CA1045190A - Fuse box, particularly for motor vehicles - Google Patents
Fuse box, particularly for motor vehiclesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1045190A CA1045190A CA255,448A CA255448A CA1045190A CA 1045190 A CA1045190 A CA 1045190A CA 255448 A CA255448 A CA 255448A CA 1045190 A CA1045190 A CA 1045190A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fuse
- support plate
- plate
- apertures
- fuse element
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Fuses (AREA)
Abstract
FUSE BOX, PARTICULARLY FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
Abstract of the Disclosure Fuse boxes for motor vehicles, in which fuse elements are carried on a support plate mounted on a box containing a light source. Each fuse element has a region of small cross section overlying a respective one of a plurality of apertures in the support plate. When the small cross section region of a fuse element melts the underlying aperture is exposed. Light from the light source passes out through said aperture to illuminate a circuit symbol adjacent the support plate thereby giving a visible indication of fuse element failure.
Abstract of the Disclosure Fuse boxes for motor vehicles, in which fuse elements are carried on a support plate mounted on a box containing a light source. Each fuse element has a region of small cross section overlying a respective one of a plurality of apertures in the support plate. When the small cross section region of a fuse element melts the underlying aperture is exposed. Light from the light source passes out through said aperture to illuminate a circuit symbol adjacent the support plate thereby giving a visible indication of fuse element failure.
Description
Specification This invention relates to fuse boxes for motor vehicles, utilizing meltable fuse elements on a support plate.
Prior to the present invention, failure of a fuse element was not always immediately apparent to the driver of the vehicle. Also, the driver, having found that a circuit had failed, would think that the device supplied by the circuit had failed, before establishing by checking the fuse box, that in fact it was the fuse for that circuit which had failed, and not the device itself.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuse bDx in which a visible indication is given of the failure of a fuse element, and if a fuse element fails, which one.
It is a further object of the invention to provide 30- a fuse box having symbols identifying the circuit of each fuse element.
~4S~l9~ ~
Other features, objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from the following --detailed description and drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a fuse box according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of a support plate and fuse element th~reon of the fuse box of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the Figure 1 fuse box along the line III - III o~ that Figure; .-:
Figure 4 is a front view of part of a motor ; vehicle instrument panel including a second embodiment of a fuse box according to the invention; and Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line V - V
of Figure 4.
Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings show a fuse box 2 for installation in a motor vehicle in a position within the vehicle driver's field of view. The fuse box 2 comprises an oblong illumination housing 4 having one side open. This open side is closed by a support plate 12, of insulating materi~l and shown in plan in Figure 2. A bulb 6 is mounted in support plate 12 and extends into the housing 4. The -~
housing constitutes a light chamber 7. As best seen in Figure 1, two sides of the housing 4, in this case the ;:~ :
longer sides, each have out-turned stepped flange portions 10 upon which the support plate 12 seats to close the housing. The housing 4 is ~ecured in ~he desired location in the vehicle by suitable means, as for example bolt~
inserted through apertures 8 in t~e housing (two such apertures being sho~n in Figure 3) and received in suitable :.
retainer means on the vehicle body. The support plate 12 is detachably secured on the housing 4 by suitable fastening
Prior to the present invention, failure of a fuse element was not always immediately apparent to the driver of the vehicle. Also, the driver, having found that a circuit had failed, would think that the device supplied by the circuit had failed, before establishing by checking the fuse box, that in fact it was the fuse for that circuit which had failed, and not the device itself.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuse bDx in which a visible indication is given of the failure of a fuse element, and if a fuse element fails, which one.
It is a further object of the invention to provide 30- a fuse box having symbols identifying the circuit of each fuse element.
~4S~l9~ ~
Other features, objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from the following --detailed description and drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a fuse box according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of a support plate and fuse element th~reon of the fuse box of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the Figure 1 fuse box along the line III - III o~ that Figure; .-:
Figure 4 is a front view of part of a motor ; vehicle instrument panel including a second embodiment of a fuse box according to the invention; and Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line V - V
of Figure 4.
Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings show a fuse box 2 for installation in a motor vehicle in a position within the vehicle driver's field of view. The fuse box 2 comprises an oblong illumination housing 4 having one side open. This open side is closed by a support plate 12, of insulating materi~l and shown in plan in Figure 2. A bulb 6 is mounted in support plate 12 and extends into the housing 4. The -~
housing constitutes a light chamber 7. As best seen in Figure 1, two sides of the housing 4, in this case the ;:~ :
longer sides, each have out-turned stepped flange portions 10 upon which the support plate 12 seats to close the housing. The housing 4 is ~ecured in ~he desired location in the vehicle by suitable means, as for example bolt~
inserted through apertures 8 in t~e housing (two such apertures being sho~n in Figure 3) and received in suitable :.
retainer means on the vehicle body. The support plate 12 is detachably secured on the housing 4 by suitable fastening
2 .
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104S19~
means, one such means in the form of a resilient clip being shown in Figure 3.
