TWI740160B - Method for employing bismuth alloys in fabricating circuit breaker for power switch - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments disclose a method for employing bismuth alloys in fabricating a circuit breaker for a power switch. The bismuth alloy has a melting point at a temperature between 100℃ and 380℃. In an working environment below the melting temperature, the bismuth alloy is adapted to enable the electrical current conduction between two electrical conductors. The circuit breaker disposed on an electrical connector receives the electrical current, instead of conducting the electrical current between the two electrical conductors as a medium. When a working temperature of the electrical connector reaches or exceeds the melting temperature, the circuit breaker loses rigidity and disconnects the two electrical conductors to interrupt the power supply.

Description

Method for using bismuth-based alloy as switch and disconnection element

The present invention relates to a method for using a bismuth-based alloy as a switch-off component, especially refers to the use of a bismuth-based alloy as a switch-off component, which is used in the electrical path of the switch. The power-off component is different from a fuse, that is The electric element does not serve as a medium for passing current, but the rigidity of the disconnection element is destroyed by abnormal heat energy, thereby achieving a method of disconnection.

In the Republic of China Patent No. 321352 "Online Switch Structure Improvement", a switch structure with a fuse is disclosed, but the fuse is located in the path of the power line and needs to rely on the passage of current to have a protective effect, especially the overload current can have a chance to melt. To break the fuse, since the fuse needs to allow current to pass when it is working, it must be blown when the current is too large. Therefore, low-melting lead-tin alloys and zinc are often used as fuses, which are far less conductive than copper. Take the extension cord socket as an example. The extension cord socket mainly uses copper as a conductor. If the extension cord socket is combined with the switch of the Republic of China Patent No. 321352 to control the power supply, the conductivity of the fuse is not good, and it is prone to energy consumption problems.

The Republic of China Patent No. 382568 "Bipolar Automatic Power-off Safety Switch" discloses a bimetallic type overload protection switch, but the bimetal must also be located in the path through which the current passes, and it needs to be deformed by the passage of the current. , In particular, an overload current is needed to deform the bimetallic strip and interrupt the circuit.

Therefore, the present invention proposes a method of using a bismuth-based alloy as a switch-off device, which is used in a switch that includes two conductive elements for conducting current and a power-off component, and a bismuth-based alloy is used as a power-off device , The melting point of the bismuth-based alloy is between 100°C and 380°C, the power-off element is in an environment below the melting point, the two conductive members are in contact with each other to conduct current, and the power-off element only accepts the current Instead of acting as a medium for conducting the current, when the operating temperature of the switch approaches or exceeds the above melting point, the disconnection element loses its rigidity, and an elastic force is applied to the disconnection element directly instead of indirectly to separate the two conductive parts from each other , Form a power-off state.

The above-mentioned two conductive elements are separated from each other, and after a power-off state is formed, the power-off element is limited and does not contact the two conductive elements at the same time.

The above-mentioned two conductive parts are separated from each other, and after the power-off state is formed, the power-off element is still maintained as a whole without splitting.

Further, the bismuth-based alloy contains bismuth and any of the following metals: cadmium, indium, silver, tin, lead, antimony, and copper. Alternatively, the bismuth-based alloy contains between 50% and 70% bismuth and between 30% and 50% tin. Furthermore, the bismuth-based alloy further includes an additive metal selected from one or any combination of the following: arsenic, calcium, tellurium, mercury, and the proportion of the additive metal in the bismuth-based alloy ranges from 0.01% to Between 20%.

Further, among the two conductive elements, at least one conductive element has or receives a force that enables the two conductive elements to be relatively far away, but the force below the melting point cannot destroy the rigidity of the disconnection element.

Further, the power cut-off element uses an external force to restrict the two conductive elements below the melting point, so that the two conductive elements can be selectively contacted. The external force is an elastic force of the spring.

According to the above technical features, the following effects can be achieved:

1. The cut-off element is not a fuse, it is not located in the current transmission path, and is not responsible for transmitting current. Therefore, when the present invention is used in a switch, even if the conductivity of the cut-off element is not as good as copper, it will not directly affect the electrical performance of the switch. .

2. After the two conductive parts are separated from each other and form a power-off state, the power-off element is confined to the original position without contacting the two conductive parts at the same time, so that the non-insulated power-off element will no longer be destroyed due to high temperature. Accidental conduction caused by touching two conductive parts.

