Comprising Significant Fuse Link Or Element Structure Or Arrangement Patents (Class 337/159)
  • Patent number: 6963264
    Abstract: The invention relates to an alloy type thermal fuse and a wire member for a thermal fuse element, and provides an alloy type thermal fuse in which a fuse element does not contain a harmful metal, the operating temperature is about 150° C., the dispersion of the operating temperature can be sufficiently suppressed, and the operation stability to a heat cycle can be satisfactorily assured. The thermal fuse has an alloy composition of 30 to 70% Sn, 0.3 to 20% Sb, and a balance Bi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Uchihashi Estec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Miki Iwamoto, Naotaka Ikawa, Toshiaki Saruwatari, Yoshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6960978
    Abstract: A fuse structure is described. The fuse structure includes a first region adapted to be coupled to a voltage source, a second region adapted to be coupled to a ground, and a current flow region disposed between the first and second regions. The current flow region has a configuration that causes a void to be opened at a point of localized heating due to current crowding within the current flow region and that causes the void to propagate across the current flow region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stan E. Leigh, Tom P. Abadilla, Donald W. Schulte, Terry McMahon
  • Patent number: 6922131
    Abstract: An electrical device suitable for use in digital telecommunications applications is provided. The device includes a laminar PTC element composed of a conductive polymer composition sandwiched between two metal foil electrodes. A first insulating layer which is composed of an electrically insulating flexible material conforms to at least part of the perimeter of the PTC element. The device has low resistance, low capacitance, reduced size, and stable resistance, and can meet power cross testing requirements. In addition, assemblies of electrical devices are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Cecilia A. Walsh, Rodrigo Rubiano, Albert R. Martin
  • Patent number: 6841845
    Abstract: An alloy type thermal fuse is provided in which, although a fuse element essentially comprising an In-Sn alloy is used, the operation stability to a heat cycle can be satisfactorily assured, and, even when the amount of In is large, a process of drawing to the fuse element at a high yield can be ensured, and which has an operating temperature belonging to the range of 120 to 150° C. The fuse element has an alloy composition in which 0.1 to 7 weight parts of one, or two or more metals selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, Cu, Ni, Pd, Pt, and Sb are added to 100 weight parts of an alloy of 52 to 85% In and a balance Sn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Uchihashi Estec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Miki Iwamoto, Naotaka Ikawa, Toshiaki Saruwatari, Yoshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6838971
    Abstract: Quantity of flux coated on fusible alloy of a thermal fuse disclosed can be inspected accurately by an image processing method. The thermal fuse comprises: (a) first insulation film 11 coupled with a pair of metal terminals 12; (b) fusible alloy 13 coupled between ends of the metal terminals 12, being placed above first insulation film 11; (c) flux 14 coated on fusible alloy 13; and (d) second insulation film 15 disposed on first insulation film 11 so that an internal space is formed, being placed above fusible alloy 13, wherein at least either of first insulation film 11 or second insulation film 15 is transparent or translucent, and flux 14 has the Gardner color scale from 4 to 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Senda, Takahiro Mukai
  • Publication number: 20040257191
    Abstract: A fuse component with an optical indicator, which has a first terminal (2) and a second terminal (3) and also a fusible link (4), which connects the terminals (2) and (3) in an electrically conducting manner. Connected in parallel with the fusible link (4) is at least one LED (8), which indicates the failure of the fuse if the fusible link (4) is interrupted. Preferably two LEDs are connected in antiparallel with the fusible link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Rudiger Muller
  • Publication number: 20040196133
    Abstract: A thin thermal fuse is provided with a rush current resistance performance so as to be usable also as a current fuse. In a thermal fuse in which a low-melting fusible alloy piece 2 having an alloy composition containing 40 to 70% Bi is connected between a pair of flat lead conductors 1, 1, a flux 4 is applied to the low-melting fusible alloy piece 2, and the piece is sandwiched between a resin base film 31 and a resin cover film 32 to provide insulation, the resistance of the low-melting fusible alloy piece 2 is set so as to enable the low-melting fusible alloy piece 2 to be fused off also by Joule heat due to an allowable maximum current of a secondary battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Uchihashi Estec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiro Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 6791448
