Lightning arrester

Abstract: A lightning arrester includes a central electrode (10) having a discharging section (10b) and a pair of lead terminals (10a) to be connected to a signal line, extending outside from opposite ends of the discharging section (10b). It also includes a tubular outer electrode (12), to be connected to an earth line and having an interior space (12a) for accommodating the central electrode (10) therein, and a pair of insulating holders (14) arranged on the lead terminals (10a) extending from the opposite ends of the discharging section (10b), respectively. With this arrangement the central electrode (10) is held in the interior space (12a) of the outer electrode (12) while isolating the discharging section (10b) from the inner circumference of the outer electrode (12) with a predetermined gap therebetween. Such a lighting arrester is simple in structure and capable of facilitating the operation for connecting it to a coaxial cable or the like, thus reducing the connection cost. It can also include a fail-safe function and a vent-safe function.

Description: The present invention relates to a lightning arrester. A lightning arrester has two electrodes fixed near each other, with a gap therebetween, via an insulator, so that a discharge can occur from one electrode, on which a high voltage is applied, to the other electrode. The lightning arrester is used in a communication circuit in such a manner that one electrode is connected to a signal line and the other electrode is connected to a ground line. The connection of the lightning arrester is carried out via terminals such as lead pins on the arrester itself, or the arrester is built into a connector so that terminals of the connector are connected to electrodes of the arrester. If a lightning strike generates a high voltage surge current, it reaches one electrode of the arrester via a signal line connected thereto, and is discharged to the other electrode, across a gap, from the one electrode and escapes to the ground through a ground line. Thereby, the surge current is prevented from being output from the signal line, so that an electronic device connected to the communication circuit is protected. Fig. 15 illustrates one embodiment of a connector in which a conventional lightning arrester is built-in (as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 58-225585 corresponding to USP 4,509,090). Reference numeral 50 denotes a lightning arrester wherein electrodes 54, 55 are fixed at opposite ends of a tubular insulator 52 so that a predetermined gap A is provided between the electrodes 54, 55. An inert gas such as argon is filled in the tubular insulator 52. Reference numeral 56 denotes an inner conductor having terminals at opposite ends thereof to be connected to a signal line of a coaxial cable type. Reference numeral 58 denotes an outer conductor having threaded portions at opposite ends thereof to be connected to a ground line. The inner conductor 56 is supported, by an insulator 60, to be positioned in the interior of the outer conductor 58. The lightning arrester 50 is inserted into a tubular bore 58a provided in a side wall of the outer conductor 58 so that the one electrode 54 is fitted into a recess 56a in the inner conductor 56. A conductive spring member 62 abuts at one end thereof to the other electrode 55, and a conductive threaded cap 64 abutting to the other end of the conductive spring member 62 is screwed into the tubular bore 58a, whereby the lightning arrester 50 is built into the connector. According to a biasing force of the conductive spring member 62, the lightning arrester 50 is secured in the tubular bore 58a, and the one electrode 54 is connected to the inner conductor 56, while the other electrode 55 is connected to the outer conductor 58 via the conductive spring member 62 and the conductive threaded cap 64. Communication lines such as telephone lines have been popularly protected from surge currents by protection elements such as lightning arresters. At present, however, such a protection has not been sufficiently introduced into coaxial cables for CATV or others, compared with the spread of CATV. This is because the connection of the conventional lightning arrester 50 to the coaxial cable is troublesome and thus expensive. To solve such a problem, the lightning arrester 50 is preferably built into the connector as described above to facilitate the connection to the coaxial cable. However, it is necessary, for building the lightning arrester 50 into the connector, to provide the tubular bore 58a in the side wall of the connector, which complicates the structure of the connector to increase the cost thereof, resulting in an increase in the connection cost. Also, according to the structure of the conventional lightning arrester, there is a problem in that it is difficult to provide a fail-safe function for protecting an electronic device by realizing a short-circuiting state when the heat is generated due to a dynamic current or others. Further, according to the structure of the conventional lightning arrester, there is another problem in that it is difficult to provide a vent-safe function, as a backup means, for causing a discharge through a gap formed outside the lightning arrester when a primary discharge becomes impossible due to a leakage or others (for example, when the inert gas in the lightning arrester is dispersed for some reason) when an external surge voltage is applied to the lightning arrester. WO95/21481 which is considered to represent the closest prior art describes a transmission line surge arrester suitable for use on a coaxial transmission line comprising a hollow conductive body having coaxial connectors at each end, and a gas discharge tube having a hollow conductive housing and a central conductor with an axis parallel to the direction of signal transmission. However, no fail-safe or vent-safe functions are provided. The present invention provides a lightning