Fuse holder

Abstract

A fuse holder (1) for an inline fuse, comprising a multi-part housing with at least a first housing part (2) and at least one second housing part (3), a fuse carrier (8) for a fuse (10) and at least one closure element (4), wherein the housing parts (2, 3) are movable from a closed position (P0), in which the housing parts (2, 3) are connected to one another by means of the closure element (4), into an open position, in which the housing parts (2, 3) are spaced from one another by an opening width, and back in the direction of a longitudinal axis (7) of the fuse holder (1), wherein the fuse holder (1) has at least one status display device (ST), which forms a status display of a condition or status of the fuse.The at least one status display device (ST) comprises at least one printed circuit board, at least one display element, contact springs and electronic components / functional units and is arranged within the fuse holder (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuse holder according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Fuse holders for inline fuses are well known. The fuse holders are built into a line, with an input line and an output line electrically connected to terminals in the fuse holder. The terminals are electrically connected, for example via clamp contacts, to a fuse inside a housing of the fuse holder. The fuse is built as a wire in a tubular body, often also with an extinguishing agent. Depending on the application, the tubular body is made of glass, plastic, or ceramic. Depending on the operating voltage and current, the fuses in the housing are protected against contact during inspection and changing. At high voltages, there is a risk of arcing between live parts such as the fuse and a user. This can be the case, for example, with photovoltaic systems.

[0003] Some fuse holders are provided with devices into which the fuse is first inserted and then inserted or pushed into its clamping position using a movable part of this device. Examples of fuse holders are shown in the following documents:

[0004] DE 10 2021 123 029 A1 describes a fuse holder for an inline fuse, comprising a multi-part housing, a fuse carrier for a fuse, and at least one closure element. The housing has at least a first housing part with an interior space and at least a second housing part with an interior space. The housing parts are movable from a closed position, in which the housing parts are connected to one another by means of the closure element and enclose the interior spaces, into an open position, in which the housing parts are spaced apart from one another by an opening width and the interior spaces are open, and back in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the fuse holder.

[0005] DE 10 2021 203 143 A1 relates to a fuse holder with a fault indicator, in particular a fuse holder for a vehicle, with a receptacle for a fuse comprising a first contact that can be connected to a power source during use and a second contact that can be connected to the first contact by means of an inserted fuse, and with a fault indicator. The fault indicator has an additional contact that is electrically separated from the first contact and can be electrically connected to the first contact by means of the fuse accommodated in the receptacle for activating the fault indicator.

[0006] The existing solutions have proven themselves to be effective. However, there is a constant need for further development, creating greater functionality with increased safety, a compact design, and fewer components.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide an improved fuse holder with a status indicator device for the condition of the fuse.

[0008] The invention solves this problem by the subject matter of claim 1.

[0009] A fuse holder according to the invention for an inline fuse comprises a multi-part housing with at least a first housing part and at least one second housing part, a fuse carrier for a fuse, and at least one closure element. The housing parts can be moved from a closed position, in which the housing parts are connected to one another by means of the closure element, into an open position, in which the housing parts are spaced apart from one another by an opening width, and back in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the fuse holder. The fuse holder has at least one status indicator device that forms a status indicator of a condition or status of the fuse. The at least one status indicator device comprises at least one printed circuit board, at least one display element, contact springs, and electronic components / functional units and is arranged within the fuse holder.

[0010] A particular advantage is the simple design with quick and easy assembly as well as easy handling and high safety.

[0011] Another advantage is that the status of the fuse can be easily and quickly identified.

[0012] Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the remaining subclaims.

[0013] In one embodiment, the at least one status indicator device comprises at least one circuit board and / or conductor foil, which is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the fuse contacts of the fuse by means of contact springs. This advantageously allows for a compact arrangement of the components.

[0014] Another design provides for the contact springs to be electrically connected to the fuse contacts via a stationary contact carrier of a connector. One advantage of this is that the contact springs can be attached to the connector before assembly.

[0015] In another embodiment, the at least one circuit board and / or circuit foil is arranged in at least one guide rail of the fuse holder. This is advantageous because an existing component can retain its dimensions and only minor modifications are required to accommodate the circuit board.

[0016] It is also advantageous if the housing parts are coupled to the at least one guide rail, which is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fuse holder, wherein the at least one guide rail limits a stop for an axial movement of the housing parts in the open position, since in this way a high functionality is enabled in a small space.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the at least one guide rail is movably received and guided in guide recesses corresponding to the shape of the at least one guide rail in each housing part in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the fuse holder. This results in an advantageously compact design.

