Fuse assembly and combiner cabinet

Abstract

The present application provides a fuse assembly and a combiner cabinet. The fuse assembly comprises a fusing unit; the fusing unit comprises a fuse, a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece; the first connecting piece comprises a first part and a second part, the first part is detachably connected to a first end surface of the fuse, and the second part extends in the direction of the first part away from a first end surface; the second connecting piece comprises a third part and a fourth part, the third part is detachably connected to a second end surface of the fuse, and the fourth part extends in the direction of the third part away from the second end surface; and the second part and the fourth part are arranged on different sides of the fuse.

Description

Fuse assemblies and combiner cabinets

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202423052297.4, filed on December 10, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of energy storage technology, specifically to fuse assemblies and combiner cabinets. Background Technology

[0003] With the continuous development of the energy storage industry, the capacity of energy storage systems is constantly increasing. Using multiple combiner cabinets in parallel can increase the capacity of energy storage systems. However, when multiple combiner cabinets are in parallel, if one combiner cabinet experiences a short circuit, the short circuit point will bear the current from the other combiner cabinets, resulting in a large current and potentially damaging the combiner cabinet.

[0004] In related technologies, by installing a fuse in the combiner cabinet, the combiner cabinet that experiences a short circuit fault can be disconnected from the energy storage system, thus protecting the safety of the combiner cabinet. Invention Overview

[0005] However, the space in the combiner cabinet is limited, making it difficult to install and maintain fuses.

[0006] The embodiments of this application provide a fuse assembly and a combiner cabinet, which can improve the technical problem of limited space in the combiner cabinet and difficulty in installing and maintaining fuses.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a fuse assembly, the fuse assembly including a fusing unit, the fusing unit comprising:

[0008] A fuse having opposing first and second end faces;

[0009] The first connector includes a first part and a second part arranged at an angle, the first part being detachably connected to the first end face, and the second part extending along the direction of the first part away from the first end face.

[0010] The second connector includes a third part and a fourth part arranged at an angle, the third part being detachably connected to the second end face, and the fourth part extending along the direction of the third part away from the second end face;

[0011] The second part and the fourth part are located on different sides of the fuse.

[0012] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a junction box, which includes an insulating plate and the aforementioned fuse assembly, wherein the third part is disposed between the fuse and the insulating plate, and the fourth part is disposed at the edge of the insulating plate. Beneficial effects

[0013] The fuse assembly provided in this application, by respectively setting the first connector and the second connector on opposite end faces of the fuse, and with the second part and the fourth part located on different sides of the fuse, can avoid the first connector and the second connector from blocking each other, thereby facilitating the installation and removal of the fuse.

[0014] The busbar cabinet provided in this application, by setting the first connector and the second connector on opposite end faces of the fuse respectively, and with the second part and the fourth part located on different sides of the fuse, can avoid the first connector and the second connector from blocking each other, thereby facilitating the installation and removal of the fuse. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fuse assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view of another fuse assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0017] Figure 3 is a front view of the fuse assembly in Figure 2 in the installed state;

[0018] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the fuse assembly in Figure 2 in the installed state;

[0019] Figure 5 is a left view of the fuse assembly in Figure 2 in the installed state;

[0020] Figure 6 is a partially enlarged structural schematic diagram of the combiner cabinet provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0022] Fuse assembly 1;

[0023] Fuse unit 10;

[0024] Fuse 11, first end face 11a, second end face 11b, third end face 11c, fuse indicator 111;

[0025] First connector 12, first part 121, second part 122;

[0026] Second connector 13, third part 131, fourth part 132;

[0027] The center-to-center distance s1 between the two fuses 11;

[0028] First mounting hole 14; Second mounting hole 15; Third mounting hole 16; Fourth mounting hole 17;

[0029] Combiner cabinet 2, insulation board 21, opening 211. Embodiments of the present invention

[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. In addition, it should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for illustration and explanation of this application and are not intended to limit this application. In this application, unless otherwise stated, directional terms such as "upper" and "lower" generally refer to the upper and lower positions of the device in actual use or operation, specifically the drawing directions in the accompanying drawings; while "inner" and "outer" refer to the outline of the device.