arrester comprising: a central electrode having a discharging section and a pair of lead terminals to be connected to a signal line, extending outside from opposite ends of the discharging section; a tubular outer electrode to be connected to an earth line, having an interior space for accommodating the central electrode therein; and a pair of insulating holders arranged on the lead terminals with the lead terminals projecting outward from the outside surface of the insulating holders, so that the central electrode is held in the interior space of the outer electrode while isolating the discharging section from the inner circumference of the outer electrode at a predetermined gap therebetween characterised in that the insulating holders include an outer edge metallized section provided on the peripheral edge of the outside surface of the insulating holders and electrically connected to the outer electrode and a short-circuiting plate is arranged on the outside surface of the insulating holders electrically connected to the central electrode and means are provided to separate the short circuiting plate from the metallized section. An outer diameter of the lead terminal of the central electrode is smaller than that of the discharging section, whereby a discharging gap is suitably provided. The insulating holder is made of a ceramic material and has a central through-hole wherein an outer peripheral edge of an outside surface of the insulating holder and the peripheral edge of the through-hole are metallized, and the lead terminal of the central electrode passes through the through-hole, and wherein the central electrode is bonded to the metallized section on the peripheral edge of the through-hole and the outer electrode is bonded to the metallized section on the outer peripheral edge of the insulating holder, and the interior space of the outer electrode is filled with an inert gas in a gas-tight manner, whereby a coaxial type lightning arrester is easily produced. The central electrode is bonded to the metallized section on the peripheral edge of the through-hole and the outer electrode is bonded to the metallized section on the outer peripheral edge of the insulating holder, respectively, by brazing, whereby the inert gas is tightly sealed and the lightning arrester is easily produced. A trigger wire electrically connected to the central electrode, and/or electrically connected to the outer electrode, is provided on the inner surface of the insulating holder, whereby the response characteristic of the lightning arrester is improved. It is possible to provide a lightning arrester, having a fail-safe function, comprising a pair of lead terminals of the central electrode projected outward from the outside surface of the insulating holder, an outer edge metallized section provided on the peripheral edge of the outside surface of the insulating holder and electrically connected to the outer electrode, an insulating sheet arranged in contact with the outside surface of the insulating holder including the outer edge metallized section of the insulating holder, a short-circuiting plate arranged in contact with the outside surface of the insulating sheet, for short-circuiting the central electrode to the outer electrode by contact with the outer edge metallized section when the insulating sheet is excessively heated and fused, and a pressure means arranged between the lead terminal and the short-circuiting plate, for electrically connecting the central electrode to the short-circuiting plate and pushing the short-circuiting plate toward the outer edge metallized section. It is possible to provide a lightning arrester, having a fail-safe function, comprising a pair of lead terminals of the central electrode projected outward from the outside surface of the insulating holder, an outer edge metallized section provided on the peripheral edge of the outside surface of the insulating holder and electrically connected to the outer electrode, a short-circuiting plate arranged on the outside surface of the insulating holder, a pressure means arranged between the lead terminal and the short-circuiting plate, for electrically connecting the central electrode to the short-circuiting plate and pushing the short-circuiting plate toward the outer edge metallized section, a low-melting point metallic plate arranged, between the outer edge metallized section and the short-circuiting plate, to be in contact with one of the outer edge metallized section and the short-circuiting plate, for electrically connecting the short-circuiting plate to the outer edge metallized section when the low-melting point metallic plate is excessively heated and fused so that the central electrode is short-circuited with the outer electrode, and a heat-durable insulating sheet arranged between the low-melting point metallic plate and the short-circuiting plate or between the outer edge metallized section and the low-melting point metallic plate and having a higher melting point than that of the low-melting point metallic plate, for electrically insulating the central electrode from the outer electrode. It is possible to eliminate the insulating sheet from the lightning arrester, having a fail-safe function, comprising a pair of lead terminals of the central electrode projected outward from the outside surface of the insulating holder, an outer edge metallized section provided on the peripheral edge of the outside surface of the insulating holder and electrically connected to the outer electrode, a short-circuiting plate arranged on the outside surface of the insulating holder, a pressure means arranged between the lead terminal and the short-circuiting plate, for electrically connecting the central electrode to the short-circuiting plate and pushing the short-circuiting plate toward the outer edge metallized section, and a low-melting point metallic plate arranged between the outside surface of the insulating holder on which no outer