[0018] Yet another embodiment provides that the fuse carrier is designed as a tubular body with two fuse carrier sections and is rotatable around the longitudinal axis of the fuse holder from the closed position of the housing parts, from an initial angle to the open position of the housing parts, to an end angle, and back again around the longitudinal axis of the fuse holder by a rotation angle. This advantageously facilitates the removal of the fuse from and insertion into the contacts of the connection connectors. It is further advantageous that the status indicator device is arranged in the guide rail, which does not rotate with the fuse carrier.

[0019] In a further embodiment, it is advantageous if the securing carrier has a movement thread as an external thread, which engages with a movement thread as an internal thread of the interior spaces.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, the internal thread of the interior of the first housing part, together with the external thread of the first fuse carrier section of the fuse carrier engaging therewith, and the internal thread of the interior of the second housing part, together with the external thread of the second fuse carrier section of the fuse carrier engaging therewith, are formed in opposite directions to one another. This enables advantageous movement of the fuse carrier when opening and closing the fuse holder.

[0021] In an alternative design, the contact springs are directly electrically connected to the fuse contacts via spring contacts. One advantage of this is that it allows for a simple and compact design.

[0022] An advantageous compact design results in another embodiment of the alternative, in which the fuse carrier is designed as a combination of a carrier unit in two-shell form with two carrier elements for at least one circuit board and the fuse.

[0023] A further embodiment of the alternative provides that the support elements each have support ends which, with longitudinal walls, define a fuse holder for the fuse. Semicircular webs are formed within the fuse holder in the support elements as holding sections for the fuse. This is advantageous because the fuse is thus accommodated compactly in the support unit.

[0024] In yet another embodiment of the alternative, the circuit board is provided with contact springs, each end of which has spring contacts, which are intended for electrically conductive contact with the fuse contacts when the fuse is inserted. This allows for an advantageously simple replacement of the fuse, since the spring contacts create contact through their spring force, and no tools are required to separate the spring contacts from the fuse contacts.

[0025] In another embodiment of the alternative, in the closed position of the fuse holder, the support unit is pushed onto the respective pipe sections of the connection holders with its support ends, with the support unit's support ends enclosing the respective pipe sections, and flanges of the support unit's support ends engaging with grooves of pipe inserts, each of which surrounds the support unit in a housing part. This results in an advantageously compact and stable construction.

[0026] It is advantageous if the at least one display element of the status indicator device is visible through a viewing window in a housing part, as this makes it easy to maintain the prescribed protection class (IP). The viewing window can be designed, for example, as a transparent section of the respective housing.

[0027] In one embodiment, the status indicator detects, evaluates, and displays a voltage drop across the fuse or outputs it as a signal. This advantageously results in high functionality with minimal space requirements.

[0028] Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments serve merely to illustrate the invention using preferred designs, but do not represent the invention exhaustively. Therefore, other embodiments, as well as modifications and equivalents of the illustrated embodiments, are also feasible within the scope of the claims.

[0029] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a fuse holder according to the invention in a closed position with a status indicator device; Fig. 2 a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a first variant of the embodiment according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 an exemplary schematic circuit diagram of the status display device of the first variant according to Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a schematic exploded view of a second variant of the embodiment according to Fig. 1; Fig. 5 a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the second variant according to Fig. 4; Fig. 6 a schematic enlarged sectional view of area VI of the second variant according to Fig. 5; Fig. 7-8 schematic perspective views of the second variant according to Fig. 5; and Fig. 9 an exemplary schematic circuit diagram of the status display device of the second variant according to Fig. 5.

[0030] The terms “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right” refer to the respective arrangement of the components in the figures.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a fuse holder 1 according to the invention in a closed position P0 with a status display device ST.

[0032] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic longitudinal section view of a first variant of the embodiment according to Fig. 1.

[0033] The fuse holder 1 according to the first variant according to Fig. 2 is described in detail in its basic structure, with the exception of the status display device ST, in the document DE 10 2021 123 029 A1, to which reference is made here.

[0034] In the following, the above-mentioned basic structure is discussed in connection with the first variant according to Fig. 2, insofar as this is necessary for the function and understanding of the status display device ST according to the invention.

[0035] The fuse holder 1 is designed as a so-called inline fuse holder for at least one fuse 10 (see e.g. Fig. 2, Fig. 3). Fuse 10, for example, is a fuse in a ceramic body with an extinguishing agent. Examples of dimensions range from 10.3 x 38 (mm) to 22 x 65 (mm), but are not limited to these. A preferred application is photovoltaic systems. However, other applications are also possible.

