Abstract
The invention relates to a fuse (1), in particular SMD fuse, with an insulating housing (2) having a cavity (3), a (4) arranged in the cavity (3) of the insulating housing (2), and contact means (5) electrically connected to the melting conductor (4) for making contact with the outside of the fuse (1), wherein the insulating housing (2) comprises a base body (6) having the cavity (3) and a lid (7) closing the cavity (3) of the base body (6), wherein the contact means (5) are each arranged with an inner section (8) electrically connected to the melting conductor (4) in the interior of the insulating housing (2) and with an outer section (9) on the outer side (10) of the insulating housing (2), preferably of the base body (6).
Claims
1. A fuse, in particular SMD fuse, with an insulating housing having a cavity, a melting conductor arranged in the cavity of the insulating housing, and contact means electrically connected to the melting conductor for making contact with the outside of the fuse; wherein the insulating housing comprises a base body having the cavity and a lid closing the cavity of the base body; and wherein the contact means are each arranged with an inner section electrically connected to the melting conductor in the interior of the insulating housing and with an outer section on the outer side of the insulating housing, preferably of the base body.
2. The fuse according to claim 1, wherein the base body has an elongated cuboid shape with a bottom, front sides and longitudinal sides.
3. The fuse according to claim 1, wherein the outer section at least partially, preferably completely, abuts and/or directly adjoins the outer side of the insulating housing, preferably of the base body, and/or wherein the outer section at least regionally turns over the base body and/or the insulating housing.
4. The fuse according to claim 1, wherein in each case the inner section of the contact means for making electrical contact with the melting conductor is adjacent to the cavity and/or projects into the cavity.
5. The fuse according to claim 1, wherein the cavity has an insertion opening for inserting the melting conductor, in particular wherein the insertion opening can be completely closed by the lid.
6. The fuse according to claim 5, wherein the insertion opening is elongated, the longitudinal extension (C) of the insertion opening running in the longitudinal extension (L) of the base body.
7. The fuse according to claim 1, wherein the lid rests on the base body and/or wherein the lid turns the base body upside down at least in some areas, preferably on all edge sides; and/or wherein the lid is firmly connected, in particular materially connected, to the base body and/or wherein the lid can be connected to the base body in a formfitting and/or friction-fitting manner, preferably in a latching manner.
8. The fuse according to claim 1, wherein the contact means is guided through the base body into the interior of the insulating housing; and/or wherein the contact means is formed in one piece; and/or wherein the contact means, in particular the inner and/or outer section, comprises metal and/or consists thereof.
9. The fuse according to claim 1, wherein the inner section of the contact means has a receptacle, in particular a notch and/or recess, for the respective arrangement of an end-side region of the melting conductor.
10. The fuse according to claim 9, wherein the inner section and/or the receptacle of the inner section is designed in such a way that the melting conductor is fixed, in particular clamped, in a frictionally engaged manner at least at one end-side region and/or is connected in a materially engaged manner.
11. The fuse according to one of the preceding claims, claim 10, wherein the inner section of the respective contact means is electrically connected to the end-side region of the melting conductor via a fastening means, in particular a solder connection, a conductive adhesive connection and/or a crimped connection.
12. The fuse according to claim 1, wherein the contact means are inserted into the insulating housing, in particular into the base body, and/or are detachably connected to the insulating housing, in particular to the base body, or wherein the contact means are firmly, preferably inseparably, connected to the insulating housing, in particular to the base body.
13. The fuse according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is at least partially filled with an extinguishing agent.
14. A method of producing a fuse according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the following method steps, which are preferably carried out in succession: A) Providing the insulating housing, the melting conductor and the contact means; B) Inserting the melting conductor into the cavity of the base body of the insulating housing; C) Electrical connection of the melting conductor to the inner sections of the contact means; and D) Closing the cavity of the base body with the lid.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the melting conductor is fixed, in particular clamped, at at least one end-side region in a frictionally engaged manner and/or is connected in a materially engaged manner to the inner section and/or a receptacle of the inner section.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the contact means are inserted into the insulating housing, in particular into the base body, and/or are detachably connected to the insulating housing, in particular to the base body, or wherein the contact means are firmly, preferably inseparably, connected to the insulating housing, in particular to the base body.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0080] It shows:
[0081] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a fuse according to the invention,
[0082] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the fuse shown in FIG. 1,
[0083] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a lid according to the invention,
[0084] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a fuse according to the invention,
[0085] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a fuse according to the invention,
[0086] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of a base body according to the invention with inserted melting conductor,
[0087] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of a fuse according to the invention,
[0088] FIG. 8a is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fuse shown in FIG. 7,
[0089] FIG. 8b is a schematic perspective view of a contact means according to the invention,
[0090] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a fuse according to the invention,
[0091] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a fuse according to the invention,
[0092] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a fuse according to the invention,
[0093] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a fuse according to the invention, and
[0094] FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of a method according to the invention for producing a fuse.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0095] FIG. 1 shows a fuse 1 which can be used in particular as a SMD fuse. It is not shown that the fuse 1 can be arranged on and/or at a printed circuit board and in particular be firmly connected to the printed circuit board, preferably by a material connection, a friction connection and/or a form-fit connection.
