WO2023003936A1 - Module fusible actif/passif - Google Patents

Module fusible actif/passif Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2023003936A1
WO2023003936A1 PCT/US2022/037682 US2022037682W WO2023003936A1 WO 2023003936 A1 WO2023003936 A1 WO 2023003936A1 US 2022037682 W US2022037682 W US 2022037682W WO 2023003936 A1 WO2023003936 A1 WO 2023003936A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fuse element
fuse
piston
active
module
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2022/037682
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ganesh Nagaraj CHANNAKESAVELU
Engelbert Hetzmannseder
Peter PÖLTL
Derek LASINI
Original Assignee
Littelfuse International Holding, Llc
Astotec Automotive Gmbh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US17/380,436 external-priority patent/US11594391B2/en
Application filed by Littelfuse International Holding, Llc, Astotec Automotive Gmbh filed Critical Littelfuse International Holding, Llc
Priority to EP22846549.8A priority Critical patent/EP4374408A1/fr
Priority to CN202280051156.5A priority patent/CN118056257A/zh
Publication of WO2023003936A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023003936A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H39/00—Switching devices actuated by an explosion produced within the device and initiated by an electric current
    • H01H39/006—Opening by severing a conductor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H3/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection
    • H02H3/08—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to excess current
    • H02H3/087—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to excess current for dc applications
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H85/00—Protective devices in which the current flows through a part of fusible material and this current is interrupted by displacement of the fusible material when this current becomes excessive
    • H01H85/0039—Means for influencing the rupture process of the fusible element

