SAFETY

Abstract

The present invention provides a fuse in which a structure for attaching an external fuse can be easily modified, resulting in a reduction in height. A fuse 600 comprises a busbar 100 with an input terminal 110, an external terminal 120, a circuit unit 200, and a fusible link 113 located between the input terminal 110 and the external terminal 120, as well as a housing 500 that covers at least part of the busbar 100. The circuit unit 200 comprises a main body 210 and a separate body 220, which are opposite each other. The separate body 220 includes a connecting section 290 that is connected to the main body 210, and the separate body 220 allows the attachment of an external fuse 700 with a fusible link 730 and a connecting terminal 720.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuse that is mainly used in an electrical circuit of a motor vehicle or the like. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Traditionally, fuses are used to protect an electrical circuit installed in a motor vehicle or similar vehicle, and various electrical components connected to that circuit. Specifically, if an unintentional overcurrent flows into the circuit, the fuse's fusible link melts due to the heat generated by the overcurrent, thus protecting the various electrical components and preventing excessive current from flowing.

[0003] Depending on the application, there are different types of fuses. For example, the fuse described in patent literature 1 comprises a busbar with an input terminal, an external terminal, and a fuse link between the input and external terminals, as well as a housing that covers the busbar. A fuse connection terminal and an external fuse connection terminal are provided above the busbar, and an external fuse connection terminal is paired with the fuse connection terminal. An external fuse can be installed by inserting it into the fuse connection terminal and the external fuse link terminal. Therefore, if the vehicle type of a motor vehicle changes or the load on various electrical components changes, an external fuse with a different rating can be replaced to easily accommodate the change. However, since part of the structure (e.g.,Since a connection point for attaching an external fuse is integrated into the entire busbar, it is not easy to change the design of the structure, and since the structure is located above the busbar, the problem is that the overall height of the fuse increases when the external fuse is attached. LIST OF CAPLETS PATENT LITERATURE

[0004] Patent literature 1: published Japanese patent application no. 2018-010768 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAL ENGINEERING TASK

[0005] In view of the problems mentioned above, the present invention provides a safety device that facilitates a modification of a structure for attaching an external safety device and achieves a reduction in height. SOLUTIONS TO THE TASK

[0006] A fuse according to the present invention comprises a busbar with an input terminal, an external terminal, and a circuit unit, and a fusible link provided between the input terminal and the external terminal, as well as a housing that covers at least part of the busbar. The circuit unit comprises a main body and a separate body, which are opposite each other. The separate body has a connecting section that is connected to the main body. The separate body allows the attachment of an external fuse with a fusible link and a connecting terminal.

[0007] According to the above feature, the circuit unit comprises a main body and a separate body, which are positioned opposite each other. The separate body allows for the attachment of the external fuse, thus keeping the overall height of the circuit unit low. This ensures that the height of the circuit unit remains low even with the external fuse installed. Because the separate body to which the external fuse is attached is isolated from the main body, only the separate body (i.e., only the structure for attaching the external fuse) can be easily modified to an optimal thickness or structure, depending on the current flowing through the external fuse, various electrical components, or similar factors.

[0008] In the fuse according to the invention, the separate body comprises an upwardly extending plate-shaped male connection terminal, and the male connection terminal is designed in such a way that it can be connected to a female connection terminal of the external fuse.

[0009] According to the above feature, the structure of the section that electrically connects the external fuse and the fuse circuit unit is simplified, manufacturing costs can be reduced, and manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

[0010] In the fuse according to the invention, the housing is provided with a receiving section that can accommodate the external fuse.

