Fuse module with movable fuse holder for fused electrical device

Abstract

Described herein are various embodiments of a fuse module for fused electrical devices. According to one exemplary embodiment, a fuse module is mounted to the housing of a fused electrical device. The fused electrical device can include at least one power output displaced along the power distribution housing with the at least one power output electrically couplable to at least one power input. The fuse module can be electrically coupled to the at least one power input and electrically couplable to the at least one power outputs. Further, the fuse module can comprise at least one fuse holder that is movable between a first position in which a fuse held by the fuse holder is electrically couplable to the at least one power output and a second position in which a fuse held by the fuse holder not electrically couplable to the at least one power output and is exposed to allow access to the fuse.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of a power distribution apparatus constructed in accordance with one specific exemplary implementation.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an axonometric view of a back side of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the top panel of a housing of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a side wall of the housing of the apparatus of FIG. 1 including fuse state indicators.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are a side view and a plan view of a back panel of the housing of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the remaining side wall of the housing of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a partial detailed axonometric view of an embodiment including a device for holding power plugs in engagement with the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are a partial plan view with the front panel removed and a partial elevational view of one exemplary embodiment of a fuse assembly included in the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is an exploded partial perspective view showing another embodiment of a fuse assembly.

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a removable fuse card of the fuse assembly shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the removable fuse card of FIG. 13 mounted within the housing shown in FIG. 12 with the front panel removed.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a fuse assembly associated with the apparatus of FIG. 1 and in which an element changes state to indicate a fuse condition.

FIG. 16 is an elevational view of the fuse assembly embodiment shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a fuse assembly in which an element changes state to indicate fuse conditions.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the fuse assembly embodiment shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a fuse condition indication circuit that can be used in selected embodiments.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 mounted vertically in an electronic equipment rack.

FIG. 21 is a partial detailed view of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a partial detailed view of FIG. 20 but showing an opposite side of the apparatus.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 mounted within the confines of an electronic equipment rack having doors providing access to the apparatus and other components mountable in the rack.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a power distribution unit having a plurality of fuse modules mounted to a housing of the power distribution unit.

FIG. 25 is a perspective fragmentary view of one of the plurality of fuse modules shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 26 is a top fragmentary view of the fuse module of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an exemplary fuse holder associated with the fuse module of FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an exemplary fuse terminal associated with the fuse module of FIG. 25.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional side view of the fuse module of FIG. 25 but shown with the fuse holder in the open position.

FIG. 30 is a frontal view of the fuse module of FIG. 25.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional side view of the fuse module of FIG. 25 but shown with the fuse holder in the closed position.

FIG. 32 is a frontal view of the fuse module of FIG. 25.

FIG. 33 is a perspective fragmentary view of one embodiment of a fuse module having two fuse holders.

FIG. 34 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of a horizontally mountable power distribution unit showing power inputs and a plurality of power outputs mounted to a housing of the power distribution unit.

FIG. 35 is a rear elevation view of the power distribution unit of FIG. 34 showing a plurality of fuse modules displaced along the power distribution unit housing.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the power distribution unit of FIG. 34 mounted horizontally in an electronic equipment rack.

Claims

1. A power distribution unit for providing power to associated electronic equipment, the power distribution unit comprising: a power distribution unit housing having at least one fuse access passage penetrating the housing, the power distribution unit housing being configured to receive at least one power input;at least one power output displaced along the power distribution housing with the at least one power output electrically couplable to the at least one power input; andat least one fuse module mounted to the housing and disposed at least partially within the at least one fuse access passage, the at least one fuse module being electrically couplable to the at least one power input and electrically couplable to the at least one power output, wherein the at least one fuse module comprises a base fixed relative to the housing and at least one fuse holder attached to the base and movable between a first position in which a fuse held by the fuse holder is electrically couplable to the at least one power output and a second position in which a fuse held by the fuse holder is not electrically couplable to the at least one power output and is exposed to allow access to the fuse.

2. The power distribution unit of claim 1, wherein the fuse holder is rotatable between the first and second positions.

3. The power distribution unit of claim 1, wherein a fuse held by the fuse holder is inaccessible from outside the housing when the fuse holder is in the first position and accessible from outside the housing when the fuse holder is in the second position.

