Compact modular fuse block with integrated fuse clearance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10026580-B2
Application number	US-201113184962-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 18, 2011
Priority date	Jul 21, 2010
Publication date	Jul 17, 2018
Grant date	Jul 17, 2018

Abstract

A fuse block assembly includes a nonconductive base formed with pedestal surfaces attachable to terminals from a location above the base, while providing a clearance between the body of a fuse and the middle portion of the base when a fuse is installed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fuse block for at least one fuse having axially extending knife blade contacts respectively extending from opposed ends of a fuse body, the fuse block comprising:
at least one nonconductive base having a pair of elevated end portions respectively defining a pedestal surface and a recessed middle portion extending between the pair of elevated end portions;
an exposed box lug mounted to each pedestal surface;
an exposed resilient fuse clip arm positioned adjacent the box lug on each pedestal surface, the resilient fuse clip arm being separately provided from the box lug and being deflectable relative to the box lug to receive a respective one of the knife blade contacts of the fuse and secure each knife blade contact in surface contact with the box lug with the fuse body being spaced from the recessed middle portion; and
a first barrier wall extending alongside the box lug and a second barrier wall extending alongside the resilient fuse clip arm, wherein each of the first barrier wall and the second barrier wall extends above the pedestal surface to provide a degree of protection to a person from inadvertently touching the exposed box lug or the exposed resilient fuse clip arm when servicing the fuse.

2. The fuse block of claim 1 , wherein the exposed box lug on each pedestal surface includes an exposed top surface extending above each pedestal surface and between the first and second barrier walls, and the fuse block further comprises an exposed fastener on the exposed top surface of the exposed box lug, the exposed fastener being selectively positionable relative to the exposed box lug to establish an electrical connection to the exposed box lug via a connection wire.

3. The fuse block of claim 1 :
wherein each elevated end portion of the nonconductive base defines at least one blind hole extending to the pedestal surface;
wherein the fuse block further comprises at least one threaded fastener attaching each exposed box lug to the respective pedestal surface via the at least one blind hole, and the at least one threaded fastener having a head that is exposed on a top surface of the exposed box lug.

4. The fuse block of claim 3 , wherein the at least one blind hole in each elevated end portion of the nonconductive base comprises a first blind hole and a second blind hole; and
wherein the at least one threaded fastener includes a first threaded fastener and a second threaded fastener each attaching the respective box lug to the respective pedestal, and each of the first threaded fastener and the second threaded fastener respectively having a head that is exposed on the respective top surfaces of each exposed box lug.

5. The fuse block of claim 3 , wherein each pedestal surface includes a plurality of location features projecting therefrom and respectively engaging the exposed box lug only when the box lug is in a predetermined orientation relative to the pedestal surface and in alignment with the at least one blind hole.

6. The fuse block of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of location features include at least one alignment tab and at least one alignment pin.

7. The fuse block of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of location features include three location pins and a location tab each respectively engaging the box lug at different locations.

8. The fuse block of claim 1 , wherein the box lug on each pedestal surface has a height dimension, measured perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the fuse, that is less than a corresponding height dimension of the fuse body, thereby providing a predetermined clearance between a lower surface of the fuse body and the recessed middle portion of the nonconductive base when the knife blade contacts are secured to each of the exposed box lugs.

9. The fuse block of claim 8 , wherein the predetermined clearance is selected to accommodate a fuse puller tool for extracting the fuse from the fuse block.

10. The fuse block of claim 8 , wherein the fuse body is cylindrical.

11. The fuse block of claim 8 , wherein the fuse is selected from the group consisting of a Class J fuse, a Class R fuse, or a Class H(K) fuse.

12. The fuse block of claim 11 , wherein the fuse has a current rating of 100 A to 600 A.

13. The fuse block of claim 12 , wherein the fuse has a voltage rating of 250V AC to 600V AC.

14. The fuse block of claim 1 , wherein the middle portion includes at least one mounting aperture to mount the nonconductive base to a support structure.

15. The fuse block of claim 1 , wherein the nonconductive base includes lateral side edges each configured to connect or gang a plurality of nonconductive bases to one another and form a multi-pole fuse block.

16. The fuse block of claim 15 , wherein the lateral side edges of the nonconductive base are configured for tongue and groove engagement with another one of the nonconductive bases.

Assignees

• Von Zur Muehlen Patrick A
• Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd

Inventors

• Von Zur Muehlen Patrick A

Classifications

• H01H2085/207

  Bases adapted to fuses with different end contacts or to other components, e.g. circuit breakers; intermediate adaptation pieces · CPC title

• H01H85/25

  Safety arrangements preventing or inhibiting contact with live parts, including operation of isolation on removal of cover · CPC title

• Y10T29/49117

  Conductor or circuit manufacturing · CPC title

• H01H2085/2065

  with base contacts adapted or adaptable to fuses of different lenghts; bases with self-aligning contacts; intermediate adaptation pieces · CPC title

• H01H9/0264

  Protective covers for terminals · CPC title