Manual service disconnect with screw cover

{
  "publication_number": "US9397459B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Manual service disconnect with screw cover",
  "abstract": "A manual disconnect includes a housing and a base attached to the housing by a fastener. The base includes primary terminals. The manual disconnect also includes a plug assembly that includes fuse terminals and a bolt cover. The plug assembly is movable relative to the base between a disconnected position wherein the fuse terminals are not engaged with respective primary terminals, and a primary circuit engaged position, wherein the fuse terminals are engaged with respective primary terminals. When the plug assembly is in the primary circuit engaged position the bolt cover is positioned to prevent the fastener from being removed from the housing. A handle or cover part of the plug assembly is then rotated to a locked position with respect to the base. Then, the plug assembly can be moved further in the insertion direction to close an interlock circuit, allowing current to flow in the primary circuit.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A manual disconnect for an electric circuit, the manual disconnect comprising: a housing; a base attached to the housing by a fastener, the base including primary terminals; an interlock connector; an interlock resistor assembly; and a plug assembly including fuse terminals and a bolt cover, the plug assembly being movable relative to the base along an axis in an insertion direction between a disconnected position, wherein the fuse terminals are not engaged with respective primary terminals, and a primary circuit engaged position wherein the fuse terminals are engaged with respective primary terminals; and the plug assembly being rotatable about the axis relative to the base to move the plug assembly from the primary circuit engaged position to an interlock position, wherein the interlock connector is engaged with the interlock resistor assembly and the bolt cover is positioned to prevent the fastener from being removed from the housing.",
    "2. The manual disconnect for an electric circuit of claim 1, wherein the insertion direction is parallel to the axis of rotation.",
    "3. The manual disconnect for an electric circuit of claim 1, wherein the plug assembly includes a plug housing and a handle attached to for relative rotational movement.",
    "4. The manual disconnect for an electric circuit of claim 3, wherein the handle is rotated about the axis relative to the base to move the plug assembly from the primary circuit engaged position to the interlock position.",
    "5. The manual disconnect for an electric circuit of claim 4, wherein when the handle is rotated about the axis relative to the base, the plug housing is stationary relative to the base.",
    "6. The manual disconnect for an electric circuit of claim 1, wherein the bolt cover comprises a tab attached to the plug assembly.",
    "7. The manual disconnect for an electric circuit of claim 1, wherein the base is attached to the housing by a plurality of fasteners, and the plug assembly includes a plurality of bolt covers and when the plug assembly is in the primary circuit engaged position each of the plurality of bolt covers is positioned to prevent one of the plurality of fasteners from being removed from the housing.",
    "8. A manual disconnect for an electric circuit comprising: a housing; a base attached to the housing by a fastener, the base including primary terminals; an interlock connector; an interlock resistor; and a plug assembly including fuse terminals, a handle, and a bolt cover, the plug assembly is movable in an insertion direction relative to the base between a disconnected position wherein the fuse terminals are not engaged with respective primary terminals and a primary circuit engaged position wherein the fuse terminals are engaged with respective primary terminals, wherein: the plug housing is further movable relative to the base to an interlock position, the interlock connector is engaged with the interlock resistor assembly, and the bolt cover is positioned to prevent the fastener from being removed from the housing.",
    "9. The manual disconnect for an electric circuit of claim 8, wherein the plug assembly includes a handle attached to the plug housing for relative rotational movement thereof.",
    "10. The manual disconnect for an electric circuit of claim 9, wherein the handle is rotated about an axis relative to the base to move the plug assembly from the primary circuit engaged position to the interlock position.",
    "11. The manual disconnect for an electric circuit of claim 10, wherein when the handle is rotated about an axis relative to the base, the plug housing is stationary relative to the base."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates in general to structures for interrupting an electric circuit. More specifically, this invention relates to an improved manual disconnect for an electric battery in an electric circuit.\n\nElectric batteries are used to store and supply power for various types of machines. Batteries are often used to provide power to portable electronic equipment. Unlike a power source like a generator, which may be turned off, the battery may continue to supply power as long as there is a closed circuit between its terminals. Typically, when the electronic equipment is serviced, repaired, or inspected, the circuit is opened so that there is no current flow.\n\nElectric vehicles and hybrid vehicles may use high voltage batteries to store electric power. This power can be provided to the vehicle by an external source, such as a wall outlet, or by an internal source such as a gasoline engine or regenerative brakes. The high voltage batteries may be used to provide power to vehicle systems, such as electric drive motors that propel the vehicle. It is sometimes desirable to disconnect the high voltage batteries so that there is no high voltage current provided to any of the vehicle's systems. This can be done to avoid damage to the vehicle systems as well as to avoid injury to people. For example, in order to reduce the risk of electrocution during service of the vehicle, a technician may disconnect the battery. Alternatively, after an accident a first responder may disconnect the battery.",
  "cpc": [
    "H01R 33/95",
    "H01H 2085/025",
    "H01H 85/204",
    "H01H 85/22",
    "H01H 85/54"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "H01H 85/20",
    "H01R 33/95",
    "H01H 85/22",
    "H01H 85/54",
    "H01R 31/08"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Lear Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Anthony Butcher",
    "David Menzies",
    "Reinhard Pusch"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2014-08-15",
  "publication_date": "2016-07-19",
  "grant_date": "2016-07-19",
  "priority_date": "2014-08-15",
  "application_number": "US-201414461004-A",
  "family_id": "55302845",
  "cited_by_count": 22,
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}