CIRCUIT PROTECTION ASSEMBLY

• US 20170018389A1
• Filed: 07/15/2015
• Published: 01/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Littelfuse Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Littelfuse Incorporated
• Inventors: Glad, Brent
• Application Number:
  US14/799,834
• Publication Number:
  US 20170018389A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2085/208 specially adapted for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 69/02 Manufacture of fuses
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/0452 with parallel side contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/143 Electrical contacts; Fastening fusible members to such contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/20 Bases for supporting the fuse; Separate parts thereof

Abstract

A circuit protection assembly can include a conductive assembly post that supports a first conductive element, a non-conductive isolator, a second conductive element, a fuse, and a fastener. The first and second conductive elements can be positioned in close proximity to one another below the fuse. A first portion of the isolator can separate the first and second conductive elements. A second portion of the isolator can separate the conductive assembly post from the second conductive element. The first conductive element can be coupled to a power source and the second conductive element can be coupled to a downstream circuit. The fuse can protect the downstream circuit during specified overvoltage and/or overcurrent conditions and can be quickly and efficiently installed and replaced without the need to remove or reattach the conductive elements or any other cabling or wires.

Claims

1. A circuit protection assembly, comprising:

a conductive assembly post;

a first conductive element positioned around the conductive assembly post;

a non-conductive isolator positioned on the first conductive element and around the conductive assembly post;

a second conductive element positioned on the non-conductive isolator;

a fuse positioned on the second conductive element and around the conductive assembly post; and

a conductive fastener positioned on the fuse and around the conductive assembly post.

2. The circuit protection assembly of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the non-conductive isolator separates the conductive assembly post from the second conductive element.

3. The circuit protection assembly of claim 2, wherein a second portion of the non-conductive isolator separates the first conductive element from the second conductive element.

4. The circuit protection assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of a bottom surface of the conductive fastener is coupled to a first terminal of the fuse.

5. The circuit protection assembly of claim 4, wherein the first terminal of the fuse is an input terminal positioned on a portion of a top surface of the fuse.

6. The circuit protection assembly of claim 4, wherein a portion of a top surface of the second conductive element is coupled to a second terminal of the fuse.

7. The circuit protection assembly of claim 6, wherein the second terminal of the fuse is an output terminal positioned on a portion of a bottom surface of the fuse.

8. The circuit protection assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of a top surface of the non-conductive isolator and a portion of a top surface of the second conductive element are approximately aligned.

9. The circuit protection assembly of claim 8, wherein a portion of a bottom surface of the fuse is positioned on the approximately aligned surfaces of the non-conductive isolator and the second conductive element.

10. The circuit protection assembly of claim 1, wherein the first conductive element is an input bus bar and the second conductive element is an output bus bar.

11. The circuit protection assembly of claim 1, wherein the first conductive element is an input cable and the second conductive element is an output cable.

12. The circuit protection assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductive assembly post is a copper bolt.

13. A method, comprising:

providing a conductive assembly post;

positioning a conductive input bus bar on the conductive assembly post;

positioning an isolator on the conductive assembly post;

positioning a conductive output bus bar on the isolator;

positioning a fuse on the conductive assembly post; and

positioning a fastener on the conductive assembly post on a top surface of the fuse.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising coupling the conductive input bus bar to a power source and coupling the conductive output bus bar to a circuit.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising positioning a first portion of the isolator to electrically isolate the conductive assembly post from the conductive output bus bar.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising positioning a second portion of the isolator to electrically isolate the conductive input bus bar from the conductive output bus bar.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising coupling an input terminal of the fuse to a bottom portion of the fastener.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising coupling an output terminal of the fuse to an upper portion of the conductive output bus bar.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising positioning the conductive output bus bar on the isolator.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising aligning a top surface of the isolator with a top surface of the conductive output bus bar and positioning the fuse on the aligned top surfaces.