Fuse Module Ampacity Rejection Using Terminal and Slot Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuse modules lack the ability to selectively reject fuses with higher ampacity, potentially leading to overcurrent issues that can damage electrical circuits or pose safety risks, and they rely on user discretion for proper ampacity matching, which can result in either overly sensitive protection or inadequate protection.
Innovation Solution
The design of fuse holders and fuses with specific ampacity ratings ensures compatibility by configuring fuse terminals and slots such that only fuses with the correct or lower ampacity are accepted, using a combination of size and offset configurations to prevent higher ampacity fuses from being installed, while maintaining backward compatibility with existing fuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fuse modules accept multiple fuses regardless of ampacity, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of incorrect ampacity installation
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse holder performs self-verification by comparing the fuse terminal configuration with its own slot configuration, automatically rejecting incompatible fuses without requiring user knowledge or external verification. The system serves itself to ensure correct ampacity matching through inherent geometric compatibility checks.
2Device complexity
If fuse holders use only size-based rejection, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates because size does not guarantee correct ampacity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention focuses verification on the critical local feature of fuse terminal configuration rather than requiring comprehensive size verification. By checking only the terminal geometry and its alignment with slots, the system achieves reliable ampacity verification with minimal added complexity, targeting the specific local property that determines electrical compatibility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fuse holders strictly reject higher ampacity fuses, then safety is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because lower ampacity fuses cannot be used in emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing all fuses and rejecting only dangerous ones, the invention inverts the approach by allowing only compatible fuses through positive geometric matching. The fuse holder actively accepts only fuses with matching terminal configurations, automatically permitting correct ampacity fuses while rejecting incompatible ones, thus achieving safety through permissive acceptance rather than restrictive rejection.
Data Source
Figure 1c~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
A fuse and fuse module that facilitate ampacity rejection based on electrical contact location is disclosed. A configuration of electrical contacts in the fuse and a corresponding configuration of fuse slots in the fuse holder permit fuses within an acceptable range of ampacities to be installed in the fuse holder while at the same time preventing fuses within an unacceptable range of ampacities from being installed in the fuse holder.