A FUSE HOLDER AND A LINK MECHANISM THEREOF
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to fuse holders and more particularly to fuse holders for use especially in automotive, machine tools and general electric circuits.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In general, fuse holders are intended to keep the fuse links in place. Good fuse holders facilitate to achieve the best electrical contact with the subsequent electrical elements. Easy fuse replicability is an intended feature to enhance user operability. These electrical devices typically have two elements - 1) copper strip modified to maintain good electrical contact with the fuse link and 2) spring to provide the necessary contact pressure during the elevated temperatures as well.
[0003] Prior to this art, the fuse holders intended for the above-mentioned purposes were generally made without a spring. Those with springs were not compact as well.
[0004] Conventionally, the application of fuse links in various sectors like Automotive, Machine tools, General Electric circuits are growing to enhance protection. At the same time there is an absence of a compact fuse holder for the lower current rated fuses.
[0005] A known device of a fuse holder comprises a spring steel strip that supports the copper strip from the bottom and sides. This arrangement increases the lateral dimensions of the entire assembly.
[0006] Thus, there exists a need for a fuse holder wherein (i) the fuse link is easily replaced, (ii) contact pressure required to maintain the proper electrical contact is unaffected even at higher temperatures and is extremely compact.

SUMMARY
[0007] In an embodiment, a fuse holder for use with electrical equipments comprises at least one holding member for a substantially cylindrical fuse link. The holding member has at least one support portion and at least one connection portion. The support portion has (i) at least one substantially semi-circular opening adapted for notching and guiding the insertion of fuse link into the support portion (ii) at least one substantially circular side wall for holding the fuse link from the side circumferential surface, and (ill) at least one substantially convex projection disposed in the side wall for stopping the axial movement of the fuse link.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 shows an assembly state view of the fuse holder according to an
embodiment of this invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the fuse holder according to an
embodiment of this invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the holding member according to an
embodiment of this invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the spring according to an
embodiment of this invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of the holding member in mounted state of
the fuse link.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of the holding member without fuse link.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Various embodiments of this invention provide a fuse holder for use with electrical equipments. However, the embodiments are not limited and may be implemented in connection with automotive, aerospace, machine tools and general electric circuits.
[0015] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 respectively show a fuse holder in assembled and exploded states according to an embodiment of this invention, wherein the fuse holder comprises at least a pair of holding members (1) to support a fuse link (3). A spring (2) is mounted on to at least one holding member (1) for holding the fuse link (3) in predetermined position which will be described in the later part of this description.
[0016] In an embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the holding member (1) has a substantially U-shape, and is made by blanking a metallic strip. The metallic strip may be made out of say, for example, copper, brass or any other metal or an alloy thereof, that has high thermal and electric conductivity. The holding member (1) has a support portion (11) at the top and a connection portion (12) at the bottom.
[0017] In an embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the support portion(11) comprises a substantially semi-circular opening (la) and a substantially curved side wall (lb). When a fuse link (3) is inserted into the support portion (11), the semi-circular opening (1a) acts as a notch and guides the fuse link (3) into and locks the fuse link (3) into the support portion (11). The curved side wall (lb) holds the fuse link from the side circumferential surface. At least one substantially convex projection (1c) is provided in the side wall (lb). The convex projection (1c) acts

as a stopper to prevent movement of the fuse link (3) along the axial direction of
the fuse link (3).
[0018] In an example, the convex projection (1c) is made by pressing the metallic
strip subsequent to blanking. In an example, the spring (2) may be made out of
spring steel material.
[0019] In an embodiment, the connection portion (12) comprises at least one first
slit (1d) and at least one second slit (If) as shown in FIG. 3. At least one spring
(2) is positioned in the first slit (Id) and the second slit (If) to hold the fuse link
(3) in the support portion (11) as described in the following description.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the spring (2). The spring (2) comprises a limb (2a) for locking the spring (2) on to the second slit (If) as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Limbs (2c, 2d, 2e) of the spring (2) secure the spring (2) to the first slit (Id). A limb (2b) of the spring (2) prevents the holding member (1) from getting pressed inwardly and thereby ensures proper assembly of the spring (2).
[0021] In an embodiment, a hole (1g) provided in the connection portion (12) facilitates connection of the entire fuse holder assembly on to other electrical system. The limbs (2c, 2d, 2e) facilitate proper mounting of the spring (2) onto the holding member (1).
[0022] Thus, various specific embodiments of this invention provide a fuse holder for use with electrical equipments. The fuse holder according to this invention is simple in construction and provides radial and axial locking of the fuse link without increase in size of the fuse holder assembly. The fuse holder can, not only be used as an independent mechanism for fused protection, it can also be combined with electrical contact assembly to work as fused switch by itself. Self-latching compact spring provides for adequate contact pressure even in the long run and in addition also provide for easy replacement of fuse link.

[0023] This invention according to the embodiment disclosed, may be modified, and those modifications may be obvious to a person skilled in the art. However, all those modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claimed herein:

We claim:
1. A fuse holder, comprising:
(i) at least one holding member for a substantially cylindrical fuse link; (ii) said holding member having at least one support portion and at
least one connection portion; (iii) said support portion having:
(a) at least one substantially semi-circular opening adapted for notching and guiding the insertion of fuse link into the support portion;
(b) at least one substantially circular side wall for holding the fuse link from the side circumferential surface;
(c) at least one substantially convex projection disposed in the
side wall for stopping the axial movement of the fuse link.
(iv) said connection portion having:
(d) at least one spring with a plurality of limb members for holding the fuse link on to the holding member, and
(e) at lease one slit means for positioning and locking the spring on to the holding member.

2. A fuse holder as claimed in claim 1 the slit means comprises at least one first slit.
3. A fuse holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the slit means comprises at least one second slit.
4. A fuse holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one limb member is locked on to the first slit for locking the spring on to the holding member.
5. A fuse holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one limb member is positioned on to the second slit for positioning the spring on to the holding member.

6. A fuse holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring comprises at least
one limb member for stopping the deformation of the holding member
during insertion of fuse link.
7. A fuse holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the holding member is made
by blanking least one metallic strip.
8. A fuse holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the metal is at least one of copper and brass.
9. A fuse holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connection portion comprises a means to connect the holding member to an external electric system.