Fuse block

Abstract

To provide a fuse block which is capable of surely cutting off a current in a case where overcurrent occurs, and is inexpensive.SOLUTION: In a substrate 11, a wire (first electrode terminal) 12A and a wire (second electrode terminal) 12B each consisting of a metal layer are formed by patterning separately in two upper and lower locations, and the wires 12A and 12B are connected by a fusible part (first fusible part) 13. The fusible part 13 is configured on the substrate 11 by patterning with a metal having a low fusing point such as zinc or lead. Tuning fork terminals 14A and 14B are fixed to the substrate 11 (wires 12A and 12B) so as to protrude from the substrate 11 orthogonally to the substrate 11. A fuse unit is mountable to the tuning fork terminals 14A and 14B but in a form of Fig. 1 (initial state), the fuse unit is not mounted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuse block structure that cuts off current by melting a current path when an overcurrent flows. [Background technology]

[0002] In automobiles and the like, fusing parts (fuses) that cut off the current path by melting themselves when an overcurrent flows are used, and many fuse blocks equipped with such fuses are used. For example, fuse blocks are installed in each unit that performs an electrical operation in an automobile, thereby preventing damage to each unit and fires when an overcurrent flows due to some kind of fault. In automobiles, fuse blocks are used that have a structure that can reliably protect various components and the driver of the automobile by cutting off the current path when an overcurrent flows, taking into consideration the characteristics of the automobile in particular.

[0003] Generally, when a fuse in a fuse block is blown due to an overcurrent, the fault that caused the overcurrent is repaired and then the blown fuse is replaced with a new fuse. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of such a conventional fuse block 9, in which a fuse unit 80 incorporating a fuse is detachable from a fuse block body 90, Fig. 4(a) shows a state in which the fuse unit 80 is not attached to the fuse block body 90, and Fig. 4(b) shows a state in which the fuse unit 80 is attached. Fig. 4(b) shows the configuration when this fuse block 9 is mounted and used.

[0004] This fuse block body 90 is provided with metallic tuning fork terminals 92A, 92B, one end of which is fixed to the substrate 91 and the other end of which is U-shaped with two forks, on an insulating substrate 91. On the substrate 91, the tuning fork terminals 92A, 92B are respectively connected to wiring 93A, 93B formed on the substrate 91 as a metal pattern. The wiring 93A, 93B are each connected to one terminal in a current path into which the fuse block 9 is inserted.

[0005] Meanwhile, in the fuse unit 80 which is separate from the fuse block main body 90, a fusing portion 82 which is a linear conductor made of a low melting point metal is provided inside a fuse unit main body 81 made of a resin material. Plate-shaped metal fuse unit electrode terminals 83A, 83B are provided at two locations, one above the other, spaced apart from each other, in the fuse unit 80. The fuse unit electrode terminals 83A, 83B are joined to both ends of the fusing portion 82 inside the fuse unit main body 81. In practice, the fuse unit main body 81 is made of a transparent resin material, so that a user can visually check the state of the fusing portion 82 inside.

[0006] 4(a), the U-shaped portion on the other end side of the tuning fork terminals 92A, 92B opposite the substrate 91 is a fuse unit holding portion 92AA, 92BA that clamps and holds the fuse unit 80, and at this time, the fuse unit electrode terminal 83A is held and abuts against the fuse unit holding portion 92AA (tuning fork terminal 92A), and the fuse unit electrode terminal 83B is held and abuts against the fuse unit holding portion 92BA (tuning fork terminal 92B). This electrically connects the wiring 93A, 93B to the fusing portion 82. By making the tuning fork terminals 92A, 92B bent as shown in FIG. 4, the fuse unit 80 can be easily attached and detached by sliding the fuse unit 80 in the in-plane direction of the substrate 91.