edge metallized section is provided and the short-circuiting plate, to be in contact with the short-circuiting plate, for electrically connecting the short-circuiting plate to the outer edge metallized section when the low-melting point metallic plate is excessively heated and fused so that the central electrode is short-circuited with the outer electrode. It is possible to provide a lightning arrester having a vent-safe function by providing a pair of lead terminals of the central electrode projected outward from the outside surface of the insulating holder, an outer edge metallized section provided on the peripheral edge of the outside surface of the insulating holder and electrically connected to the outer electrode, a short-circuiting plate arranged on the outer side of the insulating holder, a pressure means arranged between the lead terminal and the short-circuiting plate, for electrically connecting the central electrode to the short-circuiting plate and pushing the short-circuiting plate toward the outer edge metallized section, and an insulating sheet having a plurality of small holes for allowing the discharge between the outer edge metallized section and the short-circuiting plate when a voltage of a predetermined level or more is applied. It is possible to maintain a constant gap between the discharging surface and the discharged surface and improve the reliability by disposing conductive plates between the insulating sheet and the outer edge metallized section and between the insulating sheet and the short-circuiting plate, respectively. It is possible to provide a lightning arrester having both the fail-safe function and the vent-safe function by constituting at least one of the conductive plates from a low-melting point metallic plate which can be fused, when excessively heated, to flow into the small holes and electrically connect the short-circuiting plate to the outer edge metallized section so that the central electrode is short-circuited to the outer electrode. It is possible to obtain the preferable fail-safe function by forming the low-melting point metallic plate with a solder. It is possible to simplify a structure and reduce the production cost by constituting the pressure means by a blade spring provided in the short-circuiting plate itself to be engaged with the lead terminal of the central electrode, for pushing the short-circuiting plate toward the outer edge metallized section. It is possible to suitably arrange the insulating holder by abutting the insulating holder to a shoulder of a stepped section having a larger inner diameter provided at the respective end of the outer electrode, so that the insulating plate is fitted to the end of the outer electrode. It is possible to guarantee the gas-tightness by providing a metallized section on the peripheral surface of the insulating holder and bonding the same to the inner circumference of the outer electrode by a brazing. It is possible to obtain a lightning arrester having a fail-safe function by also providing a smaller diameter section in at least one of the lead terminals of the discharging section, to be fused down when excessively heated. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of the basic structure of a lightning arrester in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the lightning arrester of Figure 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an appearance of a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the first embodiment; Fig. 5 is a side sectional view of the first embodiment; Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a side sectional view of the third embodiment; Fig. 9 is an exploded view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 10 is an exploded view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a side sectional view of the fifth embodiment; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a central electrode of a sixth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state; Fig. 14 is a side sectional view for explaining an alternative basic construction of the present invention; and Fig. 15 is a side sectional view for explaining a prior art. Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of the basic structure of a lightning arrester according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the basic structure. This is an example of the lightning arrester used for coaxial cable. Reference numeral 10 denotes a central electrode having a discharging section 10b and a pair of lead terminals 10a extending from the opposite ends (lateral surfaces) of the discharging section, to be connected to a central core of a coaxial cable used as a communication line. Reference numeral 12 denotes a tubular outer electrode having an interior space 12a through which the central electrode 10 is inserted, to be connected to an earth line of the coaxial cable. The outer electrode 12 is easily produced by cutting a pipe available from a market and shaping the same so that a stepped section 12b having a larger inner diameter is provided at the respective end of the outer electrode by a press operation. A material used for forming the central electrode 10 and the outer electrode 12 is, for example, a Fe/Ni alloy. Reference numeral 14 denotes an insulating holder arranged on the respective lead terminal 10a (provided at the respective end of the outer electrode 12), so that the discharging section 10b is apart from the inner surface of the outer electrode 12 at a predetermined distance. In other words, the central electrode 10 is held in the outer electrode 12 so that a discharging gap A is provided between both the electrodes. According to this basic structure, an insulating holder 14 abuts to a shoulder of the stepped section 12b and fitted into the respective end of the outer electrode 12 so that the central electrode 10 and the outer electrode 12 are coaxially arranged with each other. In the drawing, the discharging section 10b