Patent · US Active

Reflowable circuit protection device

US9620318B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
25References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 6, 2012
Grant dateApr 11, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 28, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2037/768
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A circuit protection device includes a substrate with first and second electrodes connected to the circuit to be protected. The circuit protection device also includes a heater element. A sensing element facilitates an electrical connection between the first and second electrodes. A flux material is provided around the sensing element. In a preferred embodiment, the flux contains a first component that is a polar material and a second component that is a non-polar material. A spring element exerts a force on the sensing element. The sensing element resists the force applied by the spring element. Upon detection of an activation, or fault, condition, the sensing element loses resilience and no longer resists the force exerted by the spring element, resulting in the spring element severing the electrical connection between the first and second electrodes. The flux allows the spring element to sever the electrical connection without dragging the sensing element.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.