JPH11232979A - Circuit breaker apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably and urgently shut off a circuit, while suppressing the explosion force of an explosive to low. SOLUTION: A bus bar 17 is connected between a battery post 3 and a stud bolt 10 to be connected with an electric power supply wire. An aperture 20 is formed in a housing 16 storing an explosive sealing part 15 and a fractured part 27 for the bus bar 17 is installed immediately in front of the housing 16. The fractured part 27 is made thin by forming a recessed part 28, and cut parts 30 are formed in both sides. When abnormal incidents occur, electric current flows in a trigger wire 19 and an explosive in the explosive sealing part 15 is exploded and the explosion force is applied toward the aperture 20 of the housing 16 and the fractured part 27 immediate before the aperture 20 receives the explosion force in the front, so that the part where the recessed part 28 is formed as illustrated by the dotted line is at first ruptured and both ruptured fragments 38 are curved in the parts of the cut parts 30 as to be parted from each other. Consequently, an electric circuit is broken off.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a circuit breaker provided in an automobile or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a circuit breaker of this type, a fuse or a fusible link is generally used to cut off an overcurrent in a circuit when the circuit has an overcurrent. On the other hand, in an emergency such as when an accident occurs in a vehicle, there is a case where it is desired to instantaneously forcibly cut off a circuit. For example, a power circuit of an electric vehicle, which has been rapidly spreading in recent years, is particularly demanded.

As a conventional circuit breaker of this type, Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-47809 discloses a circuit breaker in which a conductor provided in a circuit is forcibly broken by using the explosive force of explosive. As shown in FIG. 6, a fuse b connected between the output terminals a, an explosive c, and this explosive c
Is heated in the reinforced sealing glass e, an electric current is applied to the input terminal f to cause the filament d to generate heat, and explosive c is exploded. b is broken, and the circuit can be forcibly cut off at an arbitrary timing.

[0004]

However, in the conventional device, the explosive force of the explosive is dispersed in all directions, and only a part of the explosive force acts on the fuse b. Significant explosive power is required. In this case, the surrounding portion of the sealing glass e and the like also needs to have a robust structure capable of withstanding a large explosive force or to perform a special treatment, and there is a problem that an increase in cost cannot be avoided. The circuit breaker of the present invention has been completed on the basis of the above-described circumstances, and its purpose is to make it possible to surely perform an emergency circuit break while suppressing the explosive power of explosives to a small one. is there.

[0005]

As a means for achieving the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 provides a trigger signal for accommodating an explosive that can explode, and reducing the explosive force in one direction. While a housing provided with an opening for directing is provided, a conductor is provided in the middle of the circuit to be broken by the explosive force of the explosive, and this conductor is arranged opposite to the opening of the housing, and Is characterized in that an easily breakable portion for assisting breakage is formed. A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the present invention, the easily breakable portion is formed by notching the conductor thin.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, on the side of the easy-to-break portion of the conductor, there is a broken piece when the conductor is broken from the easy-to-break portion. The feature is that a notch is provided to assist in opening. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second or third aspect of the present invention, a regulating wall for regulating the movement of the housing is provided on a surface of the housing opposite to the side where the opening is provided. It is characterized by its location.

[0007]

When the explosive explodes in response to the trigger signal, the explosive force is directed to the opening of the housing, and the conductor provided opposite the opening reduces the explosive force. Upon receipt, the circuit breaks from the easily breakable portion and the circuit is cut off. The conductor is placed in a position where the explosive force of the explosive is directed in one direction and the explosive force is efficiently received, and the conductor is provided with an easily breakable portion to assist in breaking, so that a relatively small explosion The conductor can be reliably broken by force. <Invention of claim 2> The conductor is easily broken by being cut out thinly.

<Invention of claim 3> At the same time as the conductor is broken from the easily breakable portion by the explosive force, the exploded force causes the broken piece to be bent and open from the notch. For this reason, the broken portion is reliably prevented from re-contacting. <Invention of Claim 4> When the explosive explodes, the housing is regulated by the regulating wall so that the explosive force is intensively exerted from the opening.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a power supply circuit of an electric vehicle will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. <First Embodiment> First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a lower case made of a synthetic resin, and its planar shape is such that a projection 8 is provided at the left end of the upper edge of the rectangular substrate 2 as shown in FIG. An insertion hole 4 through which a battery post 3 (see a chain line in FIG. 3) of a battery (not shown) mounted on the electric vehicle is inserted in the substrate 2 in a region on the right side of the rectangle of the lower case 1. A substantially semicircular wall 5 is erected on the inner edge of the insertion hole 4, and a connection ring 6 made of a conductor can be accommodated on the insertion hole 4.

