Patent Application
20090001812
The disclosed device relates generally to the fused circuitry of vehicular electrical systems and more specifically to a circuit that integrates vehicle fuse components and associated connectors into a comprehensive circuit to function as a single unit which may be disassembled and assembled as desired.
In general operation, fuses protect a vehicle from wiring and electrical equipment failures. A fuse is placed in an electrical circuit so that when current flow exceeds the rating of the fuse, it melts thereby disconnecting the circuit. When the element in the fuse melts, opening the circuit, it prevents other components of the electrical system from being damaged by the excessive current. The size of the metal fuse element determines the rating. These types of fuses are generally rated for circuits no higher than 24 volts direct current.
The transportation industry typically employs plug-in fuses (also knows as blade or spade fuses) consisting of a plastic body and two blades that fit into sockets in the fused circuitry of vehicular electrical systems. These fuses are commonly available in the industry as a) 10.9×3.6×16.3 mm Minifuses with ampere ratings of 2 A, 3 A, 4 A, 5 A, 7.5 A, 10 A, 15 A, 20 A, 25 A, 30 A; b) 19.1×5.1×18.5 mm ATC standard fuses with ampere ratings of 1 A, 2 A, 3 A, 4 A, 5 A, 7.5 A, 10 A, 15 A, 20 A, 25 A, 30 A, 40 A; and c) 29.2×8.5×34.3 mm Maxifuses with ampere ratings of 20 A, 30 A, 40 A, 50 A, 60 A, 70 A, 80 A. The size of the fuse element is typically calibrated very carefully so that when the rated current is exceeded, enough heat is generated to melt the fuse element and to break the circuit.
A fuse generally has a shell to house the terminals necessary to conduct current from the wire through the fuse. Terminals can be crimped or soldered to the wires so the wire is not easily pulled away from the terminal. Seals can be employed to prevent water, etc. from entering the connection once the connectors are locked together.
The disclosed device provides for a circuit that integrates vehicle fuse components and their associated connectors into a comprehensive circuit to function as a single unit which may be disassembled and assembled as desired. The system provides for a fuse connector capable of providing optimized contact pressures between the electrodes. A circuit fuse comprising two electrodes can be used in conjunction with the fuse and the connector disclosed herein to provide a system which operates in concert.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,040 to Brooks discloses a vehicle fusing assembly having a circuit connector, a bus connector, and one or more linear fuses connectable thereto. The linear fuse taught by Brooks can be made up of a female connector fuse unit or a male connector fuse unit as shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,300 to Brooks discloses a female connector having a power part and a male electrode receiver. The male electrode receiver taught by Brooks can apply more uniformly distributed pressure on spade-type electrodes and provide a larger, more consistent surface contact. Enlarging and optimizing the contact area increases electrical and thermal conduction, thereby reducing heat produced at the junction between the electrodes and increasing the transfer of generated heat from the junction.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,995 to Brooks discloses a vehicle fuse block extender having a shell, a male bus electrode, and a shortened circuit electrode capable of fitting into the female electrode of a vehicular type fuse block. One or more accessory electrodes connect to the bus electrode through fuse segments and at least one connector.
The disclosed device comprises a modified vehicular fuse having a shell enclosing at least a portion of each of a bus electrode and a circuit electrode. An end of the bus electrode can extend through the shell where it may be connected to a wire and thereby provide an additional circuit. A removable cover on the modified vehicle fuse enables the fuse to be adapted to a multitude of uses. When a circuit is desired, a user may detach the removable cover and make a connection. The removable cover can be reusable or non-reusable depending on the application. In some cases, a cover can be optional.
The disclosed device comprises a fuse and connector combination comprising a fuse shell and a pair of electrodes with a fuse link between which extend beyond the terminus of the fuse shell. Within the shell are positioning projections capable of engaging a corresponding number of receiving slots located on the pair of electrodes and a void space to enclose the fuse link. The extended end can mate with a receiving end of a latchable connector.
The disclosed device further comprises a circuit having a modified vehicular fuse connectable to a wire and attached thereto by means of a double U connector. A distal end of the wire is connectable to a line fuse using a modified latchable connector. A latchable connector can also be used to join a load wire to the circuit fuse. Sealing boots can be mounted on the latchable connectors and the fuse ends to seal the fuse unit.
These and other advantages of the disclosed device will appear from the following description and/or appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.
Before explaining the embodiments of the disclosed device in detail, it is to be understood that the device is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangements shown, since the device is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the disclosed apparatus. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present apparatus have been defined herein specifically to provide for a fused power interceptor device.
As shown in
In this embodiment, terminal extension 9 comprises a notch 12 and a slot 11 which work in concert to accommodate cover 7 or connector 3 as will be further described below. A spring clip 14 engages notch 12. A suitably formed section 13 engages slot 11. As a result, cover 7 can be firmly held in place on housing 50. Because of the stability of the engagement contemplated between spring clip 14, notch 12, section 13, and slot 11, the cover may need to be forcibly removed, whereby the cover may need to be discarded. In some cases however, it may be appropriate to install a reusable cover. Thus, the combinations of spring clip 14 and notch 12 or section 13 and slot 11 could be used independently. Although such closure means such as the clip/notch combination and section/slot combination are described herein, various other configurations of removable covers are also possible in conjunction with, or independently from, one another.
Terminal extension 9 can be suitably dimensioned so that cover 7 (or connector 3) may fit flush with housing 50 when in use. In addition, cover 7 may be designed to accommodate the space surrounding terminal extension 9 to reproduce the fuse profile of a standard fuse, i.e. Minifuse, ATC standard, or a Maxifuse, thereby enabling the fuse to be used in a regular fashion. Cover 7 can be removed if and when a connector is to be used. As stated above, a cover can be optional. The terminal extension may be insulated in another manner.
In
Notch 12 and slot 11 of terminal extension 9 work in concert to accommodate connector 3. A spring clip 19 engages notch 12. A lockable key 17 positioned on legs 16a engages slot 11. As a result, connector 3 can be firmly held in place on housing 50. Although such closure means such as the clip/notch combination and section/slot combination are described herein, various other configurations of closures are also possible in conjunction with, or independently from, one another.
As in the case of cover 7, extension 9 can be suitably dimensioned so that connector 3 may fit flush with housing 50 when in use. In addition, surface 18 of connector 3 may be designed to conform to the dimensions of the space surrounding terminal extension 9.
In this embodiment, a tube terminal 20 can extend from surface 18 and provide a point of connection for a wire 2 (see
As shown in
Referring now to
As stated above, sealing boots can be mounted on the latchable connectors and the fuse ends to seal the fuse unit. The boot shown in
The materials suitable for use with the components of the disclosed device can comprise non-conductive silicon, carbonate, halocarbon or other polymer usable commercially in the manufacturing of vehicles fuses. The electrodes, electrode base and fuse segment materials can be any metal or metal alloy, normally used in vehicle fuse manufacture. The covers can be of the same or different materials where attached to the shells including but not limited to flexible material, e.g., a silicone polyurethane, or natural rubber.
Those having skill in the art will recognize that the size and thickness of the various components will be engineered to carry an appropriate power, i.e., amperage and voltage.
Although the disclosed device and method have been described with reference to disclosed embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the disclosure. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.