positioned in a middle area of the central electrode 10 inserted into the outer electrode 12 has a larger diameter than that of the lead terminal. The central electrode of such a configuration may be prepared from a cylindrical metallic rod by machining a portion thereof corresponding to the lead terminal by using a lathe or others. Alternatively, a lengthwise middle portion of a wire piece is deformed in a radial direction by a press to form a widened discharging section 10b of the central electrode 10. Thus, the lightning arrester is formed, wherein the discharging section 10b is apart from the inner circumference of the outer electrode 12 at the discharging gap A and the outer diameter of the lead terminal 10a is smaller than the outer diameter of the discharging section 10b. The insulating holder 14 is formed of a ceramic material to be a disk having a central through-hole 14a. Into this hole 14a, the respective lead terminal 10a of the central electrode is inserted whereby the central electrode 10 is held by the insulating holders 14. The peripheral edge of the through-hole and the outer edge of the insulating holder on the outside surface of the insulating holder are metallized. The lead terminal 10a of the central electrode are bonded to the metallized section 16 on the peripheral edge of the through-hole by a brazing B, while the outer electrode 12 are to the metallized section 17 on the outer peripheral edge, so that the respective electrode is electrically connected to the respective metallized section. Accordingly, it is possible to gas-tightly seal an inert gas such as argon within the interior space 12a. Tungsten may be used for the metallization, and silver Solder may be used for the brazing. In this regard, preferably, the metallized section is preliminarily applied with a nickel or gold plating. A method for obtaining the gas-tightness is not limited to that wherein the metallized section is provided in the above manner and brazed. For example, a metallized section may be provided on the outer circumference of the insulating holder 14 and brazed to the inner circumference of the outer electrode 12. Also, a metallized section may be provided on the outer edge of the inside surface of the insulating holder 14 and brazed to the shoulder of the stepped portion 12b to obtain the favorable gas-tightness. Thus, since the lightning arrester is constituted as described above, it is possible to provide an outer plating, for the purpose of preventing corrosion, all over the metallic surface of the outer circumference of the lightning arrester except for the ceramic surface of the insulating holder 14. Carbon lines 18a, 18b are radially provided, as trigger means, on the inside surface of the insulating holder 14. The carbon line 18a is electrically connected to the central electrode 10, while the carbon line 18b is electrically connected to the outer electrode 12. The carbon lines 18a, 18b operate as the trigger means for inducing the discharge and improve the response characteristic of the lightning arrester. In this regard, although the carbon lines 18a and 18b are radially arranged one by one in an alternate manner in the basic construction illustrated, a plurality of carbon lines may be grouped and/or arranged in a manner other than the radial arrangement, in accordance with the circumstances under which the arrester is used or conveniences of design. Such a structure is applicable to the lightning arrester capable of suitably selecting a clamp voltage in a range between several tens of volts and several thousands of volts (for example, 70V to 3000V). According to the arrester's basic structure, the central electrode 10 is provided at the opposite ends thereof with the lead terminals 10a projected outward from the outside surface of the insulating holder 14, and the outer electrode 12 defines an earth electrode surface over all the outer circumference thereof. That is, this arrester has a similar structure as a coaxial cable. Therefore, this arrester can be easily connected in series to a coaxial cable by using a connector for generally connecting the coaxial cables to each other. Also, a coaxial cable connector in which a lightning arrester is built-in can be easily obtained by coupling connectors used for generally connecting the coaxial cables to each other to the opposite ends of the lightning arrester according to the basic structure. Thus, there is no need for an exclusive connector for the lightning arrester, which enables the use of the same parts as the general-purpose connector, resulting in a cost reduction. Further, since the earth electrode surface is provided by the whole outer circumference of the outer electrode 12, parts necessary for the connection with outer circuits can be designed with a larger degree of freedom, which also enables the arrester to be applied to uses other than the coaxial cable. First Embodiment A first particular embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5. The same reference numerals are used in these drawings for denoting the same elements as those in the basic structure and the description thereof will be eliminated. In this regard, while an outer electrode 12 is illustrated in a mere cylindrical form, it may be concave in the middle portion similarly to the basic structure. Reference numeral 10a denotes a lead terminal of a central electrode 10, shaped to be a shaft-like form and projected outward from the outside surface of a insulating holder 14 for supporting the central electrode 10. Reference numeral 17a denotes an outer edge metallized section provided, to be connected to the outer electrode 12, on the outer edge of the outside surface of the insulating holder 14 by the metallization of tungsten or the like. The insulating holder 14 is a disk having a flat outside surface. In the first embodiment, the outer edge metallized section 17a is substantially the same as that 17 in the basic structure ana bonded to the outer