[0096] The fuse 1 shown in FIG. 1 has an insulating housing 2. FIG. 1 does not show that a cavity 3 is provided inside the insulating housing 2. The cavity 3 can be seen from the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 4. The insulating housing 2 consists of an electrically insulating material.
[0097] FIG. 4 shows that a melting conductor 4 is arranged in the cavity 3 of the insulating housing 2.
[0098] Not shown is that a plurality of melting conductors 4 may be disposed in the cavity 3.
[0099] In particular, it is not shown that at least two melting conductors 4 are arranged in the cavity 3. The melting conductors 4 can be connected in parallel. Preferably, the rated current can be increased by connecting the melting conductors 4 in parallel.
[0100] The melting conductor 4 is electrically connected to contact means 5. The contact means 5, which are also shown in FIG. 1, are used for external contacting of the fuse 1 and thus enable external contacting of the melting conductor 4 enclosed inside the insulating housing 2.
[0101] In FIG. 1, it is shown that the insulating housing 2 has a base body 6 comprising the cavity 3 and a lid 7 closing the cavity 3 of the base body 6 and/or the base body 6. In particular, both the lid 7 and the base body 6 are formed from an electrically insulating material.
[0102] The base body 6 can have an at least essentially elongated cuboid shape, in particular in the form of a box, as shown in FIG. 1. The corners of the base body 6 maybut need notbe rounded. In particular, the base body 6 is of elongated design and has a longitudinal extension L. In particular, the lid 7 can have a longitudinal extension B which runs in the longitudinal extension L of the base body 6. The cross-sectional shape of the lid 7 can be designed to correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the base body 6, so that ultimately the lid 7 can close the base body 6.
[0103] FIG. 4 shows that two contact means 5 are provided. Each contact means 5 has an inner section 8 and an outer section 9. The inner section 8 is arranged inside the insulating housing 2. The inner section 8 is further guided in particular by a wall of the base body 6. The inner section 8 is considered to be that section of the contact means 5 which is not arranged on the outer side 10 of the base body 6 and/or the insulating housing 2. The melting conductor 4 is electrically connected to the inner section 8. In this context, the melting conductor 4 may be directly or indirectly mechanically connected to the inner section 8. A conductive connection may also be provided between the inner section 8 and the melting conductor 4for example, a conductive adhesive connection and/or a solder connection.
[0104] The contact means 5 further comprises the outer section 9 arranged on the outer side 10 of the insulating housing 2. In particular, the outer section 9 is arranged on the outer side 10 of the base body 6.
[0105] Preferably, the outer section 9 is not arranged on the outside of the lid 7.
[0106] In FIG. 1, it is shown that the outer section 9 is arranged on the bottom 11 of the base body 6, the bottom 11 being arranged on the side of the base body 6 opposite the lid 7.
[0107] The outer section 9 can also be arranged on the front sides 12, 13 of the base body 6, at least in certain areas. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the outer section 9 of the respective contact means 5 is arranged on the longitudinal sides 14, 15 of the base body 6 extending in longitudinal direction L. In particular, the base body 6 can have a bottom 11, front sides 12, 13 and longitudinal sides 14, 15 and thus have a box shape, as this is shown schematically in FIG. 1.
[0108] FIG. 8a shows that the outer section 9 for contacting is arranged only on the bottom 11, at least in some areas, and/or protrudes beyond it.
[0109] In further embodiments not shown, it may be provided that the outer section 9 for contacting is provided at least in areas on the bottom 11 and/or the front sides 12, 13 and/or the longitudinal sides 14, 15. Ultimately, the outer section 9 is adapted to respective contacting situations and is designed in such a way that simple and safe contacting of the fuse 1 can take place.