    Abstract: A fuse has a fuse element (6) with a fusible conductor (7) of a conductor material (8) such as Ag, Cu or Al and is provided with doping points (9) following one another at regular intervals. There, the conductor material (8) has a directly adjoining layer of a first compound (10) of the same with a doping material such as In or Ge. It forms mixed crystals which contain the conductor material (8) and the doping material in a fixed stoichiometric ratio, such as for example Ag2In, and is separated from said conductor material by a stable phase boundary. The doping points (9) weaken the fusible conductor by lowering the melting point to below 250° C., so that arc formation rapidly occurs there when there are short-circuit currents, although its electrical resistance per unit of length is under some circumstances only a few percent greater than in the remaining region. The fusible conductor (7) bears a continuous layer of a burn-up material (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Research LTD
    Inventors: Uwe Kaltenborn, Pal Kristian Skryten
  • Publication number: 20040174243
    Abstract: An alloy type thermal fuse is provided in which a Bi—Sn alloy is used as a fuse element, which has an operating temperature of about 140° C., which, even when used at a high power, can safely operate, and in which dispersion of the operating temperature can be sufficiently reduced. Also a material for a thermal fuse element is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Uchihashi Estec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6774761
    Abstract: The invention provides a thermal fuse and a fuse element of the low-melting fusible alloy type in which the fuse element has an alloy composition of 48 to 60% In, 10 to 25% Sn, and the balance Bi, and a total of 0.01 to 7 weight parts of at least one selected from the group consisting of Au, Ag, Cu, Ni, and Pd is added to 100 weight parts of the composition. As a result, the operating temperature is in the range of 57 to 67° C., requests for environment conservation can be satisfied, the diameter of the fuse element can be made very thin or reduced to about 300 &mgr;m&phgr;, self-heating can be suppressed, and the thermal stability can be satisfactorily guaranteed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Uchihashi Estec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6753753
    Abstract: A fuse (20) includes a fuse element (25), having a fusible portion (22) provided between inner side edges (21a) of a pair of parallel flat-plate terminal portions (21, 21), and an insulating housing (23) covering the inner side edges (21a) of the flat-plate terminal portions (21) and the fusible portion (22). A middle portion (21f) of each of the flat-plate terminal portions (21), located at the lateral position relative to the fusible portion (22), is fixedly gripped by a mating terminal (11) of a fuse mounting portion, so that the flat-plate terminal portion is electrically connected to the mating terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Norihiro Ohashi, Eiji Shimochi
  • Publication number: 20040104801
    Abstract: A fuse component (1) comprises a hollow body (2), which is formed from a tubular wall that encloses an inner area (5) and which has two open faces that are situated opposite one another. The fuse component also comprises a fuse-element (4), which extends inside the inner area (5) between both faces of the hollow body (2), and two contact caps (3) each provided with a bottom (7) and lateral walls (8) connected thereto. Two end sections (10) of a conductor of the fuse-element (4) are lead out of the inner area (5) through the faces and around the wall of the hollow body (2). The end sections (10) of the conductor of the fuse-element (4) are fastened by means of an adhesive bond (11) so that the surfaces abutting the inner area (5) are essentially free from organic materials. The end sections (10) of the conductor are preferably fastened to a conductive plastic that, in turn, fastens the contact caps (3) to the outer wall (9) of the hollow body (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Andre Jollenbeck, Frank Althoff, Karin Koch, Ute Lehnhardt
  • Publication number: 20040100352
    Abstract: An alloy type thermal fuse is provided in which a ternary Sn—In—Bi alloy is used, excellent overload characteristic and dielectric breakdown characteristic are attained, the insulation stability after an operation can be sufficiently assured, and a fuse element can be easily thinned. A fuse element having an alloy composition in which Sn is larger than 25% and 60% or smaller, Bi is larger than 12% and 33% or smaller, and In is 20% or larger and smaller than 50% is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Uchihashi Estec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6734781
