FUSE ASSEMBLY

• US 20180301310A1
• Filed: 04/12/2018
• Published: 10/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies LLC (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Allcorn, James Randall, Smith, Donald Gary, Mosby, William J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,403,462 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2085/025 Structural association with a binding post of a storage battery
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2085/0555 Input terminal connected to a plurality of output terminals, e.g. multielectrode
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2085/2055 Connections to bus bars in an installation with screw in type fuses or knife blade fuses
• 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 85/06 characterised by the fusible material H01H85/11 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 85/205 Electric connections to contacts on the base

Abstract

A fuse assembly includes an insulating block having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a side surface therebetween. The insulating block defines cavities extending therethrough. Each cavity defines a resilient lock arm. A fuse assembly also includes a first terminal stud secured within a first cavity by a first lock arm, a second terminal stud secured within a second cavity by a second lock arm, and a bus bar disposed parallel to the bottom surface of the insulating block. The bus bar is interconnected to the first terminal stud by a lower terminal connected to the bus bar and an upper terminal disposed parallel to the upper surface. The bus bar is interconnected to the second terminal stud by a fusible link having a lower fuse terminal connected to the bus bar and an upper fuse terminal disposed generally parallel to the upper surface.

Claims

1. A fuse assembly, comprising:

an insulating block having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a side surface therebetween, said insulating block defining a plurality of cavities extending therethrough from the lower surface to the upper surface, wherein an inner side wall of each cavity of the plurality of cavities defines a resilient lock arm;

a first terminal stud protruding from the upper surface and secured within a first cavity of the plurality of cavities by a first lock arm;

a second terminal stud protruding from the upper surface and secured within a second cavity of the plurality of cavities by a second lock arm; and

a bus bar disposed generally parallel to the bottom surface of the insulating block, wherein the bus bar is interconnected to the first terminal stud by an integral conductor having a lower terminal connected to the bus bar and an upper terminal disposed generally parallel to the upper surface, said upper terminal defining a first aperture configured to receive the first terminal and wherein the bus bar is interconnected to the second terminal stud by an integral fusible link having a lower fuse terminal connected to the bus bar and an upper fuse terminal disposed generally parallel to the upper surface, said upper fuse terminal defining a second aperture configured to receive the second terminal.

2. The fuse assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bus bar is secured to the insulating block by a locking tab defined by the lower surface that is received within an aperture defined by the bus bar.

3. The fuse assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the junction of the side surface and the lower surface is rounded.

4. The fuse assembly in accordance with claim 3, wherein the fusible link is disposed generally parallel to the side wall.

5. The fuse assembly in accordance with claim 3, wherein the fusible link is encapsulated within a polymeric insulative material.

6. The fuse assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first terminal stud defines a generally planar base plate oriented generally perpendicular to the stud and wherein the first lock arm secures the base plate within the first cavity.