[0036] The fuse holder 1 has a housing with a first housing part 2 and a second housing part 3, a longitudinal axis 7 and a closure element 4, here a union nut.

[0037] The free ends of housing parts 2 and 3 each form a connection side A1, A1 for a respective connection cable A1K, A2K. The connection cables A1K, A2K are routed and secured to the respective housing parts 2, 3 through cable glands 5, 6.

[0038] In contrast to the known fuse holder 1 of DE 10 2021 123 029 A1, the fuse holder 1 according to the invention has a status display device ST with at least one display element 21 (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3). This display element 21 is visible through a viewing window 23 in at least one housing part 2, 3. The viewing window 23 can be formed, for example, as a transparent section of the respective housing 2, 3.

[0039] Each housing part 2, 3 has its own longitudinal axis 7-2, 7-3. The longitudinal axes 7-2, 7-3 together form the common longitudinal axis 7 of the fuse holder 1. The housing parts 2, 3 are described in more detail below.

[0040] Within the housing parts 2 and 3, the fuse 10 is arranged in a fuse carrier 8. The fuse carrier 8 is explained in more detail below.

[0041] In the closed position P0, fuse 1 is completely enclosed by housing parts 2 and 3 and is thus electrically insulated. At the same time, protection class IP65 / 68 can be achieved in the closed position P0.

[0042] The housing parts 2, 3, the closure element 4 and the fuse carrier 8 are made of an electrically non-conductive material whose properties such as touch safety, temperature, flammability (e.g. UL94V0), etc., correspond to the applicable safety regulations with regard to the operating parameters and the intended use of the fuse 10.

[0043] The other ends of the housing parts 2 and 3, which face each other in the center of the fuse holder 1, are each provided with an end face 15, 16. In the closed position P0 of the fuse holder 1, the end faces 15, 16 are in contact with each other. These ends, and thus the housing parts 2, 3, are firmly held together by the locking element 4.

[0044] Housing parts 2 and 3 are identical except for minor differences. Therefore, the following description of the first housing part 2 also applies to the second housing part 3. The reference numerals belonging to the second housing part 3 are therefore indicated with an apostrophe.

[0045] The connection side A1, A2 of the housing parts 2, 3 is formed with a tubular connection section 2a, 3a, on which an external thread for a cable gland 5, 6 is formed at its free end. Such a cable gland 5, 6 with an elastic cable gland 5a, 6a is known and will not be described further. It can, of course, also be designed differently.

[0046] The tubular connection section 2a, 3a merges into a tubular connection holder 2a1, 3a1 of approximately the same length, which extends into the housing parts 2, 3 in the longitudinal axis 7-2, 7-3 of the housing parts 2, 3.

[0047] A continuous circular cylindrical cable space 2b, 3b running along the longitudinal axis 7-2, 7-3 is formed in the tubular connecting section 2a, 3a.

[0048] The terminal holder 2a1, 3a1 each forms a holder and axial fixation for a terminal connector 9. This holder can be designed for different types of terminal connectors 9. In the example shown, the terminal connector 9 has a section for a crimp connection with an electrically conductive cable (not shown) arranged in the cable compartment 2b, 3b. The section for the crimp connection is located in the cable compartment 2b, 3b.

[0049] Furthermore, this section of the connection connector 9 is formed with a contact device for a fuse 10 to be accommodated in the fuse carrier 8. In the example shown here, the contact device has a contact carrier 9a, to which circumferentially resilient lamellar contacts 9b or lamellar springs are attached, which form an electrically conductive connection receptacle for a fuse contact 10a of the fuse 10.

[0050] In contrast to the known fuse holder 1 of document DE 10 2021 123 029 A1, according to the invention, a contact spring 22 with a first spring end 22a is electrically conductively attached, e.g., welded, to the contact carrier 9a of the respective connection connector 9. The two contact springs 22 each form an electrically conductive connection between the contact carriers 9a of the connection connector 9 and thus the fuse contacts 10a of the fuse 10 and a circuit board 20 of the status indicator ST. The status indicator ST with the circuit board 20 is explained in more detail below.

[0051] The contact spring 22 runs from the contact carrier 9a of the connection connector 9, initially approximately parallel to the terminal holder 2a1, 3a1 on its outer side back toward the connection side A1, A2. The contact spring 22 then transitions in a 180° arc into a curved end, which forms a spring contact 22b. The spring contact 22b forms a resilient, electrically conductive connection and contacts a contact section 20a of the circuit board 20. The contact spring 22 can already be pre-tensioned before assembly of the fuse holder 1. The contact pressure of the spring contact 20b on the contact section 20a of the circuit board 20 is generated by the contact spring 22, which is tensioned during assembly.