A peripheral wall 7 is formed substantially around the left side of the rectangle in the lower case 1, and an accommodation chamber 12 of a casing 13, which will be described in detail later, is defined in the center of the peripheral wall 7 in the depth direction. ing. A side wall 9 is provided on the right edge of the protruding portion 8 so that the protruding portion 8
From above, a stud bolt 10 for connecting a power supply line (not shown) is set up.

The accommodation chamber 12 described above has a tip end side (FIG. 3).
Is formed in a slightly narrower shape, and the casing 13 is accommodated therein. Casing 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a box made of stainless steel or the like, which is formed in a box shape tightly housed in the housing chamber 12 with a predetermined clearance at the front end side, and covers the front end and the inner surfaces of the upper, lower, left and right sides. Thus, the insulating case 14 is fitted.
In the casing 13, a housing 16 accommodating the explosive seal portion 15 and a part of a bus bar 17 (corresponding to the conductor of the present invention) are accommodated.

The explosive seal portion 15 is formed by disposing an explosive around the filament and enclosing it in a seal member. A connecting body 18 that connects the filament and the trigger wire 19 connected to the battery is connected to the base end of the explosive seal portion 15. The housing 16 is formed of a synthetic resin in a block shape, and the explosive seal portion 15 and the connecting body 18 described above can be accommodated at a base end side inside the housing 16. An opening 20 reaching the explosive seal portion 15 is formed.

The bus bar 17 is made of, for example, a copper alloy or the like, and as shown in FIG.
One. One end (the front side in FIG. 1) of the U-shaped portion 21 is bent outward at a right angle, and then L-shaped from its lower edge.
The character-shaped portion extends, and a first connection portion 22 is formed upright at the tip thereof. The first connection portion 22 can be connected to the connection plate 26 of the connection ring 6 by a bolt 24 and a nut 25. The other end of the U-shaped portion 21 is also bent at right angles to the outside, then bent twice to the tip side and outside, and the second connection having the mounting hole 29 opened at the lower edge facing the outside. The part 23 is formed in a horizontal posture. The second connecting portion 23 is provided with a stud bolt 1
0 and can be placed on the protrusion 8.

In the U-shaped portion 21 of the bus bar 17, a concave portion 28 is formed over the entire width of the front end portion (hereinafter referred to as a broken portion 27) on the outer surface at the center in the longitudinal direction so as to be thin. In addition, cutouts 30 are formed on the outer surfaces of the corner portions of the U-shaped portion 21 (both ends of the fractured portion 27) in the same overall width.

An example of an assembling procedure is as follows. The explosive seal portion 15 and the connecting body 18 are housed at the base end side in a housing 16 while being connected to each other.
7 is fitted inside the U-shaped part 21. As a result, the portion (corresponding to the easily breakable portion of the present invention) of the break portion 27 of the bus bar 17 provided with the concave portion 28 is
It is located just before 0. After that, the casing 13 is fitted to the outside of the U-shaped portion 21 of the bus bar 17, and the rear plate 32
Is fixed by swaging. The casing 13 is fitted together with the bus bar 17 into the housing chamber 12 of the lower case 1. In addition, a regulating wall 31 that stands up from the lower case 1 is applied to the rear side of the housing 16. Gas vent windows 33 and 34 for venting the blast are formed on the distal end surface of the casing 13 and the outer surface of the storage chamber 12, respectively.

The first connecting portion 22 of the bus bar 17 is located near the insertion hole 4 of the battery post 3, and is temporarily assembled to the connecting plate 26 of the connecting ring 6 with the bolt 24 and the nut 25. The second connection portion 23 has a mounting hole 29 in which the stud bolt 1 is attached.
It is placed on the protruding portion 8 while being inserted through the “0”. The trigger wire 19 pulled out from the housing 16 is inserted into the insertion hole 4.
Is fitted into a guide groove 36 formed over the peripheral wall 7 from the periphery and is led out.

The lower case 1 thus assembled
Is placed on the upper surface of the battery while passing the battery post 3 from the insertion hole 4 through the connection ring 6. When the bolt 24 and the nut 25 are tightened, the connection ring 6 is reduced in diameter and fixed to the battery post 3. The battery post 3 and the first connection portion 22 of the bus bar 17 are connected via the connection ring 6. The stud bolt 10 is fitted with a connection end of a power supply line (not shown), and is fixed while being pressed against the second connection portion 23 by a nut (not shown). A power supply circuit leading to the supply line is configured. The trigger line 19 is also connected to the battery. Finally, a lid-shaped upper case (not shown) is put on the upper surface of the lower case 1 and fixed.