[0011] According to the above feature, the external fuse can be easily attached. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] As described above, in the safety device according to the invention, the structure to which the external safety device is attached can be easily modified and the height reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective overall view of a busbar of a fuse according to the present invention. Fig. 2(a) is a front view of a main body, and Fig. 2(b) is a top view of the main body. Fig. 3(a) is a front view of a separate body, and Fig. 3(b) is a top view of the separate body. Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective overall view of a housing section of a fuse housing. Fig. 5(a) is a perspective overall view of a front side of a housing section, and Fig. 5(b) is a perspective overall view of a rear side of the housing section. Fig. 6(a) is a rear view of a housing section, and Fig. 6(b) is a top view of the housing section. Fig. 7(a) is a perspective overview of an external backup, and Fig. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view along line AA. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective exploded view of the fuse. Fig. 9(a) is a perspective overview showing only one busbar in its mounted state, and Fig. 9(b) is a side view of the busbar. Fig. Figure 10 is a perspective overall view of the mounted fuse. Fig. 11(a) is a front view of the fuse, and Fig. 11(b) is a top view of the safety device. Fig. 12(a) is a cross-sectional view along line BB of Fig. 11(b), and Fig. 12(b) is a cross-sectional view along line CC of Fig. 11(b). Fig. Figure 13 is a perspective overall view of a busbar according to a modification of the present invention. REFERENCE MARK LIST 100 busbar 110 Input connection 120 external connection 113 Melting section 200 circuit units 210 Main body 220 separate bodies 290 connecting section 500 cases 600 fuse 720 connection port 730 Melting section 700 external backup DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The shape, material, and the like of the individual elements of the locking mechanism in the embodiment described below are merely examples and are not limited to them.

[0014] In the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 show a busbar 100 of a fuse 600 according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective overall view of busbar 100, Fig. 2(a) is a front view of a main body 210, Fig. 2(b) is a top view of the main body 210, Fig. 3(a) is a front view of a separate body 220, and Fig. 3(b) is a top view of the separate body 220.

[0015] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the busbar 100 comprises an input terminal 110, which can be supplied with a battery or the like, a plurality of fusible links 120, and a circuit unit 200. The circuit unit 200 further comprises a pair consisting of a main body 210 and a separate body 220, facing each other. The main body 210 is formed by stamping a flat, plate-shaped element from a conductive metal such as copper or an alloy thereof, and of a uniform thickness, into a predetermined shape, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows the circuit unit 210 being formed using a stamping machine or the like. The input terminal 110 is connected to the main body 210 of the circuit unit 200, and the external terminal 120 is connected to the main body 210 via the fusible link 113. Therefore, if an overcurrent flows from a power source, such as a battery connected to the input terminal 110, the fusible link 113 melts, thus protecting loads of various electrical components and the like connected to the external terminal 120. It should be noted that the main body 210 is provided with a mounting opening 202 and is designed to allow a mounting pin of a housing described later to pass through it.

[0016] Furthermore, the separate body 220 is formed by stamping a flat, plate-shaped element of uniform thickness made from a conductive metal such as copper or an alloy thereof into a predetermined shape, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 3 shows the body formed by a punching machine or the like. The separate body 220 comprises a plurality of plate-shaped male connection terminals 250 extending upwards, and the male connection terminal 250 is a fusible section connected to an external fuse 700 described later. Furthermore, the separate body 220 comprises a connection section 290 extending laterally, and the connection section 290 is a section electrically connected to a portion of the main body 210. As will be described in detail later, the connection section 290 is configured to vertically overlap the input terminal 110, which is connected to the main body 210, and is connected, along with the input terminal 110, to a power source such as a battery.Furthermore, the connecting section 290 is designed to overlap vertically with the input terminal 110, but is not limited to this and can have any shape as long as it can be electrically connected to a part of the main body 210.

[0017] The following refers to Fig. 4. A housing 500 of a fuse 600 according to the present invention is described. The housing 500 comprises a pair of housing sections 300 and 400. Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective overall view of housing section 300.

[0018] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the housing section 300 is made of a synthetic resin and has a substantially rectangular shape. It comprises an upper end receiving section 310, which accommodates the switching unit 200 of the busbar 100, a middle end receiving section 320, which accommodates the fusible link 113 of the busbar 100, and a lower end receiving section 330, which accommodates the upper end (the side connected to the fusible link 113) of the external terminal 120 of the busbar 100. Furthermore, the upper end receiving section 310 is provided with a mounting opening 313, and the lower end receiving section 330 is provided with a mounting opening 333. Furthermore, a viewing window 301 made of a transparent resin is provided in the middle receiving section 320, so that the melting section 113 of the busbar 100, which is housed in the housing section 300, can be viewed from the outside.

[0019] The housing section 400 is described below with reference to the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 described. Fig. 5(a) is a perspective overall view of the front of housing section 400, Fig. 5(b) is a perspective overall view of the rear of housing section 400, Fig. 6(a) is a rear view of housing section 400, and Fig. Figure 6(b) is a top view of housing section 400.