[0052] The connection holder 2a1, 3a1 within the housing parts 2, 3 is further surrounded by a housing body 2-1, 3-1 of the housing parts 2, 3.

[0053] The housing body 2-1, 3-1 has a central, circular-cylindrical interior 2c, 3c. The terminal holder 2a1, 3a1 is arranged in the interior 2c, 3c approximately in the first half of the interior 2c, 3c, starting from the connection of the housing body 2-1, 3-1 to the terminal holder 2a1, 3a1. The other half of the interior 2c, 3c, which faces and opens into the end face 15, 16, serves to accommodate one half of a fuse carrier 8 with one half of the fuse 10 and the laminated contacts 9b.

[0054] The fuse carrier 8 is a tubular body with two fuse carrier sections 8a and 8b. The fuse carrier sections 8a and 8b divide the fuse carrier into two halves of equal length and size. The first fuse carrier section 8a is intended for use in the first housing part 2 and has a right-hand external thread 8c. The second fuse carrier section 8b is intended for use in the second housing part 3 and has a left-hand external thread 8'c. The external threads 8c, 8'c are designed as movement threads.

[0055] In addition, the fuse carrier sections 8a, 8b each have an end section 8e, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0056] The fuse 10 is held in a central region in the interior of the fuse carrier 8 by means of clip-shaped holding sections 8d.

[0057] In the area of the connection holder 2a1, 3a1, a circular annular gap 2c1, 3c1 is formed between its circumferential circular cylindrical outer wall, the diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of the interior 2c, 3c.

[0058] In the wall of the interior space 2c, 3c, including the annular gap 2c1, 3c1, an internal thread 2d, 3d is formed as a movement thread. However, the internal threads 2d, 3d are formed in opposite directions to each other, i.e., the internal thread 2d of the interior space 2c of the first housing part 2 is a right-hand thread, and the internal thread 3d of the interior space 3c of the second housing part 3 is a left-hand thread.

[0059] The first, right-hand internal thread 2d corresponds to the right-hand external thread 8c of the first fuse carrier section 8a of the fuse carrier 8. And the second, left-hand internal thread 3d corresponds to the left-hand external thread 8'c of the second fuse carrier section 8b of the fuse carrier 8.

[0060] The fuse carrier 8 is screwed into the interior 2c, 3c including the annular gap 2c1, 3c1, with its external threads 8c, 8'c engaging with the internal threads 2d, 3d of the housing parts 2, 3.

[0061] The end sections 8e of the fuse carrier 8 engage around the respective terminal holders 2a1 and 3a1 in position P0. According to the invention, the sections of the contact spring 22 extending parallel to the terminal holders 2a1, 3a1 are arranged parallel to the end sections 8e of the fuse carrier 8 with the 180° arc. Thus, the sections of the contact spring 22 are U-shaped, forming a kind of pocket in which the end sections 8e of the fuse carrier 8 are received in position P0.

[0062] The housing parts 2, 3 with their connection sections 2a, 3a and connection holders 2a1, 3a1, the interior spaces 2c, 3 with the annular gaps 2c1, 3c1 and the fuse carrier 8 are arranged concentrically to the longitudinal axis 7 of the fuse holder 1.

[0063] Furthermore, the fuse holder 1 has at least one axial guide rail 11, 12.

[0064] In the first embodiment shown, two guide rails 11, 12 are provided. Each guide rail 11, 12 has two nose-shaped rail ends 11a, 12a and one central nose 11b, 12b.

[0065] Each guide rail 11, 12 has a flat, circular section-shaped profile with downwardly projecting, extended side edges in the longitudinal direction of the respective guide rail 11, 12.

[0066] For each guide rail 11, 12, a guide recess 13, 14; 13a, 14a corresponding to its shape is formed in a respective outer region of each housing part 2, 3. The guide recesses 13, 14; 13a, 14a run parallel to the longitudinal axes 7-2, 7-3 of the housing parts 2, 3 and extend over almost the entire length of the housing parts 2, 3.

[0067] Each opening of each guide recess 13, 14; 13a, 14a is provided with a nose 2e, 3e which projects towards the underside of the corresponding opening.

[0068] In the closed position P0 of the fuse holder 1, the guide rails 11 and 12 are each inserted halfway into the guide recesses 13 and 13a of the first housing part 2 and the other half into the guide recesses 14 and 14a of the second housing part 3.

[0069] Fig. 3 shows an exemplary schematic circuit diagram of the status display device ST according to the invention of the first variant.