[0031] Firstly, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, Figures 1 and 2 show perspective views of two fuse assemblies provided in embodiments of this application, and Figures 3 to 5 show multiple views of the fuse assembly in Figure 2 in its installed state. Figure 3 corresponds to the front view, Figure 4 to the bottom view, and Figure 5 to the left view.

[0032] An embodiment of this application provides a fuse assembly 1, as shown in Figures 1 to 5. The fuse assembly 1 includes a fuse unit 10, which includes a fuse 11, a first connector 12, and a second connector 13. The fuse 11 has a first end face 11a and a second end face 11b facing each other. The first connector 12 includes a first part 121 and a second part 122 arranged at an angle. The first part 121 is detachably connected to the first end face 11a, and the second part 122 extends in a direction away from the first end face 11a along the first part 121. The second connector 13 includes a third part 131 and a fourth part 132 arranged at an angle. The third part 131 is detachably connected to the second end face 11b, and the fourth part 132 extends in a direction away from the second end face 11b along the third part 131. The second part 122 and the fourth part 132 are located on different sides of the fuse 11.

[0033] The fuse assembly 1 can be used in energy storage devices such as combiner cabinet 2. When a large instantaneous current occurs in the circuit, the fuse 11 can be used to cut off the circuit to prevent damage to the equipment in the circuit caused by the continuous large current.

[0034] The fuse assembly 1 may include one or two fuse elements 10. Figure 1 shows a fuse assembly 1 including one fuse element 10. When the fuse assembly 1 includes one fuse element 10, the fuse element 10 can be used to break the circuit at one point. Figure 2 shows a fuse assembly 1 including two fuse elements 10. When the fuse assembly 1 includes two fuse elements 10, the fuse elements 10 can be used to break the circuit at two points, thereby improving the reliability of the circuit breaking and enhancing the safety of the energy storage device. For example, the two fuse elements 10 can be respectively configured to correspond to the positive and negative terminals of the power supply.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the fuse 11 has a first end face 11a and a second end face 11b opposite to each other. For example, the first end face 11a can be the upper end of the fuse 11, and the second end face 11b can be the lower end face of the fuse 11. Both the first end face 11a and the second end face 11b are flat surfaces.

[0036] Both the first connector 12 and the second connector 13 are used to connect the fuse 11 to the circuit loop. Both the first connector 12 and the second connector are made of conductive material. Both the first connector 12 and the second connector 13 can be copper busbars, but are not limited to this.

[0037] The first connector 12 includes a first part 121 and a second part 122 arranged at an angle, and the first part 121 and the second part 122 can be formed by a bending process. The first connector 12 is plate-shaped, and the first part 121 and the second part 122 have a uniform thickness.

[0038] For ease of description, the two surfaces of the first part 121 that are opposite each other in the thickness direction are referred to as the large end faces of the first part 121, and the two surfaces of the second part 122 that are opposite each other in the thickness direction are referred to as the large end faces of the second part 122. The first part 121 and the second part 122 are set at an angle, meaning that the large end faces of the first part 121 and the large end faces of the second part 122 are not parallel.

