Network Protector Fuse With Captive Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation and removal of fuses in network protectors are cumbersome due to the need for thick insulation gloves, leading to dropped components, potential injury, and increased downtime, as well as the risk of molten copper particles causing electrical failures during fuse operation.
Innovation Solution
A network protector fuse with a partial C-shaped fuse cover and captive fasteners that minimize component dropping, provide a method for easy removal, and visually indicate a blown fuse, while redirecting potential arcs and preventing damage from molten copper fragments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thick insulation gloves are used for personal protection, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in holding small components
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse and fasteners are merged into a single pre-assembled unit, eliminating the need for installers to handle separate small components with thick gloves. The entire fuse assembly can be installed or removed as one piece, resolving the contradiction between safety protection and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuse and fasteners are pre-assembled into a complete unit before installation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for installers to manually attach fasteners during the installation process, making the operation simpler while maintaining safety requirements.
2Device complexity
If loose fuse studs and nuts are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of dropping components and causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse and fasteners are combined into a single integrated assembly, eliminating the risk of dropping loose components. This merging maintains simplicity while significantly improving reliability by preventing component loss and associated damage.
3Reliability
If a partial fuse cover is added, then reliability is improved by containing arcs and fragments, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse cover redirects harmful arcs and molten copper fragments away from other components, converting a potentially damaging effect into a controlled directional flow. This protects the network protector mechanism while adding minimal structural complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If fuses are installed with multiple separate components, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse and fasteners are pre-assembled into a complete unit during manufacturing, allowing precision assembly to be performed once during production rather than repeatedly during installation. This reduces installation time while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuse assembly is segmented from the fasteners during manufacturing, allowing independent optimization of each component's precision before final assembly. This enables high precision manufacturing while reducing on-site assembly time.
Data Source
AI summary
A network protector fuse is disclosed. A fuse is coupled to a fuse cover of the network protector fuse utilizing fasteners. Further, at least one captive fastener is inserted into the fuse cover and configured to couple the network protector fuse to a network protector. The at least one captive fastener is restricted from dislodging from the fuse cover.