; Strips of electrically conductive material, serving as fusible elements 16 are carried on the support plate 12.
Each strip 16 has bent-over end portions 16' which engage side portions of the support plate 12. Intermediate its length each strip has a waisted portion or region 17 of small cross section which overlies a respective one of a plura lity .
of apertues 18 in the ~upport plate 12. Contact between ~;
each fuse element 16 and its circuit element may be achieved in a number of ways as best suits the requirements of the particular installation contemplated. As shown in Figure 1 the bent-over endR 16' of each fuse element 16 abut respective conductor strip portions 20 of the circuit utilizing that fuse.
A cover 22 of transparent material overlies the support plate 12 and fu~e element~ 16, and is releasably secured to the housing 4 by suitable means, for example snap-action catches, one such being shown at 24 in Figure 3.
The cover 22 bears in~icia 26 respectively identifying the circuit protected by each fuse element. As shown in Figure~
1 and 3, the indicia compri~e individual circuit-identifying strips 26 superposed on the outer surface of the cover, each strip overlying its respective fuse element. When a fuse element melts through, as indicated schematically at 16a in Fiyure 1, light from the bulb 6 passes through the aperture ~ ~
18, now no longer covered or masked by the fu$e element, and ~ -illumines the appropriate strip 26 to thereby provide a visual indication of the melted fuse element. ;, In the embodiment described above with refexen~e to Figures 1 through 3 of the drawings, when a fuse element needs to be replaced, the support plate 12 is removed and a fresh support plate with intact fuses is inserted in its place. However, where desired, inclividual fuse elements could be replaced instead of replacing the support plate 12 and fuse elements 16 as a unit.
Current for bulb 6 could be supplied by way of printed circuit means on the support plate 12. The supply . . .
of current to the bulb 6 could be arranged as best suits the particular installation of the fuse box, for example it could be arranged that the bulb 6 i3 lit whenever the vehicle ignition is switched on, or alternatively, the bulb 6 could `;
always be in a live circuit supplied from the vehicle battery. -Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of a fuse box according to this invention, in this case the fuse box is installed at the instrument panel. I~ this embodiment like parts have the same numsrals as in the fixst-described embodiment. As seen in Figure 5 the fuse box housing is in two parts 4, 4' with the base portion of ;~ ~
20 one part 4', seated on the base portion of the other part 4. ~ -The housing is located at the rear of the instrument panel 30 and is -~ecured ~hereto in any convenient manner permitting . .. .
eaRy withdrawal of the housing for access to the bulb 6, which is mounted on the base portion of part 4' of the hou~ing. The instrument panel 30 has a rectangular cut-out h~
portion 34 behind which is mounted a symb~l screen 32, having s~mbols 26, thereon for the individual circuits in which the fuse elements are utilized. A support plate 12 -~
~ . . .
mounted on the instrument panel 30 and behind the symbol `
screen 32 carries the fuse elements 16, and in Figure S one of these is shown melted, as element 16a. As in the first ~ -: . .
:~ ' '' ~.. ' . "
~90 embodiment, each fuse element has a region of small cross section forming the melt region of the element and overlying a respective one of a plurality of aperture~ in the support plate 12. The instrument panel has, as shown in Figure 4 indicating instruments 38, 40 and 42 mounted thereon for the fuel tank contents, the engine temperature, and vehicle speed re~pectively. An instrument cover in the form of a curved sheet 44 of transparent material for example glass, is fitted to the instrument panel in front of the instruments.
As in the first-de~cribed embodiment, when a fuse element melts it exposes the underlying aperture in the support plate 12, light from the bulb 6 shines through the aperture and illuminates the appropriate symbol on the symbol screen 32 for that fuse element circuit. One such illuminated symbol is indicated as 26' in Figure 4.
In Figure S the parts comprising the fuse box, that is the housing 4, 4' the support plate 12, and symbol ~ ~;
screen 32 are each secured to the instrument panel.
However, where desired the fuse box could be assembled a~ a unit first and then installed at the instrument panel.
,.
~ ~
. . ::. ~ .
.'''~"
104S19~
means, one such means in the form of a resilient clip being shown in Figure 3.
; Strips of electrically conductive material, serving as fusible elements 16 are carried on the support plate 12.
Each strip 16 has bent-over end portions 16' which engage side portions of the support plate 12. Intermediate its length each strip has a waisted portion or region 17 of small cross section which overlies a respective one of a plura lity .
of apertues 18 in the ~upport plate 12. Contact between ~;
each fuse element 16 and its circuit element may be achieved in a number of ways as best suits the requirements of the particular installation contemplated. As shown in Figure 1 the bent-over endR 16' of each fuse element 16 abut respective conductor strip portions 20 of the circuit utilizing that fuse.
A cover 22 of transparent material overlies the support plate 12 and fu~e element~ 16, and is releasably secured to the housing 4 by suitable means, for example snap-action catches, one such being shown at 24 in Figure 3.