[0039] Similarly, the two surfaces of the third part 131 that are opposite each other in the thickness direction are referred to as the large end faces of the third part 131, and the two surfaces of the fourth part 132 that are opposite each other in the thickness direction are referred to as the large end faces of the fourth part 132. The fact that the third part 131 and the fourth part 132 are set at an angle means that the large end faces of the third part 131 and the large end faces of the fourth part 132 are not parallel.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the large end face of the first part 121 is a flat surface. The first part 121 is detachably connected to the first end face 11a. The detachable connection includes threaded connections, etc. For example, multiple first mounting holes 14 can be provided on the first part 121, and multiple screw holes can be provided on the first end face 11a. The first part 121 and the first end face 11a are connected by screws, bolts, etc.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the large end face of the third part 131 is a flat surface. The third part 131 is detachably connected to the second end face 11b, and the detachable connection includes threaded connection, etc. Multiple second mounting holes 15 can be provided on the third part 131, and multiple screw holes can be correspondingly provided on the second end face 11b. The third part 131 and the second end face 11b are connected by screws, bolts, etc.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the second part 122 extends along the direction away from the first end face 11a of the first part 121, meaning that the second part 122 is located on the side of the first part 121 away from the fuse 11. The fourth part 132 extends along the direction away from the second end face 11b of the third part 131, meaning that the fourth part 132 is located on the side of the third part 131 away from the fuse 11. For example, when the first end face 11a is a horizontal plane, the second part 122 can extend upwards towards the fuse 11, and the fourth part 132 can extend downwards towards the fuse 11. By extending the second part 122 and the fourth part 132 in opposite directions, sufficient space can be reserved for the second part 122 and the fourth part 132, facilitating the installation and maintenance of the fuse assembly 1.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the second part 122 and the fourth part 132 are located on different sides of the fuse 11. When the first end face 11a is horizontal, the fuse 11 has four sides: front, back, left, and right. The second part 122 and the fourth part 132 being located on different sides of the fuse 11 means that when the fourth part 132 is located on the front side of the fuse 11, the second part 122 can be located on the left, right, or rear side of the fuse 11; the second part 122 and the fourth part 132 are not simultaneously located on the front side of the fuse 11. The same applies when the fourth part 132 is located on other sides of the fuse 11; simply ensure that the second part 122 and the fourth part 132 are not on the same side of the fuse 11. This arrangement allows the second part 122 and the fourth part 132 to be staggered, thereby increasing the disassembly space for the first connector 12 and the second connector 13, facilitating the installation and maintenance of the fuse 11.

[0044] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the included angle between the first part 121 and the second part 122 is a right angle or an obtuse angle; and / or, the included angle between the third part 131 and the fourth part 132 is a right angle or an obtuse angle.

[0045] The angle between the first part 121 and the second part 122 being a right angle or an obtuse angle means that the angle between the large end face of the first part 121 and the large end face of the second part 122 is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. The angle between the third part 131 and the fourth part 132 being a right angle or an obtuse angle means that the angle between the large end face of the third part 131 and the large end face of the fourth part 132 is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

[0046] Optionally, in some embodiments, the included angle between the first part 121 and the second part 122 is a right angle, and the included angle between the third part 131 and the fourth part 132 is an obtuse angle.

[0047] Optionally, in some embodiments, the included angle between the first part 121 and the second part 122 is an obtuse angle, and the included angle between the third part 131 and the fourth part 132 is a right angle.

[0048] Optionally, in some embodiments, the angle between the first part 121 and the second part 122 is a right angle, and the angle between the third part 131 and the fourth part 132 is a right angle.

[0049] It should be noted that due to machining errors, the actual angle of a right angle may deviate slightly from 90 degrees. For example, the actual machined right angle may be slightly less than 90 degrees, such as 85 degrees, 86 degrees, 87 degrees, 88 degrees, 89 degrees, etc. Similarly, the actual machined right angle may be slightly greater than 90 degrees, such as 91 degrees, 92 degrees, 93 degrees, 94 degrees, 95 degrees, etc. Here, "right angle" refers to a right angle within the allowable tolerance range.

[0050] Optionally, the angle between the large end face of the first part 121 and the large end face of the second part 122 is 85 degrees to 95 degrees, and the angle between the large end face of the third part 131 and the large end face of the fourth part 132 is 85 degrees to 95 degrees, thereby reducing the area occupied by the second part 122 and the fourth part 132 on the plane parallel to the first end face 11a, making the structure of the fuse unit 10 compact.

[0051] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second part 122 and the fourth part 132 are disposed on adjacent sides of the fuse 11. Adjacent sides refer to two adjacent directions. For example, the front side is adjacent to the left side, and the front side is adjacent to the right side. The front side is not adjacent to the rear side.

[0052] Optionally, the fourth part 132 is disposed on the front side of the fuse 11, and the second part 122 is disposed on the left or right side of the fuse 11.

