FUSIBLE LINK

• US 20150357623A1
• Filed: 08/18/2015
• Published: 12/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: ONODA, Shinya
• Granted Patent: US 9,972,823 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2085/025 Structural association with a binding post of a storage battery
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/12 Two or more separate fusible members in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2200/00 Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/583 in response to current, e.g. fuses
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

In a fusible link, a fuse element integrally formed with a metallic plate includes a battery coupling plate and two external coupling plates. The battery coupling plate is couple to a battery terminal. The external coupling plates are coupled through fusible parts to connecting plates extending to both sides of the battery coupling plate. Three resin housings support the fuse element so as to expose the connecting plates among the housings adjacent to each other. The installation configuration of the fuse element can be selected depending on the space on the battery side, thereby achieving increased flexibility of and reduction in the space for the fusible link mounted on the battery.

Claims

1. A fusible link directly mounted on a battery terminal, the fusible link comprising:

a fuse element integrally formed with a metallic plate; and

three resin housings configured to support the fuse element, wherein

the fuse element includes;

a battery coupling plate coupled to the battery terminal;

a pair of connecting plates configured to extend outward from respective side edges opposing to each other of the battery coupling plate in opposing direction thereof;

two external coupling plates configured to each couple to an external circuit and which are disposed on both sides of the battery coupling plate in a separate state from the connecting plates and the battery coupling plate in an area surrounded with the side edges of the battery coupling plate from which the connecting plates extend and the connecting plates; and

a fusible part configured to conductively couple the connecting plate to an external coupling plate opposing to each other and which is fused if a current with a value equal to or larger than a rated current value flows,

the three resin housings include;

a first housing configured to house therein the battery coupling plate so that the pair of connecting plates externally protrude;

a second housing configured to house therein the connecting plate, the fusible part, and the external coupling plate positioned at one side of the first housing, in a state in which a part of the connecting plate is exposed between the second housing and the first housing; and

a third housing configured to house therein the connecting plate, the fusible part, and the external coupling plate positioned at another side of the first housing, in a state in which a part of the connecting plate is exposed between the third housing and the first housing, and

orientation of the second housing and orientation of the third housing relative to the first housing can be changed by bending the connecting plates exposed among the housings.

2. The fusible link according to claim 1, wherein

on both side edges of the battery coupling plate, reinforcing plates extending from the side edges of the battery coupling plate are integrally formed in parallel with the connecting plates, and

the second housing and the third housing each retain a tip end of the respective reinforcing plates extending to the second housing or the third housing so as to bend the reinforcing plates extending to the second housing or the third housing together with the respective connecting plates.

3. The fusible link according to claim 1, wherein the first housing includes a housing lock part configured to fix the orientation of the second housing or the third housing by engaging with an engaging part on the housing when the orientation of which is changed by bending of the connecting plates.

4. The fusible link according to claim 3, wherein the housing lock part is mounted on each of the positions nearer to both side edges on both outer surfaces opposing to each other in a plate-thickness direction of the battery coupling plate.

5. The fusible link according to claim 2, wherein the first housing includes a housing lock part configured to fix the orientation of the second housing or the third housing by engaging with an engaging part on the housing when the orientation of which is changed by bending of the connecting plates.

6. The fusible link according to claim 5, wherein the housing lock part is mounted on each of the positions nearer to both side edges on both outer surfaces opposing to each other in a plate-thickness direction of the battery coupling plate.