[0020] As in the Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the housing section 400 is made of synthetic resin and has a substantially rectangular shape and a form corresponding to the housing section 300, so that the busbar 100, which is housed in the housing section 300, can be clamped and covered. In particular, the housing section 400 comprises an upper end receiving section 410, which receives the switching unit 200 of the busbar 100, a middle end receiving section 420, which receives the fusible link 113 of the busbar 100, and a lower end receiving section 430, which receives the upper end (side connected to the fusible link 113) of the external terminal 120 of the busbar 100. A receiving section 450 is provided on the front face of the upper end receiving section 410, which is recessed towards the front face so that it extends from the upper end receiving section 410.The receiving section 450 is configured to receive an external fuse 700, which will be described later. Furthermore, a wall section 451 is provided between the adjacent receiving sections 450. The receiving section 450 is also provided with a drip-shaped mounting section 452, which covers and locks a portion of the upper surface of the external fuse 700, preventing accidental removal of the received external fuse 700. The upper end receiving section 410 is provided with a mounting pin 413, which connects to the mounting opening 313 of the housing section 300, and the lower end receiving section 430 is provided with a mounting pin 433, which connects to the mounting opening 333 of the housing section 300.

[0021] Next, an external fuse 700, which can be attached to the fuse 600 of the present invention, is described with reference to Fig. 7 described. Fig. 7(a) is a perspective overview of the external backup 700, and Fig. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view along line AA.

[0022] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the external fuse 700 comprises a housing 710, made of synthetic resin and having a substantially rectangular shape, a pair of connection terminals 720 housed within the housing 710, and a fusible section 730 provided between the connection terminals 720. The housing 710 is provided with an insertion recess 740 through which the connection terminal 720 is exposed. The socket-shaped (female) terminal 720 is configured to be electrically connected to the male connection terminal 250 when the male connection terminal 250 of the fuse 600 is inserted into the insertion recess 740, as described later. In this way, the male connection terminal 250, the terminal 720, and the fusible section 730 of the fuse 600 are electrically connected to one another.

[0023] Next, with reference to the Fig. Sections 8 to 12 describe an aspect in which the fuse 600 of the present invention is assembled. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective exploded view of fuse 600. Fig. 9(a) is a perspective overall view showing only busbar 100 in a mounted state, Fig. 9(b) is a side view of busbar 100, Fig. 10 is a perspective overall view of the mounted fuse 600, Fig. 11(a) is a front view of fuse 600, Fig. 11(b) is a top view of fuse 600, Fig. 12(a) is a cross-sectional view along line BB of Fig. 11(b), and Fig. 12(b) is a CC cross-sectional view of Fig. 11(b).

[0024] First, as in the Fig. 8 and Fig. Figure 9 shows the main body 210 and the separate body 220 arranged in the busbar 100 such that they face each other to form the circuit unit 200. Specifically, the input terminal 110, which is connected to the main body 210, and the connecting section 290 of the separate body 220 are vertically overlapped and brought into close contact, and the input terminal 110 and the connecting section 290 are electrically connected. As a result, the main body 210, connected to the input terminal 110, and the separate body 220, connected to the connecting section 290, are electrically connected to each other. In this state, the main body 210 and the separate body 220 face each other and are arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined distance.Similarly, the male connecting terminal 250 of the separate body 220 is also arranged parallel to the main body 210, with them facing each other at a predetermined distance.

[0025] Next, the busbar 100, in a state where the main body 210 and the separate body 220 are arranged facing each other to form the circuit unit 200, is positioned so that it is inserted between the pair of housing sections 300 and 400 from the front and rear. Specifically, the circuit unit 200 of the busbar 100 is positioned in the upper end receiving section 310 of the housing section 300, the fusible link 113 of the busbar 100 is positioned in the middle end receiving section 320 of the housing section 300, and the mounting opening 123 of the external terminal 120 of the busbar 100 is positioned in the lower end receiving section 330 of the housing section 300. Then, the housing section 400 is positioned to cover the front of the busbar 100.At this point, the switching unit 200 of the busbar 100 is housed in the upper end-facing receiving section 410 of the housing section 400, the fusible link 113 of the busbar 100 is housed in the central receiving section 420 of the housing section 400, and the mounting opening 123 of the external connection 120 of the busbar 100 is housed in the lower end-facing receiving section 430 of the housing section 400. The mounting pin 413 of the housing section 400 extends through the mounting opening 202 of the busbar 100 and is connected to the mounting opening 313 of the housing section 300. Furthermore, the mounting pin 433 of the housing section 400 extends through the mounting opening 123 of the fusible link 120 of the busbar 100 and is connected to the mounting opening 333 of the housing section 300. Thus, housing section 300 and housing section 400 are firmly connected and fixed together.In this way, the busbar 100 is housed inside the housing 500, which contains the housing section 300 and the housing section 400.