[0007] 5(a) to (d) are side views showing the fuse block 9 in a typical form when it is used. Here, the wiring 93A and 93B are omitted. FIG. 5(a) shows the state in which the fuse unit 80 is attached as shown in FIG. 4(b). Here, when an overcurrent (current exceeding a certain standard current value) flows between the wiring 93A and 93B (tuning fork terminals 92A and 92B), the fusing portion 82 melts as shown in FIG. 5(b), and the user can visually confirm this state. In this case, the user can remove the fuse unit 80 as shown in FIG. 5(c), remove the cause of the overcurrent in the device in which the fuse block 9 is attached, and then attach a new fuse unit 80 in which the fusing portion 82 is not melted as shown in FIG. 5(d), and operate the device again.

[0008] For this reason, fuse blocks are designed to facilitate the replacement of such fuse units. Also, since such fuse blocks are installed for each of the various units that make up the equipment, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a fuse block with a particularly versatile structure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-1723 A DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Since many such fuse blocks are used in one vehicle, it is preferable that they are inexpensive. On the other hand, the fusing part melts down when an abnormality (failure) occurs in each unit, and although the frequency (probability) of the fusing part actually melting down is not high, to ensure safety, the operation of melting the fusing part due to an overcurrent must be reliable.

[0011] For this reason, there has been a demand for an inexpensive fuse block that can reliably cut off current when an overcurrent occurs.

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The present invention is a fuse block having a configuration in which a fusing portion that melts when an overcurrent flows is connected between a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal, the fuse block comprising: a substrate on which the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal are formed; a first fusing portion that is the fusing portion formed on a surface of the substrate by joining one end to the first electrode terminal and the other end to the second electrode terminal; and a first fixing terminal and a second fixing terminal that are connected to the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal, respectively, on the substrate and protrude from the surface of the substrate, and a second fusing portion that is the fusing portion separate from the first fusing portion can be connected between the first fixing terminal and the second fixing terminal. The first fixing terminal and the second fixing terminal may have tips each having a shape capable of clamping and fixing a fuse unit incorporating the second fusing portion. The substrate may be configured by combining a plate-shaped first substrate and a plate-shaped second substrate intersecting the first substrate, the first fixing terminal and the second fixing terminal being attached to the second substrate, and the fuse unit may be detachable from the first fixing terminal and the second fixing terminal by moving the fuse unit along an in-plane direction of the first substrate. Effect of the Invention

[0014] Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to obtain an inexpensive fuse block that can reliably cut off current when an overcurrent occurs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view of a fuse block according to an embodiment in an initial state; [Diagram 2] 1A to 1C are side views each showing a schematic diagram of a change in form when the fuse block according to the embodiment is used. [Diagram 3] 1A to 1C are perspective views showing the transition of the form of a fuse block according to an embodiment when it is used; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a conventional fuse block. [Diagram 5] 1A to 1C are side views each showing a schematic diagram of a transition in form when an example of a conventional fuse block is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] A fuse block according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this fuse block, a first fusing portion, which is a fusing portion (fuse) in an initial state provided at the time of initial installation, and a second fusing portion, which is a fusing portion newly installed to this fuse block after the first fusing portion has blown and has a different form from the first fusing portion, are used. The second fusing portion is not installed in the initial state, and the second fusing portion is easily installed to this fuse block after the first fusing portion has blown, and the second fusing portion is used thereafter. With this configuration, it is possible to reliably perform the operation of suppressing the flow of an overcurrent caused by the fuse blowing, and it is possible to make this fuse block inexpensive.

[0017] Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view corresponding to Fig. 4(b) showing the initial state of this fuse block 1, and Fig. 1(b) shows the state before tuning fork terminal (first fixing terminal) 14A and tuning fork terminal (second fixing terminal) 14B are attached. In this fuse block 1, an insulating substrate (second substrate) 11 that intersects (is perpendicular to) substrate 10 is fixed to insulating substrate (first substrate) 10. In substrate 11, wiring (first electrode terminal) 12A and wiring (second electrode terminal) 12B, which are made of metal layers, are formed at two positions, top and bottom, by patterning and spaced apart from each other, and wiring 12A and 12B are connected by fusion portion (first fusion portion) 13. Wirings 12A and 12B are made of a metal with a high melting point and low resistance (copper or a copper alloy, etc.), whereas fusing portion 13 is made on substrate 11 by patterning using a metal with a low melting point, such as tin or lead.