    Abstract: Electronic components are integrated onto the front surface of a circuit board 1 having an interconnection pattern formed thereon. In the vicinity of a particular electronic component (FET) 2 among those components that is likely to generate heat, a thermal fuse 4 is provided for breaking circuit when the temperature of this electronic component increases. In the circuit board 1, a through opening 1a is provided in the area where the FET 2 is located. The FET 2 is attached to the front surface of the circuit board 1 to extend across the through opening 1a. On the rear side of the FET 2, the thermal fuse 4 is attached to partially enter the through opening 1a via a heat-conducting resin 3 such as silicone resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsunori Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20040085179
    Abstract: A fuse that includes an arc energy reducing coating to reduce arc energy during a short-circuit and/or a full voltage overload current interrupt is described. The fuse includes end conductor elements, and at least one fuse element secured between and making electrical contact with the end conductor elements. An elongate fuse housing, having a passageway extending longitudinally through the housing, extends between the end conductor elements. The fuse element extends through the housing passageway. An arc energy reducing coating at least partially coats each end portion of the fuse element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: John Marvin Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20040085178
    Abstract: An alloy type thermal fuse is provided in which a ternary Sn—In—Bi alloy is used, the operating temperature belongs to the range of 130 to 170° C., the overload characteristic and the dielectric breakdown characteristic are excellent, the insulation stability after an operation can be sufficiently ensured, and thinning of a fuse element can be easily realized. A fuse element having an alloy composition in which Sn is larger than 43% and 70% or smaller, In is 0.5% or higher and 10% or lower, and a balance is Bi is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Uchihashi Estec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Tanaka, Toshiaki Saruwatari
  • Publication number: 20040066268
    Abstract: The invention relates to an alloy type thermal fuse and a wire member for a thermal fuse element, and provides an alloy type thermal fuse in which a fuse element does not contain a harmful metal, the operating temperature is about 150° C., the dispersion of the operating temperature can be sufficiently suppressed, and the operation stability to a heat cycle can be satisfactorily assured. The thermal fuse has an alloy composition of 30 to 70% Sn, 0.3 to 20% Sb, and a balance Bi.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: Uchihashi Estec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Miki Iwamoto, Naotaka Ikawa, Toshiaki Saruwatari, Yoshiaki Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20040056752
    Abstract: A plurality of fuse elements each having a pair of flat terminal pieces interconnected by a fusible part, and a coupling part for coupling the flat terminal pieces of each fuse element along the fuse belt are one-piece formed by pressing process. A fuse belt is formed by attaching an insulating housing covering the fusible part to each fuse element. The flat terminal pieces of each fuse element in the fuse belt are successively separated from the coupling part by cutting, and the fuses are mounted to fuse mounting parts of an electric junction box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hironori Kondo, Takayoshi Endo
  • Publication number: 20040027226
    Abstract: A fuse link, especially for low voltage, high-breaking-capacity fuses, includes at least one fusible conductor having a soldering substance in a solder depot of a carrier, the solder being tin-based and the carrier being copper-based. The solder contains a tin alloy as an active substance, the tin alloy having two other constituents. The first constituent, which is the larger of the two in weight percent but which is smaller in weight percent than the proportion of the base substance tin, is selected for lowering the fusion temperature of the solder. The second constituent, which is the smaller of the two in weight percent, is a substance which does not dissolve in tin. Crystal nuclei are formed when said substance is cooled from the liquid state to the solid state, creating a fine structure and preventing the structure from becoming coarse under a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Alexander Etschmaier, Helmut Wieser
  • Patent number: 6661331
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device forming a controlled-release mechanism, the device comprising: two structural elements suitable for relative movement; and locking means suitable initially for preventing relative movement between the two structural elements, and in which the locking means comprises in combination: at least one set of complementary shape means of helical configuration associated with respective ones of the two structural elements; and a low-melting point material disposed at least in part at an interface between two parts connected respectively to the two structural elements to prevent the locking means being released, and consequently to prevent the structural elements being released, prior to said material melting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Etienne Lacroix Tous Artifices S.A.
