Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker for providing short circuit and overload protection is disclosed herein. The miniature circuit breaker features a field effect transistor (FET), which may be a depletion mode metal oxide semiconductor FET (D MOSFET), a junction field-effect transistor (JFET), or a silicon carbide JFET, the FET being connected to a bi-metallic switch, where the bi-metallic switch acts as a temperature sensing circuit breaker. In combination, the D MOSFET and bi-metallic switch are able to limit current to downstream circuit components, thus protecting the components from damage.

Abstract: A fuse including a fuse body having a main body portion formed of a dielectric material, a plurality of arc chambers formed in the main body portion, the arc chambers arranged in a matrix configuration, a conductor extending through the main body portion and intersecting the arc chambers, the conductor having bridge portions disposed within the arc chambers, the bridge portions being mechanically weaker than other portions of the conductor and configured to melt and separate upon the occurrence of an overcurrent condition in the fuse.

Abstract: An optical rain sensor including a plurality of light detecting elements and a plurality of peripheral light emitting elements disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) and surrounding a central light emitting element disposed on the PCB, wherein, in a first mode of operation, the central light emitting element is configured to emit light beams toward the plurality of light detecting elements, and wherein, in a second mode of operation, each of the peripheral light emitting elements is configured to emit light beams toward the plurality of light detecting elements.

Abstract: A reed switch including a cylindrical enclosure with two ends, a first blade and a second blade is disclosed. The first blade has a first lead, a first web, and a first contact, and the first web is bent at a first angle as compared to the first lead. The second blade has a second lead, a second web, and a second contact, and the second web is bent at a second angle as compared to the second lead. The first contact is disposed adjacent to the second contact with a gap between them.

Abstract: A polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) tank heater features a first conductive region, a heater body, and a second conductive region, forming a sandwich. The first conductive region includes a first conductive surface connected to a first lead and a second conductive surface connected to a second lead. The heater body is a PPTC polymer matrix including a conductive filler and a semi-crystalline polymer. The sandwich includes multiple heating elements connected in series and each heating element supplies a different resistance.

Abstract: A thermal sensor wire. The thermal sensor wire may include a thermal sensing portion extending along a wire axis of the thermal sensor wire; and a carrier portion, the carrier portion extending along the wire axis, adjacent to the thermal sensing portion, the thermal sensing portion comprising a polymer positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) material or a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) material.

Abstract: A polymer positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) material may include a polymer matrix, the polymer matrix defining a PPTC body; and a graphene filler component, disposed in the polymer matrix, wherein the graphene filler component comprises a plurality of graphene particles aligned along a predetermined plane of the PPTC body.

Abstract: A novel busbar, suitable for low-power applications, features a u-shaped extension having a male terminal that fits into and establishes electrical connection with a standard female terminal. The housing of an electrical box including the busbar is modified to receive the female terminal in such a way that Ingress Protection ratings of IP67 and IP69K are maintained within the electrical box. The busbar is not riveted to a thicker busbar terminating with a stud and lug nut, as in legacy configurations, thus being simpler and cheaper to manufacture. The female terminal, once connected to the busbar, is removable by inserting a tool into a dedicated opening within the housing.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for an improved bi-stable relay. In some embodiments, a method may include providing a core assembly within a housing, the core assembly comprising a plunger extending through a coil support structure. The method may further include winding a first coil and a second coil about a central section of the coil support structure, providing a first magnet and a first ferromagnetic plate at a first end of the coil support structure, and providing a second magnet and a second ferromagnetic plate at a second end of the coil support structure. In some embodiments, the method may further include activating the first coil or the second coil to move the plunger between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position a circuit formed by a set of contacts is closed, and wherein in the second position the circuit is open.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a power semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate comprises an active device region and a junction termination region. The power semiconductor device may also include a polysilicon layer, disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The polysilicon layer may include an active device portion, disposed over the active device region, and defining at least one semiconductor device; and a junction termination portion, disposed over the junction termination region, the junction termination portion defining a ring structure.

Abstract: A fuse housing for safe outgassing of a fuse is disclosed. The fuse housing features labyrinth walls disposed at opposing sides of the fuse housing. The labyrinth walls feature serpentine paths for the flow of outgassing material. At an end of the serpentine paths which is farthest away from a fuse element are vent channels. The vent channels are narrower in depth than that of the serpentine paths of the labyrinth walls, facilitating a suctioning effect during outgassing. Conductive material deposits along the serpentine paths so that the fuse maintains a high OSR rating. By directing and controlling the outflow of gases, the fuse housing is able to reduce the temperature of the gases produced. The fuse housing is also able to reduce the physical and observable effects of outgassing.