3. The two conductive parts are separated from each other. After the power-off state is formed, the power-off element is still maintained as a whole without splitting, so that the non-insulated power-off element will not contact the two conductive parts after being destroyed by high temperature. Unexpectedly conductive.

4. The melting point of the bismuth-based alloy is between 100°C and 380°C. For example, when a bismuth-tin alloy is used for the power-off element, its melting point is 138°C, but it starts to lose rigidity before it approaches the melting point, which is very suitable for sensing conduction. Overheating of the passage.

1: seat body

2: The first conductive part

3: The second conductive part

4: Rocker conductive parts

41: Silver contact

5: Power-off components

6: Operating components

61: operating parts

611: Thermal Conductive Shell

62: The first elastic part

7: The second elastic part

[The first figure] is a schematic diagram of the power-off element used for the switch in the first embodiment of the present invention, where the switch is in a non-conducting state.

[The second figure] is a schematic diagram of the power-off element used for the switch in the first embodiment of the present invention, where the switch is in the on state.

[Third Figure] is a schematic diagram of the power-off element used for switching in the first embodiment of the present invention, and the power-off element is damaged due to overheating to form a non-conducting state.

[Fourth Figure] is a schematic diagram of the power-off element used in the socket in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[The fifth figure] is a schematic diagram of the fourth figure, where the live wire terminal and the live wire are in position-limiting contact through the J-shaped cut-off element, and the stopper is arranged on the outer edge of the J-shaped cut-off element.

[Figure 6] is a schematic diagram of a power-off element used in an adapter socket in the second embodiment of the present invention. The power-off element is damaged due to overheating, and the damaged part is blocked by a stopper.

Based on the above technical features, the main effects of the bismuth-based alloy of the present invention as a method for switching and disconnecting components will be clearly presented in the following embodiments. Please refer to the first figure for the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a rocker switch is taken as an example, which includes: a base (1), a first conductive element (2), a second conductive element (3), A movable conductive element and a power-off element (5). The first conductive member (2) and the second conductive member (3) are both inserted into the base body (1). The movable conductive member is a rocker conductive member (4), the rocker conductive member (4) straddles the first conductive member (2) and is electrically connected to the first conductive member (2), in this embodiment The "two conductive elements" defined in the present invention are the second conductive element (3) and the rocker conductive element (4). The material of the disconnection element (5) is a bismuth-based alloy, and the melting point of the bismuth-based alloy is between 100°C and 380°C. For example, the bismuth-based alloy is a bismuth-tin binary alloy containing 50% to 70% Between bismuth and 30% to 50% tin, the melting point of the bismuth-tin binary alloy is about 138°C, but it starts to lose rigidity before it approaches the melting point. It is very suitable for sensing the overheating of the conductive path. Alternatively, the bismuth-based alloy contains bismuth and any of the following metals: cadmium, indium, silver, lead, antimony, and copper, as long as the bismuth-based alloy composed of bismuth and the foregoing metals has a melting point between 100°C and 380°C, That is a feasible embodiment of the present invention. The above-mentioned bismuth-based alloy may further comprise an additive metal selected from one or any combination of the following: arsenic, calcium, tellurium, mercury, and the proportion of the additive metal in the bismuth-based alloy is between 0.01% and 20%, so you can choose different added metals in the bismuth-based alloy according to different use environments.

When the working temperature rises abnormally, it is best to produce an open circuit in the live wire, so the first conductive member (2) is used as the first end of the live wire, and the second conductive member (3) is used as the second end of the live wire, and The rocker conductive member (4) conducts the first conductive member (2) and the second conductive member (3) to form a live wire path.

The rocker switch of this embodiment further has an operating component (6) for operating the rocker conductive member (4) to connect the first conductive member (2) and the second conductive member (3) to form a live wire path, Or disconnect the path between the first conductive member (2) and the second conductive member (3), so that the live wire forms an open circuit. The operating component (6) is assembled on the base (1) and includes an operating member (61) and a first elastic member (62). The operating member (61) is pivotally connected to the base (1), The operating element (61) can be reciprocated to a limited extent. The operating element (61) includes a thermally conductive shell (611), and the thermally conductive shell (611) contacts the rocker conductive element (4). The element (5) is arranged in the heat conducting shell (611). One end of the first elastic element (62) abuts against the operating element (61), and the other end abuts against the power cutoff element (5). The element (5) has rigidity so that the first elastic member (62) is compressed and has a first elastic force. The first elastic force acts as an external force to control the rocker conductive member (4) to contact the second conductive member ( 3) To form a path, or control the rocker conductive member (4) not to contact the second conductive member (3) to form an open circuit.

