CN115620975A - Apparatus and method for creating an opening through a metal oxide varistor coating - Google Patents

Abstract

Approaches for creating openings through metal oxide varistor (MOV) coatings are disclosed. In some embodiments, the assembly may include: a cutting device including a cutting device; a rotatable platform coupled to the cutting device; and a plurality of metal oxide varistors (MOVs) coupled to the rotatable platform, wherein the cutting The device can be biased toward the rotatable platform to form openings in the coating formed on each of the plurality of MOVs.

Description

Apparatus and method for creating openings through metal oxide varistor coatings

technical field

Embodiments relate to the field of circuit protection devices, and more particularly, to apparatus and methods for creating openings through metal oxide varistor (MOV) coatings.

Background technique

Overvoltage protection devices are used to protect electronic circuits and components from damage due to overvoltage fault conditions. These overvoltage protection devices may comprise metal oxide varistors (MOVs) connected between the circuit to be protected and ground. MOVs have current-voltage characteristics that allow them to be used to protect such circuits from catastrophic voltage surges. MOV is generally composed of a ceramic disc (usually based on ZnO), an electrical contact layer as an electrode (such as an Ag (silver) electrode), and a first metal lead and a second metal lead connected to the first surface and the second surface, respectively, Wherein the second surface is opposite to the first surface. In many cases, MOVs can also be provided with an insulating coating surrounding the ceramic disk and other materials. During fabrication, windows are formed through the coating to provide access to the MOV's ceramic disk and/or other internal components. However, this window opening process is done manually, which is labor intensive and reduces throughput.

It is with regard to this and other deficiencies of the prior art that the present disclosure is provided.

Contents of the invention

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one approach, the apparatus may include: a cutting apparatus including a cutting device; a rotatable platform adjacent to the cutting apparatus; and a plurality of metal oxide varistors (MOVs) coupled to the rotatable platform, wherein The cutting device can be biased toward the rotatable platform to form openings in the coating provided on each of the plurality of MOVs.

In another aspect, a system may include: a cutting device including a cutting device; a platform adjacent to the cutting device; and a plurality of metal oxide varistors (MOVs) coupled to the platform, wherein the cutting device can be oriented toward The rotatable platform is biased to form openings in the coating provided on each of the plurality of MOVs, and wherein the rotatable platform rotates relative to the cutting device.

In yet another approach, a method may include providing a cutting apparatus including a cutting device, and mounting a platform proximate to the cutting device, wherein a plurality of metal oxide varistors (MOVs) are coupled to the platform. The method may also include rotating the platform and biasing the cutting device toward the platform to impact the coating on each of the plurality of MOVs.

Description of drawings

The drawings illustrate exemplary manners of the presently disclosed embodiments, which are designed for practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

2 is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

3 is a perspective view of a cutting device of an assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

4 is a perspective view of a module including MOVs according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

5 is a partial perspective view of an assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

6 is a top perspective view of an opening formed through a coating of an MOV according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The drawings are representative only, not intended to portray specific parameters of the disclosure. The drawings are intended to depict exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore should not be considered limiting of scope. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

Additionally, certain elements in some of the drawings may be omitted or not shown to scale for clarity of illustration. For clarity of illustration, a cross-sectional view may be a "slice" or "close-up" cross-sectional view that omits certain background lines that would otherwise be visible in a "true" cross-sectional view. Also, some reference numerals may be omitted in some drawings for clarity.

detailed description

Assemblies, devices and methods according to the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments are shown. The assemblies, devices and methods may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

As will be described in more detail herein, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an efficient way to open windows in MOV coatings with consistency and without damaging the underlying MOV disk. In some approaches, the assembly may include a cutting device adjacent to a rotatable platform that supports a plurality of MOVs. The MOV coating may be heated to soften the coating prior to positioning the MOV and/or platform in the vicinity of the cutting device. Once softened, the punch force that penetrates the MOV coating can be reduced in order to avoid damage to the MOV disk. In some embodiments, the cutting device may include a spring coupled to the punching blade of the cutting device to control the punching force. Thus, the embodiments herein advantageously provide dimensional consistency, well-controlled stamping force, and greater device throughput.

