US3878497A - Fuse link assembly suitable for use in automotive electrical system - Google Patents

Fuse link assembly suitable for use in automotive electrical system Download PDF

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Publication number
US3878497A
US3878497A US440349A US44034974A US3878497A US 3878497 A US3878497 A US 3878497A US 440349 A US440349 A US 440349A US 44034974 A US44034974 A US 44034974A US 3878497 A US3878497 A US 3878497A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
fuse link
link member
assembly
fuse
given
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 - Lifetime
Application number
US440349A
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English (en)
Inventor
Paul Joseph Spangler
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TDK Micronas GmbH
ITT Inc
Original Assignee
Deutsche ITT Industries GmbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Deutsche ITT Industries GmbH filed Critical Deutsche ITT Industries GmbH
Priority to US440349A priority Critical patent/US3878497A/en
Priority to DE19752503474 priority patent/DE2503474A1/de
Priority to CA219,154A priority patent/CA1021832A/en
Priority to DE19752504217 priority patent/DE2504217A1/de
Priority to IT19889/75A priority patent/IT1031408B/it
Priority to SE7501233A priority patent/SE408506B/xx
Priority to JP50015545A priority patent/JPS50118239A/ja
Priority to FR7503819A priority patent/FR2260862A1/fr
Priority to GB5330/75A priority patent/GB1493414A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3878497A publication Critical patent/US3878497A/en
Assigned to ITT CORPORATION reassignment ITT CORPORATION CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH CORPORATION
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H85/00—Protective devices in which the current flows through a part of fusible material and this current is interrupted by displacement of the fusible material when this current becomes excessive
    • H01H85/02—Details
    • H01H85/20—Bases for supporting the fuse; Separate parts thereof
    • H01H85/201—Bases for supporting the fuse; Separate parts thereof for connecting a fuse in a lead and adapted to be supported by the lead alone