[0070] The status display device ST according to the invention comprises at least one circuit board 20, at least one display element 21, the two contact springs 22 and electronic components / functional units not shown.

[0071] In this first variant of the fuse holder 1 according to the invention with the status indicator device ST, the at least one printed circuit board 20 is arranged in the guide rail 11, 12. For this purpose, the guide rail 11, 12 has an elongated recess 11c, 12c in its longitudinal direction. This recess 11c, 12c extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis 7 over approximately three-quarters of the total length of the guide rail 11, 12. The elongated printed circuit board 20 is arranged in the recess 11c, 12c.

[0072] The circuit board 20 carries at least one display element 21 together with associated electronic components and / or functional groups.

[0073] The at least one display element 21 is here an LED (light-emitting diode) connected in series with at least one corresponding series resistor Rv between the contact sections 20a of the circuit board 20. In other words, the display element 21, together with the at least one series resistor Rv, is connected in parallel to the fuse 10.

[0074] The at least one indicator element 21 can be made visible through a transparent section filled with sealing compound between the at least one indicator element 21 and the viewing window 23, so that the user can see the illumination of the indicator element 21 when the fuse 10 has blown.

[0075] The printed circuit board 20, e.g. a circuit board and / or conductor foil as a printed circuit, on which the display element(s) 21 and the series resistors Rv are mounted, is fastened in the recess 11c, 12c of the guide rail 11, 12 in such a way that the spiral movement of the housing parts 2, 3 described below when assuming the open and closed positions, the touch safety and other features as described in the document DE 10 2021 123 029 A1.

[0076] In the Fig. In the circuit example of the status display device ST according to the invention shown in Figure 3, two display elements 21 are connected anti-parallel in order to obtain independence from the polarity of a direct voltage to be detected, which occurs across a defective fuse 10 as a voltage drop ΔU between the fuse contacts 10a.

[0077] The at least one display element 21 forms a status display of a condition or status of the fuse 10 of the fuse holder 1.

[0078] A first status of the fuse 10 indicates an intact fuse 10 by the at least one display element 21 not lighting up.

[0079] In this case, a voltage drop ΔU across the fuse 10 is so small due to the contact resistance of the fuse 10 that no indication of the display element 21 is activated.

[0080] A second status of a defective or blown fuse 10 is indicated by the illumination of at least one display element 21.

[0081] If, in this case of the second status, the fuse 10 has blown, an electrical voltage U of approximately 1000 / 1500 VDC is present at its fuse contacts 10a and the associated contact carriers 9a and contact springs 22. This voltage is also present via the contact springs 22 at the contact sections 20a of the circuit board 20 and at the series connection of the display element 21. In this case, a correspondingly high current flows through the series resistors Rv, causing the at least one display element 21 to generate a light signal indicating the second status.

[0082] To maintain the closed position P0, the closure element 4 serves as in the known fuse holder 1 according to document DE 10 2021 123 029 A1. Here, the closure element 4 is provided as a union nut with an internal thread 4a that points toward the first housing part 2. On the side of the closure element 4 facing the second housing part 3, the internal thread 4a is terminated by a shoulder 4b.

[0083] The closure element 4 is screwed from the second housing part 3 onto an external thread of a collar 2f of the first housing part 2. The circumferential collar 2f with the external thread is attached to the end of the first housing part 2 with the end face 15. During screwing, the housing parts 2, 3 are pulled together in the displacement direction S, whereby the shoulder 4b of the closure element 4 interacts with a collar 3f of the second housing part 3 and the end faces 15, 16 of the housing parts 2, 3 come into contact with one another.

[0084] Furthermore, in the closed position P0 of the fuse holder 1, the bevels of the lugs 2e, 3e of the housing parts 2, 3 are in contact with the bevels of the central lugs 11b, 12b of the guide rails 11, 12, thus improving the closure of the interior spaces 2c, 3c of the housing parts 2, 3. Sealing of the interior spaces 2c, 3c is also achieved by a sealing element 17. The sealing element 17 is, for example, an O-ring that is mounted between the end faces 15, 16. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the O-ring is arranged on a nozzle of the first housing part 3, wherein this nozzle is positively received in a recess of the second housing part 2.

[0085] To replace, remove, or / and insert the fuse 10, the housing parts 2, 3 can be pulled apart in opposite displacement directions S in the direction of the longitudinal axis 7 of the fuse holder 10 after releasing the locking element 4. The displacement movement is limited when the lugs 2e, 3e interact with the lug-shaped rail ends 11a, 12a of the respective guide rails 13, 14 inserted into the guide recesses 13, 14; 13a, 14a as a stop to prevent the respective guide rail 13, 14 from being pulled out. The housing parts 2, 3 are thus captively connected.