4. The power distribution unit of claim 1, wherein the fuse module comprises at least one fuse terminal electrically coupled to the at least one power input and electrically couplable to the at least one power outlet, wherein the at least one fuse terminal is electrically couplable with a fuse held by the fuse holder when the holder is in the first position to electrically couple the at least one power input and the at least one power outlet via the at least one fuse terminal and fuse.

5. The power distribution unit of claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board disposed within the power distribution unit housing, the printed circuit board being electrically connected to the at least one power input and the at least one power outlet, wherein the fuse module comprises at least one fuse clamp electrically coupled to the printed circuit board, the at least one fuse clamp being electrically couplable with a fuse held by the fuse holder when the holder is in the first position to electrically couple the at least one power input and the at least one power outlet via the printed circuit board, at least one fuse clamp and fuse.

6. The power distribution unit of claim 5, wherein the at least one fuse clamp comprises opposing fuse clamp arms biased to removably receive and secure a fuse held by the at least one fuse holder when the fuse carrier is in the first position.

7. The power distribution unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one fuse holder comprises a tab portion external to the housing and engageable by a user to move the fuse holder between the first and second positions.

8. The power distribution unit of claim 1, wherein a fuse held by the at least one fuse holder penetrates the at least one fuse access passage as the at least one fuse holder moves from the second position to the first position.

9. The power distribution unit of claim 1, wherein the base substantially covers the at least one fuse access passage and comprises a fuse holder access opening adjacent the fuse access passage such that when in the first position, the at least one fuse holder extends through the fuse access passage and the fuse holder access opening.

10. The power distribution unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one fuse module comprises at least two fuse holders.

11. The power distribution unit of claim 1, further comprising at least one fuse condition indicator in electronic communication with a fuse held by the fuse holder when the fuse carrier is in the first position.

12. The power distribution unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one fuse access passage comprises a plurality of fuse access passages, the at least one power output comprises a plurality of power outputs, and the at least one fuse module comprises a plurality of fuse modules.

13. The power distribution unit of claim 12, wherein at least two of the plurality of power outputs are interconnected to form a bank of power outputs.

14. The power distribution unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one fuse holder moves from the first position to the second position in a direction away from the housing.

15. The power distribution unit of claim 1, wherein: the base comprises opposing resilient tabs and the at least one fuse holder is pivotably secured to the base at one end of the holder by the resilient tabs such that the at least one fuse holder pivots away from the power distribution unit housing when the holder moves from the first position to the second position;the base substantially covers the at least one fuse access passage and comprises a fuse holder access opening adjacent the fuse access passage such that when in the first position, the at least one fuse holder extends through the fuse access passage and the fuse holder access opening;the fuse module comprises a printed circuit board and at least first and second terminals attached to the printed circuit board, the first terminal being electrically couplable to the at least one power input and the second terminal being electrically couplable to the at least one power output, wherein each of the first and second terminals comprises opposing resiliently movable arms;the at least one fuse holder comprises a body and fuse support arm extending from the body, the body and the fuse support arm defining a fuse receiving area; anda fuse positioned within the fuse receiving area is removably secured between the respective opposing resiliently movable arms of the respective first and second terminals.

16. A method for accessing fuses in a power distribution unit for receiving at least one power input and having at least one power output to provide power to associated electronic equipment, the power distribution unit having a housing, the method comprising: providing at least one fuse module mountable to the housing of the power distribution unit, the at least one fuse module comprising a base fixed relative to the housing and at least one retractable fuse carrier movably secured to the base and configured to removably secure an electrical fuse; andmoving the retractable fuse carrier from a first position in which a fuse carried by the retractable fuse carrier is electrically connected to the at least one power input and the at least one output to a second position in which the fuse carried by the retractable fuse carrier is electrically disconnected from the at least one power output by applying a pressure to the fuse carrier.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fuse comprises a first fuse, the method further comprising: removing the first fuse from the retractable fuse carrier when the retractable fuse carrier is in the second position;coupling a second fuse to the retractable fuse carrier when the retractable fuse carrier is in the second position; andmoving the retractable fuse carrier from the second position in which the second fuse carried by the retractable fuse carrier is electrically disconnected from the at least one power output to the first position in which the second fuse carried by the retractable fuse carrier is electrically connected to the at least one power input and the at least one power output.