[0018] Wires 12A, 12B are appropriately patterned so as to be electrically connected to a device in which fuse block 1 is mounted and used, and the connection portions for this purpose are omitted. The structure for connecting substrate 11 and substrate 10 is also omitted, and these structures are not related to the present invention and are set appropriately. Here, only the structure around tuning fork terminals 14A, 14B is described. In addition, fixing holes 11A, 11B are formed at the locations of wiring 12A, 12B on substrate 11, respectively, for passing fixing devices (screws, etc.) for fixing tuning fork terminals 14A, 14B therethrough.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1(a), the tips of tuning fork terminal (first fixing terminal) 14A and tuning fork terminal (second fixing terminal) 14B have a shape similar to that of tuning fork terminals 91A and 91B in FIG. 4, and fuse unit holding portions 14AA and 14BA are provided at the tips of tuning fork terminals 14A and 14B on the side opposite to the substrate 11, the fuse unit holding portions 14AA and 14BA being shaped so that a fuse unit 80 similar to that in the example of FIG. 4 can be attached thereto.

[0020] Tuning fork terminals 14A, 14B are fixed to substrate 11 (wires 12A, 12B) using fasteners such as screws (not shown) that penetrate fixing holes 11A, 11B so as to protrude from substrate 11 perpendicular to substrate 11. This electrically connects tuning fork terminals 14A, 14B to wires 12A, 12B, respectively. A fuse unit 80 can be attached to tuning fork terminals 14A, 14B, but in the form (initial state) of FIG. 1, fuse unit 80 is not attached.

[0021] 2(a) to (c) are side views corresponding to FIG. 5, which show a schematic form of the fuse block 1 when it is used. Here, the wiring 12A, 12B are omitted. In the initial state (FIG. 2(a)), when the fuse block 1 is mounted, a current flows through the fusion part 13 between the wiring terminals 12A, 12B. Therefore, when an overcurrent flows, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the fusion part 13 heats up and melts (disconnects), thereby cutting off the current path. Since the fusion part 13 is formed on the substrate 11, the user can easily confirm this state visually.

[0022] In this state, the user can leave the disconnected fusible portion 13 as it is and attach a fuse unit 80 similar to that used in the conventional fuse block 9 to the tuning fork terminals 14A, 14B in the same manner as in Fig. 5(d), as shown in Fig. 2(c). Fig. 3(a) shows a perspective view of the state in Fig. 2(b) where the fusible portion 13 has disconnected, and Fig. 3(b) shows a perspective view of the state in Fig. 2(c) where the fuse unit 80 has been attached thereafter.

[0023] That is, in this fuse block 1, in the initial state, fusion portion (first fusion portion) 13 on substrate 11 is used, and after fusion portion 13 is disconnected due to an overcurrent caused by some reason after mounting fuse block 1, this fuse block 1 can be used again simply by attaching fuse unit 80 incorporating fusion portion (second fusion portion) 82 while leaving disconnected fusion portion 13 as is. Note that if fusion portion 82 is subsequently disconnected, this fuse block 1 can be used again by removing this fuse unit 80 and attaching a new fuse unit 80.

[0024] In the above configuration, a combination of substrate (first substrate) 10 and substrate (second substrate) 11 perpendicular to the substrate is used. As a result, as shown in Fig. 2(c), fuse unit 80 can be easily attached to and detached from tuning fork terminals 14A and 14B by moving fuse unit 80 in the in-plane direction of substrate 10, which is the main substrate. However, it is also possible to use only substrate 10 as in Fig. 4 without using substrate 11, and to use tuning fork terminals bent relative to substrate 10 as shown in Fig. 4, and to form a fusion portion (first fusion portion) between them on substrate 10.

[0025] Alternatively, in this case, a tuning fork terminal that does not bend may be used, and the direction of attachment and detachment of fuse unit 80 may be set to the normal direction of the substrate. These settings are appropriately set according to the form in which the fuse block is mounted, etc. In other words, the forms of the substrate, the first fixing terminal, and the second fixing terminal can be appropriately set.

[0026] 1 is required in the initial state, and there is no need for a separate fuse unit 80. In this case, a major difference from the case of manufacturing a conventional fuse block 9 is that fusion portion 13 is formed between wires 12A and 12B, but fusion portion 13 can be easily formed on substrate 11 by patterning, in the same way as wires 12A and 12B.