    Inventors: Guy Valembois, Grégory Soulier
  • Publication number: 20030218528
    Abstract: A current-limiting device is provided that defines a cavity of predetermined dimensions and an elongated circuitous path through the cavity. The device also includes provisions for supporting a current-limiting fusible element along the path. The cavity is filled with a pulverulent arc-quenching filler material. To increase the heat-withstand capabilities of the current-limiting device, heat withstand facilities are provided between the portions of the circuitous path to maximize the length of the path while minimizing the corresponding volume of the device, e.g. via heat resistant materials, the addition of heat shielding materials to the cavity-defining device structure or the structure of support portions of the cavity-defining structure. In one specific arrangement, the path of the fusible element is defined by one or more U-shaped sections. The fusible element includes a configuration of steps or bends along its length to maximize the path length of the fusible element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Mark W. Stavnes, Glenn R. Borchardt, Jorge R. Montante, Raymond P. O'Leary, Martin A. Warszawa
  • Patent number: 6650223
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical fuse element having an essentially ceramic housing which, in the unfired state, is closed around at least one fusible conductor. To improve the properties of such a fuse element with respect to the extremely high internal pressures occurring during switching off as well as when exposed to an arc, a fuse element (5) in which the fusible conductor (1) has an electrically conducting component, in particular a metallic wire (2), and an insulating, porous component is proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Wickmann-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: André Jöllenbeck, Barbara Marzinkowski, Peter Pössnicker
  • Publication number: 20030206093
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an alloy type thermal fuse and a fuse element which are particularly useful as a thermoprotector for a battery. It is an object of the invention to provide an alloy type thermal fuse in which a ternary In—Sn—Bi alloy or an alloy in which Ag or Cu is added to the ternary alloy is used as a fuse element, or the fuse element wherein dispersion of the operating temperature can be satisfactorily suppressed, the operating temperature can be set to about 100° C. or lower, and the specific resistance and the mechanical strength of the fuse element can be sufficiently ensured. A low-melting fusible alloy serving as the fuse element has an alloy composition of 50 to 55% In, 25 to 40% Sn, and balance Bi. In a preferable range of the composition, In is 51 to 53%, Sn is 32 to 36%, and a balance is Bi.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Uchihashi Estec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihito Hamada
  • Publication number: 20030169143
    Abstract: The invention provides a thermal fuse and a fuse element of the low-melting fusible alloy type in which the fuse element has an alloy composition of 37 to 43% In, 10 to 18% Sn, and the balance Bi. As a result, the operating temperature is in the range of 65 to 75° C., requests for environment conservation can be satisfied, the diameter of the fuse element can be made very thin or reduced to about 300 &mgr;m&phgr;, self-heating can be suppressed, and the thermal stability can be satisfactorily guaranteed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Uchihashi Estec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6617953
    Abstract: A power providing device that has a battery, a protective housing a terminal cap and a fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Zayatz, Michael D. Brown, Timothy R. Ronald
  • Publication number: 20030156005
    Abstract: The invention is to offer a fuse and a fuse production method excellent in cost down. A fuse having an electrically conductive fuse element. The fuse element has a pair of terminal connection portions and a fusible member for electrically connecting the terminal connection portions each other and for being fused and broken when an over electric current flows. At least a part of the fusible portion is formed by spouting or dropping the melting metal drops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ohashi, Tatsuya Kato, Hitoshi Ushijima, Hiroyo Ayuzawa
  • Patent number: 6570482
    Abstract: An electrical fuse includes a pair of terminal portions and a fusible link extending between the pair of terminal portions. The fusible link includes a fusing portion and a modifying portion in contact with the fusing portion. The modifying portion is formed of a material having a lower melting point than the fusing portion, and the fusible link includes a hole extending therethrough and defining an open-sided receptacle. A side of the open-sided receptacle forms one side of the fusing portion, and the modifying portion is disposed within the substantially open-sided receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies
    Inventors: Russell Brown, Rognvald Ridley Peterson, Stuart Richard Roberts
  • Patent number: 6566599
    Abstract: An electrically conductive metal plate is stamped out to yield a fuse unit including an input terminal and several output terminals. The fuse unit further includes a predetermined locus where fuse element portions are to be formed later. A surface area of the fuse unit including the predetermined locus is then molded with an insulator material. Thereafter, the fuse element portions are formed at the predetermined locus by, for example, stamping. In this manner, the fuse unit can be manufactured easily at low costs, irrespective of the number and electrical capacity of the fuse element portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Sumida, Shunji Taga