18. A fuse module for use with a fused electrical device for receiving at least one power input and having at least one electrical component, the fuse module comprising: a base mountable to the fused electrical device;at least one fuse carrier secured to the base and movable relative to the base, the at least one fuse carrier capable of removably securing a fuse and being selectively movable between a first position and a second position; andat least a first fuse terminal capable of being in electrical communication with the at least one power input and at least a second fuse terminal capable of being in electrical communication with the at least one electrical component, the first fuse terminal being fixed relative to the base and in removably retaining communication with a fuse carried by the fuse carrier when the fuse carrier is in the first position to electrically connect the fuse and the first and second fuse terminals;wherein the at least one fuse carrier is movable from the first position to the second position to remove the fuse from retaining communication with the first and second fuse terminals to electrically disconnect the fuse from the first and second fuse terminals.

19. The fuse module of claim 18, wherein when the base is mounted to a fused electrical device, the fuse carrier comprises: (i) a user engaging portion positioned externally to the fused electrical device; and(ii) a fuse retaining portion positioned within the fused electrical device when the carrier is in the first position and positioned externally to the fused electrical device when the fuse carrier is in the second position.

20. The fuse module of claim 18, wherein the fuse carrier comprises a body and a fuse support arm extending from the body, wherein the body and the support arm define a fuse receiving area therebetween.

21. The fuse module of claim 20, wherein the support arm is resiliently movable relative to the body to removably secure a fuse within the fuse receiving area.

22. The fuse module of claim 20, wherein the fuse carrier comprises lateral support portions extending about the fuse receiving area between the body and the support arm, the fuse carrier further comprising a stop extending from the body, and wherein the lateral support portions resist movement of a fuse positioned in the fuse receiving area in a lateral direction and the stop resists movement of the fuse in a longitudinal direction.

23. The fuse module of claim 18, wherein the base comprises a first sidewall and a corresponding second sidewall extending generally parallel to each other to define a carrier receiving area therebetween, and wherein the fuse carrier is pivotably attached to the first and second sidewalls within the carrier receiving area to accommodate rotatable movement of the fuse carrier between the first and second positions and at least partially within the carrier receiving area.

24. The fuse module of claim 18, wherein when the base is mounted to a fused electrical device, a fuse carried by the fuse carrier is positioned within the electrical device when the fuse carrier is in the first position and externally to the device when the fuse carrier is in the second position.

25. The fuse module of claim 18, wherein the first and second fuse terminals each comprise two opposing resiliently flexible portions adapted to flex to removably retain a fuse carried by the fuse carrier between the flexible portion when the fuse carrier is in the first position.

26. The fuse module of claim 18, further comprising a printed circuit board electrically couplable to the at least one power input and the at least one electrical component of the fused electrical device, wherein the first fuse terminal is electrically coupled to the printed circuit board and electrically couplable to the at least one power input and the second fuse terminal is electrically coupled to the printed circuit board and electrically couplable to the least one electrical component via the printed circuit board.

27. The fuse module of claim 18, wherein the fuse carrier is rotatable relative to the base, and wherein the fuse carrier is selectively rotatable between the first position and the second position.

28. The fuse module of claim 18, further comprising at least one fuse condition indicator associated with a fuse carried by the fuse carrier, the fuse condition indicator being in electrical communication with the fuse carried by the fuse carrier when in the fuse carrier is in the first position.

29. The fuse module of claim 18, wherein the at least one fuse carrier comprises at least two fuse carriers.

30. An electronic equipment rack assembly, comprising: an electronic equipment rack for housing electronic equipment;a power distribution unit mounted to the electronic equipment rack, the power distribution unit being in power receiving communication with at least one power source and having at least one power outlet capable of being in power supply communication with electronic equipment, the power distribution unit comprising a housing having at least one fuse access passage; andat least one fuse module mounted to the housing and disposed at least partially within the at least one fuse access passage, the at least one fuse module being electrically coupled to the at least one power source and electrically couplable to the at least one power outlet, wherein the at least one fuse module comprises (i) a base fixed relative to the housing and (ii) at least one fuse holder attached to the base and movable between a first position in which a fuse held by the fuse holder is electrically couplable to the at least one power source and power outlet and a second position in which a fuse held by the fuse holder not electrically couplable to the at least one power source and power outlet.

31. The electronic equipment rack assembly of claim 30, wherein the power distribution unit is vertically mounted to the electronic equipment rack.

32. The electronic equipment rack assembly of claim 30, wherein the power distribution unit is horizontally mounted to the electronic equipment rack.