electrode 12 by the brazing B in a similar manner as the basic structure. In this regard, if the metallized section is provided on the outer circumference of the insulating holder 14 and brazed to the inner circumference of the outer electrode 12 to provide a gas-tightness as described before, it is unnecessary to provide the outer edge metallized section 17a along the entire peripheral edge of the outside surface of the insulating holder 14. Reference numeral 20 denotes an insulating sheet of an annular shape, provided to be in contact with the outside surface of the insulating holder 14 including the outer edge metallized section 17a. As shown in Fig. 5, the lead terminal 10a of the central electrode 10a is inserted into a central hole of the insulating sheet 20. The insulating sheet 20 has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the outer electrode 12, and disposed while being in contact with the outside surface of the insulating holder 14. The insulating sheet 20 may be a resin film having an electro-insulating property as well as thermoplasticity. One example thereof is a polyester film having a thickness in a range between 50 µm and 100 µm. Reference numeral 22 denotes a short-circuiting plate disposed while being in contact with the outside surface of the insulating sheet 20 and connected to the central electrode 10 via the lead terminal 10a. The short-circuiting plate 22 is pressed toward the outer edge metallized section 17a by a pressure means described later. The short-circuiting plate 22 is movable in the pressure direction, when the insulating sheet 20 is excessively heated and fused, to be in contact with the outer edge metallized section 17a so that the central electrode 10 and the outer electrode 12 are short-circuited to each other. Reference numeral 22a denotes a blade spring used as the pressure means. The blade spring 22a is provided integral with the short-circuiting plate 22 and engaged with the lead terminal 10a of the central electrode at one end to bias the short-circuiting plate 22 toward the outer edge metallized section 17a. Specifically, as shown in the drawing, the blade spring 22a extends inward at a predetermined angle from the inner peripheral edge of the short-circuiting plate 22, and has a tip end with a V-shaped notch to be engaged with the lead terminal 10a of the central electrode. The short-circuiting plate 22 having the blade spring 22a integral therewith is formed of a spring material. Therefore, the insulating sheet 20 is secured, by a biasing force of the blade spring 22a, at a suitable position while being nipped between the outer edge metallized section 17a and the short-circuiting plate 22, whereby a fail-safe mechanism is obtained. The fail-safe mechanism is provided at one end of the lightning arrester in the first emoodiment, but it should be noted that such mechanisms may be provided at both ends of the lightning arrester. According to the first embodiment, when the lightning arrester is excessively heated by repeated discharges, the insulating sheet 20 fuses due to the heat generation of the arrester body. Then the short-circuiting plate 22 pressed toward the outer edge metallized section 17a by the blade spring 22a pushes the fused insulating sheet 20 aside and is in contact with the outer edge metallized section 17a, resulting in a fail-short state. As stated above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a fail-safe function by a simple structure. Particularly, the short-circuiting plate 22 operates not only as a conductive plate for short-circuiting the central electrode with the outer electrode but also as a pressure means for biasing itself toward the outer edge metallized section by providing the blade spring 22a. Accordingly, the structure thereof is simplified and the mounting of the short-circuiting plate 22 can be completed only by press-fitting the same to the lead terminal 10a of the central electrode, resulting in the reduction of the production cost. The short-circuiting plate 22 may be prepared, for example, from phosphor bronze or stainless steel. The pressure means is not limited to the blade spring 22a but may be any other elastic members provided it could be interposed between the lead terminal 10a of the central electrode and the short-circuiting plate 22, such as a coil spring. Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The same reference numerals are used in this drawing for denoting the same elements as those in the first embodiment and the description thereof will be eliminated. Reference numeral 24 denotes a low-melting point metallic plate of a annular shape having a central hole to which a lead terminal 10a is inserted, and to be disposed between an outer edge metallized section 17a and a short-circuiting plate 22. The low-melting point metallic plate is prepared, for example, from a solder. Preferably, the solder has a melting point in a range between 180 and 220°C. In this regard, since the deformation may occur in the low-melting point metallic plate made of an ordinary solder due to a creep phenomenon caused by a biasing force of a blade spring 22a, silver is preferably added to the solder (tin/lead alloy) to increase the hardness thereof. Also, tin having substantially the same melting point as the solder may be used for preparing the low-melting point metallic plate. Reference numeral 26 denotes an insulating sheet 26 having a shape similar to the low-melting point metallic plate 24 and disposed between the low-melting point metallic plate 24 and the outer edge metallized section 17a. The insulating sheet 26 is a heat-resistant sheet having a thickness in a range between 50 µm and 100 µm, prepared, for example, from polyimide resin. Aromatic polyimides having a pyrolysis temperature of 400°C and a thermal deformation temperature of 360°C can be used as the polyimide resin. Also, insulating films prepared from heat-resistant resins, such as polyamide-imide, polyether-imide, having