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates generally to the field of circuit protection devices and relates more particularly to an active/passive fuse module that includes both passive and active circuit protection elements.
  • Fuses are commonly implemented in electrical systems for providing overcurrent protection. Most fuses are “passive” devices that include fuse elements that are configured to carry a rated amount of electrical current during normal operation. If current flowing through a fuse element exceeds the fuse element’s rated current, the fuse element will melt, disintegrate, or otherwise separate, thereby arresting the current to prevent or mitigate damage to connected electrical components.
  • a controller e.g., an airbag control unit, battery management system, etc.
  • a controller may send an initiation signal to a PI, causing a pyrotechnic ignitor within the PI to be detonated.
  • a resultant increase in pressure within the PI rapidly forces a piston or blade to cut through a conductor that extends through the PI. Electrical current flowing through the PI is thereby interrupted, and the piston, which is formed of a dielectric material, provides an electrically insulating barrier between separated portions of the conductor to prevent electrical arcing therebetween.
  • An active/passive fuse module in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure may include a base, a busbar disposed on a top surface of the base and including a fuse element and first and second terminal portions extending from opposite ends of the fuse element, the fuse element extending over a cavity in the top surface of the base and having a plurality of weak points formed therein, a pyrotechnic interrupter (PI) disposed atop the base, the PI including a piston disposed within a shaft above the fuse element, the piston having an edge with a geometry that corresponds to a geometry of a pattern defined by the weak points in the fuse element, a first pyrotechnic ignitor coupled to a controller, the first pyrotechnic ignitor configured to detonate and force the piston through the fuse element upon receiving an initiation signal from the controller, and a second pyrotechnic ignitor coupled to the busbar by a pair of leads, the second pyrotechnic ignitor configured to
  • An active/passive fuse module in accordance with another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure may include an electrically insulating base, a busbar disposed on a top surface of the base and comprising a fuse element and first and second terminal portions extending from opposite ends of the fuse element, the fuse element extending over a cavity formed in the top surface of the base and having a plurality of weak points formed therein, a pyrotechnic interrupter (PI) disposed atop the base, the PI including a piston disposed within a shaft above the fuse element, the piston having an edge with a geometry that corresponds to a geometry of a pattern defined by the weak points in the fuse element, a current sensing module connected to the busbar and configured to measure a current flowing through the busbar, and a pyrotechnic ignitor coupled to a controller and to the current sensing module, wherein the pyrotechnic ignitor is configured to detonate and force the piston through the fuse element upon receiving an initiation signal from at least one
  • An fuse module in accordance with another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure may include a base, a busbar disposed on a top surface of the base and including a fuse element and first and second terminal portions extending from opposite ends of the fuse element, the fuse element extending over a cavity in the top surface of the base and having a plurality of weak points formed therein, a pyrotechnic interrupter (PI) disposed atop the base, the PI including a piston disposed within a shaft above the fuse element, the piston having an edge with a geometry that corresponds to a geometry of a pattern defined by the weak points in the fuse element, a first pyrotechnic ignitor coupled to a controller, and a pyrotechnic ignitor coupled to the busbar by a pair of leads, the pyrotechnic ignitor configured to detonate and force the piston through the fuse element upon an increase in voltage across the leads.
  • PI pyrotechnic interrupter
  • FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of an active/passive fuse module in accordance with the present disclosure in a non-actuated state
  • FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating the active/passive fuse module shown in FIG. 1 in an actuated state
  • FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating another embodiment of an active/passive fuse module in accordance with the present disclosure
  • FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view illustrating another embodiment of an active/passive fuse module in accordance with the present disclosure
  • FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view illustrating another embodiment of an active/passive fuse module in accordance with the present disclosure
  • FIG. 5B is a top view illustrating the busbar of the active/passive fuse module shown in FIG. 5A;
  • FIG. 6A is a cross sectional view illustrating another embodiment of an active/passive fuse module in accordance with the present disclosure
  • FIG. 6B is a top view illustrating the busbar of the active/passive fuse module shown in FIG. 6A.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 cross-sectional views illustrating an active/passive fuse module 10 (hereinafter “the fuse module 10”) in accordance with an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure are shown.
  • the fuse module 10 an active/passive fuse module 10
  • terms such as “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” “vertical,” and “horizontal” may be used herein to describe the relative placement and orientation of various components of the fuse module 10, each with respect to the geometry and orientation of the fuse module 10 as it appears in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
  • the fuse module 10 may generally include a base 12, a busbar 14, and a pyrotechnic interrupter (PI) 18.
  • the base 12 may be formed electrically insulating material, such as plastic, polymer, ceramic, etc. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
  • the base 12 may include a cavity 20 formed in a top surface thereof.
  • the busbar 14 may be formed from a single piece or length of conductive material (e.g., stamped from a single sheet of copper or the like) and may include a fuse element 22 and first and second terminal portions 26a, 26b extending from opposite ends of the fuse element 22.
  • the busbar 14 may be disposed on the top surface of the base 12 in a horizontal orientation with the fuse element 22 extending over the cavity 20.
  • the first and second terminal portions 26a, 26b may extend outside of, or beyond, the sides of the base 12 for facilitating connection of the fuse module 10 within a circuit.
  • the fuse element 22 may be configured to melt, disintegrate, or otherwise open if current flowing through the busbar 14 exceeds a predetermined threshold, or “current rating,” of the fuse module 10.
  • the fuse element 22 may include perforations, slots, thinned or narrowed segments, and/or various other features for making the fuse element 22 more susceptible to melting or opening than other portions of the busbar 14.
  • the fuse element 22 may be configured to have a current rating in a range between 30 amps and 1000 amps. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
  • the PI 18 may include a housing 36 having a mounting flange 38 projecting from a lower portion thereof.
  • the housing 36 may be disposed atop the base 12 with mechanical fasteners 40a, 40b extending through the mounting flange 38 and into the base 12 for fastening the components together in a vertically stacked relationship.
  • the housing 36 may include a hollow, vertically oriented shaft 43 extending therethrough.
  • the shaft 43 may have an open bottom end located directly above the fuse element 22 and the cavity 20.
  • the housing 36 may contain a movable piston or blade 42 (hereinafter “the piston 42”) disposed within a hollow shaft 43 located above the cavity 20 of the base 12.
  • the housing 36 may further contain a first pyrotechnic ignitor 44a disposed within the shaft 43 above the piston 42.
  • the first pyrotechnic ignitor 44a may be coupled to a controller 45 (e.g., an airbag control unit, battery management system, etc. of an automobile).
  • the controller 45 may send an initiation signal to the pyrotechnic ignitor 44a, causing the pyrotechnic ignitor 44 to be detonated.