[0026] When the busbar 100 is housed in the housing section 300 and the housing section 400, the external fuse 700 is mounted on the busbar 100. Specifically, the external fuse 700 is brought up from above against the separate body 220 of the circuit unit 200 and the external fuse 700 is pressed downwards so that the male connection terminal 250 of the circuit unit 200 is inserted into the insertion recess 740 of the external fuse 700. The external fuse 700 is then housed in the enclosure 500 such that the front and back of the external fuse 700 are clamped between the upper end receiving section 310 of the housing section 300 and the receiving section 450 of the enclosure section 400. Since the housing 500 of the fuse 600, as described above, is provided with the receiving section 450 which can accommodate the external fuse 700, the external fuse 700 can be easily attached.

[0027] Then, as in the Fig. 10 and Fig. Figure 11 shows the fuse 600 assembled and completed. The fuse 600 according to the invention is designed such that the external fuse 700 can be assembled in any configuration, the fuse 600 itself not necessarily comprising the external fuse 700. Furthermore, in the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. The external fuse 700 is not attached to the recording section 450 on the front to illustrate a condition in which the external fuse 700 is mounted to the fuse 600.

[0028] As in the Fig. 11 and Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the distal end of the inlet port 110 and the distal end of the connecting section 290 protrude from the housing 500, and the distal end of the external port 120 also protrudes from the housing 500. Connecting ports, which are connected to various electrical components and the like, are attached to the external melting section 120. Normally, as shown in Fig. Figure 12(a) shows a current from a power source side, such as a battery connected to the input terminal 110, from the input terminal 110 to the main body 210 of the circuit unit 200 and continues to the external terminal 120 and various electrical components via the connecting section 113. If an overcurrent flows from a power source side, such as a battery connected to the input terminal 110, the fusible link 113 melts, thus protecting loads of various electrical components connected to the external terminal 120.

[0029] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 12(a), part of the circuit unit 200 (on the side of the separate body 220) is arranged in the receiving section 450 of the fuse 600, and the male connecting terminal 250 of the circuit unit 200 faces the opening above the receiving section 450. An opening section 454 is provided below the receiving section 450 so that a male external terminal 910 of an external connecting device 900 can be inserted into it, as described later.

[0030] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 12(b), in a state where the external fuse 700 is housed in the receiving section 450, the male connecting terminal 250 of the circuit unit 200 is inserted into and connected to the connecting terminal 720 in the insertion recess 740 of the external fuse 700. The fuse 600 is used by attaching it to an external connecting device 900, such as a fuse box, and a male external terminal 910 of the external connecting device 900 is inserted from the opening section 454 into an insertion recess 740 of the external fuse 700 and connected to the connecting terminal 720. The male external terminal 910 of the external connecting device 900 is connected to various electrical components.

[0031] Normally, as in Fig. Figure 12(b) shows a current from a power source side, such as a battery, connected to the input terminal 110 and the connection section 290, from the connection section 290 to the male connection terminal 250 of the separate body 220 of the circuit unit 200, and flows further from a connection terminal 720 of the external fuse 700, which is connected to the male connection terminal 250, to the other connection terminal 720 via the fuse section 730. Then the current flows from the male external terminal 910, which is connected to the other connection terminal 720, to various electrical components connected to the male external terminal 910. If an overcurrent from a power source side, such as a battery,When current flows through a battery connected to input terminal 110 and connection section 290, the fuse 730 of the external fuse 700 blows, thus protecting the loads of the various electrical components connected to the male external terminal 910. If the load of the various electrical components connected to the male external terminal 910 changes, the fuse can be replaced with another external fuse 700 with a fuse 730 of a different rating. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the shape of the busbar 100, and manufacturing costs can be reduced compared to replacing the fuse 113 of the busbar 100.

