Subminiature fuse with surface mount end caps and improved connectivity
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electrical fuse comprising:
- a nonconductive housing comprising a base and a separately provided cover fitted to the base;
wherein the base comprises opposing longitudinal side walls and opposing end walls interconnecting the longitudinal side walls, the longitudinal side walls extending parallel to a longitudinal axis, the end walls extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the longitudinal side walls and the end walls defining an interior fuse element cavity therebetween, and at least one of the end walls comprising a fuse element receiving slot in communication with the interior fuse element cavity; and
wherein the cover substantially closes the interior fuse element cavity when the cover is fitted to the base, and the cover is longitudinally separated from the fuse element receiving slot when the cover is fitted to the base;
a fuse element received in the base, wherein the fuse element extends through the fuse element receiving slot and extends across the fuse element cavity between the opposing end walls of the base; and
first and second conductive end caps fitted over the respective opposing end walls of the base adjacent respective ends of the fuse element, the first and second end caps defining a surface mount area for connection to a circuit board.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Subminiature surface mount chip fuses include two part housings enclosing a fuse element and prefabricated end caps. The housing ends are shaped to restrict freedom of movement of the fuse element ends as the end caps are assembled to the housing. The end caps may include features to positively secure them in place and restrict relative movement of the end caps relative to the housing. Holes may be provided in the end caps that allow solder flow from a location exterior to the end caps to flow interior to the end caps to establish electrical connection with the fuse element.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An electrical fuse comprising:
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a nonconductive housing comprising a base and a separately provided cover fitted to the base; wherein the base comprises opposing longitudinal side walls and opposing end walls interconnecting the longitudinal side walls, the longitudinal side walls extending parallel to a longitudinal axis, the end walls extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the longitudinal side walls and the end walls defining an interior fuse element cavity therebetween, and at least one of the end walls comprising a fuse element receiving slot in communication with the interior fuse element cavity; and wherein the cover substantially closes the interior fuse element cavity when the cover is fitted to the base, and the cover is longitudinally separated from the fuse element receiving slot when the cover is fitted to the base; a fuse element received in the base, wherein the fuse element extends through the fuse element receiving slot and extends across the fuse element cavity between the opposing end walls of the base; and first and second conductive end caps fitted over the respective opposing end walls of the base adjacent respective ends of the fuse element, the first and second end caps defining a surface mount area for connection to a circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An electrical fuse comprising:
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a nonconductive housing comprising a base and a separately provided cover, the base comprising opposing longitudinal side walls and opposing end walls interconnecting the longitudinal side walls, the longitudinal side walls and the end walls defining an interior fuse element cavity therebetween, and the base further defining an opening in communication with the fuse element cavity, the cover being substantially planar and having a complementary shape to the opening defined in the base, the cover fitted to the opening defined in the base and substantially closing the fuse element cavity; a fuse element received in the fuse element cavity; and first and second terminal elements comprising conductive end caps fitted over the respective end walls of the base, the first and second end caps defining a surface mount area for connection to a circuit board; wherein one of the end caps comprises an opening formed completely through a thickness of the end cap proximate the surface mount area, whereby when the end cap is soldered to a circuit board solder may flow through the opening from an exterior of the end cap to the interior of the end cap and establish a direct electrical connection to the fuse element.
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25. An electrical fuse comprising:
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a nonconductive housing comprising a base and a cover, the base comprising opposing longitudinal side walls and opposing end walls interconnecting the longitudinal side walls, the longitudinal side walls and the end walls defining a fuse element cavity therebetween, the cover fitted to the base and substantially closing the fuse element cavity; a fuse element received in the fuse element cavity; and first and second terminal elements comprising conductive end caps fitted over the respective end walls of the base proximate a respective end of the fuse element, the first and second end caps each defining a surface mount area for connection to a circuit board; wherein one of the end caps comprises at least one of a retention dimple and an opening formed completely through a thickness of the end cap proximate the surface mount area; wherein at least one of the end walls comprises a fuse element receiving slot; and wherein the cover is longitudinally spaced from the fuse element receiving slot when the cover is fitted to the base.
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Specification