Definitions

  • FIG. 1 A first figure.
  • This invention relates to a fuse link assembly and, more particularly, to a self-locking fuse link assembly for fusing a conductor such as a conductor in an automotive electrical system.
  • Fuse link assemblies for fusing a conductor by means of an intermediate, smaller diameter conductor are known.
  • a presently known method for fusing a No.8 AWG copper wire conductor ofa 55 ampere automobile electrical system circuit utilizes a No. 12 AWG copper fuse wire of a given length.
  • Each end of the fuse wire is provided with a contact and, in turn, enclosed within an insulated housing, thereby to provide a connector assembly thereat.
  • the adjacent ends of the No. 8 wire are similarly provided with cooperating contacts and enclosed within suitable housings.
  • the connector assemblies of the fuse wire are respectively coupled to the connector assemblies of the No. 8 wire and a fused conductor is thusly provided.
  • This method however, has several known disadvantages.
  • the fuse link assembly of the present invention includes a thermal barrier which functions to thermally insulate the heat generated within the fuse link assembly.
  • a fuse link assembly for fusing a conductor.
  • the assembly includes a fuse link member having a reduced cross-section at a given portion thereof, and having first and second terminal portions respectively at opposite ends thereof.
  • First and second cooperating terminals are provided with means for gripping a bare wire, and each cooperating terminal slidably engages one of the first and second terminal portions of the fuse link number.
  • An insulated housing encloses the assembly, and, in a preferred embodiment, provides a thermal barrier about the given portion of the fuse link member.
  • FIG. 1 is an assembly view of a fuse link assembly in accordance with the prior art
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of the internal structure of a fuse link assembly in accordance with the present invention, and illustrating particularly a fuse link member thereof in engagement with cooperating terminals;
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 4 is an end view of the fuse link member of FIG.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the fuse link member taken along the. line 5-5 of FIG. 2;
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively show side and top views of the fuse link housing in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is an end view of the fuse link assembly housing of FIGS. 6 and 7, and further illustrating the hinge member in its alternate positions;
  • FIG. 9 is a side view of the housing of FIGS. 6-8 showing the position of the fuse link member structure of FIG. 2 therein.
  • Fuse link assembly 10 functions to fuse a conductor 12 between its adjacent ends 12a and 1212.
  • Assembly 10 includes a fuse wire 14 which typically exhibits a size which is four AWG wire sizes smaller than that of conductor 12.
  • the ends of fuse wire 14 are provided with male contacts 16 and 18 which are crimped, soldered or suitably fastened onto fuse wire 14.
  • Contacts 16 and 18 are respectively enclosed within housings 16a and 18a.
  • the adjacent ends of conductor 12 are provided with suitable female contacts 20 and 22.
  • contacts 20 and 22 are respectively enclosed within housings 20a and 22a.
  • Contacts 20 and 22 are also crimped, soldered or suitably fastened to the adjacent ends of conductor 12.
  • fuse link assembly 10 necessitates four housings, four contacts and a fuse wire. Moreover, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that utilization of assembly 10 of FIG. 1 necessitates substantial labor in that four crimped joints must be provided and that four housings must be assembled. As will be discussed more fully hereinafter, the fuse link assembly in accordance with the present invention substantially reduces the component count and, accordingly, simplities the labor requirements as compared to the numerous elements and associated labor requirements of assembly 10 of FIG. 1.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 there is shown generally at 30 a metallic fuse link member 32 in engagement with cooperating male connector terminals 34 and 36.
  • fuse link member 32 is provided with curls 38a and 38b (and 38a and 38b), thereby to provide integral, female-connector-terminal end portions. Accordingly, the end portions of fuse link member 32 cooperate with and function to accept the spade portions of connector terminals 34 and 36.
  • Terminals 34 and 36 are respectively provided with wire barrel portions 34a and 36a. As is well known in the art, these wire barrel portions are adapted to accept a bare wire for crimping therein.
  • the central portion of fuse link member 32 is provided with a suitable aperture 32a such that the current carrying cross section of the central portion (as best illustrated in FIG. 5) is of an area which is substantially less than the current carrying cross-sectional area of the associated conductor.
  • the cross section of the central portion of fuse link member 32 is approximately four AWG wire sizes smaller than the cross-sectional area of the bare wire conductor which has its ends crimped into male terminals 34 and 36.
  • fuse link member 32 is provided with side rails 32b, which are readily formed by turning a portion of the edge of member 32 through a right angle. As will be discussed more fully hereinafter, rails 32b afford sufficient structural strength to member 32, thereby to prevent bending or kinking of member 32 particularly at the central portion thereof.
  • fuse link member 32 in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprises a substantially rigid and generally rectangular unitary metallic member, having a reduced cross section at an integral portion thereof, and having first and second integral terminal portions respectively at opposite ends thereof.
  • housing 40 preferably comprises nylon, vinyl or any other suitable insulating material.
  • Housing 40 includes a top portion 40a which is hinged about lower portion 40b.
  • Upper portion 40a includes a ring 42 which engages a clasp 44 of lower portion 40b. Ring 42 and clasp 44 function to snap-lock housing 40 in its closed position. Lower portion 40b also includes raised portions or pads 46.
  • FIG. 7 there is shown a top view of housing 40 wherein top portion 400 is shown in its open position.
  • the end portions of housing 40 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, is preferably reduced to a circular cross section having a diameter which approximates that of the outside diameter of the insulation portion of the associated conductor to be fused.
  • FIG. 8 there is shown an end view of housing 40 and further illustrating upper portion 40a in both the closed and open positions.
  • FIG. 8 also illustrates an integral hinge 48 which results when housing 40 is suitably molded in a mold housing as is well known in the art.
  • FIG. 9 there is shown a side view of housing 40 in its closed position with fuse link member 32 and male connector terminals 34 and 36 disposed therein in engaged relation.
  • the length of fuse link member 32 is selected such that the gussets or transitional portions of terminals 34 and 36 respectively rest upon pads 46.
  • the relative dimensions of housing 40 and the thickness of fuse link member 32 are selected such that an air barrier results between the surface of fuse link member 32 and the inner chamber of housing 40. Accordingly, an air-insulated barrier is provided therein.
  • the conductor to be fused with the fuse link assembly of the present invention is suitably crimped or fastened at its adjacent ends to the fuse link assembly within the wire barrel portions of terminals 34 and 36.
  • fuse link assembly in accordance with the present invention is described as follows. It is assumed that the fuse link assembly is suitably connected between the adjacent ends of the conductor to be fused by way of the wire gripping means provided at the ends of terminals 34 and 36.
  • fuse link member 32 melts at the central portion thereof. Since the central portion of fuse link member 32 has a reduced cross section, the heat generated is localized thereat. Since there is no direct contact between fuse link member 32 and housing 40, the generated heat is isolated within the housing by virtue of the thermallyisolating air barrier established therein.
  • terminals 34 and 36 are preferably provided as male members in that they are thereby virtually impervious to the generated heat. That is, there is essentially no chance of damaging the male tabs, as the resulting temperatures thereat are insufficient to anneal the material of the tab. Further, any damage that does result to the female connector portions offuse link member 32 is of no consequence, as this part is replaced after the fuse melts or blows.
  • terminals 34 and 36 can advantageously be provided in the form of female connector terminals.
  • aperature 32a can be provided in any given geometric pattern other than the preferred circular aperture shown in the relevant figures of the present specification.
  • fuse link member 32 is preferably provided with means for increasing its bending strength such as, for example, side rails 32b. This feature provides for a more rugged member which therefore will not deform during the installation operation when the cooperating male tab terminals are inserted therein. Hence, the dimensional requirements for an air-insulated barrier within housing 40, in accordance with the present invention, are maintained.
  • a fuse link assembly for fusing a conductor comprising, in combination:
  • a substantially rigid unitary metallic fuse link member having a reduced cross section at a given generally central integral portion thereof which melts in response to a given current level in said conductor, said fuse link member having structural means at said given portion formed from the meltable material of said fuse link member for increasing the structural strength of said fuse link member, wherein said structural means comprises at least one turned portion extending through said reduced cross section and projecting away from at least one plane of said fuse link member thereby to resist bending or kinking of said fuse link member at said given portion, and said fuse link member having first and second integral terminal portions respectively at opposite ends thereof;
  • first and second cooperating terminals each cooperating terminal having means for gripping a bare wire and each cooperating terminal slidably engaging one of said first and second terminal portions of said fuse link member;
  • said housing comprises a removable enclosure of insulating material having first and second projections for respectively engaging said first and second cooperating terminals and having a central portion spaced apart from said given portion of said fuse link member, whereby a thermal barrier is provided between said given portion and said insulating enclosure.
  • first and second terminal portions of said fuse link member each comprise a female connector and wherein said first and second cooperating terminals each comprise a male connector.
  • said structural means comprises at least one side rail wherein at least one edge portion of said fuse link is turned through a right angle to form said side rail.