Turning to FIGS. 1-2 , an assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Assembly 100 may include cutting apparatus 102 including cutting device 104 , which may be a punching blade or other suitable component capable of penetrating cladding or coating 110 of MOV 112 . Cutting device 102 may be coupled or integrally formed with support structure 106 . Although not limiting, the support structure 106 may include a platform or table 108 positioned at about waist height for ease of use by the operator.

Assembly 100 may also include a rotatable platform 114 that extends above table 108 . In some embodiments, the rotatable platform 114 may be secured to a rotatable column 116 that extends through the opening 118 of the table top 108 . The rotatable platform 114 may include a plurality of base modules 120 coupled to a top surface 122 . As shown, the base modules 120 may be arranged in a circular pattern around the center of the rotatable platform 114 . Each of base modules 120 may contain MOV 112 . In use, rotatable platform 114 may be rotated sequentially into a position where each of MOVs 112 is below cutting device 104 such that opening 125 may be formed through coating 110 . The cutting apparatus 102 may be biased (eg, up/down) in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the top surface 122 of the rotatable platform 114 to engage each MOV.

In some embodiments, coating 110 may be pre-softened by heating MOV 112 and coating 110 prior to cutting. For example, rotatable platform 114 including base module 120 and MOV 112 may be heated in another area (eg, a heating chamber) before rotatable platform 114 is attached to support structure 106 . The rotatable platform 114 may then be transferred to the support structure 106 for handling by the cutting device 102 . Alternatively, rotatable platform 114 , base module 120 and MOV 112 may be heated while being secured to support structure 106 . Although not limiting, coating 110 may withstand temperatures between 160°C and 220°C.

Turning now to FIG. 3 , an example cutting device 104 will be described in greater detail accordingly. As shown, cutting device 104 may include a post 130 including a free end 134 including one or more edges 136 operable to engage coating 110 of MOV 112 and a base 132 . In the illustrated embodiment, the free end 134 of the post 130 may have a rectangular profile/cross-section of desired dimensions. However, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular shape or dimension or dimensions for post 130 . As further shown, base 132 may be generally rectangular in shape with one or more openings 138 for securing cutting device 104 to cutting apparatus 102 using, for example, screws or other fasteners (not shown).

FIG. 4 shows an example base module 120 in more detail. The base module 120 may include a lower portion 140 and an upper portion 142 extending from the lower portion. Lower portion 140 may include one or more openings 144 for securing base module 120 to rotatable platform 114 . Upper portion 142 may include a groove 146 in top surface 148 to receive MOV 112 therein. It will be appreciated that different configurations and/or dimensions for the base module 120 are possible in other embodiments.

Figure 5 shows a portion of the cutting device 102 in more detail. In some embodiments, cutting apparatus 102 may include a top plate 150 , a central plate 152 , and a bottom plate 154 , wherein cutting device 104 may be coupled directly to bottom plate 154 . A biasing device 156 (eg, hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, etc.) may include a shaft 158 coupled to the base plate 154 . In use, the shaft 158 may be biased upward and downward to move the base plate 154 and cutting device 104 relative to the rotatable platform 114 . In some embodiments, one or more springs 160 (eg, compression springs) may be provided to dampen forces from the cutting device 104 as the cutting device 104 engages the coating 110 of the MOV 112 . It will be appreciated that different configurations for cutting device 102 are possible in other embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates example MOV 112 after formation of opening 125 through coating 110 . As shown, opening 125 , which may be rectangular, provides access to ceramic disc 160 of MOV 112 . The shape of the window 125 through the coating 110 can be easily modified as desired. Although not limiting, coating 110 may be an epoxy or similar insulator provided over MOV 112 (except for a portion of outwardly extending conductors 155 and 156 ).

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method 200 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. At block 201 , method 200 may include providing a cutting apparatus including a cutting device. In some embodiments, the cutting device may be a stamping blade or other suitable component capable of penetrating the epoxy cladding or coating of MOV 112 .

At block 202, method 200 may include mounting a rotatable platform proximate to a cutting apparatus, wherein a plurality of MOVs are coupled to the rotatable platform. In some embodiments, the rotatable platform may be circular, and the MOV may be coupled to the rotatable platform through a corresponding base module. In some embodiments, a rotatable platform and cutting device may be coupled to a support structure.

