Vented power distribution housing

Provided is a power distribution assembly including a power distribution housing. In some approaches, the power distribution housing includes a base having a main wall, a sidewall extending from the main wall, and a vent through the main wall. The vent may include a vent opening extending between an interior surface of the main wall and an exterior surface of the main wall. A plurality of passageways may be recessed into the exterior surface of the main wall, the plurality of passageways extending between the vent opening and the sidewall. The power distribution housing may further include a cover removably coupled to the base, the cover and the base defining an interior cavity operable to house at least one fusible element.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates generally to power distribution modules and, more particularly, to a vented power distribution module housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Power distribution housings, also referred to as “junction boxes,” have traditionally been used to house electrical components such as fuse blocks, fuses, relays, and the like. Typically, these electrical components are collectively capable of distributing power in an electrical system to one or more electrical loads, such as a refrigeration unit in a tractor/trailer combination. Mating harness connectors or ring terminals may be plugged into one or more of the electrical components within the housing to enable power distribution to the one or more electrical loads. Exposure of the power distribution housing to adverse environments and weather conditions can damage or destroy electrical components within the housing.

Various power distribution housings have been developed that are intended to protect internal electrical components from adverse external conditions. However, completely sealed power distribution housings can cause a pressure differential between internal and external areas of the power distribution housing due to temperature changes. The increased pressure causes stress on seals and cover latches of the power distribution housing.

It is with respect to these and other considerations that the present improvements may be useful.

SUMMARY

A power distribution housing according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a base having a main wall and a sidewall extending from the main wall. The base may further include a vent through the main wall, the vent including a vent opening extending between an interior surface of the main wall and an exterior surface of the main wall. The base may include a plurality of passageways recessed into the exterior surface of the main wall, the plurality of passageways extending between the vent opening and the sidewall. The power distribution housing may further include a cover removably coupled to the base, the cover and the base defining an interior cavity operable to house at least one fusible element.

A power distribution assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a power distribution housing having a base and a cover defining an interior cavity operable to house at least one fusible element. The base may include a main wall flush mountable on a surface, a sidewall extending from the main wall, and a vent through the main wall. The vent may include a vent opening extending between an interior surface of the main wall and an exterior surface of the main wall, and a plurality of passageways recessed into the exterior surface of the main wall, the plurality of passageways extending between the vent opening and the sidewall.

A power distribution housing according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a base couplable with a cover, wherein the cover and the base define an interior cavity containing at least one fusible element coupled to the base. The base may include a main wall, a sidewall extending from the main wall, and a vent through the main wall. The vent may include a vent opening extending between an interior surface of the main wall and an exterior surface of the main wall, and a plurality of passageways recessed into the exterior surface of the main wall. The plurality of passageways may extend between the vent opening and the sidewall.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merely representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the disclosure. The drawings are intended to depict typical embodiments of the disclosure, and therefore should not be considered as limiting in scope. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A power distribution assembly and a power distribution housing in accordance with the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments are shown. The power distribution assembly and power distribution housing, however, may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the system and method to those skilled in the art.

For the sake of convenience and clarity, terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “lateral,” and “longitudinal” will be used herein to describe the relative placement and orientation of these components and their constituent parts, each with respect to the geometry and orientation of the power distribution assembly and/or the power distribution housing as they appear inFIGS. 1-5. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

As stated above, approaches herein provide a power distribution housing including a breathable vent that permits the power distribution housing to be coupled to a flush-mount surface. Advantageously, the vent, which may be provided directly adjacent the mounting surface, allows a fluid such as air to flow in and out of the power distribution housing, thus ensuring that a large pressure differential does not occur, e.g., due to self-heating of components (e.g., fuses) within the power distribution housing. Minimizing the pressure differential between the interior of the power distribution housing and the exterior of the power distribution housing decreases stress on the seals and latches of the power distribution housing. Furthermore, the vent may include multiple channels extending along a bottom wall of the power distribution housing to increase air flow and decrease potential for obstruction from contaminants. Providing the vent through a bottom wall of the power distribution housing enables the power distribution housing to be mounted in a variety of diverse locations, thus increasing versatility and value.