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  • Fuses (AREA)
US440349A 1974-02-07 1974-02-07 Fuse link assembly suitable for use in automotive electrical system Expired - Lifetime US3878497A (en)

Priority Applications (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US440349A US3878497A (en) 1974-02-07 1974-02-07 Fuse link assembly suitable for use in automotive electrical system
DE19752503474 DE2503474A1 (de) 1974-02-07 1975-01-29 Lamellensicherung fuer elektrische systeme in kraftfahrzeugen
CA219,154A CA1021832A (en) 1974-02-07 1975-01-31 Fuse link assembly suitable for use in automotive electrical systems
DE19752504217 DE2504217A1 (de) 1974-02-07 1975-02-01 Schmelzsicherungsanordnung fuer die fahrzeugelektrik
IT19889/75A IT1031408B (it) 1974-02-07 1975-02-03 Gpuppo fustibile atto ad essere usato in sistemi elettric i per autoveicoli
SE7501233A SE408506B (sv) 1974-02-07 1975-02-05 Smeltinsatsdon for smeltsekring
JP50015545A JPS50118239A (de) 1974-02-07 1975-02-07
FR7503819A FR2260862A1 (de) 1974-02-07 1975-02-07
GB5330/75A GB1493414A (en) 1974-02-07 1975-02-07 Fuse link assembly suitable for use in automotive electrical systems

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US440349A US3878497A (en) 1974-02-07 1974-02-07 Fuse link assembly suitable for use in automotive electrical system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3878497A true US3878497A (en) 1975-04-15

Family

ID=23748410

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US440349A Expired - Lifetime US3878497A (en) 1974-02-07 1974-02-07 Fuse link assembly suitable for use in automotive electrical system

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3878497A (de)
JP (1) JPS50118239A (de)
CA (1) CA1021832A (de)
DE (2) DE2503474A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2260862A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1493414A (de)
IT (1) IT1031408B (de)
SE (1) SE408506B (de)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0000164A1 (de) * 1977-06-30 1979-01-10 Grote & Hartmann GmbH & Co. KG Flachsicherung
US4394638A (en) * 1982-07-21 1983-07-19 Essex Group, Inc. Miniature plug-in fuse assembly and method of making a fuse element therefor
EP0145192A2 (de) * 1983-11-25 1985-06-19 General Motors Corporation Schmelzbarer elektrischer Verbinder
US4922366A (en) * 1988-05-12 1990-05-01 Transnational Energy Systems, Inc., Dba Tesco Meltable conductor to be used in series with voltage suppressors
US5270679A (en) * 1993-02-08 1993-12-14 Gould Inc. Split end plate fuse assembly
US5304740A (en) * 1991-11-20 1994-04-19 Essex Group, Inc. Fusible link wire
WO1996002929A1 (de) * 1994-07-14 1996-02-01 Wilhelm Pudenz Gmbh Sicherungseinsatz und ein sicherungshalter hierfür
EP0806783A2 (de) * 1996-05-09 1997-11-12 Grote & Hartmann GmbH & Co. KG Kontaktelement
GB2376817A (en) * 2001-06-05 2002-12-24 Cooper Technologies Co Fuse element positioning body
US6815841B1 (en) * 1999-11-03 2004-11-09 Littelfuse, Inc. Fuse arrangements and fuse boxes for a vehicle
US20100033291A1 (en) * 2008-08-06 2010-02-11 Littelfuse, Inc. Housing securing apparatus for electrical components, especially fuses
US20130265685A1 (en) * 2010-10-29 2013-10-10 Dehn + Sohne Gmbh + Co. Kg Arrangement for forming a thermal isolation point