The rocker switch further has a second elastic member (7), the second elastic member (7) is a spring in this embodiment, the second elastic member (7) has a second elastic force, the second elastic force Acting as a force on the operating member (61), when the above-mentioned elastic force becomes smaller, the second conductive member (3) can receive the force, so that the rocker conductive member (4) and the first conductive member (4) The two conductive parts (3) can be relatively far away. The above-mentioned second conductive element (3) can receive the force, which is the so-called "at least one conductive element receives a force" in the present invention.

As shown in the second figure, the user operates the operating member (61) to slide the thermally conductive shell member (611) on the rocker conductive member (4), driving the rocker conductive member (4) to Choose the rocker movement type Selectively contacting or separating from the second conductive member (3). When the thermally conductive shell (611) slides on the rocker conductive member (4) toward a silver contact (41) on the rocker conductive member (4), the aforementioned external force will force the silver contact (41) The second conductive member (3) is contacted to form an energized state.

Referring to the third figure, when the external conductive device connected to the first conductive member (2) or the second conductive member (3) has an abnormal state and generates thermal energy, the thermal energy passes through the first conductive member (2) or the second conductive member (2) or the second conductive member (3). The conductive member (3) is transferred to the rocker conductive member (4), and then transferred to the cut-off element (5) via the heat-conducting shell (611), and the cut-off element (5) absorbs the heat energy and gradually loses rigidity, For example, the material of the disconnection element (5) is bismuth-tin alloy. Although its melting point is 138°C, it loses rigidity approximately before the melting point. Therefore, under the action of the external force, the disconnection element (5) is made Pressed and deformed by the first elastic member (62), the first elastic member (62) extends into the softened power-off element (5), the first elastic member (62) stretches, and the external force is therefore reduced or lost. At this time, the force of the second elastic member (7) will be greater than the aforementioned external force, and the heat-conducting shell member (611) is driven to slide on the rocker conductive member (4), forcing the silver of the rocker conductive member (4) The contact (41) is separated from the second conductive member (3) to form a power-off state, thereby achieving the function of overheating protection. In this embodiment, the disconnection element (5) that loses its rigidity due to receiving abnormal heat energy is still confined in the heat conducting shell (611) after deformation, and will not contact the second conductive element (3) and the warp at the same time. Board conductive member (4). It should be particularly noted that the disconnection element (5) is different from the fuse. The disconnection element (5) of the present invention is not responsible for transmitting current, so even if the conductivity of the disconnection element (5) is not as good as that of copper , It will not directly affect the electricity efficiency of the channel.

In addition, as shown in the third figure, the disconnection element (5) of this embodiment is a non-insulator. When the disconnection element (5) is damaged or deformed, it is confined in the heat conducting shell (611). It will overflow or scatter and connect the rocker conductive member (4) and the second conductive member (3) again, causing the rocker switch to accidentally turn on the power when the rocker switch is turned off. In the process of power-off protection, the increase of working temperature causes the power-off element (5) to be broken If it is broken, the power supply will be interrupted immediately. Once the power supply is interrupted, the operating temperature will also drop, and the power-off element (5) will be cooled and maintained in a deformed state.

Please refer to Figures 4 and 5 for the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an adapter socket is taken as an example, which includes: an insulating body (1C), a live wire socket (11C), and a neutral wire Jack (12C). A live wire terminal (2C) is installed in the insulating body (1C) and corresponds to the live wire socket (11C), and the live wire terminal (2C) has a terminal extension (21C). A neutral wire terminal (3C) is installed in the insulating body (1C) and corresponds to the neutral wire jack (12C). A live wire (4C) and a neutral wire (5C) correspond to the live wire terminal (2C) and the neutral wire terminal (3C) respectively, and there is a live wire shrapnel (41C) on the live wire (4C), and the live wire shrapnel (41C) A force with elasticity, the force is an elastic force, and the force causes the live wire shrapnel (41C) to have a tendency to move away from the terminal extension (21C). A cut-off element (6C) is roughly J-shaped. In this embodiment, the cut-off element (6C) uses a bismuth-tin binary alloy. The cut-off element (6C) clamps the live wire terminal (2C) from the end. The terminal extension (21C) and the live wire shrapnel (41C) of the live wire (4C) are formed by the rigid restriction of the disconnection element (6C) so that the live wire terminal (2C) and the live wire (4C) can contact each other. The neutral wire terminal (3C) and the neutral wire (5C) can be connected and fixed by welding or other fixing methods to form a passage. A stopper (7C) is located on the outer edge of the cut-off element (6C). In this embodiment, the "two conductive parts" defined in the present invention are the live wire shrapnel (41C) and the terminal extension (21C), where the elastic force of the live wire shrapnel (41C) is defined by the present invention as "at least one The conductive element has an acting force".