[0053] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the third end face 11c of the fuse 11 is provided with a fuse indicator 111, and the third end face 11c is connected to the first end face 11a and the second end face 11b; wherein, the fourth part 132 and the fuse indicator 111 are disposed on the same side of the fuse 11.

[0054] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the third end face 11c connects the first end face 11a and the second end face 11b. For example, when the first end face 11a is a horizontal plane, the third end face 11c can be a side face.

[0055] The main function of the fuse indicator 111 is to display the fuse-broken state of the fuse 11. When the fusible element in the fuse 11 melts, the fuse indicator 111 will react immediately. For example, the fuse-broken state can be indicated by a color change or a physical change, allowing personnel to visually identify whether the fuse 11 has melted.

[0056] To facilitate observation of the fuse indicator 111, the fuse indicator 111 and the fourth part 132 can be positioned on the same side. For example, when the fuse 11 is assembled and installed in the combiner cabinet 2, the fuse indicator 11 can face the front of the combiner cabinet 2. The front of the combiner cabinet 2 can face the cabinet door of the combiner cabinet 2, or the front of the combiner cabinet 2 can face outwards, and the front of the combiner cabinet 2 is not obstructed by other components.

[0057] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG2, the fuse assembly 1 includes two fuse elements 10, the fuse indicators 111 of the two fuse elements 10 are located on the same side of the fuse assembly 1; the second part 122 of the two fuse elements 10 is located at the end of the two first parts 121 that are far apart from each other.

[0058] One of the two fuse units 10 can be connected to the positive terminal of the energy storage device, and the other can be connected to the negative terminal of the energy storage device, thereby providing more reliable protection for the energy storage device and improving its safety. For example, the first connector 12 of one fuse unit 10 can be a positive terminal inlet copper busbar, and the second connector 13 can be a positive terminal outlet copper busbar. The first connector 12 of the other fuse unit 10 can be a negative terminal inlet copper busbar, and the second connector 13 can be a negative terminal outlet copper busbar.

[0059] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG2, the fuse indicators 111 of the two fuse units 10 are located on the same side of the fuse assembly 1, thereby facilitating simultaneous observation and identification of whether the fuse 11 has blown.

[0060] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG2, the second portions 122 of the two fuse units 10 are located at the ends of the two first portions 121 that are far apart from each other. For example, in one first connector 12, the second portion 122 is located to the left of the first portion 121; in the other first connector 12, the second portion 122 is located to the right of the first portion 121. With the above arrangement, the distance between the two second portions 122 can be increased, the disassembly space of the two first connectors 12 can be increased, and the installation and maintenance of the fuse assembly 1 can be facilitated.

[0061] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG3, when two fuses 11 are installed in the energy storage device, the center-to-center distance s1 of the two fuses 11 is greater than or equal to 220 mm. This arrangement provides sufficient space for installation and maintenance, facilitating personnel operation.

[0062] In some embodiments, both the first connector 12 and the second connector 13 are copper busbars. The thickness of the copper busbar can be set as needed; for example, the thickness of the copper busbar can be 10 mm. The width of the copper busbar can be 120 mm. The width of the copper busbar refers to the dimension of the copper busbar in the direction parallel to the boundary line between the first part 121 and the second part 122.

[0063] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second part 122 may be provided with a plurality of third mounting holes 16, and the fourth part 132 may be provided with a plurality of fourth mounting holes 17. Both the third mounting holes 16 and the fourth mounting holes 17 may be threaded holes. The second part 122 can be screwed to other components through the third mounting holes 16, and the fourth part 132 can be screwed to other components through the fourth mounting holes 17. This arrangement allows both the second part 122 and the fourth part 132 to use the same connection method, facilitating the installation and maintenance of the first connector 12 and the second connector 13 using the same tool, thus reducing the difficulty of installation and maintenance.

[0064] Similarly, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, the first part 121, the second part 122, the third part 131, and the fourth part 132 can all be screwed, that is, the first mounting hole 14, the second mounting hole 15, the third mounting hole 16, and the fourth mounting hole 17 can all be screw holes, so that the same tool can be used to install and maintain the fuse assembly 1, reducing the difficulty of installation and maintenance.

