Enclosed Intermediate Fuse for Distributed Load Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In complex industrial plants, the absence of control cabinets complicates the protection of individual electrical loads due to the transition from large to progressively smaller conductor cross-sections, making power distribution and electrical protection difficult.

Innovation Solution

An electrical fuse housed in a fully enclosed casing, designed as an intermediate connector, is integrated into the power distribution system, providing flexible and reliable protection by being easily inserted into existing wiring systems, with options for various configurations and communication capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If control cabinets are eliminated or minimized, then the industrial plant structure becomes more distributed and flexible, but the electrical protection of individual loads becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistributed system flexibilityVSAvoidelectrical protection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the electrical protection function into segmented, distributed units by integrating fuses directly into field devices at individual load locations. This eliminates the need for centralized control cabinet protection and enables independent protection of each electrical consumer, resolving the contradiction between distributed flexibility and protection complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate connectors as mediator components that facilitate power distribution and protection at field locations. These connectors serve as intermediaries between the power distribution system and individual loads, enabling distributed protection without requiring centralized control cabinets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If fuses are integrated into field devices without control cabinets, then installation becomes simpler and more flexible, but ensuring reliable protection across varying conductor cross-sections becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuse installation easeVSAvoidprotection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter-adaptive fuse elements that can be configured for different conductor cross-sections (0.5 mm² to 2.5 mm²) and varying load requirements. This allows the same integrated fuse structure to reliably protect different conductor sizes and load types, maintaining protection reliability while enabling simple installation across diverse field conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs universal intermediate connectors and fuse assemblies that can handle multiple conductor cross-sections and serve various electrical loads. This multi-functional design ensures reliable protection across different installation scenarios while maintaining ease of installation through standardized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If fully enclosed housings with high protection class are used, then the fuse is protected against harsh environmental conditions, but the housing size and integration complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental protectionVSAvoidhousing integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fuse element, intermediate connector, and protective housing into a single integrated assembly. This combination eliminates the need for separate protective enclosures while maintaining high protection class (IP65 or higher), thereby protecting against harsh environments without increasing overall integration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs compact, sealed housing designs with integrated sealing mechanisms that provide high environmental protection in a space-efficient manner. These streamlined housings protect the fuse and connector elements while minimizing size and integration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP4297056B1Electrical fuse for securing the energy distribution in an industrial installation
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 MURR ELEKTRONIK GMBH
  • EP4297056B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4297056B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4297056B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical fuse for protecting the power distribution in an industrial plant (30) with electrical loads (5) distributed throughout the plant. Electrical energy is supplied to an electrical load (5) via a line branch (7) from the power distribution system. To protect the load, the electrical fuse (20) is arranged in the power-supplying line branch (7). The electrical fuse (20) is housed in a closed casing (10), the casing (10) having at least one first connection (11) for a power-supplying line branch (7) and at least one second connection (12) for an electrically protected line branch (8) connected to an electrical load (5).