Quick-Connect In-Line Fuse Holder for Tool-Free Wire Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-line fuse holders require specialty tools and are time-consuming to install, with possible points of failure and the need for heat shrink tubing to prevent water intrusion, and they are difficult to remove without cutting the wires.

Innovation Solution

An in-line fuse holder with quick connect electrical connectors that allow direct connection of wires to the fuse holder's electric contacts, eliminating the need for specialty tools and enabling easy disconnection without cutting the wires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If permanently attached wires are used in existing in-line fuse holders, then the fuse holder provides overload protection, but the installation requires specialty tools and heat shrink tubing, and wire removal requires cutting the wires

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverload protectionVSAvoidinstallation and removal ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fuse holder is divided into separate components: the holder body with electrical contacts, and detachable quick connect terminals. This segmentation allows the terminals to be easily connected and disconnected from the holder without cutting wires, while the holder itself remains intact and reusable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical connection is made dynamic through the quick connect terminals that can be easily attached and detached. This replaces the static permanent wire attachment, enabling the fuse holder to be installed and removed repeatedly without wire cutting or specialty tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If threaded posts and nuts are used to secure wires to terminals, then wires can be secured to the fuse holder, but the installation is time-consuming and requires specialty tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire securing strengthVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The complex mechanical fastening system of threaded posts and nuts is replaced with a simplified quick connect terminal design. The quick connect terminals use a push-in or snap-fit mechanism that provides adequate wire securing strength without requiring threading operations or specialty tools, dramatically reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If electrical connectors and heat shrink tubing are used for splice connections, then water intrusion and electrical contact issues are prevented, but the complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater intrusion preventionVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The functions of electrical connection and environmental protection are merged into the quick connect terminal design. The terminal housing integrates the electrical contact points and includes built-in sealing features that prevent water intrusion without requiring separate heat shrink tubing, thereby reducing overall connection complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The quick connect terminal acts as an intermediary component that provides both electrical connection and environmental protection in a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for multiple separate components (connectors plus heat shrink tubing) and simplifies the overall connection system while maintaining protection against water and electrical hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250140504A1In-line fuse holder
Publication Date: 2025.05.01 SOBBI BAHRAM
  • US20250140504A1 patent drawing
  • US20250140504A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An in-line fuse holder has quick connect electrical connectors for electrically connecting wires with a fuse held by the holder. The quick connect electrical connectors allow connecting the wires without splicing the wires or attaching electrical connectors to the ends of the wires.