Thermally triggerable indicating or switching device

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermally triggerable indication or switching device, having a movable, mechanically preloaded slide which directly or indirectly triggers or actuates the indication or switching device, and having a preformed part which changes its state of aggregation under the effect of heat, the preformed part, in the functional state, being adapted to be arranged so as to block the movable slide. According to the invention, in the initial state, the preformed part is loosely located in a receiving space. For transferring the preformed part to the functional state, the slide is moved in a position such that a gap space opens between the slide and a slide stop, wherein the preformed part enters the gap space and the slide is simultaneously preloaded.

Claims

1. A thermally triggerable indication or switching device, having a movable, mechanically preloaded slide (3) which directly or indirectly triggers or actuates the indication or switching device (5; 6; 7), and having a preformed part (12) which changes its state of aggregation under the effect of heat, the preformed part (12), in the functional state, being adapted to be arranged so as to block the movable slide (3), characterized in that in the initial state, the preformed part (12) is loosely located in a receiving space (11), the slide (3) being moved in a position for transferring the preformed part (12) to the functional state such that a gap space (15) opens between the slide (3) and a slide stop (2), wherein, supported by an elastic or flexible arm (10) connected to the slide (3), the preformed part enters the gap space (15) and the slide (3) is preloaded, and the elastic or flexible arm (10) thus secures the preformed part (12) in the gap space (15).

2. The thermally triggerable indication or switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the arm (10) has a sliding inclined face (100) for supporting the movement of the preformed part (12) to activate the indication or switching device (5; 6; 7).

3. The thermally triggerable indication or switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one guiding element (13) is formed adjacent to the arm (10) to ensure the movement of the preformed part (12) into the gap space (15).

4. The thermally triggerable indication or switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the slide (3) includes a projection (4) which has an indication area and/or a switch actuating member.

5. The thermally triggerable indication or switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the preformed part (12) melts when the preformed part (12) is heated, for example due to lost heat of adjacent electronic components, as a result of which the gap space (15) narrows supported by the preloaded slide (3), which leads to a change in the position or state of the indication or switching device (5; 6; 7).

6. The thermally triggerable indication or switching device according to claim 5, characterized in that with the melting of the preformed part (12) and the change in position of the slide (3), a first switch (6) closes and a second switch (7) opens, or vice versa.

7. The thermally triggerable indication or switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the activation of the device is carried out individually and in a deferred manner, i.e. only in the case of use.

8. A surge arrester arrangement comprising at least one surge protection element which is subject to heating in case of overstress, comprising a thermally triggerable indication or switching device according to claim 1.

Description

(1) The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to an example embodiment and using figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a simplified representation of the device according to the invention in the initial state after mounting, with a loosely inserted preformed part and a not yet tensioned spring;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a representation similar to that of FIG. 1, but with an outlined moving process for activating the device, the preformed part being moved in the direction of the gap space and the spring being simultaneously tensioned;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a representation similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, the preformed part being however in its end position, i.e. located in the gap space, the spring being tensioned or the switch being activated; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a representation similar to that of FIG. 3, but in the state in which the indication and switching device is triggered by the influence of heat which changes the state of aggregation of the preformed part, the slide having displaced the preformed part due to the spring preload under the final tension of the spring, with the result of a changed state of indication and a changed state of the symbolically represented switches.

(6) The thermally triggerable indication or switching device according to the invention which is represented in more detail in the example embodiment below is based on a support 1 which includes a stop and guiding element 2 for a movable slide 3.

(7) The slide 3 has a projection 4 which merges into an indication area 5.

(8) One end of the projection 4 can furthermore actuate, i.e. open or close a first switch 6 and a second switch 7, which is symbolically illustrated by the action of actuating elements 8 and 9 for the switches 6 and 7.

(9) An at least partially flexible or elastic, angled arm 10, which is connected to the slide 3 or the projection 4, delimits a receiving space 11 for a preformed part 12, for example a solder preformed part, along with a branch section of the slide 3. The preformed part 12 can be inserted from the top into the receiving space 11. A guiding element 13 is furthermore arranged within the receiving space 11. The slide 3 can be preloaded using a spring 14. In the example embodiment shown, the spring 14 is located within a cavity of the slide 3. Alternative possibilities for arranging the spring 14 with respect to the slide 3 are of course also possible here.

(10) According to FIG. 2, to activate the device according to the invention, the slide 3 is moved in the direction X1, for example by means of a force application on the projection 4.

(11) The solder preformed part 12 thus enters the gap space 15 generated by the movement of the slide under the effect of the now slightly resilient arm 10 and supported by the guiding element 13, as symbolized by the arrow representation in the direction Y1. This movement of the slide in the direction X1 also simultaneously causes a tensioning of the spring 14.

(12) The change in the position of the slide also changes the position of the projection 4 and that of the indication area 5 including the elements 8 and 9 of the switches 6 and 7, which can also be understood from the illustration in FIG. 2.

(13) According to FIG. 3, the preformed part 12 is now completely in the gap space 15. The slide 3 rests with its respective end face against the preformed part 12. A movement of the preformed part 12 in the direction Y2, i.e. out of the gap space 15, is prevented by the position of the arm 10.

(14) After appropriate heat action on the preformed part 12, that is, upon reaching, for example, the melting temperature of a solder from which the preformed part is manufactured, the latter changes a state of aggregation. This is supported by the quasi-punch-like action of the slide 3 along with the force exerted by the spring 14.

(15) The consequence of the movement of the slide in the direction X2 is again a change in the position of the indication area 5 as well as a change in the functional state of the first switch 6 or the second switch 7.

(16) The supply of the necessary thermal energy for the deformation of the preformed part 12 can be effected via the element 2, wherein in this case, the element 2 is in particular made of a material which forms a heat sink.