Modular Fuse Holder Dovetail Interlocking and Wire Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuse holders lack flexibility in mounting and configuration, particularly in applications with varying fuse types and sizes, leading to cumbersome wire management issues as the number of fuse holders increases.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a modular fuse holder with dovetailed protrusions and slots for interlocking and side-by-side stacking, along with a common holder base that can accommodate different types of fuses, including blade-type, bolt-in, and marine rated battery fuses, using a single fuse holder with interchangeable PCB fuse assemblies for various blade-type fuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different types of fuse holders are used to accommodate various fuse types, then adaptability to different fuse specifications is improved, but device complexity and wire management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal fuse holder design with standardized mounting features and electrical connection interfaces that can accommodate multiple fuse types (ATM-mini, ATC-Blade, Maxi, AMG, AMI, MRBF) through a single holder configuration. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for different holder designs for each fuse type, thereby reducing wire management complexity while maintaining adaptability across various fuse specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuse holder is segmented into distinct functional components: a standardized base structure with mounting protrusions, interchangeable fuse receptacle assemblies, and separate electrical connection terminals. This segmentation allows the same base holder to work with different fuse types by simply changing the receptacle assembly, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Reliability
If multiple fuse holders are arranged in an electrical system, then current protection coverage is improved, but wire management becomes more cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fuse holders into a modular assembly where standardized mounting protrusions and dovetailed slots enable interlocking of multiple holders side-by-side. Electrical connection terminals are designed to be accessible from common sides, allowing multiple fuse holders to be installed in series while sharing common wiring pathways and mounting structures, thereby improving protection coverage without proportionally increasing wire management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized mounting protrusions and dovetailed slots act as intermediary mechanical interfaces that facilitate the integration of multiple fuse holders into a unified assembly. These intermediary features enable systematic arrangement of multiple holders while maintaining consistent wiring patterns and reducing the cumulative complexity of wire management across multiple units.
3Strength
If fuse holders are designed with specific mounting requirements for each fuse type, then secure mounting is improved, but flexibility in configuration and arrangement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse holder employs universal mounting protrusions with standardized hole patterns and dovetailed slots that provide secure mechanical attachment while accommodating various fuse holder configurations. This universal mounting interface maintains strong mechanical strength through consistent engagement features while enabling flexible arrangement and reconfiguration of fuse holders in different spatial arrangements without requiring type-specific mounting designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuse holder includes a holder base comprising a plurality of protrusions each having a mounting hole formed therein to provide for mounting of the holder base to an external component and one or more mating protrusions and one or more mating slots formed on each of opposing side surfaces. The fuse holder also includes an input stud coupled to or formed on the holder base and a cover configured to attach to the holder base to at least partially enclose one or more fuses positionable on the fuse holder. The one or more mating protrusions and the one or more mating slots formed on each of the opposing side surfaces of the holder base comprise dovetailed protrusions and slots of a matching profile capable of receiving such a dovetailed protrusion, so as to enable a side-by-side stacking and interlocking of fuse holders with such mating protrusions and mating slots.