  • Patent number: 6556120
    Abstract: A fuse (20) includes a fuse element (25), having a fusible portion (22) provided between inner side edges (21a) of a pair of parallel flat-plate terminal portions (21, 21), and an insulating housing (23) covering the inner side edges (21a) of the flat-plate terminal portions (21) and the fusible portion (22). A middle portion (21f) of each of the flat-plate terminal portions (21), located at the lateral position relative to the fusible portion (22), is fixedly gripped by a mating terminal (11) of a fuse mounting portion, so that the flat-plate terminal portion is electrically connected to the mating terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Norihiro Ohashi, Eiji Shimochi
  • Patent number: 6556122
    Abstract: A thermal fuse reduced in size and thickness can be obtained. Further, the thermal fuse will not be degraded in characteristics, productivity, reliability, quality, etc. even after reduction in size and thickness. The thermal fuse includes a fuse main body including a substrate, a fusible metal and a cover, and paired terminals disposed protruding from the fuse main body. The other end of the first terminal has a first fusible metal connection, and the other end of the second terminal has a second fusible metal connection. The fusible metal is disposed between the first terminal and the second terminal, and one end of the fusible metal is connected to the first fusible metal connection, and the other end of the fusible metal is connected to the second fusible metal connection. The cover is disposed so as to cover the fusible metal, the first fusible metal connection, and the second fusible metal connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Izaki, Takahiro Mukai, Shinichi Ohtsuka, Kenzo Isozaki
  • Publication number: 20030076213
    Abstract: A fuse (20) includes a fuse element (25), having a fusible portion (22) provided between inner side edges (21a) of a pair of parallel flat-plate terminal portions (21, 21), and an insulating housing (23) covering the inner side edges (21a) of the flat-plate terminal portions (21) and the fusible portion (22). A middle portion (21f) of each of the flat-plate terminal portions (21), located at the lateral position relative to the fusible portion (22), is fixedly gripped by a mating terminal (11) of a fuse mounting portion, so that the flat-plate terminal portion is electrically connected to the mating terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Norihiro Ohashi, Eiji Shimochi
  • Publication number: 20030071711
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical fuse for rotary current generators, having a rectifier assembly (14) for supplying a DC network, in particular in motor vehicles. To achieve simple, cost-effective and rapid-response fuse performance in the event of an overload, it is provided that a fuse element (21) be disposed in a line strand, carrying all the generator current, between the rectifier assembly (14) and a DC connection terminal (22) of the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Martin Haupt, Herbert Labitzke, Walter Csicser, Klaus-Uwe Mittelstaedt, Holger Scholzen, Karl-Otto Heinz, Holger Haussmann, Henning Stilke
  • Patent number: 6515570
    Abstract: A fuse has a fuse element (6), composed of silver, with constrictions (7) which follow one another at regular intervals, and which fuse element makes contact with a combustible element (8), preferably over its entire length. The combustible element (8) is composed of a combustion compound, which is essentially of a fuel such as guanidine or a guanidine derivative and a metal such as Mg or Al and an oxidant such as KNO3, NaNO3, NH4NO3, KClO4, NaClO4, KMnO4, the proportion of which is overstoichiometric by a factor of at least 1.1, and preferably of at least 10. The combustible compound also preferably contains a binding agent such as paraffin, a thermoplastic or an elastomer, so that it can be extruded. It has an ignition temperature of between 160° C. and 260° C. and emits more than 200 J/g of heat, so that it ignites even in the event of small overcurrents and melts the entire length of the fuse element (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Uwe Kaltenborn, Ralf Strümpler, Joachim Glatz-Reichenbach, Felix Greuter
  • Patent number: 6509824
    Abstract: An electrically conductive fuse element including fusible portions has a hinge portion provided at a middle portion thereof. A resin body is divided into resin body parts so that the resin body parts are provided around the fuse element in such a way as to be separated by the hinge portion. One of the resin body parts is bent from the hinge portion. The fuse element has abutting faces, against which the resin body parts are abutted in a bent state, and engaging means for the resin body parts. A connector housing is provided on the resin body part. Further, a terminal is provided at one of plate portions of the fuse element. Power supply connecting portions and terminal connecting portions are provided in the other plate portion connected to the plate portion through the hinge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shigemitsu Inaba, Norio Matsumura, Yasuyuki Hama
  • Patent number: 6507264
    Abstract: A fuse element partially encapsulated in an arc-suppression material which can, in turn, be integrated along with a semiconductor device into a semiconductor package to provide overcurrent protection, as well as a method of integrating such a fuse along with a semiconductor device into a semiconductor package wherein the semiconductor package has a standard form factor based on the semiconductor device integrated within.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Whitney