  • a resultant increase in pressure within the shaft 43 rapidly forces the piston 42 downwardly in the shaft 43, through the fuse element 22 of the busbar 14 as shown in FIG. 2. Electrical current flowing through the busbar 14 is thereby interrupted, and the piston 42, which may be formed of a dielectric material, may provide an electrically insulating barrier between the separated ends of the fuse element 22 to prevent electrical arcing therebetween.
  • the fuse module 10 may additionally or alternatively include an “arc triggering” capability, wherein a second pyrotechnic ignitor 44b may be disposed within the shaft 43 adjacent the first pyrotechnic ignitor 44a.
  • a pair of leads 52a, 52b may extend from the second pyrotechnic ignitor 44b to the first and second terminal portions 26a, 26b, respectively.
  • the leads 52a, 52b may extend through/across the shaft 43 below the piston 42.
  • the fuse element 22 is melted (e.g., upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition)
  • the voltage across the separated first and second terminal portions 26a, 26b may create sufficient current in the leads 52a, 52b to cause the second pyrotechnic ignitor 44b to be detonated.
  • a resultant increase in pressure within the shaft 43 rapidly forces the piston 42 downwardly in the shaft 43, through the fuse element 22 of the busbar 14 (as described above and as shown in FIG. 2).
  • the piston 42 severs the leads 52a, 52b to eliminate any potential alternative current paths between the first and second terminal portions 26a, 26b.
  • the leads 52a, 52b may be severed at various locations other than within the shaft 43 and by structures other than the piston 42.
  • the leads 52a, 52b may extend through the cavity 20 or elsewhere adjacent the shaft 43.
  • the leads 52a, 52b may be located outside of or away from the path of the piston 42 and, instead of being severed directly by the piston 42, may be severed by a shank or protrusion extending from the piston 42 or by an electrical/mechanical structure or device that may be triggered by movement of the piston 42.
  • the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
  • the fuse element 22 begins to separate (e.g., melts) before the pyrotechnic ignitor 44b detonates and drives the piston 42, the fuse element 22 is weakened (e.g. partially melted) before the piston 42 is driven therethrough, making it easier for the piston 42 to cut through the fuse element 22.
  • the fuse element 22 may be thicker/larger (and therefore capable of handling higher currents) than would be possible if the piston 42 were required to break through an unweakened portion of the busbar 14 (i.e., a portion of the busbar 14 other than the partially melted fuse element 22) as in conventional fuse modules incorporating pyrotechnic interrupters.
  • fuse module 10 includes a first pyrotechnic ignitor 44a coupled to the controller 45 and a second pyrotechnic ignitor 44b coupled to the first and second terminal portions 26a, 26b of the busbar 14, respectively, embodiments of the present disclosure are contemplated in which the first pyrotechnic ignitor 44a and the controller 45 are omitted, and wherein the fuse module 10 includes only a single pyrotechnic ignitor connected to the busbar 14 and configured to be detonated upon separation of the fuse element 22 (as described above with respect to the second pyrotechnic ignitor 44b).
  • a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element 60 may be connected in parallel with the fuse module 10.
  • the PTC element 60 may be formed of any type of PTC material (e.g., polymeric PTC material, ceramic PTC material, etc.) formulated to have an electrical resistance that increases as the temperature of the PTC element 60 increases.
  • the PTC element 60 may have a predetermined “trip temperature” above which the electrical resistance of the PTC element 60 rapidly and drastically increases (e.g., in a nonlinear fashion) in order to substantially arrest current passing therethrough.
  • the PTC element 60 may have, within its normal operating temperature range (i.e., below its trip temperature), a resistance that is greater than a resistance of the fuse element 22.
  • a current sensing module 70 (e.g., a current sensor with a microprocessor) may be connected to one of the terminal portions 26a, 26b of the busbar 14 and to the pyrotechnic ignitor 44a of the PI 18.
  • the current sensing module 70 may be configured to measure a current in the busbar 14 and, upon detection of a current above a predefined threshold, may send an initiation signal to the pyrotechnic ignitor 44a, detonating the pyrotechnic ignitor 44a and breaking the fuse element 22 as described above.
  • the current sensing module 70 may be programmed to send the initiation signal immediately or after a desired, predetermined amount of time (e.g., 10 milliseconds) and in response to detecting a desired, predetermined amount of current in the busbar 14.
  • the current sensing module 70 may also be connected to the controller 45, and the current sensing module 70 may be configured to send an initiation signal to the pyrotechnic ignitor 44a only if certain predetermined conditions are met.
  • the current sensing module 70 may be configured to send an initiation signal to the pyrotechnic ignitor 44a if the current sensing module 70 detects more than a predetermined amount of current in the busbar 14 and if the controller 45 provides an indication of a collision to the current sensing module 70.
  • the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
  • FIG. 5A another embodiment of the present disclosure is contemplated wherein the fuse element 22 of the busbar 14 may be mechanically weakened for allowing the piston 42 to more readily break through the fuse element 22 (various components of the fuse module 10, such as the leads 52a, 52b, have been omitted form FIG. 5A for the sake of clarity).
  • the fuse element 22 may include a plurality of weak points, wherein a geometry of the weak points corresponds to a geometry of the piston 22.
  • the weak points may be a plurality of perforations 80 formed in the fuse element 22, wherein the perforations are arranged in a generally circular pattern.
  • the piston 42 may have a concave bottom surface 82 defining a circular, bottom edge 84 that is coaxial with, and that is substantially equal in circumference to, the circular pattern defined by the perforations 80.
  • the bottom edge 84 may readily cut through the narrow portions of the fusible element 22 that bridge the perforations 80, ensuring full separation and breakthrough of the fuse element 22.
  • the piston 42 and the busbar 14 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B can be implemented in any of the fuse module embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4, for example.
  • the fuse element 22 of the busbar 14 may be mechanically weakened for allowing the piston 42 to readily break through the fuse element 22 (various components of the fuse module 10, such as the leads 52a, 52b, have been omitted form FIG. 6A for the sake of clarity).
  • the fuse element 22 may include a plurality of weak points, wherein a geometry of the weak points corresponds to a geometry of the piston 22.
  • the weak points may be a plurality of perforations 90 formed in the fuse element 22, wherein the perforations are arranged in a linear pattern.
  • the piston 42 may have an angled bottom surface 92 defining a linear, bottom edge 94 that is parallel to and aligned with the linear pattern defined by the perforations 90.
  • the bottom edge 94 may readily cut through the narrow portions of the fusible element 22 that bridge the perforations 90, ensuring full separation and breakthrough of the fuse element 22.
  • the piston 42 and the busbar 14 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B can be implemented in any of the fuse module embodiments shown in FIGS. 1- 4, for example.
  • the above-described shapes, geometries, and configurations of the piston 42 and corresponding weak points in the fuse element 22 are provided by way of example only and can be varied without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
  • the above- described perforations 80 and 90 are merely examples of weak points that can be formed in the fuse element 22.
  • the weak points may additionally or alternatively include any type of voids or depressions that extend partially or entirely through the fuse element 22. These include, but are not limited to, various types of slots, notches, indentations, cavities, troughs, dimples, etc.
  • the active/passive fuse modules of the present disclosure facilitate the implementation of both passive and active circuit protection elements (e.g., conventional fuse elements and a pyrotechnic interrupter) in single, compact, space-saving form factor that facilitates convenient installation for various applications.
  • passive and active circuit protection elements e.g., conventional fuse elements and a pyrotechnic interrupter