[0086] When the housing parts 2, 3 are pulled apart and pushed together, the fuse carrier 8 together with the fuse 10 is rotated around the longitudinal axis 7 by a certain angle of rotation (x) and simultaneously forced to move. In the closed position P0, the corresponding angle is referred to as the initial angle α0, and in the open position P1 (e.g. see Fig. 7) a final angle α1 is assumed. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle of rotation α between the initial angle α0 and the final angle α1 is 180°.

[0087] By twisting the fuse carrier 8, it is ensured that the fuse carrier 8 together with the fuse 10 is removed evenly when pulled out from the contacts of the connection connector 9 and does not get stuck in one.

[0088] Rotating the fuse carrier 8 can facilitate insertion of the fuse 10 with its fuse contacts into the contacts of the connectors 9, which are designed here as lamella contacts 9b. This also applies to removal.

[0089] Since the contact springs 22 of the status display device ST are connected to the contact carriers 9a of the stationary, non-rotating connection connectors 9, the contact springs 22 and also the status display device ST are also non-rotatable.

[0090] In the open position P1 of the fuse holder 1, the protection class is IP2xx.

[0091] If the status indicator ST according to the invention indicates a defective fuse 10, appropriate precautionary measures must be taken when opening the fuse holder 1, even if the status indicator ST and its components are provided with electrically insulating casting compound or other insulation measures with regard to touch safety.

[0092] Fig. 4 shows a schematic exploded view of a second variant of the embodiment according to Fig. 1.

[0093] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic longitudinal section of the second variant according to Fig. 4.

[0094] In Fig. 6 is a schematic enlarged sectional view of the area VI of the second variant according to Fig. 5 shown.

[0095] Fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the variant Fig. 5 in an open position P1.

[0096] Fig. 8 shows a schematic exploded view of a fuse carrier 8 with the status display device ST of the variant according to Fig. 5.

[0097] In Fig. 9 shows an exemplary schematic circuit diagram of the status display device ST according to the invention of the second variant.

[0098] The fuse holder 1 according to the invention according to the second variant of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 is also an inline fuse holder and comprises a housing with a first housing part 2, a second housing part 3 and a longitudinal axis 7, and a closure element 4, here also a union nut.

[0099] The cable glands 5, 6 are described above.

[0100] In this second variant, the connection holder 2a1, 3a1 is designed as a holder and axial fixation for the connection connector 9 in a two-shell shape, wherein a parting plane runs in the longitudinal direction of the connection holder 2a1, 3a1.

[0101] In contrast to the first variant of the fuse holder 1 according to Fig. 2, the second variant has no movement thread for the safety carrier 8.

[0102] The terminal holder 2a1, 3a1 with the connection connector 9 is each surrounded by a tubular insert 26, 27, which is inserted into the interior 2c, 3c of the housing parts 2, 3. The tubular insert 26, 27, with an end section 26a, 27a, is in contact with a flange 2a3, 3a3 of the terminal holder 2a1, 3a1. The terminal holder 2a1, 3a1, in turn, is arranged with one end on a respective inner end wall of the housing parts 2, 3. In this way, the terminal holder 2a1, 3a1 with its flange 2a3, 3a3 forms a stop for the fuse carrier 8 when the fuse holder 1 is closed in position P0.

[0103] The tubular insert 26, 27 is formed at its inner free end with a flange-like end section 26b, 27b with a respective end face 26c, 27c. When the fuse holder 1 is closed in position P0, the end sections 26b, 27b are compressed by corresponding cutouts in the lugs 2e, 3e of the housing parts 2, 3, with a sealing element 17 sealingly closing the interior spaces 2c, 3c.

[0104] In contrast to the first variant, the fuse carrier 8 in the second variant is designed as a combination of a carrier unit 24 for at least one printed circuit board 20 and the fuse 10.

[0105] The support unit 24 is designed in a two-shell shape consisting of two support elements 24', 24", wherein a parting plane runs in the longitudinal direction of the support unit 24, which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis 7.

[0106] The support elements 24', 24" each have support ends 24a, which, with longitudinal walls, define a securing receptacle 24c for the securing device 10.

[0107] Within the fuse holder 24c, semicircular webs are formed in the support elements 24', 24" as holding sections 8d for the fuse 10.

