Fuse Assembly Segmentation for Component Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit protection assemblies do not allow for easy replacement of damaged studs or fusible links without replacing the entire assembly, which complicates maintenance and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A fuse assembly with flexible locking arms and threaded studs that can be easily inserted and removed, allowing for the replacement of damaged studs or fusible links without replacing the entire assembly, utilizing an insulating block with resilient lock arms and a bus bar with fusible links for overcurrent protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire fuse assembly is replaced when a stud or fusible link is damaged, then reliability is maintained, but loss of time and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse assembly is divided into separable components including the insulating block, individual terminal studs, and fusible links. Each stud can be independently removed from its cavity in the insulating block, and each fusible link can be individually replaced on the bus bar, allowing partial replacement rather than complete assembly replacement.
2Reliability
If the entire fuse assembly is replaced when a stud or fusible link is damaged, then reliability is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse assembly is divided into separable components including the insulating block, individual terminal studs, and fusible links. Each stud can be independently removed from its cavity in the insulating block, and each fusible link can be individually replaced on the bus bar, allowing partial replacement rather than complete assembly replacement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If threaded studs are permanently fixed in the insulating block, then structural stability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock arms in the insulating block are designed to be dynamically adjustable between a locked position (retaining the stud during operation) and an unlocked position (allowing stud removal for replacement). Actuation members enable the lock arms to move between these states, providing both stability during use and ease of repair when needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and cost-effective maintenance by allowing individual components to be replaced, reducing downtime and assembly complexity, while maintaining compact design for easier integration in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
The inner side wall of each cavity defines a resilient lock arm that is biased outwardly by an actuation member
Implementation Method 2
A bus bar with fusible links for overcurrent protection
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
A fuse assembly (10) includes an insulating block (12) having an upper surface (14), a lower surface (16), and a side surface (18) therebetween. The insulating block (12) defines cavities (20) extending therethrough. Each cavity (20) defines a resilient lock arm (24). A fuse assembly (10) also includes a first terminal stud (26A) secured within a first cavity (20) by a first lock arm, a second terminal stud (26B) secured within a second cavity (20) by a second lock arm, and a bus bar (38) disposed parallel to the bottom surface of the insulating block (12). The bus bar (38) is interconnected to the first terminal stud (26 A) by a lower terminal (42) connected to the bus bar (38) and an upper terminal (44) disposed parallel to the upper surface (14). The bus bar (38) is interconnected to the second terminal stud (26B) by a fusible link (48) having a lower fuse terminal (50) connected to the bus bar (38) and an upper fuse terminal (52) disposed generally parallel to the upper surface (14).