Vehicle Fuse Box Terminal Pooling for Compact Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The compactness of motor vehicle powertrains and the need for easy access to fuse boxes pose challenges in accommodating new electrical devices without increasing the size of the fuse box, which is typically standardized across vehicle models.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an additional pair of fuses within the existing fuse box structure, with output terminals pooled to maintain the same box size, allows for the protection of new electrical devices without modifying the fuse box's shape or size, and the use of conductors to connect fuses of different amperage values in the same plane, ensuring compatibility and easy replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new fuses are added to protect new electrical devices, then the protection capability is improved, but the fuse box dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple output terminals into a common pooling arrangement where multiple fuses share common output terminals that connect to the battery. This allows multiple protective functions to be integrated into a single compact fuse box structure, enabling new electrical devices to be protected without increasing the overall box dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by extending output terminals laterally from the receptacle in directions parallel to the bottom surface, while input terminals extend perpendicular to the bottom. This multi-directional terminal arrangement optimizes space utilization within the fuse box, allowing additional fuses to be accommodated without increasing external dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fuses with different amperage values are connected in the same plane, then the adaptability is improved, but the conductor arrangement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing dedicated conductor paths for different fuse configurations within the same receptacle. Conductors are arranged to connect specific input terminals to specific output terminals, with each conductor path optimized for the amperage requirements of the associated fuses. This localized conductor arrangement allows fuses with different amperage values to be connected in the same plane while maintaining proper electrical characteristics for each circuit.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a box (10) including a pair of fuses (14) intended for protecting an electrical apparatus. Each of the fuses (24, 26) has a first end (28, 32) and a second end (30, 34), said fuse box (10) comprising a pair of output terminals (46, 50) coupled with the first ends (28, 32) and a pair of input terminals (80, 86) coupled with the second ends (30, 34). The box further comprises at least one other pair (16) of fuses, each of the fuses (25, 27) of said at least one other pair having other first (36, 40) and second (38, 42) ends, and another pair of input terminals (64, 70) coupled respectively with the other second ends (38, 42). The other first ends (36, 40) of said at least one other pair of fuses are coupled respectively with the terminals of said pair of output terminals (46, 50).