[0108] A printed circuit board 20 is fastened to at least one of the two support elements 24', 24". The support ends 24a form a support for the ends of the printed circuit board 20 and an axial fixation of the printed circuit board 20. The fastening can be carried out, for example, with clips and / or potting material.

[0109] The circuit board 20 has a contact section 20a at each end, which is electrically connected to a spring end 22a of the contact spring 22. In this case, the spring end 22a is soldered and / or riveted to the contact section 20a.

[0110] In the closed position P0 of the fuse holder 1, the carrier unit 24 is pushed with its carrier ends 24a onto the respective pipe sections 2a2, 3a2 of the connection holders 2a1, 3a1, wherein the carrier ends 24a of the carrier unit 24 encompass the respective pipe sections 2a2, 3a2.

[0111] The flanges of the support ends 24a of the support unit 24 engage with grooves 26d, 27d of the pipe inserts 26, 27.

[0112] In this position P0, the fuse contacts 10a of the fuse 10 arranged in the carrier unit 24 are accommodated in the lamella contacts 9b of the connection connectors 9 and are in electrically conductive contact with them. This is shown in the enlarged sectional view in Fig. 6 can be clearly seen.

[0113] The contact springs 22 are each angled downwards by approximately 180° around the end of the circuit board 20 and each end in a bent spring contact 22b on the underside of the circuit board 20. This is in Fig. 8 shown.

[0114] When the printed circuit board 20 is mounted on the carrier element 24', 24" of the carrier unit 24, the bent spring contacts 22b extend through respective slots 25 in the carrier ends 24a into the fuse receptacle 24c. In this way, the bent spring ends 22b of the contact springs contact the fuse contacts 10a of the fuse 10 and thus establish a respective electrically conductive connection between the fuse contacts 10a of the fuse 10 and the printed circuit board 20 of the status display device ST. An associated exemplary electrical circuit diagram is shown in Fig. 9. In contrast to the circuit diagram according to Fig. 3, the spring contacts 22b of the contact springs 22 are in contact with the fuse contacts 10a of the fuse 10.

[0115] A contact pressure of the spring contact 20b on the fuse contact 10a of the fuse 10 is generated by the contact spring 22 which is tensioned during assembly.

[0116] To replace or remove or / and insert the fuse 10, the housing parts 2 and 3 can be pulled apart in opposite displacement directions S in the direction of the longitudinal axis 7 of the fuse holder 10 after loosening the locking element 4. In the thus formed open position P1 of the fuse holder 1 ( Fig. 7), the housing parts 2, 3 are spaced apart such that their end faces 15, 16 form an opening width W between open positions of the housing parts 2, 3. Through this opening width W thus formed, the fuse 10 can be removed from the carrier unit 24 of the fuse holder 1 or arranged therein.

[0117] It is also possible for the circuit board(s) 20 of the status indicator ST to be equipped with additional electronic functional units, such as wireless communication for transmitting the status of the fuse 10. These may have their own power supply with a battery / accumulator and / or RFID components.

