Mechanical disconnect switch with integrated fuse protection

• US 10,079,131 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2017
• Issued: 09/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Littelfuse Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Littelfuse Incorporated
• Inventors: Schwartz, Geoffrey, Scribner, Dana, Thomas, Joe
• Primary Examiner(s): Kitov, Zeev V
• Application Number:
  US15/687,706
• Publication Number:
  US 20170358417A1
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2085/025 Structural association with a binding post of a storage battery
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2085/208 specially adapted for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 69/02 Manufacture of fuses
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 71/122 actuated by blowing of a fuse
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/044 General constructions or structure of low voltage fuses, i.e. below 1000 V, or of fuses where the applicable voltage is not specified H01H85/046 - H01H85/048 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/143 Electrical contacts; Fastening fusible members to such contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/2045 Mounting means or insulating parts of the base, e.g. covers, casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/12 End pieces terminating in an eye, hook, or fork
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/684 the fuse being removable
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/34 Conductive members located under head of screw
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/56 one conductor screwing into another
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/245 with built-in fuse

Abstract

A circuit protection assembly (CPA) is disposed between a source of power and a circuit to be protected. The CPA comprises a mounting block having a bore extending therethrough and a recess cavity on a first surface of the mounting block. A post having a first end is disposed within the recess cavity and a body portion extends through the bore. The body portion configured to receive a terminal and the second end configured to receive a securing mechanism. A fuse having a centrally disposed aperture is configured to receive the body portion of the post and to receive the terminal for connection to a circuit to be protected. An insulator disposed on the terminal and disposed beneath the securing mechanism. The insulator configured to isolate the post from the terminal and the fuse while allowing the securing mechanism to apply an amount of torque.

Claims

1. A method of forming a mechanical disconnect switch having integrated fuse protection comprising:

forming a mounting block having a bore extending therethrough and a recess cavity on a first surface of the mounting block;

forming a post having a first end disposed within the recess cavity, a second end, and a body portion extending through the bore, the body portion configured to receive a terminal and the second end configured to receive a securing mechanism;

forming a fuse having a centrally disposed aperture, the fuse configured to receive the body portion of the post and to receive the terminal for connection to a circuit to be protected; and

forming an insulator proximately superposed on the terminal and proximately disposed beneath the securing mechanism, the insulator configured to isolate the second end of the post from the terminal and the fuse while allowing the securing mechanism to apply an amount of torque, the insulator including a tether coupled thereto.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the insulator is a washer and the mounting block is a mechanical disconnect switch.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the insulator is configured to include a glass mat washer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the insulator includes an extrusion portion extending along the body portion of the post and extending through the bore to isolate the second end of the post from the terminal and the fuse.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the fuse comprises a second terminal in contact with the terminal and a fuse element electrically connecting the terminal and the second terminal of the fuse.

6. A method of forming a mechanical disconnect switch having integrated fuse protection comprising:

forming a mounting block having a bore extending therethrough and a recess cavity on a first surface of the mounting block;

forming a post having a first end disposed within the recess cavity, a second end, and a body portion extending through the bore, the body portion configured to receive a terminal and the second end configured to receive a securing mechanism;

forming a fuse having a centrally disposed aperture, the fuse configured to receive the body portion of the post and to receive the terminal for connection to a circuit to be protected; and

forming an insulator proximately superposed on the terminal and proximately disposed beneath the securing mechanism, the insulator configured to isolate the second end of the post from the terminal and the fuse while allowing the securing mechanism to apply an amount of torque, wherein the insulator is a washer and the mounting block is a mechanical disconnect switch.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the insulator is configured to include a glass mat washer.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the insulator includes an extrusion portion extending along the body portion of the post and extending through the bore to isolate the second end of the post from the terminal and the fuse.

9. The method of claim 6, further including a tether coupled to the insulator.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the fuse comprises a second terminal in contact with the terminal and a fuse element electrically connecting the terminal and the second terminal of the fuse.