  • Publication number: 20020196122
    Abstract: A fuse element is formed integrally from a conductive metal plate such that two narrow portions are formed side by side between a pair of electrical connection portions. The narrow portions each assume an arch shape and constitute a parallel conductive path. Arch-shaped convex portions are arranged so as to oppose to each other with a predetermined gap therebetween, thus constituting a fusing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haruhito Ohtsuka, Norio Matsumura
  • Patent number: 6477025
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a surge protection device that makes use of metal oxide varistors (MOVs) to limit the magnitude of electrical surges in single phase or multi-phase power distribution networks. Since MOVs generally fail in a low impedance mode when the electrical ratings of the devices are exceeded, current limiting and thermal limiting devices are connected in series with the MOVs to limit the effect of these failures to the surge protection devices. The physical configuration of the surge protection device limits the effects of a current limiter being activated by providing a barrier between the current limiter and the associated MOV. Filler material is also used to limit the effects of debris or plasma gas from an activated current limiter. Multiple surge protection devices may be connected in parallel to provide increased current handling capability, and visual indication of a failed surge protection device may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Innovative Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William Goldbach, Ronald Hotchkiss
  • Publication number: 20020153989
    Abstract: A circuit for indicating abnormality of a three-mode surge absorber of a public electric power is disclosed. The circuit is serially connected between the input end and output end of a public electric power supply for indicating the abnormality of a three-mode surge absorbing device of a public power supply so as to achieve the object of indicating an obvious indication to the users. The circuit includes a first surge absorbing device, a first three-end fuse, an abnormal indication circuit, a second surge absorbing device and a second two-end fuse. Other than indicating the abnormality of the L-N, L-G, N-G surge absorbing devices, the present invention can prevent current leakage as destroys occurs in the diverse modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: Jonie Chou
  • Publication number: 20020145501
    Abstract: A power providing device that has a battery, a protective housing a terminal cap and a fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Zayatz, Michael D. Brown, Timothy R. Ronald
  • Patent number: 6456186
    Abstract: A fusing device with an adjustable current rating. The fusing device has a common conductive trace, a plurality of individual conductive traces, and a plurality of fusible links. Each fusible link electrically connects the common conductive trace with a corresponding individual conductive trace, and each fusible link has a current rating. The current ratings of the plurality of fusible links are substantially identical to each other or different. Each fusible link can have one or more fusible elements. The fusible elements can be coupled in parallel or in series. Optionally, at least one fusible element can be trimmed through an intermediate terminal. Fusible links can be disposed in a same surface of a substrate or in different surfaces of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: John Wendell Oglesbee
  • Patent number: 6452475
    Abstract: A protective device comprises a fuse element provided to electrodes on a substrate. The fuse element has a liquidus point higher than the mounting temperature of the protective device, and has a solidus point lower than the mounting temperature of the protective device. The difference between the liquidus and solidus points is 5° C. or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Chemicals Corp.
    Inventors: Masami Kawazu, Norikazu Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 6448882
    Abstract: A large current fuse 21 which comprises a metallic fusing member 22 and a resin housing 23, the metallic fusing member 22 including a first conductive plate 25, a second conductive plate 26, and a fusing part 27, the resin housing 23 having an open space 49 through which the fusing part is exposed, the first conductive plate 25 being provided at its side face with a first projecting piece 31 projecting by way of an edge of the open space 49, the second conductive plate 26 being provided at its side face with the second projecting piece 37 projecting by way of the edge of the open space 49, a width D1 of the first projecting piece 31 in a direction perpendicular to its projecting direction and a width D2 of the second projecting piece 37 in a direction perpendicular to its projecting direction being of a fixed size, irrespective of the rated current. The large current fuse which does not require the respective molding dies exclusively according to the rated currents is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shigemitsu Inaba, Norio Matsumura, Mitsuhiko Totsuka, Yasuko Hibayashi
  • Patent number: 6404322