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  • Fuses (AREA)

Abstract

La présente divulgation concerne un module fusible actif/passif qui comprend une base, une barre omnibus disposée sur la base et comprenant un élément fusible s'étendant sur une cavité dans une surface supérieure de la base et ayant une pluralité de points faibles formés à l'intérieur de celle-ci, un interrupteur pyrotechnique (PI) disposé au-dessus de la base et comprenant un piston disposé à l'intérieur d'un arbre au-dessus de l'élément fusible, le piston ayant un bord avec une géométrie qui correspond à une géométrie d'un motif défini par les points faibles dans l'élément fusible, un premier dispositif d'allumage pyrotechnique couplé à un dispositif de commande et configuré pour faire exploser et forcer le piston à travers l'élément fusible lors de la réception d'un signal d'initiation provenant du dispositif de commande, et un deuxième dispositif d'allumage pyrotechnique couplé à la barre omnibus par une paire de conducteurs et configuré pour faire exploser et forcer le piston à travers l'élément fusible lors d'une augmentation de la tension à travers les fils.
PCT/US2022/037682 2021-07-20 2022-07-20 Module fusible actif/passif WO2023003936A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22846549.8A EP4374408A1 (fr) 2021-07-20 2022-07-20 Module fusible actif/passif
CN202280051156.5A CN118056257A (zh) 2021-07-20 2022-07-20 主动/被动熔断器模块

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17/380,436 2021-07-20
US17/380,436 US11594391B2 (en) 2019-12-16 2021-07-20 Active/passive fuse module

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2023003936A1 true WO2023003936A1 (fr) 2023-01-26

Family

ID=84979595

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2022/037682 WO2023003936A1 (fr) 2021-07-20 2022-07-20 Module fusible actif/passif

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4374408A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN118056257A (fr)
WO (1) WO2023003936A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3243892A1 (de) * 1981-12-01 1983-07-07 Villamos Berendezés és Elektronikai Vállalat, Budapest Schmelzlamelle fuer elektrische sicherungen
WO2019043807A1 (fr) * 2017-08-30 2019-03-07 三菱電機株式会社 Dispositif de conversion de puissance
US20210183607A1 (en) * 2019-12-16 2021-06-17 Littelfuse, Inc. Active/passive fuse module

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3243892A1 (de) * 1981-12-01 1983-07-07 Villamos Berendezés és Elektronikai Vállalat, Budapest Schmelzlamelle fuer elektrische sicherungen
WO2019043807A1 (fr) * 2017-08-30 2019-03-07 三菱電機株式会社 Dispositif de conversion de puissance
US20210183607A1 (en) * 2019-12-16 2021-06-17 Littelfuse, Inc. Active/passive fuse module

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP4374408A1 (fr) 2024-05-29
CN118056257A (zh) 2024-05-17

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