Refer to the sixth figure, when the passage is overheated, the cut-off element (6C) gradually loses its rigidity. This force forces the cut-off element (6C) to deform into an L-shape and lose the line of fire during the gradual loss of rigidity. The restriction of the shrapnel (41C) makes the terminal extension (21C) of the live wire terminal (2C) and the live wire shrapnel (41C) of the live wire (4C) open due to the force to form an open circuit, thereby achieving overheat protection of effect. Wherein, when the power-off element (6C) is destroyed, the stopper (7C) can restrain the power-off element (6C) to prevent the power-off element (6C) from jumping and bouncing freely due to the above-mentioned force. Similarly, in this embodiment, the disconnection element (6C) is not responsible for passing current. Therefore, even if the conductivity of the disconnection element (6C) is not as good as copper, it will not directly affect the electrical efficiency of the path. In addition, as shown in the sixth figure, the disconnection element (6C) of this embodiment is a non-insulator. When the disconnection element (6C) is destroyed or deformed, the disconnection element (6C) remains integrated without splitting. In addition, the blocked piece (7C) and the terminal extension (21C) are both confined to the original position, and will not spread out and connect the terminal extension (21C) and the live wire shrapnel (41C) again, causing the socket to be in a power-off state. The power is turned on unexpectedly. In the process of power-off protection, the increase of working temperature will destroy the power-off component (6C), and the power supply will be interrupted. Once the power supply is interrupted, the working temperature will also drop, and the power-off component (6C) will be cooled and maintained in deformation. After the state.

Based on the description of the above embodiments, when the operation and use of the present invention and the effects of the present invention can be fully understood, the above embodiments are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the implementation of the present invention cannot be limited by this. The scope, that is, simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention and the content of the description of the invention, are all within the scope of the present invention.

1: seat body

2: The first conductive part

3: The second conductive part

4: Rocker conductive parts

41: Silver contact

5: Power-off components

6: Operating components

61: operating parts

611: Thermal Conductive Shell

62: The first elastic part

7: The second elastic part

Claims (4)

A method of using a bismuth-based alloy as a switch-off element is used in a switch. The switch includes two conductive elements for conducting current, a rocker conductive element, and a power-off element. The two conductive elements include a first conductive element. Component and a second conductive component, using a bismuth-based alloy as the disconnection element, the bismuth-based alloy containing bismuth and any of the following metals: cadmium, indium, silver, tin, lead, antimony, copper, the bismuth-based alloy The melting point is between 100°C and 380°C. The power-off element applies a first elastic force to the rocker conductive member in an environment below the melting point, so that the rocker conductive member communicates with the first conductive member and The second conductive element is capable of conducting current, the power-off element is arranged in a heat-conducting shell, and the power-off element only accepts the current and does not act as a medium for conducting the current. When the operating temperature of the switch is close to or exceeds the above At the melting point, the power-off element loses its rigidity, the first elastic force is directly applied to the power-off element, so that the power-off element is still confined in the thermally conductive shell after deformation, and the first elastic force becomes smaller or Loss, at this time, a second elastic force is used to drive the heat-conducting shell member to slide on the rocker conductive member, forcing the rocker conductive member to no longer connect the first conductive member and the second conductive member, forming a power-off state . In the method of using the bismuth-based alloy as a switch-off device as described in claim 1, the two conductive members are separated from each other to form a power-off state, and the power-off device remains as one body without splitting. The method for using a bismuth-based alloy as a switch-off device according to claim 1, wherein the bismuth-based alloy further comprises an additive metal, and the additive metal is selected from one of the following or any combination thereof: arsenic, calcium, tellurium, mercury . The method for using a bismuth-based alloy as a switching and interrupting element according to claim 3, wherein the proportion of the additive metal in the bismuth-based alloy is between 0.01% and 20%.

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