a higher thermal deformation temperature than that of the low-melting point metallic plate may be used for this purpose. Inorganic materials such as mica may be also used. According to the second embodiment, when the low-melting point metallic plate 24 is fused by excessive heat due, for example, to repeated discharges in the lightning arrester, the short-circuiting plate 22 biased toward the outer edge metallized section 17a by the blade spring 22a pushes the fused portion of the low-melting point metallic plate 24 forward. The fused metal pushed forward by the short-circuiting plate 22 is brought into contact with the outer edge metallized section 17a and/or the end of the outer electrode 12, and, as a result, the central electrode 10 is short-circuited to the outer electrode 12. In this regard, if there is a solder plating layer on the short-circuiting plate 22, the outer edge metallized section 17a and the outer electrode 12, the connection therebetween is further ensured in a case that the low-melting point metal is made of a solder. As described above, according to the second embodiment, a fail-safe mechanism is suitably obtainable. Even when the insulating sheet 26 is provided between the low-melting point metallic plate 24 and the short-circuiting plate 22, but not between the low-melting point metallic plate 24 and the outer edge metallized section 17a, the fail-safe mechanism is similarly obtainable as in the second embodiment. According to the latter structure, since the low-melting point metallic plate 24 is directly brought into contact with the outside surface of the insulating holder defining the lateral surface of the lightning arrester, the heat in the arrester can be effectively transmitted thereto. Also, the low-melting point metallic plate 24 is in contact with the outer edge metallized section 17a, and the low-melting point metal pushed forward by the short-circuiting plate 22 is brought into contact with the metallized section 16 on the peripheral edge of the through-hole and the lead terminal 10a of the central electrode to result in that the central electrode 10 is short-circuited with the outer electrode 12. In this regard, the connection between the respective elements is further enhanced by providing a solder plating thereto, as shown in the second embodiment. Third Embodiment A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. The same reference numerals are used in this drawing for denoting the same elements as those in the first embodiment and the description thereof will be eliminated. A low-melting point metallic plate 24 is fused when the arrester body is excessively heated as described before. Then a short-circuiting plate 22 biased toward an outer edge metallized section 17a by a blade spring 22a pushes the fused portion of the low-melting point metallic plate 24 forward. The fused low-melting point metal pushed by the short-circuiting plate 22 is brought into contact with the outer edge metallized section 17a to short-circuit the central electrode 10 with the outer electrode 12. Or, by properly selecting a thickness of the low-melting point metallic plate 24 or a configuration of the outside surface of the insulating holder 14, it is also possible to bring the short-circuiting plate 22 into contact with the outer edge metallized section 17a to short-circuit the central electrode 10 with the outer electrode 12 due to the reduction of the thickness of the low-melting point metallic plate 24 caused by the fusion thereof. According to such a structure, it is also possible to provide a fail-safe function to the lightning arrester. Since the insulating sheet 26 can be eliminated in this structure, the production cost can be further reduced. Fourth Embodiment A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The same reference numerals are used in this drawing for denoting the same elements as those in the first embodiment and the description thereof will be eliminated. Reference numeral 28 denotes an insulating sheet disposed between an outer edge metallized section 17a and a short-circuiting plate 22 while being brought into contact with both. A plurality of small holes 28a for allowing the discharge between the outer edge metallized section 17a and the short-circuiting plate 22 when a voltage higher than a predetermined level is applied. The thickness of the insulating plate is preferably in a range between 50 µm and 100 µm, and a diameter of the small hole 28a is preferably in a range between 0.2 mm and 0.3 mm. Materials used for preparing che insulating plate 28 may be the same as those used in the second embodiment. According to this structure, a vent-safe mechanism is provided, wherein a discharge can occur via a discharging gap formed by the small holes 28a between the short-circuiting plate 22 and the outer edge metallized section 17a, even if the discharge cannot occur in the arrester body. The vent-safe mechanism is simple in structure because the insulating sheet 28 and the short-circuiting plate 22 are merely overlapped with the outside surface of the insulating holder 14, resulting in a reduction in the production cost. Fifth Embodiment A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11. The same reference numerals are used in this drawing for denoting the same elements as those in the fourth embodiment and the description thereof will be eliminated. A metallic plate 30 is disposed as a conductor plate between an insulating sheet 28 and an outer edge metallized section 17a, and another metallic plate 32 is disposed as a conductor plate between the insulating sheet 28 and a short-circuiting plate 22. By providing the metallic plates 30, 32 (annular disks) on the opposite sides of the insulating sheet 28, it is possible to minimize the variation of discharging gaps formed by the plurality of small holes 28a and stabilize a discharging voltage upon the vent-safe operation. If at least one of the metallic plates is formed of a low-melting