Method of using an alloy type thermal fuse, and alloy type thermal fuse

Abstract

An In—Sn alloy of 85 to 52% In provides advantages that dispersion of an operating temperature can be sufficiently eliminated, and that a high yield can be ensured by adequate ductility, but has a defect which is fatal to a DC fuse, or in which troubles due to long-term DC application such as long-term DC application breakage occurs. In view of this fact, when an alloy type thermal fuse in which an In—Sn alloy is used as a fuse element is used under DC application, stability under long-term DC application that is a condition severer than that under AC application is imposed on the alloy type thermal fuse, whereby the fuse can be rationally used. An AC electronic/electrical appliance is protected against overheating by an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and which has a predetermined operating temperature, and a DC electronic/electrical appliance is protected against overheating of a same temperature by a DC alloy type thermal fuse in which the alloy composition of a fuse element is different from that of the AC-only alloy type thermal fuse.

1 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse wherein an AC electronic/electrical appliance is protected against overheating by an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy of (In %+Sn %)>93.4% and In %>48.5%, and which has an operating temperature of 120 to 150° C., and a DC electronic/electrical appliance is protected against overheating of a same temperature by a DC alloy type thermal fuse in which an alloy composition of a fuse element is different from an alloy composition of said AC-only alloy type thermal fuse.  
   
   
       2 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 1 , wherein said fuse element of said AC-only alloy type thermal fuse has an alloy composition in which 52%≦In≦85% and balance Sn.  
   
   
       3 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 1 , wherein said fuse element of said AC-only alloy type thermal fuse has an alloy composition in which 52%≦In≦85% and balance Sn, and 0.01 to 7 weight parts of at least one selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, Ni, Pd, Pt, and Sb are added to 100 weight parts of In+Sn in the alloy composition.  
   
   
       4 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 1 , wherein said fuse element of said DC alloy type thermal fuse has an alloy composition in which 20%≦Bi≦56.5%, 43%<Sn≦70%, and 0.5%≦In≦10%.  
   
   
       5 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 2 , wherein said fuse element of said DC alloy type thermal fuse has an alloy composition in which 20%≦Bi≦56.5%, 43%<Sn≦70%, and 0.5%≦In≦10%.  
   
   
       6 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 3 , wherein said fuse element of said DC alloy type thermal fuse has an alloy composition in which 20%≦Bi≦56.5%, 43%<Sn≦70%, and 0.5%≦In≦10%.  
   
   
       7 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 1 , wherein said fuse element of said DC alloy type thermal fuse has an alloy composition in which 20%≦Bi≦56.5%, 43%<Sn≦70%, and 0.5%≦In≦10%, and 0.01 to 7 weight parts of at least one selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, Cu, Ni, Pd, Pt, Sb, Ga, Ge, and P are added to 100 weight parts of Bi+Sn+In in the alloy composition.  
   
   
       8 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 2 , wherein said fuse element of said DC alloy type thermal fuse has an alloy composition in which 20%≦Bi≦56.5%, 43%<Sn≦70%, and 0.5%≦In≦10%, and 0.01 to 7 weight parts of at least one selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, Cu, Ni, Pd, Pt, Sb, Ga, Ge, and P are added to 100 weight parts of Bi+Sn+In in the alloy composition.  
   
   
       9 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 3 , wherein said fuse element of said DC alloy type thermal fuse has an alloy composition in which 20%≦Bi≦56.5%, 43%<Sn≦70%, and 0.5%≦In≦10%, and 0.01 to 7 weight parts of at least one selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, Cu, Ni, Pd, Pt, Sb, Ga, Ge, and P are added to 100 weight parts of Bi+Sn+In in the alloy composition.  
   
   
       10 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse wherein an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy of (In %+Sn %)>93.4% and In %>48.5%, and which has an operating temperature of 120 to 150° C. is used for protecting only an AC electronic/electrical appliance among AC/DC electronic/electrical appliances, against overheating.  
   
   
       11 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 10 , wherein said fuse element of said AC-only alloy type thermal fuse has an alloy composition in which 52%≦In≦85% and balance Sn.  
   
   
       12 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 10 , wherein said fuse element of said AC-only alloy type thermal fuse has an alloy composition in which 52%≦In≦85% and balance Sn, and 0.01 to 7 weight parts of at least one selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, Ni, Pd, Pt, and Sb are added to 100 weight parts of In +Sn in the alloy composition.  
   
   
       13 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 1 , wherein a heating element for fusing off said fuse element is additionally disposed on each of said alloy type thermal fuse.  
   
   
       14 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 2 , wherein a heating element for fusing off said fuse element is additionally disposed on each of said alloy type thermal fuse.  
   
   
       15 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 3 , wherein a heating element for fusing off said fuse element is additionally disposed on each of said alloy type thermal fuse.  
   
   
       16 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 4 , wherein a heating element for fusing off said fuse element is additionally disposed on each of said alloy type thermal fuse.  
   
   
       17 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 5 , wherein a heating element for fusing off said fuse element is additionally disposed on each of said alloy type thermal fuse.  
   
   
       18 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 6 , wherein a heating element for fusing off said fuse element is additionally disposed on each of said alloy type thermal fuse.  
   
   
       19 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 7 , wherein a heating element for fusing off said fuse element is additionally disposed on each of said alloy type thermal fuse.  
   
   
       20 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 8 , wherein a heating element for fusing off said fuse element is additionally disposed on each of said alloy type thermal fuse.  
   
   
       21 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 9 , wherein a heating element for fusing off said fuse element is additionally disposed on each of said alloy type thermal fuse.  
   
   
       22 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 10 , wherein a heating element for fusing off said fuse element is additionally disposed on each of said alloy type thermal fuse.  
   
   
       23 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 11 , wherein a heating element for fusing off said fuse element is additionally disposed on each of said alloy type thermal fuse.  
   
   
       24 . A method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 12 , wherein a heating element for fusing off said fuse element is additionally disposed on each of said alloy type thermal fuse.  
   
   
       25 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 1 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       26 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 2 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       27 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 3 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       28 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 4 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       29 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 5 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       30 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 6 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       31 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 7 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       32 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 8 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       33 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 9 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       34 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 10 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       35 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 11 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       36 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 12 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       37 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 13 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       38 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 14 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       39 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 15 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       40 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 16 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       41 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 17 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       42 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 18 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       43 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 19 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       44 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 20 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       45 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 21 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       46 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 22 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       47 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 23 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.  
   
   
       48 . An alloy type thermal fuse wherein said alloy type thermal fuse is an AC-only alloy type thermal fuse which is to be used in a method of using an alloy type thermal fuse according to  claim 24 , and in which a fuse element is made of an In—Sn alloy, and instructions for AC-use only or inhibition of DC-use is indicated directly or indirectly.