Systems and methods for redundant circuit disconnection in electric vehicles are disclosed. Systems can include a resistive metallic fuse connected within an electrical circuit for a battery or otherwise, an inductor comprising a coil of at least one turn of wire about a longitudinal axis, and an AC power source configured to provide an alternating current across the inductor. The resistive metallic fuse may be disposed within the inductor along the longitudinal axis, and the AC power source may be configured to cause the inductor to induce within the resistive metallic fuse eddy currents of sufficient magnitude to melt or vaporize at least a portion of the resistive metallic fuse disposed therein.

In an overload relay, a tripping actuator 12 has a first magnet 18 and a moveable contact carrier 20 has a second magnet 28 mounted opposed to the first magnet. A moveable contact 22 on the moveable contact carrier is urged by repulsion between the magnets, to make a normally closed connection with a stationary contact 24, when the tripping actuator is in an ON position 15 and the contact carrier in a first stable position 26. The magnets pass through an over-center tripping position (T) when the tripping actuator is moved to an OFF position 23 in response to an overcurrent condition sensed by a bimetallic thermal overload sensor 16. The magnets repel each other after passing through the over-center tripping position, to thereby urge the moveable contact into a second stable position 26, away from the stationary contact, to break the normally closed connection with the stationary contact.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a circuit protection device, A circuit protection device may comprise a housing defining a cavity and a metal oxide varistor (MOV) disposed within the cavity. The circuit protection device may further comprise a first terminal electrically attached at a first end to the MOV by solder and extending outside of the housing at a second end. An arc shield is disposed within the housing between the first end of the first terminal and at least partially over the solder. The circuit protection device may further comprise a spring configured to bias the arc shield against a micro switch having an indicator portion disposed at least partially outside of the housing. When a voltage surge condition occurs, the MOV changes from a non-conductive state to a conductive state and current flows between the first terminal and a second terminal where the heat generated by the current flowing through the varistor melts the solder and the first end of the first terminal electrically separates from the varistor.

A complex protection device for blocking an abnormal state of current and voltage is disclosed. In the complex protection device, a resistive element is configured in the form of a structure and thus the resistive element has enhanced durability and surface mounting technology suitable for automation may be utilized, and a plurality of resistive elements is configured in various resistances and sizes to be optimally designed for product characteristics.

A controllable electronic switch for, e.g., controlling power distribution comprises a deformable member such as a bimetal arm that can be deformed to break an electrical path. The deformable member may be anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. A heating element, such as a coil, can be used to selectively heat the deformable member. The controllable electronic switch can alternatively comprise a deformable member that is terminated in a wedge-shaped member. When the deformable member bends in response to being heated, the wedge-shaped member forces apart a pair of contacts thus breaking an electrical path. The wedge-shaped member and/or associated structures may be configured as a cam mechanism with multiple latching positions.

A controllable electronic switch for, e.g., controlling power distribution comprises a deformable member such as a bimetal arm that can be deformed to break an electrical path. The deformable member may be anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. A heating element, such as a coil, can be used to selectively heat the deformable member. The controllable electronic switch can alternatively comprise a deformable member that is terminated in a wedge-shaped member. When the deformable member bends in response to being heated, the wedge-shaped member forces apart a pair of contacts thus breaking an electrical path. The wedge-shaped member and/or associated structures may be configured as a cam mechanism with multiple latching positions.

A circuit protection device including a housing, a metal oxide varistor disposed within said housing, a terminal having a contact lead at a first end electrically attached to said metal oxide varistor by solder and having a second end extending outside of said housing, an arc shield disposed within said housing between said contact lead and said metal oxide varistor, a micro switch housed in a pocket portion of the housing, said micro switch having a trigger portion and an indicator portion disposed at least partially outside of said housing, said arc shield positioned against said trigger portion, and a spring configured to bias said arc shield away from said pocket portion and to move said arc shield away from said trigger portion when said solder is melted to provide a barrier between said metal oxide varistor and said contact lead, whereby the indicator portion is retracted into the housing.

A circuit protection device including a housing, a metal oxide varistor disposed within said housing, a terminal having a contact lead at a first end electrically attached to said metal oxide varistor by solder and having a second end extending outside of said housing, an arc shield disposed within said housing between said contact lead and said metal oxide varistor, a micro switch housed in a pocket portion of the housing, said micro switch having a trigger portion and an indicator portion disposed at least partially outside of said housing, said arc shield positioned against said trigger portion, and a spring configured to bias said arc shield away from said pocket portion and to move said arc shield away from said trigger portion when said solder is melted to provide a barrier between said metal oxide varistor and said contact lead, whereby the indicator portion is retracted into the housing.

The present invention discloses a lithium-ion battery protector, comprising a broken-circuit protection switch arranged in a charging loop of a lithium-ion battery pack, wherein the broken-circuit protection switch is adapted to carry out the switching-on or switching-off of the charging loop of the lithium-ion battery pack via the shape change of a shape memory alloy therein at different temperatures. The lithium-ion battery protector uses the memorability, interference resistance, high voltage resistance and passive over-current capacity of the shape memory alloy.

Provided are a protecting device and a battery pack capable of preventing floating of a blowout member, preventing deformation of a meltable conductor, and maintaining predetermined current capacity and blowout properties. The protecting device 1 includes: a meltable conductor 2; and a blowout member 4 connected to one surface of the meltable conductor 2, wherein the blowout member 4 includes: an insulating substrate 3; and a deformation suppressing electrode 5 formed on a front surface 3a connected to the meltable conductor 2 of the insulating substrate 3 and connected to the meltable conductor 2 to suppress deformation of the meltable conductor 2.