At block 203 , method 200 may include rotating the platform and biasing the cutting device toward the platform to act on the coating on each of the plurality of MOVs. More specifically, the cutting device can form openings in the coating above each of the plurality of MOVs without damaging the disk directly below the coating. In some embodiments, the cutting device is biased in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the top surface of the platform. In some embodiments, the plurality of MOVs are heated prior to forming openings in each of the overlying coatings in the plurality of MOVs.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" is understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

The use of "comprising", "comprising" or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms "comprising", "comprising" or "having" and variations thereof are open-ended expressions and may be used interchangeably herein.

As used herein, the phrases "at least one", "one or more" and "and/or" are open-ended expressions and are both conjunctions and anti-conjunctions in operation. For example, "at least one of A, B and C", "at least one of A, B or C", "one or more of A, B and C", "one of A, B or C or A plurality of" and "A, B and/or C" means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, superior, inferior, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, anterior, posterior, top, bottom, superior, inferior, Vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are used for identification purposes only to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure. References to directions do not create limitations, especially as to position, orientation or use of the present disclosure. Connection references (eg, attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediates between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. Likewise, connection references do not imply that two elements are directly connected and fixed to each other.

Furthermore, identifying references (eg, primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth, etc.) are not intended to imply importance or priority, and are used to distinguish one characteristic from another. The drawings are for illustration purposes and the dimensions, positions, order and relative sizes reflected in the drawings may vary.

Furthermore, the terms "substantially" or "approximately" and the terms "approximately" or "approximately" may be used interchangeably in some embodiments and can be described using any relative measure acceptable to those skilled in the art. For example, these terms may be used as a comparison to reference parameters to indicate an error in providing expected function. Although not limiting, the error from the reference parameter can be, for example, by an amount less than 1%, less than 3%, less than 5%, less than 10%, less than 15%, less than 20%, etc.

Although certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein, the disclosure is not so limited because the disclosure is as broad as the art will allow and the specification is read as such. Accordingly, the above description should not be construed as limiting. Rather, the foregoing description is presented as a selection of specific embodiments only. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims (20)

1. An assembly comprising Cutting equipment, which includes a cutting device; a rotatable platform adjacent to the cutting device; and a plurality of circuit protection devices coupled to the rotatable platform, wherein the cutting device is biasable toward the rotatable platform to overly each circuit protection device formed in the plurality of circuit protection devices Openings are formed in the coating. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cutting means is a punch blade, and wherein the cutting device is biasable in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the top surface of the rotatable platform. 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotatable platform and the cutting device are coupled to a support structure. 4. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of base modules, wherein each base module of the plurality of modules supports a corresponding circuit protection device of the plurality of circuit protection devices. 5. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the cutting device comprises a plate, and wherein the cutting device is coupled to the plate. 6. The fitting of claim 5, further comprising one or more springs coupled to the plate. 7. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said cutting device includes a post and a base, wherein said post includes a free end comprising one or both of said coatings operable to act on said circuit protection device. a plurality of edges, and wherein the base is coupled to the plate. 8. The fitting of claim 7, wherein the free end of the post has a rectangular cross-section. 9. A system comprising: Cutting equipment, which includes a cutting device; a platform adjacent to the cutting device; and a plurality of metal oxide varistors MOVs coupled to the platform, wherein the cutting device is biasable toward the rotatable platform to form openings in the coating provided over each MOV of the plurality of MOVs , and wherein the rotatable platform rotates relative to the cutting device. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the cutting device is a punch blade, and wherein the cutting device is biasable in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the top surface of the platform. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the platform and the cutting device are coupled to a support structure. 12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of base modules, wherein each base module of the plurality of modules supports a corresponding MOV of the plurality of MOVs. 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the cutting device comprises: a plate coupled to the cutting device; and One or more springs coupled to the plate. 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the cutting device includes a post and a base, wherein the post includes a free end including one or more edges operable to act on the coating of the MOV . 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the free end of the post has a rectangular cross-section. 16. A method comprising: providing cutting equipment, said cutting equipment comprising a cutting device; mounting a platform adjacent to the cutting device, wherein a plurality of metal oxide varistors MOVs are coupled to the platform; and The stage is rotated and the cutting device is biased toward the stage to act on the coating on each MOV of the plurality of MOVs. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising forming openings in the coating over each MOV of the plurality of MOVs. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising heating the plurality of MOVs prior to forming the openings in the coating over each of the plurality of MOVs. 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising coupling the platform and the cutting device to a support structure. 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising biasing the cutting device in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the top surface of the platform.

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