    Abstract: A new and improved fusible link having opposite ends. The fusible link comprises two pieces each having opposite ends. One of the opposite ends of each piece defines the opposite ends of the link. The other end of said pieces overlap each other and have a eutectic solder therebetween. Means is provided adjacent the other end of the pieces to strengthen the link in tension between the opposite ends when said solder is in shear and to reduce creep. Means is also provided adjacent the other ends of the pieces to separate the pieces and break the linkage upon the eutectic solder reaching the eutectic temperature. The new and improved fusible link in a specific embodiment utilizes a crimp and crimp sliding surfaces to prevent creep at temperatures lower than the eutectic temperature for providing separation of the link upon the solder being heated to a eutectic temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Elsie Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Ruegsegger, Robert Simon
  • Patent number: 6380838
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with repair fuses is provided, which decrease the fuse pitch and the fuse occupation area without short circuit among the adjoining repair fuses and damage to the semiconductor device itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Fujii
  • Publication number: 20020041224
    Abstract: A fuse (20) includes a fuse element (25), having a fusible portion (22) provided between inner side edges (21a) of a pair of parallel flat-plate terminal portions (21, 21), and an insulating housing (23) covering the inner side edges (21a) of the flat-plate terminal portions (21) and the fusible portion (22). A middle portion (21f) of each of the flat-plate terminal portions (21), located at the lateral position relative to the fusible portion (22), is fixedly gripped by a mating terminal (11) of a fuse mounting portion, so that the flat-plate terminal portion is electrically connected to the mating terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Norihiro Ohashi, Eiji Shimochi
  • Patent number: 6359543
    Abstract: A fuse (20) includes a fuse element (25), having a fusible portion (22) provided between inner side edges (21a) of a pair of parallel flat-plate terminal portions (21, 21), and an insulating housing (23) covering the inner side edges (21a) of the flat-plate terminal portions (21) and the fusible portion (22). A middle portion (21f) of each of the flat-plate terminal portions (21), located at the lateral position relative to the fusible portion (22), is fixedly gripped by a mating terminal (11) of a fuse mounting portion, so that the flat-plate terminal portion is electrically connected to the mating terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Norihiro Ohashi, Eiji Shimochi
  • Publication number: 20010043137
    Abstract: A fuse (20) includes a fuse element (25), having a fusible portion (22) provided between inner side edges (21a) of a pair of parallel flat-plate terminal portions (21, 21), and an insulating housing (23) covering the inner side edges (21a) of the flat-plate terminal portions (21) and the fusible portion (22). A middle portion (21f) of each of the flat-plate terminal portions (21), located at the lateral position relative to the fusible portion (22), is fixedly gripped by a mating terminal (11) of a fuse mounting portion, so that the flat-plate terminal portion is electrically connected to the mating terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Norihiro Ohashi, Eiji Shimochi
  • Patent number: 6294978
    Abstract: A high-current fuse for vehicles is provided. This high-current fuse includes a conductive plate having a fuse and terminal connecting portions on both ends, and a resin case into which the conductive plate is insert-molded. A heat radiating portion for releasing heat generated from the fuse and the conductive plate when energized is provided on the outer surface of the resin case. The heat radiating portion is made up of a plurality of thin plates arranged on the resin case at regular intervals. The thin plates are situated in parallel with the energizing direction so as to strengthen the resin case. To keep the fuse away from both ends of the conductive plate, a pair of assisting plates facing to each other are formed in the middle of the conductive plate, and the fuse is disposed between the assisting plates. The fuse between the assisting plates is in the direction perpendicular to the energizing direction of the conductive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Norio Matsumura, Shigemitsu Inaba, Atsushi Hikage, Shinya Onoda
  • Patent number: 6253446
    Abstract: A fault current fusing resistor, comprising a substrate on which there is a line of resistive film formed of metal and glass in a conductive film, which line is closely confined by containing and sealing substances to prevent venting of vapor from the line during the fusing caused by an electrical fault condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: Richard E. Caddock, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6198376
    Abstract: A safety device for preventing a trouble caused by an abnormal overheating of an electric circuit is provided, which includes: a circuit board; a first circuit pattern; a second circuit pattern; a first electrode connected to the first circuit pattern; a second electrode connected to the second circuit pattern, while enclosing the first electrode without a break, the second electrode being standoff-insulated from the first electrode; and a solder fuse portion made of a solder and formed over and inside the second electrode for bridging the first and second electrodes, wherein the solder fuse portion in a melted state separates onto the first and second electrodes by surface tension of the solder, whereby a circuit between the first and second circuit patterns is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Ishikawa, Osamu Soda