Although not limited to any particular implementation, embodiments herein describe a housing appropriate for use with a multi-drop bus (MDB) 5-way power distribution module, which is an internally bussed, water-proof and dust-proof power distribution module developed for high current loads, and harsh conditions, and is well-suited for near-the-battery applications. MDB 5-way power distribution modules can be configured with 2 or 3 MIDI® fuses mounted in exposed locations to fit a desired design. In some examples, the MDB series fuse holder includes a cover seal and M5 thread bolts for a fuse installation.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, an exemplary embodiment of a power distribution assembly (hereinafter “assembly”)100in accordance with the disclosure is shown. The assembly100includes a power distribution housing (hereinafter “housing”)110having a base112coupled to a cover114, the cover114removably connected to the base112and covering the circuit protection components therein. The cover114can be removed, for example, to replace an opened fuse or to inspect the power distribution grid. The cover114may include a seal that prevents dust, moisture and other contaminants from reaching the circuit protection devices. As shown, the housing110may be placed atop and coupled to a flush-mount surface (hereinafter “surface”)115.

In one embodiment, the cover114can snap-fit to the base112and/or include one or more latching mechanisms116to releasably secure the cover114to the base112. Although not specifically illustrated, the cover114may also include means to further facilitate grasping and removal, such as tabs, projections, recesses, etc.

The base112may include a main wall122and a sidewall124extending from the main wall122. As shown, the sidewall124may be oriented perpendicular to the main wall122. Furthermore, the sidewall124may extend around all or part of a perimeter of the main wall122. As best shown inFIG. 3, the cover114and the base112define an interior cavity128operable to house at least one fusible element130therein. In some embodiments, the fusible element130may be coupled to the base112.

In some embodiments, the base112may include set of interlocking features for mounting multiple housing assemblies together, as well as one or more mounting apertures120for securing the base112to the surface115. In some embodiments, the housing110may be made of an insulating material, such as plastic, which is molded to form a demonstrated shape. In some embodiments, the base112and the cover114can be made of the same or different materials, such as an insulating plastic, e.g., nylon, glass-filled nylon, polyester and polycarbonate.

The fusible element130and other components are illustrated for automotive uses, such as for cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, wave-runners, all-terrain vehicles and other types of sports vehicles or others listed above. However, the teachings of the present disclosure and the benefits and advantages of the assembly100are not limited to vehicle type applications.

As shown inFIGS. 2-3, the base112may include a vent135through the main wall122. The vent135may include a vent opening138extending between an interior surface140of the main wall122, and an exterior surface142of the main wall122. The vent135may further include a plurality of passageways145extending between the vent opening138and the sidewall124. As shown, the plurality of passageways145are recessed into the exterior surface142of the main wall122of the base112. Although not limited to any particular configuration, the plurality of passageways145may include a first pair of passageways148extending between a first side150and a second side152of the main wall122of the base112, and a second pair of passageways156extending perpendicularly from the first pair of passageways148. The first and second pairs of passageways148,156are fluidly connected with the vent opening138. As shown, the second pair of passageways156extend between the vent opening138and a first end160of the main wall122of the base112. The first and second pairs of passageways148,156define a plurality of outlets164through the sidewall124of the base112, wherein the plurality of outlets164provide fluid (e.g., air) communication between the interior cavity128and atmosphere external to the housing110.

Turning now toFIGS. 4A-4C, the vent135according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in greater detail.FIG. 4A-4Bshow the vent135with a cover168provided thereover, whileFIG. 4Cshows the vent135with the cover168removed. In some embodiments, the cover includes a membrane170attached to an adhesive172, which is then secured to an interior perimeter face174of the vent135. The adhesive172may be shaped as a ring having a central opening. As shown, the vent135may include a target frame176circumscribing the vent opening138, wherein the target frame176extends from the interior surface140into the interior cavity128. The target frame176may be provided to align the cover168over the vent opening138. The membrane170may be an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, which is both waterproof and breathable to allow air to pass therethrough. The vent135may include one or more support components180extending across the vent opening138. Although non-limiting, the one or more support components180may take on a cross or bullseye configuration. Furthermore, although the target frame176and the cover168are cylindrically shaped, other configurations for both are possible in various embodiments.

As shown inFIG. 5, each of the support components180has an exterior surface182planar with the exterior surface142of the main wall122of the base112. As such, the exterior surface182of the support components180is flush with the surface115(FIG. 1). Furthermore, the exterior surface182connects to planar divider surfaces184,186, which separate each of first and second pairs of passageways148,156. The planar divider surfaces184,186may also be flush with the surface115. As shown, the first and second pairs of passageways148,156are fluidly connected with one another.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain approaches, numerous modifications, alterations and changes to the described approaches are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the present disclosure, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the described approaches, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof. While the disclosure has been described with reference to certain approaches, numerous modifications, alterations and changes to the described approaches are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the described approaches, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.