Electrical Distribution Center External Fuse Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical distribution centers in motor vehicles face challenges in accommodating an increased number of electronic components within a limited packaging space while maintaining accessibility for servicing.
Innovation Solution
The design features a printed circuit board with externally accessible fusible link devices, L-shaped terminals, and a dielectric housing with separable side walls, allowing all fuses to be accessed externally without being housed internally, thus reducing the need for increased volume and allowing for compact packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all electronic components including fuses are contained within the internal cavity of the housing, then the electrical distribution center can maintain a compact structure, but the accessibility of fusible link devices for servicing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical distribution center is segmented into two distinct access zones: fusible link devices accessible through apertures in the housing walls, and electronic components accessible through the removable cover. This segmentation allows different components to be accessed differently, resolving the contradiction between compactness and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The fusible link devices are extracted from the internal cavity and positioned to be accessible through apertures in the housing walls. This extraction allows fuses to be serviced without removing the cover, while the electronic components remain contained within the compact internal cavity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of electronic components is increased to meet growing electrical demands, then the functionality of the electrical distribution center is improved, but the packaging space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The L-shaped terminals extend perpendicular to the PCB, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than only the planar surface. This allows fusible link devices to be accessed from the side walls while maintaining a compact footprint, enabling increased component capacity without proportional volume increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing includes separable side walls that can be removed to provide additional access to fusible link devices. This dynamic configuration allows the packaging space to be optimized for normal operation while providing expanded access when servicing is required.
3Ease of repair
If fusible link devices are made externally accessible through apertures in the housing, then servicing ease is improved, but the housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented with distinct apertures for fuse access and a separate removable cover for electronic component access. This segmentation creates a straightforward structural solution where each aperture serves a specific function, actually simplifying the overall service procedure despite the additional structural elements.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical distribution center, such as those used in a motor vehicle to provide and manage electrical power from a battery to electrical modules such as headlights, taillights, wiper motors, etc. is presented herein. The electrical distribution center includes a housing containing electrical switching devices, such as relays to control the flow of electrical power. The housing also contains fuses to protect various circuits connected to the electrical distribution center. The fuses are arranged on the exterior walls of the housing and are accessible for service and replacement without requiring a cover to be removed to access an internal cavity containing the relays. There are no fuses within the internal cavity of the electrical distribution center. The electrical distribution center is connected to a number of wiring harnesses via electrical connectors terminating the wiring harnesses and interconnecting the electrical distribution center to the power supply and electrical modules.