Modular fuse holder and arrangement and connection thereof

{
  "publication_number": "US10395878B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Modular fuse holder and arrangement and connection thereof",
  "abstract": "A fuse holder includes a holder base comprising a plurality of protrusions each having a mounting hole formed therein to provide for mounting of the holder base to an external component and one or more mating protrusions and one or more mating slots formed on each of opposing side surfaces. The fuse holder also includes an input stud coupled to or formed on the holder base and a cover configured to attach to the holder base to at least partially enclose one or more fuses positionable on the fuse holder. The one or more mating protrusions and the one or more mating slots formed on each of the opposing side surfaces of the holder base comprise dovetailed protrusions and slots of a matching profile capable of receiving such a dovetailed protrusion, so as to enable a side-by-side stacking and interlocking of fuse holders with such mating protrusions and mating slots.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A fuse holder comprising: a holder base including: a plurality of protrusions each having a mounting hole formed therein to provide for mounting of the holder base to an external component; one or more mating protrusions and one or more mating slots formed on each of opposing side surfaces; and an electrically conductive buss bar insert that is over molded in the holder base; an input stud coupled to or formed on the holder base; an output stud coupled to or formed on the holder base; and a cover configured to attach to the holder base to at least partially enclose first and second fuses positioned on the input and output studs; an input power buss bar positioned on the input stud such that the input stud extends through an opening in the input power buss bar, with the input power buss bar positioned on the first stud so as to be adjacent to the holder base and electrically coupled to the first fuse; wherein the one or more mating protrusions and the one or more mating slots formed on each of the opposing side surfaces of the holder base comprise dovetailed protrusions and slots of a matching profile capable of receiving such a dovetailed protrusion, so as to enable a side-by-side stacking and interlocking of fuse holders with such mating protrusions and mating slots; wherein the first and second fuses comprise first and second MRBF fuses, with the first and second MRBF fuses being positioned on the input and output studs via an opening in each of the first and second MRBF fuses; and wherein the input power buss bar contacts the electrically conductive buss bar insert so as to be electrically coupled thereto, the electrically conductive buss bar insert transferring power from the input power buss bar to the second MRBF fuse.",
    "2. The fuse holder of claim 1 wherein the cover is constructed to enclose both the first and second MRBF fuses and the pair of connection studs.",
    "3. The fuse holder of claim 1 wherein the holder base is configured to electrically insulate the fuse holder from an external component to which the fuse holder is mounted.",
    "4. A fuse holder for holding first and second marine rated battery fuses (MRBF fuses) therein, the fuse holder comprising: a holder base comprising an electrically conductive buss bar insert that is molded therein; a pair of connection studs comprising a first stud and a second stud coupled to or formed on the holder base, with the pair of connection studs constructed to provide for positioning of the first and second MRBF fuses thereon, respectively; an input power buss bar positioned on the first stud such that the first stud extends through an opening in the input power buss bar, with the input power buss bar positioned on the first stud so as to be adjacent to the holder base and electrically coupled to the first MRBF fuse; and a cover configured to attach to the holder base to cover the first and second MRBF fuses and the pair of connection studs; wherein the input power buss bar contacts the electrically conductive buss bar insert of the holder base so as to be electrically coupled thereto, with the electrically conductive buss bar insert transferring power from the input power buss bar to the second MRBF fuse.",
    "5. The fuse holder arrangement of claim 4 wherein the holder base further comprises one or more mating protrusions and one or more mating slots formed on each of opposing side surfaces of the holder base, and wherein the one or more mating protrusions and the one or more mating slots formed on each of the opposing side surfaces of the holder base comprise dovetailed protrusions and slots of a matching profile capable of receiving such a dovetailed protrusion, so as to enable a side-by-side stacking and interlocking of fuse holders with such mating protrusions and mating slots.",
    "6. The fuse holder arrangement of claim 4 wherein the holder base is configured to electrically insulate the fuse holder from an external component to which the fuse holder is mounted.",
    "7. The fuse holder arrangement of claim 4 wherein the holder base further comprises a plurality of protrusions each having a mounting hole formed therein to provide for mounting of the holder base to an external component."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Embodiments of the invention relate generally to fuse holders and, more particularly, to a fuse holder having a construction that provides for modularity and arrangement with other like fuse holders in a flexible manner. A module of fuse holders formed of fuse holders having such a construction also includes a means for providing electrical inputs and outputs to each of the fuse holders.\n\nThe electrical systems of marine, construction, agriculture, heavy trucking, and other specialty vehicles that use direct current (DC) typically include fuses to protect the electrical system. The types of fuses used in the electrical system of such vehicles/machines is dependent upon the specific application, voltage, and current demands of the electrical system - with it being recognized that the fuses may be in the form of blade type fuses (e.g., ATM-mini fuses, ATC-Blade fuses and Maxi Fuses), bolt in type fuses such as AMG and AMI fuses, and/or marine rated battery fuses (MRBF fuses). The fuses are typically housed within a fuse holder that holds and protects the fuses, as well as allows for connection of the fuses with other components of the electrical system.\n\nAs indicated above, the types of fuses used in an electrical system is dependent upon the specific application, voltage, and current demands of the electrical systems, and it is recognized that each of the above mentioned automotive fuses have different physical dimensions or “footprints.” In connection with this, the footprint and mounting requirement of fuse holder that houses the particular fuses will also vary depending on the type of fuses being housed.",
  "cpc": [
    "H01H 85/2045",
    "H01H 2085/2085",
    "H01H 2085/209",
    "H01H 85/0411",
    "H01H 85/203",
    "H01H 85/2035",
    "H05K 1/18",
    "H05K 2201/10181"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "H01H 85/041",
    "H01H 85/20",
    "H05K 1/18"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Rushabh Dhanesh Shah",
    "Patrick Thomas McKinney",
    "Aswini N",
    "Brandon William Fisher"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-05-23",
  "publication_date": "2019-08-27",
  "grant_date": "2019-08-27",
  "priority_date": "2016-05-24",
  "application_number": "US-201715602802-A",
  "family_id": "58772744",
  "cited_by_count": 4,
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}