[0065] Secondly, as shown in FIG6, an embodiment of this application provides a combiner cabinet 2, which includes an insulating plate 21 and the aforementioned fuse assembly 1, a third part 131 disposed between the fuse 11 and the insulating plate 21, and a fourth part 132 disposed at the edge of the insulating plate 21.

[0066] The combiner cabinet 2 is equipped with multiple insulating plates 21, which are used to house various components. Figure 6 shows only one insulating plate 21 to illustrate the installation method of the fuse assembly 1. The fuse assembly 1 can be mounted on an insulating plate 21. The thickness of the insulating plate 21 can be set as needed to enable it to support the fuse assembly 1. For example, the thickness of the insulating plate 21 can be greater than or equal to 10 mm.

[0067] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the third part 131 is disposed between the fuse 11 and the insulating plate 21, and the large end face of the third part 131 can be close to the bearing surface of the insulating plate 21. The third part 131 can be screwed to the insulating plate 21 to fix the fuse assembly 1.

[0068] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the fourth part 132 is disposed at the edge of the insulating plate 21. The fourth part 132 extends out of the insulating plate 21 and downward along the thickness direction of the insulating plate 21. Since the fourth part 132 is suspended, the operating space for disassembling the fourth part 132 from other components can be increased.

[0069] In some embodiments, referring to Figures 4 and 6, the third part 131 is provided with a plurality of second mounting holes 15, and the insulating plate 21 has an opening 211 corresponding to the plurality of second mounting holes 15. The opening 211 exposes the plurality of second mounting holes 15, facilitating the removal or installation of the fuse 11 and the third part 131 through the opening 211. At the same time, the opening 211 also facilitates heat dissipation for the second connector 13 and the fuse 11.

[0070] The size of the opening 211 can be greater than or equal to 95 mm, but is not limited to this.

Claims

1. A fuse assembly (1) comprising a fuse element (10), the fuse element (10) comprising: The fuse (11) has a first end face (11a) and a second end face (11b) opposite each other. The first connector (12) includes a first part (121) and a second part (122) arranged at an angle. The first part (121) is detachably connected to the first end face (11a), and the second part (122) extends in a direction away from the first end face (11a) along the first part (121). The second connector (13) includes a third part (131) and a fourth part (132) arranged at an angle. The third part (131) is detachably connected to the second end face (11b), and the fourth part (132) extends in a direction away from the second end face (11b) along the third part (131). The second part (122) and the fourth part (132) are located on different sides of the fuse (11).

2. The fuse assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The angle between the first part (121) and the second part (122) is a right angle or an obtuse angle; and / or, the angle between the third part (131) and the fourth part (132) is a right angle or an obtuse angle.

3. The fuse assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The second part (122) and the fourth part (132) are disposed on adjacent sides of the fuse (11).

4. The fuse assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein, The fuse (11) has a fuse indicator (111) on its third end face (11c), and the third end face (11c) is connected to the first end face (11a) and the second end face (11b). The fourth part (132) and the fuse indicator (111) are located on the same side of the fuse (11).

5. The fuse assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The fuse assembly (1) includes two fuse units (10), the fuse indicators (111) of the two fuse units (10) are located on the same side of the fuse assembly (1); the second part (122) of the two fuse units (10) is located at the end of the two first parts (121) that are far apart from each other.

6. The fuse assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The distance between the centers of the two fuses (11) is greater than or equal to 220 mm.

7. The fuse assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein, Both the first connector (12) and the second connector (13) are copper busbars.

8. The fuse assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The second part (122) is provided with a plurality of third mounting holes (16), and the fourth part (132) is provided with a plurality of fourth mounting holes (17).

9. A junction box (2) comprising an insulating plate (21) and a fuse assembly (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a third part (131) is disposed between the fuse (11) and the insulating plate (21), and a fourth part (132) is disposed at the edge of the insulating plate (21).

10. The combiner cabinet (2) according to claim 9, wherein, The third part (131) is provided with a plurality of second mounting holes (15), and the insulating plate (21) is provided with an opening (211) corresponding to the plurality of second mounting holes (15).

Images