Abstract: Provided herein is are quick-assembly plug connectors. In some embodiments, an assembly may include a body, and a contact carrier within the body, the contact carrier including a main body including a plurality of openings each operable to receive a contact, and a plurality of legs extending from the main body, each of the plurality of legs coupled with the body.

Abstract: An automobile antenna assembly including a housing adapted for installation on a roof of an automobile, the housing having a base portion and a fin portion extending from the base portion, a radio antenna disposed within the fin portion, and a photo radiation intensity sensor disposed within the base portion, the photo radiation intensity sensor including a first light detecting element located on a first side of the fin portion and a second light detecting element located on a second side of the fin portion opposite the first side, wherein at least a portion of the base portion is translucent for allowing light to be received by the first and second light detecting elements, the fin portion providing a light barrier between the first light detecting element and the second light detecting element.

Abstract: Provided herein are coil support structures and methods of retaining a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) of a relay. In some embodiments, a bi-stable relay assembly may include a coil support structure, having a central section extending between a first end section and a second end section, and set of biasable fasteners extending from the first end section and the second end section, wherein each of the set of biasable fasteners includes a sloped engagement surface and a retention slot. The coil support structure may further include a PCBA coupled to the first and second end sections of the coil support structure, wherein the coil support structure extends within the retention slot of each of the set of biasable fasteners.

Abstract: Provided herein is a fuse assembly including an anti-rotation device. In some embodiments, the fuse assembly may include a fusible device connected to a conductive component, wherein the conductive component is operable to connect to a terminal of a power source and a securement device coupled to the fusible device. The securement device may include a body including a recess operable to receive the fusible device and a support post extending from the body, wherein the support post is operable to engage the power source to reduce rotation of the securement device and the fusible device relative to the power source.

Abstract: A circuit protection device including a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device and a backup fuse electrically connected in series with one another, the backup fuse comprising a quantity of solder disposed on a dielectric chip and having a melting temperature that is higher than a trip temperature of the PTC device, wherein the a surface of the dielectric chip exhibits a de-wetting characteristic relative to the solder such that, when the solder is melted, the solder draws away from the surface to create a galvanic opening in the backup fuse.

Abstract: A semiconductor device substrate assembly may include a first substrate, comprising: a first insulator plate; and a first patterned metal layer, disposed on the first insulator plate, wherein the first insulator plate comprises a first material and a first thickness. The assembly may include a second substrate, comprising: a second insulator plate; and a second patterned metal layer, disposed on the second insulator plate, wherein the second insulator plate comprises the first material and the first thickness. The assembly may also include a third substrate, disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, comprising: a third insulator plate; and a third patterned metal layer, disposed on the third insulator plate, wherein the third insulator plate comprises a second material and a second thickness, wherein at least one of the second material and the second thickness differs from the first material and the first thickness, respectively.

Abstract: A pPTC heating device having areas with different power densities distributed over the surface of the device. The device is constructed using a base layer composed of a pPTC material having a layer of sectioned conductive plates disposed over and under the layer of pPTC such as to control the path of the current through the device, thereby controlling resistance of the device and the power density of the device.

Abstract: Circuitry and techniques for providing a bidirectional switch in devices for overcurrent protection and voltage protection are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a circuit may include a first reverse-blocking insulating gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), having a first gate terminal, first collector terminal and a first emitter terminal. The circuit may include a second reverse-blocking IGBT, having a second gate terminal, a second collector terminal, electrically coupled to the first emitter terminal, and a second emitter terminal, electrically coupled to the first collector terminal. As such the first IGBT and the second IGBT may define a first current path, extending from the first collector to the second emitter; and a switch control circuit, coupled to send a control signal to at least one of: the first gate terminal and the second gate terminal, during an overcurrent event.

Abstract: Devices herein may include conductor lines connected between a power supply and load, each of the conductor lines coupled to an AC contactor and a contactor control circuit, wherein the contactor control circuit is operable to open and close one or more contactors of the AC contactor. The devices may further include a current transformer coupled to the conductor lines, the current transformer operable to output a secondary current corresponding to a primary current magnitude of an electrical current not flowing to the load, wherein the AC contactor is connected between the power supply and the load. Devices may further include a zero cross detection circuit operable to generate an interrupt at each of a plurality of zero crossings for a microprocessor, and determine whether to open the one or more contactors of the AC contactor in a predetermined optimum interval calculated with respect to the zero crossing points.