the frictional force, and the advantageous effect of facilitating welding positioning can be obtained by planar welding.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a pair of plate-like conductors are partially cut or partially bent. By processing the terminal into the bent shape, an advantageous effect that the external stress resistance of the terminal can be improved by the frictional force is obtained.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 14, in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 9, the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate conductors is an insulating plate and a sealing plate. By setting the surface roughness of the portion that is in contact with and sealed with the insulating plate to be 0.5 μm or more and 50 μm or less, the frictional force can be increased, and the external stress resistance of the terminal can be reliably improved. Is obtained.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 15, the thermal fuse according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a plate-shaped conductor or a tubular conductor is fixed to the other end of the pair of linear conductors. This has an advantageous effect that the positioning of the welding can be simplified, or the connection to the lead wire can be simplified by caulking or the like.

According to the thermal fuse section of the present invention, a plurality of thermal fuses according to the first aspect are provided, and adjacent thermal fuses are connected by a connecting member for connecting an insulating plate, thereby providing a continuous connection. The advantageous effect of being able to assemble the product in the above-mentioned steps and increasing the production efficiency is obtained.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention,
A product having a plurality of thermal fuses according to claim 1 and a lead frame having a plurality of plate-shaped connecting portions formed inside, and each of the thermal fuses is fixed to each of the connecting portions, so that a product is produced in a continuous process. Can be assembled, and the advantageous effect that the production efficiency can be improved can be obtained.

According to the battery of the eighteenth aspect, by using the thermal fuse of the fourth or fifth aspect,
The advantageous effect that the thermal fuse can be easily connected to the battery by the good connection of the metal is obtained.

According to the power supply device of the nineteenth aspect, by using the thermal fuse of the fourth or fifth aspect, the thermal fuse can be easily connected to the power supply device due to good connection of metal. The advantageous effect described above can be obtained.

According to the method of manufacturing a thermal fuse according to the twentieth aspect, an insulating plate forming step of forming an insulating plate, and the end portions of the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate conductors are connected to the pair of linear conductors or A sealing and fixing step of sealing and fixing the pair of plate-shaped conductors to the insulating plate with a sealing insulating plate in a state where the end portions are exposed, and between a pair of linear conductors or the end portions of the pair of plate-shaped conductors. A step of fixing a low melting point fusible alloy to the insulating plate, and joining the cover insulating plate to the insulating plate and the sealing insulating plate to form an insulating plate, a sealing insulating plate, and a cover insulating plate. And a space forming step of forming a space for accommodating the low-melting-point fusible alloy therebetween, thereby simplifying the production of the thermal fuse and facilitating the production of the thermal fuse. Such effects can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse using a plate-shaped conductor.

3A is a partially cutaway view showing a manufacturing process of the thermal fuse of FIG. 1; FIG. 3B is a partially cutaway view showing a manufacturing process of the thermal fuse of FIG. 1; (D) Partial cutaway view showing the manufacturing process of the thermal fuse of FIG. 1 (E) Partial cutaway view showing the manufacturing process of the thermal fuse of FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the thermal fuse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view when the thermal fuse of FIG. 1 is disassembled.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a plate-shaped conductor and a plate-shaped thermal fuse made of a low melting point fusible alloy.

FIG. 7 is a partially broken view showing a modification of the thermal fuse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse using a plate-shaped conductor.

FIG. 9A is an exploded view showing a thermal fuse according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9B is an exploded view showing a thermal fuse according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Exploded view showing a fuse

FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing a thermal fuse unit according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram showing a thermal fuse section according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

16A is a perspective view showing an energy director, and FIG.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a battery according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a power supply device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a partially cutaway view showing a thermal fuse according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional thermal fuse using a low melting point fusible alloy.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 10, 19, 32, 40, 45, 54, 91, 96
Insulation plate 2, 3, 20, 21, 33, 34, 41, 50, 92
Linear conductors 4, 13, 24, 25, 60 Ends 5, 14, 22, 23, 61, 62, 63 Ends 6, 6a, 15, 15a, 26, 27, 35, 36 Sealing insulating plate 42, 47, 51, 53, 55, 56, 93, 99 Insulating plate for sealing 7, 16, 28, 37, 43, 48, 94, 98 Low melting fusible alloy 8, 17, 29, 39 Flux 9, 18, 31, 38, 44, 49, 57, 95 Insulating plate for cover 100 Insulating plate for cover 11, 12, 46, 52, 64, 97 Plate conductor 30 Diagonal portion 58 Void (space) 59 Recess 61 Hole 62 , 63 Notch 65, 67 External terminal 66 Tubular conductor 68 Hole terminal 69 Connecting member 70 Lead frame 79 Energy director 80 Projection 81 Secondary battery 82 Input and output control electricity Circuit pack 83 Conductor 84 Case 85 Cover 86, 89 Terminal 87, 106, 107 Thermal fuse 88 Welded part 90 Low melting point fusible alloy cross section 101 Pack battery connection / combined power supply case 102 Power supply case 103 Charging electrode terminal 104 AC-DC conversion circuit Part 105 AC power cord