[0032] As described above, the circuit unit 200 according to the present invention comprises the main body 210 and the separate body 220, which are opposite each other, and the external fuse 700 can be attached to the separate body 220, so that the height of the circuit unit 200 can be kept low. This also allows for a reduction in the height of the fuse 600 when the external fuse 700 is attached. Since the external fuse 700 is inserted into and attached to the separate body 220, in particular, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 12(b), the electrical circuit section, such as the melting section 730 and the connecting terminal 720 of the external fuse 700, is arranged such that it faces the circuit unit 200 of the fuse 600 and is arranged substantially parallel or at substantially the same height. Therefore, even when the external fuse 700 is attached to the fuse 600, it is possible to prevent the external fuse 700 from popping upwards out of the fuse 600, and it is possible to achieve a reduction in the overall height of the fuse 600, including the external fuse 700.

[0033] Since the separate body 220, to which the external fuse 700 is connected, is provided separately from the main body 210, only the separate body 220 (i.e., only the structure for mounting the external fuse 700) can be easily modified to an optimal thickness or structure according to the current flowing through the external fuse 700, various electrical components, or similar. If the main body 210 and the separate body 220 were integrally formed, it would be necessary to modify the entire circuit unit 200 to an optimal thickness and structure depending on the current flowing through the external fuse 700, various electrical components, and similar, which increases manufacturing costs. Because the thicknesses of the main body 210 and the separate body 220 can be easily increased, the main body 210 and the separate body 220 can withstand the current even if the height of the main body 210 and the separate body 220 is reduced.This contributes to the reduction in height of the entire fuse 600. Furthermore, since the main body 210 and the separate body 220 are separate, it is not necessary to perform a complicated bending process to form a complex overall shape, including the main body 210 and the separate body 220, from a single metal sheet, and manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

[0034] Since the separate body 220 of the circuit unit 200 includes the male connection terminal 250 and the male connection terminal 250 is designed to be connected to the connection terminal 720 of the external fuse 700, the structure of the section that electrically connects the external fuse 700 and the circuit unit 200 of the fuse 600 is also simplified, and manufacturing costs can be reduced and manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

[0035] Although the separate body 220 of the circuit unit 200 includes the male connection terminal 250, and the male connection terminal 250 is configured to connect to the connection terminal 720 of the external fuse 700, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any other structure may be adopted as long as the external fuse 700 and the circuit unit 200 of the fuse 600 can be electrically connected. For example, a grooved female connection structure can be provided by further folding of the separate body 220 of the circuit unit 200, a corresponding male connection can be provided in the external fuse 700, and the male connection can be inserted into the female connection structure of the circuit unit 200 to be electrically connected.

[0036] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 13, a separate body 220A of the circuit unit 200A cannot be provided with a male connection terminal as a connection terminal, and an upper end 221A of the separate body 220A can be used as a connection terminal and inserted into an insertion recess 740A of the external fuse 700A to connect the upper end 221A of the separate body 220A and the connection terminal 720A of the external fuse 700A. Fig. Figure 13 is a perspective overall view of the busbar 100A according to a modification of the present invention. In this case, the insertion recess 740A of the external fuse 700A has a shape that penetrates the front and rear side surfaces, so that the upper end 221A of the separate body 220A can be inserted linearly.

[0037] Furthermore, the protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and combinations can be made within the scope of the claims and the scope of the embodiments, and these modifications and combinations are also included within the scope of the law. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] JP 2018-010768

[0004]

Claims

[1] Comprehensive security: a busbar with an input terminal, an external terminal, a switching unit, and a fusible link provided between the input terminal and the external terminal; and a housing that covers at least part of the busbar, whereby The circuit unit comprises a main body and a separate body that are opposite each other. the separate body has a connecting section connected to the main body, and The separate body allows for the installation of an external fuse with a melting section and a connection port. [2] Security according to claim 1, wherein the separate body has an upwardly extending, plate-shaped male connection port, and The male connection terminal is designed so that it can be connected to a female connection terminal of the external fuse. [3] Fuse according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing is provided with a receiving section that can receive the external fuse.

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