point metal, a fail-safe function can be provided. The low-melting point metal flows through the small holes when fused, to electrically connect the outer edge metallized section 17a to the short-circuiting plate 22 and short-circuit the central electrode to the outer electrode. Sixth Embodiment A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 12 and 13. The same reference numerals are used in this drawing for denoting the same elements as those in the first embodiment and the description thereof will be eliminated. A smaller diameter section 34 is provided on a lead terminal 10a formed at an end of a discharging section of a central electrode 10, by thinning part of the lead terminal so that it can be fused when excessively heated. The smaller diameter section 34 is disposed within an interior space 12a so as not to be broken by an external force. While the smaller diameter section 34 is provided on one of the lead terminals 10a of the discharging section in the sixth embodiment, it should be noted that the smaller diameter sections may be provided on the respective lead terminals 10a formed on the opposite ends of the discharging section. According to the lightning arrester of the sixth embodiment, the circuit is made to open by the fusion of the smaller diameter section 34 when a large current such as a dynamic current flows. Thus, a fail-safe function for protecting a device is obtainable by this mechanism. This fail-safe mechanism is simple in structure and thus a lightning arrester with a fail-safe function can be provided at a low cost. In the above-mentioned embodiments, an outer diameter of the lead terminal 10a of the central electrode is smaller than that of the discharging section 10b in a portion to be inserted into the insulating holder 14. However, the present invention should not be limited to such cases. For example, as shown in Fig. 14, an outer diameter of the lead terminal 10a of the central electrode may be equal to that of the discharging section 10b even in a portion to be inserted into the insulating holder 14. If a structure to which the lightning arrester is built-in allows, the arrester may have a configuration wherein the lead terminal 10a of the central electrode is not projected outward from the outside surface of the insulating holder 14. The above description was made when the lightning arresters of the respective embodiments are used for coaxial cables. However, it should be noted that the lightning arresters according to the present invention may be used for cables of other types. While cylindrical arresters are solely illustrated in the drawings of the above embodiments, the appearance of the arrester may be angular provided there is a tubular interior space in at least one of electrodes. Also, the lightning arrester of the sixth embodiment has a short-circuiting plate at the respective end thereof as described with reference to the first to fifth embodiment, so that a fail-safe function and a vent-safe function are provided. In the lightning arrester according to the present invention, since a central electrode is positioned in the interior space of an outer electrode, it is possible to simplify the structure of the arrester and facilitate the operation for connecting the same with a coaxial cable or the like. Accordingly, the production cost and the connection cost can be reduced. Also, the fail-safe function and the vent-safe function can be easily provided by using a lead terminal of a central electrode and the outside surface of an insulating holder for supporting a central electrode in an outer electrode.

Claims: A lightning arrester comprising: a central electrode (10) having a discharging section (10b) and a pair of lead terminals (10a) to be connected to a signal line, extending outside from opposite ends of the discharging section (10b); a tubular outer electrode (12) to be connected to an earth line, having an interior space (12a) for accommodating the central electrode (10) therein; and a pair of insulating holders (14) arranged on the lead terminals (10a) with the lead terminals (10a) projecting outward from the outside surface of the insulating holders, so that the central electrode (10) is held in the interior space of the outer electrode (12) while isolating the discharging section (10b) from the inner circumference of the outer electrode at a predetermined gap (A) therebetween characterised in that; the insulating holders (14) include an outer edge metallized section (17a) provided on the peripheral edge of the outside surface of the insulating holders (14) and electrically connected to the outer electrode (12) and a short-circuiting plate (22) is arranged on the outside surface of the insulating holders (14) electrically connected to the central electrode (10) and means are provided to separate the short circuiting plate (22) from the metallized section (17a). The lightning arrester as defined by claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the lead terminal (10a) of the central electrode (10) is smaller than that of the discharging section (10b). The lightning arrester as defined by claim 1 or 2, wherein the insulating holder (14) is made of a ceramic material and has a central through-hole (14a); wherein an outer peripheral edge (17a) of an outside surface of the insulating holder and the peripheral edge (16) of the through-hole (14a) are metallized, and the lead terminal (10a) of the central electrode (10) passes through the through-hole (14a); and wherein the central electrode (10) is bonded to the metallized section on the peripheral edge (16) of the through-hole and the outer electrode (12) is bonded to the metallized section on the outer peripheral edge (17a) of the insulating holder, and the interior space (12a) of the outer electrode (12) is filled with an inert gas in a gas-tight manner. The lightning arrester as defined by claim 3, wherein the central electrode (10) is bonded to the metallized section