[0118] The invention is not limited to the described embodiment with the first and second variants, but can be modified within the scope of the claims. List of reference symbols 1 fuse holder 2; 3 housing part 2-1; 3-1 housing body 2a; 3a connecting section 2a1; 3a1 connection holder 2a2; 3a2 pipe section 2a3; 3a3 flange 2b; 3b cable room 2c; 3c interior 2c1; 3c1 annular gap 2d; 3d internal thread 2nd; 3rd nose 2f; 3f collar 4 locking element 4a internal thread 4b shoulder 5; 6 cable gland 5a; 6a cable entry 7; 7-2; 7-3 Longitudinal axis 8 fuse carriers 8a, 8b fuse carrier section 8c, 8'c external thread 8d holding section 8e final section 9 connection connectors 9a Contact carrier 9b Lamellar contact 10 Security 10a fuse contact 11; 12, guide rail 11a; 12a rail end 11b; 12b Nose 11c; 12c recess 13; 14 guide opening 15; 16 front side 17 Sealing element 20 circuit board 20a Contact section 21 Display element 22 Contact spring 22a spring end 22b spring contact 23 viewing windows 24 carrier unit 24', 24" support element 24a Beam end 24b flange 24c fuse holder 25 slot 26; 27 pipe insert 26a; 27a final section 26b; 27b frontal section 26c; 27c front side 26d; 27d groove α0, α1 angular position A1, A2 connection side A1K, A2K connection cable LR rib P0, P1 position Rv series resistor S Shift direction ST status display device W opening width QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2021 123 029 A1 [0004, 0033, 0038, 0050, 0075, 0082] DE 10 2021 203 143 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Fuse holder (1) for an inline fuse, comprising a multi-part housing with at least a first housing part (2) and at least one second housing part (3), a fuse carrier (8) for a fuse (10) and at least one closure element (4), wherein the housing parts (2, 3) are movable from a closed position (P0), in which the housing parts (2, 3) are connected to one another by means of the closure element (4), into an open position (P1), in which the housing parts (2, 3) are spaced from one another by an opening width (W), and back in the direction of a longitudinal axis (7) of the fuse holder (1), wherein the fuse holder (1) has at least one status display device (ST) which forms a status display of a condition or status of the fuse (10), characterized bythat the at least one status display device (ST) comprises at least one printed circuit board (20), at least one display element (21), contact springs (22) and electronic components / functional units and is arranged within the fuse holder (1). [2] Fuse holder (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one status display device (ST) has at least one printed circuit board (20) and / or conductor foil, which is directly or indirectly electrically connected to fuse contacts (10a) of the fuse (10) by means of contact springs (22). [3] Fuse holder (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the contact springs (22) are electrically conductively connected to the fuse contacts (10a) of the fuse (10) via a respective stationary contact carrier (9a) of a connection connector (9). [4] Fuse holder (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized bythat the at least one printed circuit board (20) and / or conductor foil is arranged in at least one guide rail (11, 12) of the fuse holder (1). [5] Fuse holder (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the housing parts (2, 3) are coupled to the at least one guide rail (11; 12) which is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis (7) of the fuse holder (1). [6] Fuse holder (1) according to claim 5, characterized by that the at least one guide rail (11; 12) is movably received and guided in guide recesses (13, 14; 13a, 14a) corresponding to the shape of the at least one guide rail (11; 12) in each housing part (2, 3) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (7) of the fuse holder (1). [7] Fuse holder (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the fuse carrier (8) is designed as a tubular body with two fuse carrier sections (8a and 8b) and can be rotated about the longitudinal axis (7) of the fuse holder (1) from the closed position (P0) of the housing parts (2, 3) from an initial angle (α0) into the open position (P1) of the housing parts (2, 3) into an end angle (α1) and back again about the longitudinal axis (7) of the fuse holder (1) by a rotation angle (α). [8] Fuse holder (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the securing carrier (8) has a movement thread as an external thread (8c, 8'c) which engages with a movement thread as an internal thread (2d, 3d) of the interior spaces (2c, 2c1; 3c, 3c1). [9] Fuse holder (1) according to claim 8, characterized bythat the internal thread (2d) of the interior (2c, 2c1) of the first housing part (2) together with the external thread (8c) of the first fuse carrier section (8a) of the fuse carrier (8) engaging therewith and the internal thread (3d) of the interior (3c, 3c1) of the second housing part (3) together with the external thread (8'c) of the second fuse carrier section (8b) of the fuse carrier (8) engaging therewith are designed to be opposite to one another. [10] Fuse holder (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the contact springs (22) are directly electrically connected to the fuse contacts (10a) of the fuse (10) via spring contacts (22b) of the contact springs (22). [11] Fuse holder (1) according to claim 10, characterized by that the fuse carrier (8) is designed as a combination of a carrier unit (24) in two-shell form with two carrier elements (24', 24") for at least one printed circuit board (20) and the fuse (10). [12] Fuse holder (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by that the support elements (24', 24") each have support ends (24a) which define a securing receptacle (24c) for the securing device (10) with longitudinal walls, wherein semicircular webs are formed as holding sections (8d) for the securing device (10) within the securing receptacle (24c) in the support elements (24', 24"). [13] Fuse holder (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by that the printed circuit board (20) has contact springs (22) with respective ends with spring contacts (22b) which are provided for the electrically conductive contacting of fuse contacts (10a) of the fuse (10) when the fuse (10) is inserted. [14] Fuse holder (1) according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized byin the closed position (P0) of the fuse holder (1), the carrier unit (24) is pushed with its carrier ends (24a) onto respective pipe sections (2a2, 3a2) of connection holders (2a1, 3a1), wherein carrier ends (24a) of the carrier unit (24) engage around the respective pipe sections (2a2, 3a2), wherein flanges of the carrier ends (24a) of the carrier unit (24) engage with grooves (26d, 27d) of pipe inserts (26, 27), which each surround the carrier unit (24) in a housing part (2, 3). [15] Fuse holder (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one display element (21) of the status display device (ST) is visible through a viewing window (23) in a housing part (2, 3). [16] Fuse holder (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the status display device (ST) detects, evaluates and displays a voltage drop (ΔU) across the fuse (10) or outputs it as a signal.

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