US 2010/0245027 A1 · Reflowable thermal fuse

Abstract

A reflowable thermal fuse includes a positive-temperature-coefficient (PTC) device that defines a first end and a second end, a conduction element that defines a first end and a second end in electrical communication with the second end of the PTC device, and a restraining element that defines a first end in electrical communication with the first end of the PTC device and a second end, in electrical communication with a second end of the conduction element. The restraining element is adapted to prevent the conduction element from coming out of electrical communication with the PTC device in an installation state of the thermal fuse. During a fault condition, heat applied to the thermal fuse diverts current flowing between the first end of the PTC device and the second end of the conduction element to the restraining element, causing the restraining element to release the conduction element and activate the fuse.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A thermal fuse comprising:

a positive-temperature-coefficient (PTC) device that defines a first end and a second end;
a conduction element that defines a first end and a second end, the first end of the conduction element in electrical communication with the second end of the PTC device;
and
a restraining element that defines a first end and a second end, the first end of the restraining element in electrical communication with the first end of the PTC device and the second end of the restraining element in electrical communication with the second end of the conduction element, the restraining element being adapted to prevent the conduction element from coming out of electrical communication with the PCT device in an installation state of the thermal fuse.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Reflowable thermal fuse

Life of this patent

Reflowable thermal fuse

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20