The cover 22 bears in~icia 26 respectively identifying the circuit protected by each fuse element. As shown in Figure~
1 and 3, the indicia compri~e individual circuit-identifying strips 26 superposed on the outer surface of the cover, each strip overlying its respective fuse element. When a fuse element melts through, as indicated schematically at 16a in Fiyure 1, light from the bulb 6 passes through the aperture ~ ~
18, now no longer covered or masked by the fu$e element, and ~ -illumines the appropriate strip 26 to thereby provide a visual indication of the melted fuse element. ;, In the embodiment described above with refexen~e to Figures 1 through 3 of the drawings, when a fuse element needs to be replaced, the support plate 12 is removed and a fresh support plate with intact fuses is inserted in its place. However, where desired, inclividual fuse elements could be replaced instead of replacing the support plate 12 and fuse elements 16 as a unit.
Current for bulb 6 could be supplied by way of printed circuit means on the support plate 12. The supply . . .
of current to the bulb 6 could be arranged as best suits the particular installation of the fuse box, for example it could be arranged that the bulb 6 i3 lit whenever the vehicle ignition is switched on, or alternatively, the bulb 6 could `;
always be in a live circuit supplied from the vehicle battery. -Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of a fuse box according to this invention, in this case the fuse box is installed at the instrument panel. I~ this embodiment like parts have the same numsrals as in the fixst-described embodiment. As seen in Figure 5 the fuse box housing is in two parts 4, 4' with the base portion of ;~ ~
20 one part 4', seated on the base portion of the other part 4. ~ -The housing is located at the rear of the instrument panel 30 and is -~ecured ~hereto in any convenient manner permitting . .. .
eaRy withdrawal of the housing for access to the bulb 6, which is mounted on the base portion of part 4' of the hou~ing. The instrument panel 30 has a rectangular cut-out h~
portion 34 behind which is mounted a symb~l screen 32, having s~mbols 26, thereon for the individual circuits in which the fuse elements are utilized. A support plate 12 -~
~ . . .
mounted on the instrument panel 30 and behind the symbol `
screen 32 carries the fuse elements 16, and in Figure S one of these is shown melted, as element 16a. As in the first ~ -: . .
:~ ' '' ~.. ' . "
~90 embodiment, each fuse element has a region of small cross section forming the melt region of the element and overlying a respective one of a plurality of aperture~ in the support plate 12. The instrument panel has, as shown in Figure 4 indicating instruments 38, 40 and 42 mounted thereon for the fuel tank contents, the engine temperature, and vehicle speed re~pectively. An instrument cover in the form of a curved sheet 44 of transparent material for example glass, is fitted to the instrument panel in front of the instruments.
As in the first-de~cribed embodiment, when a fuse element melts it exposes the underlying aperture in the support plate 12, light from the bulb 6 shines through the aperture and illuminates the appropriate symbol on the symbol screen 32 for that fuse element circuit. One such illuminated symbol is indicated as 26' in Figure 4.
In Figure S the parts comprising the fuse box, that is the housing 4, 4' the support plate 12, and symbol ~ ~;
screen 32 are each secured to the instrument panel.
However, where desired the fuse box could be assembled a~ a unit first and then installed at the instrument panel.
,.
~ ~
Claims (3)
1. A fuse box for a motor vehicle for providing an illuminated indication of a melted fuse comprising a support plate mounted on the vehicle, a plurality of apertures through the support plate, illumination means on a first side of the plate for providing light to the apertures, a plurality of meltable fuse elements on the plate, the fuse elements normally covering each of the apertures respectively to block the light through the apertures, whereby a lighted aperture is exposed when its corresponding fuse element melts to provide at the second side of the plate an illuminated indication of the fuse melted condition.
2. A fuse box according to claim 1, wherein an illumination housing having an open side contains the light so urce, the support plate overlies and closes the open side, and each of the plurality of fuse elements on the plate has a region of small cross section, each of said regions normally covering a respective one of the apertures of said support plate to block the light through the apertures whereby a lighted aperture is exposed when its corresponding fuse element melts to provide at the second side of the plate an illuminated indication of the fuse melted condition.
3. A fuse box according to claim 1, wherein the support plate is mounted on the instrument panel of the vehicle, and a translucent cover plate is disposed at the said second side of the support plate and has symbols thereon aligned with the fuse elements and identifying the circuit of each fuse element, whereby a lighted aperture is exposed and a symbol on the cover plate is illuminated when-its corresponding fuse element melts to provide an illuminated indication of the fuse melted condition.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA255,448A CA1045190A (en) | 1976-06-22 | 1976-06-22 | Fuse box, particularly for motor vehicles |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA255,448A CA1045190A (en) | 1976-06-22 | 1976-06-22 | Fuse box, particularly for motor vehicles |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1045190A true CA1045190A (en) | 1978-12-26 |
Family
ID=4106262
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA255,448A Expired CA1045190A (en) | 1976-06-22 | 1976-06-22 | Fuse box, particularly for motor vehicles |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1045190A (en) |
-
1976
- 1976-06-22 CA CA255,448A patent/CA1045190A/en not_active Expired
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