The first embodiment has the above-described structure, and its operation will be described below. When an abnormal signal is transmitted due to the occurrence of a vehicle accident or the like, an electric current flows through the trigger wire 19 and the filament in the explosive seal portion 15 generates heat, so that the explosive explodes. Since the rear side of the housing 16 is received by the regulating wall 31 and is prevented from retreating, the explosive force is mainly directed to the opening 20 of the housing 16, and the broken portion of the bus bar 17 provided opposite to the opening 20. 27
Receives the explosive force toward the front, and breaks from the portion provided with the concave portion 28, as shown by the chain line in FIG. 3, and the broken pieces 38 are separated from each other while being bent at the notch 30. open. As a result, the power supply circuit is shut off. Note that the blast is discharged to the outside through the gas release windows 33 and 34.

That is, in the present embodiment, the explosive force of the explosive is directed in one direction from the opening 20 of the housing 16, and the break portion 27 of the bus bar 17 is arranged at a position where the explosive force is efficiently received. Since the recess 27 is provided on the 27 for assisting the breaking, the breaking portion 27 can be reliably broken with a relatively small explosive force. Accordingly, the structure of the housing 16 and the like can be relatively simple.

At the same time as the breaking portion 27 is broken, the broken fragment is bent and opened from the notch 30 due to the explosive force.
Re-contact of the breaking portion 27 is reliably prevented. In addition,
When the broken pieces 38 are opened, the tip of the
However, since the insulating case 14 is disposed on the inner surface of the casing 13 at the contact portion,
The bus bar 17 does not conduct. Further, the bus bar 17 having the break 27 is directly connected to the battery post 3.
, The structure is simpler and space saving can be achieved as compared with a case where a dedicated breaking conductor is bothersomely connected at an intermediate position of the power supply line drawn from the battery post 3. Can be.

<Second Embodiment> FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the circuit breaker is mounted on the surface of the battery where the battery post 3 is erected, with a portion thereof protruding outside. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the circuit breaker is mounted on the surface of the battery where the battery post 3 stands upright and the surface adjacent to the surface, and according to the space around the battery and the like,
The attachment and the like are made easy.

That is, the portion 41 where the insertion hole 4 of the battery post 3 is provided, and the portion 42 where the casing 13 containing the explosive seal portion 15 and the like and the stud bolt 10 are provided form a right angle with each other. Is formed. Therefore, the circuit breaker of the second embodiment can be attached so as to be applied to the corner between the upright surface of the battery post 3 and the surface adjacent thereto.

Although the shapes of the housing and the bus bar have been changed in accordance with the change in the structure described above, the basic functions and arrangement are the same as those in the first embodiment. For parts having the same function as
By attaching the same reference numerals or the reference numerals of the first embodiment with the addition of the suffix “A”, the description will not be repeated.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. (1) As means for forming the easily breakable portion of the conductor, a perforation may be formed in the conductor in addition to the above embodiment. (2) The present invention can be widely applied not only to the power supply circuit of the electric vehicle illustrated in the above embodiment, but also to all circuits that require an emergency shutdown.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway plan view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Battery post 10 ... Stud bolt 15 ... Explosive seal part 16 ... Housing 17 ... Bus bar 19 ... Trigger wire 20 ... Opening 27 ... Breaking part 28 ... Recess 30 ... Notch 31 ... Restriction wall 38 ... Fragment 16A ... Housing 17A ... Bus bar

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Miya ▲ saki ▼ Junnoyuki 1-7-10 Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Harness Research Institute, Inc. (72) Inventor Akio Matsumaru Minami, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture 1-7-10 Kikuzumi-ku, Harness Research Institute

Claims (4)

[Claims] An explosive that can explode upon application of a trigger signal is housed therein and provided with an opening for directing the explosive force in one direction, while a housing is broken in the middle of a circuit by the explosive force of the explosive. A circuit, wherein the conductor is interposed in order to face the opening of the housing, and the conductor is provided with an easily breakable portion for assisting breakage. Blocking device. 2. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the easily breakable portion is formed by notching the conductor thin. 3. A notch is provided on a side of the easy breakable portion of the conductor to assist in opening a broken piece when the conductor is broken from the easy breakable portion. The circuit breaker according to claim 1 or 2. 4. A restricting wall for restricting movement of the housing is provided on a side of the housing opposite to a side on which the opening is provided. Or the circuit breaker according to claim 3.