[0110] In FIG. 11 and in FIG. 12 it is shown that the outer section 9 is arranged at the front sides 12, 13.
[0111] Not shown is that the outer section 9 can also be arranged only on the longitudinal sides 14, 15.
[0112] In particular, the contact means 5 is connected to the base body 6 in such a way that it is possible to prevent the contact means 5 from falling out of and/or accidentally detaching from the base body 6.
[0113] FIG. 8a shows that the contact means 5 can project with its outer section 9 over the outer side 10 of the insulating housing 2 and the base body 6. It is not shown that in further embodiments the contact means 5 with its outer section 9 can be flush with the outer side 10 for external contacting of the fuse 1. Ultimately, the outer section 9 basically enables contacting on the outside.
[0114] In FIG. 4, it is shown that the inner section 8 of the contact means 5 for making electrical contact with the melting conductor 4 projects into the cavity 3. Alternatively, it may be provided that the inner section 8 adjoins the cavity 3, as shown schematically in FIG. 12. In such an embodiment, the inner section 8 can be at least substantially flush with the inner wall of the base body 6 or set back relative to the inner wall of the base body 6 but still be accessible for the arrangement of the melting conductor 4, which can, for example, engage in a corresponding opening in the inner wall of the base body 6.
[0115] In FIG. 4, it is also shown that the cavity 3 has an insertion opening 16 provided opposite the bottom 11. In particular, exactly one single insertion opening 16 is provided for inserting the melting conductor 4. The insertion opening 16 may in particular be at least substantially completely closable by the lid 7. The lid 7 can in principle be formed in one or more parts.
[0116] FIG. 7 shows that the insertion opening 16 is elongated, with the longitudinal extension C of the insertion opening 16 extending at least substantially in the direction of the longitudinal extension L of the base body 6.
[0117] In particular, the insertion opening 16 is not arranged on the front sides 12, 13 of the fuse 1.
[0118] The lid 7 can be detachably or firmly connected to the base body 6. In particular, the lid 7 can snap into the base body 6.
[0119] FIG. 1 shows that the lid 7 rests on the base body 6, with the lid 7 preferably turning over the base body 6 at least in some areas on all edge sides.
[0120] FIG. 9 shows that the outer section 9 at least partially, preferably completely, abuts and/or is directly adjacent to the outer side 10 of the insulating housing 2, in particular the base body 6.
[0121] FIG. 1 shows that the outer section 9 at least partially turns over the base body 6 and/or the insulating housing 2. In the embodiment example shown in FIG. 1, the outer section 9 directly abuts both the respective front sides 12, 13 and the bottom 11. In particular, the outer section 9 may also abut the longitudinal sides 14, 14 at least in some areas. Particularly preferably, the outer section 9 wraps around the base body 6 in such a way that the outer section 9 rests in areas, in particular directly, against the bottom 11, against a front side 12 or 13 and, if appropriate, against both longitudinal sides 14, 15. Such an arrangement is particularly suitable for SMD fuses 1 for arrangement on a printed circuit board not shown in greater detail.
[0122] FIG. 10 shows that the outer section 9 rests and/or nestles against the bottom 11 in certain areas and directly adjoins the latter. In particular, the outer section 9 can only protrude and/or project by at most twice the preferred maximum material thickness and/or thickness of the outer section 9 relative to the outer side 10 of the base body 6 and/or the insulating housing 2.
[0123] Not shown is that in further embodiments the lid 7 may be recessed relative to the outer edge sides of the base body 6, in particular so as to form a step, the lid 7 continuing to lid the cavity 3 in particular.
[0124] The lid 7 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown in a side view in FIG. 3. The lid 7 shown in FIG. 3 can be connected to the base body 6 in a form-fitting and/or friction-fitting manner, preferably in a latching manner. It is not shown that the lid 7 is firmly connected to the base body 6 by a material bond.
[0125] For illustrative reasons, the lid 7 is not shown in FIGS. 4 to 12.
[0126] The contact means 5 shown in FIG. 4 and/or the two contact means 5 shown in FIG. 4 are guided into the interior of the insulating housing 2 through at least one wall of the base body 6in the embodiment example shown in FIG. 4, the bottom 11. The contact means 5 are firmly held in the base body 6. The lid 7 serves exclusively to close the base body 6, is free of punctures and is designed independently of the contact means 5.