[0027] Thereafter, the fuse block 1 is mounted and used, and only when the fusible portion (first fusible portion) 13 is broken is the fuse unit 80 (fusible portion (second fusible portion) 82) attached, allowing the fuse block 1 to be used again in the same manner. This replacement work can be easily performed with the fuse block 1 in its mounted state. In reality, these fusible portions break only when an abnormality occurs in the device (unit) to which the fuse block 1 is mounted, so the probability that the fusible portion 13 will break from the initial state is low, and the fuse unit 80 is only needed as a backup. For this reason, it is better to prepare a minimum number of backup fuse units 80 in advance in addition to the fuse block 1.

[0028] In contrast, in the case of a conventional fuse block 9, a fuse unit 80 is required in a one-to-one correspondence with the fuse block 9 in the initial state, and the fuse unit 80 is an essential component of the fuse block 9. Furthermore, if the fusion portion 82 breaks after use, a new fuse unit 80 is required as a spare. For this reason, many fuse units 80 are required. For this reason, the above-described fuse block 1 is less expensive than the conventional fuse block 9.

[0029] On the other hand, in the above fuse block 1, the function of the fuse (melting portion) of cutting off the current path by breaking due to an overcurrent is reliably achieved in the initial state by melting portion (first melting portion) 13, and thereafter by melting portion (second melting portion) 82. Therefore, this fuse block 1 can reliably cut off the current when an overcurrent occurs, and is inexpensive.

[0030] Although the structure of the tip side of tuning fork terminal (first fixing terminal) 14A and tuning fork terminal (second fixing terminal) 14B to which fuse unit 80 is attached is U-shaped as shown in Fig. 1, this shape is arbitrary as long as the fuse unit can be stably attached. Alternatively, the shape of the first fixing terminal and the second fixing terminal is arbitrary as long as an electrical connection can be made to the melting part inside the fuse unit with the fuse unit stably attached. There is no need for the shapes of these tip parts to be the same.

[0031] The form of the fuse unit to be attached thereto can also be appropriately set accordingly, but it is particularly preferable to use a general-purpose fuse unit that can be used with other fuse blocks in order to keep the cost of this fuse block and the entire related structure low.

[0032] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiment. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of the respective components, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1, 9 Fuse Block 10 Substrate (first substrate) 11 Substrate (second substrate) 11A, 11B Fixing hole 12A, 93A wiring (1st electrode terminal) 12B, 93B wiring (2nd electrode terminal) 13 Melting part (first melting part) 14A, 92A Tuning fork terminal (first fixed terminal) 14AA, 14BA, 92AA, 92BA Fuse unit holder 14B, 92B Tuning fork terminal (second fixed terminal) 80 Fuse unit 81 Fuse unit body 82 Melting part (second melting part) 83A, 83B Fuse unit electrode terminal 90 Fuse block body 91 Substrate

Claims

1. A fuse block having a configuration in which a fusing portion that melts when an overcurrent flows is connected between a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal, a substrate on which the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal are formed; a first fusing portion formed on a surface of the substrate, the first fusing portion having one end joined to the first electrode terminal and the other end joined to the second electrode terminal; a first fixing terminal and a second fixing terminal which are connected to the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal, respectively, on the substrate and protrude from a surface of the substrate; Equipped with A fuse block, characterized in that a second fusing portion, which is a fusing portion separate from the first fusing portion, is connectable between the first fixing terminal and the second fixing terminal.

2. 2. The fuse block according to claim 1, wherein the tips of the first fixing terminal and the second fixing terminal are shaped so as to be able to clamp and fix a fuse unit incorporating the second fusing portion.

3. The substrate is configured by combining a plate-shaped first substrate and a plate-shaped second substrate intersecting the first substrate, the first fixing terminal and the second fixing terminal are attached to the second substrate; 3. The fuse block according to claim 2, wherein the fuse unit is detachable from the first fixing terminal and the second fixing terminal by moving the fuse unit along an in-plane direction of the first substrate.

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