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3913712A1 (de) * 1989-04-26 1990-10-31 Elmar Holderer Elektrische sicherungseinrichtung, insbesondere fuer kraftfahrzeuge, sowie verfahren zu dessen herstellung

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2395206A (en) * 1943-07-17 1946-02-19 Virginia Electric Mfg Corp Molded plastic fuse construction
US2713098A (en) * 1951-07-31 1955-07-12 Chase Shawmut Co Current-limiting fusible protective devices
US2941059A (en) * 1957-09-16 1960-06-14 Gen Motors Corp Printed circuit type fuse

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2395206A (en) * 1943-07-17 1946-02-19 Virginia Electric Mfg Corp Molded plastic fuse construction
US2713098A (en) * 1951-07-31 1955-07-12 Chase Shawmut Co Current-limiting fusible protective devices
US2941059A (en) * 1957-09-16 1960-06-14 Gen Motors Corp Printed circuit type fuse

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0000164A1 (de) * 1977-06-30 1979-01-10 Grote & Hartmann GmbH & Co. KG Flachsicherung
US4394638A (en) * 1982-07-21 1983-07-19 Essex Group, Inc. Miniature plug-in fuse assembly and method of making a fuse element therefor
EP0145192A2 (de) * 1983-11-25 1985-06-19 General Motors Corporation Schmelzbarer elektrischer Verbinder
EP0145192A3 (de) * 1983-11-25 1986-12-30 General Motors Corporation Schmelzbarer elektrischer Verbinder
US4922366A (en) * 1988-05-12 1990-05-01 Transnational Energy Systems, Inc., Dba Tesco Meltable conductor to be used in series with voltage suppressors
US5304740A (en) * 1991-11-20 1994-04-19 Essex Group, Inc. Fusible link wire
US5270679A (en) * 1993-02-08 1993-12-14 Gould Inc. Split end plate fuse assembly
WO1996002929A1 (de) * 1994-07-14 1996-02-01 Wilhelm Pudenz Gmbh Sicherungseinsatz und ein sicherungshalter hierfür
EP0806783A2 (de) * 1996-05-09 1997-11-12 Grote & Hartmann GmbH & Co. KG Kontaktelement
EP0806783A3 (de) * 1996-05-09 1998-01-21 Grote & Hartmann GmbH & Co. KG Kontaktelement
US6815841B1 (en) * 1999-11-03 2004-11-09 Littelfuse, Inc. Fuse arrangements and fuse boxes for a vehicle
GB2376817A (en) * 2001-06-05 2002-12-24 Cooper Technologies Co Fuse element positioning body
US6774760B2 (en) 2001-06-05 2004-08-10 Cooper Technologies Company Fuse element positioning body
GB2376817B (en) * 2001-06-05 2005-04-13 Cooper Technologies Co Fuse element positioning body
US20100033291A1 (en) * 2008-08-06 2010-02-11 Littelfuse, Inc. Housing securing apparatus for electrical components, especially fuses
US8339235B2 (en) 2008-08-06 2012-12-25 Beckert James J Housing securing apparatus for electrical components, especially fuses
US20130265685A1 (en) * 2010-10-29 2013-10-10 Dehn + Sohne Gmbh + Co. Kg Arrangement for forming a thermal isolation point
US9331471B2 (en) * 2010-10-29 2016-05-03 Dehn + Söhne Gmbh + Co. Kg Arrangement for forming a thermal isolation point
US9660437B2 (en) 2010-10-29 2017-05-23 Dehn + Söhne Gmbh + Co. Kg Arrangement for forming a thermal isolation point

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1493414A (en) 1977-11-30
DE2503474A1 (de) 1975-08-14
DE2504217A1 (de) 1975-08-14
CA1021832A (en) 1977-11-29
FR2260862A1 (de) 1975-09-05
IT1031408B (it) 1979-04-30
SE7501233L (de) 1975-08-08
SE408506B (sv) 1979-06-11
JPS50118239A (de) 1975-09-16

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ITT CORPORATION

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004389/0606

Effective date: 19831122