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. An insulating plate, wherein said pair of linear conductors or said pair of plate-shaped conductors have their ends exposed with said pair of linear conductors or said pair of plate-shaped conductors exposed at their extreme ends. A sealing insulating plate that is sealed and fixed to: a low-melting-point fusible alloy fixed between the pair of linear conductors or the end portions of the pair of plate-shaped conductors; the insulating plate and the sealing insulating plate And a cover insulating plate which forms a space for accommodating the low melting point fusible alloy between the insulating plate and the sealing insulating plate. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the insulating plate and the cover insulating plate is made of a ceramic mainly composed of alumina or magnesia, a glass mainly composed of silicon oxide or boron oxide, or a ceramic mainly composed of silicon oxide or boron oxide. 2. The thermal fuse according to claim 1, wherein the thermal fuse is formed by: 3. At least one of the insulating plate, the sealing insulating plate, and the cover insulating plate is made of ABS resin, SAN resin, polysanphone resin, polycarbonate resin, Noryl, vinyl chloride resin, polyethylene. 2. The thermal fuse according to claim 1, wherein the thermal fuse is formed of a thermoplastic resin containing any one of resin, polyester resin, polypropylene resin, PPS resin, polyamide resin, polyacetal, fluorine resin, and polyester. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate conductors is formed using a Ni metal, a Fe metal, a Cu metal, or a Ni alloy as a base material. Thermal fuse. 5. The pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate conductors is based on a metal or an alloy containing any one of Fe, Ni, and Cu as a main component, and a part of the surface of the base material or 4. A film is formed entirely of any one of Cu, Bi, Sn, In, and Pb, or an alloy of a mixture thereof.
The thermal fuse according to any one of the above. 6. When the thickness of said insulating plate is t1, the thickness of said insulating plate for sealing is t2, and the diameter and length of said linear conductor are K and U, K × 1.5 ≦ ( t1 +
The thermal fuse according to claim 1, wherein t2) and K × 1.5 ≦ U. 7. The thickness and longitudinal length of the insulating plate are t1 and b1, the thickness and longitudinal length of the sealing insulating plate are t2 and b2, and the width and thickness of the plate-like conductor. When the length and length are E, H and G, H ×
1.2 ≦ (t1 + t2), E × 1.2 ≦ b1, E × 1.
6. The thermal fuse according to claim 1, wherein 2 ≦ b2 and G ≧ 0.3 mm. 8. When the volume of the space formed between the insulating plate and the sealing insulating plate and the cover insulating plate is V, and the volume of the low melting point fusible alloy is J, The thermal fuse according to claim 1, wherein J × 2.5 ≦ V. 9. When the thickness of the space is Z and the thickness of the low melting point fusible alloy is M, 0.02 mm ≦ M ≦ Z ≦
The thermal fuse according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is 0.8 mm. 10. A method according to claim 8, wherein at least one of said insulating plate and said cover insulating plate is recessed.
Or the thermal fuse according to 9. 11. The pair of linear conductors according to claim 1, wherein end portions of said pair of linear conductors are bent in the same plane into a U-shape, an S-shape, or a combination of U-shape and S-shape. A thermal fuse according to any one of the preceding claims. 12. The thermal fuse according to claim 1, wherein end portions of said pair of linear conductors are crushed in a plane in the same plane. 13. The thermal fuse according to claim 1, wherein said pair of plate-shaped conductors are formed into a partially cut or partially bent end. 14. The pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate conductors has a surface roughness of 0.5 μm or more and 50 μm or less of a portion which is in contact with and sealed by the insulating plate and the sealing insulating plate. The thermal fuse according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: 15. A conductor according to claim 1, wherein a plate conductor or a tubular conductor is fixed to the other end of said pair of linear conductors.
Thermal fuse according to the item. 16. A thermal fuse section comprising a plurality of thermal fuses according to claim 1, wherein adjacent thermal fuses are connected by a connecting member for connecting an insulating plate. 17. A thermal fuse section comprising: a plurality of thermal fuses according to claim 1; and a lead frame having a plurality of plate-shaped connecting portions formed inside, wherein each thermal fuse is fixed to each connecting portion. . 18. A battery using the thermal fuse according to claim 4. 19. A power supply device using the thermal fuse according to claim 4. 20. An insulating plate forming step of forming an insulating plate, and exposing the ends of the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate conductors to the end portions of the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate conductors. A sealing and fixing step of sealing and fixing the insulating plate to the insulating plate with the sealing plate in a state where the sealing is performed, and fixing a low melting point fusible alloy between the end portions of the pair of linear conductors or the pair of plate conductors. Bonding the cover insulating plate to the insulating plate and the sealing insulating plate to form a gap between the insulating plate and the sealing insulating plate and the cover insulating plate. And forming a space for accommodating the low-melting-point fusible alloy.