[0127] In FIGS. 11 and 12, a further embodiment of the fuse 1 is shown, wherein the lid 7 is not shown in detail for schematic view. In addition, a cross-sectional view has been selected to schematically illustrate the arrangement of the contact means 5. In the embodiment examples shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, it is provided that the contact means 5 are guided through the front sides 12, 13 of the base body 6. In principle, it can also be provided that in further embodiments not shown, at least one contact means 5 is guided through a longitudinal side 14, 15 of the base body 6. As previously explained, this ultimately depends on the respective contacting situation.
[0128] In FIG. 8a it is shown that the outer section 9 of the contact means 5 rests against the bottom 11 of the base body 6 at least in sections. In the embodiment example shown in FIG. 1, on the other hand, it is provided that the outer sections 9 of the contact means 5 rest not only in sections against the bottom 11, but also against the front sides 12, 13 and, at least in one area, against the longitudinal sides 14, 15. In the case of the contact means 5 shown in FIG. 1, it is provided that this extends over the entire length of the front sides 12, 13 and only over a smaller part of the length of the longitudinal sides 14, 15, in particular at most 40%, preferably at most 20%, further preferably at most 15%.
[0129] In the embodiment examples shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, it is provided that the outer section 9 of the contact means 5 extends at least partially at the front sides 12, 13 and in particular extends over at least 10%, preferably at least 30%, more preferably between 30% to 90%, of the length of the front sides 12, 13.
[0130] In the embodiment examples shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the outer section 9 of the respective contact means 5 extends only on the underside and/or over the bottom 11 and in each case preferably occupies at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, preferably between 20% and 40%, of the length of the bottom 11. The length of the bottom 11 extends in the longitudinal direction L of the base body 6.
[0131] FIGS. 4 and 10 show that the contact means 5 have at least one angulation 17 in the area of the inner section 8, i.e. in the interior of the insulating housing 2. The angulation 17 can be curved. FIG. 10 shows that the angulation 17 is formed in such a way that, at least in sections, an S-shaped formation of the contact means 5 is formed in cross section. The angulation 17 can be designed in such a way that, in the area of contact with the melting conductor 4, the inner section 8 of the contact means 5 is arranged at least in some areas at least essentially parallel to the respective directly adjacent wallin the embodiment examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 10 at least essentially parallel to the directly adjacent front sides 12, 13.
[0132] Furthermore, in the embodiment example shown in FIG. 10, the angulation 17 enables a widened contact surface of the outer section 9 and also a secure fixing of the contact means 5 in the base body 6, so that an undesired falling out or detachment of the contact means 5 from the base body 6 can be avoided. At least one angulation 17 of the inner section 8 is therefore particularly preferred in the case of a positive and/or frictional connection between the contact means 5 and the base body 6.
[0133] In principle, the contact means 5 can also be at least substantially L-shaped in cross-section, as shown schematically in FIGS. 8 and 9, or at least substantially T-shaped, as shown schematically in FIGS. 11 and 12.
[0134] The contact means 5 shown in FIG. 8b is formed at least substantially in one piece. In this respect, the outer section 9 may be formed at least substantially integrally with the inner section 8. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the inner section 8 has the same material as the outer section 9 or is made of the same material. In particular, the inner section 8 or the outer section 9 have as material metal or consist thereof. The inner and outer sections 8, 9 may be formed as metal parts. The metal is electrically conductive in each case.
[0135] FIG. 8b shows that the inner section 8 has a receptacle 18. The receptacle 18 may be formed as a notch and/or recess. As shown in FIG. 8b, the receptacle 18 serves to arrange the melting conductor 4, namely an end-side region 19 of the melting conductor 4. The end-side region 19 maybut need notcomprise the front side of the melting conductor 4. In the embodiment example shown in FIG. 7, it is provided that the melting conductor 4 is arranged with its end-side regions 19 and the respective front side in the receptacle 18.
[0136] FIG. 4 shows that the melting conductor 4 protrudes at least partially beyond the receptacle 18.
[0137] The receptacle 18 shown in FIG. 8b can be designed in such a way that the melting conductor 4 is fixed, in particular clamped, in a frictionally engaged manner on at least one end-side region 19.
[0138] The melting conductor 4 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is materially connected to the inner section 8. A fastening means 20, in particular a solder connection and/or a conductive adhesive connection, can be provided for the material connection of the melting conductor 4.
