FR2491255A1 - Automobile fuse mounted on flat plastics - uses integrally moulded hand grip, and has two folded metal male contacts linked by fusible element - Google Patents

Abstract

The fuse support (1) is formed from moulded plastics and comprises a flat region (6), coplanar with the male contacts (12), having a recess (16) beneath the fusible link (14) which lies perpendicular to the two male contacts (12). Hemispherical protrusions (7,8) are moulded onto the carrier opposite the recess (16) and serve to locate and lock the fuse assembly when it is in the fuse box. The male contacts (12) are made up of a sheet of metal (13) bent over a plastic tongue (11). They are fixed under the edge of the lower hemispherical protrusion (8). A hand grip (4) is moulded integrally with the fuse support, allowing removal of the fuses from the fuse box. The armature may have its surface coated with aluminium oxide.

Description

Fuse.

 The present invention relates to fuses and more particularly to a flat fuse designed to be mounted in reception boxes fitted to motor vehicles.

 For many years, fuses commonly known as "shuttle fuses have been used, which consist of a cylindrical support for the most part, conical at its ends and in which is formed a groove capable of receiving a fusible part connected to mounted contact parts. at the conical ends of the support This assembly is inserted between two flexible contact blades provided for this purpose in a housing.

 A major drawback of this type of fuse is the volume it occupies. Furthermore, the electrical conduction zones delimited by the conical ends are reduced, resulting in relative reliability.

 The present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a fuse which is extremely flat, compact and very reliable.

 The present invention therefore relates to a fuse, of the type comprising a folded metal part which comprises spaced-apart contact tabs connected by a part of smaller section constituting the fuse part, a gripping member on which the metal part is mounted, characterized in that the metal part is folded back and fixed on a stiffening frame.

Other advantages and characteristics will become apparent on reading the description given below by way of indication but not limiting of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as well as the attached drawing in which
Figure 1 is a plan view of the fuse.

Figure 2 is a sectional view along II-II of the figure
The fuse according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a gripping and support member 1, preferably in one
by molding insulating material such as plastic and obtained /
or other process. The member 1 is in the form of a parallelepiped open on one of its large faces 2 as well as on a small face 3 for reasons which will appear later. The face 4 is designed to include a peripheral rim 5 which serves as a gripping member proper.

 On the closed face 6 are provided thicker or raised areas 16 formed near the upper and lower edges, on which are provided hooking members, such as pins 7 and 8 respectively. The upper pins 7 are separated by a raised part 9 of large or the same dimensions as the raised part 10 formed between the pins 8.

 On each stud 7 and 8 is threaded a piece 11, the two pieces 11 constituting a stiffening frame on which is folded, at least in part, a metal piece 12, for example made of zinc, comprising two spaced and relatively wide tabs 13 and a part of smaller section 14, the latter constituting the actual fuse part. The raised parts 9 and 10 constitute a separation for the reinforcing parts 11 and the contact tongues 13 respectively.

 Preferably, the reinforcing pieces 11 each have a recess 15, the recesses 15 being opposite one another so that during assembly, the entire length of the fusible portion 14 cannot be in contact with said parts 11.

 The reinforcing pieces 11 are insulated or not on at least their parts covered by the metallic piece 12.

 The attachment pins 8 are used for fixing the reinforcing pieces II and the metal piece.

 Such a structure makes it possible to produce a fuse with a single fusible part 14 or if the metal part is symmetrical with respect to a transverse axis, with two fusible parts 14 and 14a, on either side of the frame, as it appears in figure 2.

The need to use two fusible parts 14, 14a is controlled to limit or reduce the voltage drop between the point of socket on the tabs 13 and
the connection area of the fuse parts. This is valid for ratings above 10 amps. For the lower ratings, only one fuse part will be used, the current flow section in this fuse part becoming impracticable if it is divided in two.

 The fusible parts 14 and / or 14a may be straight horizontal, straight inclined or according to another configuration such as an S, a V or a Z. In each of these cases, it may seem unnecessary to carry out the recesses 15 in the stiffening reinforcement.

 In addition, the choice of dimensions of the frame pieces 11 allows better heat dissipation depending on the conditions of use.

 According to a variant not shown, the frame can be constituted by a single piece in the shape of an inverted V on the branches of which the metal piece 12 is folded back, as shown in FIG. 1. In this case, the frame can also be b 'gripping and support member for the metal part, the gripping part being for example constituted by a folding of an edge of the frame. Still in this variant, the metal frame must be insulated on the surface and may be made of oxidized aluminum or not partially and the means for fixing the metal part to said frame may in particular be rivets. It goes without saying that other fixing means can be used, depending on the nature of the materials used.

 In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the plastic support 1 can be closed on its open face 2 by an insert.

 In the embodiment of the two-piece metal frame 11, the metal piece 13 can be fixed to said pieces 11 by means of a weld.

 Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but on the contrary covers all variants.

Claims (10)

 1 - Fuse of the type comprising a folded metal part (13) which comprises spaced contact tabs (12), connected by a part of smaller section constituting the fuse part (14), a gripping member (1) on which is mounted the metal part, characterized in that the metal part is folded over and fixed on a stiffening frame (11).  2 - Fuse according to claim 1, characterized in that the armature is made in one piece, in the form of V overturned and at least part of the branches of which are covered by the fold of the metal part.  3 - Fuse according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the armature is constituted by two distinct and thin parts, so that when mounting the metal part on said armature, the fuse part is -on any its length without contact with the two parts of the frame.  4 - Fuse according to claim 3, characterized in that each frame part comprises a recess, the fuse part of the metal part being located in the space delimited by said recesses.  5 - Fuse according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the armature constitutes the gripping member.  6 - Fuse according to claim 5, characterized in that the gripping part is constituted by at least one fold of the frame.  7 - Fuse according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame is metallic.  8 - Fuse according to claim 7, characterized in that the metal frame is isolated on at least the parts covered by the metal part.  9 - Fuse according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the metal part is fixed by welding to the frame.  10 - Fuse according to claim 1, characterized in that the gripping member constitutes a support for fixing the whole metallic part and frame, and in that said support is made of insulating material and open on one of its large faces, the other large face being provided with attachment pins for the frame and for the metal part as well as separation means arranged between the contact tabs.