Power connectors with integrated fuse supports, and associated systems and methods

• US 10,256,580 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2017
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Westin Automotive Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Superwinch, LLC
• Inventors: August, Jacob, Hargroder, Ty, Nasset, Brent
• Primary Examiner(s): Hyeon, Hae Moon
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leigh, Peter G
• Application Number:
  US15/722,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20180123295A1
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 439507, 43960208, 374141
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/203 for fuses with blade type terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/625 Casing or ring with bayonet engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/684 the fuse being removable
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles

Abstract

Power connectors with integrated fuse support, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative power connector can include a power port and a mating plug. The power port can include a fuse support having first and second fuse receptacles, wherein the first fuse receptacle is connectable to a first supply cable. The power port can include first and second port terminals, wherein the first port terminal is connectable to a second supply cable. A jumper cable can be connected between the second port terminal and the second fuse receptacle. The plug can include a housing configured to enclose the fuse support between the plug and the power port when the plug is mated to the power port. The plug can include first and second plug terminals mateable with the first and second port terminals.

Claims

1. A power connector, comprising:

a power port, including;

a fuse support having first and second fuse receptacles, wherein the first fuse receptacle is connectable to a first supply cable;

first and second port terminals, wherein the first port terminal is connectable to a second supply cable; and

a jumper cable connected between the second port terminal and the second fuse receptacle; and

a plug mateable with the power port, and including;

a housing positioned to enclose the fuse support between the plug and the power port when the plug is mated to the power port; and

first and second plug terminals mateable with the first and second port terminals.

2. The power connector of claim 1, wherein the plug further comprises a locking ring engageable with a groove formed at least partially around an outer surface of the power port.

3. The power connector of claim 1, wherein the first and second port terminals each comprise a male pin.

4. The power connector of claim 3, wherein the first and second plug terminals each comprise a female receptacle.

5. The power connector of claim 1, wherein the fuse support comprises a socket.

6. The power connector of claim 1, wherein the first and second port terminals are positioned on opposite sides of the fuse support.

7. The power connector of claim 1, further comprising a dust cap assembly attached to the power port.

8. The power connector of claim 1, wherein the power port includes an indexing feature positioned to orient the power port and the plug with respect to each other.

9. A power connector, comprising:

a power port, including;

a power port housing mountable to a device and having an outer surface with a groove;

a fuse support having first and second fuse receptacles, wherein the first fuse receptacle is connectable to a first supply cable;

first and second port terminals positioned on opposite sides of the fuse support, wherein the first port terminal is connectable to a second supply cable; and

a jumper cable connected between the second port terminal and the second fuse receptacle; and

a plug mateable with the power port, including;

a plug housing configured to enclose the fuse support between the plug and the power port when the plug is mated to the power port;

a locking ring engageable with the groove; and

first and second plug terminals mateable with the first and second port terminals.

10. The power connector of claim 9, wherein the first and second port terminals each comprise a male pin and the first and second plug terminals each comprise a female receptacle.

11. The power connector of claim 9, wherein the fuse support comprises a socket.

12. The power connector of claim 9, wherein the power port housing includes an indexing feature positioned to orient the power port and the plug with respect to each other.