[0139] The contact means 5 shown in FIG. 10 and/or the contact means 5 shown in FIG. 9 (namely two contact means 5, one being associated in each case with an end-side region 19 of the melting conductor 4) are inseparably connected to the insulating housing 2, namely to the base body 6. This connection can be achieved during the manufacture of the base body 6, for example by using an injection molding process to manufacture the base body 6, wherein the contact means 5 are incorporated into the material of the base body 6.
[0140] The contact means 5 shown in FIG. 9 is detachably connected to the base body 6, in particular inserted into the base body 6.
[0141] Not shown is that the cavity 3 may be at least partially filled with an extinguishing agent, in particular with an extinguishing sand.
[0142] FIG. 4 shows that the base body 6 has a recess 21, preferably in the center. The recess 21 can be arranged between the inner sections 8 of the contact means 5. The recess 21 can ultimately increase the free space below the melting conductor 4, wherein this free space formed can be filled with the extinguishing agent, for example.
[0143] FIG. 13 schematically illustrates a process sequence for producing a fuse 1 according to one of the preceding embodiments. The method comprises method steps A to D, which are carried out in sequence in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13. It is understood, however, that the sequence of the method steps may well vary in further process sequences.
[0144] In method step A, the insulating housing 2, the melting conductor 4 and the contact means 5 are provided. In principle, it is also possible for the insulating housing 2 to be formed after the contact means 5 have been provided, for example by producing the base body 6 around the contact means 5 by means of an injection molding process.
[0145] In method step B, the melting conductor 4 is inserted into the cavity 3 of the base body 6 of the insulating housing 2. In particular, the melting conductor 4 is inserted into the cavity 3 via the insertion opening 16 of the base body 6. The insertion opening 16 extends in the longitudinal direction L of the base body 6. In addition, the length of the insertion opening 16 corresponds in particular at least to the length of the melting conductor 4 in the state of use.
[0146] In method step C, it is provided that the melting conductor 4, in particular two end-side regions 19 of the melting conductor 4, are connected to the inner sections 8 of the contact means 5. In particular, two inner sections 8 of two contact means 5 are provided, each of which can be connected to an end-side region 19 of the melting conductor 4. In this case, the end-side region 19 can be arranged in a receptacle 18 of the inner sections 8 and can be connected thereto in a form-fitting, friction-fitting and/or material-fitting manner
[0147] Not shown in more detail is that the melting conductor 4 is clamped at at least one end-side region 19.
[0148] In addition, it is not shown in more detail that a fastening means 20 can be used to connect the melting conductor 4 to the contact means 5, which is in particular a solder connection and/or a conductive adhesive connection. In this case, the end-side region 19 can be connected to the inner section 8 or to a part of the inner section 8 via the fastening means 20 in a materially bonded manner in a receptacle 18 in such a way that a secure fixing of the melting conductor 4 to the inner sections 8 is achieved.
[0149] Subsequently, in method step D, the cavity 3 of the base body 6, in particular the insertion opening 16, is closed with the lid 7. The lid 7 can be connected to the base body 6 in a detachable or fixed manner. In particular, the lid 7 can latch with the base body 6 and/or engage in the base body 6.
[0150] After method step A, the contact means 5 can be inserted into the insulating housing 2, in particular into the base body 6, and/or detachably connected to the insulating housing 2, in particular to the base body 6. Alternatively, as explained previously, it is possible for the contact means 5 to be connected, preferably inseparably, to the insulating housing 2 and/or the base body 6 already during the manufacture of the insulating housing 2 and/or the base body 6.
[0151] It is not shown in more detail that the cavity 3 can be filled with an extinguishing agent. The extinguishing agent can be introduced, for example, via the insertion opening 16. The extinguishing agent can be introduced into the cavity 3 before or after introduction of the melting conductor 4, but in any case before method step D.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0152] 1 Fuse [0153] 2 Insulating housing [0154] 3 Cavity [0155] 4 Melting conductor [0156] 5 Contact means [0157] 6 Base body [0158] 7 Lid [0159] 8 Inner section [0160] 9 Outer section [0161] 10 Outer side [0162] 11 Bottom [0163] 12 Front side of 6 [0164] 13 Front side of 6 [0165] 14 Longitudinal side from 6 [0166] 15 Longitudinal side from 6 [0167] 16 Insertion opening [0168] 17 Angulation [0169] 18 Reception [0170] 19 End-side region [0171] 20 Fastening means [0172] 21 Receptacle [0173] L Longitudinal extension of 6 [0174] B Longitudinal extension from 7 [0175] C Longitudinal extension from 16