on the peripheral edge (17a) of the through-hole (14a) and the outer electrode (12) is bonded to the metallized section on the outer peripheral edge (16) of the insulating holder (14), respectively, by brazing. The lightning arrester as defined by any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a trigger wire (18a, 18b) electrically connected to the central electrode (10) and/or electrically connected to the outer electrode (12) is provided on the inside of the insulating holder. The lightning arrester as defined by any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means to separate the short circuiting plate (22) from the metallized section (17a), comprises: an insulating sheet (20) arranged in contact with the outside surface of the insulating holder (14) including the outer edge metallized section (17a) of the insulating holder (14); and wherein the short-circuiting plate (22) is arranged in contact with the outside surface of the insulating sheet (20) for short-circuiting the central electrode (10) to the outer electrode (12) by the contact with the outer edge metallized section (17a) when the insulating sheet (20) is excessively heated and fused. The lightning arrester as defined by any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means to separate the short circuiting plate (22) from the metallized section (17a) comprises: a low-melting point metallic plate (24) arranged between the outer edge metallized section (17a) and the short-circuiting plate (22), to be in contact with one of the outer edge metallized section (17a) and the short-circuiting plate (22), for electrically connecting the short-circuiting plate (22) to the outer edge metallized section (17a) when the low-melting point metallic plate (24) is excessively heated and fused so that the central electrode (10) is short-circuited with the outer electrode (12); and a heat-durable insulating sheet (26) arranged between the low-melting point metallic plate (24) and the short-circuiting plate (22) or between the outer edge metallized section (17a) and the low-melting point metallic plate (24) and having a melting point higher than that of the low-melting point metallic plate (24), for electrically insulating the central electrode (10) from the outer electrode (12). The lightning arrester as defined by any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means to separate the short-circuiting plate (22) from the metallized section (17a) comprises: a low-melting point metallic plate (24) arranged between the outside surface of the insulating holder (14) on which no outer edge metallized section is provided and the short-circuiting plate (22), to be in contact with the short-circuiting plate (22), for electrically connecting the short-circuiting plate (22) to the outer edge metallized section (17a) when the low-melting point metallic plate (24) is excessively heated and fused so that the central electrode (10) is short-circuited with the outer electrode (12). The lightning arrester as defined by any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means to separate the short-circuiting plate (22) from the metallized section (17a) comprises: an insulating sheet (28) having a plurality of small holes (28a) for allowing the discharge between the outer edge metallized section (17a) and the short-circuiting plate (22) when a voltage of a predetermined level or more is applied. The lightning arrester as defined by claim 9, wherein conductive plates (30;32) are disposed between the insulating sheet (28) and the outer edge metallized section (17a) and between the insulating sheet (28) and the short-circuiting plate (22), respectively. The lightning arrester as defined by claim 10, wherein at least one of the conductive plates (30;32) is a low melting point metallic plate which can be fused, when excessively heated, to flow into the small holes and electrically connect the short-circuiting plate (22) to the outer edge metallized section (17a) so that the central electrode (10) is short-circuited to the outer electrode (12). The lightning arrester as defined by any one of claims 7, 8 and 11, wherein the low-melting point metallic plate is made of a solder. A lightning arrester as defined in any of the preceding claims comprising pressure means (22a) arranged between the lead terminal (10a) and the short-circuiting plate (22) and pushing the short-circuiting plate (22) toward the outer edge metallized section (17a). The lightning arrester as defined by claim 13, wherein the pressure means is a blade spring (22a) provided in the short-circuiting plate (22) itself to be engaged with the lead terminal (10) of the central electrode (10), for pushing the short-circuiting plate (22) toward the outer edge metallized section (17a). The lightning arrester defined by any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the insulating holder (14) abuts to a shoulder of a stepped section (12b) having a larger inner diameter provided at the respective end of the outer electrode (12), so that the insulating plate is fitted to the end of the outer electrode (12). The lightning arrester as defined by any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the insulating holder (14) has a metallized section on the outer circumference thereof which is bonded to the inner circumference of the outer electrode (10) by brazing. The lightning arrester as defined by any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein at least one of the lead terminals (10a) of the discharging section (10b) is provided with a smaller diameter section (34) to be fused when excessively heated.

Inventors: KASAHARA MASATAKA, TAKEUCHI KESAYUKI, KASAHARA, MASATAKA, TAKEUCHI, KESAYUKI, Kasahara, Masataka, c/o Shinko Electric Ind., Takeuchi, Kesayuki, c/o Shinko Electric Ind.
Applicants: SHINKO ELECTRIC IND CO, SHINKO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO. LTD.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: H01T4
IPC codes: H01T4